**"Those are just rumors."**
Jiang Chen remained unfazed, countering, "Girls are naturally jealous. Li Shurui is stunning—of course, some would spread lies to tarnish her reputation. Brother Shao, you say she's materialistic and rides in luxury cars, but have you *actually* seen it?"
Li Shao faltered. He wasn't a paparazzo staking out the art school or the girls' dorm.
"She even bought me a few drinks earlier—imported liquor. I don't know the brand, but it must've been expensive. If anything, she's generous. You've all misunderstood her."
Luo Peng: "..."
Li Shao: "..."
Bai Zheli stared at Jiang Chen like he'd grown a second head.
Back when people called Jiang Chen a simp, Bai Zheli had defended him, chalking it up to loyalty. But now? Defending a girl he barely knew?
*The simp title is well-earned.*
"So you're saying…" Luo Peng said slowly, "you're into Li Shurui now?"
Jiang Chen sipped his beer, silent.
**"Jiang Chen."**
The server added dutifully, "Jiang as in 'river,' Chen as in 'stars.' He said he's your friend and told you not to drink too much—to head back early."
The guest had specifically instructed him to relay this during payment. It wasn't the server's place to embellish.
*Doing good deeds without claiming credit? That's not being a simp—that's being an idiot.*
If you're spending money, make sure they know it.
"Wait, isn't Jiang Chen broke?" The girls exchanged puzzled glances.
"How much was our bill?" Li Shurui asked, her expression cool but curious.
"5,888 yuan."
"Shurui, Jiang Chen just dropped a *fortune*. Did he blow half a year's living expenses on this?"
The girls stared at her, wide-eyed. Li Shurui remained silent, but a faint ripple of surprise stirred within her.
After years of simping, Jiang Chen seemed to have finally cracked the code.
*No amount of sweet talk could ever compete with cold, hard cash.*