1.8 Million, Paid in Full

"What does this have to do with you? Your family is in real estate, not the prosecutor's office, right?"

"I just don’t want so many people to be fooled by you."

"Or is it just your own jealousy talking?"

"Me? Jealous of you? Don’t make me laugh."

Gao Wenhao had always been fiercely competitive, and Zhou Yi’s accusation of jealousy instantly ignited his anger.

Of course, it also struck a nerve—because he was jealous.

What had Zhou Yi been before?

A worthless, pathetic loser who got pushed around—someone who’d scurried away from Chu Han’s side after being threatened, forced to keep his head down at school.

Now, suddenly, he was the campus heartthrob, some rich heir, with girls fawning over him. How ridiculous was that?

Gao Wenhao, just like Zhang Wu, couldn’t stand this reality.

Zhou Yi sighed, rubbing his temples. Why was this guy like a persistent fly, impossible to shoo away, always begging to get slapped in the face?

He spoke with exaggerated patience, "Honestly, man, if you’re that bored, go plow the fields behind the school. I really don’t have time for you."

"You—! Hah, fine. I’m starting a live stream on the forum right now. Let’s see if you can actually afford to buy this place today!"

Gao Wenhao glared at him venomously, pulling out his phone and opening a live broadcast on the campus forum.

He aimed his camera at Zhou Yi, snapping a cover photo for the stream with the title: "Your Beloved Heartthrob Is Just a Fraud."

Admittedly, Zhou Yi’s face was flawless from every angle—even that offhand shot looked like a professional photoshoot, his sharp jawline and striking features stealing the spotlight.

Chu Han wanted to stop Gao Wenhao, but knowing his spoiled, hotheaded nature, she could only watch from the sidelines.

The eye-catching title and Zhou Yi’s photogenic face quickly drew viewers into the stream.

[Wait, isn’t that Zhou Yi? What’s going on?]

[Another clown trying to start drama? If you’re coming for my man, you’ll have to go through me first!]

[OMG HE’S SO HOT—that jawline is sharper than my life goals.]

[Don’t stir up trouble on the forum.]

[xxx shared the live stream.]

[What’s happening here?]

[...]

Once the viewer count climbed, Gao Wenhao finally addressed the audience with exaggerated smugness:

"So, I’m here at Golden Bay checking out properties, and guess who I run into? None other than our famous ‘White Shirt Prince,’ Zhou Yi! He says he’s buying a place too. Thought I’d stream it for everyone’s entertainment."

His tone dripped with sarcasm.

Zhou Yi turned, his expression icy. "You do realize you’re violating my right to publicity, right?"

Gao Wenhao smirked shamelessly. "Don’t be so stingy. What, you’re fine with girls at school snapping pics of you, but not guys?"

[Ooooh, drama alert! What’s the tea?]

[That title is pure bait.]

[Wait, isn’t Zhou Yi supposed to be some rich heir? Why call him a fraud?]

[Probably trying to expose him. Everyone hypes him up—let’s see if he’s legit.]

[Why does he owe anyone proof? He’s never even claimed anything himself.]

[Exactly. If he didn’t deny the rumors, he’s clearly milking it.]

[Y’all are toxic.]

The number of onlookers in the forum kept growing, with hundreds now online.

Some even started arguing in the live chat.

Opinions were divided on whether Zhou Yi had acted intentionally. Some believed his silence meant he was admitting guilt.

Gao Wenhao aggressively pointed his phone camera at Zhou Yi, pressuring him to respond.

Finally fed up, Zhou Yi came up with a plan.

He abruptly changed the subject and said to Gao Wenhao, "Since you're here to buy a house too, why don’t we each get one today? Whoever backs out is a coward."

Gao Wenhao pressed his lips together. What was this guy playing at? Trying to trap him?

His finances were tightly controlled by his mother—there was no way he could afford a house.

"I only said I was here to look, not that I’d buy anything."

Zhou Yi smirked, immediately recognizing Gao Wenhao’s financial limitations.

After all, he was just a student. Even if his family was wealthy, they wouldn’t casually hand him millions to spend.

Besides, Chu Han had once complained to him that Gao Wenhao needed his mother’s approval for any expense over 5,000 yuan—no way he could pull together a million.

"So the mighty Young Master Gao doesn’t have the means? Can’t even compete with an orphan like me?"

Gao Wenhao was hot-tempered and impulsive, making him an easy target for Zhou Yi’s taunts.

And with a girl by his side and hundreds watching the live stream, backing down wasn’t an option.

"You—Fine! But you go first. If you buy, I’ll buy."

Gao Wenhao was certain Zhou Yi didn’t have the money. Once Zhou Yi embarrassed himself, he wouldn’t have to follow through.

Zhou Yi nodded, pulled out his card without hesitation, and handed it to the sales agent.

"I’ll take the one we discussed earlier. Just run the card."

The stunned saleswoman blinked before her face lit up with excitement. "O-of course, sir! I’ll prepare the contract right away."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "Appreciate it."

[So cool! That’s the first time I’ve seen Zhou Yi smile.]

[Wait, he’s actually buying it?!]

[How much is this place? Expensive?]

[Is OP about to get humiliated?]

[Purple Bay? At least a million, easy.]

[Where’d he get that kind of money?]

...

Seeing Zhou Yi actually pull out a card, Gao Wenhao panicked for a second.

He quickly sneered, "Is that even your card? Or did you take out a loan? Maybe some sugar mommy’s funding you—that face of yours does attract women."

Zhou Yi sipped his tea on the sofa, refusing to dignify him with a response.

Gao Wenhao scoffed. "Keep pretending. It’ll be hilarious when your card gets declined."

Soon, the agent returned with the contract and a POS machine.

"Mr. Zhou, please review the contract. Let me know if anything needs adjustment."

"Thanks."

Zhou Yi carefully scanned the document, signed it, and handed it back.

"Please enter your PIN, sir."

"Sure."

With a few taps, the machine whirred, printing out a receipt.

The amount glared back at them: RMB 1,830,000.

[One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand—DAD?!]

[H-how much?! 1.8 million?!]

[Mind blown. I’ve never seen that much money in my life.]

[Eh, a million for a house isn’t that crazy?]

【He bought a one-bedroom apartment, probably no more than 50 square meters.】

【Damn, that left me speechless. Dude’s got skills.】

【I’m reporting you, bro. You did nothing wrong—it’s all my disgusting jealousy and fragile ego. The moment I saw how much you spent, I completely lost it. I was sweating buckets, shivering, my depression flared up instantly, and life lost all its color. I felt like a Saiyan with its tail grabbed, a Devil Fruit user in seastone cuffs, a jinchūriki stripped of their Tailed Beast, an Ultraman without light—utterly robbed of the will to live.】

【So, OP, when are you buying yours?】