The Note

Xu Muyan felt a sense of relief when Chu Bai finally left. She smiled and turned to Wang Haoran.

"What topic do you want to discuss with me?"

Xu Muyan had a favorability score of 20 towards Wang Haoran, meaning she saw him as very friendly. So, she had no issue with him asking for study-related help.

"Actually, I don't have any questions for you," Wang Haoran said with a smile.

"Huh?" Xu Muyan was taken aback.

"In this class, you're not the only one who excels at studying. Why would Chu Bai only ask you?" Wang Haoran pointed out.

"How would I know that?" Xu Muyan shook her head, but deep down, she had a guess—she just felt too embarrassed to say it.

Wang Haoran, however, directly exposed the truth.

"Chu Bai isn't genuinely looking for your help with studying; he's just using that as an excuse to get close to you."

"You're too kind. You need to learn to say no. Don't waste your valuable study time helping others. You don't owe them anything."

Hearing this, Xu Muyan nodded in agreement with Wang Haoran's words and made up her mind—if Chu Bai came to her again with study-related questions, she would reject him unless she was completely free.

"Did you come here just to tell me this?" Xu Muyan gazed at Wang Haoran, trying to discern his intentions.

Is he… concerned about me?

"What kind of look is that? I talk to you about studies all the time, but don't tell me you actually think I have feelings for you?

"I'm the school heartthrob, okay? I get countless love letters from girls. Just because you're pretty, you think I must like you too?"

"I told you before—I don't date girls from the same class. Do I need to repeat myself?" Wang Haoran mercilessly shattered Xu Muyan's thoughts.

Of course, he did have feelings for her. But he couldn't let her notice that.

Otherwise, she might start distancing herself from him.

In short, he could flirt with her, but she couldn't realize that he was flirting!

"You're really something… Whatever, I'm going to do my homework. I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Xu Muyan's face flushed red. She turned away in annoyance, refusing to even glance at Wang Haoran.

[Ding! Female lead Xu Muyan's favorability towards the host +10. Current favorability: 30 (Very Friendly).]

[Ding! The host has influenced the original plot, earning 200 Villain Points.]

"Wait, what?" Wang Haoran was momentarily stunned by the system notifications.

What's going on? I wasn't even flirting with her. In fact, I was shutting her down!

And yet, her favorability towards me increased?

The more I act indifferent, the more interested she becomes?

In other words, she responds well to "playing hard to get" tactics?

Wang Haoran suddenly felt like he had discovered the key to winning over Xu Muyan.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the classroom…

Chu Bai had been keeping a close eye on Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan.

Since many students were studying, their conversation was too quiet for him to hear.

But he could observe Xu Muyan's body language and facial expressions.

"She looks angry… What the hell did that scumbag Wang say to her? Did he make some lewd comments?"

Chu Bai clenched his fists, feeling the urge to beat Wang Haoran to a pulp.

For him, that would be an easy task.

Wang Haoran was just a rich pretty boy with no real strength. He wouldn't stand a chance.

But after thinking it over, Chu Bai suppressed his anger.

Beating up Wang Haoran would be simple, but the consequences wouldn't be.

After all, the guy had money. And in this world, money meant power.

"Just wait until after the college entrance exams. I'll have a two-to-three-month break. I'll go out of town, try my hand at gambling on raw jade stones, and make a fortune!"

Chu Bai secretly made up his mind.

For the rest of the afternoon, he remained in a gloomy mood because of what had happened at lunch.

It wasn't until after dinner at the cafeteria that his mood improved a little.

Returning to the classroom, he found a note inside his desk.

It contained a few lines of writing:

"Chu Bai, I wasn't deliberately trying to distance myself from you. I was forced to. Seeing you upset all afternoon made me feel really bad.

"I originally planned to talk to you after the college entrance exams, but I can't stand seeing you like this.

"Meet me at the girls' dorm after the first evening self-study session. I have something very important to tell you.

"Make sure Wang Haoran doesn't find out."

The note wasn't signed.

But the handwriting was elegant—clearly from a girl.

"This was written by Xu Muyan!" Chu Bai quickly concluded.

He recognized the handwriting. Plus, from the wording, who else could it be?

His heart instantly leaped with joy. His mind started racing.

"What does this mean? She's asking me to meet her secretly, and she doesn't want Wang Haoran to know? Could it be… she actually likes me?"

"Maybe she's been pretending to be indifferent to me and staying close to Wang Haoran just to keep me out of trouble?"

"Yes! That must be it!"

"Ever since she found out about Fan Jian and the others trying to ambush me, her attitude towards me has suddenly changed."

Chu Bai was beyond excited but quickly forced himself