Chapter 94: Shattering the Last Illusion of a Simp:

The night wind howled sharply.

The roar of the car’s engine echoed nonstop as Jiang Zhou, Xu Haodong, and Zhang Guangfa sped through the streets.

Because Gao Wenkai chose to hail a cab from the school gate, his speed couldn’t compare to theirs.

Twenty minutes later, their Toyota Corolla skidded to a stop in front of the supermarket next to the French restaurant.

Jiang Zhou and the two dormmates arrived ten minutes early and entered the restaurant ahead of him.

They stood at the front counter, peering past the dessert display into the dining area.

“See her? That’s the senior, right?”

Xu Haodong nodded. “Yep. I’ve seen her a few times.”

Zhang Guangfa sighed gloomily. “Knew it. She’s here with her boyfriend. Gao Wenkai’s just the chump here to pay the bill!”

Jiang Zhou glanced at them. “So what do you think? If Wenkai sees this, would he still be willing to pay?”

“He can’t even afford a proper meal right now. What’s he gonna use to pay, sell his underwear?”

Jiang Zhou raised an eyebrow. “I’m asking if. What if he still has money?”

Zhang Guangfa thought for a bit. “Even a clay statue has a temper. If he really sees this scene, he’ll probably be mad.”

“Exactly. Which is why I’m betting her boyfriend’s about to hide somewhere.”

“No way…”

Jiang Zhou bit on a toothpick. “Don’t believe me? Just watch. Five minutes tops.”

Just as he said that, something happened.

Wei Lanlan’s phone lit up and started buzzing.

She glanced at the screen, then waved at the man across from her.

“Go hide for a bit. After I settle the bill, I’ll tell him something urgent came up. Then we’ll go walk around before heading back.”

“It’s almost eleven. What’s the point in heading back? Just don’t go to the dorm tonight.”

“You dog. Always trying to keep me out.”

“Heh, but you never complain, right?”

“Enough nonsense. Go hide in the restroom!”

Her boyfriend stood up, grabbed his coat, and snuck off to the bathroom.

Behind the dessert rack, the three guys watching all wore equally grim expressions.

The senior’s behavior had matched their suspicions perfectly.

Which only made Gao Wenkai’s late-night, taxi-funded arrival even more pitiful.

“Jiang Zhou, you were right. This is her whole scheme,” Xu Haodong muttered.

“What now?” Zhang Guangfa frowned. “How do we make Gao Wenkai finally wake up?”

Jiang Zhou was silent for a while, then sighed.

Making a simp wake up… really is one of the hardest things in the world.

The key was: exposing the woman’s true face.

If things weren’t handled thoroughly, Gao Wenkai would still hold onto a sliver of hope.

Simping was an odd creature.

Their true skill wasn’t just blind devotion… it’s self-healing.

No matter how badly their “goddess” hurt them, they always managed to justify it.

“She wouldn’t do that to me…”

“She must have her reasons.”

“If I can’t understand her, what right do I have to love her?”

And thus, the mental gymnastics begin. Until they find some infinitesimal shred of “hope,”

and they come crawling back full of renewed loyalty.

So, in Jiang Zhou’s opinion, tonight’s goal was simple: tear off that goddess mask.

“You two, go keep an eye on the guy in the bathroom. Don’t let him leave.

“What happens next depends on Wenkai’s reaction. I’ll text you updates.”

The two nodded and slipped into the restroom, one after the other.

Once they were gone, Jiang Zhou shifted focus.

He needed to know what was being said at the table. That way, he could plan accordingly.

He tossed the toothpick and quietly sat down at the booth directly behind Wei Lanlan.

This French place used partitions between tables.

Half-open, but enough to block vision completely.

Jiang Zhou and Wei Lanlan were now back-to-back. Neither could see the other.

Not long after, the bell on the door chimed.

Gao Wenkai rushed in, panting and grinning like an idiot.

He looked like he could explode from joy.

To him, this was his springtime.

“Lanlan, I’m here! You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you?”

Wei Lanlan smiled sweetly. “Why are you in such a rush? You’re all sweaty. Wipe your face.”

Gao Wenkai shyly took the napkin. “You messaged me, and I came running right away!”

“Oh? So what do you want to eat?”

“Anything! It’s not about the food, it’s about who I’m eating with!”

Behind the partition, Jiang Zhou felt a sharp ache in his teeth.

Bro, are you stuck in 2009? These lines are ancient.

If this all ended well tonight, he might just write a cheesy pickup line guide for his dormmates to memorize.

