It turned out that back when they were still in school, during a physical education running class, an incident occurred that was almost disastrously embarrassing. Ye Chen had accidentally stepped on Li Kexin's shoe. Under normal circumstances, this would just cause a fall. But the problem was, it was summer, making things more awkward, and Li Kexin happened to be on her period that day. The resulting fall was nothing short of earth-shattering and mortifying. Most importantly, Ye Chen had stumbled and pressed down on her. Suddenly, it was a scene of utter chaos and extreme embarrassment. Later, an enraged Li Dazui chased Ye Chen from the campus to outside the school grounds, and then down the entire street. Unfortunately for her, she didn't catch him. In the end, only after Ye Chen admitted his mistake and took off his coat for her to cover herself did Li Kexin somewhat relent, though she didn't truly forgive him until graduation. That was the end of that particular saga. Otherwise, Li Kexin wouldn't have been so agitated upon hearing Ye Chen's voice, exclaiming "God damn it" .
Ye Chen asked helplessly,
"Classmate Big Mouth, it's been two years since that happened, are you still holding a grudge?"
"I will never forget you in this lifetime!"
Li Kexin declared dramatically.
"Fine, for Xiaoya's sake, I forgive you..."
Du Xiaoya, on the side, heard this and chuckled.
"Okay, okay, don't be angry. I'll treat you to dinner another day as an apology on his behalf, how about that?"
"I want to eat Pizza Hut!"
Li Kexin demanded.
"Alright, Pizza Hut it is. I will definitely treat you,"
Du Xiaoya covered her mouth and smiled. After speaking, she glanced at Ye Chen.
At this moment, Li Kexin seemed to have noticed something and her eyes widened suddenly.
"No way, Xiaoya, you're a hotel experiencer, but Ye Chen isn't. Why is he in the hotel with you?"
A trace of unease flickered across Du Xiaoya's face, and then she said,
"Isn't this just a coincidence? He came up to chat."
"Oh~~~"
Li Kexin's elongated, knowing tone sounded from the phone. Ye Chen was about to speak when Li Kexin suddenly asked,
"Ye Chen, will you come to the party tomorrow?"
"It's not necessary. I'm not really familiar with most of them. You guys can go,"
Ye Chen shook his head and refused. The classmates Ye Chen knew well were his dormitory roommates, all of whom had left Demon City after graduation. Others were just nodding acquaintances from class—he knew them, but wasn't close. This was because Ye Chen had to work part-time outside of class and didn't have much time to socialize extensively. Otherwise, Ye Chen wouldn't have said that.
"Well, if you don't go, Xiaoya probably won't go, and then I won't go either. I'm still thinking of getting revenge on you, you old landlord-exploiter type!" Li Kexin grumbled playfully.
Ye Chen said with a smile,
"If you want to 'rob' me, I'm available anytime."
Du Xiaoya, on the side, heard this and coughed, saying,
"Kexin, you should rest early. Don't you have to go to work tomorrow?"
"Stingy! Did you think I would steal your boyfriend?"
Li Kexin retorted. Du Xiaoya, listening to Li Kexin's straightforward words, felt both amused and a little uncomfortable.
Ye Chen chuckled at this time.
"Classmate Big Mouth, actually, I'm very easy to 'steal.' One grab and I'm gone."
"Cut the crap, dream on! Even if the sun rises from the west, I wouldn't want you!"
Li Kexin made a face at Ye Chen after she finished speaking.
"Yeah, yeah, like I didn't say it. Classmate with such a big mouth, I'll talk to you when I have time," Ye Chen laughed and said.
"I'll knock on your door tonight!" Li Kexin threatened playfully.
Ye Chen raised his eyebrows and said,
"I couldn't ask for more."
"I'll bring scissors!"
Ye Chen's face darkened.
"Goodbye!"
After he finished speaking, he gestured for Du Xiaoya to hang up the video call.
Du Xiaoya laughed at this moment.
"She's still the same..."
"It's rare. I don't know how long she can stay like this,"
Ye Chen nodded with a smile and said. Society is a big dyeing vat; over time, no matter how white the paper, it will be dyed colorful.
Du Xiaoya glanced at Ye Chen secretly and asked,
"Kexin misunderstood. What should I do? She'll definitely gossip in the dormitory group chat."
"Just let her say it,"
Ye Chen said with a smile. After Du Xiaoya heard Ye Chen's words, her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Then... Then I'm not your girlfriend?"
