Chapter 16: "Hurry Up and Sign to Pick Them Up!

"What are you planning to do next?" Weng Jilin returned from the convenience store with two bottles of Coolboy sports drink, handing one to Chen Ye as he asked.

If his good buddy had any other money-making schemes up his sleeve, he wouldn't mind investing all two thousand three hundred yuan he had on hand.

"Next?" Chen Ye held the drink, pondering for a moment before replying with a smile. "First, I'll eat. Then, I'll go deposit the money. After that, I need to borrow a computer, and I'll head home first thing tomorrow morning!"

"If you need a computer, wouldn't it be easier to just go to an internet cafe?" Weng Jilin couldn't understand why Chen Ye needed to "borrow" one.

"The specs at the internet cafes aren't high enough, and it's not secure," Chen Ye explained casually.

In truth, that was only part of the reason. The more important objective was to go find Jiang Xin. His plan to marry rich and live off a woman had officially kicked off last night, and today marked a crucial step. A girl's bedroom was like a maiden's heart—once you managed to enter for the first time, all future access would be completely unimpeded. Su Siyun had probably gone out to play this afternoon, and Jiang Xin's parents weren't home either. It was the perfect opportunity for him to strike while their defenses were down!

"I have a computer at my place, and it's the latest build. If you need to use one, just come over to my house!" Weng Jilin offered kindly.

But Chen Ye shook his head. His buddy's room definitely reeked of teenage boy funk—nothing at all like the soft, sweet-smelling sanctuary of a girl's bedroom.

"What? Who else could you possibly borrow one from besides me?" Weng Jilin looked puzzled. However, he suddenly jolted, his eyes widening as he stared at Chen Ye. "You're not... going to Su Siyun's house, are you?"

He was indeed going to Su Siyun's house, but the person Chen Ye was looking for was Jiang Xin. He didn't elaborate on the matter. After letting Weng Jilin treat him to a good meal, the two of them parted ways. Weng Jilin said he needed to go home and brag to his dad. After all, this could technically be considered money he and Chen Ye had earned "together," which would earn him major bragging rights in front of the old man!

Chen Ye, meanwhile, hailed a taxi to the nearest bank.

"Thanks, sir." He accepted his change with a word of thanks, stepped out of the car, and walked through the bank's front doors.

There was no way he could carry several thousand yuan in cash around in his pockets. Society wasn't quite as safe yet as it would be in later years; once it got a little dark, all sorts of petty theft, robberies, and extortion could happen. Besides, carrying cash was a hassle. He kept nearly a thousand on hand and deposited the remaining five thousand into his bank card.

About half an hour later, Chen Ye emerged from the bank. Stuffed in his pocket were eight folded hundred-yuan bills, a bank card, and a few dozen yuan in loose change. Aside from the pension money his grandfather was keeping safe for him, this was his entire net worth. Patting his slightly bulging pocket, Chen Ye felt a great sense of relief.

With money in your pocket, you speak with confidence.

Hailing another taxi, he gave the driver the address to Jiang Xin's house.

"To Huiyun No.1 Gated Community, please."

"You got it!"

With smooth, practiced steering that would put a Tai Chi master to shame, the driver steadily delivered Chen Ye to the community gates. Paying his fare and getting out, Chen Ye headed toward the pedestrian entrance once more.

There were quite a few people coming and going during the day, so he planned to just tailgate someone who was swiping their access card to avoid any hassle with the security guards. However, he was quickly intercepted by a sharp-eyed and dutiful middle-aged guard.

The day shift guard was not the same one from last night. Upon spotting Chen Ye's suspicious behavior, he immediately rushed out of the security booth, pointing at him and shouting, "What do you think you're doing? Are you a resident of our community? If not, you need to register before going in!"

Property management in high-end communities was always exceptionally responsible—as long as you paid enough in fees.

Left with no choice, Chen Ye stepped back.

"Sir, I live in Building 1, Room 601. I forgot to bring my card on the way out. Could you just open the gate and let me through?" He prepared to use the same trick from last night.

But he had clearly underestimated this security guard's professionalism.

The moment the guard heard "Building 1, Room 601," his eyes widened, and his eyebrows shot up. He glared at Chen Ye and scolded, "If you had said any other unit, I might not have known, but since you said Building 1, Room 601, I absolutely cannot let you in!"

When he had first started his shift this morning, the owner of Building 1, Room 601—Su Hongshan, the man who drove the BMW 730Li—had come to see him. Su Hongshan specifically instructed him that if an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old tall kid with short hair and a somewhat tan complexion claimed to be a resident but didn't have an access card, he was not to be let in under any circumstances. If the kid specifically claimed his unit number, he was to be barred entirely! At the very least, he would have to register, and the owner would have to come down to escort him inside.

