Chapter 3: Classmates? No, Best Friends!

"What are you doing? Want to fight? Today is Menghan’s birthday, I’m not fighting you."

Li Shuo’s memories were interrupted by Kang Tao. He looked up to see him leaning against the door of Jiang Menghan’s house, staring at him with full vigilance.

"Where is your mind at? I’m just here to clear things up with you."

Li Shuo sighed, "After all, we were high school classmates for three years. Once we head off to university and enter society, we’ll never see each other again. Actually, the reason I gave Jiang Menghan peonies was because of that exact thought..."

Kang Tao was a bit confused, but thinking about Li Shuo’s actions today, he actually started to believe him.

Li Shuo continued, "Look at me, I was being a bit sentimental today because of some things. In truth, it’s mainly because I feel like I can’t keep up with Jiang Menghan anymore. Coming here today is, in a way, my way of saying goodbye to her and to our high school days."

"Besides, even if I wanted to keep pursuing Menghan now, it’s impossible anyway. The peonies have already been given away."

Hearing Li Shuo’s words, Kang Tao’s body stiffened. He felt that Li Shuo was right; Jiang Menghan was beautiful, and deep down, she was incredibly proud. Since Li Shuo had given flowers that symbolized a farewell, the impression left in Jiang Menghan’s heart must be terrible.

After thinking for a moment, Kang Tao gave him a rare smile. "Alright, I believe you. From today on, we’re... uh, just good classmates..."

He hesitated, unsure whether he should reach out to shake Li Shuo’s hand.

Li Shuo grabbed his hesitant hand and shook it. "Classmates don't have a special relationship like ours. From now on, we’re friends. When we come back from university, let’s hang out during winter break. Come on, let’s add each other on QQ..."

He vaguely remembered that Kang Tao’s talent for being a "simp" was astonishing; he had actually lowered his entrance exam score by 30 points just to get into the same university as Jiang Menghan. This spirit was worth commending. Li Shuo decided to let Kang Tao be Jiang Menghan’s goalkeeper and help him out when necessary

When the time came, anyone trying to pursue Jiang Menghan would have to get past this "simp" first. He could effectively prevent the school beauty from becoming confused in her thinking after entering university, losing sight of her future path, and ultimately losing her principles by choosing an ordinary person as a boyfriend.

Sigh, he really was breaking his heart for these classmates.

As the two were talking, the security door across the hall opened with a "creak." A person wearing a stocking mask walked out. Upon seeing Li Shuo and Kang Tao, the person froze, then immediately turned and ran quickly down the stairs.

Kang Tao was stunned for a second and instinctively shouted, "A thief! Quick... mmph..."

As soon as the shout left his mouth, Li Shuo covered it. He said directly, "Go check if there’s anyone inside and if anything is missing..."

While saying this, he had already strode into the room next door.

Kang Tao was a bit dazed, thinking: *There’s a thief, and you’re asking if there’s anyone inside? And why did you cover my mouth?*

"Move."

The next moment, Shao Yiying pushed him aside and was the second to enter the room.

Kang Tao scratched his head, his face full of confusion...

...

After entering, Li Shuo looked around the room: the corrupt official’s private residence wasn't as opulent as he had imagined. It was barely renovated; the TV wall was empty, and it didn't look like anyone lived there at all.

"High schooler, get out. This isn't a place for you!"

A cold voice came from behind. Li Shuo turned his head to see his future cousin-in-law, Shao Yiying, who had already entered. Her gaze was icy as she stared at him, as if she wanted to see right through him.

"Who are you? Do you know there was a thief here?" Li Shuo picked up his phone, pretending to call the police.

He definitely had to call the police. He didn't come in to take the dirty money; a clean, legitimate reward was his primary goal.

Shao Yiying’s gaze softened slightly as she watched Li Shuo make the call and report the address.

After he hung up, Shao Yiying said, "Alright, you’ve reported it. Now get out!"

