Chapter Seventy-Two: The Dream Chaser

At this time, plane tickets were hard to come by, especially since so many students were heading to the capital for the start of the school term. Looking at the expensive days ahead, Cheng Xiaoyu had planned to save money by booking an economy seat, but for the earliest flight only business class remained.

Cheng Xiaoyu parked his Ferrari at the airport, called Wang Ou to ask for a favor in covering his absence, and paid for it with a week’s worth of deluxe meals at the cafeteria. No sooner had he stepped out of the car than he ran into someone unexpected—Sun Jingyao. Sun Jingyao was a signed artist under Shanghe Records' performing arts division, connected to the company through Su Weilan, and she was catching an early flight to the capital for a publicity event.

She now knew Cheng Xiaoyu was the heir to Shanghe Records, but also that he was the illegitimate son no one favored. When their eyes met, both felt a touch of awkwardness. Cheng Xiaoyu glanced at Sun Jingyao’s delicate beauty and her figure, even more striking than Xu Qinning’s, recalling the sensation of that unforgettable night. He couldn’t help but smile at her, nodding in acknowledgment—a gesture of greeting.

Beautiful women are easily forgiven, especially since he had indeed acted out of line. Sun Jingyao was surprised that Cheng Xiaoyu would greet her and managed a strained smile in return. Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t dwell on it, slinging a small travel bag over his shoulder and heading for the terminal.

As luck would have it, they were on the same flight. Sun Jingyao’s assistant sat in economy, while Sun Jingyao herself was in business class. She was still just a minor celebrity, not yet at the level where her assistant could share in the privileges of her status.

Unfortunately for her, she was seated right next to Cheng Xiaoyu. She actually didn’t want to make small talk; the kind of talkative, overweight rich boys were the ones she disliked most, having been pestered for half a year by one such second-generation heir.

Cheng Xiaoyu took the aisle seat; Sun Jingyao had the window. Once seated, he requested a blanket from the flight attendant, donned his headphones, and settled in to sleep. He was listening to his own recordings—four songs, all already pressed onto disc.

Sun Jingyao, ever wary of the wealthy, felt relieved to see Cheng Xiaoyu put on his headphones, taking it as a sign he wouldn’t bother her. Though she remembered his impromptu guitar performance in the snow that night with admiration, she understood from her time in the industry that talent and good character were two separate things.

She had always kept herself above reproach, once even berating a famous national director who had hinted at trading favors for a role. The director, in turn, spread rumors that she had tried to seduce him but was rebuffed. Hearing such gossip secondhand had left her in tears, but with no backing and little fame, she was forced to struggle in the entertainment world to pay for her sister’s dialysis after she was diagnosed with kidney failure.

Her original dream was to graduate from university, find a job she loved, marry someone she cared for, and live a peaceful, ordinary life. But life, as it often does, had other plans. For her sister’s sake, she had done many things against her will. Though her figure was alluring, her mind was deeply conservative. Looking at herself posing provocatively in magazines had brought her to tears, yet every morning she still faced the life she disliked.

She had considered marrying into wealth just for convenience, but she still clung to a gentle hope for true love. She hadn’t even had her first kiss; her first love at the beginning of her sophomore year was shattered by her sister’s illness, but she never complained. She had initiated the breakup, dropped out of school, and switched to modeling. Having won the Miss Tourism title for Central China, her path into show business unfolded naturally.

Cheng Xiaoyu, of course, knew nothing of Sun Jingyao’s story—he was sound asleep. The night before, he had read up on Slim Fox Net until late, and had risen early for his flight, still not fully rested.

Though business class seats were spacious, Cheng Xiaoyu, sleeping deeply, inevitably leaned his head toward Sun Jingyao. Embarrassed to push him awake, Sun Jingyao twisted her body to keep as far from him as possible.

Noticing Cheng Xiaoyu drooling in his sleep, Sun Jingyao, with admirable patience, dabbed at his mouth with a tissue, afraid he might drip on her.

Cheng Xiaoyu, blissfully unaware of this VIP treatment, slept soundly until landing. When he woke, the first thing he saw was Sun Jingyao, pressed up against the window, and he quickly apologized, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night and was out like a light today.”

Sun Jingyao replied coldly, “It’s fine.” Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t try to curry favor further.

As they exited the plane, he still politely bid her farewell, “Goodbye.” Sun Jingyao pretended not to hear.

Cheng Xiaoyu didn’t take offense at a beauty’s indifference. He headed straight for the parking lot. The night before, he had spent fifteen thousand renting a Lamborghini Gallardo online—not to show off, but as part of his strategy to persuade Wang Dongliang.

He signed for the car in the parking lot and drove directly into the city. With cars like a Lamborghini, even a one-day rental had a mileage limit, with steep penalties for exceeding it, but Cheng Xiaoyu wasn’t concerned about such minor expenses.

