"I only wish for your happiness, Xiao Yi. If the future is uncertain, then let's cherish the present."
Jing Wen had never intended to tie Zhou Yi down.
To love soone isn't to possess them or bind them.
Jing Wen's love was simple—she rely wanted Zhou Yi to be happy, even if his joy didn't include her.
Zhou Yi felt a pang of emotion. Even though he was known as a flirtatious man, he couldn't bring himself to say anything hurtful to this woman.
"Sister Wen, stop thinking so little of yourself. I want you to be happy too."
"If Xiao Yi is happy, then I am happy."
Every flicker of her emotions revolved around him.
These words tightened Zhou Yi's chest. He didn't respond but instead held her hand more firmly.
Jing Wen gently patted his back and said, "Alright, have you eaten breakfast yet? If you're hungry, I'll make sothing for you."
"I'm not hungry. I just wanted to talk with you for a while."
Zhou Yi led Jing Wen to sit on the sofa.
She pushed aside the unpleasant thoughts and began talking about the furniture she'd bought recently.
She rambled on about what she'd purchased for Zhou Yi, ntioning that she hadn't finished setting up the bedside lamp because she was worried it would strain his eyes if he used his phone in bed.
Then she pointed to the flowers on the balcony, reminding him to water them regularly.
Leaning against Zhou Yi's shoulder, she whispered softly, "Xiao Yi, could you tell if you ever find soone you like?"
Zhou Yi tousled her hair. "Still thinking about last night?"
"I'm just curious about what kind of girl she is."
"It's Jiang Ruolan. She confessed to last night, but she also knows there's no future between us. She just asked to stay with her for the night."
Jing Wen froze. A girl as outstanding as Jiang Ruolan—why wouldn't there be a future with Zhou Yi? They seed like a perfect match, the talented man and the beautiful woman...
A girl who surpassed her in every way couldn't win Zhou Yi's heart either?
She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or sad. At least Zhou Yi didn't love Jiang Ruolan; his feelings for her were likely just pity.
"She's so accomplished, so beautiful, and so capable. Why don't you like her?"
"Did you forget what I said last ti? There are many talented people out there, but there's only one Sister Wen. She asked to stay with her for the night, and I agreed. But that's all I can give her."
Jiang Ruolan had Zhou Yi's body, but not his heart.
Perhaps last night was just a mont of Zhou Yi's softheartedness?
The knot in Jing Wen's heart gradually loosened.
Adult relationships were complicated, and Jing Wen understood this better than anyone. She sighed, unsure who she should feel sorry for.
"Part of is glad you don't like her, but part of thinks a girl like her deserves a man's wholehearted devotion."
Zhou Yi smiled faintly but didn't reply, and Jing Wen didn't press further.
The small storm had passed.
Monday.
Zhou Yi had a class during the third period. He arrived just in ti and noticed that Zhang Wu, who usually sat next to him, had been moved to the back. In his seat now sat a short-haired woman.
—It was Kong Huaijin.
Not many in the class knew her. Most of them were still students and had no idea about the business magnates outside their campus.
They simply assud Zhou Yi had caught the attention of so pretty girl from another class who had co looking for him.
Kong Huaijin was only twenty-seven years old, her appearance youthful enough to blend seamlessly into a college campus. Yet, there was an unmistakable air of authority around her—she carried herself like soone born into wealth, soone ordinary people instinctively avoided crossing paths with.
Beside Su Ning, Zhang Lili couldn't help but dive headfirst into gossip mode.
"Oh my god, is that Zhou Yi's girlfriend? She's draped in designer brands from head to toe. That diamond-studded Hermès bag sitting on the desk probably costs around five million dollars. Honestly, I'm starting to lose track of what money even ans anymore."
Su Ning, of course, knew exactly who this woman was—the sa woman her brother had ntioned ti and again.
Shaking her head slightly, Su Ning clarified, "She's not Zhou Yi's girlfriend. She's the daughter of Huaihai's richest man, the eldest miss of the Kong family. Naturally, her style is unparalleled."
Zhang Lili gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. "What?! The richest man's daughter? No wonder she dresses like that. But why is she here in our class? Is she trying to pursue Zhou Yi?"
Su Ning's gaze faltered for a mont as she shook her head. "I don't know. But it's not surprising if soone likes Zhou Yi."
Kong Huaijin was undeniably beautiful, and when paired with her sleek black Chanel ensemble and the custom-made diamond-encrusted Hermès bag resting casually on the table, she exuded opulence. Her presence alone commanded attention. With a cool, detached expression, she sat there, unapproachable, while the entire class hesitated to even make eye contact with her, let alone strike up a conversation.
Zhou Yi, however, remained unfazed as he took his seat and greeted her calmly, "Morning, Sis. What brings you to Huaihai University today?"
Without hesitation, Kong Huaijin pulled out a check and handed it to him. "The twenty million dollars we discussed last ti—I've taken care of it."
The students seated behind Zhou Yi were utterly dumbfounded, their jaws nearly dropping to the floor.
Twenty million? Was this so kind of... maintenance fee?
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with amusent. "Sis, what's this about? Didn't we agree that the Kong family would invest ten million, leaving the remainder to Mr. Liu?"
The students behind him silently sighed in relief: Oh, it's just an investnt. Never mind then.
Kong Huaijin's voice remained composed as she replied, "The decisions of others don't concern . Consider the additional ten million my way of extending an invitation—a small gesture before dinner."
Their classmates' eyes widened in disbelief: What?! A ten-million-dollar appetizer?!
Zhou Yi chuckled softly. "This isn't pocket change, Sis. Are you really going to such lengths just to treat to a al?"
A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Kong Huaijin's lips. "To , this is nothing more than everyday spending. So, are you accepting my invitation or not? I never realized inviting soone to dinner could be so challenging."
The students behind them listened in awe as Kong Huaijin spoke of millions as though they were re pennies. Envious tears practically pooled in their eyes.
Zhou Yi sighed lightly. "Alright, Sis, enough gas. What's this really about? Soone as busy as you wouldn't go through all this effort just for , would you?"
If Zhou Yi had accepted her dinner invitation without hesitation earlier, Kong Huaijin might have casually revealed that her friend wanted to et him. But now, her stubborn streak had kicked in. She was determined to secure this eting on her own terms.
When Kong Huaijin refused to elaborate further, Zhou Yi pushed the check back toward her.
"Sis, I still have class to attend. Let's discuss this over lunch instead. Everyone in the class is watching us."
Kong Huaijin's face flushed slightly with frustration. She had never encountered such an unyielding man! Despite coming here personally—an act she considered rare and significant—he still dared to reject her!
In her mind, showing up like this was already a considerable concession. After all, she had never gone out of her way to visit a classroom just to speak with soone.
Still, recalling how Zhou Yi had once helped her younger brother, Kong Xiaohe, her tone softened marginally.
"Fine. Just consider auditing your class. Surely your professor won't object."
Zhou Yi laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Alright, Sis. Join in reliving the college experience, then."
As Zhou Yi and Kong Huaijin continued their conversation, every word exchanged between them was being ticulously relayed by the students seated behind them, spreading like wildfire across the room.
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