CHAPTER 63: CHAPTER 63: ARE YOU BUYING A CAR ALREADY?

Li Jing had just returned to the hotel courtyard when he heard a piercing honking sound in his ears.

He stopped in his tracks, frowned, and turned to see a BMW X5 speeding past him, showing no intention of yielding to pedestrians.

Through the open car window, Li Jing noticed that the driver was a young man in a flamboyant floral shirt, smoking a cigarette and honking continuously as he drove.

Even Li Jing, who was in a fairly good mood, couldn’t help but frown with some displeasure.

Just as the BMW was about to turn into the hotel parking lot, it suddenly stopped and then reversed to give way, surprising Li Jing, who was planning to head back to the hotel.

Soon after, a Porsche Panamera slowly drove out of the turn, and although Li Jing couldn’t see the expression of the young man in the BMW, he could guess that the guy’s high-handedness during honking had probably faded.

Watching this, Li Jing thought about the hassle of calling for rides these past few days and pondered: Perhaps I should buy a car; it would be more convenient, and I’d be in a better mood when dealing with idiots like this.

Thinking this way, Li Jing had just returned to the hotel lobby and was surprised to find Huang Jun chatting with a rather pretty woman.

The woman’s makeup was delicate but understated, she had wavy long hair, and wore a tailored professional suit. The simple and neat cut outlined a decent figure, completed with a standard pencil skirt and black stockings.

Li Jing noticed Huang Jun, and in the corner of his eye, Huang Jun also saw Li Jing at the entrance looking calm and relaxed.

"Jingzi?!"

Huang Jun’s expression showed a hint of joy as he immediately brought the woman over to introduce her: "Manager Zhang, this is my buddy Li Jing. I can’t afford the high-end suite; he covered all the expenses."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ling looked at Li Jing, slightly surprised, then warmly extended her hand: "Hello President Li, I’m Huang Coach’s friend Zhang Ling. I happened to bump into him at this hotel, so we had a little chat."

After speaking, she proceeded to take out a business card and hand it to him.

And Huang Jun also introduced: "Jingzi, this is Manager Zhang from Celestial Sea City; she’s a member at our fitness club. She came to Linshui for business today and coincidentally stayed at this hotel, so we chatted briefly."

"I’m just looking for a place to stay, unlike President Li and Coach Huang who have high-end suites; the standard is far beyond mine."

Once Huang Jun finished speaking, Zhang Ling laughed and responded, her tone instinctively flattering, clearly a habit developed from long-term customer service.

After Li Jing finished reading the business card information, he raised his eyebrows slightly: "Huacheng Real Estate Manager?"

"Yes, President Li, I work at Huacheng Real Estate. Are you perhaps planning to buy a property in Celestial Sea City soon? Our developments are all luxury residential areas; you should come by sometime."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing nodded: "In the next while, I do indeed plan to buy a property."

Zhang Ling’s eyes lit up, her gaze quickly sweeping over the logo on Li Jing’s clothes, feeling a hint of excitement inside, and then enthusiastically said: "That’s great! If you have any needs, please feel free to contact me; I can show you our properties anytime."

"Mm, let’s discuss viewing the properties after returning to Celestial Sea City."

Zhang Ling noticed that Li Jing didn’t want to talk about properties now, but wasn’t disappointed; she had already considered him a potential high-quality client, and she actively shifted the topic: "I heard from Coach Huang that President Li had successful business talks with major companies here recently—truly impressive."

Upon hearing this, Li Jing estimated that it was Huang Jun bragging, but he didn’t expose it, calmly saying: "Mm, things here are mostly wrapped up now."

Seeing that Li Jing didn’t deny her probe, Zhang Ling’s attitude towards Li Jing became noticeably warmer, and in the ensuing conversation, her words carried hidden praise for Li Jing, keeping her eyes on him the whole time.

Li Jing had also met quite a few women during this period, and within just a few phrases, he could discern her personality; compared to the simple Zhou Li, Zhang Ling was evidently much more sensitive to a man’s financial status.

"Coach Huang, since President Li has just finished a busy schedule outside, why not invite him to the lounge for a chat?"

Zhang Ling’s red lips kept a smile, gesturing towards the lounge area by the side of the lobby, and said to Li Jing: "I’m just hanging around; I wonder if President Li would mind me joining you two?"

Li Jing naturally understood her intention to get closer to him and didn’t refuse, smiling faintly: "Of course, I wouldn’t mind; having a lady’s company will make my rest less boring."

Seeing Li Jing not rejecting her, a glimmer of joy flashed in Zhang Ling’s eyes, and she immediately moved half a step closer to him, increasing the distance from Huang Jun: "President Li must be kidding. Seeing how young and capable President Li is, I also wish to learn more from you."

Watching Zhang Ling swaying her hips towards the lounge area, Huang Jun’s expression turned quirky, and then he secretly grabbed Li Jing, frowned, and whispered, "Strange, I didn’t find Manager Zhang this enthusiastic when I interacted with her before. Why is she like a different person today?"

Li Jing glanced at him and deliberately teased, "Perhaps she has a crush on me?"

