I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2276 - 1448: What a Fine Blood Guanyin

Vermilion gates decorated with bronze taotie knockers bearing jade pendants stood beside white marble drum stones engraved in ruyi-cloud patterns. Beyond the rosewood carved screen of pine and crane symbolizing longevity in Du Xiang Hall, a massive golden silk nanmu carving depicting "Han Xizai’s Night Banquet" confronted visitors, the painted characters on the verge of bursting through the surface beneath the glow of palace lanterns.

Suspended from the main hall's octagonal ceiling caisson, seventy-two replica ancient sheepskin palace lanterns dangled, their soft golden light bathing the Su embroidery partition showing "Spring Mountain and Auspicious Cranes." A servant girl in a qipao crafted via Suzhou kesi technique passed by the screen, her Hetian white jade ornament at the waist chiming clearly and sweetly with every step.

At that moment, inside a private chamber in Suzhou Prefecture featuring ink drawings of Jiangnan water towns across all walls, Princess Cao and Youmao had settled into their seats. From the Xuande incense burner on the lingzhi-motif huanghuali table, a steady stream of agarwood smoke ascended.

Though she held strong caution toward the host, Youmao kept her poise intact. Far from souring her expression, she smiled warmly instead. After all, adults grasped the nuances of social etiquette well enough.

It all boiled down to willingness.

"Long time no see."

She truly feared slipping and addressing him as Little Songzi by mistake.

That surely would prove embarrassing.

Thankfully, Youmao excelled at self-restraint, or maybe Cao Jinse had warned her earlier.

"Has it really been that long?"

Song Chaoge bantered lightly; despite inviting only Cao Jinse, he displayed no annoyance at the extra guest Youmao. "Why does it seem like I saw you just yesterday?"

Youmao huffed, shooting Young Master Song a sideways look.

"Are you implying that I'm unwelcome?"

"Does whether I welcome you matter? My personal will cannot affect whether or not you sit here."

Upon hearing this candid remark, Youmao smirked triumphantly, "Hehe, you're quite smart. Whether you welcome me or not, I would still come!"

Song Chaoge shared a childhood bond with Princess Cao, so he had long known Youmao too.

Their familiarity ran deep, rendering excessive politeness in talk unnecessary.

"This meal is on me."

Youmao's boldness didn't ease Cao Jinse's sense of impropriety; "bringing an uninvited guest" broke the circle's unspoken codes, despite everyone knowing she and Youmao were nearly glued together.

"Next time."

Gazing at Princess Cao's calm features, Song Chaoge grinned and replied, "I've already paid for this meal."

High!

Truly high!

What else could this be but masterful psychological play? Not a single dish had arrived, yet the tab was preemptively cleared.

"If you've already paid, how am I supposed to order more dishes?"

Youmao began nitpicking, acting every bit the freeloader crashing for a free feast.

"You can add more dishes, but you'll have to pay for them yourself."

Song Chaoge stayed utterly composed, his mind serene.

"Wow, you're so generous!"

Youmao flung her arms wide in mock drama and chirped happily, "But I have no money."

"Are you saying Jin Se hasn't paid you?"

Sneaky guy!

Observing Song Chaoge's tranquil smile, Youmao muttered to herself before firing back, "As if you've ever paid salaries!"

Song Chaoge's grin held steady amid whatever subtext she hinted at, as he pivoted to Cao Jinse, "Jin Se, Youmao is really complaining that you don't pay her."

"Order whatever you want, I'll cover it."

Princess Cao stuck to her direct approach, unchanging as ever.

"I was just joking."

Noticing the young miss reaching for her wallet, Youmao flipped her attitude at once, prompting Song Chaoge to sigh, "Jin Se, you've got a Treasure Basin by your side at all times."

Youmao couldn't ignore that jab, "Are you calling me a miser?"

"No. Merely a compliment. It should be like this; Jinse works hard for her money."

"Indeed, miss's work is much harder than yours, having to work overtime every day."

Song Chaoge gave a wry smile, "I work hard for my money too."

"Tsk~"

Youmao let out a telling tsk.

Song Chaoge pretended not to notice, heaved a sigh, and remarked, "The general environment is getting worse, every industry is struggling; you, never having to worry about daily necessities, naturally can't feel it."

"The struggles of every industry, what do they have to do with you? A meal here for you could be months or years of a worker's earnings."

Youmao's blunt style led her to overlook leaving him an escape route.

Just a moment ago, Young Master Song had displayed concern for worldly affairs, yet he now felt a trace of embarrassment—his profound mind left him at a loss for words briefly, allowing only a wry smile to form.

"Without consumption, only production, the environment will worsen further."

More worldly-wise Princess Cao came to Song Chaoge's aid from a fresh perspective, and her statement held undeniable truth.

The bulk of society's wealth gathers in the grasp of a select few; should they embrace thrift and cease spending, how could riches flow and redistribute themselves?

Be it opulent or profligate, the direst outcome arises when the richest halt their expenditures.

When vast fortunes stand 'frozen' and the affluent turn to 'pious living,' it spells no utopia for others but a torment for the destitute.

Speaking of lavishness, Boss Jiang outdoes them all.

Song Chaoge's simple act of footing the bill for this feast—sums ordinary folk toil months or years to amass—enriches servers, cooks, and even Suzhou Prefecture's ingredient vendors.

This constitutes wealth redistribution.

Boss Jiang, then?

He furnishes thousands of basic laborers with social security, benefits, and housing to boot...

This qualifies as wealth redistribution too.

Merely on a grander scale.