The world of film and television begins with university lecturers

When Han Tao heard Jiang Lai's words, he was not angry at all. Instead, he seemed to have heard some absurd joke, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Ridiculous, you overestimate yourself and underestimate me."

His tone was calm, but his words were clear: "First, I didn't follow you at all."

I came to the riverbank just to find a restaurant with a river view; rescuing people was just a coincidence.

If I had known it was you, I would never have gone through all that trouble.

As he spoke, he paused briefly, then pointed to a brand-new Audi Q7 parked not far away:

"Secondly, making money is not difficult for me. Therefore, the Jiang family's wealth and status hold no appeal for me."

As for what happened last night, it was consensual, and we owe each other nothing. I never intended to pester you, much less use you to climb the social ladder.

Jiang Lai looked in the direction he pointed, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing in her eyes.

This was completely different from her previous assumptions about Han Tao; a car worth millions was definitely not something that ordinary wage earners could afford.

But her inner obsession remained unshaken; she raised her chin, her tone carrying its usual doubt.

"Who knows if you're just playing hard to get? Aren't you just saying all this to get my attention?"

"I'm really curious, why do you have so many inner monologues?" Han Tao clapped his hands, as if brushing away unseen dust, his tone revealing a hint of impatience:

  

"Don't be so narcissistic. Not everyone wants to be a son-in-law of the Jiang family. I have good teeth and don't like soft food."

After saying that, he turned to the side and made a "please" gesture, "I've said everything I need to say. If you still want to jump, please do so. I won't stop you."

At this moment, Han Tao had a general understanding of the situation. According to the plot, Jiang Lai should be in the shadow of her ex-boyfriend Chen Fang's recent suicide.

She believed that Chen Fang was harmed by her brother Jiang Haokun, and therefore did not hesitate to take revenge through indulgence and suicide.

Last night's encounter at the bar, which should have been the scene in the original story where she walked to the rooftop, was reversed because of my appearance.

So today, she brought this dramatic scene to the riverbank again. Unexpectedly, she ran into him again, resulting in a melodramatic "hero saves the damsel in distress" scenario.

Actually, this so-called "rich second generation" isn't a bad person by nature. He's just been spoiled since childhood, making him prone to getting stuck on trivial matters and having a bit of a romantic mindset. Once he gets involved, it's hard for him to get out.

Jiang Lai paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed. She realized she hadn't been wrong; this man was playing hard to get, using the opposite approach to attract her attention.

"Heh, man!" She then extended her slender fingers and gently touched Han Tao's chest, her red lips curving into a charming yet dangerous smile. "You've successfully caught my attention."

"Be careful, don't pull or tug." Han Tao gently pushed her fingers aside, then turned and walked towards his car.

"Besides, in front of everyone, you may not care about your reputation, but I do."

He saw that some of the onlookers had already raised their phones, seemingly wanting to record a scene of "love and hate among rich heiresses".

Jiang Lai stared at his retreating figure, her face filled with surprise and astonishment: "Just who is this guy?"

From the brief conversation just now, it was clear that the man was not only not overpowered by her, but also exuded an aura that seemed to place him above her.

She had seen too many men who didn't even have the courage to look her in the eye, let alone challenge her in terms of presence. But this man before her was completely different.

"Hey, wait for me!" After hesitating for a moment, she lifted her skirt and quickly chased after him.

Seeing that there was no more show to watch, the crowd dispersed in twos and threes, discussing among themselves.

The two young people who wanted to record a video were annoyed that they were a step too slow and watched as the day's hot topic slipped through their fingers.

"Why are you following me?" Han Tao glanced at her. "You can go jump into the river or jump off a building, I guarantee you'll be on the front page of Shanghai tomorrow morning."

Jiang Lai shook her head. "I don't want to die right now. I'm more interested in you right now. How about we find somewhere to have another drink, like we did yesterday?"

"Sorry, I don't have the habit of drinking with just anyone." Han Tao smiled faintly, "Especially with someone like you who acts without thinking and has no sense of proportion when he's impulsive, I'm afraid I'll lower his IQ."

"You're the one who's brainless! Your whole family is brainless!" Jiang Lai stomped her foot in anger. When had she ever been treated like this?

Normally, if she asked, a long line of people would eagerly agree to drink with her. But when it came to him, he was told it would "affect his intelligence"?

That's really going too far! But strangely enough, Jiang Lai was indeed attracted to him.

She desperately wanted to know whether Han Tao's composure and sharpness at this moment were his true nature or a deliberate pretense.

"Don't be so petty, I admit I acted impulsively when I jumped into the river..." Jiang Lai's eyes darted around, and she immediately changed her tone:

"But explain yourself clearly, how am I brainless? Don't you ever have moments of utter heartbreak? Don't you ever have a moment when you can't think straight?"

"I've experienced heartbreak and moments of utter despair."

Han Tao's gaze was distant, and his tone revealed a hint of loneliness and unspeakable vicissitudes. "But I will not choose to take my own life."

Life is a gift from our parents, and we only have one. To give it up because of temporary difficulties would be incredibly foolish in my opinion.

"Especially you, who are born into a wealthy family, have no worries about food and clothing, and have everything that others can only envy, yet you always joke about your life."

You think this is called being carefree? Wrong, this is being willful, brainless, and cowardly.

Facing problems head-on and escaping them through extreme measures only causes heartache for those who truly care about you; it serves no purpose whatsoever.

If this blunt and even sharp reprimand had been given to anyone else, given Jiang Lai's usual spoiled nature, they probably would have already turned on her and started arguing.

But at this moment, when Han Tao publicly and bluntly criticized her, she didn't get angry.

The restless and irritable feeling in my heart seemed to be blown away a little by a gentle breeze.

From childhood to adulthood, people around her either fawned over her and indulged her in every way because of her status as the daughter of the Jiang family, or they kept their distance out of fear of her temper.

No one has ever been as ruthless yet earnest as him.

Han Tao's eyes were open and honest, his tone sincere, without any flattery, calculation, or even the slightest covetousness for her family background.

This unfamiliar and direct treatment stirred a strange feeling within Jiang Lai. The man before her was unlike anyone she had ever known before.

Thinking of this, Jiang Lai's tense lips unconsciously relaxed, and the hostility in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a deeper curiosity and amusement.

She glanced at Han Tao and the car next to him, then suddenly smiled slyly: "Fine, I guess I misunderstood you."

But you did save me just now, so I should at least show my appreciation. How about I buy you a drink?

"No need." Han Tao raised an eyebrow. "Just make sure you find a secluded place when you're feeling really down, so you don't ruin my meal."

Jiang Lai walked confidently to the passenger door, opened it, and got in. "Since you don't appreciate my treat, then you can treat me!"

After all, you took such a big advantage of me yesterday, you should at least make it up to me.

Seeing her change of attitude faster than flipping through a book, Han Tao retorted irritably, "You still have the nerve to mention yesterday?"

Yesterday you practically dragged me to the hotel, and I was the one who did all the work in the end. If anyone should make amends, it should be you making amends to me!

"Pah! You're getting a good deal and still acting innocent!" Jiang Lai bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Besides, didn't I leave you three thousand yuan?"

Han Tao snorted lightly, his tone teasing, "Don't mention your three thousand yuan. You own a five-star hotel, don't you have any self-awareness?"

That little money wasn't even enough for the room; I ended up paying over two thousand more!

Before the words were even finished, the car had already started smoothly and was moving slowly along the riverside path.

Soon we stopped at a private restaurant overlooking the river and slowly drove into the parking space.