Is It Wrong to Lie Flat? The System Forces Me to Be a Saltfish
Chapter 10: Class Reunion? I'm Bringing My Girlfriend
Lin Juan was woken up by his alarm on Saturday evening.
Not to dress up and show off for the reunion, but to get a full 8 hours of sleep, strictly following his system's lie-flat rules.
Ding! Host has slept 8 hours today, meeting healthy lie-flat standards. Reward: 10 Lie-Flat Points!
With the system prompt, Lin Juan stretched and climbed out of bed.
He had one hour left before the agreed time. He took his time washing up, then opened his closet and picked out clean, comfortable casual sweatshirt and jeans. No fancy brands, no deliberate styling—he looked fresh and neat, his handsome features exuding a relaxed vibe, completely different from peers worn ragged by overtime.
Just as he finished, the doorbell rang.
He opened the door to find Su Qingyuan standing there, smiling.
She wore a milky-white dress with a light coffee trench coat, her long hair slightly curled, makeup light and elegant. Her usual cold temperament softened with warmth, standing like a carefully painted portrait.
Lin Juan froze for a second, his heartbeat speeding up for no reason.
"Staring at me like that? Not gonna let me in?" Su Qingyuan laughed, shaking her car keys. "I drove here. We can go together, save you from taking a taxi."
"No, it's just… you look amazing today," Lin Juan smiled, stepping aside. "Give me two minutes, I'll grab my phone and we'll go."
Su Qingyuan stepped inside and looked around.
This was the river-view apartment Lin Juan had bought outright with system rewards—a spacious flat with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river. Minimalist and cozy decor, game consoles and lazy sofas in the living room, green plants on the balcony. The whole place breathed relaxation and comfort, nothing like the cramped, messy rental apartments most young people had.
"Your place is so nice," Su Qingyuan said by the window, admiring the view. "I'm still renting. I keep dreaming of buying my own place outright, so I don't have to deal with landlords."
"It's not hard," Lin Juan walked over, smiling. "Once our studio opens, we stick to 9-to-5, no overtime, no rat race. We'll still make enough to buy houses."
They'd talked about it before: partnering on a new media operation studio. No rush jobs requiring overtime, no pointless内卷, only high-quality content. Strict weekends and legal holidays. Success through skill, not burnout. Su Qingyuan would handle products and content; Lin Juan would take operations and planning. They'd hit it off immediately and already started preparations.
Su Qingyuan turned to him, eyes shining like stars. "Deal. We'll be the most laid-back studio in the industry. No one's making us work overtime."
They smiled at each other, a faint, ambiguous warmth floating in the air.
Ding! Detected emotional warming between host and like-minded partner, aligned with lie-flat lifestyle. Reward: 20 Lie-Flat Points!
Lin Juan picked up his phone and keys. "Let's go. If we're late, people will be waiting to mock me."
Su Qingyuan nodded with a smile and walked out with him.
Twenty minutes later, Lin Juan and Su Qingyuan parked and entered the five-star hotel downtown.
Inside the private room, the party was already in full swing.
More than thirty former classmates filled the room. Half a year after graduation, they'd lost their student air, dressed formally, holding wine glasses, chatting in small groups. On the surface, they caught up—underneath, everything was comparison and rat race.
"Where are you working now? How much do you make a month?"
"Eh, same old. State-owned enterprise, about 8,000 a month. But I work overtime every day, no weekends. I'm exhausted."
"Nice! Iron rice bowl! Not like me, private company, 12,000 a month but I get PUA'd every day. I don't get off until one or two in the morning. I'm going bald."
"Overtime means the boss values you! Young people should grind! What about some people—they just want to lie flat right after graduation, no ambition at all."
The conversation naturally drifted to Lin Juan. Everyone looked at Zhang Chao, sitting at the main seat.
Zhang Chao had deliberately worn a designer suit, a fake luxury watch on his wrist, hair slicked back. Surrounded by flattering classmates, he looked smug.
