Ren Zhen never expected that she and Shang Jin would cross paths in this way.
In her junior year, her family’s home was demolished for redevelopment, making them rich overnight. Her mother opened a cafe and study room near campus, so Ren Zhen could earn a little pocket money while having a convenient place to study.
Then one day, a rich second-generation guy from her class applied for a part-time job.
“Shang Jin? You’re applying for a part-time job?”
“Yeah. My family ran into a little trouble, so I have to learn to support myself.”
“Your family’s so rich. What kind of trouble could make you support yourself? Don’t tell me you went bankrupt.”
“Yep. My family went bankrupt.”
“...”
They had been classmates at Striving University for two years and worked together in the Endeavor Club for two years. At last, in their junior year, their once-pure friendship as classmates began to show signs of becoming something less innocent.
Boys’ dormitory.
Yao Nuli’s hand hovered over Shang Jin’s phone as if he’d touched a live wire. He pointed at the screen. “Listen, listen. Just send this, okay? Send this: ‘Are you free tomorrow? Want to grab a meal together?’”
Shang Jin hesitated. “Isn’t that a little too forward?”
Yao Nuli shouted, exasperated. “Tch, you’ve got no guts! Give it here! If you don’t dare send it, I’ll do it for you!”
Shang Jin clutched his phone to his chest like it was a treasure. “No way! Then you’d be the one dating her! I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself.”
Xiang Qianchong, who had been gaming nearby, immediately shouted into his mic, “You guys hold the line! There’s something good happening over here!” Then, ignoring the shouts from the other end, he pulled off his headset and leaned in. “Send it already!”
Shang Jin: “...”
Girls’ dormitory.
Ren Zhen slapped Hao Shanliang on the arm. “Holy crap, he messaged me! How do I reply? What do I say?”
Hao Shanliang hurried over to look at her screen. “What did he say? Let me see... Grab a meal together? Where? The cafeteria or somewhere off campus? Breakfast, lunch, or dinner? Ask him that first.”
Ren Zhen did as she was told and sent the message.
The other side replied: “How about lunch tomorrow, after class in the morning? A new braised chicken stall just opened in the Third Canteen. Want to try it?”
Ren Zhen had just typed “Sure” when Hao Shanliang stopped her.
“Wait.”
Ren Zhen: “?”
Hao Shanliang dragged over a chair, looking very serious. “You can’t just reply like that. Those two words are the graveyard of conversation. Delete them, and listen to me.”
“...Okay.”
Yao Nuli slung an arm over Shang Jin’s shoulder, his face nearly pressed against the phone. “Tsk, that reply has some skill. Don’t answer yet. Let your buddy think this through for you.”
The love strategists on both sides entered the battlefield.
Demolition-made heiress vs. bankrupt rich second-generation!
We’re serious about being ridiculous!
(The male lead’s family went bankrupt, but not completely. The female lead really did get rich.)
A few notes before reading:
1. This is a university campus story, set in campus life during the pandemic.
2. A silly, brainless comedy.
3. Contains some dialect.
4. More content warnings to be added (hands on hips).
Theme: Take your studies seriously, work hard, and strive for success.
