Financial Independence through Cracked Apps

Chapter 342 - 186: Sugar-Coated Cannonball

A child doesn’t understand car brands or models. She just knew she’d gotten a big toy that could shelter her from the wind and rain.

This way, they could go out and have fun on the weekends!

"Thank you, Brother Lin Shen!"

Lin Ping didn’t even have to prompt her. Anan, ever so sensible, ran to Lin Shen’s side, hugged his leg, and thanked him gratefully.

"Brother Lin Shen, I like you so much!"

"Don’t be in such a hurry to like me."

Lin Shen ruffled Anan’s hair and gave her a mysterious smile.

"There’s something else coming that you’ll like even more."

"What is it!?"

Anan tilted her cute little face up, her eyes filled with anticipation.

But Lin Shen decided to keep her in suspense.

"You’ll find out later. Let’s go, time for dinner."

"Yay! We’re riding in the new car!"

Anan excitedly hopped into the passenger seat, her eyes darting everywhere as if she couldn’t get enough of it. A smile was plastered on her face, never once fading.

This filled Lin Ping, who was driving, with a sense of unparalleled happiness and sweetness.

Not long ago, she had been a woman suffering through a miserable marriage, barely able to even get by.

But now, under Lin Shen’s care, not only had he given Anan a good and stable environment to grow up in, but she herself was also flourishing under his affection, experiencing the joy of being a woman.

’What more could I ask for?’

Before, Lin Ping might have felt awkward about her status as a mistress, but now, she had completely come to terms with it.

’Who cares what our relationship is called? Being with the right person is what matters most!’

—

「7:00 PM.」

After dinner, Lin Shen led the group to Anxi Garden.

The sunset was fading, bathing the entire residential complex in a warm, orange glow.

The branches of an old locust tree stretched out, casting mottled spots of light and shadow.

Elderly residents on their evening strolls would pass by from time to time, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

"Brother Lin Shen, why did you bring me here?"

Anan couldn’t help but ask curiously, and Lin Shen revealed the answer directly.

"Anan, would you like a new home?"

’A new home?’

Hearing Lin Shen’s words, Lin Ping’s beautiful eyes blinked. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart began to race.

’Wait!’

’Don’t tell me President Lin bought me an apartment too?’

’Impossible!’

She could accept a car worth over a hundred thousand yuan.

But an apartment worth several million? She absolutely could not accept that!

’This gift is far too extravagant!’

Lin Ping quickly pressed a hand to her chest to calm herself, her mind suddenly flashing back to her conversation with Lin Shen that night.

’He said he would help me rent an apartment... Could it be that he’s already found one?’

"I do!"

Anan’s excited shout broke Lin Ping out of her thoughts.

"I want to live in a big house!"

"Then I might have to disappoint you."

Lin Shen smiled and took Anan’s hand.

"The apartment I rented for you isn’t that big, only about sixty-something square meters."

"That’s more than enough!"

At that, Lin Ping began to lecture Anan earnestly.

"Anan, it would be too wasteful for just the two of us to live in a big house. Sixty square meters is already wonderful, and Brother Lin Shen rented it for you for free. Aren’t you going to thank him?"

"Of course I know that! Thank you, Brother Lin Shen!"

Anan was very perceptive. She knew her mom had misunderstood her, so she gripped Lin Shen’s hand tightly and explained.

"I don’t need a big house. I just want Brother Lin Shen and Mom to be together forever!"

"We will be."

Lin Shen’s promise made Anan jump for joy and also deeply moved Lin Ping.

She didn’t know how to describe her feelings at that moment.

Along with her happiness, she also felt unworthy.

Lin Ping felt that she didn’t deserve Lin Shen’s kindness.

She was just an ordinary, divorced young mother. How could she compare to a handsome, young, second-generation heir worth hundreds of millions?

’I’m not even worthy of being his mistress!’

It wasn’t that Lin Ping had low self-esteem; she genuinely felt the gap in their statuses was too wide.

That was why she was working so hard to learn how to run the Cat Cafe and diligently handling every task Lin Shen gave her.

She wanted to help ease his burdens through the small details of life.

’But... is that really enough?’

As Lin Ping pondered this silently, she followed Lin Shen to apartment 1203 in Building 5.

The interior was simply and comfortably decorated, fully furnished with everything they might need.

It was countless times better than the old, dilapidated, forty-square-meter apartment Lin Ping currently lived in.

At least she wouldn’t have to worry about running out of hot water in the shower or cockroaches crawling all over the floor anymore.

"What do you think?"

Lin Shen asked for Lin Ping’s opinion. She nodded frantically, her beautiful eyes covered by a shimmering layer of mist.

"It’s wonderful... Honey, thank you."

