Chapter 9

Wang Ming tidied up his room in the afternoon.

Living alone, he didn’t have much stuff. In less than an hour, everything was packed up and ready. He could notify the landlady at any time to find someone to help him move.

He collapsed onto the bed for an afternoon nap.

Zou Shuqing arrived at the bank. After verification at the service window, she discovered that Wang Ming had actually given her a notarized Couple Card in his own name.

No need for the original owner’s signature, no appointment required, withdraw anytime.

There really was 1.2 million yuan inside.

“Ma’am, how much would you like to withdraw? You don’t need an appointment, you can take out the full amount.”

Zou Shuqing struggled internally, recalling what Wang Ming had said.

The loan interest was indeed too high. She’d use this for now and pay Wang Ming back slowly later, saving herself hundreds of thousands.

“I’d like to make an early repayment.”

Half an hour later, Zou Shuqing walked out of the bank looking relaxed.

She headed to the parking lot, got into the driver’s seat, and looked at the large central dashboard-the latest models were far more advanced than those from ten years ago.

The car’s display screen was even bigger than a tablet.

Wang Ming… really likes me this much…

No matter what, lending me so much money deserves a proper thank you.

Thinking this, Zou Shuqing dialed Wang Ming’s number.

Wang Ming, who was napping, was woken up. Without opening his eyes, he fumbled for his phone and put it to his ear.

“Hello? Who is it?”

“Are you sleeping? Then go ahead and rest, we can talk later.”

Wang Ming recognized Zou Shuqing’s voice and woke up a bit, glancing at the screen-it was indeed her.

“I just woke up, it’s fine to talk now.”

“I used your money, thank you. I’d like to treat you to a meal. Are you free tomorrow at noon?”

“I’m free!”

Wang Ming didn’t hesitate at all and quickly agreed.

“Great, I’ll send you the address. See you tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Zou Shuqing slowly released her grip from her thigh, which she’d been nervously clutching.

“What am I doing… I actually invited my daughter’s ex-boyfriend out…”

She shook her head vigorously, convincing herself, “We’re just friends, thanking a friend for their concern! It’s nothing.”

On the other side, Wang Ming sat up from the sofa, now fully awake.

Does reaching an Infatuation Level of 75 make her this proactive?

He’d been wondering how to arrange a second date, but she called him first.

Just a bit more effort, and he’d complete the task, earn the reward, and getting 1,000 System Coins would be within reach.

That night, Wang Ming went out for a bowl of beef rice he’d been craving for ages.

It was only twenty yuan, nothing to him now.

Only in the half month since breaking up with Zou Mengmeng had he allowed himself to spend a bit more on food and drink, but even then, he didn’t eat well every day-most of his money went to buying alcohol to drown his sorrows.

Now, he didn’t need to be stingy.

He still had over 300,000 yuan left, and completing the task could get him items worth millions.

Wang Ming slept soundly that night, dreaming of buying back the Hanniu (a car model) and taking Zou Shuqing for a drive.

Zou Shuqing, on the other hand, tossed and turned until midnight, unable to sleep.

She was moved by Wang Ming’s sincerity and thoughtfulness. From the way he acted, he was clearly trying to pursue her.

But she was his ex-girlfriend’s mother-it just felt too absurd…

She had to talk things out at lunch tomorrow, otherwise… she might really fall for him.

Wait! Why was she hugging Wang Ming’s jacket while sleeping!

The next morning, Wang Ming messaged Jia Fang, asking her to help him move anytime.

He went to the shopping mall in the city center, bought a pair of Limited Edition Sneakers, and then picked out a well-fitting suit.

There was no time for tailoring-he had to wear it today to make sure he showed up in front of Zou Shuqing looking his best.
After wandering around the Shopping Mall again, seeing that it was almost time, Wang Ming picked up the gift and got into a taxi.

When he arrived at the restaurant, he walked in and immediately spotted the eye-catching Zou Shuqing.

She was sitting by the table, wearing a light blue dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, with a touch of makeup on her face, looking fresh and beautiful.

Wang Ming was stunned. At that moment, he felt Zou Shuqing was like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.

Well, of course, someone so beautiful would look even better with makeup.

“You… you look really beautiful today.” Wang Ming came to the table and complimented her, a little stammering.

Zou Shuqing’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Thank you.”

“You must have been waiting for a long time, right?” Wang Ming sat down, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Not really, I just arrived too. I don’t usually wear makeup, so I was a bit slow.”

Wang Ming stared at Zou Shuqing for a few more moments, dazed, “Please, don’t wear makeup in the future.”

“Is it really that bad? Did I draw my eyebrows crooked? Is the lipstick shade too light…” Zou Shuqing noticed Wang Ming staring at her face, covered her cheeks with both hands, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“No, it’s just that you look even more beautiful with makeup. I can’t even focus on eating, just looking at you is enough for me.”

Zou Shuqing’s heart skipped a beat. What the heck, this guy is way too good at flirting. Handsome, muscular, and so sweet. Oh no, oh no, she felt herself liking him more and more.

She had clearly come to make things clear this time, but… she just couldn’t say it.

Seeing Zou Shuqing’s shy expression, Wang Ming smiled knowingly. He picked up the bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Zou Shuqing.

“I visited so many counters and tried so many samples. This scent is the same as the fragrance you wear. See if it’s your usual one.”

Zou Shuqing opened the bag and was stunned. It was Xiang Aier’s Red Rendezvous perfume.

The scent was the same as her own perfume, but hers was Pink Rendezvous, and the one Wang Ming gave was the Prestige Edition, which requires ten thousand jasmine flowers and the most expensive agarwood to make.

He went from counter to counter, sample to sample, and found the Prestige Edition of her perfume.

She was overwhelmed; her psychological defenses crumbled.

“Wang Ming…” Zou Shuqing bit her lip, her eyebrows trembling slightly. “You lent me so much money, gave me a car and a computer, and now this perfume is so expensive, I…”

“You’re the most precious one. It’s just an object.” Wang Ming said seriously.

The System showed Zou Shuqing’s Infatuation Level had reached 83.

“You… don’t say that. We really… can’t…”

Zou Shuqing’s eyes reddened as she struggled to control her emotions.

Because of her job, she rarely had contact with men. After raising her adopted daughter Zou Mengmeng to adulthood, she realized she was already considered an older woman and had stopped thinking about men.

Now, such a young man was treating her so sincerely, but there was a wall between them.

Seeing Zou Shuqing moved, Wang Ming took a deep breath and mustered his courage:

“I like you. I want to take care of you. Zou Mengmeng is your daughter, not your mother. Only you have the right to manage her, she has no right to interfere with us. Besides, she was the one who broke up with me.”

Zou Shuqing’s heart raced, but she didn’t lose her composure and controlled her emotions. “I have a feeling you’re deliberately trying to get back at Mengmeng, so you’re pursuing me, right?”

Wang Ming sneered, then became even more serious. “She’s already been removed from my heart. From now on, she’s her, I’m me. She’s not worth my revenge, and she doesn’t deserve to waste my time.”

He recalled that night when he held Zou Shuqing and slept through the night, and added meaningfully:

“It’s just that holding you while I sleep makes me feel at ease. Besides, you’ve never shared a bed with a man before, so I should take responsibility.”