I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2129 - 1366: To Recognize and Correct One’s Mistakes Is a Supreme Virtue

"What sort of love potion did you slip to Shu Rui?"

Jiang Chen dove right in, asking without mincing words.

"What love potion could I possibly give her? I'm no sorceress."

Shi Qianxi chuckled, twirling around in the executive chair, her chin raised just a touch, "Get over here, you're way too distant, chatting like this wears me out. You know my voice is acting up."

Jiang Chen's brow creased, a mix of frustration and resignation washing over him.

That's the trouble with guys sometimes.

"Have you reached out to Li Shuru?"

As soon as Jiang Chen stepped nearer like a good listener, Shi Qianxi inquired.

"What are you planning?"

"Tsk."

Director Shi clicked her tongue, her face showing clear surprise, "The king of feigning ignorance has finally dropped the act."

Jiang Chen dragged over a seat.

Shi Qianxi's interest in him was plain as day.

Faking cluelessness all this time had worn him down.

The real issue.

He couldn't keep up the pretense forever.

"You know, I'd never leave Shu Rui behind."

"Hold it."

Shi Qianxi folded her arms, "Don't attempt to stir up trouble between us. She sees me as a sister, so if you ditch her, I'd object first thing."

"So what's your aim?"

With the charade over, he had no choice but to lay it all out.

"What do you figure? I mentioned it ages ago—did you really think I was kidding?"

"But I've got a girlfriend."

"And?"

"So I can't return your affections."

At those words, Shi Qianxi gave a derisive snort, glancing toward the doorway, "Why not mull it over and swing back later?"

"Aren't you concerned about the family's embarrassment?"

Stepping into this office showed Jiang Chen was set for a real talk from the heart.

"What embarrassment are you talking about? I'm chasing the joy I crave; why should outsiders care? Isn't living in this world all about finding bliss? You call it shame—then was my parents' split some proud achievement?"

"It's not the same."

"How is it not?"

Shi Qianxi grinned, "Back when they chose to part ways, I was furious, but these days, I get it. Their early love was for joy, the wedding was for joy, and the breakup was too. And that's me as well."

Jiang Chen went quiet.

"Do you despise me?"

Shi Qianxi asked out of the blue.

Jiang Chen stayed mute.

Shi Qianxi offered a refined smile, "At first, you must have despised me, like everyone else keeping their distance out of respect. But afterward, you warmed up a bit, didn't you?"

Jiang Chen's eyes dropped, landing on the desktop, dodging her stare.

"You're stunning, with an amazing build, plus your family ties and status. Across all of Shen Zhou, few heiresses match your wealth and looks—it's natural not to hold anything against you."

A flicker of unexpected letdown crossed Shi Qianxi's eyes.

"Why have you lost that daring edge from before?"

Jiang Chen raised his eyes, tugging at his lips faintly.

"You mean that time I snatched you away?"

She hadn't let it go, and neither had he.

It was during that stormy, moonless night when destiny's wheels started spinning.

"Does getting older really breed more caution?"

Shi Qianxi whispered to herself.

Jiang Chen nearly cracked a smile.

What's age got to do with it?

Back then, he was cornered, out of options, ready to risk it all.

Put another way.

It's the guy with nothing to lose who fears the one with stakes.

Naturally.

Bringing up the past now served no purpose.

"I can't be accountable to you."

Shi Qianxi fixed her gaze on him, falling abruptly quiet—no dramatic desk slam came, no outburst of anger. Instead, she let out a light laugh.

"You may lack that old boldness, but you stand out from other guys still... so cheeky."

Jiang Chen's face didn't shift.

Her voice ached.

A gentle jab like that barely stung.

"What is it you're after?"

He responded steadily.

"Oh? Thinking of throwing cash at this mess? Forgot your own words already? In Shen Zhou, precious few outdo my fortune."

Jiang Chen simply watched her in silence.

"Why do you treat me so uniquely?"

Uniquely?

"Even by a guy's usual script, wouldn't you savor the moment first, then discuss payoffs? I just got you that exam, and you're content?"

Jiang Chen's look soured slightly.

"No need to justify it. You and that Korean starlet clearly share something murky. She's sharp, but eyes don't deceive. Same as you—dare claim you feel nothing for me?"

Eyeing one another, Jiang Chen kept his peace, maybe figuring words were wasted since she wouldn't hear them, or... he felt at fault.

"Today, I planned to give you grief, but that's pointless now."

Saying so, she surprisingly cracked open another pack of Golden Throat lozenges, popped one in, and let it dissolve.

"Right now, you've basically got two paths: keep being a jerk or speak from the heart."

How's that even a choice?

It's pure pressure.

Plus.

Not just him feeling worn out—Director Shi must be exhausted too. Once, they were young and reckless in East Sea, but nowadays?

Pals from wild days are all hitched and grounded.

"Didn't you claim you and Shu Rui are like siblings?"

Shi Qianxi smirked, timing her reply almost perfectly with Jiang Chen's line, as if she'd foreseen it.

"With all these ladies circling you, yet you fail to grasp them. Don't you see what Shu Rui really wants?"

"Why does she aid you? It's her own lack of stability—from a regular home, no backing, how can she stand against the stunners by your side?"

With that, Shi Qianxi halted, "Want to debate me on this?"

So polite.

But he didn't require the courtesy—better to cut to the chase.

Shi Qianxi skipped the chance to tease him, pressing on as he skipped the fight, "Haven't you spotted her hard work? She pushes to study, to improve, to shine brighter—all from that buried anxiety and doubt. Was she ever this driven before?"

Jiang Chen grew still.

True enough.

Consider today alone.

When he stirred awake, Li Shuru had already headed to her job.

"I'm not sure what set her off this time. But her support for me is really for her own sake."

Set off?

Jiang Chen's eyebrows knit a little.

Perhaps.

Was it Lan Peizhi's visit the day before?

Yet no hint showed—she'd been sipping tea and conversing calmly.

"Did she confide all that in you?"

Shi Qianxi sidestepped the question, "Now I see why she catches your eye; she's not like typical girls, plain origins but with standout qualities."

Plain?

Ever hear how sought-after Li Shuru was at East University?

Without her icy vibe, she might've edged out Luo Li'er.

Only this woman would rate Li Shuru that way.

"It's not just me liking her. Sun Xiyu does too."

The usually cool Director Shi appeared to freeze up.

Sisters remain sisters.

Doesn't erase rivalry.

One offhand remark from him struck a raw nerve.

She was tough, no doubt.

Still, she'd fallen to the same rival twice.

Shi Qianxi's features drained of warmth.

"Think that'll wreck my bond with her? Isn't your tactic a bit childish and basic?"

Jiang Chen itched to laugh but held back.

What tactic?

Just dropping a casual truth.

No one picks their roots.

So background shouldn't measure someone's worth.

Forget Li Shuru—take this woman.

Her edge wasn't from her position.

"You think if I rang her up right now about the clinic visit, she'd stay neutral?"

"I don't."

He couldn't shake his blunt streak, or maybe his obstinate words.

But today, he faced a tough match.

Shi Qianxi grabbed the desk phone without delay and truly punched in digits.

"I was mistaken."

Boss Jiang flipped his stance quick, no hesitation at all.

Owning up to errors is praiseworthy.