The Pretty Boy's Charm

"Trouble..." Su Chen shook his head inwardly as he watched Qi Chuan disappear.

He stopped several people to ask for directions to the Mysticism classroom, only to be met with astonished looks. A few of them were even headed there themselves.

Only when he arrived did Su Chen understand why those people had looked so shocked.

It was a large lecture hall, packed densely with seated students and even more standing. At Southwind Academy, Jiang He was practically a household name.

"There are way too many people..." Su Chen was surprised. Ninety-five percent of them were male students, and only standing room remained.

Southern Academy offered quite a few subjects, most of them geared toward miscellaneous professions.

Mysticism sounded impressive, but it was really just theoretical knowledge—popular science about certain professions and the secrets of the world. Neither here nor there.

The reason there were so many people was still Jiang He's personal charm.

Before class began, the whole classroom buzzed in low voices.

"I heard Teacher Jiang He has a new lover... Sigh, why can't it be me?"

"He has to be an upperclassman, right? Is it Zhang Hengyu? I heard he's already taken up a profession."

"This time seems different. Teacher Jiang personally handled that guy's enrollment. Looks like she wants to raise him herself..."

"Fuck, where did that lucky brat come from? I really want Teacher Jiang He to whip me hard..."

Su Chen was speechless. How had the news spread so fast? Did these people have nothing better to do all day?

The voices suddenly rose, then fell silent just as abruptly. Only the click-clack of footsteps could be heard. Jiang He had arrived.

Sharp intakes of breath sounded all around.

Jiang He had changed outfits. She wore a sleeveless purple knit top that clung tightly to her skin and wrapped around her neck, along with high heels.

Her gaze swept over the room. She met Su Chen's eyes for a moment, then casually looked away.

Though people privately spread all kinds of rumors about how promiscuous and seductive Teacher Jiang He was, she did not say much during class. Instead, she carried an aloof air. That contrast, coupled with her status, gave her unparalleled charm.

"...Today, we'll be discussing Sun Mist and Night Mist..." Her voice was crisp. All kinds of images appeared on the screen behind her.

Countless burning gazes roamed over the teacher's body, but Su Chen listened intently.

"...Sun Mist and Night Mist are divided at six o'clock, each occupying twelve hours. During Sun Mist, the danger of the wilderness is greatly reduced. Conversely, it rises during Night Mist..."

"...But exploring ruins or conducting patrols cannot possibly be limited to just twelve hours. How to reasonably avoid Night Mist has always been an enduring field of research..."

"Morningstar Stone... a construction material for city walls. Within a certain range, it can block the mist's encroachment, and the monsters within the mist will also stay away..."

This kind of theoretical common knowledge was exactly what Su Chen needed.

Elsewhere, Zhou Zong took out a bag of gold coins and accepted a sheet of paper from the middle-aged man before him.

"Remember to burn it after reading," the man reminded him before hurrying away.

Zhou Zong's gaze fell on the document. After scanning it from top to bottom, he could not help but look surprised. "He's actually a refugee. But how does he know Bai Fengxi?"

"Hmm, the daughter of a friend... Both parents are dead. I think I understand now, but it still needs verification..."

Jiang He's class ended, yet the crowd still seemed reluctant to let it go. They watched eagerly as she left before finally packing up and departing themselves.

Su Chen silently followed her. Amid the astonished looks of certain people, he entered Jiang He's private office, where she was alone.

"Qi Chuan came looking for me," Su Chen said directly.

Jiang He's expression shifted slightly. "That quickly? He's not even trying to hide it anymore."

"He's deeply calculating and never shows his emotions. He has probably already guessed that you're not simple. You didn't give anything away, did you?"

Never showed his emotions? Su Chen recalled that bitter older brother's ferocious face and replied simply, "More or less. I fooled him."

"He also tried to tempt me with a priority training slot."

"A priority training slot?" Jiang He immediately sneered. "He really dares to promise that. Even I would find it difficult to interfere, let alone..."

At that point, Jiang He suddenly stopped, as though she had thought of something.

Then, she said excitedly, "Do me a favor."

"No." Su Chen immediately shook his head. "I'm not interested in getting involved in your affairs."

Jiang He added, "It will benefit you. Agree to him and have him get you onto the priority training list. The academy will pour quite a lot of resources into you."

"Hmm..." Su Chen paused slightly. The importance of resources went without saying.

Whether it was further developing the Strongman body-tempering method, consumables, or even information on advancing to later professions, he had almost no channels to acquire any of it.

But there were risks as well.

Still, Qi Chuan had clearly set his sights on him, and at present, he had no way to get away.

The reason he had refused so decisively just now was merely to hear Jiang He's price.

"What's your objective?" Su Chen asked.

Jiang He explained, "I want to see who exactly is behind him. The person who altered your records has already been found, but he was only paid to do a job. If Qi Chuan truly gets you onto the priority training list, that is not something money alone can accomplish."

"Besides, just to learn about what happened that night, the price he paid was a little too high. He will probably ask you to do other things as well."

So it was fishing combined with going undercover. Su Chen remained impassive. "What's your price?"

"Aren't you getting—" Jiang He was cut off before she could finish.

"That's the result, not a benefit you're giving me. I'm surviving in the cracks. I need more."

"What do you want?" Jiang He asked with interest.

"The advancement method for the Strongman's second-tier profession," Su Chen named his price.

"I don't know it." Jiang He shook her head and said flatly, "Nor can I give it to you. Ask for something else."

She looked completely unruffled, while Su Chen remained expressionless.

In truth, after leaving the villa, it had become difficult for him to maintain any advantage over Jiang He. That was why he had tried every possible way at the time to obtain some means of holding her in check.

The Blood Oath Contract was not something worth bringing up unless they tore all pretense apart.

Su Chen's expression seemed somewhat grim as he said in a low voice, "A physical training method meant for profession holders..."

Seeing his helpless appearance, Jiang He was in a pleasant mood. "That, I can provide."

Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. The training method had actually been his main goal. Information about a second-tier profession was useless to him even if he obtained it now. He had only mentioned it to create the impression that he had been forced to make a concession.

The two reached an agreement, but Su Chen did not leave. He straightened his chest and said, "There's one more thing. I have no money."

He emphasized, "I don't even have money for food."

"So it really has become keeping a pretty boy." Jiang He said lightly and casually, "Got it. I'll transfer you some money."

Having gotten what he wanted, Su Chen left in satisfaction.

But the moment he stepped outside, he was startled. The corridor outside the office was already packed three layers deep with people. Someone had clearly called over friends to witness the pretty boy's charm.

"Fuck, it's actually him. He was standing beside me during class just now, pretending to listen so seriously."

"Damn it, I'm no less charming than him."

"..."

The envious, jealous, resentful stares made Su Chen deeply uncomfortable. Feeling utterly helpless, he left.