My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 39 Informing (seeking recommendation votes on Monday!)

Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Informing (seeking recommendation votes on Monday!)

The real estate agent curiously asked, "Mr. Chen, what are you doing?"

Chen Yan, while labeling the photos with numbers and areas, replied, "I’m documenting the condition, layout, and appearance of the rooms."

"Nowadays, there’s a security deposit for renting a place—when you move out, the landlord checks the condition of the apartment."

"Sometimes, they inevitably nitpick, claiming this isn’t good or there’s a problem there, and then they deduct part of the rent."

"I’m taking pictures in advance; that way, I can compare them later."

Real estate agent: ....

Uncle Liu and Yu Qiao Qiao: ....

Uncle Liu kicked Chen Yan on the butt, "What mischief have you picked up nowadays, you sly fox?"

"Might I actually deduct your deposit?"

"Like your dad wouldn’t come chasing after me to return it twofold!"

Chen Yan stumbled from the kick and chuckled, "It’s just a habit now. We’re family; it’s better to keep clear accounts."

"It’s also for my own protection. If we accidentally damage something, we’ll have to compensate you."

Uncle Liu’s forehead was veined with frustration, "Kid, like I need your money..."

After calming down, he instead laughed, "Alright, it’s better this way. Seeing you so careful, your dad and I can rest easy knowing you won’t get cheated."

"Not as hotheaded as when you were a child."

After wrapping up this final matter, they returned to the agent’s office and signed a tripartite agreement. That settled the housing issue.

Since it was between acquaintances, the terms were very favorable—rent was halved, plus only one month’s deposit for a lease of half a year, and if Chen Yan wanted to terminate the lease early, there were no penalties.

This deal made the real estate agent envious; with such terms, the property would have been rented long ago and not left vacant for so long.

Chen Yan, of course, knew Uncle Liu was looking out for him.

Both families, back in the village, were neighbors, friendly since their grandfathers’ time; even after relocation, they ended up in the same building.

His father and Uncle Liu were childhood friends, and Uncle Liu had watched him grow up, treating him almost like a son, which explained the favorable terms.

Everyone else... probably wouldn’t get the same deal...

Thinking of this and leaving the agency, a moved Chen Yan said to Uncle Liu, "Uncle, thanks for everything. Wait for the New Year; I’ll sneak you that bottle of Moutai my dad is hiding."

While texting on his phone, Uncle Liu looked up and blinked.

Then he hesitated, "I’m fed up with Moutai. I remember your dad also has a bottle of deer blood wine."

"Last year, you let me have a taste, and you were so stingy about it. Maybe you can sneak me a couple of shots?"

Chen Yan promised confidently, "Don’t worry! I know where that wine is. I’ll sneak an entire pot for you!"

Hearing this, Uncle Liu laughed, "Good. That’s settled."

Chen Yan always felt something off about Uncle Liu’s laughter but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Shaking his head to dispel the doubts, Chen Yan said, "Well, Uncle Liu, we’re heading out."

Uncle Liu nodded, "Alright, off you go."

Yu Qiao Qiao, who had been quietly following behind Chen Yan, hurriedly bowed and sweetly said, "Goodbye, uncle."

Uncle Liu’s smile broadened like a beaming Buddha; his eyes crinkling to slits, "Take care, miss. Be safe on your way."

Chen Yan: ??

Why is the treatment so different...

With a suspicious glance at Uncle Liu, Chen Yan asked, "Uncle Liu, you’re not planning to spill the beans to my dad, are you?"

Uncle Liu hurriedly waved his chubby hands, "No, no."

After saying this, his eyes widened, and he struck a Peking opera pose, "No way! Old Chen made me play the fool for an entire day yesterday!"

"I’m absolutely against him!"

"There’s no possible way I’d tattle!"

....

Half an hour later, in an ordinary teahouse.

Lao Chen suddenly stood up, "What! My boy got himself a girlfriend?"

Uncle Liu’s eyes disappeared again as he laughed, "How about that? Isn’t it worth that bottle of Moutai now?"

Lao Chen glared at Uncle Liu, "You’re not fooling me?"

Uncle Liu rolled his eyes, "Like father, like son, always so suspicious."

"What am I fooling you with?"

"It’s something you could easily find out on your own. What could I possibly lie about?"

"Why would I go out of my way to set your son up with a girl just to deceive you?"

Upon reflection, Lao Chen conceded the point.

He handed the cards back to Uncle Liu, "Fine. I need to see what’s really going on."

But before he could leave, several people dragged him back, all clamoring,

"What are you doing going there now?"

"Yeah, do you think your kid is still 12? He’s in his twenties; it’s time for him to start dating."

"Yeah, yeah. Don’t mess things up."

Lao Chen’s eyes bulged, "I still have to keep an eye on things."

Others said, "What are you keeping an eye on? It’s their free love; what’s it to you?"

Stabilized in his position, Uncle Liu chuckled, "Exactly, Lao Chen, you’re being too sensitive."

"If you ask me, the girl seems nice."

He praised, "Polite, well-mannered, composed, and pretty."

"Let me tell you, she seems like a good kid."

"Chen lad finding such a wife, I’d say it’s a blessing for your family."

Convinced by Uncle Liu’s words, Lao Chen gradually relaxed.

He shrugged off the others, sat back down, and asked, "Is she really as good as you say?"

Uncle Liu replied, "Of course. If I’m lying, may I never drink again."

Uncle Liu loved a tipple, and this was almost an oath.

He patted Lao Chen’s shoulder, "Rest easy, rest easy."

"Besides, shouldn’t you be more concerned about Chen lad starting to earn money?"

"Let me tell you, looking at the boy, he really seems prepared to strike it big."

"Not just the trivial stuff he used to dabble in."

Hearing Uncle Liu mention Chen Yan’s work, Lao Chen scoffed, almost contorting his face, "Him?"

"If he doesn’t lose money, I’ll be thankful enough."

"I’m still worried whether he’ll manage to leave behind a legacy for our Chen Family."

"Even if he wrecks those small trumpets, playing a tiny one will do."

After saying that, he waved his hand, "Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Come on, let’s play cards."

"I’ll find an excuse in a few days to check up on what that boy is actually up to."

....

Meanwhile, after having a simple meal outside with Yu Qiao Qiao and returning home, Chen Yan was unaware that he had been sold out by Uncle Liu.

He sat at his desk and opened his notebook.

Checked off the [Renting] item.

The house was taken care of, now only manpower was left.

Wondering if Zhao Ying was reliable.

Could she really recruit the right talent for him?

Chen Yan twirled his pen in his hand, lost in thought...

....

[Yu Qiao Qiao Affinity Level: 38] (Interaction: Affinity +2)

[Wealth Value: 476] (Breakfast: +23, Lunch +81, Dinner: +137)

[Assets: 973,000+] (After deducting rent and deposit)

....

The next day.

In Qin Island, in a fancy office building, Zhao Group’s branch office was busy with work.

A bald man dressed in plaid was smoking in the office.

His name was Cheng Tianxiang, a technician.

And not just any technician, but a top-notch one.

Even among the major tech companies, he would be ranked as a high-level engineer.

Contrary to popular belief, programmers come with various specialized fields and "job types."

Some focus on front-end, others on back-end, some work on server communication logic, and others on architecture.

As for him...

He excelled in gaming, and was proficient in all areas related to game programming...

————— A new week! Let’s keep fighting! I’m throwing in another 300,000 this week! It totals one million points donated now. Everyone, please lend a hand! Reward! Vote! Monthly tickets! Thanks to everyone!