She didn't see it as splurging at all; instead, she felt every bit of that generosity and thoughtfulness was aimed squarely at her.
She couldn't help leaning toward Jiang Cheng, rising on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "If you keep this up, those two are going to die of envy."
Jiang Cheng lowered his head, eyes sparkling, and pinched her cheek. "Aren't you best friends?"
For some reason, the words best friends now sounded a little off to Jiang Churan.
Yet Jiang Cheng's expression showed no hidden meaning.
Jiang Cheng also picked out several pairs of men's sneakers, plus simple T-shirts and pants.
As always, it wasn't that he lacked the money.
But Jiang Cheng was still human.
Who wouldn't grab free wool when they could?
Mainly, fleecing the system was just plain fun.
When the three girls finished choosing, the sales clerk came over with the bill and cheerfully read out the total.
Mr. Jiang, that comes to three million one hundred sixty-eight thousand yuan.
Seeing the figure, Jiang Cheng whipped out his bank card without hesitation.
The moment the payment went through, he heard the system's prompt.
Ding—
Shopping Rebate Card used successfully.
Total spent: 3,168,000 yuan. Rebate multiplier: 6×. Congratulations, Host: you've received 18,994,000 yuan!
The crisp notification had barely faded before Jiang Cheng's grin threatened to split his face; this windfall felt better than a whole day of watching the stock market.
Just as the card finished processing, Shen Shuang and Jiang Churan huddled together, eyes sparkling like starlight.
My god," Shen Shuang gasped, pinching her arm. "I've never realized a man swiping a card could look this hot!
Beside her, Xu Yan's cheeks flushed as she sneaked a glance at Jiang Cheng.
Sister Shuang, you've changed. Didn't you say whipping out a bank card was the height of pretentiousness?
When Xu Yan exposed her, Shen Shuang glanced at Jiang Cheng and rushed to explain, "No, no, big shot. The posers I meant are the ones who flash the card, haggle over two measly items, then invite you to a hotel. That's got nothing to do with you.
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng feigned complaint. "People actually do that?"
Of course they did—Wang Zheng, Chen Hao, and Qi Yuan pulling that exact stunt at the university gate came to mind.
But as their brother, he wouldn't tarnish their image in front of three girls.
So he played dumb.
When Jiang Cheng said that, Xu Yan nodded eagerly. "Plenty of them. If you weren't a Dance Academy girl, you'd know—cars, watches, black cards, all flashed at the gate. Answer them and they'll drag you to a bar…
Jiang Cheng gave her a sympathetic look. "What kind of monsters have you girls met…
Exactly," Shen Shuang chimed in. "So we really envy Ranran, okay?
Yeah. I hope I land a divine boyfriend like this someday.
As she spoke, Xu Yan even stared straight at Jiang Cheng.
Fortunately, Shen Shuang turned just then and hugged Jiang Churan's arm.
The angle blocked Xu Yan's gaze.
Shen Shuang cooed, "Ranran, thank you! You're a gorgeous, generous little darling!"
She spun toward Jiang Cheng, pressed her palms together, and added with a grin, "Thanks for being so generous, boss! I absolutely have to post this on my moments!
The moment she finished, Shen Shuang whipped out her phone and snapped photos of the loot covering the counters.
When Jiang Cheng didn't look away but met her stare, Xu Yan instantly lost her nerve.
She grabbed her own phone and copied Shen Shuang with a couple of quick shots.
After shooting, she muttered under her breath.
I want to post too, but forget it—you know my crazy relatives. They can't stand seeing anyone happy. If I post, they'll come after me again—disaster.
What are you afraid of!" Shen Shuang replied without looking up, fingers flying as she edited the caption. "Post it and choke the jerks who can't bear to see others happy!
Seconds after she hit send, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID and blinked. "Huh? My dad's calling.
She gestured for the others to wait, stepped outside, and answered.
On the other end, her father cut straight to the chase: "Did you buy more bags?"
Shen Shuang raised a brow and admitted freely, "Yep, several. I posted on my moments—guess you saw it?"
Who paid?" Shen Zhong asked, voice tinged with scrutiny.
Wow, Old Shen, you're sharp. You know I didn't buy them myself.
Shen Zhong chuckled. "Your little stash could cover that many bags? Every time you buy, you swipe my card. Today I got no charge alert, so someone else paid. Spill—what scoundrel was it?
Shen Shuang rolled her eyes and said into the phone, "Not some scoundrel—my best friend's boyfriend bought them for me.
Shen Zhong on the other end froze.
Then blurted, "Huh?
His voice turned stern at once, full of concern for his only daughter.
Your best friend's boyfriend bought you bags? Tell me which punk that is—I'll break his legs.
Hearing this, Shen Shuang guiltily covered the phone.
Thankfully Jiang Cheng wasn't beside her; if he heard, the sky would fall.
Dad, what are you saying… we were just shopping together. He was nice and bought me a few bags. Don't overthink it, okay? We're completely innocent.
The more evasive she sounded, the grimmer Shen Zhong became. "Why would he lavish you with expensive things for no reason? Innocent, huh—don't get conned…
It's really not what you think!" Shen Shuang rushed to explain. "We were shopping, he was generous, that's all. Don't stir up trouble…
Who is your best friend's boyfriend? Which family's kid?
Dad, I told you last time!" Shen Shuang reminded. "The one who hangs out with Wang Congcong—Jiang Cheng!
At that, Shen Shuang seemed to remember something.
She quickly changed the subject. "Oh right, Dad! Last time Jiang Cheng told me our family should stop working with Company!
What? Why?" Shen Zhong's voice shot up. "Our family only got where it is thanks to Company. Cut ties and how do we survive?
Hear me out—at first I reacted like you, but he's seriously connected!" Shen Shuang argued. "And I've got a feeling Xu Zhi is heading for big trouble.
Shen Zhong went silent for a few seconds, evidently racking his brain for that name.
Finally he said grimly, "I had him checked. The kid's background is clean as blank paper—nothing to find. Shuang, you're the only child; I've just you. Don't get involved with someone whose roots you can't see.