It had been only two days since Li Zhen's name blew up across campus and city news feeds, yet it felt like an entire lifetime had passed since the humiliation in the cafeteria.
Gone were the stares of mockery. Gone were the whispers of pity. Now, wherever Li Zhen walked, people moved aside like he carried royalty in his blood. Some girls purposely dropped books near him hoping he'd help. Others tried sneaking photos. Professors even called on him more in class—somehow, his opinions now "seemed more insightful."
But Li Zhen? He didn't care about their sudden respect.
He cared about control.
And just as he expected, karma came knocking.
At the south side of campus...
Meng Yuyan stood nervously near the entrance of the Computer Science building. Her flawless makeup couldn't hide the slight puffiness in her eyes, and the designer bag on her shoulder now looked embarrassingly out of place. Word had gotten out that Zhang Kai—her "upgrade"—was nothing more than a poser driving his cousin's car and living off monthly family handouts.
Worse? He had dumped her the night before, furious that she kept bringing up Li Zhen's name.
Now, Yuyan stood there alone, clutching her phone and rehearsing the same line over and over in her head.
"Zhen, I was wrong. Please… let's start over."
She had even dressed more simply today—no flashy jewelry, just soft pastels and light perfume. She wanted to seem "down to earth," like the sweet girl she used to be when they first met.
At last, her target appeared.
Li Zhen exited the building with Su Qian walking beside him, chatting and laughing casually. A few meters behind them, two boys snapped photos discreetly, and a cluster of girls openly stared.
Yuyan's stomach twisted.
Su Qian? That was the department goddess—the girl every guy dreamed of. Since when were she and Li Zhen on speaking terms?
She rushed forward before her chance slipped away.
"Zhen!"
Li Zhen stopped, turned his head slightly.
His gaze landed on her—calm, unreadable.
Su Qian raised an eyebrow and stepped aside politely, giving them space.
Meng Yuyan took a step closer. "Can we… talk?"
He crossed his arms. "About what?"
Her voice quivered. "About… us. I-I made a mistake. I shouldn't have said those things. I was just stressed, you know? And… and I was confused."
Li Zhen tilted his head, like he was observing a mildly amusing insect.
"You were confused… when you called me pathetic? Or when you paraded your new boyfriend like a trophy?"
Yuyan flinched. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just thought you'd never change. But now… now look at you. You've grown. You're amazing."
"You mean I'm rich now."
Her lips trembled. "N-No! That's not it. I've always loved you, Zhen. I was just scared. I thought you'd be stuck in that poor life forever."
He let out a short laugh. "You're not even trying to hide it, huh?"
She stepped closer, lowering her voice seductively. "But we were good together. You still remember the late-night walks, don't you? When I made you promise to buy me a ring someday?"
Li Zhen looked at her coldly.
"I also remember the way you sneered at my gift. Like it disgusted you."
She looked down. "I was wrong…"
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
System Notification:
Revenge Scenario Detected.
Would you like to humiliate your ex publicly?
Reward: ¥1,000,000 + Emotional Satisfaction Points.
Optional Method: Use 'Reversal Card' to make her beg.
Li Zhen smirked to himself.
"System," he whispered, "use Reversal Card."
Activated. Target's ego will collapse within 5 minutes.
He turned to her with a soft voice, eyes gentle. "Yuyan… I've missed you too."
She gasped slightly, blinking with hope.
"I was thinking maybe we could go back to how we were," he said smoothly. "Actually… better. I've got money now. I could buy you that LV bag you always wanted. Or maybe a Chanel set."
Her eyes lit up like fireworks. "Really?! You mean it?"
He stepped closer, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I have one small condition."
"Anything," she whispered.
"Get on your knees."
She froze. "…W-What?"
"You want the bag, right? You want me back?" he said, voice still soft but cold beneath. "Kneel. Beg like you made me feel yesterday."
People nearby began murmuring.
Phones were already out.
Su Qian stood a few steps back, watching with a half-smirk.
Yuyan's cheeks turned red, then pale. "Y-You're joking… right?"
He stepped back.
"Wrong answer. I don't do trash pickups anymore."
Gasps rippled through the students.
Yuyan's lips quivered, her eyes brimming with tears. "You… you're being cruel."
"No," he said, turning around. "I'm being fair."
And with that, he walked away, leaving her standing like a broken statue in the middle of a buzzing crowd.
Ding! Revenge Successfully Executed.
Reward Deposited: ¥1,000,000.
Emotional Satisfaction Points: +50.
Comment Storm Triggered.
That evening, Li Zhen's social feed exploded again.
📸 "When the trash takes itself out." — Photo: Meng Yuyan crying in front of the CS building.
🗨️ "Legend move."
🗨️ "He just ended her in 5 words."
🗨️ "More updates please. This is better than TV."
🗨️ "I need this man to drop a book: 'How to Rise After Getting Dumped.'"
In his penthouse, Li Zhen leaned back on his custom Italian leather couch, scrolling through the chaos.
System Tip: Public Emotion Value increasing. New Feature Available Soon.
Would you like to preview your next ability?
He grinned.
"Let's see what living wild gives me next."