"Hmph! Next time I see him, I'll make him pay!" Xie Xingxuan slammed her foot on the gas pedal and sped off.
At the same moment, inside the Chaoran Group skyscraper, in the president's office, Su Yingxue sat in her white suit, looking elegant and cold. She frowned, staring at a background report on her desk.
A few days ago, after Chen Feiyu had left so decisively, Su Yingxue had felt a sudden spark of interest and sent someone to track his whereabouts. The results, however, were a massive disappointment.
"Back then, you stood before me with such arrogance, and I truly thought you were someone special, capable of something truly stunning. To think you've ended up working as a waiter in a snack shop—what a waste of my expectations. And to think you've gotten involved with Han Muqing. While rumors say she’s open and beautiful, she’s actually cold and conservative at heart, and she has the young master of the Xie Family acting as her protector. Getting involved with her... you truly don't know the meaning of death."
Su Yingxue shook her head, a flash of disappointment crossing her eyes. Naturally, she had no idea that Chen Feiyu had already been to the Xie family estate; the Su family was no match for the Xies, and her investigators had no way of uncovering what had happened there.
A graceful young woman standing nearby asked, "Miss, should I continue the surveillance?"
"Forget it, no need..." Su Yingxue waved her hand, but halfway through, she corrected herself. "No, keep following him. If you see him in real trouble, help him if you can."
The woman acknowledged the order and left, though she felt a secret disdain for Chen Feiyu. She had been the one tailing him, and in her eyes, apart from his good looks and decent fighting skills, he had no redeeming qualities. Good looks meant he was just a "pretty boy," and fighting skills meant he was nothing more than a brute. The Su family was a business dynasty, and Su Yingxue was the shining pearl of Mingji City. The suitors lined up for her were like a school of carp crossing a river, and almost every one of them was far superior to Chen Feiyu.
*A loser like Chen Feiyu isn't worthy of Miss at all. Why does she bother wasting time on him?* The woman thought, unable to fathom it.
***
Three days later, on the weekend, Lin Yujia brought two of her best friends to the snack shop. Lin Yujia was already a campus beauty, but her two friends were no less stunning.
One was Zhou Ruohua, wearing a pale white dress, Prada heels, and carrying a limited-edition LV bag—she was the textbook definition of a wealthy, beautiful socialite. She had large eyes with a beauty mark at the corner of one, adding a touch of allure to her youthful appearance.
The other was Qin Tanya. Although her attire wasn't as ostentatious as Zhou Ruohua's, she came from an academic, scholarly family. She possessed an elegant, ethereal temperament and served as the class monitor, with no shortage of pursuers.
These three—Lin Yujia, Zhou Ruohua, and Qin Tanya—were the three top campus beauties. As they sat at a table in the snack shop, they immediately drew countless gazes. Lin Yujia looked left and right, but not seeing Chen Feiyu, she felt a slight wave of disappointment.
"Yujia," Qin Tanya teased, "who exactly is this 'Chen Feiyu' of yours? I simply must see who has managed to steal our Yujia’s heart."
Zhou Ruohua chimed in, "Even the student council president, He Chao, couldn't win Yujia over. You know, He Chao’s father is the head of a state-owned enterprise—he has power and influence in Mingji City. If this Chen Feiyu isn't some wealthy heir or a second-generation official, and can't even afford brand-name clothes, I, for one, am not going to let him just sweep you away."
Their real purpose for coming was to screen him. If Chen Feiyu lacked substance, they wouldn't mind making him back off.
Lin Yujia blushed, protesting, "Oh, stop with the gossip! It’s not as exaggerated as you think. Brother Yu just treats me like a younger sister." She felt a pang of sadness as she said it. Ever since he had saved her, she had been head over heels, but through these past few days of contact, she had sensitively realized that he truly only saw her as a little sister.
"No way! You're so outstanding, and he treats you like a little sister?" Qin Tanya and Zhou Ruohua exchanged a look of disbelief. Lin Yujia had rejected so many elite suitors, and yet the one who stole her heart only saw her as a sibling? They were becoming increasingly curious about Chen Feiyu.
