After being formatted as a cannonfodder, I became a heartthrob

Xie Fengxing noticed several scars on Lu Chi’s hand, the veins prominent against his wheat-colored skin. Compared to Lu Chi’s hand, his own appeared fair, smooth, and delicate.MSVphDrcGPBWjloyHpbOTazlncSXVh

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Lu Chi suddenly released him and handed over the trophy.qmPdmGxvQgvqDQlwAhmXiDZzfxSbTg

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Xie Fengxing took the trophy, standing upright amidst the rapid clicking of camera shutters.wlhwVMpxLxjjatGmCBDzjcvPkmLlYs

zpbrZrbahtEokde

Next, it was time to present awards to the other two guests. Lu Chi stepped aside and stood firm.tauuGNnGiQEuPkEqLvdlthBYaHELSi

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“Being ex-military really makes a difference—so manly, so rugged, so upright,” Xiao Ai praised.ZBccpKftqvTULKMStHenJMmvHbMRbm

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“…” Xie Fengxing said, “Do you remember what kind of system you are?”KvCgKkKmHsgcCEPOpzPvfpTUOzObyZ

KcZZmbAqdTBdQOL

“Where’s your mind at?! I meant his aura is tough, and his posture is upright. Just look at how he stands if you don’t believe me!”WUCDfwsgeWGRLhnzyzoNqLyrdJKcaz

YIeetxJhpQGpBaE

Xie Fengxing glanced at Lu Chi, who stood at the front of the crowd, his presence and height making him stand out like a crane among chickens.ewVXvIywCjPFLBbnxDuaaOOBxusQwJ

PfdbLXZmhFCTFhV

Noticing Lu Chi looking back at him, Xie Fengxing didn’t avert his gaze, meeting his eyes calmly.MBPjVxbMLPZuXNprdwBouGhVdbsrwS

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His eyes held no emotion, no desire, no ripples—only those reddish-brown irises that stirred others’ hearts, though he remained unaware of it.fxaYIGClkJrhoMWKKHlrJTfcJfEUuA

XQKEqgogdevtHdM

“Xiao Ai also thinks such an outstanding man couldn’t possibly be just a side character. He must be the male lead of some novel.”IoVRHINLQRsTALMofOStdoTBaySbqV

YJoAGcBAQuoACQN

“Could he be a scumbag?” Xie Fengxing asked.QGbvkJsmlhzWZHgnQdkmFRAAYynJcL

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“Should I check for you?”XAIrmCNRWjjkBbKkTdnebRSeSSnAdi

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Soon, Xiao Ai returned and said, “From the information I have, he doesn’t seem to be a scumbag. There’s no record of him dating—he’s still a virgin.”MRdjnwuxAMqlAzFQqqKjjRlRGiOxAl

MyCdRfkdZHkrrbQ

Never been in a relationship, still a virgin?KoObHZFvKEezpKstuNYNrhmmVSGcTI

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For a rich second-generation at his age, that’s quite rare.FtlajHQfepTvxcWYYclJAQUTPEQqKG

IQROnVWPqRyURhb

“Exactly,” Xiao Ai sighed. “In a world where the Begonia blooms, this is truly remarkable. Shouldn’t a soldier like him be one of the most sought-after top types in Begonia? I strongly suspect he’s the male lead of the next novel!”qQyHBlhaCahCkVnGPYVrpwfXDgaydN

nAjRtawfAwiJEmp

Meanwhile, Chen Xi and Song Yu had also received their trophies, and the three award presenters returned to the stage for a group photo with the winners.XpMMHIxIkhfSjOoPdjjLNAnBTiMbYX

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Lu Chi stepped directly onto the champion’s podium.eLgIUMlJKIunrCdIsvkWrXsEdZNkUi

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His height immediately overshadowed Xie Fengxing’s, standing nearly half a head taller with broad shoulders and a long frame.ThhuOCgUdJbCVKSAotinaelcoFDHwG

HhZaVaxKtytKGOc

The podium wasn’t wide, so the two inevitably stood close together.ibzLuuficyvVuxyvNwPpqcwjYWMxoi

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“I just heard from President Chang that you broke the Speeding League’s speed record,” Lu Chi said.ZDVNHZonsBlZegtwUXdCSejyzpSEtn

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Xie Fengxing replied, “Oh? I wasn’t at my best today—could’ve done better.”mmnnOPmkEMdwbMyAgLiVmyyKgfzvYx

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Perhaps surprised by his boldness, Lu Chi turned to look at him.GBOUpbdpeoJtFSSmcFnklqgvYxCssx

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With a click, the moment was captured by the photographer.OWKifveGYfGPXEcvVsfcjRIzAGGfeE

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Lu Chi found it hard to connect the calm, aloof young man before him with the Xie Fengxing he once knew.ScmeBQFKCNRFzqiIjrhGnQUUTTZobD

