"Don't joke around with me!"
Tang San lowered his voice, a barely perceptible anxiety seeping into his tone.
His words were full of tension. If they had no money, this would be utterly humiliating!
Especially with so many people around-and plenty of girls, too!
Tang San had even been planning to hook a girl or two for some fun!
"It's not that I didn't have it. It's gone!"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai calmly explained the facts in an even tone.
He wasn't lying. It really was gone, and he was puzzled himself.
But he wasn't worried. After all, he wasn't the one making a fool of himself. Who had told Tang San to show off? Now lightning had struck him down!
"You..."
Tang San's words caught in his throat. His cheeks flushed involuntarily, his embarrassment plain to see.
He had never expected that the one to stab him in the back would be Dai Mubai rather than Chen Jue.
At that moment, cracks began to appear in their bond...
The surrounding clamor seemed particularly grating just then.
The changing looks in everyone's eyes surged toward him like a tide, their initial curiosity turning in an instant to naked mockery and disdain.
"I thought he was some rich family's young master! Turns out I completely misjudged him!"
The words dripped with undisguised contempt.
"Trying to treat everyone when he doesn't have any money? Seriously?"
Laughter rose from every direction, like blades in the freezing wind, cutting into his heart again and again.
Even the young women whose hearts had fluttered at Tang San's charming demeanor...
Now put away those budding feelings and regarded him coldly instead.
"What a turnoff!"
"Such a turnoff!"
"..."
A jumble of emotions churned inside Tang San. He wanted to find a hole and crawl into it. This was too humiliating!
He couldn't help stealing a sideways glance at Xiao Wu beside him, wanting to see whether she thought less of him.
But... to his surprise, Xiao Wu didn't even look at him. Her eyes were fixed entirely on Chen Jue.
Even the waiter standing nearby quietly darkened in expression.
This sudden turn of events made the atmosphere awkward and oppressive.
So... they're just messing with me?
"Sir, do you have any idea how much that little joke of yours affected me?"
"Don't step forward if you don't have any money."
"Treating everyone? Weren't you just trying to show off in front of these girls?"
A trace of disdain laced the waiter's words, dealing an unprecedented blow to Tang San's pride.
As he finished, the waiter lightly swept a finger through the air before pointing at Xiao Wu's group, amusement in his eyes.
It was as though an invisible hand had exposed Tang San's private intentions before everyone.
He silently lowered his head, his face crimson with embarrassment and his fists tightly clenched.
All he wanted now was for this incident to be over.
"Don't play in the big leagues if you can't afford it!"
That final remark shattered Tang San's resolve outright.
Everyone around them cast approving looks at the waiter.
Beside Chen Jue, the four beauties' gazes shifted before settling on him in unison, their eyes sparkling with anticipation and reliance.
"Brother Chen Jue, we're so hungry!"
Xiao Wu was the first to part her rosy lips, a cajoling note in her voice.
"All right! Leave it to me!"
Chen Jue's voice was steady and confident.
"Waiter, bring every dish I ordered earlier, exactly as ordered! I've got money!"
The waiter paused briefly, then slowly turned, a flicker of disdain crossing his eyes as he coldly surveyed Chen Jue.
"Didn't I just tell you off? You're all together, aren't you? If he doesn't have money, how much could you have? Don't mess with me just because you've got nothing better to do!"
His words were sharp and contemptuous, as though he had already lumped Chen Jue into the same category and dismissed him.
"Things gather with their own kind, and people flock with their own crowd. So save yourself the effort!"
The surrounding diners shook their heads helplessly at this. Some murmured among themselves, while others cast scornful looks, filling the air with disgust.
Meanwhile, a sly smile curled Tang San's lips. He mocked Chen Jue, deftly redirecting the sharp edge of the conversation.
"Chen Jue, I'd advise you to give it a rest. Look at the dishes you ordered. Can you afford them?"
"Just stick to that cabbage and tofu you ordered!"
Sitting beside Chen Jue, Xiao Wu knitted her delicate brows. Indignation welled up inside her, and she was about to stand up for him and salvage his dignity.
But just then, Chen Jue gently took her soft, delicate hand, soothing her with a gentle yet firm touch.
"Don't worry about men's business. All you need to do is eat when the food comes!"
With that, Chen Jue deftly pulled a heavy bag of Gold Soul Coins from his Storage Soul Tool.
Then he casually tossed the weighty bag to the waiter, his movement carrying an unquestionable air of ease.
Caught off guard, the waiter caught the sudden weight. Surprise flashed across his face as he muttered inwardly.
He hasn't filled this with rocks, has he?
After all, he didn't really believe Chen Jue could produce a whole bag of money.
The surrounding crowd, whether seated or standing, instinctively rose to their feet, their gazes burning.
