With Money, One Should Fund Idealism

It's common knowledge that many college couples have their first intimate experiences during trips. Humans are migratory creatures by nature, and in new environments, primal desires tend to awaken. Add a nice hotel into the mix, and it’s easy for people to get impulsive.

Xue Tao’s mind immediately raced with wild imaginings.

Damn, I almost...

He awkwardly cleared his throat and adjusted his pants.

After a brief internal struggle, he decided to throw caution to the wind.

Screw it, it’s just spending my parents’ money!

The news says the affluent should spend more to stimulate the economy.

Xue Tao’s just doing his part for national economic growth!

Then it hit him—wait, this is an international trip. Wouldn’t that mean contributing to a foreign economy instead?

Whatever. No point overthinking it. If there’s an opportunity to indulge, he’s taking it.

Judging by Liu Yuanyuan’s expression, she seemed tempted too. Xue Tao couldn’t help but feel smug, assuming his social connections had impressed her.

Puffed up with pride, he boasted, "Money alone isn’t enough—you need solid connections. Take me, for example. As a local, I can even get into Young Master Liu’s dinner parties. When I need something done, I’ve got the face to make it happen. Meanwhile, some people might have cash, but they’re just outsiders—helpless when trouble comes knocking..."

Liu Yuanyuan wore a polite smile.

Inside, she was seething.

For heaven’s sake, give it a rest. Always putting Su Bai down.

Sure, she admitted she had a thing for Su Bai’s looks.

But it was just a harmless crush!

No need to be so passive-aggressive. How petty can you be, Xue Tao?

Besides, how do you know Su Bai doesn’t have connections?

Just as she was mentally roasting him, Liu Yuanyuan noticed Xue Tao’s expression suddenly shift, his gaze darting away from a certain direction.

Curious, she followed his line of sight and spotted Su Bai and Liu Chen'ang playing together on the tennis court beside the track field.

Looked like Liu Chen'ang was teaching Su Bai how to play tennis?

Liu Chen'ang was the refined, gentle type of handsome, while Su Bai was more ruggedly attractive. Together, they covered the full spectrum of female aesthetic preferences—a feast for the eyes.

Let’s face it, in real life, truly good-looking guys are rarer than beauties.

Girls can rely on long hair and makeup, but guys have far fewer options. Even with grooming and fashion, the impact is much weaker—you need solid genetic foundations.

And without a doubt, Su Bai and Liu Chen'ang were among the best-looking guys on campus.

"What the—since when did this guy get so chummy with Young Master Liu?" Xue Tao looked like he’d seen a ghost.

"They’re both rich, hot, and into sports. Of course they’d hit it off. What’s so weird about that?" Liu Yuanyuan rolled her eyes.

Xue Tao’s lack of self-awareness was exhausting.

But her words clearly struck a nerve.

He took a deep breath, his face darkening. "Liu Yuanyuan, if you think Su Bai’s so great, why don’t you go be his girlfriend?"

"What’s your problem? I’m just stating facts. They obviously get along. Why are you so insecure?!"

Finally catching Xue Tao’s rudeness, Liu Yuanyuan unleashed a verbal barrage before shaking off his hand and storming away.

Great. Now he had to smooth things over.

Xue Tao felt a surge of frustration. What the hell? This relationship was turning out to be such a headache.

Dinnertime.

Chen Yusheng said she was craving hot pot.

So Su Bai took her to Yangfang Hot Pot.

As soon as they were seated, Chen Yusheng glanced around the upscale setting and couldn’t help but smile sweetly.

"What’s up?"

"Just reminiscing. The first time you treated me to a late-night meal was here," she said, her eyes shimmering with nostalgia. "Back then, I was so shocked—who spends nearly 8,000 yuan on a single meal? It felt like someone like you was worlds away from my life."

"And now?"

"Now... we’re very close. Negative-distance close!"

The sudden innuendo hit Su Bai like a freight train.

That was Yusheng for you—a total closet pervert. Half the time, she was the one making him blush.

Seeing her mischievous grin, Su Bai retaliated by pulling her into his arms. Amid her surprised squeals, he teased her mercilessly until she was breathless.

While waiting for the food, Chen Yusheng leaned against Su Bai’s shoulder, chattering about her lab work and the research direction she was pursuing.

Now that she wasn’t stuck doing Professor Luo’s profit-driven projects, she could focus on her own academic interests.

Since Su Bai had invested so much in her, she wanted to work twice as hard to make sure he saw returns.

Chen Yusheng wasn’t the type to take advantage of others.

Some people were just like that—too kind-hearted and thin-skinned. They’d rather be shortchanged than owe anyone.

She talked nonstop until the hot pot broth began boiling. Glancing at the time, she suddenly looked sheepish.

"Bai Goose, was I rambling too much?"

"Not at all. I love listening to you. You know I’ve always had a thing for smart girls."

"Then what if you meet another gorgeous genius someday? Will she steal your heart and make you dump me? You—you heartless jerk!"

Chen Yusheng burst out laughing at her own absurd accusation, playfully pounding Su Bai’s chest. Then, catching sight of his Adam’s apple, she found it irresistibly masculine and couldn’t resist kissing it.

The gesture sent ripples through the quiet moment.

Suppressing his darker impulses, Su Bai ruffled her hair. "You’re different from them. Most people study for practical reasons, but you genuinely love it."

"Mm... am I really that impressive?"

"You are."

Su Bai knew true passion when he saw it—that glow in her eyes, the flushed excitement when she talked about her field.

With money no longer an issue, supporting idealism was a no-brainer.

True idealists were rare these days.

And the aloof, scholarly types often hid explosive enthusiasm beneath the surface, with too few people to share it with. Lonely at the top, as they say.

Su Bai was happy to be that person for her.

After devouring a few slices of golden conch to refuel his post-workout hunger, Su Bai brought up Liu Chen'ang with amused intrigue.

"Got something wild to tell you... Liu Chen'ang’s hiding a massive secret."