5: Chapter 5, page 1703

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Jiang Ye stepped out of his door with dark circles under his eyes.

He didn't ride his bike to the delivery station; instead, he headed straight into the subway station with his target set on—Wanda Apartment.

After a night of tossing and turning and deep consideration, he had made a major decision!

He was going to apologize to that Girl from yesterday!

Of course, the apology was just a front; his real goal was to smooth over their relationship.

As the only high-quality "cashback target" he could currently confirm, with a charm value definitely over 80, he had to put in the effort to win her over.

He didn't expect to reach the top in one step; as long as he could smooth things over, add her on WeChat, flirt a bit when he had time, play games together, exchange skins, or have her "proactively" buy him a cup of milk tea while window shopping... ten times cashback! Wouldn't that be like treating this woman as a stable job?

This "soft rice" smelled delicious!

An hour later, Jiang Ye stood once again in that familiar apartment building, arriving at the door of 1703.

He took a deep breath, straightened a collar that didn't really need straightening, and tried to put on a smile he thought was sincere yet slightly apologetic before raising his hand to knock on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Soon, the door opened a crack with a "click."

The smile on Jiang Ye's face was just about to bloom when it froze.

The person who opened the door wasn't the stunning Girl with the impressive curves who had left such a deep impression on him yesterday, but a strange woman.

This woman looked to be in her thirties with permed wavy hair. Her looks were... ordinary, barely counting as someone who knew how to dress up a bit among passersby, though her figure was decent.

The woman sized him up through the crack in the door and frowned. "Recommended by a friend?"

Jiang Ye was taken aback by the question. "Huh? No, I was here yesterday, looking for..."

"Oh~~"

The woman seemed to understand something, and her brow slowly relaxed.

She poked her head out to look left and right, then pushed the door open a bit wider and reached out to pull the still-dazed Jiang Ye inside.

"Come in, come in, don't just stand at the door. Lili didn't come today; I'm Yangyang. It's all the same, just come in first."

"Huh? All the same?"

Jiang Ye was a bit dazed by this sudden enthusiasm, a string of question marks floating over his head. "What's the same?"

Yangyang closed the door behind them and gave him an annoyed look. "Everything is the same!"

Jiang Ye became even more confused. He scratched his head and instinctively looked around the room.

The living room wasn't large and had no real decor. Several stacks of disposable towels were piled messily on the floor, with a few boxes of wet wipes and tissues scattered nearby. The air carried the scent of cheap incense.

"Change your shoes! What are you staring for?" Yangyang pointed to a few pairs of plastic slippers by the door.

"Oh, oh, okay."

Although Jiang Ye was full of doubts, he still felt that Lili's roommate was quite hospitable, even if the room's layout was a bit strange.

He changed into the slippers and sat down on the sofa somewhat stiffly.

The sofa was the common fabric type, covered with a somewhat tacky lace cloth.

"Um, Sister Yangyang, about what time will Lili be back? I came today with full sincerity specifically to apologize to her."

Yangyang was stunned for a moment, then she burst into laughter as if she had heard a joke, laughing so hard she shook, her eyes scanning him up and down.

"Oh? Didn't perform well yesterday? You even came back specifically to apologize? You're quite the responsible little brother!"

"Perform? Uh... I guess so..."

Jiang Ye was completely lost but followed her lead to explain, "I should have made it clear yesterday, but I was in a bit of a hurry then, I..."

"I get it, I get it. The weather's too cold, haven't eaten, busy with work, not sleeping well..."

Yangyang waved her hand with a "big sister knows everything" expression and interrupted him, "Which one are you?"

"...Busy with work."

"It's fine, it's fine, it doesn't matter which one it is. Just perform well in a bit, and when Lili gets back, I'll pass your 'full sincerity' on to her, okay?"

"Uh... thanks, Sister Yangyang. You're actually quite a nice person."

Seeing his dazed look, Yangyang smiled and said no more. She picked up her phone and displayed a payment QR code.

"Come on, little brother, scan it. The 400 one or the 600 one? Choose for yourself. After you scan, hurry up and go to the bathroom over there to rinse off. You showed up out of the blue without an appointment; it's easy to clash with other guests' times, and that's a hassle!"

???

Scan the code?

400? 600?

Shower? Guests? Clash?

Jiang Ye's brain buzzed. Several keywords instantly connected, and all his previous doubts and inconsistencies were split open like a bolt of lightning!

Holy! Mother! Of!

It's all clear! Everything makes sense now!

No wonder that woman was so secretive! No wonder the online dating was voice only! No wonder there were so many disposable towels and tissues in this room!

So... so she's in *that* business?!

Damn it!

With looks like that... such a top-tier woman, surely it hasn't come to this?

Even if she really didn't want to work hard anymore, couldn't she just find a sugar daddy or be a high-end escort? Why do 400 or 600-yuan jobs in a place like this?

Jiang Ye looked at the "XX Seafood" payment code in front of him, then looked up at this very "hospitable" Yangyang and asked in disbelief:

"Lili... she's also 400 or 600?"

Upon hearing this, Yangyang, who had been smiling, immediately changed her expression. She abruptly pulled back her phone and sized him up with a wary gaze.

"What are you doing? You're not here to play?"

She thought back to what she had just said and realized she hadn't mentioned anything sensitive. She breathed a small sigh of relief but didn't bother asking further, immediately starting to kick him out.

"Get out! I don't care what you're doing, get out now! Don't go looking for trouble!"

Seeing her suddenly become agitated, Jiang Ye guessed she might have mistaken him for an undercover investigator and quickly stood up to explain.

"Sister Yangyang, don't get worked up, I'm not..."

"Get lost! Who's your sister! Leave now!"

Yangyang didn't listen at all, shoving and pushing Jiang Ye toward the door.

"It's not what you think! I just wanted to make sure... Damn! Don't push! I'll leave on my own! Ow... I said don't push!"

"Bang!"

There was a loud crash as the door slammed shut behind him, making the hallway seem to tremble.

Jiang Ye stood at the door of 1703, still holding his worn-out sneakers in his hands.

He looked at the tightly closed door, then looked down at yesterday's delivery record to confirm the address was correct, and sighed speechlessly.

Sigh!

I've been pushed to this point by this crappy system and haven't even made up my mind to take the plunge yet, but such a beautiful Girl actually beat me to it... in this dump... starting her business?

Is it really because my thinking is too conservative and I can't keep up with the times?

After putting on his shoes, Jiang Ye shook his head, lamenting the decline of public morals as he walked toward the elevator with heavy steps.

It seemed the lead on Lili was completely dead. But even if it weren't, he wouldn't dare have any more ideas about her.

If he caught some strange disease, he'd have the life to earn the money but not the life to spend it.

Forget it, forget it.

Just as Jiang Ye dejectedly pressed the down button for the elevator, the door to 1705 diagonally opposite suddenly opened with a "click."

A pretty Girl with a high ponytail and wearing home athletic wear came out carrying a small bag of trash. Just as she was about to put the trash by the door, she looked up and happened to see Jiang Ye's profile as he stepped into the elevator.

The Girl froze for a moment, then her expression changed drastically. She hurriedly stepped back to her own door and nervously checked the keyhole, finding it hadn't been plugged with glue. Only then did she let out a long sigh of relief and pat her chest.

But immediately after, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she warily walked over to the door of 1703 and carefully checked the keyhole there as well.

After confirming both were fine, the Girl frowned and looked again at the closed elevator doors. She pursed her lips, a flash of confusion crossing her face, and turned back into her room.