Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 73 - 72: Gossip

At noon, Lin Shen treated himself to hot pot.

A Haidilao meal over two hundred yuan was by no means expensive for someone like him, who had over 700,000 in savings and earned more than 10,000 a day.

He even splurged a little, getting mostly meat dishes and just a plain water broth for the vegetables.

It wasn’t that Lin Shen was being cheap with himself; he just felt a lunch like this was already quite excellent.

The freedom to have hot pot and barbecue whenever he wanted was the life he had once dreamed of.

If you asked Lin Shen to eat a seafood meal worth thousands of yuan now, he wouldn’t even be used to it.

Besides, in Modu, some dishes sold for hundreds or even thousands just because they were plated nicely. What average person would be a sucker and pay for that?

Unless they were trying to show off in front of a woman.

That’s why Lin Shen always believed that food he genuinely enjoyed brought far more happiness than expensive food.

Besides, once a person’s spending habits and values are formed, they’re hard to change.

Perhaps when his savings reached the millions or tens of millions, Lin Shen would become more extravagant.

After lunch, Lin Shen did some research and found one of Modu’s top three interior design companies to discuss the details of renovating the Cat Cafe.

The design reference images he provided were much more refined than the current Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe.

It was the so-called "raw wood and cream" Instagram style often talked about online.

Lin Shen knew very well that the main customers for a Cat Cafe were young people, mostly couples.

Although this kind of "influencer style" had plenty of critics, a beautiful interior would definitely attract a large number of girls to come and check in.

That way, as long as the promotion and marketing were done well, he wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of customers.

So, after reaching an agreement with the design company, Lin Shen paid a deposit of 10,000 yuan.

As he was scanning the code to pay, he was surprised to see a new payment option appear: a startup fund from GoGo Maps!

[Entrepreneurial intent detected in Host. 10,000 has been withdrawn for payment. Current balance: 1,300,000]

’This thing actually works!’

Lin Shen clicked his tongue in amazement as a startling idea suddenly popped into his head.

’What if I cash out the whole 1.3 million?’

Lin Shen pondered for a moment before abandoning the idea.

The reason was simple.

He was already earning over 10,000 a day, so he just needed to accumulate wealth slowly. There was no need to resort to such crooked methods.

If the system disappeared because of it, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

"Take care, President Lin! One of our designers will be in touch with you shortly!"

"Mm."

After leaving the design company, Lin Shen had a whim and got into the back seat of his Jaguar XFL to test its comfort.

He had to admit, the rear space of a C-segment mid-to-large-size sedan was really spacious; he could stretch his legs out completely.

It could at least fit two people lying on top of each other in the back, and you could raise your legs without hitting the roof.

Unless you had long legs like Nan, then you might be able to reach it.

"Not bad at all."

Lin Shen crossed his legs, then took out his phone to contact Jiang Wan.

[Lin Shen: Jiang Wan, could I ask you for a favor?]

[Jiang Wan: Oh? The busy man finally finds time for me? What can I do for you, my good sir?]

Although Jiang Wan’s message had a hint of sarcasm, Lin Shen read into it the pouty resentment of a young woman waiting for her husband who hadn’t come home.

This made him smile knowingly, and he quickly replied.

[Lin Shen: I’ve been busy with business lately, so I forgot to contact you.]

[Jiang Wan: What business? Didn’t you quit your job?]

[Lin Shen: I did, but I’ve taken over a Cat Cafe, so I was hoping you could help me find two or three university students to work as staff.]

After a moment, Jiang Wan seemed to consider it for a while before giving a definite answer.

[Jiang Wan: I can, but about how much are you planning to pay them?]

[Lin Shen: Around 8,000.]

[Jiang Wan: Huh?]

[Jiang Wan: confused_cat.jpg]

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but send a sticker to hide her shock and astonishment.

[Jiang Wan: Are you hiring part-time or full-time?]

[Lin Shen: Part-time. University students can’t work full-time (haha)]

[Jiang Wan: You’re paying that much for part-time? It makes me want to come work for you. You’re so loaded!]

[Lin Shen: I have some requirements.]

Lin Shen listed a few points and sent them to Jiang Wan.

[Lin Shen: Good appearance, articulate, high EQ, warm and hospitable, loves cats. If they can make pastries and coffee, I can pay more.]

[Jiang Wan: No wonder you’re paying so much. I’ll ask around for you when I have time.]

[Lin Shen: Okay, thank you, Jiang Wan.]

[Jiang Wan: Just a ’thank you’? I’m taking a big risk helping you, you know. If the university finds out I’m recruiting students for off-campus part-time jobs, I could get in trouble.]

Seeing the consequences were so serious, Lin Shen quickly replied.

[Lin Shen: How about I give you some compensation?]

[Jiang Wan: No need for compensation. How about this, how’s your photography coming along lately?]

’Photography skills?’

Lin Shen paused for a second, then sent Jiang Wan some of his recent photos with a message.

[Lin Shen: They’re okay, I guess. Nothing special.]

[Jiang Wan: You call this ’nothing special’?]

When Jiang Wan saw the "sunset" photo Lin Shen had taken in the park, she was stunned by his photography skills.

His choice of light and shadow, as well as his timing, were all perfect.

With a little post-editing, the mood of the photo would be good enough to enter a photography exhibition!

