Universe Infinite Canteen

Ma Lu couldn't help but avert his gaze slightly, again surveying the messy room.

Actually, if one ignored the pile of trash on the floor and the strange odor in the air, the place was arranged quite cozily, showing that the person who had lived here before loved life.

It's just that time had passed and the electrical appliances and furniture were somewhat outdated, and the whole house was about due for maintenance.

There were cracks in the ceiling and the walls, some of the plaster had even fallen off, and there were mold spots beneath the windowsill, which Ma Lu had noticed earlier when pulling the curtains, indicating possible water seepage.

Renovating and fixing all the problems would also cost a significant sum.

The bedroom facing Ma Lu was locked, while another was half-open, similarly filled with rubbish. Socks and undershirts were casually draped over a gaming chair, and a computer screen emitted a faint blue glow—without a doubt, it was Zhen Ye's living space.

"I've... finished signing," Zhen Ye put down the pen and handed the contract back to Ma Lu.

Ma Lu checked again and, confirming there were no issues, signed his name as well.

Downstairs, the doorbell was ringing more and more urgently, and Zhen Ye's mobile QQ kept beeping non-stop, messages coming one after another, causing her to be somewhat at a loss.

Ma Lu passed one copy of the contract back to the girl opposite him, "This is yours. I also need a copy of your property title and ID, oh, and the floor plan, we'll probably need that later as well."

"I have... my ID, but the property... title and floor... plan are with my aunt..."

"Oh, she's downstairs, isn't she? Then have her come up."

"Ah?"

"No worries, you don't have to talk if you don't want to. I've asked a friend for help, he's a professional, specializes in these matters. He should be arriving soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Ye unconsciously pictured a burly man with tattooed arms, gold chains, and a fierce face, rushing over with a group of underlings in a van, and she became a little anxious, stuttering.

"Let's... forget it."

"It's alright, settling everything once and for all saves you the trouble of her coming back to bother you later, and you might even be able to recoup some losses," said Ma Lu. "But first, I need to understand how much you value this family tie. On a scale of 1 to 5, how much would you rate it?"

"Uh... 2 points."

Zhen Ye wanted to say more, but the ringing of the doorbell suddenly stopped. Before she could breathe a sigh of relief, the outer iron gate was opened from outside, followed by footsteps up the stairs.

Ms. Chen, holding a spare key she had taken out from her LV bag, reached the second floor. But this time, before she could insert the key into the lock, the door was opened by someone from the inside.

Ms. Chen, looking at her niece standing before her, said in surprise, "You've been gaming again? I've been ringing your doorbell for so long, didn't you hear?"

Without waiting for Zhen Ye to reply, she covered her nose and said, "How many days has it been since you last showered? Forget it, I can't manage you. Just sign the contract, that's all. I'm not going in. This is the rental contract for the first floor; I've already negotiated everything."

As she spoke, Ms. Chen flipped directly to the last page of the contract, revealing the space for the signature, and presented it with a ballpoint pen to Zhen Ye.

She didn't do more than that, merely using her phone to cover up the rental amount section.

She knew her niece very well, aware that she lacked common sense, was easily trusting, and hated being troubled.

He never looked closely at the contract, just did whatever she said previously. The time saved meant more gaming.

But this time, Zhen Ye unexpectedly did not sign immediately.

She stood motionless in front of the door, as if suddenly petrified.

Ms. Chen frowned and pushed the contract closer to Zhen Ye, "Sign it. I've been looking for over a month and finally found a new tenant for you—a monthly rent of 5000. Once this chance passes, there won't be another one."

Zhen Ye's voice module seemed to have just finished loading and she spoke with a hoarse voice, "I... I've signed... the contract."

"You haven't signed yet. Sign quickly so you can go play games."

"No... She really has signed already," Ma Lu's voice came from behind, "It's okay, let her in."

On hearing this, Zhen Ye stepped back, making room in the hallway.

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Ms. Chen was extremely surprised; her niece was what people online would call a social recluse. Since her parents died, she had been living alone for so many years and she never heard of her having any friends. How could there be someone else in the house?

Ms. Chen's first thought was a scam artist; some people pretended to seek a romantic relationship to swindle money or sex. Young girls like Zhen Ye, lacking in social experience, were exactly their ideal prey.

However, when Ms. Chen entered the room and saw the person standing by the window, she was taken aback.

"Xiao Ma?! Why are you here?"

"I still prefer you call me Boss Ma," Ma Lu said, "and I'll soon have my own restaurant. The title fits perfectly."

"You're opening a restaurant?" Ms. Chen felt a bad premonition, "Where?"

"Downstairs, Miss Zhen Ye just rented the first floor to me."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I already rented out the ground floor!" Ms. Chen said angrily.

"You're not the owner, what you say doesn't count!"

"How does it not count? I'm Zhen Ye's aunt, her guardian! I decide who gets this shop!" Ms. Chen raised her voice, "I decide who I rent it to!"

Ma Lu couldn't be bothered to argue with her, "Say what you want, we've already signed the contract."

"That doesn't count!" Ms. Chen declared firmly, "Zhen Ye is still a minor. Without her guardian present, anything she signs is invalid. Haha, I knew you were no good when I saw you last night, a mind full of tricks. Seeing you can't fool me and my husband, you come to deceive my niece. A grown man bullying a young girl, aren't you ashamed?!"

"If you as her guardian had taken even the slightest interest in your niece, you would know she celebrated her 18th birthday last month," Ma Lu said at leisure.

Upon hearing this, Ms. Chen was momentarily taken aback and turned to look at the somewhat confused Zhen Ye behind her, "You're of age now?"

Zhen Ye nodded.

Ms. Chen was now a bit panicked, but her attitude remained forceful, "So what if you're of age? You... you coerced my niece into signing the contract. That's fraud! Yes, that's what it is, fraud. I'm going to call the police and have you arrested."

"We signed a normal lease contract, and I'll pay a rent of 10,000 every month to Miss Zhen Ye. How could that be fraud?"

"What, 10,000? 10,000 to rent this place?!" Ms. Chen was livid, "You still say it's not fraud. Do you know how much Director Zhang offered?"

"How much?" Ma Lu asked with a smile, "Let's hear it, say it out loud!"