2.

When Chen Xuan and the rest of the mechanics arrived at the scene, Chen Xuan was amazed to see such a marvelous piece of machine the center of attention outside the campus.

He knew this kind of car was worth at least 3 million yuan, with maintenance costs alone running into hundreds of thousands per year. Just replacing a damaged bumper or a set of tires could wipe out an average worker's annual salary!

Chen Xuan was confident Qinglong Auto Repair had just hit the jackpot. 

"Go on, you half-starved twig. Rich young masters like this feel high and mighty, but when they see a pitiful-looking worker like you, they'll throw out money just to feel superior."

Chen Xuan did not retort at his Chief Engineer, he simply did as he was told. After all, they were right. With this malnourished, but handsome face, they might even give him a fat tip out of pity.

Chen Xuan did not like it when his campus mates see him in his mechanic jumpsuit but he did not mind it this time as he approached the car.

Everyone around was stunned to see Chen Xuan! Their whispers grew louder as they gossiped what was about to come.

"Isn't that Chen Xuan? Wang Xinyu's boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend? Ha! More like ex-boyfriend. With a guy like Li Wei, why would she still stick to a pauper like him?"

"But wait… does he know? Did he hear the rumors and rush over? Is he about to make a scene?!"

"Tsk, tsk, this is too embarrassing. Imagine showing up in that filthy mechanic jumpsuit while your girlfriend is getting into another man's Ferrari!"

"I bet he didn't know. He's just unlucky. He came here to fix a car and walked straight into his biggest humiliation!"

"Poor guy, he worked so hard to save money for her, and now she's riding in a sports car with someone else."

Chen Xuan thought this was just the usual gossips and banter that spread around the school with his name, so he didn't spare them an extra thought.

When he approached the driver's window, he bent down and flashed the most radiant smile he could force from his weary body. Such a beautiful smile might just soften the heart of a rich customer and earn him a hefty tip.

Meanwhile, some students who disliked Li Wei snickered.

"Hah, wouldn't it be hilarious if Brother Chen really came to expose her?"

"What if he causes a huge commotion? This could be fun!"

Chen Xuan froze in shock when his gaze landed inside the car. His pupils shrank as he took in the unbelievable sight before him. 

"Damn! He really caught her cheating!"

Li Wei, the school's golden boy, was leaning on Wang Xinyu, his lips hungrily pressing against hers. 

The car windows were closed but Chen Xuan felt the intensity of it especially coming from Li Wei. It was as if he was subtly forcing himself on her. The kiss wasn't mutual because Wang Xinyu's body was stiff and her hands were tense as if she was contemplating to push him away.

Wang Xinyu wasn't reciprocating the kiss and at the same time, she wasn't resisting. The sight of it sank Chen Xuan's heart and his mind went blank.

"Look at that! She's not even trying to fight him off. Tsk, tsk. How pitiful!"

"Hah! Who does he think he is? Did he really believe a goddess like Wang Xinyu would stay with a broke mechanic forever?"

"Li Wei really knows how to take what he wants. Even if she hesitated at first, she's already his now."

"Oh my! I wish I was dominated by Li Wei like that."

The kiss was so intense for Wang Xinyu that she felt suffocated. Li Wei was forceful, his lips moving with a possessiveness that made her chest tighten.

Prior to this night, she had already told herself that this was the right choice and Li Wei was whom she deserved—a man who could give her the life she wanted.

Yet even with all that assurance and self manifestation, the sheer guilt that enveloped her heart almost took her breath away than Li Wei's dominance, making her hands clench on her lap.

Then, as if a shadow loomed over her, a strange chill ran down her spine.

She opened her eyes and then they widened in an instant. 

A tall, familiar figure stood just outside the car, having the best seat in the house at their foreplay. His dull mechanic jumpsuit was a mocking contrast to the luxurious Ferrari, and his shocked face made her tremble.

Chen Xuan?!

