C15 An Apology in Public

The next day, there was a military training rally, and Lin Chen overslept. He hopped into his Rolls-Royce Phantom and zoomed off, narrowly avoiding being late.

Upon entering the packed auditorium, Lin Chen noticed the seats were nearly all taken. Just then, Shen Mengqi popped up from the crowd and waved him over.

"Lin Chen, over here! I saved you a spot."

Scanning the room, Lin Chen realized the only vacancy was beside Shen Mengqi, so he made his way over and took a seat.

"Thanks," he said.

Shen Mengqi flashed a sweet smile. "Why so formal with me?"

That day, Shen Mengqi was dressed in a white fitted sweater and hot pants, showcasing her figure to great effect and drawing glances from several male students.

Lin Chen remarked, "Senior sister, you've really got a magnetic pull. All the guys seem to be watching you."

Shen Mengqi playfully retorted, "Oh, come on. Your attention isn't exactly on me either."

Instead of responding to her tease, Lin Chen asked, "Senior sister, isn't that outfit a bit uncomfortable?"

Caught off guard, Shen Mengqi quickly grasped his implication and her expression turned to one of mock distress. "Tell me about it! It's a real hassle with our figures. Loose clothes make us look bulky, and tight ones..."

She trailed off, giving Lin Chen a knowing look before sighing, "I don't want to appear bulky, so I guess this is the compromise..."

"Okay then," Lin Chen replied, turning his attention to the instructor at the podium.

From the corner of her eye, Shen Mengqi watched him, a triumphant glint in her gaze.

As Lin Chen fell silent, Shen Mengqi searched for another conversation starter. "You know, this assembly isn't really that important. You wouldn't have missed much if you hadn't come. It's just about picking up the training uniform, which I could have grabbed for you."

Lin Chen quickly interjected, "Since I'm here, there's no need to trouble you."

He was still adjusting to Shen Mengqi's warm enthusiasm. They had only met three times, yet she was already offering dinner and movie invitations, not to mention reserving seats for him...

"Alright."

Shen Mengqi realized it was time to draw the line. Pushing the conversation further might only serve to irritate Lin Chen, so she obediently fell silent and turned her attention to the instructor's lecture.

Meanwhile, Zou Kai, seated not too far away, had been fixated on Lin Chen since the moment he walked in. Dark circles weighed heavily under his eyes, betraying his exhaustion.

He had sent an apology to Lin Chen the day before, but the lack of response left him tossing and turning all night, his mind a whirlwind of anxiety.

His family was comfortably middle-class, and that BMW 5 series? Bought on a loan.

Crossing someone like Lin Chen, a hidden powerhouse, could spell social ruin for him at East Sea University if he didn't manage to smooth things over. The prospect of redemption seemed slim to none.

Fear gripped Zou Kai as a clammy sweat broke out on his back.

He was just starting his college journey; he couldn't afford a social demise.

Beside him, Zhang He inquired with concern, "Brother Kai, what's with you? You're looking pretty rough. Are you ill?"

Without responding, Zou Kai glanced at Lin Chen, his decision made during the break. He rose and made his way over to Lin Chen.

Standing before him, Zou Kai bowed deeply, a full 90 degrees, and said earnestly, "Lin Chen, I'm truly sorry. I apologize for my impulsive behavior and disrespect yesterday."