C23 A Reply from the Class President

The world has gone mad, and so have its inhabitants!

Xiao Nan had already turned everyone's perceptions upside down, and now here was Zhao Fei, astonishing everyone once more by paying double for worthless junk. What was going through his mind?

Xiao Nan couldn't help but feel elated. His strategy was to drain Zhao Fei's finances, ensuring his own victory. Zhao Fei had been selling off household items at school, a clear sign to Xiao Nan that he was short on cash. By coaxing him into squandering the little he had left, Xiao Nan could effortlessly hike up the price of the scroll and secure the win.

Zhao Fei confidently slapped a stack of hundred-dollar bills on the counter and collected the items the owner had packaged, a look of satisfaction on his face as he eyed Xiao Nan.

Feigning great annoyance, Xiao Nan glared at Zhao Fei and exclaimed, "How could you do that? You snatched the very thing I had my eye on!"

With a smug grin, Zhao Fei retorted, "That's just the way business works. Whoever pays more gets the rights. In this day and age, money talks!"

Xiao Nan bit back any further complaints. He gave the leftover items a forlorn glance, murmuring under his breath, "Nothing worthwhile left. Truly disheartening."

Observing Xiao Nan's feigned distress, Zhao Fei couldn't resist taunting him, "You know, you might as well pick out something, anything, really. Consider it a balm for your wounded soul."

With a sigh, Xiao Nan conceded, "No point in choosing. There's nothing of interest here. Let's go, Qingfeng."

The shopkeeper, seeing Xiao Nan about to depart, quickly called out to him. Though uncertain of Xiao Nan's financial status, the conviction in his earlier words suggested he wasn't penniless. The shopkeeper decided to take a chance; after all, Xiao Nan hadn't yet spent a dime there, and letting him walk away could mean a missed opportunity.

"Wait up, young man! I've got plenty more items. Why not take another look around?"

Xiao Nan halted and with a dismissive tone remarked, "I don't see anything of quality here. Is there anything actually worth purchasing?"

The shopkeeper replied cheerfully, "No worries. If something catches your eye, I'll cut you a deal."

After scanning the merchandise, Xiao Nan's gaze settled on the calligraphy and paintings. Pointing nonchalantly, he suggested, "Maybe I'll pick out a few pieces of calligraphy and paintings. My dorm room walls are so bare, it might be nice to add a little culture."

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper eagerly presented the artworks to Xiao Nan, laying them out one by one. "Take your pick. I promise you a bargain."

Xiao Nan, looking disinterested, glanced over the items and casually selected a few, instructing the shopkeeper to package them.

"I'll pay double the price—I'll take them!" announced Zhao Fei, determined to outdo Xiao Nan today. He seemed intent on snapping up anything Xiao Nan showed interest in. Luckily, Xiao Nan hadn't singled out the prized Tang Bohu painting; that would have been a real loss.

The shopkeeper was delighted, now realizing that there was some rivalry between the two young men, which worked out in his favor.

Seeing his opportunity, the shopkeeper pulled Xiao Nan aside and proposed with a grin, "Buddy, it looks like your friend is dead set on one-upping you. How about we strike a deal?"

"What kind of deal?" Xiao Nan inquired.

With a sly grin, the shopkeeper suggested, "You help me sell all this stuff to him. Once the deal is done, we split the earnings down the middle. How does that sound?"

The idea appealed to Xiao Nan—it would deplete Zhao Fei's wallet and benefit him as well. Despite being tempted, Xiao Nan feigned hesitation, "I don't know... He's still my classmate. If he finds out we've conned him together, he might come after me."

"Don't worry," the shopkeeper reassured, "we'll play it smart. He'll never catch on."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Nan reluctantly agreed, "Okay, but there's one thing I need your cooperation with."

The boss said, "What's on your mind? Speak freely. If it's within my power, I'll follow your plan to the letter."

Xiao Nan raised his hand to scratch his head and replied, "I've got my pride to consider. If he walks away with everything, I'll lose face. So, here's what we'll do: set that painting aside for now. After he's bought up everything else, hand it over to me. That way, I can at least salvage some dignity."

"Don't worry about a thing," the boss assured him. "I'll keep that painting for you. And if one isn't enough, I've got plenty more at home. Just come over and pick out whatever you like—I'll give it to you on the house!"

Xiao Nan chuckled, "That won't be necessary. The one painting will do."

"Hey, what are you two whispering about over there?"

"Nothing much. I was just telling the boss not to sell anything to you!"

Zhao Fei took the bait hook, line, and sinker. Xiao Nan's words had him buying out the boss's entire stall. The boss, beaming with joy, packed up all of Zhao Fei's purchases, while discreetly tucking away the Tang Bohu painting.

"Ah, let it go. There's nothing left. Qingfeng, let's head out!"

Watching Xiao Nan walk away, Zhao Fei was grinning from ear to ear, convinced he'd struck gold. Even if not all the items were treasures, surely two or three must hold some value, or Xiao Nan wouldn't look so rueful.

The boss had given Xiao Nan his home address, and Xiao Nan had plans to collect the painting and split the day's earnings there tomorrow. So, he wasn't concerned about the painting ending up with Zhao Fei.

Upon entering the bar, Xiao Nan's gaze immediately found the dance floor. As expected, Chen Meiqi was leading the dance in the center, her figure gleaming under the magnesium lights, stirring a longing in his heart.

To share a beautiful moment with her would be a blessing from above!

With that thought, Xiao Nan lifted his glass from the bar and downed his drink in one go.

"Hey, pretty lady, you're quite the looker. So, how about it? Care to join me for some fun?"

A somewhat chubby man wrapped his arms around Chen Meiqi's slender waist, unabashedly running his hands over her backside. Chen Meiqi tried to shrug him off, but her strength was no match for his grip, leaving her unable to escape.

Xiao Nan witnessed the entire encounter. Setting his wine glass aside, he strode onto the dance floor.

Did he really think he could just touch someone like her without consequence? Xiao Nan was about to show him otherwise. "Chen Meiqi," he thought, "you'll have to think of a way to thank me after this!"