C16 Second Generation

Zhao Fei chuckled and playfully pinched Su Xiaoyan's cheek before pulling her close by the waist. Their ostentatious display thoroughly repulsed Xiao Nan, who found himself completely devoid of appetite. He set his chopsticks down and pushed his plate away.

"Looks like someone's not too happy," Zhao Fei teased with a grin.

Su Xiaoyan let out a contemptuous snort. "Unhappy people are a dime a dozen. Who does he think he is? If he's got no talent, should we stop talking just to spare his feelings? A loser is just a loser, good for nothing but brooding. Right, Fei Fei?"

Zhao Fei's laughter rang out again as he commended Su Xiaoyan for her sharp wit. Basking in his praise, she snuggled closer to him and suggested, "Fei Fei, why bother selling these trinkets? Just give them to me. I'm in need of some new jewelry. The girls in my dorm switch theirs out daily, while I'm stuck wearing the same old pieces."

Her whining struck a nerve with Zhao Fei. He had intended to use those items to demean Xiao Nan, and the game had barely begun. How could he end it prematurely? Moreover, he was in dire need of money. Without selling those items, where would he get the funds to indulge his lavish desires?

"I just complimented you, and now you're acting up again? These items are worth more than you are. Do you really think you're worthy of them?" he retorted.

Su Xiaoyan bristled with indignation. Zhao Fei's harsh words stung, leaving her humiliated. Yet, faced with the formidable Zhao Fei, she had no choice but to swallow her bitterness. She had made her bed by choosing to date a capitalist. The internet was rife with sayings about enduring pain for wealth, and she wasn't about to rebel against the promise of a prosperous future.

Xiao Nan couldn't bear to watch any longer. He had no desire to come to Su Xiaoyan's aid, especially since their past relationship had ended the moment he saw her true colors. Although her current plight did stir some discomfort within him, he knew well that those who evoke pity often have their own faults. Times had changed, and Xiao Nan was no longer the downtrodden youth he once was. He had emerged as a promising star of tomorrow and would not allow himself to be trampled by anyone.

Xiao Nan rose from his seat with an air of authority and flicked his hair back. "Oh? Miss Su, have you taken a liking to these items? How about I purchase them for you?" he offered.

His words instantly triggered a wave of laughter from the students around him, with Zhao Fei's reaction being particularly over-the-top. Pointing at Xiao Nan, he jeered, "You? You attend one fancy party and suddenly you think you're some big shot? Take a good look in the mirror and see who you really are!"

"And who exactly do you think you are? Can you even afford any of this?" Su Xiaoyan's icy gaze fell on Xiao Nan as she spoke with scorn.

Unfazed by their mockery, Xiao Nan casually scratched his head and replied with a hint of regret, "It's all just junk, no need for such a commotion. With my current financial situation, I can easily afford these items."

Laughter erupted again at his response.

"You might not have many talents, but your ability to boast sure has grown," Zhao Fei chortled, catching his breath. "If blowing hot air were a crime, you'd be facing a firing squad more times than you could count!"

Xiao Nan merely smiled and asked, "So, what's your offer?"

It looked like the kid wouldn't back down until he hit rock bottom. Alright, if he's asking for humiliation, I won't hold back!

Zhao Fei was plotting in his mind, determined to make Xiao Nan look foolish this time and curb his arrogance once and for all.

He nonchalantly pointed to a jade bracelet on the table and said, "Given how broke you look, I'll let you have it for a steal—ten thousand. If you can cough up the cash, the bracelet is yours."

Ten thousand? Xiao Nan's brow creased slightly. The bracelet was fine Hetian Jade, likely from the Ming or Qing dynasty. If it weren't for its age, it might not fetch much, but the current asking price was eighty thousand. Buying for ten thousand and selling for eighty wasn't a huge profit, but it was still a good deal.

Seeing Xiao Nan's slightly troubled expression, Zhao Fei couldn't help but boast with pride, "What's the matter, too pricey for you? Tell you what, I'll give you an extra discount. Wouldn't want anyone saying I'm taking advantage of you. Eight thousand, final offer. How's that for looking out for you?"

Xiao Nan chuckled and responded, "True to form, my dear classmate, I appreciate the discount. It really moves me. But I've never been one to owe favors, especially to people I'm not fond of. So here's my counteroffer: ten thousand yuan, and it's yours!"

What? He's willing to pay ten thousand? Is this kid just trying to save face?

Zhao Fei eyed Xiao Nan skeptically and challenged, "Are you serious about buying? Remember, I deal in cash. If you can't cough it up, don't blame me for being tough!"

Xiao Nan feigned difficulty and said, "Ah, this is a bit awkward. Who uses cash these days? Isn't everything settled through WeChat transactions? You're not going to tell me you don't have WeChat, are you, Zhao Fei?"

Caught off guard by Xiao Nan's retort, Zhao Fei's face reddened with annoyance. "Don't get cocky, kid. I was trying to let you save face. Don't overstep!"

With a grin, Xiao Nan replied, "As I said, I'm not keen on owing favors, least of all to someone I dislike. So save your steps for someone else. Even if you laid them out yourself, I'm not interested in climbing them."

"You... clever boy, quite the silver tongue. Fine, talk is cheap. I want to see you pull ten thousand yuan out of thin air today!"

Zhao Fei then handed over his phone, the WeChat QR code displayed prominently on the screen. Xiao Nan, without hesitation, took out his own phone and scanned it. Ten thousand yuan transferred instantly, leaving the onlookers dumbstruck.

What? Does this kid actually have money? He doesn't look like he's suddenly come into wealth. Maybe his family's property got demolished? Has he become a second-generation beneficiary of demolition?

Zhao Fei couldn't figure it out, but he refused to be outdone. He pointed to another item and said defiantly, "This one's twenty thousand. If you're so capable, go ahead and buy this one too!"

Twenty thousand? It seems Zhao Fei's only talent is blowing through money. The system had the item he mentioned pegged at a hundred thousand, yet the fool was dumping it for a mere fraction of that. He actually believed he was asking for a high price—Xiao Nan found it utterly ridiculous.

"Sold!" Xiao Nan didn't pause for a second. He slammed down his approval, and just like that, twenty thousand yuan landed in Zhao Fei's WeChat account.

How could this happen? Had Xiao Nan stumbled upon some incredible stroke of luck? It was as if he'd just found money lying on the ground.