Li Shuo didn't move, acting very annoyed. "Who are you? With that bossy attitude, someone who didn't know better would think you were the owner of this place."

"You!"

Shao Yiying gritted her teeth. After a few seconds, she said, "I am indeed the owner of this place. Thank you for calling the police; you can leave now."

Li Shuo curled his lip. "Trying to fool a kid? You were standing outside the whole time, and you didn't even yell when the thief ran away. Now you say you're the owner? Who would believe that?"

Shao Yiying glared at him fiercely, thinking that the police would arrive soon and time was tight; she couldn't wait any longer.

She slammed the door shut and, ignoring Li Shuo, began searching the room one item at a time...

"Hey, what are you looking for? You aren't the thief's accomplice, are you? Hey, I'm asking you."

Li Shuo’s goal had actually already been achieved. The only reason he stayed was simply because he remembered the look in his cousin-in-law’s eyes from his past life. Back then, she had much more charm than she did now; her eyes were like hooks.

"Shut up!"

Shao Yiying retorted sharply. She took a deep breath and added, "High schooler, do you like money?"

Li Shuo replied, "Of course I do."

"Good. Then shut your mouth. When the police arrive later, just say you didn't see anything. Once it's done, I’ll give you a huge reward!" Shao Yiying promised.

Li Shuo curled his lip and muttered, "You aren't planning on doing something illegal, are you? I won't do that!"

Shao Yiying said impatiently, "Aren't your eyes working? If it were illegal, you can report me when the police get here!"

*Report you for what? That future cousin of mine who relies on you for his promotion is still working under your uncle, the bureau chief.*

Li Shuo rolled his eyes internally and said, "Beauty, this must be your first time bribing someone."

Shao Yiying asked while rummaging through things, "What makes you say that?"

"Because you’re not professional at all. You said you’d give me a 'huge' reward—how much is huge?"

Shao Yiying was stunned. She glanced at Li Shuo, thinking that this high schooler was actually quite sharp.

She had originally intended to give him a little money to send him away after she was done, but now she increased the amount

"As long as you shut up and stay quiet now, I’ll give you a 50,000 yuan cash reward."

Li Shuo rolled his eyes and said "in surprise," "Wow, that much? This place is decorated so simply, and since the thief was here, there are no signs of a struggle. How can you be sure that whatever was taken from here is worth 50,000?"

Shao Yiying choked, not knowing what to say for a moment. *This high schooler is so annoying. How is he so sharp? Can't 50,000 fill your brain?*

"If I hadn't just seen you chatting outside, I would have almost thought you weren't a high schooler."

Li Shuo scratched his head, looking completely confused. "What does that mean? I don't understand."

"Your surprise—it looks fake."

Shao Yiying was full of suspicion. She felt that no matter how smart a high schooler was, if 50,000 yuan suddenly fell from the sky, they would be ecstatic, right? How could he still be blabbering on and on?

*Oh no! I overdid it!*

Li Shuo’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly realized: because his cousin-in-law had been so cold and arrogant in his past life, whenever he saw her, he wanted to tease her with a playful attitude. But she was an incredibly smart person; it was only a matter of time before she saw through him.

*But so what if she’s suspicious? I’m a legitimate high school graduate now.*

Li Shuo smiled and ignored her. He walked over to the TV wall nearby and tapped it with his finger. Hearing a hollow "clack-clack" sound, he couldn't help but laugh. "There’s definitely something in here. A secret this big—I feel like it’s worth more than 50,000, right?"

Shao Yiying was stunned. She immediately forgot her suspicion and said with delight, "You found it?"

She quickly walked to Li Shuo’s side, picked up a brick from the floor, and with a "bang," smashed open the wall.

Li Shuo was startled and shouted, "Hey, hey, hey! Aren't you going to wait for the police..."

Shao Yiying didn't respond, and Li Shuo didn't continue to "fuss." Presented before them was an entire wall of money! Red stacks of paper bricks, neatly piled. Just what was visible in front of them likely amounted to millions.