Chapter Sixteen: Don’t Let Outsiders Know We Have Money!

Chapter Sixteen: Don’t Let Outsiders Know Our Family Is Rich!

Seeing Hua Wuqian rendered speechless by her scolding, his large face full of embarrassment and anger, Tang Zhong could no longer hold back and burst out laughing as he stood nearby. He patted Hua Wuqian on the shoulder and said, "Why not consider her suggestion? If you agree, we can buy a pot on the way back. After all, you've already stashed knives, cutting boards, and carrots in the dorm—come noon, I’ll make you a rabbit stew with carrots. What do you think?"

He then turned to the pretty girl and said, "This was your idea. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to try my cooking too."

The girl's eyes blinked, and several sparkling tears fell from her long lashes as she pointed at Hua Wuqian and snapped, "So, gorilla, you actually know this annoying guy? You two teamed up to trick me—you... you..."

"How did I trick you? Tell me, how did I trick you?" After being mocked and ridiculed by the girl, Hua Wuqian's confidence was far less than before. He couldn’t understand how he’d failed at his very first college experiment.

Based on his years of experience in applied psychology, this girl was clearly the “naive and rich—come quickly” type. Both his timing and approach had seemed perfect—so why was he being so thoroughly scolded?

Could it be... she’s just too naive? She missed my intentions entirely?

"I saw you were being bullied by this guy, so I wanted to help you out," Hua Wuqian explained, looking aggrieved. "If I’d said I knew him, would you have thought I was here to help? I had to pretend not to know him, then quickly get you out of trouble."

He lifted the cage with the little rabbit. "What’s wrong with carrying a rabbit around? A rabbit is a life too, isn’t it? We’ve depended on each other for years. Now that I’m in college, I wanted to bring it along so it could get used to our new environment. I didn’t do anything to you, did I? How could you ask me to eat such a cute, living creature?"

Suddenly, Hua Wuqian raised his voice, a holy aura enveloping him in that moment. "I couldn’t do it, and I never would do something so cruel. Since I’m the stronger party between us, it’s my responsibility to protect it from any harm. I’d rather starve than eat my friend."

"Bravo! Well said!" a girl applauded.

"He’s not much to look at, but he’s got a good heart," another girl remarked.

"Exactly! He’s way more reliable than that four-eyed guy—what a glutton, wanting to make hotpot out of such a cute rabbit..." A group of girls shifted their attacks to Tang Zhong.

----

Hua Wuqian raised his brows at Tang Zhong, as if to say, "How was that? Impressive, right?"

In truth, Hua Wuqian already knew he had no chance of winning over this pretty girl, so he might as well offend her thoroughly. This way, by opposing her, he could win the favor of other sympathetic female classmates—he had already noticed several new beauties watching from the sidelines.

In just this brief time, he had changed his strategy, shifted his target, and put his new plan into action. Truly, a first-class scoundrel.

As a result, Tang Zhong found himself, tragically, becoming the villain and the target of the rabbit-loving girls’ attack.

He shoved his overfilled shopping basket into Hua Wuqian’s hands and said, "Looks like you’re pretty popular here. Why don’t you queue up and pay? Bring the receipt back and I’ll reimburse you."

Then, grabbing the pretty girl’s hand, he started to lead her outside. "Come on, let’s go. Unless you want to stand here and get scolded to death?"

Her hand was soft and smooth, almost boneless—a pleasure to touch.

"Let go of me," the girl protested, struggling. "Hurry up and let go!"

He didn’t release her until they’d reached a flowerbed by the supermarket entrance. "If you want to buy something, better wait until later," Tang Zhong advised. "It’s too crowded right now; the lines are long. Besides, they don’t look kindly on girls who encourage others to eat raw rabbit."

"I want to go in and shop—I like waiting in line. What’s it to you?"

"Just a friendly suggestion. Take it or leave it," Tang Zhong shrugged indifferently.

"Qiu Yihan, what’s wrong? What happened?" A group of people ran over.

Tang Zhong recognized the same group he’d seen at the school gate, the girl’s personal guard. The middle-aged man and elegant woman—likely her parents—were nowhere in sight now.

