Chapter 53: Shuyao Follows Lin Ran to the Hotel and Catches Him in the Act

Shudu is a leisurely city. By afternoon, the open-air tea stalls in Wangjiang Park are filled with people, sipping tea, chatting, playing cards—passing the time in every imaginable way.

Lin Ran had arranged to meet the landlord here to discuss the apartment.

The landlord said, “Honestly, when the price for my apartment rose to forty thousand per square meter, I didn’t sell. I thought I’d wait longer, but then the prices started dropping fast. Now, all around, listings are above thirty-five thousand, but it’s been half a year and no one’s bought. I listed mine at thirty-three thousand, and lately there have been quite a few inquiries, but hardly any serious buyers. Xiao Lin, you mentioned on the phone you wanted to buy—are you really serious?”

Lin Ran replied, “Of course. If I weren’t, why waste time meeting you?”

The landlord continued, “Mine is a two-bedroom with a title deed for seventy-seven square meters, but there are 9.7 square meters gifted by the developer, not counted in the deed, and half of the balcony’s area is also gifted. After subtracting shared space, the actual usable area inside is eighty-five square meters. The total price is two million five hundred and ninety thousand, and I can’t go lower. Any less, and I see no reason to sell. That’s my principle.”

Lin Ran said, “Two million five hundred and fifty thousand, paid in full.”

You say ‘no less,’ but I insist.

Principle?

I like to break principles with cash.

The landlord asked, “I’m curious why you want to buy. I remember renting to two girls.”

Lin Ran answered, “My girlfriend and her best friend live there. I bought furniture for them, but leaving it in someone else’s home feels like a loss, so I plan to buy your apartment.”

The landlord was surprised, “You bought furniture? How much?”

Lin Ran replied, “Three hundred and forty thousand for the furniture—almost a hundred thousand more than your apartment.”

The landlord nearly spat out his tea in shock.

Lin Ran persisted, “Two million five hundred and fifty thousand. If you’re willing, we can arrange a time to go to the Housing Bureau for the paperwork.”

The landlord didn’t hesitate. “Tomorrow morning at ten.”

“Agreed,” Lin Ran said.

The landlord asked, “Xiao Lin, pardon my curiosity, but you make money so easily—what do you do?”

Lin Ran replied, “Game investment.”

“Games!” The landlord was delighted. “What a coincidence. My nephew is also in the game business, though not as successful as you. His company is developing a new game but lacks funding. Many investors aren’t optimistic, so it’s been tough. Since you’re in game investment, would you be interested in his project? Come, I’ll send you their promotional video.”

The landlord sent the video. Lin Ran opened it: a thirty-second 3D game trailer.

The protagonist had three eyes, wielded a double-bladed trident, and started by fighting a fierce black dog. Suddenly, he opened his heavenly eye and instantly defeated the dog, recruiting it as a follower. Then, the protagonist raised his weapon, pointing toward the tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers above, charging at the Jade Emperor’s palace.

The last frame froze on the protagonist in a domineering pose.

The game title popped up—“Black Yang Jian.”

“What do you think, Xiao Lin? Isn’t it exciting?” the landlord asked.

“The trailer is well made, but it’s clearly a single-player game. No wonder investors aren’t interested.”

“I know online games are the moneymakers now—easier to develop, selling skins and gear for profit. Who still makes single-player games? But my nephew insists, and he’s invested a lot. Now he’s stuck: can’t advance, can’t retreat. As his uncle, I can only help him seek investors. Are you interested?”

“I can’t judge based solely on a trailer. Since it’s still early, let’s go see your nephew’s company.”

“It’s not in Shudu. It’s in Shanghai.”

“…”

“If you’re interested, I’ll buy you a ticket and take you there.”

Lin Ran was a student at Zhejiang University and used to visit Shanghai often, though not since graduation. He still had old friends there—it could be worth a visit.

“Give me your nephew’s number. I’ve got some things to handle these days. Once I’m done, I’ll contact him and go directly.”

“I’ll buy your ticket.”

Lin Ran laughed. “Mr. Zeng, you truly are a good uncle.”

The landlord replied, “What else can I do? That’s what uncles are for. Tell you what, Xiao Lin: if you invest in my nephew’s project, I can lower the apartment price for you.”

“Alright. Then let’s wait a few days before discussing the apartment.”

“No problem. I’ve got a mahjong game scheduled. I’ll leave now—keep in touch.”

“Alright.”

After seeing the landlord off, Lin Ran watched the trailer again.

This game actually had some promise.

Right now, Lin Ran wanted to find a game to invest in, something to build a career—otherwise, he’d just drift aimlessly.

Whether he’d invest or not, he’d decide after going to Shanghai. For now, something more important awaited him—Jian Wei’an!

