I was a bit surprised and put the cat food on the ground. "How do you know my name?"
Duncan's voice sounded oddly familiar. Could it be...
I shook my head. He couldn't be that person.
Duncan stood up. "You're one of the campus celebrities now. How could I not know about you?"
I felt my cheeks flush slightly.
To me, these stray cats were like my former self, driven away by poverty and wandering aimlessly. Now that I could help, I wanted them to be well cared for.
After feeding the cats, we packed up and walked slowly along the wasteland. Duncan pointed at the surrounding area and said, "Erica, I'm planning to buy this land with my startup money. If you have enough savings, I suggest you buy a small plot too. According to my dad's inside information, this area will soon be designated as a new economic zone and will face redevelopment."
I told Duncan, "You might need to rethink your plans."
Duncan looked puzzled. "Why?"
I replied, "Sorry, but I've already bought this land."
In my previous life, this plot of land was a barren area so desolate that even farmers avoided it, with vast stretches of it lying unused. However, after a major shake-up in the local government and the arrival of new officials eager to make their mark, the land was designated as a new economic zone. Coincidentally, this piece of land fell within the new zone's boundaries, and once it was included, property values skyrocketed.
This time, I had used the information gap to buy up as much of the land as I could six months ago, waiting for the redevelopment to make a profit. If everything went as planned, I would make a fortune, enough for me and my family to live comfortably for life.
As we reached the school gates, Duncan suddenly said, "Erica, don't get involved with Joel."
After hesitating, he added, "Joel isn't sincere. He's with you because of a bet with someone else."
"I know," I replied calmly.
"Then why are you still—" Duncan began, confused.
Before he could finish, Joel appeared, having come to the gate after not being able to reach me by phone. He ran into us as we were heading back.
Joel wrapped his arm around my shoulders possessively. "Erica, I've been waiting for you. Let's have dinner together tonight."
I pushed Joel's arm away and stepped closer to Duncan, deliberately saying, "I'm afraid not. Duncan and I have some academic matters to discuss. Maybe another time."