Yun Ding Ya Zhu, located in the heart of J City, was home to wealthy residents. Its spacious villas, complete amenities, and convenient city center location had attracted many buyers even before the official launch.
When Gu Wanrong drove to Yun Ding Ya Zhu, a security guard stopped her. Unregistered vehicles were not allowed entry. The security guards knew the residents’ cars, and Gu Wanrong’s was unfamiliar. Despite this, the guard was polite, given the expensive car.
Remembering that she hadn’t registered her car after receiving the villa, Gu Wanrong called the property manager to add her vehicle to the register and request access.
The property manager immediately contacted the guard, and Gu Wanrong drove in.
Guard A: “That wealthy resident sure is low-key today; just a Mercedes.”
Guard B: “Yeah, I thought it was a poor relative.”
Guard A: “The manager said it’s the owner of the penthouse who never visited before. This is her first time.”
Gu Wanrong didn’t know the guards were discussing her. She felt her AMG GT63 would be too conspicuous around school.
Gu Wanrong reached Yu Yingying’s house.
“Yingying, let’s go,” Gu Wanrong said, lowering the window.
“You got here fast,” Yu Yingying said, buckling her seatbelt. “I just finished getting ready when you texted.”
“I only did light makeup,” Gu Wanrong replied.
Driving past Gu Wanrong’s villa, Yu Yingying said, “That’s the penthouse. The developer kept it for a special someone. They say the owner has never been here.”
“That’s my house,” Gu Wanrong replied casually.
“What?! You bought this and never came? If you had, we would have met sooner,” Yu Yingying exclaimed, surprised.
She explained that the penthouse had been reserved as a gift; the developer wouldn’t sell it and never revealed who it was for. Yu Yingying’s brother often visited J City, and his secretary tried to buy the penthouse but failed and settled for a nearby villa.
“You don’t sound like you’re from J City. Are you sure we’d have met if you lived here?” Gu Wanrong asked. She couldn’t explain that she’d only recently won the villa.
“That’s true. I’m also here for university and using my brother’s place,” Yu Yingying realized.
At Jinmao Mall, they parked and began shopping.
Yu Yingying explained that due to her family’s business, she received seasonal clothing and accessories from various brands at home. Her aunt, living abroad, often sent her items not sold domestically.
They shopped extensively.
That evening, they arrived at Xi Yu BBQ Restaurant at 5:30 pm.
“Gu Wanrong, Yu Yingying, over here!” Yang Xuan, the girl who had defended Gu Wanrong during military training, waved them over.
“Thank you for saving us seats,” Gu Wanrong said.
“No problem. I love sitting with beauties,” Yang Xuan joked. “Do you know how famous you are after the military training photos?”
“I know. Tens of thousands of likes!” Yu Yingying said, having seen the video online.
“That’s not all. The school’s confession wall is filled with confessions for Gu Wanrong,” Yang Xuan showed them. “Some are even from other universities.”
Yu Yingying and Yang Xuan teased Gu Wanrong.
“They’re just words,” Gu Wanrong defended.
“So full of yourself,” a scornful voice said.
Xu Rong stood nearby. “A little praise, and you think you’re amazing.”
“Better than being punished and kicking people,” Yang Xuan retorted.
“Kicking who?” Yu Yingying asked, unaware of the incident.
Yang Xuan recounted the events, overheard by many.
“Wanrong, is your hand okay?” Yu Yingying asked, concerned.
“I’m fine. Just a scratch,” Gu Wanrong replied, touched by their care.
“Just a scratch, and you’re making a fuss,” Xu Rong sneered. She then addressed Jiang Yanyao, “Look at her; she thinks she’s a princess.”
Jiang Yanyao remained silent.
Xu Rong continued: “Look at those two, acting like lapdogs.”
“Are you a possessed poodle? Everything is about you. My hand was injured, and that’s the end of that. But you’re eavesdropping! You’re so uncivilized and have terrible manners. Stop being annoying! Stick with your lapdog, Jiang Yanyao.” Gu Wanrong stood up, her voice sharp.
“You bitch!” Xu Rong yelled, pointing at Gu Wanrong, her face contorted with rage. “Jiang Yanyao, hit her!”
The class committee members quickly intervened to prevent a fight.
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Chapter 22: Sleazy
After Xu Rong was pulled away, Gu Wanrong finally enjoyed her time with her friends.
The BBQ ended early, and many weren’t ready to leave.
Zhang Shi stood up. “Everyone, how about Sihai Club? My treat.”
A cheer went up. “Class president is generous!”
“Sihai Club isn’t easy to get into; you need a membership. A silver card costs 880,000 yuan,” Xu Rong said, recalling her father’s frustrated attempts to secure a contract there.
The others gasped at the high membership fee.
Zhang Shi took out a card. “This is a gold card. Don’t worry.”
“Should we call you ‘Young Master Zhang’?” someone joked.
Zhang Shi beamed, leading them to Sihai Club.
Gu Wanrong had enjoyed connecting with her new friends.
“Young Master Zhang, can we sit in your sports car?” some boys asked, wanting to experience a ride.
Zhang Shi laughed. “I’ve arranged a car for you.”
“Only the ‘big shots’ ride in the passenger seat,” one boy joked, then looked towards Gu Wanrong.
They all understood. Everyone knew about Zhang Shi’s attempts to impress Gu Wanrong.
“Gu Wanrong, let me give you a ride,” Zhang Shi said, leaning against his car, trying to impress her. He thought getting her would be easy. However, he’d been wrong before.
“Wow, he kept the passenger seat free for Gu Wanrong,” someone teased.
Gu Wanrong felt uncomfortable with the attention. She had already refused him.
She moved away from Zhang Shi. “I drove myself. I won’t need a ride from you.”
A valet appeared with her car keys.
Gu Wanrong and her friends got into her car, leaving Zhang Shi’s face pale with anger.
Xu Rong, who had been watching, approached him.
“Young Master Zhang, can I ride with you?” she asked, using a sweet tone.
Zhang Shi agreed, finding Xu Rong appealing as a backup option.
“Wanrong, why did you reject Zhang Shi directly? Don’t you want a boyfriend?” Liu Zhan, a girl in Gu Wanrong’s car, asked.
“Are you stupid?” Yang Xuan poked Liu Zhan’s head. “Zhang Shi doesn’t like Wanrong; he just wants to play with her.”
“Oh? I didn’t see that,” Liu Zhan replied.
“A real boyfriend wouldn’t just show off his wealth, or leer at a girl’s figure,” Yu Yingying explained.
“Exactly, he looks at me like I’m an object—sleazy,” Gu Wanrong said.
“Maybe we shouldn’t go to Sihai Club, considering he’s paying,” Liu Zhan said.
“Yeah,” Yang Xuan agreed.
Yu Yingying thought Gu Wanrong could easily get a Sihai Club membership given her resources.
“Let’s go. I have a diamond card that I haven’t used,” Gu Wanrong said, revealing she had a diamond membership card to Sihai Club, along with a Crystal card from Donglai Hotel.
Sihai Club gave diamond cards to the top ten wealthiest people in J City upon its opening, plus the mysterious penthouse owner.
Yu Yingying wasn’t surprised. “Just us?”
“Who else?” Gu Wanrong replied, preferring the company of her close friends.
“Wow, you’re rich,” Yang Xuan and Liu Zhan exclaimed, realizing Gu Wanrong’s wealth.
Gu Wanrong explained the levels of Sihai Club membership: Silver, Gold, Black Gold, and Diamond.
They soon arrived at the club. They encountered Zhang Shi and Xu Rong at the entrance.
