Chapter 31: Is Being Handsome a Mistake?

Having money and ability doesn’t necessarily mean a person has a bright future ahead. Of course, everyone sees “future” differently. Take Qin Long, for example. Perhaps he’s just taking shortcuts, never considering what lies deeper down the road. Maybe he has his own so-called reasons, his burdens. But none of these can justify making the wrong choices.

Naturally, for He Tian and the others, Qin Long wasn’t exactly a complete stranger, but he was only a step above being just a face in the crowd. A fleeting sense of disdain sufficed—they didn’t feel any need to interfere with someone else’s life decisions. After all, what did it have to do with them?

But it was clear Wang Xinrou didn’t see it that way. Whenever she thought of how Qin Long used to pursue her, faking that insincere smile, she felt deeply insulted. If she didn’t do something about it, that knot of anger in her chest would never go away.

“He Tian, please, help me teach Qin Long a lesson! I’m so angry I can hardly stand it!” Wang Xinrou had no choice but to ask He Tian for help. As a young woman, she didn’t have any clever ways to take revenge. Beat up Qin Long? She didn’t even want to sully her hands with him, never mind whether she could win.

“Shall we have a little fun with Qin Long?” He Tian asked, eyes twinkling.

“Yes! Let’s really disgust him! Do you have any ideas?” Wang Xinrou looked at He Tian with pleading eyes, as though she’d been bullied and was seeking protection.

Ouyang Bingbing was curious too—wondering what He Tian might come up with to get back at Qin Long.

“When the time comes, just duck down and keep quiet,” He Tian said, his eyes flashing with inspiration.

“No problem! What are you planning?” Wang Xinrou asked excitedly.

Ouyang Bingbing’s eyes shone with anticipation. She’d never been part of something quite this entertaining before.

“Just wait and enjoy the show! Don’t make a sound until I cue you—then you can come out and play along,” He Tian instructed.

“Got it!” Wang Xinrou nudged Ouyang Bingbing. “You okay with this?”

“Of course!” Bingbing nodded.

“Great! The show’s about to begin!” He Tian started the car, seized his chance, and sped off.

He Tian’s car happened to pass right in front of Qin Long and the woman with him. The pair stopped to let the car go by, but He Tian pulled to a halt instead. He rolled down the window, revealing his face.

“Qin Long, what a coincidence!” He Tian greeted him with a smile.

“It’s you?” Qin Long frowned slightly. In truth, he’d been worried about running into someone he knew here—the neighborhood was much too close to Tianhai University. He’d kept reassuring himself it was just a short walk; what were the odds? Yet, with He Tian’s sudden appearance, those reassurances collapsed.

“Yes, it’s me! And this is…?” He Tian looked at the woman still holding Qin Long’s arm. At this distance, it was obvious she was well into her forties. The foundation on her face was so thick it nearly made He Tian gag. He detested heavy makeup—he could tolerate a bit of moisturizer, but layer upon layer of powder was too much.

Fortunately, none of his friends—Wang Xinmeng, Wang Xinrou, Ouyang Bingbing, Li Yingying, or Lin Ying—were like that. Qin Long’s taste, He Tian mused maliciously, was truly abysmal. Did he feel just as disgusted in more intimate moments? In that sense, one might almost pity him.

Qin Long didn’t know how to reply to He Tian, instinctively wanting to pull his hand away from the woman. She shot him a glare, and he froze, quickly forcing a pleased smile for her benefit. He consoled himself: he was thinking of the bigger picture. Once he got the apartment, he’d get the money. With money, he could realize his dreams and rise above others. Everything else was trivial by comparison.

He Tian sighed inwardly. For a man, it was a shameful way to live.

“Is this your elder?” He Tian asked with a puzzled, earnest look.

That simple question nearly made Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing burst out laughing in the back seat. Just three words—enough to mortify Qin Long. Sadly, since he’d chosen this path, he needed a thick skin. He managed to keep his composure. “This is my girlfriend,” he said calmly.

“Girlfriend? Nice to meet you!” He Tian didn’t hide his surprise, nodding slightly to the woman.

“Let’s go,” Qin Long said softly to her.

“My beautiful lady, would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch?” He Tian forced himself to smile, barely suppressing his disgust.

