Everyone was still immersed in the recent simulated battle, and the sudden turn of events left them momentarily disoriented.

“Let go of me! What do you want?!”

Zhang Yi roared in anger, yet uncontrollable fear simultaneously seized him.

From the moment Rong Shi fired his gun, he had guessed that the matter was exposed, but he couldn’t understand why it was exposed so quickly!

The Chen family was promoted by the Zhang family themselves; they would never betray him!

Song Yu’s steps didn’t falter, his voice loose: “Your mental state is problematic. I’m taking you to see a psychiatrist. No need to thank me.”

Zhang Yi kicked and desperately clung to the doorframe, but was still easily dragged out.

“I have no problems at all!”

Song Yu sneered: “That’s what mentally ill people usually say.”

The people in the examination hall looked at each other, almost simultaneously turning to Lu Ming.

Everyone knew that Zhang Yi was Lu Ming’s man. Now that he was taken away by Song Yu, why was Lu Ming showing no reaction?

In fact, Lu Ming was almost fuming.

He didn’t know what Zhang Yi had done to provoke Song Yu so much. If it was an attack on Rong Shi’s brother, Song Yu wouldn’t be this angry.

Jiang Xingze’s incident was still fresh in his mind; he didn’t want a direct confrontation with Song Yu.

Song Yu didn’t look back: “Qin Luo, go get the car.”

Qin Luo immediately followed.

Although he didn’t know what had happened, it seemed exciting.

“Song Yu? What are you doing?” The invigilator, seeing the situation was wrong, quickly walked a few steps and spoke up to stop him.

But Song Yu wouldn’t listen to him. He dragged the person out of the examination hall and took a few steps into the elevator downstairs.

The corridor was full of students, but no one dared to stop him.

The invigilator turned around and saw Rong Shi packing up his equipment and walking out. He immediately grabbed him.

“Rong Shi, Song Yu dragged someone away. Why didn’t you stop him?”

Rong Shi said expressionlessly: “Teacher, as a partner, I don’t have the right to stop him from making friends. As the chairman, I don’t have the right to restrict other people’s behavior when nothing is happening.”

Invigilator: “…”

Others: “…”

Is this making friends?!

Out of the corner of his eye, Rong Shi saw Lu Ming glaring. Rong Shi met his gaze and said calmly: “The young master is just a little violent, but he’s actually kind-hearted and very cute.”

Everyone: “…” Your love filter is way too thick!

Half an hour later, Zhang Yi was dragged out of the car by Qin Luo, finding himself on a mountaintop in the suburbs.

Two other black hovercars were parked nearby, models he had never seen before.

Seeing Song Yu leisurely step out of the car, Zhang Yi cautiously retreated: “You, what do you want to do?! I’m General Lu’s man, do you dare touch me?!”

Song Yu sat on the hood of the car, pulling a lollipop from his pocket.

His slender fingers slowly peeled back the wrapper.

“Lu Youqi?” he scoffed, “What is he?”

Eight men in black emerged from the other two hovercars, holding iron rods and surrounding Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi’s heart pounded with fear, his throat dry: “If I lose a single hair, the Lu family will never let you go!”

Song Yu licked the lollipop, found the flavor decent, then popped it into his mouth.

“Then let’s try.”

With a wave of his hand, the eight men in black raised their iron rods.

“Don’t kill him,” Song Yu said, the lollipop still in his mouth, “Leave him enough breath to throw him in ice water. Let him enjoy it thoroughly.”

Zhang Yi’s screams echoed, accompanied by the dull thuds of iron rods hitting his body.

Seeing him vomit blood, Qin Luo couldn’t bear to look anymore.

“Brother, what did he do?”

Song Yu watched Zhang Yi, bloody and sprawled on the ground, without blinking.

“He got someone to splash a basin of ice water on Yangyang. Luckily, that kid is as strong as a calf, otherwise Third Uncle would be furious with me.”

“Yangyang?” Qin Luo rested his chin on his hand, thinking, “Your Third Uncle’s Cola?”

Seeing Song Yu nod, Qin Luo had a look of horror on his face, feeling nothing but pity for Zhang Yi.

Of all people to mess with, why him?

Song Yang’s father was the Third Prince, who married into the Gu family, but he had always been low-key. Apart from a few select families, outsiders didn’t know about his marriage.

His omega spouse was also formidable, holding the empire’s largest arms resources. Transactions with the military alone amounted to astronomical figures each year, truly the empire’s top wealthy family.

Song Yang was also an only child, pampered since he was young, living a life even more comfortable than a prince’s.

Dealing with him meant simultaneously making enemies with the royal family and the Gu family. Was there any way out then?

Qin Luo shook his head in disbelief: “Why throw your life away when you could live a good one?”

