82: Chapter 82 Fifty Thousand

Jiang Chen looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

A number turned in his head.

Fifty thousand.

When this number popped into his head, even he felt it was a bit much.

But he knew in his heart whether she was worth that price.

Fifty thousand yuan was enough for three years of her sister's tuition, more than half a year of her parents' medical expenses, and enough for their family of three to live comfortably with money to spare.

But he gave this number not just because of those things.

He glanced at the person curled up under the covers.

The morning light fell on her shoulder, her skin so pale it was almost transparent.

The red marks on her collarbone were exceptionally clear in the light; he had left them last night.

She was completely unaware, exposed to the light so defenselessly, like a young beast unaware that its natural predator was right beside it.

He had seen beautiful, sexy, and charming women.

Like Su Wanqing, the famous Great Water Mage, whose representative work was Flooding Jinshan.

Like Lin Wan, who was clear-headed and restrained, a huge contrast that made one's blood boil.

But someone like her—a pure lolita, and a White Tiger at that.

It was Jiang Chen's first time experiencing this.

And the experience was very good.

So it was worth it.

But he wouldn't give it all at once.

Fifty thousand was the baseline, but not the ceiling.

Future matters would depend on her performance.

If she was good, he'd give more; if she was sensible, he'd add a bit more.

Let her know that by following him, life would only get better and better.

He didn't think more, picked up his phone, found her WeChat, and transferred the money.

Her phone vibrated once on the nightstand.

When the screen lit up, she subconsciously glanced at it.

Fifty thousand.

Her pupils constricted.

Fifty thousand yuan was enough for her to work at a convenience store for ten months.

Enough for three years of her sister's tuition.

Enough for more than half a year of her mother's medicine and daily expenses.

Her fingers gripped the corner of the quilt, her knuckles turning white.

And this was only the first month.

He had said "every month."

Jiang Chen didn't look at her again, bowing his head to open Lin Hao's chat box and typing a few words.

"Su Xiaoxi won't be going to Liujintai anymore. Calculate how much was lost, and I'll make up for it."

Less than ten seconds after the message was sent, Lin Hao called him directly.

Jiang Chen glanced at the screen, answered, but didn't speak.

Lin Hao's lazy voice came through the receiver, sounding a bit smug: "I fucking knew you had this move up your sleeve."

Jiang Chen didn't respond.

"I could tell when you picked her last night."

Lin Hao's tone was like he was claiming credit, "The way you looked at her—tsk."

"Get to the point."

"The point is..." Lin Hao dragged out the last word.

"I've already put in a word for you. I had someone pull her file from the training side and cross her off the shift schedule at the venue. Don't worry, it's all clean; no one will give her trouble."

Jiang Chen's finger paused on his knee.

"When did this happen?"

"This morning. Before you were even awake, I had someone handle it."

Lin Hao laughed, "Otherwise, how do you think I've done so well in the Exotic Pet Industry? That business relies purely on vision! Those with poor vision would have starved to death long ago."

Jiang Chen was silent for two seconds.

"Losses?"

"Losses my ass."

Lin Hao interrupted him, "A newcomer who just finished training and hasn't even officially been on stage—what losses could there be? Don't give me that. Just bring me a few more exotic pets later, that's better than anything."

Jiang Chen didn't decline further.

"Alright. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Lin Hao paused, his tone suddenly becoming a bit more serious, "But seriously, this girl has a good foundation and isn't stupid. Treat her well."

Jiang Chen didn't answer and hung up the phone.

He placed the phone on his knee and looked back at Su Xiaoxi.

She was still curled under the quilt, her fingers gripping the corner in the exact same position as before.

Hearing him hang up, she raised her head slightly and looked at him expectantly, like a small animal that didn't know how it would be dealt with.

"You don't need to go to Liujintai anymore," he said in a flat tone. "I've already put in a word."

She froze for a moment, her eyes widening slightly.

"Your file has been pulled, and your shifts are canceled."

He stood up, walked to the window, and pulled the curtains halfway open.

Sunlight flooded in, spreading a patch of warm golden light across the carpet.

"That place has nothing to do with you anymore."

Su Xiaoxi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her throat felt blocked.

She hadn't expected him to move so quickly.

Even more so...

He had already arranged everything before she even agreed.

Her eyes suddenly felt a bit stinging.

"I'll give you the afternoon."

Jiang Chen's back was to her, his voice neither high nor low.

"Go back and pack your things, hand over whatever needs to be handed over, and come back to Jiangcheng with me tonight."

"Tonight?" she repeated subconsciously.

"Mm, we'll leave before dark. We'll arrive there just in time to get settled."

She nodded, then realized his back was turned and he couldn't see, so she added: "...Okay."

Jiang Chen turned around and glanced at her.

She was curled in the quilt, with only her face showing.

Her face was flushed, and her eyes were exceptionally bright from the unshed tears, like glass beads washed in water.

Her hair was scattered on the pillow, black as ink, making her face look even smaller and paler.

Her features still carried a childishness that hadn't fully matured; her chin was pointed, and the bridge of her nose was delicate.

Her lips were slightly swollen because they had been bitten a bit last night, which instead added a touch of unconscious charm compared to usual.

She looked like an unripened fruit, with a hint of sweetness amidst the greenness.

Pure like a high school student who had just walked out of the school gates, the childishness not yet fully faded, her features clean without a single trace of being worn down by society.

"I'll pick you up at three in the afternoon."

His voice returned to that unhurried tone, as if he were arranging a most ordinary matter.

"Remember to send me the address."

"I know."

Her voice was muffled, as if squeezed out from under the quilt.

Jiang Chen picked up his coat and walked toward the door.

When he reached the door, he paused and looked back at her.

She was still sitting on the bed, wrapped in the quilt, revealing a slender neck and rounded shoulders.

The morning light fell on her, making her look almost transparent.

"Su Xiaoxi."

"Hmm?"

"About last night," he paused, "it wasn't just because of the money."

The door closed.

Su Xiaoxi sat on the bed, looking at the closed door, not moving for a long time.

The sunlight from the gap in the curtains moved slowly across the carpet, turning from gold to warm white, then from warm white to a faint orange.

She lowered her head and looked at the transfer on her phone.

Fifty thousand.

When he transferred it, he didn't even ask for her card number, didn't make her write an IOU, and had no additional conditions.

She stared at the number for a long time, then pressed the phone to her chest.

Her heart was beating fast.

Not because of the money.

But because when he said those words, his tone was so calm, as if he were saying something perfectly natural.

"It wasn't just because of the money."

She pulled the quilt over her head and curled up inside.

In the darkness, the corners of her mouth curled up.

Curled up very deeply.