Chapter 014: The Petty Man Triumphant

When a woman fights a man, she usually ends up at a disadvantage—being taken advantage of or groped is almost expected. But a woman fighting another woman can suffer just as much, especially when the opponent is a shameless rogue like Smelly Piggy. With her vicious techniques and underhanded moves, it took only a few exchanges before Su Dieyi found herself pinned beneath Smelly Piggy, subjected to all kinds of torment, until she had no choice but to beg for mercy.

“My dear Softie, you’re just too gentle. If you were as bold as I am, you’d have had Li Huan right where you wanted him tonight... Come, let me show you the secret technique...” Smelly Piggy, grinning shamelessly, extended a finger and reached suggestively toward Su Dieyi.

Meanwhile, on Dajie Road in the east district of Bauhinia Mountain, Li Huan was in the electronics mall shopping for a laptop when, quite suddenly, he sneezed hard. A chill ran down his back, spreading an inexplicable coldness through him.

He instinctively rubbed his behind and glanced back—only to see a flamboyant, effeminate man winking at him. Startled, Li Huan grabbed his things and bolted. What a world, he thought, shaking his head in disbelief.

The second floor of the electronics mall was dedicated to laptops. Li Huan had worked at Wolf With Dancers and saved up enough money for a quality machine. His old computer had been fried, and a laptop would be much more convenient. He’d had his eye on a high-end Lenovo, nearly eight thousand yuan, with impressive specs and a sleek design.

He quickly found the store, which was bustling with weekend shoppers. The place was spacious and well-stocked, but Li Huan made a beeline for the model he wanted, tried it out, and was thoroughly impressed. The saleswoman beside him enthusiastically listed all the laptop’s outstanding features. Without much fuss, Li Huan turned the computer off and asked for the price directly, leaving the saleswoman momentarily stunned—clearly, she thought she’d met a big spender.

Li Huan, putting on airs, looked every bit the triumphant upstart, drawing an admiring gaze from the saleswoman, who rushed to process his purchase. He was quite satisfied with this attentive service; indeed, the thickness of one’s wallet determines how others treat you.

After paying, Li Huan picked up his new laptop and the complimentary gifts, and was about to leave when a familiar voice called his name from behind. Turning around, he was surprised to see someone he knew.

“Hi, Li Huan, you’re here too?” A pretty girl with a high ponytail and a sweet smile approached. The freshness of her look made Li Huan’s heart skip a beat.

But then a tall young man emerged behind her, wearing an expensive-looking pair of glasses. At the sight of him, Li Huan’s brow furrowed, and the muscles at the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

Noticing Li Huan’s reaction, the girl seemed a bit embarrassed herself. She glanced back at the man with the glasses, apparently displeased that he’d followed her. “Why did you come too?”

“Why not? We’re all classmates—I just came to say hi.” The man’s lips curled into a polite smile. He turned to Li Huan and said, “Long time no see, Li.”

“Yeah, long time,” Li Huan replied, his expression darkening. He didn’t say much more and forced a smile as he turned to the girl. “Hello, Wang Lin. I heard you’re preparing for grad school—how’s your studying going?”

Wang Lin seemed to sense Li Huan’s discomfort and responded awkwardly, “How about you? I heard from the counselor that you gave up your guaranteed grad school spot. Why? Do you realize how much that will affect your future?”

Li Huan’s voice was edged with bitterness. “What of it? Even if I went, it’s not like I have your privileges.”

Wang Lin was taken aback, a pained look flickering across her face. For many people, personal ability was no longer what determined their fate. In this relentlessly pragmatic society, your starting point shapes your destiny; the fairytale of the underdog’s rise was nothing more than a cruel joke.

“Li Huan’s right,” Sun Xiao interjected, a gentle smile on his face, though his tone was patronizing. “The sooner you start working, the better. With your abilities, a ten-thousand-a-month salary shouldn’t be hard after two years. Grad school would only waste your time.”

Li Huan let out a cold laugh. He’d never liked Sun Xiao, the student council vice president—just another rich kid who bought his way in with family connections and money. Cunning and manipulative, he fancied himself above everyone else, but in reality he was just another spoiled brat.

