Chapter 1: A Simp Deserves Death

“Jiang Chen, I’ve told you already, we’ve broken up! Stop pestering me!”

Donghai University.

The maple forest.

A young man with delicate features opened his eyes wide, looking somewhat dazed.

Not far from him stood a girl possessing all the beauty appropriate for her age—pretty and graceful, willow-slender, with bright eyes and a charming face. She was the class beauty of their cohort.

At the same time.

She was also his first love.

It was just that the fate between the two had already reached its end two months ago.

Despite the breakup, Jiang Chen, this ex-boyfriend, remained very dutiful. Even after being dumped, he never forgot their past affection. Whenever she needed help, he never refused. Because of this, he had gradually become known throughout Donghai University as a—simp.

Of course.

Regarding this.

Jiang Chen himself did not admit it.

He believed this was merely the basic responsibility of a man.

If you can’t be lovers, at least you can still be friends.

So, when he received a text from Ai Qian today asking him to come out for a chat, he agreed without a second thought.

After breaking up with him, Ai Qian didn’t seem to be living happily. She had spoken of her current boyfriend’s various slights toward her, and had almost shed tears just moments ago.

Jiang Chen was just thinking about how to comfort her when, unexpectedly, the girl’s tone took a bizarre turn.

He looked at Ai Qian with a puzzled expression, but the sound of footsteps behind him made him realize the reason.

“Zhenlun, why are you here?”

Ai Qian, who had been on the verge of tears just a moment ago, was now full of surprise. The two expressions transitioned seamlessly.

She hurried forward, passing by Jiang Chen without even glancing at him, treating the person she had just been pouring her heart out to like air.

Jiang Chen turned back, saw who it was, and instantly understood. He couldn't help but offer a bitter smile.

“Just passing by. What are you two doing?”

The young man, dressed in designer brands and carrying the air of a rich playboy, looked toward Jiang Chen. He appeared amiable, but his eyes flickered with sharpness.

“Nothing, Jiang Chen asked me to come out for a walk.”

Ai Qian hooked her arm around her boyfriend’s, acting as if no one else was there, lying through her teeth without a blush or a racing heart.

Seeing her sweet and happy appearance now, it was hard to imagine she had just been complaining of grievances to Jiang Chen.

Women are born actors.

That saying was truly not false.

Jiang Chen, who had been made a scapegoat for no reason, lived up to his reputation as Donghai University’s famous simp; faced with his ex-girlfriend’s unscrupulous framing, he didn't utter a single word.

“Senior Jiang, you and Ai Qian have been broken up for so long, haven’t you started a new relationship yet? I actually know quite a few girls; how about I introduce you to some?”

Liang Zhenlun smiled peacefully. This rich kid might not have much grace, but he knew how to speak. It seemed like a kind gesture, but in reality, it was a devastating blow to Jiang Chen.

Catching his girlfriend “dating” a member of the opposite sex in a small forest—and an ex-boyfriend at that—as a man, he was naturally displeased.

If it were a rival with some weight, he would have surely lost his temper on the spot.

But Jiang Chen…

A poor kid whose parents were both dead, what did he have to compare with Young Master Liang?

As a well-known rich second-generation at Donghai University, Liang Zhenlun was full of confidence in himself.

Furthermore.

He also knew that Ai Qian was a smart girl.

She had thrown herself at him after dumping her boyfriend in less than a week for money; how could she possibly go back to eating grass she’d already grazed?

Unless this poor kid suddenly struck it rich, or his family went bankrupt.

Neither seemed likely to happen.

Of course, while he was certain Jiang Chen posed no threat, he still had to put some pressure on him regarding this kind of secretive meeting.

“Since you and Senior Jiang have already broken up, you should keep your distance from him. Otherwise, it’s easy for people to misunderstand. I certainly wouldn’t doubt you, but others might not be so sure. Senior Jiang still needs to date, don’t hold him back.”

Liang Zhenlun spoke with veiled sarcasm.

Ai Qian was a smart person; how could she not hear her boyfriend’s dissatisfaction? On the surface, she looked anxious, but inwardly, she was secretly delighted.

Making her boyfriend nervous—wasn't that the whole reason she sought out Jiang Chen today?

She quickly pressed into his arms and said in a sugary voice, “I know.”

Jiang Chen watched silently from the sidelines.

There is no cruelty greater than this.

When Ai Qian was with him, she had never been this submissive. Back then, just to hold her hand, he had to coax and deceive her, putting in a great deal of effort.

But now…

“Senior Jiang, we’ll be going then.”

Liang Zhenlun smiled at Jiang Chen, then allowed Ai Qian to lead him away with a swagger, looking every bit the triumphant victor.

Jiang Chen stood alone in place, watching the two walk out of the forest while chatting and laughing, eventually getting into that bright red, eye-catching Maserati. Although being labeled a simp had long since forged a heart far stronger than the average person’s, at this moment, Jiang Chen still couldn't help but feel a tightness in his chest.

He clenched his hands, let out a long breath, and then mechanically grinned. As if nothing had happened, he walked out of the maple forest as if nothing were the matter.

“Jiang Chen, that bitch Ai Qian is completely using you as a tool!”

A tall, sunny-looking young man popped out from somewhere, startling Jiang Chen.

“Cut the crap.”

In a bad mood, Jiang Chen retorted irritably.

“How am I talking crap? I saw everything.”

This sunny young man was Jiang Chen’s roommate. They were very close, and he felt deep contempt for Ai Qian’s vanity and her willingness to sell herself for money.

Breaking up is one thing; that’s everyone’s right. He couldn't say much about that, but for Ai Qian to still use his buddy as a tool after the breakup was something he couldn't stand.

“Can’t you see it yet? Ai Qian finding you today was just to put on a show for that kid Liang Zhenlun! She’s just using you as a stepping stone to make Liang Zhenlun feel a sense of crisis so he’ll value her more. Can you wake up!”

Luo Peng was heartbroken.

Over the past two months, he didn’t know how many times he had tried to persuade Jiang Chen, but Jiang Chen had always turned a deaf ear, doing as he pleased, refusing to repent, leaving everyone helpless.

“I know. I won’t see her again.”

They were in the same class, so not seeing her at all was obviously unrealistic.

Jiang Chen’s words meant that he had decided to draw a line in the sand with Ai Qian.

Luo Peng was stunned, caught off guard.

“Jiang Chen, are you serious?”

Jiang Chen nodded. Under Ai Qian’s repeated exploitation, he seemed to have finally woken up. He offered a relaxed grin.

“Let’s go. Call Xiaobai and the others; let’s go get a drink. My treat.”

The surprise came too suddenly; Luo Peng found it hard to accept.

“Jiang Chen… are you okay?”

He looked hesitant, wondering if his good buddy had developed psychological issues from being provoked by that pair of dogs.

“Damn it, I’m perfectly fine. Just drink a few more with me later.”

Hearing this, Luo Peng finally felt relieved.

Heaven has eyes.

This veteran simp had finally come to his senses and turned back from his misguided path.

“No problem, we definitely should celebrate!”

Luo Peng was very happy.

Jiang Chen looked up. The sunset hit his delicate, clean face, radiating a vitality that seemed like a rebirth.

“Simps deserve to die.”

He muttered to himself.

Luo Peng was startled, then nodded vigorously, raised his voice, and repeated it in agreement.

“Simps deserve to die!”

(End of chapter)