Chapter 116: Could You Be a Little More Polite?

Buying a car settled one of Li Dong's concerns. Owning a house and a car, in the eyes of ordinary people, is considered a sign of success.

Li Dong was undoubtedly successful, especially when Meng Qiping saw the Mercedes-Benz Li Dong was driving and his eyes nearly popped out.

"This is the legendary Mercedes-Benz?"

Meng Qiping's eyes lit up, and he wandered around the car, inspecting it from all angles.

Li Dong rolled his eyes. A "legendary Mercedes-Benz"? If you really wanted to find one, there are plenty on the streets.

It wasn't that Li Dong was intentionally showing off; it was just a coincidence.

Meng Qiping rarely visited Wanyuan to see Li Dong, but today, he unexpectedly came to Wanyuan.

Previously, Li Dong had returned the rented house. Meng Qiping didn't know the way to the new place, and since Li Dong had just picked up his new license plates, he decided to pick him up.

As a result, Meng Qiping acted like he had gone mad. When Li Dong asked him questions, he didn't answer and just kept circling around the car.

Seeing that more people were starting to gather, Li Dong grabbed him and pushed him into the car.

Starting the engine, Li Dong asked, "Why didn't you call me in advance? Do you need something?"

Meng Qiping didn't answer and continued to be mesmerized by the car's leather seats.

Li Dong was disgusted. Couldn't this guy hide his desire a bit better?

Li Dong smacked Meng Qiping's hand as he was about to touch the steering wheel, warning, "Don't blame me if you crash the car!"

Meng Qiping, looking foolish, smiled and eagerly asked, "Dong Ge, can I drive it?"

"Do you have a driver's license?" Li Dong inquired.

Meng Qiping's enthusiasm waned instantly. He chuckled awkwardly and said, "I don't have a license, but I've learned to drive. I should be able to handle it."

Li Dong gave him a look as if he were an idiot. If you want to get yourself killed, fine, but don't drag me into it.

Seeing Li Dong's expression, Meng Qiping knew his dream of driving was dashed.

He sighed and asked, "Dong Ge, how much did this car cost?"

"Over a million."

"Over a million!"

Meng Qiping looked despondent. That's a genuine tycoon's car.

A million or more—if you sold him off, you couldn't even buy a car wheel with that money. It's quite a bitter thought.

Meng Qiping felt a bit disappointed and said, "If I had known you were so rich, I would have offered to warm your bed back in the dorm."

"By the way, Dong Ge, do you still need someone to warm your bed?"

"Get lost!"

Li Dong snapped at him, "Looking for someone to warm your bed? I'd probably throw up last night's meal."

Too lazy to argue, Li Dong asked again, "You still haven't told me why you're looking for me?"

"I don't want to say."

Meng Qiping reclined in the seat with a look of indifference.

Li Dong stopped asking. If he didn't want to talk, so be it. This guy would eventually spill the beans anyway.

…

When they arrived at Li Dong's new house, Meng Qiping was once again struck by awe.

He realized that his previous understanding of Dong Ge was just the tip of the iceberg; this guy was excessively wealthy.

While still in college, he had both a car and a house. It was as if he was making it impossible for others to live.

With a hint of envy on his face, Meng Qiping asked, "Dong Ge, don't tell me you bought this house too?"

Li Dong ignored him, taking out a pair of new slippers for him to change into, and asked, "Tea or drinks?"

"I want some Da Hong Pao, do you have it?"

Li Dong pretended not to hear and casually threw him a bottle of green tea from the fridge.

They sat down on the sofa. Meng Qiping felt like he wanted to sink into the sofa completely, and after a while, he said with a look of contentment, "This life is simply unbearable!"

Li Dong's face darkened. Was he implying that his life wasn't worth living?

Too busy to deal with him, Li Dong turned on the TV and switched to a news channel. Meng Qiping also kept quiet and watched TV with Li Dong.

After about seven or eight minutes, Meng Qiping said with resignation, "Aren't you going to ask me what I'm here for?"

