Chapter 29: The Cheating Scandal Unravels

Sunday at 5 PM.

The English exam concluded, marking the end of the joint mock exams. Chu Bai walked out of the classroom, his face full of disappointment.

Evening self-study would proceed as usual, but there was still over an hour before it began. Feeling down, Chu Bai decided to take a walk by the river just outside the school.

However, as he stepped out of the school gate, he ran into the old principal.

"Young man, why do you look so down? Did the exams not go well?" 

"Hello, Principal." Chu Bai greeted him respectfully, then nodded.

"It's just a mock exam. If you didn't do well, it doesn't mean you won't do better next time," the principal said, trying to comfort him.

"You're right, Principal," Chu Bai forced a weak smile.

If it were just a simple mock exam, he wouldn't be so upset. But the poor results of this mock exam meant that his chances of asking Xu Muyan to be his girlfriend were dashed. The frustration weighed heavily on Chu Bai.

However, he couldn't share this with the principal.

"I see you're heading out. Are you not going to have dinner?" the principal asked suddenly.

"I'm just going for a walk outside. I'll skip dinner," Chu Bai replied.

"Young people shouldn't skip meals. You'll get a stomachache. It's important to eat on time. My home is nearby, and I'm heading back for dinner. Why don't you join me?" the principal offered.

Chu Bai was surprised but quickly agreed. Being invited to the principal's home for dinner was an honor not even most teachers could claim. This was a golden opportunity to perhaps strengthen his relationship with the principal. 

After a token refusal, Chu Bai accepted the invitation.

---

The next morning.

The results of the mock exams were released. During the break after the second period, the homeroom teachers handed out the results sheets to the students.

In Wang Haoran's class, the atmosphere became lively. 

Their class was a liberal arts class. The top two students were Xu Muyan and Wang Haoran, both scoring 682 points. 

The result surprised many but wasn't entirely unexpected. Xu Muyan and Wang Haoran had always been the top two students, their positions alternating depending on their performance. However, it was quite the coincidence that they had the exact same score this time.

A score of 682 in liberal arts was exceptionally high. If this were the college entrance exam, they could practically choose any university in the country. Their reputation as top students was well-deserved.

The students ranked below them were also familiar faces from the top ten in the class.

Xu Muyan was relieved not to see Chu Bai among the top ten.

"You owe me a milk tea," Wang Haoran appeared beside Xu Muyan.

"Don't worry, I won't forget," Xu Muyan replied with a bright smile.

This was their previous agreement: if Wang Haoran managed to stop Chu Bai from cheating, Xu Muyan would treat him to milk tea.

"I wonder where Chu Bai placed," Xu Muyan mused, her curiosity piqued as she scanned the results sheet.

But no matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find his name near the top.

"Try looking from the bottom," Wang Haoran suggested.

Sure enough, Xu Muyan found it.

"Last place?!" she exclaimed in shock.

Chu Bai had slipped back to being the notorious class underachiever, despite having done fairly well in the last exam. This came as a complete surprise to Xu Muyan, who had thought her tutoring had genuinely helped him.

"I guess he cheated in the last exam. This is his true level," Wang Haoran added.

"So that's what it was. I thought he had made a sudden improvement because of my tutoring, plus he seemed so smart," Xu Muyan said, realization dawning on her.

"Are you that gullible? Just because he told you that, you believed him?" Wang Haoran teased, showing a hint of disdain.

"You… How can you say that?" Xu Muyan pouted, upset at being called gullible.

"I'm not insulting you. I'm just reminding you not to be fooled by Chu Bai's lies again. Stay away from him," Wang Haoran advised.

"Do all boys like to lie?" Xu Muyan mumbled under her breath, then glanced at Wang Haoran, asking, "Would you lie to me?"

Wang Haoran met her gaze, noticing the tender emotions swirling in her eyes. This girl was definitely falling for him, but Wang Haoran wasn't satisfied just yet.

"Boys usually lie for two reasons: money or attraction. Do you think I need to lie to you?" Wang Haoran replied with a smirk.

