Chapter 1121: Still Taking

In the old neighborhood, inside the newly renovated house, the full table of dishes had been completely eaten, leaving only vegetable soup and seasonings.

"You really can eat." Zhu Zhe sighed, then laughed. "But it's also really good; we ate everything we wanted to eat, and nothing was wasted."

Wang Yan drank his beverage and asked with a smile, "So I'm just playing the role of a rice bucket?"

Neither of them drank alcohol, but the meal was very pleasant, filled with talk and laughter.

"Of course not, it's just that when eating, your role is especially significant." Zhu Zhe raised an eyebrow at Wang Yan, stood up, and said, "Alright, you sit for a while, I'll wash the plates and bowls first."

"I'll help you clean up the kitchen."

Wang Yan was certainly not a lazy person. He started working immediately, standing up to join Zhu Zhe in the kitchen.

Zhu Zhe was working at the sink, watching Wang Yan use a rag to deal with the oil stains on the stove, and asked with a smile, "You haven't done this kind of work before, have you?"

"Do you really take me for a young master from a big landlord's house? My family didn't have money either. After my parents passed away, it wasn't like we were immediately relocated. I was still in school then, and the savings my parents left weren't much. I lived frugally then, and occasionally I'd go do odd jobs—handing out flyers, running promotions—I've done it all. This kind of housework definitely wasn't lacking."

"Why a young master from a big landlord's house?"

"Even a landlord's house doesn't have surplus grain..." Wang Yan mimicked the tone. "A small landlord accumulates wealth through frugality and bullying the villagers, without ever leaving labor. What they eat isn't much better than a poor peasant; being able to eat their fill is good enough."

"I see. I don't know much about those things."

"Just be grateful for the new era."

"Of course I'm grateful, otherwise I wouldn't have had the chance to get out."

Laughing and chatting, they cleaned up the kitchen waste and sanitized the area, then sat down to drink tea to aid digestion.

"Isn't it a cigarette after a meal for you? Smoke if you want; I don't mind."

"Forget it, it's not like I have to smoke. I don't have that big of an addiction, and let me live another minute."

"Then you might as well quit."

Wang Yan smiled and said nothing. He could quit smoking entirely thanks to the "Living Father's" blessing.

He didn't know why others did it; he started smoking to act cool, thinking he looked handsome with a cigarette in his mouth. Later, it became a habit, and perhaps later, it was to resist emptiness. The "Living Father" had purified his body, given him a strong will, and given him more distant goals, so he was never bored and never anxious...

Seeing he didn't respond, Zhu Zhe stopped dwelling on it and asked instead, "Have you really never thought about settling down? Like this, spending the New Year all by yourself..."

"Look, we're back to that again." Wang Yan shook his head with a smile. "I don't feel anything, but you think I'm a bit pitiful."

"I really feel pitiful myself, so I'm projecting."

"Then you're projecting wrong. I definitely miss my parents, but since that's the reality, I can't force it. I don't feel anything else; it's just an ordinary day. If I were always pitiful, with so many holidays, would it ever end?"

Zhu Zhe couldn't help but laugh. "You're changing the subject."

"I know what you mean, but that's just going back to what we said when we first met. I don't want to harm good people, and I don't want bad people to torment me. There's no need to look for trouble for myself."

"Then you'd better be careful. Don't let a child suddenly pop up out of nowhere; you'll be miserable then."

"You're not wishing me well." Wang Yan shook his head with a laugh.

Zhu Zhe also laughed; she had grasped Wang Yan's magnanimity, which was why she could say such things.

After laughing, she thought for a moment and asked, "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask. There's nothing I can't say."

"You and Zhenzhen and Lucy... are you..."

Wang Yan glanced at her and nodded with a smile. "It's just as you think. But you don't seem like the type to gossip."

"Who doesn't love gossip? It's mainly because your situation isn't ordinary; I'm just too curious. Zhenzhen is a second-generation wealthy kid, a PhD, lacking nothing, worrying about nothing. Lucy graduated from a prestigious university and is a high-level white-collar worker who worked her way up—she's educated, knowledgeable, and has methods."

"And He Minhong's leader is the same; she's at least an editor-in-chief of such a big company. I've never understood how they are willing to... um... you understand what I mean..."

"I understand, I understand perfectly. It's just that you still have some misunderstandings. You think I'm talking with money, and since these three don't seem to lack money in your eyes, you're confused about our romantic relationship. But that's normal. When I see a beautiful girl on the street holding the arm of a chubby man who looks quite old, with a large age gap..."

