NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Suspicious
Under Zhao Yanyan’s guidance, Su Lin and Lin Xiaowan visited the Donghai branch. Su Lin noted the workers diligently completing their tasks despite Zhao Yanyan’s absence for several days, and the decor was just as he had designed.
Zhao Yanyan and Lin Xiaowan chatted away, occasionally glancing at Su Lin, clearly discussing his past with Lin Xiaowan.
Lin Xiaowan happily shared about Su Lin with Zhao Yanyan. They chatted cheerfully, while Su Lin occasionally admired the striking features of both women.
Zhao Yanyan, in her ultra-short shorts, showcased her long, fair legs, and Lin Xiaowan, in a pleated miniskirt and white shirt with her long black hair neatly tied back, exuded a pure, charming academic style.
Leaving the supermarket, Su Lin suggested, “Xiaowan, Yanyan, it’s about time for lunch, shall we go?”
Both Zhao Yanyan and Lin Xiaowan readily agreed.
Su Lin playfully suggested, “Yanyan, as our host, you should treat us to some local specialties for lunch.”
Zhao Yanyan nodded, “Sure, Donghai’s specialties are a bit sweet. Do you like sweet food, Su Lin?”
Su Lin replied, “I’m okay with it, but Xiaowan really likes sweet things.”
Zhao Yanyan chuckled, “I know. How about we have Longjing Shrimp, West Lake Vinegar Fish…”
Lin Xiaowan plaintively said, “Wow, Yanyan, don’t just list them, you’re making me hungry!”
Zhao Yanyan affectionately ruffled Lin Xiaowan’s hair. Su Lin, finding Zhao Yanyan’s behavior somewhat suspicious, discreetly pulled Lin Xiaowan closer and asked with a hint of doubt, “Xiaowan, is your friend’s sexual orientation normal?”
Lin Xiaowan laughed, “What type of question is that Su Lin! Of course, Yanyan’s orientation is normal. Why do you ask?”
Su Lin grumbled, “She’s been clinging to you for over an hour now. A few minutes would’ve been fine, but this is too much.”
Lin Xiaowan glanced at Zhao Yanyan and then kissed Su Lin on the cheek, saying, “Alright, Su Lin, Yanyan is just catching up with me about her recent life. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
Su Lin, seizing the opportunity, said, “You promised, no backing out now.”
Lin Xiaowan replied, “…”, unsure whether Su Lin was serious or joking. She then whispered to Su Lin, “Don’t think I didn’t notice you were staring at Yanyan’s legs. Are they that attractive?”
Su Lin shook his head, “It’s not about them being attractive or not. Her legs are so long, they nearly make up two-thirds of her height. My eyes can’t help but notice them.”
Lin Xiaowan responded softly, “Aren’t my legs long too?”
Su Lin reassured her, “Yes, your legs are long too. But your proportions are perfect, your figure is ideal, it’s the golden ratio, irresistibly charming.”
Lin Xiaowan dismissed him, “Enough with your talk, you never say anything serious.” She then returned to chatting with Zhao Yanyan, while Su Lin chuckled to himself.
Guided by Zhao Yanyan, the trio arrived at a distinctive local restaurant. Zhao Yanyan generously said, “Order whatever you like, today’s meal is on me.”
Su Lin nodded and handed the menu to Lin Xiaowan, “Xiaowan, let’s order enough to make her regret paying.”
“Hehe, I’m not so easily bankrupt now, you know. My salary is quite high these days,” Zhao Yanyan cheerfully remarked.
Su Lin paid Zhao Yanyan a salary similar to Lin Xiaowan and Xia Shiyu, almost around twenty thousand a month. With the opening of the Donghai branch, Zhao Yanyan would also receive bonuses, raising her income even higher.
When the salaries were initially set, Xia Shiyu didn’t forget Zhao Yanyan either. Though not as much as the others, it was still a substantial income for Zhao Yanyan.
“You just reminded me that the money you’re spending on treating us is essentially the salary I pay you. So, in the end, it’s like the wool is coming from the sheep itself.”
Zhao Yanyan shook her head and said, “Su Lin, that’s not right. This is the money I earned through labor. You, the capitalist, are already exploiting me, and now you’re treating my hard-earned money as your own. Bosses really are capitalists.”
Lin Xiaowan joined in, “That’s right, Su Lin is the best at exploiting people.”
Zhao Yanyan, intrigued, asked, “Xiaowan, how does Su Lin exploit you? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
Lin Xiaowan, understanding Zhao Yanyan’s insinuation, glared at her, “Yanyan, you’ve never been in a relationship, but why do you act like a love guru every day?”
“Who… who said I’ve never been in one? Let me tell you, six in primary school, three in middle school, three in high school, I’ve been in twelve…” Zhao Yanyan boasted with an air of experience.
Su Lin gave her a thumbs-up, “Twelve, huh? That’s impressive. So you must have started from the first grade in primary school.”
Lin Xiaowan couldn’t help but laugh and waved her hand, “Su Lin, don’t mind her. She was 1.7 meters tall in the first year of middle school and stood out in class. Not a single boy liked her, she never even received a love letter.”
Su Lin sympathetically said, “It’s a pity that nobody liked Yanyan with such a great figure. It’s just not right.”
Zhao Yanyan lamented, “The boys in middle school were too short for me, they were too embarrassed to talk to me. In high school, some liked me, but they were all cowards.”
“So you admit that those twelve boyfriends were just a boast,” Lin Xiaowan teased with a smile.
Zhao Yanyan retorted, “You two are really something. Su Lin, let me tell you, when Xiaowan was little and came to my house to play…”
“Don’t say it, shut up, shut up!” Lin Xiaowan quickly covered Zhao Yanyan’s mouth.
The two playfully scuffled together. The sight of two goddesses play-fighting was very eye-catching, and Su Lin enjoyed watching them. He noticed several boys looking over, but there was no show-off or face-slapping like in the novels.
Suddenly, Su Lin remembered that he was the villain. “Oh, right, I forgot I’m not supposed to be the one showing off and slapping faces.”
Amidst the fun, Xia Shiyu called to check on Su Lin and Lin Xiaowan. Su Lin assured her they were fine and shared some events from their journey.
Zhao Yanyan watched Su Lin, puzzled. Although inexperienced in love, she was perceptive. Su Lin’s smile didn’t seem like one shared with family or friends, more like an intimate chat with a lover.
But his girlfriend was right beside him, so who else would he be chatting with so warmly? If it was Lin Xiaowan, wasn’t she enough? Zhao Yanyan glanced at Lin Xiaowan, who showed no change in her expression.
Then she remembered Xia Shiyu, the delicate girl she saw at the supermarket, who was always around but barely interacted with her. Could it be her?
She quickly dismissed the thought. Lin Xiaowan, being so proud, would never share a man with another woman.
Concluding that Lin Xiaowan must have won the race of love, Zhao Yanyan grew more convinced of her assumptions, seeing Lin Xiaowan’s unflinching face.