"Hey, don't go just yet. Why not wait a moment?"
Seeing Li Linhai about to leave, Huang Mao stepped in front of the restroom door with a sinister grin.
"What is it that you people want?"
Li Linhai's path was blocked, and a flicker of irritation appeared on his face.
"Heh, Li Linhai, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
A teasing voice sounded from the doorway, instantly making Li Linhai panic.
It was Chu Yi.
What was he doing here?
No, I mustn't lose my composure.
I can't afford to let anything slip.
Taking a deep breath, Li Linhai forcibly calmed himself and faced Chu Yi with a composed expression.
"Chu Yi, I already apologized to you yesterday, and you said you forgave me."
"Or were your words empty, and now you're here to exact some petty revenge?"
Suppressing the anger boiling within him, Li Linhai maintained a façade of calm.
Just wait.
Once I rise again, I'll make you pay for this.
Inside, Li Linhai seethed with fury, his body trembling with barely contained rage.
Of course, these subtle signs did not escape Chu Yi's notice.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Chu Yi's mouth.
Interesting.
Trying to provoke pity?
But do you really think such childish tricks will work on me?
Chu Yi stepped closer, his voice laced with indifference.
"I'm not here to settle old scores from yesterday."
"Why don't you think back to this morning—what exactly did you and Ye Fan talk about in the corridor?"
What?
In the corridor?
Those words made Li Linhai's expression freeze.
How does he know?
Did Ye Fan tell him?
Still, Li Linhai tried to bluff his way through.
Feigning ignorance, he said,
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I need to get to class."
He inched toward the door, attempting to slip out while their attention was on his words.
But just as he was about to step over the threshold, Chu Yi blocked his escape.
"My advice? Think carefully before you speak again. Words can be dangerous."
"Or perhaps… let me help jog your memory."
Step by step, Chu Yi advanced, cornering Li Linhai until he was trapped.
Then, looking at the pallor on Li Linhai's face, he finally spoke.
"In the corridor, Ye Fan told you he'd ambush me in the alley near the school gate at noon."
"He'd film me in a sorry state and upload it to the school's forum for all to see."
"The plan was to humiliate me thoroughly—and you, both of you, would watch gleefully from the sidelines."
What—
Li Linhai's eyes widened in terror.
How could he possibly know what we discussed?
Unless…
A dreadful suspicion surged within him.
"You guessed correctly," Chu Yi said with a cold smile.
"Ye Fan sold you out."
"He promised to tell me everything—as long as I stopped competing with him for Xia Yuehan."
"I agreed, out of sheer amusement. That's how I learned everything."
"I imagine you noticed Ye Fan wasn't in class today, didn't you?"
Chu Yi's words were like poison, seeping into Li Linhai's mind.
"No… that can't be true…"
Li Linhai collapsed to the ground, muttering in disbelief.
Chu Yi watched him, a twisted smile forming.
Even though the lie was flimsy, fear had already clouded Li Linhai's mind.
Under extreme stress, people are thirty percent more likely to believe what they're told.
And by the time he realizes the inconsistency…
It may already be too late.
Chu Yi leaned in, whispering beside Li Linhai's ear.
"Let me share another little secret…"
"Zhang Ting has agreed to be my girlfriend."
"We're going to get a room today."
"But I have no intention of taking responsibility."
"You beast! You monster!"
Li Linhai exploded in fury and lunged forward with a punch.
But before it could land, Chu Yi struck him in the gut with a sharp blow.
Li Linhai cried out in pain and crumpled to the floor, drenched in sweat.
Chu Yi stood over him, eyes cold and disdainful.
"Your career, your love life—they're both destroyed now."
"All that's left… is your family."
With that, he made a call.
Li Linhai's family was merely a nouveau riche household running a chain of restaurants, worth tens of millions.
To Chu Yi, who could casually tip millions in gifts, bankrupting them was effortless.
A cold smile played on his lips.
"Ding ding ding—"
As Li Linhai writhed on the floor, his phone began to ring.
He fumbled to answer it.
"What? Mom… we're bankrupt?!"
He let out a cry, frozen in place, his phone slipping from his fingers.
Chu Yi observed him with an amused glint in his eyes.
Realizing the truth, Li Linhai scrambled over, tears and snot streaming down his face.
"Chu Yi, I was wrong. I'll never go against you again. Please… have mercy!"
He finally understood.
