"Sixteenth floor, the 240 square-meter suite."
Lu Liang didn't believe in feng shui, but he also didn't question it.
He just thought that the suite was already partitioned, had several office desks, and was ready for immediate occupation.
For a long time to come, this company would just be a shell company, and anything casual would suffice.
"Daily rent is 3 yuan per square meter, including property management fees, with a lease term of one year, three months deposit, three months advance, Little Liu, please go get the contract."
Normally, the rent was 4.5 yuan per square meter, but Meng Changkun talked it over and gave Lu Liang a one-third discount.
"Mr. Kun, you've helped me so much, just charge the normal rent."
Lu Liang spoke seriously, believing that friendship should be mutually beneficial, not harmful to one party for the benefit of another.
He could accept Meng Changkun's help, but he wouldn't accept such an outright gift.
Meng Changkun was about to speak, but looking into Lu Liang's eyes, he suddenly smiled, "Then let's go with 4.5 yuan."
He finally understood why he admired Lu Liang so much.
He knew moderation and when to advance or retreat, and even though there was a large financial disparity between them, he never felt inferior.
That was especially rare.
The rent was 135 yuan per square meter per month, totaling 240 square meters, making it 32,400 per month, with three months security and three months advance, Lu Liang paid 194,400 yuan.
After completing the rental contract, Liu Jun helped Lu Liang fill out the application for the company registration; Lu Liang provided the information, and he handled the procedures.
"The company name will be Tianxing Investment, with a subscribed capital of six million yuan and paid-up capital of six million yuan."
Lu Liang thought that the company would keep a million yuan as working capital, which should be enough for the short term.
Subscribed and paid-up capital actually involved many details, but he wasn't focused on the company yet, so he simply registered the full amount to avoid having to make additional payments later.
"Assistant Liu, I'll leave this to you, Mr. Kun, I'll be heading out now."
At five in the afternoon, Lu Liang said goodbye to Meng Changkun and returned home with Li Manli.
Li Manli, completely lacking decorum, lay on the sofa and let out a long, high-pitched sigh, "Finally back."
That day, she had only accompanied Lu Liang to play tennis in the morning, and spent the rest of the time just tagging along.
She couldn't understand what Lu Liang discussed with Meng Changkun and couldn't help out, so she just made small talk with Zhou Xiaoqi.
Lu Liang sat next to her, and Li Manli naturally rested her head on his lap, looking up, "I'm hungry."
She always ate heartily, but she had restrained herself during lunch with Lu Liang's friend.
And the result of holding back was being hungry.
"What do you want to eat?"
Lu Liang was browsing through the materials provided by Liu Jun, as well as the considerations for the new company.
Once the official business documents arrived, he would need to hire at least two people, a finance manager and a receptionist, to ensure the company's daily operations—essentially opening and closing the doors, paying for utilities and rent, and if diligent, doing some cleaning.
"I want Hainanese chicken rice." Li Manli scrolled through her phone, too lazy to go out and wanting to order delivery.
"Order one for me too." Lu Liang picked up his phone and transferred 50,000 yuan to Li Manli.
Li Manli saw the transfer notification and sat up straight in surprise, "What's going on?"
Lu Liang reached around to hug her, "You said your job wasn't going well, right? I found you a new one."
"What job?" Li Manli shifted her shoulders, finding a comfortable position to snuggle into Lu Liang's arms.
"You see how big this apartment is, what do you think we're missing?" Lu Liang looked around the spacious living room.
"Isn't this too soon?" Li Manli's eyes widened, not daring to believe the surprise had come so suddenly.
Before she could speak, Lu Liang tapped her head, "What are you thinking? Don't we still need a housekeeper?"
The total area was 434 square meters with four bedrooms and two living rooms, and he always felt it was a bit too empty for one person.
If Zhang Qian hadn't stayed for a few days last week, he wouldn't even know what to eat.
So he had been thinking about hiring a housekeeper to hire a cook as well, to handle the daily chores.
Just then, Li Manli had come over.
She had graduated last June, worked at a factory for half a year, and then at Wanli Palace for two and a half months.
