Chapter 46

Lu Qi had always been protective of Lu Yao. He had already been displeased by how aggressively Wang Shining and Xia Yue had pressured him earlier.

Now that he saw them falsely accuse someone and then try to walk away as if nothing had happened, he was even less willing to let it go.

Lu Qi had a short temper. Irritated, he pressed his tongue against his cheek and directly blocked Wang Shining and Xia Yue's path.

He rolled his neck, then cracked his wrists, his joints popping loudly.

Seeing him like that, Wang Shining's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

He knew Lu Qi was skilled at fighting. The Lu family had enrolled him in all kinds of martial arts classes from a young age. Remembering what he had heard before—that Lu Qi beat people black and blue whenever he fought—he shrank back fearfully.

He might have dared to bully Zhang Xinyang, but that was only because he knew Zhang Xinyang would not fight back. If he had to trade punches with someone who had genuinely trained, like Lu Qi, he would have no ability to resist.

Forcing himself to be brave, Wang Shining tried to intimidate him with a fierce voice that belied his weakness. "Lu Qi, this is school. If you hit a classmate, you'll be breaking school rules and get written up."

Lu Qi let out a scornful snort. Wang Shining was obviously the sort of coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong. When he was acting arrogant, his swagger seemed to reach the sky, but the moment he met someone tougher and got suppressed, he cowered faster than anyone.

Seeing Lu Qi's unconcerned expression, as though he might strike at any moment, Wang Shining felt even more certain that he would not escape unscathed today.

Lu Qi suddenly stepped forward and reached for Wang Shining. Startled, Wang Shining reflexively shut his eyes and stumbled back a large step, but Lu Qi still firmly seized both his shoulders.

With a twist of his hands, Lu Qi turned him around to face Lu Yao.

He said irritably, "I'd dirty my hands beating up a weakling like you. You think you can falsely accuse Lu Yao and just run away? Where do you get off having it that easy? Apologize to Lu Yao!"

Hearing that Lu Qi did not intend to hit him, Wang Shining finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Seeing that Wang Shining still was not apologizing, Lu Qi impatiently urged, "Why are you dragging this out? Hurry up! If you don't apologize today, don't even think about leaving."

Wang Shining felt furious and humiliated. He had thought victory was already his, yet now not only had he lost, he was being forced to apologize to Lu Yao in front of everyone.

But he also knew that everyone was on Lu Yao's side now. If he refused to apologize, hotheaded Lu Qi definitely would not let this matter end so easily. By then, he might lose even more face.

Wang Shining lowered his head slightly, pursed his lips, and reluctantly muttered, "I'm sorry, Lu Yao."

Lu Yao's dark eyes were deep and unreadable, but he said nothing in response to Wang Shining's apology.

Lu Qi released Wang Shining's shoulders.

His gaze swept toward Xia Yue, who stood near Wang Shining. "What about you? Do you think you did nothing wrong?"

By this point, seeing Wang Shining's humiliating display, Xia Yue was already furious. Now that Lu Qi had suddenly turned his attention toward her, she naturally refused to embarrass herself in the same way.

She said righteously, "From beginning to end, I never said Lu Yao stole the questions or cheated. Why should I apologize?!"

Wanting her to bow her head before Lu Yao was harder to bear than killing her. Ever since Lu Yao had transferred here, she had felt that he seemed to oppose her at every turn. By now, she hated him to the bone.

"Y—"

Lu Qi was infuriated by her shamelessness.

Lu Yao lightly patted Lu Qi's shoulder and said slowly, "Forget it. Don't try to reason with someone unreasonable."

Everyone else naturally saw Xia Yue's unreasonable attitude as well.

Because of her excellent grades, some people's previously poor impressions of her had gradually changed. But after today's incident, everyone present understood that Xia Yue was not someone worth befriending.

Seeing Wang Shining put an arm around Xia Yue and prepare to leave, Lu Yao suddenly spoke. "Wait."

Xia Yue turned back angrily and glared at him. "What else is it?!"

Lu Yao answered coldly, "It has nothing to do with you."

He raised his eyes to look at Wang Shining. "Don't forget the stakes of your bet."

Wang Shining shot a vicious glare at Zhang Xinyang, who stood not far behind Lu Yao. That brat was lucky to have latched onto Lu Yao.

His voice carried a hint of reluctance. "I know. I won't bother him anymore."

Lu Yao's gaze was sharp, his expression cold. "And?"

Wang Shining had been willing to apologize to Lu Yao only because of the Lu family behind him.

But making him apologize to Zhang Xinyang went beyond his bottom line. To him, it would be an utter humiliation.

Seeing that Lu Yao seemed about to walk over again, Wang Shining feared that Lu Yao would refuse to let him go. He hurriedly shoved aside the people blocking his way and ran toward the stairs without looking back. He did not even return to class, clearly intending to go home and hide for a few days.

Seeing that her fiancé had actually left her behind, Xia Yue's face flushed red with anger. Wang Shining, that bastard!

Xia Yue also left the awkward scene in a furious huff.

Lu Yao had originally intended to stop Wang Shining, but Zhang Xinyang, who stood behind him, suddenly spoke. "Let him go."

Lu Yao turned back and looked at him.

