Jiang Cheng arrived without warning.
Lin Qingxue had just heard the news and was frantically tidying her dorm room.
She hadn't seen Jiang Cheng for more than ten days, and her mood was unmistakably bright.
Seeing Qingxue happily touching up her makeup at the mirror, Wang Pei sauntered over, full of gossip.
She patted Qingxue's shoulder. "Qingxue, it's so late—are you going out?"
Lin Qingxue gave her a smile via the mirror. "Yep. If the dorm supervisor checks, just say I'm visiting another room. Thanks!"
Wang Pei's eyes rolled playfully. "Again? Don't tell me it's Jiang Cheng?"
Qingxue didn't deny it, nodding briskly. "Mm, he came in a hurry and I'm pressed for time."
"What are you two doing out this late?"
"Ah, Qingxue, you didn't actually… give in, did you?"
She answered with a grin. "Oh, you're overthinking. We're just grabbing a midnight snack."
"A snack—so are you coming back tonight?"
"Of course not. Why bother returning so late?" she replied matter-of-factly.
Chen Lin nudged her, voice dripping implication. "I knew it. Late night, just the two of you—what exactly will you be doing?"
"Curious?"
"Mm-hmm, tell me!"
Qingxue drew her eyeliner smoothly. "Our class monitor keeps chasing you; go out with him once and you'll find out."
"Hmph, in his dreams!"
After some playful scuffling Chen Lin continued, "Did you check the campus forum? Your Brother Jiang Cheng has a new ride—a red Ferrari. I'm so jealous; I've never sat in anything that pricey."
"Right, Qingxue, last time he picked you up in the porsche 918. How does a super-car feel?"
Facing their envious stares, Qingxue didn't know how to respond.
When she'd first climbed into that car she'd been genuinely thrilled—
so much so she hadn't wanted the ride to end.
Cars like that flood you with vanity.
It felt as though she'd donned a dazzling cloak; every eye in the street turned her way in admiration.
Still, compared with ordinary Mercedes-Benz or bmws she'd ridden in before, it wasn't necessarily more comfortable—just far more expensive.
Yet if she had to choose, she'd still pick the porsche 918,
because it symbolized status and position.
But she dared not voice those thoughts aloud;
she feared they'd think she was showing off.
Watching Wang Pei and Chen Lin butter her up, Yuan Qi—who'd stayed silent—finally snapped.
"Qingxue, did you see the Student Union notice? Jiang Cheng's been made head of the External Liaison Department and treated the whole section to dinner tonight. I heard Shen Mengjia—the prettiest girl—went along. During Military Training she kept bringing him water; it even hit the forum headlines."
Yuan Qi's gloating tone didn't wipe the smile off Qingxue's face.
She already knew.
Qingxue shrugged. "I always bring him milk tea; everyone knows that."
"Qingxue, with your looks you could have any guy. Why chase a playboy Second-generation rich?"
She paid Yuan Qi no mind;
Yuan Qi was a born sourpuss,
and Qingxue knew she was jealous.
Ever since Qingxue had gotten close to Jiang Cheng, Yuan Qi kept making snide remarks.
Qingxue slipped her things into her Chanel bag. "Anyway, I told him the porsche 918 wasn't super comfy, so he swapped straight to a new ferrari laferrari—picked it up today. He insists I try it; who knows if it rides any better?"
Qingxue wasn't a girl who'd crumble from a few jabs.
She'd known exactly where she stood from the start,
and she'd never meant to hide it.
That's why, once she'd set her sights on Jiang Cheng, she'd delivered milk tea to him in front of every freshman.
She added sweetly, "Next month I'm moving out."
"Huh? Where to?"
"Didn't I mention? I've been so busy I forgot—Jiang Cheng bought me a flat near campus, over two hundred square metres."
"Wow, Qingxue, really?" Wang Pei gaped in envy.
"I'm turning sour; when could we ever afford a place in the city by ourselves?" Chen Lin sighed.
"At our rate, after graduation a twenty-square studio would be lucky."
"Of course. When I'm free I'll show you around. Wang Pei, Chen Lin, come visit anytime."
Watching Qingxue stride out victorious, Yuan Qi clenched her fists.
She burned with envy—why couldn't she land a boyfriend like Jiang Cheng?
Yet pride forbade her from agreeing aloud,
so she muttered sourly, "Women should rely on themselves; what's yours is truly yours."
Wang Pei and Chen Lin exchanged an awkward smile;
they knew Yuan Qi was only spitting jealousy.
After all, Qingxue's family wasn't well-off, yet suitors swarmed around her.
"Just a pretty face—what's the big deal? Gold-digger," Yuan Qi cursed inwardly.
She felt life was unfair: why did Qingxue have everything while she had nothing?
She even began doubting her own worth, feeling like a total failure…
Soon Qingxue descended the dormitory stairs
and stepped outside.
She glanced around,
and when she still hadn't spotted him Jiang Cheng pocketed his phone and tapped the horn.
The moment the horn sounded the Ferrari's lights flashed.
The sudden beep drew stares—and gave Qingxue a start.
She spun around to see a red Ferrari,
its sleek lines and dazzling looks impossible to ignore.
Through the windshield she caught Jiang Cheng's handsome face.
Her heart raced; she hurried over.
The passenger door rose like a wing and she slipped inside, thrilled.
Tonight she wore the LV autumn outfit Jiang Cheng had bought her,
simple yet statuesque.
Her makeup was last-minute, almost bare—just a light base that let her good skin show, fresh and youthful.
Her long hair fluttered, carrying a faint sweet scent,
and her excited smile made her look irresistibly soft and fragrant.
Had other students not been nearby, Jiang Cheng would have pulled her close for a kiss.
P.S.—I'm dizzy; somehow the next chapter's locked, probably won't post until tomorrow.