novelraw Chapter 109: It Seems It’s Time to Buy a Car?
Chapter 109: It Seems It’s Time to Buy a Car?
"Hey, you’re asking *me* where you should stay? You’re a princess! Can’t you just get a suite at a five-star hotel?" ’Whatever I’m thinking, I just say. It’s a bad habit.’ "Uh, the best hotel in Yunzhong City is the Yunzhong Grand Hotel. It might not meet your standards, but there aren’t any other options in Yunzhong City. I’ll have Sun Qian take you there in a cab," Shen Yibin blurted out.
"But Boss, my salary is only two thousand yuan," Princess Sylvie said, putting on a pitiful expression. After spending the afternoon shopping for groceries with Shen Yibin and Hah’Er, then going to karaoke, she now had a basic understanding of the purchasing power of two thousand yuan. It seemed that amount of money was only enough for one night in a luxury hotel, and probably in their worst room, definitely not a deluxe suite.
Pfft. Shen Yibin almost coughed up a lung. ’As if you actually rely on that salary to live! Do you have to tease us members of the lower class like this?’
"I’m just saying, you’re a princess! You can definitely afford it, right? If you don’t want to stay alone, I’ll have Sun Qian keep you company," Shen Yibin said helplessly.
"Can Hah’Er come with us?" Sylvie asked, her eyes darting around. If that were possible, she wouldn’t mind dipping into her personal funds.
"Of course... not. Hah’Er has trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds. He wouldn’t get a good night’s rest in a strange place." During their time at the Sichuan Giant Panda Base, aside from the few days when he was so exhausted he passed out immediately, Hah’Er had always tossed and turned for a long time before falling asleep.
"Then I’ll just stay here," Sylvie said with disappointment.
Ahem... Shen Yibin was taken aback again. ’You’re a princess, for crying out loud! Can’t you be a little more reserved? How long have we known each other, and you’re already trying to stay over at my place? If word got out, I’m afraid your father would skin me alive.’
"There are only two bedrooms upstairs, and they’re both full. There’s really no space," Shen Yibin said with a shrug.
"I can stay with Sun. I saw her bed is huge; there’s more than enough room for both of us." After a pause, Sylvie added, "Yes, we could even fit Hah’Er’s bed in there."
’My bed is even bigger, how about you come squeeze in with me? We wouldn’t even have to move Hah’Er’s bed! Why can’t you take a hint?’
"Let the princess rest in my room," Sun Qian stepped in to mediate. Sylvie had made a good impression on her that day. "I just so happen to have a few questions about Sokovian folk songs that I wanted to ask Her Highness."
"Alright then. But there’s no need to move Hah’Er. Sun just got off the night shift and she’s tired. You should let her get some rest," Shen Yibin relented. What else could he say when she had already agreed?
After washing up, he turned off the lights and went to bed. The soundproofing in his room was mediocre at best. Shen Yibin could faintly hear voices from the next room, interspersed with some suggestive, charming sounds that kept him tossing and turning. He barely slept a wink all night. The next day, when he reopened the shop, he couldn’t stop yawning.
"You two watch the store. I’m heading out for a bit. Sort out your own lunch. I’ll be back to cook dinner tonight," Shen Yibin said before leaving with Hah’Er and a gift for Bai Yanni. It was Bai Yanni’s day off, and he had made plans with Officer Bai to go for a drive in the countryside.
’I should probably buy a car. It’s getting embarrassing to keep borrowing other people’s,’ Shen Yibin mused as he drove the car he had borrowed from Xu Ye. Business at the store was getting better and better, and he had saved up a little money. It seemed like the right time to consider buying a car, but what kind should he get?
"Well, well. You’ve got a female singer living at your shop, and now you’ve reeled in a princess. Bin, I never would have guessed. You look like such an honest guy, but you’re quite the player deep down, aren’t you?" He picked up Bai Yanni at their usual spot. This time, however, she didn’t get in the front passenger seat. Instead, she went to the back, hugged Hah’Er, and laid on the sarcasm thick.
"Hey, you think I wanted this?" Shen Yibin was telling the truth. Sun Qian was the only person he’d found after a long search who was qualified to purchase Cheeky. Since she didn’t have enough money, what choice did he have but to pay the difference and have her work at the store? As for Sylvie, she had practically forced herself on him! And she had come to Yunzhong City for Hah’Er, not for him.
"Playing innocent after getting so lucky," Bai Yanni grumbled, ruffling Hah’Er’s fur. "Hah’Er, don’t you learn from Bin’s bad habits. When you get a girlfriend in the future, you have to be faithful."
’Are you kidding me? This little guy went to the Sichuan Giant Panda Base and got his name changed to Ha Hao. He won over nine ladies in three days, and you’re telling him not to be like *me*? I wish I could be more like *him*!’ Shen Yibin was on the verge of tears. What was wrong with this world? An honest guy like him was being mistaken for a player, while a true, heartless stud who loved them and left them was being seen as some innocent boy. Was there any justice? Was there any law?
"By the way, Officer Bai, are you free tomorrow? I’m thinking of buying a car. Could you help me pick one out?" Shen Yibin had to change the subject. The things that Ha Hao... oh no, I mean Hah’Er... had done at the Giant Panda Base were too embarrassing to talk about.
"I have a mission tomorrow. A case just came in about a cheating husband. His wife drugged him last night while he was asleep and cut off his ding-ding." As she said this, Bai Yanni shot a cold glare at Shen Yibin, making a certain area between his legs go numb.
"Never mind then. I’ll find someone else. Hah’Er, hand that bag to Officer Bai." As Hah’Er rustled out the gift bag, Shen Yibin explained, "It’s just a little something from Sichuan. I don’t know if you’ll like it."
"Oh, how thoughtful of you. You bought this just for me?" Bai Yanni took the bag happily, a sweet feeling bubbling up inside her.
"Not really. I brought one back for you, Sun Qian, Qiao Wenqi, and everyone." ’Huh? That doesn’t seem like the right answer...’
In the back seat, Bai Yanni’s smile vanished. Hah’Er pointedly turned his head to look out the window. Sigh. Looks like you’re destined to be alone forever.
The incident left Bai Yanni in a terrible mood, so they didn’t stay out long before heading back to the city. Shen Yibin returned the car to Xu Ye, then took a cab back to his shop. Even then, he still couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong. ’I was just being honest the whole time, so why did she suddenly get upset?’
Well, so much for getting Bai Yanni’s help with the car. Xu Ye was busy lately, and Qiao Wenqi and Mo Xiaomo didn’t know anything about cars. Who on earth could he ask for help?
As he was puzzling over it, Sylvie leaned over his shoulder from behind and glanced at his tablet screen. "You’re buying a car? Do you need some advice?"
’Huh? That’s right! Given Sylvie’s status, she must have gone through a lot of cars, right? She’s definitely an old pro. Maybe Her Royal Highness can actually help me?’