“Lanlan, did you already order?”

She coughed awkwardly. “Oh… yeah, I was really hungry. Ordered a little something already.”

Gao Wenkai looked apologetic. “Sorry, it’s so late. Hard to get a cab.”

“No worries. I’m just glad you came.”

“Really?”

Wei Lanlan nodded. “Now hurry and order. Eat a lot.”

Gao Wenkai nodded and eagerly started flipping through the menu.

In truth, his family background was the best in the dorm. Only Jiang Zhou outclassed him due to his mysterious startup wealth.

So Gao Wenkai had eaten French food before. He wasn’t unfamiliar with this environment.

Soon, the food arrived.

Gao Wenkai beamed. “I knew it! I knew you’d give me a chance.”

“Chance? What chance?” Wei Lanlan blinked.

“A chance to be with you! You don’t know but my dormmates all told me to give up, but I didn’t listen!”

Her expression shifted instantly. “Sounds like your friends are terrible. Stop hanging out with them.”

Gao Wenkai paused. “They’re actually nice. You’ll see when you meet them.”

“Liking someone is your business. Don’t listen to outside noise, alright?”

“Got it. I’ll learn to think for myself. You don’t have to worry, Lanlan.”

She nodded and pulled out a compact to touch up her makeup.

While Gao Wenkai ate, she carefully dabbed her face.

If you were paying attention, this moment would seem off.

Who touches up their makeup in front of their date?

Even on TV, the female lead would excuse herself to the restroom first.

Doing it openly meant one thing: She didn’t care about this date. At all.

But Gao Wenkai didn’t notice a thing.

“Lanlan, did you buy your study materials yet?”

She paused. “What materials?”

Gao Wenkai swallowed nervously. “The ones you said you needed money for? You borrowed my living expenses for it…”

“Oh… Oh yeah! I remember now. I bought them. Thanks, Wenkai.”

“No worries. I couldn’t spend all that money anyway.”

Behind the partition, Jiang Zhou nearly slammed his forehead into the table.

Who the hell says they can’t spend all their money?

That is peak delusional simp behavior!

I’m worth millions and still haggled over a paper cutter!

If she knows you’re loaded, why wouldn’t she milk you dry?

Sure enough, upon hearing Gao Wenkai say he had money, Wei Lanlan’s eyes lit up like fireworks.

“Wenkai, this French restaurant is pretty expensive, huh?”

Gao Wenkai looked around. “Really?”

“Yeah, when you go to pay later, ask if they can give you a discount.”

“I… I’m paying later?”

Wei Lanlan looked completely matter-of-fact.

“This is our first date. Am I supposed to pay?”

“O-of course not. It’s just that… I don’t have any money right now.”

“But didn’t you just say earlier you had so much money you couldn’t spend it all?”

Cold sweat beaded on Gao Wenkai’s forehead.

“Well… yes, but… I, um, lent my money to my roommate!”

Wei Lanlan’s face darkened immediately.

“They told you not to like me and still had the nerve to borrow your money?”

“Well, we all live together. It’s normal to have some financial exchanges.”

“Wenkai, from now on, don’t lend your money to anyone!”

“Got it.”

Wei Lanlan tucked her powder compact into her purse.

“I’ve got homework due for class tomorrow. I’ll head out first. Take your time finishing.”

Gao Wenkai blinked. “You’re leaving already? Weren’t we going to walk around afterward?”

“Not tonight. We’ll have plenty of time in the future.”

“Oh… then… let me walk you out.”

“No need, no need. Just look at you wolfing down food. You must’ve skipped dinner. Eat up!”

And just like that, under Gao Wenkai’s stunned gaze, Wei Lanlan sashayed away, disappearing out the window.

But Jiang Zhou didn’t stop her.

He knew Wei Lanlan’s boyfriend was still pinned down in the bathroom by Xu Haodong and Zhang Guangfa.

She wouldn’t go far, probably just to the entrance to text her boyfriend.

Then he’d come out, and they’d leave together.

“Don’t let that guy leave. He’s about to head out. Hold him down in the bathroom!”

Jiang Zhou sent the message.

Xu Haodong replied almost instantly. “Already pinned. This dude plays some dumbass basketball. Weak as hell!”

“Bro, with how broke you are doing your crafts all day, how are you this strong?!”

“Mostly Guangfa. Turns out he can high kick!”

Jiang Zhou let out a breath of relief and settled back in his seat.

He couldn’t head out just yet.

He wanted Gao Wenkai to experience the fear of not being able to pay the bill,

wanted him to remember this shame for life.

