Jason was right—the two girls really were looking at him.
The short-haired girl with pixie-cut bangs whispered, "Wait… isn't that Jason Carter from our school? Did he seriously just walk out of Armani? Not gonna lie, he looks kinda good in that outfit."
The other girl, tall and elegant, raised an eyebrow. "Jason Carter? Is he in our design department?"
"Nah," said the short-haired girl—Brooke Fields, a junior in the communications program. "He's from the engineering school. Automation or something. Dude used to chase after that girl Emma from the business department like a puppy. The whole campus knows."
Megan Chase, senior, design major, and unofficial goddess of Westlake University's art school, squinted. "Wait… that's him? Doesn't look anything like the rumors."
According to campus gossip, Jason was supposed to be a broke kid from rural Iowa—obedient, submissive, and pathetically loyal. A simp with no pride.
But what Megan saw was very different.
Tall. Sharp jawline. Dressed in Armani. Clean, cool, confident.
And most striking of all—he didn't look submissive at all. His relaxed posture and clear eyes gave off the aura of someone in control. Someone free.
Jason, of course, didn't hear a word of their conversation.
He was still buzzing from the system alert:
Target: Megan ChaseAffection: -10 → -5
He hadn't even done anything yet!
Was it the clothes? Just because I put on Armani?Or maybe because I looked like I had money?
Suddenly, a quote from his old roommate popped into his mind:
"Money isn't for women—it's for women to see."
Jason grinned.
He turned to the clerk, still holding his card.
"Actually," he said coolly, "pick out two more outfits for me—different styles. Oh, and throw in a couple sets of underwear."
If the clerk had been professionally polite before, now she was downright radiant. Her smile dialed up to ten. Service level: executive tier.
Brooke gawked from across the aisle. "Two more sets? That's gotta be a few thousand dollars. Didn't they say he was poor? That rumor must've been BS."
Megan said nothing, but her eyes lingered on Jason a little longer.
System Update: Megan Chase - Affection +2
Jason nearly fist-pumped.
It's working.
His earlier plan—spending Simp Funds on himself to attract attention—was working better than expected.
Even better, the system had stopped giving warning messages. Which meant it approved of this strategy.
Jason felt like he'd cracked the code.
All the funds. All the power. And I don't even have to kneel.
As he walked out of Armani with shopping bags in hand, Jason "accidentally" noticed the two girls.
He approached casually. "Hey, are you two from the design department? I think I've seen you around campus."
His voice was calm, respectful—but not submissive.
Just a guy saying hi. Equal footing.
That tone, that ease, didn't go unnoticed.
Megan and Brooke both registered the confidence in his body language. Most guys tripped over themselves trying to talk to Megan. Some blushed. Some stuttered. Others tried to act cool and failed.
But Jason?
He looked like he didn't need validation at all.
System Update: Megan Chase - Affection +3
Megan smiled. "Jason Carter, right? Looks like you're doing some serious shopping today. That outfit suits you."
Jason chuckled. "I don't really know much about fashion. Figured I'd go with a brand that knows what it's doing and let the staff help me out."
He added with a wink, "If someone like you approves, though, then I guess I'm doing something right. I'm actually planning to get some shoes and maybe a watch next. Got any tips?"
Compliments were cheap. They cost no money, and when delivered with sincerity, worked like magic.
Besides, she was friendly, so what was wrong with giving some polite praise?
Megan laughed softly. "You're good at this—you're complimenting me while pretending not to. But sure, I do know a bit about fashion. It's what I want to do after graduation."
Jason nodded. "Then I'd really appreciate your insight, Megan. I've got a budget of… around $75,000 left."
He purposely lowballed. The Simp Fund was limitless, but he didn't want the affection boost to spike too fast—he had to play the long game.
Both Megan and Brooke froze slightly.
"Seventy-five grand?" Brooke blinked.
That wasn't "rich college kid" money. That was investor's son money.
But Megan remained composed.
System Update: Affection No Change(Caution: Target is unsure whether you're bluffing.)
She smiled. "Well, since we're already shopping, how about we tag along? I'll help you test my fashion sense, and you get some free consulting."
Jason grinned. "Deal. I'm happy to be your test subject, Megan."
He didn't say "thanks" like a lapdog.
Just a smooth, mutual exchange.
As the three walked toward the luxury watch section, Jason couldn't help but smile inside.
Who said you need to kneel to win favor?