Chapter 361: How Could He Ruin Someone’s Relationship, and Even Steal Their Partner
Chapter 361: Chapter 361: How Could He Ruin Someone’s Relationship, and Even Steal Their Partner
Sang Yue looked at him, her eyes shimmering. "I’ve already troubled Jiang Gong too much. It wouldn’t be right to ask him for a loan. I just want to borrow one hundred thousand Star Coins. At most... at most, half a year. I’ll definitely pay it all back!"
She’d already made a plan. She would stay at Shen Lu’s a while longer to figure out the ins and outs of running a shop, then she’d go find a location and open her own.
So the money she was borrowing wasn’t just for Fang Ming’s mother’s medical treatment and Fang Ming’s tuition, but also to start her own shop.
One hundred thousand Star Coins should be about right. The main issue was that she didn’t know the extent of Fang Ming’s mother’s illness. She might not even need that much.
Still, it was better to have a little extra money.
For a moment, Xue Can really wanted to bluntly ask Sang Yue if she had any idea what one hundred thousand Star Coins meant in the Lower City District.
She really had some nerve, asking for one hundred thousand Star Coins right off the bat.
After a moment’s thought, Xue Can said coolly, "I can lend you the money. If you can’t pay it back in half a year, I’ll collect it from Jiang Gong."
’I have plenty of savings, but that isn’t a reason to squander it.’
’Besides, I barely know Sang Yue. She’s Jiang Gong’s savior, not mine.’
’It’s best to state the unpleasant terms upfront, lest my money go to waste.’
"Huh?" Sang Yue’s face flushed, and she clenched her small fists. "I—I’ll definitely pay it back!"
"Mr. Xue, you’re here." Shen Lu came out of the kitchen carrying a large bowl of food and greeted him. "Just in time for dinner."
"Boss Shen."
Xue Can’s cold demeanor toward Sang Yue vanished. He walked over, holding Xiao Lang, his tone clearly softening. "I heard Jiang Gong caused a bit of trouble when he came to eat here today?"
Sang Yue turned her head in astonishment. She hadn’t met Xue Can many times, and on previous occasions, she’d only found him to be lukewarm toward her—polite, but distant, with the air of a gentleman.
But today, he was exceptionally cold, treating her almost like a complete stranger.
Yet, the very next second, he was speaking to Shen Lu with a warm and pleasant expression.
The contrast was so stark she couldn’t help but read into it.
’Could it be that Xue Can has feelings for Shen Lu?’
’That’s not right! Doesn’t Shen Lu have a fiancé? How could he try to break up someone else’s relationship? He’s trying to steal her away!’
"It was nothing, really. He just had a spat with his sister."
Shen Lu didn’t dwell on it. The man had apologized and paid for the damages.
More importantly, Jiang Gong had brought two Superpower Users to eat, which helped her complete her weekly mission and increased her popularity value and reputation value. All in all, she had come out ahead.
"If something like this happens again, just have Wu Jun and Huo Qian handle it and throw them out." Xue Can paused. "As your business grows, more and more Superpower Users will come to eat here. Just the two of them won’t be enough. Boss Shen, have you considered hiring a couple of higher-level Superpower Users?"
Speaking of which, Shen Lu let out a small "ah."
"I forgot to tell you, Mr. Xue. After the contract expires, I won’t be renewing it."
Xue Can’s expression darkened. "Not renewing? Boss Shen, have you thought this through?"
"What I mean is, I’d like to switch to a long-term contract, and the job description will change a bit."
"For example?"
"Previously, the main duty was to maintain the restaurant’s security. But over the past few days, I’ve often assigned your people to off-site tasks, and I expect that to continue."
The restaurant’s defense stat was maxed out, so there was really no need to hire security. However, Shen Lu had thought it through. She still had to go out from time to time, so for her own safety, hiring two bodyguards was the way to go.
Besides, the restaurant was seriously short-staffed. Even if they couldn’t help in the kitchen, they could at least help maintain order during peak hours.
’So that’s what she meant.’
Xue Can breathed a sigh of relief. "Any other requirements?"
"A little higher level, I think. At least Level 4, with no upper limit." Shen Lu thought for a moment. "And it would be best if one of them is a woman."
"In that case, the price will be quite a bit higher."
"That’s fine. I’m not short on cash."
Shen Lu really wasn’t short on cash right now. She couldn’t pull off any grand ventures, but hiring two Superpower Users was completely within her means.
"Alright. Come to the stronghold when the time comes. You can pick them out yourself."
"Okay."
After dinner, Xue Can returned to the stronghold.
Mo Bei and a few of the guys were chatting idly. When they saw Xue Can return, they immediately stood up and gathered around him.
"Boss, want to go grab lunch together tomorrow?"
"Not going."
"Come on, you should go. That way, you can see Boss Shen again. Showing your face more often will help you win your sweetheart’s heart sooner."
Xue Can shot him a cold glance. "You just want me to treat you all, don’t you?"
"Hehe, if you want to woo a girl, you’ve got to make some sacrifices."
"But not by spending money on you guys. Get lost." Xue Can rejected him without hesitation. He took two steps, then turned back. "Have everyone without a mission return to the stronghold on Saturday."
"Huh? What’s up, Boss?"
"Just do it."
"Alright."
...
「Upper City District, Li Family Estate.」
After finishing his shoot, Li Zexing returned home. He had just stepped into the living room when he heard Lin Xin sighing dramatically. His father, Li Long, was trying to comfort her in a gentle voice, but to little effect.
"What’s all this about?" Li Zexing asked.
Li Long glared at him. "Isn’t this all your fault!"
"I didn’t do anything?!"
"Didn’t you have someone buy a few dishes and bring them back this afternoon?"
"Yeah, I did. I thought they tasted good, so I specifically sent Little Zhou to buy them."
"Hmph!" Li Long snorted heavily. "You rebellious son!"
Li Zexing: ???
Lin Xin sniffled. "It’s not Ah Xing’s fault."
Li Long hugged his wife. "You don’t have to defend this rebellious son."
"I used to think all home-style cooking tasted more or less the same. It wasn’t until I ate that takeout today that I realized home-style food could be so delicious," Lin Xin lamented.
"It’s not your fault." Li Long’s heart ached for her. "That restaurant just has the advantage of good ingredients."
"Really, honey?" Lin Xin’s eyes sparkled. "Then can you get me the same ingredients, honey?"
Li Long: ...
’Where was he supposed to get them?’
But in front of his beloved wife, he couldn’t back down.
"Of course. I’ll definitely get them for you."
Li Long spent some more time coaxing his wife until she was all smiles and went upstairs to bathe and do her skincare routine. Then his expression shifted, and he coldly summoned his son into the study.
"Alright, spit it out. What are you really up to?" The Li Long who had been so gentle and pleasant with his wife moments ago was now stone-faced, interrogating him like a criminal.
Li Zexing shrugged. "How should I know? I’m just an actor, not a detective."
Li Long pressed his hands on the desk. "That was not ordinary food."
Lin Xin was an ordinary person; she could only perceive the taste. But he was a Superpower User and could sense the mystery hidden within it.
"I really don’t know."
"Where did you buy this food?"
"Little Deer Cuisine. It’s a small restaurant in the Lower City District."
"You’d better pray there’s nothing wrong with this food, or I’ll break your legs."
’Food from the Lower City District... can you just bring it back and eat it so casually?’
’Especially food with such a strange effect. Aren’t you afraid of it ruining your body?’