Infinite Cosmic Cafeteria Chapter 95: Speak Out

Translator: StellarNovels Editor: StellarNovels

Zhen Ye lay on the coffee table, scrawling her name messily on the contract.

Her sweatshirt was at least two sizes too big, with a wide neckline, and perhaps because she had lived alone for so long, she lacked a basic sense of modesty. In this position, everything that could be seen was exposed.

Ma Lu had to avert his eyes slightly and glanced around the messy room again.

If you ignored the piles of trash on the floor and the strange smell in the air, the place was actually quite cozy. It was clear that the people who used to live here loved life.

However, time had taken its toll; the appliances and furniture were a bit old, and the entire building was due for maintenance.

There were cracks in the ceiling and walls, some areas had peeling paint, and when Ma Lu pulled the curtains earlier, he noticed mold spots near the window sill, likely caused by water seepage.

Renovating to fix these issues would require a significant expense.

Two bedrooms were visible; the one directly facing Ma Lu was locked, while the other was half-open and also filled with trash. Socks and vests were draped over the gaming chair, and the computer screen emitted a dim blue glow—likely Zhen Ye’s room.

“Finished,” Zhen Ye said, putting down the pen and handing the contract back to Ma Lu.

Ma Lu double-checked it, and after confirming there were no issues, he signed his name as well.

Downstairs, the doorbell was ringing more urgently, and Zhen Ye’s phone kept pinging with QQ messages, one after another, leaving her flustered.

Ma Lu handed one copy of the contract back to her. “This one’s yours. I’ll also need copies of your property deed, ID card, and the floor plan; we’ll need them later.”

“I have my ID... but the property deed... and the floor plan... are with my aunt.”

“Oh, she’s downstairs, right? Then let’s have her come up.”

“Huh?”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. I’ve asked a friend to come; he’s a professional and specializes in handling situations like this. He should be arriving soon.”

Upon hearing this, an image flashed through Zhen Ye’s mind of a burly man with floral tattoos, a gold chain, and a fierce expression, leading a group of lackeys in a van on their way here. Panicking, she stammered, “M-Maybe let’s not.”

“It’s okay. If we settle this once and for all, she won’t bother you again, and we might even recover some of your losses,” Ma Lu said. “But first, I need to understand how much you value this family connection. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate it?”

“Uh... 2.”

Zhen Ye was about to say something else when the doorbell suddenly stopped. Before she could relax, the outer iron gate was opened, followed by the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

Ms. Chen, holding a spare key from her LV bag, reached the second floor. But before she could insert the key into the lock, the door was preemptively opened.

Seeing her niece standing there, Ms. Chen said with a hint of annoyance, “Playing games again? I rang the doorbell downstairs forever, didn’t you hear?”

Before Zhen Ye could respond, Ms. Chen covered her nose and said, “How long has it been since you’ve showered? Never mind, I can’t deal with you. Just sign the contract, I won’t come in. Here’s the lease agreement for the first floor, everything’s settled.”

As she spoke, Ms. Chen flipped the contract directly to the last page, revealing the signature line, and handed it to Zhen Ye along with a pen.

She didn’t tamper with much, only using her phone to cover the section where the rent was listed.

Ms. Chen knew her niece very well; she was aware that Zhen Ye lacked common sense, was easily trusting, and hated trouble.

She would never read contracts carefully—in the past, she did whatever Ms. Chen told her to, saving time to play more games.

However, this time, Zhen Ye uncharacteristically didn’t sign right away.

She stood motionless in the doorway, as if suddenly turned to stone.

Ms. Chen frowned and pushed the contract closer to Zhen Ye. “Sign it. I spent over a month finding you a new tenant, 5,000 a month. If you miss this chance, you won’t get another.”

It seemed like Zhen Ye’s language module had just finished loading as she spoke in a hoarse voice, “I... already... signed a contract.”

“You haven’t signed anything yet. Sign it quickly so you can go play your games.”

“No... she really did sign.” Ma Lu’s voice came from behind. “It’s fine; let her come in.”

At Ma Lu’s words, Zhen Ye stepped back, making way.

Ms. Chen was stunned. Her niece, often described as a shut-in by internet slang, had been living alone since her parents died years ago and never had any friends—so how could someone else be inside?

Ms. Chen’s first thought was that it was a scam. Some people used the guise of romance to deceive vulnerable young girls like Zhen Ye, who lacked social experience and were easy targets.

But when Ms. Chen entered the room and saw who was standing by the window, she froze.

“Little Ma?! What are you doing here?”

“I’d prefer if you called me Boss Ma,” Ma Lu said, “and it’s fitting because I’m about to open my own restaurant.”

“You’re opening a restaurant?” A sense of foreboding crept into Ms. Chen’s mind. “Where?”

“Downstairs. Ms. Zhen Ye just rented me the first floor.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? I already rented out the first floor!” Ms. Chen shouted angrily.

“You’re not the owner; your words don’t count!”

“How do they not count? I’m her aunt, her guardian! I decide who rents this place!” Ms. Chen raised her voice. “If I say it’s rented to someone, it’s rented!”

Ma Lu didn’t bother arguing with her. “Say whatever you want, but we’ve already signed the contract.”

“That doesn’t count!” Ms. Chen declared firmly. “Zhen Ye isn’t an adult yet, and I, her guardian, wasn’t present. Anything she signs is invalid. Ha! I knew you weren’t a good person when I saw you last night. You’re full of tricks!

“You can’t fool me and my husband, so you come here to trick my niece? You’re a grown man bullying a young girl. Don’t you feel ashamed?!”

“If you, as her guardian, cared even a little about your niece, you would know she turned 18 last month.” Ma Lu said calmly.

Ms. Chen was momentarily taken aback, turning to look at a confused Zhen Ye. “You’re an adult now?”

Zhen Ye nodded.

Ms. Chen was visibly flustered but tried to maintain her tough stance. “So what if you’re an adult? You tricked my niece into signing a contract. That’s fraud! Yes, fraud! I’m going to call the police and have you arrested.”

“We signed a legitimate lease agreement, and I’ll be paying Ms. Zhen Ye 10,000 in rent every month. How is that fraud?”

“What, 10,000? You think you can rent this place for just 10,000?!” Ms. Chen raged. “You still say this isn’t a scam? Do you know how much Boss Zhang offered?”

“How much?” Ma Lu asked with a cheerful smile. “Go on, say it. Say it out loud!”

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