The campus buzz was louder than usual that morning. As Lin Feng strolled across the quad in his worn sneakers and faded hoodie—no flashy car, no designer brand—he could almost taste the whispers.
Groups of students gathered by the bulletin board and near the coffee kiosk, exchanging excited and sometimes biting remarks.
"Did you hear? Jiang Yue'er's been hanging out with that guy from the charity event…" one student murmured, eyes wide.
"Lin Feng, right? I always thought he was just some ordinary guy taking taxis. Now they say he's been spending like he's got money coming out of his ears!" another replied, voice low but tinged with envy.
Even a few male students looked uneasy. One of them, a guy named Tang Wei—who had been known to boast about his family's wealth—muttered, "I don't get it… how can a nobody do all that?"
Lin Feng kept his head down, but he couldn't ignore the growing buzz. He had always liked to let his actions speak for themselves. And so far, his actions had been nothing short of legendary.
Later in the day, as he walked toward his lecture hall, his phone buzzed with notifications from the campus forum. A pinned post caught his eye:
"Who Is Lin Feng? – The Truth Behind the Mystery Tycoon"
The post was full of screenshots from the auction, blurred images, and wild claims about his spending habits. Comments ranged from,
"He must be hiding something – a secret fortune, maybe even illegal deals…"
to
"I bet he's just a pretender. Real rich kids wouldn't do this."
Lin Feng shook his head and smirked quietly. Let them talk. He knew his system was legit—and his actions, whether understood or not, were helping people who needed it.
After class, Lin Feng met up with Guo Yuwei near the campus library. Her expression was a mix of frustration and determination, and her usually calm eyes looked a bit troubled.
"Guo Yuwei," he said, leaning against the old brick wall, "I saw the forum post. Looks like the campus is in an uproar over me again."
She sighed and adjusted the strap of her bag. "They're saying I'm getting cozy with you, and that you're some kind of secret tycoon."
Her tone wasn't entirely bitter—more confused, even. "I don't care about their gossip. But I am worried. The upcoming talent competition is tomorrow, and I heard from one of the organizers that there's a rumor... that you might be influencing things behind the scenes."
Lin Feng arched an eyebrow. "Influencing, how?"
Guo Yuwei hesitated, then said softly, "They say someone's been quietly sponsoring the competition, ensuring that only a few get the spotlight. And—some people suspect it's you."
Before he could reply, a familiar voice cut through the air. It was Professor Li, known for his no-nonsense attitude toward campus events. "Ms. Guo, I need you in my office in ten minutes. We have some issues with the registration for the competition."
Guo Yuwei's face fell. "Now? But—"
Professor Li's tone was curt. "I expect nothing less than perfection, Ms. Guo. You're one of our brightest students, so do not let these rumors distract you."
Lin Feng watched her frown, her concern for her future evident. The moment felt heavy—a mix of college pressures, harsh expectations, and the weight of secrets.
"Don't worry," Lin Feng murmured under his breath. I've got this.
He stepped aside and opened the campus forum on his phone, replying with a brief but pointed message:
"Let rumors fly. I'm too busy helping my friends to worry about idle gossip."
The system piped in with a snarky comment:
[System: Bravo, Host! Let the fools squawk. Their opinions are as shallow as recycled soda cans.]
Lin Feng grinned. He knew that while the campus might buzz with theories about him, the only thing that truly mattered was the tangible help he provided. And that help was coming soon for Guo Yuwei.
Later that afternoon, as the campus settled into a brief lull between classes, Lin Feng found a quiet spot under a sprawling tree near the library. His phone buzzed with another message—from the "Heavenly Group" chat where elite students sometimes traded tips about upcoming events.
Tang Wei (in all caps): "I heard the competition's sponsorship might be compromised. If Lin Feng is behind it, he's playing a dangerous game."
Another reply from Luo Zixuan followed: "Yeah, who does he think he is, a secret benefactor? Let's see if he can keep up."
Lin Feng smirked at their banter, but his mind was elsewhere. He remembered what he'd promised himself long ago—to spend money only where it made a difference. Not for power plays, but for helping those who needed it.
And Guo Yuwei was clearly in that category.
He looked up, the warm sunlight filtering through the trees, and decided: Tomorrow, after the competition, he would meet with the person in charge of the sponsorship. He'd sort out the rumor once and for all—quietly, efficiently, and without any of the ostentation that so many rich kids on campus loved to display.
As he closed his eyes for a moment, the system fired off one final line:
[System: Host, remember: True wealth isn't measured by what you flaunt—it's measured by what you give away. But if you need to flex a little, well, that's bonus points.]
Lin Feng opened his eyes and smiled softly. The campus might buzz with gossip, and rivals might try to tear him down, but he'd always do what was right—on his own terms.