Zhong Chuxi handed her phone to Zhou Ying: "You showed up in my video, and now everyone in the group is asking about it."
Jiang Yun: "Damn, buying a love nest? Why else would he go with Zhou Ying?"
Xu Ya: "Getting married right after graduation? No way."
Huang Cheng: "I'm jealous. That's the life of a big shot, while I'm still the kid who just tops up cash—nothing's changed. What right do I have to buy another skin?"
Zhou Zhiyun: "@Zhong Chuxi, what's the price per square meter there? Tell me so I can torment myself."
Huang Xiaoli: "Lu Xun once said, their love is so beautiful, while I'm merely a spectator..."
Cheng Zhipeng: "@Li Xiaoli, I Baidu-searched it; Mr. Lu Xun says he never said that..."
After reading, Zhou Ying returned the phone to Zhong Chuxi.
Then she said: "It's fine. Even if people know Jiang Cheng bought it for me, I don't care."
"You're not afraid of gossip?"
"Gossip? You mean people calling me a gold-digger?"
Seeing Zhong Chuxi give an awkward smile, Zhou Ying shrugged. "Why fear that? Back in high school plenty whispered behind my back; I knew and I didn't care. I'm not the center of the universe—after a couple of comments they'll forget. But if I let that stop me from being with Jiang Cheng, wouldn't that be my loss?"
Zhong Chuxi tasted the words and nodded. "Makes sense. With Jiang Cheng's status, plenty of girls are praying you two break up."
"Actually I feel the pressure too—there are countless pretty girls out there. But Jiang Cheng treats me well, so I don't overthink it. He did buy this place for me; nothing to hide."
Zhong Chuxi sighed. "Zhou Ying, you've really changed since high school. You used to cry at everything. Still, better keep this quiet—our class has plenty of green-eyed monsters."
Zhou Ying merely smiled. "Let it be. Even if they know, so what? If anyone's jealous, let her get Jiang Cheng to buy her a set too."
Hearing Zhou Ying's coquettish tone, Zhong Chuxi saw the gap between them. "Sigh, now I know why I can't land a Tycoon—it's the mindset. Jiang Cheng's ex has a new boyfriend. I added her on wechat and every day she's posting gifts and red-packet screenshots."
Zhou Ying glanced at her. "You mean Zhao Jia?"
"Right. Everyone saw how good Jiang Cheng was to her. Once, in the rain, she ignored him; he followed her without an umbrella for ages. I remember him dripping back into class, and she wouldn't even look. Back then you asked me his name."
Seeing Zhou Ying lost in the memory, Zhong Chuxi drafted a post: "Our class Tycoon actually bought my bestie an apartment—outrageously rich."
She attached a back-view photo of Zhou Ying and Jiang Cheng signing the contract.
Then she set it visible only to Zhao Jia.
And hit publish.
On the other side, Zhao Jia clutched her phone, waiting in the group for Zhong Chuxi's reply.
But no matter how hot the chat got or how many times they @ her, Zhong Chuxi stayed silent.
When no answer came, Zhao Jia switched out to check other messages.
Just then she spotted a new post from Zhong Chuxi.
She tapped in and her mouth fell open.
She knew the post was about Jiang Cheng buying a home.
She just hadn't expected it was for someone else.
Best friend? That had to be Zhou Ying from the video.
Disbelieving, she zoomed in on the photo.
Those backs were unmistakably Jiang Cheng and Zhou Ying.
Once the facts aligned, Zhao Jia felt knives in her chest.
She decided Zhou Ying must be the third wheel.
Otherwise why had Zhou Ying @ Jiang Cheng during that red-packet grab?
She'd also learned that when Jiang Cheng went to the capital to buy his Ferrari, Zhou Ying was the model standing by it.
In the group Zhao Jia typed: "Just a third-wheel b*tch."
But word by word she deleted it before sending.
She feared Jiang Cheng would be angry if the mess spilled out.
Dirty laundry shouldn't be aired in public.
She still hadn't grasped her place, fantasizing she was the rightful girlfriend.
Convinced Jiang Cheng was merely dazzled by a pretty fling.
One day, once he'd had his fun, he'd return to her.
Yet she also regretted—regretted not cherishing Jiang Cheng.
Otherwise this ten-million-plus apartment should have been hers.
Unconsciously she opened their chat: every message she'd sent recently had been blocked.
Red exclamation marks glared back. Still she tried adding him again.
And again, the request failed.
Dead memories assaulted her once more.
She remembered two months ago Jiang Cheng had already blacklisted her—tears streamed.
Just then her new boyfriend messaged.
"Babe, I sent you 520 during National Day and I'm broke. I borrowed from Huabei to get cash for your ticket tomorrow."
Normally she'd reply: "Love you, muah."
But under Jiang Cheng's contrast she suddenly felt pathetic.
The one who should own millions was flirting with a pauper.
So she texted back: "Let's break up. Don't contact me again."
Then blacklisted him on wechat.
Under money's halo, memories of Jiang Cheng turned heartbreakingly sweet.
And in that glow, the devoted lover switched roles.
Her heart bled, every thought fixed on Jiang Cheng.
In regret-fuelled imagination she clung to a sliver of hope.
Because Jiang Cheng had loved her, and she loved him.
This broken love could still mend.
With that thought she reopened the chat and poured out messages of longing.
Even knowing they'd fail, she kept sending like a woman possessed.
After that she posted a wechat moment.
"How could I not ache? He was once the one I loved most."
After posting, Zhong Chuxi returned to the group chat.
Zhong Chuxi: "@Zhou Zhiyun, the lowest price here is 22k per square meter."
Zhou Zhiyun: "And that Tycoon made me treat tonight—my mind's blown!!"
He hugged his phone, waiting gleefully.
Sure enough, girls started @ him like crazy.
Jiang Yun: "@Zhou Zhiyun, you're eating with Jiang Cheng tonight? Say so earlier, I'd come."
Chen Xiaoli: "@Zhou Zhiyun, I'm suddenly free tonight, I'll join you."
Wang Xi: "@Zhou Zhiyun, how many did you invite??"
Jiang Yun: "@Chen Xiaoli, Wang Xi, he asked you too??"
...Zhou Zhiyun had hoped this trick would lure the girls to dinner.
But they bypassed private chats and @ him publicly.
Result: the simp scheme crashed.
He could only play deaf and quit the group chat.