You all chase after the innocent school beauty, then I'll choose the rebellious female school b

Without hesitation, Lu Yuan immediately sent a message to Gao Zhe, arranging to meet off-campus.

On the way to the agreed meeting place, the cold wind of early winter brushed against my face, carrying a biting chill.

At first, Lu Yuan just felt that the surrounding environment was a bit oppressive, but soon, a feeling of unease made him realize that something was wrong.

Someone is following him.

When he stops, the sound of his footsteps disappears; when he walks, the soft, tinkling footsteps follow him like a shadow.

At first, Lu Yuan tried to comfort himself, thinking that perhaps they were just passersby going the same way.

But when he deliberately quickened his pace and then suddenly slowed down at a corner, the person behind him clumsily changed his rhythm as well.

Like a stubborn plaster that can't be peeled off.

Lu Yuan's eyes instantly turned cold. He could basically confirm that he was being followed.

Sending people to do such despicable stalking would be beneath the dignity of a woman like Lin Na, who prides herself on being high and mighty.

This perfectly matches Hu Chenghui's street-smart style.

This also confirms Lu Yuan's previous suspicion that Hu Chenghui was determined to get his hands on the "Love Notes." He wanted to use this omnipresent sense of oppression to break down Lu Yuan's psychological defenses and force him to hand over the project.

Being watched like this the whole time, I can't go to this meeting today.

Lu Yuan had to get rid of him.

Although this was the first time he had encountered something like this in twenty years, he did not panic like an ordinary college student.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and his brain worked at lightning speed, quickly coming up with a solution.

There was a bus parked right in front of us.

Lu Yuan walked over without making a sound, and just as the car door was about to close, he deliberately moved closer to the rear door of the carriage, pretending to get on the train.

Seeing this, the person behind him assumed that Lu Yuan was going to take this train, so he quickly quickened his pace to catch up and stood not far from the front door, glancing at Lu Yuan from time to time, afraid of losing him.

Lu Yuan lowered his head, like an innocent college student who was completely unguarded, and walked in with the flow of people.

Just as the bus doors were about to close completely, emitting a "beep" alarm, Lu Yuan suddenly turned sideways and, like a nimble cheetah, darted out through the half-open door gap.

"Hey! Master, wait a minute!"

By the time the stalker realized what was happening, the bus had already started moving again.

He angrily pounded on the car door, demanding that the driver stop the car.

But when he jumped off the train at the next stop and ran back to where he started, panting, Lu Yuan had already disappeared into the intricate alleyways without leaving a trace.

He could only stand in the cold wind, stomping his feet in anger.

After shaking off his tail, Lu Yuan straightened his collar and quickly went to the meeting place he had arranged with Gao Zhe.

It was a secluded riverbank, where the river water lapped against the rocks on the shore, making a dull sound.

This place is secluded and incredibly quiet, making it perfect for honest conversations.

When Lu Yuan arrived, Gao Zhe had not yet come.

During those few minutes of waiting, the river wind howled, and Lu Yuan stood still, his chest churning with uncontrollable anger.

Despite his reluctance, no matter how you look at it, Gao Zhe is the most likely person to be turned.

Gao Zhe was too eager to make money; he was full of enthusiasm and always felt that he could accomplish great things.

In addition, his recent relationship and his eagerness to prove himself to his girlfriend Wang Qingyu made him impatient and opportunistic.

There are only two ways to prove yourself:

First, I did better than everyone else;

Second, bring down the person who is stronger than you.

Given Gao Zhe's abilities, he clearly couldn't do the first option, so he chose the second.

During this period, Hu Chenghui must have contacted Gao Zhe privately and offered him benefits that he couldn't refuse, which led Gao Zhe to reveal Lu Yuan's true intentions.

Accompanied by a series of chaotic footsteps, Gao Zhe's figure appeared at the end of the riverbank.

The moment he saw him approaching, Lu Yuan rushed forward without hesitation, grabbed Gao Zhe by the collar, and slammed him against the withered tree behind him.

"Zhe, tell me honestly, did you betray me or not?!" Lu Yuan's voice echoed across the empty riverbank, filled with suppressed rage.

Gao Zhe was startled by the sudden turn of events, his back throbbing with pain. He stared wide-eyed innocently, "Brother Yuan, what are you saying? How did I betray you?"

"You're still pretending?!"

Lu Yuan's eyes were bloodshot. He raised his fist and pressed it firmly against Gao Zhe's chin, threatening through gritted teeth, "I've only told you guys about all my recent plans. Yi Xian has no reason to betray me, and Qing Yu wouldn't either. Only you! Only you are the easiest to be bought off with that little bit of money!"

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Gao Zhe was stunned for a full two seconds.

Immediately, the innocence and fear on his face receded like a tide, replaced by a chilling, sinister smile.

He raised his hand, forcefully pushed Lu Yuan's arm away, straightened his crumpled collar, and sneered, "Heh... I didn't expect you to find out so quickly."

Lu Yuan's pupils contracted sharply as he stared intently at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before him.

Although he was mentally prepared, he still felt a suffocating disbelief when Gao Zhe admitted it in person.

He desperately wished he had misunderstood, and that Gao Zhe would call him a "lunatic."

But as it turns out, in the face of naked self-interest, so-called brotherhood is utterly vulnerable.

"Brother Yuan, I sold your plan to Hu Chenghui." Gao Zhe looked directly into Lu Yuan's eyes, his tone devoid of any remorse, instead revealing a vengeful pleasure. "He promised me that if he acquired Love Notes, he would give me 30% of the shares. Then, earning hundreds of thousands a month wouldn't be a problem at all! Once I make money, Wang Di will look at me with new respect, and my sister will value me more, instead of always only looking at you!"