Li Huan had no desire to curry favor with someone like that, nor provoke him unnecessarily. But because of Wang Lin, there had been friction between the two, and Sun Xiao’s behind-the-scenes dirty tricks had nearly gotten Li Huan punished by the school. That was another reason he’d declined the grad school offer.

“Sun Xiao, we’re not close. I don’t need your advice,” Li Huan retorted bluntly, not even bothering to look at him.

“Li Huan?” Wang Lin tugged at his sleeve apologetically and whispered, “Don’t be like this. Sun Xiao’s just concerned about you.”

Her instinctive show of familiarity made Li Huan freeze for a moment. After a while, he forced a smile. “Sorry, I just don’t like being told what to do. Really don’t.”

Wang Lin didn’t reply. She was still puzzled by Li Huan’s decision to give up his spot. Though Sun Xiao’s logic made sense, she believed that for students like Li Huan, education was the only way to change their fate.

Li Huan sighed, ready to leave with his new laptop, but Sun Xiao stopped him. “I heard you work at a bar now? Not bad, right? That laptop must have cost seven or eight thousand.”

Li Huan’s gaze turned cold. “That’s none of your business.”

Sun Xiao wasn’t fazed. Smiling, he continued, “Just trying to help. Bars are chaotic, not the cleanest environments. How about this—my father just opened a logistics company. I could get you a job there, with a good salary. What do you think?”

“No thanks. I prefer my freedom.” Li Huan glanced at him and caught the hint of mockery in his eyes—the kind of look a wealthy merchant might give a pitiable beggar.

“Li Huan, Sun Xiao is just trying to help. There’s no future in bar work,” Wang Lin added, genuinely concerned. But to someone of her privileged background, even a bar manager was beneath notice in such a disorderly place.

Li Huan’s expression grew dim. When material things become the measure of everything, feelings seem pale and insubstantial—much like the gap between him and Wang Lin now. Their worldviews, their approaches to life, were fundamentally different. It reminded him of a saying: in this society, there are people you simply can’t reach, no matter how hard you try.

“There’s probably no future in it. I’m just trying to earn a living,” he murmured, then forced a stiff smile and said, “Well, I’ll be going.”

“Wait!” Sun Xiao stopped him just as he was about to leave, pulling out a business card. “I’m vice president at my father’s logistics company now. Here’s my card. If you ever run into trouble, come find me. If you need money, I can help—you know, since we’re classmates.”

Hearing those words, Li Huan’s face finally darkened. He’d resented Sun Xiao ever since his dirty tricks at school, and now, with Sun Xiao playing the good guy in front of Wang Lin while condescending to him, even a clay Buddha would get angry.

He glanced at the gilded business card but didn’t take it. Instead, he sneered, “Sun Xiao, don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying to do. Putting others down doesn’t make you any taller—it’s just stupid. And don’t forget what you did before. I hold grudges.”

Sun Xiao’s expression shifted, barely restraining himself from cursing. But with Wang Lin present, he forced himself to stay calm, adjusting his glasses as icy eyes glared at Li Huan. “Mind your words, Li. Or don’t blame me for being unpleasant.”

“Were you polite when you pulled your underhanded tricks on me?” Li Huan scoffed. This guy was a joke—clearly a scoundrel, yet insists on playing the hypocrite. Was it fun?

“You—you’re talking nonsense! Don’t make me—” Sun Xiao’s face turned grim. He shot a quick glance at Wang Lin, whose expression had grown tense, and his heart skipped a beat. He stepped forward, reaching for Li Huan’s collar, intent on stopping him from revealing his secrets.

He’d assumed Li Huan was cowed by that previous incident. But now, seeing him so bold, Sun Xiao realized he’d underestimated the man. Wasn’t that lesson enough for him?

The thought sent a jolt of fear through Sun Xiao. If Wang Lin found out about his schemes, it would be trouble. His grip on Li Huan’s shirt tightened, veins bulging on his arm.

Suddenly, with a crisp snap, Sun Xiao’s hand stopped just short of Li Huan’s chest. A powerful hand clamped down on his wrist, squeezing so hard that his entire hand went numb, as if it had lost all feeling.