More importantly, Xiao Hua had discovered that Xiao Nuo had feelings for her boyfriend.  

His name was Xiao Peng.  

He was the most handsome among the five boys—Xiao Nuo's crush.  

Considering both points, Xiao Hua detested Xiao Nuo.  

But there was nothing she could do about it.  

During one incident, Xiao Hua suspected that Xiao Nuo's identity as a wealthy heiress might be fake.  

So she kept targeting this weakness.  

"Wait until tonight when you all come to my place. Then you'll know for sure?"  

Xiao Nuo smirked triumphantly,  

her gaze provocatively fixed on Xiao Hua.  

Among the group, everyone else had already bought into her rich heiress persona.  

After all, she had been meticulously faking it—her clothes, accessories, and lifestyle were all high-class.  

But somehow, Xiao Hua had caught onto something and kept questioning her.  

Heh, tonight, once they saw her new apartment, let’s see how Xiao Hua could still doubt her.  

With that thought, she cast a tender glance at Xiao Peng, who was dressed in trendy Japanese-Korean fashion.  

Xiao Peng noticed her gaze and responded with a gentle smile.  

Xiao Nuo's heart fluttered with joy.  

When she first joined this friend group, she had immediately fallen for the handsome Xiao Peng.  

But she knew she wasn’t as naturally pretty as Xiao Hua, so she had to rely on other things.  

If not for that, she wouldn’t have taken out so many online loans to maintain her wealthy heiress act. Before this, though she loved luxury brands and had a taste for vanity, her spending wasn’t this extreme.  

It was only after meeting these people that her expenses ballooned, forcing her to borrow heavily.  

"Tonight, once Xiao Peng sees my place, he’ll probably completely side with me, right?"  

The thought flickered through her mind.  

……  

For the rest of the afternoon, Xiao Nuo and the group went wild—watching movies, visiting an amusement park, and trying an escape room.  

Of course, Xiao Nuo paid for everything while the others freeloaded.  

As evening approached,  

Xiao Nuo led them to a supermarket, buying loads of ingredients for a house party.  

7:17 PM.  

Jiang Ran dragged his exhausted body back to Alice Apartment.  

Because the original owner had taken on multiple jobs to earn money—  

just to spite his ex-girlfriend who dumped him—  

his schedule was brutal.  

First job: Online customer service for an e-shop (work-from-home).  

Second and third jobs: Part-time gigs.  

One was hourly work at KFC, the other a night shift at Sam’s Club.  

This was also why the original owner had died from overwork at home.  

Jiang Ran didn’t want to drop dead, even if he needed money for better medicine.  

Between sudden death and being broke, he’d choose being broke—at least he’d still be alive.  

So today, he went to both places and quit his part-time jobs. But since they were short-staffed, he had to keep working for a while longer.  

"Hm? What’s going on over there?"  

After entering Alice Apartment, Jiang Ran spotted a noisy group of about ten people ahead.  

Their laughter and chatter reached his ears as he observed the college-aged boys and girls.  

"Ah, youth," he mused to himself.  

He followed them into the elevator,  

only for it to beep—overloaded.  

With no other choice, Jiang Ran stepped out to wait for the next one.  

The elevator stopped at the 9th floor, then the 5th, and finally returned to the 1st.  

When the doors opened, a stylishly dressed man walked out.  

Jiang Ran recognized him and greeted him.  

The man, having just exited the elevator, nodded back.  

Jiang Ran then asked, "After yesterday’s welcome event with Wang Xixi, how did your music discussion go?"  

The man was Zhang Le from Room 501.  

Zhang Le smiled. "We really clicked."  

Jiang Ran nodded. "Oh? Once you two form the band, you’ve gotta let me know! I’ll be your first audience!"  

Zhang Le: "Definitely. Oh, Jiang Ran, I haven’t introduced myself properly—I’m Zhang Le. By the way, do you play any instruments? Right now, the band’s just me and Wang Xixi. He’s the vocalist, I’m the guitarist. We still need a bassist, drummer, and keyboardist."  

Jiang Ran shook his head. "Nope, not at all. I’ve got all five notes, but I’m a total music idiot.  

That’s why I admire you musicians. What if one of your songs suddenly blows up? Then you’d be rolling in cash with tons of girls chasing after you."  

Zhang Le burst out laughing.  

"Hahaha, I guess most people get into music for the fame and money. But for me, it’s purely about pursuing the music in my heart. As for fame—well, I do want more people to hear my work. Money? Not really something I lack."  

After chatting a bit longer, they went their separate ways.  

Meanwhile, in the live stream room—  

The conversation between the two sparked some discussion.  

[Hey, do you think Zhang Le will keep killing now that he’s got all the instruments for his band?]  

[Good question. No idea.]  

[Then why butt in?]  

[I’ll answer. I think he’s done. Killers like him target specific victims to create their ‘perfect instruments.’ Now that he’s achieved that, he won’t kill again.]  

[Agreed.]  

[Same.]  

[I think so too.]  

[I disagree. If he’s really stopped, why did he ask Jiang Ran if he played any instruments?]  

[Uh… maybe just making conversation?]  

……  

"Wow, Xiao Nuo, this is your place? It’s gorgeous!"  

The moment Xiao Nuo’s group arrived outside Alice Apartment, they were already in awe.  

Just from the exterior, it was clear this was a high-end residence for the wealthy.  

After looking up the property prices online, they were even more convinced.  

When they entered the apartment and reached Xiao Nuo’s unit—904—the interior décor left them dazzled.  

They looked like country bumpkins in comparison.  

Xiao Nuo was basking in the attention. "Alright, alright, there’s plenty of time to look around tonight. Who can cook? A few of you, come help set up the hot pot!"  

"I’ll do it!"  

Xiao Peng was the first to volunteer.  

Xiao Nuo’s heart soared seeing her crush step up to help.  

Meanwhile, Xiao Hua watched as her boyfriend ignored her feelings to assist Xiao Nuo.  

Naturally, she was furious.  

But beneath the anger, she sensed something worse—his heart might no longer be with her.  

Before, he would’ve considered her feelings. Now, after seeing Xiao Nuo’s apartment, the scales had tipped completely.  

Thanks to Xiao Peng’s help, Xiao Nuo kept the kitchen to just the two of them—even though it was an open layout.  

She didn’t want anyone interrupting their moment.  

The others wandered around, admiring her home.  

Only Xiao Hua sat sulking on the sofa, staring blankly at her phone.