Jiang Xiaoyao stood in the bathroom, gazing at her water-droplet-speckled reflection in the mirror. She lightly bit her lip, lost in thought.

What... is wrong with me?

Was I just too nervous earlier? Or is my body really unwell?

Should I get a hospital check-up sometime?

But even if I feel off, I absolutely must push through today.

I’ve worked so hard to prepare. Giving up now would be unbearable.

She fixed her hair, touched up her makeup, and reapplied lipstick. Glancing back at the mirror, her complexion seemed slightly better.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Xiaoyao nodded to herself.

Come on, Jiang Xiaoyao. Your crush is right there—don’t give up easily!

After leaving the restroom, she headed toward the party hall. But at the doorway, her steps froze abruptly.

Her mouth dropped open as she stared in disbelief at the familiar figure inside.

—

—

Back to earlier.

Realizing Han Cheng had completely set him up, Chen Yuzhe plunged into crisis.

Xinyu sat beside him, her cheeks faintly flushed. She pretended to glance around while carefully sipping her drink.

What now? Chen Yuzhe rubbed his temples.

He’d painstakingly built Xinyu’s affection, ready to execute his plan. But its crucial part—his best friend had bailed.

That wasn’t the issue. The real problem: what role should he play with Xinyu now?

Chen Yuzhe wasn’t stupid. His looks were average, but winning over a simple girl like Xinyu wasn’t hard if he tried. He knew that.

Now, tricked into maxing her affection, her gaze felt off. What to do?

He couldn’t possibly...

No, no, no. Absolutely not. Chen Yuzhe instantly rejected the thought.

I, Chen Yuzhe, might be shameless, but one line I’ll never cross.

I don’t believe in love. I’ll never willingly enter any romance.

Though unfair to junior Xinyu, he had to lower her affection now.

Chen Yuzhe knew this was cruel. Dropping her favor meant doing things that’d make Xinyu dislike, hurt, or resent him.

Xinyu wouldn’t like it. Chen Yuzhe hated it more.

He was used to faking kindness. Actually upsetting girls went against his instincts.

Who likes being hated? His past manipulations stayed hidden, keeping high surface-level favor with both sides.

Of course. Except once.

So now, Chen Yuzhe had to choose words carefully. How to subtly shift her view without obvious hurt?

Like slipping in insensitive "bro" comments, or small actions that lowered his impression score.

His looks weren’t great anyway. Repeating such acts should drop her affection fast.

Chen Yuzhe scanned the room, his gaze settling on Xinyu’s wine glass.

"Junior, first time trying this beer?"

Xinyu peered at her drink, murmuring confusedly, "Yeah... never seen this brand before."

"Corona. Usually drunk in bars—supermarkets sell it too. An imported beer that went global for its unique lime-paired taste. Perfect light beer for ladies."

Chen Yuzhe elaborated: "Its flavor’s light, not heavy. The lime adds sweet-sour freshness. Even non-drinkers adapt quickly."

"Of course, it’s pricey. Few drink it daily outside outings. Normal you wouldn’t know it, junior."

That last line cost at least ten impression points. Chen Yuzhe subtly checked Xinyu’s eyes.

Sure enough, her expression dimmed slightly.

Duh. Knowing Xinyu’s likely modest background, he still lectured about imported beer, then added that condescending jab. Anyone spouting such unearned superiority deserved a punch.

To be honest, Chen Yuzhe felt awful saying it.

But he had to. Not dropping her affection meant bigger trouble.