Chapter 35: Chapter 35: I’m Going to Compete With You for Gu Bai
As it turns out, the security Tian Shu left behind to maintain order before leaving was indeed useful.
Sitting in the booth, Gu Bai and his friends watched with amusement as wave after wave of girls trying to join the booth were blocked outside.
Those flashy girls blocked outside have thick skin, but that doesn’t mean they’re shameless. Once people are being kept out of a booth, they can’t really beg their way in, right? After a few waves were blocked, no one dared to creep up anymore, leaving them to just gaze at booth K58 from afar.
Amazing, a double set of dragons, worth tens of thousands, equivalent to a year’s income for an average family. Such grand displays from affluent young men are indeed rare.
Deng Bo looked at Gu Bai sitting over there with his legs crossed and couldn’t understand how his roommate of a year suddenly turned into a top-tier wealthy young man.
"White Pieces, how do you know Zheng Kai?"
Now that he’s gone, Deng Bo naturally wouldn’t keep mentioning the senior.
"He’s a shareholder in TAXX. Previously, when I was here with some friends, he came over to say hello and had a drink together. We’ve met once."
"Oh man, really? Coming to TAXX and the shareholder joins you for a drink? White Pieces, give me a hint, who exactly are you?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai looked directly into his eyes but didn’t answer the question directly.
Actually, what he was thinking was that his rise was too sudden, with no foundation at all. His parents are just from a regular affluent family, and now even his roommate of a year is curious about his identity. What about those who bear ill intentions towards him? If the day comes when his family’s details are exposed, how would he explain?
Should he just publicly announce to society that he has a system?
But after pondering briefly, he doesn’t continue to worry. As they say, live for the moment and savor today’s joys; why fret about tomorrow’s worries? He’s already enjoying the benefits brought by the system now, so what’s the use of brooding? Just stay hidden for as long as possible, maybe with luck, no one will ever find out. By the time his business empire expands, all wealth sources will be easily explained.
Gu Bai had the server open the bottle of black gold Armand de Brignac, poured each of them a glass, raised his glass, and clinked with Deng Bo.
"Never mind my identity, just knowing I’m your roommate and buddy is enough."
To Gu Bai, he was genuinely speaking from the heart.
In his past life, after graduation, carrying hopes and aspirations only to face setbacks everywhere in the entertainment industry, only Deng Bo kept him in mind. When he felt embarrassed to ask for money from his family, Deng Bo supported him and even considered selling a house to invest in the film he wanted to make before his rebirth. These memories have always stayed with Gu Bai.
As for Lou Xun and Wen Cunming.
They are merely slightly better friends.
Deng Bo lightly punched Gu Bai’s chest: "I’ll keep that in mind!"
He was naturally a carefree person, so since Gu Bai didn’t want to talk, he didn’t press him any further.
Suddenly, as if something occurred to him, he leaned in and teasingly whispered in Gu Bai’s ear: "I think not only Yi Yiyi, but even Qi Man seems quite interested in you. Have you thought about choosing one yet?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai glanced at Qi Man sitting across, and she happened to be looking at him too. Seeing Gu Bai’s gaze, Qi Man quickly smiled warmly, doing her best to showcase her beauty.
With his lips curling into a grin, he crossed his legs once again.
"Only kids make choices. Adults, of course, take them all."
Deng Bo: "???"
In front of his buddies, Gu Bai naturally wouldn’t hide his indecent thoughts.
Both before and after his rebirth, Gu Bai had a very clear understanding of his own identity—he’s a complete egoist. His moral standard is that if something makes him happy, he will do it.
Of course, this moral standard refers to personal morals; he can differentiate between personal and broader national responsibilities.
As the saying goes, a man with money becomes bad.
This saying is actually not accurate.
More precisely, most men were bad to begin with, they just have the money now to display their bad side. That’s how Gu Bai understood himself—now that he’s wealthy, it’s time to enjoy life.
Other people’s opinions matter to him?
Sleazebag?
He’s not someone who forces others into illegal acts; it’s all consensual. If others allow themselves to be "sleazed" by him, why should anyone interfere?
With girls like Zhang Yumeng and Qi Man, Gu Bai has never shown disdain because he knows they are people just like him. The only difference is they use their bodies for a better life, while he uses money to break their boundaries.
After a while longer, Gu Bai stood up.
"Looks like we’ve had enough fun, shall we head out?"
After playing the double set of dragons, Gu Bai had fully taken charge of the situation. Hearing his suggestion, Qi Man certainly wouldn’t refuse. She was racking her brains on how to get closer to Gu Bai, so why contradict him?
It’s the same for Yi Yiyi.
As for the other two girls, they were practically invisible, so naturally, they had no objections.
Hence, everyone’s minds aligned, and they all got up ready to leave.
There’s no need for Gu Bai to worry about the booth; once he leaves, someone will take care of it.
