I Love You
As the group bowed at a perfect ninety degrees and spoke their words of utmost respect, the entire mall's crowd of onlookers froze in shock. The air seemed to solidify into utter silence.
This melon was massive! Impossible to finish eating!
Didn't that woman just call this handsome guy a total nobody—no money, no career, couldn't even take care of his own life?
How the hell did he just drop a million bucks in the mall like it was nothing?!
So the mysterious young tycoon from the rumors... that was this tall, dashing hunk?
Holy shit! I'm speechless!
A big-shot billionaire who drops a million without blinking, slandered as a broke loser!
Me and my buddies are stunned!
These days, even "poor" guys are this loaded?
God almighty! Let me experience that "poor" life of casually blowing a million, just once!
Thrilling! Fucking thrilling.
If only there were peanuts, watermelon seeds, popcorn, iced cola—now that would be perfect.
Right on cue, a top-tier Haizhonglao hotpot spot wheeled out trays of everything. "Honored guests, whatever you desire, we've got it ready."
…
Li Shanshan and Wang Fu stood there, jaws on the floor, never imagining Lin Zimo was a hidden tycoon.
Wang Fu, who had been so smug and arrogant moments ago, went pale with terror as he stared at Lin Zimo.
He'd pegged Lin Zimo as just some average broke dick, but now? The guy was a secret baller, dropping a million on a whim.
That was life-changing money—enough to sustain Wang Fu's whole family for decades. And this dude burned through it in a day.
With everyone treating Lin Zimo like royalty, his power and wealth were obvious.
Wang Fu realized this man's resources could crush everything his family had scraped together, no sweat.
And he'd gone and pissed off a heavyweight like that.
His hands shook uncontrollably, beads of sweat prickling his forehead. He tried to steady himself, act fearless.
But when his eyes met Lin Zimo's, raw fear surged back.
Thud—Wang Fu dropped to his knees, clutching Lin Zimo's shoe in desperate plea.
"Boss Lin! I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'm scum! I shouldn't have stolen your girl—I was blind to Mount Tai! Let me kowtow and beg forgiveness!"
With that, Wang Fu slammed his forehead into the floor—bang bang bang—blood streaming down in seconds.
As proud as he'd been before, now he was that pathetic and wretched.
Lin Zimo blinked at the spectacle, yanking his foot back. "Enough. Get lost."
Wang Fu scrambled up, groveling. "Thank you, Boss, for your mercy! I'm gone!"
He bolted without a backward glance, limping away, not even sparing Li Shanshan.
She didn't care. Her eyes locked on Lin Zimo, a mix of thrill and confusion swirling inside.
Lin Zimo—a secret billionaire! Still hung up on her. If she turned back now, she'd be living large, feasting on luxury!
But wasn't he some rural orphan? When did he strike it rich—before or after the breakup?
A cool million, tossed like pocket change! She'd never seen that much cash in her life!
How blind was she? Ditching a devoted rich catch like Lin Zimo for Wang Fu's limp-dick trash.
Luckily, Lin Zimo was a softie. If she played pitiful, blamed it all on Wang Fu's manipulation, threw in some coquettish tears...
Yeah, he'd forgive her. She was his first love, after all.
Once they patched up, with his habit of blowing ninety out of every hundred bucks on her, she'd live like a sugar queen.
Emboldened, Li Shanshan gazed at him, voice dripping honey. "Zimo~ I actually love you. Everything before... Wang Fu forced me. Wuwuwu."
Lin Zimo: "…"
I'm loaded, sure. But not a fucking idiot.
Right then—
Shi Luoyin finally emerged from the bathroom, her stomach settled after that iced drink debacle.
She clocked Li Shanshan's green-tea bitch act instantly, plus the crowd's chatter filling in the blanks.
Fury ignited. She charged over, planting herself in front of Lin Zimo like a fierce little lion. "You shameless slut! You two are done—stop harassing my boyfriend, or I'll call the cops!"
Li Shanshan eyed the sudden girl—porcelain skin, killer curves—and seethed with envy.
Still, she turned doe-eyed to Lin Zimo, maxing her tea skills. "Zimo, I just love you too much. Wanted to talk... no harassment intended…"
But Lin Zimo wasn't buying it. His gaze softened on the cute girl shielding him, voice tender. "Luoyin, let's go. Aren't you starving? I'll take you to eat." He reached out, ruffling her silky hair.
Shi Luoyin melted under his touch, anger ebbing. Her eyes brimmed with heartache for him.
She didn't want him seeing her savage side, so she nodded sweetly, following along. But her sidelong glare at Li Shanshan? Pure ice.
This woman who'd hurt Lin Zimo? No way she'd let her near him again. She had ways to make her vanish.
Li Shanshan watched Lin Zimo's unyielding back as he left, regret twisting her guts green.
The masked girl seemed scary, sure. But she wouldn't quit easy…
Lin Zimo caught Shi Luoyin's chill vibe but played it cool. Seeing his sweet kitten turn tigress to defend him?
He loved it. A girl worldly yet pure, self-deprecating without dragging others down—that was rare treasure.
…
Evening fell, night creeping in, city lights twinkling to life.
In the bustling heart of the city stood a restaurant hailed as the "pinnacle of cuisine."
Perched atop a skyscraper, it gleamed like a jewel in the urban crown.
Lin Zimo and Shi Luoyin stepped into the opulent space, escorted by pristine staff to a private booth. Romance and elegance enveloped them at once.
Faint perfume scented the air, classical strains weaving a dreamy haze through the room.
In the intimate booth, they slipped off their masks.
Suddenly, Shi Luoyin grinned mysteriously, sliding a box across the table to Lin Zimo.