As Modu University's freshman exam week concluded, the air was filled with the relief of burdens lifted and an infinite yearning for the long summer vacation ahead.
The class monitor sent out a call in the class group, organizing a year-end dinner, and the location was grandly set at the expensive Modu International Hotel.
Xia Qinghe originally didn't want to participate in such group activities.
She was naturally introverted, and with recent events… But after Lu Cheng found out, he said, "Why not go? I'll go with you."
He thought… it was also time to meet the protagonist.
--- Inside a luxurious private room at Modu International Hotel.
The private room was already bustling with people and a lively atmosphere.
The students who had arrived early were chatting about gossip.
The topic, naturally, was the recent sensation on the campus forum—Shen Yan.
"Hey, have you heard? That Shen Yan, who used to follow Tang Yurous around every day, confessed to Campus Belle Xia in front of the library a few days ago, and got cursed out on the spot!"
"Hahaha, I know! I even watched the video! It killed me! He deserved it!" A student next to him immediately chimed in, his tone full of mockery.
"But… why do I hear that he seems a bit different lately? I saw him yesterday, dressed in designer clothes. I wonder if he struck it rich?"
Just then.
The door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.
Shen Yan walked in.
He was wearing a brand-new designer suit, which was actually a carefully selected high-quality replica he bought online.
On his wrist, a hefty-looking Patek Philippe gleamed under the lights with an expensive luster—this was real, he had rented it for a few hundred yuan from a rental platform, just to make an impression.
His face bore a confident, even slightly arrogant, smile.
He cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem!"
The sound wasn't loud, but it successfully drew everyone's attention.
The students' discussions ceased abruptly, and they all turned to look at the door.
Seeing that it was Shen Yan, and in this "brand new" appearance, many people showed surprise in their eyes.
Shen Yan felt the gazes fixed on him, and a wave of smugness washed over him.
Although his cat coin hadn't been cashed out yet, the constantly fluctuating numbers in his account had given him immense confidence!
He was now a "prospective millionaire" worth millions!
A mere rich second-generation kid who tricked Qing He? He no longer paid him any mind!
Today, he was here to show off his strength in front of these classmates who once looked down on him!
More importantly, he wanted Qing He to see his success!
To let her know who was truly the one who could give her happiness!
As expected, the surrounding classmates exchanged glances and whispered.
A few quick-witted ones even approached with their wine glasses, subtly trying to pry for information, uttering flattering words.
"Brother Shen, you're amazing! You've been hiding your true abilities! When you strike it big, remember to bring your brothers along!"
Some even deliberately spoke loudly: "Oh, I wonder what Campus Belle Xia was thinking back then, missing out on such an excellent potential stock as Brother Shen. She must regret it terribly later!"
Shen Yan felt a surge of elation listening to these praises.
He raised his wine glass, about to say a few humble words and enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention.
The door to the private room, however, was pushed open again.
This time, two people walked in.
The man leading the way was dressed in high-quality casual wear, and the calm nobility that emanated from his very bones, that powerful aura that seemed innate, made it impossible to look away.
In contrast, Shen Yan's carefully constructed image of a "successful person" seemed somewhat ridiculous.
And the man was intimately holding a girl's arm.
It was Xia Qinghe!
She still seemed a bit unaccustomed to such occasions, her head slightly bowed.
Seeing the newcomers, especially Lu Cheng's devilishly handsome face, and the natural intimacy between him and Xia Qinghe.
Shen Yan's smug smile instantly froze!
He was that "rich second-generation"?
Before Shen Yan could react, Lu Cheng had already smiled and, with his magnetic voice, greeted the slightly stunned crowd in the private room.
His gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Xia Qinghe with a tender, affectionate look.
"Hello, everyone."
"I am Lu Cheng."
He paused, his arm tightening slightly, pulling Xia Qinghe closer to him, his tone calm but with an undeniable declaration.
"Xia Qinghe's boyfriend."
Boom—!
Everyone's eyes widened, looking at Lu Cheng and Xia Qinghe in disbelief!
Lu Cheng? Which Lu Cheng?
Could it be… that Young Master Lu from the Lu family in Modu…?
How could he come to their ordinary university class's year-end dinner… and… Campus Belle Xia was actually… actually Young Master Lu's girlfriend?
While everyone was still in shock and hadn't recovered.
The private room door was suddenly pushed open again.
The restaurant manager, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, practically scrambled in!
His face was plastered with a fawning, almost twisted smile, and he scurried to Lu Cheng, without a word, immediately performing a standard ninety-degree bow!
His voice was trembling!
"Young… Young Master Lu!"
"Your… your esteemed presence! Our humble establishment is greatly honored!"
"It is I who was blind and failed to recognize a distinguished guest! I have been remiss!"
"This private room tonight, and all expenses for all the students, are completely waived!"
"It's on me! Consider it my apology to you, Young Master Lu!"
The entire room was shocked again!
Waived? This was Modu International Hotel!
A meal here would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan.
Just because Lu Cheng came… it was completely waived… Is this the prestige of a top-tier wealthy family?
It was too exaggerated.
The students' gazes towards Lu Cheng instantly shifted from shock to awe, envy, and even a hint of fear.
No one paid any attention to Shen Yan in the corner anymore.
Shen Yan's face turned from green to pale, then from pale to a liver-purple color!
He felt his face burning, as if he had been slapped dozens of times in public!
His carefully prepared "show-off moment"!
His "successful person" image that he had just established!
It was crushed to dust the moment Lu Cheng appeared!
It should be said… in front of a true heir of a top-tier wealthy family, he was simply a joke!
Lu Cheng… he was actually from the Lu family.
As Shen Yan was shocked, an even stronger sense of humiliation and anger surged within him!
So what if he was from the Lu family?
No matter how rich he was, he still relied on his family background.
He still used despicable means to deceive innocent female university students.
How could he truly be good to Qing He?
In his previous life, he had never heard of Qing He marrying into a wealthy family; she was definitely played with and then abandoned in the end!
Right! It must be like this!
He still had to save her!
However… Lu Cheng's background far exceeded his expectations.
Going head-to-head would definitely not work.
This was not the place to stay long!
Once he earned more money, he would make long-term plans!
Thinking this, Shen Yan quietly stood up and, taking advantage of no one paying attention, slunk out of the private room.
As Shen Yan left, the system's notification sound rang in Lu Cheng's mind again.
[Ding! Son of Destiny Shen Yan's attempt to show off failed, instead suffering a dimensionality reduction strike, his dignity was insulted, and his mental balance exacerbated! Villain Value +1000!]
Upon receiving the notification, Lu Cheng showed no joy, but rather a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
He quietly opened the system to view Shen Yan's information.
[Name: Shen Yan]
[Identity: Protagonist of "Rebirth: After Not Being a Lapdog, I Became the World's Richest Man!"]
[Main Abilities: Rebirth Memories, Business Acumen]
[Combat Power: 3 (Ordinary University Student)]
[Charm Value: 50 (Young Male University Student)]
[Luck Rating: B]
Indeed… his luck wasn't great. This guy was only good for being a treasure-hunting mouse… the kind that needed to be whipped hard to move.