Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo stepped into the hotel lobby.
The Waitress asked, "Do you have a reservation?"
Ye Chen said, "I booked an Executive King Room earlier."
Originally Ye Chen had wanted the Presidential Suite, but he was afraid of scaring Xia Yingluo, so he settled for the Executive King Room.
Xia Yingluo had grown up in the Orphanage and had never left its gates.
Staying in such a high-end hotel for the first time, she couldn't help feeling constrained.
Especially when she kept sensing the waitstaff's eyes on her—those looks felt oddly off.
As if someone her age shouldn't be here.
Those glances made Xia Yingluo very uncomfortable.
The Waitress quickly confirmed the booking and handed them the key cards.
Guided by a server, Ye Chen and Xia Yingluo walked toward the elevator.
Xia Yingluo whispered, "Ye Chen, this is way too extravagant—how much will it cost?"
Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Extravagant? I don't think so. Do you know why I'm taking you to the best hotel?"
Xia Yingluo rolled her eyes. "To squander money?"
Ye Chen shook his head. "Actually, whether it's a Budget Motel or a Five-Star Hotel doesn't matter to me. I just want you to know that I'll always give you the very best."
The attendant's steps ahead of them faltered.
Sigh… I'm just working, and I'm still force-fed dog food.
Ye Chen continued, "Yingluo, I want to give you everything that's finest. What others have, you'll have; what they don't, you'll still have. Because you are my Xia Yingluo. Do you understand? I'll strive to give you the best of everything."
In his previous life Ye Chen had earned some money, but he'd never been willing to spend it.
Then he'd suddenly fallen ill, and all the money had ended up in the Hospital's coffers. In this life he didn't want to be a miser anymore.
This time around, Ye Chen intended to repay Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo properly.
So whatever it was, he would give them the very best.
To Ye Chen, if you don't enjoy your money, it's just a string of cold numbers.
Of course, he also wanted Xia Yingluo to build self-confidence.
Since meeting Ye Chen, Xia Yingluo had changed a lot, but she still felt somewhat inferior, believing herself insignificant.
With that personality, she would definitely suffer once she entered University.
So Ye Chen had to make her confident; wherever they were, he would let Xia Yingluo know she was the best.
Hearing Ye Chen's words, Xia Yingluo felt warmth bloom in her heart.
The self-doubt inside her vanished in an instant.
Her eyes shifted from flustered and helpless to calm and composed.
She was no longer afraid of anything.
The attendant escorted them to the elevator door, bowed slightly, and said, "I wish you both a pleasant stay."
Then, looking at Xia Yingluo with a hint of envy, he added, "Miss, your Boyfriend is really wonderful."
"Thank you." Xia Yingluo's pretty face flushed as she smiled and replied… She had been deeply moved, but the moment they walked into the room she was dumbstruck.
Only then did Xia Yingluo realize she had painted Ye Chen too perfect an image.
This guy was simply a big wolf in sheep's clothing.
The hotel room was huge, the bathroom was made of clear glass—visible from outside—and worst of all, there wasn't even a curtain.
Anyone outside could watch the person inside bathing.
And why on earth was there only one bed in the room?
Seeing Ye Chen's satisfied gaze, Xia Yingluo knew he had done it on purpose.
Her delicate face turned crimson.
Moments ago she'd been overwhelmed by the luxury and Ye Chen's sweet words; she hadn't noticed he'd actually booked a king room!
Ye Chen gave an awkward chuckle. "I figured neither of us is fat, so one bed should be enough."
Xia Yingluo shot him a big eye-roll.
Was this about being fat or not?
"Hmph, I'm getting another room; I'm not sharing a bed with you."
Ye Chen said, "Rooms here are a bit pricey—over a thousand a night."
Xia Yingluo walked to the door and stopped.
She bit her lip, reluctant.
Although she now had thirty or forty thousand in savings and could afford a thousand-yuan room, thrifty habits died hard.
Xia Yingluo glared at Ye Chen.
This scoundrel clearly knew she couldn't bear to spend it.
Seeing the conflict on her face, Ye Chen grinned.
"Haha, mission accomplished—now we'll sleep together. How far can the real feast be?"
After a short rest, the two took a cab to the Factory.
This Factory had been arranged by Dean Zheng.
Building a new one would be too troublesome; buying an existing plant was simpler.
The Factory sat on the east side of town, in the urban–rural fringe, a rather remote spot.
Ye Chen glanced around and found the place oddly familiar.
He must have come here in his previous life.
The Taxi stopped at the gate, and as they stepped out they heard a commotion inside.
Dozens of Workers were gathered, demanding unpaid Wages.
Ye Chen pulled Xia Yingluo aside to observe for a while.
"Surnamed Lu, you promised to pay us this month—where's the money? We haven't seen a cent for three whole months!"
At the front, a man in his fifties confronted a balding fellow.
The bald man wiped sweat from his face. "I never said I wouldn't pay, but we're broke. I'm even more anxious than you. Many debts outside can't be collected. The boss says the plant will be sold soon; once it's sold, I guarantee your Wages will be paid immediately."
"Sell the plant? Stop using that excuse—it's been 'for sale' nearly two years. How many bosses have come? Who wants this lousy Factory?"
Workers behind the middle-aged man shouted, "That's right, pay up today!"
The bald man looked distressed. "Everyone calm down. We really have no money. Several potential buyers offered too little; it wouldn't even cover your Wages, so we can't sell."
"Cut the crap—no money, no leaving today!"
The crowd surrounded the Manager, refusing to let him go… Just as both sides were on the verge of blows, Ye Chen, having grasped the situation, walked up with Xia Yingluo.
"You're Boss Lu, right? I'm the one who contacted you earlier about viewing the plant," Ye Chen said.
Boss Lu stared at Ye Chen, stunned. "You're the person who wants to buy my Factory?"
He looked Ye Chen up and down, eyes full of disbelief.
Ye Chen looked like a mere High School student—far too young.
He even suspected Ye Chen was joking.
The Plant Director had hoped to sell at a good price, but seeing Ye Chen, he despaired completely.
Ye Chen paid no attention to Boss Lu's hopeless gaze and simply nodded. "That's right, it's me."