Chapter Fifty-Five: Is There Really Anyone Who Would Turn Down Money?

After exchanging phone numbers, Zhang Shuihan finally turned and left in satisfaction. She couldn't always be the one helping out—her generosity wasn't something to be taken advantage of so easily. Hmph, she needed to think of a way to make him repay her.

While Luo Chen was hoping to distance himself from this scheming woman, he remained oblivious to the fact that she was already plotting how to cause him trouble.

But now that Zhang Shuihan had left, the crowd of fans began to disperse as well. Though their trip hadn't been entirely fruitless, they hadn't managed to see the person they really wanted to meet. Many of Luo Chen's devoted fans left, voicing their disappointment and regret as they went.

After dinner, Luo Chen and Dai Xinhua prepared to leave. However, before Luo Chen could step out of the restaurant, a young man approached him, admiration written all over his face.

"Bro, you've got skills. Seriously impressive."

Luo Chen looked speechlessly at the young man blocking his path, clearly about to ask for something. Wasn't this guy supposed to know everything about everything? What was with that expression? And what did he mean by 'impressive'? This was all just a misunderstanding.

"Hey man, listen. You've already got such a beautiful girlfriend. How about letting me have Shuihan?" The young man, with a lecherous grin, pulled Luo Chen aside, clearly intending to negotiate privately.

"You've misunderstood," Luo Chen began to explain, but was immediately cut off.

"No way, don't tell me you want both of them?" The young man deliberately exaggerated his voice, glancing at Dai Xinhua, who frowned slightly. Satisfied, he nodded to himself—let's see if you still dare to compete.

Go home and get scolded, why don't you.

"You're overthinking it." Luo Chen, half amused and half exasperated, pushed past the young man. What on earth was he doing—was he a professional relationship-wrecker?

Unfortunately, he'd picked the wrong target this time.

"Hey, don't go! Buddy, can you give me Shuihan's contact info? I'll be sure to repay you!" The young man hurried to stop Luo Chen, desperate to state his real purpose before Luo Chen could leave.

"Sorry, I don't have it." Luo Chen had assumed, from the way the guy called her name so familiarly, that he might know Zhang Shuihan, but it turned out he didn't even have her contact information. Luo Chen had no intention of being helpful in this regard and could only shrug helplessly.

Leaving the dumbfounded young man behind, Luo Chen took Dai Xinhua by the hand and exited the peculiar restaurant. Along the way, Dai Xinhua seemed lost in thought, and Luo Chen didn't try to start a conversation either. The two walked in silence until they reached their destination.

"Luo Chen, thank you for today," Dai Xinhua said quietly, tilting her head slightly to look up at him with a gentle smile.

Come to think of it, aside from A-Ling, this was the first time Dai Xinhua had ever dined alone with someone else. It wasn't so bad, really.

"Well, don't forget about tomorrow. I’ll be counting on you to help with the drawing," Luo Chen replied, relieved at her change in demeanor. If she were still as scared of him as before, things would be much more difficult.

Where else could Luo Chen find a free illustrator?

"Okay." Dai Xinhua blushed, recalling how she'd been tricked into Luo Chen’s house earlier. She had hoped A-Ling might come to her rescue, but now she was uncertain whether to tell her about it tomorrow.

Luo Chen watched Dai Xinhua enter her home before turning to leave, only then remembering he had forgotten to tell Yan He that he wouldn’t be eating at home. He figured he should call and let him know.

That night, as usual, Dai Xinhua opened the door to her home. Even before stepping inside, the harsh glare of the lights made her squint. She slipped off her shoes and entered, feeling a vague unease—could her workaholic mother have come home early?

As she wondered, an anxious feeling crept over her—the kind you get when you’re out on a date and afraid your parents will find out. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

She exhaled softly, intent on sneaking quietly to her room, but was caught red-handed.

"Xinhua, why are you back so late? I was about to call you," Han Yinglan called out from the kitchen, carrying a bowl of noodles. She sounded tired as she questioned her daughter.

As one of Stardust Platform’s senior executives, Han Yinglan was constantly busy. Lately, with the crackdown in Huaguo, things had been even more hectic, and she often worked late into the night.

This evening, she had finally found a moment to come home early, only to discover her daughter sneaking in at such a late hour. She immediately sensed something was amiss.

"I just went out with A-Ling, that's all," Dai Xinhua replied, turning her head away with a hint of annoyance.

Sensing her daughter’s dissatisfaction, Han Yinglan sighed. She wished she could spend more time with Dai Xinhua, but there were already plenty of people at the company who criticized her. If she lost this job, it would be difficult to stay in Qingshui City.

"All right, I won’t interfere in your affairs," Han Yinglan said, feeling reassured once she heard A-Ling was involved. She was grateful her daughter had such a trustworthy friend; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to focus on her work.

"Oh." Disappointed, Dai Xinhua glanced at her mother before quietly retreating to her room. She understood that her mother was busy working to keep them afloat in this bustling city, so any grievances she had quickly faded away.

Seeing her daughter disappear into her room, Han Yinglan finally sat down, exhausted. She could tell Xinhua had something on her mind, but knew that prying would yield nothing. Perhaps she should ask Le Zhengling about it.

Han Yinglan felt a deep sense of guilt toward her daughter. After divorcing her husband, she had fought to keep Xinhua with her, only to be swamped with work ever since and unable to care for her properly.

Fortunately, Xinhua had always been well-behaved—if a bit reserved, only opening up to A-Ling.

Han Yinglan massaged her weary head. The platform had tasked her with finding the pure-hearted little angel, but there was no reliable contact, and the person ignored all online messages. How was she supposed to locate them?

Should she ask someone to investigate?

Han Yinglan frowned. Usually, everyone clamored for a contract with Stardust, but now there was someone she couldn’t even track down. How bizarre.

Could someone really be indifferent to money?