Panic surged through Wang Xinyu's chest. Her body acted before her mind, and she abruptly pushed Li Wei away.

The sudden movement startled Li Wei, and he frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked, displeased.

Wang Xinyu's lips must have tasted like strawberry because Li Wei kept savouring the taste in his tongue. He asked her what was wrong again but Wang Xinyu didn't answer him. Her lips parted narrowly but no words came out.

"Oh? She pushed Li Wei away? Does she actually still care about Chen Xuan?"

The Chief Head Engineer of Qinglong Auto Repair grew impatient of Chen Xuan's holdup. So he ordered Zhao Dahu to go and take over the approach.

"How can this useless brat even mess up something as simple as greeting a rich customer?! Did he freeze up just from seeing money? Hah! What a joke!"

"Dahu, go take over! If we leave it to that scrawny fool, he'll just ruin the whole deal. Look at him—standing there like an idiot! How did someone like him even survive this long?"

While Chen Xuan was processing that he had been cheated on, Zhao Dahu shoved him aside and greeted Li Wei, who just turned around.

Li Wei chuckled regally, deep and deliberate, as he ostentatiously rolled down the window of his car. He sized Zhao Dahu up and down, eyeing the oil-stained jumpsuit and the faint smell of engine grease wafting from him.

"No wonder my girlfriend got terrified at the sight of you," Li Wei spat at Zhao Dahu who was obstructing his view of Chen Xuan. "I called for a service, but they send someone who looks like he's been living in the gutters. What a joke."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to offend, sir," Zhao Dahu pleaded even though he had just been insulted. "We'll fix your car—no trouble at all."

Li Wei snickered at Zhao Dahu's reluctant submission and then told him his Ferrari 488 GTB, he purchased for 3 million yuan just a month ago from one of the top luxury dealerships in the city had just refused to turn on tonight.

Tonight of all nights that he was going out on a date with his beautiful girlfriend, Wang Xinyu. Li Wei then brushed a strand of Wang Xinyu's stunning red hair to the side, revealing her pretty yet frightened face.

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Dahu saluted and returned to the other mechanics. He already knew what the problem with the car was. And he wagered it wouldn't take much time. They don't want to keep this young master waiting!

When Zhao Dahu moved away, Wang Xinyu was once again terrorized by the sight of Chen Xuan. Even Li Wei, who wanted to return to their smooching, was stunned to see Wang Xinyu's real boyfriend at his window.

'Chen Xuan?!

What is he doing here?!'

Li Wei and Chen Xuan knew each other. Li Wei was somewhat of Chen Xuan's student mentor or rather, Li Wei was the mentor of the campus club Chen Xuan was a member of. 

Li Wei helped everyone by mentoring and advising them on University life, tips on balancing academics and social activities and also dealing with stress.

He was no true friend to Chen Xuan, and at the same time, he wasn't a stranger. 

'So, this is why he'd been coming close, heh, woman thief?' Chen Xuan thought bitterly. Scoff. 'How ignorant was this vessel? Even without the experience, just from the memories, I knew this so-called friend of yours had his eyes on your woman.'

All the students and bystanders watching felt the intense stare shared between Chen Xuan and Li Wei. Some had brought out their phones to capture the moment so they could post it on WeChat. Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu was shivering to her bones in the passenger seat as the tension became uncomfortable.

The mechanics, however, did not waste anytime getting to work. Zhao Dahu and the other quickly but carefully slid under the Ferrari, fearing not to soil the million dollar car.

"Maybe Chen Xuan doesn't know about them... He looks so… broken, like he's about to lose it. No way he can compete with someone like Li Wei. He's practically a god on campus."

"Are you sure this is about the car? Maybe it's more than that. I mean, look at the way they're staring at each other! There's something going on for sure. Could they be... fighting over Wang Xinyu?"

"Of course they are, you idiot!"

"I swear, I've never seen her look so scared. Does she really not know who to choose? Li Wei's got the looks, the money, everything. And then there's... that guy. Just a mechanic."

