Chapter 80: Magnificence, the Villa’s Staff Dormitory

Most of the profits from "Decency" went into the company. There was still much follow-up work to be done after the debut of the song, so Lin Yu considered this sum as rent and a "hardship fee." Xiao Lin first took Lin Yu to the sixth basement floor of the building, the president's exclusive parking lot. As soon as the elevator doors opened, the sensor lights automatically flickered on, illuminating two full rows of luxury cars.

Lin Yu rubbed his eyes, half convinced he had wandered into a world out of a life simulator. No wonder a casual bonus amounted to three million; spent here, it probably wouldn’t buy even half a car. Xiao Lin glanced at her phone and relayed Ji Ya’s message: “Let him choose whatever he wants.”

The words had barely left her lips when Lin Yu, his heart pounding and hands trembling with excitement, had already laid his hands on a Mercedes GTAMG. “I want this one,” he declared.

Xiao Lin shook her head in disbelief. With so many options, he’d humbly chosen the lowest grade. This young man truly couldn’t force himself to enjoy a blessing even if it was handed to him on a platter! But the mindset and vision of those from the bottom were indeed not on the same level as those high above in the tower. When she first stepped into society, she too thought BBA was the epitome of car prestige.

Vision must be cultivated slowly.

In any case, Ji Ya had instructed her—let him pick what he likes. She tossed the keys and fuel card into his hands, explained a few precautions, and opened the garage door for him to drive out.

“Boss, everything you asked for has been arranged,” she reported.

Upon hearing he’d only chosen the Mercedes, Ji Ya’s lips curled into a smile. Not greedy, not vain. Her personally chosen candidate had not disappointed her.

...

On the outskirts of the city stood a cluster of old residential buildings, the walls mossy after more than twenty years. Driving a luxury car like a Mercedes into this neighborhood was equivalent to the price of a dozen apartments. Curious children wanted to come closer for a look, but their grandmothers desperately held them back. If the car were scratched or damaged, it would mean a lifetime’s debt.

In the sweltering summer, the landlady—dressed coolly, her lower half clad in black stockings—heard a wealthy, handsome young man had arrived. She put on lipstick and came downstairs, only to find it was Lin Yu, who had recently rented an apartment and even haggled over a few hundred yuan rent.

Her face fell, arms crossed. “You still haven’t paid last month’s rent, but you can afford to rent a car? Young people these days, pretending to be something they're not. I heard you signed with some company—did they kick you out when you didn’t measure up?”

With that, she shoved a bowl full of rice into Lin Yu’s hands. Despite her sharp tongue, the landlady had hidden a chicken drumstick beneath the rice. In his previous life, Lin Yu had also lived in this woman’s apartment. When Xu Shanshan brought someone home to cheat, it was the landlady who had subtly dropped hints several times, but Lin Yu, trusting his girlfriend, hadn’t paid attention.

Now, reborn and returning here, the landlady’s cooking was still delicious.

Lin Yu stayed for the meal, recounting to her the amusing events at the company and on variety shows over the past month. Finally, he handed her two months’ rent and a move-out agreement.

The landlady wiped her tears, helped Lin Yu pack his things, and saw him off to the Mercedes, fussing over him like a mother. “Take good care of yourself from now on, strive for a bright future. I know you'll become a successful man.”

She rambled for a while, then waved him off. “You’re already a star now. Mind your image, don’t let anyone catch you out. I don’t want to see you haggling over rent again. Go on, safe journey.”

Driving away, Lin Yu glanced in the rearview mirror at the landlady quietly wiping her tears—a woman who, in his previous life, had been like a mother to him. Who knew when they would meet again?

He could only keep moving forward, until he reached the summit, trampling underfoot everyone who had bullied him in his past life—and only then could he rest.

...

Following the address, Lin Yu arrived at the villa district. Ji Ya’s license plate had been registered with all the gates, so he drove smoothly into the neighborhood and stopped in front of a villa, passing through a small garden and opening the door.

The villa had three floors: a spacious open-plan living room and kitchen on the ground floor, stairs leading to a basement connected to the garage, a study and gym on the second floor, and an absurdly large master bedroom on the third.

After touring the villa and settling his belongings, a properly dressed butler escorted Lin Yu around the estate to familiarize him with the surroundings.

“If you need anything, you may call on me. I’m always in the servant room on the first floor, awaiting your orders,” said the butler, adjusting his glasses and bowing slightly, the very image of a loyal servant from a drama.

Never having experienced such treatment, Lin Yu worked hard to quickly adapt to the enormous change in his life.

...

After three days, Lin Yu had adjusted to his new life. While recuperating at home, he received good news from Tan Shumo—who had resolved the case.

With top-tier professionalism and skill, what had seemed like a complicated matter was handled in three days: the lecherous man, due to his nationality, was imprisoned and then deported, unlikely to ever be seen again within the next twenty years.

The scar-faced man and two street thugs, upon investigation, proved to be fugitives bearing several murder charges from years ago, and were immediately sentenced to execution.

The other street thugs likewise met with unfortunate ends.

Once the trial concluded, Lin Yu was cleared as a suspect and judged to have acted in legitimate self-defense.

Leaving the courthouse in high spirits, Lin Yu treated Tan Shumo to a six-yuan Snow Emperor drink.

From the opening to the verdict, the entire trial was broadcast live, and the satisfying outcome sent the comment section into a frenzy.

“Damn! Justice came fast!! Perfect ending! I feel so much better now, after holding on for three days and nights, I can finally rest easy.”

“Lu Bu is still awesome! Hey, certain King, see this? Time to nerf!”

“Did you get lost, upstairs?”

“Haha, a lawyer with a multimillion appearance fee, taken out for a six-yuan milk tea? You’re something else, Dog Yu, I’m dying of laughter.”

“Damn it, from today onwards, Dog Yu’s photo will hang in my dojo! Forever!”

“Boohoo, the dating show is canceled, no more binge-watching. Where will I see Dog Yu now?”

“Family! All Dog Yu fans, gather up! One vote from you, one from me, Dog Yu debuts tomorrow!”

“Does anyone know Dog Yu’s microblog? Waiting online, urgent!”

...

Whenever Ji Ya had free time, she’d come to the villa district to take Lin Yu out to eat, making him suspect he wasn’t recuperating, but rather being pampered.

A week was nearly over, and Lin Yu planned to go to the hospital for a follow-up, only to be stopped at the door by Ji Ya and her team of professional medical staff.

At Ji Ya’s command, over a dozen doctors surrounded him with specialized equipment to conduct a checkup—the difference with a family physician was clear, and results were delivered in ten minutes.

“It’s all fine now,” Ji Ya said, relieved after reading the report.

“The blood in your chest cavity has dissipated quickly. You recover well,” the family doctor praised, reminding Lin Yu to avoid strenuous activity and emotional stress for a few more days, before packing up and leaving swiftly.