Chapter 360: All for Nothing
A sharp, guttural howl tore through the classroom like a blade. It was the sound of Chi Renliang, his voice cracking as if a pig being slaughtered.
Several nearby students hurried over in alarm, rushing to help him to his feet. His face was swollen and red, blood pouring from his nose and staining the corners of his lips. What had once been a neatly grood, strikingly handso young man was now a pitiful sight—utterly disheveled and humiliated.
The instructor stepped in at once, instructing a few students to escort Chi Renliang to the infirmary. But class still had to continue.
With a brief pause to regain composure, the teacher adjusted the lesson plan on the fly. Instead of a live piano performance, they would use a recorded accompanint for the dance portion.
Just as she was about to announce the change, a male student suddenly raised his hand.
“Teacher, I can play the piano,” the boy said calmly.
“You? Are you from the music departnt too?” she asked, skeptical.
“Yes,” Wang Haoran replied casually, his voice smooth as he stepped forward.
He walked over to the piano without hesitation and sat down. Lifting one hand, he launched into an improvised lody, fingers dancing effortlessly across the keys.
The teacher’s doubts dissolved in an instant. His technique was clean, confident, and the notes flowed with grace. She nodded in approval and waved for the dance class to proceed.
And so, with Wang Haoran’s live accompanint, the students began rehearsing their introductory Western classical dance. The piano’s lody rolled out with perfect rhythm and clarity, each note accentuating the dancers’ movents. His posture was poised, his expression focused, his fingers weaving magic over the keys—and it didn’t take long before a cluster of wide-eyed girls started whispering among themselves, utterly entranced.
【Ding. Female lead Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has increased by 20. Current total: 40 (Very Friendly).】
【Ding. Host has altered the course of the plot. Gained 700 Villain Points.】
When the class ended, a few bold girls approached Wang Haoran, trying to flirt their way into his contact list. But he kept his distance, neither rude nor inviting, offering only a polite smile before slipping away. The crowd gradually dispersed, and Lu Yan was among the last to leave.
Wang Haoran followed her out, pretending it was just coincidence.
“Hey, your dancing was really impressive,” he said with a gentle smile.
“It wasn’t much. Just beginner stuff,” Lu Yan replied modestly, brushing her hair back.
“Mind if we add each other on WeChat?” he asked, tone casual.
She hesitated for a beat, then gave a small nod. “Sure.”
After all, she had noticed how he’d ignored the attention of all those girls earlier. He hadn’t flirted back, hadn’t shared his contact info. That, in her eyes, marked him as soone proper. At least, not the type who’d string girls along for sport. Just exchanging WeChat info didn’t seem like a big deal.
They scanned codes and added each other. Lu Yan offered a small smile.
“I’m Lu Yan, by the way. I don’t think I caught your na?”
“Wang Haoran,” he answered, flashing her another charming grin.
As soon as she heard it, her expression faltered. Her smile froze, and her brow knit tightly, the tension in her gaze growing darker with each passing second.
【Ding. Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has dropped by 10. Current total: 30 (Very Friendly).】
【Ding. Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has dropped by 10. Current total: 20 (Friendly).】
【Ding. Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has dropped by 10. Current total: 0 (Indifferent).】
【Ding. Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has dropped by 10. Current total: -10 (Dislike).】
【Ding. Lu Yan’s favorability toward the host has dropped by 10. Current total: -40 (Intense Dislike).】
The rapid string of system prompts left Wang Haoran completely dumbfounded.
What the hell? Was his na cursed or sothing?
He hadn’t even finished talking before the girl’s mood had gone from open and curious to ice cold. It was like soone flipped a switch. She just nuked his favorability score off a cliff, dropping eighty points in the blink of an eye.
“I have sothing to take care of. Let’s talk later,” Lu Yan said politely, her tone civil but her eyes full of unmistakable revulsion.
She didn’t wait for him to respond. She turned on her heel and walked away, faster and faster, phone already out in her hand as she tapped sothing quickly.
Wang Haoran’s eyes narrowed. Using his clairvoyance, he peered at her phone screen—and sure enough, Lu Yan had blocked and deleted him from her WeChat without even blinking.
“Could it be… did Lu Chen tell her sothing about ?” Wang Haoran muttered, stunned.
It was the only explanation that made any sense. What else could’ve caused such a violent shift in her attitude the mont he said his na?
He should’ve used a fake na, but too late now.
He sighed heavily. He spent the entire afternoon trying to build up her favorability, only to dig himself deeper into a hole. Not only did he not gain anything, he burned through his points like he was offering them up as a sacrifice.
“I said it from the start—Lu Yan doesn’t know what’s good for her. You were too nice to her. Should’ve taught her a lesson instead.”
Zhuo Xiu had been watching from a distance and now rushed to his side, voice laced with disdain and smugness.
Wang Haoran didn’t bother replying to her jab. He simply exchanged contact info with her with an unreadable expression.
Lu Yan wouldn’t be easy to sway for now, but that didn’t an he would stop watching. And Zhuo Xiu—well, she was a useful pawn.
Seeing him save her contact, Zhuo Xiu bead. She clearly thought he was showing interest.
“Can I ride in your Lamborghini soti?” she asked coyly.
“No.” His answer was blunt, imdiate. Then he added, “But if Lu Yan makes any unusual moves, keep posted. I’ll make it worth your ti—starting at fifty thousand.”
Zhuo Xiu’s hopeful grin froze for a second at his rejection, but by the ti he ntioned money, her smile was back—and wider than before.
She got it now. This rich second-generation wasn’t even slightly interested in her, but he was loaded. Just sharing information about Lu Yan would earn her enough to live like a queen. It was like a pie falling from the sky straight into her lap.
“Got it! I’ll keep an eye on her and report everything right away!” Zhuo Xiu said, nodding like a soldier being given a royal mission. She even walked him to the school gate.
She watched as the Lamborghini disappeared into the distance, its sleek silhouette gliding away under the afternoon sun.
“I really hit the jackpot today,” she murmured, flushed with excitent.
Her monthly allowance was barely five thousand, and with all the makeup and clothes she bought, she was constantly strapped for cash. But now? One tip-off was worth ten tis her budget.
The more she thought about it, the greedier she beca.
“If he’s willing to drop fifty thousand just for updates… what if I helped him win Lu Yan over completely? Would he pay ten tis more? A hundred tis?”
The idea took root in her mind—and refused to leave.
Later, she rushed back to the dorm and invited her three roommates out to a KTV to celebrate her “birthday”.
Two of them agreed right away. Lu Yan, on the other hand, shook her head. “I want to stay in and read,” she said softly.
Zhuo Xiu’s smile vanished.
“Oh, co on. I know I’ve ssed with you in the past, but are you really gonna hold a grudge over that? We live in the sa dorm. We see each other every day. I’m trying to make ands here—you really gonna turn down like that?”
“So people just think they’re better than the rest of us,” one of the other girls said with a smirk.
“So petty. Can’t even co out for one night?” the other chid in, both of them echoing Zhuo Xiu’s tone with sneering mockery.
Lu Yan’s lips pressed into a thin line. She didn’t want to cause trouble, and she certainly didn’t want to be alienated by her dormmates. After a short pause, she gave a small nod.
“Alright. I’ll co with you.”
“That’s more like it, Yanyan.” Zhuo Xiu bead, looping her arm through Lu Yan’s like they were best friends.
But behind that smile, not a trace of sincerity could be found.
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