When the eight men in black stopped, Zhang Yi was lying on the ground, barely alive, most of his bones broken, blood smeared everywhere, unable to even scream in pain.

Song Yu admired the scene for a moment, then said cheerfully, “After he’s been in the ice water, send him to the hospital. Not a single scar must remain.”

“Yes!”

The men in black dragged Zhang Yi, who was like a pile of mud, into the hovercar.

Qin Luo was puzzled: “You’re going to heal him after beating him up?”

Song Yu chuckled: “Such a useful talent, of course, we have to keep him.”

Qin Luo: “…”

Who was he planning to scheme against next?

Song Yu chose this place to beat someone up with no intention of hiding it. Soon, those who needed to know received the news.

When Song Ke received the urgent report from his subordinate, he was with his omega.

“Lu Youqi’s dog dared to touch the royal family?” He seemed to hear some huge joke, laughing uncontrollably.

A special assistant: “Reportedly, the target was originally Rong Shi’s brother, but they accidentally got the wrong person.”

Song Ke snorted: “They can’t even figure out who they’re dealing with. Such a dog is better off without.”

Meanwhile, Lu Youqi, who had just finished a meeting, stood stunned for three seconds upon hearing the news.

“You said Zhang Song’s son laid hands on who?”

A subordinate whispered: “Song Yang, Song Yu’s cousin. The deputy officer’s son has now been sent to the psychiatric hospital on Academy Star.”

“Damn it! Is he looking for death?!”

Lu Youqi raged, smashing his fist into the tabletop.

His subordinate thought he was cursing Song Yu and added: “We’ve already filmed the entire process of Zhang Yi being beaten. As long as public opinion is controlled well, we can force Song Yu to drop out of school.”

“Force him to drop out of school?” Lu Youqi laughed in extreme anger. “What’s the use of him dropping out?!”

Song Yu was merely a disgraced prince now, unable to stir up any significant trouble. But Song Yang was backed by the entire Gu family and the Third Prince!

If it really came to it, the entire Lu family might be dragged down!

The door suddenly knocked, and Zhang Song rushed in anxiously: “Sir, my son was almost beaten to death! We can’t let this go!”

Lu Youqi punched him in the face: “Serves him right for dying! Saves the Lu family from being implicated!”

Zhang Song, caught off guard, fell to the ground, covering his face, completely bewildered.

Before he could figure it out, his personal terminal suddenly vibrated.

He swiped it open and saw a long string of messages from family members.

Relatives holding important positions in the military were all suspended pending investigation, and he himself received a suspension notice, on the grounds of suspected endangerment of national security.

Zhang Song’s fingertips trembled, and he collapsed to the ground, terrified.

“S-sir! Who exactly did my son offend?”

The Zhang family had been in business for many years. Although they couldn’t compare to major families like the Lu family, they had a decent reputation.

But now, they were being uprooted?!

Lu Youqi was extremely annoyed. He hadn’t expected the Third Prince to act so quickly. He just hoped the Lu family wouldn’t be implicated!

That evening, he received news.

“You said it was the Qin family who made a move?!” Lu Youqi was incredulous.

The spy reported: “Yes, Qin Chi personally gave the order.”

Lu Youqi stood by the window with his hands behind his back, silent for a long time.

If it was the Qin family, then the person behind the move couldn’t be the Third Prince.

“Is it him?” Lu Youqi thought of something, his face filled with shock. “Impossible, how dare he make a move at a time like this?”

A moment later, he muttered to himself, “No, he dares.”

Whether Song Yu was making a big deal out of it or genuinely angry for his cousin, this matter itself would receive the Third Prince’s support.

Ever since Song Yu withdrew from the succession race, the pressure on the Qin family from the top was lifted, and the Qin family became even more aggressive without worries.

Not long ago, Song Yu had the Qin family reject Lin Feng’s military rank application. He hadn’t expected it to be his turn so quickly.

These were all not good signs.

That evening, Lu Ming didn’t wait for Zhang Yi to return.

His terminal had been quiet all day, but he couldn’t calm down, vaguely feeling that it was the calm before a storm.

The next day, everyone was talking about the monthly exam results. The absence of one person in the class didn’t attract much attention.

“His score is over three hundred points higher than the second place, the old slacker got first place again.”

“I watched the chairman’s move back and forth all night, it was so damn cool!”

“Me too! His knife skills are incredibly smooth! It’s just his marksmanship still needs improvement, he almost made Zhang Yi pee himself, hahahaha.”

Using hundreds of bullets to only inflict minor skin wounds, that’s already a sharpshooter, okay? For an ordinary person, they’d be riddled with holes, dead as a doornail.

Qin Luo rolled his eyes, grumbling inwardly.

You can’t offend anyone, but especially not Rong Shi; he’s too cunning.

In the dean’s office, a group of teachers gathered around watching the simulated combat video.

