Just as Wen Jing was immersed in her studies, an annoying voice interrupted her.

“Wen Jing, I can’t solve this math problem. Can you teach me?”

Wen Jing turned her head and saw a round-faced boy.

This boy was Chen Zishi, a chubby guy with average looks and poor academic performance.

Wen Jing didn’t really want to pay attention to Chen Zishi, so she just wrote down the solution method and handed it to him to figure out on his own. Then she said:

“I need to study now.”

Chen Zishi, feeling embarrassed, didn’t ask any more questions and sensibly walked away. He returned to his seat, feeling dejected.

“Fatty, do you like her?” his deskmate, Chu Bai, teased.

“No way, don’t talk nonsense,” Chen Zishi immediately denied.

“Don’t pretend, I can see it.”

“You better keep it a secret and don’t spread it around.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you a secret too. I like Xu Muyan, so we’re even.”

“It seems we’re in the same boat,” Chen Zishi sighed.

“I’m not like you. I’ll definitely win Xu Muyan over. She’ll be my woman sooner or later,” Chu Bai said confidently.

“Look at Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan always discussing study problems together, laughing and chatting. Maybe they’ll spark a romance, and you won’t stand a chance,” Chen Zishi glanced at the handsome guy and beautiful girl sitting in the distance.

“That Wang Haoran is just a cowardly scoundrel. I’ll expose his true colors sooner or later, and Xu Muyan won’t pay him any attention,” Chu Bai said angrily.

“Wang Haoran is indeed annoying, always asking Wen Jing to give up her seat and disturbing her studies. You go for it, win Xu Muyan over. I’m rooting for you,” Chen Zishi also expressed his displeasure.

“Thanks for your good wishes. If Xu Muyan becomes my girlfriend, I’ll definitely ask her to put in a good word for you with Wen Jing. Given their relationship, you’ll have a chance to win Wen Jing over too,” Chu Bai patted Chen Zishi on the shoulder.

“Good brother, you said it, remember!” Chen Zishi was instantly excited, feeling a surge of goodwill towards Chu Bai.

Sometimes, men’s friendships develop just like that.

Xu Muyan and Wen Jing were not only deskmates but also very good friends, often inseparable on campus. Xu Muyan’s words carried significant weight with Wen Jing.

“You have to compensate Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng with thirty thousand yuan for medical expenses. That’s not a small amount. Your parents will definitely be angry if they find out. Have you thought about what to say?” Chen Zishi, having grown closer to Chu Bai, was also concerned about Chu Bai’s troubles.

“The holiday starts tomorrow. I have my own way to handle it,” Chu Bai said in a low voice.

“Ah, you’re not planning to rob someone, are you?” Chen Zishi was shocked. He remembered that Chu Bai’s family was not well-off.

“Of course not. I’m planning to… win,” Chu Bai said mysteriously.

“Gambling? That’s too unreliable. Haven’t you heard that nine out of ten gamblers lose?”

“Nine out of ten lose, but there’s still one who wins. I’m that one-tenth, and I’m absolutely confident. I just don’t have enough capital,” Chu Bai said, glancing at Chen Zishi and suddenly asking, “Do you have any money? Can you lend me some?”

“I have a thousand.”

“Wow, you’re so well-off?”

“What are you talking about? My family is just average. I’ve been saving up for half a year, planning to buy a nice gift for Wen Jing’s birthday this month.”

“Loan me the money for now, and I’ll definitely pay you back before Wen Jing’s birthday.”

“Well… okay, but you must pay me back on time.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you back. If I can’t, I’ll let you use my head as a stool,” Chu Bai promised earnestly.

…

The day’s classes finally ended.

At the school gate, students were heading home in various ways. Some rode bicycles, some took buses, and others had private cars picking them up.

A Cullinan parked at the school gate, drawing a lot of attention.

Wang Haoran got into the Cullinan under the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of many boys and the admiring, infatuated looks of many girls.

“Young master, are we heading straight home?” the driver, a man in his forties, asked respectfully.

“Let’s go to the nearest private detective agency first,” Wang Haoran replied.

The driver was surprised but didn’t ask any questions and started the car. He knew better than to ask unnecessary questions.

He had been a driver for the Wang family for almost ten years and understood this well.

Before long, the Cullinan stopped in front of a medium-sized detective agency.

Wang Haoran entered the agency alone. He found the relevant person in charge and handed over a simple file.

The file was, of course, about Chu Bai, containing a photo and home address. The photo was secretly taken by one of Wang Haoran’s underlings, and the home address was copied from the student registration records.

“Follow Chu Bai and report his whereabouts in real-time.”

That was Wang Haoran’s request.

Initially, the detective agency refused, citing that they were a legitimate agency and not paparazzi.

However, when Wang Haoran offered triple the price, they immediately changed their tune and accepted the job.

The so-called triple price was only thirty thousand yuan, which was nothing to someone like Wang Haoran, a rich second-generation heir.

After leaving his phone number, Wang Haoran left the detective agency. The agency immediately began their operation.

…

Night fell.

At the Wang family villa, Wang Haoran dined alone in the opulent dining room.

The table was laden with over a dozen dishes, all exquisitely prepared by a five-star hotel chef. The taste was impeccable.

Several servants stood by, ready to attend to any of Wang Haoran’s needs.

Wang Haoran was filled with emotion. In his previous life, he was dirt poor, and this life of a wealthy young master was like a dream come true.

His adoptive parents were not at home, which was just as well. Wang Haoran wasn’t sure how to face them yet.

After all, in his previous life, he was an orphan. After crossing over, he found himself in this situation with no real emotional connection to them.

His adoptive father was a big boss, managing various Wang family businesses and always busy. It was common not to see him for a month or two.

His adoptive mother, a socialite from a wealthy family, also owned a company and was busy every day. In her rare free time, she would go to high-end beauty salons for treatments.

In his memories, Wang Haoran had very few opportunities to interact with his adoptive parents. They felt guilty about this and, to make up for it, indulged him unconditionally. Whatever he wanted, they would provide.

In the original storyline, Wang Haoran initially fought the protagonist alone. Eventually, the entire Wang family, including his mother’s family, joined the fight against the protagonist, all because of this unconditional indulgence.

But then again, isn’t it a common trope for the villainous rich second-generation to be spoiled by their family elders?

Imagine if the villainous rich second-generation tried to harm the protagonist, and the parents said, “You unfilial child, how can you do such bad things? Stop it right now, or I won’t acknowledge you as my son!”

If that were the case, how would the story progress?