"His unexpected encounter with Jennifer?"

-----

-----

Caller ID: Dear Mom.

David quickly answered.

"Mom, I'm doing my internship, no need to transfer money! What's this about billions? No way, that'll wreck my image—how am I supposed to pick up girls like that?"

"OMG! I got it... If you want a grandson, don't count on me. You and Dad can practice with an alt account."

"What? No time? You two travel the world every day, making a kid should be a walk in the park!"

"Anyway, gotta go, bye!"

…

Two days later, filming for Painted Skin wrapped up.

After a few months of "hard work," David earned himself a cool twenty grand.

Technically, he shouldn't have gotten paid—he was just there to build his resume.But hey, it pays to have a senior who's a producer.

He skipped the wrap party, too busy galloping off with Erin and Dorothy.

Mouth said it was awkward, body said otherwise.

The two women seemed like they'd unlocked some hidden power, teaming up to give David two very... eventful days.

They didn't stay overnight though—always left right after, which left David a bit regretful.

The next morning.

Knock knock knock.

Still yawning and stretching, David opened the door. "Yo, Brother Mike, so early?"

Jennifer's face turned beet red at the sight of David standing there in nothing but boxers.

Good lord. He thought the guy was just a pretty face—turns out there's a lot more hidden under the hood.

"Early my ass. Get dressed. Hurry up. Everything's ready—tickets booked, car's waiting downstairs."

"Got it, gimme a sec."

David packed up in like, two minutes flat. He didn't bring much to begin with.

Came with one backpack, leaving with two.

The extra one was stuffed with all the clothes, watches, shoes, and pants that his lovely "big sisters" had bought him.

None of it was cheap.

Living off sugar mamas? David was already a pro at that.

They got downstairs—Barbara and her assistant were already waiting in the car.

The three of them hopped in and headed for the airport.

On the way, David messaged Erin and Dorothy, letting them know he was leaving and looking forward to next time.

The two replied pretty much like Margaret did when she left—Both promised they'd stay pure until they found "the one."If David ever decided to settle down, they told him to come find them.

At the same time, both trash-talked the other without missing a beat.True "sisters-in-arms"—helping each other but still stabbing each other in the back. Classic.

Then David shot a flirty text to the glamorous big sister, testing the waters.

She replied saying she just bought a new place in New York and invited him over to "warm the house."

David got so excited he instantly forgot about Erin and Dorothy, already fantasizing about the "warming process."

He replied: "I'm definitely coming!"

As for the other ladies from the Legend of Wind and Cloud set?David didn't bother.

Some had boyfriends or husbands, some were just plain average—he was only collecting stamps for fun anyway.

Honestly, among the whole cast, the ones he really had his eye on were Erin, Dorothy, Alice, and Lane.

The rest? Nah. No need to mess with people's lives.

Everything that happened on set—he just saw it as a good laugh.

Thinking of Lane, David couldn't help but shake his head and sigh:"Love brain syndrome is really unbeatable, huh..."

Lane was one of the rare cases where David actually took an L.

"You planning to win an Oscar or something? Why's your face so expressive?"Barbara noticed his shifting moods and was curious.

"Ai, just thinking about how we're about to part ways, Barbara, and my heart's filled with sadness..."

"Cut the crap, I'm not some naive little girl!"

Barbara rolled her eyes—but her earlobes turned a little pink.

Two hours later, the plane landed in New York.

Barbara looked at them. "Alright, I'm off. Once you two get settled, give me a call—we'll hang out."

"Will do."

After seeing Barbara and her assistant leave, Jennifer turned to David. "Where are you staying? I got a car—we can drop you off."

"Uh…"

David seriously thought about it, looking kinda lost.

Where was he supposed to stay?

Technically, since he hadn't graduated yet, he should be living in the dorms.

But honestly? Since he started college, he basically lived in hotels.He'd only crashed at the dorms a couple of times.

He wasn't exactly close with his roommates either—barely knew their names.

Going back out of nowhere would just be super awkward.

As for going home?Yeah right. He'd just get nagged about marriage and kids. No thanks.

Linda was still off filming somewhere, no one to foot the hotel bill, no one to hang out with. Hotel wasn't an option either.

Scratching his head, David realized... he was kinda homeless.

"You got nowhere to stay?" Jennifer asked.

"Pretty much."

Jennifer was speechless. "Seriously, how are you even surviving? You can't even afford rent?"

David nodded earnestly. "Broke."

"..."

Jennifer was at a loss for words. His female assistant straight up laughed out loud.

David just shrugged. "Dude, I just started working. I don't even have my diploma yet. Where's the money supposed to come from?"

Jennifer facepalmed. "Fine. Come crash at my place. Big house, lots of rooms. You can stay a few days."

David looked super serious. "Do you have a BMW?"

Jennifer blinked. "No. I don't really like BMW designs."

"Then no deal. I only cry in BMWs."

"You little shit, what do you think this is, some rich lady adopting a pretty boy?"

"Isn't it?"

Jennifer was so mad her flat chest hurt. If they weren't at the airport, where there were cameras everywhere,she would've beaten the crap outta him.

"Shut up and move!"

They headed out of the airport and hopped into the waiting car.

On the way, they passed a jewelry store. David made them stop, ran in, and came out with a plastic bag full of trinkets.

Just like that, his twenty grand was gone.

"You bought all that for what?"

"Gifts for my ex-girlfriends."

Jennifer looked at him differently now.Yeah, he's a scumbag, but at least he treats his exes well.

"Your exes need that much jewelry?"

David sighed. "One piece each... honestly, probably still not enough."

Jennifer stared at the heavy bag, looking like she'd just swallowed a bug.

How many damn ex-girlfriends do you even have?

They found a courier, and David carefully packed up the gifts, writing a handwritten love letter with each one.

Every word was sincere, deep, and emotional.

If it wasn't for the stack of letters, you'd think he was some kind of pure-hearted lover boy.

"Pay up," the clerk said.

Jennifer pointed at herself. "You're making me pay for your gifts?"

"Dude, I'm broke. You saw me blow through my two grand already."

"F**k!"

Jennifer flipped him the bird—but still ended up paying.

"....."