No Chance

Seeing Tan Feng so imposing, Gao Tianyu and Zhu Bin, who had come to deliver the news, could not help feeling a little flustered as they hurriedly explained themselves.

"Young Master Feng, we saw it with our own eyes! So many people were watching—it absolutely can't be fake!"

"If you don't believe us, go ask around. This news is probably spreading like crazy everywhere by now!"

Hearing their added explanations, Tan Feng's anger flared even higher. Fortunately, Zhou Liang stopped him with a smile before he could explode.

"Tan Feng, if you keep up that bad temper of yours, you'll never win Jiang Ruolin over."

"We've known Jiang Ruolin for so many years, and we even went to the same high school. How could a girl like her get a boyfriend just a few short months after starting college?"

"And even if Jiang Ruolin wanted to date, shouldn't she at least choose someone from our circle?"

Sure enough, after Zhou Liang talked him down for a few moments, Tan Feng calmed down. Still, his face remained clouded with gloom and worry.

Zhou Liang then smiled and patted Gao Tianyu and Zhu Bin beside him, telling them to go have fun. He would cover their drinks today as thanks for bringing the news.

Just then, a very beautiful girl with a distinctive air rushed in and naturally took a seat beside them.

"There, I'm late. Hurry up and get me a glass of iced cola—I'm dying of thirst."

"That lab instructor of ours is such a pain, nagging on and on like the Tang Monk."

"Huh? Tan Feng, what's with that expression today?"

This girl was named Song Jia, a highly popular and exceptionally individualistic girl in their circle.

Her father was a major boss in Wind City's petroleum industry, with extensive connections and considerable influence.

Seeing her ask, Zhou Liang smiled and waved his hand.

"I'm telling you, Jia Jia, don't make things worse for Tan Feng."

"Gao Tianyu and the others came especially to report that they saw Jiang Ruolin with a boy at the school gate."

"So Tan Feng's sore spot got poked, and now he's like this."

"I'd say he's just worrying too much. Jiang Ruolin joined the student union and meets all kinds of people every day. It's perfectly normal for someone to see her with a boy."

Song Jia froze for a moment upon hearing that, then spread her hands.

"So that's what this is about. Actually, I rushed over here to tell you all this shocking news too."

"Zhou Liang, there's no need to keep comforting Tan Feng. It's true that Jiang Ruolin has a boyfriend."

"Just now, when I passed by the dormitory building, I happened to see Jiang Ruolin hugging her boyfriend in front of it before they parted."

"Quite a few people saw it!"

Just like before, after hearing Song Jia's words, Tan Feng felt his head buzz. Then rage surged straight to the top of his head, and he smashed the wine bottle beside him.

Normally, he would have burst into profanity. But when he saw Song Jia's furrowed brows and increasingly cold expression, he forcibly swallowed his anger.

Within their circle, Song Jia was not some fringe figure like Gao Tianyu and Zhu Bin. Her standing was not much lower than his own.

Besides, they had grown up playing together like brothers. They knew each other too well, and their bond ran too deep.

"Damn... sorry, Jia Jia. I was just too pissed off."

"Where the hell did that guy with Jiang Ruolin come from? Do we know him?"

Song Jia's expression softened. She sighed, leaned back in her chair, and looked at Tan Feng with considerable sympathy.

"You could say we know him, but not well. His name is Liu Shang, and his family isn't from Wind City."

"He's also in that Oil University freshmen group you created. He and Jiang Ruolin probably met in the group, then joined the student union together."

"Back then, you wouldn't listen to my advice. You insisted on creating that freshmen group to please Jiang Ruolin."

"Not only did it fail to make it easier for you to get close to her, you ended up letting a wolf into the house."

Tan Feng's teeth itched with hatred. He slammed his fist onto the table. "This is so damn awful!"

Lu Kai, beside him, cursed and shot to his feet, slamming the table as well. "Fuck, his name is Liu Shang, right? I'm going to find him right now!"

But before he could move, Zhou Liang pulled him back down. "Lu Kai, can you stop making trouble?"

"If you run over there and cause a scene now, Tan Feng will really have no chance with Jiang Ruolin!"

Song Jia shot Lu Kai an irritated glance as well. "Lu Kai, can you stop being so childish? What, do you plan to keep fighting all the way from middle school and high school into college?"

"If you ask me, you should use your heads and think of a solution. There's still room to turn this around."

Zhou Liang, who had always been known in their small circle for being steady and resourceful, nodded. "That's the only way for now. We need to race against time and fix things before it's too late."

"Jia Jia, you're a girl too. What do you think about Jiang Ruolin's situation?"

Song Jia took a sip of cola and gave a bitter smile. "What can I think?"

"With Jiang Ruolin's looks and family background, she's always been treated like a princess. What kind of boyfriend couldn't she find? Handsome, well-off, good personality—she has far too many options."

"Yet only a few months into college, she chose a boyfriend like this. It can only mean she's grown tired of all of you around her and wants an ordinary, genuine, pure relationship."

"Jiang Ruolin is just being too idealistic and too naive. Even if none of you interfere, their relationship probably won't last very long. There's always a gap between ideals and reality."

"We've known Jiang Ruolin for so many years, but this is the first time I've felt I might surpass her in some way—when it comes to choosing a boyfriend and a relationship."

Hearing that, the others immediately laughed and teased her.

"What, Jia Jia? Are you going to follow Jiang Ruolin's lead and finally start looking for a boyfriend after entering college?"

"You have no idea how many people are secretly waiting desperately for you and Jiang Ruolin, the two beauties!"

"It's settled, then. If you do start looking, give those closest to you first consideration—think about us first!"

Song Jia smiled and waved them away, looking utterly disgusted. "Go on, get out of here. Stop getting ideas about me."

"Although I'll definitely choose someone of equal social standing and good qualifications to marry in the end, that'll be a long time from now."

"As for finding my first love in school, I actually agree with Jiang Ruolin. I definitely won't choose playboys and scumbags like you!"

Tan Feng, who had been silent all this time, let out a heavy sigh. "I'm not some playboy or scumbag."

"Ever since I decided to pursue Jiang Ruolin, I haven't dated a single girl. I haven't even had anything ambiguous with anyone."

"I swear, if I really win Jiang Ruolin over, I won't change my heart and become some kind of playboy."

"Enough messing around. Help me think of something, or I'm really going to lose my mind!"