The top-spec latest generation Dongfeng Fengshen SUV, including taxes and insurance, did not exceed 300,000 yuan.
It almost caught up with the cost of a licence plate.
The saleswoman comforted him, saying, “Please rest assured, in terms of quality, it’s not inferior to foreign brands costing over 500,000 yuan.”
“I know…”
It was a feeling of wanting to spend money but not being able to, Lu Zheng shook his head and sighed, domestic luxury cars still have a long way to go.
Paying, collecting the car, quality inspection, registration…
By the time the brand-new black SUV was in Lu Zheng’s hands, it was already past six in the evening.
Lin Wan’s call came right on time, “We’re at New World Plaza for dinner, can you pick me up at eight?”
“Sure.”
Lu Zheng said with a grin, “I’ll give you a surprise then.”
“What surprise?” Lin Wan asked.
“Can I tell you in advance?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
“Fine, I’ll wait!”
Lu Zheng hung up, started the car, and drove out of the car dealership in a flash.
Lu Zheng had got his driving licence in his second year of university, but hadn’t touched a steering wheel since.
In theory, Lu Zheng should drive carefully and slowly.
But in reality…
Lu Zheng was indeed driving carefully and slowly…
It was too congested!
Even on a weekend evening, was the overpass this blocked?
I might as well have taken the subway!
…
But Lu Zheng, hurrying as much as he could, still managed to reach New World Mall before eight, finding a roadside parking spot.
He got out, bought a milk tea, returned to the car, turned on the stereo, and a DJ tune played.
Not bad, this is modern enjoyment.
Sipping milk tea, listening to music, enjoying the car’s air conditioning, watching the street scenery, Lu Zheng let his thoughts wander.
“With my strength now, I could lift this car, meaning I could take it back to ancient times.”
“It’d be much more comfortable than a horse carriage, and trips between Tonglin County and Wanfu County would be faster.”
“Hmm, I bet some big shot would soon come to slay demons.”
“Too bad there’s no internet, electricity, or satellites in ancient times, no infrastructure at all, otherwise giving them each a phone would be great.”
Lu Zheng then thought about what it would be like to bring Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying to the modern world, what expressions they’d have.
Then…
He pictured the scene of the three women meeting.
“Damn!”
Lu Zheng shuddered, startled, and then got a call from Lin Wan.
“Are you here?”
“I’m here, where are you?” Lu Zheng asked, catching his breath.
“Me and Xiumin are at the east gate of the mall, come find us.”
“Your colleagues are gone?”
“Yeah, they’re gone, let’s drop Xiumin off first, then head home together.”
“Ugh! You two lovebirds, flaunting your romance in front of me, enough already!” Huang Xiumin’s exasperated voice came through the phone.
“Hahaha!”
Lu Zheng burst out laughing, then floored the accelerator to start the car.
“Wait, something’s off!”
On the other end, Lin Wan sharply noticed something, “Why’s there music, where are you?”
“I’m right beside you!”
Laughing, Lu Zheng drove up next to them, rolling down the passenger window.
“Get in!”
“You bought a car?” Lin Wan’s eyes lit up, surprised and delighted.
“Well, well, you’ve evolved into the car-owning class, let me see what brand it is.”
Huang Xiumin walked to the front of the car, “Dongfeng, huh, truly domestic, I’m impressed.”
Lu Zheng patted the steering wheel, “Same quality, domestic is at least thirty percent cheaper, would I be mad or stupid to buy an import?”
Huang Xiumin pursed her lips, “You’re short of that thirty percent? I don’t know if you’re patriotic or just cheap for buying all domestic.”
“No conflict there,” Lu Zheng laughed, “Don’t adopt the double standards of those know-it-alls, making up new terms.”
“Well said!” Huang Xiumin gave Lu Zheng a thumbs-up.
“Come on, get in, there’s a car coming behind us.”
“Wanwan, you and I…” Huang Xiumin started, but saw Lin Wan naturally open the door and slide into the passenger seat.
“Ugh! You really ditch your friends for a guy, not even sitting with me.”
“Hurry up,” Lin Wan grabbed Lu Zheng’s half-drunk milk tea and took a sip, “or we’ll leave without you.”
Huang Xiumin got in reluctantly, “Sigh, my heart’s breaking!”
Shifting gears, releasing the brake, starting the car, the glossy black Fengshen smoothly pulled onto the road.
“When did you buy the car?” Lin Wan asked with a smile.
“Today, went in the morning, got it in the afternoon,” Lu Zheng said.
Huang Xiumin asked in surprise, “Even got the licence plate sorted? How?”
Lu Zheng glanced at her in the rearview mirror, “Money sorted it.”
Huang Xiumin: (꒪⌓꒪)
“Got any rich friends like you to introduce me to?”
“They’re all over forty, want to meet them?”
“Get lost!”
“Hahaha!”
…
After dropping Huang Xiumin off at her place, she quickly got out, waved, and left.
“Off I go, can’t stand you two lovebirds anymore, there’s a person in the back seat, you know, show some restraint!”
“Hehe, bye Xiumin!”
Lin Wan turned back with a grin, “What made you buy a car, you don’t usually need one?”
“You can use it,” Lu Zheng said.
“Where I live now isn’t far from work, why drive?”
“What if you lived in my neighbourhood?”
“Hm?” Lin Wan turned sharply, staring at Lu Zheng, “You want me to move to your place?”
“Ahem.”
Realising Lin Wan misunderstood, Lu Zheng coughed twice, “No.”
“Tch!” Lin Wan rolled her eyes at him.
Lu Zheng smacked his lips, “Didn’t I say I’d give you a surprise?”
Lin Wan raised an eyebrow, “Not the car?”
“Nope,” Lu Zheng shook his head.
“Then what?”
“You’ll see soon.”
Lu Zheng drove back to his neighbourhood, pulling into the underground car park.
After parking, he took Lin Wan upstairs.
“Wait, you’re on the wrong floor.”
“Not wrong.”
“Hm?” Lin Wan’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing, just followed Lu Zheng.
On the thirty-second floor, stepping out of the elevator, Lin Wan noticed only two doors, one on each side.
“You…”
Lu Zheng pulled out a key, opened the left door, and turned on the light.
Stepping aside, he bowed slightly and gestured, “Please!”
“As expected…”
Lin Wan pursed her lips, gave Lu Zheng a side-eye, and eagerly walked in.
“Wow!!!”
Five bedrooms, two living rooms, simple and bright, newly renovated, fully equipped.
“You bought this?” Lin Wan turned abruptly, “When?”
“During the New Year,” Lu Zheng smiled.
“You kept that quiet!”
“How else is it a surprise?” Lu Zheng laughed, “Let me give you a tour.”
…
Sofa, cabinets, balcony, desk…
The place was big, and if Lu Zheng and Lin Wan weren’t unusually fit, they might not have finished touring it in one evening.
