190: Chapter 190 There's a Method to Spending Money

Jia Youran had a fairly accurate grasp of her physical state.

By the fifty-minute mark, she had basically regained her ability to move, though she still couldn't exert much strength and needed to lean on Zhao Xiaoshuai to walk. However, this could also be considered a unique kind of intimacy.

Half an hour later, the two of them, now fully dressed, had arrived at Jia Youran's research institute.

Researchers passing by, whether they were rushing somewhere or deeply engrossed in thought, would respectfully stand up and greet her upon noticing Jia Youran's arrival.

Having been out in the world for a few years, Zhao Xiaoshuai could naturally tell that their respect for this young director was genuine and not just perfunctory.

"We'll need to wear dust-proof suits if we go any further in. Do you still want to see it?"

"Of course. I need to understand the environment my woman works in."

Jia Youran was a sucker for this; hearing her boyfriend take an interest in her work added several points to her favor.

Entering the inner room, there were even more busy people. Zhao Xiaoshuai didn't understand what the various experimental facilities were for, but they looked expensive at a glance.

"See this machine? It cost me nearly five million. Thanks to your funding, we were able to afford this device with much higher precision, which has greatly accelerated our efficiency in producing results."

"Is this the best machine there is?"

"How could it be? There are devices costing over ten million, but we just can't afford them. Research burns money."

"So you're saying the last investment has been spent?"

"Pretty much, but the resources we bought should last us a month or two."

Zhao Xiaoshuai did not easily add more investment right away.

For one thing, his reputation was about to meet the target, and he would soon be able to improve his main quest evaluation, so spending Silver Cards now would be a huge loss.

Secondly, they had previously agreed on an investment of seven million per month, so he wouldn't arbitrarily increase it. Doing so would make the gesture seem cheap, and ten million would far from achieve the effect that ten million should have.

After all, the easier something is to obtain, the less it is cherished.

In fact, when he first obtained the system, he was so inflated that he spent money recklessly. Several of the women, Meng Yawen, Guan Xiaosu, and Xu Yuyan, had inexplicably received sums of money far beyond their imagination.

Due to her temperament, Guan Xiaosu didn't change much. In contrast, her daughter changed quite a bit, which took a lot of effort for her to discipline.

As for Xu Yuyan, she had completely started to get carried away.

Sister Hong had recently hinted to him about Xu Yuyan wanting to get an advance on her salary, which was only put to a stop after he gave her a stern warning.

Because he had given her enough money at once for her mother's kidney transplant, she suddenly lost her biggest expense and still had a large amount of "pocket money" every month.

The hardships she had endured over the years began to rebound, so she started spending lavishly, unwittingly maxing out her credit cards, IOUs, and other credit products.

When money becomes just a string of numbers on a phone, it indeed greatly lowers people's "vigilance," causing them to spend large amounts of money without realizing it.

But these were no excuses. People must be responsible for their own actions, and this was a good opportunity for her to learn a lesson.

Now, Xu Yuyan was on the credit blacklist and was restricted from high-end consumption.

Although he wouldn't ignore it if she really ran into trouble, and he had privately asked Sister Hong to keep an eye on things to ensure that her mother's follow-up rehabilitation treatment wouldn't be affected.

But at least on the surface, she was now living a life even poorer than before.

The amount she owed would take about three more months of "pocket money" to pay off.

There had also been significant changes with Meng Yawen.

She used to be just an ordinary female college student, but now, from her clothing to her cosmetics, everything had been switched to luxury brands, and the things she focused on daily no longer had anything to do with being a college student.

Her current daily expenses were basically equivalent to the monthly salary of an average office worker.

However, as his official girlfriend, she deserved to enjoy this treatment.

It was just that, considering school was about to start, he was afraid that if she went back to school as her naive self, she would be treated like a cash cow and taken advantage of, which would end up making her unhappy. So, he had subtly given her a heads-up.

With these lessons, Zhao Xiaoshuai had become much more cautious about giving money to the women who followed.

Inflated desires often destroy a person, and giving without restraint only produces the opposite effect. The most typical example was none other than himself...

Therefore, there is an art to spending money; one must find a suitable and reasonable entry point.

After touring the laboratory that Jia Youran was so proud of, Jia Youran led him to a conference room to rest for a while, and Zhao Xiaoshuai began his strategy.

"Youran, we previously agreed that I would invest seven million in you every month."

"I certainly remember. I brought you to see the equipment today, but that wasn't to hint that I'm short on money again..."

"That's not what I meant. I certainly know you are a person with a sense of propriety and wouldn't try to push your luck and break our established agreement. It's just that I want to make some changes, and I need your consent."

"Well then, tell me. I won't agree if it's too unreasonable."

"Hehe, if I increase the monthly investment to thirteen million, would your research progress be able to accelerate significantly?"

"Of course! Just a little over ten million would allow us to exchange for the most advanced international instruments, which could greatly improve the precision and accuracy of our experiments, and naturally, it would also significantly boost our progress."

"Then starting next month, I'll increase it to thirteen million, but I have one request."

"Go ahead. We are already in the most intimate relationship; I really can't imagine what else I, as a woman, could give you."

"You must ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep every day, you are not allowed to get sick, you must eat well, take good care of yourself, and, as much as possible, spend more time with me. The current situation where we can't even go on a date once a week won't do."

Jia Youran was stunned.

She had already prepared herself for her boyfriend to make some very shameful, very kinky requests, and as long as it didn't hurt her dignity too much, she would try her best to satisfy him.

In this life, being able to meet a partner who has the ability to support one's career and satisfy one's spiritual and physical needs is a very rare thing.

She might never meet another person in this life who is more suitable for her than him.

Her reason couldn't grasp the logic behind Zhao Xiaoshuai's request, so she asked, somewhat incredulously: "It's just that simple?"

"Is it really simple? Think carefully about whether you can do it right now."

Jia Youran carefully reviewed her daily routine, and indeed, it didn't seem that easy.

But compared to the thirteen million monthly investment, she believed she could definitely do it.

"Fine! I promise you. When I get back, I'll set up a camera in my room so you can..."

"Where did your mind go, Youran? This isn't a transaction, and we don't need to sign any contracts. This is just a little agreement between the two of us."

Jia Youran felt a throb in her heart that she had never felt before. Is this what love is?

She seemed to understand a little bit.

[Jia Youran's favorability +20]

"Mm, I'll listen to you. I will definitely keep our agreement."