Characters:
Ye Fan
Luck: 800 (Arch-rival)
Strength: Mid-stage Internal Energy
Combat Power: 31
Charm: 15
Intelligence: 13
Skills: Intermediate Assassination Techniques, Intermediate Crane Fist, Intermediate Culinary Arts, etc.
"System, why is Ye Fan's luck still increasing?"
"Haven't I already seized a good portion of it from him?"
Chu Yi narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ye Fan's data.
"Ding! Ye Fan is the Chosen of this world. The Will of the World itself conspires in his favor."
"Unlike Su Chen, whom you eliminated previously—he was merely a man of considerable fortune."
"Is that so?"
"Seems I've grown complacent lately."
Upon hearing this explanation, Chu Yi's attitude toward Ye Fan shifted from casual to serious.
After all, not only had he snatched away Ye Fan's golden finger, but he also possessed a more powerful lineage and far superior strength.
By all accounts, Ye Fan should have already been reduced to a has-been, stripped of his protagonist aura.
And yet—things weren't unfolding so predictably.
A sudden urgency welled up within Chu Yi, a desire to elevate his strength even further.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ye Fan's gaze was locked onto Chu Yi, brimming with murderous intent.
Since suffering disgrace at Chu Yi's hands, his strength had surged dramatically.
Even his master had sung his praises, claiming he had stepped into the realm of true experts.
In all of Magic City, there were no more than thirty people who could best him now.
And ever since his rise in power, he had been yearning for a rematch with Chu Yi.
The atmosphere in the classroom grew suffocating, oppressive.
The students held their breath, their expressions anxious.
But in a far corner, a pudgy classmate with a slightly swollen cheek watched the scene with a glint of malice in his eyes.
He murmured under his breath, "Fight… fight already…"
Just as tensions were nearing a boiling point, a voice tinged with anger pierced through the classroom.
"What exactly are you two doing?"
It was Xia Yuehan, and by her side stood Xu Qian.
Xu Qian had rushed over in a panic upon hearing that one of her students had gotten into a fight.
But the scene she encountered sparked not concern, but irritation.
There was no sign of any outsiders picking a fight—just Ye Fan and Chu Yi, clearly moments away from clashing.
Seriously? Morning classes, then afternoon classes, and now this? A full day of learning, only to erupt in conflict?
"Teacher Xu, it's nothing. I was merely expressing concern over Chu Yi's injuries from the previous fight," Ye Fan said, quickly changing his demeanor and offering a courteous smile.
He knew he was in the wrong here—better to keep Xu Qian in the dark.
Yet even in his explanation, he slipped in a subtle jab—mentioning Chu Yi's involvement in a fight.
"Is that so?" Xu Qian's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"It is," Chu Yi chimed in calmly, having made his own calculations.
"Alright, perhaps I've misunderstood," Xu Qian sighed.
"But Chu Yi, come with me to the office."
With those words, she strode briskly from the classroom.
Ye Fan's eyes lit up with glee.
He knew Xu Qian loathed violence. If he could get her to turn against Chu Yi—even with his impressive background—what could Chu Yi do if she refused him entry into her class?
Ye Fan felt a surge of triumph.
Heh.
Chu Yi saw the smirk on Ye Fan's face and naturally understood his intentions.
But how could Ye Fan be certain he'd be scolded behind closed doors?
With a faint smile tugging at his lips, Chu Yi followed after Xu Qian, leaving a dazed Ye Fan behind.
Standing by the door, Xia Yuehan suddenly felt her good intentions might have backfired—had she just made things worse for Chu Yi?
At the Office Door
Chu Yi knocked softly.
"Come in," a voice responded.
He entered, calm and composed.
Xu Qian sat behind her desk, her delicate face puffed slightly with annoyance.
"Chu Yi, don't you have something to say for yourself?" she asked, clearly irked by his silence.
"Teacher Xu, I was merely standing up for our class."
"After all, everyone was trying to study, and someone barged in, intent on starting a fight."
"I stepped in to uphold peace. Shouldn't that be commendable?"
Chu Yi stepped forward, eyes gleaming as he met her gaze directly.
He had done nothing wrong—why should he fear her?
"I…"
Faced with his assertiveness, Xu Qian was momentarily flustered.
Truth be told, she wasn't truly angry at Chu Yi for fighting.
In fact, she admired his courage.
Her feigned sternness had been an attempt to assert some authority.
As a teacher, she found it unsettling that she couldn't see through Chu Yi.
He felt like a wisp of smoke drifting high in the sky—too distant, too elusive.
And that, for a teacher, was unacceptable.
Chu Yi saw the confusion in her eyes and smiled gently.
He stepped closer, his words low and direct.
"Teacher, if I'm not mistaken…"
"…you're ill."
Ill?
Xu Qian, who'd been a bit nervous, flushed with indignation.
She regained her composure and stared at him with cool detachment.
"Oh? Chu Yi, you seem to possess a wide array of skills. Do you know medicine too?"
Her tone had shifted, no longer that of a teacher forgiving her student.
