"Hmph, next time I see him, I'll make him pay!" Xie Xingxuan slammed her foot on the accelerator and drove away.
At the same time, in the president's office at Chaoran Group, Su Yingxue, dressed in a white suit skirt, looked elegant, cold, and striking.
Right now, as she looked at a dossier on her desk, she couldn't help frowning slightly.
A few days ago, after Chen Feiyu walked away so resolutely, Su Yingxue had actually developed a sliver of interest in him and sent people to investigate his whereabouts.
However, the results of the investigation left her deeply disappointed.
"Back then, you stood before me with such unyielding pride, and I actually thought you were hiding your true depths and would amaze me with an incredible performance. Who would have thought you'd end up working as a waiter at a humble eatery? You've completely shattered my expectations.
"And to think you've gotten mixed up with Han Muqing. Although rumors say Han Muqing is bold and alluring, deep down she is actually cold, proud, and conservative—and she even has the eldest young master of the Xie Family playing protector. Messing around with her is simply courting death."
Su Yingxue shook her head inwardly, a flash of disappointment crossing her beautiful eyes.
Of course, she still knew nothing about Chen Feiyu's visit to the Xie Family.
Because the Su Family was simply no match for the Xie Family, the people she sent out had no way of finding out what had happened at the Xie Family estate.
Standing nearby, a graceful young matron asked for instructions, "Miss, should we continue following and investigating him?"
"Forget it, no need..." Su Yingxue waved a hand, but halfway through, she suddenly changed her mind and said, "No, keep trailing him. If you happen to run into him facing any difficulties, help him out if you can."
The matron acknowledged the order and turned to leave, though inwardly she held Chen Feiyu in deep contempt.
She had been the one investigating Chen Feiyu all this time, and she found that aside from being handsome and good at fighting, he had virtually no redeeming qualities.
Being handsome at best made him a kept man, and being good at fighting just meant he was all brawn and no brains.
The Su Family was a prominent business family, and Su Yingxue was the dazzling pearl of Mingji City. Young scions pursued her like crossing a river in a swarm, and virtually every single one of them was far superior to Chen Feiyu—by a wide margin at that.
"A loser like Chen Feiyu isn't worthy of Miss at all. Why on earth is Miss wasting her time and effort on him?" The matron shook her head, finding it utterly incomprehensible.
Three days later, right on the weekend, Lin Yujia brought two of her best friends along to the eatery.
Lin Yujia was already the campus belle of her school, but her two companions were in no way inferior to her in terms of looks.
One of them was named Zhou Ruohua. She wore a light-white dress on her upper body, Prada half-heel shoes on her feet, and carried a limited-edition LV handbag—she was absolute upper-class material.
She had large eyes, with a beauty mark at the corner of one eye, exuding a youthful yet alluring charm.
The other was named Qin Danya. Although she wasn't dressed as luxuriously as Zhou Ruohua, she came from a scholarly family, possessed an elegant and refined aura, and served as the class monitor with a massive following of suitors.
Lin Yujia, Zhou Ruohua, and Qin Danya were already the top three campus belles in the school.
Now that the three of them were sitting at a table in the eatery, they instantly drew numerous gazes.
Lin Yujia looked around left and right, and upon failing to see Chen Feiyu, she felt a slight pang of disappointment.
"Yujia, who on earth is this Chen Feiyu you keep talking about? I want to see just who has what it takes to capture our Yujia's heart," Qin Danya teased with a smile.
Zhou Ruohua chimed in, "Yujia didn't even deign to give the student union president He Chao the time of day. You have to know, He Chao's father is the CEO of a state-owned enterprise, with both power and influence in Mingji City. If this Chen Feiyu isn't some wealthy scion or a red-background elite who can't even afford brand-name clothes, I certainly won't approve of him spiriting our Yujia away."
The reason the two of them had come today was to vet Chen Feiyu on Lin Yujia's behalf. If Chen Feiyu lacked any real capability, they wouldn't mind making him back off in defeat.
