Trillionaire's Slice of Life

"You should really keep your distance from me, or you'll be ostracized by them."

Zhao Shuangshuang, with her long legs, shook her head as she transferred a chicken leg from her plate to the girl beside her, and said with utmost seriousness:

"A month ago, it was Wen Wen and I who were treated like this because we were specially recruited. They thought we were taking their spots. Although they didn't dare to do anything openly, they targeted us in every other way behind the scenes.

Back then, only you had the courage to sit with us, and it was because of you that they gradually started to accept Wen Wen and me. Even if things revert back to how they used to be, it doesn't matter. Most of them will be eliminated anyway, there's no need to try to please them."

Ding Qian, with her dreamlike beauty, looked at the two girls sitting on either side of her, and after gently biting her lip, said in a low voice:

"Thank you."

Similarly transferring a fatty rib from her plate to her companion's, Chu Wen said tentatively:

"What exactly happened? Weren't you out on vacation yesterday with Director Qin? All of us were envious that you got such good treatment, how did things change so quickly...

Did you offend Director Qin? I can go and apologize for you, you know that Director Qin takes good care of us."

Upon hearing this, Ding Qian, with gratitude in her eyes, shook her head slightly, and said with a hint of bitterness:

"It's not because of Director Qin, it was... him, it was the big boss's order."

As her words fell, both Zhao Shuangshuang and Chu Wen's expressions became strange. After a while, Chu Wen, with hesitance in her eyes, said softly:

"You must be talking about Chu Mo, right? Were you with him yesterday? Did he make an unreasonable demand?"

Ding Qian, her head hanging low, said in a barely audible voice:

"He had eaten a piece of cake and then offered me a bite with the fork he had used... I felt that accepting it would be like an indirect kiss, so I refused."

"It's just because of that...?"

Zhao Shuangshuang, with eyes widened as if seeing a ghost, was filled with disbelief. Upon seeing the fairy-like girl nod in confirmation, Zhao Shuangshuang said, exasperated:

"I'm speechless, really. It's just a tiny fork. Bring me that piece of cake and I'll eat the plate and all if you don't believe me.

What goes through your head? How could you dare to refuse such a powerful man? Ding Qian, I'm not trying to criticize you, but if we weren't close, I would say you completely brought this on yourself with what's happening to you now..."

Zhao Shuangshuang hadn't finished speaking when she was immediately silenced by Chu Wen with a shake of her head.

Seeing that the trainees in the cafeteria were leaving one after another after finishing their lunch, Chu Wen said earnestly:

"This issue isn't as simple as just a small fork. Ding Qian, what are you really thinking?

You've graduated from college, and this small practice room is a microcosm of society. You should have realized by now that society is different from school.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. To get something, you naturally have to give something in return. If you're unwilling to take that step, rejecting the cake was probably the right choice. From now on, stop dreaming about becoming a star and just be a regular person, honestly.

But if you're not content with that, if you want more, if you want to be above everyone else like Ding Xiaoni, then you'll have to give up something. Effort will be rewarded; I don't need to teach you that. Only you can make that decision."

Chu Wen gently stood up, took her plate, and as she left, said indifferently:

"Think it over, and if you figure it out, tell me the answer. I'll help you this once, consider it a thank you for helping me and Shuangshuang last month."

With her words falling, Chu Wen left with Zhao Shuangshuang, leaving Ding Qian alone in the entire cafeteria.

She stared blankly at the chicken leg and rib on her plate, her stunning face filled with confusion.

Had she made a mistake?

She was simply seeking a love that belonged only to herself. Ding Qian knew deep down that the young man could not give her that kind of love, so she chose to refuse.

However, she hadn't expected the consequences of her refusal to be so severe and the punishment to come so swiftly.

While Ding Qian's face was filled with confusion, the sound of brisk footsteps approached, and as she looked up, she saw a figure of stunning beauty standing before her.

Sun Qing, a top A-list superstar of Hua Country.

"Two months ago, I was faced with the same choice you are now. I thought I was strong enough, so I also went against his wishes."

Sun Qing's voice carried a hint of sorrow as she stopped in front of Ding Qian, her tone filled with regret:

"Do you want to know how I feel now? I regret it...

I regret it deeply!

For the rest of my life, I will likely spend it in this regret."