Its prime location near the Bund, surrounded by a forest of towering skyscrapers, spoke volumes about the Peninsula Hotel’s luxury and prestige.

One glance was enough to tell that this was no place an ordinary person could afford.

For this reason, Gu Zhiyuan and Chen Hui were truly shocked.

"Shen, you booked us a room at this hotel?"

"Mhm."

Lin Shen smiled lightly and handed the key to Gu Zhiyuan.

"I booked the presidential suite on the top floor. It’s big enough for the four of you. You can have a good chat with Qingqing tonight. After all, you two rarely get an opportunity like this, right?"

"But... isn’t this too much of an expense for you?"

Gu Zhiyuan was a bit sheepish, acting almost like the junior in Lin Shen’s presence.

"I heard a presidential suite costs tens of thousands a night..."

"As long as you’re happy."

Lin Shen said with a smile.

"It’s not every day you get to visit Modu. As a local, it’s only natural for me to be a good host, don’t you agree?"

"Shen..."

Seeing how thoughtful Lin Shen was, Chen Hui quickly grasped his hand and said gratefully.

"You’re too good to us! I really don’t know how to thank you. Thank you! Thank you!"

"You’re welcome."

Seeing how well her parents got along with Lin Shen, Gu Wanting felt a wave of complicated emotions.

She was surprised that Lin Shen had booked a presidential suite costing tens of thousands a night, and at the same time, she was puzzled by his motives.

’It can’t really be for me, can it?’

’But he said he was over our relationship...’

After turning it over in her mind, Gu Wanting’s gaze settled on Gu Wanqing, her eyes gradually growing inscrutable.

"Let’s go, Tingting, Qingqing, let’s head up! We can’t let Shen’s kindness go to waste!"

Gu Zhiyuan excitedly called to his wife and daughters. He gave Lin Shen a wave, and then, led by the presidential suite’s butler, the group entered the Peninsula Hotel.

When the hubbub subsided, only Lin Shen and Cheng Yue remained at the entrance.

"Aren’t you going up?"

Lin Shen glanced at Cheng Yue with a raised eyebrow, noticing his expression was dark and stormy, a mixture of astonishment and resentment twisting his features.

’He never imagined it. He’d managed to save face during dinner, only for Lin Shen to turn the tables and utterly crush him at the last second!’

’What the hell is wrong with this guy!?’

’He and Tingting are over, so what’s the point of being so nice to her parents?’

’Is he just showing off because he has money?’

Cheng Yue couldn’t figure it out. But the one thing he was sure of was that this guy, Lin Shen, was not someone to be trifled with.

He knew very well how much a presidential suite at the Shangdao Hotel cost per night.

At least fifty or sixty thousand!

And the price might be even higher since it was peak tourist season!

Cheng Yue truly hadn’t expected Lin Shen to be able to drop that much money so casually.

To be that calm and collected, you’d need to have at least a few million in assets.

The very thought made Cheng Yue’s skin crawl.

After all, just two months ago, Lin Shen had been a mere wage slave whom he’d looked down upon.

’But now he had millions?’

’How on earth did he make so much money?’

Cheng Yue was extremely curious about this, but given their conflict, he couldn’t very well ask Lin Shen directly. He could only let out a cold snort and turn to leave.

"Go on and pretend! We’ll see how long you can keep up this act!"

"..."

After watching Cheng Yue depart, Lin Shen glanced at his watch, then promptly got in his car and drove away.

—

「8:30 PM.」

「Shanghai International Studies University Administration Building, Room 1376.」

A faint light glowed in the office.

After organizing the last of the freshman files, Jiang Wan couldn’t help but stretch languidly.

The fullness of her chest was accentuated as she stretched, revealing an incredibly pert silhouette. The slight jiggle was exceptionally alluring.

"Haaaah—!"

Jiang Wan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let it out in a long sigh. The exhaustion of both mind and body washed over her in an instant.

At times like this, she would always think of Lin Shen.

’If only he were here with me!’

’Then we could kiss...’

’I really want to kiss him!’

Jiang Wan bit her lip. Just as her eyes glazed over and she drifted into a daze, a crisp knock on the door sounded, piercing the silence of the office.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—!