Neither Li Luo nor Jiang Qing'e were particularly saddened by the rejection. It was to be expected. It was just business between schoolmates, not something worth sacrificing one's future over.

"Senior Li Bi, the Suncreek Villa is full of potential. We'll definitely become one of the top villas in the Xia Kingdom!" Yan Lingqing said with a final rally.

"Perhaps what you say is true," Li Bi said with an impatient smile. "But how long will you take? In that time, I could already be training at the top."

Yan Lingqing fell silent. Li Bi had spoken the stinging truth. Why bet on a rising star when you could already be shining with the best? Potential was a risk that she did not have to bet on.

Neither was she that close with Jiang Qing'e to do her a favor.

"I am sorry," Li Bi said to soften...