[Jiang Wan: You’ve only been doing photography for a few days, right? Are you some kind of photography genius?]

[Lin Shen: I wouldn’t say genius.]

He was just benefiting from the system.

Lin Shen was well aware of his own limitations, but Jiang Wan saw his immense talent for photography.

[Jiang Wan: Your photos are gorgeous. How about this: come out with me the day after tomorrow and help me take some pictures?]

[Jiang Wan: I’ve taken on some commercial gigs for a few shops. I need to go to their stores, check in, and take photos for promotion.]

[Lin Shen: No problem.]

Remembering that his [Camera and Album] mission was to take photos with the theme of "Gourmet Food," Lin Shen readily agreed.

After setting a time and place to meet, he put down his phone, leaned back on the soft leather seat, and carefully considered what else needed to be arranged for the Cat Cafe acquisition.

The renovations and staff were settled. All that was left was promotion and marketing.

That was the most crucial part.

Lin Shen already had a vague plan in mind, but he still needed to think it through carefully.

"I’ll use a Concentration Pill to help me think when I get back."

Lin Shen muttered to himself.

*

*

Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe.

[Closed for one hour from 4:00 to 5:00. The owner is out on business.]

Lin Ping locked the shop door, hung a "Be Right Back" sign on the handle, and got on her small electric scooter, planning to pick up her daughter Nuonuo from school.

On the way, she made a call she’d been dreading.

BEEP—!

After three rings, a mocking chuckle came from the other end of the line.

"What made you decide to call me? Is business so bad you’re looking for a buyer to take it off your hands? Let me tell you now, I don’t have any suckers lined up for you. You have to find one yourself. If you can’t, then pack your things and leave, and I’ll take the shop back."

"I found one."

!?

Lin Ping’s cold voice made Shen Mingchuan falter on the other end of the line. Then, he spoke in disbelief.

"Huh? Don’t lie to me. Who would take over a place in such a remote location? Or did you rent it to someone for another type of business, getting rid of the cats?"

"It’s still a Cat Cafe."

Lin Ping couldn’t be bothered to waste another word on her ex-husband and got straight to the point.

"Come to the shop tomorrow morning to sign the contract. That’s all. I’m hanging up."

"Hey, wait—"

Before Shen Mingchuan could finish, the line went dead. He was so furious he couldn’t contain it and threw his phone hard onto the bed.

Just then, a soft, delicate body snuggled into his arms, followed by a cloyingly sweet, high-pitched voice.

"Hubby~ why are you so angry?"

"It was a call from Lin Ping. She said she’s found a buyer for the Cat Cafe."

Shen Mingchuan couldn’t wrap his head around it.

"There really are suckers in this world! Insisting on running a Cat Cafe in such a remote place? I don’t get it."

"Maybe they just have money to burn."

The woman lifted her head, traced circles on Shen Mingchuan’s chest with her right hand, and cooed, winking at him suggestively.

"You’re all rested up now, right? Shall we... continue?"

"Uh... let me rest a little longer."

"Old Shen! What’s that supposed to mean? I let you rest for five minutes and you’re still playing dead? Get up!"

"Baby! This thing doesn’t just get up on command!"

*

*

「6:00 PM, the President’s office at Pet Guardian Home.」

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—!

Shortly after the knocking, a man’s voice came from inside the room.

"Come in."

After receiving permission, Qin Yuenan pushed the door open and walked gracefully to the desk. Looking at Zhang Heng seated behind it, she asked softly.

"President Zhang, you were looking for me?"

"Director Qin, have a seat."

Zhang Heng gestured for Qin Yuenan to sit on the sofa, then smiled amiably after choosing his words carefully.

"I called you in to announce a company decision."

"The board of directors has decided to transfer me back to headquarters. The position of Vice President of the Modu branch will be filled by Sun Mingli."

"I see."

Qin Yuenan nodded slightly, her cool expression unchanging, as if she had already anticipated what Zhang Heng was going to say.

This made him sigh softly.

"Sigh! Ah, Qin, I know you work very hard. Both your performance and your abilities are outstanding."

"But you also know that Director Sun is close with the board, has more management experience, and has been with the company longer, so..."

"You don’t need to say any more."

Qin Yuenan softly interrupted what Zhang Heng was about to say and stood up.

"Is there anything else? If not, I’ll get back to work."

"Actually, there is one more thing."

Zhang Heng hesitated for a long time before finally staring at Qin Yuenan’s cool, stunningly beautiful face and saying in a deep voice.

"Before I leave, I’d like to treat you to a meal. Are you free this weekend?"

"I have plans this weekend."

Qin Yuenan gave a slight nod in apology, then left the vice president’s office without a backward glance.

Seeing this, Zhang Heng slumped back in his office chair and let out a long sigh.

"Why does this woman seem so frigid? I really wonder who’ll be the one to finally conquer her..."

*

After returning to her office, Qin Yuenan started tidying her desk while calling Zhao Jianing.

"Hey, Ningning, want to go out for a drink?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Jianing was caught off guard by Qin Yuenan’s sudden invitation and replied hesitantly.

"But I don’t really feel like going out today..."

"I’ve got some gossip you’ll want to hear."

Qin Yuenan knew exactly what piqued Zhao Jianing’s interest, and the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.

"Gossip about romance."