Everything—his fall—was orchestrated by Chu Yi.
"Oh? Then tell me… why should I spare you?"
"I—I'm willing to be your lackey. Just… don't ruin my family…"
Li Linhai kowtowed repeatedly, the regret overwhelming him.
If only he hadn't let jealousy over Chu Yi and Zhang Ting blind him…
If only he hadn't tried to curry favor when Chu Yi slapped Li Kai…
None of this would have happened.
Self-loathing flooded his heart.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xing and the others, witnessing the scene, felt a chill in their hearts.
So ruthless…
A newfound fear of Chu Yi took root in them.
"Transfer to another school today. That's the only way I'll let you off."
"But if I see you with Ye Fan again… you already know the consequences."
Bored, Chu Yi waved his hand.
"Thank you, Young Master Chu! Thank you!"
Li Linhai bowed his head repeatedly in gratitude.
Just then, a familiar system voice echoed in Chu Yi's mind:
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Li Linhai has officially lost his supporting male lead status. You have gained 30 Luck Points and 5,000 Villain Points."
"You can all leave now," Chu Yi dismissed the crowd.
"Yes, Young Master Chu."
The others exited, leaving only Chu Yi in the restroom.
"System, now that Li Linhai's status is gone, can I seize his opportunities?"
"Logically, yes. His fortunes are now unclaimed. Host may proceed safely—System guarantees your life during the attempt."
"Good. Let's try it."
Excited, Chu Yi began browsing the system shop.
The place he wanted to go was hard to access.
A random teleportation tool would be ideal.
Eventually, he found something:
Random Teleportation Card – Cost: 1,000 Villain Points
Effect: Mentally activate to teleport to a random location within 300 li.
Perfect.
Chu Yi purchased it, and a glowing card appeared in his system inventory.
His mood lifted.
Humming a cheerful tune, he exited the restroom.
—
In the classroom, Xia Yuehan grew puzzled by Ye Fan's absence.
After several unanswered calls, she turned to Chu Yi.
"Chu Yi, do you know why Ye Fan didn't come today?"
Worry flickered in her eyes.
"You mean Ye Fan?"
"I'm not sure, but I saw him leaving the school with a few thugs. No idea what they were up to."
Chu Yi's tone was deliberately vague, leaving room for retreat if questioned later.
"I see… He hasn't moved on after all."
"He's falling again…"
Xia Yuehan murmured, disappointment clouding her face.
A new system message chimed:
"Ding! Xia Yuehan's affection for Ye Fan has dropped by 2. Current: 23."
"Still at 23? That's a pretty high starting point…"
Chu Yi smirked and, with a mischievous glint, sat in Ye Fan's seat.
Since Ye Fan wasn't here, he might as well take his place.
To his side, Xia Yuehan blushed.
Other than Ye Fan, no one had ever sat beside her before.
But unlike Ye Fan, Chu Yi carried the faint scent of sandalwood—intoxicating and irresistible.
After hesitating for a long while, Xia Yuehan asked,
"Chu Yi, what are you doing? Why are you sitting in Ye Fan's seat?"
Her face flushed pink.
"Oh," Chu Yi replied casually.
"I had a grammar question I was hoping you could help with."
Feigning confusion, he leaned closer.
Naturally, it was all an act—to create more opportunities to talk to her.
After all, people who seem perfect are the hardest to approach.
In their exchange over schoolwork, their relationship quietly advanced—from acquaintances to close friends.
—
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Chu Yi returned to his own seat.
But something felt… off.
Usually, after class, Xia Yuehan and Zhang Ting would chatter nonstop.
But now, only Xia Yuehan was speaking.
Zhang Ting remained silent.
Xia Yuehan noticed and asked,
"Zhang Ting, are you feeling okay?"
Zhang Ting looked up with a forced smile, a complicated expression in her eyes.
She knew well—Chu Yi had only approached her to get closer to Xia Yuehan.
Now, she was caught in a difficult dilemma.
Should she tell Xia Yuehan the truth, or…
As she deliberated, a hand slid under the desk, brushing against her thigh, and slipped into her pocket.
She could even feel the sensation of his fingertips.
Her face flushed crimson.
Beside her, Xia Yuehan continued asking,
"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Yuehan, I'm fine," Zhang Ting replied with a red face.
"The heat's just getting to me. I'm feeling a little drained."
Out of Xia Yuehan's sight, she shot a fierce glare at Chu Yi.