They had just worked themselves to exhaustion all morning, and had only sold a little over three hundred, with profits not even enough to buy cigarettes, yet William Carter could open his mouth and claim he made four hundred and sixty.

The most crucial part was, the old man selling boxed lunches had “shrewd” written all over his face, but in the end, he was actually bluffed by him, spending two hundred yuan just to buy an address.

To be able to talk circles around adults without showing any fear—this was something David Harris couldn’t do. When he helped his mom buy groceries, he didn’t even dare to haggle.

No wonder he didn’t even care about failing to confess his feelings.

The classmates all thought he was just pretending, thinking he only wanted to keep a little pitiful and pathetic dignity for himself, but at this moment, David Harris actually started to believe William Carter. Maybe he really didn’t care about this at all.

But as soon as Sophie Clark was mentioned, David Harris’s gossipy soul began to burn fiercely again.

“Old Jiang, what’s going on between you and Goddess Clark?”

William Carter turned to glance at him: “What could possibly be going on between me and her?”

“You’ve liked her for three years, and it’s just going to end like this? She said she’d consider it once she got into college!” David Harris pressed on relentlessly. He really didn’t get it—college was just after the summer break, why give up now, what a loss.

“She says college, so it’s college? I don’t even want to wait anymore. If pretty girls could be trusted, pigs would be climbing trees.”

William Carter spoke expressionlessly, his words full of mockery toward love.

Dating delays making money, being a simp delays your life—his bloody lessons from his previous life were enough to prove this point. Women only slow down your ability to make money, and are otherwise useless.

He had experienced the pain of a secret crush during adolescence, and the terror of a three-hundred-thousand-yuan bride price. It’s not that he wasn’t interested in women, he just felt that in this life, priorities needed to be clear.

“But… that’s just your guess. What if Sophie Clark really plans to date you as soon as she gets into college? Don’t you feel it’s a loss to give up now?”

“Old Guo, once a man starts thinking like that, it’s basically like drawing a prison around himself. Whether it’s love or work, if it’s not in your hands, don’t believe it no matter what others say.”

William Carter’s gaze grew a little deeper, and he suddenly remembered the promises he’d received when he first started working.

Project bonuses, company shares, overseas trips, direct family living subsidies—these were just like Sophie Clark saying, “Work a little harder and I’ll date you.” Everyone’s heard of them, but no one’s ever seen them.

To pin your hopes on legends—hell, you might as well believe in the light.

At this thought, William Carter couldn’t help but think of Diga. What cosmic hero? Hell, he was just a deadbeat.

Back then, he borrowed your light, ran off when fighting Gatangeje, and when your future was pitch black, he never even mentioned returning your light.

Don’t be a simp for anyone, don’t be a corporate slave for anything—focus on making money, that’s the true path in life.

Meanwhile, David Harris suddenly started scratching his head furiously, making a hissing sound with his mouth.

William Carter found it odd and couldn’t help but stare at him for a few moments.

“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t wash your hair before going out?”

“No, I feel like after hearing what you said, my brain is about to grow a brain.”

“?????”

At four in the afternoon, William Carter and David Harris walked out of the restaurant, already full and satisfied.

But David Harris was still hung up on the idea of going to a bar, wanting to ask William Carter to take him for the experience. But before they could walk a few steps, two familiar figures appeared before them.

One was the class math rep, Emily Smith, and the other was the class beauty, Sophie Clark.

The two girls were walking out of the pedestrian street arm in arm, one holding a starch sausage, the other holding a candied hawthorn skewer.

The summer heat had left them slightly sweaty and fragrant, even the hair on their foreheads was damp, their cheeks flushed pink from the heat, and their chests—just beginning to develop—rose and fell rapidly with their quickened breaths.

Emily Smith was very delicate and pretty, with a gentle, demure vibe. When she smiled, she had two dimples. She wore overalls, looking youthful and lively. On her own, she could be considered a beauty, but walking next to Sophie Clark, she lost her edge.

Today, Sophie Clark wore a beige long dress, the hem falling to her knees. Her eyes were bright and sparkling, her features exquisite, lips full and red, her skin fairer than snow, making Emily Smith beside her look like a mere backdrop.

When the four met, the first to react was Emily Smith, whose gaze had been fixed straight ahead. She immediately raised her hand in greeting.

“William Carter, David Harris, what are you doing here?”

Hearing someone call his name, William Carter instinctively looked up, and his gaze accidentally met Sophie Clark’s in the bustling crowd.

He immediately reined in his smile and turned his head away indifferently.

Maybe it was because of the memories from his previous life, but William Carter always had a kind of god’s-eye view when it came to relationships, so he really didn’t have any fondness for Sophie Clark.

But the soul of a man nearing forty had given him enough maturity and steadiness—not enough to make him turn and leave, but only just.

Chapter 5: Why Do You Think You Can Stop Chasing Me?

“We’re doing business!”