When Xu Yinsheng was little, she had watched an animated series called Garfield’s Happy Life.
The main character was that lazy yet slightly clever orange cat, Garfield, who loved lasagna, bullied Nemo, and lived a daily life both mundane and amusing, often making people chuckle.
Now, she felt quite like that Garfield herself—never worrying about food or clothing, with entertainment facilities at her disposal to indulge in gaming.
After her bout of “depression,” Zhao Yicheng quickly installed all kinds of entertainment equipment in the villa to help her vent her worries and relax, fearful she might not cope and “purple sand” again.
“Garfield, living this kind of good life is truly comfortable.”
Xu Yinsheng lazily sprawled in the genuine leather massage chair, gently stroking the orange cat’s head in her arms as she sighed contentedly.
In the center of the living room stood a 24K ultra HD large-screen LCD TV.
On her left was a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice with ice cubes, and on her right, a plate of peeled, plump, juicy grapes.
Garfield swallowed a grape and squinted his feline eyes in a surprisingly human-like manner, as if in full agreement.
In the kitchen, Zhao Yicheng, apron tied, busied himself with preparing lunch—a sharp contrast to the two cats lounging about.
To take care of Xu Yinsheng’s “condition,” Zhao Yicheng had specially gotten himself a week’s leave from the Human Resources Department to stay home and look after the “late-stage depression patient” Xu Yinsheng.
“Xiao Zhao, I want to play golf. I’m going this afternoon. You go get ready.”
Xu Yinsheng said from the massage chair as Zhao Yicheng was about to bring over a plate of spicy shredded pork.
“Well… maybe in a few days.”
Zhao Yicheng frowned slightly.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to take Xu Yinsheng out for entertainment.
According to the psychologist, patients with depression often benefited from going out, mingling with people—breathing in the vitality of life was remarkably effective for treatment.
Depression, in essence, was a manifestation of lacking love—a disappointment in society, in family, and in oneself.
The treatment process was essentially to rekindle hope for life.
Zhao Yicheng naturally hoped Xu Yinsheng could soon emerge from the shadows.
But they had only just arrived in Tianlin City, and he was busy with work.
Their membership card for the golf club hadn’t even arrived yet.
Seeing Zhao Yicheng refuse, Xu Yinsheng thought he wanted to decline.
Her beautiful eyes shifted.
“Are you going back to work?”
She forced a smile, tears brimming in her eyes, a faint sob hidden behind the smile, as if wanting to show her strength in front of him.
“It’s fine.”
“I know you have work. You have to support me, and you have thousands of people under you. I know you’re busy. Don’t waste your precious time on me.”
She paused.
A clear tear slid down her cheek.
Though she tried to hide it, Zhao Yicheng’s heart ached.
“Anyway, I’m useless. You don’t have to care about me. I can take care of myself at home alone. You’ve taken several days off already. Go back to work this afternoon. Don’t worry about me, really.”
“There are thousands in your company. Without you steering the ship, what if something goes wrong? Don’t worry about me.”
After saying that, she smiled gently, a glimmer of strength flashing through her eyes, so mature it was heartbreaking.
“Golf… I’ll take you this afternoon.”
Zhao Yicheng knelt before Xu Yinsheng, gently ruffling her hair.
His dark eyes were full of guilt and tenderness.
“Xiao Yin, you’re not useless. Sorry, it’s because of me you became like this. Get better, okay? As long as you get better, I promise I’ll change. I won’t be like before…”
Zhao Yicheng said a lot, perhaps because Xu Yinsheng’s depressed and joyless appearance pierced his heart—it stung with a twisted, possessive, and sickly love.
A bitter, unspeakable flavor rose in his heart, one long absent.
Zhao Yicheng was finally tasting a hint of regret.
The bitter wine brewed from the consequences he had wrought.
“Th… thank you.”
Xu Yinsheng sobbed quietly, then bowed her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, voice barely audible.
“I’m hungry~ can we eat now?”
“Dinner is served.”
Zhao Yicheng stood and turned into the kitchen to prepare the tableware.
Watching his figure disappear through the kitchen door, Xu Yinsheng lifted her head.
Tear stains still marked her lovely face, her eyelashes curved with a hazy mist, evoking sympathy. Yet a mischievous smile curled at her lips.
Little bastard, I’m still one step ahead of you.
***
Afternoon.
Zhao Yicheng drove a black Bentley, carrying Xu Yinsheng to Tianlin City’s most upscale golf club.
Golf was a rather luxurious sport, with very high fees in some cities.
