The Rogue Villager Chen Erbao

Zhang Yiyi had been Chen Erbao's secret crush in college. She was a lot of people's secret crush, actually.

She was gorgeous, with the pure face of a goddess and a figure that was beyond words. Most importantly, Zhang Yiyi had a wonderful personality. She was kind and agreeable to everyone and never argued with anyone.

A girl that exceptional was bound to be the object of everyone's affection at school. But back then, Chen Erbao was just an unremarkable nobody, so he only dared to fantasize about her in secret. He never dreamed that anything could ever happen between him and a goddess-like campus belle.

They had been on good terms in college, but they went their separate ways after graduation and rarely stayed in touch.

So a sudden phone call from her...

Chen Erbao held his phone, lost in thought.

'Did she see on the news that I'm rich now and wants to cozy up to me?'

he thought, his old loser mentality flaring up.

He answered the phone, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind.

"Hello, old classmate?"

"Hey there, Chen Erbao!"

A sweet, playful voice came from the other end of the line.

A familiar flutter stirred in Chen Erbao's chest.

Even though he had plenty of women in his life now, Chen Erbao still held a special feeling for Zhang Yiyi. It wasn't about her looks or her figure; it was the kind of flutter one feels for an unrequited first love, an idealized memory, even though they had never actually dated.

"So, how have you been?"

Chen Erbao suppressed his complex emotions.

"I'm doing okay... Hey, are you free this weekend?"

"?"

Chen Erbao's heart skipped a beat.

'What does she mean?'

'Is she asking me out?'

Chen Erbao steadied his voice.

"The weekend... Not too busy. Why, what's up?"

"Well, our old class president from college, Wang Yong, is organizing a reunion for all of us who are still in Hongyuan City. We haven't all gotten together since graduation, so he thought it would be a good way to reconnect. I remembered you're from Hongyuan, so I wanted to see if you were free..."

A clear image of Wang Yong materialized in Chen Erbao's mind as soon as he heard the name.

Wang Yong came from a wealthy family and spent money freely, which made him a big shot in college. He was relentlessly pursuing Zhang Yiyi back then, but she hadn't agreed to date him, even by graduation.

Chen Erbao never had a good impression of Wang Yong. He was generous with girls, but back in the dorms, he was an arrogant prick who ordered all the other guys around. Everyone was intimidated by his family's wealth, so no one dared to stand up to him.

Chen Erbao distinctly remembered having to wash Wang Yong's socks for a week just because he'd lost a game of dice to him...

"Wang Yong, huh..."

Chen Erbao paused, then asked teasingly,

"He was always after you. Did you finally give in?"

"No way! I haven't had any contact with him since graduation... Didn't I tell you before? I don't like him. There's no way I'd ever date him."

Chen Erbao knew this was true. Wang Yong had pursued Zhang Yiyi aggressively in college, buying her tons of gifts and putting her on the spot with public confessions several times, which always made things incredibly awkward for her.

But Wang Yong didn't have a good reputation at school. He used his family's money to look down on everyone, and he'd had a ton of girlfriends. The number of girls he'd slept with during his four years of college could probably form a reinforced platoon!

"Alright, just name the time. I'm free this weekend."

Hearing Chen Erbao agree, Zhang Yiyi's voice immediately brightened.

"That's great! If you go, I'll go. Otherwise, there's no point. Wang Yong will probably try to ask me out again, and I'm so sick of it. You have to be my shield, okay? ... How about Saturday night?"

"No problem. Just send me the address."

"Okay, I'll let Wang Yong know. I'll talk to you later then. Bye!"

"Bye."

After hanging up, Chen Erbao checked the time. It was Thursday.

'One more day. I'll take care of things at the company, then head into the city.'

As soon as he heard Wang Yong was the one organizing the reunion, Chen Erbao knew what was up.

Chen Erbao knew exactly what kind of guy he was. The fact that he was inviting Zhang Yiyi made his intentions crystal clear.

And Zhang Yiyi asking him to come along was, without a doubt, a move to use him as a human shield.

He couldn't really call it being used, though. After all, Zhang Yiyi had been up front about it, and he was more than happy to play the part.

Thinking about his current net worth, Chen Erbao felt a surge of satisfaction. The old saying couldn't be more fitting: the wheel of fortune turns, so never look down on a young man for being poor.

The sky had grown completely dark. Chen Erbao sat in his office for a little longer, then grabbed his phone and got ready to head home.

When he reached the factory gate, Xie Lei was standing ramrod straight. He snapped a salute at Chen Erbao.

"President Chen!"

Chen Erbao offered him a cigarette.

"We're just getting started, so we're a little short-staffed. Keep a sharp eye out tonight. I know it's hard work, but stick with it, and I'll give you a promotion and a raise soon."

"Yes, sir! I guarantee I'll carry out your orders, President Chen!"

Xie Lei's chubby face broke into a huge smile.

Chen Erbao got in his car and headed for Bailong Village.

Xie Lei had mentioned in a previous chat that he was a veteran, so Chen Erbao was pretty confident in his ability to get things done.

Last time, if Chen Dabao hadn't rushed out first, Xie Lei would have been right there with his electric baton, ready for a fight.

'I should set up my own security company when I have time,' he thought. 'One that works exclusively for me. It'll save me the trouble of hiring outsiders later on.'

Chen Erbao drove on, the idea turning over in his mind.

SCREECH!!

He slammed on the brakes, smacking himself on the forehead with a look of regret.

"I promised Zhiqing I'd take her on a trip to Changbai Mountain tomorrow... and the reunion is the day after. How am I going to manage this?!"

He quickly pulled out his phone and called Lin Zhiqing.

"Babe!"

"Ew, talk normally! You're giving me goosebumps!"

Lin Zhiqing cringed at his pet name, a look of mock disgust on her face.

Chen Erbao chuckled sheepishly and stammered,

"So, I was planning on taking you out tomorrow, but... something important came up for the day after..."

"Hmph! So you're bailing on me tomorrow, aren't you? The second you called, I had a feeling the trip was off!"

Lin Zhiqing's voice sounded pouty, but she didn't seem truly angry.

Chen Erbao quickly tried to placate her.

"It just came up so suddenly... How about this? After Saturday, I'll take you on Sunday. I promise I'll plan everything perfectly and make sure you have an amazing time. What do you say?"

"You jerk... Fine, fine, I forgive you this time. I know you're busy with work. Sigh, but I already finished packing!"

Lin Zhiqing grumbled.

"What kind of gift do you want? I'll bring it to you on Sunday."

Chen Erbao went straight for the wallet-soothing approach.

It wasn't that Lin Zhiqing was short on money, but a gift from her man was completely different from something she'd buy for herself.

At this, Lin Zhiqing's face finally lit up.

"You can decide what to buy. As long as it's from you, I'll love it~"

"Hehe, okay. See you Sunday. Mwah!"

"You're impossible... Mwah, mwah!"

Hanging up, Chen Erbao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

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