"Even if the gap isn't large and they're both young, my first thought is that the man has money and the woman is materialistic—a pure exchange. Even more disgustingly, I might even let my mind wander, thinking the woman might be cheating or something. But in reality, that's not the case. Such situations definitely exist, and there are quite a few, but you can't say it's absolute. Because it's always a human issue, not something decided by money or beauty."

Wang Yan raised an eyebrow at Zhu Zhe and smiled. "Do you understand now?"

"I understand. It's because they took a liking to you as a person, and it has nothing to do with anything else." Zhu Zhe nodded. "But you really are quite a good person. Aside from your romantic relationships, there's nothing to complain about."

"I call that universal love."

Wang Yan repeated it again, then said, "Actually, it's not entirely because of the person. After all, if I didn't have money, I couldn't make this happen. If I had the desire but no strength, and couldn't even control my own time, no matter how much universal love I had, I couldn't love anyone. Ye Zhenzhen and Zhang Qian, speaking of it, are mainly because they aren't extremely conservative. Although it sounds harsh, we are indeed friends with benefits; no one restricts anyone."

"Lucy's situation is a bit complicated. I originally had no chance with her. You know her experience; although she always dresses in a form-fitting, tight way, she's conservative inside. But through a series of coincidences, things developed step by step, and it pushed us to this point."

"Because of Li Qixing? So she gave herself to you?"

"Of course there's an element of gratitude, but you can't say it's entirely giving herself. There must be the reason that I'm not a bad person."

Seeing Wang Yan raise an eyebrow at her, Zhu Zhe shook her head and smiled. "Ye Zhenzhen isn't the kind of relationship you described. I see that she's emotionally involved. Whenever she talks about you to us, the sour smell of jealousy is something anyone can smell."

"You know an idiom, right?"

Zhu Zhe frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head decisively. "What idiom? I don't know!"

"You know."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Zhu Zhe blushed a little...

They were sitting on the sofa not far apart. Wang Yan moved directly over and sat close to Zhu Zhe. He turned his head and asked, "What do you think of me as a person?"

"Didn't I just say? Aside from your romantic relationships, you're just a playboy." Zhu Zhe moved to the side and sat at the end of the sofa.

Wang Yan moved closer again, sitting right next to her. "I've said before, men and women both have physiological needs."

"But not everyone is so dissolute." Zhu Zhe's face felt like it was on fire, and her body felt like soft water, but she panicked and lifted her hips, wanting to stand up and leave, to get away from Wang Yan.

Before she could walk away, Wang Yan pulled her back, letting her sit on his lap, and held her in his arms. Before Zhu Zhe could react, he had already kissed her directly.

Zhu Zhe's reason was refusing, but her body's reaction told her that her reason was wrong. She hadn't been drinking, nor had she been drugged; it was just that the conversation had led to this point.

She wanted to push Wang Yan away, but her hands rested on his chest, feeling soft and powerless. The correct reaction should have been a slap across Wang Yan's face, but clearly, she didn't do that.

She was already thirty-three this year. The incident with Chen Zufa was many years ago, and she hadn't dated anyone in all these years. She saw that she had no intention of dating, marrying, or having children, because she couldn't let go of her work now. She wasn't irreplaceable; once she married and had children, she would be unemployed and would find it hard to return to her current position.

Moreover, she didn't want to settle for marriage, and she didn't want to give up the results she had struggled so hard to achieve.

Her contact with Wang Yan wasn't much, but it wasn't little either. Often, when Wang Yan went to work, he would drop her off at the hotel on the way. This was why she didn't even ask, and didn't need Wang Yan to invite her; she had become accustomed to it and defaulted to hitching a ride whenever she caught Wang Yan going to work.

This was certainly not easy, because she was a person with very strong boundaries. But as she said, Wang Yan was a very good person. Aside from his romantic relationships, there were no problems in other areas. Whether it was talking about serious matters, unserious matters, or getting things done, his personality charm was displayed to the fullest. He seemed like a black hole, attracting people who wanted to explore.

She naturally had a good impression of him, but she knew it was impossible.

However, she thought that whether it was Ye Zhenzhen, Lucy, or Zhang Qian, none of them were her equal, and yet such people were obsessed with Wang Yan and had romantic relationships with him. This was what shook her convictions.

Today was the first day of the New Year, a time when there was a bit of heartache and sadness, and a feeling of being "fellow sufferers at the ends of the earth." With this, plus her current situation, and the various rumors and gossip about men and women flashing through her mind, she let go of herself... her hands became even softer, even more powerless...

She even unconsciously wrapped her arms around Wang Yan's neck.

She felt the man's scent filling her nose, felt the entanglement of lips and teeth, and felt the warm, thick sensation that had penetrated her clothes and covered her chest. She was lost in it, unable to extricate herself.

