As the saying goes, it was a classic case of making an example of one to warn the others.

With the troublemaker dealt with, those nearby who'd been itching to stir trouble quickly thought better of it.

Who dared oppose Miss Meng now?

That was the consequence.

For a moment, everyone kept their heads down and played it safe.

Su Qiaoman, seated up front, barely dared to breathe.

She knew Meng Wanyu wouldn’t cut her slack just for being a woman.

Yet she couldn’t bear to lose Lu Chengzhou—a useful pawn.

Her heart twisted in agony, torn beyond words.

The rest of the school day dragged on in quiet torment.

Since afternoon, Lu Chengzhou had been mulling over how to tutor Lin Chen that evening.

How long would detention last for that guy? Hopefully long—less hassle for him.

After dismissal, Meng Wanyu reminded him about their evening study session.

Lu Chengzhou nodded.

Then he noticed: she was still carrying the boxed meal he’d bought her at noon.

Would she really take such a simple meal home for a midnight snack?

At the thought, his heart skipped a beat.

He knew Meng Wanyu wasn’t frugal.

Keeping it wasn’t about the food—it was about valuing *him*.

Unconsciously, it earned him a quiet surge of goodwill.

“See you tonight.”

“Mm-hmm~ See you tonight, Classmate Lu~”

Meng Wanyu got into the car.

Lu Chengzhou stood roadside, watching until her taillights vanished.

The flutter in his chest slowly settled.

Lu Chengzhou was clear-headed.

He knew the gap between them.

With a dangerous woman, the safest move was always to keep a careful distance.

...

Inside the car, Meng Wanyu opened the box.

Even the driver raised an eyebrow.

When had the young miss ever touched such cheap takeout? Now she was taking it home.

“Too sweet,” she frowned. “Ugh, how much cream did they dump in?”

Lu Chengzhou had bought two different meals.

The one for the “flower-like beauty” had sour plums.

Hers was loaded with cream.

Maybe he hadn’t even noticed—the packaging touted it like a blind box.

He probably just liked the cute design.

Suppressing the cloying sweetness, Meng Wanyu took another small bite.

Gradually, she grew used to the cheap cream’s taste… even found a strange, simple joy in it.

Savoring it, she felt like she was tasting something uniquely tender.

...

Not long after, Lu Chengzhou arrived near the Lin residence by bus.

Just stepping off, he looked up—and spotted Lin Chen leaning from the second-floor window, cigarette in hand.

Night dimmed the scene.

Lin Chen hadn’t seen him.

Lu Chengzhou’s nerves tightened.

Honestly, having Miss Meng nearby had felt safe.

Now? Facing the male lead alone left him uneasy.

In Lin Chen’s world, he was just a side character.

Relying on plot armor alone wouldn’t cut it. Strategy was key.

Guided by the butler, he entered and headed to Lin Chen’s room.

A knock. Lin Chen stubbed out his cigarette, yanked the door open—

—and froze. His face darkened instantly.

“Uncle Wang! What’s *he* doing here?”

“This is your English tutor for the period,” Uncle Wang said calmly, stepping aside to let Lu Chengzhou in.

Lin Chen’s eyes widened. “*This* is the ‘top-tier’ tutor?!”

“Uncle Wang, have you lost your mind? His grades are worse than mine!”

Uncle Wang raised a hand. “Young Master, no need to slander Teacher Lu. His skill was approved by Master Lin himself.”

(The interview recording had already been sent. Wang Defa’s approval might raise doubts—but Master Lin’s? Never.)

Lin Chen bit back further words under the butler’s stern gaze.

Once the door closed, he snapped—grabbing Lu Chengzhou by the collar.

“What trick did you pull to fool Uncle Wang *and* my dad?”

Lu Chengzhou simply smiled… and replied in flawless British English.

Lin Chen froze.

*Whoa.* That accent rivaled the school’s broadcast quality.

Could someone this skilled really score sixty-something?

Lu Chengzhou took a breath and began his lie.

“I’ve self-studied high school English daily—three hundred words, five reading sets, vocabulary drills on the commute. At school, I stay low-key to avoid trouble. But Young Master… I need the money. This meeting? Pure coincidence.”

Lin Chen hesitated. *Hiding his strength?*

Did he seem that sensible? If he feared trouble, why trail Su Qiaoman before?

…Though classmates *had* said Lu Chengzhou lately kept his distance.

While *she’d* grown clingy—spotted tailing him multiple times.

Lin Chen’s gaze sharpened.

Lu Chengzhou stood calm, unassuming—a minor lackey, seemingly easy to control.

*Do I really need to fear someone like this?*

“If you truly can’t accept me,” Lu Chengzhou said softly, turning to leave, “I’ll go.”

*He’s betting I’ll stop him.*

“Wait!”

Lin Chen called out.

Still just a teen—simple thoughts, half-convinced.

“I don’t need teaching. Just do my homework.”

He tossed a pile of overdue English papers at Lu Chengzhou, then sprawled on the sofa, game glowing.

“Payment’s covered. But keep your mouth shut. One rumor leaks? Your future’s toast.”

Lu Chengzhou exhaled inwardly. *Perfect.*

The male lead no longer saw him as a love rival—but as a subordinate.

Survival just got easier.

*Keep this up,* he reminded himself. *Become the male lead’s most trusted lackey.*