Chapter 41 – Exclusive Sweet Romance: The Battle to Save the Campus Heartthrob (03)
“I don’t talk to rude people.” The little snow ferret wasn’t about to tolerate such treatment and snapped back immediately.
Jian Haocang shielded Bai Mo behind him, his tone indifferent as he spoke, “Huo, watch your attitude. If anyone is to blame, it should be me. I’m the one who caused this situation, which is why everyone is gathered here. If you want to scold someone, direct it at me instead.”
Jian Haocang was always mild-mannered, and he had never spoken to anyone in such a tone—let alone a girl.
At this moment, his strikingly handsome face showed a trace of irritation. His words weren’t exactly harsh, but anyone could tell he was angry.
For the first time, Ran Yunyun saw Jian Haocang with a cold expression.
She let out an awkward laugh and quickly tugged at Huo Wen, who was about to argue further.
With an apologetic yet gentle smile, she turned to Bai Mo and said, “Wenwen misspoke just now. I apologize on her behalf. You’re beautiful and kind—can we just let this go?”
Xiao Bobao flipped through the notes left behind by the main god and glanced at Ran Yunyun’s typical “white lotus” face.
Feeling indignant, it muttered, “Mo Mo, don’t believe her. She’s just trying to take the moral high ground to manipulate you. If you refuse to forgive the supporting female lead, they’ll paint you as cruel and unkind.”
This particular tactic was underlined in red multiple times. In the previous world, the female lead, Dan Xiaowen, did the same thing.
Now, this world’s female lead, Ran Yunyun, is pulling the same trick. Typical white lotus behavior.
If Bai Mo had truly done something wrong, he would have accepted criticism and apologized. But this? This was a fabricated accusation, and he refused to be the scapegoat—especially when Ran Yunyun and Huo Wen’s every word was aimed at framing him.
The little snow ferret was furious.
He pushed aside Jian Haocang, who had been blocking him, his cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Placing his hands on his hips, he tilted his small, round chin up and huffed, “If she apologizes to me in person, then I’ll consider forgiving her~”
His voice carried a playful tsundere lilt, his tone deliberately arrogant.
He had money. He had looks. His status was no worse than the female lead’s, and her sidekick, Huo Wen, was far beneath him. Why should he back down? He absolutely wouldn’t.
“Oh, and another thing—” Bai Mo grabbed Jian Haocang’s hand and held it up for Ran Yunyun to see, deliberately flaunting it. “Our relationship is none of your business. Hmph~”
That’s it? She wanted to compete with him for his man? Dream on.
“Even if you’re dreaming, at least make sure it’s a high-quality dream.” Xiao Bobao, watching the faces of the two girls darken, added gleefully.
Ran Yunyun had never been humiliated like this before. Even if she wasn’t accustomed to getting everything she wanted, at the very least, she was always treated with courtesy. Yet Bai Mo refused to play by the rules.
Meanwhile, Jian Haocang’s eyes softened with amusement as he looked at Bai Mo clutching his hand so possessively.
His previous irritation faded away, replaced by a slight smile. This little troublemaker, all fierce and feisty, was adorable.
One party was strutting like a victorious peacock. The other party was thoroughly enjoying it.
For a moment, the scene fell into a strange silence—then, it erupted into chaos.
“Wait, wait, wait—”
“It can’t be, right?!”
“Is this what it looks like?!”
“Did our campus prince just go public with his relationship?!”
“Oh my God, never in my lifetime did I think I’d witness this!”
Ran Yunyun heard the hushed whispers around her, her body swaying unsteadily. She had worked so hard for so long, yet she still lost to someone Jian Haocang had only recently met.
The worst part was that Jian Haocang didn’t deny it. And if he didn’t deny it, that meant he was acknowledging it.
Huo Wen quickly supported Ran Yunyun and shot a furious glare at Bai Mo. In response, Bai Mo stuck out his tongue and made a playful face—Bleh, bleh, bleh! Hope you choke on your anger!
