Outside the door, the young master was still pestering the butler about the 1500 yuan, refusing to believe that Qi Wendong and he were both receiving the same 3000 yuan living allowance—

Who could believe that?!

Qi Wendong was not restricted by his father on spending. How could he live on just 3000 yuan a month?!

Lin Chen smiled silently, put on his headphones, shutting out the noise outside the door, and boldly took a night off for himself.

But headphones could not block out the other voice in his mind.

The system was delighted: “Host, this counts as a huge victory in the transformation work stage, right?”

Lin Chen: “Of course, of course—but I’m on holiday, so why are you still in my head?”

The system was stunned: “Host, I, I, I am not in your head, where else would I be?”

Lin Chen said gently: “You should be working overtime on yourself, researching how Qi Wendong can get out of this peacefully in the future, instead of disturbing a hard-working person who’s finally having a rest.”

The system was shocked: “Now, you want to think about this problem?!”

Lin Chen: “Yes, the choice of method will decide when I should start preparing to exit. How about simulating the car accident? Can you do that?”

The system shyly: “Host, I’m a storyline maintenance system… I can’t do such bloody things!”

Lin Chen expressionless: “Then give me a list of exit methods you can do.”

The system worked overtime late into the night and laboriously submitted an answer:

1. Disappearance (system-level account closure, no contact anywhere!)
2. Drowning death (system-level oxygen supply, ensuring you can swim safely to the other side of the sea!)
3. Death by illness (system-level medical record tampering, ensuring trouble is found everywhere from head to toe!)
4. …

Lin Chen frowned more deeply as he read on. Among the reluctantly acceptable but unimpressive options, he chose the milder “death by illness.”

The system felt a little disappointed that the host didn’t choose the other options it was better at.

The system murmured quietly: “Disappearance is the least harmful and easiest exit method. Host, don’t you want to reconsider?”

Lin Chen decisively refused: “It must be ‘death.'”

The system resigned: “Alright, host, whatever you think is best.”

…

Certainly, Qi Xiuyi had enjoyed a very happy night.

The joy of victory and the happiness of reuniting with his father made him momentarily return to the happiest time of his life before Qi Wendong returned home.

However, when Qi Xiuyi returned to school the next day and decided to give himself a day off from makeup exam revision…

He was dumbfounded to find that, aside from reviewing, he actually couldn’t think of anything else to do.

Going to an auction house to see some good things recently? No money.

Going out to entertainment venues in the capital? No money.

Calling up some friends to go out and have fun?…

Friends?

Who?

Yu Zhiqiu and those “friends” young masters who had betrayed his expectations?

Thinking about this question, Qi Xiuyi was somewhat stunned.

After Qi Wendong was taken home and his “fake young master” status spread throughout the capital,
His former “friends” had gradually reduced contact with him.

Of course, they wouldn’t cut all ties.

At least when they met by chance on the street, they would still greet each other with smiles, chatting like they did when he first went out to buy bubble tea.

But aside from that, they no longer called him now and then to invite him out to eat, travel, or spend money, nor did they come by just to ask after his recent situation, or share gossipy tidbits…

Qi Xiuyi had long refused to think about the reasons behind this.

He preferred to simply blame all changes and unhappiness on Qi Wendong, rather than think about which parts of his “friends” were real or fake.

But today, when he could momentarily lay aside his hatred and pursuit of Qi Wendong,
These matters buried deep in his consciousness involuntarily surfaced.

Qi Xiuyi blankly stared at the ceiling for a long time, and at this moment he couldn’t even think of one person to invite out to hang out with.

In the past, he at least had Yu Zhiqiu, his closest friend, whom he could call upon anytime.

But now?

Ha!

He had already seen through it!

Yu Zhiqiu was just someone who got close to whoever was the young master of the Qi family!

The evidence was obvious—
In these past few months alone, just the times Qi Xiuyi met Yu Zhiqiu walking shoulder to shoulder with Qi Wendong on campus could be counted on one hand!

Recalling this most humiliating chapter of his social life made Qi Xiuyi so angry he could bite his teeth to pieces.

He hated Qi Wendong for, after appearing, disrupting and cutting off all his “friend” relationships around him;
But he hated even more!

