Chapter Two: So Easy to Deceive

The agent could hardly contain his laughter. These fresh graduates were so easy to fool! Three thousand yuan to rent a place right under the imperial city? Dream on.

He was just plotting how to mislead Yu Youchu when a deep voice sounded from outside, “Do you have any large flats or standalone villas here?”

Asking for such properties right off the bat—whose young master was this?

The agent and Yu Youchu both looked up to see a tall man standing at the door, dressed in a white shirt and tailored trousers, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and on his wrist was a watch that looked suspiciously like an old Rolex, the kind spoken of in legends.

The agent’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Yu Youchu didn’t recognize the clothes or the watch, only thought the man was exceptionally handsome. His skin was paler than most girls', yet he didn’t look effeminate at all, with sharp brows, bright eyes, broad shoulders and a slim waist—like a model.

“Yes, yes, yes! Sir, we have all kinds of properties!” The agent’s face immediately donned a flattering smile, rubbing his hands as he stepped forward. “Which area would you like to see? I can take you there right away!”

Seeing this, Yu Youchu grew anxious. If he took this man to view properties, what about her?

“How can you do this? I was clearly here first, so you should show me the properties before anyone else.” She blocked the agent, “Anyway, the places I want to see are nearby. Either take me first, or just give me the landlord’s contact info.”

The agent gritted his teeth. He had no listings to show.

He was searching for an excuse to brush her off when the man pushed his glasses and said coolly, “Take her first. I’m not in a hurry.”

“……” The agent was momentarily speechless, mumbling, “The properties she wants to see—the landlords are busy. Contacting them will take quite a while, you know, it’s such a waste of time.”

Hearing this, Yu Youchu knew she was being played, and was ready to protest.

But without solid evidence, if the agent got angry and started acting shameless, dragging things out, she might get her money back, but wouldn’t have time to find another place.

“You can take him first, but I’ll tag along. It’s on the way anyway.” She quietly started recording. “Looking at properties together won’t hold you up, right?”

The agent had no choice but to agree, reluctant as he was.

So Yu Youchu followed them, touring luxury homes that cost tens of thousands a month, unable to stop herself from clicking her tongue.

Comparisons really were infuriating!

After seeing just a few, the man made his decision. “This one. I’ll rent it for a year.”

---

The agent was stunned, then broke into a wide grin. “Great, great, great! I’ll prepare the contract right away. The agency fee is one month’s rent, is that okay?”

The man nodded without hesitation. “Fine.”

Yu Youchu was dumbfounded.

He didn’t even inspect the house for issues?

She wanted to warn the young master, but then overheard the agent making a call outside.

“Bro, I landed a huge deal today!” He turned his back to Yu Youchu, lowering his voice in smugness. “Rented out that villa for over thirty thousand! The commission is going to be insane. And I pocketed two thousand in intent money from that little girl!”

“Once this contract is signed, I’ll just show her a few rundown places way outside the sixth ring. Take it or leave it, I’m not refunding her money!”

Yu Youchu’s anger flared! Was he treating her as a fool to be fleeced?

She clenched her little fists, ready to demand an explanation. But then, thinking about her housing situation, she calmed herself.

Even if she got her money back, she’d have nowhere suitable to live.

What should she do...

Worrying, she suddenly saw the young master calling someone to move his things in.

Yu Youchu’s eyes sparkled.

After his call, she ran over. “Excuse me, are you living here alone?”

Pei Jiayin frowned at the little potato standing in front of him, only reaching his chest, and nodded. “Why?”

Yu Youchu glanced around the spacious villa. “You have so many rooms to yourself—it’s kind of wasteful. How about we share the place? For rent, whatever you think is fair, I only need a small room and I promise not to bother you!”

Wasteful? Pei Jiayin was perplexed. He’d always lived in villas this big.

Just a few days ago, his mother had tried to force him to marry a wealthy girl from a matching family. He refused and left home, needing a temporary place to stay.

He was about to politely decline when the little potato, clutching her sleeve, spoke again, “I can handle all the housework! I can cook, too—two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Please consider it? Mostly, I really need a place to stay right now.”

Pei Jiayin was tempted.

He had planned to hire a housekeeper, but if a roommate could take care of those chores, it would save money.

And the little potato’s eyes were clear and naive, not seeming scheming at all.

---

After thinking it over for a moment, he said quietly, “What dishes can you cook?”

Yu Youchu saw he was wavering and breathed a sigh of relief. “I can make all kinds of home-style dishes! If you want anything else, I can learn!”

Worried he wouldn’t believe her, she even pulled out photos of her cooking from her phone.

Pei Jiayin studied her nervous little face, considered for a moment, then agreed.

“All right. You set the rent. Housework and meals are your responsibility. Don’t disturb me, don’t bring anyone home. Can you do that?”

He agreed!

Yu Youchu’s eyes lit up. “Deal. For rent... how about three thousand a month?”

Pei Jiayin nodded nonchalantly.

When the agent returned, Yu Youchu smiled, “I plan to share the place with this gentleman. Let’s apply the two thousand yuan I paid toward his rent.”

The agent was stunned. “Th-this isn’t appropriate, is it?”

He had planned to pocket that money or pawn off a few decrepit places, but these two were sharing a mansion? That little girl could afford to rent with him?

“Yes, we’re sharing. Prepare the contract,” Pei Jiayin said briskly, not wanting to waste more time. “Any other questions?”

The agent, ever a bully to the weak and sycophant to the strong, saw Pei Jiayin’s imposing manner and dared not cross him, so he dutifully drew up the contract for both.

After the agent left, Pei Jiayin glanced at Yu Youchu’s battered suitcase. “Choose your room. Once you’ve settled in, go make a meal. I’ll have the movers and cleaners take care of downstairs.”

Yu Youchu, feeling like she’d been struck by good fortune, randomly chose a secondary bedroom.

But even the smallest room in the villa was much larger than the one at Shen Wang’s house. Every room had its own bathroom, even a bathtub.

She stroked the plush bed, feeling as if she were dreaming.

She was born in a small mountain village. Her family had struggled to send her to a top university. Earlier this year, her father injured his back working on a construction site, and now could only lie in bed; her mother stayed at home to care for him.

So even though she was heartbroken over her breakup, she had no time to cry or grieve. She had to save money for her father’s treatment, and make sure her parents lived well.

Thus began her new life. She had to work hard and make good money!