Getting something for nothing, huh?
Freeloading like that won’t fly.
Shen An wasn’t sure if he could live up to Zhao Li’s expectations.
What if her daughter truly had no psychological issues, and it was Zhao Li herself who was the one with the problem?
In that case, Shen An feared all his efforts would be for nothing.
To play it safe, he said cautiously, “You should at least give me some kind of deposit, right?”
Zhao Li let out a light giggle. “Don’t worry, I won’t let you work for free, Doctor Shen.”
With that, she pointed at the remnants of the meal on the table. “Consider this meal your deposit. How’s that?”
Shen An chuckled dryly. “Goodbye.”
“Hey, I was just kidding.” Zhao Li propped her chin on her hand, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “How much of a deposit do you need, Doctor Shen?”
“Uh…” Shen An thought for a moment. “How about this? Since I’ll be getting close to your daughter in sort of a nanny role, why not treat the deposit like monthly wages paid to me?”
He wasn’t exactly noble, but he wasn’t greedily obsessed with money either.
The main reason he’d agreed to help Zhao Li—aside from the System’s task—was that he was flat broke right now and had no other options.
He didn’t have much confidence anyway, since he wasn’t a real psychologist.
When it came to making money, he preferred to do it properly.
Zhao Li pondered for a bit and decided it was feasible.
“Since you’re willing to help me, Doctor Shen, I’ll go ahead and tell you about the other arrangements too.”
“There are more arrangements?” Shen An was taken aback.
“Mm-hmm.”
Zhao Li explained, “This is something I came up with on the spot, because you’re… well, a bit too young. Far younger than I expected.”
“Being young isn’t a crime…” Shen An sighed wistfully.
Zhao Li held back a laugh. “What I mean is, wouldn’t it seem strange for someone as young as you to take on a nanny job?”
“That’s true.”
Shen An nodded.
At his age, anyone would find it suspicious if he showed up as a nanny.
“So, I’m planning to enroll you in my daughter’s school as a new student.”
Worried that Shen An might refuse, Zhao Li quickly added, “Think about it. If you’re a university freshman who’s just started school and taking on part-time work to ease the burden on your family, then this nanny gig becomes your part-time job.
“I can explain it to my daughter by saying you’re the child of a friend of mine, and I couldn’t refuse, so I came up with this idea.
“That way, it eases her suspicions, and at school, you’ll have even more opportunities to get close to her. See? Doesn’t that make a lot more sense?”
Shen An nodded. “You’ve thought this through very well.”
“But…”
“I know this will cause you a lot of trouble,” Zhao Li said softly. “You have a proper career, yet you’re pretending to be a college student just to help me.”
“But please rest assured—I’ll cover all your losses.”
“No, no, that’s not what I’m worried about.”
Shen An hesitated as he looked at Zhao Li, seeming reluctant to voice his concern.
Zhao Li smiled lightly at his words. “Not that? Then what is it, Doctor Shen? If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.”
“Well, enrolling as the child of your friend and working as a part-time nanny for your daughter, taking care of her daily needs—that’s all fine.
“But have you considered one issue? This setup means your daughter and I would essentially be living together.”
“Isn’t that a bit… inappropriate?”
Zhao Li smiled graciously and waved her hand. “Since I’ve asked for your help, I trust you completely.”
“And this trust goes beyond just your therapeutic skills.”
Shen An could tell she wasn’t really trusting him—she was confident in her daughter.
It was just pretty words.
He shook his head. “You still don’t get what I mean.”
“Huh?”
“What I’m saying is~” Shen An looked at Zhao Li with utmost seriousness, “what if your daughter develops feelings for me? That would put me in a tough spot.”
Zhao Li: ???
“I can stay true to my principles and uphold medical ethics, so you can trust me on that.”
She blinked, momentarily stunned and slow to react.
Shen An lowered his head shyly. “But I’ve never lived with anyone before.”
Ahem.
Zhao Li hadn’t expected this angle. She gave a helpless laugh. “I’m sure you can handle yourself, Doctor Shen.”
“No, we need to clarify this upfront.”
Shen An whispered, “I’m selling my skills, not my body.”
Zhao Li covered her mouth with her hand, her high heel tapping lightly against the floor in time with her lazy tone.
“Do you have a girlfriend, Doctor Shen?”
“No.” Shen An replied shyly. “I’ve never even been in a relationship.”
“I see~” Zhao Li tilted her head slightly.
“If things really progressed that far~”
Her eyes fluttered with a teasing glint. “My daughter’s actually quite pretty, you know.”
“As her mother, I’d be happy if she found a boyfriend.”
Shen An stood up very solemnly. “Aunt Zhao, I don’t think you’ve considered this from my perspective.”
“Your daughter might be very pretty, but what does that have to do with me?”
“If looks alone determined romance, then anyone who’s not perfect wouldn’t deserve love?”
