C15 Do You Want to Make Money?

"Yep, I was recruited for my athletic skills," Xiao Ge readily confessed. "I had no choice, considering I scored a big fat zero on the English section of the college entrance exam."

The crowd couldn't help but marvel at his unique talent. Scoring zero in English was quite the feat, especially when guessing on multiple-choice questions should have netted at least a few correct answers. Zero was almost impossible!

"So, Xiao Ge, what's it going to be? What do you want to compete in? If you're too scared, just admit it right here in front of everyone," Zheng Yunhao taunted, his demeanor challenging.

"There's nothing I'm afraid to compete in, but who said you can just challenge me because you feel like it? I'm not just some nobody that anyone can challenge," Xiao Ge replied with a yawn. "If you're up for the challenge, go sign up with Zhang Xiaopang. Oh, and don't forget to pay the registration fee."

Without waiting for a response, Xiao Ge turned to Zhang Xiaopang. "Interested in making some cash?"

"Uh, how?" Zhang Xiaopang inquired timidly.

"It's simple. There's a bunch of people itching to challenge me, right? Have them register with you, collect the fees, and whoever pays the most gets to challenge me first. Once the money's in, we split it 70-30. How does that sound?" Xiao Ge proposed nonchalantly.

Zhang Xiaopang was dumbfounded once again. This guy was not just talented; he was a business prodigy!

The onlookers were left speechless by his audacity. It was shameless how he was trying to profit off everyone at this moment.

"Xiao Ge, can anyone be as money-hungry as you?" Qin Feiya couldn't stand it any longer. The guy was a complete money-hoarder!

"I'm simply using my talents to make money—no stealing, no robbing. How can that be considered greedy?" Xiao Ge retorted, clearly disagreeing. He glanced at Zheng Yunhao. "Hey, pretty boy, you listening? If you want to take me on, sign up first. Come the weekend, if I'm feeling generous, I'll pick my challenger based on the registration fees. But if you're so eager to face me right now, I'll show you exactly why I'm better looking than you!"

Upon hearing that last remark, everyone fell silent. Wasn't this guy blatantly threatening Zheng Yunhao? It was clear that if Zheng Yunhao didn't agree to Xiao Ge's terms, he'd end up like Wang Fei.

"Uh, Xiao Ge, about the thirty-seven split—who gets which?" Zhang Xiaopang timidly inquired.

"Zhang Xiaopang, you're the real money-grubber here. Fine, it's now a twenty-eight split—I'll take eighty, you get twenty," Xiao Ge said, shaking his head and stretching. "Okay, you handle the registrations. Your earnings depend on your skills. I've got to run."

With that, Xiao Ge was off, but not before calling out, "Qin Feiya, come with me!"

"Why on earth should I follow you?" Qin Feiya demanded, hurrying after him.

"You were the one who needed to see me," Xiao Ge tossed back over his shoulder.

They vanished around the corner of the stairs, leaving Zhang Xiaopang to grumble to himself, "Me, two? Darn it, I really am a fool. Why did I ask such an idiotic question?"

Xiao Ge strode out of the academic building and made his way off campus.

"Hey, where are you headed?" Qin Feiya asked, clearly annoyed.

"Off to grab some food," Xiao Ge replied, giving her a puzzled look. "I thought you were supposed to be smart. Why ask something so obvious?"

Before Qin Feiya could respond, Xiao Ge deftly changed the subject. "So, what did you need to talk to me about?"

"My mom invited you over for lunch this Saturday!" Qin Feiya blurted out, fuming. "I've delivered the message. Don't say I didn't tell you. And just so you know, you're not allowed to come!"

"Why can't I?" Xiao Ge asked, feigning innocence.

"Seriously? You want to call off our engagement and you still think it's okay to show up for lunch at my place?" Qin Feiya snapped.

"I'm breaking things off with you, not your mom. She's the one inviting me to lunch, so why should I feel awkward?" Xiao Ge reasoned, then sighed, looking at Qin Feiya. "Really, you're the one who ought to feel awkward."

"Why should I be the one feeling embarrassed?" Qin Feiya seethed with anger.

"Ever heard the saying, 'The new waves of the Yangtze River push forward the old waves'? That the new generation surpasses the old?" Xiao Ge inquired.

"Of course I've heard it. What, you think I'm as uneducated as you?" Qin Feiya retorted with irritation.

"Biologically speaking, human genes are constantly evolving, leading to each generation potentially becoming more attractive. Are you aware of this?" Xiao Ge pressed on.

"What's with all this random babble?" Qin Feiya was dizzy with confusion from Xiao Ge's ramblings. Why was this jerk so off-topic, jumping from one thing to another?

"Qin Feiya, you're not even as pretty as your mom. Aren't you ashamed of that?" Xiao Ge said with a sigh, as if he was genuinely disappointed.

"You!" Qin Feiya's face flushed with rage, her eyes ablaze, "Xiao Ge, you're nothing but a complete jerk. How am I not as pretty as my mom? I look exactly like her!"

"Sure, you may look just like your mom, but it's such a shame that your figure and temperament fall so short of hers—it's like comparing heaven and earth," Xiao Ge shook his head. "You really should take a page out of your mom's book when it comes to cultivating temperament."

In truth, the gap between Qin Feiya and Qin Ruoxi wasn't as vast as it seemed. While Qin Feiya couldn't match Qin Ruoxi's mature allure and innate sensuality, she possessed a youthful vitality that Qin Ruoxi lacked. Expecting a 19-year-old like Qin Feiya to embody the same grace and nobility as Qin Ruoxi was unrealistic, especially considering that Qin Feiya had her own remarkable air of innocence that Qin Ruoxi couldn't claim.

But on one hand, the poised and graceful Qin Ruoxi did hold a stronger appeal for Xiao Ge. On the other, Xiao Ge was intentionally belittling Qin Feiya, exaggerating the contrast between her and Qin Ruoxi.

"Hmph, you just don't have an eye for true beauty!" Qin Feiya's anger subsided as she lifted her head with pride, chest out. "There might be dozens of guys at Ningcheng University handsomer than you, but among the girls, I'm the fairest of them all. And that alone puts me leagues ahead of you!"

Undoubtedly, Qin Feiya exuded confidence. She was also exceptionally bright, and it didn't take her long to catch on to Xiao Ge's game—he was intentionally trying to get under her skin. The ease with which she got riled up was a direct result of his provocations from their very first encounter. She realized that if she continued to let him get to her so effortlessly, she'd be playing right into his hands. So, without missing a beat, Qin Feiya launched her own counterattack, turning the tables on Xiao Ge.