Chapter Forty-One: A Beautiful First Love

Page 1 of 3

"Pfft..." Wang Lili was the first to be amused by my words, but the other two remained silent. Zhang Li stared intently at the heavy Nokia 9000 in my hand, his eyes filled with admiration. "My goodness, is this... is this the latest model? The one from the commercials?"

"You mean this one?" I casually tossed the phone onto the table and laughed. "The 9000. Haven't you been seeing it in ads lately?"

"Yeah, yeah, the 9000! Wow, boss, you actually... actually have such an expensive phone?" Zhang Li gazed at the phone on the table, his eyes nearly popping out. He picked it up gingerly, turning it over and over, his envy impossible to hide.

"Zhang Li, this phone must be really expensive, right?" Su Xin shot me a curious glance, then asked Zhang Li cautiously. She didn't know much about phones, but seeing such a high-end product in my hands truly surprised her.

"Expensive? Of course it's expensive! Over ten thousand! My dad saw the commercial and drooled over it, saying it's a phone for the rich." Zhang Li nodded as he played with the phone.

"Over ten thousand?!" Su Xin's face turned pale with shock, and she immediately gripped my hand in worry. "Xiao Qiang, did you... did you steal someone else's phone?"

"Pfft..." I couldn't help but spit out the tea I was drinking at Su Xin's words, half laughing, half exasperated. "My dear lady, do you really think I'm capable of stealing such a brand-new phone?"

"Then... where did you get this phone? Did your family... buy you a phone that costs tens of thousands?" Su Xin's expression grew serious as she pressed me, clearly finding that unlikely. "Xiao Qiang, you have to explain where this phone came from..."

"Haha, someone just became your girlfriend and is already acting like a wife," Zhang Li joked from the side, making Su Xin blush and glare at him.

"Hehe, don't worry, Su Xin, I bought the phone myself. And that's not all—I plan to buy an apartment in the west of the city. I'll apply to move out of the dorm and live there instead." I gently stroked her smooth hair, smiling. "Actually, I have you to thank for all this. How could I call myself your man if I didn't have the means?"

Page 2 of 3

Su Xin smiled sweetly at my words, though she still looked puzzled. "Thank me? Why would you thank me? Xiao Qiang, how did you get so much money?"

"Hehe, don't you remember? I once wrote a software program at your house—didn't your Uncle Chu ask to buy it? Well, I ended up selling the software to a big American company and made a million just like that." Of course, I wouldn't dare tell her I was already a billionaire; after all, coming from a wealthy family, a million was still within the realm of acceptance for her.

"A... a million? My god, is that the same software Uncle Chu was willing to pay fifty thousand for?" Su Xin stuck out her delicate pink tongue in astonishment when I nodded. "Wow, just a piece of software can sell for a million... Xiao Qiang, you're amazing..."

"Heh, of course! How could I not be amazing if I want to be your boyfriend? Su Xin, I'll give you the greatest happiness—I want you to be the happiest woman in the world!" I held her small hand, gazing deeply into her blushing face, her expression a blend of shyness and sweetness. She was the woman I would never let go of in this lifetime; I would give her the most beautiful memories and the happiest life.

After a joyful lunch, Su Xin and I walked back to school together. Along the way, she nestled shyly by my side like a timid bird, while I held her hand tightly, savoring the gentle warmth that passed between us. The feeling was truly wonderful, beyond words.

That afternoon's classes felt like the shortest since the start of term. Lost in the sweet exchange of affection between Su Xin and me, the three dreadful chemistry periods passed in a flash. Then our homeroom teacher, Liu Chunhua, came in and announced that starting next month, the whole school would board and attend evening study sessions. Instantly, everyone groaned—boarding meant what little freedom high schoolers had at night would vanish. Worse yet, he announced that the first assessment exam would be held at the end of this month, next Friday, sparking another round of complaints.

"Hehe, cheer up, everyone! These three years of high school are a hurdle you all have to cross. This assessment exam will show your progress this month and your previous foundation, so I hope you all prepare well. Your results will count when you choose your arts or sciences track in sophomore year." Liu Chunhua smiled as he looked over the unhappy faces. "Alright, I have some good news—next week, before the exam, on Thursday, our school will host the Z Province, C City preliminary round of the National Computer Competition, and I'm proud to say that our classmate Xiao Qiang is signed up. Don't forget to cheer him on! If he places in the top three, he'll have a chance to compete at the provincial level."

Shua! As Liu Chunhua said this with a smile, nearly the entire class turned to look at me. I smiled faintly and whispered to Su Xin, "Xin, my first and second battles against that rich heiress are coming. Next week, I'll let her taste defeat!"

"Heh, stop bragging. You may be good with computers, but that doesn't mean you'll ace the exam. You're such a lazy pig, always sleeping in class—unless you're a real genius," Su Xin teased, feigning disbelief.

Leaning close to her ear, I whispered with a grin, "Heh, you got it right. Your boyfriend is a genius!"

Page 3 of 3

"Oh, stop... Who's your—You're such a smooth talker, I'm ignoring you!" Su Xin turned away, her cheeks tinged with pink. I smiled to myself and said no more. Just then, a line from a song crossed my mind: A bright tomorrow awaits me...

After the homeroom teacher's lengthy announcements, school was finally over. I took Su Xin's hand and quietly slipped away, leading her through the small grove on campus, our laughter echoing as we left the school gates.

Seeing the Red Flag car parked in the distance, my mood soured a little. Su Xin, knowing exactly what I was thinking, gently patted my cheek and smiled, "Alright, I have to go home now. We'll see each other again tomorrow, so why the long face?"

I nodded reluctantly, retorting, "I just can't bear to part with you. Su Xin, when will you stop taking the car home?"

"Stop taking the car? Do you want me to take the bus?" Su Xin shot me a playful glare, half exasperated. "Alright, I really have to go. If the driver finds out we're together and tells my dad, I'll be in trouble. Goodbye, Xiao Qiang."

"Okay, goodbye—call me when you get home." I reluctantly let go of her hand and waved. "See you tomorrow. Su Xin, I like you."

"Mmm... me too. Goodbye, Xiao Qiang." With a blissful smile, Su Xin waved back, then turned and walked toward the Red Flag car. I watched her, dressed all in white, marveling at the wonders of fate...

With such a wife, what more could a man want? Gazing at her departing figure, I found myself a little dazed. But I had no idea my life was only just beginning! Some things I wished for, and some I did not, were about to unfold...

PS: Please bear with me—since this is a new book, the pace is a bit slow at first, but once it's released, there'll be a big update.