Toastmasters 04

However, he truly hadn't expected that right after parting ways with Xue Wanning, she would run into Fu Jingxuan again.

Fu Jingxuan had a bit of a nasty streak. When he saw Xue Wanning, he snorted disdainfully.

Xue Wanning frowned and caught up to him. "What's your problem?"

"Nothing much. Just do me a favor and stay away from Xiaocao from now on. You’re quick to accuse her of bumping into you, but why not admit you were the one blocking her way?"

Xue Wanning’s eyes widened in disbelief. What kind of guy was this?!

By noon, she had already sought out Fang Zhiyi and asked him to investigate Fu Jingxuan.

Had she actually taken an interest in Fu Jingxuan? Fang Zhiyi couldn’t help but feel exasperated.

"There’s nothing to investigate. He’s from a wealthy family and acts like Xiaocao’s lapdog," Fang Zhiyi said dismissively.

Xue Wanning closed her eyes, lost in thought. The boy’s face gradually became clearer in her mind—ruggedly handsome, but alas, a simp... Hmm, maybe she should...

Before she could finish that thought, Fang Zhiyi spoke up again.

"Miss, instead of this, how about we go check out the second male lead?"

The image in Xue Wanning’s mind instantly shattered. "Second male lead? That Zhou Han guy?"

Fang Zhiyi nodded.

Xue Wanning finally got a good look at Zhou Han. Well, he had a great physique—clearly someone who worked out regularly—and exuded a sunny charm. He was sitting in a corner with Qin Xiaocao, chatting quietly over lunch and making her cover her mouth as she giggled nonstop.

"I’m kind of curious," Xue Wanning mused. "What’s so special about Qin Xiaocao anyway?"

Fang Zhiyi tensed up.

There was no helping it. He’d have to sacrifice his own time and be more proactive than ever in accompanying Xue Wanning on shopping sprees—anything to keep his patron from getting too invested in the main leads.

The strategy worked, but only to a limited extent. Since avoidance wasn’t cutting it, it was time to take the offensive.

The next day, Fang Zhiyi invited Xue Wanning to lunch and deliberately stalled for time. Soon enough, they saw Qin Xiaocao being shoved into the women’s restroom by two girls. Fang Zhiyi nudged Xue Wanning, who glanced up just in time to witness the scene.

"Let’s go take a look?"

"Probably pissed someone off again. With her personality, getting beaten up is the least she deserves." Xue Wanning smirked with satisfaction. "Honestly, if it weren’t for wanting to see their drama, I’d be tempted to hit her myself."

"But, Miss, she seems pretty miserable. Especially considering her... condition." Fang Zhiyi tapped his own head meaningfully.

Xue Wanning, who had been about to walk away, paused.

"What do you want me to do?"

Fang Zhiyi shrugged. "What can I do? Even I can’t just barge into the women’s restroom. But I know you can’t stand seeing people bullied—just like when we first met, and you stepped in to beat up the guys who were picking on me."

Flattered by the praise, Xue Wanning preened for a moment before narrowing her eyes suspiciously at Fang Zhiyi. "Be honest—do you have a thing for her too?"

"Huh?"

"Don’t be shy! If you like her, I’ll help you win her over! We’ll crush all those so-called male leads!" She waved her fists dramatically.

Fang Zhiyi waved his hands in denial. "No, no, absolutely not! I have zero interest in being the fourth wheel."

Xue Wanning just waggled her eyebrows at him before striding toward the restroom. "Wait here. The young miss will clear the way for you!"

"What kind of logic is this?!" Fang Zhiyi sighed. Today was supposed to be the day Qin Xiaocao got bullied by her roommates, after which Fu Jingxuan would swoop in to defend her, deepening their bond.

Soon, he heard Xue Wanning’s furious shouting. Moments later, the two girls came rushing out, with Xue Wanning yelling after them, "If I ever see you two again, I’ll beat you up on sight! Pathetic!"

Then he spotted Fu Jingxuan hurrying over. The moment their eyes met, Fu Jingxuan slammed him against the wall. "Where’s Xiaocao?! What did you do to her?!" His fist was raised.

Fang Zhiyi simply stared back calmly. Sure enough, Xue Wanning’s voice rang out seconds later. "What the hell are you doing?!"

Both Fang Zhiyi and Fu Jingxuan turned to see Xue Wanning helping a drenched Qin Xiaocao out of the restroom. Her eyes widened at the scene before her.

"Xiaocao! What happened?!" Fu Jingxuan rushed over, shoving Xue Wanning aside. "Did these two plan this to get back at you? Just because you accidentally spilled food on them last time?"

"Bullshit!" Xue Wanning was so furious she nearly jumped.

Fortunately, Qin Xiaocao shook her head, though she kept murmuring, "It’s fine, Jingxuan, just let it go."

Misinterpreting her words, Fu Jingxuan turned and lunged at Fang Zhiyi. Fang Zhiyi didn’t move, his gaze fixed on Xue Wanning. For these unhinged main leads, this kind of behavior was par for the course.

Xue Wanning threw herself between them without hesitation. As if on cue, Fang Zhiyi raised his hand, caught Fu Jingxuan’s incoming fist, and twisted it sharply before flinging him aside. Fu Jingxuan collapsed to his knees with a howl of pain.

"Jingxuan!" Qin Xiaocao screamed.

Xue Wanning only hesitated for a second before kicking Fu Jingxuan in the back. "How dare you hit my underling! And insult me on top of it!"

"Stop fighting, please!" Qin Xiaocao stood frozen, at a loss for what to do.

Finally, Fang Zhiyi released Fu Jingxuan’s fist, leaving him writhing on the ground in agony.

"Tell me!" Xue Wanning yanked Qin Xiaocao forward. "Was it me who saved you in there? Huh?"

Tears welled up in Qin Xiaocao’s eyes as she nodded frantically. "Y-yes! Please, just stop hurting Jingxuan!"

"Hurt him? He threw the first punch! Ugh, biting the hand that feeds you—what a joke! Zhiyi, let’s go!" With that, Xue Wanning stormed off without a backward glance.

Fang Zhiyi acknowledged her and then looked down at the guy glaring daggers at them from the floor.

"You’d better not get any funny ideas, or you’ll regret it." He turned to leave but added in a low voice, "Oh, and consider this a warning from Gu Mingyu." Satisfied, he finally walked away.

"Gu Mingyu..." Fu Jingxuan’s eyes burned with hatred as his fists clenched again.

The whole way back, Xue Wanning ranted nonstop. Fang Zhiyi, however, was relieved. Fu Jingxuan’s standing in her eyes had clearly hit rock bottom. As he’d predicted, at this stage, between him—her right-hand man—and Fu Jingxuan, Xue Wanning would undoubtedly choose him. Plus, she despised being falsely accused, so it was safe to say she’d never develop feelings for Fu Jingxuan now.

"By the way, that move earlier was awesome. Teach me," Xue Wanning suddenly said.

"Of course, Miss." Fang Zhiyi was more than happy to oblige.

As long as he kept his patron happy, he wouldn’t have to work hard to build his own fortune in this world. A foolproof investment!