My childhood friend and the billionaire heir both chased me. I chose the billionaire. My childhood friend was furious. "Don't mock a youth for being poor. One day, I'll make you regret this." Six years later, he drove a luxury car, a beautiful woman on his arm. He ran into me selling grilled sausages on the street. He sneered, "Since we're old friends, I'll take two." 1 The next time I saw my childhood friend, Luke, I was selling grilled sausages on the side of the road. He had his arm around a young girl's waist, mocking me: "Hah, Sarah, you've been reduced to a street vendor?" "The Pierce family went bankrupt, so your rich boyfriend can't support you anymore?" Caleb Pierce, who was casually fishing a sausage out of the fryer, asked me, "Who is this?" Luke's face turned green, choked into silence. I stifled a laugh and explained, "Luke, your college roommate." The girl next to Luke, holding a sausage in one hand, looked confused. "Luke, you know them?" He patted the girl's head affectionately. "Just old acquaintances. It's cold out, go wait in the car." Under Luke's smug gaze, I looked up at the SUV parked by the curb. "Sarah, seems like your taste isn't great either. You dumped me for the richer Caleb Pierce, do you regret it now?" I rolled my eyes. "Five bucks total, don't forget to pay." "My girlfriend loves these. Fry two more, help boost your sales." I wanted to tell him to get lost. Caleb patted my shoulder nonchalantly, pushing me aside. He fried the sausages with good temper, packed them nicely in a bag, and handed them to Luke. Luke pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. "Keep the change. Eat something good tonight." Caleb didn't take it, a cryptic smile in his eyes. "No need. Since we know each other, it's on me." Luke scoffed. "Don't try to save face at a time like this." Caleb glanced at the car by the road. "That car is second-hand, right?" Luke stiffened. "What nonsense are you talking about?" "Let me give you a piece of advice. This woman could dump me back then, she can dump you now." He dropped that sentence, turned around, got in his car, and left. Leaving Caleb and me staring at each other in the cold wind. "Why didn't he say 'don't mock a youth for being poor' just now?" I was speechless. "Probably forgot." Caleb took a bite of a sausage and asked amusedly, "Will you dump me?" "Not necessarily." "Will we be together forever?" "Hard to say." Caleb: ... "How did you know his car was second-hand?" I asked. "Because when it was first-hand, it was mine." While we were bickering, the real stall owner came back. He was Caleb's best friend. He fell out with his family because he refused an arranged marriage. His parents cut off his cards, and he swore he would start his own business. Selling grilled sausages. He snatched the sausage from Caleb's hand, cursing. "Bro, I went to the bathroom for a second, you ate six, and didn't make a dime!" Caleb: "Some idiot just bought sausages and didn't pay." "Who the hell was it? This is my blood and sweat money!" Luke daring to provoke us meant he must have gotten wind of the news. He wasn't wrong. The Pierce family was indeed facing bankruptcy. 2 Luke and I were neighbors since childhood. We went to school together, did homework together, accompanying each other for over a decade. After graduating high school, we came from our small town to New York for college. Luke's family ran a small factory, which was considered well-off in that small town. My mom was an English teacher, my dad a math teacher. They valued my grades highly. I was an only child, and all the family's resources tilted towards me. Pretty dresses, exquisite stationery, the occasional expensive accessory, and pricey dance lessons every year. After starting college, I realized the prosperity of the big city was far beyond what that small town could compare to. New York's wealth was dazzling. I was still a student, able to enjoy college life freely with the allowance from home. But what about after graduation? I wanted to stay. When I chose to be with Caleb, many people felt indignant for Luke. They said I was greedy, vain, and dumped my childhood sweetheart. Greedy for wealth? I admit it. Who isn't? The Pierce family's listed company was incomparable to Luke's small factory. But dumping Luke? I don't admit that. We were never together. Now, the Pierce family faced bankruptcy, and everyone avoided them like the plague. Luke, however, was no longer the same. The food factory expanded, caught the wave of the internet, and started live-streaming sales. They opened over twenty stores and made a fortune. Many people were waiting to see me become a joke, laughing at my short-sightedness and wrong choice. 