NOVPUBIt’s unclear how Mrs. Zhong explained things to Zhong Chen after returning home, but that very evening, Zhong Chen called Shen Ying repeatedly.
Shen Ying didn’t answer a single call, and Zhong Chen didn’t storm over to her place—likely restrained by his mother from leaving the house.
The Zhong family’s efficiency was astonishing. Less than four hours after Mrs. Zhong left Shen Ying’s home, another transfer arrived, labeled as gratitude for her tip-off.
Regardless of where Shen Ying had obtained the information, the fact remained that she had helped the Zhongs avoid a significant unnecessary loss.
Thus, the breakup transaction concluded to everyone’s satisfaction, with neither party holding any ill will toward the other.
The next morning, Xiao Yun arrived early to fulfill his duties as a boyfriend, picking Shen Ying up from her place for school.
Once in the car, Xiao Yun finally spoke up. “Your answer surprised me.”
“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to agree to be with me so readily.”
Shen Ying smiled. “If I’m willing to consider something, I usually end up saying yes.”
That made sense. If there were no room for negotiation in her mind, she wouldn’t have bothered deliberating at all.
Xiao Yun lowered his head, closing the distance between them. “So, how do you plan to handle things with Zhong Chen?”
“I’m not interested in sharing you with him as co-boyfriends.”
Shen Ying looked at him, puzzled. “Why not? Wasn’t your initial proposal to sneak around together?”
Xiao Yun replied, “I can be greedy too. Sneaking around was just a last resort, a compromise for desperate times.”
“Now that you’ve agreed to date me openly, I won’t settle for being a secret lover anymore.”
Seeing Shen Ying evade a direct answer, Xiao Yun knew it had only been a night—no need to rush things.
He conceded, “Fine, I won’t pressure you to confront Zhong Chen right now.”
“But we’ll have to address this eventually.”
Shen Ying sighed. “The thought of facing him makes me so nervous.”
“Why did I let myself get swayed? A sweet, comfortable relationship was right there waiting for me. Just yesterday, that guy mentioned finding a rare gemstone to design a necklace for me.”
“Who knows if that tenderness will go to someone else now.”
Xiao Yun, perceptive as ever, caught her drift immediately. “My late grandmother was an avid jewelry collector.”
“While sorting through her pieces, I found a few that would suit you perfectly. I’ll have them delivered tonight.”
At that, most of the worry vanished from Shen Ying’s face, amusing Xiao Yun.
This new couple, each with their own agenda, was fully aware of the other’s motives.
Yet, their shameless exchanges didn’t feel repulsive—instead, there was a mischievous thrill to it.
But just as Xiao Yun thought his financial gesture had nudged Shen Ying and Zhong Chen’s breakup forward a tiny step, his car pulled up at school.
The moment they stepped out, Zhong Chen stormed over with two others in tow, his anger palpable.
The school gates were crowded, and many slowed to watch the scene unfold.
Zhong Chen demanded, “Why didn’t you answer my calls all night?”
“Why did they tell me you’d already left with Xiao Yun when I came to pick you up this morning?”
“What the hell did the old woman mean by saying you’d promised to cut ties with me?”
Xiao Yun’s head snapped up at that. He stared at Shen Ying. “You two already broke up?”
Shen Ying nodded. “Of course. I’d never openly two-time someone. I ended things with my ex before agreeing to be with you.”
Xiao Yun: “...”
Had he been played?
Zhong Chen, furious that she’d prioritized answering Xiao Yun over acknowledging his feelings, yanked her toward him. “Why was Xiao Yun picking you up in the first place?”
Shen Ying sighed. “As your mother said, I’ve already promised her I’d break up with you.”
“You shouldn’t doubt her word. She doesn’t speak carelessly.”
Zhong Chen stared at her in disbelief. “Three days. We’d only been back together for three days, and you dropped me again without hesitation?”
“And now you’re lecturing me about questioning the old woman?”
Shen Ying explained, “It wasn’t without hesitation. I wrestled with it internally.”
Zhong Chen, exasperated, snapped, “But you still gave in.”
“How could you give up on me so easily? How long was the old woman even at your place? An hour?”
“I wasn’t even worth an hour of resistance in your heart.”
Shen Ying countered, “You can’t blame me for not trying hard enough. The opponent was just too strong.”
“She’s your mother, after all. Who knows her capabilities better than you, her own son?”
“Be honest—do you really think a high school girl like me could stand a chance against her?”
To everyone’s surprise, Zhong Chen’s anger actually eased. Even the other two, well-acquainted with Shen Ying’s ways, felt a flicker of sympathy.
After all, it was Mrs. Zhong herself who had intervened.
Zhong Chen once again grew concerned about whether Shen Ying had suffered any mistreatment and asked, "Did that old hag do anything to you?"
Shen Ying shook her head. "Mrs. Zhong is quite easy to talk to—direct, efficient, and not a single wasted word."
"We actually got along quite well. She’s also very proper in her manners, which is no surprise given her stature."
"After confirming the authenticity of my information, she even generously gave me a substantial thank-you fee. I have quite a favorable impression of her."
Zhong Chen and the other three looked at her as if she were some kind of monster.
"Are you insane? You got along with her? Do you even know what she’s done?" Zhong Chen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
But Xing Jiale and Gong Zhaoxi noticed something unusual.
