“Hmm, when you put it that way… yeah, Su Qiaoman really was in the wrong,” Xu Qian remarked with perfect fairness.

“So if you’re compensating, do it properly.”

Su Qiaoman’s face flushed crimson.

Her fingers kept nervously clutching the hem of her dress.

How could she possibly pay?

If she had money, she wouldn’t be cornered by these thugs in the first place.

In utter desperation, she shot Lu Chengzhou a pitiful, pleading glance.

Lu Chengzhou was grilling meat.

With a gentle flick of the tongs, he flipped a piece.

Then he placed a perfectly cooked slice onto Meng Wanyu’s plate.

Meng Wanyu smiled slightly and murmured her thanks.

Su Qiaoman: “…”

Her expression darkened further.

*How could her Ah Zhou serve another woman?*

*And Meng Wanyu—that arrogant little princess?!*

A shadow flickered in her mind.

She sniffled once, lifted her head, and pointed toward Lu Chengzhou.

“Big Brother… he and I came together. He’s my best friend.”

The implication was obvious.

The thug leader snorted, brushed past her, and strode to Lu Chengzhou’s table.

He slapped the tabletop.

Lu Chengzhou looked up, eyes wide with innocent confusion. “Can I help you?”

“*She* says you’re together—best friends! So *you* pay!” He jabbed a finger at his soiled pants.

Lu Chengzhou: “…”

*Well, I’ll be damned.*

*This female lead has zero shame.*

*Shifting blame like that?*

*He just wanted to watch the show—not get dragged in.*

He narrowed his eyes slightly and pointed toward Lin Chen, the disguised male lead.

Leaning close, he whispered, “That’s *her* boyfriend. Lin Chen—one of Yi City’s top rich kids. You’ll get way more from him.”

He handed the thug two skewers of grilled lamb kidneys.

*Now that’s what I call being considerate.*

The thug grinned, clapped Lu Chengzhou’s shoulder, and let him sit.

The kidneys smelled good.

Made his words feel… reasonable.

He didn’t know Lu Chengzhou’s ordinary face—but *Lin Chen*? Everyone knew him.

Bars, motorcycles, late-night rides—this area’s thugs all recognized the name.

“Alright. I’ll handle him.”

Glass bottles in hand, the thugs advanced.

Lin Chen shot to his feet. “What do you want?!”

The thug slammed his head onto the table.

*This guy respected softness, hated defiance.*

“Hey! I’m the Lin family’s eldest son—!”

*Crack—*

A bottle shattered beside his ear.

The broken shard waved inches from his face.

Hair yanked tighter.

Lin Chen grimaced, groaning in pain.

“Bro, be smart. Pay for your girlfriend. Or I’ll make you regret it. Got it?”

*How much could these pants cost?*

He’d only brought a thousand yuan tonight.

Brand looked expensive… maybe five thousand?

“Fifteen thousand! Cash. Now!”

*Extortion.*

“No, wait—I don’t have it on me…”

“Call your family!” the thug snapped.

Su Qiaoman watched with teary eyes, stepping closer despite her fear.

*Why are they targeting Brother Lin Chen? What did Lu Chengzhou say?*

“Let’s talk—money’s no problem…”

“Then pay!”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t, it’s just—”

“Shut up! Your crying’s annoying!”

Meng Wanyu smirked. “What melodrama.”

Lu Chengzhou checked the time. *Past an hour. Six hundred yuan incoming.*

*Gotta keep the patron happy.*

He sliced meat, grilled, arranged lettuce and sauce.

“I heard fifteen thousand in compensation?”

“Oh?” Meng Wanyu’s sly smile deepened. She waved Lin Chen over.

*Is Jingzhou’s little princess bailing us out?*

She sat cross-legged, chin in hand, lips curved faintly.

“A mere fifteen thousand? Surely Lin Chen can spare it?”

Mockery, sharp and clear.

Lin Chen’s fists clenched. “Who said I couldn’t?!”

“Then hand it over. Or enjoy watching your little girlfriend cry for you?”

His face burned.

*He was just watching the show!*

*They weren’t even dating!*

Su Qiaoman’s sobs grated on his nerves.

Humiliated, he snapped, “Shut up! Stop crying!”

She choked back a sob, stunned.

*Brother Lin Chen… yelled at her?*

Head bowed, silent.

Meng Wanyu had seen enough.

She placed a bank card before Lin Chen.

“I’ve got money to spare.”

Her smile stayed sweet.

“I’ll lend it… *if* you become Lu Chengzhou’s errand boy.”

She leaned in, voice dropping.

“Follow every order. Cover all his reasonable expenses. For one week.”

Lin Chen’s pupils narrowed.

He slammed the table.

“How dare you insult me?!”