Suddenly, Lin Yujia’s eyes lit up. She waved excitedly, "Brother Yu! We're over here!"
Chen Feiyu walked over with a smile, nodded at the three women, and sat right next to Lin Yujia. Zhou Ruohua and Qin Tanya looked him over, and their faces shifted to undisguised disappointment.
*Average clothes, average background—a complete loser. He’s not worthy of Yujia,* Zhou Ruohua thought.
*Poor manners, sluggish posture. Handsome, yes, but no upbringing, low quality,* was Qin Tanya's first impression.
Lin Yujia smiled sweetly and introduced them. "Brother Yu, let me introduce you. This is Zhou Ruohua, and this is Qin Tanya—my best friends." Then, she proudly grabbed Chen Feiyu’s arm. "This is Chen Feiyu, my Brother Yu."
Qin Tanya shook her head internally; she had already written him off. Zhou Ruohua was even more blunt. "So you're Chen Feiyu? Meeting you is certainly not as impressive as hearing about you."
Lin Yujia’s expression flickered. Zhou Ruohua ignored the change in her friend’s face and added, dripping with hidden thorns, "Chen Feiyu, may I ask where you are currently employed?" She already knew he worked at the snack shop; she was asking just to humiliate him.
Chen Feiyu smiled slightly. "I'm just a waiter here."
"Oh, a blue-collar worker. I suppose your monthly salary is around three thousand, then?" Zhou Ruohua pressed the attack.
Chen Feiyu rubbed his chin, pretending to think. "I haven't asked, but I suppose that sounds about right."
Qin Tanya watched from the sidelines, sneering inwardly. A three-thousand-a-month salary and he wants to woo a campus belle like Yujia? A toad lusting after swan meat—he really thinks highly of himself!
***
Zhou Ruohua smiled, looking smug. "A low salary is fine, as long as your family has money and power. There are plenty of wealthy heirs out there who enjoy 'experiencing life.' Just wondering, what does your family do? Are they high-ranking government officials? Or executives at a major corporation?"
Chen Feiyu frowned slightly. He knew he had never met them before; he couldn't understand why they were targeting him. "Neither," he said coolly. "I’ve been an orphan since I was young."
Even for someone with a heart as iron-hard as Chen Feiyu’s, saying those words brought a fleeting sense of loneliness.
Lin Yujia immediately took Chen Feiyu’s hand, her heart aching. "Brother Yu, don't worry. From now on, I’ll be your family."
"Good," Chen Feiyu said with a doting smile. Lin Yujia beamed back, feeling a warm glow inside.
For this young girl, Chen Feiyu felt a genuine, deep affection. It was precisely because of that that he endured the cold sarcasm from her friends. Otherwise, given his temperament, he would have flipped the table long ago.
Seeing the look on Lin Yujia’s face, Zhou Ruohua and Qin Tanya realized she was truly smitten. They exchanged a look of concern. Qin Tanya suggested they go out to eat. Though Lin Yujia didn't like them picking on Chen Feiyu, they were her lifelong friends, so she reluctantly agreed.
Zhou Ruohua drove a white BMW. Once in the car, she flaunted, "Chen Feiyu, this was a birthday gift from my mom last year. It’s only worth about 500,000, but she promised to upgrade it once I get into university." She hoped to see him looking inferior and embarrassed, but he just nodded lightly and said, "Not bad."
*Tch, a poor loser acting tough,* Zhou Ruohua thought with disdain. She hadn't lowered her voice, so all four in the car heard her. Lin Yujia turned pale, looking nervously at Chen Feiyu, but he just smiled at her, which calmed her down.
Qin Tanya caught Zhou Ruohua’s eye. They drove to an upscale restaurant with the clear intent of highlighting the massive gap between Chen Feiyu and Lin Yujia’s world, hoping to make him retreat in shame.
During dinner, Zhou Ruohua kept up the snide remarks, but Chen Feiyu remained unfazed, chatting and laughing with Lin Yujia as he ate with gusto. Zhou Ruohua felt like she had been building up a massive attack only to strike at empty air; it was incredibly frustrating.
Qin Tanya’s eyes grew serious. She had now officially marked Chen Feiyu as a rival.
