Chapter 7: I Will Offer You My Blessings!

That girl was none other than Fan Ling, the class beauty whom Chen Yuyi had dated for a while back in university. He had once been deeply invested in her, but, much like characters in countless stories, Fan Ling’s vanity had wounded Chen Yuyi’s pride beyond repair. Yet all of that belonged to the past now; his heart felt utterly unmoved.

“Well, well, isn’t this our Prince of Beggars, Chen Yuyi? What brings you to campus today? Are you trying to play your old tricks again, fishing for sympathy and hoping to make a quick buck?”

At that moment, a swaggering young man sauntered over, slung an arm around Fan Ling’s waist, and curled his lips in disdain as he spoke.

A month earlier, when Chen Yuyi’s father had fallen gravely ill, and before Chen had met Shen Zhujun, he had been desperate enough to turn to classmates for help, hoping to scrape together some surgery money. Some showed a measure of kindness and lent him a little, while others mocked him, spreading rumors that he was just putting on a pitiable act to buy luxury gifts for his girlfriend.

Though some doubted the rumors at first, their minds changed when Fan Ling showed up with a brand-new Chanel bag. The biggest instigator of all this, of course, was the swaggering young man—Fan Wenbin.

Fan Wenbin was the son of a small business owner whose family fortune approached a hundred million. With a few tricks and the promise of a Chanel bag, he had lured Fan Ling away from Chen Yuyi and into his embrace.

Because of this, Chen Yuyi became the subject of his classmates’ scorn, and “Prince of Beggars” became the nickname Fan Wenbin bestowed upon him.

Though he later repaid every cent to his classmates, he never regained their trust, and for a month, he had seldom shown his face on campus.

But now, none of that mattered to him. He simply looked on coldly, curious what game they intended to play.

“Hmph! You can stop looking at us like that. Fan Ling is my girlfriend now. Someone as worthless as you could never have her!” Fan Wenbin, visibly uneasy under Chen Yuyi’s gaze, snorted.

As if to prove his point, he kissed Fan Ling on the cheek, his hand wandering over her body.

“I heard you never even held her hand, but we’ve already experienced everything. Ha ha…”

Fan Ling blushed and lightly scolded, “Why say such things to him?” Yet she made no move to stop Fan Wenbin’s advances.

“Oh, by the way, I’m getting engaged to Fan Ling. We’re inviting the class for a feast this afternoon, and we don’t mind setting an extra place—at the Golden Hotel, the grandest five-star in Jiangcheng. Don’t say you don’t dare show up; everyone will be there. Ha ha!”

Fan Wenbin laughed, his words dripping with malice. His real intent was to flaunt his status—a five-star hotel was beyond the reach of ordinary folk, yet he would host a banquet for the whole class there just to show off.

“Very well, I’ll be there to congratulate you both,” Chen Yuyi replied at once, catching them off guard.

Fan Wenbin and Fan Ling were both stunned. They hadn’t expected Chen Yuyi to actually accept. Fan Wenbin had only been provoking him, knowing that a poor student like Chen Yuyi would never dare set foot in such a lavish place.

Now, seeing Chen Yuyi take his words seriously, Fan Wenbin only sneered, “Good. I’ll be waiting for your grand arrival.”

“Chen Yuyi, I just saw you with a girl earlier—could she be your girlfriend?” Fan Ling asked, her gaze sly.

“Oh? Is that so?” Fan Wenbin, having arrived late, hadn’t seen Zuo Qianhui, but Fan Ling had. “Don’t tell me you’ve managed to swindle another girl’s sympathy, ha ha!”

Fan Wenbin couldn’t resist adding, “If you have the guts, bring her along. The more, the merrier. I won’t mind at all. In fact, I’d suggest you book a presidential suite at the Golden Hotel. The setting is so luxurious, you’d never forget it for the rest of your life!”

He smacked his lips, making it clear that he and Fan Ling had already enjoyed all those amenities, while Chen Yuyi could only dream, never mind sharing such a place with a girl.

“I barely know her. She just asked me a few questions,” Chen Yuyi replied coolly.

“I thought so. As if any girl would ever fancy you. All my efforts are truly wasted!” Fan Wenbin said, feigning a sigh.

“I could have sworn that girl looked just like the most beautiful woman on campus,” Fan Ling mused.

“You mean that Miss Zuo?” Fan Wenbin’s roving hands stilled, a glimmer of envy in his eyes.

Fan Ling shot him a look, unperturbed. “Yes,” she said, then shook her head uncertainly, “but perhaps I was mistaken.”