“If there’s nothing else, let’s disperse.” Jian Haocang’s voice rang out, breaking up the crowd.
He had heard the remarks people were making earlier.
Unlike Bai Mo, who was delighted, he was far less amused. What do they mean by ‘you have to get such a pretty girl’? Get who? How? This was a lawful society—what were they even suggesting?
Seeing the way the onlookers’ eyes sparkled with curiosity, Jian Haocang suddenly had an absurd thought—he wanted to hide Bai Mo away, somewhere only he could see, where no one else could covet him.
The darkness of his own thoughts startled him. Why would I even think that? Forcing someone is wrong.
Pressing his lips together, he turned his gaze to the triumphant, battle-ready boy in front of him.
As if sensing his eyes, Bai Mo looked up and flashed him a bright, crescent-eyed smile. “Come on, come on! Weren’t we going to take pictures~?” His affectionate and playful tone made them sound like the closest people in the world.
Jian Haocang’s mood instantly lifted. Reaching out, he ruffled Bai Mo’s fluffy hair.
“Alright, let’s go now.”
“Ahh~ No touching my head! I won’t grow tall!” Bai Mo quickly covered his head, his round eyes glaring at him. This is a wig! If it comes off now, Ran Yunyun and Huo Wen will mock me mercilessly!
“Alright, no touching.”
Talking and laughing, the two of them walked into the publicity department office. From start to finish, their hands never let go. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, they left—hand in hand.
The onlookers: “Yay~~~!”
Ran Yunyun had never suffered such humiliation before.
Crystal-clear tears slid down her delicate face, making her look pitifully vulnerable.
Guilt stirred in the hearts of the onlookers.
Were we too harsh? We all knew Ran Yunyun liked Jian Haocang, yet we still teased her right in front of him. That’s basically stabbing her in the heart.
“Jian Haocang already told everyone to leave, so let’s just go…” One by one, the crowd dispersed, giving Ran Yunyun some dignity.
Huo Wen clenched her teeth, her gaze cold as she glared at Bai Mo’s retreating figure. “Yunyun, don’t worry. Jian Haocang is just momentarily bewitched—it’s just a phase. You’re too gentle and considerate with him, that’s why he takes you for granted. Trust me, no one can stand that girl’s spoiled and willful personality for long…”
She continued to speak words of comfort, finally easing Ran Yunyun’s mood.
As they walked out of the office, holding the large photos for the task wall, Bai Mo immediately noticed them again.
Without hesitation, he hooked his arm around Jian Haocang’s, lifted his chin in a proud, defiant manner, and silently challenged them—Not happy? Come at me!
Xiao Bobao mimicked Bai Mo’s movements perfectly. What now? Still clinging to us like a lingering ghost?
Ran Yunyun’s eyes welled up with tears as she gazed pitifully at Jian Haocang, embodying the perfect image of a wronged wife.
Perhaps Bai Mo and Huo Wen were simply born to dislike each other.
Their mutual loathing was apparent as Huo Wen let out a cold, mocking laugh. But neither Bai Mo nor Jian Haocang paid them any attention. Instead, they simply walked past, carrying their photos, glue, and other materials.
Xiao Bobao was ecstatic—seeing the delicate little white flower of a female lead suffer a setback made it want to set off fireworks and celebrate.
Bai Mo, however, remained largely unfazed. He wasn’t familiar with Ran Yunyun, and as long as she didn’t provoke him, he wouldn’t go out of his way to clash with her. Her best friend, though? Now that one was truly annoying.
With no one left to cause trouble, Bai Mo and Jian Haocang quickly finished replacing the photos on the character wall.
Staring at the fresh, new display, Bai Mo’s expression turned slightly dazed.
As expected of my dear husband—so handsome.
I wonder when our relationship will take the next step?
The boy’s mesmerizing peach blossom eyes darted sideways, sneaking a glance at the man beside him.
