After Ye Chen left the scene where the grand piano nearly fell, the eight movers who had been carrying it began blaming one another.
"Hey! That was your fault! Why didn't you hold it properly?" one of them shouted.
"Hah! My fault? You're the one who let go first!" the skinny one snapped back.
"Nonsense! If you had any strength in your arms, we wouldn't be in this mess."
"You were the one who lost your grip. Don't pin this on me!"
The argument continued while Ye Chen walked away, leaving the chaos behind. Though the piano had taken some damage, no one was injured and that was all that mattered.
Soon, Ye Chen and Zhang Liao arrived at the school canteen. Unfortunately, it was packed.
"The queue's too long," Zhang Liao sighed. "Ye Chen, why don't you sit down? I'll get the food. Just tell me what you want."
Ye Chen listed off a few dishes and handed over some money.
As Zhang Liao went to stand in line, Ye Chen searched for a seat and settled into a quiet corner.
Since returning to Earth, Ye Chen had found himself enjoying a peaceful life something rare and precious.
Though trouble always seemed to find him, most of it was minor. Still, he knew this peace couldn't last forever. As the heir to the Sage God, Ye Chen understood the dangers that came with power. Many would seek to take it from him.
Because of this, Ye Chen remained cautious, never revealing his strength unless absolutely necessary.
Just then, two familiar figures entered his line of sight.
He blinked in surprise.
It was her Yu Ting.
His ex-girlfriend.
She wasn't alone. Her current boyfriend was right beside her. Yu Ting looked vastly different from how Ye Chen remembered her. She now wore gaudy, expensive clothes that showed off more skin than class.
Her demeanor screamed vanity and arrogance. The sweet, innocent girl Ye Chen once cared for was gone.
In her place stood a woman who seemed proud of her shallow transformation.
Ye Chen felt no nostalgia only disgust.
"Oh? Isn't this Ye Chen?" Yu Ting's voice dripped with mockery as she spotted him. "Long time no see."
Ye Chen looked up, his expression calm. "Yu Ting. It's been a while. You look... different."
"Of course I do," she smirked. "My new boyfriend spoils me with everything designer clothes, luxury handbags, top-tier spa treatments every week. I've upgraded in life. You wouldn't understand."
Ye Chen merely smiled, though inside he thought, She's seriously proud of looking like this?
"Ting Ting, who's this?" asked the man beside her, his voice dismissive.
"He's my ex-boyfriend," Yu Ting said casually. "We bumped into him once at the mall. Remember?"
The man Hu Ji sneered. "Oh. I don't remember trash like him."
Yu Ting laughed. "Ye Chen, you're still single? Can't find anyone new?"
Her words were clearly meant to humiliate him.
Ye Chen didn't flinch. "Yes, I'm single. Does that concern you?"
Yu Ting rolled her eyes. "Please. No woman would want a poor guy like you."
A few months ago, those words might have hurt him. But now?
Now, Ye Chen could make money with the snap of a finger if he wished. Still, he remained silent, his calm infuriating them more.
Hu Ji joined in, chuckling arrogantly. "Ting Ting, be serious. There's no way any woman would go for a bum like him. Women prefer men with status like me."
Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? You think I can't find someone better than Yu Ting? Just wait."
Yu Ting snorted. "If you can find a woman more beautiful than me, I'll eat dirt in public!" she declared with a loud laugh.
At that moment, a voice interrupted them.
"Ye Chen, have you been waiting long?"
A stunning woman suddenly appeared and wrapped her arms around Ye Chen's. Her gentle voice was filled with affection.
It was Zhao Yanyan.
She had come out of concern for Ye Chen's earlier injury. Seeing him talking with two strangers had sparked her curiosity, so she had quietly observed from a distance.
After overhearing their entire conversation and learning Yu Ting was the one who had dumped Ye Chen because he was poor Zhao Yanyan was furious.
To her, Ye Chen was worth a hundred Hu Jis. He had saved her without hesitation, risking himself for her.
Money could never buy that kind of courage or kindness.
And now, she had the perfect chance to put these two snobs in their place.
Ye Chen, momentarily stunned, looked down at Zhao Yanyan clinging to him. "Yanyan?"
Yu Ting's eyes widened. "W-Who are you?"
Zhao Yanyan smiled sweetly. "I'm Zhao Yanyan, Ye Chen's girlfriend."
Silence fell.
Yu Ting and Hu Ji were speechless.
Even Hu Ji, who knew Zhao Yanyan by reputation, couldn't believe what he was seeing.
She was the school's most beautiful and admired girl and she was dating Ye Chen?
His face turned red with embarrassment. After all, he had been rejected by her himself.
Zhao Yanyan leaned in, speaking in a playful tone. "Ye Chen, let's eat somewhere else. I don't like the atmosphere here."
Ye Chen smiled knowingly. "Of course, darling."
With that, the two turned and walked toward the exit.
Ye Chen could feel burning stares stabbing into his back especially from the jealous boys who had secretly admired Zhao Yanyan for years. He couldn't blame them.
"Looks like I just made a few enemies," Ye Chen thought to himself.
Before stepping out, he turned and looked at Yu Ting.
"By the way, someone here said they'd eat dirt if I got a girlfriend more beautiful than her," he said loudly, grinning. "Well? I'm waiting."
Laughter erupted in the canteen as students turned to look at Yu Ting, who stood frozen in shame.
Face flushed, she quickly grabbed Hu Ji's hand and stormed out of the canteen, trying to disappear before someone handed her a spoon and a pile of mud.