Chapter 6: Here Are Five Words for You—Do Not Scorn the Poor When They Are Young!

The private room had fallen into a hush, broken only by the sound of Song Kai noisily chewing his meat.

Xu Haitian’s expression darkened. “Song Kai, what did you say to Xie Guotian?”

“Nothing much,” Song Kai replied, entirely earnest. “I just told him two stories—about Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf, and the Farmer and the Snake. Director Xie is a cultured man, you know, enjoys a good story.”

“That’s enough!” Xu Haitian jabbed a finger at him. “Stop playing games with me! Get out. Now!”

Song Kai simply chuckled, put down his chopsticks, and patted his belly. “Grandpa Xu, don’t get upset. You know the saying: thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. For me, it won’t take thirty years—three months is enough. Today, you think I’m not good enough for Xu Ling, but three months from now, it might be Xu Ling who’s not good enough for me. Of course, I would never divorce my wife. You have my word.”

“Three months? Ha.” Xu Haitian was so furious his voice quivered. “In three months, I’ll see you fail your college entrance exams, chased by creditors, wishing you were dead, forced to haul bricks at a construction site! Song Kai, if you talk to me nicely now, we can call off the engagement peacefully. Who knows, I might even help you clear your gambling debts, maybe even find you a good job for your father’s sake. If you still don’t know what’s good for you, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Song Kai laughed heartily. “Grandpa, you really are funny. In three months I’ll have my acceptance letter from Peking University, and I’ll bring a bride price worthy of my future wife and come to claim her from you! Thanks for the meal today, Grandpa. It was delicious!”

With that, he turned, one hand in his pocket, and strode out with easy confidence. At the door, he paused and said in a deep voice, “Old Master Xu, since the food was so good today, I’ll leave you with five words: never look down on a poor youth.”

As the words fell, Song Kai was already walking away with long strides.

“I’m so angry I could die!” Xu Haitian slammed his hand on the table. “Just look at that arrogant brat! Just like his wretched father!”

Xu Ling arched her brows, a beautiful smile appearing on her face. “Grandpa, don’t be mad. I actually think Song Kai’s quite interesting—nothing like the useless man you described.”

“Exactly, I think the young man’s not bad,” her father chimed in, adjusting his glasses. “I used to worry, after hearing your stories, that Lingling would be miserable with him. But why not give him some time? He seems to have potential.”

“Potential, my foot!” Xu Haitian glared at his son. “You don’t know anything, so stay out of this! I’ve had enough. Lingling, how have you found acting as interim general manager at the company these past days…”

…

Song Kai walked out of the Greenhow Hotel, stretched his arms, and thought that now he’d finished boasting, it was time to figure out how to make good on those promises.

Just as he was mulling it over, his phone rang. It was Zhou Ran.

Zhou Ran was his classmate, his deskmate, and also his cousin. But Song Kai was reluctant to admit the last part to anyone—after all, Zhou Ran was two years younger, in the same senior year as him, and always ranked first in class, while he was always dead last.

That was the difference.

Song Kai sighed and answered the call. Zhou Ran’s voice erupted like a volcano: “Song Kai, you bastard, are you planning to skip the college entrance exams?”

“Huh? Of course not!” Song Kai ignored the insult; Zhou Ran scolded him all the time, as if he were her grandson. And the exams were nonnegotiable—he’d just bragged about getting into Peking University, how could he give up now?

Zhou Ran sneered on the other end. “Then why aren’t you back in class? Next period is with the homeroom teacher; you’re liable to get expelled!”

“But today’s Saturday,” Song Kai protested, confused—he hadn’t gotten his dates wrong, had he?

Zhou Ran was exasperated. “It’s a make-up class! The college entrance exam is just two months away. You still want weekends? In your dreams! There’ll be tests the next two periods. Get your ass back here.”

The line went dead.

Song Kai was left reeling. Damn, why was so much happening today?

He waved down a cab. “Quick! Tengyun No. 1 High School, please.”

“Hey, it’s you, Romeo!” the driver exclaimed, delighted. “Where’s your gorgeous fiancée?”

Song Kai recognized him—it was Meng Jiayi, the same driver from that morning.

“Hurry, Master Meng, just get me to school,” Song Kai urged.

“Of course!” Meng Jiayi stepped on the gas, and on the way, he peppered Song Kai with questions about dating.

Song Kai could only make small talk and urge the driver to go faster.

When he arrived at the school, he patted his pockets—he was flat broke.

“No worries, Romeo. Your advice today was an eye-opener. That’s payment enough,” Meng Jiayi said graciously.

Song Kai thanked him and dashed toward his classroom.

At the doorway, the students of Class Three were horsing around—jumping rope, kicking shuttlecocks, playing badminton.

At least class hadn’t started yet.

Song Kai let out a breath. Ever since his family went bankrupt, their homeroom teacher, Ma Bo, had been looking for an excuse to expel him, since his grades always dragged the class down. Before, his father had greased Ma Bo’s palm, but now that the money was gone, so was the goodwill.

Song Kai headed inside. A few boys were crowded at the classroom window, peering out and wiping drool from their mouths.

“Look, Zhou Ran’s bending down to pick up the ball—wow, so fair!”

“It’s a white bra, cotton, no underwire.”

“So she really is a D cup, huh? Incredible.”

“I bet Zhou Ran keeps her stockings in her bag. Check out those long legs. Damn, that’s something.”

Song Kai glanced over, bored.

But to be fair, Zhou Ran was stunning. Not only beautiful but fond of wearing stockings and short skirts, with a generous bust and an alluring face that left the boys in the class slavering like dogs in heat.

“All of you, shut your damn mouths! No more ogling!” Chen Haijun strode over. Tall and imposing, the class monitor, a top student from a prominent family—no one dared cross him.

He walked to the window, kicked the gawkers, and cursed, “You got a death wish? Even dare to fantasize about the girl I fancy!”

The boys laughed, called him “Boss Jun,” and slunk away.

Chen Haijun glanced over and saw Song Kai at his desk. He hesitated, then walked over.

“Well, Young Master Song, you actually showed up for class. I thought you’d even skip the homeroom teacher’s period, ha!” Chen Haijun slapped Song Kai hard on the neck several times.

It hurt.

The rest of the boys stood aside, watching for the show. Back when he was rich, Song Kai had been the class’s number one heir. But now? Not so much.

Song Kai frowned and pushed Chen Haijun away. “What do you want?”

“Don’t get mad,” Chen Haijun grinned. “I heard things aren’t going so well for you lately, huh? Broke, owing money to some hoodlums—is that true?”

“Get lost!” Song Kai snapped.

“Ooh, got some spirit now!” Chen Haijun laughed. He’d been bullying Song Kai all month, and until now, Song Kai always swallowed it. Today, though, he was pushing back.

Song Kai shot him a look and raised a middle finger. “Best stay out of my way, Boss Jun.”

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Chen Haijun mocked, hunching his shoulders.

The other boys burst out laughing, as if watching an idiot being toyed with.

Chen Haijun moved closer, ruffling Song Kai’s hair. “Young Master Song, let’s switch seats. Stick with me at Tengyun No. 1 High, and I’ll look after you. But if you keep acting up, well, get ready for a daily beating—and who knows, maybe you’ll get expelled before long, ha ha ha…”

“Idiot.”

While Chen Haijun was still gloating, Song Kai lashed out with a kick, sending him stumbling back several steps and crashing into the aisle…