Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Landlord
A moment later.
Long Ming unlocked the door of his rental room and walked in with a bag, then flipped the switch on the wall. The dim light came on and lit the cold, empty space.
He changed out of his shoes into slippers, went straight to the kitchen, set the bag on the stove counter, grabbed a small metal pot, and opened the faucet.
Hiss. The sound of water hitting the pot bottom was extra loud in the quiet room.
Soon he had enough water. He set the pot on the gas burner and turned the knob. Click. A blue flame flared to life.
After that, he took a pack of instant noodles from the bag. Just as he was about to tear it open, there was a sudden knock at the door. Knock knock.
He frowned: [Who would come looking for me at this hour?] Even so, he put the noodles down and walked to the door while calling out: “Coming!”
Creak. He opened the door and froze.
A curvy woman stood there with an oval face, fair skin, bright eyes, and bright red lipstick. She wore a red bodycon dress and black low-heeled shoes, and every move of hers carried a mature charm. She held a red bag and smiled at him. Behind her stood a man in a leather jacket with a cigarette in his mouth and a cocky look.
She greeted him first: “Long Ming.”
He blinked, then asked in puzzlement: “Sister Ying, what brings you here?”
The woman was Lin Ying, his landlord. In fact, she owned the whole rental building.
She smiled as she stepped inside: “Of course I came to see you, what, am I not welcome?”
He shook his head: “No.”
Her henchman, Zhou Ya Yao, started to follow her in, but Lin Ying shot him a glare. Zhou Ya Yao looked unhappy, yet he backed out to the hallway. Long Ming saw this, sighed helplessly, and closed the door.
Lin Ying glanced over the living room and bedroom, then looked at him with a teasing gaze and asked: “Long Ming, living alone, don’t you get lonely?”
He answered flatly: “I’m fine.”
Still smiling, she handed him the red bag: “This is for you.”
He took it and asked: “What is it?”
She laughed softly: “Something good.”
He opened the bag and found a bloody ox penis with two attached testicles. His expression stiffened at once. [Who gives something like this?] He quickly returned the bag to her and said no: “Thanks, but I don’t need it.”
She coaxed him in a sweet voice: “It’s my little gift, are you really that heartless to refuse?”
He kept his tone polite: “I appreciate it, but I truly don’t need it. Let me pour you some water.”
He turned and poured her a glass. From the kitchen came the first bubbling of boiling water.
Taking the cup, she looked surprised and asked: “You’re cooking something? You haven’t eaten this late?”
He nodded slightly: “Yeah. Please wait in the living room a bit.”
He went into the kitchen and tore open the noodle pack. She followed, set the red bag aside, then stepped close behind him and leaned in to whisper by his ear: “Want me to help?”
His face fell, but he kept his cool, moved to the stove, slid the noodle brick into the pot, and poured in the seasoning.
She did not get angry at his lack of playfulness.
When the noodles were done, he poured them into a stainless steel tray, took a pair of chopsticks, and carried the food to the living room. He set the tray on the little tea table, sat on a worn secondhand mini sofa, and ate as he asked: “Sister Ying, what did you need from me?”
With a sultry smile, Lin Ying slid onto the seat beside him, her soft body almost pressing against his. He felt awkward and scooted a little to the side with the tray in his hands.
Seeing his avoidance, she blinked and said with an easy smile: “Nothing big, your rent is coming due.”
He paused, then said: “Oh. I’ll pay half a year now.”
Hearing her reminder made his heart skip. He had been so busy he truly forgot.
She waved lightly: “No rush, listen first.”
He said calmly: “Go on.”
She sighed: “You know rent has been going up all year.”
He asked straight out: “You want to raise mine?”
She spread her hands: “I don’t have a choice, I have to follow the market.”
He asked: “How much?”
She explained: “Your place is 500 a month. But the same size units in the building next door are already 750, and they charge by the year.”
He frowned: “Up by half? That’s too much.”
Spotting his worry, she leaned closer, took his hand, and placed it on her smooth thigh as she murmured: “Long Ming, I know you stay up late to make money. It’s not easy being on your own. Why be so hard on yourself? Sister can take care of you if you want.”
He stood at once and pulled away: “No need. Just tell me the amount and I’ll transfer it.”
He knew very well she had her eye on him. For the past two years she had used all kinds of excuses to get close. [She’s already forty-five, a full twenty years older than me. She looks great for her age and she’s pretty, but she’s not my type. I’m not that desperate to eat anything.] [More important, she is not as simple as she looks.]
Seeing his refusal, Lin Ying stood too, a hint of regret in her eyes, and said: “Then pay half a year, 5,000.”
He blinked: “That much?”
He had not expected her to ask for so high a number.
She lifted her chin: “Don’t call it expensive. I didn’t raise your rent. I’m still counting the rent at 3,000 for six months. The extra 2,000 is your utilities.”
He repeated in surprise: “Utilities are 2,000?”
She rolled her eyes: “Yes, your electricity is pricey. You run that fancy computer all the time. Of course it eats power.”
He realized it and nodded: [Right, that rig does draw a lot.] He took out his phone and transferred 5,000 to Lin Ying.
After the money arrived, she saw there was no chance to win him over today. She stood and said with a smile: “Then I’ll be going.”
He nodded: “Okay.”
At the door she added with a wink: “If you ever change your mind, come find Sister. I might be older, but I’m very good at taking care of people.”
He forced a small smile: “Heh, got it.”
Lin Ying gave him a flirty look, stepped to the door, and pulled it open. Right outside was her henchman, Zhou Ya Yao, craning his neck to eavesdrop. She glared and asked: “Heard enough?”
“Heh heh,” he laughed awkwardly.
She shut Long Ming’s door behind her and headed for the stairs with a dark look. Zhou Ya Yao hurried after her, volunteering with a grin as they walked: “Sister Ying, what’s so great about that sickly pretty boy? If he doesn’t want to, I’m willing!”
Lin Ying stopped, kicked him, and snapped with a scowl: “Get lost. You think I’m starving and will eat anything?”
He scrambled up, protesting: “Why am I worse than him? Just because his face is paler?”
She raised her voice: “Fine, I’ll tell you. I like Long Ming not only because he’s handsome. Male models are everywhere, and Sister can find any look she wants. I value the man himself. Long Ming moved down from the Upper District, and he’s a top student who graduated from the best academy in Mountain City. What I want are those excellent genes.” She flicked her tongue across her lip.
Zhou Ya Yao scoffed: “So he can read a few books, big deal. He’s a sickly guy anyway. I bet he messed around in school. Be careful he doesn’t give you something.”
She snorted: “I asked around. His illness is not contagious. In any case, it’s none of your business. And don’t you dare mess with him, or I won’t be polite.”
He wilted at once: “Since Sister said so, I wouldn’t dare.”