At this point, Gao Zhe suddenly lost control of his emotions. He pointed at Lu Yuan's nose and roared, "Lu Yuan, you stole all my limelight! I've had enough of this all these years! Why is it always you standing in the spotlight while I, Gao Zhe, stand on the sidelines like a supporting character? Like a lackey?! Even the prince looks at you with more admiration than I do!"

Jealousy, resentment, and anger completely distorted his face at that moment.

"Gao Zhe, have I been bad to you? How could you do this to your sister?!" Lu Yuan laughed angrily and slapped Gao Zhe hard across the face.

A crisp "snap" rang out on the riverbank.

"Last time you got scammed and ended up with a mountain of debt. If I hadn't tried to earn money to help you pay it off, you would have been crippled by the debt collectors! And now, not only do you not help me, you've sold my real plan to that bastard Hu Chenghui! How could I have such a heartless brother like you?!"

"Pooh!"

Gao Zhe was slapped, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his eyes fixed on Lu Yuan like a venomous snake: "Fuck your brother! You make money but don't even give me a share, and you still have the nerve to call yourself my brother? So what if I sell you out? At least Hu Chenghui is willing to give me a share, letting me make big money!"

"Go to hell!"

Lu Yuan completely lost his mind, grabbed Gao Zhe by the hair, and rained down punches on him.

Enraged, Gao Zhe retaliated by throwing a punch.

Two young people were wrestling like two wild beasts that had lost their minds on the secluded riverbank.

The river wind, carrying with it the curses of the two men and the muffled thuds of fists hitting flesh, sounded particularly mournful.

After an unknown amount of time, the difference in physical strength became apparent.

Lu Yuan gained the upper hand. He suddenly pulled out his belt and strangled Gao Zhe's neck from behind, pinning him hard to the cold mud.

"Fuck you... let me go... I'll kill you!" Gao Zhe struggled desperately, his hands scratching wildly at the ground, his fingernails filled with dirt, but Lu Yuan's full weight pressed down on him, and he couldn't move at all.

"I, Lu Yuan, hate betrayers more than anything in my life!" Lu Yuan's voice was terribly hoarse as he tightened the belt in his hand, digging it into Gao Zhe's flesh. "If you dare to move again, believe me, I'll kill you today!"

"Go to hell...you f***ing...if you have the guts...you can kill me..." Gao Zhe's face turned purplish-red, his breathing was completely blocked, and he could only squeeze out broken syllables from his throat.

The more he cursed and swore, the more intense the madness in Lu Yuan's eyes became.

Even when Gao Zhe desperately slapped his arm and scratched his wrist, he refused to loosen his grip even slightly.

He wanted to teach the traitors what despair truly meant.

Gradually, Gao Zhe's struggles grew weaker and weaker, and his flailing arms fell limply to his sides.

Until he became completely still, the whole world seemed to quiet down, leaving only the sounds of water and wind.

"Playing dead?"

Lu Yuan, panting heavily, looked down at Gao Zhe.

The latter had his eyes closed and his face had an eerie bluish-purple hue, and he looked... very peaceful.

At that moment, the taut string in Lu Yuan's mind suddenly snapped.

He abruptly released his grip, and the belt slipped from between his fingers.

He patted Gao Zhe's face, his voice trembling, "Zhe, wake up, stop pretending!"

No response.

It doesn't seem like an act at all.

Lu Yuan reached out his hand, trembling, to check Gao Zhe's breath.

There was no breath.

He was so frightened that he took several steps back, his legs went weak, and he fell hard onto the cold, muddy ground.

"Dead...dead..."

Lu Yuan's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

After a moment of extreme terror, he scrambled to his feet and looked around.

This place is so remote, there isn't even a ghost in sight.

"Calm down! Nobody saw it! Nobody will know I did it!"

Lu Yuan desperately pressed down on his violently trembling hands, forcing himself to calm down.

He glanced at the body lying on the ground, then looked around. A large amount of discarded plastic sheeting and tarpaulin were scattered along the riverbank.

If you're going to do something, go all the way.

He rushed over, tore off a large amount of plastic film, and wrapped Gao Zhe's body tightly several times. Then, with all his strength, he dragged the heavy package to the riverbank and threw it directly into the rolling river.

"thump--"

A dull thud echoed as the plastic sheet floated on the river for a few moments before being swept away by the undercurrent and disappearing without a trace.

"I didn't kill him... I didn't kill him..." Lu Yuan stared intently at the river, muttering to himself like a madman, "As long as I firmly believe I didn't kill him, no one will know it was me..."

Take a deep breath!

Calm your heart!

Lu Yuan slapped his cheeks hard, trying to regain his composure.

He straightened his disheveled clothes, made sure no obvious traces were left, then turned and walked away quickly, as if everything that had just happened was just an absurd nightmare.

However, the moment he turned around, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

"Who?!"

Looking back at a certain place, there was no one there.

He clearly felt someone watching him just now.

But when he looked over, all he saw were withered grass swaying in the wind and a deathly darkness.

There was nothing there.

Perhaps it was his first time killing someone, and the extreme fear caused him to have delusions.

Lu Yuan took a deep breath of the cold air, suppressing the lingering chill in his heart, and left without looking back.

He thought that as long as the body was sunk to the bottom of the river, all the evil would be swallowed up by the river.