Chapter 523

Liu Yue’s surprise wasn’t because she found Lin Mo handsome, but because of the stark contrast between his previous appearance and his current look. Her heart had long been occupied by someone else—there was no space for any other man.

Besides, Lin Mo at most could be called mildly good-looking. He wasn’t some top-tier heartthrob, let alone breathtakingly attractive. If Liu Yue wanted to admire a handsome man, wouldn’t Wang Haoran be more than enough? Why would she spare a glance at someone like Lin Mo?

When Liu Yue didn’t answer right away, Lin Mo thought she was dazzled by his charm. Pleased with himself, he softly reminded her, “Professor Liu?”

“I’ll arrange for you to teach tomorrow,” Liu Yue replied calmly, “You’ll be taking Class 112.”

“Thank you, Professor Liu,” Lin Mo said, flashing another confident smile.

But Liu Yue’s expression remained completely unmoved. She shifted her eyes toward Wang Haoran beside her. That class assignment meant Lin Mo wouldn’t be teaching in Wang Haoran’s class. Even if Wang Haoran wanted to cause trouble, it wouldn’t matter anymore.

Plus, Hu Zuixiang had already made it clear that she sent someone to warn Wang Haoran. He must’ve received the message by now—any further disruption and he’d be expelled on the spot. Would Wang Haoran really dare to act out now?

Still, Lin Mo wasn’t naive. He knew Wang Haoran might try something underhanded, like sending someone to beat him up after class. But he had already prepared for that possibility.

After showing off his piano skills in the music room, he earned a ton of points. Aside from upgrading his looks and overall presence, Lin Mo had also enhanced his physical fitness—his strength, reflexes, and hand-to-hand skills had all jumped up several levels.

He wasn’t exaggerating when he thought he could take on ten men at once, even with one hand tied behind his back. If Wang Haoran sent over some nobodies like Liu Hua to rough him up, that’d be no different from delivering free experience.

Now, Lin Mo felt completely different from before. There was no more shrinking back or timid second-guessing. He stood tall with confidence, and the way he looked at Wang Haoran carried zero fear.

Wang Haoran immediately noticed the shift. He saw Lin Mo’s open hostility and casually spent a few Villain Points to peek at his updated stats. When he saw the changes, he let out a quiet, mocking laugh. So that’s what it was.

From Lin Mo’s point of view, that confidence made sense. But the problem was—Lin Mo seriously underestimated him.

Did Lin Mo think he was just another rich second-gen?

He had no idea that Wang Haoran was already beyond normal physical limits. He possessed two hundred years’ worth of Internal Energy. This wasn’t some basic martial arts brawl. This was cultivation versus fists—it wasn’t even the same dimension. It was a total gap in power.

But Wang Haoran didn’t plan to crush Lin Mo with brute strength. Instead, he was going to gift him a wonderfully “fragrant and colorful” encounter.

“Professor Liu, I’m heading back to class,” Wang Haoran said lazily. Without bothering to glance at Lin Mo, he left on his own.

Lin Mo gave a cold smile and watched him leave before retracting his gaze. He turned back to Liu Yue with a newfound boldness. “Professor Liu, I’ve got a few academic questions I’d like to ask you. I was wondering if you’re free tonight—I could treat you to dinner, and maybe you could give me some guidance?”

Now that Lin Mo had confidence, he was daring enough to shoot his shot. He wasn’t going to let a goddess-level professor like Liu Yue slip by without trying.

“I’m busy tonight. You can leave now. I still have work to finish,” Liu Yue cut him off coldly, making a dismissive hand gesture.

Lin Mo froze, just a little, but quickly regained his composure. A minor setback like this was nothing. He knew very well that someone like Liu Yue wouldn’t be so easily persuaded. If he could get her to accept his invitation in just a few lines, that’d be a dream come true.

There was still plenty of time. Lin Mo didn’t need to rush.

“Since you’re working, I won’t bother you further,” he said, giving her a gentlemanly smile. He didn’t show even the slightest bit of irritation at her cold rejection.

With that, he turned around and left the office gracefully, giving what he thought was a handsome back view.

Of course, all of this was just in Lin Mo’s head.

Liu Yue saw through his intentions from the beginning. Far from finding him attractive, she only felt increasingly disgusted by his performance.

Time passed quietly, and before long, evening arrived. The day’s classes were finally over. Students poured out of the classrooms one after another.

Lin Mo wandered around outside the Finance Department building. A few passing girls noticed him and glanced over in surprise. With his upgraded looks and aura, he definitely had some pull with ordinary female students.

Some girls even had a particular weakness for mature, uncle-type handsome men. Seeing them sneaking glances and whispering among themselves, Lin Mo felt a small wave of triumph. As their eyes landed on him, he could feel the 【Recognition Value】 ticking upward again.

Being good-looking was amazing. He didn’t have to do anything at all. Just walking around was enough to earn points.

And this was just with his looks at a regular level. If he gathered more recognition and upgraded his charm and aura even further, his popularity would soar to another level entirely.

At that point, his recognition value would rise like a rocket. Right now, he was just a small-time heartthrob—someone who can only catch the attention of average girls. But those top-tier beauties? They weren’t even giving him a second look yet.

Once he crosses into the realm of true top-tier attractiveness, he’ll turn heads everywhere he goes. He can even draw in campus goddesses and goddess-tier professors.

That was when the real fun would begin.

Lin Mo had already maxed out the attribute for male prowess. Of course, he was hoping to actually put it to use soon.

Just as he was fantasizing about that future, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Hu Zuixiang—she wanted him to treat her to dinner.

Lin Mo’s head started to ache the moment he saw her name. He wanted to say no to that ugly ass bitch. But she had just done him a huge favor. If he didn’t at least treat her to a meal, it would seem incredibly ungrateful.

Besides, there was a good chance he’d still need her help in the future. Their connection was worth maintaining… with distance.

He had zero interest in getting involved with her romantically or physically.

After thinking it through, Lin Mo sent her a reply, inviting her to eat at the campus cafeteria.

It wasn’t a random choice. It was strategy.

If they go somewhere off-campus, it’d just be the two of them, and Hu Zuixiang would definitely try to take advantage again. Back in the piano room, she already groped his hand for quite a while. Who knows what she’ll do if they were alone in a restaurant?

He wasn’t about to give her that opportunity.

But the cafeteria was different. There would be students and faculty all around. Even if she had ideas, she’d have to restrain herself in public.

When Hu Zuixiang saw his message, she was clearly dissatisfied and immediately complained that he wasn’t being sincere. She accused him of not being willing to take her out properly.

Lin Mo pretended to be poor, saying he didn’t have the money right now and that he would treat her to a proper meal once his salary arrived.

With that excuse, Hu Zuixiang couldn’t really insist anymore and reluctantly agreed.

Even if it was just the cafeteria, she still saw it as a rare chance to spend time alone with Lin Mo.