The night before Tianyao Academy's official forum, the entire campus was buzzing with a mix of tension and anticipation.
In the multifunctional hall of Teaching Building C, final setup work was underway at full speed.
Among those quietly handling projector wires and equipment in the background was a rarely noticed "fringe member" of the forum logistics team—Gao Yuan, Lu Chen's roommate and one of his few true friends.
"Hey! What are you still doing here messing with the projector? This setup is for Young Master Zhao's team!"A boy with bleached blond hair barked impatiently.
"I followed the schedule. Our group hasn't finished testing yet—" Gao Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow, voice timid.
"Spare me the excuses," Blondie scoffed."A broke-ass like you wants to compete with Zhao Shao for time?"
Behind him, Zhao Qi strolled over, wearing a tailored jacket, lazily chewing gum. His eyes were half-lidded and full of disdain.
"What was your name again? Gao… something?"
"Gao Yuan," he answered, barely audible.
"Right, Gao Yuan." Zhao Qi smirked, then casually shoved Gao Yuan's laptop aside."I told you to move. Don't make me repeat myself."
Gao Yuan bit his lip and stood his ground, eyes reddening.
"You can't just… treat people like this because you're rich."
"Can't I?" Zhao Qi laughed arrogantly."I'm rich. I'm proud. What does that have to do with you?"
His tone turned icy.
"I'm going to count to three. If you're still here, I'll make sure your group doesn't get a second on stage tomorrow."
Then, a voice rang out behind them—calm but cutting.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Zhao Qi turned, and there stood Lu Chen, U-disk in hand, eyes cool and distant—like wind across frozen steel.
"I asked you a question."
Zhao Qi clicked his tongue.
"Well, well, if it isn't our star debater. Here to save your broke little buddy?"
Lu Chen walked over slowly, taking the equipment from Gao Yuan without a word.
"Gao Yuan's on my team. He booked this time slot.You're late. Now you want to take over?"
"All I asked was for him to step aside. Don't be so serious." Zhao Qi raised his hands mockingly."What, you think you've got some clout now? That you can challenge me?"
Lu Chen ignored him and turned to Gao Yuan.
"Go rest. I'll handle this."
Gao Yuan stepped aside, eyes shining with quiet gratitude.
As Lu Chen crouched to resume adjusting the projector, he spoke, voice calm as ever:
"Zhao Qi, when a dog barks, people usually stay quiet—not out of fear, but to save time."
"But if the dog bites, don't blame me for kicking back."
The room fell silent.
Zhao Qi's face darkened.
"Say that again?"
Lu Chen looked up, gaze steady:
"You think the Zhao family is untouchable in this school?"
"Then remember this—You only step on those who bow their heads.I've never bowed."
"I'm standing here because of my own strength.You're standing here because your family bought your shoes."
The entire hall froze. Even Zhao Qi's cronies looked stunned.
Zhao Qi opened his mouth but couldn't get a word out.Flushed with rage, he spun on his heel and stormed off, slamming the door behind him.
Gao Yuan stood in the corner, eyes watery.
"Lu Chen… thanks."
"Don't mention it," Lu Chen said with a light smile, clapping him on the shoulder."I told you—respect belongs to the ones who stand beside you."
10:00 p.m., Final Pre-Forum Briefing.
As the host went down the list of speakers and teams, Lin Wan'er, seated quietly in the back, scribbled something on the corner of her notepad:
"Lu Chen—not just sharp-tongued.Spine like steel."
In the front row, Su Qingyu rested her hands beneath her chin, gaze calm as water—Yet somewhere inside, a quiet unease stirred.
She realized, suddenly,She wasn't the only one… who saw something different in Lu Chen.
And Lu Chen?
He was leaning back in his chair, eyes closed as if half-asleep.Detached from all noise, untouched by all tension.
Because he knew—
Tomorrow's stage… belonged to him.