Lin Yan withdrew her hand as soon as she got off stage, smiling at Gu Ting. "We both did a great job today. It seems our practice wasn't in vain!"
"Yeah, absolutely. Lin Yan, you were saying you were nervous before going on stage, but you performed exceptionally well. I think you even did better than during our practices," Gu Ting praised.
"That's because I secretly practiced more! You have no idea how long I practiced," Lin Yan winked playfully. "I need to go back now. My friend is waiting for me outside. It was a pleasure collaborating with you today. I'm heading off now!" Without waiting for his reply, Lin Yan waved goodbye to Gu Ting and turned to leave.
"Hey! She's already gone, stop staring!" A boy in a school uniform nudged Gu Ting with his elbow. "If you're reluctant, why don't you go chase after her? After all, what girl could resist the most popular guy on campus like you!" The boy grinned teasingly.
Gu Ting snapped back to attention, didn't respond to his words, and changed the subject. "Let's go. The performance is over. My treat for dinner!"
"Alright, it seems you have your own plans. To celebrate performing on stage with the goddess, you have to treat us to a big meal!" Wang Xiang, the boy in the school uniform, teased. "But you should hurry up and leave, too. Otherwise, once things wrap up, you might not be able to get away!" He then called out to a few of his usual companions, ready to enjoy a lavish meal.
"Yeah, yeah! Gu Ting performed with the campus beauty today! So enviable, we definitely need an expensive meal!"
"Exactly, Gu Ting is making it almost impossible for us mere mortals to live! We must have an expensive meal!" Everyone knew that Gu Ting came from a well-off family and wouldn't care about the cost; they just wanted to have fun! Besides, their own families weren't much worse off than his. It was just that Gu Ting was always the "child from another family" their parents talked about. Thankfully, Gu Ting had a good personality, or they might have really considered ambushing him!
So, five or six boys, calling out to each other, left through the back door. Before leaving, Gu Ting glanced back in the direction Lin Yan had gone, a determined glint in his eyes.
However, Lin Yan, who had already left, and her system didn't notice the pair of eyes that had been watching her with a hint of interest from the moment she stepped on stage until she left.
Days passed, and Lin Yan began to grow accustomed to the busy life of high school. She found it quite pleasant, as she had attended high school abroad and hadn't experienced the pressure of the notorious Gaokao exams in China!
She started to familiarize herself with the original host's friends and family, trying to embody another person, become someone else, and experience a different life.
Although the original host's family wasn't as wealthy as hers, they were still well-off. After all, they could afford to send their daughter abroad for studies, so their financial situation couldn't have been bad. However, it certainly couldn't compare to the male lead's family. The male lead could start a business while still in school, and later forced the original host to leave, which meant he clearly couldn't have done it all on his own.
But the system couldn't quite understand Lin Yan's intentions. In its opinion, as long as Lin Yan stayed away from the male and female leads and didn't get involved in their relationship, the mission could be completed. Yet, her host seemed to have other ideas.
"Host, since your duet last time, rumors about you two being a good match have started circulating in the school. And judging by the male lead's attitude, he seems to be welcoming it. Aren't you going to stop it?"
"Why should I stop it? The more proactive he is, the better. After all, the more obvious his actions, the more it proves that he made the first move, right?" Lin Yan chuckled. "He likes me, but what does that have to do with me? I'm just a studious, well-behaved girl, after all!"
Lin Yan smiled and said goodbye to her companions, then walked home alone. Rumors should spread as far and wide as possible, so others would know how much the male lead cared about her.
"But what are you doing this for, Host?" the system asked, utterly perplexed.
"You'll understand in the future!" Lin Yan didn't explain anything to the system, as it might not grasp her intentions even if she did.
After crossing an intersection, Lin Yan walked into a small alley. It was her usual route home, but the alley seemed different today. Several teenagers with half-long, emo hairstyles blocked her path. Lin Yan frowned and turned to leave, only to find a few similarly dressed individuals blocking the other end of the alley.
"System, help me locate the male lead!" Lin Yan commanded mentally.
"Immediately!" the system replied at once. It also sensed that something was wrong. They had walked through this alley many times before without any issues, but these people were clearly up to no good today!
"Beautiful lady, it's my birthday today. Lend us some money to celebrate!" the leader, a red-haired man, said with a lewd smile.
"This is all I have. Is it enough?" Lin Yan took out her wallet, emptied all the money inside, and handed it over.
"Host, the male lead is not far from the alley entrance, but I don't know if he's just passing by or waiting there specifically." the system's voice chimed in.
"Do you think it could be a coincidence?" Lin Yan's eyes were fixed on the group in front of her. Although she had practiced Wushu for several years, she wasn't in her own body now. Moreover, there were seven or eight of them. If a fight broke out, she wouldn't be able to escape unscathed.
"You're quite sensible!" The leader took the money and casually fiddled with it, a look of disdain on his face. "Beautiful lady, this isn't enough! Seeing you're a student, you probably don't have anything valuable on you. How about you stay and have a drink with us brothers?"
Lin Yan took a few steps back, leaning against the wall. "I've already given you the money. If you keep this up, I'll call the police." Lin Yan's voice trembled slightly. It was still early in the plot, and she didn't have her phone in high school. Otherwise, she could have called the police. However, the system could help call the police, but there was no hurry yet! Someone would always appear at the crucial moment!
"Oh, the little beauty has quite a temper!" The red-haired youth took a few steps forward. "It's just, I wonder if this pretty face of yours..." He then reached out to touch Lin Yan's face. Lin Yan immediately turned her head to dodge and secretly braced herself, ready to counterattack at any moment!
"If you don't want this hand, I can help you chop it off!" a lazy, unfamiliar male voice echoed from the alley entrance.