Chapter 5

The phone screen lit up with Zhou Zhenyao’s reply. It was an orange transfer notification showing ¥10,000.00.

Yu Xuan’s pupils dilated slightly. She subconsciously counted the zeros at the end to confirm it was indeed ten thousand yuan. (t/n: Approximately $1,400 USD. For a student from a small county town, this is a significant sum, often exceeding several months of a typical local salary.)

To her, this was practically a fortune; her parents would never give her that much money at once.

Zhou Zhenyao’s text message followed shortly after, as brief as ever:

“Z.Y.: A back-to-school gift.”

…

Meanwhile, inside a high-end luxury apartment in Shanghai.

Zhou Zhenyao had already begun taking over some of his family’s business interests. He had just finished a cross-border video conference and was rubbing the bridge of his nose in exhaustion when he received Yu Xuan’s message.

The corners of his mouth quirked up as he let out an ambiguous scoff, purely amused by her remark.

To him, this ten thousand yuan wasn’t even enough to pay for the soles of his shoes. However, he had never encountered such a direct, blatant test of his wallet. Finding it entertaining, he decided to indulge her little scheme to see how she would react next. To him, this was essentially a form of recreation.

And so, with a light tap of his finger, he entered the amount and sent the transfer. He even had the good grace to label it a “back-to-school gift” so she wouldn’t feel too embarrassed.

Would she accept it with ecstatic joy, or would she put up a fake show of declining it?

For once, Zhou Zhenyao felt a flicker of patience, like a man waiting for a play to begin, as he quietly awaited her response.

…

The phone vibrated.

Zhou Zhenyao picked it up and saw a meme. It was covered in Chinese characters, and he only managed to catch the words “British Police in Belgium…” before the other party retracted it. (t/n: This is a niche meme from the Chinese otome game “Light and Night.” It refers to a suggestive/steamy dynamic involving the character Sariel. Sending this meme usually implies the sender has a “dirty” mind or enjoys spicy fan-service.)

He knit his brows, somewhat puzzled.

“Z.Y.: ?”

On the other end, Yu Xuan was startled. She had intended to send a cute sticker, but in her haste, she accidentally sent “The British Police get submissive when they reach Belgium.”

One of her close friends was an otome game fanatic who sent her suggestive memes all day long to fantasize about her 2D “husbands.” Yu Xuan would save any stickers she found funny.

She had nearly exposed herself, but fortunately, he probably hadn’t seen it clearly.

“Xuan: [Cat shooting hearts] Thank you, Senior! If I buy a pretty dress today, I’ll send a photo to let you see it—since it’ll be bought with the money you gave me.”

That last sentence somehow struck a chord of pleasure in Zhou Zhenyao.

“Z.Y.: Mm. Go enjoy your shopping. Let me know if it’s not enough.”

“Xuan: Okay, okay! Mwah!”

When Yu Xuan looked at the clothes in the mall again, her mood was entirely different. She no longer had to struggle over which item to pick. She shifted her gaze toward the elegantly decorated luxury brand counters.

With light, swaying steps, she walked toward those glitzy boutiques, her silhouette looking both breezy and adorable.

The start of the semester arrived, and with it, the day of departure.

Yu Xuan was an only child, carrying all of her parents’ love and hope. Although their family background was ordinary, her parents had never let her feel lacking in material goods. They had even bought her a high-speed rail ticket to Shanghai well in advance—second class, which would take several hours. (t/n: High-speed rail in China is divided into Business, First, and Second class. Second class is the standard, most common way to travel.)

“Xuanxuan, are you sure you don’t want us to take you? With all this luggage, how can you manage alone?” Her mother’s eyes were slightly red as she repeatedly reorganized the overstuffed suitcase.

“She’s right. Registration day will be chaotic with so many people. Let me drop you off at the school and get you settled before I come back,” her father chimed in, his brow furrowed.

Yu Xuan stood at the doorway wearing a brand-new dress that accentuated her slim waist and long legs, looking pure and radiant.