"Ha! Look at him! Probably trying to act tough. But you can tell he's about to lose everything."

"Aren't you going to say something?" Li Wei sneered like a hyena. He never expected this, but he decided it was even turning out to be the best. "What's wrong, lost for words now? Or are you just going to stand there like some dog, watching me with those pitiful eyes as I take Wang Xinyu to dinner?"

Chen Xuan frowned. He wondered who this moron thought he was tormenting. As far as he was concerned now, he couldn't blame a spoilt, rich hobbledehoy like Li Wei to covet someone else's beautiful girlfriend.

Who Chen Xuan blamed was the young woman seated quietly in the passenger seat, avoiding eye contact with him. 

Chen Xuan decided to direct Li Wei's words to her. "You heard him, Wang Xinyu. Aren't you going to say something for yourself?"

Li Wei took offence at Chen Xuan's words. Any real man was supposed to defend their woman against any kind of abuse, and he did just that.

Chen Xuan remained unfazed as Li Wei burst out of the car, his designer shoes clicking sharply against the pavement as he squared up with him. The masculine scent of cologne hit him and for a second, Chen Xuan understood what attracted Wang Xinyu.

Li Wei folded his face angrily, his expression total arrogance as he stood tall just like Chen Xuan, but with an athletic frame in his designer blazer that exuded organic confidence compared to the starving mechanic.

"You've got some nerve, talking to her like that," Li Wei scoffed. He was indeed ready for fight because he began to adjust his sleeves and roll his shoulders. "What, you think you can shame her into coming back to you? Pathetic."

Chen Xuan, however remained calm even in the face of aggression. He knew it was not best to engage with the stiff-neck not just because it was immoral in the presence of everyone and on school property, but because Chen Xuan thought he might kill him.

But he was not entirely sure.

You see, from his first transmigration as a slave warrior, Chen Xuan had been forced to endure relentless combat day in and day out. 

His days were spent battling against savage beasts, hardened criminals, and even fellow slaves for the amusement of tyrannical overlords. Chen Xuan never even had the chance to accomplish the objective of his system until he died, betrayed and killed by those he once called comrades because he was getting enormously stronger than them.

Fortunately, in his next transmigration, into the body of a dying sect grand master, Chen Xuan's strength was carried over into the next life and he was able to sit, talk and cultivate in that 100-year old body.

So, this meant that for this third life, Chen Xuan would bear both strength and the power of his cultivation. One single blow from him, would wipe Li Wei from the face of the earth.

But the system was yet to materialise. The system, his navigator, his map and instructor. And only till when it activates would he be granted the abilities of all his past lives.

"Are they really going to fight?"

"Holy shit, I think they are! Look at Chen Xuan—he's actually standing his ground!"

"But he's so lanky! What, does he think his scrawny frame can take on Young Master Li?"

"Heh, don't underestimate Chen Xuan. Did you forget? This guy works at a mechanic workshop. Lifting engines, moving steel. He's got strength!"

Wang Xinyu could not bear the tension any longer. It was as if her latest nightmares were actually coming to past. If Chen Xuan and Li Wei fought now over her, everyone would gossip about if for the next decade.

Wang Xinyu rashly exited the passenger seat and walked around the car toward the two young men. Her heart was pounding really hard as she put herself in between Li Wei and Chen Xuan.

Li Wei asked Wang Xinyu to get back into the car, but she did not comply. Wang Xinyu thought it was best to settle this right now.

This was not the best way to do it, but in the presence of their school mates, Wang Xinyu decided she was going to officially break up with Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan calmly lowered his gaze to Wang Xinyu. He could see her lips were pressed, attempting to repress what could possibly be strong, impactful words.

"Do you want to break up with me?" Chen Xuan asked. "Wang Xinyu, carefully recollect your thoughts. This is our two year anniversary."

Chen Xuan's words sparked a wisp of anger in Wang Xinyu's heart. She couldn't believe that's all he had to say in the face of a break up! Who was he to threaten her in such a way?