Lin Ran wanted to lose his virginity.

With Shuyao at home, it wasn’t convenient; a hotel was better.

He’d once retouched photos for a client, Brother Zhang, who worked at a hotel. Lin Ran contacted him ahead of time, since he had no ID card with him—it was at the rental apartment. He drove back to the underground garage, rushed upstairs, and pushed open the door.

Jiang Shuyao, transformed into a chef, was at the dining table experimenting with strange desserts, her long hair tied into a braid draped over her chest.

“Lin Ran, you’re back. I made some mini cakes—try them.”

Lin Ran broke off a piece and tasted it.

“Delicious. Excellent.”

Then he dashed into the master bedroom, searching the bedside table.

Jiang Shuyao, eating cake, walked to the door. “What are you looking for?”

“Nothing,” Lin Ran replied, closing the drawer, seemingly hiding something in his pocket.

“Shuyao, I have to go out for a bit. Won’t be home tonight—bye.”

Lin Ran left.

He came and went in a hurry. What was he looking for?

Jiang Shuyao rushed into the room, opened the drawer, counted—Lin Ran’s card holder was missing.

Card holder?

Did he take his ID?

Jiang Shuyao hurriedly messaged Jian Wei’an: “Are you coming home tonight?”

Jian Wei’an replied, “Of course. Where else would I sleep?”

If so, why did Lin Ran need his ID?

Oh!

Jiang Shuyao cried out in alarm.

Could it be he’s booking a room with another girl?

No, no, she had to find out.

Jiang Shuyao abandoned the cake, hurriedly put on shoes, donned a baseball cap and mask.

She rushed out, then remembered something, dashed back into the kitchen, and slipped the cleaver into her bag.

A pat for confidence.

Now, she went downstairs and out of the complex, just as a Bentley sped by.

She quickly flagged a taxi. “Driver, follow that Bentley ahead.”

The driver glanced at the anxious young woman in the back. “Boyfriend, right?”

“Just drive and don’t lose him.”

“Relax, I’m an old hand. Not my first time with this sort of thing. Though it’s my first time tailing a Bentley. Your boyfriend must be rich. Listen, girl—later, talk it out with your wealthy boyfriend. As long as he doesn’t go too far, turn a blind eye. If you break up, some other woman will benefit. Right?”

Jiang Shuyao retorted, “So money means you can do whatever you want? Money means you can be forgiven? No way! If he books a room with another woman, I’ll kill him!”

The proper way for the best of friends—these two were fiercely loyal to each other.

What was meant to happen finally arrived.

The Bentley stopped at the Waldorf Astoria’s parking lot. Lin Ran got out; Brother Zhang, who had been waiting, greeted him warmly, and together they entered the hotel.

The driver parked outside, watching the young woman’s boyfriend go into the hotel with another man. He glanced at her sympathetically—she seemed to have lost to a man!

“Don’t worry, girl. Losing to a man isn’t really losing.”

“Typical Shudu!” Jiang Shuyao tossed out, opened the door, got out, lowered her cap, raised her mask, followed in, and picked up a magazine to cover herself near the front desk, listening in on Lin Ran and his male friend’s conversation.

“Brother Lin, which kind of room do you want? I’ll tell the manager to give you a discount.”

Hm?

Jiang Shuyao was stunned.

That man was a hotel employee—scared her for a moment.

In another city, she wouldn’t have thought twice, but in Shudu, she really would.

Good, good, Lin Ran is straight!

So Lin Ran is booking a room, and a girl will arrive later.

Jian Wei’an was at work and had already said she’d return home after. So it couldn’t be her.

Lin Ran said he wouldn’t be home tonight—ha, this dog of a man was planning to cheat. The thought of Lin Ran sleeping with another woman made Jiang Shuyao angry for her friend.

“How much for the presidential suite?”

“That fancy? Let me show you the room first, then you decide.”

“Alright.”

The two entered the elevator.

Jiang Shuyao glanced at the floor map to confirm the suite’s floor, then rushed into another elevator.

Ding—the floor arrived.

When she came out, Lin Ran and Brother Zhang had already gone into the presidential suite to view it, the door left open.

Jiang Shuyao called Lin Ran.

Ring, ring, ring—he answered.

“Hello, Shuyao. What’s up?”

“Lin Ran, where are you?”

“I’m out meeting a client.”

“Has the client arrived?”

“Not yet.”

Ha.

Jiang Shuyao couldn’t take it anymore; her heart ached terribly.

She strode straight into the presidential suite. In the living room, Brother Zhang turned to see a fully armed young woman enter. “Who are you?”

Hearing his voice, Lin Ran looked back, and the fully armed girl tore off her mask and cap, revealing herself—Jiang Shuyao.

This!