Paying Back Kindness with Betrayal?

"Fine, you don't believe me? Then I'll call them over right now!"

Seeing that Jiang Linyuan didn't believe her, Zhuang Yan looked furious and immediately dialed a number without another word.

Liu Tingting's eyelid twitched.

You knew I had a whole pond of fish and didn't say anything? And you've been competing with me like an idiot this whole time!

If you'd just told me, I would've left you alone! Why did you have to take things this far?

"Senior is sincere with people. It's perfectly normal for her to make more friends!"

Jiang Linyuan watched Zhuang Yan make the call without batting an eye.

I don't care how many fish she has. I'll collect my reward and then I'm out.

Wang Bo, standing off to the side, heard this and gave him a look that said, "Bro, I get you."

"Hmph, friends? Once I call them over, we'll see if they're really friends."

Zhuang Yan gave a cold laugh and started saying something to the person on the other end.

Liu Tingting's heart jolted. Things had reached this point, and she had no way out.

If her reputation was ruined here, her social life would be over!

Just then, Jiang Linyuan rested a hand on Liu Tingting's shoulder and softly reassured her:

"Don't worry about her, Senior. If this is too much trouble, we can just ignore her."

His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze. Liu Tingting's panicked heart gradually settled, and she gave Jiang Linyuan a grateful look.

"Thank you, Junior. But if we don't clear things up, there'll always be a thorn in your heart, won't there?"

As she spoke, she smiled faintly.

"If it'll put your mind at ease, I don't mind going to a little trouble."

She's still turning up the heat! Even now, you're still trying to flirt with me?

I acknowledge your green-tea purity, Liu Tingting!

Jiang Linyuan looked moved.

"Senior, I've always trusted you."

He couldn't let Zhuang Yan keep muddying the waters.

Jiang Linyuan didn't have the energy to compete with Liu Tingting's other fish.

He gave Su Muzhi a look.

Su Muzhi, use Interrupt!

Su Muzhi caught Jiang Linyuan's glance and turned to Zhuang Yan with a cheeky grin.

"Forget it, Zhuang. Even if you call those people over, someone like Jiang won't change his ways."

Zhuang Yan asked hesitantly:

"You're just going to let it go like this?"

Hearing that, Su Muzhi had a pretty good idea what Zhuang Yan was thinking. Her eyes shifted, and she sighed, lowering her voice.

"What can I do? He's the one I like. And it's not the first time, anyway. I'm used to it."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan was both angry and shocked.

She was angry that Jiang Linyuan had been fished for before. This was some next-level stupidity—he was so stupid he'd never stop.

She was shocked that Su Muzhi could put up with so much. From the sound of it, she'd been NTR'd right in front of her face countless times!

If Zhuang Yan kept making a scene, she'd only cause Su Muzhi more pain.

Girl, your pain is far greater than mine.

In the end, Zhuang Yan didn't call Liu Tingting's fish over. She made a couple of casual excuses and hung up.

She looked at the top of Su Muzhi's head and couldn't help thinking it was positively glowing green.

Helpless, Zhuang Yan shook her head and said:

"Girl, no man is any good. You should give up on him soon."

"But he's different."

Su Muzhi immediately chimed in.

What the hell, had she lost her mind too?

Zhuang Yan was about to say something, but then remembered that Su Muzhi had helped her. In the end, she only said:

"Let's exchange contact info. If that little bitch Liu Tingting tries anything again, I'll help you!"

Su Muzhi took Zhuang Yan's hand and smiled, her eyes narrowing.

"Then thank you."

After that, she turned and winked at Jiang Linyuan.

It's done.

Nicely done!

Admittedly, if you ignored the fact that Su Muzhi might stab him in the back, she was a pretty obedient Pokémon.

But this couldn't go on forever. He'd have to find a way to keep her in check.

Hmph, Su Muzhi's intentions were obvious to anyone.

Jiang Linyuan looked away from Su Muzhi and turned to Liu Tingting, speaking gently.

"Don't worry, Senior. I'll always trust you."

"Let's get back to badminton. We've already wasted quite a bit of time."

Liu Tingting had also noticed Zhuang Yan putting her phone away. Although she was puzzled, she still breathed a sigh of relief.

If the fish from her pond actually met, she'd have a lot of trouble on her hands.

"Thanks for earlier, Su."

Jiang Linyuan handed Su Muzhi a bottle of mineral water and watched the Badminton Club members training in front of them.

Su Muzhi didn't take the bottle. She pouted, her voice carrying a hint of grievance.

"Jiang, you're not even going to open it for me? You were so considerate toward Liu Tingting."

Jiang Linyuan gave a cold laugh.

"I'd open it. Would you drink it?"

Su Muzhi grinned, deliberately putting on a terrified expression.

"You wouldn't have put something in it, would you?"

"I'd spit in it."

Su Muzhi didn't take the bait. She took the bottle and changed the subject.

"Are you close to winning Liu Tingting over?"

Jiang Linyuan shook his head.

"If you want to be precise, I'm probably only her number-one backup."

The system required him to have his feelings played with, and that required the other person to genuinely develop feelings for him.

So far, Liu Tingting had never felt anything romantic toward him.

To put it plainly, she just wanted his body.

He'd have to use a strong dose to shatter her defenses.

Su Muzhi watched Jiang Linyuan's calm expression, took a sip of water, and asked:

"What are you planning to do next?"

Jiang Linyuan looked at Liu Tingting as she leapt high on the badminton court and said:

"You got Liu Tingting's fish's contact information from Zhuang Yan, right?"

Su Muzhi raised an eyebrow.

"What about it?"

"How about letting those two meet?"

Jiang Linyuan said.

Su Muzhi was puzzled.

"Wasn't just now the perfect chance?"

"Junior Su, remember: it's easy to dodge an open attack, but hard to guard against a hidden one."

Jiang Linyuan said calmly.

With Liu Tingting's skill, as long as she was there, she could easily keep the fish in her pond under control, even if they met.

This was something they had to do behind her back.

Su Muzhi was silent for a moment, then broke into a mischievous smile.

"You really aren't a good person. Aren't you afraid Liu Tingting will hold a grudge if she finds out?"

Jiang Linyuan looked astonished.

"Junior Su, what are you talking about? Wasn't this your idea?"

Su Muzhi froze, stunned by how shameless the man in front of her was.

"Jiang, what are you talking about? I don't understand. I'm a good girl. I couldn't bring myself to do something like that."

She put on an innocent, carefree expression, giving Jiang Linyuan goosebumps.

"It's fine. Then Zhuang Yan did it."

Jiang Linyuan waved a hand and said frankly.

Su Muzhi heard him and let out a long sigh.

"How did someone like you manage to stay by Shen Wanyu's side for so long?"

Jiang Linyuan crossed his arms, looking very confident.

"Want to know?"

"Of course."

"Isn't the answer obvious? She likes me."

"...You're seriously way too full of yourself."

Jiang Linyuan shot back:

"Then tell me why."

Su Muzhi thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"I don't know."

Jiang Linyuan gave Su Muzhi a disdainful look.

"What's that look for?"

"Heh."

"Don't think I can't tell you're imitating Shen Wanyu."

Jiang Linyuan didn't want to keep going back and forth with Su Muzhi, whose rebellious streak knew no bounds. It would be better to ask Shen Wanyu herself.

While he was at it, he could see if he could get a Reward Card.

He pulled out his phone and messaged Shen Wanyu directly:

"Department Head, do you like me? Just say it. I could be your boyfriend."

A moment later, Shen Wanyu sent a message:

"Paying back kindness with betrayal?"