A bowl of millet porridge, a basket of buns, and a small plate of pickles cost a total of twelve yuan.
Watching his WeChat balance drop from 712.35 to 700.35, Jiang Ye chewed on a bun, contemplating his next move.
Plan B had kicked off last night, but it could only be used at night, and the 800 yuan daily car rental was a bit much to handle.
With a few hours left before returning the car, perhaps he could try his luck with Plan C.
After breakfast, he drove around the city, and around ten in the morning, following his phone's map, he arrived at the "Jiayuan High-end Matchmaking Agency" located at the base of a high-end office building in the city center.
The entrance alone exuded an air of "expensive," with floor-to-ceiling glass polished to a shine, and the interior arranged like a hotel lobby.
The receptionist, a young lady in a black silk suit with exquisite makeup, greeted him with a polite smile:
"Hello, sir. Welcome to Jiayuan. How may I assist you?"
"Hello, I'd like to inquire about your membership services."
"Certainly, sir. Please have a seat here, and I'll arrange for a consultant to assist you."
The receptionist led him to a nearby reception area, and soon another woman, slightly older, approached with an iPad, introducing herself as Teacher Li, a matchmaking consultant.
"Hello, sir. You look quite young. What kind of partner are you looking for?"
Jiang Ye, sticking to his pre-prepared script, vaguely expressed that he had just entered society, was in the early stages of his career, and hoped to find an independent, assertive partner with similar economic conditions to grow together.
Teacher Li nodded while scrolling on her iPad: "I understand. Many young people like you have similar ideas. We do have many excellent female members here, such as corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and overseas returnees. However..."
She shifted her tone, a hint of difficulty appearing on her face: "Sir, Jiayuan offers high-end customized services. To ensure the quality of our members and matching efficiency, you need to complete membership procedures first. Are you familiar with our membership system?"
Jiang Ye felt a pang of unease: "Uh, not really. What exactly is it like?"
Teacher Li smiled and turned the iPad towards him, displaying various membership packages:
[Basic Member]: 3-month service period, providing basic matching and introduction services. Membership fee: 2298 yuan.
[Basic Premium Member]: 6-month service period, includes one-on-one service with a senior matchmaker, priority participation in offline events. Membership fee: 10,000 yuan.
[Advanced Custom Member]: 12-month service period, exclusive matchmaker team, personalized partner requirements, arrangement of high-end dating venues. Membership fee: 30,000-100,000 yuan.
[Top-tier Marriage Hunter Member]: Service period negotiable, comprehensive background checks, precise target population positioning, extremely high success rate. Membership fee: starting at 200,000 yuan.
Jiang Ye looked at the string of zeros, feeling his head buzzing.
"Uh... Teacher Li, is there any... trial option? Or a first-time discount?"
Teacher Li's smile faded slightly: "The membership fee is also to ensure the quality of service and the sincerity of our members. After all, we serve high-end clients. If the threshold is too low, it would be disrespectful to our existing members, wouldn't you agree?"
"Uh... yes, yes, I understand."
Jiang Ye awkwardly stood up: "Uh... Teacher Li, I just remembered I have something urgent at work. I'll think about the membership and get back to you later!"
......
Two minutes later, Jiang Ye sat back in the BMW's driver's seat, closing the car door heavily.
My god!
Is the bar for matchmaking this high now?
I've heard of headhunters, but what the hell is a marriage hunter?
Are they joking about poaching young, pretty wives from others?
He slumped in his seat, watching the hurried pedestrians outside, rubbing his temples in frustration.
With only 700 yuan on hand and an 800 yuan daily car rental, even if he wanted to continue using Plan B to scam people, he'd need to come up with the rental money first...
As Jiang Ye pondered how to make some money, his phone suddenly rang. It was a WeChat voice call invitation from "Huge Tangerine" — Ye Cheng.
Hmm?
This woman actually reached out to him?
He adjusted his mood and answered the call: "Hello? What's up?"
On the other end, Ye Cheng's voice carried a hint of hesitation: "Uh... buddy, could you... do me a favor?"
"Let's hear it, and I'll see if I can."
"Our class has a gathering tonight. After it ends... could you drive over to pick me up?"
"Drive to pick you up?"
Jiang Ye glanced at the BMW logo on the steering wheel, his tone playful: "Oh, trying to show off? Aren't you the one who hates show-offs the most?"
There was a moment of speechlessness on the other end, followed by a slightly embarrassed tone: "Just say if you're coming or not!"
"Of course, I'll come!"
Jiang Ye decided to stop teasing, but not without bargaining: "But... I can't be your chauffeur for free, right?"
"Deal!"
Jiang Ye felt a surge of joy.
A meal would cost at least a hundred or so, enough to cover the car rental!
"What time tonight? Where?"
"Millennium Bar at the South Gate of the Music Academy. Just be there by ten. If I drink too much, I'll call you to come in and get me."
"Sure."
Jiang Ye chuckled: "But if you're drinking too much again... girl, are you trying to hit on me, creating opportunities for me?"
"Ha~ you're overthinking it."
A light laugh came from the other end: "Among the people I know who drive nice cars, you're the most 'honest.' Facing a woman who's blacked out drunk, you only took off her..."
"Alright, alright, I get it!"
Jiang Ye interrupted her, feeling a bit exasperated. This woman remembered!
Listening to Ye Cheng's increasingly amused laughter, he cleared his throat, trying to salvage some dignity: "Actually... you threw up on my foot yesterday, so I..."
Ye Cheng drawled teasingly: "Okay—okay—okay, I believe you, I believe you... But little brother, do you want me to send you another pair as a car fee tonight?"
Jiang Ye's mind was in turmoil.
Dignity was shouting, but money was tempting!
In the end, he gritted his teeth.
Making money isn't shameful!
This is the path to becoming a wealthy tycoon! Besides, don't rich people like to indulge in some quirks?
"Ahem... if you're sending... do you have... you know, the ones with letters, the expensive ones..."
Before he could finish, Ye Cheng burst into laughter and then hung up, leaving only a busy tone.
"Hello? Hello?!"
Jiang Ye listened to the busy tone and sighed helplessly.
What's so funny about that? Wasn't she the one who offered?