Chapter – 33
Pei-jie, it doesn’t matter who gets the money, right?
After class, Yu Zhi dragged Pei Nian’an toward the cafeteria.
She claimed—quite grandly—that today’s meal was on her.
Pei Nian’an didn’t really want to go, but she couldn’t resist Yu Zhi’s enthusiasm, so she reluctantly followed.
Yu Zhi found them a random seat in the bustling cafeteria. The young lady frowned at the noisy crowd, clearly displeased.
Seeing her expression, Yu Zhi immediately pulled out disinfectant wipes and carefully cleaned the table and chairs before letting Pei Nian’an sit.
“Pei-jie, the cafeteria’s got your favorite braised pork ribs today. Wait here—I’ll go get them for you!”
Soon, Yu Zhi returned with a tray of food and set it in front of Pei Nian’an, handing her a pair of disposable chopsticks.
Pei Nian’an took them, unwrapped the paper, and poked the rice a couple of times.
“I’m already full from anger,” she muttered, tossing the chopsticks aside. “What kind of person is she anyway? She’s not even afraid of frogs!?”
Yu Zhi quickly soothed her: “Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. Let’s not stoop to her level!”
But how could Pei Nian’an not be angry? She was practically fuming to death.
Yu Zhi glanced at her expression, then said seriously, “Pei-jie, have you ever thought—why are we always so focused on Wen Ying?”
Pei Nian’an frowned. “What do you mean?”
Yu Zhi set down her chopsticks and analyzed solemnly, “Pei-jie, what do you think is your biggest conflict with Wen Ying?”
Pei Nian’an gritted her teeth. “She’s seducing Chengnian-ge!”
Yu Zhi sighed. “There are so many men in the world—can’t we just let her have that one?”
Pei Nian’an’s eyes widened. “What did you say?!”
Yu Zhi quickly slid over to sit beside her, calming the furious young lady:
“Don’t get mad! Pei-jie, listen. Your biggest issue with Wen Ying is that you think she’s seducing Young Master Gu, but honestly—what does she have that you don’t? Her family’s not as good, her looks aren’t as stunning. Anyone with sense would choose you!”
Pei Nian’an’s mood improved slightly. She picked up a rib. “Now that’s what I like to hear.”
Yu Zhi smiled, pulled out a brightly colored romance novel from her bag, and handed it to her.
“Pei-jie, this is for you.”
Pei Nian’an glanced at the garish cover. “What’s it about?”
Yu Zhi’s smile deepened.
“It’s a school romance. The story’s about a domineering school hunk who falls in love with a poor girl, abandoning the rich heiress who’s his social equal. The heiress bullies the poor girl, the guy retaliates against the heiress, and in the end the heiress dies miserably while the couple lives happily ever after…”
She sighed dramatically.
“Tell me, Pei-jie, why is it that in all these novels, the beautiful, elegant heiress always ends up with some stupid, blind male lead?”
Pei Nian’an: “???”
Why did that story sound… weirdly familiar?
Pei Nian’an set down her chopsticks, picked up the novel, and said:
“I’m not eating anymore. Sign me in for class this afternoon. I’m going home to read this.”
“Wait, Pei-jie,” Yu Zhi said through a mouthful of rice, swallowing quickly when she realized what that meant,
“You’re supposed to help move the new art supplies this afternoon.”
Pei Nian’an frowned. “What supplies?”
“The new plaster casts and art materials for the studio,” Yu Zhi said, checking her phone. “The class rep posted the duty schedule in the group chat yesterday.”
“I’m not going,” Pei Nian’an said flatly.
“That’s not really okay…” Yu Zhi hesitated. “I’ve got a club meeting this afternoon, or I’d help you myself. Maybe you can find someone to cover for you?”
Pei Nian’an thought for a moment—then suddenly stood up and shouted across the whole cafeteria:
“Who’s free to help me move the art supplies? I’ll pay 10,000 yuan—cash!”
Yu Zhi: “!!!”
Ten thousand yuan?!
You could’ve said that earlier! Who cares about some stupid club meeting when the young lady’s offering a job like that!
As soon as Pei Nian’an’s words echoed through the cafeteria, heads turned, and a buzz of chatter broke out.
“Is she serious?”
“So generous? No way, that’s a scam!”
“Ten thousand to move stuff? I’ll move ten loads!”
Then, a clear voice rose from the crowd:
“Pei Nian’an, don’t you think it’s wrong to use money to manipulate people?”
Wen Ying stepped forward. Though her tone was gentle, her words carried clearly across the cafeteria.
“We’re all classmates—equal. Not your servants.”
The crowd began murmuring.
“Yeah, she’s so arrogant. Can’t believe there’s still princess types like her in college.”
“Having money doesn’t make you better. Ugh.”
With some support, Wen Ying grew more righteous.
“You may be used to solving everything with money, but here, everyone has their dignity.”
Then she turned to the hesitant students. “Think about it—would you really sell your pride for a bit of money?”
Pei Nian’an rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I’m holding a gun to your heads…”
“That’s exactly the problem!” Wen Ying’s voice rose, her eyes slightly red.
“You’re exploiting the economic gap and creating inequality! Some classmates are struggling financially. What you’re doing isn’t helping—it’s humiliating them!”
“And Pei Missy, do you even realize this is unfair? Everyone takes turns moving supplies. Why do you get to pay your way out?”
Pei Nian’an gave her a look. “And what’s that got to do with you? I’m not spending your money.”
“This is a group task—we should all participate equally!” Wen Ying said, voice firm. “You’re setting a bad example.”
Pei Nian’an was speechless. Before she could respond, Yu Zhi suddenly rushed forward, nearly bumping into Wen Ying.
“Pei-jie, Pei-jie! I’ll do it! I’ll move it! Ten thousand, right?”
She grabbed Pei Nian’an’s arm and hurried out, not forgetting to wink.
“Pei-jie, who cares who gets the money, right? Everyone stand back—let me handle it!”
Pei Nian’an frowned. “Didn’t you have a club meeting?”
Yu Zhi waved a hand. “The meeting can wait—you come first!”
Pei Nian’an smirked proudly.
Beside them, Wen Ying’s face turned pale. “Yu Zhi…”
Yu Zhi brushed past her. “Excuse me—you’re blocking my way to making money.”
“Yu Zhi!” Wen Ying grabbed her arm, looking heartbroken.
“I don’t know why you’ve changed like this, but have you forgotten what you said before? You wanted to earn scholarship money through your own effort. Your mom’s still sick—if she knew you were doing this, she’d be so disappointed!”
Yu Zhi rolled her eyes. Wow—what a pro at moral blackmail.
She turned around and said, “You know my mom’s sick, and you’re stopping me from earning money? Are you insane?”
Yu Zhi sneered. “Would you rather my mom’s condition get worse because I couldn’t afford treatment? That’d make you happy, huh?”
Wen Ying’s face paled. “That’s not what I meant! I just think we should earn money through honest work—”
“I’m not being honest? What, moving supplies isn’t labor now?” Yu Zhi widened her eyes dramatically and looked around at the onlookers.
“Everyone, tell me—does moving stuff count as work or not?”
