The private reception room.
Before Yu Wenli spoke, Fu Yuchuan had not paid him any attention.
He had only agreed to accompany him as a favor to Jiang Tu.
Unexpectedly...
Fu Yuchuan gently caressed his warm teacup, a cold glint in his eyes.
His tone, however, was very mild.
"Young Master Yu seems quite knowledgeable about the powers in the capital."
The capital was filled with nobles, and their relationships were intricate.
No matter how much animosity existed privately, they always maintained an appearance of harmony.
Therefore, few people knew about his disagreement with that person from the Han family.
"If Mr. Fu doesn't want to escalate things,"
"It's best not to interfere with the justice and disputes at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School."
Yu Wenli's expression was placid, his tone devoid of any fluctuation.
It was as if he wasn't threatening the powerful Second Master Fu, but an ordinary passerby.
"Lest," he raised his eyes, a faint smile not reaching them, "you burn yourself, and the loss outweighs the gain."
"Oh?"
Fu Yuchuan drawled out a playful smile.
"What if I refuse?"
"Mr. Fu, you believe I can't see Mr. Han, don't you?" Yu Wenli cut to the chase.
Fu Yuchuan smiled noncommittally.
As heirs to prominent families in the capital, it was difficult for ordinary people to meet them under normal circumstances.
It was the same for Mr. Han.
Yu Wenli raised his eyelids, his gaze calmly resting on the man in the suit opposite him.
His tone was respectful, but his words were subtly barbed.
"Mr. Fu's trip to Jiangcheng is for the new game by Mu Corporation.
"As far as I know, Mr. Han is also interested in this game and is expected to arrive in Jiangcheng tomorrow.
"At that time, I can simply inform Mr. Han of everything that happened today through the young master of Mu Corporation.
"Given your years of rivalry, Mr. Han wouldn't dislike such a convenient opportunity.
"Moreover, both of your new games are about to be launched. If news of plagiarism were to break out..."
Yu Wenli smiled, his meaning implied. "Mr. Fu, compared to the Fu family, we are indeed insignificant.
"However, if a small screw loosens, it could destroy the entire car and everyone inside.
"According to the Fu family's rules, Miss Yu has no possibility of being admitted.
"Mr. Fu, why take a casual relationship so seriously?"
Fu Yuchuan narrowed his eyes dangerously, his gaze on the youth deepening.
Despite Jiang Tu's frequent complaints about his scheming, he had dismissed them as exaggeration.
A teenager, and from such a sheltered upbringing.
How could he possess so much foresight?
Ha.
He had underestimated him.
Anyone who knew the Fu family's rules so well was definitely no ordinary person.
No wonder he dared to speak to him alone.
After a while, Fu Yuchuan picked up his teacup, the rising steam concealing all his emotions.
He said coldly, "Yu Wenli, I've taken note of you."
Yu Wenli squeezed his palms, which were slick with a thin layer of sweat, knowing that his gamble had paid off.
"My honor."
The youth smiled, unperturbed.
In their sharp exchange, he showed no weakness in his demeanor.
The corridor.
Chi Ye leaned casually against the railing, smoking, the wildness in his eyes replaced by a somber mood.
"Have you developed feelings for that little girl?"
After finishing three cigarettes, he asked.
His tone was extremely heavy.
Chi Zerui, who kept glancing towards the private reception room, rolled his eyes impatiently.
"What time is it, and Uncle, you're still in the mood to play matchmaker."
"Matchmaker?" Chi Ye threw the cigarette pack at him, aggressively saying,
"Chi Zerui, stop fooling me. When have you ever gotten into a fight for a woman?!"
That slap carried a full ten percent of his strength.
It was something that would have been absolutely impossible before.
The upbringing of the Chi family dictated that men did not hit women.
Chi Zerui was someone he had watched grow up; he knew his temper and character best.
If he didn't care about her deeply, Yu Jie's words would have been like a tickle, incapable of stirring any emotion!
Moreover, he was a notorious playboy, always involved with one girl after another.
Squabbles over women happened every few days, but he had never defended anyone so fiercely.
"I..."
Chi Zerui was either stunned by the slap or truly at a loss for words.
He stood frozen for a moment.
Chi Ye stepped on the scattered cigarette butts and approached him, grabbing his chin, forcing him to look up at him.
In the quiet night, his eyes were like the sharpest blades.
"You little brat, remember this clearly. Playing around is fine, but keep your heart in check.
"As the future head of the Chi family, the woman you must marry, and can marry, must be someone who brings benefits to the Chi family.
"Unnecessary infatuation should be nipped in the bud. If you lack the ability..."
Chi Ye smiled brightly, "Then I'll have to eliminate that woman."
-
"Don't be so expectant, times have changed.
"Your Brother Yu can't shield you anymore."
Yu Jie toyed with her newly manicured nails indifferently, her tone arrogant.
"Second Master is the future heir of the Fu family. Not only would Jiangcheng No. 1 High School not dare to disrespect him,
"Even the mayor would have to show him courtesy. So, you see..."
Yu Jie lifted her eyelids, her smile filled with triumphant smugness.
"You can only suffer the loss."
She tilted her head, her beautiful, charming face displaying a starkly cruel smile.
Tong Jiayi frowned, unable to listen any longer. "You should say less."
"What?" Yu Jie spread her hands exaggeratedly. "Are you not even allowed to speak now?
"Are you that overbearing? I'm so scared~"
Tong Jiayi found her utterly incorrigible.
