Don’t be arrogant,billionaire

Chapter 5: I Have Money Too

The gaze of Jiang Moyan was sharp like a blade, cutting through the silence as he glared at him. He fell quiet and immediately shifted the conversation, "Let's continue discussing the oil field matter..."

By the time the report from the director was concluded, it was nearing nine o'clock.

Lin Yi had wanted to invite Jiang Moyan to late-night snacks, but then he recalled that Jiang's wife might be waiting for him at home. The thought left him feeling unjustly treated.

Before leaving, Lin Yi brought up something on his mind, "By the way, have you found someone to restore that ancient painting your grandfather left behind?"

"No," replied Jiang, finding the matter rather troublesome.

The ancient painting, beloved and cherished by his grandfather throughout his life, had been stolen by distant relatives of the Jiang family amidst the chaos following his grandfather's passing. It had been damaged severely, and the restorers they consulted had little hope of making it whole again. They suggested piecing it together to preserve it as well as possible.

"It's such a pity. My old man recently acquired a few ancient paintings as well. They're somewhat damaged. I was hoping if you got yours restored, you could refer me to someone," Lin Yi said with a touch of regret.

Jiang's grandmother was an archaeologist, and if the Jiang family found the restoration challenging, it was even more so for others.

"Alright," Jiang Moyan agreed, and soon after, he drove away, his path diverging from Lin Yi's.

**

Ouyang Qiqi followed the address to find the Huating Beiyuan complex. Observing the layout of the neighborhood with its small bridges over flowing water and winding paths, she felt a sense of poignancy. Although it was just a low-rise building, it was imbued with a sense of serenity and grace.

She swiftly found her new home. As she opened the door, the polished floor reflected the pure moonlight, revealing a home decorated with a blend of antiquity and simplicity.

Gone were the days of disdainful glances and cold sarcasm. Instead, what greeted her was a home, albeit temporary, that was all her own.

Slipping into the slippers prepared for her, Ouyang Qiqi tiptoed across the immaculate floor, her eyes brimming with tears as she surveyed every corner of her new sanctuary. Since the age of eight, she had been dependent on the kindness of others, almost forgetting what it felt like to have a home.

Thankfully, she had a roof over her head, and now, her primary focus was to earn money and buy her own place.

A rumble from her stomach reminded her of more immediate needs. Opening the fridge, she found some instant meals, eggs, and noodles, all within their expiration date.

It seems lawyers hardly pay attention to their domestic life, she thought, probably sustaining themselves on quick meals and takeouts.

She prepared a simple bowl of egg noodle soup for herself when suddenly the door opened.

Turning around to see Jiang Moyan's tall figure, she offered a gentle smile, "You're back? I made some noodles, care to join me?"

"No need..." he began, but his stomach betrayed him with an ill-timed growl, and a faint blush crept up his ears, barely noticeable.

"I made extra noodles. Help me out; let's not waste it," Ouyang Qiqi gently urged, dividing the egg in her bowl, "Look, it's a double-yolk egg—one half for each of us."

At the sight of Ouyang Qiqi's smiling face, even Jiang Moyan's rigid expression softened.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it." With that, Ouyang Qiqi began twirling the steaming noodles into her mouth.

Jiang Moyan, watching her enjoy the meal, couldn't resist and picked up a chopstickful of noodles. The first bite was fragrant, the noodles coated in a snowy broth that was simple yet unexpectedly savory.

Ouyang Qiqi prided herself on her cooking skills, having been the family chef from a young age, and over the years, she had developed many unique recipes of her own.

As the steam from the soup faded, and both were satiated, Ouyang Qiqi broached a practical topic, "Seeing that you don't cook much, you can message me when you're coming home for meals. I usually cook, and it's healthier than eating out. Since we're in a contractual marriage, I should pay you rent for this house. We should split the regular expenses to avoid disputes in case we divorce."

