Chapter 20: Pets

To Song Jingyao, going to work was nothing more than something his parents required of him, a way to pass the time.

He knew his family’s situation very well.

Their family business had been around for generations, with deep roots and a solid foundation.

It wasn’t something that could collapse easily.

Even Shen Xiuzhu, backed by the protagonist’s plot armor and determined to destroy the Song family, would still need several years to do it.

Song Jingyao might be a playboy, and his abilities couldn’t compare to Shen Xiuzhu’s, but in their social circle, every so-called “playboy” had been carefully groomed from childhood.

How incompetent could they really be?

It was only because they were being compared to someone exceptionally outstanding that they seemed unremarkable.

Placed in the wider world, they were the brightest feathers on a phoenix’s back.

If Song Jingyao were to inherit the family business, he might not expand it spectacularly, but maintaining steady growth would be no problem at all.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Song often complained about their son, they had their own philosophy when it came to raising him.

Unlike the Shen family’s elite education, they preferred a more hands-off approach.

Before inheriting the family’s multi-billion fortune, Song Jingyao was free to pursue whatever interested him.

Playing in an underground band, racing cars, horseback riding, photography, and countless other hobbies.

In their eyes, there was no rush.

After all, Song Jingyao hadn’t even graduated from university yet.

He was still young.

Yes, Song Jingyao was in the same year as Wen Lu.

He was currently in the first semester of his senior year, the period when students looked for internships.

He even had to return to campus for exams.

That day, Song Jingyao requested leave from Shen Xiuzhu and went back to school with Liang Ming to take an exam.

After finishing one subject, they decided to eat off campus.

Passing one exam deserved one celebration.

That was the simple happiness of poor students.

Walking along the tree-lined path on campus, Liang Ming laughed.

“Poor little Jingyao, you’ve still got more than ten exams left.”

Mentioning it reminded everyone of his famous blunder.

During the final exams of his junior year, Song Jingyao had been so absorbed in gaming that he completely forgot the time and missed seven out of nine exams.

He only managed to take the final two.

He had nearly been held back a year.

When the playboy gang heard about it, they laughed themselves silly.

The story spread everywhere.

They claimed they could laugh about it for an entire year.

Song Jingyao looked at him expressionlessly.

“Do you still want the review notes for your remaining two exams?”

Liang Ming instantly shut up.

Putting on an ingratiating smile, he hugged Song Jingyao’s arm and shamelessly showered him with compliments.

“Oh my, Brother Yao, why are you so handsome today?

You’re elegant, dashing, unbelievably charming.

I’ve never seen anyone better-looking than you.

I’m so jealous!

A Brother Yao who’s this handsome and kind… do you think… maybe you could highlight the important topics for this humble servant?”

Song Jingyao snorted.

He quickened his pace and walked ahead.

“You’re paying for lunch today.”

Liang Ming immediately grinned like the foolish son of a wealthy landlord.

“Deal!”

Neither of them thought much of it themselves.

But Song Jingyao was exceptionally handsome.

Bold, carefree, and eye-catching, he had practically become part of the campus scenery.

Not far away, Wen Lu secretly stole glances at him together with her roommate.

Her roommate sighed dreamily.

“That guy is ridiculously handsome.”

Wen Lu nodded vigorously in complete agreement.

Her roommate continued, “I heard he’s from an insanely rich family too.

Everything he wears is ridiculously expensive designer brands.

It reminds me of that saying—you think rich people are really happy?

No.

Their happiness is beyond your imagination.”

“They live in a completely different world from us.”

Wen Lu smiled.

Then she quietly lowered her eyes, hiding the faint trace of disappointment that flashed across them.

Once the exams were finally over, it was naturally time to relax.

One of the playboy gang’s childhood friends, Shang Wang, had settled in the United States.

His birthday happened to be coming up, so everyone planned to fly over on a private jet for the party.

Since it was meant to be a gathering where young people could enjoy themselves to the fullest, the birthday party wouldn’t be held at the family estate.

Instead, it would take place at one of Shang Wang’s private villas.

The three-story European-style mansion featured ornate carved gates, a swimming pool, and a spacious garden.

They could party however they wanted.

Even if they smashed up the house, his parents wouldn’t mind.

Anyone who belonged to the playboy gang naturally shared similar tastes.

One of the biggest reasons Shang Wang had eagerly invited all his troublesome friends over was to show off his pet.

A leopard.

As the butler led Song Jingyao and the others inside, the first thing they saw was an astonishing sight in the middle of the living room.

A man sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other.

At his feet lay a muscular leopard.

Its posture was lazy, but its eyes glowed with a chilling intensity that made people’s hair stand on end.

The entire playboy gang was instantly thrilled.

Their faces overflowed with envy.

“Wangzi! That’s freaking awesome!”

“It’s so cool!

Now I want one too!”

“How long have you been raising it?

Is it feeding time?

I want to watch!”

Everyone was excited.

They wanted to get closer for a better look, yet valued their lives enough to keep a safe distance.

Their eyes shone with excitement, as though they were gazing at the most beautiful person in the world.

Seeing their reactions, Shang Wang could no longer maintain his deliberately cool expression.

His pride practically reached the heavens.

Before his friends had arrived, he had spent ages posing together with his leopard, trying different angles until they finally achieved the most impressive entrance possible.

It had exhausted him.

Naturally, the little leopard deserved a reward for cooperating so patiently.

The butler brought over a tray of fresh meat.

The leopard lay on the floor, happily tearing into the meat with its sharp fangs.

Watching it rip apart chunks of flesh wasn’t exactly pretty.

Still, men were born with an instinctive fascination for danger.

As they watched the leopard focus entirely on eating, paying them no attention whatsoever, they gradually grew bolder and edged closer.

The leopard had a beautiful, athletic build.

Its fur was sleek and glossy, its coat vibrant and well cared for.

As it lowered its head to eat, its triangular ears twitched from time to time, making everyone’s hands itch to pet it.

Song Jingyao couldn’t help asking, “Can I pet it?

It won’t bite, right?”

Shang Wang beamed.

“You can stroke its back.

Just don’t go near its food.

Otherwise it’ll think you’re trying to steal its meal.”

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