Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 44: Ex-girlfriend at the Door

August 8, 2025, Friday.

20°C~31°C, Sunny.

"Construction Bank: Your account ending in 7946 received a deposit of RMB 10,000 on August 8 at 00:01. Current balance: 425,000."

"You have run five kilometers in 28 minutes and 30 seconds."

Lin Shen stopped his watch and gasped for breath, a fervent heat surging within him.

After changing his running form to a healthier, more standard posture based on online tutorials, he had improved by over a minute in just a few days.

Moreover, the soreness in his calves during the run was significantly reduced, so much so that after finishing, Lin Shen didn’t feel the usual weakness and aches.

He even had enough energy left to bounce around a bit!

But a post-workout cooldown was still necessary.

Lin Shen stretched out his body, then went upstairs and started doing push-ups, sit-ups, and Kegel exercises, thoroughly working his chest, abs, and kidneys.

After a vigorous, sweat-drenched workout, he went to the bathroom for a shower.

Then, he stood stark naked in front of the mirror.

The outlines of his pectoral and abdominal muscles were becoming more defined, and his arms were a size thicker than before.

Although he had gained a kilogram, his physique was much more well-proportioned than before, making him look young and healthy.

Lin Shen was quite satisfied with the changes in his physique, but his stats hadn’t increased by much.

He opened his phone and pulled up his personal status panel.

[Constitution: 71/71 (Healthy+)]

[Spirit: 72/72 (Calm+)]

[Kidney Power: 71/71 (Virile-)]

[Height: 180cm; Weight: 79kg]

The maximums for all three attributes had only increased by one point, which surprised Lin Shen a little.

He got dressed, planning to go to the kitchen and make himself a cup of hot coffee.

But just then, the lock suddenly clicked, followed by the KACHA of a key turning.

And the sound of hushed talking.

"Tingting, Lin Shen should be at work by now, right?"

"Yeah. You didn’t get all of my luggage last time. Grab the rest of it while he’s at work."

"Okay."

?

Before Lin Shen could even process what was happening, the door swung open!

Gu Wanting put the key in her bag and boldly pushed the door open, only to find someone standing in the entryway!

She blinked twice, feeling that the person before her was both a stranger and yet familiar, so she subconsciously asked politely.

"Hello, excuse me..."

"It’s only been a month. You don’t even recognize me?"

Lin Shen found it rather laughable.

Gu Wanting, however, stood stunned for two seconds before covering her mouth with one hand and taking a step back, her voice losing its composure.

"You’re Lin Shen?!"

"Mhm."

’Lin Shen?’

Cheng Yue’s brow furrowed slightly. As he looked Lin Shen up and down, his expression grew more and more colorful.

It was no wonder Gu Wanting hadn’t recognized him at first. The man before them looked like he had been completely transformed!

The Lin Shen of half a month ago had been pudgy and out of shape, with dull eyes and a listless complexion that made him look utterly devoid of spirit.

Yet, half a month later, his body was well-proportioned and fit. It was obvious his weight loss had been exceptionally successful.

Moreover, his features had become sharp and handsome as he lost weight. His face was a full size smaller, with clearly defined angles.

It was hard to imagine a person could change so drastically in such a short amount of time!

Gu Wanting couldn’t snap out of it for a long time, her wide eyes filled with deep shock and disbelief.

She found it difficult to connect the tall, handsome figure before her with the overweight image she had in her mind.

’How did Lin Shen become like this after just one month?’

"Are you sick?"

This was the only reason Gu Wanting could think of for such rapid weight loss. However, Lin Shen just replied dispassionately, his face devoid of expression.

"Thanks to you."

"..."

Hearing this, Gu Wanting knew she was in the wrong and bit her lip, saying nothing.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yue, who was standing to the side, lifted his chin, intending to put on an air of superiority in front of Lin Shen. But then he discovered he was actually half a head shorter than him!

’Weren’t we the same height last time?’

Cheng Yue was puzzled. He felt that Lin Shen hadn’t just changed on the outside; his inner self had undergone a world-shaking transformation as well.

Half a month ago, he was decadent and depressed.

Now, he was confident and assertive, exuding an unconcealable sense of ease and nonchalance from his very bones.

It was as if breaking up with Gu Wanting had given him a clearer purpose in life and filled him with confidence for the future.

"Tingting and I are here to get her things today."

As Cheng Yue said this, he felt his own tone had weakened completely, as if he had been intimidated by Lin Shen.

So he cleared his throat and quickly added in a cold voice.

"Tingting won’t be coming back here again."

"Mhm."

Lin Shen shrugged, his expression showing neither joy nor sorrow, as if he had moved on from the heartbreak long ago.

This greatly displeased Gu Wanting.

What she wanted to see was Lin Shen, his eyes full of affection, begging her to come back to him.

That would have been proof of her Charm as a woman.

But now, Lin Shen showed no intention of asking her to stay. In fact, he seemed to be silently urging her to leave quickly.

’So he really stopped loving me a long time ago!’

Having reached this conclusion, Gu Wanting puffed up her cheeks and glared angrily at Lin Shen.

"You’ve wanted to break up with me for a while, haven’t you?"

"Mhm."

Seeing Lin Shen’s indifferent and uncaring appearance, Gu Wanting couldn’t help but clench her fists and grit her teeth.

"Scumbag!"

"..."

Lin Shen’s brow twitched, but he couldn’t be bothered to argue.

He just wanted Gu Wanting to grab her things and leave, so he could have some peace and quiet back.

"Pack your things yourself."

With that said, Lin Shen sat down directly on the sofa and started playing on his phone.

Seeing this, Gu Wanting gave Cheng Yue a look, and he scurried off to the master bedroom to pack clothes.

Meanwhile, she went into the bathroom, originally intending to grab her own toiletries.

However, she couldn’t find her own. Instead, she discovered a whole new set.

There was even a hair conditioner made specifically for women!

BZZZ—!

In an instant, Gu Wanting’s mind went blank. Blood rushed through her body, and her eardrums throbbed violently in time with her heartbeat.

’Did Lin Shen bring another girl home to spend the night?’

Like a lioness whose territory had been invaded, Gu Wanting stormed over to Lin Shen and questioned him.

"Did you get a girlfriend?"

"That’s none of your business, is it?"

Lin Shen said coldly, as if stating a simple fact. He didn’t even glance at Gu Wanting as he spoke.

"We already broke up."

"It’s only been a month and you’ve already found a new girlfriend! You’re just monkey-branching!"

"Aren’t you doing the same thing?"

Lin Shen looked up and stared at Gu Wanting indifferently. This made her freeze for a moment, then, as if she’d realized something, comprehension dawned on her face.

Just then, Cheng Yue came out of the master bedroom and called out.

"Tingting, I’ve finished packing. Let’s go."

"..."

Gu Wanting clearly wanted to say something more to Lin Shen, but after hesitating, she turned and left without looking back.

However, just as she reached the entryway, she suddenly heard a voice call out from behind her.

"Hey!"

?

Gu Wanting’s heart skipped a beat. She turned her head with a sliver of inexplicable anticipation, only to hear Lin Shen say softly.

"Remember to leave the key. You’re not welcome in my house anymore."

"As if I’d want to come back!"

Gu Wanting angrily took out the key and threw it at Lin Shen. He caught it, and then with a BANG, the door slammed shut.

"Whew—!"

Lin Shen let out an inexplicable sigh of relief. The resentment that had been building up in his heart for so long slowly dissipated, and his whole body relaxed.

He lay back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.

’That unhealthy old relationship is finally over.’

’Now it’s time to pull myself together and welcome the future!’