"Hmph," Zhou Ruohua sneered. "Some people are just too shameless. Truly, if you have no shame, you’re invincible."
"Zhou Ruohua, that’s enough!" Lin Yujia might be gentle, but she had a temper. Her face turned deathly pale. "I brought Brother Yu here to introduce him to you, not for you to insult him! If you keep this up, I don’t think we can be friends anymore!"
Chen Feiyu was moved. He hadn't expected this little girl to turn against her best friends for his sake. In this world, apart from his master, she was the only one who treated him this well.
Zhou Ruohua stood there, stunned that the usually soft-spoken Lin Yujia would actually snap. Qin Tanya sighed internally—what a foolish girl, she couldn't even tell who was actually being good to her.
"Chen Feiyu, can you come out for a moment? I have something to say to you," Qin Tanya said, looking at him.
Chen Feiyu smiled and nodded. "Sure."
Lin Yujia immediately looked worried. "Brother Yu..."
"Don't worry, she’s not a man-eater," he said, giving her a reassuring look before walking out with Qin Tanya.
As they reached a quiet corner, Qin Tanya got straight to the point. "I hope you have some self-awareness and leave Yujia."
"Oh? And why is that?" Chen Feiyu arched an eyebrow.
Qin Tanya raised her chin proudly. "My father is a deputy to the Municipal People's Congress and head of the Writers' Association. My mother is a department-level official in the Bureau of Industry and Commerce. We are a family of scholars. Zhou Ruohua’s family business is worth nearly a hundred million. As for Yujia, you probably don't even know what her parents do—her father works in the municipal government and holds great power.
"I want you to understand that everyone around Yujia is someone of status. Even He Chao, one of her pursuers, is the student council president, and his father is the head of a state-owned enterprise. But you? An orphan with no status, no money, and no influence. Even if you worked hard for another twenty years, you might not reach the level of Yujia’s father. Even if Yujia doesn't mind, can you really bear to see her suffer with you? So, I hope you have the sense to keep your distance. It’s better for everyone."
Chen Feiyu burst out laughing, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke.
"What are you laughing at?" Qin Tanya frowned, feeling uncomfortable.
Chen Feiyu chuckled. "I’m laughing at how narrow your perspective is. A frog at the bottom of a well, trying to discuss the vastness of the sky. City government workers? Executives of state-owned enterprises? To me, they are like passing clouds—a flick of my hand would blow them away. One day, I will make you realize how ridiculous your words today were. I just hope you won't be too ashamed then."
Qin Tanya was stunned. She hadn't expected this "poor loser" to be so arrogant. She stomped her foot in frustration.
When she returned to the private room, Chen Feiyu was sitting next to Lin Yujia, looking completely relaxed. Lin Yujia’s face was dark, while Zhou Ruohua looked triumphant. Qin Tanya walked over, confused.
Zhou Ruohua leaned in, whispering as if showing off a treasure: "I called He Chao. He said he’s bringing people over right now. Let’s see how Chen Feiyu pretends to be tough then."
Qin Tanya suddenly understood. Thinking of Chen Feiyu’s arrogant attitude just moments ago, she glared at him. Chen Feiyu, whose hearing was exceptionally sharp, had heard every word, but he only offered a faint, disdainful smile.
Before long, the door to the room opened and three young men walked in. Seeing them, Lin Yujia’s expression turned tense, and she looked at Chen Feiyu in a panic. Chen Feiyu gave her a smile, and she instantly relaxed, as if the sun had come out after a storm.
Zhou Ruohua jumped up in delight. "He Chao! You’re here! And Zhao Jun and Li Jianfeng, I didn't expect you two to come along too."
The man in the lead, He Chao, was over 1.8 meters tall, handsome, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a pale shirt, giving him an air of refinement. The two men behind him were also from influential families.
Qin Tanya felt a wave of worry. If Chen Feiyu clashed with them, the consequences would be dire. She only wanted him to leave Yujia; she didn't want him beaten half to death.
Zhou Ruohua walked up to He Chao and whispered in his ear, glancing at Chen Feiyu every few seconds. He Chao nodded, a flicker of darkness crossing his eyes, though he masked it well. He sat on the other side of Lin Yujia, ignoring Chen Feiyu completely. "Zhao Jun and I were just grabbing dinner nearby and happened to run into you. Yujia, it seems we are truly destined to be together."
