Chapter 2 — The Path I Chose

Not long after that, two of Fu Chengxi’s underlings approached me, begging for tutoring. The fee they offered was astronomical, a figure so high that I didn’t even need to blink before agreeing. After just one semester of intensive coaching, I managed to boost their class rankings by over two hundred spots. Overnight, I transformed from the "money-grubbing girl" everyone despised into the most sought-after academic genius in the school. Through those long hours of tutoring, the distance between Fu Chengxi and me began to close. During the winter break of our senior year, he finally confessed his feelings to me. Truth be told, aside from a slight touch of immaturity, he was nearly perfect. After three years of spending time together, I had fallen for him without even realizing it. Yet, I didn’t rush to give him an answer. Instead, I told him that if he could get into the same university as me, I would give him my response.

3

I finished my night shift and, after handing over my duties, took the subway back to campus. Barely had I finished my first class of the day when my Korean roommate texted me, saying something urgent had come up and asking me to cover half a day of her part-time job. She worked as a consultant for a luxury brand. As soon as class ended, I rushed straight to the mall. I had only been working for a short while when Fu Chengxi walked in, accompanied by Chu Diandian.

Chu Diandian covered her mouth with her hand, a look of utter disbelief crossing her face as she stared at me. "My god, Zhiye, you’re still working part-time here? Just how desperate for money are you?"

Once she finished, her expression shifted into a mocking sneer. "I’m just being honest—you shouldn't keep banging your head against a wall. Don’t you know your own worth? You come from nothing, yet you insist on trying to study abroad. This exhaustion is just your just deserts."

A colleague, seeing the tension, immediately stepped forward and whispered to me, "If you're not comfortable with this, let me handle the customers instead."

I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude. "Thank you so much."

However, just as she stepped forward, Fu Chengxi pointed directly at me from behind her, his voice brooking no argument: "Have her do it."

With no other choice, I stepped forward to serve them. Fu Chengxi sat on the velvet sofa and pointed toward the display cabinet, speaking with grand generosity: "Whatever you like, tell her to take it out so you can try it all on."

Chu Diandian’s eyes lit up with predatory delight. She immediately pointed to a row of handbags behind me: "That one, that one, and that one too, and the entire top row—take them all down for me to try."

I carefully retrieved the bags and set them before her. She casually picked up two, turning to Fu Chengxi with a coy, sugary voice: "Chengxi, which one do you think suits me better?"

He cast a cold, indifferent glance at them before replying casually, "Wrap them all up. Everything we just took down—take it all."

Chu Diandian was stunned, frozen in place for a few seconds before a wave of shock and pure ecstasy flooded her eyes and brow. She tilted her chin, looking at me with triumph. "Did you hear that? Wrap everything up for me!"

I nodded politely. "Yes, please wait a moment."

In my mind, however, I was haunted by the memory of her high-and-mighty attitude back in high school, where she had constantly sneered at me for being "obsessed with money." Just as I turned to leave, Fu Chengxi called out, "Liang Zhiye, did I say you could leave?"

I stopped in my tracks and forced a smile. "Mr. Fu, is there anything else you need?"

He pointed to the shoe display beside me. "Those shoes don’t look half bad. Get them for Diandian to try." He emphasized his words, adding, "You—bring them over and put them on her yourself."

I smiled. "Of course. That is the level of service we provide."

As I retrieved the fresh pair of shoes from the stockroom, my colleague stopped me again. "Zhiye, let me do this instead, alright?"

I shook my head, refusing her kindness. "They came here today specifically to target me. Don't worry, I don’t feel wronged. Besides, since they're buying so much, I’ll be earning a tidy sum in commission."

Seeing that I was genuinely unbothered, she nodded, reassured, and stepped away.