Since Star Han had a girlfriend, he became even more distant from other people. However, he became busier. He often spent time with Shiyi, reading books, taking walks, going to restaurants, and they lived carefree and happy days.

But happy days are often short-lived. After a period of time, Star Han started to struggle, and the reason was simple—no money! Material resources are the foundation of happiness, and that statement is true. Only with sufficient financial support can one fully enjoy life. Although love cannot be bought with money, without money, love becomes an extravagant luxury that can only be admired but not indulged in.

When Star Han was with Shiyi, their expenses were not extravagant. However, for someone like Star Han, whose living expenses were originally only enough for one person, every expenditure had to be carefully considered. How could he afford the expenses of two people? Furthermore, being together with Shiyi not only required money but also consumed a lot of time. Although Star Han didn't mind spending time, he had no spare time to earn money.

As a result, Star Han spent all his planned living expenses for one semester within just two months. He had no choice but to continue spending the money he had planned for the future. Originally, with his plan of forty thousand yuan, he could have comfortably spent four years of university life. But now, it was far from sufficient. In addition, Star Han had much less time to read and study, which was not what he desired. He didn't want to lose Shiyi, but he also didn't want things to continue this way. Star Han had thought about using the money he won, but he believed that it would be a pitiful situation if he had to rely on money to maintain a relationship. So he tried to meet Shiyi less often. However, it was strange that Shiyi didn't come looking for him either, but he didn't pay much attention to these small matters. During the day, he focused on his studies, and his enthusiasm for learning increased significantly. At night, he diligently practiced the Clear Mind Decree, feeling that he was close to breaking through to the second level. Therefore, it wasn't all without gains.

One day, after class, Star Han was about to go to his dormitory when he saw Shiyi. He immediately walked over. After a moment of silence, Shiyi spoke first, "Why have you been avoiding me these days? Do you have another girlfriend?"

"No, I've been busy with my studies and didn't have much free time. Why haven't you come to see me?" Star Han replied with a smile.

"I've been busy too. Are you really without another girlfriend? Don't lie to me," Shiyi asked.

"I'm not that foolish. Besides, where else could I find another girlfriend as good as you?" Star Han laughed.

"Annoying! I didn't expect you to be good with words too. But if that's the case, why do you always avoid me? Is studying so important that you don't even have time to see me?" Shiyi complained.

"I want to make the most of my time to learn more. Otherwise, there won't be any opportunities in the future. If I work harder now, maybe we can have a better life together," Star Han said.

"Oh, I see. I misunderstood you. Study well, and I won't bother you," Shiyi said gently.

However, Shiyi seemed somewhat disappointed after hearing his words. Star Han was eager to show his happiness at Shiyi's understanding and didn't notice this. The two of them exchanged sweet words between lovers and reluctantly bid farewell. However, from then on, their relationship seemed less intimate, and they met less frequently. But Star Han didn't mind, thinking that Shiyi was being considerate of him. Besides, the final exams were approaching, and both of them were indeed very busy. That's how their meetings became less and less frequent.

Until one day, Star Han saw Shiyi walking hand in hand with another guy, and they seemed very intimate. Star Han's mind instantly went into chaos, but by the time he regained his composure, they were already gone. Shiyi had found another boyfriend. What did that make him? Star Han decided to get a clear answer. The next day, he asked Shiyi to meet him, and without wasting any time, he went straight to the point:

"Shiyi, do you like someone else?"

Upon hearing this, Shiyi appeared flustered but quickly denied, "No, don't listen to others spreading rumors."

"I saw it with my own eyes. I've seen you multiple times walking with another guy, and..." Star Han deliberately emphasized "multiple times" instead of just once.

Shiyi lowered her head and remained silent for a moment, not saying a word.

Star Han nervously looked at Shiyi, regretting that he had doubted her so easily. He decided that if Shiyi explained, he could pretend that nothing had happened and apologize to her.

After a while, Shiyi calmly said, "Since you already know, I don't want to hide it from you. I am seeing someone else. I feel that we're not compatible, so let's break up."

Star Han was suddenly stunned and said, "Are you joking? Are you teasing me because you're mad at me?"

"Of course not. Can you joke about something like this?" Shiyi's voice remained calm.

"Why? Why? Is it because of that person? Is he better than me?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"It's not because of anything specific. I just feel that we're not suited for each other, so we should break up. Isn't that normal? Even without him, there would be someone else. He just made us break up a little earlier." Shiyi remained calm, indicating that she had thought about it for a long time.

Star Han looked at Shiyi for a long time before slowly saying, "Although I don't have much money, and I'm not very handsome, I can guarantee that my feelings for you are genuine. I will do my best to make you happy, and I believe I have the ability to do so. Can you trust me?"

"I trust you. I have never doubted your abilities. But our desires for life are different. You want a plain and ordinary life, while I aspire to succeed and achieve greatness. I refuse to live an unfeeling life like a cow or a horse. I long for luxury villas, not a family squeezed into a house that's less than a hundred square meters. I desire glamorous attire and dining at high-end restaurants, not eating beef noodles at a roadside stall. I'm tired of poverty; I don't want to live a life like my parents'. But you're different, and you don't care about these things. We are not the same kind of people. We cannot change each other, and breaking up is inevitable. It's better to end the pain quickly. Breaking up now is better for both of us." Shiyi spoke resolutely.

