The golden afternoon sun bathed the arts building in warm light, casting long shadows over the courtyard where students lounged between classes. Conversations hummed through the air—half gossip, half envy—about Lin Feng and Jiang Yue'er.
"She actually thanked him in front of everyone?"
"Yeah, and I heard they had lunch together after her performance. Like… alone."
"Who is this Lin Feng guy anyway?"
And that was when Luo Zixuan appeared.
He stepped forward from the edge of the crowd like he'd been waiting for the perfect entrance. Dressed in a spotless designer jacket, hair gelled to perfection, his smug expression practically screamed rich and entitled.
Spotting Lin Feng near the courtyard pavilion, chatting casually with a few classmates, Luo's lips curled into a smirk.
"Yo, Lin Feng!" he called out, loud enough to silence the nearby chatter. "How about you stop hiding behind that poor-boy act for once?"
Lin Feng didn't even turn around right away. He finished what he was saying to another student, slipped his phone into his hoodie pocket, and then—finally—looked over with a brow raised.
The crowd was already forming a circle.
"Problem?" Lin Feng asked mildly, voice calm, relaxed.
Luo Zixuan strode forward. "You're not fooling anyone, you know. You act broke, but you've been throwing money around like you're buying friendship. Sponsoring events, helping Guo Yuwei, cozying up with Jiang Yue'er. What are you really after?"
A ripple of "ooooh" swept through the students. Phones were already out. Someone even whispered, "He's going for it…"
Lin Feng shrugged. "Didn't realize helping people was a crime now."
"Oh please," Luo scoffed. "You think people like Jiang Yue'er hang out with you because they like you? You're just a trend right now. And trends fade."
[System: Host, he's not wrong. You are a trend. A sexy, mysterious, wallet-wielding trend.]
Luo Zixuan continued, arms wide like he was performing. "What's next? Going to throw a piano at my face? Sponsor the entire university?"
Lin Feng's smile didn't reach his eyes. He stepped forward, stopping just a few feet from Luo. His voice stayed low, but every word carried.
"I didn't buy anyone," he said. "And if someone like Jiang Yue'er chooses to talk to me, maybe it's because I actually listen. Not because I wave my daddy's credit card around like a mating call."
The crowd exploded. A few students even whistled.
Luo's eyes flashed. "So what, you're saying I'm just some spoiled brat?"
"No," Lin Feng replied, pausing. "You said that."
[System: Fatality. Victory to Host. Please clean up your opponent's pride from the floor.]
Luo's mouth opened, then shut again. His fists clenched at his sides.
"Careful, Luo," Lin Feng added, his tone cool but firm. "People remember how you treat others when no one's watching. And right now, everyone's watching."
The crowd buzzed again—some whispering, others recording.
Just then, a new voice joined in. It was Guo Yuwei, standing a little behind them, arms crossed.
"Luo Zixuan, maybe you should worry more about your own reputation than trying to tear down someone else's."
Jiang Yue'er wasn't far behind either, silent, but her gaze never left Lin Feng. And there was something like… pride in her eyes.
Luo looked between them, flustered, then let out a dry laugh and turned away.
"This isn't over," he muttered.
Lin Feng didn't bother replying. He just turned back to his seat near the pavilion, relaxed as ever, like nothing had happened.
[System: Host, you just won a social duel with one eyebrow raise and three sentences. Should I start tracking your body count?]