A flicker of sadness crossed Lin Nian’s eyes, but she still said demurely, "I know my circumstances aren’t the best right now. I just want to work hard and build a good life for myself. Maybe in the future, if I’m in need, I’ll really have to trouble you, Auntie."
"Of course. Don’t talk about it being a ’trouble.’ We’ve known each other for so many years."
And just like that, the two schemers pleasantly concluded their conversation. It seemed they had both gotten the answers they were looking for, and they parted ways with smiles.
The instant they turned their backs on each other, their expressions soured.
Li Xiaomei knew Lin Nian would definitely keep leeching off Xiao Feng, but she didn’t care—as long as it didn’t interfere with him marrying Sun Lili.
Li Xiaomei wouldn’t even mind if, in the future, a wealthy Xiao Feng kept Lin Nian as a mistress on the side.
Meanwhile, Lin Nian watched Li Xiaomei’s retreating back, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
’Have you forgotten how you got your own title as Mrs. Shen?’
’And you still have the audacity to come lecture me?’
’Ever heard the phrase "pot calling the kettle black"?’
’How laughable! Did you think that just because you’re Mrs. Shen now, everything you did in the past can be wiped clean?’
**
Ever since making that bet with Qin Jiao, Xu Wei had been convinced of one thing. The moment she heard Qin Jiao had left the exam room early, she assumed it was because Qin Jiao didn’t know what she was doing.
’Programming isn’t as simple as she imagines.’
’The languages they were currently learning were limited, too, which made it incredibly difficult to be innovative.’
Xu Wei’s roommate knew she had been dwelling on the matter and tried to console her. "Don’t you worry. That Qin Jiao is clearly just a pretty face. So what if she was the top scorer on the college entrance exam? She hasn’t attended a single one of our major’s specialized courses. How could she possibly win?"
Another girl nearby chimed in, "I don’t think that’s right. I heard from some of the freshmen that Qin Jiao often comes to sit in on classes with Shen Yi. She’s probably attended a fair number of our specialized courses."
Xu Wei’s expression immediately darkened.
In truth, she already knew.
Shen Yi and that Qin Jiao were thick as thieves, completely inseparable. They were even together during classes.
Then there were the rumors that had spread across campus, claiming Qin Jiao was a gold-digger who had used shameless tactics to get with Shen Yi. In response, Shen Yi had immediately started dedicating love songs to her over the school’s broadcast system to publicly declare his affection and set the record straight.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t jealous.
Otherwise, Xu Wei would never have cast aside her pride and composure to make advances on Shen Yi and challenge Qin Jiao.
She firmly believed that a man as exceptional as Shen Yi deserved an equally exceptional woman!
Meanwhile, Xu Wei’s roommates were gossiping about Shen Yi and Qin Jiao.
"Oh, right, I heard Shen Yi hasn’t been to class the last few days. Someone said he went to the South."
"What’s he doing in the South?"
"Business, of course. He owns a clothing factory, remember?"
"Oh, and I heard that Qin Jiao hasn’t been in class the last few days either. Do you think she went with Shen Yi?"
Hearing this, Xu Wei’s expression changed instantly. She snatched her water cup and stormed out onto the balcony to cool off.
The roommates exchanged glances and fell silent.
’Looks like the department belle’s dream might not come true after all.’
Meanwhile, Qin Jiao and Shen Yi had finally completed their business research. In addition to scouting the market, Qin Jiao had managed to steal some moments for dates with Shen Yi, treating the trip as a mini-vacation. She also found the time to visit her friend, Jiang Xiaoyue, at her university.
Jiang Xiaoyue was overjoyed. Looking at the picture-perfect couple before her, she said wistfully, "I always thought you two were a perfect match, even back in high school. But back then, you were just innocent desk-mates... right?"
After all, the two of them were always stuck together on the way to and from school, and they lived near each other.
That’s why Jiang Xiaoyue and their friends all used to say in private that even if those two didn’t get together then, they would definitely become a couple in the future!
And as it turned out, they were right!