The Scheming Girl's Little Thoughts, Another One

At Great Sea City Noble Academy, the playground at night presents a completely different scene.

The area is filled with attractive young men and women engaged in various activities—some meaningful, others less so. Take Ye Cheng, for instance, who’s currently clutching his underwear while desperately pleading with the girl to let go.

"Hey, sis, I’m begging you here. I’m just a broke loser—seriously, I’ve got no money. Look."

With that, Ye Cheng hurriedly turned out his pant pockets and even the inner pockets of his jacket, revealing nothing but emptiness.

His pockets were cleaner than his face.

Just to drive the point home, he even pulled out his phone and proudly "flaunted" his meager balance of one yuan and eighty cents.

"See? One-eighty. That’s even my meal money for tomorrow. If you want it, I can transfer it to you right now, okay?"

Ye Cheng tried his best to persuade the girl to find someone else to scam.

But the girl seemed deaf to his pleas, unmoved as she clung tightly to his leg, refusing to let him leave.

Thankfully, Ye Cheng had the habit of wearing a belt, or else his underwear would’ve already been yanked off by this girl who was clearly trying to frame him. Was this the distortion of human nature or the collapse of morality?

"I don’t want your money… I just need you to take me to the infirmary."

"What? You don’t want money? Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Ye Cheng let out a sigh of relief, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

The playground had no surveillance cameras, and many spots were shrouded in darkness, making it hard to even see someone’s face unless you were extremely close.

Ye Cheng and the girl were currently in one of those dimly lit gaps between two streetlights.

All he could make out was that the girl was injured—details beyond that were unclear.

Money was a touchy subject, but as long as it wasn’t involved, Ye Cheng considered himself quite reasonable.

He crouched down and gestured for her to climb onto his back.

"Hop on. I’ll take you to the infirmary. But let’s get one thing straight—I’ve got no cash, so you’re paying for whatever treatment you get, got it?"

Still wary of being scammed, Ye Cheng made sure to recite his disclaimer upfront.

What else could he do?

These days, society was in decline, and people’s hearts were no longer pure. Even helping an old lady cross the street depended on how fat your wallet was.

If you dared to ride up on a scooter to assist an elderly person, they’d kindly stand up and tell you to get lost—poor folks shouldn’t interfere with their business.

Only a BMW had the potential to catch their eye. Models from the 5 Series and up worked like a charm, sometimes even triggering a critical hit—double the compensation.

Of course, there was an art to these scams. Luxury SUVs like the Range Rover? The moment one appeared, the "frail" old-timers lying on the road would suddenly regain their youth, springing up with the energy of an 18-year-old.

They’d scurry away like scared grandchildren, waiting for the next unlucky victim.

People who drove Range Rovers were usually local tough guys—who’d dare mess with them?

Try extorting them, and you’d end up as dog food.

As for Ye Cheng? He was the hidden edition. After checking his balance, the elderly might even kindly invite him to lie down and join their scam for a quick buck.

His poverty was legendary.

For Ye Cheng, reciting these "disclaimers" had become as natural as eating or sleeping.

Even when he picked up the shoes that Young Miss Dongfang had "discarded," he made sure to recite one into his phone. What was reputation?

This was reputation, damn it!

The girl nodded eagerly, as if afraid Ye Cheng might change his mind.

"I have money. I have plenty now," she said firmly.

Her words sounded like they were meant for herself as much as for Ye Cheng.

Back then, she’d been so poor—every meal was a struggle. She’d been too naive, too weak, always losing out when it came to food. But there’d always been someone who tricked her into eating more.

She never saw it as something underhanded.

Even now, when Ye Cheng’s first instinct after bumping into her was to run, she didn’t blame him.

She knew—this was what desperation did to people. When you were poor, dignity was a luxury. If you couldn’t even guarantee your own survival, what use was dignity?

Could dignity fill your stomach?

Over the years, she’d resented her father countless times for his heartless decisions.

But as she grew older and wiser, she began to understand his circumstances back then.

Her situation now was eerily similar to her father’s all those years ago.

Tears were useless. What she needed wasn’t to cry—it was to make those who bullied and looked down on her weep instead.

Resting on Ye Cheng’s back, she soaked in the familiar scent and warmth radiating from him.

Unnoticed, she inhaled deeply, her eyes glinting with greed and delight.

Yes, this was it—the scent of her brother. So intoxicating… she wanted to devour him. Her red lips curled as she licked them hungrily.

The pain in her hand faded into the background. Compared to the joy of being this close to Ye Cheng, it was nothing.

The delicate girl clung softly to Ye Cheng’s back.

In just the first few days of the semester, this was already the third woman he’d carried—first the scheming young miss, then the student council president…

The girl’s softness pressed against him, and Ye Cheng couldn’t help but compare.

Hmm… maybe the president first, then this girl, then the scheming miss?

Or was it the president, the scheming miss, then this girl?

The president might’ve been a bit of a handful, but in other aspects, she was top-tier.

It was hard to find anyone who could rival the scheming miss—Ye Cheng’s nickname for her was "Doraemon."

Ah, my poor scheming miss… I wonder if she’ll ever get a chance at a comeback.

Lost in thought, Ye Cheng shook his head vigorously. The girl on his back found it odd but didn’t dwell on it, instead pressing herself down against him with a bit more force.

"What’s poking me?" Ye Cheng muttered absentmindedly.

The girl: "…"

Her expression stiffened, her earlier smile vanishing as her cheeks puffed up like a hamster stuffing its face with food.

So annoying.

She’d worked so hard to grow!

Hmph.

Brother was a tactless idiot.

Then, as if struck by a thought, her lips curled again, and she rested her head on Ye Cheng’s shoulder, nuzzling her face against his sturdy back.

A gentle rub.

Brother… I’ve missed you so much…

So, so much…

Soon, Ye Cheng arrived at the school infirmary with the girl still on his back. The familiar figure, the same posture—it was the same doctor who’d treated Shen Qinghan last time.

Doctor Tang was engrossed in a cheesy romance drama, munching on a freshly made salad with great relish.

There was no hint of noticing someone had entered the room.

"Doctor?" Ye Cheng called out tentatively.

"Alright, alright, stop shouting."

Doctor Tang, clad in black hot pants with her long legs crossed impatiently, set down her salad and paused the tablet in front of her.

She swiveled her chair around to face the two, pausing briefly when her eyes landed on Ye Cheng.

"You again?"

Then, as if recalling something, she peered behind Ye Cheng.

"Tsk, you’ve got some skills, kid. Switched to another one in just a few days."

Ye Cheng: "..."

The girl nestled against Ye Cheng’s back, basking in his warmth, immediately stiffened at those words, her gaze turning icy.

So… there were other women?