Chapter 40
Chapter 40
A mischievous smirk played across Wang Ming’s lips.
He leaned closer to Li Zhixuan. “What I mean is, if I come to live at your place, where would I sleep? I can’t even stretch my legs out on this tiny sofa. Are you suggesting I squeeze into bed with you?”
Li Zhixuan feigned anger. “Don’t push your luck. Watch out, or Zhang Jian’s ghost will come back tonight to teach you a lesson.”
“Don’t you want to know if you’re part of my future plans?”
Li Zhixuan froze for a second before shooting Wang Ming a glare. “I don’t want to know at all. If you keep teasing me, you can forget about me being your manager!”
Wang Ming laughed. “You’d turn down ten thousand a month? Don’t come crying to me later.”
Li Zhixuan curled her lip. “Hmph, as if.”
Wang Ming pondered his situation privately.
It really wasn’t convenient for him to go back to his rented apartment for the time being. If he ran into Zheng Shushuang and she found out where he lived, she would inevitably discover that he knew Jia Fang.
Since he had kept that a secret this long, it was best to keep it hidden.
With that in mind, Wang Ming asked, “How much is the rent for this place?”
“Two thousand. One month’s deposit, pay as you go. You still have quite a bit left from the money you lent me before-are you sure you don’t want it back?”
Wang Ming shook his head firmly. “I’m sure. Like I said, as long as I have it, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
Li Zhixuan felt a stir of emotion. “Why are you so good to me?”
“Zhang Jian was my best brother. His widow is my wi-no, what I mean is… I have to look after you. And even without Zhang Jian, we’re still good friends.”
Li Zhixuan gave him a suspicious look, feeling like he was definitely after her. She quickly changed the subject. “Why did you ask about the rent?”
Wang Ming sighed helplessly. “I don’t want to stay at my place anymore. I’m looking to move out.”
Li Zhixuan arched an eyebrow. “Why don’t you move in with your girlfriend? She’s not exactly a teenager; I’m sure she’d agree to live together.”
Wang Ming sighed again. “Her? She’s more bashful than a schoolgirl.”
“There are only three buildings in this complex, and I don’t think there are any vacancies.”
Wang Ming waved it off. “Forget it. There are plenty of houses out there.”
He thought about Zheng Shushuang’s side quest, which required him to live in the same house as her for a month. But they had only just met; how could he possibly bring that up? It seemed he’d have to rent a place for himself first.
Wang Ming and Li Zhixuan talked for a long time. Although she hadn’t officially agreed to be the manager of his supermarket, her attitude suggested she was wavering.
At five in the evening, Wang Ming drove Li Zhixuan to the restaurant Lin Qi had pinned for them.
It was a three-star Michelin restaurant overlooking the river.
Lin Qi was already seated at a prime table by the window.
When Li Zhixuan and Wang Ming approached her, both were momentarily stunned.
Compared to her previous ghost-like appearance, today’s Lin Qi looked like a goddess descended from the heavens.
Her eyes were like stars, her brows like spring mountains. She had a high bridge to her nose, petal-like lips curved into a slight smile, and long, lustrous black hair.
She wore a black jumpsuit that accentuated her incredibly slender waist, revealing pale, porcelain skin at her calves and ankles.
She exuded an innate nobility, the very image of a stunning, sophisticated woman.
Seeing them, Lin Qi’s lips curved upward as she spoke softly, “Please, sit.”
Li Zhixuan was starstruck. “She’s even more beautiful in person than on TV! My god, a star really is a star.”
Wang Ming quickly pursed his lips, afraid he might lose his composure from staring too much. He looked at Li Zhixuan and teased, “She’s not exactly dead on TV either!”
Lin Qi’s smile grew even more charming at his remark.
The two of them sat side by side across from Lin Qi.
Lin Qi spoke up seriously, “Thank you both. Especially you, Wang Ming. I saw the police surveillance footage; you’re the one who pulled me out of the morgue drawer.”
“I couldn’t just stand by and watch when I came across it.”
Lin Qi turned to Li Zhixuan with a smile. “And thank you too. Your boyfriend is truly wonderful.”
Li Zhixuan blushed and rushed to explain, “I’ve already said, I’m not his girlfriend.”
Lin Qi blinked. “But the way you look at him is so full of affection. Look at how shy you’re getting.”
Li Zhixuan’s face turned even redder, her voice rising in protest. “I am not! He’s just been very good to me, so I’m just grateful to him.”
Lin Qi took two cards out of her bag and handed one to Wang Ming, her tone sincere.
“This is ten million. It’s not much compared to my life, but most of my money is currently tied up in the stock market and real estate. I haven’t taken any acting roles in two years, so I don’t have much cash on hand. Take this for now, and once my finances are more flexible, I’ll definitely repay you further.”
Wang Ming took the card, his expression surprised. “Ten million?”
Lin Qi nodded. “Yes. Without you, I’d be a corpse by now. Keep it.”
Wang Ming didn’t overthink it and agreed immediately. “Alright, I won’t stand on ceremony then. Ten million is a drop in the bucket for you, and it wouldn’t be right for me to refuse your heartfelt gratitude.”
Lin Qi then looked at Li Zhixuan and said with a smile, “Everyone gets a share. You were my lucky star that day too. Here is one million. I promised to get you into acting, and once I’ve dealt with the person who tried to harm me, I’ll take you to the set.”
Li Zhixuan was overcome with emotion. One million! And a superstar like Lin Qi was going to take her under her wing! She wouldn’t have dared to dream of this.
“That’s amazing! Thank you, Sister Lin!”
Wang Ming asked Lin Qi with concern, “How is your situation going?”
Lin Qi’s expression darkened. “There was no surveillance at the celebration party that night, and no drugs were detected in my system. I’m still not sure how she knocked me out. I will definitely get to the bottom of this. Even if I have to sell all my assets, I won’t let her get away with it!”
Hearing this, Wang Ming couldn’t help but feel a chill. Her words were exactly the same as Zheng Shushuang’s.
The waiter began serving the dishes one by one.
Li Zhixuan had never eaten at a three-star Michelin restaurant before; she practically gulped in anticipation with every course.
Wang Ming had been wealthy for a while now, so his craving for high-end food wasn’t as intense.
The three of them chatted as they ate. Lin Qi didn’t put on any superstar airs with Wang Ming and Li Zhixuan; she laughed and joked, even talking about their hobbies.
When they were nearly finished, Lin Qi stood up, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she said goodbye. “I’m heading out. If you have any trouble with money or anything else in West Guan, just find me. Call me directly. If it’s something I can’t solve in West Guan, then you’re out of luck anyway. You can also reach out to hang out whenever you’re free.”
Wang Ming stood up politely and nodded. “Sure, let’s stay in touch.”
Li Zhixuan stood up along with Wang Ming. “Bye, Sister Lin.”
Wang Ming and Li Zhixuan waved to Lin Qi, watching her leave the restaurant.
Li Zhixuan suddenly slumped back into her chair, her eyes still fixed on the direction Lin Qi had gone.
“Am I dreaming? Wang Ming, quick, pinch me!”
“Ow! Where are you pinching me?!”