The Rich Are All Petty-minded

The heavy mahogany door of the private room slowly closed behind them.

The corridor was covered with a thick handmade carpet, making their footsteps completely silent.

Pei Ningxue followed behind Chen Zhi. "Chen Zhi..."

She quickened her pace, wanting to say something.

Right at that moment.

Chen Zhi's footsteps suddenly halted.

A pale blue light screen, visible only to him, suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[ "Rescue the Ex-Girlfriend" completed. ]

[ Mission Reward: High School Science Mastery (Issued). ]

Chen Zhi couldn't hold back and almost laughed out loud.

This was great.

He finally didn't have to become a fallen genius anymore.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Chen Zhi suddenly stop with an expression like he had just won the lottery, Pei Ningxue couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Just a moment ago in the private room, he had the demeanor of a transcendent master who treated money like dirt. How did his facade break the second he walked out the door?

Chen Zhi retracted his gaze and turned around.

Looking at the slightly apprehensive girl in front of him, he was in a great mood.

He raised his hand and naturally patted Pei Ningxue on the top of her head.

"It's nothing. I just suddenly felt that tonight's dinner was well worth it."

Pei Ningxue shrank her neck a bit but didn't dodge.

The tips of her ears felt a little hot.

"My dad, he..."

"Don't worry."

Chen Zhi pulled his hand back, slipped it into his pocket, and said with certainty, "From now on, your wicked stepmother won't be so strict with you."

Pei Ningxue nodded in confusion.

Although she didn't know where Chen Zhi got his confidence, looking into the young man's radiant eyes, the heavy burden in her heart inexplicably vanished.

The two walked out of the private club one after the other.

The night breeze was slightly cool, blowing away the scent of food and wine lingering on them.

At the entrance.

The black Maybach was still parked in the same spot.

The driver had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing the two come out, the driver immediately came forward to greet them.

He first respectfully opened the rear door for Pei Ningxue, placing a hand over the door frame to protect her head.

"Miss, please get in."

Pei Ningxue bent down and got inside.

Chen Zhi didn't stand on ceremony either, carrying his backpack as he walked toward the door on the other side.

After all, this was the city center, and it was still over ten kilometers away from home. It would be a waste not to hitch a ride in a free luxury car.

However.

Just as his hand touched the door handle.

A hand wearing a white glove suddenly intervened, pressing firmly against the car door.

Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow and looked at the driver.

The driver wore a smile, blocking Chen Zhi's way.

"My apologies, Mr. Chen."

The driver bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet distant. "President Pei instructed me to ensure the young miss is safely escorted home."

Chen Zhi pointed at the empty passenger seat.

"I don't mind sitting in the front."

"President Pei also instructed,"

The driver's smile remained unchanged. "There are some confidential company documents in the car, so it is inconvenient to have outsiders ride along. Transportation here is very convenient, so I presume it won't be a problem for Mr. Chen to head back on his own."

Confidential documents?

Who was he kidding?

Why wasn't there such a rule when they came earlier?

Chen Zhi instantly understood.

This was that old geezer Pei Dongcheng causing trouble.

He had lost face after being told off by him today, so now he was resorting to this kind of childish petty revenge.

Truly, the richer they are, the pettier they get.

The car window slowly rolled down.

Pei Ningxue looked at Chen Zhi, who was blocked outside, and felt a bit anxious.

"Uncle Wang, let him in. It's on the way."

"Miss, this is an absolute order from President Pei. There is nothing I can do."

The driver looked troubled, but his body remained motionless as he blocked the door. "Please don't make this difficult for me."

Pei Ningxue bit her lip and pushed the door open, ready to get out.

"Then I won't ride either."

"Don't."

Chen Zhi was quick to act, pressing the car door shut and blocking Pei Ningxue from getting out.

"It's hard to get a cab here. You go back first, don't let your dad catch anything to use against you."

Chen Zhi bent down and waved at Pei Ningxue through the window. "Hurry up and leave. Go to sleep early when you get back, and remember to let me copy your homework tomorrow."

"But..."

"No buts."

Chen Zhi straightened up and jutted his chin at the driver. "Let's go, Mr. Wang. Drive safe."

The driver looked relieved and quickly slipped into the driver's seat.

As if afraid Chen Zhi would change his mind, he stepped on the gas.

The Maybach let out a low roar and glided into the night.

Leaving behind only a trail of red taillights.

Chen Zhi stood by the side of the road, eating a mouthful of exhaust.

"Unbelievable."

He took his phone out of his pocket, looked at the screen displaying "Currently 28th in line," and couldn't help but flip the middle finger in the direction the Maybach disappeared.

"Pei Dongcheng, just you wait."

"Next time I go to your house for dinner, I'm going to open all your Maotai just to stew meat with it."

...

Forty minutes later.

A Didi ride-hailing car pulled up downstairs at his residential complex.

Chen Zhi paid the fare, grabbed his backpack, and got out of the car.

He took the elevator back to his front door.

Humming a little tune, Chen Zhi fished the keys out of his pocket.

Just as he aimed for the keyhole.

"Click."

A soft sound suddenly came from behind him.

Immediately after.

A chilly breeze blew against the back of his neck.

Chen Zhi's motion of inserting the key froze.

Without even turning around, he could feel that resentment that had almost solidified into something tangible.

It was just like in a horror movie, where right as the protagonist is about to open the door, a female ghost leans over his back and blows air on him.

Even that familiar scent of body wash carried a hint of murderous intent.

Chen Zhi took a deep breath and adjusted his expression.

He turned around.

Just as expected.