Zhang Xinyang's voice held a trace of determination. "I don't need his apology anymore."

With that, he looked at Lu Yao and revealed a rare, relaxed smile.

"Want to have lunch together?"

Seeing that Zhang Xinyang seemed to have something he wanted to say to him, Lu Yao nodded and accepted the invitation.

Lu Qi looked utterly confused. "Are you two talking in riddles?" He could not understand a word of what they were saying.

Lu Yao had already noticed that Zhang Xinyang had been extremely secretive about this matter and did not want anyone else to know.

Although he seemed to have changed somewhat now, Lu Yao naturally would not reveal Zhang Xinyang's secret without his consent.

Lu Yao directly ignored Lu Qi's question and naturally brought up another topic, shifting Lu Qi's attention elsewhere.

Once the matter was settled, everyone returned to their respective classrooms.

After observing for some time, Jiang Bai had roughly guessed what had happened between Lu Yao, Zhang Xinyang, and Wang Shining.

Thinking of Lu Yao's previous hand injury, his eyes flickered. Lu Yao had said he had been injured in a fall, but Jiang Bai had seen the scar. It was clearly caused by a sharp weapon.

"What are you thinking about? You're so absorbed."

Hearing Lu Yao's voice, Jiang Bai's lips curved slightly. "Nothing. I was just thinking that we're quite fated, aren't we?"

"Hm?"

Jiang Bai chuckled. "I always thought we first met in Mountain City, but it turns out we had already met a year ago."

Lu Yao nodded lightly in agreement. "When you put it that way, we really are fated."

Jiang Bai asked, "During the final round, did you use the voice changer built into the Monroe Competition app?"

Otherwise, he definitely would have recognized Lu Yao's voice back in Mountain City. After all, the contestant called "Sun" had left an unforgettable impression on every student participant.

Hearing Jiang Bai's question, Lu Yao nodded.

The final round of the Monroe Competition had an online host. The ten contestants connected by voice to answer the host's questions, and anyone unable to answer was eliminated immediately.

When each contestant answered questions at home or at school, Monroe Competition staff were present to supervise them.

Lu Yao's supervisor at the time had happened to be Teacher Qin. He had only learned about the app's voice changer from Teacher Qin. Afraid that his adoptive father's relatives would cause trouble, Lu Yao had used it.

When the teacher entered the classroom, Jiang Bai and Lu Yao ended their chat.

After the teachers handed out photocopies of Lu Yao's exams to every student, the class broke into groans at the sight of his papers.

They had thought Jiang Bai was already impressive enough, but it turned out there was another hidden genius who did not show off, yet was as shocking as a nuclear weapon—Lu Yao.

Even by lunch break, everyone was still excitedly discussing Lu Yao's grades, their enthusiasm showing no sign of fading.

Meanwhile, Lu Yao had just finished lunch with Zhang Xinyang and was standing on the rooftop of the teaching building.

Zhang Xinyang looked up at the clear blue sky. "Aren't you curious why I didn't want his apology?"

"That's your decision," Lu Yao said.

A faint smile appeared on Zhang Xinyang's face. "Lu Yao, thank you."

When Wang Shining's attitude toward him had suddenly worsened, Zhang Xinyang had been completely stunned and unable to react. At first, he avoided and endured it, harboring the hope that Wang Shining might eventually stop.

Over time, once enduring had become a habit, he seemed to have entered a closed, vicious cycle.

When he had been terrified and restless like a frightened bird, Lu Yao's sudden appearance gave him a moment to breathe, allowing him to finally look at the matter calmly.

Zhang Xinyang did not seem to expect a response from Lu Yao as he continued, "I want to use my own strength to make him apologize to me in person."

Lu Yao turned to glance at him. "What do you want to do?"

Zhang Xinyang smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out in a few days."

While they spoke on the rooftop, the bidding results for Sea City's landmark development project were announced.

When the beautiful host onstage announced the final result, Wang Shining's father turned green with rage, and even his breathing grew heavier.

Father Lu had intended to leave with his subordinates, but remembering how Father Wang had deliberately come over earlier to boast about his son's excellent grades while putting down Lu Yao, he turned and walked toward Father Wang.

Father Lu looked down at Father Wang, who was still slumped in his chair and had yet to stand.

The corner of his lips lifted. His expression was unusually gentle, but his words nearly gave Father Wang a heart attack.

"Four times now, Director Wang. It seems the saying 'things never happen more than three times' does not apply to your company. I look forward to your better performance at the next bid. Otherwise, my team may come complain to me that their work lacks a sense of accomplishment."

After saying that, he did not care about Father Wang's flushed face. He turned and left the bidding venue with his subordinates.

Seeing his unhurried departing figure, Father Wang angrily smashed his phone onto the table in front of him. Its screen instantly shattered into a web of cracks.

"Bullshit good omen! You made me happy for nothing these past few days!"

Hearing Father Wang vent his anger on Wang Shining, his illegitimate son, Wang Chen—who had remained silent at his side all along—revealed a gleeful smile in his eyes.

Wang Chen had always considered Wang Shining, the illegitimate son who excelled at acting obedient and flattering Father Wang, a thorn in his side.

Therefore, even losing this bid to the Lu family could not affect the pleasure he felt at seeing Wang Shining suffer.