Lin Yujia's face instantly flushed crimson, and she protested bashfully, "Oh you two, stop gossiping nonsense! It's not as exaggerated as you make it sound. Brother Yu just treats me like a younger sister."
After saying that, Lin Yujia's expression dimmed slightly.
Ever since Chen Feiyu saved her, her heart had belonged to him. Yet through these days of contact, she had sensitively realized that Chen Feiyu truly only looked at her as a little sister.
"No way? Yujia, you're so amazing, and he treats you like a sister?"
Zhou Ruohua and Qin Danya exchanged glances, finding it hard to believe.
Lin Yujia had countless suitors, among whom were no shortage of wealthy young heirs. He Chao, whom they had just mentioned, was a prominent standout among them, with a powerful and influential family in Mingji City.
Yet without exception, all these suitors had been rejected.
And yet, such an exceptional Lin Yujia had not only lost her heart, but was even being treated merely as a sister.
Qin Danya and Zhou Ruohua felt their curiosity toward Chen Feiyu growing even stronger.
Suddenly, Lin Yujia's eyes lit up, and she waved happily, calling out, "Brother Yu, we're over here."
Chen Feiyu walked over with a smile, nodded in greeting to the three young women, and sat right down beside Lin Yujia.
Zhou Ruohua and Qin Danya sized him up, immediately failing to conceal their disappointment and disdain.
"Dressed ordinarily, ordinary background, a total poor loser. He's not worthy of Yujia," Zhou Ruohua judged silently.
"Poor manners, lazy demeanor. Handsome, yes, but lacking upbringing and basic quality." This was Qin Danya's first impression.
Lin Yujia smiled sweetly and introduced them, "Brother Yu, let me introduce you. Her name is Zhou Ruohua, and this is Qin Danya. They're both my good friends."
Then, Lin Yujia proudly hooked her arm around Chen Feiyu's and said, "His name is Chen Feiyu, and he's my Brother Yu."
Qin Danya shook her head inwardly. Though it was only a first impression, she had already completely written Chen Feiyu off.
Zhou Ruohua didn't bother to be polite at all, speaking up, "So you're Chen Feiyu. Meeting you in person really doesn't live up to the legend."
Lin Yujia's pretty face changed slightly.
Unfazed by Lin Yujia's expression, Zhou Ruohua continued with veiled sarcasm, "Chen Feiyu, I wonder where you're currently making your high-paying living?"
She already knew from before that Chen Feiyu worked at the eatery, and now she was asking a question whose answer she already knew, purely to humiliate him.
Chen Feiyu smiled faintly and said, "I'm just a waiter right here."
"Oh, so you're just a hired hand. I suppose your monthly salary is at most around three thousand?" Zhou Ruohua pressed her attack.
Chen Feiyu rubbed his chin as if pondering, then replied, "I haven't asked, but I suppose it should be around three thousand."
Qin Danya watched coldly from the sidelines, letting out an inner scoff. A monthly salary of around three thousand, and he wants to woo our campus belle Yujia? What a toad lusting after swan meat—talk about wishful thinking!
Zhou Ruohua smiled slightly and said triumphantly, "It doesn't matter if the monthly salary is a bit low, as long as your family has money and power. These days, there are plenty of rich second-generation kids going out to experience life. I just don't know what your family does. Are they high-ranking government officials, or corporate executives?"
Chen Feiyu frowned slightly. He was certain this was his first time meeting them, and he couldn't quite figure out why they were deliberately targeting him.
Chen Feiyu said calmly, "Neither. I've been an orphan since I was a child."
At this, even with Chen Feiyu's iron will, a hint of loneliness inevitably crept into his tone.
Lin Yujia immediately grabbed Chen Feiyu's hand and said with heartbreak, "Brother Yu, don't worry. From now on, I am your family."
"Alright." Chen Feiyu smiled indulgently.
Lin Yujia smiled back, her heart feeling sweet and warm.