She knew this wasn't good, wasn't right...

After a long time, their lips parted. She opened her eyes and looked into those deep, dark eyes.

"Is this not... um..."

But Wang Yan's hand used some force to knead her "little treasure," causing her body to feel numb and let out a cry.

Wang Yan leaned in close, pressing against her forehead. "What was that idiom you said earlier?"

"I don't... um..."

"What was it?"

"Love... grows with time..."

"I have two more idioms to tell you."

"What?"

"When the mood strikes, even metal and stone can be opened..."

Having said that, Wang Yan carried Zhu Zhe horizontally into the bedroom...

The sky was completely dark, and the lights in the room weren't on. Zhu Zhe pulled the quilt up to her chest; under the quilt was a mischievous hand.

"Nothing to say?" Wang Yan asked with a smile.

"I'm thinking about when it became like this."

"You say it like that, and it makes me so sad. Like what? I'm unmarried, you're unmarried—what's the problem?"

"I don't mean that, it's just..."

Wang Yan laughed. "You have to know that people can change the environment, and the environment can change people. Neither is immutable. This shows that unknowingly, your good impression of me has broken through the boundaries, and you've been captivated by me."

"I thought you could say something serious. Stop being so narcissistic. But I admit, you do have personality charm."

"Is there no physical charm?"

Zhu Zhe's face, which hadn't yet calmed down, turned even redder. "You're really not suitable for marriage."

"Suitable for being a boyfriend. Oh, this time it's for real."

"I really don't understand, how did you take a liking to me?"

"You have no confidence in yourself? You're pretty, your figure is good, your mind is clear, and your ability is enough. You're already an outstanding person. Don't always dwell on not having gone to college or not having culture."

"But where doesn't require that now? Many of our hotel employees are now college graduates, and there are a bunch of undergraduates. The requirements for management positions are even higher. Didn't the front office manager change? The new one is a graduate from a 985 university; they're excellent."

"Give me your bank card number."

"What for? What do you take me for? I..."

Wang Yan used a little force, kneading her words back in. "Why do you have so much to say? Hurry up."

"I really..."

"Hmm?"

Zhu Zhe gave in and picked up her phone to send the card number to Wang Yan, but she had made up her mind not to spend Wang Yan's money.

Until she heard the content of Wang Yan's phone call to the bank... Five million!

Hanging up the phone and placing it on the nightstand, Wang Yan hugged Zhu Zhe with a chuckle. "Scared?"

"That's too much..."

"Take it and spend it; it's enough for you to do many things."

"Are you always this generous?" Seeing Wang Yan smile without answering, Zhu Zhe asked, "Did you give Lucy and Zhang Qian..."

"Don't ask about that. The money should arrive a little after eight tomorrow morning. Take it with peace of mind. Do you have confidence now?"

Zhu Zhe looked up at this damned, captivating man and smiled beautifully. "I do."

Even if she didn't spend the money, Wang Yan's attitude was in place, and she truly had confidence. Because she felt she had a foundation, and even more, she felt she had a solid reliance.

Wang Yan felt her heart beating violently; she was genuinely excited.

"Don't be afraid to spend it. I dared to give it, so what are you afraid to spend?"

"I still feel a bit unreal."

"Then feel it some more."

He started working immediately. Although Zhu Zhe was already struggling to handle it, she still insisted on meeting him...

They were supposed to return to Joyous Song that day, but clearly, they didn't make it, and didn't return until the afternoon of the next day.

Zhu Zhe slowly opened the door to 2202 and walked in slowly.

"Sister Zhu, you're back?" Yu Chuhui heard the movement and came out, thumping along.

"I'm back."

The two had communicated in the group chat during Zhu Zhe's break, so she wasn't surprised. "You're back early. I thought you were on a business trip and would play there for a few days."

"During the New Year, there are people everywhere, and there's nothing fun. I missed my good Sister Zhu so much. Thinking of you all alone with no one to keep you company, I came back to keep you company."

Yu Chuhui sized up Zhu Zhe and asked with concern, "Sister Zhu, are you not feeling well?"

Zhu Zhe was still walking slowly. "A little."

"But you look radiant, and your spirit seems very good. It feels so strange..."

"Uh... it's just my waist is uncomfortable, an old problem, you know. Does a sore waist have to mean a pale face?"

"Hehe, Sister Zhu, sit down quickly. I brought back some local specialties; the taste is quite good. Wait for me to get them for you." Yu Chuhui ran off to get the things.

Zhu Zhe hurriedly calmed her mood, then ate and chatted with Yu Chuhui, and even started a group video call to laugh and talk with Ye Zhenzhen and the others... ===== CHAPTER 1122 =====