Over the next several weeks, Chen Yu diligently exposed Liu Yao's every mistake while also uploading videos of his music under an anonymous identity.
Despite the deliberately amateur presentation of the videos which showed that Shao Li was filmed secretly, netizens raved about their "Xiao BaoBao."
His fans praised the mysterious performer not only for how moving his music was and how sweetly he sang, but also for how charming what they could see of his body and face was. Although Chen Yu ensured that his whole face was never exposed at any one time, the glimpses he revealed of his five features individually made it obvious that he was gorgeous.
In fact, Chen Yu was somewhat surprised at how much he found himself purely focusing on music rather than calculating such tactics. It seemed that unlike the characters he'd played before, who had no significant personality settings, this time he'd inherited the original owner's love of music. He was filled with excitement and joy when he played, so that he would unknowingly spend hours practicing.
Unfortunately, he also had to deal with Shao Li's underfed physique.
To be able to perform vigorously, Chen Yu decisively used the system's gift of a golden finger to optimize his stamina. Thus, even well-known professional musicians could not help but to praise his blend of technique and passion.
Chen Yu carelessly selected his pieces from his memories of different worlds. However, what was popular in other modern worlds was naturally also popular here, so that people everywhere jammed out to his drum rendition of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and cried emotionally when he performed "Don't Stop Believin'" on his guitar.
The most intense fan of Chen Yu was probably Zhao Cui.
After Ming Wu had shown him the first video, Zhao Cui had, in passing, instructed his secretary to send him a background report on Shao Li and inform him if any other clips were released.
In the beginning, he was merely slightly interested. But the more he watched, the more he became obsessed.
Zhao Cui had never tolerated weakness in himself or others. To hold his position today, he'd crushed countless people without hesitation, and he was fully prepared to have more blood on his hands. Thus, he'd always regarded those with submissive personalities like Shao Li's as inadequate and disposable.
But Shao Li's performance throughout the numerous videos demonstrated the immense emotional intensity and strength of will that he'd needed to reach his complete mastery of music. Knowing the neglect Shao Li had suffered at the orphanage, it was especially remarkable that such a restrained, pitiful boy could bloom on his own and produce music that touched so many people.
Shao Li, Zhao Cui thought, was what true, pure genius looked like.
Thus when Zhao Cui watched Shao Li now, he only saw a treasure he wanted to hold and pamper in the palm of his hand.
Accordingly, when Zhao Cui discovered the way Shao Li was overworked and pressured at the academy as well as his disregard in self-care, he immediately assigned guards to secretly assist and monitor the young man.
He insisted to himself that he was simply concerned that his baby, who clearly only cared about music and didn't know to express himself through other ways, would be bullied, but he knew in his heart that as important to him were the thousands of surveillance records he received from the guards.
These photos were hidden in various areas around Zhao Cui's office and home and saved carefully on his phone.
Occasionally, he would find shots of Shao Li so rushed to play music that he forgot to dress after showering or wearing only an oversized shirt that clung wetly to his chest when he clumsily washed his dishes.
Looking at the provocative pictures, Zhao Cui's mood was complex. How could Shao Shao be so careless? What if he caught a cold? What if someone else caught sight of his body? But Zhao Cui was also addicted to these tantalizing pictures, and he didn't know what he would do if Shao Li raised his guard.
In fact, Zhao Cui's worries were groundless. Chen Yu had long discovered that someone was stalking him. It was simply that once he'd determined that his shadows intended to help him, he didn't care to interfere. Additionally, he was in such a good mood these days from harassing Liu Yao that he even dropped some fan service.
The Zhao Cui who'd been haplessly hooked by Chen Yu's flippant treats fed his craving, habitually streaming clips of Shao Li continuously throughout his lunch break.
His mouth dried as he studied Shao Li's creamy thighs tightening around the instrument, thin fingers quivering up and down the strings, and the bead of sweat that snaked down along his delicate neck. Clearly he was wholesomely playing music, but somehow he simply exuded an indescribable allure. With Shao Li's every move, Zhao Cui found himself straining forwards to catch a glimpse beneath the white shirt.
At the same time, the thought of other people watching the boy made his chest feel stuffy.
Zhao Cui tapped his fingers one by one on the desk, considering. Apparently he'd reached the end of his patience. Picking up the phone directly, he directed, "Ming Wu, take down all videos of Xiao BaoBao, find out who's been recording them, and take care of business for a week."
Remembering that Shao Shao had a scar that stretched across his back, he added, "Find out if any children between the ages of five to ten were admitted for severe back injuries in X country about ten to fifteen years ago and was later transferred to the national orphanage."
Struck by lightning from blue skies, Ming Wu wanted to protest but could tell it would be fruitless. Sobbing silently, he responded, "...Yes, boss." Who told him to try to make friends with the devil? ( ; ω ; )
Zhao Cui hummed and immediately arranged for a flight to X Country. Time to meet his baby again.
---
Chen Yu, who had no idea what natural disaster was coming for him, was having a delightful time.