Especially member-only golf clubs, which required a membership certificate, costing anywhere from a hundred thousand to two hundred thousand yuan.
The most expensive golf club in the Huayuan Federation charged membership fees up to a million!
Golf, also known as the gentleman’s sport, was a gathering place for the wealthy.
Many rich people expanded their social circles here, making connections during the sport to pave a wider path for themselves.
Xu Yinsheng naturally played golf—not to network but for elegance.
She imagined taking a pretty lady to play high-end golf, holding her slender waist, surrounded by admiring gazes. How prestigious that would be.
Golf clubs and their clubs were also extremely expensive. A cheap set could cost around twenty thousand, while pricier limited editions ranged from two hundred fifty thousand yuan or more.
As soon as Zhao Yicheng parked, Xu Yinsheng hurriedly got out, carrying a red five-star set of golf clubs, looking full of energy and excitement.
That set of clubs was bought by Zhao Yicheng to close a business deal and meant more as a symbol than for actual use.
Since then, it had mostly gathered dust in storage, rarely used.
When they moved, they had brought it along, saving the trouble of buying a new set.
Just outside the club entrance, a tall, burly security guard in black stopped them.
Xu Yinsheng had to wait there while Zhao Yicheng parked the car.
“Sir, please show your membership card.”
The guard’s eyes instinctively skimmed past Xu Yinsheng and politely addressed Zhao Yicheng, who had just arrived.
In their line of work, the most important qualities were sharp observation and cautious words.
Those who frequented such elite clubs could easily make or break careers with a wave of their hand.
Zhao Yicheng showed his membership card.
The guard courteously allowed them entry.
While Xu Yinsheng was eating lunch, Zhao Yicheng had used connections to get membership cards for both of them.
Money wasn’t everything, but without money, nothing could be done, and everywhere you went, you’d meet obstacles.
“Mr. Zhao, Ms. Mu, welcome! Here are your locker keys, please keep them safe.”
Staff who had long received their reservation greeted them immediately with warm smiles, handing over two exquisite keys.
Zhao Yicheng took the keys.
Golf club lockers were usually fixed and spacious, allowing for storage of many personal items.
He handed one key to Xu Yinsheng for safekeeping, then took the other and entered the locker room.
Xu Yinsheng quickly changed clothes, and without waiting for Zhao Yicheng in the adjacent locker, she slung on her golf bag and cap, excitedly hopping into the golf cart.
Golf courses were generally built on open, gentle slopes, covering around 60 hectares.
The terrain and soil requirements were strict—not too rugged or steep.
The turf had to be high quality and consumed enormous amounts of water—water that an ordinary person might save their whole life and still not have enough for a single flush.
Because of these demands, golf courses were extremely elegant environments.
As Xu Yinsheng rode the golf cart to the tee-off area, the booked caddy was already waiting.
Usually, beginner golfers were taught hand-in-hand by a female instructor.
She had a perfect figure—curvy and hot—and a stunning face, without the overwhelming perfume scent typical of nightclub hostesses, making her infinitely more appealing.
Of course, the price was not cheap—40,000 yuan per hour.
The club permitted a certain degree of physical contact—well, some “friendly teasing.”
Xu Yinsheng actually wanted to book a female coach to teach her golf step by step, reminiscing about her previous playboy days.
But since Zhao Yicheng was with her, she had to give up on that idea.
Getting off the golf cart, the caddy turned upon hearing footsteps behind and immediately greeted her.
But when Xu Yinsheng saw who it was, she couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
“Xinnuo.”
Xu Yinsheng’s words made the person beside her turn around.
Jin Xinnuo also looked over, calmly taking the golf bag off Xu Yinsheng’s back without a hint of shyness or hesitation upon seeing an acquaintance.
She was poised and straightforward in starting the conversation.
“Junior, you came to play golf alone?”
“No, I’m with someone.”
Xu Yinsheng shrugged and sized up Jin Xinnuo, dressed in a white polo shirt paired with a light blue skirt, tightly wrapping her curves like dumpling folds.
Hmm… youthful and energetic, yet undeniably feminine and charming—perfect for the club’s vibe. After all, humans were visual creatures, and beautiful things always lifted one’s spirits.
Looking at Jin Xinnuo, a mischievous idea suddenly popped into Xu Yinsheng’s mind.
At dinner, she hadn’t run into her ex-girlfriend the chef, but at golf, she met her ex-girlfriend as the caddy.
Tsk tsk tsk, hehe… she suddenly wanted to see Zhao Yicheng’s expression later.
This would definitely be entertaining!