Why could Qi Wendong, who clearly knew that these were “brothers” who had once betrayed him, still get along so gently and warmly with them?!

Not only that, he had overheard it quite clearly.

When Qi Wendong talked to these people, he was polite! He was gentle!

Why was it that when dealing with him!

Qi Wendong always managed to annoy him to death!!

The more Qi Xiuyi thought, the more frustrated he became.

A perfectly good rest day, he sat sulking alone in the dorm, furious.

Lin Ruyan hadn’t gone to the computer room to study today.

Instead, he was in the dormitory, not sure what he was busy packing.

Occasional faint sounds came from him.

Qi Xiuyi’s attention was drawn to these sounds.

He turned to look at Lin Ruyan and suddenly thought of the 1500 yuan from the weekend that left him feeling frustrated.

According to their previous agreement, he was supposed to give half of that money to Lin Ruyan.

But 750 yuan was far from the 12,500 yuan big pie he and Lin Ruyan had drawn before…

This, this, this was just too big a gap!!

Lin Ruyan noticed his gaze and asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong?”

Qi Xiuyi sat back in the chair, chin resting on the backrest, and said somewhat timidly, “Ruyan, I have something to tell you. Please don’t be mad.”

Lin Ruyan was more puzzled. “Go ahead.”

Qi Xiuyi whispered, “I, I only found out yesterday that Qi Wendong’s living allowance was the same as mine—3000 yuan a month.”

Qi Xiuyi hurriedly patched, “But, but don’t worry! I’ll go home soon and tell them about our previous agreement… My family definitely won’t shortchange you on your tutor fees!”

Lin Ruyan was taken aback and said hesitantly, “Thanks, but… if senior Qi Wendong only gets 3000 yuan living allowance, maybe we shouldn’t take half of his money?”

Qi Xiuyi scratched his head irritably, “Ah, it’s fine, don’t worry so much about him. If he has no money, he can always ask his family. They definitely won’t refuse him…”

Qi Xiuyi hesitated in the middle of his words. Then seriously looked at Lin Ruyan.

Right!

How did he forget?

Lin Ruyan was his friend too!

If he couldn’t invite anyone else, inviting Lin Ruyan out was good too!

The more Qi Xiuyi thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. Immediately, he pretended not to care and asked, “Ah? Ruyan, do you not have classes this afternoon?… I want to take a day off today and go out to have fun.”

Lin Ruyan said helplessly, “Ah, not today. I have to go out this afternoon.”

He pointed at his backpack.

Qi Xiuyi: “It’s fine! Where are you going? To have fun? I can come with you. Take me along, Ruyan!”

Lin Ruyan whispered, “Going to the hospital… for regular checkup and some medicine.”

Qi Xiuyi’s smile stiffened.

Looking closely, he realized Lin Ruyan was counting money and putting it into his backpack.

The money inside was scattered, including even the five-jiao bills and various coins.

Qi Xiuyi immediately lost interest and lay back on the chair again.

But he had a question that had puzzled him for a long time: “By the way… you live so hard, don’t your parents help you?”

If it was someone else, this question might be considered offensive.

But Lin Ruyan already knew his roommate’s personality very well. He knew that when he spoke, he never meant more than the words said.

He helplessly but good-naturedly explained to his roommate: “My mother died when I was very young. My father… it’s a bit complicated. They really can’t help me.”

Lin Ruyan hesitated and said, “My older brother has graduated and started working, and he used to send me living expenses regularly…”

Qi Xiuyi realized his offense and was about to apologize but sharply caught the keyword: “Used to?”

Lin Ruyan said sadly, “Yes. My brother suddenly disappeared these past few months, we can’t get in touch at all.”

Lin Ruyan sighed, “But my brother never really liked me much. Besides sending money, we almost never communicated. We haven’t seen each other for many years. He probably doesn’t even know that I have started college… maybe he just finally figured it out and blocked me.”

Lin Ruyan zipped up his backpack and suddenly smiled at Qi Xiuyi: “Forget it, why bother talking about this… I’m going out now and will be back late. Remember to bring your keys so you don’t lock yourself out again.”

Qi Xiuyi blankly replied, “Ah… okay.”

Just like that, he watched Lin Ruyan lean on his crutch and leave the dorm.

