He carefully drew one out, holding it in his hand for close examination, and exclaimed in surprise, “I think I saw someone smoking this series at Tianxiang Mansion once. They said it costs over twenty thousand each…”
Ma Lan said incredulously, “That expensive?! Who would be mad enough to smoke a twenty-thousand-yuan cigar? With that money, what could one not do?”
Xiao Changkun sniffed the cigar under his nose and sighed, “Ah, you do not understand. Rich people earn money at a frightening speed. Some wish to make millions in a single day. With so much money earned, how does one spend it? Smoking two twenty-thousand-yuan cigars a day is nothing. No matter how extravagantly one spends, the money only increases. Otherwise, who would buy all those top-tier ingredients, wines, and cigars around the world? Are they not all sold to those ultra-wealthy tycoons?”
Ma Lan murmured, “It is truly wonderful to be rich!”
With that, fearing it might all vanish, she hurriedly cautioned him, “Xiao Changkun, you must be careful. No matter what, do not let outsiders know we are living so well here.”
Xiao Changkun found a lighter, hesitated several times, but still lit the cigar, taking a satisfying draw before sighing, “Rest assured. Even if my own father appeared in a dream to ask me, I would not say a word.”
Ma Lan said approvingly, “That is more like it!”
As they spoke, they heard a knock at the door. They went to the living room and opened it. Several young women pushed luggage carts inside, one of whom said respectfully, “Mr Xiao, Mrs Xiao, we have prepared some daily necessities and changes of clothes for you both. The clothes are custom-made to your sizes. Would you like us to arrange the items for you first? If you have any other needs, please let us know, and we will prepare them as soon as possible.”
Ma Lan said somewhat delightedly, “You are all too thoughtful. By the way, I came in such a hurry this time that I did not bring all my cosmetics. Do you have any good skincare products?”
The girl immediately replied, “Yes, Mrs Xiao. We have prepared the finest top-tier caviar skincare set for you.”
With that, she took out a complete skincare set gift box from one of the cases.
“Oh my goodness,” Ma Lan said in delight. “You prepared such excellent skincare for me? You are all too generous!”
The girl smiled faintly, “This was all arranged by Mr Ye.”
Ma Lan was overjoyed and asked her further, “Then, how much does this set last? If it is for a long time, I will use it sparingly.”
The girl explained, “It is unlimited. Just let me know when you finish, and I will replenish it for you.”
Ma Lan widened her eyes and said, “Then… then can I do like those people and use the cream and essence for ‘soaking’?”
The so-called soaking meant using cream and essence as generously as a face mask.
Normally, for applying to the face, one uses only about the size of a fingernail. For soaking, it is at least a quail’s egg-sized dollop.
A bottle of cream costing tens of thousands could last half a year if used sparingly, but with soaking, it would last only five or six times at most.
Although Ma Lan lived comfortably, she had not reached such extravagance, so she often saw people posting tutorials online but had always been reluctant to waste like that.
Now, hearing that these were unlimited and would be replenished upon use, she immediately thought of this method she had always been unwilling to try.
At this moment, Xiao Changkun could not help but ask, “By the way, for the Cohibas in the cigar cabinet, can they be restocked once smoked?”
“Yes, sir,” the girl said respectfully. “The cigar cabinet in the room, as well as the wine cabinet, soft drinks cabinet, and snacks cabinet in the living room, are all equipped with weight sensors. As soon as stock is low, we will replenish them immediately. You can use them with peace of mind.”
Xiao Changkun was instantly delighted as well.
He had truly never experienced such indulgent days before.
Meanwhile, Xiao Churan did not go to select her own room. Instead, she walked out from the villa’s ground floor alone, to the beach not far from the sea, sat down hugging her knees on the sand, and stared blankly at the turquoise ocean.
Sun Mengmeng came over and said respectfully, “President Xiao, Uncle and Auntie are settled in. Would you like to see the rooms? We still have several bedrooms available for selection.”
Xiao Churan shook her head, “It does not matter to me. Any room will do.”
Sun Mengmeng said, “We have prepared many daily necessities and clothes for you and your uncle and auntie. Once you choose a room, I will have them sent over.”
Xiao Churan said faintly, “Arrange it as you see fit. I want to be alone for a while.”
Sun Mengmeng nodded understandingly, “Alright, President Xiao. You take your time alone then. I will go arrange things. It is almost dinner time. In an hour, I will come to call you. How does that sound?”
Xiao Churan nodded slightly, “Fine. Go and get busy.”
Sun Mengmeng bid her respectful farewell and left, leaving Xiao Churan alone on the beach in a daze.
Her mind was filled almost entirely with thoughts of Ye Chen. Gazing at the endless sea, she could not help but murmur softly, “Ye Chen, I truly hope that in this lifetime, we can meet again…”
