Girlfriend

Seeing Ye Chuan suddenly become more agreeable, Wang Yanran tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, visibly relieved.

The worst thing was when someone wanted nothing at all.

If it was just about money, that was easy. She could simply ask her grandfather for approval and secure a substantial investment sum.

"So… can we exchange contact info?" Wang Yanran asked tentatively, recalling how Ye Chuan had refused her yesterday.

Ye Chuan pulled out his phone. "You scan me."

"Oh, sure." Wang Yanran took out her phone, and after scanning his code, she quietly marked him as a favorite.

She even pinned their chat to the top, afraid of missing any messages.

Once she finished, she couldn’t help but smile, feeling much more at ease.

"I’ll transfer the money to you first, Senior. If you need anything else, just let me know," Wang Yanran said, but Ye Chuan stopped her.

"Hold on."

"Go ahead."

"I won’t accept money for nothing," Ye Chuan said. "You pay, I’ll do the job."

Wang Yanran was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to say that. Realizing he wouldn’t take money without reason, she chuckled. "Since you’re so principled, Senior… could you help me capture a Ghost King?"

Ghost King?

That sounded pretty impressive.

"Tell me more. How strong is it?" Ye Chuan asked calmly.

If it was beyond him, he’d back off. Survival came first—no need to push his luck.

"That Ghost King is around Level 4 in strength, quite formidable," Wang Yanran explained, pausing before adding, "Is that doable?"

Level 4?

Ye Chuan had a reference point. Wang Li was a Level 3 superhuman, but in reality, he only had the combat power of an early-stage Qi Refining cultivator. If this Ghost King was Level 4…

At most, it’d be 1.5 or 2 "Wang Li units."

Even if it were 3, it still wouldn’t compare to his late-stage Qi Refining cultivation and his peerless physique.

And if things got dicey, he had a nuclear option at home—a Golden Core powerhouse.

"Deal. I’ll help you catch it," Ye Chuan declared before adding, "But first, a 400,000 deposit."

"Alright." After transferring the money, Wang Yanran asked, "When should we…?"

"Five days from now," Ye Chuan said.

In five days, he’d reach the peak of Qi Refining. Handling a 2.5 "Wang Li unit" would be a piece of cake.

……

"Chuan Chuan?" A voice suddenly called out. Ye Chuan turned to see Luo Xi holding a tray—with a guy standing beside her, also carrying a plate.

"Beauty Luo, didn’t you say you were going to the broadcasting room?" Ye Chuan asked, glancing at the guy next to her.

He looked familiar—probably the host from his sparring match with the Taekwondo Club.

"So you ditched me to eat with him?" Ye Chuan raised an eyebrow.

"Not at all! Luo Hao is from the broadcasting club too. We were supposed to rehearse a script today, but the teacher said the equipment was broken, so we came to the cafeteria instead," Luo Xi quickly explained.

Luo Hao, standing beside her, looked at Ye Chuan. "You’re quite the celebrity at our school now, Ye."

"The one who makes Rasengan?"

Luo Hao: "…"

Noticing Wang Yanran sitting across from Ye Chuan, Luo Xi’s expression turned odd. "…"

What now? Another long-term meal ticket? Didn’t Chuan Chuan already have enough money?

Why was he back to his old ways?

Or… did he like this girl?

Luo Xi sized up Wang Yanran. Even seated, she had a tall, curvaceous figure, adorned with simple jewelry and sporting voluminous waves—understated yet exuding elegance.

First Bai Qianshuang, now another rich girl?

Luo Xi sat beside Ye Chuan, visibly sulking.

"And this is…?" Wang Yanran asked, noticing Luo Xi.

"My girlfriend," Ye Chuan said with a grin.

Luo Xi’s eyes widened. "?!"

"Oh…" Wang Yanran introduced herself. "Hello, I’m Wang Yanran. He helped me out before, and we happened to run into each other here."

She made sure to clarify their relationship.

Meanwhile, Luo Hao interjected, "Luo Xi, I thought you were single?"

He turned to Ye Chuan. "You shouldn’t joke like that, Ye."

Ye Chuan shrugged. "Just saying."

Then he smirked at Luo Xi. "See? Beauty Luo didn’t deny it."

Luo Xi’s cheeks puffed up as she pinched his arm. "You and your stupid jokes."

Ye Chuan chuckled before turning his attention to Luo Hao, who sat across from Luo Xi. "But hey, pal, what’s it to you if I joke with Luo Xi? Who even are you?"

"I’m just reminding you as Luo Xi’s friend," Luo Hao said, frowning.

Friend?

"Since when did you make a friend like him?" Ye Chuan asked Luo Xi.

Luo Xi blinked. She only occasionally talked to Luo Hao in the club—they weren’t even close, let alone "friends."

"Come on, you know exactly who my friends are," Luo Xi said, hands on her hips.

They knew each other inside out.

"Right." Ye Chuan grinned.

As they ate, Ye Chuan glanced at Luo Xi’s tray and swiped the best-looking braised chicken wing from it. "Mine now."

"Hey! I paid extra for that!" Luo Xi smacked his arm. "Give it back."

Ye Chuan returned the wing—after taking a bite.

"Jerk." Luo Xi picked it up and ate it, guarding her food like a kitten. "You know it’s my favorite… Look how much meat you already have."

Watching their banter, Luo Hao grew restless. He picked up a chicken wing from his own tray and placed it on Luo Xi’s plate. "Here, Luo Xi. You can have mine—I don’t really like them."

Luo Xi stared at the wing, then at Luo Hao. "Then why’d you order it?"

Luo Hao stiffened. "Uh… just picked it without thinking."

"Thanks." Luo Xi smiled sweetly.

Luo Hao brightened. "No problem. Glad you like it."

But the next second, his expression froze as Luo Xi transferred the wing to Ye Chuan’s plate. "Here, you take it."

"Sure." Ye Chuan ate it without hesitation.

Seeing this, Luo Hao blurted out, "Wait, I thought you liked them?"

"One’s enough," Luo Xi said cheerfully. "Too many will make me fat."

Luo Hao: "…"