"You are so shameless Chen Xuan!" Wang Xinyu bellowed, Li Wei's presence behind her giving her unnatural confidence. "How can you say that! Do you think you can guilt me with that look?!"

Chen Xuan didn't understand what look she was referring to. He was simply staring at her. Perhaps, she thought he was competently seeing through her and her true colours.

"Stop standing there and acting all calm and superior, Chen," Wang Xinyu continued, her voice trembling. "I've given you everything—my time, my heart, even my money! And what have you given me in return? Nothing but empty promises and you ask me to rethink?!"

Everyone murmured loudly now. The whole thing was videoed in a about fifty phones. Wang Xinyu was finally breaking up with the scalawag, Chen Xuan! This was the moment everybody in campus had been waiting for.

Li Wei chuckled darkly, proud of his woman as he placed both hands on her shoulders.

Wang Xinyu was emboldened by her new boyfriend, and her voice became even louder. No one had ever heard the soft beauty, Wang Xinyu shout like this before. Her fists were clenched now and Chen Xuan saw tears brimming in her eyes. "....I paid for your meals, your books, even that cheap watch on your wrist! How could I ever love someone so… so useless?

"That's right, Xinyu," Li Wei chirped in as her firepower. "You deserve a real man, someone who can give you the world, not this trash who can't even afford a proper shirt. Look at him—silent like a coward. He knows he's nothing compared to you."

Chen Xuan could easily tolerate Wang Xinyu's squealing. He understood she was using this moment to let everything out that she had held back. But he swore to finally punch Li Wei if he uttered another word. Son to the Li Family Empire or not.

The scene was so tense now that even Zhao Dahu and the other mechanics, who had already finished working on the car, were standing to the side to watch the drama unfold.

When Wang Xinyu paused to catch her breath, Chen Xuan looked around and sighed. He didn't want to beg Wang Xinyu. He didn't want to grovel to retain their relationship. He would not abase himself to salvage a bond now sundered by her perfidy.

In fact, Chen Xuan had never been the one to supplicate. 

Only in situations where pleading was the sole path. And this situation required Chen Xuan to at least push to maintain the relationship.

'I need shelter over my head, at least for this night. If I lose Xinyu now, she'll cast me from the dormitory, and rent looms like a vulture. Damn it.'

"We can't break up," Chen Xuan said. "Give me a few days, Xinyu. And I'll prove to you Li Wei is the wrong man."

"Prove?" Wang Xinyu echoed. She was filled to brim with indignation now. "There's nothing to prove again, Chen! You don't need days, you need a lifetime. I was expecting you to beg for me, but you speak like you own me."

Zhao Dahu snorted. He and the other mechanics were smirking and chuckling now. "I bet he's just stalling 'til rent's due. Poor sod's got nowhere to go," he said and the other mechanics agreed. They all knew the state of Chen Xuan's homelessness.

Chen Xuan fell silent as Wang Xinyu's words kept piercing through. He couldn't do anything now. Wang Xinyu had made up her mind, and she chose to be with Li Wei. 

After all, Li Wei had many things to offer—wealth, splendor, connections that opened every door, and a throne in the Li Empire. Chen Xuan was poverty and lower class through and through.

But Chen Xuan wondered why Wang Xinyu was crying if she was leaving him toward paradise. Her voice was breaking now and tears were fully streaming down her fine face.

"Why won't you say anything, Chen Xuan? Are you so pathetic you can't even fight back?" she shrieked. "I hate you! I hate how you made me waste two years on a nobody!"

Chen Xuan wanted to say something, but Wang Xinyu turned around and faced Li Wei, who comforted her. "Let's go, Li Wei," she said. "I'm done with him. Forever."

That was all Li Wei wanted to hear. "That's my Xinyu," he purred with a dripping tone of triumph as he wiped his girlfriend's tears. He then turned to the mechanics coldly. "Oi, you lot done with my million-dollar car or what?"

