Your cognitive level determines the ceiling of your career.
In the two days Li Xingying spent with Jiang Beicheng, everything she saw, heard, and thought elevated her to a new dimension compared to her former self.
She was now determined to stick with Jiang Beicheng.
Even if Jiang Beicheng didn't acknowledge her as his official girlfriend and continued their relationship as "travel buddies" or "bed partners," she would accept it.
Zhou Yu used her beauty and figure to trade for luxury bags and designer goods.
Li Xingying, on the other hand, was trading for her own growth and career.
The more she could gain while young, the better.
If one day Jiang Beicheng lost interest in her, she would still have the ability to stand on her own in society, crafting an image of an independent woman. Who would care about how she made her fortune?
But for now, she was a bit worried about her roommate and friend, Zhou Yu.
It wasn't because Zhou Yu was Jiang Beicheng's ex-girlfriend, but because Zhou Yu now knew about Jiang Beicheng's immense wealth. Based on what Li Xingying knew about Zhou Yu, she was certain Zhou Yu would pull some sly tricks or schemes.
She couldn't let Zhou Yu ruin her big plans.
While having dinner with Jiang Beicheng and Azhuo, Li Xingying's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Zhou Yu.
Protecting what's hers is a woman's instinct.
At that moment, Zhou Yu was at home, receiving a delivery from JD.com.
She opened her phone and looked it up.
The two drones cost around 110,000 to 120,000 yuan, equivalent to the price of an entry-level Hermès Birkin bag.
Her first thought was that these must have been bought by Jiang Beicheng for Li Xingying.
That girl had been glued to Jiang Beicheng for days, always out early and back late.
With Jiang Beicheng's tactics, they might have already slept together.
The more Zhou Yu thought about it, the angrier she got.
She sent a video call to Li Xingying.
Li Xingying hung up directly.
She called again, and it was hung up again.
In the past, Li Xingying would never do this. Even if they argued, she would still answer calls or reply to messages.
Could it be that she was busy with Jiang Beicheng right now?
Vivid, intense scenes flashed through Zhou Yu's mind.
"A pair of shameless dogs," Zhou Yu blurted out.
She flung her phone far across the sofa.
Li Xingying was deliberately ignoring her calls. She had already prepared herself mentally to come clean with Zhou Yu. If they fell out over this, she would do as Jiang Beicheng suggested and move out on her own.
After dinner, Jiang Beicheng rode his motorcycle to drop her off.
When they arrived downstairs, Zhou Yu recognized the sound of Jiang Beicheng's Harley.
The modified exhaust made it unmistakable.
She got up from the sofa, quietly walked to the window, leaned against the wall, and peered down.
Li Xingying, carrying gift boxes in both hands, was smiling and saying goodbye to Jiang Beicheng.
The Harley's rearview mirror caught Zhou Yu's sneaky figure by the window.
Jiang Beicheng smiled and said to Li Xingying, "Zhou Yu is spying on you."
Li Xingying looked up, and Zhou Yu ducked.
A smile spread across Li Xingying's face.
Perfect, let her see this.
She stepped forward, leaned in, and kissed Jiang Beicheng on the cheek.
She lingered for a few seconds, leaving a lipstick mark like planting a strawberry.
Zhou Yu watched the scene, her fingers nearly crushing with rage.
Jiang Beicheng joked, "Nicely done."
Li Xingying smiled proudly.
She waved goodbye to Jiang Beicheng, happily carrying the gift boxes upstairs.
It was just like when Zhou Yu used to come back and show off her new bags.
A bit performative.
But it felt so good.
Opening the door, Li Xingying saw the opened drone packaging box and said directly, "It's rude to touch other people's things."
"I didn't know it was yours," Zhou Yu said, tossing her head as she sat on the sofa, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I bet you didn't pay for it either."
The room was filled with a sour atmosphere.
Li Xingying secretly relished it.