3 Caleb was a law student; I was in Foreign Languages. We wouldn't have crossed paths. I knew him because he was Luke's roommate. Knowing his background, I was polite to him. Being on good terms with him couldn't hurt. Ideally, make friends and develop connections. His attitude towards others was always mild. Not cold, but not warm either. A bit cool. Freshman year, apart from classes, my mind was full of making money. At first, I worked part-time in the cafeteria, selling pasta. When Caleb came to eat, the cafeteria was almost empty. Seeing it was me, he was slightly surprised. "You need money?" I wasn't embarrassed. "Not really, just earning some extra cash." He nodded and asked, "Which flavor is good?" "I like the tomato one." "Then I'll have that." After working in the cafeteria for a month, I quit. Reason being: too much work, too little pay. The boss said, "You can eat for free, save on living expenses." Sounds nice, but I can't eat pasta for every meal. Before leaving, though, I introduced a classmate who wanted a part-time job to him. The next time I saw Caleb, I was in the mailroom. He chuckled lightly. "You're quite busy, working multiple jobs." I teased, "What, the young master shops online and picks up packages too?" He accepted the title without hesitation. "Young masters are human too." "Shouldn't you just make a call and have someone deliver it directly?" He rolled his eyes. "Read fewer novels." A month later, I quit the mailroom job too. A senior introduced me to a translation gig. 4 On Luke's birthday, we celebrated at a KTV, inviting many classmates. Caleb was there too. A girl with pink hair and a fresh face caught my eye. Very cute. I noticed her because she gave Luke a watch, and my gift was also a watch. Her watch cost nearly four thousand, a bit expensive for a student. Everyone knew my relationship with Luke and was curious about what I gave. Looking at my three-hundred-dollar watch, I felt a bit embarrassed to take it out. Luke chuckled. "I like whatever Sarah gives." After that, singing, chatting. I didn't participate, sitting aside eating and watching them play. Luke, maybe a bit drunk, suddenly shouted, "Our Sarah learned classical dance. How about she performs for us?" Others joined in, urging me to dance. Seeing Luke showing me off like a trophy, my face stiffened. "My clothes today aren't suitable. I'll dance for you another time." I kept a polite smile. Luke's other roommate, Mike, had no tact. "Just improvise a bit, don't be a buzzkill." I looked at Luke for help, signaling him to control his roommate. I didn't want to dance on such an occasion. But he pushed me. "Sarah, it's my birthday, do it for my sake." Since he put it that way, I stopped indulging him. "What sake do you have?" The scene froze instantly, everyone looking at each other. Luke's face turned ugly. This wasn't my fault anyway. I stood up nonchalantly. "Excuse me, I'm going to the restroom." When I came back, Luke and the others were chatting again, as if the little episode never happened. Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard the conversation inside. Through the crack, Mike asked curiously, "Luke, are you and Sarah together or not?" "Didn't you say you were childhood sweethearts?" Luke explained with a smile, "We played together since we were three. Our parents always wanted to matchmake us, but I haven't decided yet." The pink-haired girl chimed in, "That's just the elders' wish. Knowing each other since childhood doesn't mean you have to be together." Mike: "I saw Sarah working part-time in the cafeteria a while ago. A pretty girl like her, why work in a cafeteria?" Luke frowned, sounding concerned. "She really is something. Why didn't she tell me if she needed money?" I had an urge to rush in and curse. Luke continued, "After high school graduation, Sarah confessed to me. I didn't say yes, but our families are close, I didn't want to make it awkward." "Heh." A cold snort came from the corner. Caleb, who hadn't spoken much, smiled thoughtfully. "What's the big deal? If you don't like her, just reject her directly." Luke wasn't happy. "Caleb, you don't understand. Sarah and I have known each other for so many years, our feelings are deep." Caleb said nonchalantly, "It's fine. Maybe she isn't as good as you think." "Huh? Why do you say that?" "Because I made it up." Luke: ... Me: ... Saying speechless things with a straight face. I had a new understanding of Caleb. He didn't play by the rules. Luke said helplessly, "Caleb, you really know how to joke." Caleb continued asking, "So do you like her or not?" Luke fell silent. He always stood perfectly in the friend zone, unwilling to take a step forward, yet unwilling to reject clearly. Caleb walked to him, patted his shoulder, sounding like a wise mentor. "You'll meet many people in four years of college. Trust me, you deserve better." Luke hesitated. "But Sarah..." "She's the best, not suitable for you." "..." Outside the door, I almost burst out laughing. Caleb's nonsensical remarks left everyone speechless. Wanting to laugh, but couldn't. "Caleb, you..." Luke looked stiff, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say. Caleb ignored him and walked towards the door. My heart tightened. I quickly ran to hide around the corner of the corridor. Slowly calming my breathing, I heard footsteps getting closer. "Stop hiding, come out." I didn't move. "If you don't come out, I'll go back and tell them you were eavesdropping." "..."
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