Night Rose

Zhou Zheng continued cooking, glancing back at him between sprinkling Sichuan peppercorns.

"Did Su Jin send you here as an intermediary?"

"She didn't ask me to be a mediator; she just thought you were too tired from working day and night and was worried about your safety while practicing driving."

"And as you know, I've invested a lot of money in this race. You know how it is compared to that guy surnamed He today, right? If we can't win this race, not only will we be broke, but we'll also suffer a loss," Tu Ying said.

As he spoke, he casually brought over a plate for Zhou Zheng and then picked up the freshly cooked dish.

"And the hospital will also cost money, 20,000 yuan a month. There's no job that makes money faster than this competition."

Zhou Zheng took off his apron, counted the chopsticks and took four pairs. He said, "Let me think about it. Grandpa can't be left alone."

"If you can't leave someone alone, why don't you hire a caregiver? At least you won't have to stay up all night at the hospital," Tu Ying advised.

"Do you have any reliable people around you?" Zhou Zheng glanced at him.

"Yes! My mom had someone take care of her when she broke her leg last time. That auntie was a nice person, and the price wasn't expensive. It's much better than you treating yourself like a consumable. Besides, when Grandpa Fang wakes up and sees you taking care of him with an exhausted face every day, do you think he'll be happy?" Tu Ying continued.

Tu Ying wasn't entirely after the 100,000 yuan prize; he was genuinely worried about Zhou Zheng.

A young body is certainly an asset, but if used without restraint, it will likely be depleted faster than a candle.

"Okay, I'll go to the hospital after I finish my business tonight, and then discuss it with my grandfather. If he agrees, then let's do it this way," Zhou Zheng replied.

He had explored almost every possible way to make money, but he looked down on those illegitimate, quick-money schemes. This competition, however, offered him a one-time reward of 20,000 yuan. For him, the temptation was considerable.

He usually does odd jobs and manual labor, earning at most eight thousand yuan a month. The money in the hospital account is almost gone, and he still owes a few hundred yuan. If he misses this opportunity, he'll have to borrow money from Xiao Pang, which is the last thing he wants to do.

When Tu Ying heard him relent, she knew that the matter had most likely succeeded.

Grandpa Fang doted on his grandson and had long wanted him to find a caregiver. But Zhou Zheng was worried that the caregiver wouldn't be attentive enough, so he simply worked part-time while also coming to the hospital to take care of him, taking turns with the caregiver.

As long as Zhou Zheng is willing to ask, Grandpa Fang will definitely agree.

A pang of guilt flashed through Tu Ying's mind. The old man was so old, and with his grandson taking care of him, he would definitely recover better. But... this thought was quickly overshadowed by the 100,000 yuan.

He thought to himself, "I'm doing this for Zhou Zheng's own good!"

That's right. Since it's for Zhou Zheng's own good, there's no need to feel this inexplicable guilt.

Su Jin was sitting in the rattan chair that Zhou Zheng often sat in, organizing racing data. Before the dishes were even served, she could smell the aroma.

He slammed the laptop shut and ran briskly upstairs to the second floor.

She ran a few steps, and the stairs thumped loudly.

People in front of her stopped to look at her. She was carrying a dish in one hand and had the other hand in her pocket. With her short buzz cut, she looked every bit the bully.

"What are we having for dinner tonight?" Su Jin asked seriously, putting her hands behind her back and deliberately making a serious expression.

Zhou Zheng held up the bowl of food to prevent her from seeing it, and he was a little angry.

"Watch less."

Su Jin was just as rebellious as Zhou Zheng. She took a few steps up the stairs and, when she reached the same level as Zhou Zheng, she reached out to grab his arm.

Zhou Zheng had a wall behind him. When she pushed him, his waist and shoulders hit the wall, and his long legs leaned casually against it.

"Hiss, this is like abducting a man from the common people." Zhou Zheng reached out to protect her waist, his hand lightly resting on her waist.

"You want to rob me?" Su Jin scoffed, reaching out to grab his raised arm.

The stairs were too slippery, and it was really difficult for the two of them to move around. Su Jin almost slipped down the stairs when she took a step.

The hand around her waist tightened suddenly, pulling her back and preventing her from sliding down.

The two suddenly closed the distance between them. Zhou Zheng's breath hit the top of Su Jin's head, and her cheek was pressed against Zhou Zheng's chest. Her heart was pounding.

"Brother Zhou!" Wang Tianle's voice came from not far away; he was looking everywhere for his Brother Zhou.

Su Jin immediately jumped out of Zhou Zheng's arms, her eyes filled with panic, as if she had been caught cheating.

Zhou Zheng watched her reaction with amusement. "Hey, is that really necessary? Are you afraid of being drowned in a pig cage if someone sees this?"

"You never say anything serious, it's pointless to get angry with you." Su Jin glared at him and went upstairs first.

Are you still angry?

"Why are you angry? I'm not going to get angry with an idiot."

Zhou Zheng chuckled softly and followed behind her, carrying the vegetables.

Su Jin changed into casual clothes: a white long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black trousers that accentuated her long legs, and a pair of stylish sneakers with a big brand logo printed on them.

Although Zhou Zheng didn't know how much the shoes cost, he knew they were definitely not cheap.

Su Jin sat down at the table and exchanged glances with Tu Ying.

- How is it?

Tu Ying winked and smiled brightly.

- It's most likely a success!

Su Jin felt relieved. She was quite scared of Zhou Zheng's state; he had been working too hard lately and didn't seem to care about himself at all.

She was even worried that Zhou Zheng would exhaust himself before the competition even started.

After the meal, Zhou Zheng offered to take Su Jin home.

With the tavern open for business, Tu Ying and Wang Tianle were getting busy, so Su Jin naturally wouldn't stay behind to get in the way.

While waiting for Zhou Zheng's car by the roadside, she kicked the sand under her feet, wondering where Zhou Zheng was going. Was he going to make more money?

What does he need so much money for?

Zhou Zheng drove steadily, chatting casually with her the whole way without intending to say anything, so Su Jin kept her question to herself the entire way.

She watched Zhou Zheng leave as she sat down at the entrance of the residential complex.

He left neither in a pub, nor in places like airports or train stations where people solicit customers.

Su Jin opened the map and zoomed out, trying to find an answer. She scrolled through the map; there was a hospital, an auto parts market, and restaurants within a ten-kilometer radius…

The scope was too broad, and she couldn't find the answer, but then she suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

No, why is she so concerned about Zhou Zheng's matter?

"Oh no, I've become a busybody." Su Jin patted her forehead.

Her phone vibrated twice in her pocket. She took it out and saw that it was a message from Manager Li informing her that the other parts had arrived.

Su Jin noticed that Manager Li finally stopped using the term "Miss Sister" and started calling her "Beautiful Lady".

Ugh, disgusting.

If she weren't too lazy to run around and wanted to get all the parts in one place, she wouldn't want to deal with Manager Li.

Su Jin sighed, trying to comfort herself.

It's okay, this is the last part. We'll get the parts from a different place next time!

Su Jin hailed a taxi and headed straight for the auto parts market.

This time, the treatment was a little better than last time. Manager Li was waiting for her at the door, but actually, it was also a chance for Manager Li to slack off.

Manager Li beamed with joy the moment he saw her.

"Hey beautiful, the parts you ordered have arrived! Come with me to get them!"