"If you have something to say, say it. If not, shut up."

The news was reporting on a gas explosion in Chengde, and Li Dong was focused on it. He had no time for small talk with Meng Qiping.

Meng Qiping looked frustrated for a long time and finally said, "I was originally planning to pay back the money, but now I suddenly don't want to."

Li Dong finally understood why Meng Qiping had come alone and why Cheng Nan wasn't with him.

As for the money, Li Dong hadn't forgotten, but if Meng Qiping didn't bring it up, he wasn't planning to ask for it.

He was curious why Meng Qiping still thought about repaying the money after half a year.

Looking at him with interest, Li Dong asked, "Aren't you short on cash? Did you really end up doing something to make money?"

Meng Qiping rolled his eyes and huffed, "I saved up. Didn't you see I've lost weight? I even eat less. If I had known you were living this kind of rich life, I wouldn't have tortured myself."

Li Dong glanced at him, not saying a word. He couldn't see any weight loss.

Meng Qiping was just talking. After some hesitation, he finally pulled out a stack of cash from his pocket.

Seeing Li Dong reach for it, Meng Qiping grabbed Li Dong's hand and said with a pained expression, "Aren't you going to be a little more polite?"

"Polite about what?"

"Can't you at least say a few polite words, like, 'Don't rush to pay it back, you can return it when you have the money'…"

"Or say, 'Consider this money as your wedding gift, I won't take it back'…"

"Stop!"

Li Dong interrupted him, annoyed, "So you're saying you don't want to pay it back. Fine, I'll treat it as your wedding gift. But I'll make it clear now, if you actually get married, I won't give you a red envelope."

Meng Qiping looked troubled.

Li Dong was a big spender, so the red envelope would undoubtedly be substantial. Was it worth it for 5,000 yuan?

Forget Meng Qiping's dilemma, Li Dong leisurely watched TV and joked, "Or you could get married a few more times. I'll make sure to give you a big red envelope every time. By the end, you'd have earned a fortune."

"Would divorce and remarriage work?" Meng Qiping responded quickly.

Li Dong nearly spat out. This guy was indeed something else.

After some banter, Meng Qiping reluctantly released his hold on the money.

Li Dong said, "Forget it, keep it for yourself. I don't need this few thousand now."

Meng Qiping knew Li Dong didn't need the money but still said seriously, "It's your business whether you need it or not. This is what I owe you. I'll pay it back for sure."

Li Dong was impressed by Meng Qiping's sense of responsibility. He didn't expect Meng Qiping to have a serious side.

But never underestimate Meng Qiping's thick skin. Meng Qiping continued with a sly smile, "I'm just using a long line to catch a big fish, you know? It's easy to borrow and repay. I return 5,000 now and borrow 10,000 later. Isn't that a good deal?"

Li Dong shook his head, knowing this guy couldn't say anything nice.

After the money was settled, they chatted a bit more.

Li Dong had originally planned to treat Meng Qiping to lunch, but Meng Qiping insisted on going back to be with Cheng Nan.

Li Dong didn't insist. As Meng Qiping left, he said, "Dong Ge, be careful when going out recently. Someone has been asking about you at school. I didn't take it seriously at first, but now that I know you're so rich, I'm worried someone might be plotting something."

Meng Qiping left after saying this, and Li Dong took it to heart.

Could it be Zhu Hongtao?

Li Dong took Meng Qiping's warning seriously. Zhu Hongtao, perhaps?

As Meng Qiping left, Li Dong pondered the potential threat. Despite the relaxed demeanor, he couldn't ignore the possibility of trouble brewing, especially with such a conspicuous display of wealth.

Once Meng Qiping had gone, Li Dong began making his own plans. He wasn't about to let his guard down or ignore potential risks. He needed to stay vigilant and perhaps reconsider some of his recent decisions and behaviors.

The day continued as usual, but with a newfound sense of caution. Li Dong decided to keep a closer eye on any developments and stay prepared for any unforeseen issues.