After walking around the mansion, Li Shuru was even more profoundly aware of how luxurious the life of the wealthy could be.
There were no fewer than six bedrooms, as well as a separate nanny’s room, a multifunctional theater, a gym, a cloakroom, and a study—all furnished. The two dining rooms catered to both Chinese and Western tastes, fitting the dining needs of the owner perfectly.
On the rooftop was a small garden from where one could take in the entire view of the Spring and Autumn Plaza.
Li Shuru descended the stairs, feeling as if she were in a dream.
Jiang Chen was watching TV, a variety show, featuring that popular star they had signed a contract with not long ago.
Watching the radiant woman on the screen, who seemed so untouchable, the image of her serving tea to him once emerged in his mind.
The feeling was indescribable.
"How do you clean such a huge house?"
Jiang Chen turned at the sound and smiled, "Have you ever seen anyone who lives in a house still clean it themselves? There are cleaning services, and of course, you can hire housekeepers."
"Have you finished looking around? How do you feel?"
Li Shuru sat down on the sofa, still in somewhat of a daze, and managed a bitter smile, not knowing what to say.
Jiang Chen raised his hand, pinching a key that was worth a fortune between his fingers.
That key, undoubtedly, was even more substantial than the Medusa’s Eye.
Li Shuru’s eyes quivered slightly, then looked past the keys to his clean and amiable smiling face.
"Why are you so good to me?"
Jiang Chen fell silent for a moment.
At the beginning, his intention was pure—it was all for the "Licking Dog" gold.
But as he got to know her better, his understanding of this art school "beauty queen," who had received mixed praise and criticism, had undoubtedly deepened.
"Unrequested favors suggest an ulterior motive, don’t you think?"
He teased with a smile.
Li Shuru was neither embarrassed nor evasive; she continued to gaze directly at this seemingly straightforward guy.
"Are you saying you like me?"
Jiang Chen momentarily hesitated.
He thought his playful joke could sidestep this topic, but today’s Li Shuru seemed to be somewhat different from before.
Once the question reached this point, even if he wanted to dodge, he had no room to retreat.
"Who wouldn’t like a girl like you?"
A few seconds later, Jiang Chen said with a smile.
As the beauty queen of the art school, Li Shuru’s attractiveness was undoubtedly unquestionable. Although rumors about her weren’t all favorable, some claiming she was vain and had a chaotic personal life, one could only judge someone after truly interacting with them.
He himself had a notorious reputation at school.
Li Shuru did have her flaws, such as being quite materialistic to a certain extent, but in this world, who is perfect?
Wasn’t he the same, favoring beautiful women?
Otherwise, why didn’t he just randomly pick some Jurassic creature for his experiment?
No one is more noble than anyone else.
Back when he was a penniless "licking dog," Li Shuru certainly didn’t show him any kindness, avoiding him like the plague, but this was a completely normal reaction for anyone.
In this materially-driven age, why should anyone settle for a life of hardship and transient homes to engage in romance with you?
Women’s pursuit of material wealth is just like men’s preference for beauty—it’s the same principle.
Jiang Chen never considered himself to have high moral standards, but he couldn’t do as some do: being lenient with oneself but strict with others.
So his affection for Li Shuru was genuine.
Just like he said, there probably wasn’t a man who could reject such a girl.
Those with abnormal tastes are exceptions.
Hearing Jiang Chen’s response, or rather, forcing him to give a response, Li Shuru suddenly burst into a smile, her features as beautiful as a painting, even overshadowing the unreachable star on the screen.
After all, that female star was too illusory, while she was truly right in front of him.
"Are we sleeping here tonight?"
Li Shuru changed the subject, and at the same time, took the keys from Jiang Chen’s hand.
Jiang Chen let out a sigh of relief and then teased nonchalantly, "Otherwise? Want to stay at a hotel?"
"That’s not impossible either; I did bring my ID today."
Jiang Chen was startled and then laughed despite himself.
This stunning beauty from the Art College was becoming increasingly womanly.
The two college students, a young man and woman, were chatting and watching in the most top-tier luxury residence. By the time the variety show ended, it was already past nine-thirty.
Zheng Jingjing didn’t cause any further trouble, but Luo Peng did make a phone call.
"Jiang Chen, you still got any fight left in you?"
"What are you talking about?"
Jiang Chen couldn’t help but laugh and said with a boastful air, "Just a bunch of pampered young masters, what could they do to me? With a shake of my tiger body, they all bowed down."
"Your ability to brag is on par with mine."
Luo Peng, realizing the other person was indeed fine, breathed a sigh of relief, "When will you be back?"
Jiang Chen glanced at the girl sitting next to him and coughed lightly.
"I’m sleeping out tonight, not coming back."
Luo Peng was taken aback, then quickly lowered his voice, "Is Li Shuru with you?"
Jiang Chen replied somewhat awkwardly with a "Hmm."
Luo Peng exclaimed with admiration, "You don’t catch the cub without entering the tiger’s lair; Jiang Chen, you’ve got guts!"
"Stop talking nonsense, it’s not what you think."
"No need to explain, I get it. You guys are busy, I won’t disturb you."
Before Jiang Chen could continue, Luo Peng quickly hung up the phone.
Jiang Chen put down his cellphone, nodded, and smiled, "He was worried that Sun Xiyu and those young masters had given me a hard time, so he called to check up on me."
"When do you plan to tell them?"
"I haven’t decided yet, I’ll see how it goes."
Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Actually, whether I say it or not, it doesn’t make much of a difference. Do you really expect someone like Luo Peng to think any the more highly of me because of this?"
Li Shuru smiled slightly and said softly, "The brotherhood in your dorm seems really close."
"Isn’t it the same in your dorm?"
Li Shuru did not answer.
"I’m going to take a shower."
Jiang Chen turned off the TV.
Li Shuru was stunned and did not show shyness but looked at him somewhat oddly.
Jiang Chen realized his mistake and hurriedly explained, stumbling over his words, "I didn’t mean that, I meant, I’ll go shower in another room..."
Li Shuru nodded and then stood up, repeating what he had just said.
Jiang Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The two went upstairs.
The master bedroom was of course reserved for Li Shuru, while Jiang Chen chose a secondary bedroom. To say nothing of exaggeration, although it was a bedroom, its area was definitely larger than an average person’s living room.
After saying that, Jiang Chen hurriedly pushed the door open and went in.
Li Shuru stood at the doorway, holding the string of keys, looking at the closed door of the secondary bedroom. Her expression was calm, but ripples of emotion were stirring in her eyes.