Chapter 29: The Beautiful Campus Belle Pays the Price

Jiang Chen took a taxi to the Liang residence, but found no one there. Upon learning that it was Liang Wenbin’s birthday and that a party was being held at Hero Bar, he changed course and headed there instead.

Hero Bar was an establishment owned by the Xiongwu Hall and was the largest bar in Linzhou—bar none—boasting an incredibly lavish interior.

After arriving at the bar, Jiang Chen asked a server which private room Liang Wenbin was in and headed straight for it.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Jiang Chen knocked politely on the door of the private room before pushing it open and walking inside.

The room was vast, spanning over a hundred square meters, and its decor was even more luxurious than the bar outside. Inside the spacious suite, there were only a dozen or so young men and women. Judging by their attire, they were clearly children of wealthy families.

The young man sitting in the seat of honor, sporting gold-rimmed glasses, was obviously the birthday boy, Liang Wenbin.

However, the most eye-catching person was the stunning beauty sitting next to him. With a curvaceous figure that was at least a 36D, a breathtaking face, and smooth, shapely legs, she was an absolute femme fatale.

As Jiang Chen walked in, before the birthday boy could speak, a man wearing LV earrings barked coldly, "Where did this stray mutt come from? Is this a place you’re allowed to be? Get out!"

The others paid no attention to Jiang Chen, dismissing him as an idiot who had stumbled into the wrong room.

"Fang Zhe, he is my friend. He’s here to see me," the curvaceous beauty stood up and said to the man with the earrings, coming to Jiang Chen’s defense.

Jiang Chen recognized her instantly: Su Jinxi, the former campus belle of Linzhou University.

In truth, they weren’t really friends; they were merely former schoolmates. The fact that Su Jinxi was willing to lend a helping hand after so many years stirred a sense of genuine gratitude in Jiang Chen.

"I am indeed here to see Miss Su. There is something I need her help with," Jiang Chen said, playing along with Su Jinxi. Since she was kind enough to intervene, he couldn't be ungrateful.

"Beautiful Miss Su, this kid is dressed like a beggar; how does he look like your friend? To me, he looks more like a stray dog!" Fang Zhe sneered, disbelieving. "You’re kind-hearted and wanted to give him face, but he’s simply not worthy! After all, dogs belong in kennels; they don't belong in a high-class place like this!"

The other men and women joined in the mocking, their gazes filled with contempt as they looked at Jiang Chen.

Su Jinxi frowned and was about to speak when Liang Wenbin’s voice cut in.

"Today is my birthday, and guests are welcome. Since Jinxi says he is her friend, then he is my friend, Liang Wenbin’s friend. Sit down and have a drink!"

Liang Wenbin adjusted his glasses, feigning tolerance and generosity in front of Su Jinxi, hoping to win her favor.

"Kid, you’re lucky today. Brother Bin is treating you like a human being!" Hearing Liang Wenbin’s command, Fang Zhe snorted, satisfied for the moment. "Brother Bin told you to sit down and drink. Are you deaf? Why are you still standing there like a fool?"

Though they told Jiang Chen to sit and drink, no one offered him a chair. It was a clear attempt to signal that he wasn't worthy of sitting with them, or perhaps to make him sit on the floor like a dog.

"Jiang Chen, come sit here," Su Jinxi said, gesturing for him to take a seat beside her.

For the sake of the Centennial Ginseng King and Su Jinxi, Jiang Chen ignored the prancing Fang Zhe, nodded at Su Jinxi, and went to sit beside her.

Liang Wenbin’s expression darkened. Su Jinxi usually ignored him, and he had pulled strings and exerted effort just to get her to attend his party. Seeing her be so warm and attentive to some nobody made him feel deeply unbalanced. If not for the need to maintain his image, he would have had Jiang Chen thrown out long ago!

"Jiang Chen? Are you that poor loser who got dumped by Du Yalan?" a heavily made-up woman asked in surprise upon hearing his name.

"Shi Yuan, what’s going on?" Liang Wenbin’s mood instantly brightened, and he asked with anticipation.

"Young Master Liang, you don’t know? This poor loser has no money and no skills; he’s a piece of trash and a scumbag. Du Yalan caught him in the act and dumped him on the spot!" the woman replied, embellishing the story. "Du Yalan is married to Young Master Feng now, and she’s living the good life! They’re still on their honeymoon, or she would have come to your birthday party!"

"So he’s just a toad dreaming of eating swan meat. Go eat dirt!"

"Even trash like Du Yalan didn't want him, and he dares to covet the beautiful Miss Su? Do you want me to break your dog legs?"

Fang Zhe and the others, upon learning Jiang Chen’s identity, mocked him with even greater fervor.

Liang Wenbin was in high spirits and said to Su Jinxi, "Jinxi, this man is of poor character and doesn't deserve to be your friend. Let him leave; we don't want him ruining everyone's mood!"

"I believe in Jiang Chen. He is not that kind of person!" Su Jinxi said firmly. Jiang Chen had helped her once—you could say he had saved her life. As for Du Yalan, she was vain and superficial; Su Jinxi had seen through that hypocritical woman long ago.

Liang Wenbin was incensed. The facts were right in front of them, yet Su Jinxi was still taking Jiang Chen’s side. What was so good about this poor loser? How could he possibly compare to a wealthy, handsome man like him?

"Jinxi, today I will show you this kid's true colors!" Liang Wenbin glared at Jiang Chen, a cold glint flashing behind his lenses. "Jiang Chen, is it? As long as you kneel and bark like a dog three times, I’ll give you one million—no, three million!"

"This is money a poor loser like you will never earn in a lifetime. I’ll give you one minute to consider!"

With that, Liang Wenbin took out a checkbook, filled in three million, and threw it on the floor. It was a blatant act of humiliation, stepping on Jiang Chen’s dignity.

"Poor loser, one million per bark. That’s such a good deal, hurry up and bark!"

"Brother Bin, that’s too simple a request. Make him bark while he licks your shoes clean!"

"What kind of status does Brother Bin have? Is this loser even worthy of licking Brother Bin’s shoes? Don't get Brother Bin’s shoes dirty; he only deserves to lick the toilet!"

Shi Yuan, Fang Zhe, and the others jeered, each trying to outdo the other in their cruelty.

"You all have gone too far!" Su Jinxi said, her voice cold and her face flushed with anger.

"Miss Su, there is no need to get upset with a bunch of clowns," Jiang Chen said to her, then stated his purpose: "I am only here today for one medicinal ingredient: the Centennial Ginseng King."

"Young Master Liang, is it? As long as you hand over the Centennial Ginseng King and kneel to apologize to me, I will consider what happened just now as if it never occurred."

"Otherwise, based on what you’ve all said just now, I’m afraid you’ll pay a painful price. Being taught a lesson on your own birthday isn't exactly a glorious thing."

Jiang Chen wasn't a man of infinite patience; he just couldn't be bothered to argue with flies. But if these flies kept buzzing in his ears, he wouldn't mind swatting them dead.

"Hahaha! Jiang, you really have guts. Daring to eye my Centennial Ginseng King and even threatening me? Good, very good!"

Liang Wenbin laughed out of anger, his face twisted and sinister. "If I don't break your dog legs today and make you crawl out of here, then I’m not Liang Wen—"

"Bang!"

Before Liang Wenbin could finish his sentence, the door to the private room was suddenly kicked open, startling everyone inside.