I Really Didn't Mean to Make Money

She hung up the phone.

Shen Rou looked at Zhang Lan with a delighted expression.

“He agreed.”

“See? I told you to give it a try. Didn’t it work out?”

“So, what should we eat later?”

Shen Rou suddenly felt troubled. Given her financial situation, she definitely couldn’t afford an expensive meal.

But if they went to an ordinary restaurant, she was worried Chen Mo might not be used to it.

She clearly remembered that the last time Chen Mo attended a company gathering, it was at a high-end restaurant.

“Why not hot pot? It’s not too expensive, and you can definitely afford it.”

Zhang Lan thought for a moment and suggested.

She knew Shen Rou’s financial situation, so choosing a luxurious, high-cost restaurant was out of the question.

“Would that be okay?”

Shen Rou asked hesitantly.

“Why not? Didn’t you say Mr. Chen even had a boxed meal with you all before? Hot pot should be fine.”

Zhang Lan put an arm around Shen Rou’s shoulder, reassuring her.

“Alright, hot pot it is.”

With Zhang Lan’s confirmation, Shen Rou finally felt more at ease.

“Let’s get dressed and head out.”

“Mm.”

—

Jiangcheng Pedestrian Street, Inside a Mall

Zhang Lan held a long dress up against Shen Rou, comparing it to her figure.

“This one looks nice. Try it on and let me see.”

“Zhang Lan, maybe I shouldn’t. I’ve already tried on several. If I don’t buy anything, it’ll feel awkward.”

Shen Rou glanced at the sales associate nearby and whispered to Zhang Lan.

“Just try it on. What’s there to be afraid of? You have to try clothes to know if they look good and fit well, right?”

“When shopping for clothes, you have to try a few before you can pick the best one.”

Zhang Lan nonchalantly pushed Shen Rou into the fitting room.

She often strolled through malls and would try on things she liked. Whether she bought them depended on her budget.

After all, no rule said you had to buy something just because you tried it on.

—

After a while, Shen Rou stepped out in the new dress, looking a little embarrassed as she walked up to Zhang Lan.

“Zhang Lan, isn’t this neckline a bit too low?”

“Nothing is even showing, how is it too low? It’s just right. If you pair it with a necklace, it’ll look even better.”

Zhang Lan stroked her chin, eyeing Shen Rou up and down.

Satisfied, she nodded. The dress accentuated Shen Rou’s curves perfectly. Her already delicate features became even more stunning under the dress’s complement.

She looked pure yet subtly seductive.

“A necklace too? Then I don’t want it.”

Upon hearing Zhang Lan’s suggestion, Shen Rou waved her hands in refusal.

She had secretly checked the price tag in the fitting room—it was over 500 yuan!

That money could buy plenty of treats for the kids at the orphanage.

If she added a necklace, who knew how much more she’d have to spend?

“I just meant a necklace would make it look even better, not that you have to buy one.”

Zhang Lan instantly saw through Shen Rou’s thoughts and explained with a sigh.

“Oh... but this dress is so expensive. I checked earlier—it costs over 500 yuan.”

Shen Rou looked down at the dress she was wearing, hesitant.

She did really like it, but she had never bought such an expensive piece of clothing in her life.

“You’re about to have dinner with Chen Mo. Don’t you want to dress up a little?”

“Besides, the mall is having a special sale today. You can get it for under 500.”

Zhang Lan rubbed her forehead. Once again, she was reminded of how frugal Shen Rou was.

“Really?”

Shen Rou looked at Zhang Lan in surprise.

“Why would I lie?”

Zhang Lan rolled her eyes and called over the sales associate.

“How much is this dress after the discount?”

“One moment, please.”

The sales associate checked the price list, then walked to the counter and used a calculator.

“Miss, after the discount, this dress is only 465 yuan.”

“We’ll take it.”

Before Shen Rou could speak, Zhang Lan made the decision.

She knew that even with the discount, Shen Rou would hesitate.

So, she decided for her. She could tell Shen Rou genuinely liked the dress.

Now that Shen Rou was earning money at her new job and the orphanage’s situation had improved, it was time for her to start thinking about herself, too.

“Would you like it gift-wrapped, or will she wear it out?”

“She’ll wear it. Just cut the tags for us.”

Zhang Lan instructed.

Shen Rou quietly watched Zhang Lan make the decision for her and didn’t object.

She didn’t know why, but in the past, she wouldn’t have even glanced at a dress that cost over 400 yuan.

—

Leaving the mall, the two arrived early at the hot pot restaurant they had reserved.

About ten minutes later, Chen Mo walked in right on time.

“Mr. Chen, over here.”

Shen Rou had been keeping an eye on the entrance. The moment Chen Mo entered, she noticed him and quickly stood up to wave, though she didn’t dare raise her voice too much.

Chen Mo scanned the restaurant and soon spotted Shen Rou waving at him.

When he saw her outfit, he was momentarily surprised.

At work, she always wore formal business attire. This was the first time he had seen her in a dress.

Hmm.

She actually looked quite nice.

“This is my college friend, Zhang Lan.”

“And this is my boss, Chen Mo.”

As Chen Mo approached, Shen Rou quickly introduced them.

“Nice to meet you!”

Zhang Lan extended her hand confidently.

“Nice to meet you.”

Chen Mo gave a light handshake before letting go.

The three took their seats, with Chen Mo sitting across from the two women.

“Mr. Chen, did you drive here?”

After ordering food, Zhang Lan casually asked.

“I took a cab.”

Chen Mo replied.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to drive, but his car belonged to the company. During holidays, he wasn’t allowed to use it.

“Good, then! Mr. Chen, how about a couple of drinks?”

Hearing Zhang Lan’s suggestion, Shen Rou stiffened and kept patting Zhang Lan’s hand under the table. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Was this girl crazy? How could she say something like that?

“I’d better not. I don’t have a good tolerance for alcohol.”

Chen Mo shook his head immediately.

He still remembered how he had gotten drunk on less than a bottle last time.

He definitely wasn’t touching alcohol again.

“Then have some fruit beer. It’s just like soda—zero alcohol. Xiao Rou and I drink it all the time.”

Zhang Lan said regretfully.

“Really? No alcohol at all?”

“None at all. It’s basically just a soft drink.”

“Alright then.”

Chen Mo nodded in relief.

If it was just a soda, there should be no problem.