Chapter 4: Zhou Mingyuan

Zhou Mingyuan placed the exquisite paper bag on Lin Cheng’s desk as if it were his right.

“Some nutritional supplements to help with your recovery. What happened that day was a real accident. Wanqing… she was too impulsive.”

“An accident? Young Master Zhou, are you saying the dump truck was an accident, or that you driving your car and blocking Su Wanqing’s line of sight was an accident?”

Lin Cheng’s eyes were cold.

The curve of Zhou Mingyuan’s lips stiffened slightly, and a flash of iciness crossed his eyes before he put on an even more sincere look of regret.

“I know you’re upset, and I know you blame yourself for not being able to save Wanqing. I feel the same—I’m heartbroken. After all, we grew up together…”

He sighed, his tone carrying just the right amount of sorrow. “But some words, once spoken, become slander. You were good to Wanqing and didn’t want her to die, so your impulsiveness is understandable. But the consequences… you may not be able to bear them.”

Su Wanqing trembled with anger, her transparent body darting frantically between Zhou Mingyuan and Lin Cheng.

“He’s threatening you! Lin Cheng! He’s threatening you! That bastard! He’s scared! He’s scared you know the truth!”

The young girl shouted uselessly at Lin Cheng, desperately trying to get his attention.

Looking at Zhou Mingyuan’s hypocritical face, Lin Cheng suddenly found it somewhat laughable.

Whether in the real world or in this damn novel world, the essence of some things never changed.

“Consequences? What’s the worst that could happen to me? A broken arm, no money for treatment, just lying here waiting to die? Young Master Zhou, with your powerful family and great fortune, you naturally have more to fear from consequences than I do.”

Lin Cheng sneered.

Su Wanqing can die, and I can’t return to the real world. You, Zhou Mingyuan, can be the protagonist of a female-oriented novel, but I can’t be the protagonist of a male-oriented one?

Wanna bet on whose gun has no bullets?

Or maybe a fruit knife for half a million?

Zhou Mingyuan’s eyes turned completely cold. He hadn’t expected this insignificant poor loser to have such a backbone—even daring to bite back.

He stared coldly at Lin Cheng.

“Lin Cheng, a wise man submits to circumstances. The Su family is grieving right now, and Wanqing’s parents are heartbroken. They need an outlet for their emotions. Do you think a poor loser who just happened to be at the scene of the accident and tried to play the hero would make a better target? Compensation money… heh, do you really think it’ll reach you smoothly?”

Zhou Mingyuan’s face regained its usual look of being in complete control.

“Rest up and get well. Some things are best left in the past. It’s better for you, for me, for everyone. Otherwise…”

He paused meaningfully, his gaze once again sweeping over Lin Cheng’s plastered arm. “Next time, it might not just be one arm that’s broken.”

A naked threat!

Su Wanqing’s body fluctuated violently. She hated Zhou Mingyuan’s viciousness, but she was even more afraid that he would actually harm Lin Cheng!

Disregarding the warning from the chain on her ankle, she lunged at Zhou Mingyuan, trying to push him away with all her might.

Whoosh!

This time, she actually managed to stir up a wisp of cold wind.

A strand of Zhou Mingyuan’s hair fluttered.

He frowned slightly, feeling a sudden, inexplicable chill pass over him.

Just then, the classroom door was pushed open again.

“Lin Cheng, I got you a cup of hot water…” Li Xiaoran walked in holding a cup, a gentle smile on her face.

Her eyes fell on Zhou Mingyuan standing by Lin Cheng’s desk, and her smile instantly froze, her steps halting.

Su Wanqing’s “childhood sweetheart.”

The one who was saddest about Wanqing’s death—and also the one who benefited the most.

Zhou Mingyuan saw Li Xiaoran too.

He immediately put on an impeccably gentle expression, nodding slightly at Li Xiaoran as if the gloomy, threatening person from just now had been a hallucination.