An elegantly dressed old lady immediately pulled the girl into her arms, doting as she asked, "Hanhan, my precious, are you alright? What happened?"

She then turned a wary gaze on Tang Zhong. "Who are you?"

"I don’t know him," Qiu Yihan replied, casting a beautiful glance at Tang Zhong before lowering her head.

"If you don’t know him, why was he grabbing your hand?" the old lady demanded. "Hanhan, you must be careful. You’re so beautiful—don’t let anyone take advantage of you. Boys today are all rascals."

"I know," the girl nodded. "He didn’t take advantage of me."

She thought, he only held my hand—it’s no different than being nipped by a rabbit.

"Alright then, as long as you’re fine. Didn’t get what you wanted, did you? I told you, let’s just have lunch at a nice hotel. If you want anything, let Xiaoling and the others handle it. But no, you insisted on shopping yourself, wanted to ‘experience college life’—as if your life isn’t special enough. No need to ‘experience’ anything."

"Grandma, I’m hungry," Qiu Yihan said, acting spoiled to cut off the nagging.

"Oh dear, we can’t have that. Xiaoling, have you arranged the restaurant? Let’s go now." The old lady took her granddaughter’s hand and started towards the exit, but not before giving Tang Zhong a once-over and whispering to Qiu Yihan, "Remember, Hanhan, don’t ever let outsiders know our family is rich."

"Grandma, I’m not telling anyone. No one will know," Qiu Yihan whispered back.

——

Tang Zhong was left speechless.

Could there be a more ‘low-key’ wealthy family than yours? Sending a dozen people just to see a girl off to college?

Qiu Yihan turned and waved her small fist at Tang Zhong, then left, surrounded by her entourage.

Tang Zhong whistled, hands in pockets, and headed for the dorm.

"Qiu Yihan? Not a bad name."

Tang Zhong found himself looking forward to college life.

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Off campus, at a Starbucks café.

Liang Tao sat by the window, sharing a cold coffee with the secretary who’d escorted him to register. Neither had taken a sip.

Secretary Zhao glanced at Liang Tao’s gloomy expression and cautiously suggested, "Liang Tao, that guy doesn’t look easy to deal with—should I speak to the dorm manager, slip him some cash, and get you transferred?"

"Uncle Zhao, even if the dorm manager begged me to move, I wouldn’t change rooms now," Liang Tao sneered. "If I run away after the very first encounter, where’s my dignity? Besides, if I leave 307 now, won’t everyone think I’m afraid of him? Since when have I ever been afraid of anyone?"

"Liang Tao, this is Mingzhu, not Huaihua. That’s our territory—you’re fine porcelain, why clash with a cracked pot? Isn’t it unnecessary?"

"A porcelain vase needs to act like porcelain. If he wants to stand out, I don’t mind grinding him to dust," Liang Tao spat. "Uncle Zhao, no need to persuade me further. I’m not leaving. And don’t mention this to my father—I can handle it myself. You’re my father’s secretary, and you politicians are quick with both plots and schemes—what I need from you now is advice. How can I ruin that guy?"

"Well, the most effective way is to pay someone for a little help," Secretary Zhao said, brow furrowed. "But that’s risky, and a bit too ruthless. After all, he’s just a student—not worth using underhanded adult tactics."

"How about this," Secretary Zhao continued, "use your advantages to isolate him, make him a pariah at school. Crush him underfoot so he never lifts his head again."

Liang Tao’s eyes lit up. "Good idea. How should I do it?"

"Money," Secretary Zhao smiled. "Money makes the world go round. There’s nothing it can’t do. Judging by his clothes and luggage, he doesn’t look wealthy—no need to bribe him. Just buy off everyone around him."

"Brilliant," Liang Tao praised, giving a thumbs up. "Uncle Zhao, have lunch on your own. I’m going back to invite my roommates out for a meal to build rapport."

"You’re quick on the uptake," Secretary Zhao complimented.

"Heh, I learned from the best," Liang Tao grinned, standing up and heading for the door. He couldn’t let that guy act first, or it would be much harder to make his move.

"Idiot," Secretary Zhao muttered with a cold expression as he watched Liang Tao’s figure disappear.

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