The Library Showdown

The normally quiet library now bristled with tension, the two opposing groups glaring at each other like rival gangs poised for a turf war.

Leading one side was Lin Moshu, whom Jiang Zhe recognized. The man at the head of the other group was tall and long-limbed, his white shirt slightly loose yet not appearing empty. His handsome features, framed by thin, gold-rimmed spectacles, held a gentle, smiling demeanor.

However, as he pushed up his glasses with one hand, his dark eyes remained remarkably cold.

He was like a hunter perpetually observing his prey, ready to strike a fatal blow the moment an opportunity arose. He resembled a venomous snake, concealed by its disguise, constantly flicking its scarlet tongue to test the air.

If Jiang Zhe’s niece were to witness this, she would likely shriek in delight, proclaiming him the very embodiment of the ‘suited beast’ she adored—a man of ruthless charm, endlessly captivating, and now, a face for her dreams of passionate conquest.

From Jiang Zhe’s perspective, both the man’s appearance and demeanor were exceptional. He seemed to be another male lead from the game.

He had only been in the game for a few days, yet he had already encountered three male leads.

The probability felt unusually high.

Jiang Zhe quietly stood by the door, observing the spectacle. Fortunately, everyone’s attention was fixed on the two factions, and with Jiang Zhe half-covering his face with his hand, he went largely unnoticed unless someone looked closely.

Lin Moshu, at the heart of the storm, was not as relaxed as Jiang Zhe. After the fencing club duel, he had patiently persuaded his cousin, Lin Qi, to abandon his wild schemes. Leaving Fenghua High School was now a certainty, as they lacked the capital to contend with the Ning family.

But fortunes could turn, and in a few years, things would not remain static.

Just as no flower blooms forever, powerful aristocratic families also rise and fall.

Ning Ran’s triumph would not last indefinitely.

Lin Moshu’s promises were grand and enticing, and a naive youth like Lin Qi, who had yet to be tempered by society, found them irresistible. As expected, he was swayed, nodding excitedly and agreeing to Lin Moshu’s plan, vowing to stay abroad and await the glorious day of his return.

Lin Qi’s cooperation brought a faint smile to Lin Moshu’s lips, though he felt a pang of regret that this pawn had been removed from the board too soon.

Given more time, Lin Qi could have matured further and offered greater value. As it stood, he broke too easily, no longer worth cultivating.

Even if Lin Moshu were to fully command the Lin family and gain the power to challenge the Ning family, he had no intention of recalling Lin Qi from abroad. Waste belonged in the recycling bin, not loitering in his presence.

However, he couldn’t openly sever ties just yet. It was best to exile him abroad as soon as possible!

Yet, after seeing Lin Qi’s nod, Lin Moshu had expected to send the young man away immediately. To his surprise, Lin Qi’s next words were an unexpected demand for money.

The Lin family was vast and wealthy, but it also had many children. The current patriarch adhered to the law of the jungle, believing that the strongest heir earned the right to inherit, while the incompetent deserved no financial support.

In the past, despite Lin Qi not being highly valued by the family, his occasional success in competitions proved he wasn’t entirely useless. While he didn’t receive the extensive resources showered upon Lin Moshu, he still secured a generous living allowance.

Now, after the fencing club duel and having angered Ning Ran, Lin Qi knew that he would likely receive not a single penny from the family in the future. He had to prepare for what lay ahead.

Every child who survived in the Lin family possessed a cunning streak; naivety and innocence had long since vanished.

Despite Lin Qi’s alliance with Lin Moshu, his precarious situation made it difficult to maintain his original convictions. He, too, had to plan for himself.

Consequently, Lin Qi demanded money from Lin Moshu, and no small sum at that. If Lin Moshu refused, their cooperation would have to be suspended, and accounts would need to be settled.

It was precisely this leverage that left Lin Moshu with no choice but to swallow his pride, grit his teeth, and agree to fund Lin Qi’s departure abroad.

He mentally added this expense to the tab of Ning Ran and Jiang Zhe.

After swiftly dealing with Lin Qi’s affairs, Lin Moshu felt a throbbing headache. To unwind, he decided to visit the library for some reading, only to unexpectedly encounter his arch-rival and clash with him once more.

Bai Ling.

The Bai family boasted a profound academic legacy, with generations reportedly producing great literary figures and high-ranking officials. Countless treasures, passed down from their ancestors, had survived wars and calamities, remaining perfectly preserved. They now owned dozens of art galleries and private museums both domestically and internationally.

With such immense material wealth and a vast collection of artworks, the Bai family wielded considerable influence in China’s upper echelons. Yet, their household rules were exceptionally strict; most direct descendants rarely ventured out, making them almost impossible to spot.

From childhood, they were educated in private family schools, secretly cultivating heirs, from whom the most outstanding individual would eventually be chosen.

This had always been the tradition, but for some unknown reason, Bai Ling, a direct descendant, had managed to persuade the family’s old guard to allow him to study at Fenghua High School.

And he hadn’t been content to merely study.

Ever since they discovered their shared goal of earning the Fenghua principal’s favor, a subtle, yet fierce, rivalry had begun.

They seemed intent on fighting until one of them was utterly defeated.

Now, on the surface, they were arguing over a book, but in reality, they were locked in a fierce competition.

Normally, Lin Moshu wouldn’t have directly confronted Bai Ling. The Bai family’s circumstances differed from the Lin family’s; Bai Ling had powerful backing, while the Lin family behind Moshu preferred to assess the situation and observe.

However, first Ning Ran had defied him and shown her claws, then the useless Lin Qi had outmaneuvered him to demand money. Lin Moshu’s mood was foul, and Bai Ling had conveniently walked into his path, like a blocked heating pipe—his suppressed frustration was building, and he was desperate for a release.

Otherwise, he might just explode on the spot.

“Bai Ling, it’s a matter of individual ability. Your current behavior is truly unsightly,” Lin Moshu sneered, not explicitly stating his meaning, but his words were clearly loaded. Only a few present understood the underlying implication.

Although the two’s rivalry was well-known, it had always been a covert struggle, never before brought into the open like this. While they hadn’t completely torn off their masks, they were close.

Tsk, tsk, what’s wrong with Lin Moshu today? Is he on a warpath?

Such a temper!

Those in the know and those not were all silently enjoying the drama. Bai Ling, however, maintained his gentle smile, his refined and handsome appearance seeming harmless, the glasses on his nose adding a touch of scholarly fragility.

He didn’t seem angered by Lin Moshu’s words, demonstrating excellent composure. Yet, his reply was pointed: “How can one allow someone else to sleep beside their bed? I dislike others coveting what is mine.”

Instantly, their powerful auras erupted, their gazes clashing sharply.

Standing by the door, Jiang Zhe longed to applaud them, finding his trip to the library well worth it. Due to his dislike for Lin Moshu, he hoped the two would come to blows and inflict mutual destruction.

After all, among the male leads, only Gong Qiu had the potential for defection; the others were hardly good news.

“Wuwu, please don’t fight anymore! Can’t you just talk nicely?”

At that moment, the library door was pushed open, and a familiar female sob echoed. Jiang Zhe’s face immediately darkened, and he felt like giving her a background music track to dance to. But for now, he needed to quickly hide and avoid being recognized!