114: Chapter 114 The Moonlight Is Expensive Tonight

The elevator doors slowly closed with a slight mechanical friction sound, cutting off the figure holding a cake with slightly red eyes from his sight.

Inside the enclosed metal cabin, the four walls were like mirrors, reflecting Su Zhe's face, which was filled with inner conflict as if he were undergoing a fierce internal battle.

In his mind, two little versions of himself were fighting frantically, and the battle was tragic.

The little man on the left wore a tattered vest and held an abacus; that was his survival instinct: "Su Zhe, wake up! Those are half-priced ribs! That's protein! That's your energy source for the coming week!

You only have five thousand yuan left in your card. If you don't budget carefully, you'll be starving next month.

Besides, today is the mall's big promotion. Once you miss this chance, it's gone.

Women only affect the speed at which you draw your sword, and they empty your wallet.

Think about that sixteen million in interest! Think about your house that's about to be auctioned off!"

The little man on the right wore a tuxedo and held a rose; that was his budding conscience and love: "But... she's Lin Qingxue.

She is your only ray of light in this strange world.

Even though she's a high-and-mighty Diva, she never looks down on you for being poor. She's always finding ways to bring you food and even accompanies you in those clumsy acting roles.

Today is her birthday. She canceled all her appointments and waited for you at the door with a cake she made herself, and you're just leaving like this?

Won't your conscience hurt?

Are you even a man?

Can pork ribs stay with you for a lifetime?"

Ding!

The elevator stopped on the first floor.

The doors opened.

Outside was the noisy mall broadcast, with the supermarket's loudspeaker shouting at the top of its lungs: "Fresh pork ribs, half price for a limited time! Half price! Last ten minutes! Get them before they're gone!"

To Su Zhe, that voice was more tempting than a Siren's song and more beautiful than an Oscar-winning actor's lines.

He stepped one foot out.

In that instant, he could almost smell the aroma of braised ribs, sweet and sour ribs, and steamed ribs with rice flour lingering at the tip of his nose.

But in the next second...

That foot snapped back as if it had touched an electric current.

Because in his mind, the scene from just before the elevator doors closed suddenly surfaced—Lin Qingxue standing in the dim corridor like a kitten abandoned on a rainy night, her shoulders trembling slightly, those phoenix eyes that usually held pride and laughter now filled with aggrieved tears that were about to fall.

If that single tear fell, it would probably hurt him more than losing five million on the ground.

"Damn it."

Su Zhe cursed under his breath and slammed the close button with such force it seemed he wanted to push it into the wall.

"If the ribs are gone, I can buy them again. Even if they're more expensive, I'll just take on two more security door commercials or go apply screen protectors under the overpass.

But if my wife runs away in anger... where else am I going to find a girlfriend who is this silly, this beautiful, and willing to let me mooch meals off her?

Money can be earned again, but in this day and age, sincerity is more valuable than gold."

As the elevator ascended again and the weightless feeling of dizziness hit him, the greed and calculation in Su Zhe's eyes gradually faded.

In its place was a look of unprecedented, do-or-die determination and tenderness.

...

Top floor corridor.

The motion-sensor lights had long since gone out, leaving only a faint bit of moonlight coming through the window at the end to barely outline the slender silhouette leaning against the wall.

Lin Qingxue was still standing there.

She lowered her head, looking at the exquisite cake box in her hands, her knuckles white from the force of her grip.

She had made the cake herself. For this cake, she had stayed up all night looking up tutorials, succeeding only after three failures.

She had originally thought that a glutton like Su Zhe would be very happy to see it, and would complain about the appearance while eating until his mouth was covered in cream.

But now...

"Idiot Su Zhe.

Dead miser.

All he cares about is ribs... am I really not even worth a few pieces of pork?

I'm never going to talk to you again...

In the future, I won't let you spend a single cent of my money, I won't let you hitch a ride in my car, and I'll even pour out the remaining half bottle of shampoo!

Even if I feed it to the dogs, I won't let you use it!"

She sniffled, and tears finally couldn't help but well up in her eyes, blurring her vision.

Just as she took a deep breath and prepared to turn and leave, vowing that even if she had to spend her birthday alone and eat this cake alone, she would never look back—

"Ding."

The elevator doors opened again.

A hurried set of footsteps broke the silence of the corridor.

That familiar figure rushed out, panting for breath.

He had run too fast, so his hair was a bit messy, and he was still carrying that old red-and-blue woven bag, which looked completely out of place and even a bit ridiculous in the corridor of this high-end apartment.

