The following morning, the butler personally delivered breakfast to the hotel room.
After Li Jing finished eating and thanked the butler, he collected the dishes with satisfaction and left the room.
When Li Jing had eaten his fill and went downstairs to the hotel lobby for a stroll, he saw Wei Jia, dressed in a black casual suit, just walking out of the hall.
Even though it was still early, Wei Jia had already applied her uniquely mature makeup, and wore thin-framed glasses. Her dark blazer paired with loose wide-legged trousers and pointed high heels as she strode out of the hotel lobby.
Wei Jia walked with an air of confidence, her imposing presence flanked by her large wavy hair swaying behind her. Combined with her charming looks, she drew quite a few admiring glances.
This was the typical image of a strong woman.
Li Jing, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel this way instinctively.
Wei Jia didn't notice Li Jing standing nearby in the lobby as she picked up the phone with a serious expression and swiftly instructed:
"First, draft a written report on this matter and send it to me within an hour, then also send a copy to President Wang.
Second, notify the HR department to check the attendance records for the past month.
Third, organize the Moon Lake project from last month; I need to know the detailed process and specific terms discussed at that time. Send it to my email before you leave work in the morning.
Fourth, next time I call on a workday, don't make me call three times before you answer..."
Wei Jia merely walked a short distance past Li Jing, yet he could already sense the overwhelming aura of pressure emanating from her presence. He couldn't help but pull a wry smile, clicking his tongue in astonishment.
He could even imagine how stressful it would be to work under her.
"This woman, who would have thought she's so intense at work... A single phone call almost triggered my work anxiety."
Watching her decisive departure, Li Jing shook his head slightly: "She's like a completely different person from yesterday..."
Ring ring ring.
At that moment, Li Jing's phone rang.
As soon as he answered, he heard the familiar voice of An Tong.
"Li Jing... uh, to thank you for the gift yesterday, this afternoon I'm inviting you to..."
"KTV, KTV..."
An Tong's speech was intermittent, as if there was another woman's voice softly prompting her.
"Oh right, how about I invite you to sing at KTV this afternoon? Today's Saturday, so I don't have to work."
Hearing this, Li Jing, who found An Tong's behavior a bit odd, frowned slightly: "Is this supposed to be your farewell meal for me?"
"Of course not!"
As soon as these words left his mouth, An Tong immediately responded, much more straightforwardly than before.
Then she seemed to realize her tone was too abrupt and quickly explained, "It's just singing, not eating, so it doesn't count. I'll treat you to a meal when you really decide to leave."
Holding the phone, Li Jing glanced at the large KTV sign not far from the hotel and said, "Alright, there's a KTV right here. Why don't you come to the hotel I'm staying at first?"
"Sure, we'll come over after lunch."
...
Inside the rental apartment, An Tong, in a camisole nightdress, put down her phone and pursed her lips as she looked at the short-haired woman in front of her, speaking irritably: "Zhang Xinxin, is that enough for you?!"
"Haha, alright, alright, don't be mad, my dear sister."
Zhang Xinxin, also in a camisole nightdress, cheerfully hugged her arm, squeezing her soft breasts provocatively, with a stunning cleavage on display.
"Good resources are meant to be shared, after all. You don't intend to date him, your goal isn't someone local, right?"
Seeing Zhang Xinxin rubbing herself vigorously, An Tong forcefully withdrew her arm and pushed her away: "You should save this coy act for men, it doesn't work on me."
"Hee hee, my dear sister, you've got just as much, so of course, it doesn't work on you."
Zhang Xinxin, knowing An Tong wasn't truly angry, didn't mind her tone and giggled, "Do you think that young, wealthy, and handsome guy would like girls with expansive minds like us? How long have you known him? Do you have any other information to share?"
"No!"
An Tong immediately refused, snorted coldly, stood up, and went back to the dining table to continue eating her low-fat breakfast.
An hour ago, Zhang Xinxin, who had slept over at An Tong's house the previous night, unexpectedly discovered the Gucci gift Li Jing had bought for An Tong and screamed, startling An Tong, who thought she had hurt herself.
But seeing the Gucci bag in Xinxin's hand, An Tong knew something was wrong and hastily grabbed it to put in the cabinet, yet she couldn't escape Xinxin's persistent questioning, even perfunctory answers weren't sufficient.
With Xinxin's persistence and inquiry, she managed to pry out the story of Li Jing giving An Tong a gift.
However, An Tong still kept the fact that Li Jing was previously staying there a secret, only telling Xinxin that Li Jing was a wealthy friend she occasionally met.
