Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 142 - 129: Returning Home

August 25, 2025. Monday.

21℃ to 32℃, sunny to partly cloudy, light southeast breeze, 32% humidity.

In the master bedroom of a suite at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Bright morning light filtered through the windows and sheer curtains, scattering faint shadows across the room.

At 7:30 in the morning, Aria slowly woke up.

She was the type of person who couldn’t sleep when she had something on her mind.

It was the same when she was training her clients.

And it was the same now, with her flight back home today.

As Aria became fully awake, a wave of exhaustion washed over her.

She couldn’t help but frown.

’So tired!’

’Even more tired than after my usual extreme sports!’

Yet, this physical exhaustion was coupled with an irresistible sense of inner satisfaction.

As the two conflicting emotions intertwined, Aria’s dazed eyes slowly focused on the unfamiliar ceiling. The fragmented memories of the previous night began to piece themselves together.

Her last memory was of standing before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows on the balcony, her body posed like the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy as she overlooked the decadent city of Modu.

!?

Aria’s eyes flew open. As if remembering something, she whipped her head to the side.

A man was sleeping beside her.

His breathing was even, his lips forming a straight, steady line.

He had a straight nose, and his usually sharp brows looked incredibly soft, touched by the faint morning light.

His jawline extended along the pillow, revealing the clean line of his neck and a glimpse of his pectoral muscle.

’He’s a perfect man!’

Aria was instantly captivated by the sight of Lin Shen’s profile as he slept, her eyes filling with adoration and desire.

This man beside her, in this foreign country, had not only shown her a tenderness and care she had never known...

...but at night, he had revealed a completely different side—hard and domineering.

He had fully displayed his masculine virility.

’He’s just amazing!’

Lin Shen, with his dual nature, was the exact archetype of the man Aria had always been searching for!

’I’ve completely fallen for him!’

Aria pressed her body against Lin Shen’s side. She rested her right hand on his chest, tracing the firm muscles there.

She traced small circles from time to time, a satisfied smile playing on her lips and her eyes brimming with affection.

’He’s every bit the man I set my sights on!’

A hungry glint flashed in Aria’s eyes.

*

*

At 8:00 AM, Lin Shen woke with a start.

As his eyes focused, he found himself staring at a ceiling that was both strange and familiar.

The decor of the Ritz-Carlton was consistent, whether in Modu or Jinling. Though not identical, the familiar style was enough for Lin Shen to quickly realize where he was.

And what had happened last night.

’Aria!?’

Lin Shen turned his head to look, but the German girl wasn’t there beside him.

’Don’t tell me...’

’What a perfect body.’

Seeing Lin Shen awake, she offered him an utterly bewitching smile.

"Linshen, you’re awake?"

"It’d be a problem if I wasn’t, wouldn’t it?"

Smiling, Lin Shen pushed himself up with both hands, shifting back to lean against the headboard.

Aria, meanwhile, sighed in admiration.

"Linshen, you’re incredible! I feel like I can never leave you! Will we see each other again?"

"Of course."

Lin Shen gently stroked Aria’s head, tucking a stray lock of hair from her cheek behind her ear. A small smile played on his lips.

"I’ve always wanted to try extreme sports. If I get the chance, I’d like to hire you as my personal coach. Would that be okay?"

"Of course! No problem at all!"

Aria, ecstatic, poured all of her affection for Lin Shen into the task at hand.

Just then, a phone rang nearby.

Lin Shen froze for a second, but when they realized it was Aria’s phone, she was the one who tensed up.

She remembered that she was supposed to fly home today.

’Oh, crap!’

’I didn’t come back all night. Laila must be worried sick!’

Seeing Aria’s panicked expression, Lin Shen thoughtfully picked up the phone and held it to her ear, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"I’ll hold it for you. You just focus on what you’re doing."

Meanwhile.

Room 1304, a double room at the Langting Yangzi Hotel.

Laila held her phone to her ear, pacing back and forth in the room.

She felt like she was going crazy.

’Aria hadn’t come back all night!’

Laila had texted her before bed last night, but Aria hadn’t replied. She’d figured she was just on her way back and hadn’t thought much of it.

But when she woke up this morning, Aria was still gone!

’Could she have really spent the entire night with that Chinese guy she was talking about?’

Laila couldn’t believe anyone was *that* good. After finishing her packing, she’d hastily called Aria.

After all, their flight was a little after ten o’clock today. If they didn’t leave soon, they’d miss it!

Laila bit her fingernails. After an anxious wait, the call finally connected.

"Hello!"

Laila demanded immediately.

"Aria! Where are you?"

Laila couldn’t help but complain.

"Are you kidding me? You’re eating breakfast at a time like this? We’re going to be late!"

"I’m sorry, Laila. Can you please pack my things for me?"

Aria’s muffled voice was thick with apology.

"Just take our luggage and go straight to the airport. I’ll meet you there."

"Fine."

After the call ended, Aria looked at Lin Shen, her eyes filled with reluctance and disappointment.

"Linshen, I have to go."

"Let me take you to the airport."

Lin Shen offered, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

"You can continue what you were doing on the way there. Consider it my parting gift to you."

...

...

9:00 AM.

Hongqiao Airport.