“Su Nian, come join me,” Bai Yun Sheng said, leaning against the bookshelf.
Zheng Su Nian continued browsing through the library’s shelves, still unable to find the ancient painting collection he was looking for. He turned and gave Bai Yun Sheng a push. “Let’s go. They don’t have it. Let’s head to that restaurant you mentioned.”
“Hey, I’m talking to you!” Bai Yun Sheng followed him out of the library, lowering his voice. “Xue Jiang Pan’s offer is really good, and I’m getting tired of working for Xiao Yi.”
“Do I look like the type to go into business?” Zheng Su Nian buckled his seatbelt in the passenger seat. “I’d end up losing all your money. I’m fine with my replication work.”
“Do you know how little you make from that?” Bai Yun Sheng started the car and tossed his cigarette accurately into a nearby trash can. “The guy selling steamed buns outside my building earns more than you. Everyone’s rushing into tech or finance, and here you are, replicating ancient paintings.”
“You’re talking too much. Am I spending your money that you’re so eager for me to earn more?”
“I just don’t get you and Yun Jin. Isn’t money important? Isn’t money the best thing? You two…”
“If you keep talking about money, you can go eat by yourself.”
“Who eats hot pot alone? If Yun Jin didn’t hate mushrooms so much, I would’ve taken her ages ago.”
“Hey, Bai Yun Sheng, is it all about money and Yun Jin for you now? I have no money and no girlfriend, so I guess we can’t be friends anymore. Let me out.”
“No, no, we’re almost there.”
The restaurant Bai Yun Sheng picked was a newly opened mushroom hot pot place near his apartment. Since Gu Yun Jin couldn’t stand the smell of mushrooms, he had asked Zheng Su Nian to join him instead.
As they waited for the food to arrive, Bai Yun Sheng returned to their earlier conversation. Zheng Su Nian gave him a glance. “You don’t need to get so worked up. I actually think Gu Yun Jin has a point. Money is important, sure, but it shouldn’t be everything. You’ve become a bit obsessed lately.”
“This is no different from you being obsessed with your paintings,” Bai Yun Sheng poured himself a drink. “I’m in business, so of course, I’m constantly thinking about money. Money is great. Without money, I can’t revive Bai Ji Jewelry. Without money, I can’t give Yun Jin the life she deserves. Without money, we wouldn’t be sitting here having hot pot and drinks. It’s reality.”
Zheng Su Nian shook his head, choosing not to argue further.
Bai Yun Sheng stood up to take a phone call, covering the receiver and gesturing to Zheng Su Nian before heading to the restroom.
Meanwhile, Gu Yun Jin pulled a blue folder out of the bookshelf, pressed the speaker button on her phone, and said, “Found it.”
“As long as you found it. Go downstairs, Yi-ge will be there to pick it up soon.”
“Why are you making the boss come get a contract himself?”
“He forgot to remind me earlier. He said he’d be driving by our neighborhood, so I told him to grab it. I’m not home, so I asked my girlfriend to bring it down for him.”
Gu Yun Jin muttered an “okay” and hung up.
She had just finished working on a qipao and hadn’t even taken off her sleeve protectors. Her hair was tied up messily as she hurried downstairs. To her surprise, Xiao Yi’s car arrived quicker than expected. She waved, and the car slowly rolled to a stop in front of her.
Xiao Yi lowered the window but didn’t extend his hand.
Feeling a bit awkward, Gu Yun Jin asked, “Hello, Mr. Xiao, right?”
Xiao Yi nodded.
“This is the contract Yun Sheng asked me to give you.” Xiao Yi’s gaze made her feel uncomfortable as he stared at her intently. “Sorry for the trouble. He felt bad about not being here.”
“You’re his girlfriend?”
“Yes, I just happened to be home.”
“I thought so.”
His comment was vague and left Gu Yun Jin unsure of how to respond. Seeing that Xiao Yi didn’t make a move to take the contract, she extended her arm and slid it under the steering wheel.
As she withdrew her hand, Xiao Yi leaned down, his chin brushing her skin.
A shiver ran down Gu Yun Jin’s spine.
Later that night, she scratched the back of Bai Yun Sheng’s neck with her fingers as they lay in bed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your Yi-ge is disgusting.”
“What did he do?”
Gu Yun Jin thought about it but realized nothing had really happened. It was just the way Xiao Yi had looked at her, like an octopus sticking to her, making her skin crawl.
“Just gross.”
“There are plenty of gross people. Look at me—I’m the cure for gross.”
“Hah, you’re the kind that brings gross right to the door—gross personified.”
“Hey, I think you’re acting up again today…”
Soft sounds of playful scuffling came from under the blanket.
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