I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2228 - 1420: Happy or Sad (First Update)

Immediately after finishing their meal, Shi Qianxi received an abrupt phone call and stepped outside.

She was far less direct than Boss Jiang.

Hu Die had set down her chopsticks quite a while ago; her slender frame was a clear sign of her small appetite, and now, she appeared lost in the twilight visible through the window.

A life of such leisure and grace must have been a rarity in her previous existence.

Perhaps reaching middle age and embracing a new lifestyle wouldn't be such a terrible idea.

Wait, no.

She was only twenty-seven.

Still in her prime.

"You should head back now."

Boss Jiang calmly dipped the goose into the sauce, mindful of the effort put into the meal; wasting food was a shameful thing. Old habits are difficult to break, and he had momentarily forgotten that the person beside him was a newcomer, not the voracious Taoist nun.

But the realization had finally struck him.

Hu Die pulled her gaze away from the darkening window and cast a silent glance at Boss Jiang, looking almost... reluctant to depart.

Truthfully speaking.

Sometimes, work offered a genuine sense of joy.

"Is something the matter?"

Jiang Chen met her eyes and inquired.

He knew that keeping up with online gossip could be entertaining, but one had to consider whether the individual involved was comfortable with it. Although he doubted Hu Die would go around spreading secrets, Jiang Chen sensed that the atmosphere was off. He wasn't as oblivious as Daoist Duanmu; when in Hu Die's presence, Boss Jiang didn't feel the need to maintain appearances, yet no one enjoys having their private life scrutinized.

Since the boss was clearly uninterested, Hu Die, as his subordinate, couldn't very well defy him; she couldn't exactly insist on working voluntarily or claiming extra duties, could she?

Hu Die obediently stood up and exited the private room.

Nearly ten minutes passed before Director Shi reappeared. One could only guess what kind of conversation lasted that long, as her increasingly charming oval face gave nothing away.

Jiang Chen was certainly not one to gossip; after all, he wasn't some idle housewife.

"Where is Hu Die?"

"She left. She isn't a servant, and she has to clock off eventually, right?"

Jiang Chen replied nonchalantly, his logic flawless.

"Did you manage to find something on her?"

Shi Qianxi asked unexpectedly. Was this what women referred to as their sixth sense? It was truly startling.

"Quite the opposite."

Jiang Chen continued eating, blurting the answer out without a second thought. Had she known what Hu Die actually did, she surely wouldn't have been so suspicious, though her instincts weren't entirely without merit.

"Did she manage to find something on you?"

Shi Qianxi reversed the interrogation, casting a curious look at Jiang Chen.

Only then did it dawn on Jiang Chen, "You are here in Kyoto to conduct major deals; shouldn't you be concerned with your image in front of the locals?"

Shi Qianxi's expression flickered, though Jiang didn't notice, as he was entirely focused on enjoying the farm-fresh dinner.

"Fine, I will be careful. Take your time eating."

She rested her chin in her hands and, unexpectedly, became gentle and kind, waiting patiently at the table.

The daylight eventually waned, and the stars began to stretch across the vast sky.

After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Jiang Chen joined Director Shi for a stroll around the farmstay.

The grounds featured not only pens for chickens, ducks, and geese but also a tranquil fish pond and fields of vibrant, blooming rapeseed flowers.

The farmstay offered both lodging and dining, and quite a few tourists were wandering about, planning to spend the night.

Someone, it seemed, was operating a drone, capturing aerial views while hovering in the night air.

"I have reserved a room, so we can stay here and rest; there is no need to hurry back."

Jiang Chen had been indulging his senses, feeling peaceful and content, and he was caught off guard by her words.

"When did you book it? Why was I unaware of this?"

"I booked it as soon as we arrived. It's a good thing I acted quickly; given the popularity of this place, there might not have been any left later," Shi Qianxi explained. "It's a king-size room; you'll be quite comfortable."

What an interesting thing to say.

Is Boss Jiang the type of person who is particularly concerned about his living arrangements?

But wait...

A king-size room?

"One room or two?"

Jiang Chen asked immediately, his intuition sharp.

"One room."

Shi Qianxi breathed in the fresh air, replying with serene composure.