Qian Fan couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling upwards: “This kid clearly could do better, he just doesn’t focus!”

“Don’t show off your student here, or I’ll get mad at you,” Zheng Hai said sourly.

Military theory professor Zhang Bo clicked his tongue: “To be honest, the written exam this time was very difficult. I’m surprised he scored sixty points.”

Qian Fan sneered: “Don’t be surprised. He’s holding back. If he had scored 61, I wouldn’t be so angry.”

Zheng Hai burst into laughter: “Next month it’s my turn to set the questions. I’ll see if he can still score 60!”

The school bell rang, and Zheng Hai and Zhang Bo left for their classes.

Qian Fan stayed in the office alone, happily watching the video, finding it incredibly pleasing to the eye.

His terminal suddenly rang. He casually swiped it open, and a hologram of an old man appeared in front of him.

“Father, is there something you need me for at this hour?”

Qian Li was over ninety years old, but he showed no signs of aging. His posture was upright, his white hair meticulously combed, faintly revealing the charisma of his youth.

“Has anything happened at school recently?”

Qian Fan was puzzled: “Nothing major, it’s business as usual.”

Qian Li responded faintly, his gaze catching the floating virtual window. On the screen, a young man leaped a few steps, striking with his knife fiercely and accurately.

Noticing his gaze, Qian Fan explained: “This is a student I’m teaching this year, named Rong Shi.”

Qian Li’s voice was deep and resonant, with a hint of nostalgia: “He’s grown so much…”

On the third day of Zhang Yi’s disappearance, someone finally noticed his absence.

“Could he really have had a mental breakdown from being chased by crocodiles?”

“I heard from a relative that the entire Zhang family was dismissed overnight!”

“Holy crap! What happened?!”

“I’m not sure of the specifics, only heard they offended someone very powerful.”

Lu Ming’s face was grim. He quickly returned to his dorm and sent a message to Lu Youqi.

On the screen, Lu Youqi rubbed his temple, looking fatigued.

“Don’t get involved in this.”

Lu Ming’s heart pounded: “Then Zhang Yi, he—”

“Don’t mention that idiot!” Lu Youqi took a deep, irritated breath. “I’m asking you, was it your idea or his to go after Song Yang?”

Lu Ming was unfamiliar with the name: “He had previously mentioned going after Rong Shi’s brother, but I didn’t agree. He probably did something behind my back.”

Lu Youqi leaned back against the chair, and after a moment, said: “Don’t do anything recently. Don’t give him any more excuses to target us.”

Lu Ming: “Him?”

But Lu Youqi hung up without saying anything else.

In another dorm, Qin Luo hung up the call and cheerfully ran to knock on Song Yu’s door.

“Brother, it’s done! All the positions are now filled by our people.”

“Mhm.” Song Yu replied indifferently.

Qin Luo helped himself to an apple, sat on the carpet, and munched on it: “Why don’t you seem very happy?”

The positions held by the Zhang family might not have been high-ranking, but they were crucial in various aspects. It took Lu Youqi years to place his people one by one, and now they were all removed overnight. He was probably hiding behind closed doors, crying.

Song Yu was doing physics problems, and casually asked: “How are Lin Dang and Lin Mo’s reports coming along?”

Qin Luo: “Don’t even get me started. Lin Feng said his Lin family’s omega is noble and hired specialists from the First Military District Hospital in Imperial Capital Star to examine them. Who doesn’t know that hospital is full of his Lin family’s people!”

“First Military District Hospital?” Song Yu looked up. “Don’t we have someone there?”

Qin Luo: “Huh?”

Song Yu: “The doctor from the military medical department stationed at the First Military District Hospital happens to be a Zhang family member.”

Qin Luo’s chewing paused, then he slapped his thigh, his eyes lighting up: “That’s right! We have someone!”

Song Yu pulled the bunny doll from his bedside and hugged it: “Do you think Bunny would like Rong Shi’s type?”

Qin Luo was still excited, then the topic suddenly took a 180-degree turn: “Huh?”

Does this relate to what we were just talking about?

Song Yu held the bunny’s paw in his hand, playing with it: “Although I’m confident I can beat Rong Shi, if Bunny likes him, then I’m definitely going to lose.”

Qin Luo: “…Actually, I think it’s too early to consider these questions.”

“Too naive.” Song Yu’s expression was serious. “Rong Shi is too scheming. He could abduct Bunny any time.”

Qin Luo: “…But you don’t even know if Bunny God is a B or an O, how can you compete with him?”

Song Yu felt a pang in his heart, his expression blank.

Rong Shi was Bunny’s childhood friend, but he hadn’t even met Bunny!

How could he tolerate this?!

Qin Luo wanted to say that online relationships shouldn’t be taken too seriously, that Bunny God might even be a bald old man.

