Chapter 56: Skyrocketing Favorability!

Logically speaking, encountering an accident like this would have given her every reason to demand heavy compensation from the scenic area, but Li Shuirui did not do so.

She wasn't short on money at the moment, nor was she willing to waste her energy bickering with the management.

Of course, after learning of the incident, the Tiantanzhai Scenic Area offered a very sincere apology. They waived all fees for the mountaineering club and guaranteed a strict inspection of all facilities to ensure it would never happen again.

Whether there would be a next time was unknown, but the mountaineering club certainly wouldn't dare come to this place again.

"Senior Jiang, you are freaking awesome!"

On the bus back to school, Fan Feiyu expressed his admiration to Jiang Chen across the aisle.

Although he hadn't been present at the time, he could vividly imagine how perilous the situation must have been based solely on the eyewitness accounts.

If it had been him, Fan Feiyu believed that the most delicate flower of the Art Academy would likely have withered and perished by now.

Initially, he thought this famous senior's pursuit of the Art Academy's campus belle was merely a passing whim, driven by lust.

But now, he thought completely differently.

He was a man too.

In a situation like that, beyond incredible reflexes, what mattered more was the decisiveness to risk one's life.

If it were just for beauty, no man would take such a massive risk.

That was why he felt such respect.

At this moment, the bus was buzzing with discussion. Without exception, everyone was talking about how Li Shuirui had nearly fallen to her death and how Jiang Chen had risked everything to save her.

The men were conquered, and the women were moved beyond words.

Women are imaginative creatures by nature; they couldn't help but project themselves into Li Shuirui's role.

At this moment, their envy toward Li Shuirui underwent an invisible transformation.

Before, they were merely envious of her beauty.

But now, they envied the fact that Li Shuirui had found a man willing to risk his life for her.

In this materialistic era, where love has become a luxury, how many women could claim such luck?

Right now, Jiang Chen was no longer the notorious "simp"; he was the Prince Charming in the eyes of the girls, and an undisputed hero in the eyes of everyone!

"Jiang Chen, thank you."

Li Shuirui turned her head.

The thanks came a bit late, but they were sincere enough.

The coldness and detachment that had previously occupied those beautiful eyes were gone.

"You saved me once, I saved you once. Now we're even."

Hearing such a response, Li Shuirui couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

She had assumed he would use the favor to demand something in return, or at least say something flirtatious, but she hadn't expected such a casual, lighthearted remark.

After quietly observing his profile—which wasn't exceptionally handsome but felt very comfortable to look at—the corners of Li Shuirui's mouth curled up slightly.

"Are we really even?"

Jiang Chen turned his head.

"If you really want to repay me, I wouldn't mind. I won't ask for too much."

As he spoke, he paused, appearing to contemplate the terms.

"Then how about a kiss? A kiss in exchange for a life—it's a good deal for you."

"In your dreams."

Li Shuirui shot him a glance. It was no longer the disdainful sneer from before; instead, it carried a hint of charm.

Then, the campus belle, who had just returned from the brink of death, looked out the window and added, "But I can certainly treat you to a meal."

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow. Before he could speak, a notification sounded.

【Li Shuirui's favorability toward you +130】

Jiang Chen's heart jolted, and he immediately checked the favorability level.

【Name: Li Shuirui】 【Favorability toward Host: 30】

As expected.

It was finally no longer a shocking negative number!

Jiang Chen's heart raced.

No wonder the trope of the hero saving the beauty is so common in movies and TV shows; there is indeed a reason why it never goes out of style!

The risk was not taken in vain.

If he could do it again, wouldn't that mean the conquest mission could be completed?!

"What's wrong with you?"

Seeing his strange expression, Li Shuirui frowned curiously.

"Nothing."

Jiang Chen took a few deep breaths.

Stay calm.

Must stay calm.

Although he had made massive progress, he hadn't succeeded yet. It was too early to celebrate.

"Since you're treating me to dinner, I suppose I'll have to choose a place carefully."

"Pick whatever you want."

Li Shuirui spoke with great confidence. It made sense; she was now a wealthy woman driving a Panamera, and a meal was a mere drop in the bucket.

"You said it yourself. Don't say I'm overcharging you later."

Li Shuirui simply smiled.

*Tsk.*

You really have to lose a child to catch a wolf.

Before, this girl looked at him as if he were a fly; when had she ever shown a smile?

At this moment, Jiang Chen wished he could drag her back to the Dragon Gate Plank Road again.

He could only blame his poor reputation and low starting point.

If his initial favorability had been zero, it would likely have hit the ceiling by now, rather than adding 130 and still being a pitiful 30.

Of course, Jiang Chen understood the principle that greed knows no bounds.

One must be content.

The first step is always the hardest.

From Li Shuirui's words, actions, and demeanor, it was clear that their relationship had normalized; at the very least, she no longer felt repulsion toward him.

The subsequent conquest tasks would clearly be much easier.

"Jiang Chen!"

Someone from the next seat called out.

Jiang Chen turned to see Zheng Jingjing poking her head out, staring at him with a complex expression.

"What is it?"

"Can I interview you?" Zheng Jingjing asked.

"No."

Zheng Jingjing ignored him. "When you lunged out just then, what were you thinking?"

Jiang Chen didn't think too much about it.

"In such a short amount of time, there was no time to think. There was only one thought: if anything happened to Shuirui, I wouldn't want to live either."

The words were somewhat embellished, but they weren't entirely lies.

Others simply didn't understand what Li Shuirui meant to him.

If it were before, hearing such words, Zheng Jingjing would have certainly scoffed, thinking it was just a man's sweet talk. But Jiang Chen's recent actions were the best proof of that statement.

Setting Li Shuirui aside, even Zheng Jingjing felt that the scene on the Dragon Gate Plank Road might become an image in her memory that would never fade.

"Jiang Chen, I was wrong before. I had a bad attitude toward you. I apologize."

"It's fine."

Jiang Chen gave a nonchalant smile.

With his temperament, he naturally wouldn't hold a grudge against a girl. Besides, he actually had a pretty good impression of Zheng Jingjing.

Though she was a bit arrogant, that was a common trait among beauties. Her character wasn't problematic; she was straightforward, honest, and clear about her likes and dislikes. She said what was on her mind rather than hiding a knife behind a smile like some other girls.

*If anything happened to Shuirui, I wouldn't want to live either.*

Li Shuirui gazed out the window, her expression softening.

For someone whose suitors were as numerous as carp crossing a river, for the first time, she felt that being liked—

Felt quite good.