Chapter 31 Escape

"Who knows!"

The slightly chubby boy said with a raised eyebrow, keeping them in suspense,

"Take a guess, what are they betting on?"

"It's absolutely explosive!"

"Spit it out already, stop teasing us!"

The boy wearing glasses said impatiently.

The curiosity of students at several surrounding tables was piqued, and they all looked over.

The slightly chubby boy smiled triumphantly and said slowly:

"Those twin department beauties, I saw them once from a distance last time. They really are top-tier gorgeous."

"Baby faces, and their chests are especially big."

As he spoke, he deliberately gestured with both hands, a lecherous smile on his face.

"I reckon it would take both my small hands just to grab one!"

"Hahaha..."

The people at the next table instantly burst into a roar of laughter.

The sound was harsh, and many surrounding boys joined in, their eyes full of frivolity.

Lin Chen's face darkened instantly, his grip tightening on his chopsticks.

He could tolerate others poking fun at him, but he absolutely could not tolerate others being so disrespectful toward Wanrou and Wanqing.

The three roommates beside him also stopped smiling, their eyes filled with a hint of displeasure.

Wu Gang was about to stand up to argue, but Lin Chen quietly pulled him back.

"Don't be impulsive,"

Lin Chen lowered his voice, his tone cold.

"It's not worth lowering ourselves to their level. Let's finish eating and get out of here."

Wu Gang gritted his teeth, looking at Lin Chen's icy gaze.

Ultimately, he sat back down, though his expression remained sour.

The laughter from the next table gradually died down, and the chubby boy continued:

"The stakes of the bet are really intense!"

"If that Lin Chen fails to increase his capital tenfold, he has to run ten laps around the campus naked,"

"And he has to post photos of himself naked along with a self-reflection letter on the campus forum, pinned for a week!"

"Whoa! They're playing for such high stakes?"

"If he loses, wouldn't that be social suicide? He won't be able to hold his head up in school ever again!"

The surrounding students exclaimed one after another, their tones filled with shock and a desire to watch the drama unfold.

Many others whispered among themselves, guessing that Lin Chen would definitely lose.

"What if he wins?"

A boy from the Computer Science Department couldn't help but interject,

His eyes were full of curiosity.

He wanted to see what kind of benefits such a ridiculous bet would bring if won.

As soon as these words came out, the students at several nearby tables, regardless of gender, stopped what they were doing.

They all looked up in unison at the chubby boy.

Their eyes were full of anticipation, and they even subconsciously lightened their breathing.

The chubby boy cleared his throat, deliberately slowed his speech, and said triumphantly:

"If he wins, the female students who lost have to take the initiative to give him a kiss!"

"If the twin department beauties lose, they both have to kiss him!"

"And Teacher Liu Minting, if she loses, she has to give him a kiss too!"

"Holy crap!"

"For real?"

"Teacher Liu has to kiss him too? She's the woman of my dreams!"

"So jealous, so jealous!"

"Even if it meant social suicide, I'd be willing to take that bet!"

"Too bad I don't have the guts, nor the ability to increase my stock capital tenfold!"

"Hahahahaha..."

An even louder roar of laughter suddenly erupted all around.

Discussions and teasing remarks rose and fell one after another.

Everyone was talking about this "Great Boaster" Lin Chen.

Their tones were either mocking,

Envious, or filled with disdain.

Lin Chen sat in his seat, his surrounding aura dropping as he felt a cold pressure.

He was both angry and helpless.

He never expected that his bet with Wanqing and Liu Minting would spread so quickly,

And even be embellished into its current form.

What made him even more upset was these people casually making light of Wanrou and Wanqing,

And speaking disrespectfully about Teacher Liu Minting.

He knew he couldn't stay here any longer.

If he sat for a while longer and happened to be recognized by someone he knew, there would be no end to the teasing.

He might even be surrounded and interrogated, which would be even more embarrassing.

Lin Chen quickly finished the rest of the rice in his bowl and put down his chopsticks.

He whispered to his three roommates:

"Are you finished eating?"

"If you're done, let's get out of here. Don't waste time."

Wu Gang was about to shout "Brother Chen,"

But as the words reached his lips, Lin Chen covered his mouth.

"Shh... don't call me by name!"

Lin Chen's brow was tightly furrowed as he made a silencing gesture, his tone urgent.

"Keep it down, don't let anyone recognize me!"

Wu Gang nodded quickly, and only then did Lin Chen release him.

Then, Lin Chen gave Zhang Peng and Li Lei a look.

The four of them quickly cleared their dishes, stood up, and kept their heads down.

Trying to stay as low as possible, they took advantage of the gap while everyone was gossiping.

They left the cafeteria silently, terrified of being discovered.

After walking out of the cafeteria and away from the noisy gossip, Lin Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The tension throughout his body eased slightly.

"Brother Chen, those people are too much,"

"Talking about you like that, and even making fun of Wanrou and Wanqing!"

Wu Gang said with a face full of indignation.

"If you hadn't pulled me back just now, I would have gone up and taught them a lesson!"

Zhang Peng and Li Lei also nodded, their faces full of displeasure, and comforted Lin Chen one after another.

They told him not to take it to heart, that those people just liked to stir up trouble for entertainment.

Lin Chen waved his hand and smiled, his tone calm:

"It's fine. Stooping to their level would only lower our own standard."

"When I actually manage to increase my stock capital tenfold by the end of the term, they'll know then that I wasn't boasting."

He paused, looked at the three of them, and said seriously:

"You three go ahead and practice dancing. I won't be joining the ballroom dance lessons for the next few nights."

"Not going?"

Zhang Peng immediately frowned and said quickly,

"That won't do, Brother Chen. We four brothers agreed to participate in the Freshman Mixer Dance together."

"Practicing together, going on stage together—it's easier to be brave with company. If you don't go, we won't have any motivation to practice!"

"Exactly, Brother Chen, don't let those people's words affect your mood!"

Li Lei also urged,

"Practicing dance won't take up much of your time. One hour a night is enough. Let's go together!"

Seeing the sincere looks in their eyes, Lin Chen felt a warmth in his heart and explained with a smile:

"It's not because of what those people said, and it's not that I don't want to go."

"It's just that I've learned a bit of ballroom dancing before and have a decent foundation. For the remaining days, I'll just find some time to practice on my own."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely be there for the dance. I won't hold you back, and I won't miss this chance to show my face."

The three of them looked at each other, knowing clearly that Lin Chen probably didn't want to be disturbed by too many people right now.

He needed some time alone to calm his mind,

Or perhaps he wanted to carefully think about the stock trading. After all, that bet was no joke.

They also knew that once Lin Chen made up his mind, he wouldn't easily change it, so there was no use in further persuasion.

"Alright then, Brother Chen, we won't force you."

Wu Gang patted Lin Chen on the shoulder and said seriously,

"Make sure to get some rest and don't overwork yourself. Stock trading is one thing, but don't forget to practice dancing. If you need any help, call us anytime."

"Don't worry, I know."

Lin Chen nodded.