Ask Without Greed, Auntie Qimeng's Room

Lin Yu never expected in his wildest dreams.

That a small piece of jade bi.

Could hold such profound significance for the two Shen Family girls standing before him.

System, oh system.

You’ve really handed me a treasure.

Yet conveniently left out the instruction manual!

Otherwise, right now.

Wouldn’t this be the perfect moment for the classic line: "Ladies, surely you wouldn’t want this jade to fall into the hands of the other half of the Shen Family?"

Instead, he’s stuck playing the role of a mere seller, interacting with Shen Buyao and Shen Jiuyi.

To them, he’s just a glorified "errand boy"!

Shen Jiuyi hadn’t even finished speaking.

After all that buildup about identities, she finally cut to the chase:

"Lin Yu, I don’t buy that you’re just an ordinary college student, like Buyao claims."

"Someone who casually produces priceless antiques."

"Who just happens to deliver them to us—two members of the Shen Family."

"Who just happens to help us in such a critical way."

"So, tell me now—what do you really want?"

Shen Buyao added with a hint of menace:

"Hey, college boy, lying might work on me, but not on her."

"Don’t let this big cow’s usual airheadedness fool you—she’s a total klutz in our line of work."

"But her IQ? A solid 145."

"Get what that means?"

"You can’t trick her!"

"Just spit it out—what do you want? You, or whoever’s behind you."

Lin Yu’s inner thoughts:

Heh, IQ 145? How terrifying.

With all that brainpower, she’s just overcomplicating things.

What’s the point of being ridiculously smart?

Can she outsmart someone with a system?

What does he want?

Money, obviously—what else?

As for anything beyond that…

Well, he’s only just started considering it.

But if he just says "I want money,"

These two self-proclaimed geniuses would never let it slide.

Lin Yu glanced at Shen Buyao.

If he said he wanted "a night with the antique beauty"…

He’d probably get cursed out and kicked to the curb.

Shen Jiuyi, sharp as ever, calmly interjected:

"Buyao, he’s looking at you… so, is it you he wants?"

Shen Buyao’s face cycled through a dozen expressions in seconds. She yanked off her crescent-moon hairclip:

"College boy, what the hell are you scheming…"

"Damn it! You bring this here, thinking you can lick my toenails?!"

Lin Yu: "…"

What could’ve been a romantic notion.

Was instantly neutered by Shen Buyao’s phrasing.

Clearly, this wasn’t the time for bold advances.

And racking his brain further wouldn’t yield anything productive.

Lin Yu opted for a theatrically solemn tone, raising one finger:

"Buyao-jie, it’s not as complicated as you think."

"I need money. You want to take charge of the family. We’re roommates—why not help you out?"

"Just pay me what these jades are worth, not a penny less."

"As for the Hibiscus Plate auction, I want every cent it fetches."

"How you negotiate with Sister Hong is your business."

Shen Buyao agreed without hesitation:

"Deal. Consider the commission covered—I can handle it."

"If these two pieces hit the auction house, each could go for 20 million. Forty total…"

"Give this big cow some time, and she’ll scrape it together."

"If I’m lowballing, or someone outbids me,"

"You’re free to sell elsewhere while she scrambles for cash."

Watching Shen Buyao’s confidence, Lin Yu nodded… then raised a second finger:

"Once you reclaim the entire Shen Family, you’ll fully support any future antiques I bring to market."

Shen Buyao, expecting worse, shrugged:

"Only idiots turn down profit. You got it!"

Just as she thought negotiations were over—

Lin Yu raised a third finger.

Shen Buyao: "Another demand? College kid, why not say it all at once?!"

Lin Yu grinned:

"Lastly, if I ever need… social leverage,"

"I want you and Jiuyi-jie to back me up—"

"Three times."

"Yeah, three’s fair. Any more would be pushing it."

Shen Buyao: "???"

Shen Jiuyi: "Clever. So three additional wishes…"

Shen Buyao’s face morphed through another rapidfire sequence:

"Damn, are you Zhang Wuji? Three promises?"

"What if you demand I drop my pants?!"

"I’d just have to bend over obediently?!"

Lin Yu: "…"

With that angelic face of hers, she could casually unleash verbal nukes on guys.

It’s not like he’d considered asking for anything besides money.

They were the ones making it complicated.

Coming up with this answer on the spot was impressive enough!

Truthfully,

Lin Yu knew demands like "a cut of your family’s profits, shares, properties…"

Would’ve been accepted too, if reasonable.

But that path would’ve dragged his life into needless complexity.

With tens of millions in hand…

In a short time, it would be enough for him and Aunt Qimeng to live comfortably for many years. With the system by his side, would he ever have to worry about money again? Might as well ask for something more abstract instead.

At this moment.

Lin Yu could deeply empathize with Zhao Min, who never had to fret over finances.

Even after being scolded by the antique-loving older sister.

Lin Yu still maintained perfect composure as he said:

"Yaoyao-jie, what you're suggesting is illegal in our country."

"Three small favors—none of them will break the law or go against morality."

"Kinda feels like something out of 'Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber,' huh?"

Shen Jiuyi, who had stayed quiet most of the time,

stepped forward now and agreed:

"Fine, give me two days. I’ll prepare the full four million."

"We accept all your conditions."

Shen Buyao: "Who gave you permission to agree for me? Throwing me under the bus? Not your problem, is it?"

Shen Jiuyi: "I doubt a college student would be interested in an older woman."

Shen Buyao: "Screw you, you damn cow! Who the hell are you calling old?!"

Shen Jiuyi: "I’m twenty-two."

Shen Buyao: "Go to hell! What if he’s into my type?"

Shen Jiuyi: "I don’t have a younger sister—just an older one."

Shen Buyao: "..."

Lin Yu: "..."

...

11:30 PM.

Inside the Joyous Sect Apartments.

Lin Yu hurried back from the "Ghost Market Dungeon."

This late-night excursion

involved deals worth tens of millions—

it really felt like stepping out of a fantastical dungeon.

Only upon returning to the apartment did reality seem ordinary again.

He had agreed with the two Shen women to meet again in two nights for the transaction, giving them forty-eight hours to gather the money.

The auction for the Haitang Plate was also scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Before returning,

Sister Hong had specially invited him to the VIP lounge to observe the atmosphere at the Guixing Auction House.

She even assured Lin Yu

that when his treasure made its debut in two days, the scene would be twice as grand.

Grand or not, it didn’t matter.

Getting the money was what counted.

When he reached the third floor,

the moment Lin Yu stepped onto the landing,

Aunt Qimeng’s door—still lit—swung open swiftly:

"Xiao Yu, you’re back."

Lin Yu was surprised.

At this hour, Aunt Qimeng should have been asleep, given her usual routine.

And yet,

opening the door right as he arrived—

this couldn’t be a coincidence.

Had Aunt Qimeng been waiting for him?

"Just got in. Stayed out a bit late."

"Aunt Qimeng, you’re still up?"

"Were you… waiting for me?"

Chen Qimeng’s hand, resting on the doorframe, withdrew nervously:

"Not exactly, not really waiting. Just couldn’t sleep."

"I bought you a pair of shoes. Want to come in and try them?"

"If the size is wrong, I can exchange them tomorrow."

"And if… you don’t like them, I’ll pick another style."

Buying him shoes, clothes, daily necessities…

These were all things Aunt Qimeng often did.

But.

Aunt Qimeng’s room…

Lin Yu couldn’t even remember the last time he’d stepped inside!

Coincidentally,

he also had something new he wanted to try…

[Forbidden Zone Exploration Talisman]!