Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 144 - 129: Returning Home

[Jiang Wan: Lin Shen, are you back from your business trip? I’ve already contacted the influencer you asked me to. When should we meet?]

[Jiang Wan: I’ve missed you a little, you know~]

[Lin Ping: Boss Lin, I’ve arranged to meet my ex-husband. When are you free?]

"Sigh!"

Lin Shen heaved a long sigh. He finally understood why Qin Yuenan was always so cold and aloof at work.

’Who could be in a good mood when they’re this busy?!’

After complaining to himself for a moment, Lin Shen replied to Jiang Wan first.

[Lin Shen: I just got back from Jinling today. How about tomorrow? You two can pick a place, and I’ll come find you.]

[Jiang Wan: Okay!]

After settling things with Jiang Wan, Lin Shen replied to Lin Ping’s message.

[Lin Shen: Let’s do today. Meet at the Cat Cafe. I’m on my way.]

[Lin Ping: Okay, Boss Lin!]

Lin Shen put down his phone and drove out of the parking lot.

The rhythmic Western music playing from the stereo kept him from getting bored or drowsy on the drive.

Of course, after a few songs, Lin Shen switched the playlist back to his favorite oldies.

For now, this wonderful encounter with Aria was coming to a temporary close.

He would have to wait and see what happened next...

—

「Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe」

The newly renovated storefront looked completely transformed.

Not only was the sign more eye-catching, but a huge display window had also been installed next to the main entrance.

Passersby could easily peer in from outside and see the cute, lively cats inside the shop.

After Shen Mingchuan parked his car at the entrance, he looked slightly astonished.

’It looks this good?’

’Looks like they spared no expense!’

’But it doesn’t matter. Lin Ping is just Lin Shen’s subordinate. No matter how nice the renovation is, it has nothing to do with her.’

A hint of excitement flickered in Shen Mingchuan’s eyes.

He had deliberately chosen not to bring Xu Fei this time, convinced that Lin Ping wanted to see him to try and mend their marriage.

After all, a debaucherous, rich second-generation brat like Lin Shen wasn’t a good long-term prospect.

’If she really wants to settle down, she needs a reliable, successful man like me.’

TING-A-LING—!

As the wind chime tinkled crisply, Shen Mingchuan cheerfully pushed open the door and stepped inside, only to be stunned by the interior design.

Fabric sofas, wooden tables and stools, and all sorts of cute little decorations...

The warm, therapeutic, cream-colored decor looked incredibly comfortable and made one want to stay in the shop all day.

Moreover, everything from the wall paint to the new cat trees seemed to be from high-end brands; the materials looked far more luxurious than before!

’Holy cow!’

’How much did this renovation cost?!’

Shen Mingchuan didn’t need to do the math to know roughly: the design, materials, labor, and furniture had to have cost at least 200,000 yuan!

’Wasting 200,000 on renovations for a 60-square-meter cat cafe?’

Shen Mingchuan found it hard to believe. He really couldn’t tell if that guy Lin Shen was an idiot or just had too much money to burn.

’What a total sucker, right?’

Having been in the cat cafe business for several years himself, Shen Mingchuan certainly knew how to maximize profits.

The key was to lower renovation costs and keep the entry fee the same, but hike up the prices of coffee and other beverages!

So for Lin Shen to pour money into renovations with such fanfare clearly went against all business sense!

’He’s probably just a rich kid fooling around.’

This made Shen Mingchuan even more certain of his theory.

Upon seeing her ex-husband, Lin Ping, who had just been cleaning behind the coffee counter, took off her apron and gloves and walked over.

Her expression, however, was as cold as ever.

"Sit wherever you like."

"Ping."

Shen Mingchuan didn’t rush to sit down. Instead, he walked up to Lin Ping and chuckled.

"Did you call me here because you’ve had a change of heart?"

"You’re sick."

Lin Ping glared at Shen Mingchuan, dodging his attempt to take her right hand. "Boss Lin asked me to call you," she said coldly. "He has something to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"You’ll know when he gets here."

Seeing Lin Ping keep secrets with Lin Shen from him, Shen Mingchuan frowned, a pang of jealousy rising in his heart.

"Ping, don’t tell me you have some kind of special relationship with Lin Shen?"

