Meng Xiyao stumbled out of the private room, her head swimming from too much alcohol.
She looked up and saw that familiar back again.
The young men surrounding her were all handsome and exuded extraordinary charisma.
She didn't recognize the others, but she remembered Boss Han clearly.
Even Kang Wei and Lan Shuo bowed to him, yet he was so amiable towards that young lady.
*Heh.*
How could the gap between people be so vast?
As she mused, the young lady suddenly turned her head.
Her pretty face was adorned with a smile, and her pert nose was striking and lovely.
It was Wen Tingxue!
At that moment, Meng Xiyao was consumed by jealousy!
They were from the same dormitory, so why was it that she, Wen Tingxue, was surrounded and doted upon by everyone?
While she had to accompany others for drinks here, unseen and unappreciated.
She couldn't even earn money!
The more she thought about it, the more unfair Meng Xiyao felt.
Didn't she have a boyfriend?
What was she doing hanging out with so many guys?
She said one thing and did another, and she had the nerve to look down on her?!
*Hmph!*
Meng Xiyao snorted coldly. When she got back, she would definitely expose her true colors!
Hypocritical!
"What? Do you know her?"
Lan Shuo and Kang Wei, trailing a couple of steps behind, saw Meng Xiyao standing frozen in place the moment they exited.
Like a wooden pole.
Lan Shuo asked casually.
He didn't expect her to say anything significant.
To his surprise, she replied, "Yes, she's my roommate."
Meng Xiyao raised her hand and pointed at the girl with the bun in the center.
Lan Shuo's steps halted abruptly.
He turned back and looked at her for confirmation, "Do you know her name?"
Although Meng Xiyao didn't know why they were inquiring, she still provided the name.
"Wen Tingxue."
Lan Shuo immediately met Kang Wei's gaze.
It really was a stroke of luck.
They happened to run into Wen Tingxue's roommate just by having dinner.
Tsk.
If this wasn't a godsend, what was?
"That..."
Lan Shuo slung an arm around Meng Xiyao's shoulder, bent down, and looked her in the face.
His tone was gentle and soft.
"I heard you're in need of money lately?"
Meng Xiyao's heart raced as she bit her lip, "Yes..."
This was her first time attending such an event.
Even though a friend brought her, she ultimately couldn't mingle freely.
Therefore, even though she knew these two were the wealthiest, she didn't dare approach them.
When she tried to borrow money earlier, she approached those mediocre second-generation rich kids.
Not only was she rejected, but she was also met with indifference.
She really hadn't expected to have the opportunity to speak with these two.
Moreover, they were both good-looking.
Meng Xiyao naturally harbored some inappropriate thoughts.
Lan Shuo paid no mind to her ulterior motives and simply chuckled,
"Here's the deal: we'll give you money, and you just need to maintain a friendship with your roommate.
That is, Wen Tingxue, and await our news at any time.
How about it? Doesn't that sound like a very profitable deal?"
Lan Shuo playfully pinched Meng Xiyao's cheek, "If you want more, I can grant you the power to order others around."
In the capital, they could influence almost anyone except for the top-tier affluent families.
The offer he made was too tempting.
Meng Xiyao's eyes lit up with anticipation.
"Really... really?"
She looked at Lan Shuo, then at Kang Wei.
She felt that happiness had come too suddenly.
How could it be so... in the blink of an eye...
"Of course, it's real."
Kang Wei leaned against the dark doorframe, arms crossed, and said lazily,
"We're not short of money. As long as you can fulfill our request, we can give you money and power.
" As he spoke, he scanned her from head to toe and slowly smirked.
"Of course, if you want to enter the entertainment industry, I can help you get packaged."
"!"
Meng Xiyao knew he was a very popular celebrity right now.
With just one word from him, resources that others dreamed of could be placed before her.
Meng Xiyao enjoyed such privileges and was determined to infiltrate such circles.
Now, with the opportunity laid out before her, how could she refuse?
***
A University.
Qiao Xixi absentmindedly opened the car door and got out.
Han Yan seemed to have said something through the rolled-down window, but she hadn't heard a word.
She nodded perfunctorily and headed towards the dormitory building.
As she neared, she couldn't resist taking out her phone to message Mu Chen.
"Where are you now?"
"Looking back."
The instant reply infuriated Qiao Xixi.
He was so impressive!
Holding her phone, he didn't send her a single additional word!
Suddenly, Qiao Xixi's eyes shot up.
He had just replied—"looking back"?
Qiao Xixi stiffened her neck and slowly turned her head and body.
Mu Chen was standing a step behind her.
He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and matching athletic pants.
Nothing in his outfit cost more than two hundred yuan.
The word "noble" seemed to have departed from him.
But it hadn't; standing there, he was still the aloof young master of the Mu family from Jiang City.
Only, his eyes held a hint of sadness and loneliness that hadn't been there before.
Qiao Xixi felt as if the wind blowing past her was bitter.
Even the sun didn't seem as scorching.
"You..."
After a long time, seeing him unexpectedly.
Qiao Xixi was caught off guard, yet overjoyed.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
However, before she could formulate an opening, Mu Chen had already come over and hugged her.
A real, complete embrace.
Not like the flimsy, polite, perfunctory ones from before.
But a complete hug filled with possessiveness.
Qiao Xixi stood there blankly, allowing him to hold her.
It wasn't until a voice, almost a whisper, sounded in her ear that she snapped back to reality.
He said, "I missed you so much... I really missed you."
His voice, so low it was barely audible, was filled with the longing of their separation.
It even sounded a little bitter.
Qiao Xixi, recalling the persuasive words she had tried to use before, asked with slightly moist eyes,
"After falling out with the Mu family, why didn't you look for me?"
"I..."
He slowly released her, stood alone in the light, and said with his head slightly bowed,
"You were still angry with me at the time, so I... didn't want to disturb you..."
After he pulled away, Qiao Xixi faced the sun directly, while he stood in silhouette, his expression hidden.
She could only discern his hesitation and unease from his tone.
"Heh~"
Qiao Xixi let out a short, mocking laugh before turning away and saying,
"Then why are you disturbing me now?"
He didn't tell her about the fallout with the Mu family.
He didn't tell her when he came to the capital.
And now, he was following her, not even sending a message to let her know!
Did he have to wait for her to ask?
Who was pursuing whom, then!
"Xixi!"
Just as she was about to step onto the dormitory stairs, the young man rushed over.
He ran so hard that the fisherman's hat he was wearing was flung off.
Revealing clearer facial contours, and...
Qiao Xixi's eyes narrowed.
"You..."
She raised her hand and pointed upwards.
His striking blue and white hair had turned into black short hair.
More glaring was the shallow scar, about a finger's length, from his brow upwards towards his hairline.
It was very faint.
Unless it was under the intense sunlight, she wouldn't have noticed it immediately.
Mu Chen lowered his gaze, "Is it ugly?"
His hoarse voice carried a hint of pathetic self-mockery.
Qiao Xixi pursed her lips, "So, you've been wearing a hat because of this scar?"
"Mm."
"How did you get it?" Qiao Xixi asked tentatively.