Chapter Fifty-Three: Another Rival in Love (Part One)

In the store, amidst the envious gazes of customers, I generously swiped six hundred thousand Huaxia yuan to buy the dress for Su Xin. Though happiness and excitement filled her heart, her face betrayed nothing but grievance and dissatisfaction. Of course, I understood her displeasure—it wasn’t the amount that bothered her, but the fact that I spent a fortune in a moment of impulse. I held my tongue and walked out of the Chanel boutique with her.

“Xiao Qiang, now look what you’ve done. You spent nearly three-quarters of your million just to buy this dress—how wasteful! I told you I didn’t want it, so why did you insist, just to spite that man?” Su Xin grumbled as we walked down the street, her tone full of reproach and the adorable demeanor of a little woman.

I gently took hold of her delicate figure, gazing deeply into her lovely pouting face, and smiled softly. “Xin Xin, this isn’t about spiting anyone. As long as you like something, whatever it is, I’ll buy it for you. Money can be earned again, but my woman must never suffer the slightest grievance or regret. Xin Xin, to me, you are everything—do you know that?”

“Xiao Qiang…” Her dissatisfaction melted away, replaced by an expression brimming with happiness and sweetness—the very essence of love. She seemed to truly sense the depth of my feelings, and slowly, full of affection, leaned into me.

I caressed her tender chin, gently lifting her beautiful face and pressing my lips tightly against her soft, pink mouth…

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still, the supple sensation sending my mind into a blank haze. I knew that the woman before me was the one I would protect forever, the one worthy of a lifetime of devotion. The beauty of first love, the sweetness of a first kiss—at last, I had what I never gained in my previous life. I wished desperately for this moment to linger eternally, never to fade…

“Clap! Clap! Clap!!” Applause rang in my ears, followed by a familiar voice from not far away. “Well, what a shameless pair—kissing in the street, no shame at all!”

Su Xin instinctively pushed me away in panic. I turned and saw, across the street, a figure clad in a blue casual jacket and a white chiffon skirt—the source of the voice. In the next second, I recognized the woman, and a headache struck. Seriously? How could we run into her here? Was she some lingering ghost?

If I’ve always admired beautiful women, then this one is the exception—the least appealing, the one I most loathe to encounter. Indeed, Xiao Qiang rarely dislikes women, and beautiful ones almost never. Except for that arrogant, spoiled young lady; so the beauty standing opposite must be Miss Chu Qitong, who lost to me in two competitions.

“Tong Tong… Why are you here…” Su Xin, too, saw Chu Qitong. Her pretty face instantly flushed as red as a ripe apple.

After their fierce quarrel last time, Su Xin and Chu Qitong hardly interacted—I knew this well—so there was no chance she was following us. The only explanation was sheer luck, bumping into this troublemaker on the street.

“Why do you care where I am? What does it matter to you? Hmph, I bet your soul’s already been lured away by this scoundrel! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell your father about this? If he finds out you’re dating in high school… tsk tsk, imagine the consequences.” Chu Qitong sneered, her face cold as she walked up to us, casting me a disdainful glance and glaring fiercely at Su Xin.

Su Xin trembled at her words, clearly terrified, and hastily pleaded, “Tong Tong, please don’t say anything… I… I…”

“What, you? If you’re so timid, you shouldn’t be with Xiao Qiang. Clearly you love him madly, yet refuse to face anything. Really, I’m ashamed for you!” Chu Qitong’s biting remarks left Su Xin’s face pale and blue; my heart ached, and I shouted angrily at Chu Qitong, “Enough! Who are you to judge her? Our affairs are none of your concern. Just remember your own promise!”

“You…” Chu Qitong pointed at me, her face flushed with anger. “Isn’t it just an apology? What’s the big deal? You’re impressive, Xiao Qiang—I admit defeat. I’ll apologize to your sister, satisfied? But that’s beside the point. You and Su Xin? Impossible! Who do you think you are? Can you get her father’s approval? Don’t think being smart is enough—a guy with no family, no money, trying to seduce Su Xin… Hmph, men are all worthless!”

“Tong Tong, how can you say that about Xiao Qiang… he…” Su Xin tried to defend me, but Chu Qitong cut her off with a cold glance and a faint smile. “Xin Xin, sorry, but yesterday your father visited my house as a guest. I happened to overhear their conversation. Wow, your father’s already preparing your engagement? What an admirable father—his daughter’s love is kept from him, yet he takes it upon himself to choose her husband. Xin Xin, surely you’re aware of this?”

Boom—Chu Qitong’s words left my mind in chaos. What? Su Xin is being forced into an engagement by her father? “No, impossible! Uncle Su would never arrange an engagement for Su Xin—never!” I shook my head, face ashen, desperately wanting to erase Chu Qitong’s words from my ears.

“Possible or not, just ask your girlfriend. If it’s impossible, do you think I’d waste my weekend following Su Xin? Haha, Xiao Qiang, don’t be so naïve—Su Xin will never be yours, never!” Chu Qitong sneered at my bewildered face, as if my anguish brought her joy.

“No… Xiao Qiang, listen… My father only mentioned it—I didn’t agree, I absolutely won’t agree…” Su Xin’s face was now streaked with tears, her greatest fear exposed for all to see. Her panic and terror were written plainly across her features.

I exhaled heavily, the weight in my chest dissipating a little as I looked at Su Xin’s pained expression. My emotions cooled, and I asked quietly, “Who is he? The man your father chose—who is he?”

Su Xin bit her lip, head bowed, unwilling to speak. But Chu Qitong, full of schadenfreude, immediately answered, “Song Jie. Direct heir of the Song family. Son of the Minister of Central Propaganda. A high-ranking official’s child in the capital, currently a sophomore at Huaxia University’s affiliated high school. Wealthy beyond measure, politically blessed, one of the Eight Sons of the Capital. His grandfather, Song Gongmin, is currently Vice Chairman of the Central Political Bureau.” She scanned me with contempt and sneered, “With your status? He could crush your whole family with a flick of his finger!”

I listened, face like iron, to Chu Qitong’s words. Though saddened, I felt no anger or resentment. My sorrow stemmed from the fact that Su Xin never confided such a monumental matter to me, never explained her position or resolve. She was avoiding it—I knew she couldn’t defy her father’s authority, yet could not bear to lose me. So she hid it all away, keeping me in the dark. How much pain and distress must she have suffered, while I foolishly believed she was happy? How could I possibly be angry with a woman who cared so much for me?

Chu Qitong cackled, “Why the long face? Frightened? Scared? Xiao Qiang, you should’ve realized sooner. So naïve, thinking a toad could win the swan…”

“Get lost! Go to hell! Get out, damn you!” Before she could finish, my fierce, bloodshot eyes made Chu Qitong retreat two steps in panic. Seeing her alarmed look, I couldn’t help but sneer. The more I saw her, the more I disliked her—her beautiful face now seemed almost sinister.

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