Chapter 524

After agreeing to dinner with Hu Zuixiang, Lin Mo made his way to the faculty cafeteria, completely unaware that someone was keeping a close watch on his every move. Every word he had exchanged with Hu Zuixiang, every expression, every gesture—they had all been clearly observed.

From the fifth-floor balcony of Class 113 in the Finance Department, Wang Haoran retracted his gaze from Lin Mo, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Originally, he had planned to use his hacking skills to forge a message and trick Lin Mo and Hu Zuixiang into meeting at a specific location where he’ll lay out his scheme.

But since they just so happened to arrange a dinner themselves, he no longer needed to waste the effort.

There was only one problem. Normally, students weren’t allowed inside the faculty cafeteria. But that wasn’t an issue for him. Wang Haoran picked up his phone and sent a message to Qiu Qianwei, Ji Shuiyao, and Liu Yue—three of the university’s most beautiful professors.

Having just one of them accompany him would easily stir up rumors. But with all three by his side? No one would dare imagine anything inappropriate. Even the wildest gossipers wouldn’t assume that he had a relationship with all three of them.

Moments later, the three professors arrived, each under the impression that Wang Haoran had invited only her. But when they caught sight of one another, a wave of silent exasperation passed between them.

“Let’s go, let’s go. Hurry and take me to the cafeteria. I’ve never eaten there before,” Wang Haoran said cheerfully.

The women exchanged puzzled glances. None of them could quite figure out why Wang Haoran suddenly wanted to eat at the faculty cafeteria. But despite their confusion, they all agreed and led the way.

With their help, Wang Haoran entered the cafeteria without issue. Unlike the multiple student canteens scattered near dorm buildings, there was only one cafeteria for faculty. Lin Mo and Hu Zuixiang would undoubtedly be there.

There weren’t many people inside—barely a few dozen—which made it incredibly easy for Wang Haoran to spot Lin Mo and Hu Zuixiang sitting at a table together.

And with Wang Haoran walking in alongside Qiu Qianwei, Ji Shuiyao, and Liu Yue—a stunning combination of beauty and grace—the whole cafeteria immediately turned its head. Many people paused mid-bite just to sneak a glance.

Lin Mo naturally noticed too. He only recognized Liu Yue but seeing her walking hand in hand with two other equally gorgeous women, he could easily guess that they were her sisters—Qiu Qianwei and Ji Shuiyao, the legendary trio of goddess-tier professors.

Three women of that caliber walking together—it was a sight dazzling enough to steal the soul. Lin Mo stared, almost mesmerized. But the moment he saw Wang Haoran walking among them, his admiration turned sour and jealousy boiled up inside him.

Why wasn’t that man beside those three goddesses himself? Why was it Wang Haoran?

【Ding, Host caused protagonist Lin Mo’s mentality to suffer. Gained 800 Villain Points. Lin Mo’s Protagonist Halo -40. Host Villain Halo +40!】

Hearing the system prompt in his mind, Wang Haoran grinned to himself and headed off with the three professors to get their food.

Once the dishes were picked, Wang Haoran carried his tray, purposefully walking past Lin Mo and Hu Zuixiang’s table.

As he passed, without drawing any attention, he sprinkled a little something special onto Lin Mo’s plate. Then, he casually took a seat at the neighboring table.

Qiu Qianwei, Ji Shuiyao, and Liu Yue naturally followed, taking their seats beside him. The scene looked almost like a well-practiced performance, as if the three beauties were following their beloved man without hesitation.

“Assistant Lin, what a coincidence,” Wang Haoran said with a faint smile. Then his eyes shifted toward Hu Zuixiang beside him, and he asked with a teasing tone, “Is this your girlfriend?”

Lin Mo originally didn’t want to acknowledge Wang Haoran at all, but that line caught him off guard. He quickly clarified, “Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re just ordinary friends.”

His response wasn’t aimed at Wang Haoran but rather directed toward the three professors. He wanted them to know he was single—that he and Hu Zuixiang weren’t in any kind of relationship.

