The nearby classmates had been eavesdropping, eager to witness some drama, but Gu Junqing's words left them stunned.
Everyone knew just how obsessed Gu Junqing was with Murong Wan. So why was he suddenly... giving up on her?
Some of the prettier girls in the class suddenly had stars in their eyes, seeing this as their chance. But others shrank back, knowing full well that chasing someone like Gu Junqing was not for the faint of heart.
Murong Wan herself was visibly taken aback. She hadn't expected Gu Junqing to agree so easily.
"Don't think this changes anything," she muttered, frowning. "You're really not going to send people to follow me anymore? Not going to harass me?"
In the original timeline, Gu Junqing's predecessor had never known when to quit. The more she rejected him, the more aggressive he became—until his obsession spiraled out of control, leading to personal and family tragedies alike.
"Of course not," Gu Junqing replied flatly. "I'm in my third year now. I've got exams to worry about. What, do you think you're some kind of angel I have to chase?"
"Anyway, class is about to start. Let's head back." His tone was calm and casual, almost indifferent.
Murong Wan felt a mix of relief... and an unexpected twinge of disappointment.
Wait… he's really backing off? Am I not a little goddess after all?
She returned to her seat, the weight on her heart lightened, though she couldn't explain why. Her impression of Gu Junqing had quietly shifted.
[Ding! Detected: Murong Wan's favorability towards the Host has increased by +10. Current favorability: 0 (Stranger)]
[Ding! Plot deviation detected. Villain rewarded with 500 Villain Points and +100 Villain Luck.]
[Ding! Villain Value has reached 2,000. System upgrading... Mall unlocked. Lottery feature unlocked. Rewarding Host with Eye of Insight (allows viewing data on male and female leads).]
The cold, mechanical voice of the system rang out in Gu Junqing's mind. Raising an eyebrow, he activated the newly unlocked Eye of Insight and focused it on Murong Wan.
Name: Murong Wan
Age: 18
Charm: 90
Favorability: 0
Heroine Aura: 520
"Not bad," Gu Junqing thought. "She's definitely the female lead. Her charm's almost on par with mine."
Then again, with his wealth, status, and looks, Gu Junqing's charm value wasn't just a number—it was a reality that could make any girl swoon.
He pulled up his own stats for a quick comparison:
Host: Gu Junqing
Combat Power: 40 (Average Human: 5)
Charm: 90 (Average: 50)
Villain Luck: 0
Villain Value: 2,000
Skills: Advanced Learning Ability,Intermediate Piano,Intermediate English,Intermediate Mathematics,Intermediate Driving
Items: None
System Functions Unlocked: Mall, Lottery
The Mall and Lottery features were finally open. He wasn't sure what kind of items might be inside, but he hoped to find something to improve both his combat ability and medical knowledge.
Just as he was about to explore the system interface, the class bell rang.
And then a boy walked in.
Gu Junqing's expression sharpened instantly, his eyes narrowing.
"So... the male protagonist finally shows up," he muttered. "Of course he arrives late, acting cool. Always pretending to be the good guy... and always has to be handsome."
He immediately used the Eye of Insight to check the newcomer's stats.
Name: Lin Tian
Combat Power: 25
Charm: 70
Protagonist Halo: 850
Golden Finger: Golden Eye (X-Ray Vision for Objects)
"As expected. Pretty much just like in the book," Gu Junqing thought, his gaze cold. "Good thing he's not a 'Soldier King' or 'Miracle Doctor' protagonist. Otherwise, I wouldn't stand a chance right now."
From what he remembered, Lin Tian's cheat ability—the Golden Eye—was what got him started. He used it in underground stone gambling dens to identify hidden jade, making a fortune. Later on, it evolved, letting him see through not just objects but people as well—bones, blood vessels, even secrets.
"It's a powerful talent, no doubt. But it's a heavy burden on the body. He's gonna burn out before long if he keeps overusing it. A cheat like that... should belong to me."
Gu Junqing's thoughts grew darker.
"System, can I take his talent for myself?"
[Affirmative. As long as you weaken the protagonist's aura over time, you can purchase a "Heaven-Stealing Talisman" from the system mall to extract his Golden Finger.]
"But his luck is way higher than mine. How do I change that?"
His gaze swept toward Murong Wan's back.
"Right… if I can win over the heroine, steal her heart and body, and suppress the male lead's momentum, I'll slowly tilt the scales in my favor. Still, I'll need to be patient. This is a long game."
Just then, the classroom door opened again.
A stunning woman walked in.
She had waist-length black hair that shimmered like silk, and her features were like those carved from jade. She wore a crisp, white mandarin-collared blouse that hugged her curves just right, and a fitted blazer over shorts that showed off her flawless, snow-white legs.
Even her black stockings didn't hide her graceful form—they only enhanced her charm. Topping it all off were a pair of sleek high heels that made her look even taller and more imposing.
Her name was Yu Miaoyu.
A math teacher who had graduated only two years ago, she already held the dual role of subject teacher and class advisor. While she wasn't exactly warm or gentle, her strict demeanor and sharp tongue had earned her respect from both students and staff.
That, and the fact that her looks alone were enough to keep most boys in line.
Gu Junqing looked at her with appreciation.
Of course, he already knew: she was one of the future heroines, too.
"Alright, quiet down," Yu Miaoyu said, knocking on the desk.
"We're going to go over last semester's final exam results."
She picked up a sheet of paper and began reading.
"First in the class—and first in the grade—is Gu Junqing. Second place, both in class and grade, is Murong Wan. Let's give them both a round of applause."
She led the way, clapping her hands.
The class wasn't surprised. Gu Junqing and Murong Wan were the school's top academic performers, and had been for years.
Murong Wan, however, glanced sideways at Gu Junqing and frowned. Being second again clearly bothered her.
Gu Junqing raised an eyebrow. What's with the glare? I didn't even try that hard.
Then Yu Miaoyu reached the tenth name on the list.
"Lin Tian."
The classroom erupted in shock.
Lin Tian?! He'd always been at the bottom of the rankings. Last place was practically his trademark. How had he suddenly jumped to tenth?
Yu Miaoyu also seemed puzzled.
"Lin Tian, how did you manage this?" she asked.
Lin Tian stood up with a calm, composed smile. "Teacher, over the past few months, I realized how important studying is. So I've been burning the midnight oil every day, catching up."
His words sounded noble. Some classmates were skeptical—but many nodded in admiration.
Yu Miaoyu smiled approvingly. "That's wonderful. Keep it up and you'll be on your way to a top university."
Gu Junqing rolled his eyes.
What nonsense. You just cheated using those X-ray eyes of yours. Let's see how well you do when the next exam rolls around and I counter you.
Golden Eye or not... it won't help you forever.
---
Notes:
Golden Finger (金手指): A term in Chinese web novels referring to the protagonist's cheat ability or unique talent, often granted by a system, artifact, or inheritance.
Gambling Stones: A real-world activity in parts of China where people buy uncut jade stones and gamble on whether valuable jade is hidden inside.
Nutrition Express (营养快线): A popular bottled drink in China, often referenced humorously in web novels as a source of "recovery" after overusing supernatural powers.
Protagonist Halo: A common trope in CN novels, representing the mysterious plot armor and luck that surrounds protagonists, allowing them to always come out on top.