"Hahaha~"
The laughter eased the tension in the air.
An entertainment female reporter couldn't hold back any longer.
"...There have been rumors that Mr. Qiao has been single for so many years because there's something wrong with his sexual orientation. Can we interpret this statement as... Mr. Qiao making an indirect clarification?"
The auditorium suddenly went quiet.
The sharp question made the atmosphere of the press conference a bit weird.
But Qiao Dongyang just laughed, "Who are you? Do I need to clarify anything to you?"
"..."
That was really awkward.
This silence filled the room.
The female reporter sat down, slightly embarrassed.
Qiao Dongyang's face that could charm anyone still had a smile, and his tone was sharper than his gaze.
"I don't date because there are too many dumbass women like you."
Some people in the audience laughed.
Some female students even had a look of mysterious flirtation in their eyes.
Soon people realized—Qiao Dongyang, even with his new highbrow persona, was still that same debauched, arrogant, failing-student Qiao Dongyang.
I'm the best there is.
Apart from himself, he sees no one else.
...
In the bustling crowd, Chi Yue hung her fluffy head, half her face buried in the crook of her arm, her breathing even, the entire person relaxed and languid, sleeping like a lazy cat...
"Moonlight? Moonlight!"
Wang Xueya nudged her with her elbow, and Chi Yue's head finally moved.
"Huh? Is it over?"
"..." She had actually slept through the whole thing.
Wang Xueya, unable to muster a retort, handed her an invitation, "Here, I snagged it for you... Thanks to the brilliance of your sister here, I perfectly handled Assistant Hou's tricky question and got two invites! Say, am I awesome or what?"
Being raised in such a family, Wang Xueya naturally knew more than other students.
Chi Yue nodded, "You're not awesome... you're human."
"Chi Yue!" Wang Xueya's ears turned red, and she gritted her teeth, "Don't you know any manners, shouldn't you kneel and thank me?!"
"Oh." Chi Yue rolled her eyes and pushed the invitation away, "I don't want to attend. Give it to someone else!"
Not attending?
Isn't she interested in money?
The champion's prize is a hundred million!
Wang Xueya clenched her teeth so hard, "Are you trying to infuriate me? So you can inherit my online store shares?"
Chi Yue patted her on the arm and stood up, "Don't worry, the online store might die but you won't."
The press conference had ended, and a group of female students ran over to surround Qiao Dongyang, chirping away, hoping to get acquainted.
Chi Yue had no interest in joining the hubbub and glanced at Wang Xueya, "Let's go!"
"Chi Yue!"
A shout suddenly echoed through the auditorium.
"Chi Yue! I love you!"
An even louder confession silenced the noisy auditorium in an instant.
Chi Yue slowly turned her head to look at the boy who had grabbed the microphone to speak.
He was very nervous, his hand holding the mic slightly trembling, his face full of acne pulsing with excitement.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he, like a warrior ready for battle, bent down to take a bunch of roses prepared in advance from a classmate's hands and knelt on one knee.
"Chi Yue, be my girlfriend!"
"..."
Chi Yue squinted at him.
The boy, meeting her gaze, trembled with emotion, his voice shaking, "I've liked you for three years, we'll soon graduate and leave school, and if I don't say these words today, I might never have the chance. Chi Yue, please give me a chance. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life, and you can teach me for mine!"
"..."
Oh God!
Was there such a brazen move?
Chi Yue remained silent as a crowd of people began to egg them on.
"Agree to it!"
"Agree to it!"
"Chi Yue, agree to it!"
Audiences are always more excited than the protagonists.
The onlookers clapped and cheered, with screams piercing through the air.
Chi Yue's lips curled slightly, and she rubbed her head.
"Sorry! I have too many people to mentor. I'm afraid I'll be too busy!"
After her crisp refusal, she walked straight through the crowd without looking at anyone.
The boy's slightly juvenile face turned beet red, embarrassed and unable to exit the situation gracefully. Seeing Chi Yue about to leave, he rushed forward and shouted, "Chi Yue, I'm laying it all out for you today. I've made my decision. In this lifetime, I want no one but you. If you don't agree to be my girlfriend, then... I'll jump off the laboratory building to prove my point with death."
Wow!
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
"Such devotion!"
"Are you moved to tears?"
A group of girls screamed while clutching their hearts, completely oblivious to the moral coercion.
Chi Yue glanced at the people enjoying the drama.
"When are you going to jump?"
The boy stuttered nervously, "... if you say yes, I won't jump."
Chi Yue frowned, "What kind of joke is that? You've said it now, how can you not jump!"
The boy's cheeks twitched slightly, "Chi Yue, my life today is in your hands. You decide."
Chi Yue looked at him and laughed.
A half second later, her expression turned cold.
"Jump! If you don't, you're my grandson!"
"... Whoa!"
From somewhere, laughter erupted, throwing off the mood of heartfelt affection.
The boy's face changed instantly.
Chi Yue's expression was cool and detached, "Little raven, get a stool, buy some sunflower seeds!"
"Hahahaha..."
Wang Xueya pinched her face, laughing so hard she almost contorted.
However, Chi Yue kept a straight face, walked seriously toward the auditorium entrance.
Sitting among a group of excited female students, Qiao Dongyang watched the spectacle with a slightly somber expression and contemplative eyes, as if swimming through innumerable shimmering stars...
"Monkey."
He suddenly stood up.
Taking a box from Assistant Hou, he called out to Chi Yue.
"Miss, wait a moment!"
Chi Yue pretended not to hear.
But Wang Xueya pulled on her, "Moonlight, Elder Brother Qiao is calling for you!"
Such a traitor!
Chi Yue sighed and resigned herself to turn around, acting as if it was the first time she saw Qiao Dongyang.
"What is it?"
Qiao Dongyang didn't answer and slowly walked up to her. He gazed down at her quietly for a full three seconds, as if he were assessing whether the prey before him suited his taste and was worth his effort...
"Heh!"
After a long pause, a deep chuckle spilled from his throat.
"You left something behind. Take it! Return property to its owner."
Chi Yue had seen the box long ago.
Her nerves twitching, she stiffened up and pretended nothing was amiss.
"Sorry, I haven't left anything behind."
She grabbed Wang Xueya, intending to leave, but to her utter surprise—Qiao Dongyang actually opened the box in front of her and offered its content to her.
"Don't be shy about it. I've seen this a lot. Take it, you can pretend I'm invisible!"
"..."