News of Lin Feng's stunning reversal spread across campus like wildfire.
Clips from the talent competition had gone viral on campus forums, with titles like:
"From Sabotage to Standing Ovation: Who Really Is Lin Feng?"
"That Moment the System Glitched—and a Legend Was Born."
"Public Humiliation Turned Public Praise? Lin Feng's Genius Move."
And perhaps more telling than the articles were the comments:
"Bro just clapped back without saying a word."
"Ziyan's gonna have to transfer schools."
"Okay but… why is this Lin Feng guy always ten steps ahead?"
In a corner room of the university's media building, Xu Qinglan sat back in her chair, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at the replay looping on her tablet. Rouran stood behind her, sipping tea with a faint smirk.
"That wasn't just retaliation," Qinglan muttered. "That was performance warfare."
"He was supposed to flinch," Rouran added. "Instead, he rebranded sabotage into spectacle. Poetic."
Xu Qinglan leaned forward. "He used the system glitch like he expected it. Like he wanted it."
Rouran's eyes sparkled. "Now you see why I didn't stop him at Golden Chamber. Lin Feng doesn't play by their rules. He turns the game board upside down."
Meanwhile, in the music department…
Jiang Yue'er sat at a piano bench, staring at her phone. She had watched the video five times now.
At first, she'd felt admiration. Then curiosity. Then something deeper—something that made her heart tug unexpectedly.
The Lin Feng she'd seen perform wasn't just defending himself—he was protecting others in the process. Guo Yuwei, the performers, even the volunteers caught in the chaos… somehow, he'd managed to keep them all standing.
She pressed one key on the piano.
Soft. Solemn. A little shaky.
"I was wrong," she whispered to herself. "He doesn't just survive pressure… he turns it into music."
At the same time, on the far side of campus, inside a high-end tea house reserved for elite members…
Luo Zixuan stood quietly, staring at a name printed on a list taped to the wall.
"Preliminary Round: Investment Challenge – Participant Pool"
#17: Lin Feng
His jaw tensed.
So the rumors were true. The "rookie" had been invited.
"I gave him a chance to walk away quietly," Zixuan muttered to himself. "Now he wants to play on my turf."
A voice beside him spoke, soft and sharp like a knife through silk.
"Then make sure he regrets it."
He turned. A woman in a crisp black suit, dark sunglasses, and bright crimson nails sat sipping oolong across from him.
"Miss Zhou?" he asked.
She smiled thinly. "The next challenge isn't about public applause. It's about numbers. Influence. Strategy."
"And Lin Feng is walking into it blind."
Scene Transition: Lin Feng's Apartment
The system pinged.
[System: Host, congratulations. Your social threat index has increased by 53%. You are now officially 'a problem' in upper circles.]
[New Opportunity Unlocked: Elite Investment Simulation – A Real-Time Negotiation Contest. Prize: Status, Access, & Resources.]
[Warning: Rival Luo Zixuan will also participate.]
Lin Feng stretched lazily, arms behind his head.
"Simulation, huh? Sounds boring."
[System: Boring? It's Monopoly with sharks and real cash.]
He opened the digital invitation on his phone. The rules were tight. Four participants. One chance. Only the top two would advance to the real investment round.
And… audience voting would determine who got a starting capital bonus.
Perfect.
He messaged Guo Yuwei.
"Feel like joining me for a quiet lunch tomorrow? I might need a good luck charm."
She replied seconds later.
"I prefer 'partner in crime.' I'm in."