Hearing Lin Juan's name, Zhang Chao scoffed, sipping his wine. "Don't even mention Lin Juan. I feel bad for him. He was the top student, campus heartthrob—so many girls liked him. Now? He just lies around and slacks at work. Leaves on time, refuses overtime, turns down promotions and raises. 6,000 a month, just coasting."
He paused, tone dripping with mockery. "We work at the same company, I know everything. He's a joke there. Everyone thinks he's worthless, hopeless. In two years, we'll all be promoted, and he'll still be making 6,000. He won't even be qualified to sit with us."
Classmates chimed in, disdain clear.
"No way? Lin Juan turned out like this? He was so good in school!"
"6,000 a month? In this city? Can't even pay rent."
"Fresh grad not grinding, just lying flat? He'll be stuck like this forever."
"He probably won't even show up. Too embarrassed."
Zhang Chao ate up the praise, checking his phone. "The time's already up. He's not here. Guess he's too scared. With his life now, seeing us doing better—where would he put his face?"
As soon as he finished, the private room door swung open.
Lin Juan stood in the doorway, Su Qingyuan behind him. They walked in side by side.
In an instant, the room went dead silent.
Every eye locked onto Lin Juan and Su Qingyuan, shocked.
They'd expected Lin Juan to look miserable and timid. Instead, he wore simple casual clothes, tall and straight, handsome and calm—even more dazzling than in college.
Even more stunning was the woman beside him.
Su Qingyuan stood next to Lin Juan, cold yet beautiful, her outfit simple but high-quality. In one glance, she outshone every woman in the room.
This was Lin Juan's date?
That face, that temperament—unreal.
Zhang Chao's smile froze. He stared at Su Qingyuan, jealousy burning his eyes red.
He'd chased her for a year and hadn't even held her hand. Now she walked in with Lin Juan, looking perfect together.
He'd planned to humiliate Lin Juan publicly. Instead, Lin Juan showed up with a goddess-level girlfriend and stole all his spotlight.
Lin Juan scanned the room, his gaze landing on Zhang Chao's livid face. He curled his lips into a faint smile.
"Why so quiet? Weren't you talking about me? I'm here. Keep going."
Chapter 11: What You Spent 3 Days On, I Finish in 5 Minutes
Lin Juan's voice cut through the silent room.
Everyone snapped back to their senses, shock turning to awkwardness. They forced smiles and greeted him.
"Lin Juan! Long time no see! You look even better!"
"Come in, sit! We were just talking about you, thought you wouldn't come."
Zhang Chao forced down his jealousy and anger, putting on a fake smile. "Well, well, Lin Juan. You finally showed. We thought you were too scared."
His eyes fell on Su Qingyuan. He held out his hand over-friendlily. "This beautiful lady? Won't you introduce her?"
Su Qingyuan didn't extend her hand, only nodded faintly, leaning closer to Lin Juan, clearly showing their closeness.
Lin Juan smiled, put an arm around Su Qingyuan's waist, and announced to everyone:
"Let me introduce you. Su Qingyuan, my girlfriend. Also a product manager at my company."
One sentence, and the room exploded.
Girlfriend?!
Everyone's eyes widened, switching between Lin Juan and Su Qingyuan, completely disbelieving.
Zhang Chao looked like he'd been struck by lightning. His face turned pale, blood seeming to freeze.
Girlfriend?!
The goddess he'd chased for a year was Lin Juan's girlfriend?
The guy he mocked every day for lying flat and slacking—he won Su Qingyuan over?
Blinding jealousy and rage overwhelmed him. He stared at Lin Juan, venom practically leaking from his eyes.
Classmates whispered in shock.
"No way! Lin Juan's killing it! Such a pretty girlfriend!"
"She looks high-class, and she's a product manager at a big company!"
"Zhang Chao said Lin Juan was a loser? This is a loser?"
Hearing the whispers, Zhang Chao's face flushed red and white. He was fuming.
He had to save face!
He took a deep breath, forcing calm, and said to Lin Juan with a fake smile: "Nice one, Lin Juan. Half a year out, you got a stunning girlfriend. But let's be real—men should focus on their careers."
