Lin Can stood on a tall stool, looking down at Zhao Hong, his mouth forming a round "O" in surprise, as if he could swallow the world.
"Boss Zhao, your mouth is open so wide—want me to feed you a lollipop?"
"No, no…" Zhao Hong quickly shut her mouth. "Mr. Lin, what brings you here? And you're even setting up the projector yourself?"
"You're seriously asking me that? The moment I arrived, I got roped into doing manual labor. My pay's even deducted in the contract. Hey, pass me that screwdriver."
"Here you go." Zhao Hong hurriedly handed over the screwdriver with both hands.
"???" Qin Meinu walked over, puzzled. "Boss Zhao, you know Chu Meinu's boyfriend?"
"Ah~ He's Chu Meinu, Chu Qingning's boyfriend?" Zhao Hong was so shocked that she almost twisted her ankle in her heels. Luckily, Qin Meinu caught her. "Why such a big reaction?"
"He's the one who rented this guesthouse and splashed serious cash to hire us. Our dear investor."
"Ah~ He's the investor? Wait—that investor?"
Qin Meinu looked back at Lin Can on the stool, and suddenly, he seemed even more attractive and charming.
Zhao Hong collected herself, patting Qin Meinu's shoulder. "Qin Meinu, you're something else. Mr. Lin's footing the bill, and you've got his girlfriend doing the grunt work, pulling all-nighters on-site?"
"How was I supposed to know? I mean… Chu Meinu said her boyfriend didn't have money, just a regular guy."
"You bought that? Mr. Lin here is loaded."
Qin Meinu went, "Oh~ The shorter the skirt, the richer the client."
Zhao Hong smacked her and said primly, "Watch it, I'm a decent lady."
Qin Meinu scoffed. A decent lady doesn't wear short skirts showing thigh, cleavage, and bare backs.
…
"OK, done." Lin Can jumped down from the stool.
Zhao Hong immediately handed him a bottle of mineral water. "Mr. Lin, have some water."
"Thanks." Lin Can drank, openly admiring Zhao Hong's tight dress that showed off her thighs.
Zhao Hong brushed her hair behind her ear, not backing away, letting Mr. Lin take it all in.
Next to them, Qin Meinu thought Zhao Hong was such a hypocrite.
Usually on-site, if workers glanced at her twice, she'd act annoyed and cover up. But when it's Mr. Lin looking, she's all smiles?
As they say: afraid poor men will look, afraid rich men won't look.
"Nice dress. Looks good on you."
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Lin."
Getting approval from a rich man was the highest form of flattery.
"Turn off the lights, I want to test the projection."
"Alright, lights off." Zhao Hong whispered to Qin Meinu, "Quick, go get Chu Meinu. Whether we get the final payment depends on this moment."
"Okay, okay~" Qin Meinu ran to the backyard and found Chu Qingning transplanting azaleas. She rushed over and pulled her away.
"What are you doing? I'm not done yet." Chu Qingning held a shovel in hand.
"No way I'm letting you keep working. Come meet your… client boss."
"The rich guy's here?"
"You didn't know?"
"Know what?"
Qin Meinu hesitated, suddenly feeling super envious of Chu Qingning~ She still had no clue that all of this—everything—was for her.
So jealous.
"Sigh~ let's go."
Chu Qingning and Qin Meinu passed through the central courtyard and arrived at the front. What they saw immediately caught their attention.
Under the night sky, all the lights in the courtyard were off, except for soft ambient lighting, casting a nostalgic, elegant glow over everything.
Chu Qingning rested her chin in her hand, admiring it. "Qin Meinu, I didn't think it'd turn out so well. That rich guy is going to be thrilled."
Qin Meinu: …
At that moment, gentle traditional-style music began to play from nearby speakers—"Legend of Stars and Moon."
The most beautiful scene in my life was meeting you
In the vast sea of people, silently watching you—familiar yet unknown
Huh?
Chu Qingning, holding her shovel, was startled: "Wait, isn't this my version of the song?"
Qin Meinu said, dripping with jealousy, "Your boyfriend put it on."
Chu Qingning looked over to the projection area and saw Lin Can standing with Zhao Hong. Zhao Hong was striking all kinds of seductive poses—those eyes, that body language, she looked ready to pounce and devour her precious Can Can.
Chu Qingning was a total double standard. Besties were fine—because they were pure-hearted friends.
But strangers getting too close to Lin Can? She got jealous every time.
"Can Can~"
Chu Qingning called out, lifting her dress. That pure-white ancient-style girl dashed toward Lin Can, running into the projector's light beam to the rhythm of "Legend of Stars and Moon."
Suddenly, all the workers started cheering.
Behind her, Qin Meinu said with a sour, envious tone: "Chu Meinu, look at the screen!"
