Chapter 58: Plum Blossoms Fragrance Comes from the Bitter Cold

Comprehensive Education Building.

Jiang Chen and Luo Peng, having just finished class, were walking out chatting when they suddenly heard two horn blasts.

"Beep, beep..."

Jiang Chen turned his head and saw a snow-white Panamera parked at the bottom of the steps, amidst a crowd of passing students pointing and whispering.

As a leading developed city, Dongda was not only a first-class university in the country, but—excluding a few exceptions like Jiang Chen—the general family backgrounds of the students were far above the national average.

It wasn't uncommon for students at Dongda to own cars, but a luxury coupe like a Panamera, worth millions, was indeed a rare sight.

Many people knew this was the car of Li Shurui, the beauty of the Arts Academy.

"Why is Li Shurui here?"

"Is she waiting for someone?"

"It goes without saying, she's definitely waiting for Jiang Chen."

"That simp, Jiang Chen?"

"What's wrong with being a simp? The guy was willing to risk his life to save someone—would you dare? What girl wouldn't fall for a man like that?"

"Are you saying Li Shurui has fallen for Jiang Chen? No way..."

"Whether it's possible or not, their relationship has become extraordinary since that incident. Li Shurui never attends classes here; why else would she come? Don't tell me you think she's here for you?"

"Go on, hurry up," Luo Peng nudged him with his chin.

Jiang Chen handed his books to Bai Zheli and, ignoring the gazes from all directions, walked toward the spotlighted Panamera with composure.

"Tsk tsk, a sword is sharpened by grinding, and plum blossoms gain fragrance through bitter cold. It looks like Jiang Chen has finally made it."

Watching Jiang Chen open the door and sit in the passenger seat, Luo Peng felt a surge of emotion.

"Alright, we're off."

Li Shao shook his head with a smile, gave the Panamera a blessing glance, and walked away with Luo Peng and Bai Zheli.

"I can just take a taxi. You're... being too high-profile."

The door closed, isolating them from the gossip outside, but it couldn't block the various types of stares.

"If I don't care, why should you be afraid?"

The willful Li Shurui turned her head.

She never seemed to mind the gaze of others.

"What am I afraid of? I'm actually hoping for it."

Jiang Chen gave a wry smile, making no effort to hide his intentions.

Li Shurui said nothing, started the car, and turned away, driving out of the campus under a sea of envious eyes.

"Just the two of us?"

Jiang Chen glanced back.

The backseat was empty.

He thought Li Shurui might have invited Zheng Jingjing, Xu Siyi, and the others.

"What else?"

Li Shurui drove straight ahead. She was dressed simply today—pencil pants, flat shoes, and her long hair draped lazily over her shoulders. Her face, which one could never tire of looking at, looked perfect with just a touch of makeup.

In truth, Xu Siyi and the others knew she was treating Jiang Chen to dinner tonight, but since it was a "thank you banquet," Zheng Jingjing said it wasn't appropriate for her to attend, so Guo Ran and Xu Siyi didn't come either.

"Two is fine. Anyone watching might think we're on a date."

Jiang Chen couldn't help but throw in a flirtatious remark.

In the past, hearing such a comment would have earned him a cold glare from Li Shurui, but today, she didn't react at all. Not only did she not get angry, she even replied, "A date is fine, but the gentleman has to pay."

Li Shurui had never lacked wit or social grace; it was just that the old Jiang Chen wasn't from her world, so he wasn't worthy.

Her words were likely a joke, but Jiang Chen seemed to take them seriously, seizing the opportunity: "Fine, you said it. I'll pay."

"Are you sure?"

Coincidentally, the intersection ahead was red. Li Shurui brought the car to a halt and glanced at him.

"The Banqiu Pavilion you picked is one of the top-ranked high-end restaurants in all of Donghai. Even for just two people, a meal there won't be cheap."

This might have been a kind reminder.

But at the same time, it was a serious blow to a man's pride.

"Looking down on me, are you?"

Jiang Chen remained unfazed. "It's just a meal. As long as you're happy, no matter how expensive, it's worth it. I think many men would envy an opportunity like this."

Women are auditory creatures.

Girls are no different.

The corners of Li Shurui's mouth curled slightly. "Stop acting tough. It doesn't really matter where we eat. If you insist on treating me, let's change the location."

She truly didn't seem to mind if Jiang Chen labeled this "thank you banquet" as a "date."

"No, it has to be Banqiu Pavilion," Jiang Chen insisted.

That was the stubbornness of a man.

"Beep, beep..."

A prompt horn sounded from behind.

The light had turned green.

Li Shurui said no more and continued toward Banqiu Pavilion following the navigation.

Banqiu Pavilion was a high-end luxury dining brand with branches in all first-tier and most second-tier cities.

It targeted the social elite; a casual meal there could easily cost ten thousand or twenty thousand yuan.

The parking lot even had dedicated attendants to make guests feel at home.

"Welcome to Banqiu Pavilion."

The hostess at the entrance wore a beautiful, tight-fitting cheongsam. She was tall and graceful; it was no exaggeration to say any one of them could be a car model.

Tsk tsk.

So this was the world of the wealthy.

Looking around, all the diners were dressed luxuriously—men in suits and ties, women looking radiant. Jiang Chen actually looked decent, clean and tidy, but in this environment, he stood out as somewhat uncoordinated.

Fortunately, the staff at Banqiu Pavilion were highly professional. Perhaps because of the Panamera, they showed him no contempt and respectfully led Jiang Chen and Li Shurui to an empty table.

Li Shurui had been to places like this before, but for Jiang Chen, this was a genuine first time. Opening the textured menu, which felt like a work of art, he wasn't overly shocked, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.

A simple dish of stir-fried pork with bamboo shoots cost 158 yuan. This was practically highway robbery.

Of course, Jiang Chen understood. In places like this, you were paying for the prestige. If it were cheap, the social elite wouldn't come here.

It was the same logic as selling bottled water for two yuan in a convenience store versus twenty yuan in a five-star hotel.

"Order whatever you want," Li Shurui said, looking at the menu without looking up.

With her temperament and looks, she truly looked like a socialite.

Jiang Chen understood she was subtly reminding him that she would handle the bill to ease his psychological pressure.

Since Li Shurui said to order whatever he wanted, Jiang Chen indeed didn't hold back.

While Li Shurui was still reading, he had already started commanding the menu like he was ordering skewers at a street stall, even ordering a bottle of 2007 Petrus.

"Let's start with these for now," Jiang Chen said, closing the menu with satisfaction.

Li Shurui looked up.

"Miss, would you like to order anything else?"

"No, thank you."

Li Shurui, who hadn't even had a chance to order a single dish, looked at Jiang Chen as he scanned the room, and handed the menu back to the waiter.