Financial freedom starts with cracked apps.

"Where do you live? Let me take you home."

After hanging up the phone call with Qin Yuenan, Lin Shen crossed his legs, interlaced his fingers on his thighs, and smiled.

"I won't be going back to the company; I have things to do tonight."

"it is good."

Xu Lei dared not disobey Lin Shen's orders.

So she proactively revealed the location of her rented apartment and drove there.

Weining Residential Area.

Located in the suburbs of Shanghai, it is only a 40-minute subway commute from the Huamao Building where Shennan is located.

Moreover, Weining Community is very close to the subway station and there is a shopping plaza nearby, making transportation very convenient.

Most importantly, it is an old neighborhood. Although the facilities inside are somewhat dilapidated, the environment is very quiet, and it is mostly inhabited by the elderly and children.

However, once school lets out, the number of people in the community increases.

Amidst the bustling traffic, the silver and black two-tone Maybach S680 stood out conspicuously.

Passersby cast surprised glances at the passersby, and couldn't help but mutter to themselves.

Do wealthy people also live in these old neighborhoods?
"Mr. Lin, this is my home."

Xu Lei drove the car to the ground floor of Unit 2, Building 8.

Although girls who rent apartments alone should try not to reveal their address to other people.

But she completely trusted Lin Shen and felt that he was not the kind of person who would do something perverted like stalking.

Moreover, if he wanted to do it, there would be plenty of opportunities in the car or at the company.

Moreover, Xu Lei wouldn't deliberately reject Lin Shen, so why would she need to follow him?
Xu Lei pondered silently, but as she drove closer, she suddenly spotted someone downstairs at her apartment building.

A figure she knew all too well.

Zhang Xu!?
Xu Lei's heart skipped a beat.

Why is he here?
Similarly, Zhang Xu was also very surprised, after all, the probability of seeing a Maybach S680 in an old residential area is about the same as winning the lottery.

Could it be that……

Could this car belong to Lin Shen?
Zhang Xu silently guessed, and sure enough, after the car stopped on the side of the road, the person who got out of the driver's seat was his girlfriend.

No, it should be "ex-girlfriend".

"Why are you here?"

After getting out of the car, Xu Lei went to Zhang Xu first, pulled him aside and whispered urgently.

"What are you doing at my house?"

"I'm here to say goodbye."

Zhang Xu spoke softly, his words tinged with a hint of loneliness and desolation.

"I have already resigned, packed my bags and booked my train ticket. Tomorrow I will leave Shanghai and go back to my hometown to prepare for the civil service exam."

"..."

Faced with Zhang Xu's farewell, Xu Lei pursed her lips and remained silent for a long time before finally offering her soft blessings.

"Then I wish you a safe journey."

Is there really no possibility between us?

Zhang Xu's face showed bitterness and sorrow, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

"You only ever saw me as a backup option, didn't you? You never liked me, and you were only with me because I was nice to you, right?"

"Yes."

Xu Lei coldly admitted it.

She knew very well that if she hesitated at this moment, Zhang Xu might come back to bother her, making their relationship unclear.

Instead of continuing to dwell on this matter, it's better to cut ties cleanly and start afresh.

Xu Lei took a deep breath and spoke in a cold voice, befitting a "scumbag woman."

"You can blame me or talk about me behind my back, but I have never liked you, and there is absolutely no possibility between us."

"I see."

Zhang Xu took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then a bitter smile suddenly appeared on his twitching lips.

"Leilei, I hope everything goes well for you in the future."

"You too."

Xu Lei watched Zhang Xu leave, and suddenly felt a strange tightness in her chest.

She didn't actually want to be a "bad girl".

But there was nothing she could do; her heart had already been seduced by the extravagance and allure of Shanghai.

She couldn't imagine what it would be like to live an ordinary life, worrying about daily necessities and feeling secretly pleased with her monthly salary of over four thousand yuan.

She longs for a more comfortable living environment, fashionable clothes, expensive cosmetics, and the image of a white-collar woman in a big city that others admire and envy.

And the only one who could give her these things was Lin Shen.

After figuring all this out, Xu Lei unexpectedly realized that she was no different from those gold-digging women.

They all want to achieve a comfortable life in a more relaxed way.

