Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women-Chapter 171: Wanna Go For Dinner?

The day passed quicker than Ethan had expected. The sun had been relentless in the afternoon, but the constant activity kept him from paying too much attention to the heat.

He had started off observing, but somewhere along the way, he and Riley had begun pitching in wherever they could.

At first, it was just simple tasks — handing tools to the workers, helping check the markings, and making sure measurements were in place.

But as the hours went on, Ethan found himself taking on some of the heavy lifting as well.

It wasn't just about making things go smoother; he needed the workout. W

ith all the time he spent in meetings and handling business affairs, it had been a while since he had done any real, physically demanding work.

His muscles burned in a way that reminded him of long-forgotten gym sessions, but he wasn't complaining.

Riley, on the other hand, was a different story. She had been in her element all day, moving quickly between tasks, coordinating with the workers, and making sure every last support was properly in place.

Even though her hands were covered in dust and her hair was slightly out of place, she still managed to look effortlessly good.

Ethan didn't say it aloud, but he admired how hardworking she was.

As the evening set in, the workers began keeping the equipment, securing the materials for the next day's tasks.

The heavy machinery was shut down one by one, and the air that had been filled with drilling noises finally became quiet.

Some of the workers laughed and patted each other on the back, satisfied with the day's progress.

Riley wiped the back of her hand against her forehead, sighing. "That was a long day."

Ethan rolled his shoulder, feeling the tension there. "Yeah. It's tiring at some point."

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"That's just the beauty of construction," she teased. "Well hope you aren't too tired."

They stood there for a moment, watching as the last of the workers packed up. The foreman exchanged a few words with some of the crew before giving a glance in their direction.

Ethan noticed the small look of acknowledgment he gave Riley.

Whatever it meant, she didn't seem to mind it.

Instead, she hesitated, shifting her weight slightly as she played with her fingers. The workday was officially over, but she wasn't in a rush to leave.

And before she could second-guess herself, she turned to Ethan, her voice almost hesitant.

"There's a small café nearby…" she started, her fingers still fidgeting. "It's not fancy, but their food's pretty good. Since it's still early, do you want to grab dinner with me?"

Ethan glanced at his watch. It was just past 6 p.m. The night was still young.

He didn't have any particular plans after this, and honestly, a meal sounded good right now.

So, without much thought, he gave a small nod. "Yeah, let's go."

Riley's face brightened, though she tried to hide it by turning away.

"Cool," she said casually, but Ethan caught the small smile tugging at her lips.

The two of them crossed the road, the streetlights beginning to flicker on as the sky darkened into shades of deep blue.

The café wasn't far, just a few minutes' walk from the construction site. It was a small, cozy place nestled between a few other buildings, the kind of spot that wasn't too crowded but had just enough regulars to feel welcoming.

The scent of coffee and freshly baked bread drifted from the entrance, mixing with the evening air.

Ethan held the door open for Riley, and they stepped inside.

A soft chime rang as they entered, and a young waitress behind the counter looked up, giving them a polite smile.

"Welcome! Feel free to sit wherever you like."

Riley led the way, choosing a booth near the window.

Ethan slid into the seat across from her, glancing around the café. It was simple, nothing overly fancy, but it had a warmth to it.

As soon as they settled in, the waitress returned with two menus, handing them over. "Let me know when you're ready to order."

Ethan opened his menu, scanning the options. It was a mix of diner-style meals — burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and a few rice dishes.

Riley already seemed to know what she wanted. She closed her menu and leaned slightly forward, resting her arms on the table. "So, how was your third full day working with us?"

Ethan smirked. "You mean my day of free labor?"

She laughed. "Hey, no one forced you to help."

"True, but I figured if I was going to be out there all day, I might as well do something useful," Ethan admitted. "Besides, I needed a workout."

Riley arched an eyebrow. "Lifting steel beams and moving cement bags wasn't too much for you, was it?"

Ethan chuckled. "It's been a while, but I managed."

Riley shook her head, amused. "You actually did better than I expected."

The waitress returned, taking their orders — Riley went for a simple chicken and rice dish, while Ethan settled for a burger and fries.

Once their orders were placed, Riley leaned back in her seat. She felt oddly comfortable around Ethan, which was strange, considering they hadn't known each other for long.

It wasn't just that he was good-looking — though, God help her, he really was. It was the way he carried himself.

He didn't act like some arrogant businessman who thought he was above everyone else. He had spent the entire day in the dirt, working alongside the crew like he was just another worker.

Maybe that was why she found herself drawn to him.

Ethan noticed her staring and tilted his head slightly. "What?"

Riley blinked, realizing she had been lost in thought. "Nothing," she said quickly, looking away.

A few minutes later, their food arrived, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics — random things about the construction site, the weirdest things Riley had seen during her work, and even some of Ethan's past business ventures.