Chapter 2: Not Being a Rich Second Generation

One week later, Jingcheng.

Chen Nuo stood outside the Capital Airport, breathing in the thick smog and gazing at the dust-choked highway.

He suddenly felt a sense of unreality.

Ever since he made that phone call to Chen Bi, his life seemed to have been put on fast-forward. Every frame passed by so quickly, so fast that he felt a bit dazed.

That’s right, this was the path he had found after much deliberation.

Since the academic route was a dead end, he had to find another way.

Without a doubt, the art exam was exactly such a path.

Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, Shanghai Theatre Academy—any of them would do. What if he actually made it?

After all, the short videos he had made back then were quite popular; did that mean he had some talent in this area? Could he use this to get into a university?

Chen Bi heard what Chen Nuo said over the phone and thought he was daydreaming.

Because of this, the two of them first had an argument over the phone.

Afterward, Chen Nuo went home and had a long talk with Chen Bi for several hours.

In the end, neither father nor son could convince the other. Chen Nuo stopped insisting, used the pocket money he had saved up, bought a plane ticket, left a note, and flew straight to Jingcheng.

Anyway, he still had over ten thousand in his card, which should be enough for rent and a prep course.

Before he had even left the airport, Chen Bi’s call came in.

The first sentence was: "You really went to Jingcheng?"

Chen Nuo said: "That's right."

Chen Bi was silent for a moment, then said: "I can't be bothered with you!" As soon as he finished speaking, he hung up.

Not a minute later, his mother Pan Chengrong’s call came: "Son, are you really going to study at that film academy?"

In his previous life, Chen Nuo had always been at odds with Chen Bi and they often argued, but his relationship with his mother had always been very good.

He gave a soft "mm" and said: "Mom, I’ve already made up my mind. Don't listen to Dad’s nonsense. The film academy isn't some diploma mill; it’s a proper university. If I go and study for four years, it’s still state-recognized."

Pan Chengrong said: "Sigh, don't you know your father? He says nasty things, but he actually just wants you to come back and help him so you can take over his business later."

"Mom, I don't want to take over any business. I just want to go to university."

Chen Nuo said this without a hint of hesitation.

In his previous life, he had done exactly what Pan Chengrong described—waiting to take over the business.

He hadn't gotten into university, so he went to work at Chen Bi’s company and became an idle rich kid.

It sounded wonderful, but what was it like in reality?

In reality, it was also quite wonderful.

But after living a wonderful life for too long, a person becomes completely ruined.

No one in the company valued him, and Chen Bi wouldn't delegate any authority to him. Up and down the company, no one took him seriously; even if he accomplished something, people just thought it was because his old man was powerful.

At first, Chen Nuo wanted to achieve something to prove himself, but after being hit once or twice, he gave up on himself.

Anyway, there was money to spend and girls to chase, why bother putting in the effort?

As it turned out, 2008 arrived. By then, Chen Bi had already transitioned from a coal boss to a property developer.

He was on the verge of bankruptcy just as he was getting started.

With his career about to collapse, employees' wages, bank loans, and contractors demanding payment—a mountain of pressure weighed down on him. Chen Bi spent his days drinking to drown his sorrows and escaping reality. Eventually, he had an affair with a woman and was caught red-handed by Pan Chengrong one day.

At the time, Pan Chengrong was already deeply worried about her son’s future and often complained that Chen Bi shouldn't have let Chen Nuo skip university.

As a result, Chen Bi caused this mess, and in a fit of anger, the couple divorced.

Afterward, Pan went across the Pacific Ocean, opened a laundromat in Los Angeles with a friend, and remained alone ever since.

Although Chen Bi eventually pulled through, the broken mirror could not be mended.

In this life, Chen Nuo naturally wouldn't sit by and watch the story unfold like that.

Getting into university was the first step in his plan; the second step was to have his own career,

so as to avoid the outcome of his parents divorcing and ending up worlds apart in 2008.

Pan Chengrong sighed on the phone and said: "You’re just like your father, both of you have stubborn tempers. He says he doesn't care about you, but he actually arranged everything for you a few days ago. You know your Uncle Zhang in Shanxi, right? He happens to have an apartment there, and your father rented it. He also pulled some strings to sign you up for a training course; they say it’s the kind that guarantees admission."

"I’ll send you the address of the apartment in a bit. Just go find the property management to get the keys; just mention your Uncle Zhang’s name."

"As for money, I’ll transfer fifty thousand to you in a bit. Spend it sparingly. Your father thinks you can't do it, but Mom thinks you can. Keep it up, son."

Chen Nuo felt a complicated mix of emotions, and finally said heavily: "I know."

Following Pan Chengrong’s address, Chen Nuo took a taxi.

It turned out the apartment Chen Bi found for him was right next to the film academy, in a newly built elevator apartment complex.

Getting the keys from property management went quite smoothly; they must have been notified in advance.

The floor was quite suitable—Room 02 on the 21st floor. It perfectly avoided the dust layer, and it was a slab-style building with two units per floor, providing good ventilation and a bright, spacious layout.

On the brownish-red anti-theft door of 2102, a large "Fu" character was pasted. There was a shoe rack at the entrance with a few pairs of shoes, as if someone had lived there before.

Chen Nuo dragged his suitcase to the door and fished out the key Chen Bi had given him.

He inserted the key into the lock, turned it, opened the door, and prepared to walk in—when he heard a scream of "Ah" from inside.

Bang.

Chen Nuo immediately stepped back and closed the door with an expressionless face.

He stared at the women's shoes on the rack and pondered for three seconds.

Why was there someone there?

Could it be a tenant, or perhaps a relative of Uncle Zhang?

With a chest that large, it certainly couldn't be Uncle Zhang himself, right?

But he couldn't call Chen Bi, so he had to ask himself.

He felt it wasn't a big deal; he had only seen a swimsuit look, and no matter how chaste and upright she was, she wouldn't fight him to the death.

After waiting for a while, Chen Nuo raised his hand to ring the doorbell.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong."

The sound of slippers moving came from inside, and a female voice came through the door, sounding very vigilant: "Who is it?"

(End of chapter)