’Lin Shen already did it?’

Qin Yuenan found it hard to believe.

After all, just over a month ago, Lin Shen was still working for her.

But less than a month after quitting, he was already earning more than she was.

’If you’re so rich, why were you working a normal job before?’

’Just to experience life?’

’Besides, is there even a business that can make tens of millions in such a short time?’

’Even if it’s possible, is it legal?’

’I hope it’s not anything that breaks the law.’

Qin Yuenan was a little worried that Lin Shen’s money wasn’t from a legitimate source.

"How did you do it? You didn’t do anything... strange, did you?"

"Of course not."

Lin Shen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He clearly knew what Qin Yuenan was thinking but couldn’t explain it directly, so he could only give a vague, perfunctory answer.

"Things like crypto trading or other investments. They’re all legitimate ways to make money. Otherwise, the bank would have investigated and frozen my assets when I bought the house."

"That’s true."

Lin Shen’s words dispelled most of Qin Yuenan’s worries, but she was still puzzled.

Of course, she could also tell from his tone that he didn’t want to talk about it.

So, Qin Yuenan tactfully dropped the subject and changed it.

"Congratulations on buying a new house and settling down in Modu. When you have time, will you show me your new place?"

"Sure. When are you free?"

"I’ll let you know."

"Okay."

Lin Shen said with a grin.

"If you want to live with me, Nan, I wouldn’t mind."

"In your dreams!"

Qin Yuenan shot Lin Shen a shy glare.

Although she longed to be with the person she loved most every day, it was just a fantasy for now.

Qin Yuenan pursed her thin lips, nibbling on her bread as her gaze darted about guiltily. ’I need to quit this addiction-like crush,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, I won’t have any energy for my daily work.’

After they finished breakfast, the two went downstairs and headed their separate ways.

Qin Yuenan drove her Volvo S90 to work, while Lin Shen took his Jaguar XFL to run some errands.

First stop: the Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe.

No, it would be more accurate to call it the Shennan Pet Society now.

The original "Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe" sign had been taken down. Next to it, the area behind the construction barrier was still being renovated, and the constant CLANGING and BANGING made the place seem lively.

At the moment, only Lin Ping was inside, taking care of the cats.

TING-A-LING—!

The chime of the wind bell at the door alerted Lin Ping that someone had entered. She glanced over and was surprised to see it was Lin Shen!

She quickly put down the cat in her arms and trotted over to Lin Shen, her expression a mixture of surprise and astonishment.

"President Lin? What are you doing here?"

"Is there a rule against me visiting my own shop?"

Lin Shen teased with a smile, his eyes sweeping over the beautiful young woman before him.

She looked very different today compared to her usual self.

Instead of the plain, dark-colored loungewear of a practical homemaker, she had changed into a stylish, low-cut, tight-fitting white long-sleeved top paired with light blue, tight-fitting flared jeans.

The outfit fully accentuated the graceful figure that had been hidden under her loose clothes, making her look incredibly curvy.

Moreover, she had applied light makeup over her usually bare face, as if intentionally showing off her most beautiful side as a woman.

Just then, Lin Shen suddenly realized that Lin Ping was only thirty-two years old.

"No, no! I didn’t say you couldn’t come!"

Even though Lin Shen was joking, Lin Ping waved her hands nervously and explained.

"It’s just that you didn’t tell me on WeChat that you were coming, so I wasn’t expecting you."

"I came to see you."

Lin Shen gave a gentle smile.

"That outfit looks great on you. You should dress like this more often."

"Really? Thank you."

Lin Ping shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her heart pounding.

Ever since she agreed to become Lin Shen’s lover, she had decided to completely change her plain and low-key image.

She was divorced now.

Besides taking care of Anan, she finally had time to pursue the things she liked.

For instance, things girls often talked about, like clothes and cosmetics.

No matter their age, women always aspire to have a beautiful appearance.

Lin Ping was no exception.

So, following Lin Shen’s suggestion, she tried to develop in a direction he liked.

Namely, the mature and sexy "hot mom" style.

Now, it seemed the effect was quite good!

At least, Lin Shen liked it.

Lin Ping felt a secret thrill of joy.

"President Lin, please have a seat. I’ll go get you a cup of coffee."