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The last time they’d met was when he was returning to the military after leave, and Xie Fengxing had come to see him off with his cousin Gou Xiaochuan. Back then, Xie Fengxing’s long hair had nearly covered his face, and he barely dared to look at him.GogkDxofmeoyynVeBLKKnYNAsLCLvH

eddwODlXHIEMBQd

After the awards ceremony came the Speedy Ascent victory banquet, but Xie Fengxing declined, citing discomfort.YQBxahLPkcFMojcjAAmTkEdIyQZRLC

lafRSoiDGzcruRq

“Song Yu and Chen Xi are both there,” Xiao Ai said. “You don’t get many chances to see them—are you really giving this up?”CxfJWllXWTgrVRiQZZRGgWQRYjFbUd

QfSNTWQKZaLyumQ

“Sometimes retreat is a form of advance,” Xie Fengxing said lightly. “They’ve already had enough stimulation from me today.”tAagDwysrHUgPFQCIEwRhIRkBvNGbq

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Leaving some space would make them miss him more.OLkqgofBFubwlSpNosRDdkrLkaftHl

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Xie Fengxing’s absence left many feeling deflated. Without the champion, the victory banquet lost much of its luster.TCNvvcUfBdsIviISoBjoYobsRVgEYC

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“He said he wasn’t feeling well,” the staff member told Chang Rui. “We tried to persuade him to stay, but he seemed quite indifferent. We couldn’t force him to remain.”ThLOiMGjLPdeYTUwDOExtHnwqdlrEp

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“Did you call our doctor to check on him?” Chang Rui asked.jqvQfDgQVFNdqDCsnNPKiOwTHhsvNS

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“By the time the doctor arrived, he had already left.”gpjTVMUmtnMmtfABQSXdAkKzFSKsLA

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Chang Rui waved his hand dismissively, and the staff member exited the room.FMtEhQCvvNYJgzjPVFBLBKxhFMPJQz

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Chang Rui walked over to the desk and stood still, looking at Lu Chi.HsxoeYryHaZpRfvAeXARSEFNibccCm

JpaEcnZZexibiUa

Lu Chi had half a cigarette dangling from his lips as he sat in his chair, swiping through a tablet. When not in public, he paid little attention to his appearance—the rough edges from his years as a special forces soldier surfaced. His brows furrowed slightly in the faint haze of smoke, exuding an air of nonchalance.vpvncvqjpmnAFRxWHlTUUQlproJIbq

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He was reviewing the footage from today’s race.woUHSJmQMLBaUorPQPqqXxURXcafIW

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To be honest, while the Speeding League was of a higher caliber than other domestic independent brand races, it was still fairly average in the world of motorsports. Chen Xi and Song Yu, who had been invited this year, were already the most skilled drivers in the league’s history. For Xie Fengxing, an amateur, to defeat Song Yu was nothing short of surprising. Watching the replays of his overtakes, Lu Chi was even more astonished.hvgxwyudTTaPpkTNxqLuxofeHdfeEG

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“Are there videos of his past races?” Lu Chi asked.fNnctiSIwIxyZeCitfnDMfGiFPAplR

wRDfMfqwvPgOvAV

“Yes, he’s already participated in the Speeding League for four years. I’ll have someone compile all his race footage,” Chang Rui replied. “But his previous rankings were quite low—he never made it to the finals and was always eliminated in the preliminary rounds.”gikeLTOVdNtnTfLzlgUjxMBSuYOtnY

maKbnrYtIFTbqUn

Xie Fengxing didn’t attend the victory banquet. Song Yu and Chen Xi, who had taken second and third place, only made a brief appearance before leaving as well.SmdFUtGbBnjptupGjceHuacwxljONA

LuQsralVWzBRdnW

Song Yu saw Chen Xi off to her car, then pulled out his phone in the summer breeze.ICtdcPWyVMPoOzeOGZTFgENtExlPYR

EWViWvvPeFMBuMR

His phone was flooded with messages, most of them teasing him about today’s loss.lHMvEdxHwcqUCdIvDrDtwzVOfKyIFH

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It seemed no one took his defeat seriously.xKvAcCWkGRCJUlFcSxZgKkIQFfdhLW

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Neither did he.kGYmbZnQUZiYHGgJNoNxNeBaUItISW

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Just a fluke.yuFFINTjepblnlaGTwfJerTAlYAHFj

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He first sent Chen Xi a text: “Drive safe. Let me know when you get home.”zHepGtYZtuLJnVQgqXoDvquLswUPcE

fHnUVSzAWhkgGAW

After sending the message, he scrolled through his contacts, pausing when he reached one name.uVhVhtvQRhUviJBhLNriorroPnQCmA

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Xie Fengxing’s contact information appeared on the screen.fybzrMUQnFXYCNALRsTLIlNLUnMKVR

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The image of Xie Fengxing from today flashed in his mind—so cold, so beautiful, so slender yet so powerful.DDCtiaVltbWOKYDpmIcdEumbRmNRgH

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Chen Xi was a big star, and the allure of her status was undeniable.RsJndPiMtVlMNTIvsyqpKKTKpRXhCT

