Chapter 146: Chapter 146

Jiang Shengyao declared with unwavering confidence.

"This is simply nonsense."

"Nonsense? Fine, then I’ll just have to exercise my authority as a board member. Let’s convene a shareholder meeting and vote on it. But if things escalate, the one whose reputation will be tarnished will be your precious Shen You’an."

Shen Huailu saw that he was serious and responded coldly, "Do you think President Lan will allow you to act so recklessly?"

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Jiang Shengyao, and his expression instantly darkened.

"If she has any objections, she can bring them up at the shareholder meeting. It’s a fair exchange of ideas."

Shen Huailu, visibly exhausted, didn’t argue further and directly dialed the principal’s number.

Within minutes, Jiang Shengyao’s phone rang urgently.

As soon as he answered, Lan Man’s icy voice echoed through the line.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"It’s simple. I demand an investigation into Shen You’an’s family. If her uncle is innocent, I have no objections to how Lii’s case is handled. But if not..."

"The school is not a place for you to stir up trouble."

"Or is it a place to harbor criminals and cover up their wrongdoings?"

Lan Man suddenly fell silent. After a long pause, she replied calmly, "Fine. I will commission an investigation team to look into Shen You’an’s family. If there’s no issue, you will need to keep quiet."

Jiang Shengyao smirked. "Now that’s more like it."

Jiang Shengyao swaggered to the entrance of Class A and snapped his fingers.

A small fraction of eyes turned toward him.

Hao Yun’s eyes lit up as she turned to Qin Xiangge and said, "Xiangge, is Mr. Jiang here for you?"

Qin Xiangge turned her head and saw Jiang Shengyao standing outside the window.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Xiangge stood up and walked out.

Hao Yun whispered to her seatmate, "Xiangge and Mr. Jiang really do get along well."

Jiang Shengyao’s moods were notoriously unpredictable, and there weren’t many girls brave enough to deal with him. Qin Xiangge was one of the few who could carry on a conversation with him.

Now that he had shown up at Class A’s door to specifically find Qin Xiangge, everyone could sense that something unusual was afoot.

The seatmate said without looking up, "Makes sense. The two families have been close for generations, and they grew up together like childhood sweethearts. Who could compete with that?"

"Ayao, I don’t even know how to thank you," Qin Xiangge said gratefully.

Jiang Shengyao’s gaze traveled past the rows of heads, landing disdainfully on the sleeping figure in the corner of Class A.

"I just can’t stand seeing others bully you."

Qin Xiangge let a perfectly measured hint of shy affection play across her face. "Ayao, you’re so kind to me."

"Enough. Her uncle is just waiting to be investigated. Let’s see how the Lanya Group plans to protect her then."

Just then, a cold voice suddenly came from behind them.

Jiang Shengyao frowned and turned around, "Runxi?"

Qin Xiangge stared curiously at Liu Runxi, wondering how much he had overheard.

But Liu Runxi had always been indifferent to trivial matters, so even if he had heard, it wasn’t a big deal.

Liu Runxi adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, his gaze briefly skimming across Jiang Shengyao’s face before walking into the classroom without a backward glance.

Jiang Shengyao was no stranger to Liu Runxi’s aloof demeanor and wasn’t bothered by it.

Back in Class B, Jiang Shengyao found a group of boys huddled together, whispering.

"What are you guys up to?"

"Mr. Jiang, big news. Our school has a new goddess!"

Jiang Shengyao scoffed, instantly reminded of the girl he had glimpsed in the internet café.

Now that was a goddess.

"Here’s her photo, Mr. Jiang—see if she’s your type?"

"Don’t tease Mr. Jiang. Everyone knows there’s only one queen in his heart, the school beauty Qin Xiangge. Ordinary beauties don’t even register with him."

"Xiangge is like a sister to me. Keep spreading nonsense and see how long your hides last."

A boy extended his phone toward Jiang Shengyao. The photo captured a girl eating in the cafeteria, her side profile exuding an ethereal coolness despite the distance to the camera.

