Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 130 - 122: A Change in Personality

「12:30 PM.」

After enjoying one last buffet lunch at the restaurant on the 58th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Lin Shen concluded his five-day trip to Jinling.

All in all, the trip was nearly perfect. The most important thing was settled: his relationship with Qin Yuenan had taken another step forward.

Everything else was just the icing on the cake.

*

"Please take this, Mr. Lin!"

「1:00 PM.」

In the first-floor lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, after checking out at the front desk, Lin Shen received an exclusive departure gift for VIP guests.

Inside was a complete set of Ritz-Carlton toiletries, including shower gel and facial cleanser, and even an exquisite box of Jinling’s local specialty.

Salted duck.

"Thank you for choosing the Ritz-Carlton. We wish you all the best!"

"Thanks."

Lin Shen smiled and nodded. After chatting with the lobby manager, who had come specially to see him off, about Wang, he got into the Mercedes S-Class driven by him for the last time.

"You’ve worked hard these past few days."

"Not at all!"

Hearing Lin Shen’s kind words from the back seat, Wang was flattered.

"This is just my job, President Lin. You don’t have to be so polite."

"Here’s my contact information."

Lin Shen pulled out a tissue, wrote his phone number on it with a pen, and tucked it into the center armrest compartment.

He might not need Wang right now.

But in the future, he would probably need a dedicated driver.

Wang had high emotional intelligence and knew how to read people, which should make him a good fit for the position.

"Thank you, President Lin!"

Seeing that Lin Shen had actually offered his personal number, Wang’s heart pounded. A wave of excitement and exhilaration, the likes of which he had never felt before, washed over him.

’This could be my big break!’

*

「1:30 PM.」

Lin Shen and Qin Yuenan were dropped off at the Jinling high-speed rail station right on time.

After resting for about ten minutes in the VIP lounge, the two boarded the high-speed train back to Modu.

Qin Yuenan sat by the window.

Her elbow rested on the armrest, her left hand cupping her cheek. Her eyes, slightly narrowed, stared at the trees and buildings outside, which blurred into streaks from the high speed. She seemed lost in a daze.

On the way back, Qin Yuenan wasn’t as happy as one might expect.

But it was understandable. Going back meant getting busy again.

The pile of work, the scheduled tasks, the reports that needed to be filed...

Being a workaholic didn’t necessarily mean you loved your job.

On the contrary, they might hate it even more than the average person.

"Not happy?"

Although Qin Yuenan’s expression was as cool as ever, Lin Shen still detected a trace of melancholy and gloom.

So he immediately tried to comfort her in a soft voice.

"Want to talk about it? Let me help you sort things out."

"It’s nothing, really..."

Qin Yuenan actually hated sharing her troubles with others. This kind of "emotional dumping" only burdened them and served no real purpose.

But with Lin Shen as her audience, her staunch resolve gradually began to melt.

Because Qin Yuenan relied on him a great deal.

On the surface, she appeared to be a strong career woman, but deep down, she desperately needed someone to comfort and care for her.

This was also why Zhao Jianing had previously advised her to find a boyfriend.

She could see that although Qin Yuenan was tough on the outside, she was actually very fragile on the inside.

If she didn’t let it out, she might end up with psychological issues.

She desperately needed a man!

"This Monday, Zhang Heng is being transferred to the Capital City, and Sun Mingli will take over as the general manager of Pet Guardian Home’s Modu branch."

"That old broad?"

Lin Shen’s brow furrowed. He never would have thought that someone as competent as Qin Yuenan would lose out to someone else.

’It really is a society where connections are everything...’

"At the same time, she’s bringing a few of her cronies with her. She plans to put them in key positions to solidify her own standing in the Modu branch."

"Finance and operations, for example."

"It might not affect me much at first. A lot of people here in Modu respect me, so even with Zhang Heng gone, I still have a solid base of support."

"But down the line, Sun Mingli will probably target me to promote her own people."

Qin Yuenan kneaded the sore spot between her brows and let out a long sigh after her analysis.

Seeing this, Lin Shen gently pulled her into his arms to comfort her.

"If work gets too frustrating, just quit. Worst case, I’ll support you!"

"Can you afford to?"

Qin Yuenan looked up and snorted softly.

"I’ve been spoiled since I was a child and I’m very picky about my living conditions."

"That’s definitely not a problem."

Lin Shen said with a grin.

"I might not be good at much else, but I’ve got plenty of money."

"Don’t say that. You’re outstanding in every way."

Qin Yuenan rested her head on Lin Shen’s chest and said softly.

"I’m not with you for your money."

"Then what did you see in me?"

"Your persistence."

Qin Yuenan lifted her head, looked into Lin Shen’s eyes, and said seriously.

"I can tell from how successful you were at losing weight that you’re a very persistent guy."

"Of course."

Lin Shen chuckled.

"If I weren’t persistent, how could I have driven you wild that night?"

!?

Qin Yuenan’s expression froze for a moment, then her pretty face flushed red.

She gave the flesh at his waist a hard pinch. Although it was mostly muscle and didn’t give much, she still had to assert her dominance.

"Why are you just like Zhao Jianing, always telling dirty jokes!"

"Between couples, the dirtier the talk, the better the relationship."

Lin Shen said with a grin, which made Qin Yuenan roll her eyes at him before leaning back against his chest and murmuring.

