Chapter 38: Too Many Stumbling Blocks, He Wants to Sabotage His Father

The benefits of studying were something Fatty and his friends couldn't quite grasp, but they were no match for Jiang Changyuan’s brainwashing guidance.

"Damn it, I almost fell for that dog Gu Qing's trick!"

"But if we don't compete, they'll keep holding us back, won't they?"

"Pfft! Use that pig brain of yours—would Young Master Jiang ever set us up?"

Jiang Changyuan cleared his throat awkwardly. Truth be told, he absolutely would.

"What we need to do next is to win by not competing."

"What does that mean, Young Master Jiang?"

The question hit the nail on the head; the group looked at him with clear, vacant eyes.

"We compete on the surface, making Gu Qing and his crowd think we’re determined to win. While we lower their study time, we seize every opportunity to study in secret."

Just then, a classmate who had returned from the restroom called out to Jiang Changyuan.

"Jiang Changyuan, the math teacher... er, the homeroom teacher wants to see you."

Hearing this, Jiang Changyuan nodded, looked away, and dropped one final line.

"You don't want to lose to Gu Qing and his group in the next exam, do you?"

He knew how to stir the pot; a single sentence ignited the competitive spirit of Fatty and the others. Losing to anyone was fine, but losing to Gu Qing? Absolutely not! As for the position of Student Council President? It was a thankless task that wasted study time—they had no interest in it anyway.

***

"Changyuan, there’s a school performance after the National Day break. Every class needs to put on a few acts. Do you have any ideas?"

"I—"

"Actually, Gao Jie has already spoken to me about inviting you to perform in an opera with her. I think it's a great idea."

Jiang Changyuan’s mouth twitched. So, they’d called him in just to inform him.

"I refuse."

"Hmm? Why? I saw that the opera you chose was *Romeo and Juliet*, and the two of you fit the image..."

"Homeroom teacher, no one notified me about performing, and I didn't choose any program."

This left a puzzled Zhou Caiyi feeling rather frustrated. What on earth was the arts committee member playing at? The teachers in the office cast curious glances over; after this morning’s commotion, they were deeply intrigued by Jiang Changyuan himself. It wasn't that they hadn't thought of asking Zhou Caiyi, but her lips were sealed tight, and she wouldn't leak a single detail.

"Go back to class for now. We’ll discuss this during the final homeroom period."

History teacher Li Caidie clutched her teacup and leaned in, whispering as she glanced at the office crowd. "Teacher Zhou, what is the situation with student Jiang Changyuan?"

"What situation?"

"I heard from school administration yesterday that a member of the school board visited, and today, you and the principal are acting so..."

Li Caidie stopped mid-sentence; they wouldn't dare treat someone connected to the school board lightly. If she could find out even a small detail, she would know how to act in the future, avoiding the fate of Yan Chang.

"Oh, stop talking nonsense. Jiang Changyuan is just an ordinary student."

"It’s just that I’ve recently been appointed as the homeroom teacher, so I figured I should be diligent about everything."

Zhou Caiyi played dumb, brushing her off with a few vague words. They had been close because their names both contained the character "Cai," and they often chatted privately. But when it came to Jiang Changyuan’s background, the principal had repeatedly warned her to keep it confidential, and she didn't want to be kicked out of her new position before her seat had even warmed up.

***

"Jiang Changyuan, I invite you to join me for the opera."

Just as he returned to the classroom, a wave of perfume drifted over, making Jiang Changyuan sneeze violently.

"The homeroom teacher already talked to me, and I refused."

"Don't make a fuss about things I haven't agreed to in the future. Also, stay away from me—I'm allergic to the smell of cosmetics."

Gao Jie’s face, pale enough to glow, flushed with a subtle red. She had counted on him not refusing in front of so many classmates. She never expected Jiang Changyuan to play by his own rules, showing absolutely no regard for her status as the arts committee member.

"Every class has to put on a show. If you refuse, who else in the class can perform?"

"That’s not right. You make it sound like everyone else is dead besides me."

"I... I didn't mean it that way."

Feeling the uncomfortable stares around her, Gao Jie quickly tried to remedy the situation.

"Enough, move aside. I have no interest in performing in an opera."

Jiang Changyuan strode back to his seat. He was determined to get into college and stay away from the main hero and heroine; an opera would only be a waste of his time. Gao Jie went to find Zhou Caiyi, unwilling to give up—the role of Romeo had to be Jiang Changyuan’s. As for why she was so fixated on him, it was simply because today’s events made her feel that Jiang Changyuan’s background was far from simple. Everyone in Class 1 knew that Gao Jie was accustomed to fawning over the powerful and trampling the weak, but she had a silver tongue that Yan Chang had once fallen for.

"You made Gao Jie lose face; be careful, she might come after you."

"If I agreed just because I was afraid of trouble, I wouldn't be me."

Facing Su Yingying’s whispers, Jiang Changyuan curled his lip. Girls like Gao Jie, who came to school wearing makeup every day and whose school uniforms couldn't hide their "lotus-like" affectations, were nothing but trouble. He had no interest in being a "simp" for her, especially since the seniors who had been ruined by her had reputations as foul as a latrine.

"That's true, but I’d love to see you and her perform *Romeo and Juliet*. It would definitely be fun."

"Heh, if the heroine were you, it might be tolerable. Her? She’s not worthy!"

The mischievous glint in Su Yingying’s eyes froze, and her face turned bright red.

"You, you, you... I’m not talking to you anymore!"

Watching her hurriedly sit up straight, Jiang Changyuan smiled triumphantly. Little thing, still wanting to laugh at his expense?

Until the final homeroom period, Su Yingying didn't pay any more attention to Jiang Changyuan, passing notes instead.

"The National Day performance is mandatory, and our class cannot fall behind. The opera chosen by the arts committee member is excellent."

"Romeo will be played by Jiang Changyuan, and as for Juliet..."

Gao Jie sat up straight, her eyes filled with irrepressible excitement. It was time—the chance to perform with Jiang Changyuan was here!

Zhou Caiyi paused, her gaze landing on Jiang Changyuan.

"Changyuan, who do you think is suitable to perform the opera with you?"

"I’m not—"

Stunned by the news, Jiang Changyuan was about to refuse again, but Zhou Caiyi’s next words cut him off.

"This program was personally reviewed by the principal. It is required that you perform for the school board members visiting on the day of the show."

He had a few choice words he couldn't quite express. He should have known the principal’s ability to trip him up was just as good as those traitors! The real question was, why did his father have a hand in this?

"Your role as Romeo is set. If you don't choose your partner, then the teacher will choose for you."

Jiang Changyuan ground his teeth. There were too many stumbling blocks on the path of life. His father’s love was an insurmountable mountain; right now, he really wanted to sabotage his own father!

Gao Jie held her head high, her mind racing. She still didn't know Jiang Changyuan’s background, but seeing how much the homeroom teacher and the principal valued him, his background was definitely extraordinary!

Unexpectedly, Zhou Caiyi’s gaze swept across the classroom, eventually passing over Gao Jie and landing behind her.

"Su Yingying has a good image and is very suitable for the role of Juliet. So, you and Jiang Changyuan will perform the opera together."

Su Yingying was startled, as was Gu Qing.

"I disagree!"

"I disagree!"

The voices rang out in unison. Jiang Changyuan looked at Gu Qing, whose burning gaze was already fixed on him.