The security door of his next-door neighbor, Lin Wanwan, was open just a crack.

The lights were off.

In the darkness, half of a fair little face was pressed against the crack of the door, revealing only a single resentful eye.

Her long hair hung loose.

Coupled with that white nightgown.

"Whoa!"

Chen Zhi exaggeratedly took a step back and patted his chest. "Lin Wanwan, are you cosplaying Sadako in the middle of the night? You scared me to death."

The eye in the crack of the door didn't even blink.

Staring fixedly at him.

Her gaze swept over his body and finally rested on his stomach.

"Was it good?"

Her voice was airy, like it was squeezed out from between her teeth.

Chen Zhi played dumb. "Was what good?"

"The Australian lobster."

Lin Wanwan's voice carried a trace of imperceptible grievance. "And the abalone, the shark fin."

"I saw the pictures Pei Ningxue posted on Moments just now."

"That table full of dishes must have cost tens of thousands, right?"

Chen Zhi's heart skipped a beat.

He was careless.

Pei Ningxue usually barely spoke a few words and never even bubbled up in the class group chat. Why did she suddenly post on Moments today?

"Cough."

Chen Zhi let out a dry cough, his brain spinning rapidly.

If he dared to say it was good at a time like this, today next year would be the anniversary of his death.

He took a step forward, walking up to Lin Wanwan's door.

Relying on the faint light in the stairwell, he clearly saw that little face written all over with "I'm unhappy" and "Hurry up and coax me."

"Don't even mention it."

Chen Zhi waved his hand with a look of disgust. "That stuff just looks nice, but it actually doesn't taste good at all."

Lin Wanwan looked at him suspiciously. "Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Chen Zhi complained as if it were the absolute truth. "That lobster meat was as tough as tree bark, got stuck in my teeth. The abalone wasn't flavorful either, just tasted fishy. And that shark fin thing, it was no different from glass noodles."

"The most important thing is..."

Chen Zhi leaned in a little closer, staring into Lin Wanwan's watery eyes.

The distance between the two of them instantly narrowed.

Close enough to hear each other's breathing.

Lin Wanwan subconsciously held her breath, her fingers tightening slightly around the door frame.

Without Wanwan by my side, even the best meal loses its flavor.

Chen Zhi's voice lowered a bit, carrying a hint of a smile. It tastes like chewing wax, it's awful.

The air was quiet for two seconds.

Lin Wanwan's initially tense little face visibly turned red.

Smooth talker.

Lin Wanwan muttered, pulling the door completely open.

She was wearing a pair of fluffy bunny slippers and hugging a throw pillow.

Where is Xiaobai?

Chen Zhi poked his head in to take a look. Didn't you say on the phone just now that it was so hungry it wanted to bite someone?

On the sofa in the living room.

Xiaobai was lying on its back on the cushion, sleeping so soundly that it was drooling, its legs twitching from time to time—clearly having a sweet dream.

Looking at that round belly, it definitely hadn't eaten a small amount for dinner.

The lie was exposed on the spot.

But Lin Wanwan wasn't embarrassed at all.

She pointed righteously at the silly dog. It was hungry just now, and now it's full again. Is that not allowed?

Sure, sure, sure.

How could Chen Zhi dare to say no?

He tossed his backpack onto the entryway cabinet and skillfully changed into the men's slippers that belonged to him.

Since Xiaobai is full, what about you?

Chen Zhi rolled up his sleeves as he walked toward the kitchen. Someone hasn't eaten dinner yet because they were waiting for me, right?

Lin Wanwan followed behind him like a little tail.

I'm already full from being mad.

Even though she said that, her stomach honestly let out a rumble.

In this quiet room, it was exceptionally loud.

Lin Wanwan's face grew even redder, and in a fit of embarrassment and anger, she threw the pillow at Chen Zhi's back.

Chen Zhi! What are you laughing at!

Chen Zhi caught the pillow steadily and handed it back into her arms.

I'm not laughing.

He opened the fridge and skillfully took out two eggs, a handful of noodles, and a few small bok choy leaves.

Go sit on the sofa. Ten minutes.

I want two fried eggs.

Lin Wanwan hugged her pillow and stood at the kitchen door, not going to the living room.

She watched Chen Zhi skillfully turn on the stove, boil water, and chop green onions.

The warm yellow light fell on the boy's side profile, outlining his straight nose bridge.

Chen Zhi.

Hmm?

I also want sausages, the kind cut into octopus shapes.

So childish.

Chen Zhi complained verbally, but his hands honestly took out a sausage and began cutting it into shapes.

The water boiled.

White steam rose, blurring the boy's features.

Looking at this scene, Lin Wanwan couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth rise.

That whatever eldest daughter of the Pei family.

So what if she had a Maybach to sit in and Australian lobster to eat?

This bowl of noodles made by Chen Zhi.

Only she could eat it.

Chen Zhi turned off the heat and scooped the noodles into a bowl.

In the steaming bowl of plain noodles lay two golden fried eggs, a few vibrant green vegetables, and curled-up octopus-shaped sausages.

Finally, he sprinkled a handful of chopped green onions and drizzled a few drops of sesame oil.

The aroma instantly filled the entire kitchen.

Take it out to eat.

Chen Zhi handed the bowl to Lin Wanwan.

Lin Wanwan let out a cheer and ran toward the dining room holding the bowl.

Chen Zhi looked at her back and shook his head helplessly.

Chen Zhi! Hurry up, the noodles are going to get soggy!

Lin Wanwan's muffled urging voice came from the dining room.

Coming.

Chen Zhi turned off the kitchen light.

He took wide strides toward the place with the warm light and the girl.