To maintain her image, despite her inner reluctance, Yin Ruyun retreated to a table on the side.
However, the table she chose offered a clear view of Chi Yiyuan.
"Ruyun, you don't have to force yourself like this. It pains me to see you like this!"
Ai Yu felt that letting Yin Ruyun endure such hardship meant she hadn't been a good protector.
But this was university, not like before when they could settle things with a fight if they disagreed.
Of course, Ai Yu was unwilling to admit that the reason she didn't fight wasn't because they were in university, but because she couldn't beat Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian paid no mind to these two. Instead, someone in Chi Yiyuan's dormitory had taken an interest in Yin Ruyun.
"Yiyuan, why must you be so cold to a young lady?" He Zhang said disapprovingly.
The female classmate before them was delicate and appeared pitiful. How could he treat her like this?
Didn't he see the tears welling up in her eyes as she left?
Chi Yiyuan looked at He Zhang, clearly surprised that He Zhang would say such a thing.
He had done similar things before and had never heard He Zhang say anything.
Why was he suddenly standing up for an unrelated person today?
"He Zhang, you know I've always been like this!"
After all, they were brothers in the same dormitory and had a decent relationship, so Chi Yiyuan patiently explained.
He Zhang opened his mouth but said nothing. He already knew Chi Yiyuan's personality.
But wasn't the contrast too stark?
He was so good to Su Xiaotian, yet so indifferent to others. Anyone would find it unbearable!
He Zhang couldn't help but glance at Yin Ruyun, who was pretending to be strong.
Why would a good girl like her fall for this dullard, Chi Yiyuan?
Couldn't she fall for anyone else?
Yin Ruyun had no idea that a boy nearby was feeling sorry for her.
If she had known about him, Yin Ruyun would have certainly played up her acting skills.
However, Yin Ruyun was someone who liked to pretend. For years, she had been putting on an act, and it had become ingrained in her very bones. Even Ai Yu had never seen her without a facade.
Chi Yiyuan glanced at He Zhang. Seeing the way He Zhang looked at Yin Ruyun, he said, "He Zhang, if you like her, you should make a move yourself."
Although he didn't like Yin Ruyun, he didn't intend to ruin his brother's chances.
Strictly speaking, He Zhang's conditions in all aspects were very good. If Yin Ruyun was only looking at family background and conditions, she might be interested in He Zhang.
Moreover, although He Zhang's appearance was a bit rugged, he was still handsome and dashing.
Chi Yiyuan's thoughts were pleasant, but unfortunately, Yin Ruyun, whether it was because she was deeply in love with Chi Yiyuan or deliberately trying to spite Su Xiaotian, remained fixated on Chi Yiyuan.
He Zhang hesitated after hearing Chi Yiyuan's words.
Should he listen to Chi Yiyuan and try, or not?
He worried that if he pursued her, he would only be humiliating himself.
After all, the girls who fancied Chi Yiyuan had incredibly high standards.
He had seen this clearly over the past year.
With unrelated people lurking and eyeing them, Su Xiaotian lost the mood to continue chatting with Chi Yiyuan and the others.
And Su Xiaotian's mood seriously affected Chi Yiyuan's mood.
Fortunately, all their dishes had arrived, and everyone fully committed themselves to the battle with the delicious food.
For a while, no one felt awkward even in silence.
After the meal, everyone's stomachs were full.
Chi Yiyuan took the initiative to get up to pay.
Su Xiaotian spoke up, "Brother Yiyuan, you treated my roommates yesterday. May I treat you to this meal today?"
Everyone was surprised by Su Xiaotian's sudden offer.
They became even more convinced that Su Xiaotian's family background must be extraordinary.
If she were an ordinary girl, she wouldn't have said something so generous.
When ordering, Chi Yiyuan had started with meat dishes for this table. Moreover, young men could eat a lot. Seven or eight young men had ordered twelve dishes.
This meal alone had consumed more than half a month's living expenses.
Wait, that didn't seem to be the main point. The main point was that Chi Yiyuan had treated Su Xiaotian's roommates to a meal yesterday?
This kid never ate with female students, did he?
How could he condescend to treat Su Xiaotian's classmates to a meal?
They couldn't help but look at Su Xiaotian.
It seemed that this little girl's status in Chi Yiyuan's heart was much higher than they had imagined.
Chi Yiyuan thought for a moment and said, "Alright."
Su Xiaotian happily ran off to pay.
Duan Zinan lightly punched Chi Yiyuan and said, "Good boy, you've learned to live off a woman now!"
Chi Yiyuan looked at Su Xiaotian's retreating back and smiled.
"Living off a woman is beneficial for health. I recommend eating more!"
Duan Zinan: "..."
He wished he could live off a woman, but to do that, someone had to provide the "soft rice."
"Yiyuan, how about we pay for this?" Zhao Jianjun couldn't help but say.
He felt it wasn't right for a young girl to pay for a meal for a group of grown men.
It wasn't about male chauvinism, but rather concern that the girl might struggle financially after spending this money.
"She's not short of money!" Chi Yiyuan understood Zhao Jianjun's meaning and said calmly.
Zhao Jianjun: "..."
What else could he say?
Chi Yiyuan had already said that the girl wasn't lacking money.
Could he have a sister like this, who wasn't short of money?
"Xiaotian's business is doing better than mine!" Chi Yiyuan delivered another blow.
The young men at the table instantly felt that they were simply terrible.
They considered themselves the favored children of heaven, yet they weren't even as capable as a young girl.
"Yiyuan, why don't we work with you? You eat the meat, and we'll just have the soup." Duan Zinan said.
Duan Zinan's words undoubtedly expressed the thoughts of the others, and they all nodded in agreement.
Being surpassed by Chi Yiyuan was one thing; they couldn't compete with his capability and prowess anyway.
But being surpassed by a young girl was unbearable to their male pride!
This time, it was Chi Yiyuan's turn to be speechless.
As early as a year ago, he had apparently tried to get these people to work with him, but they were too lazy, preferring to waste their time rather than make money.
Their reasons were also quite valid: they said they had allowances, their families could provide some money, and they had no worries about food or drink.
After graduation, the country would assign them jobs, and they would still have no worries about food or drink, so there was no need to work hard in business.
Actually, Chi Yiyuan also understood that people at that time still looked down on running individual businesses, always believing that working for the state and securing a "iron rice bowl" was the ultimate goal.
"You said it yourselves, no regrets!" Chi Yiyuan looked at his brothers who were eyeing him greedily, but he decided to give them a chance to try.