But he didn’t dare say it, fearing the prince would tear him apart.

Just as he was racking his brains for comforting words, he saw Song Yu toss the doll onto the bed and storm out of the room.

Qin Luo hastily called out to him: “It’s so late, where are you going?”

Song Yu: “To chat about life with my love rival.”

Qin Luo: “…”

In the dorm, Rong Shi was rewriting 01’s program when the door was suddenly knocked on roughly.

He frowned, pretending not to hear.

After the knocking continued for a while, his terminal vibrated.

[Open the door quickly! Lin Dang and Lin Mo’s examination reports are out.]

Rong Shi’s eyes changed, and his long legs carried him to the door in a few steps.

“So slow.” Song Yu walked in leisurely, hands in his pockets.

Rong Shi’s gaze lingered on his clothes for a moment longer.

Song Yu was wearing loose silk pajamas, a shirt-style top with long pants, accentuating his excellent body proportions.

But that wasn’t the main point.

Why were his pajamas covered in tiny rabbits?

Looking closely, the rabbits looked exactly like his virtual avatar!

“Why are you staring at me like that, it’s disgusting.” Song Yu sat down at the bar, his expression one of disdain.

Rong Shi: “…”

“What are those strange patterns on you?” Rong Shi was extremely curious; his gaze couldn’t move away from the rabbits.

His own image printed on his love rival’s pajamas was just absurd.

“You don’t even know him?” Song Yu was about to mock him, but suddenly realized.

Wait, Rong Shi likes Bunny, but doesn’t even know Bunny’s virtual avatar. What does that mean?

Doesn’t that mean they haven’t played games together?

They grew up together, but never played games together. What does that mean?

Doesn’t it mean they’re not as close as he thought?

Thinking of this, Song Yu felt better.

He said somewhat triumphantly, “Oh, this is my most admired great god. An old person like you who doesn’t play games definitely wouldn’t know him.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Being admired by his love rival was even more absurd.

Rong Shi thought about it again, something wasn’t right.

Song Yu likes Little Cat, and he admires him. What does that mean?

Doesn’t that mean Little Cat often talks about him in front of Song Yu?

Rong Shi felt better again.

He magnanimously made coffee for his love rival: “You heard him say that?”

Song Yu picked up the cup, and as he lowered his gaze, his mind raced with a thousand thoughts.

Could it be that Bunny intentionally hid his account from Rong Shi?

This sense of superiority, “I know the truth, and you’re kept in the dark,” made Song Yu feel even better.

“Yeah, he brings you up often. Haven’t you heard him talk about it?”

Brings him up often…

Rong Shi’s mind flashed with images of the little cat gesturing, trying hard to tell others how amazing he was.

So cute.

Thinking of this, Rong Shi felt even better.

“Where are Lin Dang and Lin Mo’s examination reports?”

Song Yu rested his chin on his hand and smiled: “Want to see? Give him up, and I’ll give them to you.”

Rong Shi put down his coffee cup: “His heart isn’t with you. Even if I give him up, he won’t belong to you.”

Song Yu smiled and retorted: “Whether his heart is with me, I don’t know, but it’s definitely not with you, so just get lost.”

Rong Shi was in a good mood and didn’t argue with him: “He’s lively and cheerful. You, on the other hand, are too calculating and crazy. It’s not a good match.”

Song Yu: “And you, with your poisonous tongue and poker face, are a good match?”

Rong Shi: “…”

Rong Shi: “I don’t have a poker face.”

Song Yu sneered: “Then smile and let me see?”

Rong Shi: “Why should I smile for you?”

Song Yu: “Isn’t that still a poker face?”

Rong Shi: “…”

Seeing that negotiations were stalled, Song Yu pulled out his trump card: “Last time I showed you the report, you said you’d teach me how to date, remember?”

Rong Shi: “…”

Teaching a love rival how to date, no idiot would do that.

Song Yu: “Last time’s and this time’s, you owe me two favors. I don’t ask for anything else, just that you leave him alone.”

Rong Shi: “Don’t even think about it.”

Song Yu tilted his head and looked at him: “Look at how you tormented people in the simulated battle. I’m really worried he’ll be subjected to domestic violence if he’s with you.”

Rong Shi looked back: “Speaking of tormenting methods, you’re more proficient than me, aren’t you? You’re also a domestic violence expert.”

Song Yu: “Someone like you won’t find a wife.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Rong Shi: “Same to you, little widower.”

Song Yu: “…” Damn it.

Author’s note: 

Song Cat: You owe me a favor, teach me how to date, give me Bunny.

Rong Bunny: Not paying, won’t teach, won’t give.

Later—

Rong Bunny: I can teach you how to trick Bunny into a kiss.

Song Cat: You motherf—! Tell me now! [Angry and greedy]