Chapter 2: Have You Heard of Amway, Junior? (Just Kidding)

I’d thought of countless ways she could frame me.

Beyond the classic “he’s a creep” scream, there was forging an attendance sheet as a sign-in list, transferring a dime into the class fund, or sneaking my student health insurance card for a night at a club…

And I’d thought of countermeasures.

As we all know, when facing quantum mechanics-level uncertainty, you counter with classical mechanics.

Give her a punch and show her true gender equality lies in free-for-all combat.

Learn from the advanced edition’s experience.

But I didn’t expect this.
Not some pervert accusation on a train, but a melodramatic heroine chasing me at the station, crying, “You have to be happy!”

Now I’m screwed. Classical mechanics won’t work.
If I punch her, I’d land one hit, then get pummeled by a hundred.

Stomped to death at the bottom of the classroom by a mob of righteous bystanders.

“Hahaha, you’re such a joker…”

I wanted to say that.

But.

She’s the untouchable beauty of our class, maybe even the whole school’s freshman year.

No one would believe a girl of her caliber would tarnish her own romantic history just to frame an ordinary classmate like me.

And with that melancholic look and tone, she’s playing the part of the dumped girlfriend perfectly.
Honestly, dating a guy like me would already seem like a mismatch, let alone being dumped by one.

…This is annoying.
Why’s it always “ordinary” this, “ordinary” that? Is being ordinary a crime?! Who’s insulting me here?!

Oh, it’s me. Never mind then.

Looking at Shen Yingxu’s eyes, barely hiding a smirk, I opened my mouth, a thousand thoughts racing, ready to go all-in.

Say something like, “It’s fine, I forgive you for cheating,” to seize the moral high ground!

Then the class bell rang.

Was this part of your plan too?!

Missing my chance to clap back, I cemented my image as “the scumbag who toyed with the innocent class flower’s feelings” under everyone’s scornful glares.

…

“Teacher, I need to report something.”

Under a big tree in the school courtyard, our homeroom teacher, dressed in a black faculty uniform, held chopsticks with a piece of fish and looked at me, puzzled.

“Report?”

“Yes!”

Playing dirty with a Demon King? You’re underestimating my shamelessness.

Today, I’ll show you the ruthless tactics that kept me alive as a Demon King for years!

Fuming, I complained to the teacher.

“Shen Yingxu is spreading lies and causing trouble, saying I’m her ex-boyfriend!
She’s even making up fake ‘dating stories’ in class, seriously disrupting my school life—Teacher, you have to back me up!!”

“The first half sounded pretty righteous, but the second half feels like some peasant stirring up drama…”
The teacher stuffed the fish in her mouth, tilting her head and muttering.

“That’s not the point! Everything I said is true! Listen!”

I gestured for her to overhear a few passing students’ conversation.

“Did you hear? That girl from Class 7, the one who spoke at the entrance ceremony, has an ex-boyfriend.”

“What?! She’s dated before… Kinda bums me out. I thought a girl like her wouldn’t be into dating. She seems so cool and pure.”

“No way, a girl that pretty? She’s definitely dated. Probably a few times.”

“Nah, she’s open about her past. Just one, apparently. And get this—they’re in the same class.”

“That’s awkward as h*ll! Same class as your ex? Suffocating.”

“What’s the ex like? Some super hot guy?”

“Pretty average. And the crazy part? Sounds like he dumped her.
Man, why do hot girls always end up with average guys? They say she hasn’t fully moved on and even told him not to avoid her…”

“That guy’s kind of a jerk.”

Sorry for being so average.

Sorry for being such a jerk.

I squeezed out a few tears, looking pitifully at the teacher.

“Teacher Xia, see? The misunderstanding’s spreading everywhere! I’m so upset I can’t even focus on studying!”

“But it’s the first day of school. All the teachers are just doing intros and opening remarks. We haven’t even started the textbooks.”

The teacher kept eating her fish, chewing while giving me a helpless look.

“I’m a studious kid who previews lessons in advance.”

“Didn’t notice.”

What’s with this teacher?! How can she say something so cold while eating lunch?! Huh?!

“Anyway, you think this is a misunderstanding that needs clearing up, right?”

“Obviously! I’m practically public enemy number one! I demand that rumor-spreading girl apologize to me!”

