C7 A Summer Insect Cannot Speak

Yiyi widened her eyes, clearly finding it hard to believe. She recalled what her grandfather had said earlier about the charm being crafted by a master. Later, Chen Ping mentioned that he had made the charm himself.

"I remember now!" Yiyi still found it hard to believe. "So young, how could he be a master? It's just not possible!"

"You! Living in the Lau family, you're used to seeing important people, so you tend to look down on ordinary folks. But some ordinary people aren't so ordinary! You need to change this bad habit of yours!" The old man sighed. "Otherwise, if you had rushed in and offended such a young master, even our powerful Lau family could have been ruined!"

Yiyi stuck out her tongue slightly, feeling a bit scared, yet still somewhat skeptical. Could that young man really be a master?

...

Chen Ping returned to the café. As for the old man in the traditional outfit, Chen Ping didn't recognize him at first. But after the man left, Chen Ping suddenly remembered that the old man was probably Old Master Lau. The mayor of the town was also a Lau, and if he remembered correctly, he was Old Master Lau's eldest son!

That's why the scene unfolded the way it did. Of course, it also had something to do with Old Master Lau's straightforward nature. Otherwise, even if he were the mayor, Chen Ping wouldn't have sold the charm to him.

"Chen Ping! After breaking up with me, you plan to deceive Jiayao?" As Chen Ping walked over, Xiaojuan's expression was unfriendly as she questioned him, "Was that old man just now someone you paid to act?"

"I have to admit, that old guy was quite the actor, really commanding presence! So, was it two hundred or three hundred bucks you spent?"

Chen Ping frowned slightly. Xiaojuan was incredibly annoying. If he weren't still trying to figure out how he was manipulated into jumping off a cliff in his past life, he might have slapped her by now.

As a powerful figure, how could he let someone like her provoke him repeatedly?

"Chen Ping! I never thought you'd be so clever, hiring someone to sell a charm, pretending it was worth a few million!" Wang Cheng sneered. "Compared to you, we all look like fools!"

With Xiaojuan and Wang Cheng's comments, many people started to think they made sense, and their gazes toward Chen Ping shifted. Not everyone was as deliberately antagonistic as Xiaojuan and Wang Cheng, but not everyone was ready to believe Chen Ping unconditionally either.

Even Song Qingqing, who had been silently observing, now looked at Chen Ping with a hint of doubt. Fortunately, she had heard Jiayao mention Chen Ping countless times and had some faith in him, believing he wouldn't do such a thing.

Faced with the skepticism of Wu Xiaojuan and Wang Cheng, Chen Ping initially wanted to argue back but decided against it. It's like trying to explain ice to a summer insect. With their limited understanding, how could they possibly grasp the value of this charm? So, no matter how much he explained, it would be pointless. Realizing this, Chen Ping simply sat down, ignoring the two, which brought a smug smile to their faces, feeling they had won a small victory.

After Chen Ping sat down, Lee Jiayao approached, clutching the charm tightly in her hand. She whispered, "Chen Ping! Others might not believe you, but I do! Don't be discouraged!"

Hearing this, Chen Ping couldn't help but smile. Lee Jiayao was just as pure-hearted as she had been in the past. Others might doubt, but she believed. That was Lee Jiayao! In the past, after Chen Ping was released from prison and the truth came out, Lee Jiayao had cut ties with Wu Xiaojuan without hesitation.

"I'm not discouraged. Their words can't affect me!" Chen Ping reassured her with a smile, adding, "Make sure you always keep this charm with you!"

"Okay!" Lee Jiayao, in front of Chen Ping, tucked the charm securely into her pocket.

At another table, Wu Xiaojuan noticed this and felt a twinge of discomfort. Soon, more people arrived, many of whom were Chen Ping's high school friends and some of Lee Jiayao's college classmates.

"Today’s my birthday, and I’ve booked a private room at the famous restaurant, Heavenly Delight. Let’s all head over there!" Lee Jiayao announced as she got up around four in the afternoon.

Heavenly Delight is a renowned spot in town, where even the most basic table costs at least $3,000, and private rooms start at a hefty $8,800. With her family’s wealth, Jiayao’s birthday celebration was bound to be anything but ordinary.

Soon, they arrived at Heavenly Delight. As Wu Xiaojuan and Wang Cheng walked past Chen Ping, Xiaojuan remarked with a sarcastic tone, "Some people are just born never to afford a meal here. It’s only because of Jiayao’s birthday that they get a chance to mooch off a fancy dinner! But honestly, this might be their only shot in this lifetime!"

With that, Wu Xiaojuan strutted inside with Wang Cheng, her demeanor as proud as a peacock. Faintly, Wang Cheng’s voice could be heard from within, "Well, it’s not like they have a choice, right? Might as well enjoy a taste of the high life while they can, or else next time, the security will probably kick them out!"

"How can they be like that?" Lee Jiayao and Song Qingqing approached, Jiayao expressing her discontent, "Xiaojuan used to be such a nice person. What happened to her?"

Jiayao’s eyes reflected a mix of confusion and disappointment.

Chen Ping sighed inwardly. Lee Jiayao was just too naive. Wu Xiaojuan used to be alright, but after starting college, she changed so much that she was almost unrecognizable.

Chen Ping thought to himself, "You haven't seen what she becomes. Wu Xiaojuan's transformation is far more repulsive than this! Calling her cold-hearted wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Seeing Lee Jiayao's confusion, Chen Ping smiled and said, "People change, you know? Just like me, I'm changing too!"

"You're right!" Lee Jiayao looked at Chen Ping. "Since you came back, I've noticed you've changed a lot too!"

"Oh? How have I changed?" Chen Ping was intrigued, eager to hear how he appeared in the eyes of the girl he regretted losing for so long.

"You've become..." Lee Jiayao paused to think, "very confident, like you have everything under control!"

Then, as if worried Chen Ping might not believe her, she quickly added, "Don't deny it! It's written all over your face! If you don't believe me, ask Qingqing. Qingqing, don't you think so?"

Song Qingqing, standing nearby, rolled her eyes and said, "That's not confidence. Confidence comes from ability. Without it, it's just arrogance, okay?"

"Qingqing..." Lee Jiayao protested, clearly displeased.

Chen Ping watched the scene unfold and couldn't help but smile. Confidence or arrogance, in the end, everything boils down to strength. Let time be the judge. Arguing now is pointless.

Soon, everyone started eating and drinking. By five o'clock, they paused. The meal wasn't about the food; it was just a warm-up. The real highlight was yet to come at the karaoke bar, where young people truly indulged.

Just then, Wu Xiaojuan whispered to the two girls beside her. They got up and walked over to Lee Jiayao. Moments later, Lee Jiayao glanced apologetically at Chen Ping and left with Song Qingqing and the two girls.

Watching it all, Chen Ping's gaze swept over Wu Xiaojuan and Wang Cheng, a hint of disdain in his eyes.