Li Shuru never pried into other people’s privacy, but Jiang Chen had been glued to his phone ever since he took it out, and she had no idea who he was chatting with or why it seemed so heated. Eventually, he even stared at his phone, lost in thought.
Li Shuru furrowed her brows slightly but couldn’t help asking softly.
Jiang Chen came back to his senses, let out a breath, put down his phone, and looked at Li Shuru. After hesitating for a moment, he honestly said, "Luo Li’er."
Li Shuru was taken aback, but there was no sign of anger, only an appropriately measured puzzlement.
"You two are that familiar?"
Li Shuru knew that Jiang Chen and Luo Li’er were acquainted.
But she had no idea that their relationship had developed to such a secretive extent.
If they were just acquaintances, they couldn’t have been making so many calls.
Jiang Chen sighed and explained, "She just asked me for help."
"This matter is quite complicated, and I don’t even know how to explain it."
Jiang Chen forced a smile and said, "In any case, you can think of it as Luo Li’er asking me to act in a play with her, to deceive her family."
Li Shuru watched him.
"Just like we did before?"
Jiang Chen was momentarily startled, then quickly shook his head.
Last time, he and Li Shuru had acted as a couple, which was entirely different from this situation.
"Why did she turn to you for help?"
Li Shuru asked again.
This seemed like a mundane question but was, in fact, very sharp.
Even though the affection score had reached 85, it didn’t mean he could rest easy.
Affection scores, since they can increase, can definitely decrease as well.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen truly had a clear conscience and without changing his expression, he quickly explained, "Didn’t I tell you? Last time, I hit her with your car, and she didn’t pursue the matter at all. I naturally owe her a favor, though I’m still not sure if I’ll succeed."
Jiang Chen didn’t reveal the shocking news that Luo Li’er’s cousin was Pei Yunxi.
That Luo Li’er confided in him was a sign of trust, and he was far from despicable enough to broadcast someone’s privacy for all to hear.
Any other girl would probably press for every detail until she was satisfied, but not Li Shuru. She nodded lightly and said with balanced emphasis, "You seem to have quite the charm with the ladies."
Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"What kind of charm? I don’t even know what to do; dealing with her sister is much harder than dealing with Aunt Xue..."
Realizing his slip, Jiang Chen stopped abruptly, looking embarrassed.
Li Shuru didn’t seem to mind.
"Indeed, you should repay that favor."
At this, Jiang Chen felt a touch of emotion.
Different strokes for different folks.
If it were Ai Qian, would she be so understanding? She would have made a huge fuss until it was resolved.
Long live understanding.
He thought to himself.
"All I can say is I’ll do my best."
Li Shuru chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement, "The way you say it, it’s as if I’m the one asking you for help, isn’t it?"
"There’s a seat available."
Jiang Chen quickly changed the subject. Noticing someone getting off at the station, he quickly took advantage of the situation and offered the seat to Li Shuru.
Li Shuru didn’t stand on ceremony, sitting down with peace of mind.
At that moment, Zheng Jingjing sent a video call.
"Shu Rui, is the concert over?"
"You’re on the subway already?"
"That guy Jiang Chen didn’t take you to get a room, did he?"
Zheng Jingjing was as blunt as ever.
Even though they had already "slept together," hearing this, Li Shuru unavoidably felt a bit awkward.
"Don’t talk nonsense."
"What nonsense am I spouting? You think he really just invited you to the concert out of the goodness of his heart? I know men’s thoughts all too well, he’s got ulterior motives, giving you a concert ticket on the surface, but what he’s really after is to trick you into bed."
Girls’ pillow talk is indeed bold.
But does this chick not care about the occasion when she speaks?
She is in a dorm, true, but Li Shuru is on the subway.
Li Shuru quickly turned down the volume.
"It’s good that you’re smart and didn’t fall for it,"
Zheng Jingjing murmured.
Actually, who wants to trick who isn’t really clear.
Not sure if it was out of embarrassment or some other reason, Li Shuru’s cheeks blushed slightly, "The signal on the subway is bad, I won’t talk to you for now."
Zheng Jingjing hurriedly said, "Shu Rui, I’ve already decided what to give you for your birthday gift."
"Yeah, Shu Rui, Jin Jin spent a lot of money to buy you a noble title,"
"Yep, it belongs to the Principality of Ceylan, above England. There are various titles for sale on the country’s official website. The cheapest one is 250 yuan. If the Principality of Ceylan is recognized by the United Nations in the future, then you’ll be a bona fide noble. If the country no longer exists, then you’ll be a noble in exile."
Xu Siyi’s smile was peculiar.
Li Shuru was speechless.
"Ah, it’s clear Jin Jin treats you the best. I asked her to get one for me and Guo Ran too, and she actually couldn’t bear to part with the money."
"Who said I couldn’t bear it? When it’s your birthday, I’ll definitely buy you a higher-ranking title."
"More expensive than 250 yuan?"
The two girls started playfighting.
Li Shuru shook her head with a smile and hung up the video call.
"It’s your birthday today?"
Jiang Chen, who hadn’t interrupted yet, finally spoke up, his face betraying his surprise.
If today was indeed Li Shuru’s birthday, then he had made a significant oversight.
As someone infatuated, how could he neglect such an important day?
"Not yet, next week."
Jiang Chen breathed a sigh of relief.
"Why didn’t you tell me?"
Li Shuru remained silent.
Jiang Chen realized his blunder, looking slightly embarrassed.
He seemed to have asked another ridiculous question.
No girl would take the initiative to tell you about her upcoming birthday.
"Ask Zheng Jingjing for the official website’s URL? I’ll also get you one, at least it should be a duchess or something,"
Jiang Chen covered his embarrassment with a joke.
Jiang Chen was holding onto the handrail.
"Then what do you like?"
Li Shuru turned her head away, looking elsewhere.
"I don’t like anything."
Jiang Chen was taken aback. Even if he was slow to catch on, he could tell that she seemed a bit angry.
Earlier, when faced with Luo Li’er’s questions, Li Shuru didn’t take it to heart and was all smiles and laughter.
After a bit of contemplation, Jiang Chen quickly understood.
When Li Shuru gave him that Vacheron Constantin, she didn’t ask in advance if he wanted it or if he liked it.
If a girl needs to tell you what she wants, then what’s the point?
For men, birthdays might not be a big deal. Jiang Chen had almost forgotten his own birthday date, but for girls, it’s a top priority.
On this matter, he couldn’t afford to play dumb any longer.
What gift should he give?
Jiang Chen frowned, deep in thought. Soon after, his eyes lit up.
He knew what to give her.