Several trending topics topped the online charts.
#JiCorporationMassiveScholarshipFund
#TheFifthSonOfJiFamily
#WhoWouldntWantAGoodBigBrother
The comment section exploded.
"Is there a problem with the fifth son of the Ji family receiving his own family's scholarship fund? Seriously, is there a problem?"
"President Ji is literally the best big brother in the world, using this method to motivate his younger brother to study. Ugh, the universe owes me a brother like this."
"If our school had a scholarship fund this generous, I’d definitely study harder!"
"I looked it up—tons of companies set up scholarships, but only Ji Corporation offers such a huge amount. They’re insanely generous."
"Ji Corporation, please give me a chance to work for you. I’ll even mop your floors."
"I go to the same school as Ji Zhouye. Here’s a photo of him."
"Pink-streaked hair, silver earrings, that rebellious bad-boy vibe… Ugh, so hot. I want to date him."
"…"
Ji Zhouye spent the entire meal talking to Rong Yu.
Rong Yu was explaining basic physics concepts. He didn’t really want to listen, but he had to pay attention because his "great-grandma" (as he called her) would quiz him later.
If he answered wrong, money would be deducted from his allowance.
He couldn’t afford any more deductions.
Once he finally grasped a few key points, he looked up and noticed the entire cafeteria staring at him with weird expressions.
Especially Chen Nian, whose eyes were brimming with tears. "Bro Zhouye, I always wondered why Ji Corporation gave my grandma such a huge business deal… Turns out it was you silently helping me…"
Several classmates from Class 20 crowded around him.
"Bro, I knew you weren’t broke, but I never imagined you were this loaded. You’ve been way too low-key."
"The fifth son of Ji Corporation… Damn, I’m crying. How did I get so lucky to know the fifth son?"
"Wait, was that place we went to yesterday actually the real Ji family estate?"
"Fifth Young Master, can I be your leg hair? Just for a day?"
"…"
Ji Zhouye froze.
Since childhood, his family had warned him never to reveal his connection to Ji Corporation.
The Ji family was too wealthy—if his identity got out, the best-case scenario was being taken advantage of; the worst-case was kidnapping.
So for years, almost no one knew he was the fifth son of the Ji family.
He pulled out his phone and checked. Turns out, someone had exposed the scholarship incident.
Logically, this should’ve stayed within Haicheng No.1 High School. How did it blow up nationwide?
His eldest brother had just gone through a bad breakup and was already in a terrible mood.
Now, because of this mess, reporters were swarming him. Ji Zhouye was definitely getting an earful when he got home.
To make things worse, his friends had already sent mocking memes.
Hai Chang'an: "What crime did you commit to get your credit card frozen by the Ji family?"
Si Lin: "Bark like a dog. One bark, ten grand."
Ji Zhouye cursed under his breath. After some digging, he traced the source—Rong Ruoyao’s tweet about the scholarship.
Then, an account in the comments brought up Haicheng No.1 High’s fund.
"Great-grandma…" Ji Zhouye handed his phone to Rong Yu. "Can you track this account?"
Since arriving in this era, Rong Yu had been obsessed with learning new things.
Math and physics were her forte, but she’d also been studying programming. At this point, tracing an account was child’s play.
Ji Zhouye carried a laptop bag for her. She pulled out her notebook and started typing furiously. Within five minutes, she had an answer.
"This account’s IP is from Haicheng No.1 High. More precisely, the school cafeteria."
Ji Zhouye slammed the table and stood up. "Nobody leaves!"
Chen Nian crossed his arms. "Let’s see which coward’s been lurking online, trying to smear our bro Zhouye!"
Ji Zhouye was the school’s infamous delinquent.
Even when people thought he was poor, they feared him.
Now that they knew he was part of the Ji family—Haicheng’s top-tier elite—no one dared cross him.
The entire cafeteria fell silent. No one moved.
Rong Ruoyao looked up at Ji Zhouye, her face pale.
Her father dreamed of collaborating with the Ji family, and she’d just stupidly missed the biggest opportunity right under her nose.
On the bright side, Ji Zhouye had liked her once. Maybe if she proposed a partnership, he’d… possibly… agree?
Before she could finish the thought, Ji Zhouye strode over.
His lips curled into a smirk. "‘Cocktail-Loving Yaoyao,’ huh?"
Rong Ruoyao stiffened.
That was the username of her secret Twitter account.
How did he know?
"So the sweet, charming school belle is actually a keyboard warrior lurking in the shadows." Ji Zhouye tsked. "Bragging about yourself online, trashing others—calling Rong Yu fake, Lisa stuck-up, He Qiqi dumb… Oh, and let’s not forget the production team. Director Chen was ‘that fat pig,’ and the stylist was ‘tacky as hell.’"
Boom—
Rong Ruoyao’s mind went blank.
Her face drained of color. She swayed, barely staying upright.
No way. No freaking way.
Her secret account was airtight. How did Ji Zhouye find it?
"It’s not me! I didn’t do it! You’ve got the wrong person!" Rong Ruoyao shot up, voice shrill. "You’re framing me!"
Ji Zhouye grinned. "Then hand over your phone. Let’s check your logged-in accounts."
Everyone knew Twitter’s account-switching screen showed all active profiles.
One glance would settle it.
Hundreds of eyes locked onto her.
Rong Ruoyao’s face turned beet red. She stumbled back, shaking.
Her reaction said it all.
Whispers erupted.
"Who knew the sweet school belle was like this behind the screen?"
"Now I’ve seen a real-life keyboard warrior. What an education."
"I used to vote for her. Disgusting. How is someone this toxic fit to be an idol?"
"Hard pass. I’m unstanning."
Rong Ruoyao staggered, nearly collapsing, until a hand steadied her.
She looked up—Song Huai.
Tears welled in her eyes. She hid behind him, sobbing into her hands.
"Enough." Song Huai’s voice was icy. "Who here hasn’t talked about someone behind their back? Hypocrites, the lot of you."
The crowd quieted.
Song Huai handed her a tissue. "You shouldn’t stay here. Take the afternoon off."
Rong Ruoyao couldn’t face the stares.
Plus, people were recording. Once those clips hit the internet, she’d trend again. How would she spin this?
The thought made her want to vanish.
Song Huai took her phone. "Don’t check Twitter. I’ll take you home."
She nodded.
Any lingering resentment toward Ji Zhouye evaporated instantly.
Although the Ji family was wealthy, Ji Zhouye was only the fifth in line, making it clear that the family had many descendants. As an idle and irresponsible playboy, what future could he possibly have?
Song Huai, on the other hand, was outstanding in his own right, and the Song family's standing was not low either. She told herself over and over again—Song Huai was the right choice.