This was actually standard property security protocol, but most guards just asked a passing question to avoid the trouble. However, now that a homeowner had explicitly flagged the issue, they had no choice but to follow the rules to the letter.

Chen Ye was dumbfounded.

What was going on? Was he being specifically targeted? Did his cheapskate future father-in-law hear his explanation of how he got in last night and patch the loophole first thing this morning?

Regardless, he remembered all too well just how much Su Hongshan valued—or rather, fiercely protected—his two daughters. Back when he and Su Siyun had their amicable divorce, Su Hongshan had nearly shown up at his door to brawl with him. It was bad enough that he had leeched off his precious daughter for three years, but to shamelessly accept her money even after the divorce and use it to pay off his mortgage? Ultimately, he heard it took the combined efforts of the two sisters, Jiang Xin and Su Siyun, to barely hold the man back and prevent an all-out war between father-in-law and son-in-law from erupting.

And now, after his rebirth, he had only just taken the very first step in his grand plan, yet his future father-in-law was already throwing wrenches into the works. Was God really determined not to let him live off the Su family's wealth? Was neither daughter an option?!

"Sir, if I register, will you let me in?" Chen Ye quickly asked.

"I can, but we still have to get confirmation from the homeowner," the guard explained, keeping a close eye on him.

He couldn't let this kid out of his sight. Even though Chen Ye looked completely harmless, who knew what he was really up to?

"I still need the owner's permission?"

Chen Ye was somewhat speechless.

Whose permission was he supposed to get? He had barely spoken two sentences to his future mother-in-law, Liu Tinglan, let alone had her phone number. Su Hongshan would probably speed back in his car and cleave him in half with an axe. As for Su Siyun... he didn't want to get involved with her too much right now.

That left only Jiang Xin.

But Jiang Xin couldn't speak. To get confirmation, he would probably have to make her come downstairs to pick him up. Left with no other choice, Chen Ye decided to call her.

A familiar ringtone echoed, and the call was soon connected.

"Jiang Xin, are you at home right now? If you are, knock twice on the table," Chen Ye asked hurriedly.

Soon, the sound of two distinct taps on glass—TAP, TAP—came through the receiver.

"As long as you're home," Chen Ye breathed a sigh of relief. He then continued, "Is it convenient for you to come down and get me? The security guard here is a bit too dedicated. He's insisting on homeowner confirmation before letting me in.

"If you agree, just hang up."

After speaking, Chen Ye waited quietly for the call to end. However, as time ticked by, the call didn't disconnect. Instead, the faint sound of soft breathing emanated from the phone.

On the other end of the line.

Jiang Xin, dressed in a pure white, waist-cinching dress, was crouching on her balcony. The hem of her dress slightly covered her perfectly rounded knees, revealing calves as smooth and delicate as white porcelain. Her burgeoning curves pulled the fabric taut, creating a heart-stirring silhouette.

She held a leaf of spinach in one hand and pressed her phone to her ear with the other.

As she stared absentmindedly at the tiny red-eared slider turtle stretching its neck to nibble on the spinach in its glass tank, a rosy flush crept over Jiang Xin's cheeks, and a trace of helplessness flashed through her eyes.

Chen Ye had come after all.

Just last night, she had harbored a sliver of hope that he might give up, sparing himself the pain of investing too much for a doomed outcome. But things rarely went as one wished. The young man seemed incredibly stubborn, as if he wouldn't turn back until he hit a brick wall.

Sighing helplessly, the girl dropped the spinach, lowered her phone, and hung up.

Chen Ye said he was blocked by security and needed a homeowner's confirmation to enter. How was she supposed to confirm anything? She couldn't speak, so she had no choice but to personally go downstairs and escort him up.

Rising to her feet, Jiang Xin went back to her room to grab her notepad and pen. After putting on her shoes and grabbing her keys, she pushed open the front door. But a second later, she pulled the door shut again and walked over to the full-length mirror positioned near the balcony in the living room, scrutinizing her reflection carefully.

Once she was absolutely sure nothing looked out of place, she let out a breath and finally left the house with peace of mind.

Building 1 wasn't far from the main entrance. After coming downstairs, Jiang Xin quickly spotted Chen Ye leaning against the security booth, chatting and laughing with the guard. The relationship between the two didn't seem nearly as tense as he had made it sound over the phone.

As Jiang Xin approached, Chen Ye, who was facing the inside of the community, naturally noticed her.

"Sir, you absolutely can't tell anyone, okay? I only told you because I trust you!" Chen Ye quickly reminded the guard. Then, flashing a bright, toothy smile, he waved at the figure practically glowing in the harsh midday sun. "Hurry up and sign for your package!"