CHAPTER 198: CHAPTER 198: TOO LATE FOR REGRETS

She had originally thought this deal wouldn’t go through.

Beside them, Zhou Xiangqiao sneered, still convinced Xia Liang was just putting on a brave face to trick her.

Meanwhile, Liu Hui quickly pulled out the POS machine.

Xia Liang swiped his card and entered the password, all in one smooth motion.

The transaction for four Yuan and two cents was approved, and the receipt printed out.

Not only was Zhou Xiangqiao stunned, but even Shi Qiang was speechless.

"Fuck! Brother Xia, where’d you get the money?"

Xia Liang calmly patted his shoulder. "I’ve already given in. Wouldn’t it have been better for you to give in sooner? Just follow the family’s arrangements. Don’t you want to drive luxury cars and live in a mansion? Look at yourself now."

Xia Liang shot a scornful glance at Zhou Xiangqiao. "You can’t even land trash like her."

With that, he put his arm around Shi Qiang’s shoulders. "Come on, go with me to sign the contract first."

Ignoring Zhou Xiangqiao, Xiao Hui led them to the lounge.

It took over ten seconds for Zhou Xiangqiao to snap out of her daze.

He actually bought it! Four Yuan and two cents! And he paid in full, for crying out loud!

At that moment, Zhou Xiangqiao was consumed by regret. She hadn’t just lost a sale; she had thrown away the chance to get to know a rich second-generation heir! This guy was so much better than the one currently pursuing her, the one who had just bought a car with a down payment.

Moreover, she thought she’d overheard something shocking.

It sounds like Shi Qiang is a rich second-generation heir too! He’s just having a fight with his family! Damn it!

In the three months she had been with Shi Qiang, Zhou Xiangqiao had never once asked about his family. After all, she never considered marrying him. How could a guy who could only scrape together two cents a month possibly be a rich second-generation heir?

But now, something seemed off. Xia Liang was clearly a rich heir himself, casually buying a watch worth more than ten Yuan and a car that cost four Yuan. If Shi Qiang could hang out with people like that, he must be from the same social circle. That meant Shi Qiang could afford it too, but chose not to because of his principles. It was just as Xia Liang had said.

He fought with his family, so they cut off his cards! She had seen that plot on TV countless times. Xia Liang didn’t even have to say it; Zhou Xiangqiao’s imagination filled in the rest.

This... This...

Thinking back to how Shi Qiang had relentlessly pursued her while she gave him the cold shoulder, she was instantly filled with regret. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how to make amends.

On the other side, Shi Qiang’s mind was a complete muddle. He originally thought Xia Liang had just brought him here to show off. But this pretense had turned into a real power move. A four-Yuan car, paid in full, just like that.

"What are you looking at me for?" Xia Liang said casually. "I’m not interested in men."

Damn it! Shi Qiang’s face darkened. "I’m not interested in men either."

Liu Hui was preparing their contract. After a brief glance, Xia Liang signed it with a grand flourish. He wasn’t worried about being scammed. A major international brand like this had enormous annual fees to maintain its reputation. Why would they do something so self-destructive for a quick buck?

In just half an hour, they went from looking at the car to owning it and driving out of the dealership. It was the first time Liu Hui had ever seen anyone buy a car so quickly.

Zhou Xiangqiao, however, was lost in her own thoughts as she watched Xia Liang and Shi Qiang walk toward the exit.

"Don’t worry! I’ll definitely introduce you to a real knockout later! Way better looking than her!"

Hearing Xia Liang’s voice, Zhou Xiangqiao was overcome with regret.

Once, a rich second-generation heir who loved me was standing right in front of me, but I didn’t cherish him. Only now that I’ve lost him do I feel endless regret. If heaven gave me another chance, I definitely wouldn’t let him go.

Watching Xia Liang and Shi Qiang get into the car, Zhou Xiangqiao suddenly felt the distance between her and Shi Qiang widen enormously. If before she felt she was in the lead with Shi Qiang chasing desperately behind her, now it was as if Shi Qiang had just lapped her in a Ferrari, leaving her in the dust.

No! It can’t end like this! A fire of determination ignited within Zhou Xiangqiao. He liked me so much before. He won’t give up that easily. I still have a chance!

She remembered she still had Shi Qiang’s WeChat and his phone number. She felt she could still do something to make up for it.

It’s true that Shi Qiang isn’t very good-looking, and I don’t really like him, but that’s just how the real world works. What good is ’like’? Can you eat it? He couldn’t even support himself, so what right did he have to talk about love?

In her mind, Shi Qiang was now a rich second-generation heir, one who was completely smitten with her. A rich second-generation heir who would bend to her every whim. Isn’t that better than those rich kids you have to chase after, always trying to guess what they’re thinking?

With these thoughts, Zhou Xiangqiao sat back down in the lounge. She took out her phone and opened her chat with Shi Qiang, but she didn’t know what to say. After a moment’s thought, she closed it. Xia Liang was right beside him.

Anything I say now probably won’t be very effective. I guess I’ll wait until tonight.

「Inside the Ferrari 488」

Shi Qiang had clearly just processed everything. "Holy shit! Brother Xia, you really bought it?"

"What else?" Xia Liang shot back, his tone as nonchalant as ever.

"But you... I... Holy shit!" Shi Qiang was so flustered he couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

Xia Liang remained perfectly calm. "Don’t get excited. This is just the beginning. Right now, we’re not talking about me; we’re talking about you."

"Me?" Hearing the topic shift to him, Shi Qiang was confused all over again. "But Xiangqiao completely ignored me just now." His expression fell as he spoke.

"Ignored you?" Xia Liang chuckled softly. "You’ll see what happens tonight. For now, I’m taking you somewhere to relax."

"Relax? Where are we going?"

Shi Qiang seemed like a total novice. Xia Liang didn’t bother explaining and just said vaguely, "You’ll know when we get there."

Soon, the two arrived in front of a club.

...

Shi Qiang was dumbfounded. He grabbed Xia Liang, who was about to go inside. "This is what you meant by ’relax’?"

"What else?" Xia Liang retorted. "When in doubt, go for a massage; if you’re troubled, get a foot rub."

"But!"

Seeing Shi Qiang was about to protest again, Xia Liang patted him on the shoulder. "Brother, don’t assume the worst about everything. Don’t think this is some shady establishment just because the hostesses are wearing high-slit cheongsams. That’s just a marketing gimmick. Look at your Xiangqiao. She plays games with you and is dating two other guys, but you still think she has her reasons and is a good woman, right?"

"Phew—"

Hearing that, Shi Qiang finally let out a sigh of relief. He’d never been to a place like this before; his only exposure was from movies and novels, where clubs were always portrayed as unsavory places.

The female manager in the lobby saw them. She was experienced. Since the club opened, she had seen pairs of men hesitating at the entrance almost every day. They were potential customers. If she didn’t welcome them, they might just leave.

She immediately stepped forward and said, "Two handsome young men, since you’re here, why not come in and relax?"