Cherreads

Chapter 3 - Campus Shockwave — Who’s That Rich Guy?

The next morning, Yuncheng University buzzed with rumors before classes even began.

"Did you hear about the guy who bought out half of Gucci yesterday?"

"Someone saw a blue McLaren parked outside Building C. That car costs more than our tuition!"

"Could it be a visiting tycoon's son? A celebrity?"

"No, no, someone said it was… Li Zhen?"

Gasps echoed in the cafeteria as heads turned toward one another.

"Li Zhen? The guy who got dumped yesterday by Meng Yuyan?"

"That can't be! He used to live in the old dorm building… didn't he only wear the same hoodie every day?"

"He gave out free snacks yesterday too, right? Imported stuff. Like he had money to burn."

In the corner of the room, Meng Yuyan sat with her new boyfriend, Zhang Kai—the same guy she had flaunted the day before. Her perfect smile had lost its glow, and her manicured nails tapped nervously on the table.

She scrolled through her phone, looking at a video someone had secretly recorded the previous night—Li Zhen walking out of the Gucci store with six full shopping bags.

Then another clip: a blue McLaren peeling out of the Dream Auto dealership.

Her face turned pale.

"No way… He must've won the lottery."

Zhang Kai frowned. "What are you watching?"

"…Nothing," she said quickly, locking her phone. "Let's go to class."

Meanwhile, Li Zhen stood in front of a mirror in his new apartment—one of the city's luxury high-rise units overlooking the skyline. He had paid a year's rent upfront, fully furnished, and still had over ¥3.5 million in his account thanks to the system.

System Tip: Host's life satisfaction score has increased by 700%. Mood detected: Vindicated AF. Keep going!

He grinned.

His phone buzzed with a message from a delivery app:

📦 Order confirmed: Full studio photography equipment + drone camera set. Cashback: ¥920,000.

Li Zhen had one thing in mind today—make sure no one forgets who he is anymore.

He threw on a charcoal Armani suit with a minimalist gold chain and hopped into the McLaren, the gullwing doors rising like wings of a beast ready to devour the road.

By the time he rolled onto campus, the students were already whispering in awe.

"Who the hell is that?"

"That's not a car, that's a spaceship!"

"Wait… I think it is Li Zhen!"

Students crowded near the main gate, phones out, snapping pictures and recording videos.

The McLaren came to a smooth stop near the fountain at the plaza center. The sun reflected off its polished hood, making it look like a living jewel.

Then the door lifted—and Li Zhen stepped out.

Calm. Sharp. Hands in pockets.

Silence fell.

Gone was the guy in ragged shoes and fake cologne. This was someone who belonged in a fashion magazine—or on a billionaire's yacht.

Someone gasped, "He's hot?! Was he always that hot?!"

"Or did the glow-up also get cashback?"

Li Zhen strolled toward the computer science building like he didn't even notice the attention.

In truth, he was enjoying every second.

He passed by Meng Yuyan and Zhang Kai standing under the trees. Yuyan's mouth hung slightly open. Her flawless composure shattered as Li Zhen walked past without a single glance.

She instinctively stepped forward. "L-Li Zhen!"

He stopped, turned his head slightly.

"Oh… Yuyan," he said flatly. "Didn't recognize you without the whining."

Her face flushed crimson. "W-Where did you get that car? And those clothes? You… you won the lottery, right?"

He smiled coolly. "Nah. Just living wild now. You wouldn't understand."

Then he turned back around, leaving her trembling with a mix of disbelief and regret.

Inside the lecture hall, chaos continued.

When Li Zhen entered, every head turned. Girls whispered and fixed their hair. Even the male students stared, their envy barely hidden.

He took his usual seat in the back, only this time, no one dared mock him.

Moments later, a girl sat beside him. Not just any girl—Su Qian, the goddess of the department. Smart, beautiful, rich background. She usually ignored everyone.

"Morning," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Li Zhen raised a brow. "You're speaking to me?"

She smiled. "You're not exactly invisible today."

"…Fair."

"I like your watch. Subtle flex."

He chuckled. "You think this is subtle?"

She leaned closer. "Compared to that spaceship you parked outside? Definitely."

Before he could reply, the professor entered—but half the class was too busy sneaking glances at Li Zhen to notice.

After class, Li Zhen left the building and found his McLaren surrounded by students taking pictures.

He didn't mind. In fact, he planned for this.

He pulled out the drone remote from his bag and launched the small camera. It hovered midair and began filming smooth cinematic shots of the car and campus crowd.

System Tip: Publicity content recorded. Posting to social media with trending tag: #GlowUpKing. Bonus multiplier activated. Cashback reward on post promotion: ¥260,000.

He grinned.

"Let's see how viral this goes."

By evening, Li Zhen's video had racked up 1.2 million views on Yuncheng's local app, and over 3,000 comments flooded in.

🗨️ "From broke to beast in 24 hours! Li Zhen, you're my new idol!"

🗨️ "He got dumped and activated GOD MODE."

🗨️ "Petition to make him our campus ambassador!"

🗨️ "Meng Yuyan really fumbled the bag 😭"

🗨️ "More updates please!! What's he buying next?!"

Li Zhen lay on his luxury mattress, phone buzzing nonstop.

He smiled to himself.

He had money. He had the system. He had momentum.

But this was only the beginning.

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