Showing off wealth is like building muscles—it can deter annoying pests.

Jiang Qiuran was more inclined to believe that Su Bai's transformation wasn't an overnight change, but rather that he had been hiding his true capabilities all along.

After all, people don’t suddenly undergo massive shifts—it defies biological logic.

Even when it came to Su Bai’s money-making skills, Jiang Qiuran suspected he had been earning since high school, or even earlier.

Back then, the environment was simpler, with everyone focused on studying.

In other words, Su Bai had kept his talents well-hidden.

It was only in the more relaxed atmosphere of university that he finally let them shine.

And yet, as his childhood friend, she had failed to notice any of it. Instead, she had looked down on him for his financial situation and even considered finding a "better" man.

How awful of her!

The truth was, Jiang Qiuran didn’t even have a specific target in mind—just a vague notion that she should aim for someone wealthier.

But the reality was, she didn’t like any other men. She only ever liked Su Bai.

Yet now, she knew he would never believe her feelings.

"I’m so stupid, really," Jiang Qiuran muttered suddenly, her expression despondent.

Wan Xinyan, walking beside her, startled at the remark.

Oh boy, ever since that shocking public kneel, Jiang Qiuran seemed… not quite right in the head.

Then again, if Wan Xinyan put herself in Jiang Qiuran’s shoes, she could understand why she was so utterly crushed.

When people realize they’ve let a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through their fingers, regret is inevitable.

Especially when that opportunity was Su Bai—the kind of man most girls would never even meet in their lives.

Ah well. Jiang Qiuran’s emotional turmoil wasn’t Wan Xinyan’s problem. She just needed to focus on herself.

She considered herself and her sister lucky.

Especially after last night’s… final step. The experience had been nothing short of perfection.

Looking at all those girls throwing themselves at wealthy men, many of them led lonely, unfulfilled lives—especially in certain… intimate aspects.

Rich guys often burned out early, meaning their stamina was lacking.

And if they were older? Even worse.

If they had psychological issues on top of that? Pure suffering.

But Su Bai…

Every moment with him was like a dream, each detail etched into her memory for life—flawless in every way.

So, if Wan Xinyan had to serve Su Bai like a dutiful maid alongside her sister? She’d do it willingly, without a single regret.

---

They reached the mountaintop.

Su Bai set down the adorably clueless academic genius, Chen Yusheng, from his back.

He twisted open a bottle of water and gulped it down in one go—smooth and effortless.

"Big White Goose, you’re amazing," Chen Yusheng could only manage this simple, awestruck praise.

Su Bai hadn’t even broken a sweat, his breathing steady the entire climb, his steps firm.

Chen Yusheng couldn’t help but preen at the thought of her future… "happiness."

Every girl secretly hoped for a man with extraordinary physical prowess, someone who stood head and shoulders above the rest.

Even the most well-mannered, conservative girls harbored that fantasy.

After all, when seemingly innocent girls got together and started talking about… certain topics, even guys would blush at their boldness.

Soon, the other three girls arrived.

They claimed a prime photo spot, and Su Bai raised a selfie stick for a group shot.

Once satisfied with the picture, they rushed to post it on social media, scrambling like they were snatching red envelopes.

Su Bai felt almost obligated to join in, so he posted one too.

In the photo, Su Bai stood at the center, surrounded by four stunning beauties.

Each girl looked intimately close to him, unashamed in displaying their affection.

The moment the post went live, reactions exploded—mostly howls of despair.

Su Bai’s friends, in particular, were the most vocal.

After all, he had always been the low-key type. Whether in high school or university, everyone assumed he’d remain a lone wolf.

Who could’ve guessed that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he’d be celebrating on Tianrong Mountain with a harem of gorgeous girls?

[Damn, Bai, your school’s hiking club is next-level. Should’ve stayed in our province instead of going to Beijing for uni!]

Su Bai chuckled at this comment.

The poster was a high school classmate—a notorious "desperate single guy" who’d spent his days obsessing over finding a girlfriend.

To think he assumed these S-tier goddesses were from a hiking club… ridiculous.

Wan Xinyan and Jiang Qiuran wanted more photos—both were the type to fuss over aesthetics—so Su Bai let them do their thing.

Chen Yusheng needed a bathroom break, so Su Bai accompanied her.

The mountaintop restroom was surprisingly well-built—spacious and clean.

But as everyone knew, no matter how many women’s restrooms a popular tourist spot had, it was never enough.

Chen Yusheng joined the queue while Su Bai lingered nearby, idly scrolling through his phone to check on the mobile games Wang Haoran had been grinding for him.

Wang Haoran handled the grinding; Su Bai just logged in to enjoy the characters—like collecting digital figurines.

"Hey, kid, waiting for your girlfriend?"

A middle-aged man’s voice came from beside him.

Su Bai glanced over. The man wore a North Face jacket—which, honestly, was overkill for the weather.

Su Bai, on the other hand, stuck to his usual stylish streetwear. Fashion over function—Senior Sister Lu knew his taste well.

Then he noticed the man’s flashy Rolex, prominently displayed.

Ah, right—this was the same guy Su Bai had overtaken while carrying Chen Yusheng up the mountain.

Back then, the man’s expression had been a mix of resentment, disdain, envy, and dissatisfaction with his own overly made-up, tacky companion.

"Yeah. You waiting for yours too?"

"Yep. Want a smoke?"

"No thanks, I don’t smoke."

Su Bai politely declined.

He wasn’t part of the traditionalist "smoking equals maturity" camp, nor the modern vape crowd.

For him, an ice-cold cola after a workout and chewing gum the rest of the time was the way to go.

The man smirked. "Not smoking? That’s no good… You’re still a student, right? People might indulge your childishness now, but once you enter society, you’ve gotta learn to be a man—"

"I don’t think smoking defines maturity."

Su Bai rolled up his left sleeve, revealing his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.

The man’s eyes instantly locked onto it.

You’re flexing a damn hundred-thousand-dollar watch and trying to lecture me?

After a brief pause, the man forced a laugh. "Ah, well, kids these days really don’t smoke much. My bad."

He quickly walked away, pretending nothing happened.

Su Bai shook his head in amusement.

Flexing wealth was a nuanced thing.

If it was just to bully the innocent? Pointless.

But to shut down obnoxious idiots? Extremely effective.

Like building muscle—not to pick fights, but to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Efficiency at its finest.