129: Honey, Linlin, the rice has been cooked. - The Rich Second-Generation Villain With No Morals

"Pfft!" Upon hearing Qi Lin's words, Hu Bing almost fainted. If the police got involved, this wasn't just a matter of a severe reprimand. The situation had escalated so much that the school had no choice but to expel Yu Chen to set an example for other students. Otherwise, what would happen if others committed the same mistake? Would they all receive just a slap on the wrist? If the punishment was this lenient, there would be a continuous line of people looking to steal from the school every day. "Argh! Qi Lin, you must be condemned to death!" Yu Chen cried out frantically when he saw the police approaching, unable to contain his anger any longer. "You've conspired with Wang Si Ling to frame me, and now you're calling the police, all to ruin my future and force me out of school! You're nothing but a despicable scoundrel!" Qi Lin merely smiled lightly in the face of this harmless verbal assault. "Yu Chen, last time when you got caught at the police station for instigating a fight, it was I who wrote a statement of understanding, and that's why you were released immediately. Had I known that after you got out, you wouldn't repent in the slightest but instead walk further down the wrong path, I shouldn't have saved you back then." "All right, I've been generous enough. I won't argue with you over these trivial matters anymore. Be wise about your next steps." Yu Chen was falsely accused of stealing sums that totaled in the tens of thousands—a significant amount in 2002, enough to send him to a juvenile detention center for half a year. After being expelled by the school and taken to a juvenile facility, Yu Chen's life essentially came to an end. If he managed to leave the facility and live as an honest person, perhaps Qi Lin would forget him, allowing for a peaceful future. But if he persisted on this path, seeking Qi Lin in the wrong way, his very life could be at stake. "Si Ling, help me, please! I really don't want to go to prison. I was wrong, truly wrong. I never should have insulted you," Yu Chen pleaded desperately as he sobbed upon seeing Wang Si Ling. In the past, Wang Si Ling might not have been able to withstand this kind of tearful plea, but after several episodes of Yu Chen hurling abuse, returning good with spite, and seeking revenge against her, she was thoroughly disappointed in him, and by extension, all of the dark matters involving him. Her enchanting eyes were now full of contempt. She wished she had realized sooner that this fickle and perpetually crying mess of a person wasn't even fit to carry Qi Lin's shoes. Wang Si Ling’s indifference crushed Yu Chen's last hope. As he was being taken away in the police car, he questioned Wang Si Ling with venom in his eyes, "Why? Why are you doing this to me?" Nonchalantly twirling a lock of hair by her ear, Wang Si Ling simply replied, "There's no particular reason. It's just because I love Qi Lin and I'm willing to do anything for him." This cold response caused Yu Chen to shut his eyes in anguish. Everything was lost. He was utterly defeated by Qi Lin. His education, his future prospects, and even the girl he loved most had all betrayed him without hesitation. "I heard Yu Chen's been taken by the police. What will you do about that?" Lan Yu Xi immediately hugged Qi Lin the moment he returned to the classroom, resting her delicate chin on his arm. "Strictly speaking, it was Si Ling who cast her old friend into darkness," Qi Lin said, pulling out a small packet of pine nuts from his pocket and tossing it onto Lan Yu Xi’s desk. Lan Yu Xi rolled her eyes but obediently shelled the nuts and fed them to Young Master Lin. "Husband~ you're so naughty, instructing Si Ling to treat Yu Chen that way," Lan Yu Xi accused with a mischievous glare after Qi Lin's remark. "I didn't teach her that; she decided on her own. By the way, Wang Cheng will be returning to class in a few days. What do you think of him?" Qi Lin asked with a smile, still munching on pine nuts. Lan Yu Xi pouted. "You don't need to test me, you know. As long as you, Master Qi Lin, propose it, even if I have to trick him into working in a coal mine in Africa, I'll do it right away." Hearing Lan Yu Xi's response, Qi Lin squeezed her cheek gently and chuckled. "You do have the sweetest tongue." "Husband, Si Ling has become so sinister. I’m a bit scared. We are all your girlfriends. What if she gets jealous and tries to frame me?" Lan Yu Xi blinked her beautiful eyes, expressing her concern. Qi Lin's voice turned slightly cool at this moment. "Playing tricks in front of me is a very dangerous game. If I ever find out any of you intends to scheme against each other, whoever makes the first move will be the one I punish. You all know what I'm capable of." "The rule stands: enjoy your own world as if no one else exists. Don’t reach out, don’t take things, don’t whisper behind my back—these are your basic guidelines." Lan Yu Xi had only been teasing, but Qi Lin's reaction made her hesitate