"If I can’t take it anymore, I’ll just go home. I have three houses in my hometown county, anyway. Why don’t you come with me?"

Huh?

Lin Shen was a little stunned.

’Three houses?’

His image of Qin Yuenan: A strong career woman who, through her own efforts, had climbed out of a poor family and was fighting to make it in Modu.

The reality: A small-town ’Brahmin,’ a rebellious little princess who didn’t want her family to arrange her future, so she struck out on her own.

"Your family is that rich?"

Lin Shen asked in surprise, then felt a little puzzled.

"Then what are you doing in Modu? It would be so much better to stay in your hometown and enjoy life."

"Big cities have more resources, more opportunities, and comprehensive infrastructure like healthcare, education, and entertainment."

Qin Yuenan sighed softly.

"But my parents don’t seem to like Modu very much. They won’t come even when I ask them to."

"Of course they wouldn’t! The pace of life in Modu is way too fast."

Lin Shen analyzed reasonably.

"It’s fine for us young people to eat, drink, and play all over the place, making new friends in a big city."

"But our parents’ generation, they’re in their fifties and sixties. They definitely want a more stable life."

"After all, their friends and relatives are all back home. They’d never get used to retiring in a new place. It would be too lonely."

"That’s true."

Qin Yuenan thought what Lin Shen said made a lot of sense. After some thought, her face suddenly reddened slightly as she asked in a low voice.

"So... when are you coming back to my hometown with me?"

"Meeting the parents already?"

Lin Shen teased with a smile.

"Looks like you’ve reached that age, Nan!"

"You know that and you still say it!"

Seeing Lin Shen expose her sensitive spot about her age, Qin Yuenan glared at him, annoyed and embarrassed, before muttering in a low voice.

"My parents are pressuring me again. It’s a bit annoying. I haven’t been home in a while, so I was thinking of going back when I have time."

"Then let’s wait until you’re free. I’m available anytime."

"Really?"

Seeing that Lin Shen had actually agreed to go home with her, Qin Yuenan’s eyes instantly lit up. A thick sense of happiness and sweetness suddenly filled her heart, and for the first time ever, she took the initiative to kiss him on the cheek.

"Thank you."

"There’s nothing to thank me for."

Lin Shen grinned and wrapped his arm around Qin Yuenan’s slender waist.

"But if you insist on thanking me, you could do it another way."

...

Seeing the mischievous smile on his face, Qin Yuenan, who already knew his personality inside and out, instantly understood what he meant by "another way."

’Pervert!’

After cursing him out in her head, Qin Yuenan bit her lip and glanced around. When she saw they were the only two in the business class cabin, her nervousness gradually subsided.

She then took Lin Shen’s left arm and pulled it into her embrace. Her crimson face was lowered slightly, as if she didn’t want anyone to see her looking so shy.

Her meaning was self-evident.

Qin Yuenan’s outfit today was simple as usual: a tight, white, crew-neck T-shirt paired with denim shorts.

A delicate silver necklace adorned her chest, preventing the large expanse of fair skin from looking too exposed.

But because of this, the four-leaf clover pendant at the end of the necklace was nestled in her deep cleavage, drawing the eye.

Their fullness was perfect for a hands-on approach.

At least, Lin Shen was very satisfied. He pulled his arm from her embrace and draped it over her shoulder.

It looked like a casual gesture, but his dangling left hand could now slip straight down from her collar into her T-shirt.

Qin Yuenan looked shy, but she made no obvious attempt to struggle. She just leaned in closer to Lin Shen, burying her flushed face in the crook of his neck.

The space was filled with a distinct, masculine scent of fresh hay, which she found intoxicating.

You could say they were both getting what they wanted.

One used his hands, the other her nose.

Gradually, the atmosphere in the business class cabin grew increasingly amorous.

Fortunately, the high-speed rail journey from Jinling to Modu was very short, and besides, the two didn’t dare do anything more outrageous on the train.

Hearing the CLICK-CLACK of the female attendant’s approaching footsteps, Lin Shen calmly withdrew his left hand.

Meanwhile, Qin Yuenan quickly straightened her clothes.

"Mr. Lin! We’re about to arrive in Modu. Do you need help with your luggage?"

"Yes."

「3:00 PM.」

Train G1767 pulled into its final destination in Modu, Hongqiao Station.

Lin Shen hailed a taxi, ready to part ways with Qin Yuenan as they headed to their respective homes. Before they separated, he received another sweet kiss from the cool beauty.

MWAH!

Watching the taillights of her Didi disappear, Lin Shen touched his cheek, which was still slightly warm. He suddenly felt that Qin Yuenan had changed a lot since returning from Jinling.

She would never have kissed him so proactively in front of so many people before.

’Is Nan getting a little clingy?’

This good news filled Lin Shen’s heart with a trace of warmth. He smiled knowingly and got into the Didi that would take him home.

Min’an District, Building 5, Apartment 403.

Dragging his suitcase back to his "old, small, and shabby" apartment, Lin Shen had expected to feel annoyed.

After all, having stayed in a luxury suite, this little place just didn’t look right.

But...

Why did he feel an inexplicable sense of peace and warmth?

Lin Shen felt his entire body and mind instantly relax. He sat down on the sofa and let out a long sigh.

A palace of gold or silver really can’t compare to your own little "den"!