Chapter 51 Arrogance at the School Gate
Among her former pursuers, there was no shortage of such Second-generation rich who relied on their families to show off.
She had always held them in contempt.
Wang Hao didn't notice Chen Qian's aloofness at all; instead, he tilted his chin toward her even more enthusiastically,
the fawning in his tone thickening by a few degrees.
He even carried a hint of self-righteous certainty:
"Qianqian, don't bother with a taxi."
"They're so crowded, it's beneath you."
As he spoke, he pointed to his car again,
"Beautiful ladies, come with me."
"I'll take you for some high-end late-night snacks,"
"much better than those roadside stalls at the night market. It's clean and gives you face."
He deliberately ignored Lin Chen and the other guys, as if Lin Chen were just an insignificant background character,
or perhaps he was doing it on purpose for Lin Chen to see,
wanting to suppress Lin Chen in front of Chen Qian and the other girls to show off his own sense of superiority.
Without a second thought, Chen Qian shook her head directly,
her tone crisp and cold,
without a hint of hesitation, her attitude couldn't be clearer:
"No need, we already have plans to go to the night market street to eat."
As she spoke, she subconsciously leaned closer to Lin Chen, using her actions to state her position.
She chose to stand by Lin Chen's side.
The smile on Wang Hao's face froze instantly,
as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water, and then it turned into a sneer.
He leaned his head out, his eyes fixed on Lin Chen, his tone full of mockery,
deliberately raising his voice so the passing students nearby could hear:
"Lin Chen, look at you, you don't even have a decent car,"
"and you're letting Chen Qian and these beauties follow you to take taxis and eat at roadside stalls? Have you no shame?"
He paused, the sarcasm in his tone growing even stronger, carrying a hint of condescending arrogance:
"I'm not just saying this, but if you don't have money, don't try to pick up girls."
"Wang Hao, what are you acting so arrogant for!"
Zhang Peng exploded immediately, taking a step forward to stand beside Lin Chen, glaring at Wang Hao,
"It's just a bmw, isn't it?"
"What's the big deal!"
"If you're so capable, earn the money to buy one yourself. Don't rely on your family like a parasite all day and then have the nerve to show off here!"
Li Lei and Wu Gang also chimed in immediately, their tones filled with dissatisfaction:
"Exactly! Do you think you're the only one in the world who can afford a bmw?"
"Stop pretending to be a big shot!"
Before Lin Chen could speak, Chen Qian stepped forward first, shielding him,
staring sharply at Wang Hao,
her tone fierce and full of confidence as she retorted word for word:
"Wang Hao, having money is your business; it has nothing to do with us."
"Who we like to spend time with and what we like to eat are our choices,"
"it's not your place to tell us what to do."
These words were like a resounding slap to Wang Hao's face, instantly leaving him speechless.
Wang Hao's face instantly turned bright red,
then shifted to a sickly green, his eyes full of humiliated rage.
He never expected that Chen Qian would disregard his feelings so much,
refuting him in front of so many people and defending Lin Chen so fiercely.
He felt he had lost all face,
and the look he gave Chen Qian and Lin Chen was full of venomous resentment.
He glared fiercely at Lin Chen, then swept a vicious glance at Chen Qian, gritting his teeth,
as he said each word clearly:
"Fine, you guys have guts!"
After saying that, he violently started the engine, the car emitting a piercing roar,
as if venting the anger and unwillingness in his heart.
Before leaving, he deliberately stomped on the accelerator,
the wheels grinding against the ground, leaving behind a trail of pungent exhaust fumes,
as he sped away in a cloud of smoke, leaving only the murmurs of the watching students and the slowly dissipating smell of exhaust.
Chen Qian watched the direction the bmw disappeared in,
unable to resist rolling her eyes, her tone full of contempt:
"I despise people like that most—those who reek of money just because their family has some, and who are incredibly shallow."
"All they know is how to show off with their family's wealth, while being completely empty inside."
"I only admire men who are capable of earning money themselves!"
As she spoke, she turned to look at Lin Chen,
the sharpness in her eyes instantly fading, replaced by a bright smile,
she even winked at him, her tone playful and sincere,
"Besides, what's wrong with roadside stalls?"
"They're much more fragrant than his so-called high-end snacks, and more lively too."
The three girls beside her also chimed in,
each adding their own complaints about Wang Hao's flashiness and shallowness.
"Exactly, he was trying too hard, thinking he's all that just because he drives a bmw."
"It's a good thing Chen Qian ignored him; that kind of person is just too greasy, it's uncomfortable to even look at him."
"The night market is better—delicious and lively, much more comfortable than eating those so-called high-end dishes."
Zhang Peng and the other two also leaned in, joining the trash-talking for a bit,
then took the initiative to strike up conversations with the three girls, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.
The awkwardness and unpleasantness from earlier were instantly washed away by their laughter and chatter.
...
The University Town's late-night snack street was dazzlingly brightly lit.
The charcoal in the barbecue pits sizzled,
the aroma of grilled skewers mixing with the spiciness of crawfish and the freshness of oysters, making one's appetite surge.
The street was packed with people, most of whom were university students wearing various school uniforms, their faces filled with youthful energy.
There were students from Central South University, Normal University, University of Science and Technology, and Xingcheng University.
Even from the slightly further away Women's University, many girls had come in groups,
chattering as they picked and chose at the snack stalls,
adding even more vibrant colors to this street full of the atmosphere of daily life.
"Order whatever you want to eat, the menu is right here,"
"if that's not enough, go to the vegetable stall next door and grab some yourself, it's very fresh!"
Lin Chen generously handed the greasy menu to Chen Qian and the other girls,
his tone carrying a bit of heartiness.
"Brother Chen, then we won't be polite!"
Zhang Peng rubbed his hands together, his eyes shining like lightbulbs as he immediately locked onto the garlic grilled oysters on the menu,
"Boss, a dozen oysters first!"
"With garlic!"
Wu Gang chimed in from the side, winking and making faces:
"Definitely! This stuff,"
"those who know, know—it's very nourishing!"
"Brother Chen, you should eat more. Look how thin you are, you need to nourish yourself properly!"
As he spoke, he winked at Lin Chen again,
his mischievous grin making the girls nearby unable to stop themselves from laughing out loud.
Lin Chen shook his head helplessly, but there was a smile in his eyes:
"Stop being so cheeky. You guys eat more too, order more if it's not enough, it's my treat today."
The charcoal crackled, the beer bubbled, and the grilled skewers were served.
In just over half an hour, the eight people, who were initially a bit stiff, had completely loosened up.
The three boys—Li Lei, Wu Gang, and Zhang Peng—seemed to have conspired beforehand,
as they quietly moved their stools one by one, nudging closer to sit next to the girls they liked.
What was even more impressive was that the three of them were in perfect sync,
none of them competing with the others, as they each pulled out their phones and sheepishly handed them to the girls they liked.
"Um... Senior, can I add you on WeChat?"
"In the future, if there's anything good to eat or fun to do, I'll let you know immediately."
Li Lei scratched his head, a bit of an honest smile on his face;
Wu Gang, on the other hand, used a bit of cleverness, waving his phone:
"Senior, shall we add each other as friends too?"