After the dorm door closed, he stayed still for a while and suddenly cursed quietly: “Damn, what kind of brother is that!”

Compared to other people’s blocked older brothers, Qi Xiuyi suddenly felt that Qi Wendong wasn’t so unpleasant after all.

He really couldn’t stand sitting alone in the dorm today feeling miserable, so he simply went out and knocked on the door of room 509.

The roommates in 509 already knew Qi Xiuyi very well. When they saw him open the door, they immediately shouted inside: “Wendong, your little brother is here again!”

Qi Xiuyi was annoyed: “…I’m not his brother! Who’s brother and who’s not is still up in the air!”

The roommates laughed happily.

Qi Wendong came out from the bathroom, looking puzzled at him.

Qi Xiuyi didn’t hold back and dragged him out of the dorm, saying: “Qi Wendong, just be honest. How much living allowance do you actually get?”

He told about his agreement with his roommate and said irritably: “750! He taught me for three whole months. I just can’t put this 750 on the table!”

Qi Wendong found it incredibly annoying: “You really have a knack for making empty promises, Qi Xiuyi.”

Qi Xiuyi: “…I don’t care! Qi Wendong, you think of a way quickly!”

Qi Wendong snorted lightly: “I told you no way you could have reviewed so much content on your own in such a short time… Fine, fine, I’ll talk to Dad about this. Satisfied? Don’t make us look like liars!”

Qi Wendong said impatiently and, using “taking a nap” as an excuse, shook his head and entered the room, shutting the door.

Qi Xiuyi was still considering whether to just drag Qi Wendong out to play with him, but turned around and found himself ruthlessly locked outside the door!

Qi Xiuyi was furious.

…Qi Wendong!

Damn it! If he doesn’t want to play with me, then he can find fun by himself!

Qi Xiuyi angrily turned and left, thinking of how he could use the small four-figure sum of money he had to go out and play.

Before, he could have messed around with his precious antique collection.

Those things were enough for him to indulge in all afternoon!

But after Qi Wendong came along, all those things were confiscated by the family. He hadn’t seen his precious collectibles for at least four months.

Ah, ah, ah! If only he had taken the chance last night to ask Dad to give those things back!

Qi Xiuyi unknowingly wandered out of the dorm building.

He wandered aimlessly on campus, not knowing where to go.

Suddenly, a voice called out behind him, “Qi student!” Qi Xiuyi instinctively turned around—

A strange teacher ran over beside him and warmly shook his hand.

The strange teacher said, “Ah, Qi student, seeing you in person is better than hearing about you a hundred times! Hello, hello, I am the teacher in charge of the archaeology club. I heard your family has a rich collection of antiques… Our archaeology club plans to hold an exhibition this semester, but we have very limited items… so I came to ask if you would be willing to lend your collection. Our club will definitely…”

Antiques.

Collection.

Exhibition??

Qi Xiuyi was stunned, vaguely hearing the teacher’s invitation as if from another world.

Such an invitation, in the past, he wouldn’t have given it much thought.

But now, no matter which word he heard in those words, his heart pounded rapidly, carrying the greatest joy that had filled his entire life many months ago, all rushing back into his memory.

Now looking back, he could even clearly count which items he had in his collection and under what circumstances they were obtained. Every bit of memory was crystal clear.

Qi Xiuyi was very sure that once he put his entire collection on display…

At least within the entire capital, industry insiders would surely scramble for tickets to his exhibition!

Qi Xiuyi was extremely tempted.

But he was equally miserable.

Because now… none of those collections were in his hands!

Qi Xiuyi replied with difficulty, “I… I’ll consider it…”

Before he could finish talking, the club teacher tightly held his hand, speaking sincerely: “Ah, Qi student, such opportunities are rare! Here, this is my contact information. You must think carefully and give me a call whenever you are ready…”

After this, Qi Xiuyi lost all interest in going out to play.

He thought hard and turned back to his dorm, tossing and turning to think about this matter thoroughly.

Exhibition…

Exhibition!

To put on an exhibition of his collection!

The more Qi Xiuyi thought about it, the more he could not suppress this desire. After hesitating for a moment, he tried calling his father.

