The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 1039 - 1038: Reaping the Benefits and Playing the Fool

Chapter 1039: Chapter 1038: Reaping the Benefits and Playing the Fool

Hearing someone approaching, Sui Yuan asked.

"A student from the Elite Class or someone from the Physics Department?"

Lu Mian put down her phone, "My roommate, from the Physics class."

Sui Yuan looked up and unintentionally noticed a subtle difference in Lu Mian’s tone when mentioning the Physics Department and the Elite Class.

The nuance was so slight that Sui Yuan thought she might be overthinking it. She lowered her head and happened to catch a glimpse of Lu Mian’s phone screen. Her gaze was quickly drawn to the logo of an app on Lu Mian’s phone.

"I recognize this app, it’s a game, isn’t it? A lot of the boys in our class are playing it. They said it’s developed by Sufeng Games, so this game... was made by your brother, Lu Xi?"

Sui Yuan remembered that Lu Xi had participated in Sufeng Company’s game design competition before, and Mianmian—the second-generation genius of Sufeng Games—was none other than San Qianyu.

"Yes." Lu Mian smiled as she tapped open the icon, though it was still in the internal testing phase.

"Want to play? I’ll teach you." Lu Mian’s eyebrows raised with a hint of mischievous charm, teasing slowly, "Learn from me, don’t learn from those boys. You’re so cute; be careful not to get led astray."

"Mianmian!"

Sui Yuan was startled by her sudden words, her face flushed crimson. "I wouldn’t be led astray..."

And I won’t be, what’s this girl talking about?

Lu Mian chuckled, evidently satisfied, "That’s good." If their Little Baldy wanted to date someone, she would have to go through layer upon layer of tests.

As the two were talking, Shu Shu came running over, panting and carrying a stack of A4 paper.

Lu Mian gave her a reminder, "Don’t run so fast."

Shu Shu rushed over, bent over with her hands on her hips to catch her breath, and before she could say a word to Lu Mian, she suddenly noticed Sui Yuan. Excited, she exclaimed, "It’s you! Hey classmate, do you still remember me? We’re in the same club!"

Sui Yuan observed Shu Shu carefully, her eyebrows arched into a smile.

"What a coincidence!"

Sui Yuan and Shu Shu were both members of the school’s photography club.

Sui Yuan joined for writing inspiration, while Shu Shu joined because of her love for photography.

Unexpectedly, they had a mutual friend in Lu Mian, which instantly made their relationship much closer.

Seeing this, Lu Mian conveniently skipped the need for introductions. After inviting Shu Shu to sit down, she asked, "What’s up? Looking for me about something?"

Shu Shu spread the stack of A4 papers in front of Lu Mian. "Look, our class is planning to do a creative voice-over for a play during this year’s cultural festival. Here’s the script. Check out which role you like; everyone wants you to pick first."

Lu Mian raised an eyebrow.

Before she could say anything, a few boys walked past from the back of the cafeteria. One of them saw the script in front of Lu Mian and scoffed.

"No wonder you won’t join our class event, turns out you’re teaming up with the Physics Department instead."

This sarcastic comment came from Ge Yu, a student in the Elite Class.

He was holding a tray and happened to pass by Lu Mian’s table. Accompanying him were class president Tao Jianchen and another boy.

Ge Yu stepped closer, "Lu Mian, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say, but I’m not sure if it’s appropriate."

"I advise you not to say it," Lu Mian lazily flipped through another page of the script, speaking sincerely.

Seeing this, Ge Yu became even more eager; being told not to speak would make him lose face, especially in front of his crush watching him nearby.

"Lu Mian, if you like Physics so much, why bother being in our Elite Class? You’re participating in the Physics Department’s activities while ignoring the Elite Class. Why don’t you just stop coming to our class and save us the hassle, huh?"

He kept emphasizing "our class," revealing a clear intent to exclude.

Tao Jianchen quickly pulled Ge Yu back, "Alright, Lu Mian never said she wouldn’t participate in the Elite Class events. Let’s go."

Ge Yu refused to leave.

Shu Shu and Sui Yuan exchanged bewildered glances, finding the situation both incomprehensible and absurd.

Qing University actually has people who treat Mianmian this way?

Mianmian is cherished by professors across various faculties and departments, a star who elevates any program she enters. From substitute professors to teaching resources and even scholarship support—all of it is provided at the highest level. How is the Elite Class complaining about her?

The two instantly concluded: the Elite Class students might excel in academics, but their brains seem dysfunctional.

Shu Shu, who had the most to say on the matter, stood up abruptly and scolded, "Classmate! Even the person next to you says Lu Mian never said such a thing, so why are you still yapping? You can’t just pin baseless accusations on her! When you were benefiting from her earlier, why didn’t you step forward to say no back then?!"

Ge Yu paused, "What benefits has she brought us?"

"During the Chixia Sect training, you’re saying the Elite Class wasn’t treated specially?" Shu Shu retorted.

"Give me a break! We have Yutian in our class. Even if Lu Mian wasn’t around, the school would still treat us specially!"

"You!" Shu Shu was furious, feeling extremely wronged on Lu Mian’s behalf. What kind of classmate behaves like this—taking advantage without acknowledgment!

"With an attitude like yours, if I were her, I wouldn’t want to get close to you either. Lu Mian is the darling of the Physics Department, but in your class? Relationships are reciprocal; Lu Mian doesn’t owe you anything, so stop making a fuss about it!"

"You brat!" Ge Yu, enraged, slammed his tray down and violently raised his hand.

Shu Shu was startled; petite as she was, violence was what she feared most.

With such a disparity in strength, she had no chance to defend herself!

Remaining silent, Lu Mian shut the script. As Ge Yu raised his hand, she tilted her head, her ice-cold gaze locking onto him in an instant.

With just one quiet look from Lu Mian, Ge Yu froze entirely.

Though the temperature outside was thirty degrees, he felt as if he’d been plunged into an icy abyss.

That one glance sent shivers down to his core.

Tao Jianchen immediately grabbed Ge Yu, and the other boy swiftly picked up the tray and escorted Ge Yu away.

Even after walking more than ten steps away, Tao Jianchen still felt a lingering fear.

To be honest, Lu Mian’s presence was overpowering; even a casual glance was enough to intimidate them.

The boy next to him muttered under his breath, "Lots of people say Lu Mian is not only a top student but also tough in a fight. It seems they’re right!"

Ge Yu snorted dismissively.

"You’re just stopping me now, otherwise I’d teach her a lesson!"

After his defiance, Ge Yu forced a smile and walked toward Lu Yutian, who was nearby.

——

Shu Shu sat back down, still shaken.

Lu Mian glanced deeply in Ge Yu’s direction, choosing not to act for fear of scaring Yuanyuan... and the petite Shu Shu.

Her gaze concealed a trace of deadly cold resolve as the boy’s face became indelibly etched in her memory.

Shu Shu, still angry, said, "Mianmian, just come back to the Physics Department for classes. Forget the Elite Class."

Sui Yuan seemed to understand something then, her eyelashes fluttering lightly as she clutched Lu Mian’s hand.

"Mianmian, I only have one class this afternoon—can I come with you?"

"That works out perfectly," Shu Shu chimed in with a smile. "Our class will be rehearsing the play this afternoon. Mianmian, join us."

Lu Mian nodded lightly.

Shu Shu relaxed, "That’s great. Voice acting can be a bit tricky at first, but you’re so smart—you’ll pick it up in no time!"