At the entrance of TAXX, upon learning of Gu Bai’s departure, Director Huang personally sent them off.
Being someone who has seen plenty of distinguished guests, Director Huang’s every word and action were seasoned.
For example, right now, the position he’s standing in is just to the left of Gu Bai, a step back. This way, he can hear Gu Bai’s instructions, and outsiders can easily see the hierarchy between himself and Gu Bai.
"President Gu, next time you come to play, you must let me know. President Tian just spent half a day scolding me."
Director Huang seemed to be complaining, but in reality, he was flattering Gu Bai’s status.
Having experienced these situations many times, Gu Bai gradually got used to it and nodded with a smile.
"Definitely next time."
Director Huang hurriedly joined in with a laugh.
The group walked out the door. Director Huang quickly spoke up, "President Gu, it’s quite late now, and hailing a cab is pretty troublesome. Why don’t I arrange a few cars to take you all back?"
Gu Bai didn’t refuse. Since there was a more convenient option, there was no need to be pretentious.
"I’ve also had quite a bit to drink tonight, and my car is parked here. Just find someone to help me drive it back to our school tomorrow."
As he spoke, he tossed the car keys to Director Huang.
Director Huang carefully pocketed the keys. Of course, he knew the value of Gu Bai’s car—a little over ten million. If any mistake happened, he couldn’t afford to pay for it even if he sold himself.
In no time, Director Huang arranged for four cars to come over.
Two people per car, just right.
Gu Bai was about to lead Yi Yiyi to get into a car when he heard Qi Man say, "Senior Gu Bai, let me and Yiyi take one car. I have something to discuss with her."
Gu Bai looked at Qi Man in confusion and then at Yi Yiyi. Seeing Yi Yiyi nod in agreement, he said nothing further and got into the car himself, while Deng Bo naturally took the seat in Gu Bai’s car.
Everyone picked their vehicles, and the cars slowly started to move. Probably instructed by Director Huang, the drivers weren’t going too fast, so there was no feeling of bumpiness, quite comfortable.
"White Pieces, what do you think Qi Man wants to say to Yi Yiyi?"
"?"
"I bet they’re definitely talking about you."
Deng Bo could figure that out, so naturally, Gu Bai could too, but he didn’t care.
He was the playboy. How could the fish in two ponds jump around?
Let them enjoy themselves. Let them do as they please.
In the other car, Qi Man and Yi Yiyi’s conversation was just as Deng Bo expected.
As soon as Qi Man got in the car, she took a look at Yi Yiyi, who appeared naive and innocent, and slowly said, "I want to take Gu Bai from you."
Said very straightforwardly, so much so that even the driver in front couldn’t help but shiver.
As for Yi Yiyi, she first laughed, turned her head, and looked at Qi Man’s face.
"I knew you wanted to say this to me."
Qi Man and Yi Yiyi locked eyes for a few seconds before Qi Man turned to look out the window.
"I’m not declaring war on you. We’re not kids anymore. I’m just giving you a heads-up since we have to be together for four years. It’s better to make some things clear in advance."
"I understand, but what you’re saying to me might be useless, don’t you think?
Besides, do you think Gu Bai is the kind of guy you can easily manipulate? Maybe what you’re saying to me now, he can already guess it in the other car."
Though Yi Yiyi dressed like a 2D-world lolita, it didn’t mean she was really as naive and innocent as a lolita. They were both normal, mentally mature adults. Who didn’t have a bit of scheming? Moreover, given her circumstances, she probably interacted with more guys and understood their thoughts better.
"I know, with his status, he won’t be strangers to girls like me. But I know my advantages, and I understand men’s minds. More importantly, I live clearly."
"?"
Yi Yiyi didn’t quite understand her words.
"It’s just the literal meaning.
My bottom line is low. I’m not after his love; I’m after his wealth and status. That’s why I have an advantage over you."
It’s the first time Yi Yiyi had ever heard someone speak about materialism so plainly. The look in her eyes toward Qi Man was filled with disbelief.
"I’m not like you. Since I was little, my environment told me that money could solve everything, but I don’t have the means to acquire that, so I can only rely on my face."
Seeing Yi Yiyi remain silent, Qi Man smiled once more, "But don’t mind what I said. From everything that happened tonight, you should understand it’s hard for him to be bound to just one girl. I don’t think I have the ability to make him love only me, so you do your thing, I’ll do mine. We’re after different things."
Yi Yiyi remained silent for a long time.
Qi Man’s words completely shattered her worldview.
There was indeed such an extremely pragmatic woman in this world, and she was so open and frank about it, unapologetically.
Their conversation concluded, and the car returned to silence.
The driver in front was envious to the point of bleeding. Is this the world of the rich? The girl sitting behind is someone he doesn’t even dare to dream of, yet now she’s just like those court dramas on TV, bending over backward to get close to Gu Bai. Isn’t everyone supposed to be equal? Why is there such a huge gap in treatment?