146: Unyielding Tension

Upon discovering that the stalker was none other than the persistent Zhang Li, Lei Jun's slight wariness turned into impatience.

She had already made herself very clear at the auction. For him to follow her now was no longer persistence, it was an offense.

She didn't even bother to give Zhang Li another glance, directly ordering Lei Ying in a cold voice: "Ignore him. Speed up and leave."

"Yes, Miss."

Lei Ying responded and stepped on the accelerator. The high-performance vehicle instantly erupted with powerful momentum, shooting forward like an arrow from a bow and easily leaving Zhang Li's Maybach behind.

After a few consecutive lane changes, the Maybach in the rearview mirror was reduced to a shrinking speck of light.

Lei Jun withdrew her gaze and leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes.

She detested people who pestered others. Investment was about mutual consent; forced sales only bred more resentment.

Meanwhile, in the Maybach left behind, Zhang Li slammed his hand against the steering wheel. The smile on his face collapsed, replaced by indignation and a hint of urgency.

However, he did not give up. Relying on his familiarity with the roads of Shanghai and a sheer obsession, he had the driver barely keep up with Lei Ying.

Someone who could afford a 63-million-yuan painting was definitely the savior of his company!

He flipped through the folder in his hand, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

The company had been developing "star universe era" for three years, investing nearly 200 million. Now that it had reached the critical stage of closed beta testing, they were facing a broken capital chain.

He had gone to the auction today to try his luck, hoping to find wealthy individuals interested in cultural investment to discuss IP cooperation. He hadn't expected to spot Lei Jun at a glance.

Dressed in priceless jewelry and bidding on antiques without blinking, she was definitely a major patron who could provide a 50-million-yuan investment.

Following Lei Jun, they arrived at the entrance of the Tomson Riviera luxury residential area.

Looking at the magnificent gates and the heavily guarded security, Zhang Li's car was unceremoniously stopped outside.

Sitting in the car and gazing at the cluster of buildings standing by the river—a symbol of Shanghai's top wealth and status—Zhang Li felt a massive shock to his system.

"She... she actually lives here!"

Zhang Li's heart pounded wildly.

He knew all too well what this place represented.

It wasn't just about the astronomical housing prices; it was one of the ultimate symbols of identity, status, and immense financial power.

The scale of assets and social influence of those who lived here were far beyond what ordinary wealthy people could compare to.

"No wonder she could casually spend over sixty million on a painting and dismiss my fifty-million-yuan investment proposal with disdain..." he muttered to himself, finally finding an answer to his previous confusion.

But at the same time, an even stronger thought rose in his mind.

"If... if I can convince her to invest, even if it's just a negligible fraction of her assets, it would be decisive for our company!"

"Not only would it solve our funding issues, but we could also leverage her name and social circle to bring in incalculable resources!"

The immense temptation overwhelmed the embarrassment and frustration of being repeatedly rejected.

He glanced at the thick project proposal on the passenger seat, gritted his teeth, and made a decision: "Wait, I'll wait right here at the entrance!"

"Maybe I'll still have a chance to talk to her one more time!"

...Meanwhile, Lei Jun had long since put Zhang Li out of her mind. As soon as she pushed open her front door, she smelled a rich aroma that instantly dispelled all her fatigue.

Su Qing came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, a shy smile on her face. "Miss Lei, you're back? I made some home-cooked dishes. They're fresh out of the pan; you can eat as soon as you've washed up."

Lei Jun's mood brightened even more. She was indeed quite tired.

Smelling the food, she finally felt her hunger.

"Thank you for your hard work, Su Qing."

She nodded with a smile and turned toward the bathroom.

Warm water poured down from overhead, washing away the exhaustion from her body.

By the time she came out in comfortable silk loungewear, the dining table was already covered with dishes.

Lei Ying, Lei Yue, and Su Ya were already seated, but no one had picked up their chopsticks; they were clearly waiting for her.

Lei Jun scanned the dining table, her eyes lighting up.

Su Qing's skills certainly did not disappoint.

In the center was a large bowl of Braised Lion's Head meatballs. The meatballs were a pale, clean color, floating in a clear broth and garnished with a few emerald-green vegetables. The aroma was rich yet not greasy.

Beside it was a plate of Pan-Seared Black Cod. The skin was seared to a golden crisp, the edges slightly curled, drizzled with an amber-colored lemon sauce that released a sweet and sour fragrance.

There was also a plate of Crab Roe Tofu. The tender white tofu was coated in golden crab roe and sprinkled with a few scallions, the savory scent piercing straight into the nostrils.

The stir-fried seasonal vegetable was freshly picked Choy Sum, a vibrant emerald green that looked incredibly refreshing.

Finally, there was a Matsutake and Bamboo Fungus Soup. The broth was clear, with a few slices of matsutake floating in it, bursting with fresh aroma.

"Go ahead and eat, don't wait for me."

Lei Jun sat down and was the first to pick up a piece of the Lion's Head.

The meat was delicate and soft, melting in the mouth. It also contained minced water chestnuts, adding a bit of crunch and freshness, completely devoid of the greasiness found in ordinary Lion's Head meatballs.

She nodded in satisfaction and looked at Su Qing. "Su Qing, your skills are getting better and better. This Lion's Head is even better than the ones at Cloud Top Pavilion."

A blush instantly crept onto Su Qing's face, making her look a bit embarrassed.

"I'm glad you like it. I specifically looked up the recipe. For Lion's Head, you have to choose meat that is thirty percent fat and seventy percent lean. It must be chopped by hand rather than using a meat grinder to stay tender. The black cod was specifically picked from the seafood market this morning; it's the freshest batch."

Lei Ying took a piece of the black cod. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the sweet and sour lemon sauce perfectly neutralized any fishiness. She couldn't help but nod. "It really is delicious!"

Lei Yue echoed the sentiment, her mouth stuffed full as she mumbled her praise.

Su Ya, while eating the Crab Roe Tofu, also praised her sister's cooking.

Lei Jun ate with great enjoyment. She wasn't usually a picky eater, but she rarely felt this satisfied.

The richness of the Braised Lion's Head, the tenderness of the black cod, the savory flavor of the Crab Roe Tofu, and the refreshing matsutake soup—every dish was just right, fitting her palate without being overly oily.

She finished a full bowl of rice and finally had a bowl of matsutake soup before putting down her chopsticks. She patted her slightly rounded stomach, her heart full of contentment.

"Su Qing, I'm leaving the three daily meals of this household to you from now on."

She thought back to how she used to either eat takeout or dine at restaurants. Although those used top-tier ingredients and culinary skills, they always lacked the taste of home.

The food Su Qing made was not only delicious but also carried a warmth of domestic life, making this newly moved-in luxury villa feel more like a home.

Hearing this, Su Qing's eyes instantly lit up, and she was incredibly happy.

She nodded hurriedly.

"Alright, Miss Lei, don't you worry. I will definitely do my best. I'll change the menu every day to ensure you are satisfied."

She was already starting to plan tomorrow's menu: crystal shrimp dumplings and millet porridge for breakfast, steamed grouper and braised pork for lunch... She had to make sure Miss Lei and everyone else ate happily.