Chapter 23: If, Young and Promising (Thanks for the rewards)

Ai Qian's face stiffened. She gripped the microphone tightly, refusing to look at Jiang Chen.

Liang Zhenlun didn't press her, either.

"Senior Jiang, Shu Rui is right here. Aren't you going to say hello to her?"

Too much.

It was simply too much!

Zheng Jingjing could hardly bear to watch.

One should know when to let things go.

A conflict, a bit of difficulty—that was enough.

After all, they were all alumni; was there really a need to humiliate someone so ruthlessly?

"Is there anything else? I still have to deliver wine to the next private room."

Rarely, despite Liang Zhenlun's continuous sarcasm, Jiang Chen remained calm and unruffled, as if he had become numb, lost his sense of shame, and was even unashamed of his lowly status as a waiter.

"No rush. At worst, I'll just have a word with your manager."

Liang Zhenlun's smile was sharp. "Senior Jiang might not give me face, but your manager certainly will."

In truth, from the moment he entered and saw Liang Zhenlun, Jiang Chen understood that Manager Chen's request for him to help out today might have been prearranged.

Although Manager Chen was good to him, how could an ordinary employee be compared to a high-value client?

Even a fool would know how to make that choice, let alone a shrewd and capable businessman.

No wonder Manager Chen had deliberately arranged for him to deliver wine to this specific room.

To strike a blow against him, this Young Master Liang was truly going to great lengths.

"How about this? Since you have regulations here, I won't make things difficult. You don't have to serve the wine. Instead, why don't you sing a song for us, Senior Jiang? Consider it a birthday gift for me."

The corners of Liang Zhenlun's mouth curled up with a wicked air.

If Jiang Chen agreed to perform in his capacity as a waiter, he would likely never be able to hold his head up again in front of Ai Qian and Li Shu Rui.

Once word traveled back to school, he would become a massive laughingstock.

However, given the current situation, he seemed to have no room to refuse.

"Jiang Chen, I'll sing with you."

In the end, someone's conscience remained intact.

The one to step forward was Zheng Jingjing.

It was one thing to steal someone's girlfriend, but to go to such lengths to insult someone's character—she simply couldn't stand it anymore.

Liang Zhenlun frowned, clearly dissatisfied with Zheng Jingjing's meddling.

But Zheng Jingjing gave him no chance to voice his opinion. She quickly walked to the song selection terminal, picked a song for herself, and forcefully snatched the microphone from Ai Qian's hand.

The reason Liang Zhenlun was targeting Jiang Chen was entirely because of you.

And the reason Jiang Chen was working here was also largely because of you.

Without expecting you to hold onto old sentiments, even if you were just ordinary friends, shouldn't you at least try to mediate at a time like this?

But she was just sitting there, playing deaf and mute, remaining silent.

As an outsider and as a woman, even Zheng Jingjing felt a surge of indignation.

"Here!"

She handed a microphone to Jiang Chen.

The intro began to play.

"You should know this song, right?"

Jiang Chen nodded.

"Then I'll go first."

Zheng Jingjing didn't stand on ceremony and began to sing.

"The TV keeps flickering, I haven't even deleted your contact info yet, You treated me so well, But I ruined it all with my own hands..."

As a student of the Arts Academy, even if her level wasn't professional, Zheng Jingjing's singing ability was significantly better than the average person's.

Moreover, the song wasn't particularly difficult.

Liang Zhenlun narrowed his eyes, watching the large screen with a slightly somber expression.

"We once dreamed together, Of a place to sleep and eat, But how do we endure the days and nights, When we can't even scrape together the first payment..."

Zheng Jingjing ignored him, singing with great passion and emotion, clearly immersing herself in the lyrics.

"Why is Jingjing standing up for Jiang Chen?"

Xu Siyi was surprised and confused. Zheng Jingjing's choice of this specific song was clearly intentional and highly targeted; one could see Ai Qian's expression shifting.

"Did you forget that Jingjing once drove for over an hour just to take a stray dog to a rescue station?"

Li Shu Rui said softly, "Besides, he is a human being."

Xu Siyi froze, then fell silent.

"The wall panel was smashed by me, It still hasn't been repaired, A bowl of hot porridge, You feared I wouldn't have enough, So you left half for me to take away."

Despite her vanity, Zheng Jingjing was clearly a girl with redeeming qualities.

At the very least, she still possessed compassion.

"To describe it to you, Your eyes often turn red thinking of the beautiful future, It turns out you were hurting for me, I didn't understand back then..."

Because she was so angry—or perhaps too immersed—Zheng Jingjing only realized after singing for a while that she wasn't the only singer.

She hurriedly stopped and signaled for Jiang Chen to begin.

"If only I had been successful in my youth and not so insecure, If I had known what was precious, Those beautiful dreams, If I hadn't given them to you, I would have lived my life with regret."

Jiang Chen's voice lacked any technical flourishes; it was gentle and plain. Yet, for some reason, even those who didn't know him could sense an indescribable feeling in his singing.

The smirks gradually vanished, and the mocking gazes began to change.

Looking at the thin young man in the small suit, curiosity began to stir in the eyes of some of the girls.

"If only I had been successful in my youth and not so insecure, If I had tasted the bitterness of regret, Money and status, If I had fought for them only to want to turn back, If only I had known when to advance and when to retreat, I wouldn't have let you suffer in my place. Have a few more drinks at the wedding, With your current partner, Have a few more drinks at the wedding, To toast my success in my youth."

The music slowly faded away.

Jiang Chen put down the microphone.

"This guy... he sings quite well," Xu Siyi remarked, looking surprised.

Li Shu Rui silently watched the young man who had been moving forward while enduring ridicule and contempt, and her perception of him quietly shifted.

To love someone...

It didn't seem like such an embarrassing thing after all.

【Li Shu Rui's favorability towards you +20】

The sudden notification caught Jiang Chen off guard, making him freeze for a moment before he let out a wry laugh.

So, singing really can pick up girls!

No wonder so many guys practice their vocals so hard.

The pitiful favorability rating had finally changed; it was now -80.

Although he was still a long way from the requirement for success, he had at least taken the first step.

"Thank you."

Jiang Chen returned the microphone to Zheng Jingjing.

Zheng Jingjing took the microphone, wanting to say something, but in the end, she only managed, "You're welcome."

Jiang Chen turned to face the stony-faced Liang Zhenlun.

"Happy birthday."

The entire room fell silent.

Especially the students from Donghai University.

Some people might be penniless, but they possessed immense personal charisma.

The reputation of "Jiang the Simp" was legendary at Donghai University.

But tonight, they witnessed a side of him that was different from the rumors.

"I hope you all have a wonderful time at V-Party tonight."

Finally, Jiang Chen did not forget his duties. He gave a slight bow before turning to leave the private room.

The door was slowly closed.

Xu Siyi couldn't help but let out a breath, feeling an inexplicable tightness in her chest.

She didn't know why.

This "simp" she had swindled out of thousands of yuan didn't seem as simple as she had imagined.

What kind of restraint and resilience could a young man of this age possess?

"Shu Rui, that Jiang Chen guy... he seems a bit different from the one we used to know..."

Xu Siyi murmured, this time completely involuntarily, not intentionally trying to speak well of him.

Li Shu Rui remained noncommittal. She glanced at the grim Liang Zhenlun, and then at the pale, distracted Ai Qian.

"Did we... know him before?"

(End of Chapter)