Get Lost

The donation was indeed real.

However, it was made under Chu Lintian’s name.

During the parent-teacher meeting, Chu Lintian learned that Lin Mo intended to donate money. As the newly appointed CEO of Dajiang Group, she decided to contribute as well.

But instead of using the company’s funds, she made the donation personally.

Though the title still carried her identity as the CEO of Dajiang Group, the money came from her own pocket.

Since donations could be used for tax deductions—whether made by an individual or a corporation—it made little difference.

But Lin Mo never planned to explain this to anyone.

What he didn’t expect was how fiercely the online trolls would latch onto it.

Lin Mo pulled out his bank card.

"With three million in my hands, do you really think I’d skimp on a ten-thousand-yuan donation? If I said I donated it, then I did."

Su Jiazhen stared at Lin Mo. "You’re that rich?"

"Not really. Competition prize money covers my living expenses, and the school waived my tuition and fees. There aren’t many places I need to spend money."

Many people have misconceptions about top students.

The image of the impoverished genius is rare in reality because high achievers have plenty of ways to monetize their skills.

The most basic is tutoring.

Especially now, with private tutoring still allowed, someone with Lin Mo’s grades could easily charge one or two hundred yuan per session.

With his reputation as the school’s top student, he could even push it to three or four hundred.

So Lin Mo was far from strapped for cash.

Of course, if he ever were, he could always "borrow" from those who deserved it.

After all, the world wasn’t short of people who did bad things.

Once Lin Mo finished eating, he left without another word.

The moment he was gone, Su Jiazhen let out a sigh of relief and turned to the underling who had spoken out of turn.

"You’ve got a death wish, asking something like that."

"I was just curious. If he’d beaten me up, I’d have taken it."

When they were done eating, Su Jiazhen and his group headed downstairs.

Zhang Yuzhong held a cleaning rag. "Take care. Come again."

Su Jiazhen merely waved dismissively.

After evening self-study, Lin Mo walked home with Xie Yuling.

They hadn’t gone far when Xie Yuling glanced at him.

"Was the three million Miaomiao’s money?"

"Yeah. Did you really think it was some kind of 'allowance'?"

"Pfft. As if anyone would 'sponsor' you."

Xie Yuling scoffed.

"Well, Jiang Yunlu offered me thirty million today to be her kept man. I turned her down."

Hearing this, Xie Yuling whipped her head around.

"Thirty million?!"

"Yeah. 'Ten million' for happiness, 'ten million' for health, and 'ten million' for joy."

Lin Mo smirked at her. "So, with my thirty million, can I 'sponsor' you?"

"Drop dead!" Xie Yuling kicked at him.

—System: If you could track me down so easily, would I even need to be a system?

Sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains on the weekend morning, casting dappled patterns on the tiled floor.

Lin Mo stretched, his joints cracking softly as he changed clothes and headed upstairs.

The door was shut.

He knocked.

Knock knock knock!

"Open up! Water meter inspection!"

No one answered. Lin Mo swept the room with his spiritual sense—the two girls were still curled up in bed, fast asleep.

Inside the bedroom, two soft figures clung to each other in peaceful slumber.

Xie Yuling, like a kitten, had burrowed entirely into Chu Miaomiao’s embrace, her face nuzzling restlessly against the other girl’s ample chest.

Lin Mo envied the sight.

With Auntie Zheng away, Lin Mo had no reservations. In a flash, he phased through the wall soundlessly.

Thankfully, the girls were wearing pajamas. He knocked casually.

"Hey! Rise and shine. The sun’s roasting your butts."

The girls stirred groggily.

Xie Yuling only buried herself deeper into Chu Miaomiao’s bosom, while Chu Miaomiao immediately recognized Lin Mo’s voice.

"It’s Lin Mo. Get up." She patted Xie Yuling’s shoulder.

Xie Yuling refused, tightening her arms around Chu Miaomiao instead. Her voice was thick with sleep.

"Five more minutes..."

Lin Mo sighed and knocked again. "Final warning, you two lovebirds. If you don’t get up, I’m joining you in bed!"

Chu Miaomiao’s face flushed instantly, the heat spreading to her neck and the tips of her ears.

Mortified, she shook Xie Yuling harder.

"Get up! He’s serious!"

Xie Yuling finally cracked an eye open but remained defiant.

"Let him come. I doubt he’d dare—"

Before she could finish, Lin Mo pushed the door open.

Leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets, he eyed them with amusement.

Xie Yuling’s bravado evaporated under his gaze.

The next second, the world spun as she was hoisted into the air by the scruff of her pajama collar, dangling like a misbehaving cat.

Lin Mo held her inches from his face.

"Go on. Finish that sentence. What wouldn’t I dare?"

Xie Yuling folded instantly, flailing toward Chu Miaomiao for help.

"Miaomiao, save me! The villain’s here!"

Lin Mo tossed her back onto the bed, where she sprawled dramatically.

"Hurry up and change. Wasn’t it you who begged to come with me today?"

Xie Yuling lay there, limp and muttering.

"You don’t understand. Miaomiao’s embrace is paradise."

Chu Miaomiao, now hiding under the blanket with only her wide eyes peeking out, watched Lin Mo shyly.

Lin Mo shook his head at the two—one a clown, the other a blushing mess.

At least their pajamas were decent.

"Ten minutes. I’ll wait outside."

He turned to leave but paused at the door.

"If you’re late, I’ll dress you myself."

"Get out!" came the synchronized yell.

Originally, Lin Mo had planned to shop for materials alone, but the girls insisted on tagging along.

To make things easier, Lin Mo didn’t return home, and Chu Miaomiao had stayed over at Xie Yuling’s place.

After what felt like forever, the two girls finally emerged—dressed, though not extravagantly.

Chu Miaomiao wore a fitted dress with a modest neckline, while Xie Yuling sported jeans and an oversized T-shirt.

Their styles couldn’t have been more different.

"Let’s go. Where are we headed?"

"Longevity Road. If we find the right materials, I can finish Chu-jie’s gift soon."

The girls didn’t fully grasp what Lin Mo needed, but they were excited nonetheless—for them, this was just another shopping trip.