He raised his voice so everyone could hear. "I'm not judging, but you leave work on time every day, refuse overtime, turn down promotions. 6,000 a month. How are you gonna support your girlfriend? Buy a house, a car? Let her suffer with you?"
The room went quiet again.
All eyes fixed on Lin Juan, waiting for his response.
Many classmates nodded along, lecturing tone.
"Zhang Chao's right, Lin Juan. Men need careers. You're young, supposed to grind, not lie flat all day."
"6,000 can't even support yourself, let alone a girlfriend."
"Look at Zhang Chao—over 10k a month in half a year, grinding overtime, boss loves him. He's getting promoted to supervisor soon. That's how young people should be."
Zhang Chao soaked up the praise, chin nearly in the air, staring triumphantly at Lin Juan, waiting to watch him panic.
But Lin Juan only smiled calmly, looking at Zhang Chao.
"Over 10k a month, working until midnight every day, going bald, dark circles like a panda, no time for your girlfriend. That's your idea of how young people should be?"
He paused, meeting everyone's gaze, speaking slowly and clearly:
"I leave on time. No overtime, no burnout. 8 hours of sleep every day. Time to workout, time with my girlfriend, time for what I love. I make enough, bought an apartment outright, no mortgage. My life is comfortable. Why would I grind myself into the ground like you, just for 10k a month?"
One sentence left Zhang Chao speechless.
The room went silent again. Everyone froze.
Bought an apartment—outright?!
Lin Juan said he bought a place with full payment?
Impossible!
Half a year out of college, buying a place in a first-tier city with cash? Even a downpayment in the suburbs was hundreds of thousands.
Zhang Chao recovered first, laughing scornfully. "Lin Juan, you don't even bother making lies believable? Bought a place outright? On 6,000 a month? In six months, you'd save 30k if you ate nothing. That's barely a bathroom. Why not just say you bought the whole hotel?"
Classmates agreed, eyes full of disbelief.
"Right, outright purchase is ridiculous. Even rich parents don't do that right after graduation."
"He's just putting on a show."
"Lying flat all day, how could he afford that? Total lie."
Lin Juan smiled and said nothing.
No point explaining to these people. Strength was the best slap.
Su Qingyuan stepped forward calmly. "Lin Juan isn't lying. He really bought a river-view apartment downtown, full price. And his ability is stronger than all of you combined. You think he's slacking because he can finish a day's work in one hour."
Everyone laughed it off.
Zhang Chao cackled, pointing at Lin Juan. "One hour a day? You expect us to buy that? You're delusional!"
He turned to Lin Juan, eyes sharp with provocation. "If you're so good, I have a problem here. I spent three days stuck on this operation plan. If you fix it in five minutes, I'll believe you. I'll kowtow and apologize to you at this table!"
"If you can't, you admit you're a lying, lazy loser in front of everyone. Never show off again!"
Zhang Chao's words were vicious. He clearly intended to humiliate Lin Juan publicly.
The problem he'd spent three days on was a user retention headache even headquarters struggled with—mass data analysis, complex logic. Even top experts needed hours. Five minutes? Impossible.
He couldn't believe Lin Juan would actually accept.
Everyone held their breath, watching to see how Lin Juan would respond.
They all thought he was about to lose badly.
To their shock, Lin Juan nodded calmly.
"Okay. Deal. Bring me your laptop."
Zhang Chao froze, then grinned triumphantly. He immediately grabbed his laptop, opened the plan he'd struggled on for three days, and shoves it toward Lin Juan.
"Let's see you fix this in five minutes!"
Lin Juan took the laptop and glanced at the screen.
It was just a basic user retention optimization plan. Core issues: vague user profiles, activities that missed pain points, messy logic, chaotic data.
Hard for others. For Lin Juan, with god-level office skills and product thinking? It was as easy as drinking water.
He sat down, fingers on the keyboard, typing rapidly.
Crisp, continuous sounds, no pauses—smooth as flowing water.
Everyone crowded around, eyes on the screen. From disdain, to shock, then utter horror.
Lines of text and data appeared rapidly. The messy plan became logical. Core problems unsolvable for days were dismantled in a few sentences. The optimization was precise and practical, every data point accurate to two decimal places.
