"Little Wei, how's university life?"

On Donghai University's sports field, a pot-bellied middle-aged man walked the track with his son, Yang Wei.

"Life... is okay," Yang Wei blurted out without thinking. But seeing his father's face flush crimson with anger, he shivered slightly and hurried to correct himself: "No, I mean uni's awesome!"

Yang Wei turned his head away, unable to meet his father's gaze, as if hiding his embarrassment.

"Don't party too hard. Don't forget why you're at Donghai. If you cause trouble like last time, I won't bail you out."

The speaker was Yang Wei's father, Yang Dianfeng—a Donghai University board member.

Though rarely on campus, Yang Dianfeng had come to check on his wayward son and his progress.

"I know, Dad. I'm trying. But this can't be rushed. We need to build feelings slowly first."

Yang Wei understood his father perfectly, yet he seemed distracted. He kept his head down, lost in thought, on the verge of speaking but holding back.

"This isn't like you," Yang Dianfeng glanced at him and sighed. "Weren't you always causing trouble for me? Changed your ways?"

"You know our situation. To those elite families, we're just uncultured nouveau riche bumpkins. Only by winning Ye Xinran and marrying into her family can we shed that label and join their ranks. Understand?"

"I know. But it's tricky right now. I'm working on it," Yang Wei nodded.

"I don't care how tricky. You *will* win Ye Xinran. Do you think I schemed my way onto the board for fun? It's for you. For the Yang family's future." Yang Dianfeng patted his shoulder, frustration thick in his voice. "I've had my backbone poked all my life. People smile to my face but sneer behind it—calling me a coal-mine bumpkin. Want that future?"

"Dad, I get it. But something unexpected happened. I don't know what to do."

Yang Wei looked uneasy, yet after a pause, he decided to tell the truth.

"What unexpected thing?"

"Well... Ye Xinran seems to have a boyfriend."

"What?!"

Yang Dianfeng's eyes bulged with rage. He demanded every detail.

"So you're giving up?" Yang Dianfeng said flatly.

"No! Dad, I'm stuck in military training while that Cheng Hao guy isn't. He gets to be with Ye Xinran daily. That's the 'unexpected thing'," Yang Wei stammered, trembling.

"Checked his background?" Yang Dianfeng asked casually.

"Not much to find. He's from out of town. His clothes, his manners—clearly ordinary family. Obvious even without checking," Yang Wei admitted.

"I see. Easier to handle then." Yang Dianfeng chuckled coldly, fixing his son with a stare. "Whether Ye Xinran's dating or not, they can't last. Families like ours value matching status. If he's truly a penniless student, what future do they have?"

"What should I do?"

"Offer him money to stay away. If he refuses, break his leg. Make him understand girls like Ye Xinran aren't for his kind to covet." Yang Dianfeng showed no remorse, clapping Yang Wei's shoulder. "Then your chance comes, doesn't it?"

"Dad... won't this cause trouble?" Yang Wei frowned. He'd had dark thoughts before but never dared escalate this far.

"Fear what? Money solves everything. He's just a poor student. Break his leg—what can he do? Retaliate?"

"But Dad—" Yang Wei hesitated. He wasn't evil, just arrogant. His worst deed was hiring thugs for a beating. Now his father urged him to steal a girlfriend and cripple a rival. Too extreme. He couldn't accept it yet.

"Men aiming high must be ruthless. Ruthlessness gets what you want. Think I built my fortune on kindness?" Yang Dianfeng patted his shoulder earnestly. "You told me you loved Ye Xinran. Will you let her go to some worthless poor kid?"

Yang Wei snapped his head up, nodding firmly. "Okay. I'll listen, Dad. I'll do anything to win Ye Xinran."

His father was right. Ye Xinran's world demanded matching status. Even if she loved that boy, they had no future. The Yangs were nouveau riche—nowhere near her league—but close enough.

He remembered first seeing Ye Xinran at a banquet. Her beauty and grace had stunned him instantly.

She was a pure angel, untouched by dust, lofty and untouchable.

Even Yang Wei, who'd seen countless beauties, marveled at her aura.

From that moment, he vowed to win her.

No man deserved Ye Xinran but him.

Yes. Only Yang Wei deserved her.