Hearing Shiyi's words, Star Han truly felt despair. Shiyi was right—they were not the same kind of people. However, he still wanted to salvage their relationship. Suddenly, he remembered the several million yuan he had won and asked, "How much money would it take to achieve everything you mentioned? Tell me."

"I don't know. But if I had tens of millions, everything could be realized," Shiyi replied, unsure of what Star Han wanted to say.

"Alright, let's say if I can earn tens of millions within three years, would you reconsider our relationship?" Star Han gritted his teeth.

"Can you? Starting from now?" Shiyi looked at Star Han suspiciously and noticed that he wasn't joking but rather serious. She nodded and said, "Okay, if you can become a millionaire within three years, then I will listen to whatever you say. Even if I'm already married, I'll divorce and be your mistress willingly. However, until you succeed, you have no authority over me."

"Alright, remember what you said today. We'll meet again when we graduate in three years!" Star Han said, then walked away in long strides. He recalled Xu Zhimo's poem "Coincidence":

I am a cloud in the sky,

Occasionally casting a reflection on your heart's waves—

No need to be surprised,

No need for joy—

The trace vanishes in an instant.

We met on the dark sea,

You have your own direction, and I have mine;

You can remember,

But it's better if you forget,

The brightness we shared in that encounter!

Perhaps, he and Shiyi were like the cloud and the sea, each with their own direction. Perhaps it was truly time to forget the brightness they shared in that encounter.

Shiyi watched Star Han's retreating figure, knowing that she had deeply hurt someone's heart, someone she least wanted to hurt. He loved her, and she loved him too. But loving each other doesn't always guarantee being together. This was an era driven by materialism, and many things were based on money. Life is filled with numerous tragedies, and she and Star Han were just a small ripple in the grand scheme of things.

Regardless of what would happen after three years, they had effectively ended things at this moment. Because once the water ripples out, it cannot be retrieved. Even if a broken mirror is repaired, the cracks cannot be fully restored. Mirrors, and even more so, the cracks in people's hearts, are irreparable.

However, she didn't believe that she had done something wrong today. She and Star Han were different people with different pursuits. Although she admired Star Han's aspirations, she couldn't accompany him in living that kind of life. Their experiences were also different, which determined their differing views on life.

Initially, she didn't want to have any relationship with Star Han, but love always came so suddenly, and before she could think it through, she had already fallen deeply into it. However, they wouldn't have a future together, so it was better to end things sooner. It would be best if Star Han saw her as a materialistic woman; perhaps he could recover more quickly. She didn't want Star Han to sink because of her.

Star Han had never asked about her background, assuming that she came from a poor family like him. However, that wasn't the case for Shiyi. Shiyi was born into a wealthy family. In her childhood, she lived a life where everything was readily available, with servants attending to her every need and a crowd of people trying to please her. At that time, she was like a princess, high above it all, unaware of poverty and worry.

But everything changed when she was twelve years old. That year, her father made an investment mistake in real estate, and their finances fell into turmoil. Their house and cars were mortgaged. Shiyi vividly remembered that winter, when her father went out every day trying to raise funds but returned disappointed each time. Those friends who used to flatter and please them suddenly kept their distance. Those who used to curry favor with them became their creditors, demanding repayment every day. No one was willing to help them. Eventually, her father couldn't bear it any longer and jumped off a building. Only she and her mother were left, leading a miserable life.

Since then, her mother, who had never done any work before, started working relentlessly. She did all kinds of jobs to earn money for Shiyi's education, prohibiting her from doing anything and making sure she was well-dressed. At first, Shiyi didn't understand, but her mother eventually said to her:

"My daughter, do you remember how your father died?"

"Wasn't it because of the real estate investment mistake..." Shiyi asked, puzzled.

"That's correct, but you don't know that your father went bankrupt because he fell into someone else's trap. He couldn't rest in peace. I'm powerless in this lifetime, but you can do it. You're smart and beautiful, which are your greatest assets. As long as you grasp these assets well, you'll be able to avenge your father. Don't worry because you can't help me now. If you can achieve what I'm saying, I will die without regrets. I hate those people, and I want them to suffer the same fate as us, ruined and destroyed."

As her mother spoke, her expression became increasingly desolate, a sight that Shiyi would never forget in her lifetime. Although she didn't agree with her mother's words in her heart, she made up her mind to seek justice for her father. Unfortunately, although Star Han was talented, he was still far from meeting her expectations. And she didn't want to wait that long. Now, Hualiuyun's pursuit offered her hope. The Hua family was a wealthy conglomerate with both money and power. Such opportunities were not easy to come by.

Therefore, she had to make a choice between Hualiuyun and Star Han. Right now, she only hoped that Star Han would have a better life after three years, so that she could find some peace of mind in the future.