I couldn't take it anymore; when I went home for Chinese New Year, the family genealogy book ha

Jiang Chen pressed the last number on the calculator.

He didn't speak immediately, but instead flipped his phone screen over and slowly pushed it in front of Zhang Li.

Under the soft light of the screen, a string of clear numbers is quietly lit up.

Jiang Chen leaned back on the soft sofa, his hands clasped in front of the table, a relaxed and contented smile on his face.

He explained slowly, in a tone as if discussing an academic issue:

"I just did some math."

"The dowry you mentioned, plus the three gold pieces for the wedding, the gifts for your family, and some other hidden expenses, would easily amount to 3 million. If I didn't give it to you, I could just walk into any bank and tell the teller that I want to open a large deposit account."

Jiang Chen stretched out his finger and tapped lightly on the table, as if he were highlighting important points for a slow-witted student.

"Based on the current common interest rate of 2.5% for three-year terms."

He pointed to the final result on his phone screen, his voice clear and resonant throughout the entire table.

"The annual interest is 75000 yuan."

He looked up at Zhang Li's face, which was beginning to show surprise and even some confusion, and his smile became even brighter.

"That averages out to 6250 per month."

"This money," Jiang Chen paused, seemingly thinking seriously, "is enough for me to order takeout every day."

"I'll eat different kinds of food until I get tired of it."

"Oh, right."

Jiang Chen seemed to remember something and added a sentence.

"Most importantly, I don't have to wash the dishes after I finish eating."

He shrugged, his face displaying an extremely innocent, even inquisitive, expression, and looked sincerely at Zhang Li, asking in return:

"So, can you explain this to me?"

"Why would I give up a stable annual interest of over 20,000 yuan to spend that money on marrying a 'tyrant' who does no housework, doesn't serve her in-laws, and expects me to feed and pamper her?"

"You...you..."

Zhang Li's expression changed visibly, from initial smugness to shock, and then from shock to shame and indignation.

Finally, that heavily made-up face turned a deep liver color!

All sense of superiority and confidence were shattered in the face of Jiang Chen's cold, rational, yet extremely humiliating "cost accounting"!

"What do you mean?!"

"Snapped!"

She slammed her hand on the table, the loud noise drawing curious glances from several other tables of guests.

Zhang Li's voice became sharp and shrill due to extreme anger.

"How dare you humiliate me?!"

"Do you even know who I am?! Do you know that the line of men chasing me could stretch from the east side of the city to the west side?!"

No, no.

Jiang Chen quickly waved his hand, his expression extremely sincere, as if he were truly seeking advice humbly.

"I absolutely did not mean to humiliate you, Miss Zhang. Please don't misunderstand."

"I'm just an ordinary person, a businessman."

He pointed to his head.

"I'm used to considering everything from the perspective of return on investment."

"It's obvious that the sunk costs of marrying you are too high, the maintenance costs will be considerable, and the visible rate of return... is almost negative."

He gave Zhang Li an apologetic smile.

"Therefore, I cannot invest in this deal."

"The risk is too great."

"you--!"

Zhang Li was so angry that she was trembling all over; she felt like her lungs were about to explode.

merchant?

Return on investment?

This was the first time in her life that someone had rejected or humiliated her in this way!

This will make her feel a hundred times worse than if she were just scolded!

She was about to flip the table and splash the glass of lemonade onto Jiang Chen's hateful smiling face.

But Jiang Chen didn't give her any chance to lash out.

He simply raised his hand and snapped his fingers casually at the waiter who had been watching them closely from a distance.

His voice was loud and clear, full of confidence.

"Waiter, our order!"

This shout completely stunned Zhang Li, who was about to explode.

Ordering?

Even after things have gotten this bad, he still wants to order?

She subconsciously thought that Jiang Chen was just trying to make amends and save face by treating her to a big meal because he couldn't win an argument.

Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you!

Zhang Li straightened her somewhat distorted expression and forced a hint of "victorious" arrogance back onto her face.

She decided that she had to fleece him handsomely today!

The waiter approached respectfully and handed over the beautifully presented menu.

Jiang Chen took it without even glancing at the pasta and baked rice dishes that cost tens of yuan per serving.

His finger flipped directly to the last few pages of the menu.

That's where the café's "signature dish" is displayed, and the price of each dish is enough to make ordinary working-class people hesitate.

Jiang Chen's fingers casually pointed at the exquisite pictures of the dishes.

His voice, though not loud, clearly reached Zhang Li's ears, as well as the waiter's.

"This is an Australian lobster, baked with cheese, one please."

"This Wellington steak, I'd like it medium-rare."

"And this, black truffle cream of mushroom soup..."

"Oh, and for dessert, I'd like the lava chocolate cake."

He closed the menu and handed it back to the somewhat dumbfounded waiter with a gentle smile on his face.