“Dad, Mom, I can really do it! I’m eighteen now; I’m an adult! I have to learn how to travel long distances on my own eventually. Besides, the high-speed rail is a direct shot; it’s very convenient. Don’t worry, I’ll video call you the moment I get to school!”

Her parents exchanged a look but ultimately couldn’t win against their daughter’s persistence. After a thousand warnings and reminders, they saw her out.

They watched as Yu Xuan got into a ride-share car and waved goodbye. Only after the car turned the corner and vanished from sight did the elderly couple turn back upstairs with watery eyes.

However, the car did not head toward the high-speed rail station. Its destination was the airport.

Yu Xuan had never flown on a plane before, and she wanted to experience it. She had “accidentally” mentioned this idea to Zhou Zhenyao while chatting a few days ago.

“Xuan: Senior, Shanghai is so far away. The high-speed rail takes so long. I heard flying is much faster, but I’ve never been on a plane before. [Curious]”

Zhou Zhenyao had been very direct.

“Z.Y.: Send me your ID number.”

Sure enough, a short while later, she received a ticketing confirmation text from the airline. It was for First Class.

Looking at that text message, Yu Xuan was thrilled. She sent several cute stickers in a row.

Zhou Zhenyao was practically an all-powerful wishing machine! This feeling of being unconditionally indulged was becoming addictive.

She had quietly refunded the high-speed rail ticket. Combined with several other sums of money Zhou Zhenyao had given her over the last few days, she was already a “little rich girl” with savings. A few days prior, she had even taken a trip to the neighboring provincial capital, mustered up her courage, walked into an LV boutique, and bought herself a bag.

As the car arrived at the airport departures level, she sent a message to Zhou Zhenyao.

“Xuan: I’ve arrived at the airport! I’ve memorized the boarding procedure you taught me. I’m heading out now!”

…

Inside Veritas, one of Shanghai’s top-tier private clubs, the lights were brilliant. The largest luxury suite was currently hosting a birthday celebration for the birthday girl, Jin Zhaolu.

Most of those in attendance were socialites from similar backgrounds and a few young heirs from their close circle. Zhou Zhenyao was naturally there as well. He sat in a relatively quiet corner of the sofa, looking relaxed and at ease.

From time to time, people would come over to tease him and Jin Zhaolu.

“Yao-ge, you have to treat our Zhaolu even better! She’s been following you around since she was a little girl!”

“Exactly! Out of everyone in our group, you’re the hardest to pin down, yet Zhaolu finally landed you. This has to be true love!”

“When do we get to attend the wedding? Don’t make us wait too long.”

To outsiders, Zhou Zhenyao truly did treat Jin Zhaolu differently. He had a cold and aloof personality and had never been involved in romance before; no regular female companion had ever appeared by his side until he finally accepted Jin Zhaolu.

And Jin Zhaolu’s unwavering passion for him over a decade was an open secret in their circle. Now that things were as they were, it seemed to everyone that Zhaolu’s persistence had finally paid off. It looked like a high-society marriage alliance that would naturally come to fruition—a match made in heaven.

Jin Zhaolu was dressed exceptionally vibrantly today in a current-season haute couture mini-dress, her face glowing with the radiance of someone being pampered. Holding a wine glass, she accepted everyone’s blessings with a smile, though her gaze instinctively drifted toward Zhou Zhenyao.

“Yao-ge, let’s take a photo together!”

Taking advantage of the good atmosphere, she walked over to his side. She flirtatiously hooked her arm through his, leaning in close as she held her phone up.

Zhou Zhenyao paused for a second. Glancing at the birthday girl’s expectant face, he didn’t refuse and allowed her to cling to his arm.

Jin Zhaolu was perfectly satisfied and quickly pressed the shutter.

In the photo, the man was handsome and refined, while the girl’s smile was like a blooming flower. Who wouldn’t say they were a perfect match?