But in Lin Qingxue's blurry, tear-filled eyes, he looked more pleasing and handsome at this moment than ever before.

"Teacher Lin!"

Su Zhe called out, his voice carrying an obvious breathlessness.

Lin Qingxue's footsteps came to a sudden halt.

She didn't turn around, trying her best to control her voice so her crying wouldn't leak out, but it still carried a thick nasal tone: "What did you come back for?

Are the ribs sold out?

Or did you fail to out-snatch the old ladies?

Or did you forget to bring your discount coupons?"

"Didn't go."

Su Zhe casually tossed the woven bag he usually treated like a treasure onto the floor with a soft thud.

He took three steps in two, strode up behind her, reached out, and somewhat overbearingly hugged her tightly from behind.

His arms were very strong, squeezing her until it hurt a little, as if he wanted to rub her into his own body.

His chin rested on the crook of her neck, and his warm breath brushed against her ear, carrying the faint scent of laundry detergent that was unique to him—the scent Lin Qingxue was most familiar with.

"The ribs were half price, but I looked at them; the color of the meat wasn't right today. It wasn't fresh enough to match today's occasion."

Su Zhe's voice was right by her ear, deep, raspy, and even carrying a trace of an undetectable tremor.

Lin Qingxue's body stiffened.

The psychological defense she had built up collapsed instantly, and her grievance turned into endless sorrow.

"What occasion?

World Metrology Day?

Or your loan repayment day?

Or the day some bank pays out interest?"

"The day you came into this world."

Su Zhe tightened his arms, holding her even closer until there was no gap between them.

"It's also the day that makes me feel... that this shitty world, which is useless except for debt and full of the stench of money, suddenly became a little sweet, a little worth lingering in."

A hot tear slid down Lin Qingxue's cheek and dripped onto the back of Su Zhe's hand.

"Smooth talker..."

She choked up, wanting to break free but reluctant to leave this warmth. "Weren't you going to save money? Didn't you say every cent is your life?"

"Not saving anymore."

Su Zhe turned her around, looking at her tear-streaked face.

Even in the dark, her eyes were as bright as stars.

He reached out with his rough thumb and gently wiped away the tear tracks from the corners of her eyes, his movements as tender as if he were wiping a rare treasure.

"Money is just a bastard; once it's spent, we'll earn more. For you, I can be a spendthrift for once. Let's go."

"Where to?" Lin Qingxue asked with a sob.

Su Zhe's lips curled into a heroic smile that treated money like dirt.

"To take you to squander my entire net worth."

...

Ten minutes later.

At the nearby Wanda Plaza.

Two figures sneakily slipped into the mall from the underground garage.

The man was dressed in all black, with a hat and mask covering him tightly, leaving only a pair of bright eyes visible.

The woman wore a large trench coat, her face covered by sunglasses and a mask, exuding a cold aura, yet her hand was held tightly by the man.

This look only worked because it was night; otherwise, they would have been detained as suspicious persons by security long ago.

"Su Zhe... aren't we standing out too much like this?" Lin Qingxue asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry."

Su Zhe was full of confidence. "As long as I don't cause a scene, no one can recognize me. My current image in everyone's hearts is the 'Flower of the Factory' in a Flying Fish uniform or a pervert in a white lab coat. Who would think I'd dress like this to go shopping?"

The two walked straight to a niche jewelry counter with a good design.

Su Zhe glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention before tapping on the glass counter.

"Hello."

He lowered his voice as if he were at a secret rendezvous.

"Bring out the best necklaces you have around five thousand yuan. Make it quick, and make it look cool."

The salesgirl was startled.

Looking at these two fully armed "masked guests," her subconscious reaction was to press the alarm.

But then she saw the famous watch on Su Zhe's wrist—which was old but still recognizable—and the trench coat on Lin Qingxue, which had no visible brand but was of excellent quality.

She held back.

"Of course, sir..."

The salesgirl tremblingly brought out several trays.

Su Zhe leaned over the counter, his eyes sharp. "This one won't do; too flashy, it'll reflect light and get caught by paparazzi.

This one is too complicated; it'll be inconvenient to wear while filming.

This one..."

Su Zhe pointed to an extremely thin platinum necklace with a hollow star pendant, set with a tiny diamond chip.

Low-key, exquisite, and not ostentatious.

"Even in the darkness, you must be the brightest star."

Su Zhe picked up the necklace and measured it against Lin Qingxue's collarbone.

