Super Rich by Doing as You Please

There’s a world of difference between leaving something unsaid and saying it out loud.

"..." Li Jinshu.

"..." Su Mu.

The two of them exchanged a glance, said no more, and lowered their heads to eat.

They hadn’t expected Xu Yun to actually defend her.

This was not a good sign.

Su Mu was fine; she had no real stake in it.

But Li Jinshu was different. Her feelings were a tangled mess.

Normally, when she acted a little wild and unrestrained around Xu Yun, it didn’t seem to matter. She felt he was easygoing and wouldn’t hold it against her.

But just now, when his face was long and expressionless, he had been a little frightening.

After dinner, Chen Xin eagerly volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes.

She hadn’t been much help during the cooking, and she couldn’t just eat without contributing anything.

She would feel too guilty.

Su Mu said nothing, neither agreeing nor objecting.

Li Jinshu, perhaps trying to make up for her earlier mistake, wanted to wash them herself, but Xu Yun said, "You go rest. I’ll go wash them with her."

At his words, Li Jinshu fell silent again, her expression souring.

Xu Yun wasn’t giving Li Jinshu the cold shoulder to help Chen Xin, but to send her a message.

’Don’t think that just because I’m easygoing and good-natured, you can overstep your bounds and turn against the heavens, saying whatever you want without any consideration.’

’Everyone knows what’s going on between me and Chen Xin, but what are you trying to accomplish by saying it out loud in front of me and her?’

’Are you trying to demand an answer from me?’

’Or are you just jealous and trying to make Chen Xin back off?’

’Whatever the reason, this is my business.’

’I can say it, and I can do it, but no one is going to force my hand!’

’Don’t think that just because you’ve slept with me a few times, Li Jinshu, you can act like you’re the mistress of the house.’

’If you’ve got the guts, go provoke Su Mu. Be passive-aggressive with her.’

’What kind of skill is it to bully someone with social anxiety like Chen Xin!’

Xu Yun and Chen Xin went to the kitchen.

One washed the dishes, the other rinsed.

Chen Xin whispered, "Thank you for helping me out of that situation earlier."

"You really want to thank me?"

"Of course I do."

Xu Yun chuckled. "Perfect timing. Since no one’s around, why don’t you give me a kiss?"

"..." Chen Xin’s face immediately flushed crimson.

"I’m just kidding,"

Xu Yun said. "You’re like a modern-day Lord Guan, blushing at the drop of a hat."

’How did such a shy, introverted woman ever think of writing lewd novels about the ultra-rich?’

’The contrast is just too huge.’

’Online, I’m a master surfer, an expert at dropping innuendos, and full of saucy remarks.’

’In reality, I’ll blush and my heart will race just from holding hands.’

’That’s Chen Xin in a nutshell.’

Chen Xin asked, "You seem to have a good relationship with your neighbors?"

"It’s alright."

"When we came over earlier, I noticed that the one named Li Jinshu looked at you... oddly."

Chen Xin said, "You should maintain a good relationship with your neighbors. As they say, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. If you have an emergency, they might be able to help you out."

"But she was trying to bully you just now," Xu Yun couldn’t help but laugh. "And you’re defending her?"

"She didn’t bully me, she just asked me a question."

Chen Xin said, "I didn’t even mind, so why should you? After I leave tomorrow, you should apologize to her."

"No."

"..." Chen Xin.

In the living room, Li Jinshu and Su Mu sat on the sofa, watching TV.

In reality, neither of them was paying attention.

Li Jinshu kept glancing toward the kitchen, feeling a pang of dejection and regretting her thoughtless actions.

’Looking back now, it was mainly my own jealousy acting up.’

She was afraid that Xu Yun and Chen Xin would actually get together, that Chen Xin would steal him away.

To put it bluntly, she was growing more and more attached to Xu Yun. Whether it was for material supplies or emotional support, she was becoming somewhat dependent on him.

It was just that she hadn’t realized it herself yet.

On top of that, Xu Yun had always been so good to her, so indulgent, that it had made her a little conceited.

This incident had forced her to re-evaluate her own position and circumstances.

’Xu Yun is only good to you on the premise that he likes you and is willing to spoil you.’

Li Jinshu turned to Su Mu and asked, "Susu, do you think I made Xu Yun angry just now?"

"Probably."

Su Mu said irritably, "Any other time, maybe it would be fine, but how could you say those things to Chen Xin today?"

"So what should I do now?"

Li Jinshu asked for advice, "Should I go apologize to Chen Xin later?"

"No, just leave it."

Su Mu said, "It’s not that big a deal. What’s done is done. Xu Yun will probably only be mad for a little while; he likely won’t hold a grudge."

"This is the first time I’ve ever seen him angry."

Li Jinshu said, "With that cold expression, he was a little scary."

"So now you’re scared?"

Su Mu gloated with a laugh, "That’s what you get for being so loud and boisterous around him all the time, without any restraint. Any outsider who didn’t know better would think you were his girlfriend."

"You’re still laughing." Li Jinshu was now deeply regretting her tactlessness.

As the two women were talking, Xu Yun and Chen Xin came out from washing the dishes, and the atmosphere grew a little awkward.

Xu Yun was about to head back.

But Chen Xin took the initiative to speak up. "I’m heading back tomorrow, and I don’t have any food for the road. I was thinking of going out to buy some snacks.

Sister Jinshu, would you be willing to go with me? I’m not very familiar with the area."

"Ah? Yes, of course I’ll go."

Hearing this, Li Jinshu immediately came over. She stole a cautious glance at Xu Yun and said, "What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you, my treat."

"Okay." Then Chen Xin took Li Jinshu’s hand, and they went out the door together.

Like a pair of sisters.

Watching this scene, Su Mu had two thoughts.

’Either this Chen Xin is a master manipulator, and this is all an act for Xu Yun’s benefit...’

’...or she’s genuinely a very kind and simple woman.’