Chapter 13: A Fatal Beauty

"Clang!"

As soon as class ended, Ai Qian marched out of the classroom with her books in hand, her face ashen and her expression livid. She even punctuated her exit by kicking a desk.

Everyone could tell that the class beauty was in a foul mood.

Inevitably, eyes drifted toward Jiang Chen.

How strange.

Could it be that the "Great Jiang Simp" had offended her?

"Chen, are you okay?"

Bai Zheli had also noticed Ai Qian's abnormal behavior. He watched her walk out of the classroom before approaching Jiang Chen with a worried expression.

"I'm fine."

Jiang Chen gave a nonchalant smile. "Come on, let's go eat. We'll play ball after."

Senior year was generally quite relaxed. Aside from one morning class, the rest of the day was spent idling.

Down by the girls' dormitory.

Standing outside the three-point line, Jiang Chen leaped lightly. The ball left his hands, tracing an elegant arc through the air before hitting the net with a crisp "swish."

The entire process was as smooth as flowing water, a display of pure rhythm.

"Nice shot!"

The spectators cheered loudly.

Defending him, Luo Chen panted heavily, wiped away his sweat, and looked up from the rim, unable to help but give a thumbs-up.

He had to admit that aside from his foul reputation as a "simp," Jiang Chen was actually quite impressive in other aspects. He was good-looking, a good student, and possessed decent athletic talent. If he hadn't been so stubborn and single-mindedly obsessed with Ai Qian, he probably wouldn't lack admirers.

After all, among the ten thousand students at Donghai University—over four thousand of whom were girls—it was impossible for every single one to be materialistic and superficial.

"I'm going to take a break."

Drenched in sweat, Jiang Chen walked toward the sidelines to sit down. He picked up a bottle of mineral water, but before he could take a few sips, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the basketball court.

He instinctively turned his head to look. Five or six modified cars pulled up one after another, the bright red Maserati among them standing out prominently.

Liang Zhenlun pushed the door open and stepped out of his car. Wearing a pair of exaggerated black sunglasses, he approached with a group of fair-weather friends, looking imposing and arrogant.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

Children from ordinary families had to study hard to change their destinies, but for wealthy heirs like Liang Zhenlun, it was different. Attending university was merely a formality. To the eyes of these rich kids, four years of college were meant for eating, drinking, and playing.

As a "love rival," Jiang Chen naturally knew a bit about Liang Zhenlun. The guy rarely attended classes. Furthermore, Ai Qian had mentioned this morning that he wasn't on campus. For him to suddenly show up here, specifically, and with such a large entourage...

Tsk.

He didn't come with good intentions.

Luo Peng and the others also noticed the aggressive approach of Liang Zhenlun's group. Realizing something was wrong, they quickly gathered around Jiang Chen to shield him.

"Liang Zhenlun, what do you think you're doing?"

Others might be intimidated by the so-called "Young Master Liang," but Luo Peng wasn't afraid. After all, his family background wasn't bad either, and he had extensive connections on campus.

"What do I think I'm doing? I should be asking you—what do you think *you're* doing, Jiang Chen!"

Liang Zhenlun dropped the pretense of politeness and addressed Jiang Chen directly by name, his expression defiant. "If you're a real man, stand up and take responsibility. What kind of man hides behind others?"

"You looking for trouble, aren't you?"

Luo Peng shot back, his eyes fierce.

Jiang Chen patted his arm, pushed him aside, and stepped forward to face Liang Zhenlun directly.

"What did I do?"

The commotion instantly drew the attention of the entire court. People began to crowd around, and even passing students stopped to watch the spectacle out of curiosity.

"Look, look! Liang Zhenlun and Jiang Chen are clashing!"

Up at the girls' dormitory, heads poked out from balconies, watching the scene below with great interest. Even Xu Siyi's dormitory received the news.

"Haha, those two finally couldn't hold it in. It would be best if they just started fighting!"

Watching a drama from a distance was safe. Since it didn't involve them, these girls were naturally eager for chaos.

