Chapter 17: Zhao Xiangjun's Relatives

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Egret Manor is an upscale restaurant located on the island in the heart of Egret Lake, with an average cost per person exceeding 800 yuan. Xu Wu’s little inner fire was ignited; she pressed the accelerator all the way here!

Stepping out of the car, she challenged Chen Xiao, “Is this okay? If not, we’ll go somewhere else!”

Chen Xiao replied, “How can a man say no? Why don’t you try?”

“Fine, I’ll try!” Xu Wu didn’t catch the double meaning in his words, thinking he was just bluffing, and confidently strode toward the restaurant.

Inside, the restaurant’s antique decor exuded a rich cultural atmosphere. Ornately carved window lattices cast mottled shadows; wooden tables and chairs were smooth and warm to the touch, adorned with exquisite porcelain and silverware. Silk curtains swayed gently with the breeze, releasing a faint, elusive fragrance.

Waitstaff dressed in traditional attire wore gentle smiles, moving quietly and gracefully to ensure the guests’ privacy and comfort. The patrons whispered softly or quietly savored their meals, each face glowing with satisfaction and delight.

Following the waiter, Xu Wu hesitated several times along the way, but seeing Chen Xiao’s casual, carefree demeanor and recalling how he had already “opened” two of her virgin territories, she steeled herself and briskly took her seat.

The waiter handed her a tablet; she scrutinized the menu repeatedly before saying to Chen Xiao, “Look, is this too much?”

She was still worried he couldn’t afford it, giving him one last chance.

Chen Xiao glanced at the order—only 2,300 yuan. Who was he supposed to be? This was just delaying his big money-making plan!

“Ms. Xu, you’ve seen the big leagues, yet you order so stingily. Don’t you know the dishes, or the prices?”

Xu Wu’s anger flared instantly. She snatched the tablet away and started selecting only the most expensive dishes, finishing with, “I’m ordering the priciest items. If you can’t pay the bill later, don’t blame me. This will wipe out several months of your salary!”

He was relentless—saving him money only made him ungrateful. Fine, she’d give him a brutal shock!

When she finished, the total was 25,000 yuan. Wow, not only did she pick the most expensive dishes, but over a dozen as well. This girl was finally showing some backbone!

Watching his expression carefully, she saw Chen Xiao staring seriously at the menu. Proudly, she thought, “You little devil, I’ll make you swipe your credit card for months to come!”

Chen Xiao fought back a smug smile, thinking, “Finally, you’re helping me make some serious money!”

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Both lost in their own thoughts, there wasn’t much conversation during the meal. Occasionally, Chen Xiao learned that Xu Wu was the Marketing Director of Zhifei Aerospace—a female director was indeed a rare sight!

After the meal, Chen Xiao called the waiter to settle the bill. Seeing him pay without a flicker of hesitation, Xu Wu’s heart sank. Was Dr. Feng’s robot project really compensated this well? A mere salesperson indulging in a ten-thousand-yuan meal so casually? Wasn’t everyone supposed to be taking pay cuts?

Chen Xiao answered her unspoken question: “I accidentally landed a 6-million-yuan order. You tell me—isn’t that maddening?”

Xu Wu didn’t know why, but today her temper was easily provoked. They’d lost the Jiangzhou Design Institute order to them, and here he was, making snide remarks!

She left first, wounded pride stinging. Without a word, she grabbed her bag and walked off.

What kind of person was he? No manners at all. Well, she’d let it slide—after all, he was helping her make money.

Chen Xiao opened the information interface:

“Ding~! Spent 25,000 yuan. Cashback card random multiplier generated... 71 times, cashback of 1,775,000 yuan!”

Xu Wu, what a little darling! Born with a lucky charm for her husband, nurturing and prosperous—he instantly thought of many flattering phrases for women.

Taking a taxi back to Hairun Mansion, he followed the system prompt to retrieve his car’s information from the inbox, then headed down to the underground parking garage. He had a private parking space; every unit in this complex came with one when sold!

The white Mercedes-Benz CLS stood out conspicuously; Chen Xiao immediately recognized it as the dream car he once longed for, now finally his—and a top-of-the-line model.

Sitting in the cockpit, the first thing to catch his eye was the genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel, exquisitely textured, every detail a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The high-resolution touchscreen on the center console gleamed brilliantly, blending technology with art. The metallic air vents were cleverly embedded in the black panel, exuding a cool precision.

To the left, a row of finely crafted control buttons was arranged perfectly, as if tested through countless ergonomic experiments. Looking down, the black carpet’s dense texture and soft feel made him want to take off his shoes and savor its warmth.

The seats were genuine leather, wide and comfortable. The moment his body met the seat, he felt support at every point. On long trips, it was like a mobile sofa, dissolving all fatigue. The heating and massage functions added luxurious comfort and indulgence.

The ambient lighting inside was soft and cozy, shifting hues to evoke different moods. At night, it twinkled like stars in a serene sky; by day, it transformed into gentle sunlight, bathing every corner.

Chen Xiao quietly absorbed every detail, reclining comfortably in the driver’s seat. Perhaps, this was what life was meant to feel like.

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After savoring the car, he went upstairs. Just at the door, he heard shouting from across the hall and paused curiously. The opposite door stood open, revealing the two children he had seen that morning still there.

A man’s voice said, “Why won’t you appreciate what you have? Wang Hao’s family owns three houses, drives a Mercedes, nothing’s better than that. Just the bride price alone is 660,000 yuan, and they said if you agree, they’ll add more!”

Then Zhao Xiangjun’s voice replied firmly, “I’ll say it again—I’ll live alone for the rest of my life. I’m not getting married!”

“You haven’t even met him. How can you know you’re not compatible? Maybe after one meeting, you’d change your mind!”

“No meeting! I watched the kids all day and I’m tired. I need to rest. I have work tomorrow. Please leave now!”

Zhao Xiangjun’s voice was icy, and Chen Xiao could almost picture her expressionless face.

“If you agree to meet once, I’ll go!” the man insisted.

“Fine, if you won’t leave, then I will. Let’s see how long you last.”

With that, Chen Xiao saw Zhao Xiangjun step out. She didn’t greet him, her flawless face as impassive as ever.

“Wait! You still haven’t given this month’s living expenses to Mom and Dad!”

Chen Xiao then saw a tall man, about 6 feet, slim and handsome, rush out. This must be Zhao Xiangjun’s brother—otherwise, why would he pressure her to go on a blind date and mention their parents?

Zhao Xiangjun paused, took 5,000 yuan in cash from her bag, expressionless, and handed it to the man before turning away.

“Hey! What kind of attitude is that?” he said, counting the money again. Chen Xiao shook his head in disbelief.