Refined and elegant, Jian Haocang exuded noble grace—even while holding a frilly lace parasol that didn’t match his temperament at all, his aura remained unshaken, further accentuating his gentlemanly charm.
Jian Haocang caught the boy’s lingering gaze from the corner of his eye. He turned his head and met those clear, captivating eyes.
“Classmate, I still don’t know your name. Which major are you in?”
As he asked, his heart pounded wildly, his ears tinged red, and even his breathing unconsciously grew lighter.
The boy pressed his lips together, as if hesitating.
How should he put it? If he revealed his true gender, would it leave a bad impression on the other party? But if he didn’t say anything, wouldn’t that just plant a hidden mine for the future?
Jian Haocang waited for an answer, but when none came, a hint of disappointment flickered across his handsome face. “It’s okay if you don’t want to say…” He had been too abrupt, making the other person feel uncomfortable.
Seeing Jian Haocang’s expression, Bai Mo’s heart tightened, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out in a soft, sweet voice, “My name is Bai Mo, from C University, just a street away~”
His voice was as sugary as candy coated in honey, instantly melting away the gloom in Jian Haocang’s heart.
“I’m Jian Haocang, twenty-two years old, majoring in design…” Jian Haocang rattled off his personal details as if he were undergoing a background check, barely pausing for breath.
Xiao Bobao was utterly shocked by the male lead’s behavior.
Male lead, do you even realize your character is collapsing? What happened to the noble and reserved gentleman? Where’s your dignity?
The system glanced down at the book in its hands. In the original story, Bai Yueguang (the white moonlight) was always the one who took the initiative with the male lead. I didn’t read that wrong… right? So who was this self-promoting man standing in front of them now?
In the previous world, they could blame a personality collapse on amnesia, but this time… Could it be that in front of Bai Mo, Jian Haocang simply couldn’t keep his composure?
Bai Mo was stunned for a moment. Although Jian Haocang concealed it well, his keen, animal-like instincts still picked up on the man’s urgency.
Realizing this, Bai Mo couldn’t suppress the giddy excitement bubbling in his chest. He did his best to keep his smile in check. “Oh, I know who you are. You’re A University’s campus heartthrob, a legendary figure, the idol of countless boys and girls…” The boy recited Jian Haocang’s “great achievements” with a playful tone.
Jian Haocang smiled warmly. “Everyone’s just exaggerating.” He reached up and switched off the wireless Bluetooth earpiece in his ear.
At the same time, in his pocket, his phone screen was still lit up. On the search bar was the question: How to make a memorable first impression?
The top-voted answer?
“Be completely honest.”
Jian Haocang proved with his actions that the top-rated comment wasn’t popular without reason—it was genuinely effective.
Sure enough, the young boy had already forgotten his earlier displeasure and was now laughing because of him.
After spending some time at the character wall, evening arrived.
Since Bai Mo’s university required students to attend night classes, the two exchanged contact information before parting ways.
The boy waved goodbye, his fluffy skirt twirling like a blooming flower. He didn’t take away the clouds, but he did take away Jian Haocang’s freshly awakened, lovestruck heart.
That very night, a post on A University’s online forum blew up with the title: “Campus Heartthrob’s Relationship Officially Revealed for the First Time!”
The cover photo? A beautifully framed, romantic shot of Jian Haocang pinching Bai Mo’s nose. His gaze was filled with such obvious affection that it could make anyone swoon.
Curious students immediately began digging for information about the mysterious Lolita-clad girl—her name, her major, anything.
One by one, students from different departments came forward to verify her identity, but the result was the same: No such person exists.
Meanwhile, Huo Wen scrolled through over a hundred pages of comments in the thread but still couldn’t find a single clue about Bai Mo.
Since she wasn’t from their university, she had to be from another school.
Comforting Ran Yunyun, she said, “Distance in emotions can create beauty, but physical distance only creates separation. That woman has only just met Jian Haocang—there’s no way her bond with him is stronger than yours. Don’t be upset, Yunyun. She won’t succeed.”