Li Xiaoran gave a somewhat awkward smile.

She had always had little contact with this Young Master Zhou from their class, only knowing that his family was rich, that he was Su Wanqing’s childhood sweetheart, and that they would surely get married in the future.

When Su Wanqing saw Li Xiaoran enter—especially when she saw her smile and heard what she had just said—the fire in Su Wanqing’s heart flared up again, hotter and more furious than before.

“Get lost! Li Xiaoran! Stay away from Lin Cheng! And you, Zhou Mingyuan, you murderer—get lost too!”

The girl stood in front of Lin Cheng, waving her arms in vain.

A stronger gust of cold wind swirled up from Lin Cheng’s desk, blowing around a few scattered test papers on the tabletop.

Lin Cheng was a bit confused. Why was it so windy today?

In the next instant, the chain on Su Wanqing’s ankle tightened abruptly. A sharp, bone-chilling cold made her gasp in pain, instantly snapping her out of her anger. With a mix of fear and a hint of grievance, she curled up behind Lin Cheng’s chair.

She tried to grab the leg of Lin Cheng’s pants with her hands, but her translucent fingers passed right through.

Zhou Mingyuan also felt this gust of wind. His brow furrowed even tighter as he glanced at the open window.

What’s with this classroom today? Isn’t it almost summer?

Why is it so cold?

Without another word, Zhou Mingyuan quickly left the classroom.

Li Xiaoran came over to Lin Cheng’s side with the cup of water and asked in a low voice, “Are you okay? That young master… I don’t think he’s a good person.”

“He’s not.”

Lin Cheng took a deep breath, rubbing his temples.

[Please be aware that since you started protecting Su Wanqing, you have become a future target for the protagonist, Zhou Mingyuan. Within the scope of the plot, Zhou Mingyuan’s killings are all considered reasonable.]

[And from today onward, you will become Zhou Mingyuan’s target, and he may kill you at any time.]

Damn it 🌿!

Why didn’t you say so earlier?

Can the protagonist do whatever he wants?

[Sorry 🙇‍♀️, it’s because you didn’t ask.]

You don’t say anything if I don’t ask?

Then why did you even give me the mission if I didn’t accept it?

Lin Cheng complained inwardly.

[Sorry 🙇‍♀️ I was wrong.]

If you’re wrong, you have to show me your chest.

That’s common sense.

[🐻]

Tsk.

Lin Cheng clicked his tongue.

This system was a bit dumb, but it was unlikely that a system would actually be dumb.

[Host, this system is equipped with an intelligent AI that can analyze conversations and provide answers. You can query it at any time if needed.]

Lin Cheng narrowed his eyes.

Are you male or female?

You have such a great function, and in the two years I’ve been here, you haven’t said a single word about it?

[I have a pointy head.]

[Because the host never asked.]

[But today, the host might be killed by the protagonist, so to ensure the system’s own safety, I must remind you.]

[Host, a mission has arrived.]

[Side mission refreshed.]

[Mission Requirement: Go mountain climbing at night with your deskmate, Li Xiaoran.]

[Mission Reward: Physical fitness increased by 1.5 times, resistance to poisons and drugs increased tenfold.
Additionally, after completing five side missions, regardless of whether the mission reward includes returning to reality, you will be able to return to reality and retain all mission rewards, as well as the legal one hundred million yuan.]

Huh?!!

There’s still a chance?

Lin Cheng’s heart leapt with joy. He looked at Li Xiaoran excitedly, as if she were a delicious little cake.

The gentle girl in the school uniform felt a little shy under Lin Cheng’s intense gaze.

“What are you doing?”

“Xiaoran, are you free tonight? Let’s go mountain climbing together, just the two of us,” Lin Cheng invited enthusiastically.

Huh 😧?

Lin Cheng, what are you saying?!

Don’t you like me???!

Su Wanqing immediately jumped up from behind the chair, her face a mask of disbelief.