ABSML Chapter 6: Making Money Together

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The old man, unaware of Chen Zhan’s underlying meaning, started inquiring about his work. "While you’re still young, you should go out and explore more."

Chen Zhan nodded. "I know."

Writing was just a temporary gig. Thinking he could get rich solely through it was completely unrealistic.

【System: Actually, you could consider taking on missions.】

Chen Zhan merely smiled.

After tidying up the table, he returned to his place and finally responded indifferently, "Missions are only temporary. Anyone with a bit of intelligence should learn to find their own path."

He opened his laptop and started browsing online for products. On a whim, he searched for the name "Yin Ronglan," but there was no useful information—not even people with the same name.

【System: You say you’re looking for a way forward, so why are you checking out food products?】

Chen Zhan replied, "Exploring commercial potential."

The system only half-understood, watching as he looked up a few competing companies, selected the ones launching new products, and then examined their ingredient lists while taking notes.

Just as he was completely engrossed in his work, an untimely knock on the door interrupted him.

"Help me get the door."

【System: …Detecting lack of door-opening functionality.】

Chen Zhan set aside his work and sighed. "What’s the point of you, then?"

He assumed it was the old man from next door, but when he opened the door, he was met with a young, handsome face instead.

"Mr. Yin." Chen Zhan raised an eyebrow. "Why is it you?"

Yin Ronglan replied, "I saw the cross-stitch you gifted on the old man’s door. It’s quite interesting."

He had encountered all kinds of people before—those who flattered him, tried to curry favor, or schemed against him. But Chen Zhan, ever since their first meeting, had always been on guard against him. At first, he found it puzzling, but after seeing the cross-stitch on the old man’s door, he immediately understood.

"I think you may have some misunderstandings about me."

Chen Zhan disliked dealing with people who were too refined and composed. Whether you treated them coldly or warmly, they always remained unruffled, wearing an insincere smile.

"There is a misunderstanding." Chen Zhan admitted outright. "I apologize."

"…"

"Is there anything else?" Chen Zhan asked.

Yin Ronglan gave a slight nod. "I might need to trouble you for a bit."

Chen Zhan stepped aside. "Please come in."

Yin Ronglan changed into indoor shoes and casually glanced around. "It’s rare for a bachelor’s home to be kept this tidy."

Chen Zhan replied, "I sold everything valuable, only keeping the computer."

You need possessions to make a mess—he barely had any furniture.

The only things that brought a bit of life to the place were the potted plants on the windowsill.

Yin Ronglan’s gaze lingered briefly on the words "Yuanrui Group" displayed on Chen Zhan’s computer screen.

Yuanrui Group was a company his firm had recently acquired, mainly specializing in health-oriented beverages.

Chen Zhan made no effort to hide it. After failing to find job listings for Yuanrui Group, he crossed it off in his notebook and resumed searching for other companies.

Yin Ronglan asked, "Are you looking for a job?"

Chen Zhan replied, "Just a side hustle."

He soon found another company's job posting, stepped outside to make a call, and returned in noticeably good spirits. Pouring a glass of plain water, he placed it in front of Yin Ronglan. "Excuse the simple hospitality."

After closing his laptop, he sat across from Yin Ronglan and openly addressed his previous suspicions. "Considering the timing of Mr. Yin’s appearances, my assumptions were indeed unfair."

Yin Ronglan showed no sign of displeasure and explained, "I was abroad for a while. When I returned, I only then learned about the old man’s health issues."

It had been a long time since he drank plain water. Yin Ronglan’s brow twitched slightly before he continued, "Besides, I despise ungrateful people."

Out of nowhere, Chen Zhan asked, "Do you use the internet often?"

"Occasionally."

Chen Zhan: "Have you ever come across any 'news' about me online?"

Yin Ronglan: "I've heard a bit."

Chen Zhan scrutinized him. "You know, and yet you still dare associate with me?"

Yin Ronglan: “The world has a lot of things that are gossiped about untruthfully.”

Chen Zhan explained, “Mine is really the truth.”

"..."

Their eyes met, yet neither spoke.

Chen Zhan broke the silence, "What business is Mr. Yin currently engaged in?"

Yin Ronglan did not answer directly and only said, “Nothing too prosperous.”After a slight pause, he chuckled, "I see that you seem to have grand ambitions. Why not take me along?"

Chen Zhan pondered for a few seconds and nodded.

Yin Ronglan was momentarily stunned, not expecting him to actually agree.

"Don't be fooled by my current penniless state," Chen Zhan said calmly. "Give me half a year, and I’ll definitely make you soar."

Yin Ronglan slightly turned his head aside, his eyes showing a faint, concealed smile, as if he'd just heard an amusing joke. He cleared his throat and said, "Then I'll be counting on you."

They didn't have many common topics to discuss. That afternoon, Yin Ronglan happened to be particularly free, so he went next door to help the elderly man tidy up his house, returning a private space to Chen Zhan.

·

The sunlight in the late afternoon was intense. The old man lay in his rocking chair, enjoying a standard retirement lifestyle.

"That kid has a sense of humanity. That alone is quite rare." The old man glanced toward the kitchen. "He's pleasant to be around."

Yin Ronglan washed the teacup, his gentle facade fading, leaving his expression unreadable.

The old man sighed, "You've been cold-hearted since childhood."

He still remembered the first time he met Yin Ronglan, who was only seventeen or eighteen at the time. The boy had taken time out of his vacation to visit him with money he had earned from a part-time job. Dressed in slightly faded jeans, his eyes were filled with detachment and composure.