Jiang Chen fell silent at once.

"What? Are you feeling tense?"

Shi Qianxi's lips curled into a faint smile. "Afraid I might eat you up?"

Was that "eat" literal? Fortunately, Hu Die had left; if she had witnessed this, rather than just earning a salary, she might have felt compelled to pay for the privilege of watching.

"Is there truly only one room left?"

In reality, spending a night here didn't bother Jiang Chen; he had been in captivity for so long that returning to nature and allowing his soul a moment of emptiness was a refreshing recovery. Furthermore, staying overnight would push him past his three-day deadline, but despite that, he wasn't entirely comfortable with the prospect of a single bed. Although his girlfriend had been straightforward about asking him to take good care of her, that care surely shouldn't extend inside the bedroom, right? If Li Shuru were to call in the middle of the night...

His line of thought snapped, as he was unwilling to dwell on it further.

"Look at how busy this place is—do you honestly believe there are spare rooms just for you?"

Shi Qianxi teased him effortlessly, her tone playful.

"Do you not feel any guilt?"

Finally. Changing his tactics.

Advancing by retreating.

"No, why would I? I'm not sneaking around. Haven't Shu Rui's intentions always been known?"

Director Shi was blunt, forthright, and completely candid.

Jiang Chen remained quiet, waiting for a family of tourists to pass by.

Shi Qianxi seemed completely indifferent, as none of the visitors would recognize her anyway.

"Do you feel an intense sense of guilt?"

"Let me offer a suggestion: why not become a monk? That way, you wouldn't be constantly tormented by your lofty moral standards. There is a temple not far from here, though I worry they wouldn't even accept you."

Jiang Chen remained calm, long since used to her biting remarks. "Did you and the others strike some kind of deal?"

Shi Qianxi suddenly fell silent, then a meaningful smile illuminated her face as she looked away. "Guess~"

Jiang Chen said nothing more.

The mindset of an optimist might be incomprehensible to others. When troubles pile up into an entangled mass, an average person might suffer immensely or fall into depression, but how would an optimist handle it?

If one lacks the strength for a solution, then they simply ignore it.

In modern terms, this is called "lying flat."

Lying flat is not shameful; it is a return to simplicity, very close to reaching the Dao. When problems reach a certain threshold, they might simply resolve themselves.

Do not dismiss this as impossible.

In medicine, many treatments rely on similar principles, allowing pathogens to neutralize each other or blend, ultimately achieving a delicate balance.

"I will check with the manager later."

Jiang Chen continued walking ahead; some troubles could not be resolved, but others could be managed. Whether a room was available or not depended entirely on money.

Shi Qianxi stopped, appearing weary and unwilling to move further. "Isn't the single bed enough for just you?"

Jiang Chen halted as well.

"The team in Kyoto suddenly informed us that the meeting time has been moved up, and the responsible department is flying over tonight. I need to return to the city immediately."

"..."

Jiang Chen kept his face blank.

Shi Qianxi pivoted, standing elegantly with an amused smile gracing her oval face.

"Happy or sad?"

"..."

Jiang Chen maintained a stoic expression, offering no response.

"I am leaving now."

Shi Qianxi didn't pressure him for an answer, then tilted her face upward. "Give me a kiss."

"..."

"It isn't sleeping together, so it shouldn't cause you much guilt, right?"

"There are a lot of people around."

Boss Jiang finally spoke, but before he knew it, he felt a soft face—no longer proud—leaning in close.

"Smooch."

Shi Qianxi returned her heels to the ground. "I'm really leaving now."

After walking a few paces, she stopped once more and turned back to warn him, "You must stay; I've already paid for the room, so don't let it go to waste!"

Jiang Chen stood there rooted to the spot.

Shi Qianxi gazed upward, surveying the marvelous night sky, released a barely audible breath, and then stopped lingering.

Her father had taught her through years of hands-on experience: what one desires must be fought for with one's own capability; one can never rely on the charity or sympathy of others!

The kissed Jiang Chen wasn't angry; watching her silhouette fade into the distance, he felt, for some inexplicable reason, touched.

She owned such a massive family business.

She could simply sit back and enjoy it.

Why, then, did she work so hard?