Zhao Li hadn’t anticipated Shen An’s such a strong reaction.
She stood up quickly too, her tone apologetic. “Sorry, sorry, that’s not what I meant.”
“I… I just think you and my daughter would make a good match.”
“?” Shen An narrowed his eyes. “What exactly are your intentions, Madam Zhao? Are you looking for a doctor to treat your daughter, or a boyfriend to take care of her?”
Zhao Li felt embarrassed by the question.
She was at a loss, unsure how to respond.
Shen An didn’t press the issue. He said gently, “I need some assurances.”
Zhao Li nodded. “What kind of assurances do you want, Doctor Shen?”
“If any relationship beyond doctor and patient develops during treatment, I won’t be held responsible.”
“Of course, I won’t have any ulterior motives toward your daughter either. It’ll be a straightforward doctor-patient dynamic—or from her perspective, nanny and employer.”
“If I sense the situation turning genuinely harmful for me, I reserve the right to end our cooperation unilaterally.”
“Agreed.” Zhao Li accepted immediately.
With her assurance, Shen An smiled. “I might have come on a bit strong just now. I hope you don’t mind, Aunt Zhao.”
“I’m just being cautious. Psychologists are different from other doctors—it’s easy to develop emotional complications with patients sometimes.”
Zhao Li nodded with a wry smile. “I understand.”
“Good.” Shen An nodded and said softly, “I hope I can be of use and not let your efforts go to waste.”
Next, the two discussed the details.
The final plan was set: Shen An would stay at a hotel for a few days while waiting for Zhao Li’s update.
She would handle his enrollment.
From her casual confidence, Shen An increasingly realized Zhao Li was no ordinary woman.
Arranging for someone to enter university effortlessly wasn’t something just anyone could do.
Afterward, Zhao Li thoughtfully recommended a hotel for him.
It was the most luxurious one in Eight Seas City.
Just as Shen An hesitated about how to admit he couldn’t afford it, Zhao Li pulled out a card and said gently, “Take this card—it’ll cover everything. The hotel’s one of our family’s properties.”
Shen An accepted the card with a smile, joking, “I noticed earlier you didn’t pay the coffee shop staff for the takeout. Don’t tell me that restaurant’s yours too?”
Zhao Li gave a knowing smile. “You’ve got sharp eyes, Doctor Shen.”
Oh…
So it really was her family’s?
Shen An was surprised.
That meant the elegant woman before him was extraordinarily wealthy.
The most upscale hotel and coffee shop in all of Eight Seas City were hers.
He hadn’t been to that restaurant yet, but from the fancy packaging on the food, it seemed high-end too.
He wondered how many other businesses they owned in the city.
This also meant the girl he’d be living with was a proper heiress.
Spoiled rich girls could be a handful.
Shen An rubbed his chin, hoping this young miss was at least somewhat normal.
Or at least acted normal.
That way, he could coast by for a while.
Worst case, he could forgo the three million consultation fee and focus on getting a foothold in this unfamiliar world first.
With everything settled, night had already fallen.
Under the cover of dusk, they chatted idly for a bit.
But soon, a phone call interrupted them—Zhao Li had work to handle and needed to head back.
“I’ll get going, Doctor Shen. Give me your number, and I’ll let you know when everything’s ready.”
Zhao Li stood up, her poised figure immediately drawing Shen An’s gaze.
He rose as well. “If you’re leaving, there’s no point in me sticking around. I can walk you out.”
“Won’t you try the coffee here? It’s really good.”
Zhao Li smiled.
“I don’t drink coffee. No need to trouble yourself.”
As if he could afford coffee with no money.
Shen An shrugged and left with her.
He chatted with her while silently sizing her up.
She stood at least five foot seven, and in her high heels, she was only a touch shorter than Shen An.
Her figure was exquisite, the tailored women’s suit hugging her lithe frame and accentuating her graceful curves.
In looks, build, and poise alike, Zhao Li was outstanding.
She was the sort who would turn heads wherever she walked.
And with her family’s vast wealth, Shen An found himself envying her husband for a moment.
What an extraordinary man he must be, to have won such a stunning beauty.
Of course, those family enterprises might well be his doing.
They reached the door, where a car idled at the curb, waiting for Zhao Li.
She opened the door, then turned back to Shen An with a gentle smile. “You’ve gone to so much trouble. Thank you.”
“No trouble at all. You go on ahead.”
Shen An waved her off, and Zhao Li waved back before sliding into the car.
The vehicle pulled away, gradually vanishing from Shen An’s view.
Inside the car, Zhao Li’s smile slowly faded. As it slipped from her face, so too did a faint air of steely authority emerge.
She pulled out a notepad and pen, jotting down the two characters for “Shen An.”
A glance in the rearview mirror showed Shen An still lingering at the coffee shop entrance.
Beside the name in her notepad, she sketched a sizable question mark.
Then she snapped the notepad shut and looked away.
