Chapter 63: Zheng Yuechan and the Unusual Lu Mengyao

In Lin Ketong’s bewildered gaze, Cheng Yao signed the contract with the female sales representative and paid a deposit. McLaren cars certainly had a distinctive allure, but their value depreciated too quickly. He’d just purchased one, only to hear it could be had for two or three hundred thousand less elsewhere, but Cheng Yao wasn’t concerned with such sums anymore.

After signing, Cheng Yao smiled and asked, “Can I add your contact information?”

“…Sure,” Lin Ketong replied, entering her WeChat ID and accepting the request.

To collect the car, he’d need to visit the dealership. Cheng Yao now knew the McLaren 720s convertible cost about 4.6 million at delivery. Luxury cars were expensive to drive, with annual maintenance fees that weren’t cheap. The driving space was somewhat larger than the 570Gt, more spacious than a Lamborghini Huracan, but the rear storage had been replaced by the convertible mechanism, so there was much less room for belongings. Most frustrating of all, the cup holder was small and poorly designed.

Still, nothing could detract from its sheer beauty.

As for performance, there was little need to elaborate—those who knew understood. It wasn’t about boasting that beneath ten million, it had no rival. Cheng Yao wasn’t buying it to race. The acceleration was thrilling, launching from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour in just 2.9 seconds. Though Cheng Yao had never actually eaten pork, he certainly knew what a pig looked like; supercars weren’t about comfort. He bought it to show off and attract admirers; he was planning to get a lumbar cushion.

Once the doors closed, the sound insulation was excellent, and the exhaust barely made a sound. The car’s appearance guaranteed a hundred percent heads turning wherever he went. The “panda eye” headlights were striking, though some gaps in the bodywork were wider than they should be—just typical British craftsmanship. The interior was stunning, and Cheng Yao loved it.

There was one flaw: girls who sat in the car tended to get very hot and liked to take their clothes off.

The contract was signed, and he scheduled a visit to the dealership to pick up the car. Cheng Yao’s appointment was after October, since he’d chosen the Aurora Blue color—a youthful, lively hue that was both elegant and cool.

Host: Cheng Yao
Appearance: 84
Skills: Guitar, superhuman hearing
Wealth: 1,660,000
Girlfriends: Zhang Ya (bound), Lu Mengyao (bound)

A two-hundred-thousand deposit meant little to Cheng Yao; he was simply interested in the girl, curious about her emotional intelligence and whether she was worth cultivating. A few meals together would reveal as much; if she didn’t measure up, he’d withdraw.

In truth, whether in bars, as car models, or even among actors and celebrities in Hengdian, women in these industries tended to be more open. If she were a student, he wouldn’t have made a move. This wasn’t like a game, where you could do whatever you wanted once someone was bound; there were no constraints. But Lu Mengyao’s presence made Cheng Yao realize this world was indeed real.

Because they had feelings.

If they were just after money, they were easy to handle. If they wanted to rise in status, it was better not to support them.

National Day was approaching, and Cheng Yao had already bought plane tickets. When Zhang Ya arrived for the holiday, they’d go straight to Sanya.

After boarding the subway, Cheng Yao found a seat, put on his headphones, and listened to music as his thoughts spun. He needed a sum of money to start an entertainment company—something like an influencer incubator—to provide cover and serve as a beginning. That was why he’d been working on Douyin lately; everything needed a traceable path.

Though his money was legally obtained, it was all too mysterious. He felt uneasy without a safety net. With his two current skills, debuting as a celebrity would be a breeze, but he had no interest in that. With a golden finger, being a star seemed pointless—he’d only be lowering his own standards.

He ought to do something that contributed to society, that helped the domestic economy and technology. Based on his knowledge of the game’s items, there were plenty of black technologies, though he couldn’t access them yet.

Still, Cheng Yao knew he was too inexperienced. You had to eat one bite at a time, walk one step after another, or you’d easily stumble.

With nothing to do on the subway, Cheng Yao edited the video of his car purchase. Of course, he didn’t include the contract signing, just an introduction to the McLaren and its interior, listing its pros and cons—a fairly objective review.

“The latest McLaren 720s convertible, delivered at five million, today I’ll show you all…”

He watched the finished product and found nothing exaggerated or flashy, so he uploaded it. Yesterday’s competition video had almost three hundred thousand likes.

Counting several quality videos, his follower count had jumped to three hundred thousand.

He opened the comments and suddenly saw a familiar name, with tens of thousands of likes.

Zheng Yuechan: The melody, tone, rhythm, and breath control are all perfect. You even have a touch of your own range now. Young man, your singing is spot-on. Come report to my company tomorrow. 21,000 likes.

He Snores Like a Pig: Handsome and sings well—love it!

Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Cao Zhen, Cao Shuang: I think it’s just okay. Anyone with a bit of professionalism could sing this, it’s not that hard, right?

It’s Her: The junior from Southern Finance!

Zheng Yuechan.

Cheng Yao recalled receiving a message from her before; she seemed to be an agent at some entertainment company in Shanghai and was still keeping an eye on him?

Cheng Yao closed Douyin and sent a message to Lu Mengyao, asking if she was finished.

Since he had scored full marks in the preliminary round, he didn’t need to compete in the semifinals; he only had to attend the finals tomorrow. There was plenty of time. He hadn’t been taking advantage of Lu Mengyao much lately, but he couldn’t let up, since money came fast and went just as quickly.

Over ten million was a lot, but for someone wanting to start a company, it was far too little.

Profit and loss?

Cheng Yao didn’t care.

Arriving at the entrance to the driving school, he saw Lu Mengyao sweating, her hair sticking to her forehead.

Cheng Yao brushed it aside for her, and Lu Mengyao smiled brightly. “You don’t have classes this afternoon. By the way, don’t you have a competition tonight?”

“I’m gifted—I skipped straight to the finals. I’m free tonight. Is it convenient for you to live in the dorm?”

Hearing this, Lu Mengyao’s eyes twinkled. “You’re not thinking of moving me into your place, are you? No way, I couldn’t handle your girlfriend’s surprise inspections…”

“No, I’ll just buy you an apartment at Half-Mountain Cloud Residence.”

Cheng Yao was well aware; after what had happened, asking Lu Mengyao to move in would be suicidal unless he was looking for trouble. He wasn’t that reckless.

Lu Mengyao’s heart raced. “Are you serious?”

“Of course. I can’t expect you to live with me, can I?”

“That’s true,” she replied softly, her gaze full of affection as she looked at Cheng Yao.

In fact, for her, just having money was enough.

She never expected Cheng Yao to treat her so well—buying cars and homes. This was kindness on another level. She knew that even ordinary married couples rarely treated each other so well.

For Cheng Yao to do this for her, Lu Mengyao was deeply moved.

Now she understood—she had a place in his heart.

Lu Mengyao shook her head. “Actually, the dorm is fine. It’s not necessary to buy.”

“Are you serious?”

“Mm…”

He felt numb. “Don’t start with that. Listen to me—it’s more convenient, plus hotels are crowded and full of prying eyes.”

…