Volume One, Chapter Six: Terminating the Lease

Just kidding. With only 123.45 yuan left in my pocket, how could I possibly afford to treat you to a meal? His former self had really hit rock bottom, truly unbearable. This month’s living expenses had already been sent by his family. Yet he’d only kept enough for a steamed bun, spending all the rest on gifts for Zhao Yiyi.

Though Third Bro didn’t mind, mooching off him for three meals a day still made him feel a bit awkward. No, he had to find a way to make money, and fast! But there weren’t any promising avenues at the moment. Even if he sang on social media, it would take a month to see any earnings, and there was no guarantee of going viral.

Sell songs? That was no different—without the right connections, there’d be no quick cash. By the time he sold anything, he might already be a dried-up husk. It seemed there was only one solution for now.

Move out, get the deposit back. That deposit could last him a good while, at least buying him some breathing room.

The next morning, the air was fresh and crisp. It was Saturday, but unlike any other Saturday.

At Jiangxia Film Academy, the campus belle, the number one beauty, the nation’s little sister, the ethereal Su Muyu, had been waiting downstairs for over ten minutes.

“No way, am I seeing this right? Which brother is so impressive that the top beauty is waiting for him downstairs?”

“This is insane! Which bastard is making my goddess wait?”

While a crowd of boys muttered and gossiped, Jiang Yu came down. It was Saturday, and he had carefully chosen today to go back to his rented apartment and get his deposit back.

Three roommates trailed behind him, each carrying a bag, ready to help him move.

But as soon as they stepped out of the boys’ dormitory, Su Muyu, who had been waiting for a long time, ran over. “Xiaoyu!”

Her actions left every boy present, including his three roommates, utterly stunned.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Yu was a bit surprised.

Su Muyu handed him a list, smiling. “Your solo performance is set. It’s time to start preparing!”

Jiang Yu took the paper—it was the list for the graduation gala. Next to his name, in bold, were the words “Solo Performance.”

He handed the list back with a smile. “Thank you.”

“No need to be so polite!” Su Muyu looked at the three behind Jiang Yu. “You’re his roommates, right?”

“I’m the oldest in the dorm, Wang Mingxu.”

“I’m Xiong Tao, you can call me Old Bear!”

“I’m Wang Hong, Third Bro!”

The three introduced themselves, exchanging glances—clearly, Su Muyu’s feelings for Jiang Yu were anything but simple.

“Hello! Are you going for breakfast?”

Jiang Yu shook his head. “Today I’m going to move out of my apartment. I used to live off campus, but now I’m moving back to the dorm, so I want to return the deposit and bring back anything useful.”

“I see.” Su Muyu nodded. “Why don’t I come with you?”

“With me?” Jiang Yu looked at her in surprise.

“Yes, I’m free today. I can help you move.” Su Muyu put on an adorably pitiful expression. “Is that okay?”

“Fourth, honestly, what’s wrong with taking her out? She hardly ever gets a break!”

“Seriously, even the campus belle is helping you move and you’re acting reluctant. Who do you think you are?”

This was the true meaning of brotherhood! Jiang Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, thank you.”

Downstairs at his run-down apartment block.

A man and a woman stood beside a black BMW.

The man looked every bit the elite—slicked-back hair, furrowed brows, hand covering his nose in distaste. “Yiyi, is this really where you used to live?”

The girl was Zhao Yiyi. As the belle of Jiangxia Film Academy’s department, she certainly had the figure for it.

A pair of sheer black stockings with black ankle boots, a low-cut T-shirt layered under a cardigan—her outfit seemed designed to catch the eye of the wealthy while avoiding the gaze of the poor.

On a scale of 100, she’d score at least eighty, and with makeup, even ninety wasn’t out of reach. That explained how, despite her lack of professional knowledge, she’d debuted in a group—she’d been discovered by a benefactor.

“Yes, we’re still students, you know. We don’t have much money, so I shared a place with Jiang Yu.”

If Jiang Yu’s former self had heard that, he might have been so angry his spirit would have returned just to argue.

The man was Li Jiang, manager of the HR department at Starlight Entertainment.

To be in that position at thirty was nothing to sneeze at.

Zhao Yiyi and Li Jiang had met after a company scout brought her in. He knew Jiang Yu was her ex-boyfriend—not the kind with a dramatic breakup, just the kind who might have shared a few innocent kisses.

“Yiyi, let’s leave the past behind. You’re my woman now. I’ll never let you live in a place like this again. You’ve debuted in a group, and soon you’ll be on variety shows. Your future is bright, and from now on, you and he are from two different worlds.”

“A woman as beautiful as you should be admired by the poor from afar.”

“Thank you, Mr. Li!” Zhao Yiyi cuddled up to him and kissed his cheek. “I’ll spend a wonderful evening with you tonight!”

Just then, a red Lamborghini and a black Mercedes pulled up and parked right in front of them.

Both were momentarily stunned.

Especially Zhao Yiyi. After two years in this run-down building, mostly surrounded by renters, how could a Lamborghini turn up here?

But when she saw the Mercedes that followed, her expression changed dramatically. She knew that car very well—it belonged to Wang Hong, Jiang Yu’s roommate.

Sure enough, three people got out of the Mercedes: Wang Mingxu, Xiong Tao, and Wang Hong.

“It’s you guys. Is Jiang Yu home?” Zhao Yiyi asked.

“Baby, are these your friends?” Li Jiang stepped forward, putting his arm around Zhao Yiyi, his tone a bit flippant.

Wang Hong strode over and said, a bit arrogantly, “Come on, Li Jiang, drop the act. Let’s not talk about us for now—don’t you really know who these people are?”

They all moved in the same second-generation circle in Jiangxia, so Li Jiang recognized Wang Hong and knew what his family did. Their backgrounds were similar, so he didn’t feel the need to be deferential.

“They’re just that broke guy’s roommates, right? Wang Hong, you’ve really gone downhill, hanging out with this lot all the time.”

The wealthy often look down on the poor. Some manage to hide it well, but with everything on the table now, there was no longer any need to pretend.

“Li Jiang, your tongue’s gotten sharp—must have had a lot of practice under this green tea fox?” Wang Hong didn’t hold back.

“Am I wrong? Sorry if I hurt any feelings among you paupers—I apologize.”

Li Jiang’s eyes were full of mockery.

But at that moment, a gentle, elegant voice rang out.

“I heard my name just now. Were you looking for me?”

The door of the Lamborghini swung open.