Jiang Moyan's eyes deepened at her words, and he suddenly produced a card, handing it to her, "No need for rent, or splitting costs. Here's a hundred thousand for you to use for household expenses. Whatever you need for the home, grocery shopping and the like, use this card."

It was the first time Ouyang Qiqi had heard Jiang Moyan speak so much.

But a hundred thousand! That was too much!

She looked firmly at the bank card and declined, "No need, I have money of my own."

"Take it," Jiang Moyan insisted, without a hint of retreat in his voice. "We are married now, this is my responsibility."

Ouyang Qiqi, seeing no desire to prolong a strained atmosphere, accepted the offer after a moment's hesitation. She reasoned to herself that, should the need arise, she would simply calculate her half of any shared expenses and deduct it accordingly. In the event of a divorce, she would return his portion.

Unbeknownst to Jiang Moyan, Ouyang Qiqi harbored such plans.

"We should add each other on WeChat," he suggested, "for any future matters that may need discussion."

"Alright," she agreed.

After scanning Jiang Moyan's QR code for WeChat, he promptly returned to his room. Ouyang Qiqi was left uncertain whether he had accepted her request or not.

Surveying the living room, she noted how the space flowed seamlessly into the balcony, the vastness of it bathed in ample light. "Perhaps I shall adorn it a bit if I find the time," she mused. "A beautiful home lifts the spirits."

Her first task upon returning to her own room was to assess the lighting – crucial for her work in antiquities restoration and crafting. It seemed dim; she resolved to purchase brighter lights the following day.

She also needed to find time to visit her uncle's home and transfer all her belongings to this new place.

After a restful night's sleep, Ouyang Qiqi awoke to find the house devoid of Jiang Moyan's presence. His absence was a relief; sharing space with a lawyer of his formidable aura often left her feeling as if she were perpetually on the verge of cross-examination.

Having picked up fresh produce from the market, she leisurely reached out to Ye Li.

Upon answering, Ye Li's voice blazed through the phone, "The old master says his painting is still at Jubaopai Auction House. Head there now and simply tell the reception that you were sent by Master Lin. I snapped some sunrise shots early today and am currently on my way back."

"Understood."

In previous months, Ouyang Qiqi had frequented Jubaopai to assist in the restoration of trinkets. Once, she had been unexpectedly summoned to act as an auctioneer, a role she found quite agreeable. However, her recent immersion in research for her thesis had kept her from the auction house.

Navigating the well-known path to Jubaopai, Ouyang Qiqi entered the establishment, immediately greeted by a barrage of auction information – houses, cars, luxury goods, the usual suspects of a less prestigious tier that could be found on the market.

The more precious items like rare antiques and one-of-a-kind jewelry warranted exclusive auctions, complete with invitations to the social elite. These events also provided private lounges for the affluent to relax and converse, ensuring the auction house's profit and clientele retention.

She recalled the emergency auction where she wielded the gavel; a bracelet had fetched twenty million, a treasured heirloom of the buyer's mother. Ouyang Qiqi's own grandmother had a similar piece, albeit theirs was merely a gold replica styled after the heirloom.

"Good day, I'm here to see Master Lin," Ouyang Qiqi greeted the receptionist politely.

The new girl behind the desk flipped through a list before directing, "Please take the rear garden path to the second floor; you'll find Master Lin's lounge there."

"Thank you."

Having never ventured into the back garden, Ouyang Qiqi was awestruck upon entering – a hidden paradise unfolded before her. The sound of trickling water and the sight of majestic rock gardens exuded an ancient charm. The vastness of the grounds justified the affluence of its clientele.

With a knock and a smile, Ouyang Qiqi opened the door, "Good day, I am the restorer of ..."

"Stop!" Master Lin peered over his reading glasses, scrutinizing Ouyang Qiqi until her youthful face came into clear view. His wrinkled visage was marked with displeasure as he leaned back, "The restorer? Surely not you?"