We agreed not to date, so why are you crying now that I've become the richest man?

Ye Chen, upon hearing Zhou Tong's teasing, not only didn't feel embarrassed, but also readily accepted it.

He pointed to the street corner to his side.

"Why not meet by chance instead of inviting each other? Let's sit down for a while and have a drink?"

Zhou Tong was already itching with curiosity, so she nodded on the spot.

"Okay."

Xia Shiqing had no choice but to release Ye Chen's hand.

The moment their palms separated, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The hand I finally mustered the courage to hold was interrupted.

What was supposed to be a nighttime stroll along the Bund for two has now been marred by the presence of a high-wattage third wheel.

The three of them walked toward the street corner.

Zhou Tong grabbed Xia Shiqing's arm and deliberately slowed down to create distance between herself and Ye Chen ahead.

"Confess!"

She lowered her voice and leaned close to Xia Shiqing's ear.

"Was that the man who picked you up in his Mercedes downstairs last time?"

Xia Shiqing glanced at the tall, straight back in front of her and softly hummed in agreement.

"Oh My God!"

Zhou Tong gasped, then couldn't help glancing at Ye Chen a couple more times.

"You've kept this a secret very well."

"This is the first time I've ever seen you so intimate with a man, holding hands in public!"

"Hey, keep your voice down!"

Xia Shiqing's face flushed, and she reached out to pinch her waist.

Zhou Tong was prepared and dodged with a smile.

"What are you feeling guilty about?"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Handsome and drives such a nice car, shouldn't this kind of guy be thoroughly questioned?"

"Sit down in a bit, and I'll show you how to dig out all his secrets."

Upon hearing this, Xia Shiqing immediately became anxious.

"Please don't ask any unnecessary questions."

She tugged at Zhou Tong's sleeve and whispered a reminder, "He has a good temper, so don't speak rudely. What if you make the atmosphere awkward?"

Zhou Tong stopped in his tracks and looked her up and down.

"Xia Shiqing, oh Xia Shiqing."

She reached out her finger and poked Xia Shiqing's forehead.

"This isn't even a done deal yet, and you're already siding with outsiders?"

"What do you mean?"

Xia Shiqing retorted stubbornly, "I'm afraid you'll say something inappropriate."

"Okay, okay, I know what I'm doing."

Zhou Tong patted her chest.

"I'm your best friend, of course I have to help you choose the right one."

Xia Shiqing opened her mouth, but in the end, she didn't say anything more.

No matter how she listened, she felt that the phrase "check it out" was not very reliable.

The three of them walked into a street-facing coffee shop on the corner.

Ye Chen chose a booth next to the floor-to-ceiling window.

After the two girls sat down, he beckoned to the waiter and casually pushed the menu over to them.

"See what you'd like to drink, don't be shy."

Xia Shiqing and Zhou Tong got together and ordered drinks and desserts.

After the waiter left with the menu, the atmosphere in the booth suddenly became somewhat awkward.

Zhou Tong rested her chin on her hands, openly scrutinizing Ye Chen across from her.

Just now outside, she was only focused on watching the two holding hands.

Now that I've sat down and looked at him closely, I realize that this guy is no ordinary person.

Despite his young age, he showed none of the impetuousness typical of his peers.

Facing her sudden appearance as a best friend, Ye Chen showed no discomfort whatsoever, acting as if he were meeting a friend he already knew.

Zhou Tong cleared her throat and fired the first shot.

"Handsome Ye".

She said with a smile, "We were in too much of a rush just now, so we haven't had a proper introduction yet. My name is Zhou Tong, and I'm Shi Qing's best friend and roommate."

"Our Shiqing is a famous beauty. There are quite a few rich second-generation bosses who pursue her, but she has never paid any attention to them."

Zhou Tong glanced at the two people's wrists.

"You're quick! You've already put on the couple's bracelet."

Xia Shiqing's cheeks flushed, and she gently kicked her under the table.

Ye Chen picked up the lemon water that the waiter had just brought and slowly took a sip.

"Maybe she just didn't find it appealing."

He put down his cup, his tone relaxed.

Zhou Tong raised an eyebrow.

That was like kicking cotton.

Don't be modest.

Zhou Tong leaned back in her chair and changed the subject.

"Young Master Ye looks quite young, what do you do for a living?"

That's a very direct question.

It was obvious they wanted to probe Ye Chen's true strength.

Xia Shiqing's heart tightened, fearing that Ye Chen might find it offensive, and she was about to speak up to smooth things over.

Ye Chen tapped his finger lightly twice on the side of the cup.

"My main job right now is still being a student."

He spoke very casually.

"I just started college this year."

"Freshman year?"

Zhou Tong's eyes widened in surprise, thinking she had misheard.

She glanced at Ye Chen, then abruptly turned to look at Xia Shiqing.

"A freshman?"

Xia Shiqing nodded helplessly.

Zhou Tong was completely stunned.

A freshman in college, aged eighteen or nineteen.

Driving a Mercedes worth over two million yuan, and still managed to win over her own picky best friend?

The way she looked at Xia Shiqing changed instantly.

You, Xia Shiqing!

You usually appear detached and indifferent, and no one seems to catch your eye.

And then, without a word, they started a relationship between an older woman and a younger man?

"Are all rich kids like this nowadays?"

Zhou Tong couldn't help but mutter something under her breath.

Ye Chen heard this, smiled, and shook his head.

"I'm not some rich kid, I'm just an ordinary student."

He leaned back on the sofa, his tone still casual.

"I was just lucky and caught the trend to make a little money."

"As for the car, it's also for work purposes. When I first came to Shanghai, I always took taxis, which was not very convenient, so I bought one."

Zhou Tong opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

Did you make a little money?

It's inconvenient to take a taxi, so I bought a Mercedes worth over two million yuan?

Why does that sound so infuriating?

But Ye Chen said it so naturally.

It doesn't seem like they're trying to show off at all.

Zhou Tong suddenly felt a little confused.

Is he just putting on an act, or is two million really nothing to him?

Her curiosity didn't disappear; in fact, it grew stronger.

"Didn't you say you were only a freshman?"

Zhou Tong leaned forward and couldn't help but ask, "So what do you do to earn so much money?"

Ye Chen smiled, his tone still nonchalant.

"Nothing special, I've just been interested in computers since I was a child, and I've been figuring things out on my own. I've made two small games, and so far, I'd say they've been pretty successful."

You made your own game? And it was quite successful?

Zhou Tong was stunned. This was much more valuable than simply being a rich second-generation.

She took a deep breath, suppressed her surprise, and quickly changed direction.

"Alright, gaming pro, how did you two meet?"

She looked at Xia Shiqing, then at Ye Chen.

"Did you meet while buying a car?"

"Could it be that a classic 'domineering CEO falls in love with me' scenario is actually unfolding?"

Xia Shiqing's cheeks instantly burned.

This time she couldn't hold back any longer and pinched Zhou Tong hard under the table.