Xu Muyan looked confused, as if she didn't quite understand.

Wang Haoran continued with a chuckle, "I have money, so I don't need to lie to you for that. As for attraction... well, I've already told you before. Should I repeat it? I'm not really interested in you…"

Xu Muyan blushed, not from shyness, but from anger.

"I get it, you're not interested in me. I'll remember that," Xu Muyan finished Wang Haoran's sentence, clearly annoyed.

"Good, as long as you remember," Wang Haoran said with a smile, walking away.

Xu Muyan watched him leave, her heart full of frustration. She wanted to ignore this annoying guy, but his face kept popping up in her mind, refusing to leave.

[Ding! Host has successfully stirred Xu Muyan's emotions, gaining 200 Villain Points.]

"!!!" Wang Haoran was shocked.

So now I get Villain Points just for flirting with Xu Muyan? I should definitely do this more often!

---

"Don't underestimate me! The college entrance exam is coming soon, and you'll all see who the real underachievers are! You're all trash, just wait until my scores slap you in the face!" 

In another part of the classroom, some students were laughing and mocking someone. Several of them kept repeating this line.

Chu Bai's face was as dark as a storm cloud.

The phrase they were mocking him with was one of his own.

A few days ago, Chu Bai had been showing off, loudly declaring during morning reading that he would soon be at the top, which had annoyed the students around him.

He had then arrogantly declared that line, which his classmates were now using against him.

[Ding! Host has successfully disrupted Chu Bai's plans to show off during the mock exam, gaining 300 Villain Points.]

Wang Haoran enjoyed the chaos but didn't join in mocking Chu Bai. As a top-tier villain, stooping to such low tactics was beneath him. If he really wanted to mock Chu Bai, he would send one of his underlings to do it.

However, with so many students already jeering at Chu Bai, it wasn't necessary.

Wang Haoran checked his system panel to see his current Villain Points.

[Villain Points: 1800]

Wow, I'm already this rich? Wang Haoran immediately spent 1,000 Villain Points to unlock the "Best Actor-Level Acting" skill.

With 800 Villain Points left, he could still afford one more draw.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for drawing a 5,000 Villain Points item: X-ray Vision. Would you like to activate it immediately?]

"Of course! Activate it now!" Wang Haoran almost jumped with excitement.

This was supposed to be Chu Bai's cheat ability, and now it was his for just 500 Villain Points. What a bargain!

Time to test it out.

But what to test it on?

Wang Haoran's gaze wandered around the classroom before landing on Xu Muyan. He focused his attention on her, activating his X-ray Vision.

Before long, Wang Haoran's breathing became heavy. It took him a while to finally tear his gaze away.

Who would've thought that Xu Muyan, who always wore loose school uniforms, had such a fantastic figure hidden underneath?

Wang Haoran had originally rated Xu Muyan 95 out of 100, but now he felt she deserved at least 97.

Although he was pleased, Wang Haoran couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted. Was he the second person to know this about Xu Muyan?

"System, has Chu Bai ever used his ability on any of the female leads?"

[Querying information on the protagonist requires 100 Villain Points. Would you like to proceed?]

"Do it."

[Protagonist Chu Bai has never used his ability on any of the female leads.]

Wang Haoran felt much better after hearing this. 

That made sense, considering Chu Bai's typical behavior. He might be the kind of protagonist who was too proud or noble to do something like this. Unlike himself, a villain who would look if he wanted to.

Still, too much of this might be bad for his health. Moderation is key.

---

The constant ridicule and mockery finally pushed Chu Bai to his breaking point. Unable to bear it any longer, he exploded in anger.

"Shut up, all of you! If anyone dares to say another word, I won't hold back!" 

Chu Bai slammed his desk, his anger so intense that it startled everyone around him into silence.

Chu Bai often hung out with tough guys from outside of school and rarely lost in a fight, so he had a certain menacing aura. His sudden outburst scared the nearby students into submission, and the room fell quiet.

But Wang Haoran wasn't about to let this slide. He nudged his friend Fan Jian, whispering something in his ear.