Chapter 10: Cash Upfront, Business Done Part 2

Huang Qi said slowly, “The hotel is closer. We’ve all been through a lot today—better to get there early and rest.”

Wang Ya scoffed lightly. “You’re just afraid I’ll learn your home address and come cause trouble someday, right?”

Huang Qi said nothing, neither admitting nor denying it.

When Wang Ya arrived at the hotel, she realized it was quite upscale—probably four-star if not five-star. It had several buildings, with a small garden and swimming pool downstairs. Open-Eyed Blind didn’t check in but led her straight through the hotel’s tree-lined corridor into a four-story building, took the elevator to the third floor, swiped the room card, and opened the door. Wang Ya first inspected the room and found no unclean things inside, though she caught a whiff of Open-Eyed Blind’s perfume lingering in the air. It was a suite with a bathroom featuring a large bathtub, a living room, bedroom, and even a game room. The bedroom vanity was stocked with cosmetics, and clothes hung on the rack nearby—clearly, someone lived here.

Wang Ya returned to the bedroom and heard Open-Eyed Blind say, “Slippers are in the cabinet, toiletries in the bathroom. Help yourself, Wang Ya.”

Wang Ya opened the closet door and was met with a full cabinet of women’s clothes for all seasons. She figured Open-Eyed Blind must treat the hotel like home—otherwise, why keep so many clothes here! Rich people were different; so many clothes! At the bottom of the closet, she found several pairs of white disposable slippers in transparent “Dihao Hotel” bags. She grabbed a pair, changed into them, and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Afterward, she returned to the living room, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and entered meditation. Later, Open-Eyed Blind paced around her in the living room a few times, but Wang Ya ignored her. Then Open-Eyed Blind went back to the bedroom to sleep.

Wang Ya meditated and regulated her breathing on the sofa all night. The next morning at seven, Open-Eyed Blind got up. After they both freshened up, room service brought breakfast. After eating, Open-Eyed Blind took her to the bank. Wang Ya opened an account, deposited her fifty thousand plus the 1.2 million Open-Eyed Blind transferred, then called her grandma for her bank card number and wired sixty thousand to her. Afterward, she dragged Open-Eyed Blind out to buy clothes and go shopping.

The places Open-Eyed Blind took her to were expensive—a single piece of clothing cost one or two thousand. Wang Ya was now somewhat rich, and with money in her pocket, she naturally had to spend it! Dealing with that Old Ghost was a life-risking business. If she died at the Old Ghost’s hands without enjoying this money, wouldn’t that be a pity?

Wang Ya bought several beautiful outfits in one go, plus skirts and the high heels she liked. At 1.73 meters tall, in her new skirt and seven-to-eight-centimeter heels, she stood before the mirror and was stunned by her own beauty! She posed in front of the brand’s celebrity endorsement ad, chin raised proudly, and asked, “Zhenzhen Blind, who do you think looks better, me or this star?”

Open-Eyed Blind, sitting nearby, replied leisurely, “You know I can’t see.”

Wang Ya huffed. “Playing the lute to a cow!” Then she added, “Anyway, I think I’m better looking!” She was thrilled with her purchases and suddenly loved her profession—money came fast! She could buy pretty clothes whenever she saw them, and swiping the card felt amazing!

Open-Eyed Blind was very busy, with constant calls. After half a day accompanying Wang Ya, she left, stationing the bodyguard named Dong Zi by Wang Ya’s side to attend to her.

Wang Ya then led the bodyguard to the cosmetics counter to buy makeup. While shopping, she sat and learned makeup techniques, spending the entire afternoon buying a full set from foundation to eye cream, eyebrow pencils, and brushes—money flowed like water. She truly enjoyed playing the role of a pampered Eldest Daughter shopping spree with bodyguards in tow.

Just after seven in the evening, while Wang Ya was eating out, she received Open-Eyed Blind’s call saying the items she requested were prepared, including the room—just next door to last night’s.

Wang Ya finished eating, returned to her small guesthouse to grab her luggage, met Open-Eyed Blind at the hotel, went to the prepared room, checked the items Open-Eyed Blind had gathered, and told her not to disturb her for the next few days or send food in—she’d call if hungry and have food delivered.

After sending Open-Eyed Blind away, Wang Ya freshened up and went to bed. Once her energy was restored, she got up to burn incense, bathe, calm her mind, and prepare the tools to deal with the Old Ghost. The items she had Open-Eyed Blind prepare were raw materials; she had to process them into finished products herself. Her clash with the Old Ghost would be a brutal fight—she wouldn’t gamble with her life.

Wang Ya had asked for three days, but she finished preparations in two, then slept a full day and night to fully recharge before calling Open-Eyed Blind to say she was ready to move anytime.

Half an hour later, Open-Eyed Blind appeared at Wang Ya’s door, followed by a young woman. This woman was very beautiful, dressed exquisitely, exuding a radiant, dazzling elegance. Though plainly attired, she gave off the air of a phoenix with its feathers tucked away! Wang Ya was momentarily dazed. She thought herself pretty enough, but compared to this woman, she felt crude and lacking depth.

Open-Eyed Blind said, “Wang Ya, this is my friend.”

Wang Ya “oh”-ed indifferently, turned back into the room, then glanced at the woman again. Her eyes were particularly bright, her aura different from ordinary people, but it made Wang Ya uncomfortable. Maybe because she’s prettier than me! How vexing! She looked at Open-Eyed Blind even more unfavorably—what was the point of bringing a Show-Off Beauty? Showing off!

The woman nodded faintly at Wang Ya, whispered something in Open-Eyed Blind’s ear, and turned to leave.

Open-Eyed Blind and Wang Ya exchanged no further words, only urging Wang Ya to act quickly.

Wang Ya said, “We head out at nine tonight. Prepare a Strong Flashlight and such.” With that, she went out to buy sundries for contingencies. Her grandma had taught her from childhood: even a lion uses full force against a rabbit, beware capsizing in a gutter—let alone this Old Ghost, who was no gutter.

Just after seven in the evening, Open-Eyed Blind and that Show-Off Beauty personally drove Wang Ya to the outskirts of the Construction Site and dropped her off two kilometers away. Open-Eyed Blind said, “Wang Ya, call me when it’s done, or I’ll come find you tomorrow morning.”

Coming to find her tomorrow morning meant collecting her corpse!

Wang Ya got out with her gear and looked at the Show-Off Beauty. “We’ve met twice now, but I still don’t know your name?”

The woman replied, “My surname is Zhang. Farewell!”

Wang Ya asked, “Zhang Zaihui?” In response, the woman smiled faintly, closed the car door, and drove off!

Wang Ya raised her middle finger, grabbed her belongings, and slowly walked toward the Construction Site.

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