"What are you thinking?"

Lin Ping curled her lip in disdain, then added with a self-deprecating laugh,

"Why would he be interested in a divorcée like me?"

"You’re naturally beautiful."

Seeing that Lin Ping had no intention of clinging to Lin Shen, Shen Mingchuan felt relieved and praised her boldly.

"Great body, pretty face, a gentle personality... I think I’m still in love with you, Ping. Why don’t we get back together?"

"In your dreams!"

Lin Ping said resentfully, her expression turning even colder.

"How dare you say that to me after you cheated?"

"All men make mistakes."

Shen Mingchuan said with feigned sincerity.

"I’ve already broken things off with Xu Fei. All I want now is to mend our marriage. After all, a daughter needs her father while she’s growing up, doesn’t she?"

"Stop using Anan to blackmail me!"

Lin Ping remembered all too well how Shen Mingchuan had treated her, and her hatred for him was at its absolute peak.

"I’d rather find Anan a stepfather than give you a second glance!"

"Don’t be so heartless. Do you really think anyone better than me would be interested in you now?"

Rejected, Shen Mingchuan flew into a rage out of shame.

"I give you a few compliments and you think you’re some kind of goddess? You’re divorced and old! The only person who’d be interested in you is some rough old guy in his forties or fifties!"

"That would still be better than you."

Lin Ping crossed her arms and said coldly.

"Even if I married a man in his forties or fifties, even if I became someone’s mistress, I would never get back together with you! So give up that hope right now!"

"You—!"

Shen Mingchuan was choked with anger. Just as he was about to say something, a light laugh suddenly came from the entrance.

"Quite the lively scene in here!"

Lin Ping looked toward the door and saw Lin Shen strolling into the shop, his signature roguish smirk playing on his lips.

"What’s going on? Do tell."

"It’s nothing."

Shen Mingchuan, who had been fuming just a moment ago, now approached Lin Shen with a sycophantic grin.

"President Lin, you’re here."

Lin Shen was slightly puzzled by Shen Mingchuan’s change in attitude.

But he quickly figured it out.

’He most likely recognized me as a rich heir and wants to suck up to me.’

And Lin Shen was right.

Initially, Shen Mingchuan had despised him purely because he thought Lin Shen was having an affair with Lin Ping, which would get in the way of their reconciliation.

But after thinking it over, he concluded that a rich heir like Lin Shen would have absolutely no interest in a divorcée.

That being the case, Shen Mingchuan planned to latch onto this powerful backer.

’After all, the guy might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but there’s no denying he’s loaded!’

’And his family must have connections, a wealth of resources and contacts.’

Shen Mingchuan figured that if he could befriend Lin Shen, he might be able to get in on a few business deals.

’Once he had control of the network, he could strike out on his own and make it big!’

Shen Mingchuan was already fantasizing about using Lin Shen as a springboard to become a big boss himself.

His attitude thus became even more reverent, and he even made a point of pulling out a stool from under the table for him.

"President Lin, please, have a seat."

"..."

Lin Shen’s eyes narrowed. He sat down on the stool Shen Mingchuan had pulled out, an amiable smile on his face.

Inwardly, however, he was full of contempt.

’This guy... is up to no good!’

"So, President Lin, what did you ask me to come here for?"

Shen Mingchuan sat down opposite Lin Shen, while Lin Ping sat right beside him.

Clearly, compared to her ex-husband’s vile demeanor, she much preferred the tall, rich, and handsome man beside her.

Lin Shen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Lin Ping beside him.

She was dressed simply again today in a white T-shirt and denim shorts.

Her fair legs were smooth and slender and her profile was gorgeous. She exuded a mature, womanly charm.

Her expression was a little downcast, however, as if she had just had a huge fight with Shen Mingchuan.

’Tsk, tsk!’

An idea flickered in Lin Shen’s mind. He turned to Shen Mingchuan and chuckled.

"I called you here because I want to buy the property this cat cafe is on from you."

Huh?

It wasn’t just Shen Mingchuan who was stunned; Lin Ping, beside him, also flinched.

But she hadn’t flinched because of Lin Shen’s words—it was because of his actions.

Because from under the table, Lin Shen had actually placed his hand on her thigh!