Chapter 5: Reporting the Beating

At this moment, Fan Tong and Qin Shousheng arrived in the classroom as well. Like Fan Jian, they wore hats pulled down low, almost to their chests.

Wang Haoran took advantage of the situation and urged them to remove their hats. Instantly, the extent of their injuries was revealed. Both Fan Tong and Qin Shousheng's faces were grotesquely swollen, as if they had been slapped countless times. Their faces were a ghastly sight, with some of the skin torn.

Xu Muyan was startled and couldn't bear to look.

"How could they be beaten so badly?! This is too brutal," Wang Haoran remarked, shocked by the sight. He then addressed the group around him, "In my opinion, both sides are at fault. Here's what we'll do: Chu Bai should apologize to Fan Jian and the others, and I'll cover their medical expenses. We can consider this matter settled. What do you all think?"

"Sounds good."

"Fine by me."

"I agree."

With their leader's approval, Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng quickly voiced their agreement.

Xu Muyan nodded in agreement as well, glad to see the matter potentially resolved.

But would the protagonist easily apologize to the antagonist? Of course not!

If Chu Bai apologized, he wouldn't be the protagonist anymore. True to form, Chu Bai stubbornly replied, "Pfft, apologize? Not a chance!"

"Chu Bai, it's just a simple apology," Xu Muyan tried to persuade him.

"Why should I apologize when it was clearly their fault? It's ridiculous."

Protagonists are often stubborn and resistant to advice, and Chu Bai was no exception. No amount of persuasion, not even Xu Muyan's, could change his mind.

[**Ding**: Host has disrupted the relationship between protagonist Chu Bai and one of the female leads Xu Muyan, affecting the original plot direction. Gained 200 Villain Points.]

[**Ding**: Xu Muyan's affection for Chu Bai decreased by 10. Current affection level: 0 (strangers).]

[**Ding**: Chu Bai's protagonist aura reduced by 20. Host's Villain Aura increased by 20.]

"Looks like it really worked," Wang Haoran thought with a smirk after receiving the system notifications. His actions had transformed Chu Bai and Xu Muyan's relationship into that of strangers, while Xu Muyan's affection for him had increased by 10 points.

In contrast, Wang Haoran found himself in a favorable position now. However, he knew he couldn't be complacent. Chu Bai's protagonist aura might quickly rebound Xu Muyan's affection.

Wang Haoran reviewed his updated stats:

- **Host**: Wang Haoran

- **Combat Value**: 89

- **Charisma**: 198

- **Villain Aura**: 119

- **Villain Points**: 400

- **Skills**: None

His Villain Aura had increased slightly from 99 to 119. He had accumulated a total of 500 Villain Points so far, but spending 100 to check Chu Bai's information left him with 400 points. He still needed more points to unlock the system shop.

——

During the break, Wang Haoran called his three subordinates to a corner for a discussion.

"Boss, we were careless yesterday. We knew he could fight, but we didn't expect him to be that tough. Damn it!"

"Boss, I'll gather more guys after school today and make sure we beat Chu Bai into a pulp!" Fan Tong and Qin Shousheng said angrily.

"Shut up!" Wang Haoran scolded. "If we follow your approach, we're bound to fail."

"Why?" Fan Jian asked.

"Because that's how the original plot works. I'm not going to play by those rules," Wang Haoran said.

"Boss must have a plan to deal with Chu Bai. Oh..." Qin Shousheng winced, pain shooting through his injured face as he tried to smile.

"This matter still requires your involvement," Wang Haoran said.

"Boss, just tell us what to do!" The three subordinates were eager to comply.

"Go and report to the teacher that Chu Bai beat you up," Wang Haoran instructed.

"Yes, Boss, we'll... huh? Report to the teacher?!" Fan Jian initially accepted the order but was stunned halfway through as he realized the implications.

"???", Fan Tong and Qin Shousheng were also left bewildered.

Despite being the top student and school heartthrob, Wang Haoran was also known as a school bully. Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng were his top subordinates, which allowed them to almost act with impunity in school.

They were very concerned about their dignity. Although they had been beaten, reporting to teachers or parents seemed like an unthinkable option. Did their boss not care about face?

Wang Haoran addressed his confused subordinates, "What are you staring at? When there's a dispute among students, reporting to the teacher is the best way to resolve it. Do you think I'd send someone to attack him? Please, I'm a privileged student with a good education and top grades, not some gangster."

Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng exchanged glances, unable to refute Wang Haoran's logic. They couldn't argue with that reasoning.

So, the three battered subordinates went to the Moral Education Office (also known as the Political Education Office).

When the class bell rang, Chu Bai was summoned by the fierce-looking deputy director of the Moral Education Office.

Shortly after, a high-profile beauty in high heels and glasses entered the classroom. Her name was Song Zhenyu, 24 years old, the class teacher and English teacher. Although young, she had a fiery temper and excellent teaching skills, keeping the class in strict order.

As she took roll call and noticed the absence of four students, she became quite irate. Missing an early class in their senior year was unforgivable.

The students in the classroom could almost see the metaphorical steam coming out of her head.

Even though she was furious, Song Zhenyu remained strikingly beautiful. Anger didn't diminish her allure.

Wang Haoran thought, "Could this teacher be one of the female leads?"

Given that the protagonist has a special ability and is a student, a beautiful female teacher as one of the leads would be a common trope.

Wang Haoran wanted to check with the system but hesitated due to the 100 Villain Points cost. With only 400 points, he preferred to wait until he had 500 to unlock the system shop.

"Chu Bai, Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng—who knows why these four aren't here?" Song Zhenyu asked the students.

As the class teacher, she knew exactly who sat where.

"Miss Song, Chu Bai beat up Fan Jian, Fan Tong, and Qin Shousheng badly. They're all bruised up. The deputy director of the Moral Education Office just took them away," Wang Haoran stood up and reported, adding fuel to the fire.

"What?! A fight!" Song Zhenyu's anger intensified, her voice loud enough to make the students' ears ring.

"You all continue studying. Wang Haoran, handle the discipline here."

After saying this, Song Zhenyu stormed out of the classroom, clearly heading to the Moral Education Office.