Journey to become a God

When Ye Chen left the eight people who had been carrying the piano, he noticed that while the piano had suffered some damage from his accidental collision, none of the movers were hurt. However, instead of taking responsibility, they immediately began blaming each other.

"Hey! It's your fault! Why didn't you hold it properly?" one of them accused.

"Hah! Why are you blaming me? That skinny guy barely has any strength at all!" another retorted.

"Oh, please! You were the one who let go first! Don't try to pin this on me!"

The group continued their argument as Ye Chen shook his head and walked away with Zhang Liao.

When they arrived at the school canteen, they saw that the queue was quite long. Zhang Liao turned to Ye Chen and said, "Ye Chen, just find us a seat. I'll handle the ordering. What do you want?"

Ye Chen listed a few dishes and handed some money to Zhang Liao before heading off to find a place to sit.

Since returning to Earth, Ye Chen had been enjoying a relaxed life. Although trouble always seemed to find him, they were usually just minor annoyances. However, he knew this peace wouldn't last forever. As the heir of the Sage God, he understood that if he didn't continue to grow stronger, many powerful enemies would eventually come for him. That's why he remained cautious, careful not to reveal his true abilities to those he didn't trust.

As he was looking for a seat, two familiar figures caught his eye—his ex-girlfriend, Yu Ting, and her new boyfriend. Ye Chen hadn't seen Yu Ting in months, and she had changed significantly. She now wore expensive, revealing clothes, flaunting her wealth and status. The sweet and innocent girl he had once known was gone, replaced by someone who exuded arrogance. Instead of feeling anything for her, Ye Chen felt only disgust.

"Oh, Ye Chen, long time no see!" Yu Ting greeted him with a smirk, her tone laced with condescension.

Ye Chen remained indifferent. "Yu Ting, it's been a while. You look... different."

"Of course! I've become more beautiful, haven't I? My new boyfriend spoils me with everything—luxury clothes, designer bags, expensive cosmetics, and even weekly spa treatments at the best salons!" Yu Ting boasted, making sure Ye Chen understood just how much he had supposedly lost.

Ye Chen, however, found her words ridiculous. "She really thinks I'm jealous? If anything, she looks desperate," he thought to himself.

Just then, Yu Ting's boyfriend, Hu Ji, who had been standing beside her, glanced at Ye Chen with a look of disdain. "Ting Ting, who's this guy?" he asked, uninterested.

"Oh, him? Just someone we ran into at the mall last month. He's also my ex-boyfriend," Yu Ting replied dismissively.

Hu Ji scoffed. "Oh, I see. No wonder I don't remember him. People like him don't even register in my memory."

Yu Ting turned back to Ye Chen with a mocking smile. "So, Ye Chen, you're still single, huh? Haven't found a new girlfriend yet?"

Ye Chen remained calm. "Yeah, I'm single. And? Why does that concern you?"

Yu Ting smirked. "Hah! I knew it! Who would want to date a poor guy like you? Women prefer men who can actually provide for them."

If this had been the old Ye Chen, he might have gotten angry. But now, wealth was never an issue for him. He could earn money as easily as snapping his fingers if he wanted to. Instead of responding, he simply smirked, which irritated Yu Ting even more.

Hu Ji, sensing the moment to assert his superiority, laughed. "Come on, Ting Ting. You think a bum like him could ever land a girl better than you? Women only go for men like me—successful and rich."

Just then, a beautiful woman appeared out of nowhere and gently wrapped her arms around Ye Chen's right arm. "Ye Chen, have you been waiting long?" she asked with a sweet smile.

It was Zhao Yanyan.

Zhao Yanyan had followed Ye Chen out of concern, having noticed his minor injury earlier. However, when she saw Yu Ting and Hu Ji talking to him, curiosity got the better of her. After listening to their conversation, she realized that Yu Ting had abandoned Ye Chen simply because he was "poor." That revelation made her furious. To her, Ye Chen was a thousand times better than Hu Ji. Even if he wasn't wealthy, he had a kind heart and was willing to risk his life to protect others. That was something money could never buy. So, without hesitation, she decided to step in and put Yu Ting in her place.

Ye Chen, still slightly confused by her sudden affection, glanced at Zhao Yanyan. "Uh... Yanyan?"

Yu Ting's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't deny it—Zhao Yanyan was far more beautiful than she was. "W-Who are you?" she asked, her confidence suddenly shaken.

Before Ye Chen could answer, Hu Ji stepped forward. He knew exactly who Zhao Yanyan was—the most admired girl in school, someone even he had pursued but had been rejected by. His expression twisted in disbelief.

Zhao Yanyan smiled sweetly. "Oh, let me introduce myself. I'm Ye Chen's girlfriend. My name is Zhao Yanyan."

Yu Ting and Hu Ji were struck silent. The man they had just mocked for being alone and worthless had a girlfriend who was far beyond anything they could have imagined. It was as if they had just been slapped in the face.

Zhao Yanyan pouted slightly. "Ye Chen, let's go eat somewhere else. I don't like the atmosphere here."

Ye Chen, finally catching on to what she was doing, chuckled. "Of course, my dear Yanyan. Let's go."

As they walked past Yu Ting and Hu Ji, Ye Chen suddenly stopped and turned around. "Oh, by the way, I remember someone saying they would eat dirt in public if I found someone better than them. Well... now's your chance. Don't back out now," he said with a smirk.

Laughter erupted around them as the crowd who had overheard the conversation stared at Yu Ting expectantly. Embarrassed beyond belief, Yu Ting and Hu Ji turned pale and hurriedly fled the canteen, unwilling to face the humiliation.

As Ye Chen and Zhao Yanyan left together, he couldn't help but feel the burning stares of envious students—particularly from the boys who had been secretly admiring Zhao Yanyan.

"Looks like I've just made a lot of enemies today," Ye Chen thought to himself with a wry smile.