and rethink pursuing that topic. She didn’t understand that men hated nothing more than infighting among their consorts. Anyone who started trouble would undoubtedly be made an example of, a promise Qi Lin was more than capable of keeping. The second period was Qiu Yue Lin's math class. In the days since they'd last seen each other, Qi Lin noticed that Qiu Yue Lin seemed much more worn out. Though she tried to hide it, a hint of animosity lingered in her gaze when she looked at him. Since Qi Lin had read Qiu Yue Lin’s diary, he naturally knew what she intended to do next. So, while she was vigilantly watching, Qi Lin simply lay down on the desk and napped during the lesson. Watching Qi Lin snoring and passing gas in his sleep fueled Qiu Yue Lin's simmering anger. At first, he had deceived her into thinking he would mend his ways and study earnestly. But seeing him now, snuggly and lazy, it was apparent those words had been nothing but empty promises. "Go ahead, sleep. I’ll make you drink laxatives later and embarrass yourself in front of everyone," Qiu Yue Lin muttered coldly under her breath, staring through slitted, icy eyes at Qi Lin. The math class concluded to the sound of his snores. "Bang, bang!" A knocking sound on Qi Lin's desk jolted him awake as the class ended. "Ah~" Qi Lin stretched languidly and then braced himself. "Is that Senior Qiu? What can I do for you?" Hearing Qi Lin’s nonchalant inquiry made Qiu Yue Lin grind her teeth in frustration. She had agreed to help him with his studies after every math class, but he seemed to have quickly forgotten. "We need to start our tutoring session. Doesn't Qi Lin want to improve his grades?" she coaxed gently, knowing full well it was a setup inviting him to the office to drink her tainted water. "Sigh, people always say you feel lethargic in spring, sleepy in summer, and too lazy in autumn. Winter’s only good for sleeping too. I just don’t have any energy for studying. What if I don't want tutoring?" Qi Lin replied lazily. He realized this was Qiu Yue Lin's scheme—a trap. The impatient one was her. Seizing on this opportunity, he decided to toy with her a bit. As expected, Qiu Yue Lin’s face flushed red with rage upon hearing his complaint, but her determination to spring her plan refused to waver. "Regardless of how this scoundrel might ruin his own dignity, giving him a little leeway wouldn’t hurt," Qiu Yue Lin resolved. She leaned in, her delicate collarbone fragrantly alluring, whispered close to Qi Lin's ear, "Come to my office for tutoring. I’ll sit beside you and personally guide you holding your hand. How does that sound?" Her usually resolute demeanor, now intentionally pliable, provided Qi Lin both amusement and curiosity. This revelation was, after all, the delightful misunderstanding brought on by circumstance. "Such an offer, Qi Lin couldn’t refuse! I’ll think about it," Qi Lin mused, feigning contemplation but remaining in his seat all the same—even as the seconds ticked away in their ten-minute interval between classes, aware of Qiu Yue Lin’s growing impatience. Desperate as the minutes ticked by, Qiu Yue Lin, ultimately played into his hands, gently clasped his with her soft fingers and whispered, "I’m personally inviting you over, isn’t that enough?" Observing his senior’s earnest solicitation, Qi Lin couldn’t resist a chuckle before rising to accompany her to the office. Watching the two move away, Lan Yu Xi, mouth pursed, mused, "Qi Lin seems more interested in his senior sisters than me. When he went with Qiu Yue Lin, he didn't even glance at me. I really hate it." As they made their way to the office, Hu Bing walked the opposing corridor, heading for a meeting about Yu Chen’s case. Since the principal was currently hospitalized for a heart attack, the vice-principal was managing the school affairs. Spotting Hu Bing, Qiu Yue Lin froze momentarily, surprise and a flicker of panic in her enchanting eyes. Instinctively, she tried to release her grip on Qi Lin’s hand. Although Qi Lin initially intended to comply with Qiu Yue Lin, he saw an opportune moment after her panic to take a sip from the spiked water. Instead, when Hu Bing made his way over, Qi Lin changed plans with a smirk. He entwined their fingers more intimately, like a pair of close lovers, prompting Hu Bing's face to darken immediately. "Qi Lin! What do you think you’re doing? In broad daylight, shamelessly harassing a woman—let go of her hand at once!" Hu Bing commanded sternly. With an easy smile, Qi Lin rejoined, "Hu Bing, don’t throw accusations around. It was Senior Qiu who invited me for tutoring, afraid I'd run off, and thus she’s holding my hand tightly. None of this is my doing." Listening to Qi Lin's fabricated tale, Qiu Yue Lin gave him a hard glare, using her free hand to pry his away. "Fine, I might have grabbed your hand, yes, but I never said you could intertwine your fingers with mine." "Alright, I’ve got a class to attend shortly," she said exasperatedly, pulling Qi Lin along towards the office after acknowledging Hu Bing to the hallway