Chapter 3: Slapping Down the Phoenix Man

Interstellar University, High-Level Dormitory Apartments.

Ruan Nan lay on his bed, looking as though he were nursing an injury.

Beside the bed, Su Leyao gazed at him with a look of concern. "A-Nan, are you alright? I heard your eyes were injured."

"I'm fine, Leyao. You don't need to worry so much."

"But the Xenobiology academic assessment is in just a few days. With your eyes injured, what will you do? Xin Bai’s eyes are so powerful; he’s bound to get a good grade," Su Leyao said, looking at Ruan Nan with feigned anxiety.

Xin Bai—nothing more than someone clinging to the coattails of his beast-husband, Hua Susu. If not for her, what could he possibly have to be proud of?

Ruan Nan didn't believe that someone relying on nepotism could be that impressive. He would certainly not let his assessment score fall behind his.

"Don't worry, Leyao. His score won't surpass those of us commoner students."

Seeing Ruan Nan’s confident expression, Su Leyao knew he must have gone to see Hua Susu. That was why she had come to check on him; as long as Xin Bai’s eyes lost their advantage, Hua Susu’s results this time would surely be abysmal.

As they spoke, the smart door beeped and slid open. Fan Tong entered, holding a box.

Seeing Fan Tong arrive, Ruan Nan looked triumphant. "I told you, Hua Susu is completely submissive to me. There is nothing I want that I cannot have. See? Xin Bai’s eyes have been delivered obediently, haven't they?"

"Fan Tong, bring the box over."

"Um, Senior Ruan, perhaps you shouldn't open this," Fan Tong said, hesitant. When he had received the item, he had been stunned; he never expected the "rice bucket" princess would actually do such a thing.

"What are you stalling for? It’s just a pair of eyes, isn't it?"

However, the moment Ruan Nan opened the box, he was startled. "What is this? Why is it a pair of chicken eyes?"

Su Leyao, seeing this, could hardly believe it. She glanced at the box, then looked away toward the newcomer. "Junior Fan, did you make a mistake? Why would the princess send something like this to Senior Ruan?"

Hua Susu, that fool, had always held Ruan Nan in the palm of her hand. How could she possibly send a pair of chicken eyes?

Fan Tong was also in disbelief, but it was the truth. "Senior, I really didn't make a mistake. The princess gave this to me herself. She even said that eating 'like for like' is beneficial and quite suitable for Senior Ruan!"

There was actually an even more cutting remark, but Fan Tong didn't dare say it out loud: *A social climber paired with chicken eyes—a perfect match!*

Hearing this, Ruan Nan was instantly incensed. "Hua Susu really said that?"

Fan Tong nodded. "She did. Brother Nan, the princess doesn't seem to like you anymore..."

*How dare Hua Susu humiliate me like this? She’s only relying on her status as a princess. What does she have to be so smug about? I’m going to find her.*

"Senior Ruan, you should be careful. After all, she is a princess..." Su Leyao feigned a word of caution.

Ruan Nan, ignoring her, grabbed the box and stormed out the door.

Although Ruan Nan lived in the standard dormitory area, he possessed a hover-car that far exceeded his family's social standing. Hua Susu had gifted it to him, claiming it was for his convenience on the large campus. At first, he had refused, but when Hua Susu threatened to scrap the car if he didn't take it, he had reluctantly accepted.

Meanwhile, Hua Susu watched as Xin Bai accepted her gift of specialized eyewear, a look of satisfaction on her face. Though this particular gift might not have much practical effect, she was in no hurry. She was confident that as she gave more, he would eventually be moved.

Back in the day, this was how she had kept talent in her company. People called her an "nouveau riche," but so what? As long as she paid enough, talent would still work for her.

Just as she was pondering what else she could use to win Xin Bai over, a furious voice rang out from outside: "Hua Susu, don't go too far! Just because you’re a princess, you think you can humiliate me at will?"

Hua Susu looked at the man before her, barely recognizing him as Ruan Nan. She replied with disdain, "What are you talking about? I humiliated you? How?"

*How has this Hua Susu become so different?* Ruan Nan thought. *Before, if I had said this, she would have been anxious to explain herself, terrified of a misunderstanding.* Perhaps she was doing this on purpose.

Thinking of this, Ruan Nan continued angrily, "You didn't? Then why did you send me chicken eyes?"

Hua Susu looked him up and down and said languidly, "Oh, that? I just thought those chicken eyes suited you quite well."

Ruan Nan clenched his fists, veins bulging. "What do you mean by that?"

"Don't get worked up. I just thought that since your eyes were injured, eating some chicken eyes would be good. 'Like for like,' you know? Besides, I'm not a doctor."

Ruan Nan froze, staring at her in disbelief. How dared she speak to him like this? Wasn't she afraid he would ignore her forever?

Xin Bai, standing to the side, nearly burst out laughing. Hua Susu really seemed to be changing for the better.

*Ding! Xin Bai’s favorability +5! Current favorability: -94.99! Keep going, Host!* the system chimed.

*+5!* She had given Xin Bai such a massive gift earlier and only gained 0.01 points, but by just snapping at Ruan Nan, her favorability had jumped 500 times!

*Is this Xin Bai an idiot?* A few words were hardly as practical as hard cash. Still, different people required different methods. Since Xin Bai liked this approach, she could certainly cater to his tastes. It was just words—she had plenty to spare.

Hua Susu pressed her advantage. "What, you don't like the chicken eyes?"

"What 'like for like'? You are clearly just insulting me!"

Hua Susu rolled her eyes. He sounded so high and mighty—if he were truly noble, he wouldn't have accepted the gift in the first place! A typical social climber who wanted it both ways.

"Is sending chicken eyes an insult? Then you should return the hover-car to me as well. And the dormitory you're currently living in was approved by the board of directors; if you're so offended, return that too!"

He had clearly enjoyed the original owner's resources while acting all aggrieved. If he felt so wronged, why let him have the benefits?

Ruan Nan’s pupils contracted, and he ground his teeth. "Hua Susu, you forced those things on me! Do you think I wanted them?"

"Oh? So you were 'forced'? Since you don't like them, return them! Housekeeper, take note to collect everything back. Don't let Ruan Nan suffer any further grievances."

Ruan Nan’s face turned livid. He stared coldly at Hua Susu. "I'll return them! And I don't need your housekeeper. I'll keep the car, and from now on, don't you ever come looking for me again."

"Fine, keep it. As for you, don't worry—you aren't important enough for me to go looking for you again."

A social climber, nothing more. Aside from his so-called integrity, once she took back her resources, he was worthless. Not worth the effort.

Unable to take any more, Ruan Nan turned and stormed off.

*Ding! Xin Bai’s favorability +10! My goodness, Host! Going from 0.01 to 10—you have such great room for improvement!*

*Of course I do.* Now that she knew what Xin Bai liked, she was going all out.

After driving the social climber away, Hua Susu felt an indescribable sense of relief. She put her hands on her hips and commanded, "Housekeeper, when you go to collect the property, look carefully. Whatever else of mine he’s using, make sure to take it all back."

"As you wish, Princess."

Just as Hua Susu finished her order and turned to leave, a massive gust of wind descended from the sky, nearly blowing her away.