“Beep—beep—”

“The phone you dialed is currently not answering…”

“Beep—beep—”

“The phone you dialed is currently not answering…”

“Damn!”

Qi Xiuyi angrily threw his phone on the ground!

What’s up with Dad?!

Didn’t he just say last night that he would treat him and Qi Wendong equally, considering them both his children?

How come in just one night, his calls go unanswered again?!

Is this what he calls equal treatment? Huh?!

Was Dad’s warmth last night just a fleeting and false thing bought with his grades?!

Qi Xiuyi suddenly felt wronged, lost, and extremely sad.

Dad was ignoring him.

He didn’t have any friends to invite him out either.

His hobbies were impossible to pursue.

Even Qi Wendong had locked him outside the dorm!

He…

He…

Damn it, it’s all Qi Wendong’s fault again!!

Just then, his cheerful phone ringtone suddenly rang.

Qi Xiuyi was startled, fumbling to pick up the phone, only to find it was his Dad calling back!

He was in disbelief and shook as he answered.

Qi Xiuyi: “…Dad?”

Dad’s voice was as calm and steady as ever. “Just been busy. What’s up?”

Qi Xiuyi’s collapsed state of mind couldn’t immediately respond.

He was dumbstruck in place, mouth open, unable to say anything for a long time.

Until Qi Jingming called him again, Qi Xiuyi finally came to his senses.

Holding back his excitement and nervousness, he shyly said, “Dad, I… I want to discuss something with you… I just ran into…”

“So I was wondering if I could put my previously purchased collectibles on display? They might as well be out than just stored away, and it could help with the club’s activities…”

Qi Jingming gently tapped the table and patiently listened to his son’s words.

On the table before him, another phone’s screen clearly displayed the recent chat record he had with his other “son.”

After a rare phone call after four months last night, the joyful voice of Qi Xiuyi repeatedly surfaced in his mind.

Even Qi Jingming, who previously could call coldly every day without hesitation, found it hard to make that choice again today.

Therefore, after just a three-second hesitation,

Qi Jingming contacted Lin Chen, and through strong persuasion and various assurances, finally obtained the host’s consent to another call.

But this consent was given under the condition of “real-time synchronized chat records”.

Just when Qi Jingming heard of Qi Xiuyi’s request,

He immediately received a long text message, so quick that Qi Jingming suspected it might have been a preprepared copy-paste message waiting to be sent at this very moment.

His twenty-nine million son: [Allowed. But with the following conditions:…]

Qi Jingming responded according to the content of the message, “Okay, if it’s for an exhibition, those collectibles can be temporarily unsealed.”

“But I have one condition. The exhibition must be held in the name of the Qi family. The planning of the exhibition must also be undertaken by our people…”

“How about this, Xiuyi, why don’t you ask Wendong if he has time and is willing to take over this? If he agrees, go ahead. If not, forget it.”

When Qi Xiuyi heard Qi Jingming’s first words, he rejoiced.

Just as he was about to smile halfway, he then heard Qi Jingming mention Qi Wendong’s name.

Qi Xiuyi instantly got nervous.

He jumped up from the bed, shouted incredulously, “No, Dad, these collectibles were obviously bought by me! It was me whom the archaeology club found and invited to hold the event! Why are you letting Qi Wendong handle it?!”

Qi Jingming gently asked him, “Have you ever been responsible for any event before? Can you organize an exhibition well?”

Qi Xiuyi was so angry his face turned red: “I-I can! And the archaeology club teacher can help too!”

Qi Jingming calmly continued, “Organizing an exhibition involves dealing with many, many people, especially those ordinary classmates you have never interacted with… Can you guarantee you can communicate and get along well with them?”

Qi Xiuyi’s voice faltered.

Indeed, he didn’t get along well with ordinary classmates. For example, those three scholarship teachers hardly interacted with him outside of tutoring…

But, Lin Ruyan, his roommate, they could get along well. No problem!

If so, then if he tried hard, he could definitely get along with other ordinary classmates!

Qi Xiuyi: “I… I certainly can!”

Qi Xiuyi hurriedly jumped up from the bed: “Dad! Qi Wendong knows nothing about antiques. How can he be entrusted with this?!

I can do it, Dad! You have to trust me!”