"How could that be? You’re too confident. In terms of financial strength, I might not match you, but when it comes to demeanor and looks—it’s not that I’m vain, but I think I can compare..."

While saying this, Huang Jun suddenly paused, finally understanding, his eyes widening as he looked at Li Jing: "She likes you because..."

"Bro."

Li Jing patted his shoulder, encouraging with a smile: "Work hard and make money."

Watching Li Jing and Zhang Ling walk towards the lounge together, Huang Jun widened his eyes:

What the heck?

Just within a few minutes, Manager Zhang noticed Jingzi was wealthy?

These women are like bloodhounds, able to scent the fragrance of money on men, right?

...

Lounge.

Already understanding, Huang Jun watched Li Jing and Zhang Ling chat, increasingly sensing the obvious difference in treatment.

For instance, Zhang Ling addressed Li Jing as "you" formally, while to himself it was always the informal "you."

As for the tone of attitude, the differences are even more obvious.

Anyone who didn’t know would think that Huang Jun and Zhang Ling were meeting for the first time, while Li Jing was Zhang Ling’s longtime confidant.

Watching from the side, he felt increasingly displeased and realized more and more the importance of money for men.

Damn, I used to think that making more money just meant enjoying better treatment; now I know that the life experience of the rich and the poor is a world apart.

The rich don’t even have to spend money, yet their experiences in various aspects are far more comfortable than those of the poor.

For instance, Zhang Ling’s attitude towards the two men is one of the hidden advantages of the rich.

"President Li, your humor is just too much, I haven’t laughed like this in a long time, hahaha."

Upon hearing Zhang Ling’s exaggerated compliment, Huang Jun rolled his eyes:

Damn, what did Jingzi say that made you laugh like you haven’t in a long time?

Manager Zhang, where was your cool demeanor when you were in front of me? And your airs? Where did they all go?

"President Li, your knowledge is truly profound, no wonder you’re so excellent. You recognized at a glance that the floor of this hall is made of marble. It seems I’ve got a lot to learn from you, and I’ll have to chat with you more often; I’ve really gained a lot."

Huang Jun: "?????"

What the heck? This damn floor is made of marble, isn’t it obvious to anyone?

This is considered profound knowledge? That’s excellent?

With my nine-year compulsory education, shouldn’t I be able to shock you directly?

Listening to Zhang Ling’s continuous praise of Li Jing, Huang Jun felt increasingly displeased, especially since he was the one who introduced the two earlier, yet within minutes, he was kicked out of the conversation.

Unable to hold back any longer, he boldly interrupted with a loud voice: "Jingzi, where’s Zhou Li? Did she leave?"

Though in Huang Jun’s eyes Li Jing and Zhang Ling were conversing enthusiastically, Li Jing was mostly just saying a few simple things, with Zhang Ling picking up the conversation and subtly praising.

However, chatting with a woman who is attractive and knows how to flatter men, Li Jing didn’t mind, it could completely be regarded as a distraction with emotional value.

Upon hearing Huang Jun’s words, Li Jing didn’t ignore his friend and turned to respond: "She took a ride-hailing to go work overtime; it’s Monday tomorrow, so I guess she won’t have time to meet us."

"She just left like that?"

Huang Jun was surprised, thinking the two of them would have some kind of story, and said: "You didn’t accompany her to the office, just sent her off with a car?"

"What else could I do? I don’t have a car."

Li Jing shrugged: "Am I supposed to accompany her using ride-hailing to her office?"

Upon hearing there was no car, Zhang Ling’s expression changed slightly.

And Huang Jun said: "I suppose, but not having a car is indeed troublesome, why don’t you buy one when you have time?"

"I have time now."

Li Jing happened to have this plan, so he said: "I just don’t know what brands of car dealers are around."

"I know that."

Zhang Ling timely interrupted, her mind agile, glancing at Li Jing, then casually said: "I’ve seen Volkswagen, BMW, Audi nearby... I think there’s even a Maserati store..."

"Maserati?"

Li Jing raised an eyebrow, though he wasn’t familiar with luxury cars, as a man, everyone wants a flashy sports car, so he said: "That seems nice, why not go check it out."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Ling’s eyes; initially, she just mentioned Maserati on purpose, not expecting him to agree so readily.

She wondered whether he was genuinely audacious or just trying to keep up appearances, and subconsciously felt a few more layers of curiosity.

If Li Jing truly has the power to buy a sports car casually, she’d have more confidence in persuading him to buy a house.

Lately, the overall environment hasn’t been well, and Zhang Ling’s performance pressure has been almost unbearable. If she could secure a big deal this month, she could live comfortably for quite a while.

As Huang Jun watched Li Jing preparing to leave, he asked bewildered: "Are you really going to buy a car? Just say the word and go?"

Li Jing looked at him puzzled: "What else? Do you need to prepare anything before buying a car?"

"I..."

Huang Jun hesitated, finding himself unable to refute.

Seeing Li Jing already starting to confirm the Maserati store’s address with Zhang Ling, Huang Jun was still somewhat in disbelief.

Buying a car is really that easy?

Did you take what I said so seriously?

Is this truly the gap between having and not having money?