Otherwise, he’d just go back to puffing himself up with empty pride.

As expected, GaoWenkai panicked.

He didn’t even have a coin on him.

The cab earlier had drained all he had left.

He hadn’t even thought about how to get back to campus.

It was she who asked him to dinner.

But now he was the one expected to pay, and he was flat broke.

Run out without paying? He’d get beaten up for that!

Trembling, Gao Wenkai pulled out his phone and typed a message: “Jiang Zhou, I don’t have money to pay for dinner… can you come help me out?”

Ding!

Jiang Zhou had long anticipated this.

His phone was already on silent.

“The senior invited you to dinner, and she’s not paying?”

“It’s our first date. How could I let a girl pay?”

Jiang Zhou snorted. “And where’s the senior now?”

“She’s still here. We’re going to see a movie after this. Might not go back tonight, haha!”

……

Pathetic.

This self-deception, isn’t it just sad?

Jiang Zhou knew Gao Wenkai could tell something was off.

But he still lied, hoping his roommate wouldn’t blame the senior.

But who would cherish that pitiful loyalty?

Jiang Zhou couldn’t take it anymore.

He stood up and sat directly across from Gao Wenkai.

Seeing him, Gao Wenkai visibly flinched and stared in disbelief before lowering his head silently.

“I was eating here before heading back to the dorm,” Jiang Zhou said. “And I saw the senior with her boyfriend.

“That’s why when she texted you, we already knew how this would go.”

Gao Wenkai stayed silent, poking at his steak with a fork.

“She didn’t invite you to eat. She invited you to pay the bill.”

“That’s not possible. I only saw her.”

“No rush. The food’s already here, eat. When you’re done, I’ll show you the proof.”

Gao Wenkai’s hand froze. “No, I don’t believe it.”

Jiang Zhou sneered. “And what use is your belief? Who the hell cares if you believe it?”

“Jiang Zhou, enough! I won’t believe she’d treat me like that!”

“Then do you have the guts to come with me right now? Her boyfriend’s still waiting.”

Gao Wenkai’s eyes widened. “Where is he?”

Jiang Zhou twirled his fork. “Guangfa KO’d him in the bathroom. About to sacrifice him.”

“Shit! Don’t do anything stupid! It’s my fault!”

“Your brothers are willing to kill for you. Don’t you even have the courage to face the truth?”

Gao Wenkai was in complete turmoil.

If Jiang Zhou hadn’t come today, he’d rather keep living in his fantasy.

“Are you coming or not?! Spit it out!”

“…Yeah. Let’s go.”

Jiang Zhou called over the waiter to settle the bill.

Then the two walked out of the French restaurant, one after the other.

At the same time, Wei Lanlan was standing by the supermarket entrance next door.

That dinner really was expensive, so she figured Gao Wenkai wouldn’t come out so soon.

She didn’t bother hiding.

She just stood under the streetlamp.

But something felt off.

Her boyfriend hadn’t replied to any of her messages.

“Sun Zhi, come out already?”

“It’s so dark, I’m scared being alone out here!”

“Hurry up, I’m free now, let’s go to 7Days Inn.”

She bombarded him with texts.

But there was no reply. It was like throwing rocks into the ocean.

Then, her gaze froze.

She saw Gao Wenkai and someone she didn’t recognize both standing outside the French restaurant, staring straight at her.

“W-Wenkai, you’re done eating already?” Wei Lanlan looked panicked and flustered.

She clearly hadn’t expected him to come out so soon or for her boyfriend to never show up.

Gao Wenkai raised his head slightly. “Didn’t you say you were heading back to school to finish homework?”

“Yeah… but I couldn’t get a cab.”

Jiang Zhou stepped forward with a puzzled look. “There’s a whole line of taxis right there. Want me to flag one?”

Wei Lanlan fumbled, “No, no need. I’ve got a girlfriend waiting. We’ll go together.”

“Oh? You came with a friend? Then why didn’t you eat together?”

“She… she went to the mall next door to buy clothes!”

Jiang Zhou stretched. “Mall closes at ten.”

Wei Lanlan frantically tried to cover up. “Well, yeah, but… there’s a little shop next to the mall!”

Jiang Zhou smiled. “Senior, allow me to introduce myself. My surname is Jiang, given name Zhou, courtesy name ‘Scumbag’. Apprentice of Mount Longhu. I read the stars and chart the cosmos.”

He rubbed his fingers together dramatically. “Let me divine who this ‘girlfriend’ of yours really is…”