69: They just joined together and then disbanded.

"Do you think it's that easy to make someone with a love-addled brain break up?"

Inside Guo Shuangcai's room, Xia Mengling stood with her arms crossed, looking at Guo Shuangcai.

This woman, although she said she wanted Shen Qian to break up, it seemed she also had her eyes set on Shen Qian.

But she had no idea when exactly Guo Shuangcai had set her sights on him, and could only secretly resent it.

"This Shen Qian! He's really the worst, flirting with flowers and grass everywhere!"

"This Guo Shuangcai is also despicable. She actually has her eyes on Shen Qian. No wonder she's not putting any effort into Lü Jiaju."

"You still haven't answered my question. Do you like Shen Qian?"

"You saw what happened today. I don't need to elaborate on my cousin's charm. Any woman would like him, right?"

"You said you have a way to make them break up. Is it because you like him too?"

Guo Shuangcai nodded without any hesitation.

"That's right, I like him too. Handsome, rich, and devoted. What woman wouldn't like a man like that?"

"Then it seems we are rivals in love, and there's nothing more to discuss."

Xia Mengling was just about to leave.

"Can you bear to watch them being so happy together? I can tolerate it, but can you?"

"Anyway, I'm at the same school as him. I'll have plenty of opportunities to interact with him later. As for you, you'll probably only get the news after Shen Qian starts a new romance."

Xia Mengling was a student from another school and had been traveling for two days. Guo Shuangcai had already gathered most of the information.

"From what you're saying, after this trip ends, you can guarantee Shen Qian will definitely break up with Tan Xinxin?"

"And you will definitely take her place?"

"My distant cousin isn't as simple as he looks. He may be love-addled, but he's not stupid. If you try any tricks, he won't be easy to deal with."

"It seems you know your cousin quite well."

Xia Mengling didn't answer. In truth, her understanding of Shen Qian was very limited. Her real understanding came only in the last two days. This guy didn't seem to lack money at all; he might even be richer than her. That was strange. She had heard her father mention a bit about their family situation: his father had heart disease, nearly died, and it was his mother who held the family together.

But now, he suddenly had money. She had met Shen Qian's parents. At a glance, they didn't look like wealthy people. Even wearing name brands, they lacked the demeanor of the rich.

Shen Qian had swindled his uncles, yet as a father, Shen Qian's dad showed no intention of scolding him. In a family, whoever holds the financial power has the say, even between father and son.

Each of these points indicated that Shen Qian was the one with the most authority in that family, and the money Shen Qian was spending now was earned by himself.

If this speculation held true, then Shen Qian's potential would be terrifying.

The value of a first-generation rich person is incomparable to that of a Second-generation rich.

"Not that well. His dad started some business in recent years and only got rich not long ago. I thought he was someone who could hold onto wealth, but I didn't expect him to be so love-addled."

"So, from what you're saying, you think he's a nouveau riche?"

"Personality-wise, he's not exactly a nouveau riche, but when it comes to handling money, he does have that vibe."

Since this woman was interested in Shen Qian but hadn't made a move yet, it meant she was also observing. Did she not care whether Shen Qian was as outstanding as she imagined?

She only cared whether Shen Qian would be her dog.

And in this process, any potential competitors who might rival her had to be eliminated.

Sure enough, upon hearing her call Shen Qian a nouveau riche, Guo Shuangcai fell silent, but only for a moment.

"Whether he's a nouveau riche or not, let's join forces first. Make that girl leave Shen Qian, and we'll discuss the rest later."

"What's your plan?"

"Simple. With enough misunderstandings, even the most unbreakable bond will develop cracks."

"You want to use seduction? That's too cheap."

"Just create misunderstandings. Is seduction necessary?"

Just like that, the two talked until late into the night. After seeing Xia Mengling out of her room, Guo Shuangcai let out a long sigh.

"Nouveau riche."

She smiled. Although the other party had thought quickly under pressure, she was ultimately a bit too hasty. The term 'nouveau riche' was clearly meant for her ears. But why would the other party emphasize 'nouveau riche'?

She wanted to find a Second-generation rich person. Shen Qian had already presented himself as one. But now, Xia Mengling was emphasizing 'nouveau riche.'

Shen Qian was young, couldn't be an official, yet spent money lavishly. Moreover, Shen Qian possessed a calmness and steadiness uncommon in ordinary people.

All these clues pointed to another, more enticing term: first-generation rich.

Thinking of this, Guo Shuangcai's heart couldn't help but race.

At this moment, Lü Jiaju and Zhou Wei were pushed to the back of her mind.

"No wonder, no wonder she deliberately hid it. No wonder even a beautiful girl like her would take the initiative."

"If that's really the case, then everything makes sense."

"No, no. If he's first-generation rich, then creating misunderstandings is out of the question. After all, if he snaps out of it and analyzes the situation, no matter how perfectly we execute it, it would definitely leave a bad impression."

Without the slightest hesitation, Guo Shuangcai abandoned her plan to make Shen Qian and the other girl break up.

In Xia Mengling's room, she lay in bed for a long time, unable to fall asleep. Compared to Tan Xinxin, she disliked Guo Shuangcai even more. Since the other party had proposed cooperation, let her be the one to stick her neck out. If she really managed to break them up, she would just provide a few clues. With Shen Qian's intelligence, he would surely find Guo Shuangcai as the mastermind.

On the third day of the trip, the group's goal was to climb Mount Huangshan. Everyone set out early again, though this time breakfast wasn't lavish. In comparison, they bought quite a bit of food to take along, since climbing would be tiring.

"Ling Ling, let me carry your bag for you."

"Thank you, Senior~ Senior, you're so kind."

Shen Qian saw it clearly. This little girl had just stuffed at least five bottles of water into her backpack. Those five bottles weren't heavy normally, but they were about to climb a mountain.

"Not only playing with his wallet but also toying with his body. This girl is utterly wicked."

"Shuang Cai, let me carry yours too."

"No need, I'll manage it myself. The climb is quite long."

Lü Jiaju was a bit confused. The girl had let him help the past two days, so why did she suddenly seem colder today?

But after thinking about it, climbing a mountain really was exhausting. Her refusal might actually be her considering him, which warmed his heart and made him even happier.

"Cousin, if I can't climb anymore halfway, will you carry me?"

"Huh?" Shen Qian was suddenly addressed, but he instinctively glanced at Tan Xinxin and smiled.

"Your cousin's wife has worse stamina than you. If anyone's going to be unable to climb first, it'll be her. I'd definitely carry her."

Xia Mengling pouted and looked at Guo Shuangcai again. This girl had done absolutely nothing from morning until now. It went without saying that their alliance, having just begun, had already dissolved.

Of course, Shen Qian knew nothing about all this. All he knew was that it was the third day, and there were only two days left before returning to school. This Senior should be making her move soon.