Later, after struggling and climbing his way up to his current position as a new elite, he became even more indifferent toward people and affairs.

The old man worried that after he passed away, the last trace of warmth in Yin Ronglan’s heart would disappear.

Yin Ronglan dried his hands. His side profile was as pale as porcelain, not only in color but also in temperature.

The silence was broken by Chen Zhan’s voice. He knocked on the door twice, loudly: "The time for takeoff has come."

The old man was confused. "What takeoff?"

Yin Ronglan replied calmly, "He says he's going to help me make money."

The rocking chair shook violently. The old man choked on his saliva and had to cough multiple times before recovering.

Yin Ronglan opened the door, once again wearing the mask of a gentle and considerate man. "What do you need me to do?"

"First, help me carry in the drinks delivered by the supplier." Chen Zhan carried two large boxes himself, leaving one for Yin Ronglan.

Chen Zhan also borrowed a table from the old man, covered it with a red cloth, and stacked the drinks into a small pyramid.

The old man asked, "What are you up to?"

Chen Zhan: "Getting ready for a livestream."

He checked the time. "Less than ten minutes left."

Upon hearing that there would be a livestream, Yin Ronglan somehow found a mask and put it on, along with a hat.

Chen Zhan gave him a strange look.

Yin Ronglan replied with a serious face, "This gives me more presence."

"..."

Presence? Not really. Looking mentally unwell? Definitely.

At exactly 7 PM, the livestream began.

"Welcome to the livestream, everyone. I'm today's host, Chen Zhan."

The brand Xiangxi Drinks was already well-known with an established fan base. As soon as the stream started, viewers began joining in. Since Chen Zhan had also posted on Weibo earlier that day, even more people came to check it out.

【Cai Xiaocai: I didn't believe it when I saw Weibo—why would Xiangxi invite Chen Zhan, this disgrace?】

【Maria’s Hair: Not interested in drinks, just want to ask when the host will update his novel!】

【Constantinople: Same, here to urge updates.】

Comments of all kinds flooded the chat.

Chen Zhan noticed Yin Ronglan trying his best to avoid the camera but did not expose him. Instead, he simply smiled harmlessly.

Attractive people naturally attract fans.

【Cai Xiaocai: What a waste of such a good face. Why did he only think about causing trouble back then?】

"Thank you, Cai Xiaocai, for complimenting my looks." Chen Zhan picked up a bottle of the drink and held it up to the camera. "To be honest..."

Of course, there was no hiding his past—it had long been spread across the internet.

"When I was 19, I got into fights. At 24, I fell in love with Jiang Ying at first sight. Over the next year, I harassed her relentlessly, stalked her, tried to sabotage her relationships, and when she had a flash romance with Lin Chiang, I framed him out of jealousy… The following year, I was even arrested for sending threatening letters."

He said it all in one breath, without a pause. The comment section was filled with exclamation marks.

【Speechless】

【Unbelievable】

【I have no words】

Even Yin Ronglan, standing behind him, cast him a deep, meaningful glance—apparently unaware that his history was this… extensive.

"But," Chen Zhan made a sharp turn, "since last month, I haven't done anything disgraceful. I've also started writing a 'Confession Diary' to reflect on my past actions. Do you know why?"

【Maria’s Hair: ...Don't tell me it’s because of drinking Xiangxi Green Tea?】

【Runaway Princess: Caught off guard by the advertisement!】

Chen Zhan mimicked the posture of TV shopping hosts, holding up the drink with a smile. "That’s right! It's all thanks to this—Xiangxi Green Tea. Made with freshly picked tea leaves, it has a sweet and mellow taste, reaching straight to your soul! Regular consumption can clear heat, detoxify, refresh the mind, and even fight aging."

The comment section fell silent for a second before exploding.

【Cai Xiaocai: …This is wild!】

【Runaway Princess: This is the most… unique advertisement I've ever seen.】

The comments started pouring in so fast that they scrolled past before anyone could fully read them.

Chen Zhan gestured to Yin Ronglan, "Get me a transparent glass."

Yin Ronglan gave him a complicated look, evidently still processing the unexpected turn of events. Silently, he handed over an ordinary glass.

【Maria's Hair: Wow! What a beautiful hand—slender and fair! The streamer even has the money to hire an assistant!】

【huhi: Agreed! I could admire this hand for a whole year!】

Chen Zhan didn’t look at the chat. He unscrewed the cap and poured half a glass. “A good green tea must be judged by its color. The clearer and greener it is, the better. Xiangxi’s beverages have low sugar content, perfect for little fairies who are afraid of gaining weight.”

He swirled the liquid gently, much like tasting red wine, then took a small sip, his smile impeccable. “This product just launched, and it sells for 7 yuan a bottle in offline supermarkets. But in today’s livestream, it’s buy-three-get-one-free. If you buy a whole case, you’ll get two extra bottles of jasmine tea.”

“…Still troubled by your habit of making reckless choices? Learn from me—one bottle of Xiangxi Green Tea a day.” Chen Zhan’s voice lifted slightly. “I’ll count down—three, two, one—link is live… Three, two, one!”

Yin Ronglan hesitated slightly. “Will anyone buy it?”

Chen Zhan leaned back in his chair. “You can check the link yourself.”

Yin Ronglan clicked in to check. When he saw that the sales had surpassed 25,000, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably.

______

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