She subconsciously felt she should keep Li Jing's secret, the secret that Li Jing had once experienced setbacks and struggles, even though Li Jing might not mind others knowing.
"An Tong, you said you're just ordinary friends with him, and you're sure he doesn't intend to pursue you, yet he still gave you a Gucci set worth twenty thousand. Do you know what that means?"
Seeing Zhang Xinxin analyzing again by herself, An Tong rolled her eyes and blandly took a bite of breakfast, saying, "What does it mean?"
"It means he's extremely wealthy, so wealthy that he doesn't even care about twenty thousand!"
Zhang Xinxin excitedly leaned toward An Tong, analyzing with precision, "Tell me, would you mind buying a cup of milk tea for an ordinary friend?
Of course not, because the cost of a milk tea for us is negligible, it doesn't matter if we give it away.
And for the wealthy Mr. Jing, a twenty-thousand Gucci is just like a cup of milk tea, so he gave it to you.
Do you think my analysis is correct?!"
Hearing the other describe the gift Li Jing gave her as a trivial matter, An Tong felt inexplicably uncomfortable, and deliberately retorted, "Incorrect."
"How is it incorrect! Otherwise, why would he send you Gucci?"
Zhang Xinxin immediately leaned on the table, her playful eyes tightly staring at the other's face, squinting and questioning, "Could it be that he likes you and wants to pursue you?"
"That, that's impossible..."
An Tong's eyes dodged slightly, but she secretly had a faint hope that Li Jing might pursue her, even though she knew it was unlikely.
"Then that's it! A man doesn't pursue you but gives you luxury goods, unless he wants your body!"
As soon as the words fell, An Tong quickly retorted, "Li Jing doesn't mean that, am I that kind of person?"
"I certainly know you wouldn't offer yourself just for a luxury item!"
Zhang Xinxin grinned triumphantly, placing her hand on the other's shoulder, "But as for me, my standards aren't as high as yours; if a rich second generation really spends money on me, I might consider offering something in return."
Upon hearing this, An Tong pushed away the other's arm and glanced, "Then why are you still single all these years?"
"That's because we don't have any quality resources around us, okay!"
Mentioning this, Zhang Xinxin angrily said, "Don't even mention our little company; just look at your company, how many wealthy men are there? Wearing that ugly checkered shirt every day, it's horrendous, and they buy several of the same style; I'm speechless."
"Although my standards aren't as high as yours, I'm not easily impressed by just any man!"
Zhang Xinxin stood up, proudly thrusting out her chest seriously, "I have maintained myself for so many years just to experience the life of a wealthy wife.
You want a local guy, living honestly for a lifetime.
But I'm different; I won't marry anyone but a wealthy man!"
An Tong finished her last bite of breakfast and glanced sideways at her, "Given our family background, finding a rich second generation won't get us anywhere."
"What if there's no outcome? I just want to experience the genuine feeling of being a wealthy wife in my youth. If I can't earn money myself, can't I find a rich boyfriend?"
Zhang Xinxin crossed her arms, self-righteously explaining her thoughts, "Even if I get dumped or end up breaking up.
As long as I can experience a wealthy wife's lifestyle once, it's worth it for me.
Life's only a few decades, should I live honestly all my life just because I come from an ordinary background, without any pursuits?
Besides, I'm not extorting money; using my youth and beauty for a chance to experience being a wealthy wife doesn't affect anyone, right?"
"Alright, alright, I can't argue with you."
Seeing the other start preaching about her life philosophy again, An Tong shook her head helplessly, got up, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, tidied up the other's unfinished breakfast, and while heading to the kitchen, said:
"I just worry that you might easily get deceived this way, and in the end, have nothing and regret too late."
"Regret what? I never regret anything I do, even if I truly get cheated, I accept it.
However, as smart as I am, not a single man has tricked me over the years; so hold back your maternal glow, don't worry about me every day."
As she spoke, Zhang Xinxin playfully chuckled again, staring at An Tong's upper body, "You always act like a mom, worried about everything; aren't those two lumps full of milk? Why not let me check?!"
"Ah, what are you doing?? You tore my clothes!"
"Haha, you little slut, you're not wearing underwear."
"Who sleeps with underwear on? Let me see, you're not wearing either!"
"Hey, don't touch there, that's my sensitive spot!"
"Well, you started it first, I must show you some color."
"Ow ow, dear sis, stop, I beg, I can't take it anymore..."
Morning sunshine spilled in, as two graceful figures playfully tussled in the rented room, a moment of spring delight unfolded.