He hadn't expected these guys to be so easily intimidated—they all backed down in defeat, leaving him feeling oddly hollow. Dealing with that quick transmigrator now didn’t seem right either, since she was busy taking revenge on the male and female leads, saving him a lot of trouble. Still, she could be annoying at times.
But soon, Liu Shishi appeared, pulling him along for their usual walk home as always.
Gu Shaoting, as usual, got into the car with the yellow-haired guy, waiting for Lin Xue so they could go home together. But today, the yellow-haired guy didn’t wait for Lin Xue—instead, he slammed on the gas and drove off with Gu Shaoting. When Gu Shaoting demanded why they hadn’t waited for Lin Xue, the usually cheerful guy pulled out a knife. Gu Shaoting immediately lost his nerve.
When they arrived at their destination, Gu Shaoting had a rough idea of what was coming. The yellow-haired guy’s friends were all there, eyeing him with ill intent.
"What do you want?" Gu Shaoting demanded.
The yellow-haired guy scratched his head. "I just don’t get it. Lin Xue is such a good person—how could she fall for someone like you? I’ve been your chauffeur every day, and I’ve seen it all. You’re a total cheapskate, making a woman pay for everything. How do you even live with yourself?"
"W-what’s it to you?" Gu Shaoting flushed at the accusation, but he told himself he wasn’t stingy—just frugal.
"What’s it to me? I know I’m not good enough for Lin Xue, but today, I’m gonna teach you a lesson for her sake!" The yellow-haired guy shouted.
"Stop!" Lin Xue suddenly appeared.
As it turned out, she had seen the yellow-haired guy’s car speed off from school, with Gu Shaoting in the backseat. Remembering how she’d vented to the guy in casual chats—and how he’d jokingly promised to get revenge for her—she panicked and tried to chase after them. But she couldn’t find a taxi. Then she spotted Fang Zhiyi leaving with Liu Shishi and rushed to stop him, begging for help.
Fang Zhiyi looked at her frantic expression and leisurely turned to Liu Shishi for her opinion.
"Of course, go help her. Lin Xue looks really worried. It’s just… I won’t be able to sleep tonight without our walk."
Without another word, Fang Zhiyi grabbed her hand and pulled her into the car.
The entire ride, Lin Xue had to endure Liu Shishi’s saccharine, manipulative remarks, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Luckily, the driver was skilled, and they caught up just in time for Lin Xue to rush out and stop the fight.
Fang Zhiyi watched from a distance, marveling at the plot’s stubbornness. He’d already dealt with the gang of bullies, yet here was another character stepping in to fill the role. Was this hurdle absolutely necessary?
But this time, he wasn’t lifting a finger to help.
Later, he’d even ask Lin Xue to reimburse him for gas.
From afar, he watched the argument escalate. The yellow-haired guy grew more and more agitated until Lin Xue snapped, "What does this have to do with you? Why do you care so much?"
At those words, the yellow-haired guy suddenly pulled out his knife and lunged at her.
The sudden violence stunned everyone. Liu Shishi clutched Fang Zhiyi’s sleeve, terrified he might rush in and get hurt.
To everyone’s shock, Gu Shaoting pushed Lin Xue aside and took the stab himself.
Blood gushed out. The yellow-haired guy snapped out of his rage, turned, and fled, his friends scattering with him. Lin Xue sobbed Gu Shaoting’s name, too hysterical to even call an ambulance. In the end, it was Liu Shishi who couldn’t take it anymore and dialed for help.
Only when the ambulance arrived did Fang Zhiyi sigh regretfully. "Wasted gas money."
Liu Shishi clutched her chest. "That was terrifying."
Fang Zhiyi mused, "If you’d said what she did, this never would’ve happened."
"Huh? Are you making fun of me?"
"Not at all. Try saying it."
Liu Shishi rested her chin on her hand, then looked at Fang Zhiyi. "I need to look at you to think of it."
Fang Zhiyi nodded.
"You’d do this for me… I don’t even know what to say. But I don’t want anything to happen to you. If something did, who would protect me in the future?" She took his hand.
Fang Zhiyi shuddered.
What a warrior! The original owner of this body was a true warrior!
Even without Fang Zhiyi’s interference, the male and female leads survived the conflict—and their bond grew stronger. Or rather, Lin Xue fell completely for him.
While Gu Shaoting lay in the hospital bed, she catered to his every whim, her eyes brimming with adoration.
The two were so wrapped up in each other that they completely neglected their studies, though they were confident their grades were good enough to cram later. The day Gu Shaoting was discharged, they rushed to book a hotel room.
Afterward, Gu Shaoting was thoroughly satisfied. Lin Xue gazed at him with pitiful devotion, swearing she’d marry no one else.
The next day, mysterious calls and texts started flooding in—all notifications of spending. Gu Shaoting finally remembered the prepaid cards he’d won in a lottery.
But with exams looming, Lin Xue refused to let him leave. Eventually, they devised a plan: Gu Shaoting would help others pay for things, converting the prepaid cards into cash.
So Gu Shaoting threw himself into work—attending classes by day, hitting internet cafés after school, bars at night, and high-end clubs in the early hours.
It was his first time in such places. The deafening music rattled him, and the scantily clad women held his gaze, especially tempting for someone who’d only recently discovered such pleasures.
Then, at this critical moment, the hospital informed him his mother had passed away. In the original plot, the pushover Fang Zhiyi had paid for better doctors and a hospital transfer, keeping her alive for years longer.
Gu Shaoting had lost his last remaining family. He and Lin Xue clung to each other, weeping, vowing never to part.
Life went on. Watching the carefree revelers in the bar, Gu Shaoting felt a wave of grief. For the first time, he stepped into the main hall and ordered a case of beer.
"Just this much," he told himself.
A sound plan—except he overestimated his self-control. The moment the scent of alcohol hit the air, predatory women swarmed him. Under their sweet words and soft touches, his sorrow faded into the background. He got carried away, bragging about the money in his cards, and the women gasped in exaggerated awe.
For the first time in his life, Gu Shaoting experienced the thrill of wealth.
When he stumbled home reeking of alcohol, even Jiang Ran—who’d been out late herself, focused on building her own capital—was shocked.
"That’s Gu Shaoting? He went drinking?" She could hardly believe it.
After some digging, she learned about his lottery win. "Do all protagonists have this kind of luck?"
"Hah. Dumb luck. Fine. Let him drown in those places—the deeper he sinks, the harder it’ll be to climb out." Jiang Ran smirked.
One of Gu Shaoting’s accomplices, the bespectacled lackey, had already been crippled in an "accident" orchestrated by Jiang Ran, ensuring he’d never rejoin the protagonist’s circle. For this, she earned her first batch of points in this world.
She even bought a hallucination charm to use on Gu Shaoting. Though his protagonist aura weakened its effects, it still had some impact.
Before long, Gu Shaoting was hopelessly addicted to the nightlife.