Chapter 46: Being a Scumbag Is Really Exhausting
By the time Han Rou got back, it was already 6:40 p.m.
The sky had darkened into a dusky twilight.
Soon after, a pale moon rose into the sky.
Jiang Zhou straightened his clothes and re-did his hair.
Then, he drove back to his dorm before heading off to another dorm area.
By the dimly lit roadside near the woods, Huang Qi stood waiting in a beige off-shoulder dress, her light makeup making her delicate features even more striking.
Jiang Zhou pulled up next to her and, after she got in, drove out of the campus.
“Did you wait long?” he asked.
“Nope,” Huang Qi replied. “I was watching from upstairs, afraid you’d ditch me.”
Jiang Zhou’s heart skipped a beat. “You… saw something?”
She leaned in, her breath brushing his face. “I saw a car just like yours drop off a girl before picking me up.”
“Ahem, must be your imagination!”
“Relax, I know you’re a scumbag. I don’t mind.”
Jiang Zhou hurriedly explained, “That was a misunderstanding. She’s my sister.”
Huang Qi gave a soft snort. “Back at the food street, you said she was a classmate. But she called you ‘dad.’”
“I told you, I know you’re a scumbag. I really don’t mind.”
Jiang Zhou was genuinely curious. “If you know I’m a scumbag, why are you still out with me?”
Huang Qi pulled out a lipstick and applied it. “Guys that everyone likes are more of a challenge. It’s more satisfying.”
“Little missy, that’s a dangerous mindset.”
“I like wild men. Unfortunately, I never met one before college.”
Jiang Zhou smirked. “Well, I’m plenty wild!”
Huang Qi’s eyes lit up. “I brought my ID. Not planning to go home tonight, right?”
“Ahem… you’re wilder than me. I surrender.”
“Just kidding. I didn’t bring it.”
Jiang Zhou dared not respond further, quickly driving to their destination.
The Grey Whale Western Restaurant was lavishly decorated with an elegant vibe. Even those who’d never been there knew it was expensive.
But Huang Qi didn’t look the slightest bit uncomfortable.
Jiang Zhou instantly realized something.
Yep, another rich girl. She’s probably tired of places .
“What do you want to eat? Order anything.”
Soon, the dishes arrived. But something funny happened during service.
The waiter looked at Jiang Zhou, then at Huang Qi, then left rubbing his eyes like he’d seen a ghost.
“I heard you’ve been busy lately?” Huang Qi asked.
“Yeah, busy flirting with girls all over.”
She gave him a glance. “Then why would the famous Mr. Jiang take time to have dinner with me?”
“To build classmate rapport, of course.”
“Then why not treat the whole class?”
“I only treat beautiful women. It’s called feasting the eyes.”
Huang Qi smiled. “Just say that next time. I like it.”
Jiang Zhou took a deep breath.
This girl is something else.
He was used to being the dominant one around girls. But this time, he felt completely outmatched.
Could this Huang Qi be a female player?
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
“Really? You seem awfully experienced.”
She twirled her fork. “No boyfriend, but I’ve got over a dozen simps.”
Jiang Zhou instantly grew serious. “Huang Qi, that’s morally wrong.”
“Conquer me. Make me belong only to you. Turn my bed into a garden of plum blossoms.”
“Shut it, you pervy little rascal.”
Huang Qi giggled. “Alright, alright, let’s talk serious. Why’d you ask me out?”
Jiang Zhou raised his wine glass. “I didn’t get a good look at you during orientation. Today I wanted to properly admire you.”
“Yeah. Beautiful things always brighten a person’s day.”
To his surprise, Huang Qi blushed.
Jiang Zhou caught a flicker of fluster in her eyes.
Well, well… so this girl could be shy after all.
A moment ago she was playing queen of the seas, and now she’s exposed with one line.
With that, Jiang Zhou’s confidence returned.
“Let me ask you something. Ever want to be a star?”
“A star?” she echoed, surprised.
“Yeah, like a campus goddess, sweetheart idol, that sort of thing.”
“But I didn’t go to film school.”
“I’m just asking if you want it.”
Huang Qi nodded. “Being admired by everyone sounds nice.”
Jiang Zhou snapped his fingers. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
“What are you planning?”
“Nothing for now. Eat first, I’ll tell you tomorrow.”
Jiang Zhou drove Huang Qi back to campus and stopped by the roadside.
After all the back-and-forth tonight, he was exhausted.
He leaned back and closed his eyes for a bit.
Then suddenly, Huang Qi leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
Jiang Zhou’s eyes shot open. “That’s not fair. I want one back!”
Huang Qi quickly pulled away. “In your dreams!”
“Then why’d you sneak a kiss?”
“Thanks for being the first scumbag to buy me milk tea and treat me to western food.”
“No way, someone as pretty as you, and no one’s ever asked you out?”
She winked as she got out. “It’s not that no one asked, it’s that I never said yes.”
Being a scumbag is really exhausting.
Jiang Zhou sighed and hit the road again — back and forth once more.
This time, he picked up Su Nan from the school gate’s “Hungry People’s Spot.”
She’d swapped out her lolita outfit for a waist-cinching dress, carrying a cat-shaped shoulder bag, looking small and adorable under the streetlight.
“Boss, look at my phone screen.”
Jiang Zhou glanced over. “A red button? What is it?”
“One-click emergency call. If you try anything, I’ll press it.”
“Su Nan, you’re mistaken. I’m a man of integrity.”
“I may look like a scumbag, but I’m actually very pure. I don’t get why you think I’m a bad guy.”
Su Nan gave a very forced smile. “You ever seen a ‘pure’ guy make his employees dance anime routines in the office?”
“Because I’m a dance enthusiast! That doesn’t mean I flirt around.”
“Oh yeah? Then maybe wipe that lipstick off your face before you speak.”