Lin Yujia’s panic vanished as she said, "He Chao, we aren't that close. Don’t call me Yujia. Brother Yu, I have nothing to do with him."
Qin Tanya sighed, wondering if Lin Yujia’s taste in men was broken. He Chao’s smile stiffened instantly.
"He Chao, since you’re here, take a seat!" Zhou Ruohua stepped in to smooth things over. She glanced at Chen Feiyu and smirked. "Brother Yu, let me introduce you. This is He Chao, our student council president. His father is the head of a state-owned enterprise, so he’s one of Mingji City’s most famous young heirs."
He Chao waved a hand modestly, though the pride in his eyes was impossible to miss. "Oh, 'heir' is just a title people give me out of politeness. But my father has already made arrangements—after the college entrance exams, I'll be training at the state enterprise, and after I graduate, I can go straight into a government unit."
Zhou Ruohua’s eyes lit up. If He Chao weren't so obsessed with Lin Yujia, she would have tried to snatch him up herself. Then, she looked at Chen Feiyu with malice. *He Chao is so brilliant. You’re just a nobody—what capital do you have to compete with him?*
Chen Feiyu simply sipped his tea, pretending not to notice.
*Hmph, a poor waiter trying to put on airs,* Zhou Ruohua thought. She introduced the others. Pointing to the man in the number 10 jersey, she said, "This is Zhao Jun, captain of the school soccer team. His skills are amazing, and he has a ton of fans..."
Before she finished, Zhao Jun spoke up. "Beautiful Zhou, stop teasing me in front of Tanya. My grades are just average, so I don't have much of a future in academics, but my father is a division chief in the Sports Bureau. He’s already promised to get me a position there." He looked at Qin Tanya with undisguised fervor, but she looked down, ignoring him.
Another one with a guaranteed government post. Chen Feiyu just maintained a faint smile, entirely unbothered.
The final man, who had an effeminate, delicate beauty, introduced himself: "I’m Li Jianfeng. My background isn't as prestigious as Brother Chao’s or Brother Jun’s, but my family has a little money. We just happen to run a five-star hotel."
On their way over, Zhao Jun and Li Jianfeng had already heard that someone was competing with He Chao for a woman. As soon as they arrived, they laid out their credentials, hoping to crush Chen Feiyu under the weight of their status. Standing together, their combined brilliance was enough to overwhelm any ordinary person.
He Chao raised his glass. "Jianfeng, don't be modest. In all of Mingji City, who doesn't know that your father has the widest connections? If I recall, the economic forum hosted by the Xie Family half a month ago was held at your hotel, wasn't it?"
The Xie Family—undoubtedly a titan in Mingji City. Everyone in the room except Chen Feiyu and Lin Yujia showed expressions of awe.
***
Although everyone present came from prominent backgrounds, compared to the Xie Family, they were but ants.
Li Jianfeng laughed proudly. "Yes. Princess Xie Xingxuan of the Xie Family hosted it. I caught a glimpse of her from afar, and she truly was as the rumors say: peerless and stunning, rarely seen in this world." A look of infatuation crossed his eyes.
At the mention of "Xie Xingxuan," the room shifted; even Zhou Ruohua’s eyes filled with adoration.
He Chao turned his eyes and smiled, "Jianfeng, I disagree. While the Princess of the Xie Family is indeed peerless, our beautiful Zhou, Tanya, and Yujia are top-tier beauties in their own right—they aren't necessarily any worse than her."
Zhou Ruohua and Qin Tanya giggled. Of course, they hadn't felt any resentment earlier because Xie Xingxuan was so far above them that jealousy was impossible.
"You're right, you're right. Look at me, I can't even speak properly. I’ll punish myself with a drink." Li Jianfeng downed his glass.
They continued to chat among themselves, treating Chen Feiyu as if he were air. Lin Yujia looked at Chen Feiyu apologetically and whispered, "Brother Yu, should we go back?"
Chen Feiyu smiled and was just about to answer.