Chapter 52: Chapter 52: The Consequences of Misbehaving

Jiang Qingli was the talk of the entire academy, and a group of people soon began gossiping about her with abandon.

A department head said in an exaggerated tone, "The forums are going crazy. She grabbed his hand in the garage and wouldn’t let go, and even tried to kiss him, tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"She gets handsy with any good-looking guy she sees, trying to seduce and pester them. She’s a disgrace to our reputation as females!"

"Wasn’t it the same last time? Yu Chenglan was kind enough to save her, and not only did she take advantage of him in the water, but she even stepped on his face to get back to shore!"

"Didn’t the official announcement say Yu Chenglan’s Superpower went out of control?"

"Superpower out of control? As if! I think she did it on purpose!" That person’s gaze swept around and landed on Bai Yiyi. "Yiyi, what do you think?"

Bai Yiyi, who had been looking at the post, was taken aback.

Then, she lowered her eyes, her voice very soft. "Perhaps... it’s just a misunderstanding."

Her hands rested on her lap, and she kept her head down, speaking in a tiny voice. "My cousin... she was probably just in a bad mood and got a little emotional. She’s been like this before..."

Once she said that, the expressions of those who already disliked Jiang Qingli grew even more disdainful.

"I can’t stand being in the same academy as someone like her. I say, forget recruiting any special-admission students and just send Jiang Qingli straight to the Lower District! Let those low-class males from the Lower District teach her a proper lesson!"

Beneath her mask, Bai Yiyi’s lips curled. ’Looks like having someone make that post was the right move.’

’First, Ye Linyuan. A useless F Level, and his family is nothing special.’

’Once his reputation is ruined by Jiang Qingli, I’ll step in and ’save’ him. He’ll definitely see me in a different light then.’

’Then there’s Qin Muye, that arrogant Prince who cares so much about his pride. When he sees the scandal about Jiang Qingli seducing a professor, he’ll do anything to get a divorce. That’s when I can swoop in.’

’And right now is the perfect chance to say a few words in Jiang Qingli’s defense in front of Yuan Shiyao, earning myself some points for being magnanimous and kind.’

The others’ insults toward Jiang Qingli grew even more exaggerated. Bai Yiyi was just about to open her mouth to stop them when a piercing sound came from beside her.

SCREECH—

With a cold expression, Yuan Shiyao pulled out his chair. After sitting, his sharp, cat-like eyes swept across the room.

His usually calm voice was laced with frost. "Have you said enough?"

Everyone exchanged glances, seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

He usually stayed silent when they badmouthed Jiang Qingli. Why was he suddenly so angry today?

Ke An let out a cheeky whistle. "What, can’t handle us talking about your sister-in-law?"

Yuan Shiyao’s gaze turned even colder. "Shut up!"

Seeing that he was genuinely angry, the others didn’t dare continue the topic and changed the subject.

The student council president arrived soon after and, as usual, opened with some official-sounding pleasantries before starting the meeting.

’Sister-in-law?’

Bai Yiyi’s gaze swept over the young man’s profile as a thought suddenly struck her. ’Yuan Shiyao has an older brother, Yuan Shimo, I think? An academic genius, but with an F Level Superpower. He’s also one of Jiang Qingli’s Beast Husbands.’

’According to the data from the system, Yuan Shiyao really admires his brother.’

’He probably just doesn’t want his brother to be embarrassed.’

Bai Yiyi was quite satisfied with Yuan Shiyao. ’S Level, good-looking... he’s worth acquiring.’

’Once I’ve conquered Yuan Shiyao, I can use the points to become even more beautiful, and while I’m at it, have him get rid of Jiang Qingli for me.’

’That way, I won’t have to deal with her being so annoying all the time.’

What Bai Yiyi didn’t know was that while she was plotting how to get rid of Jiang Qingli, her conquest target had just opened that very post.

During the half-hour meeting, Yuan Shiyao read the post over and over again, more than ten times in total, barely hearing a word of what was being discussed.

Looking at the photo, Yuan Shiyao felt angry and annoyed, but there was also a twisted, sour feeling in his heart.

By the end, he even began to feel a sense of resentment that he himself didn’t notice.

-

After the meeting, Bai Yiyi stopped the young man, her voice gentle. "Thank you for speaking up for Sister Qingli just now. If she knew you defended her like that, she would definitely be very happy..."

Yuan Shiyao frowned, his expression awkward. "Who said I was speaking up for her? If your eyesight’s that bad, you should get it checked."

