"Tianhua Group—have you heard of it?" Xie Tingwan asked with a faint smile, her eyes meeting Zhou Yi's steadily.
Gong Zi chimed in with surprise, "Tianhua? As in Tianhua Real Estate?"
"Yes, real estate is one of their biggest areas," Xie Tingwan confirmed casually.
As they continued walking, the group eventually arrived at the university cafeteria. Xie Tingwan chose not to elaborate further and skillfully steered the conversation toward lighter topics. The bustling crowd made it impractical to discuss sensitive matters with Zhou Yi.
During the meal, Xie Tingwan effortlessly guided the discussion. Whatever she brought up sparked lively chatter among the group. Meanwhile, Zhou Yi's phone buzzed incessantly, though he refrained from checking it too often out of politeness.
Throughout dinner, Xie Tingwan exchanged few words with Zhou Yi, as if her earlier mention of her family had been nothing more than an offhand remark. Her calm demeanor suggested she wasn't fazed by the situation.
Afterward, everyone went their separate ways. Zhou Yi and the other competition participants were scheduled to return to S Province the following day.
On the way back to the hotel, fatigue settled over the group, leaving little room for conversation. Zhou Yi, however, pulled out his phone and searched for "Tianhua Group." Instantly, a flood of information appeared.
Tianhua Group was a colossal conglomerate with interests spanning real estate, dining, entertainment, and more, boasting a market value exceeding tens of billions. Xie Tingwan, without a doubt, came from an affluent background.
According to the available data, the president of Tianhua Group was Xie Chengren, nearly sixty years old, with three sons and two daughters. Xie Tingwan ranked third, with two older brothers preceding her.
Public records only scratched the surface. Entertainment gossip hinted that Xie Chengren might have illegitimate children—a common occurrence in wealthy families.
Xie Tingwan's mother wasn't Xie Chengren's first wife but his second, who passed away when Xie Tingwan was ten. His current wife, thirty years younger, was his third, having given birth to another son and daughter.
Thus, Xie Tingwan stood alone without full siblings. Judging by the family dynamics, her position within the Xie household likely wasn't prominent.
Her two older brothers were born to Xie Chengren's first wife—the couple who built the empire together through hardships, forging a deep bond. Xie Chengren held these sons in high regard, and online rumors speculated that the next successor would be his eldest son.
Xie Tingwan's younger siblings enjoyed the support of their mother, Ni Qingqing, the current wife. But Xie Tingwan? She had no backing whatsoever.
In every family photo, Xie Tingwan always lingered in the corners, almost blending into the background.
Zhou Yi furrowed his brow, his expression complex. While browsing news about the Xie family, he stumbled upon stories of reckless behavior: her second brother's drunk driving incidents and hit-and-runs; her eldest brother's affairs with actresses and models, squandering fortunes and bankrupting a key subsidiary under Tianhua Group.
Nearly all the headlines about her brothers painted them in a negative light. Yet, Xie Chengren frequently praised his sons in interviews, rarely uttering a word about Xie Tingwan.
No wonder people recognized Xie Tingwan but never associated her with being the daughter of Tianhua Group's elite.
With this newfound understanding of her background, Zhou Yi felt better equipped to approach her strategically.
Back at the hotel, he received a friend request from Xie Tingwan. After accepting it, he took the initiative to invite her out for coffee.
Xie Tingwan had been contemplating how to arrange a private meeting with Zhou Yi, only to find him making the first move. Intrigued, she wondered what motivated him.
Typically, those who pursued her fell into two categories: those after her beauty and those after her wealth. But Zhou Yi showed no signs of interest in either.
Regardless, she decided to accept the invitation.
[Xie Tingwan: Sure, I've got just one class this afternoon. I'll meet you after it ends.]
[Zhou Yi: Okay, senior. Where do you want to grab coffee? I'm unfamiliar with A Province, so you choose.]
[Xie Tingwan: It doesn't have to be coffee. Do you like gaming?]
Zhou Yi was momentarily taken aback. Xie Tingwan struck him as refined and elegant, which was why he'd suggested a café. But now she proposed gaming?
Hmm... Quite the contrast.
[Zhou Yi: I'm okay with it.]
[Xie Tingwan: Let's head to an internet café then. Whoever loses buys dinner, sound good?]
[Zhou Yi: Regardless of the outcome, I'll treat you.]
[Zhou Yi: What time does your class end? I'll come pick you up.]
Xie Tingwan paused, surprised by his words. This guy seemed distant, yet his manner of speaking revealed a subtle charm. If it weren't for their earlier interaction, she might have mistaken him for someone insincere.
[Xie Tingwan: I'm in room 507 on the fifth floor of the third teaching building. Class ends at 3:30, and I'll need to stop by my dorm afterward.]
[Zhou Yi: Got it.]
Zhou Yi quickly prepared and set off. The hotel was close to the university, so he arrived in no time. He wandered around the entrance to pass the time before heading to a nearby milk tea shop to buy five cups.
Why five? He noticed most of Xie Tingwan's social media posts featured her roommates. Clearly, they shared a close bond.
This was crucial knowledge: when pursuing someone, winning over their friends or roommates mattered greatly. A small gesture like milk tea could leave a lasting impression.
When Zhou Yi arrived at the corridor outside room 507 carrying the drinks, curious glances followed him inside the classroom. Even at a prestigious institution like A University, students couldn't resist indulging in some gossip.
Class was winding down, and with the teacher occupied, many students stole glances at Zhou Yi.
"Oh my god, isn't that Zhou Yi? Who's he waiting for in our class? And why's he holding milk tea?"
"Who else could it be? Our campus queen."
"I think they were in a competition today. I saw the winners' list online."
"He's so handsome... even better-looking than his TikTok pics."
While the girls swooned over his looks, the boys had mixed reactions.
"Is this guy trying to win over Tingwan?"
"Heard he's from a second-tier university. What's he thinking? Like she'd go for him."
"Maybe it's not her. There are plenty of beauties in our class."
"True. I've never seen her date anyone. Doubt it's her."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students began filing out, but many lingered on the fifth floor, eager to see who Zhou Yi's milk tea was for.
Xie Tingwan, arm in arm with her roommate, approached him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," she said with a smile.