Ye Chen deposited 1.18 million into his card; together with the system's 60 k reward and Xia Yingluo's 9 k, the total now stood at 1,249,000.
In ten days, that sum would increase by a factor of 1.5.
After the transfer, Ye Chen returned the phone to Li Sitong.
"I've temporarily moved the money to my card; I'll buy the stocks as soon as the market opens tomorrow, and we'll see the dividend next week."
Li Sitong asked curiously, "Ye Chen, how much did you invest for me?"
Ye Chen raised a single finger.
He actually meant one million; Li Sitong simply nodded.
"Oh, 100,000?"
"That's not a huge amount—can we really make money next week?"
Seeing that single finger, Li Sitong didn't think twice.
What she cared about was when the profit would come so she could show off to her dad.
Ye Chen said a little awkwardly, "It's more than 100,000—much more—but don't worry, I guarantee I'll make you a lot of money next week."
Li Sitong beamed. "Really? That's wonderful!"
Ye Chen said confidently, "Yep. We'll buy at market open tomorrow, and you'll see the gains by close."
"If we profit, I'll treat you to a feast."
Because he'd said "more than 100,000," Li Sitong assumed it was a bit over that and didn't dwell on it.
To her, "a bit more than 100,000" and "100,000" were practically the same.
With that, Li Sitong reached for the bill.
Ye Chen quickly stopped her. "Let me treat you."
He knew her account balance had dwindled to just a few yuan.
It would be mortifying if the payment failed.
"Quite generous today—alright, thanks!" Li Sitong said with a grin.
Ye Chen had been about to say more when Li Sitong answered a call and hurried off in a whirlwind.
Throughout, she never once checked her bank balance.
Ye Chen turned to Xia Yingluo. "Let me take you somewhere."
"Where?" Xia Yingluo asked in puzzlement.
"It's a secret—just follow me."
They cycled to a bustling Commercial Street.
"Ye Chen, what are we doing here?"
"How about a date?" Ye Chen teased.
A date?
The word alone turned Xia Yingluo's cheeks crimson.
After all, she was already eighteen.
When her best friend binge-watched idol dramas, she'd tag along.
So she too yearned for fledgling love.
Yet she never dressed up and, because of the strange odor she carried, felt deeply self-conscious.
To her, budding romance seemed only a dream.
Ye Chen led her into a clothing boutique.
Just as they were about to enter, Xia Yingluo tugged him back.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"To buy clothes. Look at yours—they're worn out, and it's January and you're still in thin layers."
At his words, Xia Yingluo flushed slightly.
These were already her newest clothes.
"It's fine; I think this outfit is okay."
"Okay? It's freezing, and you're wearing so little. We're in Senior Year of High School—if you catch a cold and fall behind on studies, what then?"
"It's only ten-odd minutes outside to and from school; the rest of the time we're indoors, so it's not cold."
The excuse left Ye Chen speechless.
"Today you'll listen to me."
"No—"
"Be good. If you don't, I'll get angry."
Seeing his firm tone, Xia Yingluo softened at once.
"Alright, I'll treat the clothes as a loan; once your stocks earn money, I'll pay you back."
Ye Chen smiled. "No problem."
Ye Chen's favorite thing was spending money on Xia Yingluo.
After all, every yuan he spent on her came back tenfold.
Looking at the stubborn girl, Ye Chen suddenly recalled the domineering female CEO who had quietly funneled money into his bank account back then.
Whether in her current humble state or her future success, that same obstinacy never changed.
He understood it stemmed from the self-respect she guarded so fiercely—for herself and for others.
"Ready to go in now?"
Xia Yingluo still hovered at the doorway, reluctant.
This was a branded flagship store; the clothes inside were pricey.
"Ye Chen, let's just buy ordinary ones; no need for such expensive ones."
"You don't get it: expensive items are costly for a reason. One quality piece lasts ten years; a cheap one falls apart in a year and you have to buy again—which is the better deal?"
He had an ulterior motive for choosing the flagship store: the pricier the purchase, the bigger his tenfold rebate.
Of course, he couldn't spell that out to her.
Though Xia Yingluo didn't want him to spend so much, Ye Chen's insistence eventually pulled her inside.
They had barely stepped in when a sales assistant greeted them with a smile.
Noticing their school uniforms, the clerk immediately understood.
This must be a pair of puppy-love sweethearts.
"Are you two looking for clothes?" the assistant asked cheerfully.
Ye Chen nodded. "Bring out any coats, shirts, tees, and down jackets that suit her."
"Coming right up." The assistant was delighted at the prospect of a sale.
A bewildered Xia Yingluo was ushered into the fitting room to try the new clothes.
After a long while, she still hadn't emerged.
Ye Chen knocked on the fitting room door. "Yingluo, are you okay?"
A shy Xia Yingluo stepped out.
When she appeared, Ye Chen was stunned.
She wore a beige tee and walked out gracefully, slim and elegant—practically a different girl.
Even the sales assistant was dumbstruck.
The girl had looked utterly ordinary moments ago; how could a change of clothes make her so stunning?
"This outfit is gorgeous! Miss, do you have more? I want to try it too."
"She and that outfit are a perfect match—she looks like a celebrity."
…Listening to the praise, Xia Yingluo blushed and lowered her head.
Ye Chen smiled. "Yingluo, have you heard the saying: 'Don't bow your head, or your crown will fall'? To me, you're the most beautiful girl."
Startled by his words, Xia Yingluo slowly lifted her head.
Ye Chen couldn't help exclaiming, "Absolutely gorgeous."
Xia Yingluo asked shyly, "Really?"
Ye Chen grinned. "Of course."
She tried on several more outfits; with her looks and figure, anything she wore was stunning.
Before, her clothes had been shabby and she never styled herself, which made her an ugly duckling.
Now, clad in beautiful new garments and buoyed by Ye Chen's confidence, she instantly transformed into a graceful swan.
Ye Chen told the assistant, "Please pack up these pieces for us."
"Sir, that comes to 1,880 yuan."
At the price, Xia Yingluo froze—so expensive?
Ye Chen frowned. "Wait, shouldn't it be over 2,600? Did you add it up wrong?"
The clerk was taken aback—she'd met customers who haggled, but never one who complained it was too cheap.
"Sir, today is our anniversary sale—everything is 50 percent off."
Ye Chen: "…"
Damn it—why did it have to be the anniversary sale? That meant his rebate had just been cut in half!