With that inexplicable utterance, a chilling transformation swept over Yang Yi's expression; his eyes flashed with icy light as he glanced towards the nearby dense woods, a peculiar smirk playing on his lips.

"Worthy of the person the Boss told me to keep an eye on; discovered so quickly, have we?" a man muttered to himself while sprinting at full tilt.

"It seems I've become their target. Heh, isn't that exactly what I expected?" Yang Yi gazed distantly, intrigued.

The afternoon slipped away swiftly. Once the news that Yang Yi was the one Li Qian fancied spread throughout the First High School, he instantly became a major topic of gossip, for what else occupied the students there if not idle chatter, especially concerning the school's most beautiful girls.

Yang Yi did not return to class that entire afternoon, remaining seated by the large tree until the final bell was almost sounding before finally moving away.

"Damn, the boss skipped class all afternoon. Wonder where he’s hiding," Xu Ming and Fatty Lin murmured to each other after exiting the classroom and surveying their surroundings.

"Where else could he go? It’s already out there—Brother Yi has become the news of the First High," Fatty Lin said, sounding somewhat worried. Indeed, fame was perilous; a pig thrives until it gets too fat. Plus, that horde of Li Qian’s devoted fans were absolute animals; they wouldn’t let Yang Yi off the hook so easily.

"Second Brother, Third Brother!" Just as Fatty Lin and Xu Ming were heading toward the cafeteria, Xu Ming’s voice called out.

"Fourth Brother, you’re lagging!" Xu Ming shot him a look of disdain.

"Heh, can't be helped. If I hadn't been quick-witted today, damn it, I probably would have been punished by that shrew again," Ye Xiaohou lamented with frustration.

"Fourth Brother, honestly, I really look down on you. Of all people, you had to pick a fight with the resident shrew in your class—everyone knows that girl is a genuine nuisance!" Xu Ming remarked.

"Damn, stop ragging on me. Tell me about the boss instead. I heard quite a bit on my way over. That girl Li Qian actually revealed who she likes? The boss must be ecstatic about this," Ye Xiaohou said, thinly veiled jealousy coloring his tone.

"Fourth Brother, you’re such a rogue!" Fatty Lin spat dismissively.

"Uh, Second Brother, how am I a rogue?" Ye Xiaohou asked, genuinely confused.

Xu Ming added his scorn, "We are the boss’s brothers; we should sympathize with him. Think about it—who is that girl Li Qian? The Enigmatic Demoness. Didn't you see the scene at noon? The boss is really in trouble this time."

"Exactly, Brother Yi’s situation is hardly blissful right now," Fatty Lin agreed.

"It’s good that you guys have some conscience left."

"Boss! Brother Yi!" Hearing the voices, Xu Ming and the others spun around to face the newcomer. Their expressions tightened, especially Xu Ming’s. "Good thing I didn't say anything bad about the boss! Gahaha, I’m too smart; I knew he'd pop up suddenly. Haha!"

"What were you guys just saying was circulating around? What does that mean?" Yang Yi hadn't clearly caught their fragmented conversation earlier.

"Uh, Boss, you don't know?" Xu Ming looked at Yang Yi with astonishment.

Yang Yi frowned quizzically. "Know what?"

"Holy crap, Boss, you really don't know!" Ye Xiaohou looked just as surprised.

"Well, tell me then. What kind of slander is floating around about me now?" Yang Yi asked, rolling his eyes at them with annoyance.

"Boss, Li Qian announced at noon who she likes. You don't know about this?"

"Who does she like? Announced it?" Yang Yi’s heart gave a jolt, a terrible premonition instantly spreading. "Tell me quickly."

"Let me explain, Boss. There are students in the News Department at our school. The news that Li Qian likes you is already spreading like wildfire. Now you are..."

Before Ye Xiaohou could finish, Yang Yi felt a chill run down his spine. "Damn it. Stop talking. Let's go! I'm treating today; we’re eating out!"

"Great! Oh yeah, finally some good food!" Xu Ming cried out upon hearing Yang Yi offer to treat them.

Yang Yi shot him a look without a word and walked off directly. He noticed that some of the 'animals' rushing toward the cafeteria for lunch were already turning back. He didn't want to attract any unnecessary trouble.

"Damn it, hurry up and move! If we don't go now, it'll be too late," Fatty Lin chastised Xu Ming with contempt before glancing around.

Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou seemed to sense something as well and immediately followed Fatty Lin and Yang Yi. However, before they could even clear the school gates, five or six students had already surrounded them.

"Heavens, just leave me out of it; I don't want to waste time on this kind of tedious nonsense," Yang Yi muttered internally as he eyed the five or six students blocking their path. "Uh, may I ask, esteemed classmates, what brings you here...?"

"You are Yang Yi, right?" one of the five or six students asked.

Knowing evasion was impossible, Yang Yi paused, his mind racing, before a demonic smile suddenly curved his lips. The sight stunned Fatty Lin speechless; he knew that expression too well—when Yang Yi wore that look, things were about to get serious.

"I am Yang Yi. What is it? Are you looking for me?" Yang Yi spoke, while inwardly thinking grimly, Since I can't dodge it, I'll handle this the way I know how. Heh heh!

The student’s face flickered, and he immediately shouted, "Yang Yi, I challenge you!"

"What? You want to challenge me?" Yang Yi found the demand both absurd and amusing. "I don't have time for this childish game!"

"What? You look down on us?" the student growled, his face hardening.

"Heh, I never said that. But you aren't challenging me because of Li Qian, are you?" Yang Yi inquired.

"That’s right. If I lose, I promise I will never bother you again," the student declared with earnest gravity.

"I'm not interested. Please step aside!" Yang Yi said, sounding completely bored.

"No! If you won't accept my challenge, then you must agree to one thing: leave Li Qian, and never approach her again!" the student insisted.

To be honest, Yang Yi didn't dislike these students; he even admired their zeal as Li Qian’s devoted followers. However, excessive obstruction was irritating. Just as Yang Yi was about to say something, Li Qian’s voice cut through the air: "No!"

"Uh!" Everyone present gasped in shock, but only Yang Yi muttered under his breath. Seeing Li Qian approaching, her face slightly flushed, clearly having run over, he sighed. Li Qian slowly caught her breath before addressing the students: "No, he cannot accept your challenge."

【Writing while sick is truly grueling; feeling down. Brothers, please be understanding, give strong support, don't forget to collect, and certainly don't hold back on recommendations—vote often! Thank you!】