012 A Dream in a Yellow Beam

Not revealing his identity, Jiang Chen certainly had his own considerations.

Last night, after throwing a million in Li Shu Rui's live streaming room and certainly achieving some effect, even leading to Li Shu Rui taking the initiative to strike up a conversation, he knew that winning her over simply through this act was not realistic.

This beauty of the art college did indeed have a bit of disdain for the poor and a predilection for the wealthy, but that didn't mean she would do anything for money.

Not to mention others, her close friend Xu Siyi was quite different from her.

Li Shu Rui, at the very least, wouldn't easily accept others' favors, but what about Xu Siyi? That girl?

She was simply inhuman, driven solely by profit.

Li Shu Rui was his first target for conquest, and if he failed, the trillions lying in his account might forever remain just virtual numbers, so he could not afford to be rash or careless.

Haste doesn't bring success.

Jiang Chen reminded himself of this.

This was not a simple love game; it was about his life and future, so he couldn't rush things. He had to act steadily and carefully plan his next steps.

————

"Change your seat."

Monday morning.

Jiang Chen had a class,

and while he was talking with Bai Zheli, Ai Qian came over with her book and stopped nearby.

"Why?"

Bai Zheli looked up.

Although he had treated her as a sister-in-law for a while, ever since Brother Chen got dumped and the series of shameless acts where she used Chen as a tool, his impression of the class beauty had plummeted, even to the point of detestation.

"I have something to discuss with Jiang Chen."

Ai Qian said assertively, commanding authority.

Bai Zheli really wanted to curse at her for her shamelessness, but due to his personality, plus consideration for the consequences and not wanting Jiang Chen to be subjected to rumors, he had to suppress his anger and reluctantly get up and leave.

Ai Qian sat down with her book, looking pleased.

"Jiang Chen, are you being spiteful towards me?"

Classes hadn't started yet.

Ai Qian turned her head, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, and looked at her ex-boyfriend.

She didn't care what the rest of the class thought or said; after all, she had plenty of ways to shift the blame onto Jiang Chen.

And every time, Jiang Chen would just take it, never retorting.

"What do you mean?"

Jiang Chen was not angry; he spoke to her like he would a regular classmate. However, his indifference made Ai Qian frown and feel uneasy, reinforcing her belief that he was indeed being spiteful towards her.

"I know you were upset about the incident the day before yesterday, but Zhen Lun saw us, and in that situation, I couldn't think of any other excuse. Can you please not be mad at me?"

She started acting coquettishly just like she had done countless times before.

Individual lives are indeed starkly different.

Even though they were both girls, Ai Qian and Li Shu Rui had drastically different personalities.

When dealing with someone poor like Jiang Chen, Li Shu Rui was cold and unwilling to have the slightest interaction, while Ai Qian was different.

Even with a boyfriend, she kept teasing Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen's poverty was real.

But his previous kindness towards Ai Qian was also real.

It was precisely because of his wholehearted devotion to Ai Qian that he earned the notorious title of a fawning admirer.

Perhaps Ai Qian's current behavior was also because she couldn't let go of the good times Jiang Chen had given her.

Human hearts are always greedy.

Even though one can't have both the fish and the bear's paw, some people always try.

Taking advantage while no one could see, Ai Qian's hand reached under the table, resting on Jiang Chen's thigh.

"There, don't be mad anymore. I apologize, and to make it up to you, I'll treat you to dinner tonight, okay?"

Such behavior, even just as classmates, was inappropriate, not to mention that Ai Qian was now a "married woman."

Jiang Chen smiled slightly, "Is he not at school today?"

Ai Qian's face stiffened, and she withdrew her hand awkwardly, her expression gradually changing.

"Jiang Chen, what do you mean?"

"If he were at school, you probably wouldn't be thinking about having dinner with me, would you?"

Ai Qian was stunned for a moment, and then realized that this young man, who had always been very obedient to her, had suddenly become somewhat unfamiliar.

"... It's true that he's not at school, but what does that have to do with me asking you to dinner? I really do want to apologize."

"There's no need."

Jiang Chen said calmly, "Since you've chosen him, just have a good life with him and don't do things that lead to misunderstandings anymore."

"Jiang Chen, are you still mad at me?"

At that moment, Ai Qian felt very uncomfortable in her heart, extremely so.

The other person had never spoken to her like this before.

"I know I was the one who wronged you, I'm the one at fault, so you wanted to get back at me by pursuing Li Shuru."

She reached for Jiang Chen's thigh again.

"You're doing this just to provoke me, to make me angry. I know I was wrong, and I definitely won't let Zhen Lun find out again."

Not going to let other people find out.

But not saying that she won't wrong herself again.

Jiang Chen laughed.

"I'm pursuing Li Shuru not because of you, but because I genuinely want to pursue her, so please don't overthink it."

He pulled Ai Qian's hand away.

"Impossible!"

Ai Qian suddenly grew agitated, her gaze condensed and her voice still sharp though suppressed, "It must be because of me! You've always liked me! You're lying!"

Jiang Chen remained silent.

He understood that her intense reaction wasn't because of deep feelings for him.

It was like a dog that had always wagged its tail only for you, suddenly leaving you to please someone else – anyone would find it hard to accept.

"We've turned the page. You've got a new beginning, and I also need to start a new life."

Jiang Chen's tone was even, without any anger, but it was filled with a suffocating sense of finality.

Ai Qian's gaze fluctuated intensely, staring fixedly at him.

Disdaining the poor and loving the rich are common human feelings, and pursuing a better material life isn't wrong.

But obviously.

Having traded up for a wealthy new boyfriend, Ai Qian wasn't as happy as she appeared, hence her "lingering thoughts" about Jiang Chen.

The whole school knew that this young man was her lapdog, and she thought that Jiang Chen would always be good to her, never betraying her, but reality had slapped her hard across the face.

"Ha, Jiang Chen, you think I don't know what you're thinking? You hate me, hate that I abandoned you, but what did I do wrong? Liang Zhenlun is wealthier than you, he's generous to me, so why can't I choose him? Why should I stick with you and suffer?"

Ai Qian clenched her fists, the veins on the back of her hand bulging.

"I never said you were wrong, and I never blamed you, did I?"

Faced with Jiang Chen's indifferent eyes, Ai Qian's voice faltered, her lips pressed tightly together.

That's right.

From beginning to end, whether it was being dumped or being used continuously, Jiang Chen never complained.

It was precisely because of this that she found Jiang Chen's sudden "change of heart" so hard to accept.

"Then why are you pursuing Li Shuru? Do you think she would take a liking to you? Just give up already! What are you worth? Even if she was willing to be with you, could you afford to provide for her?! I'm telling you, you're not even worthy to carry her shoes!"

Jealousy, embarrassment, and the rage of betrayal had already made the girl somewhat hysterical, her beautiful face contorting slightly.

Jiang Chen turned a deaf ear, his expression as tranquil as still water, as if the insults weren't directed at him.

In his mind were all the past scenes of being with this girl.

All just a pipe dream.

At that moment, the bell for class rang.

The teacher walked into the classroom.

Jiang Chen turned his head, looking towards the podium.

"Ai Qian, we should both look forward now."