“What an honor!” The woman’s face split in a wide, trembling smile, bits of powder flaking off. She briskly shook off Qin Long’s arm.

“Come get in my car,” He Tian said, smiling and rolling up the window.

He started the engine, watching as the woman, heedless of the stunned Qin Long, hurried to her BMW and followed.

He Tian’s lips curled in a smile, his attention lingering on Qin Long—just as Qin Long snapped out of his daze, calling after the woman.

He Tian’s grin grew colder. “Perfect! I wonder how Qin Long feels right now?” Wang Xinrou gave He Tian a thumbs-up.

“Just wait, there’s more to come. Get ready to play your part,” He Tian said, suddenly pulling the car over.

The BMW behind them stopped as well. Qin Long caught up, breathless.

The woman leaned out the window, about to ask why He Tian had stopped. He Tian got out, hands in pockets, projecting a roguish charm. The woman’s eyes lit up, full of desire. He Tian shuddered internally—he could hardly stand it. Where did all these predatory women come from?

“Handsome, what’s the matter?” she asked, batting her lashes.

“I just remembered, I already promised someone else. Sorry! Xinrou, Bingbing, you can come out now.” He Tian lowered the window.

Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing stepped out, smiling, and each took an arm, standing close to He Tian.

“Sorry, truly! Maybe next time we can have lunch together,” He Tian shrugged, feigning regret.

The BMW woman now realized she’d been played. Her face darkened visibly.

Qin Long caught up at that moment. “Lingling! Lingling!”

“Hmph…” She shot him a look of utter disdain, slammed the accelerator, and sped off.

Such humiliation—she knew exactly whom to blame. She instantly forgot how well Qin Long had served her. He was left standing there, face blanching and flushing by turns. This was utter disgrace.

Worse still, the apartment, the money—everything he’d almost had slipped through his fingers, all because of He Tian, and, by extension, Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing. He wished he could kill the three of them—well, maybe not the women—but it was only a fantasy. He knew full well he was no match for He Tian.

So, he could only swallow his rage for now, though already scheming how to get revenge.

Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing shot him cold, indifferent looks as they got into the car, not sparing him another glance.

He Tian, however, walked over to Qin Long. “I told you, I thought you were a decent guy. But you made the wrong choice,” He Tian said with a slight shake of his head.

“My choices are none of your business. Why did you have to ruin things for me today?” Qin Long snapped.

“Want to hit me?” He Tian eyed Qin Long’s clenched fists with a faint smile.

“You…” Qin Long looked at He Tian, whose casual demeanor and contemptuous gaze forced him to unclench his fists.

“You’re free to make your own choices, and I’m not one to judge. Today was just to help Xinrou vent her anger. Don’t you think your current actions insult the way you once pursued her? Honestly, there are plenty of women out there who could fulfill your wishes. Lose one, and there will always be another. Suit yourself,” He Tian laughed lightly as he turned to leave.

If they ever ran into Qin Long again, not even Wang Xinrou would bother to toy with him.

He Tian left. Qin Long stood frozen, fists tightening as he watched the car drive away, his eyes full of malice. After a long time, he collected himself, took out his phone, and dialed, quickly plastering on a smile. “Lingling… Where are you? I’ll come find you…”

Well, a dog can’t stop itself from eating filth—especially when the “food” is right in front of its nose.

“Hahaha!” Wang Xinrou laughed heartily. “Serves him right!” Ouyang Bingbing didn’t hesitate to add.

“This world… there really are all kinds of people! Mad men, mad women, so many extremes. It’s a pity,” He Tian shook his head. While he knew these were only isolated cases, society as a whole had lost much of its former simplicity—a fact impossible to ignore. The economy had developed, living standards had risen, but in other ways, so much had been lost. Who could say if this was progress or decline?

“Oh, come on! Enough with the sighing! This is all because you’re too handsome! It’s your fault! Qin Long is probably dying of jealousy right now!” Wang Xinrou teased with a laugh.

“Is it a crime to be handsome? Well, if so, let me keep making that mistake. The more, the better!” He Tian replied shamelessly.

Wang Xinrou and Ouyang Bingbing couldn’t help but burst out laughing.