Chapter 3

Throughout all of this, Lục Bỉnh Kiệt hadn't so much as looked at me. He seemed to think I was beneath his notice.

I glanced at him and said flatly, “Move. You're in my way, and I don't want to say it again.”

His eyes widened in disbelief.

“Lâm Tiểu Ngôn! This is your last chance. Keep playing games, and don't expect me to care what happens to you!”

I checked my watch. Class started in five minutes.

The pair of them were still blocking me, apparently incapable of understanding plain speech. Fed up, I shoved Lục Bỉnh Kiệt aside and hurried to my classroom.

His furious shouts followed me.

“Lâm Tiểu Ngôn! Come back and get on your knees to apologize, and I'll forgive you! Otherwise, forget about another chance!”

I paid him as much attention as a barking dog and didn't look back.

My father had told me that the man he wanted me to meet studied at the neighboring university and had excellent grades.

If I didn't want him to look down on me, I'd have to put some effort into studying too.

4

Once class ended, I realized just how much I'd missed. I hadn't understood a thing.

I stayed in the classroom to study and try to catch up. Only when it grew dark and my driver called did I realize how late it was.

Dad had told me to get back early. I was supposed to have dinner with the man he'd arranged for me to meet.

I hurriedly packed my bag and ran to the school gate—only to find Lục Bỉnh Kiệt and Bùi Tiểu Tiểu there.

They were arguing with my driver, with a crowd of curious students gathered around them.

Lục Bỉnh Kiệt pointed at him and shouted, “You're just Lâm Tiểu Ngôn's dog! She's my dog, so you're mine too!

“Open the door and let us in. Refuse, and I'll have you fired!”

Bùi Tiểu Tiểu chimed in beside him.

“We've always ridden in this car. Why can't we today? Everyone knows how well Lâm Tiểu Ngôn treats him. You'd better not make things difficult for us.”

Watching from a short distance away, I clicked my tongue.

My driver really did have nerves of steel. Even with them hurling abuse at him, he stayed put in the car. Someone more easily intimidated might have forgotten my orders and opened the door already.

When he saw me, he got out at once and respectfully opened it for me.

Lục Bỉnh Kiệt shoved him.

“About time! You've pissed me off. Just wait until we get home—I'll make Lâm Tiểu Ngôn fire you!”

He pulled Bùi Tiểu Tiểu toward the car, but my driver raised an arm to block them.

“Please stand aside. You're in my employer's way.”

With my bag on my back, I got in and looked at them as though they were idiots.

“If you want a lift, just ask. I might let you ride with me if I'm in a good mood. But look at you, acting as though I owe you something. Sorry. I don't have time to wait on you.”

Then I turned to my driver. “Let's go, Mr. Lưu.”

The onlookers stared at them with contempt.

“Unbelievable. He's brought his new girlfriend to mooch a ride from his ex. Has he no shame?”

“Besides, Bùi Tiểu Tiểu hasn't even agreed to date him.”

Lục Bỉnh Kiệt's face flushed red. He pointed at me and screamed, “Fine! I'll make you pay for humiliating me today—twice over!

“All you have is money! I'm a business genius. Once my company takes off and I'm rich, I'll have you kneeling at my feet, crying and begging for forgiveness!”

5

In the rearview mirror, I could see his face twisted with rage.

What a joke. How blind had I been in my last life to fall for such a vain idiot?

The thought made me shudder.

If he was a business genius, pigs could go out and earn a living too.

Without my secret support and the messes I cleaned up for him, he wouldn't have made a cent. He'd probably have destroyed the Lâm family's century-old business as well.

Half an hour later, I finally reached the hotel where Dad had arranged dinner.

A handsome man was already seated in the private dining room. In his well-cut suit, he looked strikingly elegant.

I took a nervous step back to check the room sign again. Private Room One. The right room, then. I hadn't walked into the wrong place.

But Dad had asked me to dinner. Where was he?

When I kept hovering outside, the man spoke.

“Your father had an urgent call and had to leave. Before he went, he said we should enjoy our meal. I think he wanted to give us a chance to talk alone.”

He smiled gently. His voice was as soothing as a mountain stream, as soft as a spring breeze.

For a moment, I just stood there.