Every pair of eyes fixed on that unremarkable cloth bag, a subtle tension and anticipation filling the air.
"If you dare try to fool me with rocks, I'll make sure you don't walk out that door!"
The waiter's words carried an unquestionable authority, his blazing gaze bearing down on Chen Jue.
With a mixture of disdain and curiosity, he slowly opened the seemingly ordinary cloth bag.
In an instant, brilliant golden radiance poured from its opening, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
It immediately drove away the surrounding darkness, bathing the entire restaurant in golden splendor as though daylight had arrived.
"It's all money-and Gold Soul Coins, too!"
An astonished cry broke the silence like a clear spring, trembling with disbelief.
Everyone looked at Chen Jue in disbelief.
So this is the real big shot!
Immediately, several lovely women in thin gauzy dresses, with graceful figures and alluring faces, approached in unison, an unusual gleam in their eyes.
The waiter swallowed involuntarily, his eyes brimming with incredulous shock.
All the wealth he had seen in his lifetime was merely a grain in the vast sea compared to this, utterly insignificant.
In an instant, he put away all his earlier irritation and replaced it with an utterly fawning smile.
He hurried lightly over to Chen Jue, his words full of apologies and flattery.
"Sir, I admit I spoke a little too loudly just now. Please don't hold it against a lowly fellow like me!"
Chen Jue chuckled, a hint of playfulness hidden in his smile.
"It's fine. I actually preferred you all proud and defiant!"
The waiter headed toward the kitchen, an apologetic smile plastered across his face.
He truly regretted mocking Chen Jue like that.
If Chen Jue held a grudge, he would have to sleep with one eye open at night.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even know how he had died!
Chen Jue didn't take it to heart. After what had happened with Tang San, anyone would have been wary, especially since Chen Jue was wearing ordinary clothes.
Tang San, meanwhile, had disgraced himself all the way to his grandmother's doorstep. The moment he sat down, he glared fiercely at Dai Mubai.
If this bastard hadn't stabbed me in the back, I would've been the one showing off! Chen Jue wouldn't have had a chance!
And where did Chen Jue get that money?
Who did he swindle it from?
Fuck!
Dai Mubai ignored his glare, however. His attention was on the bag of Gold Soul Coins in the waiter's hands.
That bag of Gold Soul Coins looks awfully familiar!
Isn't that mine...?
But he had no evidence...
Perhaps he was overthinking it...
After all, his Soul Tool stayed at his waist every day. How could Chen Jue possibly have gotten it?
Seeing this from across the table, Chen Jue chuckled.
It seemed Dai Mubai already suspected those Gold Soul Coins were his!
But Dai Mubai would never guess how Chen Jue had gotten his hands on them.
He owed that to the system.
The last time he had completely won Ning Rongrong over, he had received a pair of Black Gloves.
Wearing them allowed him to retrieve objects from a distance three times.
Chen Jue had named the Black Gloves the Black Hand.
That was why Chen Jue had dared to say Dai Mubai had no Gold Soul Coins-Chen Jue had taken every last one!
Showing off and enjoying a meal with Dai Mubai's money feels amazing!
"Handsome, you're so good-looking! Leave us your address so we can get to know each other!"
"Yes, yes! The two of us can even play Fight the Landlord with you later! It's lots of fun!"
"A life of drunken dreams-we guarantee we'll take very good care of you!"
The two women deliberately tugged at their necklines, revealing a glimpse of springtime allure.
In their eyes, as long as they clung to this powerful backer, they would never have to worry about food, drink, or shelter for the rest of their lives!
Besides, he was extremely handsome. This deal offered nothing but gains, with no chance of a loss.
Chen Jue raised his brows at their words, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly...
Just as the two women were about to put their hands on him, the four girls immediately blocked them.
"Can't you see he already has women? Get lost! We can smell your sluttiness from here!"
Xiao Wu spoke first.
As the head wife, Hu Liena also acted on her sisters' behalf and chased the two hussies away.
"Brother Chen, aren't the four of us enough for you? You just have to go plucking flowers and teasing the grass! Just wait and see how we deal with you later!"
Chen Jue sighed softly, a trace of helplessness appearing between his brows.
After all, this wasn't something he could control.
"That's right! It'll be four against one. Let's see how cocky you are then!"
At Ning Rongrong's provocation, a playful smile curved Chen Jue's lips.
"I think you're all overdue for a spanking!"
Just then, a group of students arrived at the entrance.
They wore matching school uniforms, with the words "Canghui" prominently embroidered on them.
Students from Canghui Academy.
Six boys and one girl.
"Wow! Big Brother, that girl is gorgeous! I really want a taste of her!"
Before you continue