With only a high school education and no college admission, she clearly wasn't qualified for an office job.
Lu Liang also didn't want to mix personal relationships with company matters, even though it was currently just a shell company.
After some thought, a housekeeper's job seemed most suitable for Li Manli.
"Me, a housekeeper?" Li Manli was disheartened, thinking Lu Liang wanted her to be the lady of the house.
She was a bit resistant because in her memory, butlers were always middle-aged people around their forties or fifties.
Lu Liang smiled and said, "Who says butlers can't be young and beautiful? Look at the movies 'Little Days' makes, all big beauties."
Li Manli cocked her head, easily distracted by the change in topic, "The movies you watch, are they serious?"
"Sister, it's you who should be serious."
Lu Liang pinched Li Manli's chin, looked at her puffy lips, and couldn't help but feel their softness.
Li Manli squinted her eyes, her fair arms wrapped around Lu Liang's neck, also responding in kind.
As the sun set in the west, its remaining light spilled into the living room, the clothes of the two on the sofa gradually diminished.
The orange sunlight fell on Li Manli's pristine back, casting a golden glow. And as time passed, fine beads of sweat emerged on her back, making the glow even more intense.
Suddenly, the phone rang inappropriately.
"You... you... your phone... is ringing."
Li Manli's eyes were blurred, her speech faltering.
Lu Liang breathed heavily, glanced at the phone which didn't show the caller ID, and ignored it.
The phone rang for 40 seconds each time, and the other party persistently called again every five minutes.
Until the third ring stopped.
Lu Liang picked up the sofa blanket that had fallen to the floor, covering Li Manli's body and his own lower waist.
He picked up the phone, the number seemed familiar, but he didn't think much about it and clicked redial.
As soon as the call connected, an irate woman's voice thundered through, "When did you sell the house?"
"When I sold it, I don't think I need to report to you," Lu Liang's expression turned cold.
They hadn't been in touch for months, but he recognized the voice as his ex-wife, Lin Wenjing.
"Changed your number, sold the house, quit your job, what exactly are you trying to do?" Lin Wenjing fumed.
Initially, she dialed Lu Liang's number, but it was out of service.
Thus, Lin Wenjing went to Lu Liang's home and his former workplace, but was met with rebuffs.
The house had a new owner, but especially the manager at Lu Liang's company, who initially was courteous towards her.
But as soon as she mentioned Lu Liang's name, they reacted explosively and drove her out immediately.
Later, a young girl came out and told her that Lu Liang had resigned several months ago.
Before leaving, he had scolded the manager, causing the manager to hold a grudge.
And she gave her Lu Liang's new phone number.
"What does it matter to you?"
Lin Wenjing clenched her teeth, coldly questioned, "Where are my things?"
"When I called you, you said you didn't want them, so I threw them all away."
Lu Liang's lips curved into a smile, calming down, as he stroked Li Manli's chin like teasing a cat.
Li Manli held her breath, eavesdropping on their conversation, realizing the other party was Lu Liang's ex-wife.
Suddenly, she mischievously smiled and used an overly sweet baby voice, "Brother~ you are so naughty, insisting on Cum it on my face..."
Lu Liang was startled, clearly Lin Wenjing also heard it.
Even through the phone, he could hear Lin Wenjing's breathing grow heavy.
"Liang, you can really do it!" she gritted her teeth and hung up directly.
Lu Liang sighed, recalling several months ago when he called Lin Wenjing and heard a man's voice.
Now considered tit for tat, he thought he'd feel elated, but he felt more melancholic.
After all, when they first married, Lu Liang thought about caring for her for a lifetime, growing old together.
But now, they had become enemies.
"Li, I'm sorry, my mistake."
Li Manli pinched her earlobe, looking pitifully for forgiveness.
From their conversation, it was clear their relationship was poor, so she wanted to help, but it seemed she had botched it.
Lu Liang sternly said, "Your mistake is in slandering me, it was clearly on your back, how could it be on your face?"
Li Manli was dazed, suddenly exclaimed.
This didn't seem like a reproach, she bit her lower lip and reached under the blanket, "Shall we... how about doing it again?"