Jumping Clown

Jianghai City Cultural and Creative Park.

The morning sun, filtering through the gaps in the red brick walls, cast dappled light and shadow.

This art district, transformed from old factory buildings, was bustling with activity.

Specialty shops and creative studios lined the streets, exuding a vibrant, youthful energy.

Lin Mo and his group got out of the car and entered the art district.

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

Chen Zihao naturally walked beside Su Wanqing, trying to strike up a conversation:

"Wanqing, this Cultural and Creative Park was developed by a partner of my family. Do you want me to show you around?

Some studios aren't open to the public, but I can make a call."

As he spoke, he casually took out his BMW car key and fiddled with it.

The Rolex on his wrist glinted in the sunlight.

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

Xu Weiwei leaned towards Chen Zihao from the other side, smiling:

"Zihao, you're amazing. Your family's business is so big. You'll have to guide us more in the future."

"It's alright. At least in our Jianghai City, we have some influence," Chen Zihao raised an eyebrow, his tone filled with pride.

He spoke, looking at Lin Mo intentionally or unintentionally:

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

The question was sudden, and the girls all looked over.

Lin Mo said calmly, "An ordinary family. As for after graduation, we'll talk about it after graduation."

"An ordinary family, huh..." Chen Zihao drew out the words, his tone laced with disdain:

"That must be tough.

Do you want me to help you arrange a position at my family's company?

The starting salary isn't high, but it's stable, with full benefits."

While his words sounded like help, they were actually a display of wealth and a put-down.

Lin Mo maintained his usual calm demeanor: "No need, I have my own plans."

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

"Taking on freelance work? That's too unstable.

Su Wanqing comes from a good family. If you want to be worthy of her in the future, you need a proper job."

His words were quite impolite.

The girls all looked over.

Su Wanqing's expression turned cold:

"Chen Zihao, Lin Mo's affairs are none of your concern. He's capable and doesn't need to rely on anyone."

Xu Weiwei also tried to smooth things over: "Yeah, Zihao, Lin Mo is a great artist. He can sell an illustration for several thousand yuan."

"Several thousand?" Chen Zihao widened his eyes in exaggerated shock:

"How many can he draw in a month?

At most, it's ten thousand yuan. In Jianghai City, you can't even afford a toilet with that.

I suggest you be more practical and join our company's design department. Entry-level salary for fresh graduates is eight thousand, plus a year-end bonus. Isn't that better than messing around?"

He looked at Lin Mo, putting on a "well-intentioned" posture:

"Lin Mo, I'm not targeting you, I'm looking out for you.

Reality is cruel. You can't support a family just by drawing.

Especially with Su Wanqing's background, you'll face a lot of pressure in the future."

Lin Mo finally let out a laugh, a light, somewhat mocking chuckle.

"Chen Zihao," he slowly stood up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the gold watch on the other man's wrist:

"Thank you for your advice.

But I think everyone has their own aspirations.

Some people prefer stability, others prefer adventure.

There's no right or wrong, just different choices."

He paused, his tone light but sharp:

"Like your Rolex. Some see it as a symbol of status, others as tacky showing off. It's just a difference in perspective."

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

"Literally," Lin Mo shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "Read more when you have time. Stop thinking about showing off your wealth and acting cool all day."

"Lin Mo!" Chen Zihao roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

"Chen Zihao!" Su Wanqing also raised her voice, her eyes icy. "My business is none of your concern. Lin Mo is my boyfriend, please respect him."

Chen Zihao's face turned a ghastly shade of green and white, looking extremely unpleasant.

The atmosphere instantly plummeted to freezing point.

Xu Weiwei, startled, quickly grabbed Chen Zihao's arm and whispered soothingly:

"Zihao, don't be angry. Let's go look at the leather goods store over there. I heard they have handcrafted custom wallets, very exquisite."

Chen Zihao shot Lin Mo a fierce glare, the malevolence in his eyes almost palpable.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and followed Xu Weiwei away dejectedly.

Li Yutong sidled up to her boyfriend Wang Lei, lowering her voice in amazement. "Lin Mo has such a strong presence, daring to talk back to Chen Zihao like that."

Wang Lei nodded in agreement. "And he did it skillfully, hitting Chen Zihao's sore spot with just one sentence."

Zhao Mengmeng's boyfriend, Zhang Hao, also chimed in softly, "Chen Zihao really picked the wrong fight this time. Lin Mo is clearly not the type to be intimidated by his family background."

Su Wanqing turned around and linked her arm through Lin Mo's, her face full of apology. "I'm sorry, you had to be targeted again."

"It's fine," Lin Mo ruffled her hair, a smile in his eyes. "He's just a clown, not worth wasting emotions on."

In the dessert shop, exquisite pastries were served one by one. The girls immediately took out their phones, chattering as they took photos for social media.

However, Chen Zihao wasn't willing to let it go and sauntered back over.

This time, he had learned his lesson and no longer targeted Lin Mo directly. Instead, he began to brag about his connections and resources.