Simon Min noticed the shift in Vivian Wen’s expression—the anger, the disgust flickering beneath her calm surface—and leaned closer to ask softly,
“Why are they talking about you?”
Vivian stared straight at the plate in front of her, her eyes burning with restrained fury.
“That woman’s name is Bianca Fang,” she said slowly. “She’s in the same department as me. She could never beat me in exams, so she resorted to underhanded, disgusting tricks. She seduced our dean—Arthur Yao—and for years, every scholarship that should’ve been mine went to her instead. And now she’s planning to rig the election for the Outstanding Graduate Representative, too!”
Simon’s gaze darkened, his expression unreadable.
He happened to know that Z University’s scholarship program was partially funded by his foundation.
And Victor Wen—his cousin and proxy—was supposed to oversee that sponsorship.
He hadn’t expected such corruption to happen under his own name.

Just then, Bianca Fang’s shrill voice cut through the air.
“What do you mean this dish is sold out?! It’s your signature plate! Do you even want to stay in business?!”
Apparently, a waiter had come to apologize that one of her orders was unavailable.
But instead of understanding, Bianca erupted in anger.
The waiter trembled. “I’m so sorry, miss. That dish truly sold out today. Perhaps we could offer you another—”
“Why do they get it but not us?!” Bianca screeched, storming toward Simon and Vivian’s table.
Then her eyes landed on the woman sitting behind Simon’s shoulder.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
“Vivian Wen?! What are you doing here?!”
Realizing she’d been spotted, Vivian straightened her back and stood.
Her expression was calm, but her gaze was icy.
Bianca’s face paled. “Just now—what we said… you didn’t hear that, did you?”
“I heard everything,” Vivian said flatly. “Every. Single. Word.”
Bianca’s panic twisted into rage. She stomped her foot and turned toward Arthur Yao.
“See? I told you! Vivian Wen’s not just flirting around campus—she’s out here getting sponsored too!”
The insult drew attention from nearby diners.
After all, anyone dining here was either wealthy or well-connected.
And the man beside Vivian—his sharp features, composed aura, and the cold power in his posture—made him look like someone important.
If Vivian really had found herself a “sugar daddy,” she had chosen extremely well—
which only made Bianca even more furious.
Arthur Yao marched forward, face darkening.
“How dare you eavesdrop and spread lies!” he barked.
Vivian almost laughed at the hypocrisy.
“Good-looking face, rotten heart,” she said coldly. “You call me immoral? Between the two of us, you know exactly who’s filthier.”
Then she turned her sharp gaze on Arthur Yao.
“And you—Dean Yao. A teacher who sleeps with a student, who manipulates awards and scholarships to benefit his mistress, crushing other students’ futures? You disgrace the very word educator!”
A murmur rippled through the restaurant.
People began whispering among themselves, pointing discreetly in their direction.
“The dean’s sleeping with his student? That’s disgusting!”
“And they called her unprincipled? Please! She’s just dating a good-looking man. At least that’s normal. Those two are revolting.”
The remarks grew louder, biting.
Bianca’s face turned crimson. Rage flared in her eyes.
She snapped—raising her hand and lunging toward Vivian for a slap.
But before her palm could land, it was caught mid-air—gripped tightly in a strong hand.
Simon Min stood between them, his expression cold as steel.
With a flick of his wrist, he released her arm—but the force sent Bianca stumbling backward several steps, nearly falling flat on the floor.
Vivian blinked, startled.
She hadn’t expected him to intervene for her.
“You dare lay hands on her?!” Arthur Yao roared, storming forward and jabbing a finger toward Simon.
“Believe it or not, I’ll have you both thrown out of here!”
He turned his glare on Vivian next.
“And you! Don’t bother coming to school tomorrow—you’re expelled!”
Vivian took a bold step forward, eyes blazing.
“On what grounds?”
Arthur’s face turned blotchy red, his jowls trembling.
“Because I’m the dean, that’s why!”
Simon exhaled softly, adjusting his cufflinks as if the entire scene bored him.
Without even glancing at either of them, he said to a nearby waiter,
“Go get your manager. Tell him there’s a disturbance here—and ask him to remove the troublemakers.”
The waiter hesitated only a moment—then, intimidated by Simon’s commanding presence, hurried away to fetch the owner.

A few minutes later, the restaurant’s owner arrived, looking irritated—
but the moment his eyes landed on Simon Min, his entire expression shifted.
Irritation turned into shock, then into barely contained fear.
Why on earth would someone offend this man?
He approached cautiously, ready to speak—
but Simon cast him a single sharp glance, and the words died in his throat.
The owner instantly understood.
Turning toward Bianca and Arthur, he said coldly,
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve received a complaint that you’re disturbing other guests. Please leave immediately.”
Bianca and Arthur both froze, incredulous.
“You can’t be serious! We’re paying customers! Ever heard of ‘the customer is always right’?!” Bianca shouted.
The owner smiled thinly.
“I’m the owner of this restaurant. That’s why I’m asking you to leave.”
At his signal, several large security guards in black suits stepped forward, surrounding the pair.
“Will you walk out on your own,” the owner asked coolly,
“or shall I have my men escort you out?”