New Year's Day

Liang Kui thought it over and attributed the difference to southern girls being gentle and reserved, modest and shy, and exceptionally serious.

If you didn't make things clear, don't expect her to admit she was your girlfriend.

Liang Kui relaxed and smiled, his mood improving. He attentively showered Chen Wanwan with care and tenderness, then quietly said, "Would you like to go see a movie with me tonight?"

Chen Wanwan silently nodded, her face faintly flushing.

Liang Kui could see it clearly from the side, and his heart immediately blossomed with joy. Chen Wanwan looked so adorable when she was shy. As long as they went to the movies together that night, then he gave her roses and said, "Be my girlfriend," it would be that simple!

New Year's Day

Liang Kui and Chen Wanwan successfully started dating early, quickly becoming an open secret in their class and even throughout the school.

Quite a few boys pursuing Chen Wanwan gave up after learning that Liang Kui was their rival. It was already difficult to be more handsome than Liang Kui, and even harder to look like a celebrity. Besides, many thought they were a perfect match. Both were good-looking, got good grades, and came from wealthy families—a match made in heaven.

It was said that during one holiday, someone saw Liang Kui driving a luxury car worth over a million while on a date with Chen Wanwan. Never mind whether underage Liang Kui even had a driver's license; that car alone was dazzling enough to blind people. These days, being able to drive a car worth over a million meant you were truly rich. Even a few years later, he would still count as a wealthy second-generation heir.

When Su Yan heard the news, he sighed. Being born into the right family was a skill; no amount of flattery could compare.

In the blink of an eye, the first semester of high school had reached winter, with New Year's Day approaching.

Su Yan arrived at First-Class Residence wearing a thick down jacket. Zhang Wei had been waiting there for a while.

The moment he entered, warmth washed over his whole body.

Su Yan took off his down jacket and let out a breath. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Zhang Wei stared wide-eyed at Su Yan. Su Yan touched his face. "What?"

Zhang Wei took a deep breath. "You didn't disguise yourself today."

"..."

Zhang Wei laughed. "I never expected that I'd signed a contract with a high school student."

Su Yan lightly coughed. "Having an ID card is enough. I had just turned sixteen when I signed the contract with you. The law states that citizens over sixteen but under eighteen who rely primarily on their own labor income for their livelihood are considered to have full civil capacity. As long as I have that capacity, it's enough. Hmph, I'm not afraid even if you want to pursue legal responsibility. My parents didn't fulfill their duties as guardians, so I had no choice but to support myself. So you knew all along? Great, then I won't have to bother disguising myself anymore."

Zhang Wei did not know whether to laugh or cry. What Su Yan said was exactly what his assistant had said.

Zhang Wei was simply a little angry, feeling that he had been deceived. How had he failed to notice it back then? If he had known at the time, he probably would have looked down on Su Yan... That was why Su Yan had disguised himself, wasn't it? Thinking about it that way, Zhang Wei felt relieved again.

"Your parents don't care about you at all?" Zhang Wei changed the subject.

"After remarrying, they each went off to live freely. One wanted to rely on a powerful woman to become a successful person; the other only believed in love and refused to listen to reason. No matter which of them it was, having a son as old as me around would only have been a nuisance."

Zhang Wei shook his head disdainfully. "Relying on yourself is better than relying on anyone else, and love can't feed you. You're so capable at such a young age. Maybe you'll become a successful person even earlier than your father. Youth is your greatest asset."

"You think that highly of me? Thanks."

The two clinked glasses, smiles in both their eyes.

After eating and drinking their fill, they went their separate ways. Final exams were approaching, and Su Yan needed to put in the effort to review everything he had learned that semester twice over, striving to leave nothing to chance.

There was also the New Year's Day gala, for which he needed to prepare a performance. Su Yan had a headache over what to perform. Pole dancing? He had been pretty good at that in college. On second thought, he decided against it. A high school New Year's gala was not a college party; if he really performed it, he would probably scare the homeroom teacher to death. Su Yan snickered and headed straight to Aunt Xu's home.

Aunt Xu had been waiting for him for a long time. The moment she saw him enter, she hurriedly said, "I asked around about the shop you mentioned last time. The owner really does want to transfer it. His business hasn't been doing well, and he can't keep it going."

Su Yan nodded. The shop he had his eye on was located at the entrance and exit of the vegetable market. It was selling rice, grain, cooking oil, salt, and similar goods. The competition was too fierce, making it difficult to stay afloat.

"Sorry to trouble you, Aunt Xu. Please negotiate it for me. Rent it for one year first, and I'll open for business once winter break starts."

"Me negotiate?"

"Yeah. I have to trouble you with this, Aunt Xu. Since I'm under eighteen, I can't apply for a business license. The Bureau of Industry and Commerce probably won't approve it. My dad isn't home either, so I can only use your identity. Don't worry, Aunt Xu. Once this fruit shop opens, I won't pay you a salary anymore, but you can take five percent of all my profits. I'll still pay you the wages from the vegetable stall as usual. I really can't trust anyone else. Do you think that would be alright?"

Aunt Xu froze, her mind taking a long while to process it.

"Th-this... is that really alright? I'm not putting up any money. Why would you give me a share of the profits? I can't accept that."

"My request is indeed rather excessive. But I don't have a better solution. Otherwise, the fruit shop can only wait until I turn eighteen to open."

"No, that's not what I mean. You're the one paying the rent and providing the capital. How could I possibly take your profit share..." Aunt Xu was deeply uneasy.