## Chapter 5: Ungrateful!
As Jane handed back the cleaned coat, she took the initiative to add Young Master Johnson on WeChat.
Johnson's lips curled into a triumphant smile!
Worth it!
Those flowers were absolutely worth every penny!
But in the next second, his smile froze on his face.
Because Jane had transferred money to him!
"The flowers at Lee Garden count as a tip. Of that, twenty percent goes to the other performers in the troupe, twenty percent goes to the house, and I get sixty percent. That's sixty thousand that came to me, which I've now transferred to you."
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Johnson couldn't believe it. His handsome face turned red with anger!
He enjoyed spending money on women, and women enjoyed taking money from him—for bags, cars, houses—the more he spent, the better!
Only Jane was so ungrateful!
No matter how much Johnson liked her or how patient he was, his temper flared at this moment!
"I can play along with your flirtation, and you can pretend to be coy, but once you cross this line, it's not cute anymore, understand?"
According to his usual hunting pattern, he should have sealed the deal last night!
Instead, he had waited until today to send another wave of attentions!
He thought she would finally give in to him now?
But this woman was still putting on airs!
What are you being so high and mighty about!
Johnson's face turned cold. In his heart, he thought that if Jane apologized now, he would still forgive her this time for the sake of her beautiful face!
To his surprise, Jane burst out laughing.
When she had laughed until Johnson was about to lose his temper again, she finally became serious and spoke unhurriedly, "Young Master Johnson, I'm different from you. I'm a traditional person who takes relationships seriously. I don't like casual flings."
"Besides, you're only attracted to my face, not me as a person."
"There are many beautiful faces out there. You'll find more that you like."
Jane's words were essentially the equivalent of friend-zoning him.
Johnson had never been a lovesick puppy before. Having lost all face and dignity, his face turned almost blue as he walked away!
But after a few steps, he looked back. Jane was still standing where she had been, unmoved.
The corridor lights were dim, and Jane stood at the boundary between light and shadow. Her slender figure stood straight as a sword, blending softness and weakness with an unyielding spirit and dignity.
Not like a rose, but like the moon in the sky.
So close, yet so far out of reach.
"Damn it!"
After walking a few steps, Johnson suddenly turned back. He came to Jane with a fierce demeanor, his ferocious expression making people think he might lay hands on her.
Several colleagues who hadn't dared to leave were ready to intervene!
But the young master, in his frustration, lowered his head and asked: "What if I pursue you? Will you give me a chance?"
Young Master Johnson had been through countless women, with all kinds of female companions always by his side. This was the first time he had lowered his proud head and actively pursued someone.
Jane's lips curved into a smile as she patted Johnson's head like one would pet a dog, almost as if bestowing charity.
"We'll see how you perform."
Even with just this "we'll see how you perform," Johnson came alive, his eyes shining brightly.
This scene left the onlookers amazed!
My goodness!
If this wasn't love-sickness, what was it?
Summer's earlier words had made people think Jane was trying to seduce Johnson, but now it was clearly the opposite!
Had Jane seduced him?
No!
Had Johnson taken the bait?
Absolutely!
Young Master Johnson was desperately persistent, willingly begging Jane to throw him a hook so he could bite it!
The performance on stage had ended, and most of the lights at Lee Garden had been turned off. The other colleagues had packed up and mostly left, leaving only Jane who had removed her makeup and hairpiece but hadn't changed her clothes yet.
Johnson was very considerate, already standing guard at the dressing room door without being asked.
The implication was clear: after Jane changed her clothes, he would take her home.
Such attentiveness was unparalleled.
But Jane rejected him once again.
"You go first."
No explanation, no reason, just dismissing him.
Johnson was about to object when he met Jane's unusually calm gaze. He suddenly shivered, remembering the "we'll see how you perform" comment, and sprang up from his seat as if electrocuted!
He couldn't help but add defiantly, "Fine, I'll leave. But I'll be back tomorrow!"
"..."
Jane changed her clothes unhurriedly.
By the time she finished and came out, everyone at Lee Garden had left.
Jane turned off the last light and, as usual, walked away from the back garden across the arched bridge.
Halfway through, she received a phone call. The person on the other end sounded helpless.
"You still dare to walk across that bridge? Have you forgotten how you fell in yesterday? You can't even swim, yet you're willing to gamble with your safety. I don't know whether to call you brave or just forgetful."
Jane laughed, her gaze turning toward a tall building in the distance. In the moonlight, she could see a vague figure by the window.
"With you around, what do I have to fear?"
"No, no, no, I can't handle your sweet talk..."
Even knowing Jane was just saying it casually, this indiscriminate sugar-coated bombardment still made his scalp tingle.
The man coughed violently, his face turning bright red, and quickly cleared his throat to get to the point.
"Ahem, I have some leads on what you asked me to investigate."
Jane's footsteps halted, and she stood still.
"Most of the paintings they stole from your family were burned, but some of your mother Meng Wenjin's works were preserved."
"One of them, 'Moongazing Terrace,' is now in the hands of an auction house. I've checked, and they're having an auction at the end of the month!"
"But this auction house is too high-end. They only invite specific VIP guests, the entrance security is extremely strict, and others can't sneak in. Even if they could, they wouldn't have the authority to participate in the auction..."
The voice paused before continuing, "Jane, are you sure what your mother left for you is in this painting?"
"I'm not certain, but I have to try," Jane kicked a stone by the roadside, and when she raised her head again, she said, "Alright, Brother Cheng Zheng, you don't need to worry about what comes next. I'll find a way."
With that, she hung up the phone and strode forward.
In the tall building not far away, Cheng Zheng listened to the disconnected call, his brows furrowed, only to see the young woman wave her hand without looking back.
Her slender figure stepped into the night, gradually swallowed by the surrounding shadows.
Resolute and lonely.
Cheng Zheng's thoughts were suddenly pulled back to five years ago.
[End of Chapter 5]