The Correct Way to Use a Gold-Digging Childhood Friend

Su Bai had a precise grasp of Jiang Qiuran's psychology.

Some women inexplicably treat certain things as their own sacrifices. If such sacrifices end up completely wasted or even lead to humiliating outcomes, they’d fume with frustration.

Take Jiang Qiuran, for example. She felt that after being childhood friends with Su Bai for so many years, he actually had no romantic interest in her whatsoever.

Not only that, but now he was even bypassing her to hang out with the girls from the anime club.

Though, Jiang Qiuran figured that given Su Bai’s picky standards, he probably wouldn’t get involved with someone like Xiao Xiong or the like.

Still, the whole situation made her incredibly anxious.

To ease her anxiety, Jiang Qiuran started acting submissive toward Su Bai again.

Rationally, she knew it was inappropriate—she was a proud and confident beauty, after all. When had she ever been this meek around any guy?

But emotionally, the sheer joy bubbling up from within made her revel in it.

Pain and pleasure intertwined!

And then, Su Bai suddenly sent her a 500-yuan red envelope, which was like the finishing touch that completely ignited Jiang Qiuran’s emotions.

...

Just then, her phone lit up with another message from Su Bai.

[Fluffy White Goose: You’ve always wanted to change your phone but couldn’t bring yourself to, right? Well, I happen to have some spare cash lately.]

[Ranran: You… you’re buying me one?]

[Fluffy White Goose: You’ve gotta show me your sincerity first, Ranran!]

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Su Bai then sent her a link to the latest top-tier Fruit Phone.

The price tag—over ten grand—was honestly way too steep for Jiang Qiuran.

She could technically afford it if she gritted her teeth and whined to her mom, but as an art student, between her studies, clothes, and makeup, she was already burning through money.

And her mom worked hard for every penny!

Su Bai’s temptation was like a demon’s whisper,

eroding Jiang Qiuran’s rationality.

...

With a scowl, she typed out a final desperate struggle on her phone.

[Ranran: Bai, how could you do this to me? What if your girlfriend finds out…]

[Fluffy White Goose: Hah, trying to guilt-trip me? That won’t work. My greatest virtue is having zero shame!]

[Ranran: …]

Honestly, it was true.

Su Bai had always been shameless.

People who didn’t know him well might assume he was a quiet, introverted guy—the type with thin skin.

The reality was the exact opposite!

Su Bai was a total schemer, sneaky and wicked.

Like right now—after seeing through Jiang Qiuran’s nature, he had no qualms about toying with her.

[Fluffy White Goose: Ranran, think about it this way. Your dream is to marry a rich man, but given your IQ and temperament, you’d probably get chewed up and spat out in high society. So why not just… hehe~]

Hehe your big-headed ghost!

Jiang Qiuran internally cursed at him.

...

Among her roommates, Zhou Jialu wasn’t around, while Liu Yuanyuan and Chen Yusheng were resting.

Originally, the two had been minding their own business, scrolling on their phones, completely unaware of Jiang Qiuran’s situation.

...

Then Liu Yuanyuan asked with concern, "Ranran, are you okay?"

"I… I’m fine…"

"You look unwell. If you’re feeling sick, just say so—we can take you to the hospital."

"Really, I’m fine. Thanks for asking~"

...

[Fluffy White Goose: Hey hey, you still there?]

[Fluffy White Goose: Did you get so embarrassed you shut down? Tsk, useless. With skills like yours, even if you married a rich guy, you’d just end up as a maid. While Yusheng and your senior enjoy the good life, you’d be stuck at the servants’ table with a couple of housemaids.]

[Fluffy White Goose: And you think you can land a wealthy bachelor? Better hit the books and aim for a government job—stable income. Oh, but given your math skills, you’d probably flunk the civil service exam. Better save up for cram school. Don’t ask me to tutor you—I’d just rage-quit halfway.]

Honestly,

this was how normal guys treated their childhood friends.

Those shy, blushing male leads in novels were way too rare.

In reality, most guys could rant about their childhood friend’s flaws for three days straight.

And Su Bai’s teasing of Jiang Qiuran? Smooth as butter.

...

Chen Yusheng found Jiang Qiuran acting strange today.

Normally, she was quiet during afternoon breaks.

But today, she was making all sorts of noises.

Well, not that it bothered Chen Yusheng—she wasn’t even disturbed.

Since she hadn’t done much work in the lab that morning, her mind wasn’t tired, and she couldn’t fall asleep.

She was just lying there playing on her phone.

...

Chen Yusheng and Liu Yuanyuan exchanged glances.

What’s going on?

This wasn’t like Jiang Qiuran at all. In the month since the semester started, she’d never acted like this.

Had something set her off recently…?