Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 36: Dream Vehicle Card

8:00 PM.

A fine rain fell, and a light, cold wind drifted through the air.

After emerging from the subway station, Gu Wanqing couldn’t help but hug her shoulders and shiver.

"It’s so cold!"

"Here, wear this."

Lin Shen took off his jacket and draped it over Gu Wanqing’s shoulders, opening an umbrella as he did.

The pedestrian street was still packed shoulder-to-shoulder with people. It seemed a little rain did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm for a post-dinner stroll; if anything, it added a certain aesthetic charm to the atmosphere.

Along both sides of the road, the advertising Neon lights on the tall buildings were blurred by the rainy mist, transforming into dazzling halos of light.

If you took a gentle sniff, you could even smell the fragrant scent of earthy soil and dampness.

"I see the river!"

Gu Wanqing pointed far into the distance, her expression instantly lighting up with excitement. The towering Oriental Pearl was faintly visible, shrouded in clouds and mist.

"It’s the Bund!"

"Let’s walk over."

Lin Shen raised the umbrella and stepped into the rain, but Gu Wanqing tugged at the corner of his shirt.

"Brother-in-law, let me hold the umbrella."

"You’re too short. It’ll be tiring for you to hold it up."

Lin Shen stated the simple, merciless truth.

This made Gu Wanqing puff out her cheeks adorably and argue her case.

"One meter sixty-three isn’t short!"

"You’ll grow taller someday."

Lin Shen had no intention of arguing the point with Gu Wanqing. He just chuckled and ruffled her hair, only to have his hand swatted away with a resentful look.

"Brother-in-law, if you keep patting my head like that, I’ll never grow taller!"

With that, Gu Wanqing suddenly reached out, took the arm Lin Shen was using to hold the umbrella, and pressed herself close against his side.

"Let’s go, Brother-in-law."

"Mm."

Having Gu Wanqing pressed so intimately against him, Lin Shen felt a little dazed for a moment.

The clean scent of the young woman’s hair seemed to lend a strange, wonderful fragrance to the rain, complemented by the softness of her body and her sweet, silvery voice.

The flower bud was small, but it was ready to bloom.

Lin Shen felt that in the few days he had spent with Gu Wanqing, his own state of mind had grown several years younger. It was like he was eighteen again.

"You’re leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

Learning that Gu Wanqing was leaving Modu tomorrow, Lin Shen was surprised to feel a pang of reluctance to see her go.

But he quickly let it go.

"Then I’ll see you in September when school starts."

"Mm."

Gu Wanqing nodded, pressing herself even tighter against Lin Shen.

Ostensibly, she was snuggling this close to avoid getting wet from the rain, but only she knew her true thoughts.

Although the impending separation left Gu Wanqing feeling dejected, the romance of their walk in the rain made her heart leap for joy, and she couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from turning up.

"Brother-in-law, you have to come pick me up then, okay?"

"No problem."

Lin Shen asked curiously.

"What time is your high-speed train tomorrow?"

"Noon."

"I’ll take you there, then." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"No need, Brother-in-law! I can go by myself."

Gu Wanqing hurriedly refused, but Lin Shen insisted.

"I won’t be at ease until I see you to the high-speed rail station."

"It’s not that..."

Gu Wanqing hesitated for a long time before finally telling him the truth.

"I have to meet someone tomorrow morning."

Meet someone?

Lin Shen was a little confused.

’Does Gu Wanqing have other friends in Modu?’

’It couldn’t be...’

"Your sister?"

Hearing those two words, Gu Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, unsure of what to say.

Seeing her reaction, Lin Shen knew he had guessed correctly.

"She’s back from her trip?"

"Yes."

Gu Wanqing nodded.

"My mom told my sister that I came to Modu, so she said we should meet tomorrow."

"..."

Stealing a glance at Lin Shen’s expressionless face, Gu Wanqing probed cautiously.

"Brother-in-law, you’re not angry, are you?"

"Why would I be angry?"

Lin Shen shrugged, acting nonchalant.

"Your sister and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Let the past be the past. Just don’t reveal our little secret."

"Of course I won’t!"

Gu Wanqing promised earnestly, then couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

The two of them continued along the pedestrian street, passing a series of old, grand Shanghai buildings, eventually wandering to the Bund and onto the sightseeing platform.

From here, they had a panoramic view of the glittering river. The pale yellow lights draped over the mist-shrouded city like a golden veil, creating a beautiful and dreamlike scene.

"Wow!"

Gu Wanqing leaned on the railing with both hands, gazing out, absolutely thrilled.

"It’s so beautiful!"

"Coming to the Bund on a rainy day is definitely the best choice."

Lin Shen smiled faintly and glanced around, noticing someone shooting a short video not far away.

The female model was dressed entirely in black: a trench coat, a push-up bustier, and shorts. Holding a black umbrella, she radiated a dominant, "cool older sister" vibe.

Her long legs, clad in sheer black stockings, strode forward, her hips swaying with the movement. Her red-soled high heels went CLACK-CLACK-CLACK on the ground, splashing up tiny droplets of water.

A photographer and a lighting assistant followed her, looking very professional.

As Lin Shen passed by, he couldn’t help but take a second look, and his gaze happened to meet the model’s.

Both of them froze for an instant before simultaneously looking away.

’She’s quite pretty.’

Lin Shen thought to himself.

’She doesn’t have the same naturally cold and aloof aura as Qin Yuenan, but she has a touch more of a woman’s unique charm.’

’Like a socialite who’s mastered the art of seducing rich men.’

"..."

Gazing at Lin Shen’s departing back, the model was slightly stunned before the photographer called her back to her senses.

"Zheng, let’s shoot another take."

"Okay~"

...

9:00 PM.

Lin Shen and Gu Wanqing strolled along the Bund from south to north, but as the rain grew heavier, they had no choice but to hurry home on the subway.

Even so, they still ended up soaked to the bone.

By the time they got home, the hem of Gu Wanqing’s skirt and the tips of her hair were soaked, and her shoes were full of water.

But she was incredibly excited, giggling foolishly.

"Running in the rain is so much fun!"

"Go take a shower quickly before you catch a cold."

"Okay-dokie!"

Seeing Gu Wanqing run into the bathroom, Lin Shen found a towel to quickly wipe the water from his hair and face, then went back to the guest bedroom and opened his phone.

[Upgrade Mission: Check in at Modu’s famous tourist attraction—the Bund (Completed).]

[Reward: GoGo Maps Lv. 6 → Lv. 7]

[Industry fund accumulated per Red Point passed increased from 35,000 → 40,000. Current accumulation: 670,000]

[Reward Item: Random Scratch-Off Card x1]

[Upgrade Mission: Check in at Modu’s 4A-level scenic area—Changxing Island.]

Lin Shen tapped on the scratch-off card as usual, closed his eyes, and prayed silently.

’Please be money!’

’As long as it’s money, I can complete the ReceivePal mission!’

Perhaps his wish was heard. When he opened his eyes, he was stunned by the amount he had won.

[18,888!]

[Construction Bank: Your account ending in 7946 received a deposit of RMB 18,888 on August 6th at 21:49. Current balance: 220,000]

[ReceivePal:]

[Upgrade Mission: Total assets exceed 200,000 yuan (Completed).]

[Reward: ReceivePal Lv. 4 → Lv. 5]

[4,000/day → 4,500/day]

[Reward Item: Dream Vehicle Card x1 (Please use the 200,000 quota to purchase a dream car for yourself. The system will issue a rebate based on the level of joy in your heart.)]

[Upgrade Mission: Total assets exceed 400,000 yuan (220,000/400,000)]