"This is the one."

Price tag: 4,999 yuan.

Su Zhe glanced at his phone balance: 5,250.00 yuan.

This was his entire net worth!

But he didn't hesitate for a second, even skipping the bargaining phase.

"Swipe the card. No need to wrap it, I'll put it on her directly."

"Very well."

Su Zhe took the necklace and walked behind Lin Qingxue.

He slightly pulled back the strap of her mask, his fingers touching her warm earlobe.

Lin Qingxue's body trembled slightly.

"Su Zhe..."

Her voice was very soft. "You've spent all your savings. What are you going to eat next? The northwest wind?"

"I'll live off you."

As Su Zhe fastened the clasp, he whispered righteously, "I've hung my entire net worth around your neck. This is a venture capital investment.

From now on, I'm sticking to you. You're the Diva, and I'm the man behind you."

Fastened.

Su Zhe looked at her in the mirror.

The star sparkled between her collarbones. Although it wasn't big, it was everything he could currently give.

"Truly beautiful."

"Let's go, home."

He took Lin Qingxue's hand and quickly retreated from the "crime scene" like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank.

...

Inside the rental room.

Once the door closed, the world finally became quiet.

The two took off their disguises.

Su Zhe used his remaining ingredients to make a meal of "Golden Egg Fried Rice"—two bowls of rice, a plate of pickles, and the lopsided little cake placed in the middle.

The candlelight flickered, simple yet warm.

After finishing the meal.

Lin Qingxue didn't leave.

When Su Zhe came out after his shower, he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed wearing his oversized T-shirt, her long legs swaying enough to make one dizzy.

As a top-tier star, she was always glamorous in front of the lens, but at this moment, with her bare face and wearing a cheap oversized T-shirt, Su Zhe found her more moving than ever.

"It's too late, I'm not going back."

Her face was as red as an apple, and her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "I'm afraid of being caught by paparazzi."

Su Zhe's hand drying his hair paused, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Are you sure? My bed is very small, and the air conditioner doesn't cool well."

"I'm not afraid of the heat."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Zhe threw down the towel, took a few steps over, and knelt on one knee at the edge of the bed, looming over her in the shadows.

"I'm no saint."

Lin Qingxue hooked her arms around his neck: "Neither am I."

Su Zhe let out a low growl and kissed her.

This time, it was no longer the restrained touch from the mall.

But a long-suppressed explosion.

Su Zhe's palms were burning hot as they explored along the hem of her shirt, his fingertips brushing against her delicate skin, triggering a wave of shivers.

[Anatomy Mastery] allowed him to precisely avoid all skeletal obstructions and reach the softness directly.

"Mmm..."

Lin Qingxue let out an unbearable low moan.

This sound completely ignited the fuse.

Su Zhe's breathing was heavy, and his eyes seemed to be on fire.

His fingers reached back, skillfully unfastening the hooks.

That was the second time tonight he had unfastened a "clasp," only this time, it was for a deeper level of communication.

Just as he was prepared to take it a step further.

Lin Qingxue suddenly pressed down on his hand, her body stiffening.

"Wait... wait!"

Su Zhe's eyes were bloodshot, the arrow already on the string. "What's wrong? Having second thoughts?"

Lin Qingxue buried her head in the pillow, dying of shame and frustration. "No... it's my period. Maybe I was too excited, it came early."

"..."

A bucket of ice water was poured over his head.

Su Zhe maintained his position propped above her, like a stone statue.

After a full five seconds, he slumped powerlessly into the crook of her neck and let out a desperate wail: "What a sin!

Do you know how fast my heart is beating right now?

Do you know how many calories that set of moves just burned?

It'll take two chicken legs to make up for this!"

Lin Qingxue couldn't help but laugh, patting his head. "I'm sorry, next time... definitely next time."

Su Zhe looked resentful as he rolled over to lie beside her, resignedly pulling her into his arms and helping her pull her clothes back in place. "Forget it, you're not feeling well, just sleep."

"Su Zhe..." Lin Qingxue leaned over and kissed him. "Actually... besides that, there are other ways..."

"Shut up! Sleep!"

Su Zhe gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, pulling her even tighter as if to rub her into his bones.

"Hands are meant for signing contracts, they can't get tired! Hurry up and sleep. If you tempt me again, I'm really going to have to fight a bloody battle!"

Lin Qingxue shrank into his arms in fright, but a sweet smile hung on the corner of her mouth.