"Since you brought me here, shouldn't you be the one to take me back?"
Gao Yuan watched the flustered Yu Feifei with a faint smile, deciding to stop teasing her. It would be bad if he scared the poor girl into calling the police.
The Yu Feifei before him was above average in looks with a hot body, but Gao Yuan had no intention of starting anything with her.
'I'm not some stud bull, after all.'
'Sleeping with every woman I see? Even if I were willing, my body couldn't handle it.'
The system's "Charming Uncle Physique" mission wasn't complete yet. It was already a feat just to handle that man-eating little vixen, Lin Wanyu. How could he dare to go around playing the field?
Speaking of playing the field, for some reason, the images of Li Mengqing and his new landlord, Ms. Xiao, popped into his head.
'One is cold and stunningly beautiful, the other dignified and elegant. They're both incredibly tempting!'
Shaking his head, Gao Yuan cast aside the messy thoughts. 'I feel like I'm turning into a scumbag,' he mused. 'It's true what they say, money really does corrupt men!'
Yu Feifei drove Gao Yuan back to the Linghang City District. Watching him stroll away, she let out a soft sigh.
'A man like Gao Yuan... most women would probably fall for him, wouldn't they?'
But she knew very well that he was out of her league. Compared to a fleeting passion, she wanted a stable sense of happiness more.
As one of the country's first-tier metropolises, Hang City held the dreams of countless people.
Gao Yuan was one of them, and so was Yu Feifei.
Everyone's circumstances and living situations were different, but they were all striving to get ahead.
Back home, Gao Yuan immediately started packing his things. Coincidentally, the packing boxes he'd ordered from a local delivery service arrived just then.
He had noticed something over the past two days. After trying out the High-tier Execution Card, his efficiency had skyrocketed without him even realizing it. The procrastination that used to plague him was completely gone.
In the past, he would have come home, taken a break, had a smoke, and scrolled through some short videos before starting to pack.
But now, he naturally got the task done first before resting.
Though the outcome was the same, it represented a completely different attitude toward life.
As he packed, Gao Yuan was shocked to find he had accumulated so many belongings in this small apartment.
His clothes and shoes alone filled two large boxes, and his bedding crammed another one full.
He couldn't bear to throw away the bedding. His mom had specially sent it to him back in September. It was made with this year's new cotton and was incredibly warm.
There was no way he could discard something that was a symbol of his mother's love.
As for the small kitchen appliances, Gao Yuan wasn't planning on keeping them. But he had to take his Zhangqiu iron wok; he was used to it.
He carefully packed the uniquely designed bowls and plates he had specially bought, then added his sandwich maker, which he used when he was too lazy to cook breakfast.
After packing everything, Gao Yuan stared at the five large boxes filling the room. He called his landlady to arrange the move-out, then contacted a moving company.
Even though Gao Yuan was a renter, he lived his own life and took good care of the place. Plus, he was leaving so many appliances behind for the landlady, so she generously transferred his security deposit back to him right away.
"Young man, go out there and chase your dreams without fear. I've got your back!"
It was only after the movers had loaded everything onto the truck that the landlady's thought-provoking words made Gao Yuan sigh with emotion. 'There are still so many good people in this world.'
Her words were so heartwarming.
'If I didn't know the landlady was after my body, I'd really be shedding tears of gratitude.'
However, barring any accidents, his life was destined to only get better and better. All he could do was smile, thank the landlady for her kindness, and beat a hasty retreat.
He moved into his new home in Hang City No.1 Courtyard, Building 21. Gao Yuan's apartment was on the 22nd floor of the Louwang building, which boasted the best views.
Gao Yuan spent some time arranging his belongings, piling the rest of the stuff in the guest bedroom.
He sat on a lounge chair on the balcony, mesmerized by the river view under the setting sun.
'So this is the life of the rich. So plain and simple, so modest and unpretentious.'
DING-DONG~
Three consecutive WeChat notification sounds rang out.
Gao Yuan opened it and saw that it was a message from his landlord, Ms. Xiao.
"Mr. Gao, you can call me Xiao Xiao from now on."
"I'll recommend the community manager to you. If you have any problems after moving in, you can contact them."
"Also, I'll top up a set amount for the water, electricity, and gas bills every month, so you can use them without worry."
Seeing Xiao Xiao's messages, Gao Yuan was surprised that this elegant landlady was so warm-hearted.
'To meet such a great landlord again... I've got to give my luck a thumbs-up.'
He didn't rush to reply. Instead, he opened the landlord Xiao Xiao's WeChat Moments.
One look, and his respect for her grew.
'How should I put it... this woman owns two luxury properties in Hang City. She must have already achieved financial freedom.'
But her Moments feed had no luxury cars, designer bags, or those typical influencer check-in photos. Instead, it was filled with content about self-cultivation.
And she even volunteered at an orphanage regularly, which was truly commendable.
'It has the feel of "the rich should help others." '
After scrolling for a while, Gao Yuan only found one photo of her on her Moments feed. She looked as intelligent and charming as ever.
He even felt that this was the kind of woman a man should marry.
Returning to their chat window, Gao Yuan suddenly found that the lustful thoughts he'd had when he first met Xiao Xiao had vanished without a trace, replaced by respect.
"Thank you for your concern, big sis."
Gao Yuan regretted the reply as soon as he sent it.
'That sounded a bit too flirty.'
Just as he was about to unsend it, another idea popped into his head: he wanted to see how Xiao Xiao would react.
After waiting for a while, Xiao Xiao finally replied.
It was just one word: "Mm."
That reply made him understand. It was a purely polite response, with no intention of extending the conversation.
If Xiao Xiao had replied with "Mhm," it would have meant she accepted the "big sis" address, and Gao Yuan could have pushed his luck and continued the topic.
Seeing this, Gao Yuan certainly wasn't going to be a simp. Besides, a woman with such high-minded pursuits wasn't someone an ordinary person could simp for anyway.
"I've moved in. I look forward to being your neighbor."
After sending that message, Gao Yuan added the contact for the No.1 Courtyard manager that Xiao Xiao had recommended.
He quickly added the No.1 Courtyard manager on WeChat and sent his apartment information.
He had to admit, the manager service at No.1 Courtyard was truly excellent. First, the manager introduced the neighborhood's surrounding environment, shopping options, and the services the property management offered to residents.
They also mentioned that the community's clubhouse, gym, and swimming pool were free for residents to use.
This particular point hit the mark for Gao Yuan. A major reason he wanted to move was for convenient access to a place to work out.
He had been jogging outside in the mornings and evenings these past few days. Although the air was fresh, it was also cold enough to make his nose turn red every time.
If he could work out and run indoors, it would be much better.
'Maybe I could even work out with a pretty girl. That would be some extra motivation.'
After getting a brief overview of No.1 Courtyard from the manager, Gao Yuan started preparing dinner.
Although he needed to lose weight and get in shape, his mindset was completely different from those who were purely focused on weight loss.
Eat what you should eat, drink what you should drink, and exercise when you should exercise—that was his principle.
Completing the system's mission would naturally grant him the "Charming Uncle Physique," so all he needed to pursue was good health.
A little after seven in the evening, Gao Yuan felt that his food had long since digested. He went downstairs, following the route the manager had described, and headed for the No.1 Courtyard gym to experience the fitness pleasures of a luxury residence.