Chapter 199: A Shill?

Liu Jie listened to Li Shen’s explanation and quickly understood—Li Shen wanted to improve his editing skills in order to create more engaging videos to promote the company.

Since that was the case, there was no need for Liu Jie to be modest. After all, the better the company did, the more it benefited him as well.

“If you want your edited videos to get views, Director Li, editing skills alone won’t cut it. You also need some marketing know-how,” he said.
“But marketing is hard to grasp in a short time. I’ll start by teaching you how to edit.”
“As for marketing, I’ll handle that for now.”

“Great, thanks for the help.”
Li Shen expressed his gratitude.

“No need to thank me—it’s all for Mr. Chen anyway.”

——

After work.

“Brother Yang, take me to Changbai Jingyuan.”
Chen Mo got in the car and spoke to Yang Dahai.

Since vehicle access had already been granted, there was no issue with using the company car after work for other errands.

Changbai Jingyuan was a residential complex he had picked out in the afternoon as a potential rental.

He had only rented the Old Town Apartment for six months at first—just as a temporary place. He had planned to move once the system completed its first settlement.

But unexpectedly, after four settlements, his personal assets hadn’t even hit 100,000 yuan.
That last time, thanks to a system update, it had settled over 70,000 in one go.
Otherwise, he might’ve ended up sleeping on the streets.

Thankfully, this time the system showed a little mercy.
Not only could he now use the company car, but he was also granted a 2,000-yuan monthly housing allowance.
That meant he didn’t need to pay for housing himself anymore. While 2,000 yuan wouldn’t get him a luxury place, a decent apartment in a good complex was definitely doable.

Changbai Jingyuan was one of the listings he liked online. He was heading over to check it out in person.

Once the apartment was rented, his food, clothing, housing, and transportation would all be sorted.

“Mr. Chen, we’ve arrived.”
Yang Dahai parked in a spot near the complex entrance.

“Let’s go up together and have a look.”
Chen Mo got out of the car and led the way to the gate. The real estate agent was already waiting.

“Hello, are you Mr. Chen? Please follow me.”

After meeting up with the agent, they entered the complex together.

Eventually, they reached a mid-rise apartment building and took the elevator to the third floor.

“Mr. Chen, this is the one.”
The agent opened the door to the left and walked in.

“This apartment was just renovated by the owner for personal use, but due to some circumstances, the whole family is going abroad and won’t be back anytime soon.”
“So they decided to rent it out. Everything inside is fully equipped—93 square meters, a standard two-bedroom, one living room, one bathroom, and a kitchen, all furnished and with appliances.”
“If you rent it, you can move in with just your suitcase.”

Chen Mo listened as he walked around. The setup matched what the agent described—everything was brand new. Even the protective plastic was still on the ceiling moldings.

“Mr. Chen, are you planning to rent a new place?”
Yang Dahai, who had been following closely, finally realized Chen Mo was here to look at apartments.

“Yeah, the Old Town lease is expiring soon. I’m scouting a new place. What do you think of this one?”
Chen Mo turned and asked.

Yang Dahai looked around the apartment.

“This place has much better lighting and finish than the Old Town unit. Plus, the landscaping we passed coming in was really nice too.”

Chen Mo chuckled.
“You think it’s nice? Want to move into this complex as well?”

Of course, he had his own reasons for asking.
Once he moved out of the Old Town apartment, no one would be bringing him breakfast anymore… or dinner either.
And that little girl Yang Duoduo—she was pretty cute.

“Ah!”
Yang Dahai was a bit stunned. He hadn’t expected Chen Mo to suggest that.
But looking at the apartment, he was tempted. His current place in the old neighborhood was only 80 square meters. It worked for him, his wife, and Duoduo.

But when their older daughter came home, it got cramped. The two girls even had to share a bed.
In the past, money was tight, and moving wasn’t an option. But now things were different.

With their improved finances, he could afford a better home.
And as Chen Mo’s driver, living in the same complex would let him respond quickly if anything came up.

Still, moving was a big decision—he couldn’t decide on the spot.

“Mr. Chen, I’ll need to talk it over with my family first.”

“Of course.”
Chen Mo nodded. He was only making a suggestion—he wouldn’t interfere with Yang Dahai’s choice.

“If this gentleman is also looking to rent, the apartment next door is available too. Want me to show you?”
The agent’s eyes lit up at their conversation and she spoke up at just the right time.

“The one across the hall?”
Chen Mo looked at her in surprise. He hadn’t noticed anything about the neighbor’s unit being up for rent.

“Yes, both units belong to the same owner. This 93-square-meter one was for the parents, and the other—130 square meters—was the main family’s. Since the whole family is abroad now, they’re renting both out.”

“That one has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. No pressure to rent it, but I can give you a tour.”

Without waiting for their response, the agent was already out the door and opening the neighboring unit.

“Let’s check it out,” Chen Mo said and followed.

“The layout and furnishings are the same as the other unit, but because it’s bigger, the rent is 2,800 yuan a month.”

As the agent introduced it, Chen Mo took in the details and silently calculated.
If he wanted to live in a place this large, he’d need to work harder and earn more through the system’s settlements.

After the viewing, Chen Mo decided on the 93-square-meter unit. The rent was 1,900—100 yuan under the 2,000-yuan monthly allowance provided by the system.

Most apartments around that price were pretty similar. There was no need to fuss over hitting the exact limit.

The apartment’s design, neighborhood, and location were all great—no reason to overthink it.

——

At Nanhe Café.

Fang Chang and Wei Yan entered the shop and, guided by a staff member, headed toward two men already seated inside.

“Mr. Du, Mr. Chen, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not at all, not at all—we’re early anyway,”
Du Ziteng and Chen Cong stood to greet them, already aware these were the people they had been waiting for. They shook hands all around before sitting down.

“Let’s skip the small talk and get to the point?”
Wei Yan looked at them, eyebrows raised.

Just as Du Ziteng was about to nod, Chen Cong suddenly spoke first.

“Before we get to business, can I ask you a question?”

“Please do, Mr. Chen.”
Wei Yan straightened up, instantly alert. Usually, when someone said that at a negotiation, it meant they’d spotted a problem.

He braced himself—then heard Chen Cong’s voice:

“Is there someone in your Tianlong team with the account ID [Xue Luo](Snowfall)?”