Chapter 537

“Hey, hey, what are you spacing out for?” Mu Zhaozhao waved her hand in front of Wang Haoran’s eyes as she noticed him zoning out.

Wang Haoran came back to his senses and asked her, “Do you know where the chess match is being held?”

“At Qingling Gymnasium, of course,” Mu Zhaozhao answered without thinking.

Wang Haoran silently clicked his tongue. So they were even setting up this showy performance right under Qin Fan’s nose? Classic.

He inwardly mocked the protagonist, then asked again, “Has Jiang Yuner arrived in Qingling yet? Do you know where she’s staying?”

“No idea,” Mu Zhaozhao said. “But if she was here already, there’d definitely be news about it. Those reporters have the sharpest noses. I haven’t seen anything yet.”

She gave Wang Haoran a suspicious side glance. “Why are you asking so much? Don’t tell me… you’re interested in her?”

Wang Haoran didn’t dodge her gaze at all. Instead, he looked her in the eyes and spoke as if throwing caution to the wind. “Yeah, I’m interested. I want to chase her.”

“Tch, give me a break. You think just because you’re handsome, you can go after anyone you want?” Mu Zhaozhao rolled her eyes, not buying it for a second.

“Exactly,” Wang Haoran shrugged. “A girl like her is way out of my league. If I’m chasing anyone, I’d rather chase you. At least the difficulty’s a little lower, right?”

“You shameless guy! Keep running that mouth, and I’m telling Sister Yunhan on you!” Mu Zhaozhao scrunched up her nose in mock anger, but the little flutter in her chest betrayed how secretly delighted she was.

Just then, the class bell rang.

The students stopped chatting and returned to their seats. Mu Zhaozhao plopped down right next to Wang Haoran, and Wen Jing, who had just walked into the classroom, sat close by as well.

Meanwhile—

After finishing his chat with Jing Lu, Qin Fan began giving him targeted guidance, focusing on helping him improve quickly. Jing Lu was completely absorbed, to the point that he didn’t even want to eat. Qin Fan didn’t insist. He just left on his own, taking a car and heading out.

Before 11 a.m., he arrived at the Jinhao Hotel.

He deliberately came this early.

Around noon would be peak lunch hour, and Qin Fan—who was now lying low—wanted to eat before the place got crowded. With how sensitive things were, he couldn’t risk being recognized, so he hoped to get in and out quickly.

But as he approached the hotel entrance, he found a crowd of reporters stationed out front.

His first instinct was to think they were here for him. He tugged his cap down low, trying to hide his face. But he soon realized how ridiculous that idea was.

The reporters’ uniforms had official media logos. These were all from mainstream news stations and big online platforms. There was no way his little scandal still warranted that level of coverage—especially since the drama had already blown over.

So clearly, these reporters weren’t here for him. They were waiting for someone else.

Qin Fan grew curious. Just what kind of big shot was about to arrive?

Right as the thought crossed his mind, a line of vehicles pulled up near the hotel entrance.

The reporters and cameramen rushed forward like a swarm of bees. From one of the cars, a group of bodyguards stepped out and quickly surrounded a black business van, keeping order.

The car door slowly opened.

A beautiful young girl stepped out.

The reporters fought to get closer, throwing out question after question, their voices clashing in a chaotic storm.

Startled by the overwhelming attention, the girl took a few steps back timidly.

A middle-aged woman immediately stepped forward to shield her, quickly responding to a few questions before leading the girl into the hotel under heavy protection from the guards.

Qin Fan stood at a distance, watching it all unfold.

He caught bits and pieces of what the reporters were shouting and quickly pieced it together. The girl they were so eager to see was none other than Jiang Yuner, the one who would be facing Jing Lu in the upcoming chess match.

His eyes blinked as he peeked through the crowd. The more he looked at Jiang Yuner, the more pleased he became.

She looked even better in person than in the photos.

Compared to his disciples like Song Zhihui and Mu Nanzhi, she was no less beautiful. If he had to draw comparisons, it wouldn’t be easy to say who stood above the others. It was like comparing plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums—each had their own unique charm.

Song Zhihui and Mu Nanzhi had their own strengths, and Jiang Yuner was just as captivating in her own way.

Especially the timid way she shrank back from the reporters, like a frightened little rabbit—it made him instinctively want to protect her.

Qin Fan watched as Jiang Yuner disappeared from his view and only then reluctantly looked away.

He didn’t follow after her or try to sneak another glance. There would be time for that later.

After all, once Jing Lu loes, it would be his turn to face Jiang Yuner across the chessboard.

When that time comes, they’ll be sitting face to face. He can look as much as he wants.

Why rush?

Of course, if he could meet her beforehand, that would be even better.

——

That afternoon, after finishing his lunch, Wang Haoran stayed glued to his phone, refreshing the news.

As expected, reports about Jiang Yuner started popping up.

She was currently staying at the Jinhao Hotel.

Again with the Jinhao Hotel?

Wang Haoran was practically speechless.

Song Zhihui and Mu Nanzhi stayed at Jinhao Hotel when they arrived in Qingling. Now Jiang Yuner was staying there too?

What was this—some kind of default drop point for female leads from out of town?

No matter what, it seemed like everything was being arranged just to push them toward Qin Fan.

Wang Haoran grumbled silently but wasn’t too worried. Right now, Qin Fan was still caught in the aftermath of the “scandal” and was basically a public enemy. He wouldn’t dare show his face in public, much less approach someone like Jiang Yuner.

The only time the plot might pull them together is after Jing Lu loses. At that point, Qin Fan would have the perfect excuse to interact with Jiang Yuner over a chess match.

But Wang Haoran would never let things unfold that way.

He skipped class that afternoon without a second thought.

For him, stopping the protagonist took priority. School was just background noise.

As usual, he had Liu Yue cover for him and drove away from Qingling University, heading straight for Jinhao Hotel.

On the way there, a sudden thought struck him.

He was going to the hotel to show his face in front of Jiang Yuner and see if he could trigger his 【Super Peach Blossom Halo】.

But there was a problem. Song Zhihui and Mu Nanzhi were both staying at that hotel too.

What if he ran into one of them?

What if he ran into both?

Would he have to turn around and run for it?

Wang Haoran sighed and realized the only solution was to persuade Song Zhihui and Mu Nanzhi to move out of the hotel. Otherwise, the Jinhao Hotel would be swarming with female leads soon, and if he wasn’t careful, he might get caught in an awkward situation.

Before long, his Pagani rolled to a stop outside the hotel.

After parking, Wang Haoran walked in, preparing to ask the front desk about Jiang Yuner’s room number.

But just as he stepped inside, he ran straight into someone.

“Haoran?” Qin Fan smiled and walked over.

Wang Haoran cursed silently. What rotten luck.

But he still managed to put on a friendly smile.

“Hehe, what a coincidence.”