Having been snubbed by all the teachers every day, Liu Yao's already wan face became haggard and her eyes puffy. Even in class, she didn't have the energy to look after the students. Chen Yu enjoyed watching the woman grow uglier and gloomier by the day, waiting for her to snap.
Presumably, in the original plot the male lead Nangong Wei would have stepped in.
But at the time Chen Yu had first arrived in this world, Liu Yao had barely started to consider dropping Headmaster Feng for Nangong Wei. The male lead had also just made some joking advances on Liu Yao without thinking much about it.
If Chen Yu hadn't destroyed Liu Yao's reputation, looks, and enthusiasm, her love of music and teaching would have made her the white moonlight in Nangong Wei's heart by now. Of course, Chen Yu was around, so Nangong Wei merely felt bored with the lethargic and homely female lead.
As for Chen Yu, once he met the rich playboy Nangong Wei, he truly gave thanks that he hadn't chosen to seduce him. Looking at the teenager with ear studs and eyeliner marks, Chen Yu only felt...so old.
Besides, there was really no need. Looking at him, Chen Yu could tell that he didn't have the brains or the creativity to have played much of a part in what happened to the original Shao Li, and currently, he hadn't even begun dating Liu Yao.
Liu Yao's breaking point came suddenly.
While walking past Liu Yao to hand out instruments to the students, Chen Yu appeared to be hit by her shoulder and dropped a violin bow. Fed up with what she now could guarantee was Shao Li's white lotus act, Liu Yao grabbed the bow and threw it at Shao Li's startled face, screaming, "Shao Li, what are you doing, breaking school property! Can you even afford to replace it? And stop acting like I'm abusing you, you clearly fell by yourself!"
Prepared, Chen Yu had already positioned himself so that when he dodged slightly, the flying bow skimmed past his cheek and smacked into Nangong Wei's face. He wouldn't hurt him excessively, but Nangong Wei had, after all, originally cooperated in oppressing the original owner and deserved at least this much pain.
Distracted by the show, Chen Yu stumbled, but instead of the ground, he fell into a burning embrace. Truly surprised this time, he stared up into an intense pair of pitch black eyes.
Ah? Seems to be familiar?
Looking down at the puzzled little face he'd done so much to in his imagination, Zhao Cui tilted his lips. Those red-rimmed eyes like a white rabbit and smooth apple red cheeks...truly made him want to just take a bite.
But when Zhao Cui noticed the scratch under Shao Li's eye, his gaze sharpened like knives. He softly stroked the cut and asked in a hoarse voice, "Teacher Shao, are you alright?"
The vibration against his chest made Chen Yu come back to reality from his admiration of the man's compelling face, and he struggled out from Zhao Cui's arms. That deep voice belonged to..."Mr. Zhao Cui?"
What was he doing here? What was with that thirsty gaze? Could it be...this was his stalker, and the hidden guards had retreated because of their employer's presence?
As a good little sheep, however, Chen Yu didn't dare ask any of these questions, instead hurriedly thanking him for his catch and turning around to 'help' Nangong Wei, whose nose was bleeding profusely.
Watching his baby leave him to take care of another man, Zhao Cui's eyes darkened. Of course he knew that Shao Shao was just doing his job, but that didn't mean he wasn't jealous.
Looking for a target to vent on, he turned to the woman he'd seen shrieking and throwing things at Shao Li.
Liu Yao had been frozen after she made a scene, but she woke up shuddering under this imposing man's blazing eyes. Gathering all her courage, she questioned, "Who are you? Outsiders aren't allowed—"
Before she could finish, Headmaster Feng, who had just been alerted to Zhao Cui's arrival, rushed into the classroom and bowed deferentially. "Master Zhao, I'm sorry I couldn't escort you in."
Zhao Cui leisurely commented, "It seems Headmaster Feng is really too busy these days. Incomplete reports, untimely responses, negligent management...Do you need to take a break for a while?"
Headmaster Feng raised his head abruptly. What had displeased Zhao Cui so much that this man wanted to fire him?
However, when he saw the chaotic and bloody scene around him, he had no excuses. He bowed again and vowed, "I apologize, Master Zhao, I will make sure to correct the issues immediately."
With his nosebleed finally slowing, Nangong Wei pointed at Liu Yao and yelled, "I don't care how you fix this, but you'd better make sure to fire that bitch or this laozi will take care of it for you! Damn, I think my nose is sprained!"
On the side, Chen Yu narrowly resisted facepalming. This young master is really...so stupid. How can a nose be sprained?
Putting aside his heartfelt sympathy for the boy's parents, he turned to Liu Yao and quietly said, "Teacher Liu, if you have a grudge against me, you should resolve it privately instead of pulling in our students. This time...I really can't help you protect your reputation."
Hearing this, the faces of both Headmaster Feng and Liu Yao sank.
The former could clearly recognize that Shao Li was turning his own words back on him, and the latter wanted to scream that Shao Li had obviously destroyed her reputation on purpose. But in front of Zhao Cui, they had to swallow their objections. With such a powerful witness, they knew that speaking up would only make their punishments heavier.