She couldn't help but wonder if she had been just as repulsive when she was consumed by jealousy and envy back then.
If not for Yu Wenli's words, she might still be trapped in that vicious cycle.
Thinking back to that time, she barely recognized herself.
She had hurled every malicious word and thought she could conceive at Wen Tingxue,
Simply because Yu Wenli liked her...
It was quite pathetic, really.
For the sake of a man, she had almost turned herself into a monstrous figure.
She had even nearly ruined years of her effort and dedication.
It wasn't worth it.
...
Wen Tingxue was worried about Yu Wenli and had no intention of engaging with Yu Jie's madness.
But Yu Jie insisted on provoking her, saying whatever was most hurtful.
Finally, Wen Tingxue couldn't hold back and retorted:
"Yu Jie, are you done with your tantrum?! Just because of your groundless speculation,
"You want to ruin the efforts of myself and Xie Jinyi for a whole month?!
"If I were Chi Zerui, I wouldn't like you either. Don't you look like a jealous shrew right now?!
"Chi Zerui is the one who abandoned you and played with your feelings!
"Why don't you go find trouble with him? Oh, right, you bully the weak and fear the strong.
"You think you have someone backing you, and you're so proud.
"What's there to be proud of? You're just a vine clinging to a big tree.
"The day the tree decides you're a nuisance, or the tree falls, what are you then?!"
The emotions she had suppressed for so long were suddenly released, and Wen Tingxue felt a moment of disorientation.
It wasn't until applause sounded behind her that she turned around.
She met a pair of unfamiliar eyes, deep and sharp.
They held the weight of experience and authority that made one drown in them at first glance.
"Mr. Fu."
Wen Tingxue lowered her eyes, feeling a trace of apprehension, but her tone was neither humble nor arrogant.
Fu Yuchuan smiled. "Miss Wen spoke quite well. A vine is still a vine.
"It cannot become a tree and is destined to be abandoned."
Yu Jie felt this was her most brilliant moment, and her eyes trembled as she looked at the man who held her fate.
She stammered, "Second Master..."
Fu Yuchuan gave a polite smile, then nodded at the principal.
The principal understood and announced loudly, "It has been confirmed that Yu Jie, out of jealousy, caused harm to Wen Tingxue and Xie Jinyi.
"After deliberation by the school leadership, Yu Jie is to be expelled from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School."
Expelled...
Which meant being dismissed from school...
This would be a stain on her personal record, following her for life!
Yu Jie's face instantly turned ashen, and her legs weakened, causing her to slump into the chair.
Unsteady, she slid to the ground.
She looked utterly pathetic, with no trace of her earlier arrogance.
Fu Yuchuan turned away indifferently, but the next second, his trouser leg was grabbed.
A bright impatience and murderous intent flashed in his dark eyes.
Jiang An quickly pulled the person away, and Yu Jie cried in despair.
"Second Master! Second Master! You can't abandon me... My sister is your nephew's girlfriend.
"You should consider the relationship, please help me..."
Once expelled from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School, she would find it impossible to find another suitable school in Jiangcheng.
Even if she did, she would be ridiculed to death!
Fu Yuchuan was quite fond of his nephew, but no matter how fond he was, it couldn't outweigh the interests of the Fu family.
The Han family had always stayed out of the gaming industry. Their sudden entry was clearly aimed at him.
This included their upcoming trip to Jiangcheng.
Mu Corporation was already angered by the plagiarism issue. If they found an opportunity to cooperate with the Han family,
Scandals would be a minor issue; being targeted by the jackals and wolves of the Fu family would be the real trouble.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to Yu Wenli's insistence on her 'expulsion.'
However, his nephew was very fond of that girl, and causing a scene would be troublesome.
Therefore, Fu Yuchuan weighed his options for a few seconds and said, "Take her back to the capital."
-
"Wait for your brother here for a moment, okay?"
Yu Wenli crouched in front of Wen Tingxue, his eyes gentle as he spoke to her.
Wen Tingxue sat in the car, her small legs dangling outside, her eyes downcast, and she remained silent.
Ever since it was discovered that Yu Yahe was the other person who had tampered with things, she had been quite quiet.
It was as if she had suffered a blow.
Yu Wenli felt her pain and carried her all the way downstairs, placing her in the back seat of the car that had been waiting there.
"Brother Yu..."
The little girl raised her watery eyes, looking at him with little strength.
She seemed so soft, like she could be squeezed into water.
"Yes."
Yu Wenli's heart ached, and he quickly replied, "Tell me."
After a few moments of eye contact, Wen Tingxue lowered her head again, her voice low.
"Do you think there's something wrong with me?
"Why does she target me again and again, even risking her own future?
"Do I hate her that much? Or..."
"Yi Yi."
Yu Wenli cupped her face in his hands.
His slightly rough thumb gently stroked her soft cheek, his movements extremely tender.
As if she were a rare treasure.
"Flies don't bite eggs without cracks, that saying is wrong; flies bite anything.
"You don't need to doubt if something is wrong with you just because a fly lands on you."
...
After Yu Wenli went upstairs, Wen Tingxue sat by the car, hugging her knees, lost in thought.
It wasn't until a garbage truck drove past that she remembered she hadn't found Yi Yi's black notebook yet.
"Wait!"
She quickly chased after it, but her heels made her slow.
Fortunately, the driver heard her voice and stopped, asking,
"Young lady, what's the matter?"