Xing Jiale cut straight to the point. "From your reaction, it seems you have a positive impression of Mrs. Zhong. I take it the meeting went well for you?"
"Mrs. Zhong isn’t stingy. When she makes demands, she never leaves the other party empty-handed."
"So, you agreed to her terms?"
Zhong Chen immediately snapped, "What the hell are you—"
Shen Ying replied, "Yes, I’m very satisfied with Mrs. Zhong’s offer."
Zhong Chen turned rigidly toward her—
Xiao Yun then asked bluntly, "How much?"
Shen Ying answered, "Five hundred million!"
Zhong Chen felt his mind explode, his vision darkening for a moment.
Then, his storm of fury erupted. "Five hundred million? Just five hundred million?"
"You’re actually cutting ties with me for such a paltry sum?"
The surrounding students gasped at the exchange, though Zhong Chen and his friends remained unfazed by the amount.
But for most, that sum was more than the total assets of many students’ families. Just for dating and then accepting a breakup fee, a scholarship student could instantly possess wealth equivalent to their entire family’s fortune.
While everyone marveled at the Zhong family’s extravagance, they were even more stunned by Shen Ying.
Shock, disbelief, envy, and bewilderment all converged into one overwhelming thought—
How dare she? A high school girl, a poor student no less, had somehow convinced Mrs. Zhong to willingly hand over five hundred million.
But the surrounding whispers and judgments meant nothing to Shen Ying and the others.
Seeing Zhong Chen’s expression of utter betrayal, Shen Ying sighed. "Mrs. Zhong didn’t give me a choice."
"It was either take the five hundred million or face the Zhong family’s lawyers."
Zhong Chen seethed. "She actually threatened you with that?"
"Then why didn’t you call me? Even if you had no choice, you could’ve asked me to handle it instead of obeying that old hag and breaking up with me!"
Shen Ying shook her head. "It’s no use. No matter how much you resist, you’ll never escape your mother’s control."
"If things escalate, she’ll just send you abroad."
"I don’t want you to leave. I’d rather still see you every day."
Zhong Chen’s anger visibly softened. He paced irritably for a few steps before returning to Shen Ying, his gaze tender as he took her hand.
"So, you compromised for the long game. I was too impulsive."
"Dealing with that old hag can’t be done recklessly. We need strategy."
"Keep the money—consider it her apology to you. For now, we won’t call ourselves a couple, but nothing’s changed between us, understand?"
Xing Jiale stared at Zhong Chen with an indescribable expression. "You’re beyond pathetic. She took that much money, and you still think she’s playing the long game for you?"
Before Zhong Chen could retort, Shen Ying interjected, "No, I have to honor the agreement."
"Since I’ve reached an understanding with Mrs. Zhong, I’ll abide by the terms."
"Besides, I already have a new boyfriend, so I can’t secretly date you anymore."
Even Xing Jiale and Gong Zhaoxi hadn’t expected her to be this shameless.
Zhong Chen’s pupils constricted, his voice icy. "Who’s your new boyfriend?"
Shen Ying’s gaze shifted to Xiao Yun—
The entire campus seemed to fall silent. Zhong Chen and the other two stared at Xiao Yun, waiting for him to deny it.
But Xiao Yun felt like he’d been thrown into a frying pan, unsure how to flip himself out of this mess.
So that was it. No wonder Shen Ying had agreed so readily—she’d already secured a handsome breakup fee.
He’d been played for a fool, treated as nothing more than a backup plan.
Though his original intention had been to drive a wedge between her and Zhong Chen, and he’d braced himself for Zhong Chen’s wrath, Xiao Yun couldn’t help feeling cheated.
Now, the troublesome side of his personality surfaced.
Xiao Yun wasn’t the type to weasel out of his word. No matter how unfavorable the situation, he wouldn’t go back on a promise.
So, the honest fool nodded with difficulty. "Yes, we’re together now. Zhong Chen, you’ve lost your chance."
Zhong Chen refused to believe it. "Are you out of your mind? What kind of joke is this?"
"How could you two start dating overnight? You didn’t even know we’d broken up!"
"You knew we were together—how could you still pursue her?"
Xiao Yun wanted to slap himself.
Damn it, if he’d known this guy had already broken up, why would he have walked right into the trap?
Xiao Yun glanced at Shen Ying, only to find the guy smiling at him as if he’d already predicted Xiao Yun wouldn’t dare deny it in public.
And he really didn’t dare. Aside from the psychological barrier of going back on his word, Xiao Yun knew all too well that this guy still had Zhong Chen’s heart firmly in his grasp.
Even after taking five billion in benefits, she could still make Zhong Chen hold no grudge against her.
Xiao Yun was certain that if he denied their supposed relationship now, these two would just cling to each other again, tangled in their usual mess.
Better to just use the boyfriend title to force some distance between them.
So Xiao Yun took a deep breath and said to Zhong Chen with utter seriousness, “Don’t doubt it. I confessed to her before this.”
“It has nothing to do with whether or not I knew you’d broken up. Even if you were still together, I’d made up my mind to take her from you.”
“A-Yun, going abroad made me realize my true feelings. I like her.”
Zhong Chen stared at him for a long moment, his gaze dark and unreadable—then suddenly swung a fist at him.