Time ticked by.
4 minutes and 37 seconds.
Lin Juan hit save, stopped typing, and pushed the laptop back to Zhang Chao.
"Done. The problem you spent three days on—I solved it."
The room went completely silent. Not even breathing could be heard.
Everyone stood frozen, staring at Lin Juan like he was a monster, minds blank.
Under five minutes?
He actually did it?
Impossible!
Zhang Chao stiffened, hands shaking as he took the laptop, flipping frantically through the plan.
The more he read, the more his hands trembled. His arrogance and disdain melted into shock, then pale despair.
The plan not only fixed the core problem he'd struggled with for three days—it completely optimized logic, design, and data. Ten times better than his version.
Even five days wouldn't be enough for him to write something this perfect.
Zhang Chao's hands trembled. He looked up at Lin Juan like he was seeing him for the first time, unable to squeeze out a single word.
Lin Juan looked at him calmly.
"Well? I did it. You said you'd kowtow and apologize. Still on?"
Chapter 12: I Already Paid. Quit Putting On a Show
That sentence felt like a slap across Zhang Chao's face.
His face flushed bright red, down to his neck. He cringed, wanting to crawl into a hole.
In front of his entire class, he'd sworn to apologize if Lin Juan succeeded. Now Lin Juan didn't just succeed—he exceeded all expectations. If he backed out, he'd never live this down.
But kowtowing to Lin Juan? He'd never do it.
Classmates watched him, amused, waiting for his reaction.
Those who'd flattered him moments ago now looked at Lin Juan with admiration and shock.
They finally understood: Lin Juan wasn't lazy. He was just capable. Fixing in five minutes what took others three days? He didn't need to grind or suck up to bosses to leave on time.
Zhang Chao stood frozen, face flushing red and white. He forced a laugh.
"Just kidding, Lin Juan! Didn't think you'd take it seriously. Wow, you've gotten so good after graduation. I underestimated you."
He tried to brush it off, avoiding the apology entirely.
Lin Juan scoffed, not pushing it.
He never expected Zhang Chao to actually kowtow. He just wanted to slap him in the face, teach him not to judge others.
Ding! Host publicly slaps arrogant rat-race fan. Upholds lie-flat strength, breaks the stereotype "lying flat = useless." Reward: 150 Lie-Flat Points!
The system sounded. Lin Juan lifted a glass of water, took a sip, and ignored Zhang Chao's pale face.
But Zhang Chao wasn't done.
He'd planned to crush Lin Juan and show off. Instead, he got humiliated and became the joke.
Blinding jealousy and resentment drove him mad.
He had to win back face!
He couldn't compete in skill—so he'd compete in money. He refused to believe Lin Juan, on 6,000 a month, could outspend him.
Soon, the food arrived.
The table was loaded with luxury dishes: lobster, abalone, king crab, all expensive items.
Zhang Chao lit up. He picked up the menu and called loudly for the waiter:
"Waiter! Open two bottles of 1982 Lafite, add a portion of Australian A5 Wagyu. All drinks are on me! Everyone eat and drink freely tonight—everything's on me!"
The room erupted in cheers.
"Chao's the man!"
"Wow, Zhang Chao, you're loaded!"
"No surprise, over 10k a month!"
Zhang Chao soaked up the praise, smug again, chin high. He stared at Lin Juan provocatively, showing off.
He didn't believe Lin Juan could compete. This meal, plus wine, would cost twenty to thirty thousand—four months of Lin Juan's salary. He couldn't afford to show off!
Classmates looked at Lin Juan, curious and entertained.
Zhang Chao was clearly trying to crush Lin Juan with money, saving his pride.
But Lin Juan didn't even blink. He calmly placed a piece of lobster on Su Qingyuan's plate.
"Try this. It's good."
Su Qingyuan smiled, looking at him with adoration.
She knew Lin Juan's wealth. He wouldn't care about 20–30k, let alone buying the whole hotel. Zhang Chao was showing off pocket change in front of him.