"You can explain it that way if you want,"
Ye Chen said with some feigned "surprise." Du Xiaoya was stunned for a moment, then saw the wicked smile on Ye Chen's face and suddenly understood.
"I hate you! You just know how to bully me..."
After Du Xiaoya finished speaking, she leaned on Ye Chen with a look of playful resignation. For a time, a sweet fragrance filled the air, and an electric thrill rushed between them.
Ever since discovering that Ye Chen had booked a presidential suite, Du Xiaoya had employed various tests and subtle approaches. Her actual purpose was to "catch" Ye Chen, the second-generation rich heir. However, what Du Xiaoya didn't know was that Ye Chen understood very well what she truly longed for. Therefore, Ye Chen had countered with various tactics and stimuli. In the end, Ye Chen had won; Du Xiaoya had compromised. This was the outcome Ye Chen desired. Of course, this also highlighted the allure of money. Without money, perhaps all they could do was exchange greetings and a few brief words.
Holding the campus goddess from his college days, sitting on the sofa in the presidential suite, feeling the unique tenderness of a woman—for a time, Ye Chen gained a deeper understanding of money. But in the end, all his realizations boiled down to one word: fantastic! Yes, it was incredibly cool, a feeling that permeated him from the inside out. In the past, he had struggled just to make a living, barely managing to cover food and clothing. Now, he could spend hundreds of thousands at will without batting an eye and easily hold a goddess-level beauty in his arms. Anyone in this situation would be thrilled, and Ye Chen was no exception.
"Ding dong, ding dong."
The doorbell rang. Du Xiaoya, who had been leaning in Ye Chen's arms, proactively got up to open it. When Andy, the butler, saw that it was Du Xiaoya who opened the door, she nodded politely and gestured for the waiter to push the dining cart in.
"Mr. Ye, your dinner has arrived. Would you like to dine now?"
Andy asked.
Ye Chen smiled slightly and said,
"Just open the champagne."
"Okay, Mr. Ye."
After Andy finished speaking, she stepped forward and expertly opened the Ace of Spades champagne. Then, after the waiter had arranged the dinner on the table, Andy bowed slightly to Ye Chen and said,
"Mr. Ye, please enjoy your meal. I won't disturb you further."
Ye Chen nodded. Andy then left the presidential suite with the two waiters. As a housekeeper, one must not only be eloquent but also perceptive, able to read situations and expressions. Andy, noticing that Du Xiaoya and Ye Chen had obviously become much closer, understood it was inappropriate for her to stay and serve the meal.
Seeing Andy and the waiter leave, Ye Chen immediately looked at Du Xiaoya and said,
"Let's eat."
"Yeah,"
Du Xiaoya nodded in response. With that, she walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair for Ye Chen, and gestured for him to sit. Du Xiaoya choosing Ye Chen meant she was, in a way, "accepting her fate." She let go of all her pride and all her previous reservations. Shedding the air of a goddess, she was now only obedient and sensible. This was because she clearly understood her current position: one of Ye Chen's girlfriends, or perhaps, lovers. Since she hadn't seized the opportunity initially, it wasn't too late to grasp it now.
What had made Du Xiaoya arrive at this decision were Ye Chen's various stimuli. And the final catalyst, or perhaps the last straw that solidified her decision, was Li Kexin. That's right, Li Kexin. Du Xiaoya had seen in Ye Chen's eyes that he was interested in Li Kexin. She didn't want to hesitate any longer; if she continued to waver, she might really lose Ye Chen. After that, what future would she have as a hotel experiencer? It was a joke to think it would be easy to meet another wealthy man, let alone a second-generation heir like Ye Chen who was young, handsome, and incredibly rich. Besides, these days, the wealthy second generation were accustomed to all sorts of life experiences; they weren't foolish. What's more, goddess-level women were everywhere. Without money, background, or exceptional ability, how could one expect to secure a privileged position? In the end, one might not only waste their entire youth but also be ruthlessly abandoned, ending up with nothing but misery.
Ye Chen looked at Du Xiaoya pulling out a chair for him, and his eyebrows couldn't help but raise.
"If those 'lick dogs' could see this scene, they wouldn't know what to think..."
Thinking of this, Ye Chen said,
"Try the food and see if it suits your taste. If you don't like something, we can change it."
Ye Chen knew what Du Xiaoya wanted and was also aware of her inclination towards materialism, but he didn't particularly care about that.