"Brother Luo, how about we pick another place?"
As they walked into the nightclub where the lights were hazy and the noise of the crowd was deafening, Bai Zheli gently nudged Luo Peng's arm, visibly uneasy.
At KIMI.
Gazing over the East Sea, it could be considered a widely famed nightspot. Rumor had it that a big celebrity was the investor behind the scenes. Basking in this glory, the club had been bustling with business since its opening, especially popular among the sons and daughters of the East Sea's elite.
Because of its market positioning, the entrance threshold was high, with the average spending starting in the four digits and no ceiling, which understandably made the place feel out of reach for ordinary university students.
Although he had never been there before, having studied in the East Sea for a few years, of course, Bai Zheli had heard of KIMI's renown. Some of the rich second-generation kids from his school would hang out there from time to time, but he was just a kid from an ordinary family, with a monthly allowance of barely over one thousand. How could he even think of stepping into such a place?
In fact, he had started feeling intimidated when he saw the parking lot full of luxury cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and big G-wagons.
"It's fine, Jiang Chen said he's picking up the tab tonight!"
Luo Peng laughed nonchalantly and then put his arm around Bai Zheli's slender shoulders.
"Little Bai, it's your first time at KIMI, right? Look around, there are beauties everywhere. Don't waste such a rare opportunity, man."
Bai Zheli adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose and a bitter smile couldn't help but surface on his fair and refined face.
Since he was the youngest, his roommates called him Little Bai. As for tonight's "big spender," he was the third eldest.
Speaking of Jiang Chen, Bai Zheli was actually even less of an entity.
Jiang Chen might be well-known in the school as a tail-wagger, but at the very least he had experienced a romantic relationship.
Whereas he, the youngest, had a blank slate when it came to romance, a complete and utter novice.
"Got your eye on someone tonight? Just tell me, bro, and I guarantee I'll help you get her!"
Luo Peng tightened his hold on Bai Zheli's shoulders, speaking with a decisive and insistent tone.
"Enough, don't lead Little Bai astray. Are there any good girls in a place like this?"
Dorm leader Li Shao stepped in to divert the conversation away from Bai Zheli.
"Big bro, that's too absolute. Who says all girls who go to clubs are bad?"
Luo Peng countered.
Seizing the chance, Bai Zheli discreetly slipped out of his grasp and stood further away.
Among the four guys in the dorm, perhaps only Luo Peng, the second eldest, was considered the most "promising;" he was good-looking and sunny, plus his family owned a factory. To date, he had changed girlfriends four or five times and was quite carefree in matters of the heart.
Of course.
He never kept his "wisdom" to himself. He often shared his advanced experiences with his dorm mates, claiming that as men, they should be free-spirited and not take girlfriends too seriously. If things worked out, they continued; if not, they parted ways, stating that compromise won't bring true love, at best it was a limited pity.
It was hard to say whether Bai Zheli and Li Shao took his words to heart, but at least Jiang Chen definitely didn't heed them.
"Not all girls here are bad, but finding a good girl in this place is like looking for treasure in a garbage dump."
Dorm leader Li Shao looked around at the wildly reveling crowd in the bar with sober clarity.
"Forget it, I won't argue with you."
Luo Peng didn't bother talking further; he was naturally most familiar with this kind of setting.
"Come on, let's find a place to sit."
Normally, at a club like KIMI, just turning up wouldn't guarantee a seat, but Luo Peng had been here before and had the marketing number, so he had reserved a booth in advance.
"Jiang Chen, take a look, what do you want to drink?"
Luo Peng, knowing the ropes, swayed with the beat of the music and handed the drinks menu to Jiang Chen.
Taking the menu, Jiang Chen subconsciously glanced at the prices and his pupils involuntarily contracted.
A plain beer was priced at dozens, and they were sold individually no less.
As roommates, how could he not understand his difficulties? A person who relies on scholarships to pay tuition can't afford the consumption here.
"Jiang Chen, let's go Dutch."
The dorm leader, Li Shao, kindly suggested.
Bai Zheli couldn't help but glance at his second brother, Luo Peng. They could have just found a random place to have a drink, but he had to choose such a high-end venue. To the unaware, it would seem like they were fleecing fat sheep.
"Jiang Chen, order whatever you like; you're hosting tonight, but I'll pick up the tab!"
Luo Peng said with a cheerful smile. As a friend, he obviously didn't mean to make things difficult for Jiang Chen. In fact, before they came, he had already decided to pay the bill himself.
Li Shao and Bai Zheli were not too surprised, as good friends, they naturally understood each other's personalities.
But unexpectedly, Jiang Chen refused Luo Peng's generosity and stubbornly said, "I said I'd host the dinner, so it's on me. Tonight, we won't go home until we're drunk."
Luo Peng hesitated to speak and exchanged a glance with Li Shao.
How stubborn Jiang Chen was could be seen in the way he treated Ai Qian.
It was very hard for others to change his mind once he had decided on something.
"Fine, if you insist on hosting, then you host!"
Luo Peng didn't argue, temporarily agreeing, thinking to himself that later, after they had drunk a bit, he would secretly go and settle the bill.
Unable to afford very expensive drinks, Jiang Chen ordered two beverage packages and a fruit plate.
He had mentally prepared himself to spend two or three thousand. Over the years, he had worked part-time while studying, and although he had spent some with Ai Qian, he had also saved a little.
"Drink up!"
The four young men clinked their cups, their faces flushed with warmth, casting aside all worries and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
This is what youth should look like.
"Chen, breaking up with Ai Qian was the right choice, you can definitely find someone better!"
They say a drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts.
Clearly, the atmosphere at the moment allowed Bai Zheli to speak what had been hidden in his heart.
"Xiao Bai is right! What's so great about Ai Qian? Look around, which of these girls isn't prettier than her?"
Sitting next to him, Luo Peng slapped Bai Zheli's shoulder hard, his strength unchecked due to the alcohol, nearly knocking him off the couch.
The drinks sloshed and spilled as Luo Peng, teetering slightly, raised his glass and said with bold enthusiasm, "Jiang Chen, you're so handsome and talented; your future is boundless. I believe that one day, Ai Qian will regret her decision!"
This flattery was so elaborate that even Jiang Chen felt a little embarrassed.
Handsome... if he tidied himself up, he really was somewhat notable – even if not as handsome as Pan An, he still had a clear and handsome appearance, with a height of 176 centimeters that was just right, and a clean and neat temperament. He was the type that definitely wouldn't provoke dislike at first glance. If it weren't for his good looks, Ai Qian wouldn't have agreed to be with a poor guy like him in the first place.
As for talent, receiving scholarships year after year was also not an overstatement.
But you should know, in this day and age, it's not about how well you study, it's about background and family wealth.
There's a saying that goes, why should decades of struggle from someone's ancestors lose out to your ten years of hard studying?
"Enough talk, let's drink!"
"Clink!"
The sound of glass cups clinking crisply together.
Just as Jiang Chen was about to throw his head back and down his drink, suddenly, he heard a "ding" noise.
[Detecting a suitable host, binding the Ultimate Licking Dog System...]
[Binding complete]
[Ten trillion Licking Dog Coins have been deposited to your account]