Chapter 55: A Man's Moment of Happiness

There is nothing new under the sun.

No matter what you intend to do, human nature is an inescapable hurdle.

Once you understand human nature and utilize it properly, many things become relatively simple.

After a brief chat with Zhu Junyan, Lu Yao asked, "How much did it cost to invite those internet celebrities this time? Show me the bill."

Zhu Junyan immediately put on a faux-offended expression, "Master, you're slapping my face!"

How much could this possibly cost?

The money he spent playing arcade games at NFA this month alone totaled more than tonight's expenses.

Lu Yao smiled.

Although Zhu Junyan kept calling him Master, Lu Yao knew they didn't actually have a master-disciple relationship; when polite formalities were required, you had to observe them.

Otherwise, you'd lack all self-awareness.

After a few rounds of verbal sparring akin to fighting over the bill, Lu Yao compromised: "All right then, I won't argue with you."

Zhu Junyan felt relieved: "That's more like it! Oh right, Master, I want to discuss something with you."

Lu Yao chuckled: "Go ahead."

Zhu Junyan: "Here's the thing. Didn't Miss Rong invite you to go on a market research trip? Count me in!"

With that, he immediately patted his chest to guarantee: "Don't worry, I promise I won't cause any trouble. During your inspection, I'll only bring my eyes and ears. Just give the word if you need anything done!"

Lu Yao thought for a moment and replied: "I can only help you ask."

Zhu Junyan was overjoyed, then exaggeratedly declared: "I will forever engrave Master's kindness in my heart! From now on, I will walk through fire and brave blades for you!"

The subtext was:

I owe you another favor!

Adding this one to the last makes it two favors already.

Yet Zhu Junyan was never afraid of owing favors; he was only afraid of lacking the opportunity to owe them.

Lu Yao packed up his things, preparing to leave: "Tomorrow or the day after, I'll send you the edited video. I'll head back for tonight."

Zhu Junyan respectfully saw him off: "Take care, Master~"

Lu Yao called Zhou Beila out of the bedroom. The usually cheerful girl came out with her head lowered, her face covered, practically trotting along the base of the wall.

Even though Lu Yao had cleared the room while filming her,

such a scale was still a bit too daring for Zhou Beila.

Back in the car, Lu Yao smiled and asked, "Are you hungry?"

Zhou Beila replied in a retaliatory tone: "Hungry! I'm going to eat a ton!"

Lu Yao laughed: "Then what do you want to eat?"

Zhou Beila thought about it: "Hmm~ Let's go get barbecue, I want to order a super large number of meat skewers!"

Lu Yao chuckled: "And here I thought you were going to fleece me mercilessly, only to end up wanting barbecue?"

Zhou Beila crossed her arms: "Aiya, it's not easy for you to make money either. A guy's money should be spent where it counts."

Lu Yao: "..."

Damn!

This girl actually possesses a hint of traditional wifely virtue.

Do you know how lethal it is when a girl proactively considers your interests and wants to save money for you?

If any female readers are watching this, you might want to take notes.

Lu Yao started the car and briskly declared: "What the hell kind of barbecue! Big brother is taking you for lobster!"

Zhou Beila: "Ah?"

Lu Yao said in an unrefusable tone: "Don't worry, big brother makes money easily enough."

...

After finishing a lavish seafood feast with Zhou Beila, Lu Yao drove her home.

He then returned to his apartment carrying the abundant spoils of the day.

When he got back, Sister Wang had already gone to sleep.

However, a pot on the kitchen stove still kept a few dishes and food warm.

Some say a man's happiest moment is returning to his residential complex after a busy day, looking up to see a single warm yellow light shining for him under the starry night sky.

Though not yet married, it seemed he was already living such a life.

It was just a pity—

The timing and manner in which he and Sister Wang had met seemed somewhat wrong.

Though he had already eaten, Lu Yao still took out some of the food and ate a portion, then left the tableware scattered messily on the dining table.

He did it on purpose.

Leaving it there was for Sister Wang to see.

Then Lu Yao sat down on the living room sofa, hugged his laptop, and began editing the video.

Although beauty filter software already existed in 2013, its functions were nowhere near as powerful as they would be a few years later.

Video shooting and editing software were practically uncharted territories, making Lu Yao's work efficiency somewhat slow.

By nearly four in the morning, he couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep right there on the living room sofa.

The next morning, Sister Wang emerged from her bedroom with sleepy eyes, and immediately saw Lu Yao lying asleep on the living room sofa.

On the coffee table in front of him were stacked a messy laptop, a camera, and various adapters and memory cards.

Sister Wang felt a mix of annoyance and heartache.

Was the sense of security she provided not enough?

He was so young yet worked so desperately hard!

However—

She also admired Lu Yao's drive.

Women are highly emotional creatures.

Even when spending money on a man, they won't just pull out a wad of cash and slam it into your chest demanding you do this or that; instead, they convert the money into various other gifts.

That's why a kept man would never directly ask a wealthy older sister for cash.

A kept man would say: "Jiejie, Ducati prices dropped recently~"

As for the wealthy women in TV dramas who throw cash at people... that script was most likely written by a man.

Sister Wang walked on tiptoe to the dining area and glanced over, spotting the chaotic mess of tableware.

She curled her lips, yet felt deeply comforted in her heart.

So she quietly cleaned up the tableware, tiptoed through her morning wash, changed into casual clothes, and went out to buy groceries.

After buying the groceries, she purposely strolled around outside for a while before returning.

Upon coming home, she first steamed rice and simmered soup, waiting for the gentle aroma to coax Lu Yao awake.

Soon enough.

Lu Yao's nose woke up a step ahead of his brain.

Lying on the sofa, he took a deep breath and murmured, "Smells so good."

Sister Wang's gentle voice drifted from the kitchen: "Go wash up, we can eat soon."

Lu Yao flipped over and sprang up: "Coming!"

After washing up and stepping out, the corporate weariness on Lu Yao had been completely swept away, making him look fresh and handsome once more.

He walked into the kitchen, leaned against Sister Wang, and praised: "As expected of my Sister Wang, you really know how to pamper someone~"

Sister Wang rolled her eyes.

Yet deep down, she was secretly thrilled.

She had rehearsed this kind of life in her mind countless times before.

But when it actually happened, Sister Wang still felt a lingering wave of emotion and nostalgia.

Even to the point of...

Feeling somewhat unreal.

Sister Wang took a deep breath and said, "Out, out with you, don't disturb my cooking."

Banished from the kitchen, Lu Yao wasn't idle either.

He first tidied up the room, then continued the work he hadn't finished the night before.

When Sister Wang finished cooking, Lu Yao helped serve the rice and dishes.

As the two of them sat down to eat, Lu Yao finally spoke: "I'm going on a trip out of town with Miss Rong on Monday."

Sister Wang smiled: "Xiaojie already told me."

As she spoke, she looked at Lu Yao, her heart full of emotion: "I never expected your social circle to ascend so rapidly... Perform well, and perhaps before long, you will truly become 'Mr. Lu'."

Sister Wang was smiling, her eyes carrying expectations.

Yet deep down, it felt as though a heavy stone had been pressed onto her heart.

Lu Yao smiled, his eyebrows expressive and confident: "What kind of talk is that?"

"——I have always been 'Mr. Lu'."