Clowns

Jianghai City Cultural and Creative Park.

Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the red brick walls, casting mottled light and shadow.

This art district, transformed from old factory buildings, was bustling with noise and excitement at the moment.

Specialty shops and creative studios stood in rows, everywhere exuding a youthful and vibrant atmosphere.

Lin Mo and his group got out of the car and walked into this art district.

"Let's go to that dessert shop first!" Zhao Mengmeng pointed at a shop excitedly.

Chen Zihao walked naturally by Su Wanqing's side, trying to strike up a conversation:

"Wan Qing, this Cultural and Creative Park was developed by one of my family's partners. Would you like me to show you around?

Some studios are not open to outsiders, but I can make a call."

As he spoke, he seemingly casually took out his BMW car key and twirled it in his hand.

The Rolex on his wrist glittered brightly in the sunlight.

Su Wanqing shook her head politely: "No need, we'll just look around."

Xu Weiwei sidled up to Chen Zihao's other side and said with a smile:

"Zihao, you're amazing, your family business is doing so well. You'll have to take us under your wing in the future."

"It's all right. At least in our Jianghai City, I still carry some weight." Chen Zihao raised an eyebrow, his tone revealing complacency.

As he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally looked at Lin Mo:

"Lin Mo, what does your family do? What are your plans after graduation?"

This question came out of nowhere, and the few girls all looked over.

Lin Mo said indifferently: "An ordinary family. As for after graduation, we'll talk about it when graduation comes."

"An ordinary family..." Chen Zihao drew out his tone, the tail end full of contempt:

"That's quite tough.

Would you like me to help you arrange a position in my family's company?

Although the starting salary isn't high, it has the advantage of being stable, with complete social insurance and housing fund."

This sounded like help, but in reality it was showing off and belittling.

Lin Mo maintained that calm and collected appearance: "No need, I have my own plans."

"Your own plans?" Chen Zihao raised an eyebrow:

"Taking freelance gigs? That's way too unstable.

Wan Qing's family background is good. If you want to be worthy of her in the future, you still need to have a proper job."

This remarks was already quite impolite.

The few girls all looked over.

Su Wanqing's face turned cold:

"Chen Zihao, you don't need to worry about Lin Mo's affairs. He has ability and doesn't need to rely on anyone."

Xu Weiwei also tried to smooth things over: "Yeah, Zihao, Lin Mo is very good at painting. A single illustration can sell for several thousand."

"Several thousand?" Chen Zihao exaggeratedly widened his eyes feignedly:

"Then how many can you paint in a month?

At the absolute most, it's just ten thousand or so. In Jianghai City, you can't even buy a toilet with that.

I suggest you be more down-to-earth and come to our company's design department. The starting salary for fresh graduates is eight thousand, plus a year-end bonus. Isn't that better than you blindly thrashing about?"

He looked at Lin Mo, putting on an earnest and well-meaning posture:

"Lin Mo, I'm not targeting you, I'm doing this for your own good.

Reality is cruel. Relying solely on painting simply cannot support a family.

Especially coming from a background like Wan Qing's, your pressure will be huge in the future."

Lin Mo finally laughed out sound, that kind of light chuckle carrying a bit of banter.

"Chen Zihao," he slowly straightened up, his gaze calmly sweeping across the gold watch on the other person's wrist:

"Thanks for the suggestion.

However, I believe everyone has their own ambitions.

Some people like stability, and some people like adventure.

There is no right or wrong, just different choices."

He paused, his tone light yet carrying a sharp edge:

"Just like this Rolex of yours—some people think it's a symbol of status, and some people think it's tacky showing off. It's just different perspectives."

Chen Zihao's face instantly turned ashen, and he clenched his fists: "What do you mean?"

"Literal meaning." Lin Mo spread his hands, his tone light and breezy: "Read more books when you have time, and don't spend all day thinking about showing off your wealth and acting cool."

"Lin Mo!" Chen Zihao shouted angrily, the veins on his temples bulging.

"Chen Zihao!" Su Wanqing also raised her volume, her gaze icy: "You don't need to manage my business. Lin Mo is my boyfriend, please respect him."

Chen Zihao's face turned a shade of blue and white, extremely unsightly.

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point.

Xu Weiwei was frightened and hurriedly pulled Chen Zihao's arm, lowering her voice to advise:

"Zihao, don't be angry. Let's go over there and check out the leather goods store. I heard they have hand-customized wallets, which are very exquisite."

Chen Zihao glared fiercely at Lin Mo, the viciousness in his gaze almost condensing into substance.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and left resentfully with Xu Weiwei.

Li Yutong leaned over to her boyfriend Wang Lei and lowered her voice in amazement: "Lin Mo's aura is so strong, he actually dared to talk back to Chen Zihao like that."

Wang Lei nodded in agreement: "And he talked back with a lot of skill, hitting Chen Zihao's sore spot in a single sentence."

Zhao Mengmeng's boyfriend, Zhang Hao, also echoed in a low voice: "Chen Zihao really kicked an iron plate this time. Lin Mo is obviously not the kind of person who would be bluffed by his family background."

Su Wanqing turned around, linked her arm in Lin Mo's, her face full of apology: "I'm sorry, I let you get targeted again."

"It's fine." Lin Mo rubbed her hair, his eyes full of smiles: "Just a clown, not worth wasting emotions on."

Inside the dessert shop, exquisite desserts were served to the table one by one, and the girls immediately took out their phones, chirping as they took photos to check in.

Yet Chen Zihao refused to rest, and came over again.

This time he learned his lesson and no longer directly targeted Lin Mo, instead beginning to show off his connections and resources.