momentarily. Today, she had to ensure Qi Lin drank the water spiked with the laxative. Just as she was about to offer it, Qi Lin turned his head, casting a provoking look in Hu Bing's direction. To Hu Bing, the looming meeting was significant; however, seeing Qi Lin's taunting along with the fact that he was holding Qiu Yue Lin's waist nearly pushed him over the edge. "Damn it, that kid is just too infuriating. I have to check this out—Yue Lin is too naive. What if Qi Lin really takes advantage of her?" he thought. "The meeting starts in ten minutes. Arriving a bit late won't be an issue," Hu Bing decided, and followed them. In the office, Qiu Yue Lin had Qi Lin sit at her desk, then brought over a chair to sit next to him. Under the puzzled gaze of Hu Bing, she caught hold of Qi Lin's hand and began tutoring him. Hu Bing was heartbroken. If it were Qi Lin making advances, he could understand, but Qiu Yue Lin's active engagement was unnerving. Was she starting to favor Qi Lin, the wealthy second-generation heir, over him? What Hu Bing failed to realize was that Qiu Yue Lin, believing that Qi Lin had ruined her purity, was solely focused on retribution. She cared little for Hu Bing's thoughts. Yet, her behavior, uncharacteristic of a pure senior, sowed seeds of doubt in his mind about her. While chatting with Qi Lin, Qiu Yue Lin's cheeks flushed red as they faced each other. They were so close. Don’t forget, Hu Bing stood right there, watching, disbelief marred by jealousy that threatened to overflow. "Ahh, we've talked so long, I'm a bit thirsty. Let's drink some water first," Qiu Yue Lin announced casually. Believing the time right, she picked up an adorably pink water bottle from the desk, one she had just bought and hadn't used yet. She intended for Qi Lin to drink from it, unaware he would snatch it away. Qi Lin couldn't help but chuckle at her exaggerated acting. “Ding! The system has detected the female protagonist attempting to serve the host a laxative. The system presents the following options: Option One: Pretend ignorance and drink the entire bottle, granting immunity to laxatives henceforth. Option Two: Expose Qiu Yue Lin's plot, revealing the drink is laced, rewarding with property worth 800,000. Option Three: Convince Hu Bing to drink it, resulting in a public gastrointestinal spectacle, earning a diary of Yan Yan's.” Qi Lin was surprised that even a scheme aimed at him could trigger options from the system. Seeing the third option, he smiled with satisfaction. Yan Yan seemed wise and strategic, yet she had unwavering loyalty, refusing to betray even when knowing of Li Zhou’s unscrupulous nature. Through the diary, Qi Lin could find her weaknesses, reasons for her loyalty, and perhaps distance her from Li Zhou. "I choose the third option," Qi Lin decided without hesitation. “Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully choosing. The reward has been delivered to the host's system space. Please check your inventory.” Having made his selection, Qi Lin, playing along with Qiu Yue Lin's expectation, theatrically snatched the water bottle, saying with a playful tone, “Mmm, scented flower tea carries a hint of Senior Sister Qiu’s aroma. Just what I need to quench my thirst.” Seeing Qi Lin play the fool, pretending to drink as the cup neared his lips, Qiu Yue Lin’s lips curled in satisfaction. Having disliked Qi Lin from the start, Hu Bing's expression darkened at the sight of him attempting to drink from Qiu Yue Lin's cup. "Damn, pretending to be a gentleman is such a chore. I've suffered from Qi Lin's antics multiple times. If anyone should drink from Yue Lin’s cup, it's me, her boyfriend. She won’t hold it against me, right?" Buoyed by this thought, Hu Bing lunged forward, grabbing the water bottle from Qi Lin's grasp—effortlessly, as Qi Lin allowed it. "Respect your teachers, you know? I’m thirsty too, let me have this first," Hu Bing declared triumphantly, not seeing himself as shameless but rather essential. "You!" Qi Lin feigned anger, as if about to rise and fight for the bottle. Hu Bing, face set with resolve, quickly raised the bottle to his lips. "Don’t drink!" It all happened in a split second. Qiu Yue Lin, realizing too late, rushed to stop him. But it was too late. "Eh~ Yue Lin, what did you say? Not to drink? Apologies, I was too parched to hear. I've got a meeting to attend, so you continue tutoring Qi Lin. I'll be off," he said, satisfied, and waved as he left the office. Qiu Yue Lin’s face bore traces of awkwardness, hesitant for a moment but ultimately refraining from enlightening Hu Bing on the drink’s contents. With most teachers either in class or at the meeting, only Qi Lin and Qiu Yue Lin were left in the office. "What are you doing!" a startled Qiu Yue Lin exclaimed, suddenly finding herself lifted into the air by Qi Lin and placed onto her desk. "What nonsense are you spouting, dear wife Lin? The deed is done, and I’ve missed you these past days," Qi Lin quipped, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement, their faces inches apart.