Awkwardness aside, Arden tacitly understood Imogen's meaning.
After all, she was "the other me in the world."
Imogen was a girl with strong self-esteem.
But she was indeed strapped for cash, so she hoped Arden would use her companion services more, allowing her to earn extra on top of the $1,800.
Truly touching.
In this era where pretty girls would straight-up ask for Venmo money, and if you sent too little got blasted on Instagram, Imogen's "fair exchange" approach was refreshing.
He'd play with her more tomorrow. After all, classes had just started two weeks ago—there wasn't much going on.
The extra companion fees would get reimbursed anyway.
Win-win situation.
The night passed uneventfully, and morning arrived.
At 7:30 AM, Arden's alarm rang on time, and he shut it off in under two seconds.
Then he quietly climbed out of bed, got dressed, grabbed the backpack he'd packed the night before, and headed to class.
The entire process didn't wake any roommates.
Unfortunately, his three roommates' C++ classes weren't with the same professor as Arden's.
Or rather, Arden was slow when class registration opened, which is why he ended up with the "Iron Lady."
This was the difference between college and high school.
Even if the whole dorm was in the same major, their class schedules differed.
Some dorms mixed different years and majors, leading to even greater schedule differences.
For example, the famous Goddess Dorm had four girls: two freshmen, one sophomore, and one senior, all from four different majors.
Maximum diversity index.
Arden was still considerate—he didn't disturb roommates when getting up early for class.
No wait, this isn't indulgent enough. I should rent off-campus.
Walking to class, Arden had this thought.
Pennbrook's CS Department, in principle, didn't allow freshmen to live off-campus.
But as everyone knows, in principle not allowed = allowed with the right approach.
Just smooth things over with the RA. Emma was super easygoing.
Of course, Arden would still return to the dorm during the day—whether it was "Gacha King Ryan" or "Gatsby vs. Local Boy," they were rare entertainment sources definitely not to be missed!
When he wanted freedom off-campus, he'd go to his rental.
Main thing was doing as he pleased.
Arden currently had no rental experience and planned to investigate first or ask someone experienced.
Class.
Nothing eventful.
After class, Arden called an Uber straight to the Mercedes dealership.
As soon as he got out, Arden recognized Derek, who'd messaged him last night.
Dressed in suit and tie, with meticulously slicked-back hair, he looked like he could sell cars expertly.
"Hey Derek, I'm Arden West, here to pick up my car."
"Mr. West, hello!"
Derek shook his hand enthusiastically.
A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.
Not only was he young, but tall, handsome, with a sunny demeanor.
If the rich-handsome-tall genetic line existed, this kid was definitely purebred.
As for his Target clothes and the frayed canvas backpack, Derek automatically ignored them.
A freshman who could afford a GLE didn't need expensive attire to prove himself.
Maybe he just preferred low-key, or his parents requested it.
Walking into the luxuriously decorated dealership, a graceful, charming female sales associate immediately approached.
What she said, however, surprised Arden slightly.
"Hey, I never thought I'd run into you in a place like this a second time."
Scarlet Hayes approached Arden, her eyes full of smiles.
The ambiguous distance—neither too close nor too far—allowed Arden an unobstructed view of her full chest, and the perfectly balanced perfume scent mixed with a faint hint of feminine hormones immediately made Arden feel slightly lightheaded.
Even though Arden usually wasn't easily flustered by women, for a moment his eyes seemed a bit dazed.
What a sexy bombshell.
"Do we know each other?" Arden looked at her, puzzled.
She looked familiar, but he just couldn't remember who.
"When you came for freshman orientation, I even handed you a flyer, but you don't remember me? So mean~"
"Haha, I have face blindness."
"Let's get acquainted. Scarlet Hayes, Marketing major, senior, graduating next year."
"Arden West, CS freshman."
When they shook hands, Arden felt her soft touch and the ambiguous tingling as her fingertips subtly brushed his palm twice.
Classic seduction!
When Derek told him about the beautiful sales associate yesterday, Arden had already mentally prepared.
He just hadn't expected her to be a senior from the same university.
Out of curiosity, Arden summoned the system to check Scarlet's info.
[Name: Scarlet Hayes]
[Age: 22]
[Figure: 5'5", D+]
[Relationships: 0]
[First kiss: Intact]
[Virginity: Intact]
???
Several question marks appeared consecutively in Arden's mind.
No way, sis.
The legendary pure, innocent female car salesperson—she actually exists?
Derek introduced her: "Scarlet is currently our dealership's top-performing sales associate. She's also responsible for our social media marketing. The TikToks she models for have gotten great engagement... Her personal account also has many followers. Not comparable to big influencers, but she's at micro-celebrity level."
With that reminder, Arden remembered: "Senior, are you MidnightHayes?"
"Oh? Could it be you're an old fan?" Scarlet covered her mouth and giggled.
"Of course. I've been following since high school."
No wonder she looked familiar but he didn't recognize her immediately.
After all, when seeing a beautiful woman in real life, you don't immediately associate her with being an influencer.
Actually, she wasn't really a big influencer—the "MidnightHayes" account wasn't huge.
Because she didn't shill products, didn't create drama, and had very low thirst-trap content.
She simply shared her life.
But precisely this creator's looks and figure were particularly to Arden's taste.
Could say she was one of the first hot girls Arden followed on TikTok.
Kinda embarrassing to admit.
Scarlet's videos, during Arden's grueling high school years, accompanied him through countless lonely nights.
Ahem.
It's human nature!
At this moment, standing before the real person, Arden felt slightly shy but fortunately had strong mental fortitude and didn't show it.
His appearance remained relaxed and composed.
Derek smiled: "This proves you two are fated. In that case, let Scarlet handle Mr. West's car delivery completely."
"Mission accepted~"
The car delivery process was actually simple, as professional technicians had already prepped everything.
Arden inspected it and took a test drive.
The brown luxury interior was steady and dignified—perhaps difficult for a restless young person to pull off, but Arden's temperament was inherently sunny and composed. As he sat in the driver's seat and smoothly drove out, the charisma he exuded made Scarlet's eyes, in the passenger seat, light up.
"Is the... senior a Bayside local?"
"Nope, my hometown's Eastwick."
"Also in-state, not far. If you run into any trouble at school in the future, feel free to hit me up. Among other things, I know quite a few life hacks."
"Thanks, senior."
"Hey~ You're welcome."
Arden tilted his head for a glance. At this moment, Scarlet merely leaned slightly toward him, her legs in sheer stockings pressed together, without any special movements.
However, because her assets were too ample, simply wearing her seatbelt as required created an extremely pulse-quickening visual effect.
"What are you looking at, you little punk?"
"Senior, your figure's really incredible—looks even better in person than in videos."
"You saying that makes it sound like you've studied my videos pretty thoroughly."
"Indeed. I've watched those dance cover ones many times."
"Be honest—have you ever done anything naughty while watching my videos, hm?"
Scarlet extended a finger and poked Arden's cheek.
She was ready to see the boy flustered, but unexpectedly, Arden generously admitted. "Of course. I've done it many times—too many to count. My health's declined because of it, and you're partly responsible, senior."
At this moment, they happened to be waiting at a red light. Arden stared at Scarlet, his sincere, eager gaze combined with his handsome face making Scarlet's cheeks flush instead.
Why wasn't this guy playing by the rules?