Zhao Dahu abidingly stepped forward and confirmed that the car had been fixed, the Ferrari good as new. Li Wei snorted to his answer and put his hand into his pocket. He pulled out a fat wad of yuan notes and shoved them at Zhao Dahu without counting. 

"There's your pay," Li Wei sneered, his voice loud enough for the crowd to hear.

Zhao Dahu wanted to fall on his knees and praise this Young Master! That was more than they could make in a month! "Bless you! Bless you! Bless you!" He praised.

Zhao Dahu stuffed the cash in his pocket, glaring at Chen Xuan. "Idiot. Letting that rich prick walk over you. You're a disgrace," he whispered.

Chen Xuan didn't mind his words. He just swallowed the jibe and watched Wang Xinyu as she slipped back into the Ferrari, her face half-hidden by her hair. Li Wei revved the engine, letting the Ferrari roar.

He shot Chen Xuan a final, mocking smirk. "Stay in the dirt, trash," he called with arrogance and drove away into the night. 

All around Chen Xuan, he heard murmurs erupting louder. 

"Xinyu dumped him flat. Look at her, riding off in style!" 

"Li Wei finished him! Cold!"

Speaking of cold, Chen Xuan dug his hands into his pocket. Not because he wasn't too moved by the break up, but because the night was even getting chillier. With his hands in his pockets, he felt the few notes he had and the boxy nature of the necklace gift that was meant for Wang Xinyu. Hmph.

"Chen Xuan's too calm. It's creepy."

"It's weird… like he's not even fazed."

Chen Xuan turned to follow the mechanics back into the truck where Zhao Dahu and the others were already climbing in. They were so excited about the huge pay. Chen Xuan hoped they'd even share it with him.

He was homeless now. A few notes would help for now at least.

But it also turned out he was going to be jobless too. The Chief Head Engineer blocked his path to the truck. "Don't bother, Chen Xuan," the Chief barked. "You're done. You almost flopped this job, freezing up like a scared kid. We don't need a weakling dragging us down."

Chen Xuan's jaw clenched. He expected not to be given a share of the pay, but he didn't expect to be fired. 

"You're not working here no more. Find your own way back. We're better off without you."

The other mechanics laughed and jeered at him, Zhao Dahu especially. "Told you, kid. You're a disgrace. Good luck sleeping on the street."

"Lost his girl and his job in one night! What a loser!"

The truck's engine growled, and it lurched forward, leaving Chen Xuan behind in the dust.

Chen Xuan stood alone, the night's chill biting his skin. Wang Xinyu's tears, Li Wei's smirk, the Chief's words—they stung really hard, but they didn't break him. This was nothing compared to what he'd faced in his past lives.

He chose a bench to sit down on and relax. He ignored the relentless murmurs as many were now laughing that he had just been fired. 

'No Qi in this world? Strange. I've been used to it, but I guess I'd adapt,' Chen Xuan thought as he relaxed on the cold bench.

He checked the time on the wrist watch Wang Xinyu had gotten, and it said some minutes to 9 PM.

Chen Xuan predicted a few minutes from now, these gossipers all around would grow tired and disperse into their dormitories. While him, who just lost his, could finally have some time alone in the night's cold.

----

An hour later, Chen Xuan heard the sound of a car moving. It woke him up from him sleep. He didn't even know when he fell asleep on the bench.

By that time, the premises had been emptied and everyone had returned to their dormitories. 

Chen Xuan could hear the sound of not one car, but two, maybe three.

[Ding!]

That sharp chime resounded in Chen Xuan's mind.

[Welcome, Host, to your Third Transmigration!]

[The system greets you once more and thanks you for your faithful and diligent duties]

[Now, you inhabit the vessel: Ji Xuan.]

'Ji Xuan?'

---------

A/N: Hello, author here. This is a test-book upload. To test the book's profile interface, reception and other things. If you find the story interesting, comment and support with powerstones to let the author know and continue with the story!