Chapter 13: Stirring Up Trouble

Chen Jin’s good mood instantly plummeted. Why should she, who was good in every aspect, lack these luxuries? How could an orphan like Bi Qiao’an own such expensive items? She recognized the designer handbag; it was easily worth five figures at least, and that gold bangle couldn’t be cheap either.

Where did Bi Qiao’an get all this money? Based on her usual lifestyle and outfits, there was no way she could afford such extravagance.

The answer seemed obvious. She must have done something shady! This explained why she was out all night.

Concealing her envy and loathing, Chen Jin remarked, “Qiao’an, where did you go last night? It was your first time not returning to the dorm. We were so worried!”

Bi Qiao’an retorted inwardly, ‘I already informed you I went home, yet you still insisted on pinning an ‘out all night’ label on me. Sweet words, yet utterly fake concern. If you were really worried, why didn’t you voice it out last night?’

“Like I already told you over the call, I went home.” She wouldn’t waste energy getting angry. What else could Chen Jin possibly concoct?

“Oh, silly me! Completely slipped my mind,” Chen Jin chuckled as she brushed off the forgetfulness with ease. “Speaking of, where do you live, Qiao’an?”

Clearly, Chen Jin wouldn’t let the matter drop and was fishing for information about her background. What was her goal with this obsessive probing?

“Qingyu Community.” This locally famous luxurious complex boasted eight high-end condo towers, more than 20 residential buildings, a small villa enclave, and an entire landscaped mountain park. Bi Qiao’an lived in one of the two largest condo units measuring 240 square meters, the largest apartment type in the residential area, with only two buildings in the entire community.

Chen Jin sucked in a sharp breath after hearing this, as she was well aware that even securing any random Qingyu condo merited awe and admiration.

Chen Jin quickly smoothed her expression again and said, “Wow! That famously upscale complex? How impressive!”

“Just relying on my late parents’ legacy,” Bi Qiao’an responded.

“I thought your parents passed away long ago, Qiao’an. Has their remaining wealth enabled your current lifestyle?” Chen Jin’s layered words aimed to plant doubts about Bi Qiao’an’s morals while positioning herself as a responsible individual.

Before Bi Qiao’an could respond, Song Wennuan interjected heatedly, “Ah Jin! What’s with you dredging up sad things like that?”

Adopting an aggrieved tone, Chen Jin insisted, “I merely grew concerned seeing Qiao’an suddenly wearing two luxury items today. I was worried she stumbled down the wrong path…”

Song Wennuan paused in confusion as she wondered, ‘What exactly was Chen Jin implying?’

Jiang Shanshan jumped in as she demanded clarification, “Speak plainly. What do you mean?”

Chen Jin seized the chance as she elaborated, “Qiao’an’s handbag is a limited edition Gucci easily worth a five-figure sum. And that bracelet likely didn’t run cheap either…”

She paused before continuing gently, “As a fellow orphan and realizing how much temptation abounds nowadays, I can’t help but worry for Qiao’an too.”

Bi Qiao’an thought, ‘How devious, backstabbing someone only to prop yourself up virtuously right after!’

“Qiao’an…” Song Wennuan froze, conflicted over what to say as she stared wordlessly at Bi Qiao’an.

Bi Qiao’an simply reiterated with an indifferent smile, “Hmm, it’s just the blessings from my parents, and I can afford it.”

“But you shouldn’t squander money like this, Qiao’an. Forming spendthrift habits bodes terribly. You have no income, and even if you have a lot of money, if you spend it like this every day, how long can it last? You weren’t so extravagant before, so why did you suddenly…”

Bi Qiao’an inwardly mused, ‘My, my, such a kindly elder sister you are. Makes me seem quite the reckless ingrate, huh, either frivolously materialistic or nouveau riche?’

Too tired to entertain her further, she bluntly said, “These are gifts from my fiancé who just returned yesterday.”

Unable to restrain herself, Jiang Shanshan burst out, “Damn, you already got a mystery fiancé yet kept us utterly clueless?!”

Ever the dramatic, Song Wennuan clutched her chest as she said in a woeful voice while grinning, “That’s right! How unfair of the heavens to bestow a twenty-year-old blossom like you with pending nuptials when this old maid’s almost twenty-four yet remains single?!”

“No deliberate secrecy intended. We were childhood sweethearts separated when he went abroad long-term for work. We got betrothed early on,” Bi Qiao’an offered without giving details to avoid future entanglements with Chen Jin.

Upon hearing “abroad,” Chen Jin’s thoughts raced, ‘Foreign studies or career? Studying overseas implied family assets, while working some years likely accrued personal savings either way…’

Her heart soured. His circumstances seemed better than Xiao Fei’s!

However, Chen Jin consoled herself, reasoning that with Xiao Fei’s good looks and competence, he could afford such luxury himself within the year. Thus appeased, Chen Jin’s mood elevated somewhat again.

Eyeing Bi Qiao’an idling on her bunk browsing her phone, Chen Jin felt a flicker of disdain. ‘Orphan too,’ she thought with a sneer that was soon replaced by a glint of triumph as she mused, ‘The person who wants you obviously wasn’t a bigshot if the wedding hadn’t happened yet.’

After her mental rollercoaster, Chen Jin suddenly declared, “Xiao Fei and I have a date, so I’ll pass on lunch with you guys!”

“Have fun and keep the romance kindling!” Jiang Shanshan threw some flirtatious winks and nudges.

Waving them off, Chen Jin flounced out the door wearing a proud little smile.

On campus, Bi Qiao’an settled into mundane senior year life while Shen Yanming raced around Times Square as he shopped with gusto. He first bought Bi Qiao’an new spring and summer clothes and grabbed anything that caught his eye. After a while, a dozen bulging bags dangled off one arm.

Next, he returned to yesterday’s lingerie shop and had the familiar sales attendant help select some undergarment sets for Bi Qiao’an that also got packaged up into the car.

He considered footwear but immediately realized the necessity of trying shoes on for a fit. He thought, ‘Oh well, they could come together another time.’

Shen Yanming also bought himself some outfits, as the ones he had were all formal wear prepared for work, which made him look too mature. Since he was eight years older than Bi Qiao’an, he decided to buy some clothes that would make him look younger.

Another dozen stuffed purchases joined the explosion filling up his car as Shen Yanming ambled back, perfectly content.

As he approached an intersection en route, Shen Yanming found his car hemmed in by a red light. Noticing the countdown showing 115 seconds, he realized he had just missed the green light. Idly looking around, he mused that the street seemed to differ a bit from his previous life’s memory, when suddenly he noticed a scene that caused him to pause.

Inside the corner cafe, Cai Chun sat opposite an elegantly beautiful woman. Cai Chun’s deferential demeanor stood out in stark contrast to his usual arrogant behavior.

‘Who was this woman? She looked vaguely familiar,’ Shen Yanming’s brows furrowed while trying to recall.

He decided to get a closer look. As the light turned green, he pulled up directly outside the cafe’s window.

The discreet luxury vehicle was purchased specifically to avoid excessive attention during daily outings. Cai Chun naturally remained unaware of this car and couldn’t easily identify the shadowy silhouette inside of it without nearing the heavily tinted windows.

After scrutinizing the pair for over ten minutes, Shen Yanming finally remembered the mystery woman. She was the clingy girl from some company banquet during his early career, who had pestered him relentlessly to exchange contacts despite his lack of interest until he left the tedious night event early. If his memory served correctly, her surname was Wei.

It suddenly dawned on him, ‘Wei? Could this be the ‘Miss Wei’ in collusion with Cai Chun behind the scenes?’