“Tch, even I haven’t had the chance to meet such a beauty. As if our Prince of Beggars could be so lucky. Enough talk—let's go get ready, darling.” Fan Wenbin pinched Fan Ling’s cheek theatrically.

Chen Yuyi only smiled, saying nothing more.

Fan Ling nestled in Fan Wenbin’s arms, playing the docile lover. “Chen Yuyi, do remember to come this afternoon. You’ll be a firsthand witness to our love story!”

“I’ll be there,” Chen Yuyi replied, his face as calm as still water.

“Tch, what a poser! You really dare to come when I invite you? If you’re not afraid of humiliation, I’ll be sure to satisfy you,” Fan Wenbin muttered as he led Fan Ling away.

Chen Yuyi heard every word, and for a fleeting moment, an almost imperceptible ripple crossed his face. But just as quickly, his expression returned to its usual stoicism.

He wandered the campus for a while, reminiscing about days gone by before finally leaving Jiangcheng University.

Outside the campus, he set out to visit various job fairs.

He hadn’t gone far when his phone rang. It was Zuo Qianhui, who had asked for his number earlier.

“Senior Chen, am I disturbing you?” She sounded tentative.

“There’s no need to be so formal. You know my name, just use it,” Chen Yuyi replied, half amused. He had only helped her by chance, yet she seemed to treat him as some hero.

“Hehe, then may I call you Brother Chen?” Zuo Qianhui really wanted to call him “Brother Yu,” but feared it would be too forward.

“Of course. I am older than you, but could you please not be so polite? It makes me uncomfortable.”

Zuo Qianhui’s heart leapt with joy. “Alright, I’ll stop being so formal. You said you were looking for a job, right? I’ve asked around and found a hotel looking for a manager. I recommended you, as I’m sure you’d be perfect.”

“What? Me, a hotel manager?” Chen Yuyi thought this was too much. This little girl really was something—even her casual job search turned up such positions. Granted, after seeing her father’s display yesterday, nothing should surprise him.

“What’s wrong, Brother Chen? Is it not to your liking? I can talk to them again. If you prefer, even the general manager’s position is possible,” Zuo Qianhui offered, still cautious.

Chen Yuyi nearly dropped his phone. “No way, Miss Zuo, listen—I just want a regular job. Something fancy isn’t suitable for me right now. If it’s waiting tables, I’d love that. But being a manager? I’m just not up to it.”

“Oh, I see. But you could be a general manager and still serve tables. It’s just a title, but the salary is much better,” she replied.

Chen Yuyi’s mouth twitched. Serving tables as the general manager—this girl really had an imagination.

“Miss Zuo, you don’t understand. I mean I really don’t have what it takes for management. A general manager should do the work of a general manager, not serve tables. I shouldn’t take up a position I’m unfit for. I’m just a poor student, only good for entry-level work. If I were made manager, I might bring the hotel down.”

“That’s not it, Brother Chen!” Zuo Qianhui sounded almost tearful with anxiety. “I’m not asking you to actually manage the hotel. It’s just a title—you wouldn’t have any responsibilities. Really, you can serve tables or even break plates if you want, and no one will say a word. If you’re not interested, I can keep looking!”

Hearing her voice tremble with distress, Chen Yuyi suddenly felt a pang of guilt. “Alright, Miss Zuo, don’t be upset. I just want to know—was this your idea, or your father’s?”

“Of course it was mine. I haven’t mentioned you to my father. He doesn’t even know I met you.”

Chen Yuyi pondered for a moment. “Very well, I’ll accept your kindness. But please, no managerial titles. Just let me be a waiter.”

Zuo Qianhui considered for a moment. “Then I’ll arrange for you to be a Grand Waiter!”

“What’s a Grand Waiter?” Chen Yuyi couldn’t help but ask.

“It means you outrank the manager and the general manager. Aside from the board of directors, you’re the top authority in the hotel!”

“Cough—” Chen Yuyi’s phone nearly slipped from his grasp but he caught it just in time.

“What’s wrong, Brother Chen? Are you coming down with something? I can come see you if you’d like,” Zuo Qianhui said anxiously, as if she might fly to his side at any moment.

“No need, I’m fine. Just tell me—which hotel is it?” Chen Yuyi thought, since Miss Zuo was so insistent, there was no refusing. If this went on any longer, she might end up giving him the hotel itself, so he might as well accept being the Grand Waiter.

“The Golden Hotel!”