93: Chapter 93 Stay! You must stay at my house today! And from now on!

Shen Qingxue did not answer, but instead pulled a bank card out of her small carrying bag, placed it on the coffee table, and pushed it towards Lu Li.

"What do you mean?"

Lu Li was stunned for a moment.

"I happen to have five million left, but once I use up this five million, my savings will be completely zero."

Shen Qingxue's tone remained indifferent.

Lu Li stared at that card for a good while, then raised his head and looked at Shen Qingxue.

Shen Qingxue leaned against the sofa, her expression as icy and detached as ever, yet in those eyes, there was not a trace of hesitation or reluctance.

"Are you... serious?"

"Do I look like the type of person who would joke around?"

Lu Li opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words back down.

To be honest, after getting along for the past few days, he knew Shen Qingxue was not the type to be polite for the sake of it.

If she said she was giving it, she was truly giving it.

But the more it was like this, the less Lu Li knew how to respond.

Five million.

He and Shen Qingxue had only known each other for a few days at most. Even if he were seeking refuge with her, it wouldn't warrant pulling out five million right off the bat.

What's more, she had already left her family with nothing, so this five million might very well be her final savings.

Lu Li almost wanted to cry.

I am crying to death, she is such a good person, what should I do? It feels like I'm starting to fall in love with her.

After a bout of self-indulgent emotion, Lu Li took a deep breath, and his expression finally turned serious.

"Ahem, have you thought it through? If this money is lent out, I might not be able to pay it back anytime soon."

"I didn't say I wanted you to pay it back. Consider it an investment stake; since we talked about cooperating, I can't let you bear the risks all by yourself."

Shen Qingxue said indifferently.

Lu Li was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously blurted out.

"Then what if it goes under?"

"It won't go under."

Shen Qingxue looked at him, her tone so resolute that it even surprised Lu Li a little.

"Being able to write three such songs in a row, I believe in you. Geniuses will never be buried; it's merely a matter of time."

These words spoken effortlessly from her mouth felt like a stone thrown into Lu Li's heart, stirring up ripples circle after circle.

Lu Li nodded, stood up from the sofa, walked over to Shen Qingxue, cupped his hands together in a salute, bowed slightly, and wore a solemn expression.

"Queen Master! Please accept this humble one's bow!"

The living room fell silent for an instant.

The corners of Shen Qingxue's mouth twitched slightly.

If she hadn't witnessed Lu Li's serious and reliable side and had somewhat of a baseline in her heart, had it been anyone else acting this way, she would have kicked them away long ago.

At this moment, someone a thousand miles away sneezed.

"Huh? Who is talking about me? Is it Shen Qingxue?"

...

The two chatted in the living room for a good while longer, finalizing most of the cooperation matters.

The living room suddenly grew quiet.

Shen Qingxue sat opposite him playing with her phone, and even while playing on her phone she behaved with such elegance.

Meanwhile, Lu Li's mind was still thinking about other matters.

However, this quietness did not feel awkward at all; instead, it carried an indescribable comfort.

It wasn't until Lu Li noticed the setting sun outside the window that he finally snapped back to reality.

"What the heck, it's already this late?"

Lu Li took out his phone to check the time; it was almost six o'clock.

He raised his head and looked at Shen Qingxue.

"Where are you staying tonight? Have you booked a hotel? I'll help you check if there are any decent ones nearby."

Hearing Lu Li's words, Shen Qingxue put away her phone, then raised her head and silently looked at him.

Lu Li felt a bit creeped out by her gaze and subconsciously shrank back a little.

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Shen Qingxue spoke word by word.

"My money went toward paying your penalty fee for breach of contract, where do you think I'm staying?"

The living room fell silent for an instant.

Lu Li's brain short-circuited for about 0.0001 seconds—just barely, if he had looked for one more second he would have directly exploded.

"Uh, you... you mean..."

"My meaning is that I don't have money to stay in a hotel. Of course, if I really wanted to stay, I could, but this month is ending—what about next month? What about the month after next?"

"Times are not what they used to be. If we want to take the path of online singers, early-stage capital investment is indispensable. My thought is to save wherever possible."

"Of course, if you are willing to cover all expenses incurred during this period from start to finish, I will go out right now and find a hotel to stay in."

Shen Qingxue's tone remained indifferent, as if she were stating an ordinary fact.

Lu Li felt a bit guilty. Hearing it this way, it actually made some sense; after all, saving money is saving money.

However, what did Shen Qingxue's last sentence mean? It made him feel like a heartless cad trying to chase someone out.

Lu Li's rebellious psychology flared up instantly.

You want me to do this? No, I just won't!

The next second, he abruptly stood up from the sofa, akimbo with his hands on his waist, looking down at Shen Qingxue from above, his voice raised by a notch.

"Stay! Today you must stay at my place! If you don't stay today, I... I..."

Shen Qingxue raised her head, looking at him expressionlessly, waiting for the second half of his sentence.

Lu Li held it in for a long time, and then...

"I will immediately lie down and throw a tantrum! Do you believe it?!"

The living room fell silent for a full three seconds.

Shen Qingxue stared at him for three seconds, then slowly spoke, her tone exceptionally calm, even piercingly hurtful.

"Then go ahead and lie down."

Lu Li: "..."

No, shouldn't normal people try to stop someone? How come you aren't playing your cards according to convention!

Lu Li's mouth twitched, and he suddenly felt that he couldn't save face.

Now it was great—lying down wasn't right, and not lying down wasn't right either.

Fortunately, Shen Qingxue eventually gave him a way out.

"Where is the guest room? Take me to take a look."

Feeling immensely relieved, Lu Li hurriedly turned around and walked toward the other room.

"This way, this way, follow me."

He pushed open the door at the end of the hallway and turned sideways to let Shen Qingxue in.

Coincidentally, his own room was right opposite this guest room, and the layout was much the same as the one on the Program Team previously.

They were door-to-door, with a small hallway in between.

Lu Li couldn't help but sigh with emotion: although the program had ended, the rules it left behind seemed to still remain?