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Tom, Barbara, and Elizabeth were all a little stunned.
The villa area on RMarvel Statudios in Magic City? That's the rich people's playground — even if you've got the cash, it doesn't mean you can actually buy a place there.
And those courtyard houses by the front gate of the capital? That's deep inside the first ring. Pure old-school, classic Beijing courtyards.
Crazy expensive.
As for the The Courtyards? It's nicknamed the "Military and Government Compound."
You hear that name, you know exactly who lives there — nothing but top dogs.
Elizabeth was straight-up mind-blown:"Didn't you say you were broke?"
David nodded seriously:"I am broke. But my family's doing okay — got a little money."
"A little? How much exactly?"
"Don't ask. It involves national foreign exchange matters. I really can't say much. And you guys better not blab about it either."
The three of them were completely stunned.
Foreign exchange??How much damn money are we talking about??
And how deep does this guy's background go?
"What about the gambling dad, the alcoholic mom, the sick sister, and the broken-down me?"Young Elizabeth stared at David:"Didn't you say you grew up in an orphanage?"
David gave a cheeky grin:"That's my 'charm story' for picking up girls. Pretty touching, right?"
Elizabeth and Barbara locked eyes — both immediately furious:"We're gonna kill you!"
They had cried their hearts out when they heard his "tragic backstory," feeling all kinds of sympathy.
And now he's telling them it was all a freaking act??
Screw this! He's gotta die today!
Elizabeth had felt bad and taken him home, thinking he was rescuing a poor, down-on-his-luck handsome guy. Figured they clicked, so why not look out for him a bit?
Turns out this punk was just roleplaying the "struggle life"!
After a whole lot of joking and fooling around, David poured them a few drinks to calm them down.
As for David's real family background, since he clearly didn't wanna talk more about it, they let it go.After all, they became friends because they liked him, not his background. Whatever happens later, they'll just roll with it.
Elizabeth slapped David's shoulder:"Congrats, you're officially in the circle now. Work hard, step by step. Big sis got your back — you'll definitely make it!"
Tom chimed in:"David, I heard you're making a movie?"
"Yeah, heading over to Huayi today to sign a contract. Small project, just a few million."
David shot a glance at Tom. If Tom could star as the male lead in Lost on Journey, the box office could soar even higher.
But Tom was already one of the "Big Four" young actors in Mainland China. Having him star in a small movie would lower his status.
Even if Tom agreed, David wouldn't do that to him — he wasn't about to screw over a friend.
Once your "ranking" drops, it's hell trying to climb back up.
Barbara was shocked:"Damn, David, you already locked in funding? That fast?"
Elizabeth explained from the side:"His mentor pulled some strings for him. I've seen the contract — I'm honestly jealous."
Tom and Barbara couldn't help but sigh.Connections really do make everything easier.
"Just don't forget us when you blow up, okay?"
David raised an eyebrow:"Tom, seriously? You're one of the Big Four and you're still fishing for compliments?"
Tom smiled wryly:"It's just an empty title. I'm not doing so hot at Huayi. Too many male artists there. And with Huayi prepping for IPO, I didn't even get offered internal shares. Honestly, I probably won't stay much longer."
Elizabeth snorted:"Who cares about their shares? You take those, you're stuck with them. IPO might not even go through."
Tom shrugged helplessly:"You're way too blunt. No wonder Mr. Johnson stopped pushing you and started focusing on those two little flowers instead."
"Whatever. If I'm not happy there, I'll just leave. It's not like I'm desperate to stay."
David:*"???"
"Wait, you two were just pounding your chests five minutes ago saying you'd look out for me — now you're both planning to bail? Are you kidding me?"
Elizabeth shot him a side glance:"Me looking out for you has nothing to do with which company I'm at, okay? With my status and my connections, I can have your back wherever I go!"
...Okay, fair point.
David respectfully raised his glass:"Jennifer, your connections may not be massive, but damn, your confidence is! I love it!"
"Get lost!"
After dinner, everyone went their separate ways.
In the car.
Ding dong.
David glanced at his phone.
"Jennifer, mind giving me a lift somewhere?"
"Where to?"
"I'll direct you. You'll see when we get there."
After a whole bunch of twists and turns, half an hour later, they pulled up to...
A hotel.
Just as Jennifer was wondering if this punk had any funny ideas, David happily hopped out of the car:"I'm not going home tonight. Drive safe, Jennifer!"
Elizabeth stared dumbfounded as David bounced into the hotel, then literally started shaking with rage.
Just now realizing...
She'd been played.
"You little bastard! Dragging me here just so you could open a damn hotel room? Fck!"*
Following the hallway signs, David found the room number from the text: 8818.
Knock knock knock, knock knock, knock knock knock.
He knocked in a specific rhythm. The door swung open — and standing there was Fawn in full leather whip gear.
David froze, turned right around to leave.
"Where you running?!"
Fawn yanked him inside and slammed the door.David clutched his chest:"Sis, this kinda play costs extra, you know!"
He said righteously.
Back at Huayi, they'd only fooled around in the bathroom a little — Fawn clearly hadn't gotten her fill.So she'd asked him to meet at a hotel.
But David hadn't expected her to go full wild mode — candles, whips, mood lighting...
He sells his art, not his body!
"What are you thinking? This is for you!"Fawn stuffed the whip into his hands and called out toward the bathroom:"He's here! Come on out!"
Wait, what?
Another person??
Out walked another woman — also in full leather gear.
It was Brenda!
One Tiffany.
Well, damn. These two were already partying together this early??
He had thought they wouldn't start sharing cigars till the Hip-Hop Butt King era.
One in black leather, one in red.The contrast was stunning. Sexy as hell.
Fawn clung to David's arm, rubbing against him:"This is my bestie, Ma Shu. You're not mad, right?"
Ma Shu's eyes were practically sparkling at the sight of David — could barely keep her legs closed.
Tonight's feast?Totally worth it.
"Handsome, big sis knows all kinds of tricks~"
David cracked the whip.
Tonight — horseback deer hunt!
The next morning.
David caught a cab from the hotel, a fat wad of cash tucked safely into his pocket, and went back to Elizabeth's house.
Thirty thousand yuan — hard-earned with honest labor.
He didn't feel the least bit guilty. Skills that good deserve high tips!
"What the hell, man?"Elizabeth — in a black facial mask and baggy shorts — gave him a side-eye from the couch while scratching her foot.
If her fans saw her like this, they'd probably cry themselves to sleep.
"Seriously, can you at least put some clothes on? There's nothing sexy about looking like a soggy dumpling. Who you tryna seduce?"
"Get the hell outta here!"
David laughed, plopped down on the couch — and immediately jumped up, rubbing his butt.
Pulling out the object that had poked him, he sneered and tossed it into the trash.
Elizabeth asked curiously:"What were you carrying around a stick for?"
"It's a whip handle. The rest got shredded."
"..."
Elizabeth wished she could slap herself.
Why the hell did I even ask?? Now I'm just traumatized.
"....."