Instead, suspicion crept into her heart—why had Chu Yi joined her class? Was it because of Xia Yuehan?
After all, Yuehan was the school belle and had no shortage of admirers.
Could Chu Yi be one of them?
She began studying him closely.
Handsome. Elegant. Clearly from a well-off family.
And my god, his skin is so fair—like carved white jade.
Xu Qian suddenly wanted to ask what skincare products he used—and if he could recommend one.
But Chu Yi, unaware of her thoughts, spoke again calmly.
"Teacher Xu, I can diagnose your condition right now."
"Every night, you feel anxious at the center of your chest. Your lower back aches."
"And during your monthly cycle, there's an abnormal amount of discharge."
"…How… how do you know that?"
Her voice trembled.
At first, she hadn't believed him.
But the more he said, the more shaken she became.
Even details she hadn't told a doctor—he knew them all.
Xu Qian's face turned crimson, like a ripe apple.
She trembled slightly, overcome with embarrassment.
This dignified, usually composed woman had never shown such a look before, let alone in front of a student.
But Chu Yi remained composed.
After a short pause to give her time to process the shock, he continued.
"My grandfather once served as an imperial physician. I learned by his side growing up."
"If you're willing, I can treat you."
"This…"
She hesitated instinctively. After all, he was her student. This was... inappropriate.
But then she thought of all the years of failed treatments, all the bitter herbs and the doctors who said nothing was wrong.
And yet, Chu Yi had pierced right to the truth.
Could he actually help?
Hope flickered in her eyes—but then doubt returned.
Still, after a moment of struggle, she spoke:
"Chu Yi… what treatment would that require?"
"Acupuncture," he said, his voice steady and clear.
Acupuncture?
Xu Qian froze.
Wouldn't that mean… physical contact?
She panicked for a second, glancing nervously around.
But when she met Chu Yi's gaze—calm, bright, and free of ill intent—she relaxed.
Maybe… maybe I was overthinking.
She opened her mouth again—but before she could speak, Chu Yi interrupted gently:
"If you're hesitant, why not take some time to consider?"
"This isn't an urgent condition."
"For now, I'll write you a prescription. Try the medicine and see how you respond."
"What do you think, Teacher Xu?"
"…Alright, Chu Yi."
Her resolve dissolved.
Perhaps this was the best path for now. She'd see how the medicine worked and ask again if things improved.
She consoled herself with that thought.
"Brush, brush, brush…"
Chu Yi began writing swiftly.
Angelica, Snow Lotus, Summer Grass…
Having inherited the legacy of a medical sage, he had become the most knowledgeable healer in the world.
And Xu Qian's condition—he knew it like the back of his hand.
Without even taking her pulse, he listed the herbs with precision.
They say a man absorbed in his work is at his most captivating.
At this moment, Chu Yi was entirely focused—and Xu Qian found herself utterly drawn in.
She watched him write, unblinking, motionless.
Seconds slipped by.
When Chu Yi finished and extended the prescription, her dazed expression caught him off guard.
"Teacher Xu, the prescription is ready. Are you… sleepy?"
"Oh! I—I see…"
His words jolted her back.
Blushing, she quickly took the slip of paper.
"Well then, Teacher Xu," Chu Yi said with a soft smile, "if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
He turned to go.
But just as he reached the door—
"Chu Yi, wait."
"Yes, Teacher Xu?"
"Nothing serious," she said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "Just… don't forget to find the class monitor tomorrow and collect your textbooks from the academic office."
"…And also, stop calling me 'Teacher Xu' in private. You can call me Sister Qian."
Sister Qian?
A glint of amusement flashed in Chu Yi's eyes.
Wasn't that Ye Fan's exclusive nickname?
He knew full well that only Ye Fan had called her that before.
And now…
Suppressing his inner thoughts, Chu Yi gave a soft laugh.
"Alright, Sister Qian."
"I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll head out."
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Xu Qian's favorability +8. You have significantly altered the storyline and gained 3 Luck Points and 1,200 Villain Points.
Ding! You have intercepted Ye Fan's storyline event—treating Xu Qian's illness—and completed the hidden mission: "Interceptor."
Three rewards available. Choose one:
1. Master-Class Voice (Captivating and rich; enhances charisma)
2. Master-Class Calligraphy (Ink flows like painting; your style will become a school of its own)
3. Advanced Culinary Arts (Flawless mastery of all cooking styles; Michelin-grade)
Hmm? Three choices?
Chu Yi was mildly surprised.
The third was easy to discard—he didn't need cooking skills right now.
The first was also unnecessary—he wasn't planning to enter showbiz.
As for charm? His looks were already enough.
That left the second.
Calligraphy.
With masterful calligraphy, he could easily impress the upper echelons of society.
Elder patrons often adored such artistry.
Then I choose…
"System, I select Option 2—Master-Class Calligraphy."
Ding! Reward granted.
A rush of knowledge flooded Chu Yi's mind—techniques, theory, muscle memory.
As if he had studied for years.
And with it, a touch of refined elegance settled over him.