Zhang Chao grew angrier at Lin Juan's indifference, thinking he was faking it. He announced again:
"Order whatever you want! I'll cover it even if we empty the hotel! Refuse, and you're disrespecting me!"
He shoved the menu toward Lin Juan, sneering: "Lin Juan, go ahead, order anything. It's on me, don't be shy."
The mockery was obvious to everyone.
Classmates held their breath, waiting for Lin Juan's comeback.
Lin Juan glanced at Zhang Chao, smiled faintly, took the menu, flipped casually, and said to the waiter:
"Bring every most expensive signature dish. Also, prepare a custom gift for every classmate. Put it on my tab."
The waiter paused, then bowed respectfully. "Right away, sir."
The room went silent again.
Everyone stared at Lin Juan, stunned.
Zhang Chao froze, then scoffed inwardly. Keep pretending! Let's see how you pay later. You'll humiliate yourself in front of everyone.
He ignored Lin Juan, raising his glass to toast classmates, pushing toxic drinking culture: "If you don't drink, you don't respect me! Deep feelings, bottomless drink." He was just like Wang Qiang from before.
Soon, he walked to Lin Juan, holding a full glass of white liquor.
"Lin Juan, drink with me! We were desk mates in college, now coworkers. Fate! You have to drink this. Refuse, and you don't respect me, don't see me as a classmate."
Classmates joined in. "Drink! Drink!"
They waited to see if Lin Juan would give in.
Lin Juan didn't even glance at the glass. He leaned back calmly.
"I'm not drinking."
Zhang Chao's face darkened. "What's your problem? Everyone else is drinking. You looking down on me? Don't care about your classmates?"
"Not drinking doesn't mean I look down on you," Lin Juan said calmly.
"First: I drove. Drunk driving is illegal.
Second: I don't want to. No one can force me.
Third: Classmate bonds aren't built by drinking. Relationships forced over alcohol are worthless."
He paused, mocking Zhang Chao.
"You get forced to drink at work, hate this culture. Yet you're doing the same thing at a class reunion. Becoming the person you hate—funny, isn't it?"
One sentence left Zhang Chao speechless, face burning red. He stood frozen, trapped in embarrassment.
Classmates fell silent. Many lowered their heads, relating deeply.
They were all young professionals. Who hadn't been forced to drink? Who hadn't suffered from toxic drinking culture? Lin Juan's words hit home.
A guy spoke up: "Lin Juan's right! I'm sick of this! It's a reunion, not work. No one has to drink if they don't want to!"
"Me too! I drink with clients until my stomach bleeds. No more at the reunion!"
"Yeah! Let's just chat, catch up. Better than drinking."
In an instant, the mood shifted. Everyone put down their glasses. No one wanted to play along with Zhang Chao's toxic games.
Zhang Chao trembled with anger, helpless. He glared at Lin Juan and sulked back to his seat.
Ding! Host stands up to toxic drinking culture, breaks workplace bad habits, resonates with like-minded people. Reward: 100 Lie-Flat Points! Unlock ability: Mind Reading (Beginner, only for PUA/arrogant targets)!
System information flooded Lin Juan's mind.
He looked at Zhang Chao and immediately heard his inner voice:
Bastard Lin Juan! Embarrassing me in front of everyone! Wait till the bill comes—I'll watch you pretend! 20–30k! Let's see how you pay! I'll make you a laughingstock!
Lin Juan smiled faintly.
As expected. Zhang Chao was still waiting to watch him fail.
Too bad he'd be disappointed.
Two hours later, the party neared its end. Everyone was full, chatting in groups. The topic shifted from comparison to surrounding Lin Juan, asking how to avoid the rat race, leave on time, and still work well.
Lin Juan didn't hold back, sharing simple efficiency tips. Everyone nodded, impressed.
Zhang Chao stared at Lin Juan, the center of attention, jealousy boiling over. Finally, it was time to pay.
He shot up, yelling: "Waiter! Check, please!"
The waiter approached politely with the bill.
"Sir, total tonight is 38,600 yuan. How would you like to pay?"
38,600!
