46: That's disgusting!

As soon as those words were spoken, the air instantly went silent.

The faces of the female colleagues all showed looks of disdain.

Sister Wang, a woman in her forties from a nearby workstation who was already married with children, could no longer bear to listen.

With a "thwack," she slammed the folder in her hand onto the desk and spat at Zhang Wei.

"Pah!"

"Zhang Wei, you stinking rogue, can't you show some decency with your mouth? You don't say a single decent word all day long!"

Zhang Wei didn't get angry at all after being scolded; instead, he waved his hand with a chuckle.

"Oh, Sister Wang, why are you getting so worked up?"

"I was just making a joke to lighten the mood!"

Another male colleague, who hadn't spoken until then, chimed in coldly.

"Can't be helped, who told Qiaoqiao to be so beautiful?"

"For girls, being pretty means having privileges!"

These words sounded like a compliment, but they made Yan Qiaoqiao feel even more disgusted than Zhang Wei's crude remark.

Yan Qiaoqiao's hands under the desk tightened unconsciously, clenching into fists.

But in the end, she endured it.

She even forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

After all, she was just a newcomer on her first day of work.

On the other side, Lin Chao had already returned home.

He didn't even have time to take a drink of water before he immediately started packing his things.

A few of Wu Ruolan's clothes were tossed on the sofa.

In the entryway, her high heels lay scattered in disarray.

These were all things Wu Ruolan had personally said she didn't want anymore when she left with Yang Feiyue.

With an expressionless face, Lin Chao found several large black trash bags.

He grabbed those things and stuffed them inside without even looking.

In this home that was once filled to the brim, there were surprisingly only a few items left that belonged to him.

A closet full of clothes, a few professional books in the study, and some daily necessities.

That was it.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh.

His gaze finally fell on the kitchen.

That brand-new set of Zwilling cutlery was something he had specifically bought when Wu Ruolan said she would cook for him.

That pink Enamel pot was something she had acted spoiled to get, and he had waited in line for ages to snag it.

And those matching pairs of bowls and plates... Lin Chao's eyes grew cold bit by bit.

He didn't want to take them.

Not at all.

He didn't want to bring these things, tainted with another person's scent and filled with ironic memories, into Xie Mengya's house.

That would be disrespectful to her.

And a pollution of her home.

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated.

He dragged his half-worn suitcase out of the bedroom and stuffed his few clothes and necessities inside.

With a "thud."

He casually tossed the suitcase into the trunk of his SUV.

He took out his phone and clicked on the location address sent by Xie Mengya.

Navigation, started.

The car smoothly drove away from the neighborhood that made him feel suffocated.

Half an hour later.

Lin Chao parked his car at the entrance of a high-end residential area called "Qinglan Garden."

Just looking at the grand gate and the security guards standing straight—even proactively saluting—Lin Chao knew this place wasn't cheap.

He found the building according to the unit number Xie Mengya had given him, swiped the card, and took the elevator.

The moment he opened the door with the passcode.

He stood frozen on the spot.

Good lord!

How was this just a house?

This was practically a palace!

Outside the transparent floor-to-ceiling windows was an unbeatable river view; the marble floors were as polished as mirrors, and the modern decor was simple yet luxurious.

Four bedrooms and three living rooms.

Lin Chao took a quick glance and found that every single room damn well had its own private bathroom!

The house was spotless and tidy, clearly well-maintained over a long period.

All sorts of high-end furniture and appliances were fully provided.

Lin Chao finally understood why Xie Mengya's expression had been so strange on the phone yesterday when he said he was willing to pay three thousand yuan in rent.

He shook his head with a bitter smile.

Three thousand yuan?

Here, that probably wouldn't even be enough to rent a toilet.

This favor was getting a bit too big.

Lin Chao sighed inwardly.

Dragging his half-worn suitcase that was completely out of place in this luxury mansion, he picked a south-facing second bedroom and walked in.

The room was ridiculously large, even more spacious than the small apartment he had previously rented with Wu Ruolan.

He opened the closet; it was empty and emitted a pleasant woody scent.

Hanging his few wrinkled clothes inside instantly looked a bit ridiculous.

Lin Chao didn't think more about it; he simply washed his face to calm himself down.

Business first.

He grabbed his car keys and headed out again.

Driving nearby, he found a pharmacy that looked quite large and walked in.

"Hello, what do you need?" the pharmacist asked politely.

Lin Chao was concise: "Acupuncture needles, do you have any?"

The pharmacist was taken aback and gave him a few extra looks before taking out a box of well-packaged Acupuncture needles from under the counter.

"Yes, which size do you need?"

"The thinnest ones, one and a half inches will do."

After paying, Lin Chao walked out of the pharmacy with the light box of needles.

Sitting in his car, he opened the box.

Rows of Silver Needle as thin as cow hair glinted coldly in the sunlight.

He picked one up, a familiar sensation coming from his fingertips.

This thing, he hadn't seriously touched it in several years.

Back then, both his maternal and paternal grandfathers praised him for having steady hands and spiritual talent, saying he was born for this profession.

But now... He gave a self-deprecating smile, put the needles away, and started the car.

Time passed quickly, and around five o'clock, his phone rang abruptly.

Lin Chao glanced at the caller ID.

Yan Qiaoqiao.

He swiped to answer and put it to his ear.

"Hello, Lin Chao, are you finished with your work?" On the other end, Yan Qiaoqiao's voice carried a hint of cheerfulness, mixed with the noisy background of a vegetable market.

Lin Chao grunted in response, "Yeah, just finished. What's up?"

"Um... I've sent our home address to your WeChat. Just come straight over."

Yan Qiaoqiao's voice sounded a little nervous.

"I'm buying groceries right now. How about I cook dinner for you at my place tonight?"