Although she had accepted favors from Jiang Chen, Xu Siyi wasn't worried at all as she looked at the dark crowd below. She curled her lip in disdain and muttered, "Idiots, the lot of them."

"What did you do?"

Liang Zhenlun hadn't even taken off his sunglasses. He pointed an insulting finger toward Jiang Chen's nose. "I warned you that Ai Qian is my girlfriend now. I told you to stop pestering her. Did you treat my words like wind passing your ears?"

His group of friends stood with arms crossed, eyeing Jiang Chen with ill intent.

"Liang Zhenlun, what are you implying?" Li Shao frowned.

"What am I implying? Why don't you ask your good buddy?"

Jiang Chen remained silent.

"Still playing dumb, are you?" Liang Zhenlun said gloomily. "During class this morning, did you fucking lay your hands on Ai Qian again?"

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

The onlookers whispered among themselves, eyeing Jiang Chen with strange expressions. Being a simp wasn't a major sin, but if he was being lewd and despicable, it became a matter of character.

At that moment, a sexy figure who appeared to be heading back to her dorm was also drawn to the scene. After a moment of hesitation, she changed direction and walked toward the periphery of the crowd.

"Bullshit!"

Luo Peng immediately cursed. "Jiang Chen isn't that kind of person!"

"Bullshit?" Liang Zhenlun said darkly. "Ai Qian told me this herself. Would I frame him?"

"She's slandering him!"

Bai Zheli could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and shouted, "All this time, she's been the one using Chen! It's not Chen who's been pestering her! Since you're her boyfriend, instead of slapping baseless accusations on someone else, you should be managing your own girlfriend!"

His words were powerful and resonant!

Luo Peng and Li Shao both looked at the youngest member of their dorm in surprise. They hadn't expected such strength to reside within his seemingly frail body. It seemed he had been swallowing his pride for Jiang Chen for too long and finally needed to vent.

"You're fucking talking nonsense!" Liang Zhenlun abruptly ripped off his sunglasses, looking ferocious.

"I am not! If you don't believe me, call your girlfriend over here and have her face Chen!"

Bai Zheli had reached his limit and refused to back down. Today, he was going to clear Chen's name and wash away the "simp" reputation!

Like drinking a bottle of ice-cold beer on a sweltering summer day, Luo Peng felt a sense of pure satisfaction and felt like applauding!

"Yeah! If you've got the guts, call Ai Qian over and see whose fault it really is!"

Liang Zhenlun's expression flickered uncertainly; clearly, he didn't have full confidence in his girlfriend. He turned his gaze back to Jiang Chen.

"Jiang, are you going to keep acting like a turtle hiding in its shell?"

"I apologize for what happened before, but I can promise you this: from now on, I will have no further contact with Ai Qian," Jiang Chen responded calmly, showing neither sadness nor joy.

Regardless of who had initiated things previously, the fact that he and Ai Qian had remained "lingeringly connected" was indeed an immoral slight against Liang Zhenlun.

"You think I'll believe that?" Liang Zhenlun sneered.

"You should believe him, because he's currently pursuing the beauty of the Arts College, Li Shurui!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Liang Zhenlun froze, then burst into laughter.

"Did I hear that right? Li Shurui? Jiang Chen, with just you?"

"What? Is it not possible? Jiang Chen *is* pursuing Li Shurui. In what way is she not better than Ai Qian?!" Luo Peng didn't care about the consequences anymore. Between two evils, he chose the lesser one. If he had to be a simp, being a simp for Li Shurui certainly sounded better.

Liang Zhenlun's expression gradually froze as he realized the other party wasn't joking.

The crowd went wild. After all, hearsay was one thing, but seeing it with one's own eyes was another. Luo Peng was Jiang Chen's roommate; he wouldn't lie.

So, was the "Great Jiang Simp," known to everyone in school, truly changing his allegiances and shifting his target?

At the edge of the crowd, the sexy figure remained expressionless. She turned and walked away silently.

(End of Chapter)