Kong Huaijin Faces Another Setback

"I just want you to be happy, Yi. If the future is uncertain, then let’s cherish the present."

You Man had never wanted to lock Zhou Yi down.

Loving someone didn’t mean possessing them or tying them down.

Her love was simple—she only wished for Zhou Yi’s happiness, even if that happiness didn’t include her.

Zhou Yi was moved. Even as a man with a wandering heart, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything hurtful to her.

"Man-jie, don’t always think so little of yourself. I want you to be happy too."

"If Yi is happy, then I’m happy."

Her joys and sorrows existed because of him.

Zhou Yi’s heart clenched at her words. He didn’t reply, only tightening his arms around her.

You Man patted his back gently. "Alright, have you eaten breakfast yet? If you’re hungry, I can make you something."

"I’m not hungry. I just want to talk with you for a while."

Zhou Yi pulled You Man down onto the sofa with him.

She pushed aside the unpleasant thoughts and started talking about the furniture she’d bought.

She rambled about what she’d picked out for Zhou Yi, mentioning how she hadn’t yet set up the bedside lamp because she didn’t want him straining his eyes while scrolling through his phone in bed.

Then she pointed to the flowers on the balcony, reminding him to water them regularly.

Leaning against Zhou Yi’s shoulder, You Man murmured, "Yi, if you ever meet someone you like… will you tell me?"

Zhou Yi ran his fingers through her hair. "Still thinking about last night?"

"I’m just curious about what kind of girl she is."

"It’s Jiang Ruolan. She confessed to me last night, but she already knew nothing would come of it. She just asked me to stay with her for the night."

You Man froze. A girl as outstanding as Jiang Ruolan—why would there be no future between them? They seemed like the perfect match, a golden couple...

A girl like that, who surpassed her in every way, couldn’t win Zhou Yi’s heart either?

She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or sad. At least Zhou Yi didn’t like Jiang Ruolan—his feelings for her were probably just pity.

"She’s so exceptional—beautiful, capable. Why don’t you like her?"

"Did you forget what I told you before? There are plenty of exceptional people, but there’s only one Man-jie. I agreed to stay with her for the night, but that’s all I could give her."

Jiang Ruolan had gotten Zhou Yi’s body, but not his heart.

Maybe last night was just a momentary weakness on his part?

The knot in You Man’s chest slowly loosened.

Adult emotions were complicated, and she understood that better than anyone. With a sigh, she didn’t know who to feel sorry for.

"Part of me is glad you don’t like her, but another part thinks a girl like her deserves a man’s wholehearted love."

Zhou Yi smiled without responding, and You Man didn’t bring it up again.

The little storm between them passed.

Monday.

Zhou Yi had a third-period class. Arriving just in time, he found that Zhang Wu, who usually sat beside him, had been moved to the back. In his seat sat a woman with short hair.

—Kong Huaijin.

Most of the class didn’t recognize her. They were still students—what would they know about corporate executives?

They just assumed Zhou Yi had messed around with some pretty girl from another class, and now she’d come to confront him.

At twenty-seven, Kong Huaijin didn’t look much older than a college student, but her commanding presence made it clear she was a wealthy heiress—someone ordinary people couldn’t afford to offend.

Beside Su Ning, Zhang Lili was already gossiping.

"Damn, is that Zhou Yi’s girlfriend? Everything she’s wearing is designer. That bag on the desk alone costs five million—I don’t even recognize money anymore."

Su Ning knew exactly who she was—the woman her brother had once been obsessed with.

She shook her head. "She’s not his girlfriend. She’s the daughter of Huaihai’s richest man, the eldest daughter of the Kong family. Of course she dresses like that."

Zhang Lili gasped, covering her mouth. "What?! The richest man’s daughter? No wonder she looks like that. But why is she here? Is she trying to chase Zhou Yi?"

Su Ning’s eyes dimmed slightly. "Who knows? It’s not unusual for people to like Zhou Yi."

Kong Huaijin was naturally stunning, but paired with her black Chanel outfit and the Hermès bag on the desk, she was practically a walking stack of cash.

She sat there with an icy expression, unapproachable. No one in the class dared to strike up a conversation.

Zhou Yi calmly took his seat and said, "Morning, sis. What brings you to Huai University for a lecture?"

Kong Huaijin slid a check toward him. "The ten million we agreed on. I’m covering it."

The students behind them nearly choked.

Ten million?! Was this hush money?

Zhou Yi raised a brow. "What’s this for? Didn’t we agree the Kong family would invest five million and leave the rest to that uncle?"

The students behind him mentally sighed in relief—oh, just business. That made sense.

Kong Huaijin smirked. "They’re them. I’m me. The other five million is just an appetizer for treating you to dinner."

The students behind him: "What?! Five million for an appetizer?!"

Zhou Yi chuckled. "This isn’t five hundred bucks, sis. You’re spending this much just to have a meal with me?"

Kong Huaijin’s lips curled. "It’s just the price of a bag. So, are you going to give me the honor? I never knew inviting someone to dinner could be this hard."

The students listening were practically drooling with envy, hearing her talk about millions like pocket change.

Zhou Yi sighed. "Alright, sis, just tell me what this is really about. Someone as busy as you wouldn’t go to all this trouble just for me, right?"

If Zhou Yi had accepted her invitation from the start, Kong Huaijin would’ve casually mentioned that her friend wanted to meet him.

But now, her stubbornness had kicked in—she was determined to get him to agree on her own terms.

When Kong Huaijin refused to explain, Zhou Yi pushed the check back.

"Sis, I’ve got class. Let’s talk at noon, alright? The whole class is staring."

Kong Huaijin’s face flushed with irritation. She’d never met a man this ungrateful!

She’d practically humbled herself to come here, and he still turned her down?

In her eyes, this was as low as she’d ever stooped for a man—she’d never gone to someone’s classroom just to corner them before.

But then she remembered how Zhou Yi had once helped Kong Xiaohe, and her tone softened.

"Fine. Then consider me here to audit your class. Your professor won’t kick me out, will he?"

Zhou Yi laughed and shook his head. "Then enjoy reliving the college experience with me, sis."

While they spoke, every word of their conversation was being faithfully relayed by the students sitting behind Zhou Yi.