Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 153 - 132: A New Relationship

Lin Shen bent down and gently pinched Anan’s little cheek.

’Feels pretty nice, actually.’

"I came over specially to see you today."

’Boss?’

Anan suddenly remembered this word from a cartoon book she had read. Her eyes lit up, and she walked over to Lin Shen, hugging his calf tightly and saying joyfully,

"So you’re the big brother who gives Mommy honey and has her chop down trees for you!"

’Honey? Chopping down trees?’

Lin Shen felt he was having a little trouble keeping up with the five- or six-year-old’s train of thought.

Meanwhile, Lin Ping was squatting on the ground with her hands outstretched, ready to pull Anan back at the slightest sign of trouble.

She knew very well that the clothes Lin Shen was wearing were definitely not cheap.

’Sweetheart, if you ruin his pants, Mommy can’t afford to replace them!’

Fortunately, Lin Shen didn’t seem to mind. He even squatted down to interact affectionately with Anan.

This made her like the handsome big brother in front of her even more.

After all, for a young child, everything else was secondary. Good looks were the key factor in deciding everything.

As long as you fit their standard of what’s handsome, they were willing to get closer to you.

"Let’s go."

After Anan was back in Lin Ping’s arms, Lin Shen stood up and said with a light chuckle,

"I’ll take you home."

"I’m sorry to trouble you, President Lin."

Lin Ping no longer knew how to express the emotions swirling inside her. A sense of happiness she hadn’t felt in years was so intense it felt as if it were about to overflow from her chest.

Lin Shen’s gentleness and thoughtfulness had made the beautiful young woman fall for him completely, body and soul. She was even willing to do anything for him with utter devotion.

On the way home, Lin Shen drove while Lin Ping sat in the back, holding Anan.

The three of them chatted in a warm and happy atmosphere, creating a scene that looked very much like a family of three.

But Lin Ping knew very well that this was just a gentle facade Lin Shen put on in front of Anan.

She was very clear about her place, so she didn’t dare show the slightest disrespect.

Her tone and attitude were filled with respect and adoration for Lin Shen.

***

「7:00 PM」

"It’s hard to park inside the district. Let’s walk in."

After Lin Shen parked the car in front of a bank near the Xingfu Li District, Lin Ping took Anan’s hand and said softly, her eyes filled with endless emotion.

"President Lin, we can go in by ourselves. Thank you for driving us! Anan, quickly thank Big Brother Lin Shen!"

"Thank you, Big Brother Lin Shen~"

"You’re welcome."

Hearing Anan’s innocent and adorable childish voice, Lin Shen felt his heart melt. He suddenly felt the urge to have a daughter.

’So well-behaved!’

Lin Shen patted Anan’s head, his eyes full of affection, then looked at Lin Ping.

"I transferred ten thousand yuan to you. Remember to buy Anan some nice things to eat."

Huh?

Lin Ping looked stunned for a moment. She hurriedly took out her phone, and after seeing the WeChat transfer from Lin Shen, she immediately waved her hands and said anxiously,

"President Lin! You’re too generous! I really can’t accept this money! Really!"

"Take it."

Although Lin Shen’s smile was gentle, his expression held an attitude that brooked no refusal.

Seeing this, Lin Ping pressed her thin lips together.

Although she felt extremely conflicted, she could only accept it and offer her sincere thanks.

"President Lin, thank you! I... I really don’t know how I can ever repay you..."

"Of course, this money isn’t just for Anan. It’s for you too."

Lin Shen suddenly took a step forward, leaned close to Lin Ping’s ear, and chuckled softly.

"My lover can’t be dressing so plainly. Remember to buy yourself some nice clothes and fix yourself up a bit."

"Oh, and by the way, I like hip-hugging skirts and black stockings."

Lin Shen’s implication was already crystal clear.

Hearing this, Lin Ping’s pretty face flushed red. She nodded and silently committed Lin Shen’s preferences to memory.

"I understand, President Lin."

"Good girl."

As if praising a child, Lin Shen smiled and pinched Lin Ping’s cheek, then took a step back and waved.

"I’m heading back. You two go on."

"Okay."

Lin Shen leaned against his car door, watching as Lin Ping led Anan by the hand, skipping into the dilapidated Xingfu Li District.

The sight of their somewhat lonely backs as they walked away suddenly filled him with a strange sense of melancholy.

’Marriage is, in essence, a gamble steeped in human nature. Win, and you have a lifetime of happiness. Lose, and you’re doomed beyond recovery.’

SIGH—!

Lin Shen sighed softly. After getting into the driver’s seat, he tapped his left hand rhythmically on the leather steering wheel of the Jaguar XFL while his right hand changed the music to a soft, soothing instrumental piece.

It had no lyrics, but it could resonate with the listener’s mood.

Lin Shen really liked this kind of purely instrumental music, especially the track he was listening to now, "City."

The piano melody was cheerful, yet it was tinged with loneliness and solitude.

It was like finding yourself in an unfamiliar city during a light drizzle, feeling lost about the future and the road ahead.

"Nope! If I keep listening to this, I’m really going to get emo."

Lin Shen quickly turned off the music, adjusted his mindset, and then called Qin Yuenan.

***

「7:30 PM」

「Huamao Mansion, Third Floor, Pet Guardian Home Marketing Director’s Office」

After summarizing the reports uploaded by her subordinates, Qin Yuenan breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Sun Mingli had started her new post today, and she had expected a bloodbath between them. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

At the very least, she thought some mutual snark and sarcasm were likely.

But Sun Mingli had acted completely out of character. Her attitude was polite and gentle, and she was no longer harsh and rigid in meetings, giving an excellent first impression.

This surprised Qin Yuenan somewhat, but she quickly figured out the little scheme of her "old rival."

’She’s just putting on an act to leave a good impression on her new subordinates, that’s all. Her true colors will show sooner or later.’

Qin Yuenan snorted softly. No one understood Sun Mingli better than she did.