Love Apartment: Martin's Transformation Adventure

Chapter 33 Human Relationships and Social Skills - Master Qiao

Just after Martin fell asleep, Zeng Xiaoxian knocked on the door and came in.

"Martin, what is this...?"

First, she was stunned by Martin's Taoist attire, then she pointed at the fast-sleeping Martin and asked in a questioning tone.

Lu Ziqiao whispered, "Oh, Master Ma did a divination for me and Meijia. We were probably too tired from all the exertion, so we fell asleep."

"Fortune telling?" Zeng Xiaoxian raised an eyebrow.

Martin offers this service?

"Hey, just killing time."

Lu Ziqiao gave a casual, evasive answer, then asked, "Teacher Zeng, did you come here for something?"

Zeng Xiaoxian then remembered his business and said, "Oh, I just wanted to tell you that pork prices have gone up recently, and the restaurants downstairs have raised their prices by 10%. If you have time, you can go down to the lobby to take a look."

Lu Ziqiao couldn't help but complain: "These days, everything is getting more expensive, except wages."

"Hehehe."

Zeng Xiaoxian smiled, glanced at Martin who was still dreaming, and said goodbye, "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

He originally wanted to check if Martin had transformed today and to inform him of the pork price increase, but seeing that Martin was sleeping, he decided to leave first.

"Bye-Bye."

After seeing Zeng Xiaoxian off, Chen Meijia secretly glanced at Martin, then waved to Lu Ziqiao.

Lu Ziqiao stood up and walked over, not understanding why.

Chen Meijia asked in a low voice, "Ziqiao, when Martin was telling fortunes just now, did the golden light emitted from the tortoise shell really just diffused light?"

"fool!"

Lu Ziqiao tapped Chen Meijia on the head and said speechlessly, "That was just Martin's story. You actually believed it?"

Chen Meijia covered her head and said aggrievedly, "Of course I don't believe it. How could astigmatism be so bright, and even golden? A normal person can tell there's something wrong at a glance."

"That settles it then. Remember, be respectful to Martin from now on; never offend a fortune teller like that!"

"oh..."

The two suddenly realized that they were only a few centimeters apart, and they could feel each other's breath as they spoke.

The atmosphere suddenly became enchanting.

The two immediately separated.

Lu Ziqiao looked up at the sky.

Chen Meijia looked down at the ground.

So embarrassing! Mom praised the embarrassment, it was so awkward!

Sensing that the atmosphere around him seemed a bit off, Lu Ziqiao coughed twice: "Ahem, rent is due next week, don't forget to prepare in advance."

"I was ready a long time ago."

Chen Meijia tiptoed to the sofa, picked up the wallet from the coffee table, returned to Lu Ziqiao, and gestured for him to reach out.

Lu Ziqiao extended his hand.

Chen Meijia said, "Then stretch out the other one too, and hold it together with both hands."

Lu Ziqiao was full of questions, not knowing what Chen Meijia was going to do, but he still did as she asked.

Wow~

A pile of one-yuan and fifty-cent coins was poured from the wallet into Lu Ziqiao's hands.

Lu Ziqiao stared speechlessly at the coins.

He finally understood why Chen Meijia wanted him to fawn over her...

"What are all these things?"

"What, never seen RMB before?" Chen Meijia rolled her eyes and put away her wallet.

Lu Ziqiao said speechlessly, "Miss, this is only enough to cover a small portion."

Chen Meijia frowned slightly, looking confused, and said, "Didn't we get half-price rent and free utilities?"

Lu Ziqiao placed the coins in his hand on the table and said, "Did you get your head squeezed by a door? There are four people in the next room, and three of us in the next room. It's true that the rent is halved, but if we split it, we still have to pay the rent for the empty room."

"Yeah?"

Chen Meijia scratched her head.

Lu Ziqiao shrugged, indicating that he wasn't making things up and that he could do the math if he didn't believe him.

Chen Meijia started counting on her fingers.

"One times seven equals seven, two times seven equals forty-eight, March 8th is Women's Day, May 1st is Labor Day... June 1st... Ah, when you calculate it, you're right."

Lu Ziqiao was speechless, already stunned by Chen Meijia's arithmetic skills.

"Yes, you're right. Don't blame me for not warning you, I've already found a solution for mine, so you'd better hurry up!"

Chen Meijia cried pitifully, "Waaah...where am I supposed to find a way? This is all my savings~ Waaah..."

"Waaah... Now you know how to cry?"

Lu Ziqiao's expression changed, and he retorted, "All you do all day is read comics and buy dolls. This young master hopes you—face—reality!"

Chen Meijia pursed her lips, unable to speak, and lowered her head to think of an idea. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her, and she looked up at Lu Ziqiao.

Lu Ziqiao took two steps back, crossed his arms over his chest, and said warily, "What are you doing? I'm warning you, don't try anything with me, I'm not helping you."

Chen Meijia exclaimed excitedly, "I remember now! Didn't Martin say the extra rent could be settled today?"

"Who can be sure about fortune telling? I advise you not to place all your hopes on it."

Lu Ziqiao shrugged.

Chen Meijia asked, puzzled, "Didn't you just say that fortune tellers are not to be offended? Are you telling me to show Martin some respect?"

Lu Ziqiao tapped Chen Meijia's forehead with his finger, exasperated. "You're in this world, don't you even know how to conduct yourself?"

"You don't believe Martin is a real fortune teller?" Chen Meijia's eyes widened.

Lu Ziqiao said, "I don't believe it or not."

"What do you mean?"

Chen Meijia didn't understand and scratched her head like a confused person.

Lu Ziqiao said, "Based on my many years of experience in the underworld, the fortune-telling skills Martin showed you should have some real ability. However, when he told my fortune, he was obviously more of a charlatan than a true expert."

"so what?"

Chen Meijia listened very attentively.

Lu Ziqiao laughed and said, "That's why I'm sure I'll get rich!"

"Tch~" Chen Meijia rolled her eyes dramatically.

Lu Ziqiao crossed his arms and said smugly, "You don't need to cut it. When I get rich, you'll be so envious."

Chen Meijia glanced at her disdainfully and said, "If you can get rich, pigs can fly!"

"We'll see!"

The two parted on bad terms.

……

When Martin woke up, it was already past 2 p.m.

"Martin, you're awake? I'll go heat up your food."

Hearing the noise, Chen Meijia glanced over, quickly put down her comic book, and walked towards the kitchen.

"Hmm~ How long have I been asleep?"

Martin rubbed his aching temples, took a nap, and no longer felt dizzy or on the verge of sudden death.

"Hmm... about two hours."

Chen Meijia heated up the dishes, poured a glass of water, and came over.

Martin took the water glass, took a sip, and thanked her, saying, "Meijia, thank you for your hard work."

"Hi, it's nothing."

Chen Meijia waved her hand.

Martin stood up and stretched, then asked, "Where's Ziqiao?"

"The room," Chen Meijia gestured with her lips.

Martin nodded.

Chen Meijia couldn't contain herself any longer and asked, "Martin, you said before that the extra rent could be settled today, is that true?"

Martin smiled and said confidently, "Of course it's true. Not only will the extra rent be covered, but your rent for the next few months will also be taken care of."

"Really?"

Chen Meijia was overjoyed, clenched her fist and exclaimed happily, "That's great!"

……