Chapter 23: Looking Down on Others Like a Dog

Zhang Ziqiang knew his sister’s temperament all too well. With other men, she was always distant, polite but aloof, holding herself with innate pride. Zhang Xin possessed striking beauty, a model’s figure, and a sharp intellect—she was undeniably a rare gem among women. Many sons from prominent political, military, and business families in H Province coveted her, longing to make her their wife.

Yet, none had ever caught her eye.

But now, his swan-like sister was showing enthusiasm toward a young man dressed in shabby, roadside clothes, resembling a migrant worker. From their exchanged glances, Zhang Ziqiang detected a hint of intimacy, which left him deeply unsettled.

His recent visit to Dragon City had not been easy; he’d finally established a connection with Xu Kang, a direct descendant of the prestigious Xu family, one of the Nine Great Houses. Zhang Ziqiang had been planning to introduce Zhang Xin to Xu Kang. Although the Zhang family was among the top families in H Province, with business spanning the region and solid political connections thanks to their grandfather, compared to the Xu family of Dragon City, they were like a country landlord beside a billionaire.

The billionaire, of course, was the Xu family; the country landlord, the Zhangs. The Xu family’s influence was immense—united with the other Nine Great Houses, they could sway the Federal Government’s presidential elections.

If Zhang Ziqiang could arrange a match between his sister and Xu Kang, hitching their fortunes to the Xu family’s powerful carriage, the Zhang family could break out of H Province, expanding rapidly and growing stronger. His own standing within the family conglomerate would soar; he might even come to helm the entire Zhang Group.

“I absolutely cannot allow Zhang Xin to get involved with that bumpkin!” Zhang Ziqiang resolved silently.

He had already sentenced Chen Xian to “death”—in his eyes, Chen Xian was branded as poor and unrefined.

With his mind made up, Zhang Ziqiang’s tightly furrowed brows relaxed, a confident smile curling his lips as he addressed Zhang Xing Tian, “Grandfather, I’m back!”

The old man heard him and beckoned, “Ziqiang, come eat. Didn’t you say you’d be back in a few days?”

“Grandfather, I’ve eaten already. I handled things in Dragon City ahead of schedule, so I came back early.” As he spoke, Zhang Ziqiang glanced at Chen Xian, his gaze lofty and scrutinizing. “Who is this?”

“He’s Chen Xian, Xin’s classmate—a skilled horticulturist. He helped me save the Golden Sand Chrysanthemum,” Zhang Xing Tian replied.

“Oh, Grandfather, you all enjoy your meal. I’ll head upstairs.” Without greeting Chen Xian, Zhang Ziqiang went upstairs, a rather disrespectful gesture toward a guest.

Seeing her brother’s attitude toward Chen Xian, Zhang Xin was displeased.

“This child…” the old man muttered under his breath.

From Zhang Ziqiang’s gaze, Chen Xian perceived disdain and irritation, causing him to frown: He’d never even met Zhang Xin’s brother, let alone had any conflict with him!

Downstairs, dinner continued. Upstairs, Zhang Ziqiang entered his room, closed the door, and immediately pulled out his phone to dial a number.

“Hello, Old Xu, it’s Zhang Ziqiang! I need you to investigate someone right away. His name is Chen Xian, a student at H Province Polytechnic University. I want detailed information—get back to me within an hour.”

He spoke in a commanding tone, then hung up.

He felt no goodwill toward Chen Xian, who seemed nothing more than a pauper, so he didn’t even bother with pleasantries, skipping a proper greeting.

Only half an hour passed before Zhang Ziqiang’s phone rang again—Old Xu was calling.

“Master Zhang, I’ve sent all of Chen Xian’s information to your inbox.”

Zhang Ziqiang immediately opened his email to review the document.

…

After dinner, Chen Xian chatted with the old man for a while; night had fallen completely, the stars sparkling in the sky. It was 7:30 p.m.

He said his goodbyes, preparing to return to campus. Apart from Zhang Ziqiang, he’d enjoyed his visit to the Zhang household.

“Let me walk you out!” Zhang Xin offered.

Chen Xian didn’t refuse; the route from the Royal Villa District to H Province Polytechnic University was long, and he relished the chance to be alone with Zhang Xin.

He thanked her and prepared to leave together.

“Sister, it’s late. Let me take your classmate back to school—you keep Grandfather company,” Zhang Ziqiang came downstairs, smiling.

Recalling her brother’s cold attitude toward Chen Xian earlier, Zhang Xin decided to decline his offer and escort her classmate herself.

Just then, her phone rang.

She answered, and her expression darkened.

“What’s happened?” Zhang Ziqiang asked, noting her change in demeanor.

Chen Xian also looked at Zhang Xin, curious.

“My friend has just suffered heartbreak. She’s feeling very low and has signs of depression. I’m worried she might do something drastic, so I need to be with her and talk her through it,” Zhang Xin explained to her brother, then turned to Chen Xian, “Tonight, let my brother take you back.”

“All right, I’m fine. Go quickly!” Chen Xian replied.

Zhang Xin nodded, hurrying off.

Zhang Ziqiang walked up to Chen Xian, a slight smirk on his lips. “Let’s go, Chen.”

He climbed into Zhang Ziqiang’s Ferrari; the engine roared as they sped out of the villa.

On the main road, Zhang Ziqiang gripped the steering wheel with one hand, the other resting on the window, his attitude arrogant.

“Chen Xian, you live in the affordable housing complex in the northern part of the city, about forty square meters. Four people in your family. Your mother had polio and now suffers from diabetes, unable to work; your sister is in her last year of high school, doing fairly well academically; your father is just a regular decorator, earning a few thousand a month. You yourself rely on part-time jobs at university just to make ends meet... Life must be tough for you and your family, isn’t it?”

He changed his tone, continuing, “My sister, Zhang Xin, has lived in luxury since childhood. Just the monthly expenses for her Lamborghini are more than you’d make in a year of part-time work... You’re smart, so you should understand what I mean.”

“You mean you want me to stay away from Zhang Xin?” Chen Xian looked at him, lips curling up.

He detested Zhang Ziqiang’s lofty demeanor, as if everyone else was beneath him.

Zhang Ziqiang smiled, “Precisely. You should know that you and Zhang Xin come from completely different worlds—there will be no good ending. There are countless heirs of high officials and wealthy businessmen in H Province pursuing my sister, but she refuses them all. Compared to those heirs, where do you stand?”

“For now, apart from not having their wealth or power, I’m not inferior to them in any other respect,” Chen Xian replied confidently.

Zhang Ziqiang was surprised; he hadn’t expected this impoverished youth to be so audacious, even dreaming of winning the swan.

“Chen Xian, to be frank, I will never approve of you associating with my sister, nor will my parents. My sister is destined to marry into one of Dragon City’s Nine Great Houses. You should give up; otherwise, you’ll only bring yourself heartache.”

He slammed on the brakes. “That’s all I have to say. Take care—get out.”

“Master Zhang, you ought to know this saying: Don’t look down on the poor when they’re young! Don’t underestimate others!” Chen Xian retorted coldly, opened the door, and stepped out.

Since Zhang Ziqiang looked down on him and insulted him, Chen Xian saw no reason to be polite in return.