Chapter 75: The Bootlicker Manipulated by a Woman

In the end, Zhang Yichen chose a spacious penthouse in a luxurious apartment building nearest to the Academy of Drama. Unfortunately, there were no newly decorated units available—only a few second-hand ones for sale. Lin Fan had initially wanted to buy one of these for Zhang Yichen as a gift, but she politely declined. Perhaps she knew she wouldn’t be staying there for long.

Ultimately, Lin Fan decided to simply rent the penthouse duplex, paying nearly two years’ rent in one lump sum—about two million. Once Lin Fan had settled the payment with the landlord, Zeng Shuai resumed his sarcastic remarks.

“You sure talk a big game. Just now you were swearing you’d buy an apartment, and now you’re only renting?”

“Well… with property prices so high in this city, even a basic place costs millions. Let alone a top-tier luxury home in the city center—they’re worth tens of millions, even hundreds. No matter how rich you are, you couldn’t afford it.”

Lin Fan glanced at him indifferently and chuckled, “Then why don’t you rent a place like this to show me? I doubt you could even put together a hundred thousand—you paid with a credit card just now, didn’t you? I happened to notice…”

At that, Zeng Shuai shot him a fierce look, forcing himself to sound calm as he retorted, “My credit card’s limit is in the millions—far more than what you have in your bank account!”

“Seems your family has quite a bit of money…” Lin Fan replied with a mocking smile.

He hadn’t expected this guy to have a credit card with such a high limit. No wonder he could rent luxury cars and buy designer bags. Judging by this, his family was at least upper middle class. But why spend so much money chasing after Wang Yingfei, who was so blatantly materialistic?

Lin Fan discreetly studied Wang Yingfei. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-two, yet she exuded a worldly, provocative allure. Any inexperienced young man would easily be seduced by her charms. Perhaps it was Zeng Shuai, not Wang Yingfei, who was being manipulated here. But for the sake of his pride, he insisted on keeping up appearances.

With this in mind, Lin Fan stepped out onto the balcony, where the two women were gazing out at the distant school campus. “Yichen, do you have a driver’s license? I’d like to give you a luxury car. After your group forms, you’ll probably be traveling frequently between Hangzhou and here—having your own car will be much more convenient.”

“I haven’t learned to drive yet…” Zhang Yichen replied with a silly shake of her head, her voice soft and coquettish.

“No problem. As your boss, I’ll give you a task—get your license within three months! Later, let’s visit a nearby dealership, and I’ll reserve a luxury car for you.”

“Wow, President Lin, you’re being way too generous with me. How could I possibly accept?” Zhang Yichen blushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she gazed at Lin Fan, nearly wearing her infatuation on her face.

Wang Yingfei, watching, was even more envious than before. If she were in Zhang Yichen’s place, she wouldn’t have hesitated to accept such a gift.

Seeing Zhang Yichen didn’t refuse, Lin Fan turned to Zeng Shuai. “Hey, do you know any car dealerships nearby? Could you take us over? Dinner’s on me tonight.”

Zeng Shuai frowned, unable to figure out Lin Fan’s intentions. He sensed some hidden agenda, but for the sake of appearances, he forced a smile. “There’s a Bentley dealership close by. They also carry Rolls-Royce and Porsche. But these are all high-end luxury cars—each worth millions. There’s nothing under three hundred thousand.”

“What, you think I can’t afford it? I didn’t even bat an eye spending eight million on a handbag—what’s a few million for a car…” Lin Fan laughed.

Just how little did this guy think of him? He’d already spent ten million on Zhang Yichen, and Zeng Shuai still thought he couldn’t buy a luxury car? Just because he looked like a nouveau riche bumpkin, did that mean he was less wealthy? But then, everyone loves to compare—especially the rich.

Zeng Shuai was left speechless, curious to see just what kind of luxury car Lin Fan would actually buy. Meanwhile, the two women showed no intention of intervening in the bickering. If anything, they seemed to enjoy watching their would-be suitors compete to spend money on them.

“Yichen, it seems Lin Fan is especially attentive to you. Are you really thinking of letting him, you know, keep you?” Wang Yingfei asked with a hint of jealousy, secretly wondering why she never encountered such a generous admirer.

“I was just daydreaming. Weren’t you the one who encouraged me to be brave and accept it? There aren’t many rich heirs willing to spend so freely on girls these days.” Zhang Yichen denied quickly. Though Wang Yingfei was her closest friend, she could sense the envy and felt a bit resentful, though she couldn’t say it outright.

After the four left the apartment, they waited a few minutes at the building entrance before Zeng Shuai pulled up in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. Without hesitation, Wang Yingfei climbed into the front passenger seat, calling out imperiously for the others to get in.

“Zeng Shuai, how much did this car cost?” Zhang Yichen, riding in such a luxurious vehicle for the first time, was awestruck by the opulent interior.

“This is a Rolls-Royce Phantom! The Urban Collector’s Edition—word is, it costs thirteen million,” Wang Yingfei answered first.

Zeng Shuai quickly added, “It’s a few years old, but it’s not an ordinary Phantom. The new ones aren’t nearly as valuable as the old models…”

Listening to him go on and on, Lin Fan was certain the car was rented. He didn’t know much about luxury cars, but he’d read some news: only about two thousand Rolls-Royces are sold in the country each year, and custom or collector’s editions like the Phantom sell maybe five or six hundred annually. Yet online, all sorts of rich kids and influencers are constantly showing off their Rolls-Royces.

Add to that how spotless the car was inside, the key still had a tag on it—it was almost certainly a rental.

Twenty minutes later, the four arrived at the dealership Zeng Shuai had mentioned. As soon as they stepped out, Zeng Shuai received a phone call. Seeing the number, he immediately moved to a corner.

“Zeng Shuai, this is Manager Luo from Global Rentals! Your rental period expired the day before yesterday. You said you’d extend it, but I haven’t received your payment yet. Don’t try to play games—I can have someone retrieve the car at any time, there’s a tracker in it…”

“Manager Luo, I promise I’ll transfer the money before midnight. I’m in the middle of something right now, but you have my word—I’m good for it!” Zeng Shuai covered the phone, afraid the others would overhear, glancing at them nervously as he spoke.

“Cut the nonsense! How much longer? I don’t have time for this!”

Standing a few meters away, Lin Fan watched Zeng Shuai’s troubled expression and pricked up his ears. His senses were much sharper than before. Although he couldn’t make out the exact words on the other end, the urgency and harshness in the voice left little doubt—it was a debt collector.