Luo Zixuan's outburst echoed in everyone's minds long after he fled the courtyard.
And Lin Feng? He didn't chase after the applause. Didn't soak in the crowd's admiration.
He just walked away. Calm. Cool. Like a breeze after a storm.
But the storm was far from over.
Campus Forum Post: "THE SLAP THAT SHOOK THE CAMPUS!"
"Did anyone record that? Luo Zixuan's meltdown was WILD. Lin Feng didn't even raise his voice and still made the guy explode."
"Yo, is Lin Feng secretly rich or just built different??"
"Look at the video frame-by-frame. He literally smirked before Luo stormed off. That's main character energy, bro."
The video spread like wildfire. Within hours, it had over ten thousand views, retweets, and memes. The title?
"When You Try to Flex but Get Folded by the Quiet Kid"
Back in his dorm room, Lin Feng casually scrolled through the notifications with a bag of chips in one hand.
[System: Congrats, Host. You've officially reached "campus legend" status. All without flashing a single Rolex. Remarkable.]
"Should I be honored?" Lin Feng muttered, raising an eyebrow.
[System: I don't know, maybe print the memes and hang them above your future golden toilet.]
He rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the small smirk.
Then a message popped up. One he didn't expect.
Heavenly Group Chat
An elite, invite-only chat where the university's top heirs and rich kids whispered deals and drama behind closed doors.
[System Alert: You have been added to "Heavenly Elite Circle – Core Chat"]
Yu Chen:Welcome, Lin Feng. Took you long enough. 👀
Zhao Rouran:So you're the guy everyone's simping for lately. Finally joined us peasants in gold-plated disguises?
Ye Shuang:Any interest in co-investing in an upcoming private event? High music profile. Jiang Yue'er might be involved.
Zhou Xiang:Or just come for drinks. We owe you a toast for humbling that clown Luo Zixuan.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes. He knew this wasn't a casual invitation.
This was a door. Behind it? Power. Influence. Opportunity… and trouble.
Later that afternoon, Lin Feng headed to the back courtyard behind the library—a place not many visited.
And yet, Jiang Yue'er was already there, seated on the old stone bench with a small iced coffee in hand.
"You've been trending," she said without looking up. "Even my mom sent me the video."
Lin Feng groaned. "She's not gonna send me a friend request, right?"
A soft smile flickered across her face. "You wish."
He sat beside her, stretching his legs out. The sun was gentle today, and for a moment, it was like the world paused.
Jiang Yue'er broke the silence. "You didn't have to do that back there, you know."
"I didn't do anything," Lin Feng replied. "He self-destructed. I just… held the mirror."
She looked at him, eyes softer than usual. "You're good at that. Showing people who they really are."
"And what do you see when you look at me?" he asked without thinking.
She hesitated—just for a beat. "Someone who pretends he doesn't care. But does. Maybe too much."
The silence that followed said more than either of them could.
As he walked back toward the main building, Guo Yuwei caught up with him. Her cheeks slightly red, maybe from the walk… maybe not.
"You're really something, you know that?" she said, falling into step beside him.
"Let me guess. More memes?"
"No. I mean yes. But also… the way you stood up back there. For yourself. For Jiang Yue'er. For me."
She nudged him gently with her elbow. "You don't say much. But when you do, people listen."
Lin Feng smiled faintly. "I've got a loud system in my head. I don't need to be loud myself."
[System: You're welcome.]
That evening, as Lin Feng sat on a rooftop overlooking the glowing city skyline, his phone buzzed again.
A private message. From Yu Chen, one of the core heirs of the Heavenly Group.
"Tomorrow. Rooftop club. VIP floor. It's time you met the real players."
Lin Feng exhaled slowly, the night breeze tugging at his hoodie.
He had avoided the spotlight for so long. But now? The elite circle wasn't knocking. It was dragging him in.
[System: Ready to swim with sharks, Host? Don't worry, you're richer than most of them. Just don't let them smell blood.]
He stood up, brushing off the dust.
"Let's see what this circle is really made of."