Jiang Shengyao didn’t spare the photo a glance, waving it off impatiently. "Get out of my face. Don’t interrupt my nap."

The boys withdrew, clearly deflated.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket with a new message notification.

Jiang Shengyao checked it out.

——Ayao, see you at the usual spot tonight 😏

At the end of the final self-study session, the bell had just rung when Gao Yuyue turned to pack her bag.

Shen You’an’s seat was completely empty—even her textbooks were gone.

"Where’s Shen You’an?" she asked Gu Bichen, who was also packing his bag.

Gu Bichen grinned and replied, "She’s left already."

Gao Yuyue muttered, "Like a rabbit, running off so fast."

Song Xiaojing passed by and glancing at Liu Runxi, who was leaving the classroom with his bag in tow.

She hesitated briefly before mustering up the courage to chase after him.

Liu Runxi stopped and looked at her indifferently.

Nearby students passing by couldn’t resist sneaking glances at them.

The school was abuzz with talk of yesterday’s party. Liu Runxi, who typically avoided extracurricular events, had actually attended Song Xiaojing’s birthday party.

Even more shocking than Shen You’an lifting her bangs, this revelation had the gossip mill turning.

Did Liu Runxi have feelings for Song Xiaojing?

Many girls were seething with envy. Song Xiaojing wasn’t particularly wealthy or exceptionally beautiful—why her?

"Thank you for coming to my birthday party yesterday. The meteor shower was amazing. And thank you for the gift; I really liked it."

"What? They watched a meteor shower together?"

"Does God Liu actually like her?"

As the girls around them grumbled with frustration, Song Xiaojing basked in their envy, her vanity swelling as she pushed her aunt’s earlier warnings completely aside.

Liu Runxi smiled slightly, his expression gentlemanly and warm.

"As long as you’re happy."

The ambiguity of the statement stirred all kinds of wild interpretations. People couldn’t help but wildly imagine.

Could it be true that God Liu really had feelings for Song Xiaojing?

Song Xiaojing blushed furiously and took an eager step forward. "I...I am really happy, truly."

Liu Runxi smiled again, and his radiant grin dazzled nearly all the girls watching.

But as the boy turned, the warmth in his gaze froze over, hardening into frost as cold as a wintry night.

His lips curled faintly, the smile mocking and disdainful.

Gao Yuyue frowned as she walked over, glancing at Song Xiaojing’s flushed expression. "You fool, do you seriously think he’s acting out of kindness?"

Song Xiaojing bristled, clearly displeased. "Yuyue, how can you say that about God Liu? Do you really think I’m that unworthy in your eyes?"

Gao Yuyue sneered, giving her a once-over. "Think about it—his intelligence versus yours. Do you really think you can keep up?"

With that, she walked off, unwilling to waste more words.

Song Xiaojing pursed her lips tightly and glared coldly at Gao Yuyue’s back.

Gao Yuyue must be jealous of her for catching God Liu’s attention.

The murmur caught her ear. She looked up hastily to see Jiang Shengyao slinging his bag over his shoulder, striding briskly down the stairs.

Gu Bichen, observing this unfolding drama, furrowed his brows as he moved past Song Xiaojing.

Jiang Shengyao wasn’t wrong; this girl had no idea about the impending disaster awaiting her.

At the base of the stairs, Jiang Shengyao suddenly leaned out from the side, draping an arm over Gu Bichen’s shoulder.

"What do you think that girl did to offend Runxi? Such a delicate little thing, and he still goes all out?"

Gu Bichen’s gaze flickered briefly, then he shook his head. "I have no idea."

Jiang Shengyao gave a cryptic chuckle. "Do you think Runxi might be pulling a diversion tactic?"

Girls confessing to Liu Runxi was nothing out of the ordinary. Typically, he’d decline them with his trademark indifference.

But this time, his response was filled with ambiguous charm.

It wasn’t love—it was revenge.

He understood the consequences of his words full well but still chose to say them.

This could only mean that the girl had seriously angered him.

Tsk tsk, when this guy decided to hold a grudge, he was utterly relentless.