Everyone gasped.
Zhang Chao's face paled.
He thought it would be 20–30k. Nearly 40k! He made just over 10k a month—this meal cost him almost four months' salary.
But he'd boasted in front of everyone. He couldn't back out.
He gritted his teeth, pulled out his phone, ready to pay, heart bleeding.
But then the waiter spoke, smiling:
"Sorry, sir. This gentleman already settled the bill in advance."
She pointed at Lin Juan.
The room went dead silent.
Everyone snapped their heads around, staring at Lin Juan in utter disbelief.
Paid in advance?
Lin Juan already paid?
Zhang Chao's hand holding his phone froze. His arrogance vanished, replaced by shock and humiliation.
He'd planned to act generous and save face. But Lin Juan had already paid.
His big talk about covering everything—turned into a public slap, his pride ground into dust.
Lin Juan looked at Zhang Chao's pale face, smiling faintly.
"Class reunions are for catching up. No need for competition. I already paid. You don't have to put on a show."
Chapter 13: Mind Reading Activated — Arrogant Jerk Publicly Ruined
Lin Juan's words were soft, but hit Zhang Chao like a heavy hammer.
His face flushed red and white, ears burning, body trembling slightly. He wanted to vanish on the spot.
In front of his entire class, he'd sworn to pay. But the man he looked down on had covered everything. All his generosity and showmanship turned into a joke.
Classmates' eyes turned from flattery to open mockery.
Those cheering for "Chao the hero" now looked away, holding back laughter. No one defended him.
Zhang Chao ground his teeth, forcing a smile. "Lin Juan, what's your problem? I said I'd pay. Why did you settle it? Embarrassing me?"
"Respect is earned, not given," Lin Juan said calmly. "If you really wanted to pay, you wouldn't have been shaking when you saw the prices."
One sentence hit Zhang Chao's weak spot.
When he'd told everyone to order freely, his hands had trembled at the expensive items. Lin Juan had noticed everything.
Ding! Mind Reading activated. Reading target's inner thoughts!
The system sounded. Zhang Chao's inner voice flooded Lin Juan's head:
Damn Lin Juan! Calling me out! This meal is nearly 40k! I only have 10k left on my card, can't afford it! Good thing he paid, or I'd be ruined!
I won't let this go! I'll get revenge! His money must be dirty! Grad half a year, 6k a month—no way he has this much! Illegal stuff or soft food from his girlfriend!
Yes! I'll say his money is dirty! Turn everyone against him!
Lin Juan smiled coldly, hearing his petty schemes.
Typical: all show, can't even pay the bill, still trying to smear him.
Zhang Chao took a deep breath, suddenly raising his voice:
"Don't be fooled! Lin Juan graduated six months ago, 6k a month. How can he afford 40k dinner and an outright apartment? His money is dirty!"
The room went quiet.
Everyone looked at Lin Juan, doubtful.
True—even capable, how could he make that much so fast? Was it dirty, like Zhang Chao said?
Zhang Chao saw their doubt and pressed on:
"Think! He leaves on time, no overtime, doesn't work hard. Where's the money? Illegal stuff, or soft food from his girlfriend! Otherwise, how can he afford a house and this meal?"
He grew bolder, pointing at Lin Juan. "Lin Juan! Tell the truth! Where did you get the money? If you can't explain, we'll call the police!"
Classmates whispered, suspicion in their eyes.
Su Qingyuan stood up angrily, cold voice cutting through: "Zhang Chao, watch your mouth! Lin Juan's money is earned fairly! You're just incompetent, so you maliciously slander others!"
"Earned fairly?" Zhang Chao scoffed. "Lying flat, leaving on time? You expect us to believe that? She's just giving him money! He's a gigolo!"
Lin Juan's gaze turned icy.
Mock him all he wanted—but drag Su Qingyuan in? Never.
He stood up, looking at Zhang Chao, cold smile on his lips:
"You want to know where my money comes from? Fine. I'll tell you."
"First: the core project I led for the company blew up in data. Headquarters gave me a 500,000 yuan bonus. Earned with my ability."