Arriving in a Ferrari and switching to a Lamborghini, all under Sun Jingyao’s watch, only confirmed in her mind that Cheng Xiaoyu was just another wealthy playboy, erasing any goodwill she’d felt for the young man singing on the street.

While driving, Cheng Xiaoyu called Wang Dongliang and arranged to meet at his office building at 11:30.

Parking the Lamborghini downstairs, Cheng Xiaoyu drew countless envious stares. When Wang Dongliang came down, Cheng Xiaoyu rolled down the window and waved him over.

The sight of the Lamborghini lit up Wang Dongliang’s face—cars and beautiful women were a man’s primal desires, impossible to refuse.

Cheng Xiaoyu got out and offered Wang Dongliang the driver’s seat. Wang hesitated, asking, “Are you sure?”

Cheng Xiaoyu grinned, “Why not? It’s just a Lamborghini.”

Wang Dongliang, overjoyed, got in. Once Cheng was in the passenger seat, Wang asked, “Where to?”

Cheng Xiaoyu chuckled, “To a man’s paradise—the Beijing Film Academy.”

Wang Dongliang didn’t overthink it. As they drove off, they passed a girl from another company in the building—someone Wang had once pursued. He rolled down the window to greet her, and, basking in her surprised and admiring gaze, floored the accelerator and sped away.

Wang Dongliang was about to report on recent developments, but Cheng Xiaoyu interrupted, “Brother Wang, let’s not talk business today. Today, let’s just enjoy life.”

Wang Dongliang, unsure of Cheng’s intentions, could only nod in agreement. All along the way, other cars yielded to the Lamborghini, and girls driving by shot admiring glances at Wang. He was thrilled and overwhelmed.

When they arrived at the film academy, Cheng Xiaoyu told Wang to wait at the gate with the car. It was lunchtime, and many students who disliked the cafeteria preferred to eat outside.

Sitting in the car, they drew curious looks from passersby. Wang Dongliang still didn’t know what Cheng was planning until Cheng spotted a beautiful, ethereal-looking girl with long hair. Pointing her out, he asked, “What do you think of that girl?”

Wang Dongliang smiled, “She’s very pretty.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Go ask for her number!”

Wang Dongliang wasn’t shy about this sort of thing, even though he’d been rejected countless times. But today he was driving a Lamborghini, which gave him limitless confidence.

He slowly drove up, rolled down the window, and said, “Excuse me, may I ask you something?”

The girl turned to see the bright yellow Lamborghini and a rather unremarkable man—not handsome, not ugly—at the wheel. Because the car was so low, she had to bend slightly to speak. “What is it? Are you lost?”

Wang Dongliang shook his head, “No, I just wanted to ask—how did you get to be so beautiful?”

Cheng Xiaoyu broke out in a cold sweat on hearing this cheesy pickup line. If someone in a Chery tried this, they’d be lucky not to get punched.

But the girl only covered her mouth and laughed, then straightened up as if to leave.

Wang quickly added, “Can we get to know each other?”

She hesitated, then nodded, took his phone, and entered her number. “Call me when you have time,” she said.

Cheng Xiaoyu watched Wang Dongliang’s face light up with delight. “Doesn’t it feel like getting a number is incredibly easy?” he asked.

Wang Dongliang nodded. Cheng continued, “Now call her and ask her out to eat. I’ve reserved a table for you at Chang’an Club. Take her straight there.” He handed Wang a black membership card—Aunt Zhou’s, which he’d borrowed the night before.

Wang Dongliang was surprised. “What about you?”

Cheng Xiaoyu grinned wickedly, “I’ll stroll around campus. After you’ve finished lunch and brought the girl back, we’ll meet up.”

Wang shook his head, “That’s not right. I can’t just leave you here.”

Cheng Xiaoyu took Wang’s phone and called the girl. The name saved was Yang Siqi. She answered quickly. Cheng said, “Hi, Qiqi, this is Wang from earlier. May I invite you to lunch?”

Yang Siqi hesitated. “But I have class at three…”

“No problem. I’ll bring you back right after lunch. I have some business nearby anyway.”

“Where to? It can’t be too far.”

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled, knowing she was on board. “Chang’an Club—a members-only club.” In the capital, Chang’an Club was a legendary luxury spot; just visiting was something to brag about.

Hearing this, she didn’t hesitate. “Okay. I’ll wait for you at the gate.”

“Great,” Cheng replied, hung up, and handed the phone back to Wang Dongliang. “See you later,” he said, getting out.

Before Wang could react, Cheng Xiaoyu was already walking away. Wang, exhilarated, thought, “This is real living!” and turned the car around to pick up Yang Siqi.

Cheng Xiaoyu watched as Wang met Yang Siqi at the gate and drove off amid admiring stares. He himself wandered into the film academy cafeteria to enjoy the view.

When it came to persuading someone, Cheng Xiaoyu had his own philosophy: don’t just talk about dreams.

No matter how grand a vision you paint, it’s just a mirage.

It’s better to let someone experience the power of money firsthand, then ask—do you want this life?

I can give it to you.