Chapter 34: The Neighboring Seat

Zhang Dongsheng was the kind of person who didn’t care about anything—a true rogue with almost no moral bottom line. As long as he could live comfortably, he’d dance on the very edge of legality without a second thought.

In his eyes, relationships between people were fickle and easily changed, as long as you could find someone’s sore spot and strike with precision.

His goal was to pursue Su Qinghu, so naturally, he couldn’t show his worst side in front of her. Li Chengwei became his breakthrough point.

Coming from a small town, Li Chengwei longed to make something of himself, to live a life of prestige. He had ambition and ability, but not the strength to withstand outside pressure.

He yearned for a life above the ordinary.

So, give him a chance to climb upward, add a little threat—well, maybe not even a threat, just a logical analysis of the facts—and he’d back down easily.

Wu Shixin was the opportunity Zhang Dongsheng gave Li Chengwei to climb up. The consequences of opposing him—that was the analysis he offered.

Li Chengwei tacitly accepted Zhang Dongsheng’s reasoning, and also accepted the opportunity Zhang Dongsheng created for him to get close to Wu Shixin.

Wu Shixin was average-looking, but she had high standards for her partner’s appearance. Her own education and family background meant she was never going to settle for someone with poor prospects.

But those with similar backgrounds and slightly better looks might not be interested in her, and those who were interested, she didn’t want.

At this point, the refined and handsome Li Chengwei appeared, coupled with a “hero saves the beauty” first encounter. With a bit of calculation on one side and none on the other, getting together seemed almost inevitable.

In the calm sweetness of their relationship, Su Qinghu herself—or more accurately, Su Qinghu as someone Wu Shixin couldn’t ignore—was always present.

But what if that presence was “processed” a little?

From what Wu Shixin had just said, it wasn’t hard to see that because of Su Qinghu, she loved and even pitied Li Chengwei more.

In this game of hearts, laced with transactions, Su Qinghu was the perpetrator, while Li Chengwei, who actually benefited, became the victim.

A handsome, refined, talented man, who endured emotional trauma yet remained stoic, willing to open up and confide in you—such vulnerability is something few young women can resist.

Men all have a hero complex; but don’t women also dream of being the unforgettable love in a man’s heart?

Wu Shixin fell for him, truly fell in love, even braving her parents’ pressure to quickly get their marriage certificate.

What Su Qinghu said earlier was like someone dumping bitter herbs into her sweet life—so bitter she couldn’t even speak.

Given her family background and the people she’d grown up around, she was never going to be that naive. She might not see everything, but she could guess a thing or two.

Had her meeting with Li Chengwei been calculated from the start? Even if it had, did he now have any real feelings for her?

She looked at Li Chengwei, and Li Chengwei looked back.

Su Qinghu watched them from above, as if waiting to see if they’d put on a show of earth-shattering romance right in front of her.

But in the end—

Wu Shixin held back. She didn’t press the issue, even deliberately downplaying what Su Qinghu had just said.

“Li Chengwei, I want a soda,” she said. “Go buy one for me, orange flavor.”

Li Chengwei looked at her. “Let’s go together? I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here alone.”

“This is a law-abiding society—no one can do anything to me.” Wu Shixin smiled. “Go on, I know what I’m doing. No matter how much they try to provoke me, I won’t get angry anymore.”

Li Chengwei was a bit surprised. “You—”

“I’m not angry. Not at all. The past is the past, now is now. You don’t have any feelings for her anymore, and that’s enough.” Wu Shixin had just stared at Li Chengwei to confirm this, and now that she was sure, she felt at ease.

Compared to her, Su Qinghu had nothing going for her except her looks.

But now, can you live on looks alone?

Once you’re married, every little thing—rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea—costs money. Social obligations, too, all require spending.

What could Su Qinghu give him?

But Wu Shixin could give him support that others couldn’t even imagine.

Chen Lie shot Wu Shixin a deep, unreadable look, but said nothing.

Li Chengwei noticed Chen Lie’s gaze and cleared his throat. “You’re right. Let’s look ahead and focus on the future.”

Their eyes met, and Li Chengwei smiled. “Now, you’re my wife. That won’t change—not now, not ever.”

There really are social classes between people. Back in school, he hadn’t felt it so deeply. But after getting married and expanding his social circle, he’d come to understand it profoundly.

A lot of things couldn’t be achieved just by working hard. He was an ordinary person—or, to be precise, a little above average, but not by much.

In this situation, without outside help, he’d never have access to the circles his wife moved in.

Maybe some people could reach higher levels through sheer effort, but those people were geniuses. He knew very well he wasn’t one.

So, up to now, he didn’t regret the choice he’d made before graduation.

“Alright, I get it. Go on.” Wu Shixin was sweet as honey.

Really, with just that one sentence, that certainty, nothing else mattered.

Li Chengwei: “Then I’ll go. You—”

“I’ll take care of myself, don’t worry.”

After they finished speaking, they separated—Li Chengwei went to buy things, and Wu Shixin stayed behind to hold their seats.

She turned her head and froze.

Su Qinghu and her group were eating.

Su Qinghu hadn’t been watching them the whole time—she ordered, picked up her food, then sat down with the kids to eat, drink, and watch the show, looking quite amused.

Meeting Wu Shixin’s stunned gaze, she smiled, waved at her, then called out to Erdan, “I want some fries.”

Erdan naturally picked up a fry, dipped it in sauce, and carefully held it out to her.

Su Qinghu opened her mouth.

Erdan: “??!!!”

Dadan: “!!!”

Chen Lie: “…”

At that moment, not only did the air freeze, it felt like even time had stopped.

Su Qinghu raised an eyebrow, and Erdan quickly fed her the fry.

Afterwards, he sat back down, his eyes wandering. They landed on Chen Lie, and he snapped back to attention.

Dad was giving him a weird look!

Was it because he hadn’t fed enough, and Dad wanted him to feed her more?

In a daze, he stood up, picked up another fry, and fed it to Su Qinghu.

Su Qinghu accepted it naturally. Sensing the tension in the air, she glanced at everyone.

“What’s wrong?”

As soon as she spoke, Dadan snapped back to reality, even shivering a little.

Chen Lie slowly withdrew his gaze. “Do you want something to drink?”

“No, I’m good.”"