After enjoying a tender moment together, Wen Jing nestled in Wang Haoran's arms and asked softly, "Am I your first girlfriend?"
"You're the first," he replied.
Wen Jing's heart swelled with happiness. She was an innocent girl who had only ever liked Wang Haoran—before this, she hadn't even held hands with a boy.
"By the way, that Chen Zishi likes you. Did you know?" Wang Haoran suddenly mentioned.
"Really? No wonder he's always asking me questions. It's so annoying. If he bothers me again tomorrow, I'm ignoring him," Wen Jing grumbled.
"No, keep answering his questions like you normally would—just treat him as an ordinary classmate. But when you do, a girl might come asking you to repay a thousand yuan. When that happens, act pitiful and say you don't have the money, asking for more time."
"Why?" Wen Jing blinked in confusion.
Wang Haoran frowned slightly. "I prefer obedient girlfriends, not ones who keep asking why."
"I'll be good, like a little kitten!" Wen Jing gazed at him adoringly, her smile sweet.
"Little kitten?"
"Yeah! Meow~"
Her expression was unbearably cute.
Wen Jing usually seemed quiet and bookish, but who knew she had such an adorable side? Wang Haoran felt like he'd hit the jackpot.
They had to wake up early for school tomorrow, so there was no time to waste...
——
The next day, after breakfast at the five-star hotel, Wang Haoran and Wen Jing rode to school in the Rolls-Royce.
Before reaching the school, Wang Haoran had Wen Jing get out first. They entered separately, maintaining the appearance of ordinary classmates.
During class breaks, Xu Muyan noticed Wen Jing walking awkwardly.
"Jingjing, why are you walking so strangely? Did something happen?" Xu Muyan asked curiously.
"I twisted my ankle on the way home last night, so it's a little uncomfortable," Wen Jing replied with a smile.
"Ah, is it serious? Let me take a look!"
"No need, it's nothing. I already put some ointment on it. It'll be fine in a few days."
"Alright, let me help you walk then."
At noon, Chen Zishi approached Wen Jing with his usual questions. Though she wanted to ignore him, she remembered Wang Haoran's instructions and patiently explained the problems.
Soon after, a girl from another class came to demand repayment of a thousand yuan. Wen Jing followed Wang Haoran's script, acting pitiful and begging for more time. The girl reluctantly agreed before leaving with a final warning.
Chen Zishi, witnessing this, was heartbroken. He immediately dragged Chu Bai into the hallway, demanding his money back.
But Chu Bai had nothing to repay him with.
Chen Zishi, desperate to help Wen Jing, nearly lost his temper. Their argument grew heated, loud enough to be heard from the teachers' office nearby.
Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan, who were discussing a complex math problem with their teacher, could faintly make out the voices—one unmistakably Chu Bai's.
Thanks to Wang Haoran's scheming, the conflict between Chu Bai and Chen Zishi had finally erupted.
**[Ding! Host has successfully damaged the relationship between protagonist Chu Bai and key supporting character Chen Zishi. Reward: 200 villain points. Chu Bai's protagonist halo -10. Host's villain halo +10.]**
Wang Haoran checked his updated stats with satisfaction:
**[Host: Wang Haoran]**
**[Combat Power: 89]**
**[Charm: 268]**
**[Villain Halo: 179]**
**[Villain Points: 600]**
**[Skills: None]**
Chu Bai's situation was dire, and Wang Haoran intended to make it worse.
**First move:** He had the private investigator send him surveillance footage of Chu Bai entering the casino. He then anonymously posted it on the school forum. Gambling was strictly prohibited for students—a violation as serious as fighting. Given that Chu Bai already had a disciplinary record, this new offense could get him expelled.
**Second move:** Sang Kun's men were still searching for Chu Bai. They didn't know his identity, making it hard to track him down. Wang Haoran was more than happy to "help" by leaking Chu Bai's whereabouts.
Between school troubles and gangsters hunting him, Chu Bai would be cornered. Wang Haoran could already picture the scene after evening study hall—Chu Bai being chased through the streets by armed thugs.
But just as Wang Haoran was reveling in his plans, an unexpected twist unfolded.
That evening, while playing basketball surrounded by adoring fans, Wang Haoran noticed an official police vehicle entering campus. Two officers stepped out, one holding a commendation banner.
Soon after, the principal's voice came over the school broadcast.
A student had reported an illegal gambling den, leading to its shutdown and arrests. The police had delivered a banner and a 40,000-yuan reward. The principal praised the student's bravery and encouraged others to report crimes—safely, of course.
Though the student wasn't named, Wang Haoran knew without a doubt: it was Chu Bai.
Sang Kun's casino had operated for years without issue. Yet the moment Chu Bai reported it, the entire operation was dismantled overnight.
Not only did Chu Bai receive a reward—covering the 30,000-yuan medical compensation and Chen Zishi's debt—but his previous disciplinary record would likely be cleared due to his "meritorious service."
Wang Haoran's carefully laid plans had been obliterated in an instant.
The protagonist halo was truly unreasonable