In other words, it means only consuming food and not enduring hardship.

cheap!
Xu Lei mocked herself inwardly.

Zhang Xu left without looking back. As he passed the Maybach S680, he subconsciously glanced at the back seat and saw Lin Shen's face, which was both roguish and handsome, revealed through the lowered window.

Compared to him, I am no different from a beggar.

Moreover, Zhang Xu saw no mockery or disdain in Lin Shen's eyes, only endless indifference and ease on his face.

Clearly, he didn't see himself as a rival for Xu Lei's affections.

They don't even respect me.

He didn't notice me from the beginning, just like a human wouldn't notice an ant at their feet; he ignored my existence.

This is the gap caused by social class and status.

Zhang Xu smiled, but showed no anger or resentment towards Lin Shen.

Even though Lin Shen was the main reason for his breakup with Xu Lei, Zhang Xu didn't feel that he hated him that much. Instead, he felt endless helplessness and melancholy.

He was well aware of the gap between them, and most girls admired those who were strong.

Lin Shen, a super-rich second-generation heir, probably has many women vying to get into his bed.

Leilei is probably one of them.

Zhang Xu felt a slight pang in his heart, then dejectedly looked away and walked forward with a hunched back.

The setting sun lengthened his shadow, making him look lonely and desolate.

After getting out of the car, Lin Shen glanced around casually, not paying much attention to Zhang Xu.

He didn't even pay much attention to Xu Lei's past relationship, since there might be more and more similar cases in the future.

However, as a superior, you should still show some concern for your subordinates. This way, you can gain their loyalty at a very low cost.

"well enough?"

Lin Shen approached Xu Lei and asked softly with concern, "What did he say to you?"

He said he was leaving.

Xu Lei hugged her shoulders and lowered her head. Although her expression was unclear, her thin and lonely figure evoked a sense of pity.

Furthermore, her center of gravity was slightly tilted forward, which is an unconscious behavior of a girl seeking comfort and support when she is at a loss.

Lin Shen keenly observed this and knew the vast emptiness and longing in Xu Lei's heart, so he gave her a big, warm hug.

This has nothing to do with romantic feelings between men and women, nor is there any intention to take advantage of the situation. It is simply a superior offering encouragement and comfort to his subordinate.

Lin Shen put his arm around Xu Lei's shoulder and pulled her into his embrace, whispering something to her.

"In one's life, one will meet many people and part ways with many people. If you are reluctant to part with them, you can leave them behind."

"I'm not reluctant to part with him, I just feel a little sorry for him."

Perhaps influenced by Lin Shen's words, or perhaps by the tenderness of his embrace, Xu Lei's empty heart was suddenly stirred by wave after wave of ripples, giving rise to a strange, restless, and agitated feeling.

She stretched out her arms and hugged Lin Shen's waist. The strong embrace gradually calmed her restless heart.

In addition, the masculine scent emanating from his nose made Xu Lei's delicate body feel weak, as if she wanted to be held by Lin Shen forever.

Her consciousness was slightly hazy. Lin Shen's sudden approach left her at a loss, but it also caused her ambition to swell.

The longing that was originally buried deep in my heart is being unearthed little by little.

"Mr. Lin, do you think I'm too much of a jerk?"

Xu Lei asked softly, hoping to get more care and consideration from Lin Shen, but to her surprise, he responded with an incredibly "straight man" response.

"Ah."

"So you think so too."

Xu Lei felt a little bitter and lonely, but Lin Shen's next words brought light back to her dim eyes.

"Actually, I'm a scumbag too. Everyone is a scumbag at heart, and we're all selfish. It's just that we can't show it because we have to care about how others see us."

"However, when you let go of this and become yourself again, you will find that the world suddenly becomes a much better place."

"Think more about yourself, accommodate others without harming yourself, leave if you're uncomfortable, and speak up if you're unhappy. Don't suppress yourself; just say what you think directly."

"Life doesn't become happier because you take care of others; on the contrary, life becomes better because you are good to yourself."

"..."

Xu Lei was slightly stunned, silently digesting the principles Lin Shen had explained to her.

Although he was only twenty-five years old, he seemed to have seen through the essence of life.

