Pipe Dreams

Of course, Lin Chen himself was just as laughable.

When he heard everyone saying the clothes he wore were fake, he nearly laughed himself breathless.

Someone worth over a hundred billion actually had to buy counterfeit clothes just to wear a three-hundred-thousand-yuan outfit?

Even TV dramas probably wouldn't dare film something that ridiculous.

Yet it was precisely because of today's discussion that Lin Chen learned what it meant for gossip to be terrifying and for people to blindly follow the crowd.

Rumors really could kill.

Of course, although Lin Chen found it amusing, he had no intention of arguing over it.

First, his net worth spoke for itself. If he were to argue with these people over whether a three-hundred-thousand-yuan designer outfit was real or fake, it would truly be beneath him.

Second, even if Lin Chen wanted to reason with them, would they believe him?

In their eyes, Lin Chen was a poor loser who should wear cheap clothes. That was a deeply ingrained belief etched into their bones.

Even if Lin Chen wore the genuine article someday, none of them would believe it.

They might even think it was some fake, shoddy, unbranded product.

Rather than argue with them over what was real and what was fake, he might as well keep his mouth shut and enjoy some peace and quiet.

However, Lin Chen's refusal to argue only made those people think that what he wore really was counterfeit trash.

The reason he did not argue was because he was in the wrong and had no grounds to dispute it.

Otherwise, if the outfit were genuine, why would he choose to remain silent?

There was no other reason. Lin Chen was simply in the wrong and could not find any justification to argue back.

"Hmph, what a poor loser. I can't even be bothered dealing with you."

Zuo Yikai sneered inwardly. Then he ignored Lin Chen and Cheng Gang, walked straight toward Qin Xueqing, and finally sat down beside her.

Cheng Gang had been watching Zuo Yikai from beginning to end. Seeing him sit right beside the Goddess in front of him, how could he not be angry?

But he could not find a reason to object. After all, they were classmates, and it made no difference where anyone sat.

If he used his pursuit of Qin Xueqing as an excuse to stop others from sitting beside her, he would only seem petty.

Even Qin Xueqing would probably think he was childish and meddling too much.

After all, aside from being classmates, the two of them had no other relationship.

"Hmph, asking for a beating."

Lin Chen sneered at the sight.

He still had great confidence in Qin Xueqing.

That kiss at Zhonghai First Hospital was still vivid in his mind.

If it had been someone else, he might have been somewhat worried, but Qin Xueqing was different.

He had absolute faith in her values.

After four years of university, and after she had resolutely gone to work as a streamer on Douyu to earn money for her mother's treatment—

Even under the onslaught of such a murky, deep-water platform, Qin Xueqing had not lost herself. How could a mere rich second-generation heir like Zuo Yikai corrupt her?

Besides, Qin Xueqing was no longer the Qin Xueqing she had once been.

By now, she had become a major streamer who was faintly poised to claim the position of Douyu's top female streamer.

Her worth had long since grown by an unknown amount compared to before.

With both of those factors combined, let alone one Zuo Yikai—

Even if it were one of Zhonghai's most prominent wealthy businessmen—

Trying to shake Qin Xueqing and make her change her mind would still be nothing but a pipe dream.

"Xue Qing, I heard you've been streaming on Douyu lately?"

"Yes. Why? Does Young Master Zuo have some advice for me?"

"Hahaha, listen to yourself, Xue Qing. What advice could I possibly give you?"

"But my family has made a little money recently. If you're willing, I can use my family's name to give you quite a bit of support with your streaming."

"No need. You should just focus on being your young master self. Worry less about my affairs."

"And please call me Qin Xueqing. Don't keep calling me Xue Qing. We are not close enough for that."

The moment Zuo Yikai had sat down beside Qin Xueqing, she had already frowned in displeasure.

Now that she heard him make such frivolous remarks, Qin Xueqing's face immediately turned icy.

Moreover, she did not want her beloved Lin Chen to misunderstand, so her tone became even colder.

Yet it was precisely because of her cold words that everyone was stunned.

They had never expected Qin Xueqing to embarrass Zuo Yikai so openly in front of everyone.

They all turned to look at Zuo Yikai, wanting to see what he would say or do next.

After all, being rejected in front of everyone was extremely humiliating.

At that moment, after hearing Qin Xueqing's words, Zuo Yikai froze, and then his face turned bright red.

He had never expected her to reject him directly in front of everyone, and so decisively at that.

The Zuo Family now had the backing of Zhonghai's Shilin Guomao Group.

Let alone a mere streamer like you, even major companies in Zhonghai had to act according to the Zuo Family's wishes.

Otherwise, if the Zuo Family became displeased, we could report you directly to Shilin Guomao Group and have all you troublemaking business-world nobodies blacklisted.

By then, it would be too late for regrets.

"Hahaha, so this brat has a day like this too."

"Lin Chen, did you see that? That bastard Zuo Yikai's face was so red from anger that it looked like a monkey's ass. That was awesome."

Seeing Zuo Yikai suffer a setback, Cheng Gang was beyond delighted.

Much of the anger he had felt from being humiliated earlier dissipated at that moment.

"A monkey's ass... That comparison is really... fitting."

Lin Chen nearly burst out laughing at Cheng Gang's words.

But come to think of it, Zuo Yikai's face really was a little like a monkey's ass right now.

If he had not lacked fur, he might really have been mistaken for one of Wukong's kind out on the street.

Lin Chen and Cheng Gang had not spoken quietly, and the classmates nearby had heard them too.

They immediately covered their mouths and laughed as they looked at Zuo Yikai.

They were afraid of angering him, yet they could not hold back their amusement, so their laughter sounded rather strange.

It sounded like a broken wooden door creaking, going "Creak, creak, creak."

"Lin Chen, Cheng Gang, you've got some nerve! How dare you insult me in public by calling me a monkey!"

Zuo Yikai's face flushed red. He slammed the table heavily, his expression dark, and roared in anger.

He could tolerate Qin Xueqing's indifference and coldness.

But Lin Chen and Cheng Gang were another matter entirely.

His icy eyes, like ten-thousand-year Antarctic ice, stared fixedly at Lin Chen and Cheng Gang.

"What? Don't tell me your ancestors weren't evolved from monkeys, Zuo Yikai?"

"If that's true, then we really aren't the same species."

Cheng Gang was angry now as well.

It was true that Zuo Yikai had a powerful backer, but today's banquet was hosted by Cheng Gang.

Not only had Zuo Yikai shown no courtesy, he had repeatedly stirred up trouble. Did he really think Cheng Gang had no temper?

But Cheng Gang's words were truly vicious. He actually declared in front of everyone that Zuo Yikai was not even the same species as them.

That completely enraged Zuo Yikai.