Chapter 19: Sinister Designs

Before the four had finished speaking, the laboratory front grew lively once more. The crowd's murmurs were loud enough to prick Ruan Nan’s ears like needles; he felt as if everyone was pointing fingers and whispering about him behind his back. He was poor, from the lower class, but he had always maintained his dignity.

Ruan Nan was proud and cared deeply about his reputation. Hearing the laughter directed at him, he could no longer hold back. Fixing his gaze on Hua Suxu, his face flushed with anger, he snapped, “Hua Suxu, have you made enough of a scene? If so, step aside and let us in.”

“I won’t argue with you about today’s matter, but if there’s a next time, I won’t see you again,” he declared with a lofty tone.

To him, considering how malicious Hua Suxu had acted today, his choice not to quarrel with her was already generous. If Hua Suxu was wise, she would take this as a way to back down gracefully. Otherwise, if the situation spiraled out of control, she might never see him again. After all, this was the first time he had voluntarily offered her a way out.

His audacity knew no bounds.

Ruan Nan’s words repeatedly shattered Hua Suxu’s notions about this repulsive man. This was her own laboratory, yet he used it as if it belonged to him, with an air of entitlement—as if she were begging him to do so. He even brought a junior female student to the lab, completely disregarding her presence. No, it seemed he had already claimed the laboratory as his own.

Hua Suxu was thoroughly disgusted.

“Oh? You speak as if you’re some prized catch. If you’re not around, then so be it. What’s there to miss about a worthless man like you?” she retorted with a sneer. Not satisfied, she cast a disdainful glance up and down at him. “Why should I move aside? This laboratory was funded by my mother. Did you pay for it? Are you entitled to it?”

“Princess, you jest. Ordinary people like us could never afford to build such a lab,” Fan Tong interjected nervously as the quarrel between Hua Suxu and Ruan Nan grew fiercer. If this continued, the chip key would be lost forever.

He quickly stepped in to ease the tension. “Senior Ruan didn’t mean it like that. He just wanted to do an experiment and spoke out of turn in a moment of emotion.”

“A moment of emotion? You spineless fool, you really go all out for your master, but I’m not a fool—I hear everything clearly,” Hua Suxu snapped. “Listen carefully, not only are you green tea before my eyes, but you, Ruan Nan, won’t have the right to enter this laboratory anymore. The golden chip key will belong to our Su Yu from now on.”

This was the second time Hua Suxu had used money to humiliate him. Ruan Nan could no longer tolerate it.

Initially, he was mindful that junior student Le Yao hadn’t started her experiment yet and wanted to speak calmly with Hua Suxu, asking her to hand over the chip key and letting the incident go. But she had overstepped, mistaking his patience for endless concession, hurling insults left and right.

Now, he refused to endure any longer.

He cast a cold glare at Hua Suxu. “Hmph, Hua Suxu, don’t regret this. I hope in a few days you won’t come crawling back to me.”

This was not the first time Hua Suxu had done such things.

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Every time they argued, Hua Suxu was always the first to back down. Ruan Nan didn’t think she would easily give up. But this time, he wanted to teach her a lesson. Even if she admitted her mistakes, he wouldn’t forgive her so easily.

“What is there for me to regret? Trash like you, once thrown away, is nothing worth remembering,” Hua Suxu responded indifferently, her face expressionless.

Seeing that Hua Suxu was determined to make a scene, Ruan Nan ignored her and glanced at Su Le Yao beside him, speaking softly, “Junior, the laboratory can’t be used today. We’ll have to postpone.”

Su Le Yao hadn’t expected Hua Suxu’s resolve and, since they couldn’t enter, reluctantly agreed. She kindly looked at Ruan Nan and comforted him, “It’s okay. We can learn another day.”

Watching Ruan Nan’s retreating figure, Ye Xi rubbed his chin, a spark of interest glimmering in his eyes. “Looks like we misjudged her today. She just lambasted Ruan Nan thoroughly.”

“That’s nothing strange. A performance must be convincing; otherwise, how could Xin Bai lower his guard?” Que Qing responded dismissively.

Yan Luo glanced between Ye Xi and Que Qing, sensing the matter was complicated. “I think we should keep observing. Hua Suxu’s words today struck a chord with me.”

Xin Bai remained silent, his gaze fixed on Hua Suxu’s distant figure, slightly lost in thought.

Meanwhile, after her triumphant confrontation, Hua Suxu felt a surge of satisfaction. She clapped her hands and turned to enter the laboratory.

Just as she took a step inside, the system’s chime sounded repeatedly.

“Ding! Su Yu’s favorability +15, current favorability -75.”

“Ding! Yan Luo’s favorability +5, current favorability -85.”

“Ding! Xin Bai’s favorability +4, current favorability -59.99.”

“Ding! Ye Xi’s favorability +7, current favorability -90.”

Su Yu’s favorability rose, and Hua Suxu’s eyes brightened, though it still lingered at -75. Indeed, after resolving the issue, the favorability returned.

It seemed giving the chip key to Su Yu had been the right choice; he truly cared about the laboratory.

Su Yu’s favorability increasing was expected by Hua Suxu, but she was puzzled why Ye Xi, Yan Luo, and Xin Bai’s favorability also rose.

She asked the system, “System, were Ye Xi, Yan Luo, and Xin Bai nearby just now?”

“Yes, host.”

“Xin Bai, Ye Xi, Que Qing, and Yan Luo all secretly came over and heard what you said to Ruan Nan.”

Those few! Hua Suxu understood why they came—probably worried she might do something to Su Yu.

But this was good; since they saw how she treated Ruan Nan with their own eyes, she wouldn’t have to explain to them anymore.

“Wait, Que Qing also came? Why didn’t his favorability increase?”

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There was still a stray fish escaped her notice. Hua Suxu was displeased.

“Host, um… Que Qing insists that you’re acting with that freeloading man to deceive Xin Bai and gain his trust.”

“No way! How can he be so stubborn!” she fumed.

Out of the five, only Que Qing’s favorability remained largely unchanged. She thought about how she would pry him loose!

She refused to believe Que Qing didn’t want something from her!

But for now, she had to strike while the iron was hot and nurture the warmth of Su Yu’s favorability, not letting it fade.

After driving away the scoundrels, Hua Suxu turned back into the laboratory.

Inside, Su Yu was distracted for the first time during an experiment. Hua Suxu recalled how she had just called him “my Su Yu”—she had been acting strangely lately, even uttering such sentimental words. When had their relationship become so close?

He couldn’t help but glance at the golden chip key resting on the storage cabinet. Would this truly belong to him from now on? He found it hard to believe.

When Hua Suxu entered, she saw Su Yu deeply immersed in thought, focused on a glass test tube.

True to a top student, he was always concentrated no matter the task.

She considered and spoke, “About the chip key incident today, it was my fault. I’ve already driven away that freeloading man and the worthless one. Don’t worry; they won’t enter the laboratory again. It belongs solely to you.”

Freeloading man? Worthless one?

Su Yu pondered for a long moment before realizing who Hua Suxu meant.

His expression remained indifferent, saying nothing.

Top students were always cold and aloof. When Su Yu remained silent, Hua Suxu continued, “By the way, if you need any experimental equipment or materials, I’ll buy them for you.”

“No need. The laboratory has everything I want.”

Well, nothing in the lab could move him.

Suddenly, Hua Suxu thought of something perfect for Su Yu. She licked her lips and quickly added, “Su Yu, come to my room today!”

At this, a faint crack appeared on Su Yu’s otherwise impassive face. As expected, Hua Suxu had some scheme.

So soon, she wanted him to come to her room!