Wen Wan steadied Ling Hanrui, patting her belly with a smile. "Hanrui, is the baby kicking yet? It's been two months—looks way bigger now! Four months, right? I'm so jealous—you're gonna be a mom soon!"
"That Polo of yours—your husband oughta upgrade it. Tiny space, no power, and it's an eyesore! Doesn't match a beauty like you," Cui Tianjiao smirked, glancing at Li Bin shutting the car door nearby, his tone dripping with mockery.
He wasn't talking cars—he was gunning for Li Bin.
The jab was obvious—Li Bin got it loud and clear. The prick was saying he didn't deserve Wen Wan.
"It's just a ride—gets me around, keeps the rain off. I'm used to my little Polo, and it's comfy enough," Wen Wan brushed it off, not taking the bait.
Li Bin eyed Ling Hanrui's smug strut and Cui Tianjiao's cocky grin, then looked at Wen Wan. His heart softened. Maybe that's what drew him to her most.
No vanity, no showing off—just a chill vibe, simple wants, a quiet elegance that felt free and pure.
In this flashy, shallow world, Wen Wan was like a damn fairy—graceful and untouched.
A wife like this—what more could a guy ask for?
"Yeah, cars are like shoes or clothes—pricey doesn't mean better. If it fits and feels good, that's enough. It's just a tool to get around. But sure, if you've got cash for a fancy ride, that's cool too. Wen Wan, if you want one, I'll buy you one," Li Bin said, rounding the car with a grin, facing Ling Hanrui and Cui Tianjiao.
"Little Li, quit playing hero with us. We know your deal. You got any idea what this car costs? Base price—over 350k! Think it's like your Toyota? Something you can just grab? This ain't for regular paycheck scrubs," Cui Tianjiao pounced, lecturing Li Bin with glee.
Every word oozed superiority, shitting on Li Bin. Flexing in front of his wife and her hot friend felt so damn good to him.
"No, no—it's too big! I wouldn't get used to it. Parking that thing? I'd never fit it in," Wen Wan said, eyeing the car, dead serious. "I'll stick with my Polo—it's fine."
"Wan'er, come on—don't be so naive and sweet all the time, always thinking of others. Men need pressure sometimes—it lights a fire under them! Li Bin's like this 'cause you spoil him. If you don't demand shit from a guy, he'll think you're worth less. Make him shell out, and he'll value you more! All this 'for his sake' stuff? You're hurting him—and yourself," Ling Hanrui chimed in, figuring Wen Wan was just covering for Li Bin's broke ass. She launched into a feminist sermon, pouring her brand of "girl power" soup.
"Alright, enough parking lot chat—let's hit the hot pot place and order," Li Bin cut in, dodging Cui Tianjiao's blatant dig with a topic switch.
He'd seen plenty of their type. In this world, no cash, no house, no fancy car? People wouldn't give you the time of day, no matter how you begged.
Get rich, snag a pad and a slick ride? Those same assholes flip—suddenly they're kissing your ass, acting like your best bud or long-lost sibling.
So Li Bin didn't bother explaining. Let them strut their stuff this time—next meetup, he'd cash in all the shit they were piling up now!
"Little Li, you still scribbling those shitty web novels? With a wife like Wen Wan, I'd say cherish her—quit wasting time on that fake internet crap. Get a real job somewhere, hustle a bit. Maybe you'll land a team lead gig—six, seven grand a month. Not bad. Beats this self-pitying mess you're in," Cui Tianjiao started up again as the four sat down, before the waiter even hit the table, flexing his smug superiority.
To these cushy government-job types, anything outside civil service or state gigs was lowlife work. Web shit like Li Bin's? Bottom of the barrel—pure slacker nonsense.
It was the classic elitist sneer from desk-jockeys toward freelancers.
So Li Bin's writing gig? Prime target for Cui Tianjiao and Ling Hanrui's jabs—every damn meetup, they'd sling a few shots.