"What?"
Chu Qingning stood in the courtyard, turned around, her white skirt twirling—then froze, covering her mouth in shock. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with tears.
It was a slideshow of photos Lin Can had taken of her.
"Do you like it?" Lin Can walked over under everyone's gaze.
Chu Qingning turned to him, smiling sweetly: "I love it."
"As long as you love it." Lin Can gently wiped the tears at the corners of her eyes.
"Mm… But turn it off now. Tonight's someone else's confession night—not mine."
"It is yours."
"???"
Zhao Hong walked over and said, "Miss Chu, you don't know, do you? The rich guy who spent a fortune to create this confession night… is your boyfriend, Mr. Lin Can."
Hearing that, Chu Qingning was stunned. She looked up at Lin Can. "Can Can, you…"
Lin Can stepped forward, put his arm around her waist, and said earnestly, "What a coincidence—I got here yesterday. I didn't contact you because I wanted to surprise you. I never imagined Boss Zhao would bring you here to oversee the project. Such a lovely twist of fate, just like when we met at the train station and took the same carriage west. Destiny."
Lin Can believed in fate.
Chu Qingning, still holding the shovel, gave a teary "Mm." She'd worked for over a day and night, pouring her heart into bringing her dream Chinese aesthetic to life—and now, in front of everyone, became the heroine of this romantic gesture by her mysterious rich boyfriend.
Nearly 800,000 yuan spent just for romance, just to move her heart.
The men present were jealous—what a wealthy man.
The women were jealous—what a boyfriend she had.
Everyone started chanting: "Kiss! Kiss!"
Lin Can: "Should I kiss you?"
"Go ahead."
"Then I'll kiss you."
"No need—I'll kiss you."
Chu Qingning tiptoed, wrapped her arms around Lin Can's neck, and kissed him passionately in front of everyone.
Boom boom boom~ Fireworks lit up the sky.
The workers looked on enviously.
Blessed be the rich, may their love last forever.
…
When the fireworks ended and their lips parted, Chu Qingning leaned into Lin Can's chest, taking in all the romance around them.
[Name: Chu Qingning]
[Healing Progress: Chu Qingning feels like the happiest woman alive. Healing: 82%]
Still missing 18%?
Lin Can knew how to heal that final 18%—because he was the 18%. He could complete her healing perfectly.
"Congratulations to Mr. Lin and Miss Chu for finding true love…" Zhao Hong pulled out the inspection form. "Mr. Lin, are you satisfied with the site? If so, could you sign here so we can collect the final payment and pay the workers?"
All the workers were staring at Lin Can. You got your romance—now how about our pay?
Lin Can glanced at the form. "I haven't inspected yet—how can I sign? I'll sign and pay after I'm satisfied with the inspection."
Huh?
Everyone: ??? You got the girl and still want to inspect?
Zhao Hong quickly adjusted, smiling. "Mr. Lin, how about this—let Miss Chu accompany you during the inspection. Once you're happy, you can pay us. Deal?"
She built the whole site herself—would you really dare say it's not up to par?
"I don't know anything. I'm not getting involved in your money matters." Chu Qingning waved her hands.
Zhao Hong pulled her aside and whispered, "Doesn't matter if you know or not. Just pamper your boyfriend—eat with him, drink with him, play, sleep—if he's happy, he'll approve it."
Chu Qingning: ???
So this isn't an inspection for the site… It's an inspection for me?
Chu Qingning: "I'm not doing it."
Zhao Hong: "Miss Chu, dozens of people are counting on you. We've all got families to feed. Please."
Yeah! Dozens of eyes turned to Chu Qingning with a pleading look. Sacrifice one, save the many—you'd be a saint.
"Miss Chu, we're begging you." Zhao Hong walked over to Lin Can. "Mr. Lin, we'll take our leave. Enjoy your… inspection with your girlfriend."
She waved everyone out of the courtyard—and closed the door.
Phew~
Chu Qingning let out a long sigh. Fine. For the workers' sake, I'll go all out.
She immediately switched to her flattering "contractor" persona and gestured: "Mr. Lin, please. Let's start the inspection in the front courtyard."
"Alright." Lin Can clasped his hands behind his back, perfectly playing the part of the big boss.
They walked together. If satisfied, Lin Can would simply check "approved" on the form.
And so, Chu Qingning, the contractor, led Lin Can, the investor, on a full inspection—from the front yard to the central courtyard, and finally to the bedroom.
Oh my god~ This is how I, Chu Qingning, slowly backed myself into a dead end.
Cough cough cough~
Chu Qingning climbed onto the bed, knelt down, and handed over the inspection form.
"Mr. Lin, if you're satisfied, please sign the form. That means the project passed inspection."