Chen Feiyu felt a genuine, heartfelt fondness for this young girl, and precisely because of that, he chose to endure Zhou Ruohua's sneers and jeers.
Otherwise, given Chen Feiyu's temper, he would have flipped the table long ago.
Seeing this scene unfold before them, how could Zhou Ruohua and Qin Danya not realize that Lin Yujia had already fallen hopelessly in love?
The two girls exchanged glances, seeing solemnity in each other's eyes.
Qin Danya rolled her eyes and suggested they all go out to eat. Although Lin Yujia disliked their targeting of Chen Feiyu, they were, after all, long-time best friends, so she reluctantly agreed.
Zhou Ruohua drove a white BMW. Once inside the car, she flaunted proudly, "Chen Feiyu, this is a gift my mom gave me for my birthday last year. It's a pity it only costs around 500,000, but my mom said that once I get into university, she'll swap it out for a new one for me."
She wanted to see Chen Feiyu look insecure and humiliated.
However, she was disappointed. Chen Feiyu merely nodded slightly and said, "Not bad."
"Pffft, just a poor loser putting on airs," Zhou Ruohua thought with disdain.
She didn't lower her voice, so all four people in the car heard it.
Lin Yujia's face turned pale, her expression filled with displeasure as she anxiously looked toward Chen Feiyu.
However, Chen Feiyu simply replied with a smile, which finally set Lin Yujia at ease.
Qin Danya gave Zhou Ruohua a look. Understanding her intent, Zhou Ruohua drove them to a high-end restaurant, the purpose being self-evident: to make Chen Feiyu realize the massive gap between himself and Lin Yujia, and force him to back off in defeat.
Throughout the meal, Zhou Ruohua kept up her cold sarcasm, but Chen Feiyu's expression remained completely natural. He chatted and laughed with Lin Yujia from time to time, eating with great relish.
Zhou Ruohua grew frustrated; Chen Feiyu's skin was simply too thick. She felt as though she had charged up a massive ultimate move for ages, only to unleash it into thin air—it was utterly suffocating.
A hint of solemnity also appeared in Qin Danya's eyes, and she now completely regarded Chen Feiyu as a rival.
"Hmph," Zhou Ruohua scoffed with disdain, "Some people really have thick skin. True to form, if you have no shame, you're invincible under heaven."
"Zhou Ruohua, that's enough!" Gentle as Lin Yujia's personality was, it didn't mean she had no temper. Her face turned pale with anger as she said, "I introduced Brother Yu to you guys, not for you to insult him. If you keep going like this, I don't think we need to be friends anymore!"
Chen Feiyu was somewhat moved. He hadn't expected this little girl to be willing to fall out with her best friends for his sake.
In this world, besides his master, the only person who treated him this well was Lin Yujia.
Zhou Ruohua never expected the usually timid Lin Yujia to snap, and she froze in place on the spot.
Qin Danya sighed inwardly. *What a foolish girl, she can't even tell who is actually treating her well.*
"Chen Feiyu, could you step outside for a moment? I have something to say to you." Qin Danya looked at Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu smiled faintly, nodded, and replied, "Sure."
Lin Yujia immediately panicked and said, "Brother Yu..."
"Relax, she's not a tigress; she won't eat me." Chen Feiyu gave her a reassuring look and walked out together with Qin Danya.
Qin Danya lived up to her name; walking beside her, one could catch a faint, elegant fragrance.
Coming to a deserted corner, Qin Danya got straight to the point. "I hope you have some self-awareness and take the initiative to leave Yujia."
"Oh? Why should I?" Chen Feiyu raised an eyebrow and asked.
Qin Danya raised her head proudly and said, "My dad is a municipal people's congress representative and the president of the municipal writers' association, and my mom is a section-level cadre in the bureau of industry and commerce. We come from a scholarly family.
"Zhou Ruohua's family does business, with a net worth close to a hundred million. As for Yujia, you probably don't even know her parents' identities yet—her dad works in the municipal government and holds immense power.