"Second: I own a handmade cultural store with millions of followers online. Hundreds of thousands in monthly revenue, automated. I make money while lying down. Also earned with my ability."
"Third: I invested in the stock market with accurate analysis, made enough to buy an apartment outright. Still earned with my ability."
Lin Juan paused, watching Zhang Chao grow paler.
"Just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't. You grind overtime, go bald, make little money—not because hard work is useless, but because you're incompetent."
"You think everyone pretends to work overtime, sucks up, and snitches like you? You think everyone sacrifices their health and life for a paycheck?"
Ding! Mind Reading activated continuously, reading target's inner thoughts!
Zhang Chao's thoughts poured in. Lin Juan's smile turned sharper. He spoke each word clearly:
"Oh, and by the way. You brag about 10k a month, but your base salary is 8,000. After tax and insurance, you take home around 6,000—same as me. Right?"
"You bought fake designer suits and watches to show off, owe over 30,000 on credit cards. You couldn't even pay this bill. Right?"
"You pretend to work overtime until midnight, but you slack off at work, play games at your desk, just to take photos for your boss. Right?"
"You chased Su Qingyuan for a year, got rejected countless times, jealous of me, so you snitch on me to the boss, trying to get me fired. Right?"
Every sentence left Zhang Chao paler, trembling harder.
When Lin Juan laid bare every dirty, secret thought, Zhang Chao completely panicked. His face was ashen, body cold, like he'd been stripped naked in front of everyone.
He couldn't understand—how did Lin Juan know? He never told anyone!
The room erupted!
Everyone stared at Zhang Chao, shocked and disgusted.
"No way? Zhang Chao's salary is fake? Only 6k after tax?"
"Suits and watches are fake? 30k in credit card debt? Living beyond his means?"
"Overtime is all an act? Slack at work, just pretend for the boss? Disgusting!"
"He snitches on Lin Juan? No wonder he targets him—just jealous!"
Every whisper cut into Zhang Chao like a knife.
He couldn't hold on anymore. He stumbled back, collapsed into a chair, face ashen, shaking violently.
He was completely ruined.
In front of his entire class, all his pretense, arrogance, and pettiness were laid bare. He lost every shred of dignity.
Ding! Congratulations host on completing milestone mission: Humiliate arrogant rat-race jerk at class reunion! Mission completion: 100%!
Mission rewards issued: 500,000 yuan cash, 500 Lie-Flat Points! Unlock ability: Mind Reading (Expert, only for PUA/arrogant targets)!
System level up! Current level: Slacker Level! Unlock more lie-flat benefits and abilities!
System notifications exploded in his mind. Lin Juan smiled, pleased.
He ignored the collapsed, pale Zhang Chao, smiling at everyone.
"The party's over. If you're finished, you can leave. I had the waiter prepare gifts—don't forget to take them."
Everyone thanked him repeatedly, eyes full of admiration and gratitude.
"Lin Juan, thank you so much! Sorry you had to pay."
"You're amazing, Lin Juan! Can I ask you about work later?"
"You really spoke for us. We'll follow you—no more pointless overtime, live well!"
Lin Juan smiled and nodded, said goodbye, and left with Su Qingyuan.
Outside the hotel, evening wind blew, cool and soft.
Su Qingyuan looked at him, eyes sparkling. "That was so satisfying! You were so cool when you put him in his place!"
Lin Juan smiled gently. "He went too far, talking about you. No one bullies you."
Su Qingyuan blushed, heartbeat speeding up. She lowered her head softly.
"It's still early… can you… show me your river-view apartment? I haven't really seen it."
Lin Juan froze, then laughed and nodded.
"Sure. I can show you the plan for our future studio, too."
They smiled at each other, walking toward the parking lot side by side. The evening wind carried faint, warm affection.
Inside the private room, Zhang Chao sat alone in the corner, ignored. Everyone left with looks of contempt.
Staring at the empty room, replaying his humiliation and exposed lies, he finally broke down, covering his face and crying.
He would never understand: he ground and sucked up every day, yet lost to someone who only wanted to leave on time and lie flat.