Chapter 64: People from Different Worlds

"Oh? Graduated already?"
"What kind of job are you doing?"
Zhang Tao continued to press with a persistence that bordered on intrusion.
Su Chen shook his head, unwilling to engage.
On a train, prying into someone else's affairs was a clear sign of lacking boundaries.
He despised this!
Still, with Zhang Tao joining in, the atmosphere grew livelier.
The two girls introduced themselves as well.
The delicate one was called Yang Qiuning, the round-faced girl was Xiang Xing.
Both were from the Performing Arts Department of Capital Normal University.
All of them were taking this train to rush to the start of their university semester.
No wonder the train was so crowded!
He'd thought it was just the heavy rain causing delays, but now he realized the back-to-school season played a part as well.
Su Chen did not introduce himself.
They were all just passing strangers.
He was not accustomed to sharing personal information.
Zhang Tao noticed Yang Qiuning's gaze lingering on Su Chen and felt a stab of irritation.
He feigned a sigh, putting on a world-weary air:
"Ah, it's tough to find work these days."
"We have a neighbor, an older sister who excelled in school."
"She went to a prestigious university, yet after graduating, she stayed home unemployed for a whole year."
"Finally, she managed to get a job, but only earns five thousand a month, working overtime daily, exploited by her boss!"
Xiang Xing nodded in agreement.
Then Zhang Tao suddenly shifted the topic.
"Honestly, it's only in show business that making money comes easily."
"Even casually filming a drama brings in lots of money!"
"My brother, his fee for a single project is over a million."
He tried to suppress his pride as he finished.
"If I ever reach that level, I'd be satisfied."
Xiang Xing cooperatively opened her mouth in shock.
"Your brother!"
"Over a million!"
"That much!"
"Is your brother a celebrity? Who is he?"
Zhang Tao shot a glance at Yang Qiuning and Su Chen.
"Not exactly a star, just a third-tier actor."
He didn't lower his voice at all, and after stating the name, drew several curious looks from others in the carriage.
Across from them, Xiang Xing was visibly excited.
From then on, Zhang Tao naturally took over the conversation.
His interest in Yang Qiuning was obvious, always trying to attract her attention.
But his approach was so clumsy.
Even Su Chen found it hard to watch, let alone Yang Qiuning.
The journey was uncomfortable, but finally, the melodic announcement signaled their arrival.
"Ah!"
Su Chen let out a long breath.
The carriage was packed, unbearably stuffy.
If he hadn't slept for a while mid-journey,
He wouldn't have endured six hours.
"Qiuning, how are you getting to campus? My brother's car will be here soon. If it's inconvenient, I can ask him to give you a ride too!"
Even as they prepared to disembark, Zhang Tao kept trying to impress Yang Qiuning.

After he finished, he graciously extended the offer to Su Chen and Xiang Xing.
"Xiang Xing, you two can come along as well!"
Yet his tone betrayed a lack of genuine willingness.
Su Chen didn't bother responding; with people like this, every extra word felt like conceding.
"No need,"
Yang Qiuning replied coldly.
Each with their luggage, they made their way to the station exit.
Zhang Tao still followed closely behind.
Before boarding, Su Chen had already shared his ticket info with Lu Yuanqing.
He followed the signs to the exit.
Yang Qiuning and Xiang Xing hurried over with their luggage.
"How are you getting back?"
Yang Qiuning asked from behind.
Su Chen paused in surprise.
Usually, no matter how much people chat on the train,
Once off, they go their separate ways.
Anyone who travels often knows this.
Yet here they were, still following.
"Someone's coming to pick me up,"
Su Chen answered with a smile.
"Then Xiang Xing and I will ride with you,"
She said, realizing her tone was a bit abrupt, and quickly added,
"Is that alright?"
Xiang Xing quietly tugged her sleeve, clearly preferring to ride with Zhang Tao,
if only to glimpse the star.
Su Chen frowned.
Acquaintances by chance, sharing a ride?
It didn't feel proper.
And since Lu Yuanqing was a celebrity, it might not be convenient.
Yet seeing Yang Qiuning's clear distaste for Zhang Tao,
She was eager to shake him off.
He didn't want to embarrass her.
"I'll check,"
Zhang Tao was nearly furious!
He'd noticed Yang Qiuning sneaking glances at Su Chen ever since they'd boarded,
while ignoring him.
Now, seeing Yang Qiuning following Su Chen, who was still so aloof,
He felt burning anger.
"You have someone picking you up too? What kind of car? How many seats?"
"Maybe take me along too?"
"Then my brother won't have to make another trip!"
Yang Qiuning snapped in annoyance at his performance:
"Zhang Tao, don't push it!"
Zhang Tao feigned innocence, grinning:
"No, really, I was just curious. If it's a van, it could fit ten. Then I'd tell my brother not to come."
Just then, Su Chen's phone buzzed with a message.
He turned and looked at Zhang Tao with an impassive expression, replying coolly:
"I don't know what kind of car, but I doubt there's a seat for you."
Lu Yuanqing, being a public figure, couldn't come directly to the platform,
but had sent Su Chen the location and license plate.
Following the navigation, Su Chen wandered until he finally reached the parking lot.

As he searched among the vehicles, a voice called out:
"Su Chen, over here!"
To his left, the window of a black Alphard slowly lowered.
A handsome face appeared before them.
Since there weren't many people here, Lu Yuanqing wore neither sunglasses nor a mask.
"Brother Qing!"
Su Chen greeted him with a smile.
Lu Yuanqing had never met Su Chen, but immediately guessed it was him,
calling out experimentally.
He was right!
Seeing the group behind Su Chen, Lu Yuanqing paused briefly.
"Friends?"
Su Chen hesitated, then replied slowly,
"Yes, two friends I met on the train."
Lu Yuanqing, seasoned in the entertainment industry,
was masterful at reading the room.
He quickly pieced together the situation and smiled:
"Then let's all go together. I'll drop them off first, then we can grab a drink."
Su Chen nodded, turning to invite the two girls.
But Yang Qiuning and Xiang Xing stood frozen.
Lu Yuanqing!
They could hardly believe they were so close to a celebrity—
not just any star, but a superstar.
For a moment, their minds buzzed,
forgetting even to be excited.
Zhang Tao, too, stood stunned,
ashamed of his earlier behavior.
Even after getting out, Yang Qiuning and Xiang Xing felt as if they were dreaming.
As the car prepared to depart,
Yang Qiuning hurriedly stopped Su Chen.
"Um..."
She wanted to ask if they could exchange contacts,
but seeing Su Chen's calm, indifferent gaze,
and remembering everything that had happened,
she felt suddenly unworthy.
"Is there something else?"
Su Chen asked.
Yang Qiuning stammered,
"No... nothing."
"Thank you."
Su Chen nodded, waved, and the window closed gently.
Yang Qiuning watched as the car slowly drove away,
feeling a hollow emptiness inside...
Perhaps, she thought,
they truly belonged to different worlds.