Chapter 8: Slapping the Face of a Bosom Friend

The last time they finished at the hotel, Jiang Meijia handed Lu Fei a check for two hundred thousand. Lu Fei hadn’t spent it yet—perfect timing to cash it and buy this piece of jade. With a flick of his wrist, the eighty-eight-thousand-yuan jade was tucked into his bag.

Xu Yunyao found herself questioning reality. Her family’s situation was actually a notch below Jiang Meijia’s; even for her, buying an eighty-eight-thousand-yuan jade on a whim was unthinkable. Yet Lu Fei could do it? That didn’t make sense.

“Heh, that’s really pointless, isn’t it? Spending money just to show off in front of me? Actually, that’s even more low-class—it only shows you’re broke!” Xu Yunyao’s words dripped with hostility as she fired at Lu Fei, convinced he was deliberately targeting her.

Lu Fei wasn’t about to tolerate it; he retorted directly, “You really don’t know quality, but you think others are showing off. What’s the point of having eyes if you can’t use them? Might as well gouge them out.”

Xu Yunyao was fuming. “I don’t know quality? That’s a renowned Italian designer’s special seasonal piece, for decades the price has been the same, and you said it’s not worth a thousand. This jade has issues with its water, clarity, and color—two thousand would be expensive. Yet you insist the price was set too low. If you don’t understand, don’t pretend you do! People like you are infuriating.”

Just then, the clerk from the clothing store walked over.

“Miss, I’m terribly sorry,” the clerk apologized to Jiang Meijia.

“What happened?” she asked.

“The clothes you just bought were mislabeled. They’re actually a seasonal discount item and only cost nine hundred ninety-nine. We sincerely apologize for the oversight. Here’s your refund. If you have any other requests, we’ll try our best to accommodate them.”

The clerk handed her a bank card.

Lu Fei’s words were law—he said the clothes weren’t worth a thousand, and they really weren’t.

Xu Yunyao was completely thrown off, her cheeks burning.

Jiang Meijia was equally stunned; she’d never encountered anything like this. Was her judgment really so off? She spent eighty-eight thousand and ended up with clothes worth less than a thousand?

They didn’t lack money, but whatever they bought had to be worth the price, or else it made them look foolish.

She forced herself to remain composed. “Thank you, I have no other requests,” she said, accepting the refund.

Lu Fei, a master at cutting to the heart, smiled at the two of them. “I told you that outfit wasn’t worth a thousand, but you wouldn’t believe me.”

“Alright, you’re really showing off now,” Jiang Meijia said, rolling her eyes at him.

After that incident, Xu Yunyao completely lost interest in shopping. She found an excuse and slipped away.

Lu Fei parted ways with Jiang Meijia and returned to his hotel room. As soon as he entered, Yin Tiancheng called, laughing as he asked whether Lu Fei had gone shopping at Jiusheng Mall today.

Lu Fei’s voice was cold, “Are you following me?”

Yin Tiancheng was so startled he dropped to the floor, legs weak. “N-no, it’s just that Jiusheng Mall has my shares. One of my employees reported you were there today…”

“Oh, I see. I was just asking. No need to be nervous.”

Yin Tiancheng breathed a sigh of relief. “Master, do you remember that sports car at the mall?”

“The one on the first floor, the so-called king of cars?”

“That’s right. I’ve had it registered under your name and arranged for a driver. I hope you like it.”

Lu Fei had merely glanced at the car twice, but Yin Tiancheng noticed and gifted it to him outright.

Lu Fei accepted without hesitation—since people liked to give gifts, he would take them. “Alright. Send me the driver’s number. If I need him, I’ll call.”

“Of course, of course.”

…

Another day passed. At six in the evening, Jiang Meijia called Lu Fei, asking him to accompany her.

She said there was a gathering tonight, and everyone wanted to meet her boyfriend.

Lu Fei agreed instantly.

In truth, this was Xu Yunyao’s doing. After being thoroughly put in her place by Lu Fei, she couldn’t stop stewing about it and was determined to regain her dignity. So she organized this gathering.

Lu Fei took a cab to the venue—an open-air bar.

Xu Yunyao and several wealthy young men were already waiting. As soon as he arrived, the group surrounded him.

“Let me introduce everyone—this is Meijia’s boyfriend, Lu Fei!” Xu Yunyao announced.

Cheers and catcalls erupted.

“Impressive! What a guy!” came the voices.

After the introduction, those gathered made noises like mischievous spirits.

Jiang Meijia was famous among them as the perpetual single saint, never accepting a man’s advances—so much so, some even suspected her orientation.

Suddenly, she had a boyfriend. How could this group not go wild?

“Step aside, he’s just a country bumpkin. Don’t get so excited,” Jiang Meijia said, moving to stand beside Lu Fei and casting him a look of disdain. She had not the slightest affection for him; if not for her parents, she would never have gotten involved with him.

Bringing Lu Fei to meet this crowd of frivolous friends was also meant to quash any lingering thoughts they might have about her.

“Haha, insults are really a sign of affection! Looks like our Miss Jiang is quite fond of Brother Lu Fei,” a man teased.

Others whispered: Jiang Meijia, in front of everyone, was giving Lu Fei no respect at all. Clearly, his family status was that of her lapdog.

Just then, a blue sports car sped down the road like lightning, drawing the eyes of everyone at the bar.

The car stopped next to Jiang Meijia.

A man wearing a gold watch, his hair styled in a flat ironed wave, stepped out.

He walked straight up to Jiang Meijia. “Meijia, long time no see.”

The crowd erupted again.

This man was Qi Xiaotian, heir of Wancheng Group, worth billions, celebrated as one of Bianjing’s Four Young Lords. He’d once pursued Jiang Meijia, utterly smitten with her.

It was rumored that the Jiang family favored Qi Xiaotian and intended to arrange an engagement between him and Jiang Meijia.

Yet here was Jiang Meijia, choosing a country bumpkin.

The bumpkin looked decent enough, but in terms of wealth, compared to Qi Xiaotian, the difference was astronomical.

Jiang Meijia’s choice was truly lamentable.

Before Jiang Meijia could respond, the crowd flocked to Qi Xiaotian, greeting him enthusiastically.

“Brother Xiaotian is here!”

“It’s been so long since you’ve come out to play, Xiaotian!”

“Wancheng Group just landed an order from Hesheng Group—now their market value’s doubled again, all thanks to Brother Xiaotian!”

“Brother Xiaotian’s car is a beast!”

Some praised Qi Xiaotian’s car, and he smiled subtly before replying, “This car is already old; I just drive it for convenience. I’ve already ordered the car king from Jiucheng. Soon, I’ll bring it over to show everyone. I hope, when that day comes, my passenger seat will be occupied by you.”

Qi Xiaotian looked at Jiang Meijia with deep affection. He knew she had a new boyfriend, but it didn’t matter; stealing someone’s girlfriend only added to the thrill.