Hmph... You Scoundrel

"How... how could this be happening?"

Luo Jin couldn't believe his ears and immediately started dialing numbers again.

"Hello?"

"Director Zhang, it's Luo Jin!"

*Beep, beep, beep...*

"Deputy Manager Ma, this is Luo Jin. On your side..."

*Beep, beep, beep...*

One after another, four or five calls, and each time Luo Jin mentioned his name, the other end either hung up after a few angry words or simply cut him off without a word.

Finally, Luo Jin gave up. He turned to Su Ming, his face a mask of disbelief.

Even a fool could see now—this was all because of Su Ming.

To be precise, it was those two phone calls Su Ming had made.

"Who... who are you really?"

Luo Jin couldn't help but ask, his face pale as a ghost, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

At this point, no matter how much he didn't want to believe it, he had no choice.

The man standing before him truly wielded a power that struck fear into his heart.

Two phone calls—one to Changhe, the other to Hongda—had sealed his fate.

"You don't deserve to know."

Su Ming shot him a cold glance, then stood up, pulling Fan Qianqian, who had stopped crying and was now wide-eyed with amazement, to her feet. Without another word, he led her away.

Fan Qianqian, still in shock, didn't resist and let Su Ming guide her.

*Ding! Option completed. Fan Qianqian's favorability increased by 30 points. Current favorability: 70. Level: Admiration. Further actions are now possible.*

"Am I really that kind of person? Don't remind me of that again!"

Su Ming cursed the system under his breath. It was getting a bit too cheeky.

But the system remained silent, ignoring him.

"Su... Su Ming!"

Fan Qianqian suddenly called out.

Su Ming turned and saw her blushing face, her eyes fixed on his hand.

"Oh! Sorry! Let's go!" Su Ming quickly released her.

Fan Qianqian nodded, though for some reason, a pang of disappointment washed over her.

"W-wait!"

Suddenly, Luo Jin's voice rang out.

In the next moment, Luo Jin rushed over and dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Su Ming! Mr. Su! I'm sorry, please forgive me! I was blind! Please, have mercy!"

Luo Jin pleaded desperately, his voice trembling.

"Let's go."

Su Ming didn't even spare him a glance and continued walking toward the exit of the street food market.

Fan Qianqian hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided not to stay and followed Su Ming.

But Luo Jin suddenly lunged forward and grabbed her ankle.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

Fan Qianqian was startled and tried to pull away, but Luo Jin's grip was too tight.

"Qianqian, I'm sorry! I was wrong! I'm not human! I'll make it up to your family, I swear!"

"Qianqian, you've always treated me like a brother, right? Please, help me! I'll kowtow to you!"

As he spoke, Luo Jin actually began to kowtow, his forehead hitting the ground.

Fan Qianqian was at a loss, her heart torn. She was too soft-hearted for this.

"Let go."

Su Ming's cold voice cut through the air.

Luo Jin froze mid-kowtow and immediately released her.

"Someone like him isn't worth your pity. Let's go."

Fan Qianqian glanced at Su Ming's retreating figure, then cast a cold look at Luo Jin before following Su Ming.

Luo Jin lay there, stunned, on the ground.

He knew it was over. Everything was over.

There was no place for him in Jiangzhou anymore.

Of course, he could leave, start over somewhere else, or try a different line of work.

But his job-seeking information had likely been leaked online. Who would hire someone rejected by countless companies?

He was doomed to a life of hard labor.

After lying on the ground for a few minutes, Luo Jin slowly got up, his eyes empty, and walked out of the street food market like a zombie.

He disappeared into the distance, fading from sight.

Meanwhile, Su Ming was driving Fan Qianqian to the gates of Jiangzhou University.

In the car, Fan Qianqian told Su Ming almost everything about Luo Jin.

This only reinforced Su Ming's belief that he had made the right choice today.

Luo Jin was truly a backstabbing ingrate, a despicable human being.

"Su Ming, thank you."

Fan Qianqian suddenly spoke up, her voice soft.

Su Ming was taken aback but quickly shook his head and smiled. "Don't mention it. Just work hard and repay your parents' kindness."

"I will!"

Fan Qianqian answered firmly, then added, "Su Ming, you must be a very important person, right? Can... can I see you again?"

Su Ming couldn't help but chuckle. "You already have my number and WeChat, don't you?"

Fan Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously.

"Such innocence," Su Ming murmured to himself as he watched her skip away.

Time flew by, and after parting ways with Fan Qianqian, Su Ming returned to his villa.

5:30 PM.

"Master, you have a visitor."

The smart butler's voice echoed in Su Ming's ear.

"Open the door."

Su Ming sat up from the sofa, already knowing it was Lin Yixue.

As he stood, Lin Yixue walked in, a sweet smile on her face.

She approached, opened her arms, and embraced him.

Before Su Ming could react, she gently kissed his cheek.

Just as Su Ming was about to return the gesture, Lin Yixue suddenly asked, "What happened today?"

Su Ming abandoned the idea of a kiss and pulled her down to sit beside him.

He then recounted the day's events.

After listening, Lin Yixue frowned, clearly displeased.

Su Ming felt a sudden unease.

"Really, Su Ming? You went out to eat with another girl behind my back? Do you think I'm not good enough? That I'm too old?"

Lin Yixue's brows furrowed, her expression like an angry kitten.

"Uh, well..."

Su Ming stammered, unsure how to explain.

He wanted to say there was nothing between him and Fan Qianqian, but then he remembered the system's constant favorability rewards, hinting that something might happen eventually.

"Hmph... playboy!"

Lin Yixue scolded him again.

"Yixue, listen to me..."

*Hmm!*

Just as Su Ming was about to speak, Lin Yixue suddenly kissed him.

Su Ming's eyes widened, but he soon closed them, savoring the moment.

Several minutes passed, and just as Su Ming was about to take things further, Lin Yixue suddenly pushed him away and stood up.

Su Ming was dumbfounded. What was this? It was so frustrating!

Lin Yixue's face was flushed as she said, "Hmph... that's your punishment!"

"Is that really necessary? Aren't you feeling frustrated too?" Su Ming rolled his eyes.

"None of your business, you rascal! I'm going swimming!"

Lin Yixue spat and turned to head toward the pool outside the villa.

"Swimming?"

"Wait, I haven't tried our pool yet. Let's go together!"

"No! You're not allowed to come!"

"But that's not up to you!"

Su Ming turned into a whirlwind and chased after her.