’It seems he really doesn’t have a good impression of Jiang Qingli.’

Bai Yiyi’s eyes curved into a smile. "I know. Secretary Yuan is a very, very good little kitty. You’re the most righteous of them all." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As she spoke, she reached a hand toward Yuan Shiyao, as if to pat his back and soothe him.

The young man took a step back, effortlessly dodging her, his brow furrowing even tighter.

"Who do you think you are? Acting like you know me so well."

Yuan Shiyao was already annoyed, and the thought that Bai Yiyi was Yu Chenglan’s future female master only irritated him more.

The noble young man mocked her without mercy. "If you have time for this, you’d be better off in the discipline room, managing your Beast Husband."

"If this keeps up, the next time you see him will probably be on a crime show."

After saying his piece, he turned and walked away.

[DING!]

[Conquest Target ’Yuan Shiyao’ Favorability -5!]

[Yuan Shiyao’s current favorability is -10!]

[Warning! This penalty has been offset by your stored points. However, the host has failed multiple times. If any conquest target’s favorability drops significantly again, the penalty will be doubled.]

Bai Yiyi froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

’How could this be?’

’I used almost the exact same moves to win over Chi Yun. One’s a fox and one’s a cat—they should be pretty similar!’

Just as she was reeling in confusion, she heard a shocked cry from nearby: "Holy shit! That guy on the forum is claiming to be Jiang Qingli’s Beast Husband!!!"

It felt like her head had been struck by a heavy blow.

Bai Yiyi quickly pulled out her terminal, her hands trembling as she logged into the forum.

The candid post from before had already been taken down. The new post at the very top was from Ye Linyuan.

She clicked on it. Inside, there was only a single screenshot.

It was a relationship certificate from the Star Network.

It clearly showed Ye Linyuan’s marital status as "Married."

And his female master was none other than Jiang Qingli!

Bai Yiyi sucked in a sharp breath, her head buzzing.

Half an hour ago, she was still scheming how to kill three birds with one stone and capture three high-quality males: Ye Linyuan, Qin Muye, and Yuan Shiyao.

Half an hour later, not only had she lost favorability with Yuan Shiyao, but she had also learned that Ye Linyuan was Jiang Qingli’s Beast Husband!

Bai Yiyi’s strength completely left her. She leaned against the wall, speechless for a long moment.

-

「Meanwhile, in the garage.」

Inside the aircraft, Jiang Qingli was being pressed down on the soft seat cushions, her chin held fast as the man kissed her forcefully.

The soft hem of her dress was bunched up in layers around her waist. Jiang Qingli struggled for a moment, and their lips parted. She gasped for air, her breathing unsteady. "Didn’t you say... we’d wait until we got back..."

"I changed my mind," Ye Linyuan stated the outrageous fact in the calmest of tones.

Jiang Qingli frowned and glared at him, cursing him in her mind.

She remained silent. Ye Linyuan gripped her waist, the pad of his thumb rubbing her earlobe, neither too lightly nor too heavily. A dark undercurrent swirled in his lowered gaze. "Thinking about him?"

"Him who?" Jiang Qingli didn’t understand.

"You’re playing dumb."

Ye Linyuan seemed to almost spit those three words out through gritted teeth.

After grabbing Jiang Qingli and leaving, Ye Linyuan had noticed she was absent-minded the whole way, her thoughts drifting.

’What, they haven’t seen each other in a while, so now she thinks that ugly red fox, Chi Yun, has gotten handsome? Is she feeling nostalgic?’

’So disobedient.’

’And disobedience requires punishment.’

Ye Linyuan offered no further explanation. He hooked the girl’s chin, tilted his head, and bit down on the delicate pearl of her lip. His sharp teeth grazed against her, bringing a sensation that was both slightly painful and thrillingly numb.

Unable to bear it, Jiang Qingli whimpered and tried to pull away, but he simply lifted her up and pressed her down onto his lap, holding her even tighter.

Just as his snake tail coiled around her waist, Jiang Qingli’s terminal suddenly started vibrating.

Ye Linyuan glanced at it and hung up immediately.

The terminal kept ringing, one call after another. Jiang Qingli found an opening, fumbled for her terminal, and answered.

But since she couldn’t see clearly, Jiang Qingli accidentally hit the speaker button.

The gentle, coaxing voice of a white fox male echoed inside the aircraft:

"Baby, now that you’ve gone public with him, what about us...?"