Chapter 4: Double Standard Dog_2
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On the importance of reverse thinking!
Who could have known that a stock market crash would happen in the near future?
Only me!
Isn't this a unique piece of insider information? This is what they call an information gap!
But then the problem arises; where would someone like me, who gets a headache just thinking about next month's rent, find the capital to dabble in stocks?
Meng Lang remained silent for a long time before suddenly raising his head with an awkward twist.
"Um… could you lend me some money?"
Ma Qiao: "…"
...
The money, naturally, wasn't lent.
Not only did he not get the loan, but Ma Qiao also left with a dark face, and the little boat of friendship capsized just like that.
All Meng Lang could do was sigh that borrowing money indeed is the touchstone of friendship.
He hastily scanned a shared bicycle and rushed back to his rental room.
Up the stairs, closed the door, locked it, and then piled up a bunch of miscellaneous items to block the door.
Pulled the curtains, turned on the night vision function on his phone, and checked every room for hidden cameras.
After ensuring the security level had been raised to the highest, Meng Lang finally felt somewhat relieved and walked into the bedroom, turning on the table lamp.
He fished out "A Miserable Life" from the trash, the book that had made him grind his teeth in frustration just yesterday, and placed it carefully on the table, meticulously cleaning off some stains.
Meng Lang was incredibly grateful that he hadn't impulsively burnt it to ashes yesterday.
He took a deep breath and opened the pages of the book again, as though on a pilgrimage, his movements gentle like a devout believer reading the "Bible".
Then the next moment.
"Huh?" Meng Lang exclaimed in surprise.
This writing… why does it seem fainter?
Meng Lang adjusted the lamp's light and angle, scrutinizing closely for quite a while, confirming it wasn't his imagination.
If yesterday's font was normal black, then now its transparency had been dialed down to 50%.
How could the color fade like this? Meng Lang was dumbfounded.
Just as he was startled, the writing in the book seemed to have faded even further.
Meng Lang rubbed his eyes, confirming it wasn't just a trick of his vision.
He stared at the increasingly faint writing on the page, a contemplative look crossing his face.
The writing was disappearing… did this mean that his future had already changed?
So this autobiography isn't a one-time-use product?!
[Autobiography: "…"]
Meng Lang was pleasantly surprised.
String theory? Parallel universes? The butterfly effect? Time paradox?
Meng Lang racked his brains for a reasonable scientific explanation for the existence of this autobiography.
However, it was clear that his meager knowledge of physics wasn't enough to accomplish such a feat for a college dropout.
He began to ponder some more realistic questions.
If his actions could change the future, and the book would then present a new future based on his actions, and he then changed his actions again after reading the new content, engendering a new future…
With this cycle repeating over and over again, didn't that mean he had countless opportunities to "change the future"?
Is the future confused yet?
Well, I certainly am.
"Bang bang!"
Suddenly, a rapid knocking sound pulled Meng Lang, who had fallen into a mosquito-eye death loop, forcefully back to reality.
Meng Lang snapped the book shut, feeling the panic of a sudden room inspection.
After debating where to hide the book for a long time, under the pillow? In the wardrobe?
But no matter where he considered hiding it, he felt uncertain, so he simply stuffed it into his chest and zipped up.
...
"Bang bang!"
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Outside the door, a woman tapped impatiently again.
Though she was dressed in a loose-fitting tracksuit, her tall figure, distinct features, and a pair of sword-like eyebrows gave her a commanding presence.
The key point was, the dozens of keys jangling on her keychain clattered loudly, surely turning heads when she walked down the street…
"Click~" Finally, the door cracked open to reveal a pair of wary eyes.
"Why take so long?" the woman voiced her dissatisfaction.
"Oh, it's the landlord. Sorry, I was just taking a shower," Meng Lang said with a hint of guilt.
This was the landlord of the rental property. They had only met twice, once when he moved in, and again when she came to collect the rent.
When he signed the lease, Meng Lang learned that this seemingly too young landlord was named Yan Weiwei.
The neighboring residents said the entire building belonged to her family, leaving Meng Lang with no choice but to sigh at the sight of yet another rich second generation laying idle…
Taking a shower in broad daylight?
Yan Weiwei peeked through the door crack with some confusion, noticing that it was pitch dark inside as if the lights were off and even the curtains were drawn.
Does taking a shower require turning off lights and drawing curtains?
Are you trying to fool a ghost?
Yan Weiwei immediately decided to push the door open but found out it was blocked by something and wouldn't budge!
Yan Weiwei was startled, then flew into a rage.
"Hey! I've got quite the temper! I've been collecting rent for quite some time and this is the first time I've encountered someone daring to resist forcefully; you open up this door right now!"
"Eh? No, no, no, don't get it wrong! I'm not resisting by force. I just feel insecure when I shower, so I block the door.
Moreover, I'm not dressed; it wouldn't be appropriate for you to come in right now!"
Meng Lang, seeing that this woman was actually fierce enough to roll up her sleeves and kick the door, explained hastily as his scalp tingled.
"Bullshit! Needing a sense of security to take a shower, do you think you're Wu Yanzu?"
"My mom said, when a man is away from home, he should know how to protect himself…" Meng Lang replied.
The two locked eyes, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Yan Weiwei gave Meng Lang a once-over, who was hiding almost his entire body behind the door; she seemed contemplative at first, then showed a look of disdain.
"Young man, learn to be moderate!"
Moderate what? Meng Lang looked at her perplexed, sensing there must be some misunderstanding.
"Alright, I'm not interested in your personal hobbies, but when do you plan to pay last month's rent?"
"Uh… that…," Meng Lang laughed awkwardly.
"Could you give me a few more days? I will pay it with this month's rent as soon as I get my paycheck."
"That's fine, small business operations. The interest rate is 10%," Yan Weiwei said with a stern face, all business.
In her eyes, Meng Lang was undoubtedly classified on the "untrustworthy blacklist."
"... Fine!" Meng Lang gritted his teeth.
Damn it, even blacker than the banks!
Yan Weiwei couldn't be bothered with Meng Lang any longer and turned to knock on the next door.
Meng Lang heaved a sigh of relief and quickly closed the door. The wooden door wasn't great at soundproofing; he could faintly hear the exchange between Yan Weiwei and a young girl outside.
"Hello, Sister Yan."
"Xiao Yu is so polite, and getting cuter by the day. You will surely grow up to be a beauty. Let me give you a kiss, mua~"
"Thank you, Sister Yan, my sister is not home right now."
"She's not home again. I'm not trying to gossip, but even though work is important, it's not right to leave you alone all the time, really."
"It's okay, I can do homework by myself at home. I don't need my sister to keep me company."
"My dear, you're so understanding it breaks my heart. Tell your sister to spend more time with you."
"Thank you, Sister Yan!"
"Okay! I'm off, lock the door well. Don't open it for anyone who knocks, especially that creepy uncle next door."
"I understand. I won't open the door for anyone except for my sister and Sister Yan."
"Good! That's my girl."
Then came the sound of the door closing and her footsteps fading away with a "clip-clop, clip-clop."
Meng Lang fumed silently.
Such a double standard!