After finishing the student council meeting, Ji Yuenian took the information Su Tian had provided about a rental property and headed to a residential building not far from the school.
“7,000 a month?” Ji Yuenian glanced at the price on the contract and couldn’t help but look toward the female landlord of the building, clicking his tongue. “Isn’t this a bit too expensive?”
Though Ji Yuenian was undeniably a second-generation rich kid, he wasn’t completely out of touch with reality.
If he were still in middle school, he wouldn’t have minded so much, but now that he was in high school, his living allowance had long been slashed by his mother to just a fraction, and he relied entirely on financial support from his older brother.
A monthly rent of 7,000 yuan… how many foot baths could that pay for? How many times could he show care to the working junior classmates? How many dinners could he treat his buddies to?
Jiang Chi! The cost of what I’m doing for you is way too high! Sooner or later, I’ll make you explode with coins!!
The slightly plump female landlord sat on the living room sofa, holding a glass of water, smiling warmly as she sized up this somewhat handsome boy with shoulder-length short hair who looked almost androgynous at first glance.
“Kid, this is the normal price. Look, this rental is 150 square meters, three bedrooms and one living room. The air conditioning, heating, and bathroom are all fully equipped. 7,000 a month really isn’t expensive, especially since it’s in a good school district. If I weren’t in such a rush to return to the countryside, I wouldn’t even be renting it out.”
“Fine, let’s sign the contract then. Hand over the money and give me the keys—I’ll rent it for two months first.” Ji Yuenian said, his heart bleeding as he spoke.
This wasn’t just spending living expenses. There was no way to get reimbursed by his parents. All of it came from his small stash of lucky money.
14,000 yuan—how many footbaths could that buy? How many times could I care for my working junior classmates? How many dinners for my brothers?
Jiang Chi! The cost of what I’m doing for you is way too high! Sooner or later, you’ll make me rich!!
The female landlord was straightforward and efficient. Upon hearing Ji Yuenian’s agreement, she immediately took the contract and keys and signed without hesitation.
After finishing the rental procedures, she grabbed her suitcase and disappeared in an instant.
Ji Yuenian stared at the room with its plain, simple, even somewhat shabby decoration, rubbed his chin a few times, then took out his phone and made a call.
“Hello, moving company? I’ll send you the address now. Yes, move everything out of my old, rundown rental house. Women’s clothes? They’re for my girlfriend! Why so many questions? Hurry up! I’ll pay you extra for the rush job!”
After hanging up, he made another call.
“Hello, interior decoration company? I want to discuss a big order starting at 5,000 yuan. Yes, I’ll send you the address. Send someone over now. The processing fee is 30 yuan per hour.”
There’s no denying money is a wonderful thing. As our ancestors said, “Money can make the devil turn the millstone.” This truth has never been more evident in today’s society—money can make the millstone turn for the devil!
In less than half an hour, staff from the moving company and a manager from the interior decoration company hurriedly arrived.
Leaving the movers to their work, Ji Yuenian pulled the decoration manager aside and carefully explained his “tiny little” renovation plan.
“This room, I want to turn into a gym. I have several sets of fitness equipment that I’ll bring over later.”
“This room is for storing women’s clothes and shoes, with a dedicated dressing room. About a few hundred pieces of women’s clothes—not too many.”
“And for the bedroom, I want it designed like a young girl’s boudoir. It should reflect the occupant’s girlish heart but also mix in a hint of rebelliousness—a kind of look that really catches the eye.”
The decoration manager listened to all this and looked at him with the typical ‘client-to-contractor’ gaze.
“How about it? Can you do it? I’ll pay extra.” Ji Yuenian patted the manager’s shoulder generously.
The decoration manager wanted to say it couldn’t be done, but the moment he heard the word “extra pay,” he immediately patted his chest and guaranteed, “The customer is always right—I will definitely make you satisfied!”
While the decoration manager called his company to arrange manpower, the moving company’s workers were already hustling nonstop, moving items from the No. 1 secret base rental livestream room into the living room piece by piece.
Ji Yuenian took the opportunity to step out onto the balcony for some fresh air.
Just then, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, it was his older brother, Ji Haotong.
He answered, “Hey, big brother, what’s up?”
Ji Haotong’s voice came through the line: “Take a day off tomorrow. I’m taking you fishing.”
Before Ji Yuenian could respond, the call ended.
“What the heck…”
Ji Yuenian pursed his lips, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness. Just as he was about to turn and go back inside, another call came through.
“Ji Ge, I won first place! Tonight I’m treating you guys to barbecue!” The excited and thrilled voice of Yao Shiming came from the other end.”
*****
“Cheers!!”
That night, at a bustling street food stall full of the scent of home-cooked meals, the 802 crew raised their glasses together, enthusiastically celebrating Yao Shiming’s victory.
Yao Shiming stood up, holding his beer bottle, grinning: “This performance wouldn’t have been possible without Hu Li’s cross-dressing, Yi Kang’s rented costumes and props, and last but not least, thanks to Ji Ge.”
He solemnly raised his glass toward Ji Yuenian.
“If it weren’t for Ji Ge finding me the extra help, this show would’ve definitely flopped.”
“No big deal~” Ji Yuenian waved his hand casually, tearing into a juicy rib, grease dripping, his cheeks flushed slightly from the alcohol.
“By the way, Ji Ge,” Yao Shiming leaned in with a curious look, “do you have that junior sister Ji’s WeChat?”
“What are you up to?” Ji Yuenian glanced at him, mumbling, “I’m telling you, she’s taken. The school heartthrob publicly announced it, so don’t try to poach her.”
“What are you thinking?” Yao Shiming rolled his eyes. “The first prize money is 5,000 yuan, and I just want to give her 2,000. Without Ji junior sister’s help, my White Snake Legend would have been ruined.”
“No need.” Chewing on his meat, Ji Yuenian took a sip of chilled Shaodaozi baijiu. The cold liquid shot down his throat, then a sudden heat, like molten lava, surged up to his head, making him nearly hum with pleasure.
“It was that little Qing cosplay outfit. Ji junior sister really liked it.”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but the rest was clear to Yao Shiming.
She had wanted to take that outfit home, but Jiang Chi had insisted on taking her out for dinner first. Reluctantly, she changed out of it, and by the time she came back, the outfit had already been taken away.
“That outfit was taken back by the costume department,” Yao Shiming rubbed his nose. “But I can contact someone to custom-make another—though I’ll need Ji junior sister’s height and three measurements, uh… the real ones.”
“Height 163 cm, weight 49 kg, bust 87.62, waist 61.85, hips 88.91.” Ji Yuenian rattled off the precise numbers like treasures and bit into his meat again, dripping grease. “Is that enough?”
“That’s enough.” Yao Shiming gave Ji Yuenian a strange look.
Are Ji Yuenian and Ji junior sister really that close? He even knows her exact measurements?
Normally, that kind of private info should only be known by a boyfriend…
Wait, didn’t Ji Yuenian once lose face to the school heartthrob? He said he’d get revenge…
Just as Yao Shiming was puzzling over this, Luo Yikang slammed a canned beer onto the table with a thud and shouted excitedly:
“While old Yao’s celebrating, I’ve got good news too.”
“My good brother is back in the country!!”
“I’m taking the day off tomorrow to pick him up!!!”