A densely packed spreadsheet appeared on the screen.
The tiny text and data were too cluttered for Lin Yu to read clearly, but the title stood out unmistakably.
It was Mo Shangying’s medical examination report!
As the document opened, the pages automatically scrolled, displaying one after another.
Lin Yu had seen plenty of medical reports before, but a 40-page one? That was a first.
What kind of tests were these?
A full 360-degree, no-blind-spot body scan?
How absurd!
"Little Yu, for the sake of our mutual health," Mo Shangying began, "it’s necessary to conduct a physical checkup before our one-time collaboration."
"This is my report from last week. If you don’t feel like reading it, I can summarize it for you."
"Aside from cold extremities and a weak spleen and stomach, I’m in perfect health."
"I just booked you an appointment at the same hospital. You can go anytime two days before Thursday—just bring your ID."
"The bill’s already covered. All you need to do is show up."
Professional. Damn professional.
A girl who could casually bypass cybersecurity clearly took safety seriously.
But if she was so worried about diseases, why not just take the most straightforward, time-saving approach like everyone else?
Lin Yu couldn’t help but ask, "Ying’er, let me ask—"
"If you’re this cautious, why still…?"
"Most people would just carry an umbrella to avoid getting sick from the rain, right?"
"But your approach is to figure out how to not get sick after getting drenched?"
Mo Shangying, despite being a complete novice, flashed a grin worthy of a seasoned veteran.
"Little Yu, be honest with me—why is your mindset so different from most men?"
"I’ve researched this extensively, even tracing it back to primal instincts—male conquest and territorial behavior."
"Isn’t this what you’d prefer?"
"My thinking is simple: Who would want their first—and possibly only—experience to be with an umbrella?"
Her offhand remark struck a nerve.
As a true veteran, Lin Yu’s first instinct was always safe driving—protecting himself at all costs.
But being schooled by this "pseudo-theory expert" somehow stirred something primal in him.
Noticing Mo Shangying’s scrutinizing gaze, Lin Yu quickly deflected.
"Fair point. But Ying’er, how much did this ultra-detailed checkup even cost?"
Mo Shangying replied casually, "Just an annual thing. I wanted it thorough—18,800."
Lin Yu: "!!!"
Holy hell.
18,800 for a checkup?
Were they inspecting every single cell?
No wonder.
In his past life, he’d missed out on this hidden sugar mama right beside him.
And now, in this life… their relationship was accelerating way too fast.
Lin Yu snapped back to reality. "Wait, what about my checkup?"
Mo Shangying spun her chair. "Oh, yours was 238."
Lin Yu blinked. "...238 yuan?"
She nodded. "Yep. Just blood, urine, and the basic STD panel. No need to waste money."
Lin Yu: "..."
Reasonable.
Practical.
Coldly efficient.
As someone who played the field, he knew exactly how crucial those tests were.
Not just a sugar mama—a frugal one at that.
First Chi Qingchi, now Mo Shangying.
These two had thoroughly shattered his stereotypes about certain types of women today.
Once they’d settled their agreement, Mo Shangying suddenly remembered.
"Oh, Little Yu—what was it you originally came here for?"
Her chaotic energy had thrown him so off-balance he’d nearly forgotten his actual errand.
Lin Yu explained that Aunt Qimeng was cooking downstairs and had invited her to join.
Mo Shangying agreed readily.
"Qi Meng’s too sweet. Designing her flower shop’s webpage took like 15 minutes."
"Let me finalize my World Cup bets, then we’ll head down."
Lin Yu perked up. "World Cup? What’s that about?"
Mo Shangying stared at him like he’d crawled out of a cave.
"Little Yu, you’re in college. How are you this clueless?"
"When people say ‘World Cup,’ they mean football. Obviously."
It clicked.
Summer 2014—the year of the FIFA World Cup.
Lin Yu wasn’t a football fan. The only match he’d ever watched fully was eight years later, when Messi finally completed his legacy.
He’d been dragged to a bar by coworkers, freezing his ass off until dawn.
His football knowledge began and ended with names like Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, and Neymar.
But 2014…
Lin Yu: "!!!"
Right!
This was 2014!
The year of insane upsets and historic heartbreaks.
You didn’t need to understand football—just having friends who did meant certain topics were unavoidable.
Like:
That one Asian team bulldozing into the semifinals via questionable refereeing;
Zidane’s headbutt;
Germany humiliating Brazil on their home turf;
Messi’s longing gaze at the trophy;
The birth of France’s speed demon;
Neymar’s dramatic flops;
And Lukaku’s tragic misses…
Honestly, he owed his football-obsessed coworkers for drilling these moments into his brain.
"Ying’er, what stage is the World Cup at now?"
"Who’s playing next, and when?" Lin Yu pressed urgently.
Mo Shangying leisurely pulled up a betting site.
"Now you care? Bit late for that."
"Semifinals are tonight—well, technically 4 AM tomorrow."
Lin Yu’s eye twitched.
"Semifinals… Germany vs. Brazil?"
Mo Shangying looked surprised.
"Exactly. See, you do know stuff."
"Shame my favorite, Neymar, got wrecked last match and can’t play."
"Ugh, I only guessed one quarterfinal right. Lost a fortune."
"No idea if Brazil can hold their own against Germany tonight."
"Can’t decide which team to bet on…"
Lin Yu: "!!!"
No amount of armor could save Brazil now.
In his limited football memory, this match stood out—Germany’s 7-1 annihilation of Brazil.