“We’ll talk about apologies later. If it’s about clearing up a misunderstanding, I’m not the one to help.”
The teacher put down her chopsticks and looked at me seriously.

“Our school has a news club on the third floor of the multipurpose hall.
If this rumor’s as bad as you say, I suggest you head there to clear things up—otherwise, tomorrow’s newsletter might make it school-wide news.”

My eyes widened.

“Does this school not have teachers in charge anymore?”

“Students should handle their own issues as much as possible—besides, a little juicy gossip now and then helps vent those restless teenage hormones.”

Teacher Xia grinned at me.

“I’m giving you a heads-up, though. You’d better hurry to stop the rumor from spreading~”

…

I came to report, and now I have to run around?

Someone’s definitely rigging the game.

Capital, you win!

At the third-floor news club, everyone was bustling about in a chaotic frenzy.

So dedicated. If my Demon King army had this efficiency, I’d have conquered the continent years earlier.

Problem is, I couldn’t find anyone to talk to.

Frustrated, I scanned the room and noticed several guys occasionally glancing at a corner.

Following their gazes, I saw a long-haired girl sitting there, propped on her hand, looking bored.

Light black hair tied in a loose side ponytail, purple-red eyes like grapes curiously darting around.
A girl this stunning in the news club…

—Got it. She’s gotta be the news club’s model or anchor or something, waiting for her turn!

I immediately walked over and sat across from her.

“Huh?”

The “model anchor” looked puzzled, tilting her head slightly.

“Uh… Senior!”

I took a deep breath, realizing I didn’t know her name, so I just went with “Senior.”

“Here!”

The “model anchor” jumped a bit, sitting up straighter.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve got a scoop!”

“Oh, a scoop… Wait, for me?”

The “model anchor” widened her eyes, looking incredulous.

“Everyone else here’s too busy,” I sighed. “I figured since you’re in the news club, giving you the scoop would… hold on, why are you staring at me like that?”

The “model anchor” senior quickly shook her head, flashing a cute smile.

“Oh, nothing, nothing. You just seem kinda familiar. Go on~”

“A scoop, right? No problem, I can handle it!”

That smile was so adorable, I could see why the news club picked her as their anchor—no, it’s a waste to just make her an anchor!

To think I’d meet another Shen Yingxu-level beauty in one day. This little school is full of hidden gems!

“So, uh… I’m called Mu Ziqing.”

I thought it over.

Using my real name’s too risky. Better use that guy’s name—the “perfect kid next door” who grew up with me and Ye Qingshu.

“I have a friend who’s been hurt by slander and rumors lately. I’m here to set things straight for him.”

…

“From what you’re saying, it sounds pretty rough.”

“Right? As his friend, I can’t just stand by, so I have to step up and clear his name. Let everyone know the truth.”

I spread my hands. “It’s just a misunderstanding!”

“Got it, got it, just a misunderstanding!”

Unlike her stunning, can’t-look-away appearance, this “model anchor” was surprisingly easy to talk to, with a natural, healing warmth.

“Oh, but, classmate, I’ve got a misunderstanding to clear up with you too.”

The “model anchor” senior gave a mischievous grin, and a sharp, cool short-haired girl walked over.

“Senyao, what’re you doing?” the short-haired girl asked, glancing at me curiously.

“Aren’t you just visiting the news club? Do you know this junior?”

Huh?

Visiting?!

The senior, called Senyao, grinned at me.

“Whoops, got caught early~ I’m not actually in this club. I’m just here with this senior, Jiang Xiang. She’s the club’s vice president.”

My eyes widened.

So my heartfelt performance was for nothing, and I have to repeat it all?!

Calm down!!

Years as a Demon King taught me not to cry over spilled eggs.

Look on the bright side.

Sure, I wasted my act, but at least I made a connection.

“Then I’ll… tell it to the vice president… again…”

I was practically grinding my teeth.

Even if you’re gorgeous, I won’t forgive you!

“About that~”

But the “model anchor” senior—no, the natural-born schemer senior—smiled, poking her cheek. “I forgot to introduce myself, didn’t I?”

“I’m Liu Senyao, from Class 4, Year 2. Your senior~”

She grinned, leaned close, her breath tickling my ear, and asked the question that nearly made me scream like a marmot.

“Junior, have you heard of the Sephirian Continent?”

Brutus!!

You’re one of them too?!!