His youth, coupled with his rich social experience, gave him an incongruous air of a mature young adult.

This is a characteristic that Xu Lei really likes.

It possesses both the vigor and confidence of youth, and the maturity, composure, rationality, and open-mindedness of adults.

"Mr. Lin, thank you for telling me all this."

With Lin Shen's guidance, Xu Lei seemed to have figured things out, and her feelings for him gradually shifted from admiration to uncontrollable love.

She tilted her head back, her pretty face glowing and soft in the sunset, her slightly narrowed eyes seemingly brimming with deep emotions.

Her hands groped behind Lin Shen's back, fully feeling his strong and well-proportioned back muscles, and her body weight pressed down on him again.

Even though her full breasts, covered by the white shirt, were gradually becoming deformed, she didn't care at all about being taken advantage of.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that she willingly let Lin Shen take advantage of her.

Feeling Xu Lei's delicate body gradually approaching him, Lin Shen, a seasoned lover, naturally understood what she wanted to do.

After all, her tiptoeing and slightly closed beautiful eyes were hinting at something.

Her alluring red lips, painted with lipstick, were exposed without any defenses, even making suggestive gestures as if inviting you to taste them.

Unfortunately, Lin Shen had no intention of accepting Xu Lei's "seduction" at this moment.

He knew very well that the reason Xu Lei was able to let down her guard as a woman today was mainly because she had just suffered a major setback and had instantly become an empty shell.

Her own comfort was as sweet as a clear spring, filling her heart and completely transforming her into her own shape.

In addition, the beautiful atmosphere of the setting sun led Xu Lei to make such a bold seduction.

However, Lin Shen did not lose his temper; on the contrary, he remained extremely calm.

If he accepts Xu Lei at this point, although it would rapidly escalate their relationship, it would be detrimental to the future of both of them.

His career is currently on the rise, and he has enough women around him, so he doesn't have time to deal with another relationship.

Moreover, acting impulsively will only lead to regret.

Lin Shen's plan was to let Xu Lei truly realize what she was thinking before she came to him.

Instead of, as is the case now, people take the initiative to throw themselves into each other's arms out of gratitude.

"It's getting late, and it seems you've recovered your spirits."

Lin Shen released Xu Lei from his arms and took a step back, affectionately ruffling her hair and chuckling softly.

"I have to go now, please contact me via WeChat if needed."

Eh?
Xu Lei was somewhat bewildered as she watched Lin Shen's retreating figure leave without a trace of mercy.

In her mind, Lin Shen had extremely high emotional intelligence and rich experience in relationships, so he should have been able to understand my hint.

But he didn't try to please me. Why is that?
Is it because I'm ugly that Mr. Lin doesn't like me?

Or is it that he doesn't want to betray President Qin?
Whatever the reason, Xu Lei felt an extreme sense of loss.

She was, of course, ashamed of her rash and impulsive behavior.

I was thinking about focusing on my work and not thinking about anything else.

However, she fell for him because of a word of comfort from Lin Shen, and even tried to interfere in his relationship with President Qin!

How shameless of me!

Snapped--!
Xu Lei gently slapped her own face, couldn't help but sigh softly, and clasped her hands together with deep longing.

To be honest, Lin Shen's warm embrace had made her deeply infatuated, and she almost blurted out her thoughts.

Now that her feverish mind has gradually calmed down, Xu Lei still feels a lingering fear.

She had no idea how far things would have gone if Lin Shen had actually gone along with her just now.

It won't be as easy as it is today.

The relationship between the two will become more complicated.

"Fortunately."

Xu Lei breathed a sigh of relief, then pursed her lips, still feeling a bit resentful.

Although she wasn't an ordinary woman, she considered herself to have a pretty appearance because everyone around her praised her beauty.

Both her figure and face are among the best of the girls.

Long legs in black stockings, wearing a bodycon skirt typical of office ladies.

As a female secretary, her outfits are all very much in line with men's preferences!

Why didn't President Lin look at me with that aggressive gaze?
Is it because there are too many beautiful women around him that he's really not interested in me?

Xu Lei's confidence as a woman was somewhat shaken, but it also fueled her competitive spirit.

Perhaps I have to take action myself! (End of Chapter)