CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: HARBOURING ULTERIOR MOTIVES

However, that didn’t happen.

Xiang Qiao began to panic. She tried calling back, but the other party’s phone was off. When she checked her other messaging apps, she found that all her messages were marked with red exclamation points.

「At the same time」

Inside Xia Liang’s live stream, everyone was stunned as they watched Tian Gou’s series of actions. Their shock quickly gave way to excitement. After all, most of them were men, and none of them wanted to see Tian Gou continue in such a state.

[Damn! Did he see the light?]

[Duh, if you were cuckolded in front of a hundred thousand viewers, wouldn’t you see the light too?]

[Congratulations to the Anchor for breaking up another couple.]

[But this time, I couldn’t be happier.]

...

A voice echoed in Xia Liang’s head.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the task. Rewards obtained: S-level lottery draw chance x1, 10 buildings in the Qingyun City Lanyuan Property, System Labor Points x1000.]

Damn? That’s it? It’s already complete? Am I the chosen one or something?

Before Xia Liang could even react, Tian Gou spoke up bitterly on the other end of the call.

"Alright, you win. I can’t take it anymore. We’re breaking up. Goodbye, everyone."

With that, Tian Gou was about to end the video call, but Xia Liang stopped him.

"Wait a minute."

Tian Gou looked puzzled. "Is there anything else, Anchor?"

"You still haven’t sent me what you promised—your Alipay account."

"But..."

Tian Gou started to protest, but Xia Liang cut him off. "No buts. I always keep my word. Send it over."

To him, one yuan was just a drop in the bucket. The amount he had just earned from Tian Gou’s case was far more than that, and Tian Gou could use this money to start a new life.

In the end, Tian Gou sent his Alipay account number. Xia Liang transferred the money.

"Did you receive it?"

"Yes." Tian Gou nodded. "Thank you, Anchor."

"You’re welcome." Xia Liang waved his hand. "Saving an honest man is what matters. This little bit of money is nothing."

He then waved goodbye to Tian Gou.

At this moment, the live stream’s chat exploded with comments.

[Anchor! I’m an honest man too!]

[Yeah! I need one yuan too!]

[Please, Anchor, save the soul of this honest man!]

...

Xia Liang rolled his eyes at the comments. With the reward secured, he had no desire to entertain the crowd any longer. "Alright, everyone, that’s all for today’s stream. See you next time."

With a final wave, Xia Liang ended the broadcast.

He didn’t care much about the ten buildings, but one thousand Work Points and an S-level lottery draw were another matter entirely. Xia Liang couldn’t wait to use the S-level lottery card.

Nine golden cards appeared before him. After a moment of thought, he chose the one in the middle. A blue light flashed, and the card slowly flipped over.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for drawing the S-level skill: Firmness Technique (Can view all attributes).]

Xia Liang stared at the skill, dumbfounded.

What the hell! Isn’t this a standard feature in most systems? How did it become a skill for me, an S-level one at that?

After considering it for a moment, he shook his head. He decided not to use the Work Points recklessly. Seeing how late it had gotten, Xia Liang went to bed.

「The next day」

Xia Liang was woken up by the doorbell. He opened the door and found Zhou Ruo. It was the same woman who had shown him the house the day before yesterday.

He instinctively took a look. Instantly, he used the Appraisal Technique.

Zhou Ruo’s status panel appeared before his eyes.

Name: Zhou Ruo

Age: 24

Strength: 3

Intelligence: 5

Agility: 3

(Average person: 3)

Beauty: 92 (Light makeup +2)

Harmonious Value: 0 (No activity has occurred)

What the hell? Especially when I saw the Harmonious Value... it’s like I’ve discovered a new world. I can’t believe she’s a virgin.

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Xia Liang’s mouth. "Is there something you need?"

Zhou Ruo offered a sweet smile. "Well, Mister Xia, this place is quite spacious. Are you looking to hire a housekeeper?"

"A housekeeper?" Xia Liang deliberated for a moment.

The August sun was scorching, and Zhou Ruo was already drenched in sweat. This time, before she could say anything else, Xia Liang spoke up. "Why don’t you come in? It’s air-conditioned inside."

Uh... what kind of excuse is that? Of course a villa like this has air conditioning. Never mind, I don’t get it, but it seems like he’s interested in me this time. I have to seize this opportunity.

Without waiting another second, she nodded eagerly. "Then I’ll take you up on that offer, Mister Xia."

"It’s no trouble," Xia Liang said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

He held the door open, and they both entered the villa. The air conditioning was on twenty-four hours a day, maintaining the optimal temperature. They chatted as they walked, and after discussing the details, they came to an agreement about the housekeeping.

After they finalized everything, Zhou Ruo clearly didn’t want to leave. Her eyes flickered as she took the initiative to say, "Since you’ve just moved in and probably aren’t familiar with everything, Mister Xia, would you like me to give you another tour?"

"Of course, that’s no problem."

She’s clearly got some ideas, he thought. And since she’s a virgin... a one-night stand isn’t out of the question.

As Zhou Ruo gave him a tour, they unknowingly arrived in the private movie theater on the basement level.

Despite having seen it before, Zhou Ruo could not help but sigh. She lamented the unfairness of the world, knowing she could work her entire life and never afford something like this private theater.

Looking around, Zhou Ruo remarked suggestively, "Watching a movie in here must be an incredible experience."

At that, Xia Liang pointed to the luxurious recliner. "Want to try?"

Hearing his direct invitation, Zhou Ruo’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Really? Can I?"

Xia Liang didn’t reply, simply lying down on the recliner himself. "Go ahead and pick a movie to play."

"Okay!" Zhou Ruo agreed without hesitation. Looking through the numerous new releases, she eventually chose a horror film.

As the movie started, Zhou Ruo tentatively sat down next to Xia Liang. Seeing that he didn’t object, she grew bolder and lay down beside him. Xia Liang merely glanced at her and said nothing.

Success! Zhou Ruo’s heart leapt with joy. Looks like tonight is going to work out.

She was a very straightforward woman; her forwardness was driven by money. She had remained a virgin for so many years because she knew it was an important bargaining chip. But after all this time, she had never met a man she found satisfactory. This wasn’t a TV drama; there weren’t many rich, handsome young men buying houses. Most were pot-bellied, first-generation rich men, and to be frank, Zhou Ruo couldn’t bring herself to spread her legs for them.

Just as she was beginning to lower her standards, Xia Liang appeared. A man with money, looks, and who was close to her in age—finding someone like that was nearly impossible. Although Zhou Ruo was confident in her appearance, she knew that a man who could afford a multi-million-yuan mansion and drive cars worth hundreds of thousands would not be lacking for women like her. That was why she didn’t care if Xia Liang had a girlfriend, or even a wife.