Upon reaching the building's entrance, Fang Zhiyi pulled out the bottle of wine and shoved it into her hands: "Take it home, drink it whenever you feel like it!"
"Are you... framing someone?" Little Hei asked on their way back.
Fang Zhiyi looked utterly pleased: "What kind of nonsense is that? I took someone else's wine under their name—how is that framing?" He paused, then added in a hushed tone, "At most, it's called sharing the spoils."
"Anyway, I get the benefits, and they take the blame."
In the following days, Lin Xue and Gu Shaoting had a streak of bad luck. First, Gu Shaoting's neighbor kept causing trouble—wherever they went, she would appear, and then the two would end up doing bizarre things or suffering inexplicable misfortunes.
Lin Xue also gradually realized that Gu Shaoting was incredibly stingy—even when they ate together, she always ended up paying.
But looking at Gu Shaoting's face and his academic performance, Lin Xue felt her future was still intact. She just had to wait a little longer—the exams were coming up. She would work hard, then throw it all in Fang Zhiyi and Liu Shishi's faces! And that Jiang Ran too!
Jiang Ran was also frustrated. Despite her efforts, the protagonists' plot armor remained intact, and she even suffered backlash twice. So, she decided to focus on making money first—she had plenty of time!
Compared to Jiang Ran's direct retaliation, Fang Zhiyi's approach was much simpler. He had an advantage no one else did: money. Once he noticed Jiang Ran stepping back to regroup, Fang Zhiyi made his move.
Under the influence of his financial power, Lin Xue and Gu Shaoting kept stumbling into events like "Couple Compatibility Challenges" or "Street Raffles." Gu Shaoting's luck seemed to be improving—he kept winning top prizes.
But the prizes were all gift cards.
"VIP Internet Café Credit: 5,000 yuan! (Exclusive to the winner)"
"Wild Rose Bar Gift Card: 10,000 yuan! (Exclusive to the winner)"
"Heavenly Delights Club Gift Card: 50,000 yuan! (Exclusive to the winner)"
Days of sudden good fortune left Gu Shaoting dazed. He immediately tried to cash them in, but after running around, he not only failed but nearly got beaten up.
The reason? He sold 3,000 yuan worth of internet café credit to a young man, only for the guy to find out at the café that only the winner could use it. Realizing he'd been scammed, the young man—recognizing Gu Shaoting's school uniform—gathered his friends and cornered him after school. Just as they were about to lay into him, Gu Shaoting coughed up the money, even throwing in a few hundred extra before they left, cursing.
This left Gu Shaoting in a dilemma—was he supposed to use these himself?
Lin Xue's attitude toward Fang Zhiyi softened slightly after receiving the bottle of red wine he gave her. But Fang Zhiyi still paid her little attention, spending all his time with Liu Shishi instead. Anyone could see there was something between them.
Lin Xue felt an inexplicable pang of jealousy, especially when she learned Fang Zhiyi walked Liu Shishi home every day. The discomfort gnawed at her.
Yet, despite all this, trouble still found Fang Zhiyi. One day, as he prepared to walk Liu Shishi home after school—listening to her talk was like therapy, well worth the extra steps—he was ambushed and dragged into a nearby alley.
"So you're Fang Zhiyi?" a fatty barked.
Fang Zhiyi gave him a sidelong glance: "Yeah, it's your dad."
Fatty's eyes bulged: "The hell? You dare insult me?"
"What, a dad can't scold his son?"
"That's—" Fatty actually paused to consider it before snarling, "Don’t get cocky! I know your family’s loaded, but do you know what mine does?"
Fang Zhiyi shook his head.
Fatty sneered: "Whatever, just listen. I heard you made Lin Xue unhappy. True or not?"
Fang Zhiyi looked baffled: "Me? When?"
"Just answer!"
"No."
Fatty faltered—he hadn’t expected a flat denial. "Then why’d someone tell me you warned Lin Xue to ignore me? And threw away my love letter?"
"Who told you that?"
"None of your business! You’re in my way—you deserve a beating!"
Fang Zhiyi found the situation absurd: "You’re coming after me instead of her boyfriend? What kind of logic is that?"
"Relax, I’ll deal with him after you!"
Fang Zhiyi grinned: "Fine by me."
A series of dull thuds followed. Fatty gaped as his lackeys crumpled to the ground, clutching their stomachs in pain. Panic set in—he never expected this refined rich kid to be so dangerous.
Fatty had no idea Fang Zhiyi had survived worlds full of peril, honing his skills through countless trials.
"Now," Fang Zhiyi said with a friendly smile, stepping closer, "tell me—who sent you?"
Fatty clenched his teeth and swung the steel pipe in his hand—a tool meant for intimidation, but now wielded in fear.
Yet Fang Zhiyi caught it effortlessly, as if he’d expected it. His other hand shot out like lightning, gripping Fatty’s shoulder.
A crushing force erupted. Pain exploded from the point of contact, shooting up to the back of Fatty’s skull. He howled like a slaughtered pig.
"It was a girl! A girl! She said she overheard it—sounded convincing!"
"Half the damn world’s girls. Be specific."
"She—she had bangs! Short, not from our school!"
"Better." Fang Zhiyi released him, patting his cheek. "Also, I do know a thing or two about your Chen family. Started with nightclubs, right? Let me tell you—my money is a big deal. I could pay your parents to disown you. Believe that?"
Fatty paled. The young master’s aura was overwhelming. "I—I was just trying to scare you! I wouldn’t actually hit you!"
"Oh?" Fang Zhiyi glanced at the pipe in his hand.
"Then what’s this? A walking stick?"
Fatty froze. The next moment, the pipe cracked against his leg. His mouth flew open in silent agony.
Fang Zhiyi laughed cheerfully and handed the pipe back. "Here, your walking stick. Call the cops if you want. Or your boys. I’ll wait."