177: invite

"Hehe."

Chang Heng, the dorm leader, chuckled first, then rubbed his hands together. He remained silent for a long time before nudging Gao Haitao beside him.

"What are you doing? What are you doing? Why are you being so indecisive?

Are you two dating? Are you going to say it or not? If not, I'm going to eat."

"Tsk, oh, Old Third, lately, we've received many invitations. Some are for Christmas, others for New Year's Eve.

I swear, I've never been so damn popular in my entire life."

Shen Qian lightly rubbed his chin.

"They invited you, but they really want you to bring me along."

"I knew you'd figure it out."

Shen Qian looked at them with a smile.

"Is that all? What's so hard about mentioning this to Tan Xinxin?"

"Huh? Is it okay to tell her?"

"You could, but you were right not to say it in front of her. After all, she's quite calculating; there's no guarantee she wouldn't take it out on you."

"I don't mind going, but I don't like crowds. If it's just to be a head to be counted in a crowd, I refuse.

Also, since they're the ones inviting us, we need to be clear about who's paying—them, us, or splitting the bill.

If they're using you to invite me just to treat me like a sucker, then I refuse.

And most importantly, whether you guys can 'get some.' In my view, the effort must be proportional to the reward. Even if it's not perfectly balanced, we shouldn't lose out too much. Otherwise, we might as well just go out for drinks and skewers ourselves."

"Damn, no wonder we call you 'Godfather'!

But if we talk about splitting the bill or letting the girls pay, won't we be called straight men?"

Shen Qian looked at Gao Haitao with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"Old Fourth, aren't you learning how to pick up girls from your Student Union president?

How are you getting worse the more you learn?

If they call you a straight man, so be it. Anyway, more than one group invited you, so someone will be willing to pay. Do this: reply to all of them and ask if it's split the bill or if they're paying.

Those willing to pay are obviously sincere, and those wanting to split the bill are also sincere. Those who call you a straight man are insincere; reject them without hesitation because they just want to treat us like suckers."

"But what if they all agree to split the bill or pay?"

Shen Qian smiled. The girls around him were indeed willing, but that didn't mean other girls were. He knew exactly what girls were like these days.

Nowadays, the only men who can spend a woman's money are scammers, scumbags, and punks. These three guys in front of him were mostly destined to be fleeced.

He suddenly thought of that movie line: 'What kind of damn logic is this? Why should the good guy be the one held at gunpoint?'

"You guys keep chatting with them; I'm going to eat. Remember, hold onto your wallets. Once you're sure you'll 'get some,' it's fine to spend a little. Don't go giving away your life savings before you've even had a taste."

The three of them looked at each other as they watched Shen Qian walk away.

"Tell me, Old Third is so stingy with women, so why do they still flock to him?"

"Isn't it obvious? He's handsome and has high emotional intelligence. Girls fall for that."

"No, I don't think so. I feel like even if Old Third wasn't handsome, he'd still be able to pick up beauties.

Don't you think that confidence radiating from within is his true strength?"

"Isn't that just being ordinary but confident? Don't girls hate guys like that the most?"

"They say they like honest men, but do you see them treating honest men well?

Don't use women's standards to define Old Third. A man like him is undefinable."

"Why does that sound so familiar?"

Shen Qian had no interest in listening to their chatter. After all, Wei Meng had just sent him photos of the medicine hall. The images weren't very clear, but it was understandable since the man's phone was a model from several years ago.

In the cafeteria, Tan Xinxin was waiting for Shen Qian.

But an uninvited guest suddenly sat opposite her—it was Song Mengyuan.

Tan Xinxin had met her once before and knew she liked Shen Qian. However, while they both liked him, this woman seemed more intent on monopolizing him.

Everyone followed the rules of the game, yet this sudden outsider wanted to break them.

This was why both Tan Xinxin and Du Xixi disliked Song Mengyuan after just one meeting.

"Excuse me, this seat is taken."

Unlike Du Xixi, Tan Xinxin was more rational. After all, she had met Xia Mengling and still held the card of Xu Ling in her hand. So, even if Song Mengyuan was prettier than her, she wouldn't panic.

"I know. You're Shen Qian's Girlfriend."

"You're here for me."

"That's right. I want you to leave Shen Qian. You're not good enough for him."

"I know I'm not good enough for him, but there's nothing I can do. I'm still his Girlfriend right now. It's not up to me whether I stay his Girlfriend, and it's certainly not up to you.

Instead of making threats to me, why don't you talk to him and see if he's willing to leave me to be with you?"

"I'm pursuing him, and I'm serious. I'm not after his money or his body; I just want him.

You're not as good-looking as me. Our figures are about the same. As for family background—the clothes you're wearing are indeed designer, but I bet Shen Qian bought them. I'm different; I can give back to him. Can you?

When he buys you expensive gifts, what can you offer in return besides your body?

When it comes down to it, you're no different from those women who sell themselves on the streets."

Tan Xinxin's gaze turned slightly cold, but her expression quickly changed. Her eyes reddened almost instantly, and she sobbed.

"I'm indeed not as rich or as pretty as you, but does that mean someone like me isn't allowed to have their own happiness?

We are Boyfriend and Girlfriend. Is it not allowed for a Boyfriend to buy things for his Girlfriend?

We are Boyfriend and Girlfriend. Isn't it normal for a couple to be intimate?

What right do you have to say that to me!"

"What are you pretending for! He's not even here. Who are you putting on this green tea act for?"

Song Mengyuan frowned. Suddenly, she realized something and turned around. Shen Qian was standing there, looking quite displeased.

"You damn green tea, you actually dared to set me up!"

Song Mengyuan cursed under her breath and looked at Shen Qian with some panic.

"You again."

Shen Qian walked over and looked at Tan Xinxin, then his gaze toward Song Mengyuan became even more unfriendly.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"I didn't do anything. We were just chatting. I don't know why she suddenly started crying."

"Xinxin is my Girlfriend, and she's always been simple-minded. Are you suggesting she's intentionally framing a stranger she's only met once?

Regardless of what you talked about or did, I want you to apologize to my Girlfriend.

Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill the conditions I promised you before."

"How can you be like this!"

Song Mengyuan was furious, but not at Shen Qian. She was mostly angry at Tan Xinxin. She hadn't expected this seemingly unassuming woman to be such a high-level green tea."}],