Chapter 6: Try Living Without Money

"Oh, I see. No wonder."

"You buy so many gifts for Lily, yet you're reluctant to buy a single piece of clothing for yourself. You really are a good man."

"Lily, you should really cherish a man like this!"

Although these words sounded like they were encouraging Qin Xueli to cherish him, Xinxin and Angela spoke with such sarcasm that every word was the exact opposite of what they truly meant.

Qin Xueli grew anxious. She had brought them along to help her deflect drinks, but now they were turning the tables on her? Was this how best friends acted? Sure enough, friendships between girls were often just made of plastic. When they saw a good man, they didn't care about the bond of friendship anymore. While it wasn't an outright snatch, it was barely any different.

While shopping, Qin Xueli had told Zheng Qian that she felt embarrassed about him buying so many things for her and wanted to buy him a decent outfit, but Zheng Qian had firmly refused. What could she do? She couldn't force it on him; that wouldn't look good either. But now, these women were using this very fact to corner her.

"Oh, I don't really have any requirements for clothing," Zheng Qian said. "Besides, Lily said she wanted to buy me an outfit. Don't let my clothes fool you; they might look a bit worn, but they are very comfortable. Lily, why don't you join me on the dance floor for a bit?"

Zheng Qian could easily see what Xinxin and Angela were thinking. However, he didn't have any affection for them and took the initiative to help Qin Xueli out of the predicament.

[Favorability +10]

Qin Xueli's favorability toward him immediately spiked by 10 points.

"Okay." The two stood up and headed to the dance floor.

Although Qin Xueli didn't frequent clubs often, she had been to bars and nightclubs enough times to know how to dance—she wouldn't call herself an expert, but she knew the moves. However, in front of Zheng Qian, she had to act as if she were a novice who rarely went clubbing.

"So, can you still drink?" Zheng Qian asked while swaying to the music, mimicking others. If Qin Xueli could still handle it, he would have the sales representative bring over another set of "Great Dragon" champagne.

"Hmm... if you're not having enough fun yet, I'll keep drinking with you."

"Good."

Zheng Qian wouldn't have dared to dream that Qin Xueli would ever say something like that to him. Normally, Qin Xueli was an exceptionally cold girl; only the wealthy and handsome could melt the frost on her face. To someone like him—a nobody—she was usually indifferent, existing only as a passerby with whom she shared no connection outside of work.

Yet now, she was like a docile little kitten, saying that if he hadn't had enough, she would keep drinking to accompany him. What did that mean? Even if she had reached her limit, she would force herself to drink just to stay with him. Was this the joy of being wealthy? The former Zheng Qian could never have imagined such a thing!

"I'm sweating. Let's go down and take a break."

"Okay."

***

When the two returned to their booth, Zheng Qian saw a stranger sitting in his seat. The man had neatly groomed eyebrows and was wearing makeup that accentuated his cheekbones, making him look somewhat handsome.

The man was sitting at about the same distance as Zheng Qian had been, holding a wine glass and whispering to Angela. Their eyes were hazy, and if they had leaned in any closer, they would have been kissing.

This really annoyed Zheng Qian. *Damn it, you didn't even say hello, you're drinking my liquor, sitting in my seat, and even hitting on my girl? What is the meaning of this?*

Zheng Qian felt a flash of anger. Although he didn't have feelings for Angela and she wasn't "his girl," he was the one who had booked the booth, bought the liquor, and brought these people here. This was a complete lack of respect. If someone doesn't respect you, they will inevitably perform all sorts of offensive actions. Aside from the man's behavior, part of the fault lay with Zheng Qian himself. Even though he had money now, he lacked the imposing aura to command his own space. He decided it was time to be more assertive.

Qin Xueli noticed the situation with Angela and the man. She snuck a glance at Zheng Qian's face, curious to see how he would react. To her surprise, Zheng Qian only narrowed his eyes, his expression as calm as a mirror.