"I want you to understand that the people in Yujia's circle are destined to be extraordinary. Even one of her suitors, He Chao, is the school student union president, and his father is the CEO of a state-owned enterprise.
"And what about you? An orphan with no status, no standing, no money, and no power. Even if you work hard for another twenty years, you might not achieve what Yujia's father has accomplished. Even if Yujia doesn't care, can you bear to let her suffer hardships following you in the future?
"Therefore, I hope you have some self-awareness and voluntarily keep your distance from Yujia. That way, it'll be a good thing for both you and her."
Chen Feiyu burst out laughing, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.
"What are you laughing at?" Qin Danya frowned, finding his laughter extremely grating.
Laughing, Chen Feiyu said, "I'm laughing at how narrow your horizon is. A frog at the bottom of a well, daring to talk wildly about the vast heaven and earth. Whatever municipal government personnel, whatever state-owned enterprise CEOs—in front of me, they are nothing more than floating clouds, easily blown away with a wave of my hand.
"One day, I will let you see just how ridiculous the words you're saying to me today really are. When that time comes, I hope you won't be too ashamed."
Qin Danya was struck dumb. She never expected a poor loser like Chen Feiyu to be so arrogant, and she angrily stamped her small foot.
When she returned to the private room, Chen Feiyu was sitting right beside Lin Yujia with a relaxed and leisurely expression.
Lin Yujia's face was livid, while Zhou Ruohua looked triumphant.
What on earth had happened?
As Qin Danya walked over in confusion, Zhou Ruohua whispered like she was presenting a prized possession, "I called He Chao, and he said he's bringing people right over. Let's see how Chen Feiyu keeps putting on airs after this."
Realization dawned on Qin Danya, and remembering Chen Feiyu's arrogant demeanor just moments ago, she glared fiercely at him.
How formidable was Chen Feiyu's hearing? Even though Zhou Ruohua had spoken in a soft voice, he had still heard every word, and a trace of disdainful mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Before long, the door of the private room was pushed open, and three young men walked in.
Taking in the newcomers, Lin Yujia's expression suddenly turned tense, and she looked anxiously toward Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu replied with a smile, and Lin Yujia's sky instantly cleared up, her expression relaxing as well.
Zhou Ruohua stood up happily and said, "He Chao, you're finally here!And Zhao Jun and Li Jianfeng, I didn't expect you two to tag along too."
The young man in the lead was He Chao. He stood over 1.8 meters tall, with a handsome and striking appearance, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a light-white shirt, giving him a scholarly aura.
The backgrounds of the two guys behind He Chao were no simple matter either.
Qin Danya suddenly grew a bit worried. If Chen Feiyu got into a conflict with them, the consequences would undoubtedly be disastrous.
She only wanted Chen Feiyu to leave Lin Yujia; she didn't want to see him beaten half to death.
Zhou Ruohua hurried over to He Chao's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and glanced toward Chen Feiyu from time to time.
He Chao nodded, a flash of gloom crossing his eyes, though he concealed it well. He walked straight over to sit on the other side of Lin Yujia, completely ignoring Chen Feiyu as he smiled, "Zhao Jun and I just happened to be eating nearby and ran into you guys. Yujia, looks like we really are destined to cross paths."
A flash of panic crossed Lin Yujia's eyes, and she immediately said, "He Chao, we aren't that close. Don't call me Yujia—Brother Yu, and I... there's nothing going on between us."
Qin Danya sighed inwardly, wondering if Lin Yujia had something wrong with her taste in people.
He Chao's smile instantly froze.
"You guys just got here, hurry and take a seat." Zhou Ruohua immediately stepped out to smooth things over. Rolling her eyes, she said, "Chen Feiyu, let me introduce you guys. This is He Chao, our school's student union president. His dad is the CEO of a state-owned enterprise, so he's a well-known young master around Mingji City."