"No need. Close up the shop and come with me."

Lin Shen reached out and gave a light pat to Lin Ping’s full, round bottom, which was outlined by her jeans.

"I’m taking you somewhere."

?

Lin Ping froze, clearly misunderstanding the meaning behind his action. She immediately lowered her gaze and said shyly.

"Um... President Lin, if we close the door, we don’t really need to go somewhere else."

?

Lin Shen froze, then he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"I didn’t come here for *that*. I’m planning to take you to a business meeting."

Huh?

Lin Ping blinked her pretty eyes, her delicate face instantly flushing red. She fidgeted with her hands in front of her, her gaze darting away as she felt utterly mortified.

Seeing this, the corners of Lin Shen’s mouth curled up. He took a step closer and whispered in her ear.

"But if you’re willing, we can try it here next time."

"I..."

Seeing the beautiful young woman’s face turn as red as a ripe apple, Lin Shen decided not to tease her anymore.

"Alright, close up the shop. I’m taking you somewhere."

—

「10:00 AM.」

Feline Fun Cafe.

A weekday morning should have been business hours for the cat cafe, but this shop had a "Temporarily Closed" sign hanging on its doorknob.

Qi Hao, the owner of Feline Fun Cafe, was currently in his shop with his phone propped up, livestreaming to a room with only a handful of viewers.

He planned to sell all the cats in the cafe.

After all, no one had been willing to take this hot potato off his hands for months. Left with no choice, Qi Hao could only try to sell off the cafe’s equipment and cats first to recoup some of his losses.

But several days had passed, and not a single cat had been sold!

The reason was simple.

As a veterinarian, all the cats in his cafe were strays he had rescued from the streets.

Most of them were mixed-breed domestic cats.

Although these cats, under Qi Hao’s meticulous care, were all healthy, disease-free, well-behaved, and affectionate, with beautiful coats and appearances that were in no way inferior to household pets, it was a pity that when it came to paying, customers were still more willing to spend money on purebreds like Ragdolls or British Shorthairs.

’After all, tabby cats are everywhere on the streets. Why would I pay for one of yours when I could just pick up a stray and take it home myself?’

Therefore, Qi Hao’s plan to sell the cats had failed. He hadn’t even managed to give away more than a few.

"SIGH—!"

Seeing that there were hardly any viewers in his livestream, Qi Hao sighed and decided to think of another way.

But just then, the main door was suddenly pushed open, and sunlight instantly poured into the dimly lit shop.

It was a young man with a beautiful woman. The age difference made them look like a couple where the woman was older.

Qi Hao was taken aback. He quickly put down the cat he was holding and went over to remind them.

"I’m sorry, you two, but we’re not open today."

"That’s okay, I’m not a customer."

The young man extended his right hand with a smile.

"My name is Lin Shen. I’m here to talk business with you."

"Talk business?"

Qi Hao paused in surprise, then quickly turned on the main lights in the shop and shook Lin Shen’s hand.

"I’m Qi Hao. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. I saw you listed this property for rent on several apps?"

"Yes, I did!"

Qi Hao’s heart leaped with joy.

’Could it be that this young man plans to take over the cat cafe and open his own shop?’

Although the thought of finally being able to transfer the lease excited him, his conscience wouldn’t let him swindle anyone, so he offered a well-intentioned warning.

"Young man, the cat cafe business isn’t doing well recently, and the rent here is very expensive. You should probably think it over."

Oh?

Lin Shen raised an eyebrow. He really hadn’t expected Qi Hao to advise against taking over the cat cafe.

’Weren’t you the one trying to get rid of it?’

’And now that I’m here, you’re telling me not to take it?’

Lin Shen took another look at Qi Hao.

He was balding, wore black-rimmed glasses, and looked like a gentle, cultured intellectual.

His personality seemed to be the honest and quiet type, probably easy to get along with.

He was the type of person who was clearly intelligent but not shrewd—better suited for academic research than for running his own business.

Lin Shen’s first impression of Qi Hao was quite good.

’He sees that I’m young, and not only does he not try to rip me off, he even gives me a friendly warning.’

’Not bad at all!’

’Since you’re a good person, I’ll help you out.’

Lin Shen smiled faintly.

"I’m not here to take over the shop. I’m here to buy your cats."