Chapter 75: The Inexperienced Young Driver

Xia Yu pulled into the parking spot, his two-million-yuan Mercedes convertible turning heads all around. With a skillful flick of the wheel, he parked perfectly, drawing envious glances from everyone nearby.

As Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie stepped out of the car, it took a moment for the crowd to react. Then, someone recognized Zhao Sijie, and shock flashed across several faces.

In their memories, Zhao Sijie had always been the poorest student in class—her family was struggling, she was always the last to pay any school fees, and no one had ever seen her in new clothes. Now, seeing her step elegantly from a luxury sports car, it was only natural they were taken aback.

Lily and her friends, overhearing the murmurs, felt a surge of jealousy. They’d already been unsettled by Zhao Sijie’s successful career, and now, seeing her shine like a genuine socialite, stealing all the attention they once enjoyed, their resentment only grew.

Such is human nature—especially among women. Aside from your parents, no one truly wishes to see you flourish. If you’re doing worse than they are, they look down on you; but do better, and all they feel is envy.

“Heh, you’ve misunderstood. That’s Sijie’s boyfriend,” someone said.

“Too bad the car isn’t his—he’s just a driver for his boss,” added another.

“That’s right, just a chauffeur,” Xiao Qin and Xiao Rong chimed in.

“What?” someone exclaimed. “Just a driver?!”

The mood shifted. The way everyone looked at Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie changed instantly.

“Damn, dressed up all fancy. I really thought he was some rich kid,” someone sneered.

“Exactly. What’s a driver doing in a suit, driving his boss’s car? Trying to act rich or something?”

“That’s just pathetic.”

Their mocking voices drew laughter from Lily’s group, but as Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie approached, they fell silent, sensing it was better not to push it.

Wu Tian, one of the organizers of the reunion and someone who had held considerable authority back in school, greeted Zhao Sijie with a sly, mocking smile. “Sijie, it’s been years. You’ve certainly become a lot more beautiful.”

“Yeah, Sijie, you look amazing now,” another agreed.

No one could argue with that. Back in school, Zhao Sijie had been the plainest dresser, overlooked by everyone. Now she stood tall and graceful, dressed with taste, her fair skin glowing and her figure striking—a true beauty, beyond question.

“Thank you. You all look wonderful as well,” Zhao Sijie replied, a little embarrassed but polite.

“What good is being pretty if you’re still dating a loser?” Lily muttered under her breath, her expression sour.

Back in school, it had been Lily and her friends who were the center of attention. They were the ones who should have been admired and pursued. Now, why was everyone gathered around Zhao Sijie?

“Sijie, you’re so beautiful—surely your boyfriend must be impressive? Driving a sports car and all that. Aren’t you going to introduce him?” Wu Tian pressed, his tone teasing. The others laughed, knowing the truth.

Zhao Sijie, as straightforward as ever, didn’t think much of it. She linked her arm through Xia Yu’s and said, “His name is Xia Yu. Really, there’s nothing special. You’ve all misunderstood—he’s just a driver. The car belongs to his boss.”

“Hello, everyone,” Xia Yu greeted them with a relaxed wave.

“Oh, so he’s a driver,” everyone echoed, feigning realization.

Lily couldn’t resist stepping forward, slipping her arm through Zhao Sijie’s and glancing at Xia Yu with a practiced familiarity. “Honey, you’re so beautiful and capable—why settle for just one tree? Isn’t being with a driver a bit beneath you?”

“Yeah, Sijie, with your looks and talent, you should at least be dating a vice president, right?”

“Or you could consider me?” several men chimed in, emboldened. Zhao Sijie’s transformation was undeniable; her looks and figure were stunning, and the thought of having such a girlfriend was irresistible.

No one seemed to care what Xia Yu, her boyfriend, might feel—after all, did the feelings of a mere driver matter? Wasn’t it open season to try and win her over from a nobody?

“Come on, quit joking. My boyfriend is just fine,” Zhao Sijie thought they were only teasing, and clung to Xia Yu’s arm again.

Xia Yu smiled, saying nothing, but the others seemed a bit put off and wisely let the matter drop.

“Wu Tian, isn’t it about time? Where’s Wang Dong?” someone asked.

“Yeah, hope nothing happened. It’s not easy to get a meal at Fence Hill Manor, you know.”

“It’s fine—I’ll call him,” Wu Tian replied, making a show of glancing at his watch before pulling out the latest iPhone and dialing.

“Hey, Dongzi, what’s up? Everyone’s here, just waiting on you.”

“Stuck in traffic? Okay, we’ll go in first. Don’t be long,” he finished, hanging up.

Wu Tian turned to the group. “He’s caught in traffic, should be here soon. Let’s head in—our private room is ready.”

“Everyone, mind your manners in there. This is a high-class resort—don’t embarrass yourselves.”

“Relax, Wu Tian, we know how to behave,” one man laughed.

“Yeah, but I’m not so sure about some people,” Lily said, casting a pointed glance at Xia Yu.

Others instinctively glanced at Xia Yu as well, but he and Zhao Sijie were quietly chatting, paying no attention to them.

Led by Wu Tian, the group moved inside. Xia Yu and Zhao Sijie lingered at the back, admiring the scenery—the scent of flowers in the air, small bridges over gentle streams, birds singing, a true paradise.

“This place is really something,” Xia Yu said with a smile. “Next time, I’ll bring you here alone.”

Zhao Sijie’s heart bloomed with happiness, but before she could reply, Lily, walking ahead, suddenly turned and taunted, “Hey, driver, what did you just say?”

“You’re going to bring Sijie here by yourself? Do you even know how much it costs to eat here once?”

“I bet you could drive for a year and still not afford a single meal. Sijie, don’t be so gullible.”

“She’s right, Sijie. He’s just talking big because he’s never seen the world. You should be careful, or better yet, break up with him,” others joined in, their eyes full of disdain as they stared at Xia Yu, convinced he was bluffing—yet Zhao Sijie just smiled blissfully, clearly believing him.

Damn, if they’d known Zhao Sijie was so easy to fool, they’d have made a move themselves. Now, all they could do was look down on Xia Yu.

“Are you crazy? A little chauffeur talking big like that? Just keep quiet, alright?”

“Don’t embarrass us with your nonsense later.”

“Yeah, it costs at least fifty thousand here for a meal. And you, a driver, think you can bring someone here?”

Xia Yu could only laugh to himself. All he’d said was that he wanted to bring his girlfriend here one day—was that really so outrageous?