After rebirth, I rejected the rich yandere lady

It was almost New Year's.

Private fireworks were still strictly managed in Huhai.

But people couldn't help wanting to celebrate early.

After all, who wouldn't want to be the ambitious youth setting off their dreams on New Year's Eve?

School was about to break for the holiday, and securing a ticket for the Spring Festival was tough, but thanks to a year of hard work under Xu Musen, his close buddies could easily afford a decent car to drive home.

Zhou Hangyu, who came from a well-off family and was inherently carefree, had made a lot of money this year and went all-in to buy a GTR, now spending his days cruising aimlessly around the city.

"Ding ding! Skrrt!"

While they were talking, the screech of brakes announced the arrival of a GTR with a modified spoiler at the entrance of the tea shop.

"Hey, everyone's here!"

Zhou Hangyu sauntered over, smoothing back his hair as he got out of his beloved car.

With the New Year around the corner, Xu Musen had habitually called everyone to the tea shop at school for a meeting.

"Did you get your car modified again?"

Li Rundong approached the car, patted the newly modified spoiler, and couldn't help admiring it—undeniably, as one of the top-rated performance cars, it indeed looked powerful.

"A GTR that isn't modified isn't worthy of being called a track god, right?"

Zhou Hangyu replied proudly, "I even changed the sound system; blaring DJ music feels awesome. I'll let you experience it later!"

Modifying cars was a money pit, and not a cheap initial investment either—it was a good thing Zhou Hangyu was well-off enough to splurge on his passion.

"It's a pity though, damn, those girls at the university town just won't get in my car—starting by dissing Nissan the moment they open their mouths, pah! They don't know what's good!"

Zhou Hangyu was a bit frustrated—having a nice car was supposed to be about impressing girls with speed and excitement, but hardly any seemed to recognize what he had.

"Nonsense! Your car is not what female students are aiming for. I think you'd have a higher chance picking up male students."

Li Rundong teased gleefully, knowing the performance car was a killer for men, but to girls who didn't understand cars, his vehicle might seem no better than a three-hundred-thousand-dollar Mercedes or BMW.

"Oh, shut it," Zhou Hangyu cursed, slightly annoyed. "And you, earning all that money and buying just a common Volkswagen?"

Li Rundong had bought a car as well—a top-of-the-line Volkswagen Passat, costing about three hundred thousand, which was the upper limit for an average family.

"You don't get it—in our Shandong, driving a Rolls Royce might not get as much respect as driving a Passat with a national flag and wearing an administration jacket."

Li Rundong chuckled.

"Give me a break; people have respect because they are leaders, what you're doing is just riding on their coattails."

"This is called being understated and substantial, you don't understand a thing!"

The two often teased each other, but clearly both were in good spirits—at only sophomores, and already owning cars they liked, another push and buying a house in the pricey city of Huhai before graduation wasn't a dream.

They were truly young and promising.

Xu Musen watched them with a smile, then turned to Ma Yaxing who was off to the side.

"Speaking of which, Yaxing, how come you don't have a car?"

In reality, Ma Yaxing, with his tech job, had a higher salary than both of them, easily making a cool million this year.

Ma Yaxing scratched his head, chuckling, "I'm not all that interested in cars. I'm thinking of saving up, fixing up my old house back home, and maybe even finding a chance to buy an apartment in Huhai in the future."

"Ha, your ambition is bigger than theirs, huh?"

Xu Musen spoke with a laugh; the three had completely different personalities, and Ma Yaxing's approach was what most people aimed for.

For the locals, a car was just a means of transport, but not having a home was untenable.

Plus, buying a home now could mean its value might double or triple in a few years, effectively earning millions without doing anything—no other business could match that.

"Heh, naturally, things are already going so well—I haven't even told my parents how much I make; they'll probably be so excited when I go home for New Year's that they won't be able to sleep; I owe it all to you, Brother Sen," said Ma Yaxing earnestly.

"Keep up the good work, and by next year at the latest, you'll definitely be able to buy your own place in Huhai."

Xu Musen patted his shoulder.

"Time for tea."

Zhao Lianmai had prepared hot tea for everyone, along with several egg tarts and small cakes, piping hot—a lively and warm atmosphere indeed felt like the New Year in the cold winter.

"By the way, Xiao Mai, haven't you thought about getting something new for yourself this year?"

Xu Musen took a sip from his tea cup.

Zhao Lianmai sat beside, also sipping her tea, her eyes flickering slightly, "Not yet; my sister is graduating from our hometown's elementary school in half a year, and I was thinking once I'm settled, I'll bring them over here."

Xu Musen nodded, thought about patting her shoulder as an encouraging gesture but then hesitated, feeling it might not be appropriate for a woman. Instead, he picked up an egg tart for her, "Well, I look forward to us all staying in Huhai as neighbors."

"Neighbors..."

Zhao Lianmai looked at Xu Musen, finally revealing a gentle smile as she took the egg tart and took a bite, "Being neighbors with you would be too risky; I'll pass."

Xu Musen: ?

At that moment, a Ferrari pulled up.

Zhu Yulan had arrived.

Even in winter, she was decked out in a crisp, tailored suit, her long legs wrapped in black nylons paired with red high-heeled shoes, her long hair slightly curled, her exquisite face complemented by red-rimmed sunglasses—the commanding presence that could only be cultivated by someone of high birth.