I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping

The vermilion doors adorned with bronze taotie rings held jade pendants, flanked by ruyi-cloud patterned drum stones carved from white marble. Passing through the Du Xiang Hall’s rosewood openwork screen of pine and crane for longevity, a whole golden silk nanmu relief of "Han Xizai’s Night Banquet" faced you, the figures in the painting seeming ready to break through the wall under the light of palace lanterns.

In the center of the main hall, an octagonal caisson hangs from the dome, from which seventy-two imitation ancient sheepskin palace lanterns descend, their warm yellow glow washing over the Su embroidery screen of "Spring Mountain and Auspicious Cranes." A maid clad in a qipao made through Suzhou kesi craftsmanship walked past the screen, with a Hetian white jade pendant at her waist producing a clear, melodious sound with each step.

Meanwhile, in a private room of Suzhou Prefecture, decorated with ink paintings of Jiangnan water villages on all four walls, Princess Cao and Youmao had already taken their seats. On the lingzhi-patterned huanghuali table, agarwood smoke rose in a single line from the Xuande furnace.

Despite harboring a deep wariness of the host, Youmao did not drop her composure. She not only refrained from putting on a sour face but also beamed amiably. They were all adults; who didn’t understand the workings of societal manners?

It’s just a matter of willingness.

"Long time no see."

She was really worried she might accidentally call him Little Songzi.

That would indeed be awkward.

Luckily, Youmao was adept at controlling herself, or perhaps Cao Jinse had reminded her beforehand.

"Has it really been that long?"

Song Chaoge chatted casually, even though he invited Cao Jinse, he showed no resentment towards the uninvited Youmao. "Why does it feel like I just saw you yesterday?"

Youmao snorted, giving Young Master Song a sidelong glance.

"Are you implying that I’m unwelcome?"

"Does whether I welcome you matter? My personal will cannot affect whether or not you sit here."

Hearing these honest words, Youmao grinned smugly, "Hehe, you’re quite smart. Whether you welcome me or not, I would still come!"

Song Chaoge and Princess Cao were childhood friends, which meant he had known Youmao for many years as well.

They were quite familiar with each other, so there was no need for such ’formality’ in their conversations.

"This meal is on me."

Youmao’s thick skin did not translate to Cao Jinse taking it easy, "Bringing an uninvited guest" doesn’t follow the rules of the social circle, even though everyone in the circle knew Youmao and she were almost inseparable.

"Next time."

Song Chaoge looked at Princess Cao’s serene brow and said with a smile, "I’ve already paid for this meal."

High!

Truly high!

If this isn’t mind-gaming, then what is? The dishes haven’t even arrived, and the bill has already been settled in advance.

"If you’ve already paid, how am I supposed to order more dishes?"

Youmao started picking faults, as if she was really here just to freeload a meal.

"You can add more dishes, but you’ll have to pay for them yourself."

Song Chaoge remained unfazed, his heart calm.

"Wow, you’re so generous!"

Youmao exaggeratedly spread her hands and said cheerfully, "But I have no money."

"Are you saying Jin Se hasn’t paid you?"

Sneaky guy!

Watching Song Chaoge’s peaceful smile, Youmao grumbled inwardly and then retorted, "As if you’ve ever paid salaries!"

Who knows what she was implying, Song Chaoge’s smile remained unchanged, as he turned to Cao Jinse, "Jin Se, Youmao is really complaining that you don’t pay her."

"Order whatever you want, I’ll cover it."

Princess Cao’s style remained unchanged, as straightforward as usual.

"I was just joking."

Seeing the young miss about to pay, Youmao instantly changed her tone, and Song Chaoge sighed upon seeing this, "Jin Se, you’ve got a Treasure Basin by your side at all times."

Youmao couldn’t pretend not to hear, "Are you calling me a miser?"

"No. Merely a compliment. It should be like this; Jinse works hard for her money."

"Indeed, miss’s work is much harder than yours, having to work overtime every day."

Song Chaoge smiled wryly, "I work hard for my money too."

"Tsk~"

Youmao responded with a meaningful sound.

Song Chaoge acted as if he didn’t hear it, sighed, and said, "The general environment is getting worse, every industry is struggling; you, never having to worry about daily necessities, naturally can’t feel it."

"The struggles of every industry, what do they have to do with you? A meal here for you could be months or years of a worker’s earnings."

Youmao’s straightforward manner made her forget to consider giving him a way out.

Young Master Song, a second earlier showing some worldly concern, couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward — his deep-thinking mindset didn’t know how to respond for a moment, and he could only smile wryly.

"Without consumption, only production, the environment will worsen further."

Princess Cao, indeed more seasoned, helped Song Chaoge out from another angle, and indeed, what she said was true.

Wealth in society is concentrated in the hands of a few, and if these few live frugally and don’t spend, how can wealth circulate and be redistributed?

Whether it’s luxurious or wasteful, the worst scenario is when the wealthiest stop spending.

Once massive wealth is ’frozen,’ and the wealthy begin to ’live piously,’ it doesn’t mean paradise for the rest, but rather, a nightmare for the poor.

If talking about extravagance, Boss Jiang is even more so.

Song Chaoge is merely hosting a meal here, spending only what ordinary people accumulate over months or years, benefiting the waitstaff, chefs, and even the suppliers of ingredients at Suzhou Prefecture.

This is wealth redistribution.

And Boss Jiang?

He provides thousands of low-level workers with social insurance and welfare, and even housing...

This is also wealth redistribution.

Just not on the same scale.