He Chao waved his hand modestly, but the smug look in his eyes couldn't be hidden no matter what. He smiled, "What young master or old master? It's just people being polite and giving me face. But my dad has already arranged things—as soon as the college entrance exams are over, he's setting me up to intern at a state enterprise, and once I graduate from college, I can go straight into a government unit."
Zhou Ruohua's pretty eyes lit up. If He Chao weren't so infatuated with Lin Yujia, she'd really be tempted to swoop in and snatch him for herself. If she could latch onto He Chao, she'd have plenty of face when going out in the future.
Immediately afterward, she cast a malicious glance at Chen Feiyu. *He Chao is so outstanding; you, a loser, where do you get the capital to compete with him?*
Chen Feiyu simply sipped the fine tea in his hand, turning a blind eye.
"Hmph, a poor-ass waiter putting on airs. Let's see if you can still put on airs in a moment," Zhou Ruohua thought to herself as she continued introducing the remaining two, pointing to the man wearing a number 10 jersey and smiling, "His name is Zhao Jun, captain of the school football team. Great soccer skills, tons of fans..."
Before she could finish, Zhao Jun interrupted, "Great Beauty Zhou, stop pulling my leg in front of Danya. My studies are just so-so, and I don't have much of a future with the college entrance exams. However, my dad is the section chief at the sports bureau, and he'll arrange a job for me at the bureau later on. Please bear with my shortcomings."
With that, Zhao Jun looked at Qin Danya, making no effort to hide the fiery passion in his eyes. Qin Danya, however, lowered her gaze slightly and gave no response.
Another secure, government-system insider.
A faint smile hung on the corner of Chen Feiyu's mouth, still showing no particular reaction.
The final young man possessed a delicate, handsome, and soft appearance—a textbook kept-man look. He introduced himself, "My name is Li Jianfeng. My background definitely can't compare to Brother Chao or Brother Jun, but fortunately, my family has a bit of small money and muddles along running a five-star hotel, that's all."
On their way over, Zhao Jun and Li Jianfeng had already learned that someone was trying to steal a woman from He Chao, so the moment they arrived, they immediately brandished their family backgrounds, hoping to shock and awe Chen Feiyu.
And with the three of them standing together, the collective radiance they projected was enough to crush any ordinary person.
He Chao raised his wine glass and smiled, "Jianfeng, don't be so modest. In all of Mingji City, who doesn't know that Uncle Li has the widest connections? I remember half a month ago, the economic forum hosted by the Xie Family in Mingji City was held at your hotel, right?"
The Xie Family was undoubtedly a behemoth in Mingji City.
Aside from Chen Feiyu and Lin Yujia, the others instantly wore looks of fervent admiration.
Although everyone present came from prominent backgrounds, compared to the Xie Family, they were nothing more than ants.
Li Jianfeng smiled smugly and said, "Right, it was hosted by the Xie Family's princess, Xie Xingxuan. I caught a glimpse of her from afar, and sure enough, just like the rumors say, she's truly radiant and peerless, a rare sight in this world." A trace of infatuation appeared in his eyes.
At the mention of "Xie Xingxuan," everyone's expression changed, and even Zhou Ruohua's eyes filled with worship.
He Chao rolled his eyes and smiled, "Jianfeng, you're wrong to say that. Although the Xie Family princess is peerless and radiant, our Great Beauty Zhou, Danya, and Yujia are also top-tier beauties. They aren't necessarily any less stunning than her."
Zhou Ruohua and Qin Danya immediately let out light chuckles.
Of course, neither of them had any particular emotional reaction to begin with, because Xie Xingxuan was simply too outstanding—so outstanding that the two girls could only look up to her from afar, without even room for jealousy.
"Right, right, look at me, I don't even know how to talk. I'll penalize myself with a glass." Li Jianfeng raised his glass and drained it in one gulp.
The few of them chatted among themselves, completely treating Chen Feiyu as if he were air.
Lin Yujia looked apologetically at Chen Feiyu and whispered, "Brother Yu, why don't we head back?"
Chen Feiyu smiled and was just about to speak when—