In front of Anan, Lin Ping threw herself into Lin Shen’s arms.

Previously, out of shyness and reserve, she would never do such a thing in front of her daughter.

But now, when her overwhelming emotions were beyond words, only an action like this could express the profound gratitude she felt for Lin Shen.

"Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I... I’m just so moved."

Hearing the sob in Lin Ping’s voice, Lin Shen gently stroked her back to comfort her.

"You’re welcome. You deserve it. After all, you’ve been working hard helping me watch the cafe."

"Whoa! Mommy’s actually hugging Brother Lin Shen!"

Anan clapped excitedly from the side, which made Lin Ping blush. She quickly pulled away from Lin Shen, wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, and gave a gentle smile.

"Anan, what do you think about living here from now on?"

"It’s amazing!"

Anan plopped down on the sofa and immediately started rolling around, enjoying its softness and comfort.

Seeing this, a faint smile unconsciously graced Lin Ping’s lips.

’This feeling of happiness... it’s wonderful!’

"Here, the keys."

Lin Shen took the keys out of his pocket and handed them to Lin Ping, adding some instructions.

"I’ve contacted a moving company. I’ll send you their contact info. You can move in whenever you want; it’s ready immediately."

"Also, I’ve secured a space for a dog cafe in the community commercial area by the entrance. Once it’s renovated, you can help me look after it."

Lin Shen teased with a smile.

"You’re not afraid of dogs, are you?"

"I’m not."

Lin Ping took the keys and put them away carefully.

"Just let me know if there’s anything you need. I’ll do it."

"I might have to leave Modu for a bit before the store’s soft opening. I’ll make arrangements for you if anything comes up then."

’Leaving Modu?’

Lin Ping’s heart skipped a beat, and a profound sense of loneliness suddenly washed over her.

After a moment of hesitation and internal conflict, she bit her lip, leaned in, and whispered shyly in Lin Shen’s ear.

"In that case, President Lin... why don’t you come over to my place tonight?"

"No need."

When Anan wasn’t looking, Lin Shen gently caressed Lin Ping’s perky rear, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Later, you can make an excuse. Come to my place tonight, and I’ll bring you back afterward."

"Alright~"

Lin Ping gave a seductive smile, her eyes full of allure, and proactively swayed her hips closer to Lin Shen’s hand.

This made him pause for a moment, surprised.

"Anan, let’s go home. It’s getting late."

Invited to his home for the first time, Lin Ping was bursting with anticipation. She immediately picked up Anan, thinking only of getting home and putting her to sleep as quickly as possible.

’That way, she could do whatever she wanted with Lin Shen!’

Seeing how eager Lin Ping was, Lin Shen couldn’t help but smirk. ’The toys I bought can finally be put to use.’

’Renting an apartment and buying a car... who could resist such a one-two punch of sugar-coated gifts?’

’Besides, his progress with Lin Ping was already the furthest along of all the women.’

That’s why Lin Shen planned to take her home, to make up for the unsatisfying night with the little girl and properly "enjoy" this beautiful young aunt of his.

After the group went downstairs, they first drove back to Lin Ping’s home.

Perhaps because she got to ride in the new car, Anan was especially hyper tonight.

No matter how Lin Ping tried to soothe her, reading one bedtime story after another, she just stared with her big, round eyes wide open.

In the end, Lin Shen had to step in. Using his acquired probability theory skills, he began explaining various advanced math problems.

Soon enough, Anan was yawning from boredom, and a wave of drowsiness washed over her.

Seeing this, Lin Ping gave a special instruction before leaving the room:

"Mommy is going out for a bit tonight and might be back late. If you wake up in the night to use the bathroom, just go back to sleep by yourself."

"Mommy, where are you going?"

Anan’s curious question made Lin Ping’s heart skip a beat. She quickly averted her gaze and explained,

"Mommy’s just going to see Brother Lin Shen off."

"Okay!"

Once Anan was finally asleep, Lin Ping could no longer contain her inner excitement. She pounced into Lin Shen’s arms and purred,

"Honey, let’s hurry to your place~"

"Can’t wait already?"

Lin Shen teased with a smile, but tonight’s Lin Ping showed no shyness or reserve. Instead, she nodded, her eyes silky with seduction.

"Mhm, I want to serve you well, Honey."

"Are you serving me, or am I serving you?"

Lin Shen’s teasing made Lin Ping’s pretty face flush slightly. She then whispered,

"I’m going to get something."

Lin Ping went to the bedroom and returned with two new pairs of stockings and an unopened plastic bag that seemed to contain an article of clothing.

This made Lin Shen raise an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curving into an ambiguous smile.

"What did you get?"

"You’ll find out later, Honey!"