He looked extremely disheveled. Finally, he mustered his courage and sent a trembling message, trying to salvage some face: "Everyone, please calm down! The stock market is volatile. Today's drop is just a shadow in the ever-changing landscape. Tomorrow will surely bring the dawn! I am also deeply mired in this situation, with millions of my funds tied up. How could I dig my own grave and harm you all!"

The moment the message was sent, the air seemed to freeze for a moment, awaiting an unknown response.

Little did they know, the group chat exploded even more violently.

Stop pretending to be a good guy! If you didn't make a profit, I'd sell you out!

Zhang Qiang's response was blunt, his tone full of sarcasm and disdain.

He even posted a photo of Li Changlong in the group chat with the words "liar" written on it.

"Li Changlong, if you don't pay me back, I'll come to your house and find you!"

Wang Dazhu's voice also hardened, indicating that he was ready to go to the debtor's house to collect the debt.

He sent me Li Changlong's home address.

"Don't even think about hiding!"

Don't think we don't know what you're thinking!

Zhao Tiezhu's voice made the atmosphere even more tense.

He sent a recording to the group chat, which was Li Changlong boasting about stocks in the group before. Now, it sounded like he was slapping himself in the face.

Li Changlong was rendered speechless by the scolding. His fingers trembled on the screen as he tried to organize his thoughts, but ultimately gave up.

He typed a message in exasperation: "I've disbanded the group chat. Everyone, calm down."

The group chat disappeared instantly after the message was sent.

Lin Yuan looked at the "Group chat has been disbanded" message on the screen, and his smile deepened.

A cold glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, as if he were an observer waiting for the curtain to slowly fall on an absurd drama.

"Li Changlong has finally reaped what he sowed. He probably had this planned all along. That Li Changlong is a habitual liar and has no integrity whatsoever."

A barely perceptible sneer rose in Lin Yuan's heart as his thoughts drifted back to that morning, to Li Changlong's boastful talk in the group chat before he left the villa.

He boasted that he possessed insider information that no one else knew, and asserted with certainty that a certain stock was bound to be a winner, even going so far as to publicize that he had already placed a large bet on it.

And what was the result?

A group of blindly following believers, naively trusting his extravagant promises, invested all their hard-earned wealth, only to end up destitute and miserable.

"What an incredibly ignorant bunch, they can't even tell the difference between truth and falsehood..."

Lin Yuan sighed inwardly, his tone full of mockery of blind obedience in human nature.

He had seen through Li Changlong's trick long ago, but he was too lazy to expose it.

"Li Changlong, you've fallen today, and your future won't be easy."

Lin Yuan's lips curled up slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

I've long disliked Li Changlong's arrogant attitude, and today I'm just teaching him a lesson.

As for those classmates who lost money, Lin Yuan felt no sympathy whatsoever.

"Serves you right."

They were brainless and listened to Li Changlong's nonsense. Now that they've suffered a loss, they can only blame themselves.

Lin Yuan knew in his heart that this world had always been a dog-eat-dog world.

Whoever is weak will only be bullied; whoever is strong will be able to control everything.

Sunlight filtered through the sycamore leaves of the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, illuminating Lin Yuan's glossy black supercar. The car reflected a dazzling light, proclaiming the owner's prestige and extraordinary status.

At 3:30 pm, the campus was still immersed in the afternoon tranquility, with students walking in twos and threes outside the campus, enjoying their break between classes.

Lin Yuan opened the car door and walked confidently out of the campus parking lot.

His eyes were sharp and cold, able to see through everything, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, carrying a faint smile that inspired awe in everyone.

Lin Yuan walked through the crowd and headed straight for the milk tea shop at the art academy.

This milk tea shop is Lin Manman's brainchild, and it's been incredibly popular at school lately, with business booming.

Lin Yuan, as one of the behind-the-scenes shareholders, has also devoted a lot of effort to this store.

From afar, you can see Lin Manman standing at the entrance of the milk tea shop, smiling and greeting customers. The sunlight shines on her, making her look exceptionally dazzling.

Lin Manman's smile was sweet and radiant. Her gaze swept across the crowd and instantly settled on Lin Yuan, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Lin Yuan walked into the milk tea shop, where a rich aroma of tea and a sweet scent filled the air, even the air itself was filled with the sweet smell of milk and sugar.

When Lin Manman saw Lin Yuan enter, her eyes lit up instantly, and a surprised smile appeared on her face, like a blooming flower.

She walked quickly over and threw herself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly with both hands, pressing her face against his chest, as excited as a child.

"Brother Lin Yuan! What brings you here? I've been waiting for you for ages!"

Her voice was like a long-suppressed longing finally being released.

Lin Yuan smiled slightly, gently patted her back, his eyes full of doting affection.

"Manman, why are you so agitated? Did someone bully you?"

His voice was deep and gentle, soothing all her unease.

Lin Manman raised her head, her eyes sparkling.

"That's right! Those guys have been harassing me, they don't believe I have a boyfriend at all. This time I'm going to show them that only a man like Brother Lin Yuan is worthy of standing by my side!"

She let go of his hand, took Lin Yuan's arm, and looked at him expectantly. "Come on, walk with me around the campus."

Lin Yuan nodded slightly, letting her pull him out of the milk tea shop.

Lin Manman has such a sweet tongue!

The two strolled to the playground, where golden sunlight gently caressed Lin Manman's face, giving her delicate skin a soft glow.

Lin Yuan glanced at her, a ripple of emotion stirring within him, and the smile on his lips grew warmer and deeper.

"Manman, you seem to be in a particularly bright mood today."

His voice was deep and magnetic.

Lin Manman felt a slight tremor in her heart, enveloped by an invisible warm current.

She unconsciously reached out and gently wrapped her arms around Lin Yuan's strong arms, leaning her body slightly towards him, enjoying this rare intimacy and warmth.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

Not far away, a slightly noisy sound broke the tranquility. Several boys were gathered in a circle, pointing and talking excitedly about something new.