Unfortunately for him, Qiu Qianwei and the others couldn’t have cared less. They didn’t even spare him a glance. Whether he had a girlfriend or not had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Hu Zuixiang, however, was a little disappointed. But she knew their current relationship didn’t justify a rebuttal, so she kept her feelings to herself.

Wang Haoran stopped paying attention to them and focused on his own meal. He picked up a piece of broccoli and took a bite, waiting quietly for the show to begin.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo couldn’t stop sneaking glances—not just at Wang Haoran, but more importantly at the three goddesses beside him.

“You like this? You can have mine too,” Qiu Qianwei said sweetly when she saw Wang Haoran’s plate had very little broccoli. She reached over and added some from her own tray.

“Thank you, Professor Qiu,” Wang Haoran replied with a playful blink.

Qiu Qianwei gave a gentle smile. She felt a little shy under the public eye, but still couldn’t resist being nice to him.

“You’re welcome, Wang. Eat more, okay?” Her tone was full of warmth and affection.

【Ding, Host caused protagonist Lin Mo’s mentality to suffer. Gained 800 Villain Points. Lin Mo’s Protagonist Halo -40. Host Villain Halo +40!】

Liu Yue wanted to do something too, but her tray had no broccoli. She glanced at Wang Haoran’s plate and saw he’d eaten it all. Without saying a word, she picked up his tray, walked to the serving counter, and came back with several heaping spoonfuls of broccoli added.

“If you like it that much, eat more,” Liu Yue said in her unique domineering tone.

【Ding, Host caused protagonist Lin Mo’s mentality to suffer. Gained 800 Villain Points. Lin Mo’s Protagonist Halo -40. Host Villain Halo +40!】

“Thank you, Professor Liu,” Wang Haoran said sincerely.

Ji Shuiyao, always the quiet and composed one, watched the two professors and suddenly felt she should contribute something too. After a moment’s thought, she softly said, “You must be thirsty. I’ll get you a bottle of water.”

【Ding, Host caused protagonist Lin Mo’s mentality to suffer. Gained 800 Villain Points. Lin Mo’s Protagonist Halo -40. Host Villain Halo +40!】

Qiu Qianwei and Liu Yue exchanged suspicious looks.

They had already opened up to each other about their feelings for Wang Haoran, and with a tolerant understanding between them, they had chosen to accept the situation. But what was Ji Shuiyao’s deal?

Under their watchful stares, Ji Shuiyao quickly corrected herself, a little flustered. “I meant all of you must be thirsty. I’ll get everyone water.”

Then she rushed off to the vending machine and came back with four bottles, took a deep breath to compose herself, and returned to her seat.

Lin Mo, watching all this unfold, had been seething at first. But slowly, a strange calm settled over him.

If it had been just one of them fawning over Wang Haoran, then maybe something was going on. But all three showing him so much attention? That couldn’t be a romantic thing. He figured Wang Haoran might be related to them somehow—maybe a cousin or something.

“Lin Mo, we’re having dinner face to face, yet your eyes keep wandering,” Hu Zuixiang said softly, her voice laced with wounded affection. She stared at him with her goddess-tier voice, practically oozing disappointment.

Lin Mo almost spat out his food.

Of course, he was looking at goddesses. Why would he look at her? One glance at that face of hers would kill his appetite.

But he didn’t dare say it out loud. For the sake of politeness, he forced his eyes back onto Hu Zuixiang’s face.

Then suddenly, he froze.

That usually awkward, unattractive face was now glowing with beauty. Her features had become exquisitely delicate, her skin was fair and flawless—she was a goddess.

Lin Mo blinked in disbelief and rubbed his eyes.

But when he looked again, Hu Zuixiang still had that breathtaking face, perfectly matching her beautiful voice.

What the hell?

He looked again at the three professors across the table—and now they looked completely different. They weren’t goddesses anymore. They were plain, even ugly.

What was going on?

A creeping sense of unease washed over him. Something was wrong.

But before he could think too much, an uncontrollable heat surged through his body. It burned stronger and stronger with every breath he took. His face flushed red, and his eyes locked passionately onto the now-stunning Hu Zuixiang.

An overwhelming urge rose up inside him. He couldn’t suppress it even if he wanted to…