Back at the booth, Xinxin caught Zheng Qian's gaze and quickly pinched Angela’s waist. Angela realized something was wrong and immediately distanced herself from the man. Only then did Zheng Qian walk back with Qin Xueli.

"Who is this?" Zheng Qian asked.

"Oh, this is my friend, Chen Feiyu. I didn't expect to run into him here, so I invited him over for a drink," Angela said, introducing him to Zheng Qian while offering a quick justification.

"You must be Young Master Zheng. I'm Chen Feiyu." Chen Feiyu quickly rose from the booth, taking the initiative to lower his posture to introduce himself. After all, what he had been doing was inappropriate, and he didn't know if Zheng Qian had seen it, so it was best to be humble.

"A friend, eh? Then sit down," Zheng Qian said, taking his place at the head of the table. He called the sales representative over: "Bring me another set of 'Little Dragon'."

After swiping his card, there was no system cashback, as it wasn't money spent on a woman. The "Little Dragon" arrived without the dry ice smoke, and the music didn't stop, just a three-second spotlight.

Qin Xueli was actually a bit surprised. Anyone else might have already started cursing, dragged the man up to beat him, or kicked him out. Back at the office, Zheng Qian had been a timid, submissive person. To think he had this kind of backbone and magnanimity? He hadn't kicked the man out or attacked him; instead, he had ordered a 38,888-yuan "Little Dragon" set for Chen Feiyu. In her eyes, Zheng Qian’s performance was exceptionally brilliant.

"Wow, I didn't expect Young Master Zheng to think so highly of me. I must toast you," Chen Feiyu said, downing three glasses in a row.

"Did you come alone?"

"Yes, just me. I just arrived."

"Perfect. Sit down and drink with us."

"Young Master Zheng is truly impressive! Then I shall accept your hospitality and join your table."

Chen Feiyu didn't sit next to anyone, choosing the edge of the booth. He didn't know Zheng Qian's background and didn't dare offend him. But one thing was certain: Zheng Qian was definitely wealthier than he was.

They continued playing dice. After a few rounds of drinks, Zheng Qian asked, "Feiyu."

"Yes?"

"What is your relationship with Angela?"

Chen Feiyu’s heart tightened, his expression shifting slightly. Angela frowned as well. This question touched on privacy, and asking it so directly was indeed quite offensive. But Chen Feiyu didn't dare not answer.

"Well... I used to work in short-video operations. I was sort of Angela's boss; I was the one who scouted her."

"I see..." Zheng Qian nodded thoughtfully. Then, he asked another question.

"So, have you ever used your influence to coerce Angela?"

If they were equals, asking such a question would likely result in a fistfight or a glass of wine thrown in his face. Everyone frowned, but no one dared to show anger.

"No, absolutely not. Angela and I were just coworkers. Even though she doesn't work under me anymore, we are just friends. It is definitely not what you are imagining, Young Master Zheng," Chen Feiyu said, waving his hands hurriedly to explain.

Zheng Qian could tell from his expression that he was lying; otherwise, why would he take so long to answer and stutter so much?

"What about other girls?"

"No, not them either..." Chen Feiyu was breaking into a cold sweat.

"Oh."

Zheng Qian felt a sense of satisfaction. This was far more gratifying than having security guards beat Chen Feiyu up. At a drinking table, if I’m a man who isn't drinking, I can make you drink even if you have to force it down. At a dinner, if I want a girl to dance to entertain me, you have to force yourself to do it, no matter how reluctant or unwilling you are.

Offending others is also a manifestation of power. Try doing that without money; if you run into someone with a short temper, they’d flip the table on the spot or smash a bottle over your head—that would be the norm.

These two probably hated Zheng Qian now, but they still had to smile at him. When Zheng Qian raised his glass, Chen Feiyu and Angela still had to smile and keep him company. Try doing that without money, and see what happens.