You're so materialistic, with such high standards, and didn't cherish Jiang Beicheng. Now you look so pathetic being jealous.
"As if all those bags in your room were bought with your own money," Li Xingying shot back.
Zhou Yu was instantly speechless.
She couldn't outtalk a wordsmith.
She directly asked Li Xingying, "Are you and Jiang Beicheng dating?"
"No obligation to tell you," Li Xingying replied.
Both were still caught up in the emotions from their fight yesterday, neither giving the other a friendly face.
"Did you sleep with him?" Zhou Yu asked even more bluntly.
"Whether I did or not, you don't have a chance anymore," Li Xingying said, shutting Zhou Yu up. She grabbed her drone and went into her bedroom.
Zhou Yu gritted her teeth and stomped her foot.
She was furious.
This girl—since when did she have so many tricks up her sleeve?
What was wrong with Jiang Beicheng now?
Had his tastes changed?
Weren't big butts and curves the best anymore?
Zhou Yu didn't believe it. She thought she knew Jiang Beicheng's preferences well enough.
Li Xingying, the artsy girl, was just a passing novelty. Curves were the real deal.
Zhou Yu sat on the sofa, lost in thought for a moment.
She picked up her phone, opened her photo album, and selected a recent provocative picture.
It was a half-revealing shot of her lying on a bed.
Originally, she had planned to use it to seduce Zeng Haifeng, but he turned out to be a disappointment.
She sent it directly to Jiang Beicheng.
She noticed he hadn't blocked her yet.
Then she sent a message: "After half a year with you, I think I've gone up a size. Is there some magic in your hands?"
Jiang Beicheng had just arrived at his hotel when he received the message.
He opened it, and the photo's visual impact was strong.
If this were posted on a short video platform, netizens would probably comment "Sorry" again.
Seeing the message below the photo, Jiang Beicheng laughed.
Trying the same old tricks again?
He admired the photo, then exited the chat without replying.
Let her send whatever she wants.
He went upstairs to change and hit the gym.
Zhou Yu lay on the sofa, casually scrolling through her phone, occasionally checking WeChat. Over half an hour passed, and Jiang Beicheng still hadn't replied.
Her mood grew increasingly restless.
By bedtime, she sent another message to Jiang Beicheng, this time an emoji made from a photo.
It was a picture Jiang Beicheng had taken of her.
She was kneeling in front of him.
The photo had text edited onto it: "Daddy, why aren't you replying to me?"
Jiang Beicheng, fresh from a shower and wrapped in a towel, lay on the bed and picked up his phone. Seeing the emoji, he shook his head and smiled.
Send whatever you want.
He'd stick to his policy of seen but not replied.
Just as he exited the chat, he received a message from Li Xingying.
Another photo.
She was wearing the grey shark pants he bought her today, paired with a pink crop top, posing in front of a mirror.
Li Xingying: "First time wearing shark pants, they look so good. Thanks for the zero-yuan purchase, Mr. Jiang."
The shark pants accentuated her legs and hips.
Especially on Li Xingying's long legs, the shark pants were like an added buff, absolutely eye-catching.
Jiang Beicheng laughed. These two sisters—one sending him provocative photos, the other sending him long legs. Were they at war?
He didn't mind women being a bit scheming. In fact, scheming women could be quite interesting sometimes.
Taming a scheming woman was even more fun.
Li Xingying was slowly revealing her true self to him.
So far, this girl was quite likable.
As for Zhou Yu, even if she sent explicit photos, Jiang Beicheng would only look and not reply.
That woman was already out of his life.
He chatted with Li Xingying for a while, building their connection and laying the groundwork for their upcoming trip together.
At 11:30 PM, he put down his phone to rest.
The next day, he planned to sleep in, but before 9 AM, he was woken up by a call from his grandma.
Jiang Beicheng thought it was something urgent, but on the phone, she said, "That big-chested girl showed up at my place. Hurry back and take her away."