CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 123: DEPARTURE! TRIAL SQUAD

Ye Luo looked with some confusion at Feng Jiaqi, who was blocking their path. She recognized the girl. According to campus rumors, she supposedly came from a low-profile, aristocratic family. Since no one could dig up any information on her background, and some high-ranking parents specifically warned their children to avoid conflict with her, Feng Jiaqi had developed a unique aura in the class.

Every classmate subconsciously wanted to curry favor with her. Of course, this didn’t include Ye Luo, whose heart had room for only one thing: revenge.

In fact, Feng Jiaqi rarely put on the airs of a noble lady and usually got along well with her classmates. Everyone treated her as the class favorite.

But what does it mean for her to block my way now?

Unable to figure out the reason, Ye Luo turned her gaze back to Chen Pingchuan. She had a strong feeling Feng Jiaqi was here for him.

Chen Pingchuan glanced at Feng Jiaqi’s defiant expression and cursed inwardly, Simulator, you’re the worst! Fix your damn bugs already, or I’m going to be forced to become a scumbag.

While his mind raced, his body reacted instantly. He spoke up quickly, "Let Ye Luo head back first. I have something to discuss with Feng Jiaqi."

"Okay."

Ye Luo’s voice was as brief and cold as ever.

"Oh, right. Don’t forget our agreement."

This time, Ye Luo didn’t respond verbally, simply nodding. She then walked right up to Feng Jiaqi, tilted her head slightly, and gave her a faint smile.

In truth, Ye Luo was just trying her best to appear friendly. This was the most she could muster. While she didn’t know Feng Jiaqi’s motives, she didn’t want to make the situation awkward or complicated.

But in Feng Jiaqi’s eyes, this was something else entirely.

Damn it! Is this woman flaunting her victory in my face? That smile... is she mocking my audacity? Or laughing because I lost to her? Feng Jiaqi fumed, her eyes flashing with anger and resentment. Most importantly, they made some secret agreement behind my back. What was it about? Damn it all!

Feng Jiaqi felt like an abandoned kitten. She bit her lip so hard it nearly bled, her hands clenching into fists, nails digging into her palms.

This time, she didn’t stop Ye Luo from leaving. Instead, she fixed her piercing gaze on Chen Pingchuan. The moment Ye Luo was gone, tears welled up in her bright eyes.

Chen Pingchuan slapped his forehead, a hint of annoyance flashing through his mind.

How could I forget about Feng Jiaqi? This girl has a crush on me, and it looks like she completely misunderstood my relationship with Ye Luo. My original plan was just to play dumb and wait this out. Using Feng Jiaqi, this enigmatic girl, was already the lowest I was willing to stoop. After all, in the future, we’ll just be strangers who never see each other again. But now, the vote for the mission selection is tomorrow. If I can’t placate this girl, I’m afraid things will turn out just like in the simulation, and I’ll miss out on the Energy Crystal mine.

Thinking of this, Chen Pingchuan composed himself. His divine self was an expert at dealing with women. So, he decided to imitate his divine self’s personality and behavior, transforming into a cool, aloof god.

Chen Pingchuan first feigned a frown and said coldly, "Put your tears away."

Feng Jiaqi froze, stunned by Chen Pingchuan’s reprimand. No one had ever spoken to her so harshly. An incredulous look filled her eyes, as if she couldn’t comprehend his sudden change.

The next second, Chen Pingchuan beckoned to her, his hand palm-down as he curled his fingers repeatedly.

Feng Jiaqi felt her body move on its own, obediently walking toward him. He reached out and cupped her pretty face in his hands, staring at her with the same intensity. He only let go when he felt her tense body begin to relax in his warm grasp.

"When did you get here?"

"A little while ago."

Feng Jiaqi’s voice was soft and meek, a stark contrast to the domineering tone she had used with Ye Luo.

"Hmph. Let’s go."

Chen Pingchuan didn’t explain his relationship with Ye Luo. According to his divine self’s arrogant personality, explaining was out of the question. Explain? Ha, not a chance.

Chen Pingchuan didn’t wait for her consent, draping an arm around her shoulder as naturally as if he were embracing his own lover. He briefly wondered if the move was too sudden, but another voice in his mind told him it was the right thing to do.

When Chen Pingchuan put his arm around her, Feng Jiaqi’s body stiffened for a moment before the warmth of his touch made her feel enveloped by love. A blissful smile spread across her face unconsciously. As for the school rule against dating, it was practically meaningless for a girl from an aristocratic family like her.

On their way to the classroom, passing students stared with shocked expressions. What were they seeing? The school’s famous rich girl had been claimed by some unknown handsome guy! He was called a "handsome guy" simply because not many people actually knew Chen Pingchuan.

Though his dead-last ranking had earned him some notoriety in his own class, he was a small fish in the big pond of the entire school.

Feng Jiaqi, however, was different. She had been a prominent figure ever since she enrolled, with countless people trying desperately to get close to her. What they didn’t know was that beneath her gentle and kind words lay the vast chasm between two different social classes.

"Where are you having lunch today?"

"At school."

"Good. Let’s eat together. I’ll treat you to something delicious."

"But I..."

Feng Jiaqi was about to say that her family’s butler had already prepared her lunch, but when she saw Chen Pingchuan’s brow furrow slightly, she swallowed her words.

"Okay."

"Alright, whatever you say."

They maintained this intimate posture as they entered the classroom. Their classmates inside were just as shocked as the ones outside, and many began to whisper amongst themselves.

"What’s this Chen Pingchuan’s deal? Wasn’t there a rumor this morning that he’d already scored Goddess Luo?"

"I know, right? I don’t get it. The guy who’s dead last in class... what kind of charm does he have? I guess I was blind. He didn’t just stop at Goddess Luo; he’s got his hands on our Goddess Qiqi too."

"This makes me sick. He’s not human."

"Tell me about it! I’ve never even had one girlfriend, and this guy’s already got two of the top girls."

"Keep it down! Don’t let them hear you."

"Okay, okay. I was just saying, aren’t they afraid of the school’s..."

Another student, seeming to know what the gossiper was about to say, replied directly.

"As if any of us care about those token rules, let alone our snobbish school leaders."

The two subjects of the gossip had completely different reactions: Feng Jiaqi was secretly delighted, while Chen Pingchuan couldn’t care less.

The morning passed quickly, but the ripples from Chen Pingchuan’s actions continued to spread with no sign of stopping. By now, it wasn’t just the students whispering in private; even the teachers were discussing it in their office. Meanwhile, the school administrators, who were usually so quick to cite the rules, had fallen collectively silent, pretending they knew nothing about the matter.

In the classroom, Feng Jiaqi would often glance toward Ye Luo, her eyes seemingly declaring her victory and staking her claim.

The day passed in the blink of an eye. When he returned home, Chen Pingchuan’s mind was heavy with worries. He didn’t chat much with Belia and went to bed early, needing to conserve his strength. Tomorrow would decide everything.

「The next day. Spring City No.1 Middle School, Senior Year, Class One.」

Their homeroom teacher, Fang Yuxin, looked at the team roster in her hand and announced loudly, "Ye Luo, Chen Pingchuan, Feng Jiaqi, Liu Haofeng, Li Qiang, and Zhang Lei. The six of you will form one trial team."