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But Xie Fengxing had stirred something in him. This was a temptation he couldn’t resist.ClKbPozkOQDPHtCodDcBmDqsfuFQva

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Song Yu sighed wistfully.gShoXgCIOioSjmDjbnaZqfWTFUgmJk

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Why not have both?wjWQPHNwssddVPuTRuycLKcIkPfQhy

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“I heard you weren’t feeling well. Are you better now?”kjlawQgXzFgqurMaLPSbpGDuWxrftk

NqxzGHnMnfttYHz

After typing the message, he hesitated for a brief moment before sending it.IGmjEUOqWzNfyuNCUHLRYXaxPPBTyF

CoTWXgMHhDZTcLb

The bouquet of flowers he had prepared for Chen Xi lay abandoned in the trash.DTchNrNcAyKnLfGXTFszzgEeGpFwgK

rlvrdgKroAThayZ

Xie Fengxing was dozing in the passenger seat.hnkNMydOpetgrfkhuuWdlLgkZHYbrq

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Gou Xiaochuan, who was driving, chattered nonstop. He was genuinely excited today, showering Xie Fengxing with endless praise as if he were the one who had triumphed.tVHEleTYhrdQSlCgrkpzuxXDcpEnNx

KRVfkHQkkNmtUhw

Xie Fengxing’s phone vibrated, and he slowly opened his eyes.MuVHxbXznnoUzEYUeRietYwFzPuglg

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Sunlight streamed through the car window, casting a glow on his delicate eyelids. He glanced lazily at the message on his screen.cvJifrQWRPTgeGrgcMYnhcGRyHwKZb

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The sender’s name was marked simply as “Yu.”nMnUgTTMGZTQpFGnJhfmtsUWSRuqLt

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After reading Song Yu’s message, he said to Xiao Ai, “See? Some men are just shameless.”aQqzAmDZeDdKsrjTRgkGpEXFvqCyrd

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Xiao Ai asked eagerly, “How are you going to reply?”XbMTfvzndQYwZjeHbwHwmDBpulDZPC

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“I’m not.”PZMBBAddFJEnTTHneRWoAJlMTzuEAa

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Perhaps due to having completed too many missions, Xie Fengxing was unusually cold and ruthless when it came to dealing with so-called sincere feelings from scumbags—sometimes even appearing somewhat cruel. He didn’t reply to Song Yu’s message. Instead, he changed his contact name.ptkWMavUmrOsXlClhzByNqaZgjXcrk

odxYjWrAdHEIvxA

“Idiot No. 1.”ZmjzzzaaxgLJPSBirAJjKDEtxbdUmp

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Xiao Ai: “…”HywrQJLjsiqIbCcJPQvkgCndPOlXYw

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“You think he’s just flirting with me while keeping Chen Xi on the side too, don’t you?” Xie Fengxing said coldly.YSCTKmrGniEiQJvWONBghPaymrIieu

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A playboy’s sincerity was worth less than dog shit.CivYdKtGQooozmdxeLBsIOeNonqLxa

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Song Yu couldn’t sleep.WjYwhWITosNhGIwKviyJdbsUStEQFw

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He reached for his phone, the screen’s glow illuminating his features.ulQmYgAAqSvfrcPnNUiNEQoETFZtNz

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Still no messages.CeUrHbjzbyGEpXuWJHQmBGgcznwVUA

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Xie Fengxing actually hadn’t replied to him.QyJRhYMfPQGHkTEsiwxakHqfyuwjUG

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He never used to be like this. Before, even if Song Yu sent just one message, Xie Fengxing would reply with several long, eager responses, practically groveling. Scrolling up, Xie Fengxing’s breakup declaration spanned hundreds of words, to which Song Yu had only replied with a single “Hmm.”DoBlEXrKpanvhMNJlMTJjvpsJNgHpb

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Did he not see it, or was he ignoring him on purpose?CBFcdqgZBOFVQyzupVmMrOywlzeKoH

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Definitely on purpose—playing hard to get.SnYiWoPfWghkLYiATpyBkGktVCrnTC

CTnQWyjEaXPxyiM

This was the exact same trick Song Yu had used eight hundred times when he first pursued Xie Fengxing.FYrxNUgfPgWyTmdxyQpvnmDhSQnpNB

wdWpvwhevyDmNWa

Now, was he getting a taste of his own medicine?jBltfZHKGjVhFOHQTGRIcCNSklckQl

qlnsfbFGrDEcMjo

Hah.irbMnuyGyhyCtgxDyDjUCysjvQrnSn

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Song Yu immediately deleted Xie Fengxing’s contact.svPJflvXgNJbiquEYxJImanIdpdgmV

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He’d wait for Xie Fengxing to come crying tomorrow, begging to be added back.fBnHKzYODoAOiYcYrDRgQPUZFfIZhx

YhpxBqVKzHAQLkz

Xie Fengxing was woken up in the middle of the night by Xiao Ai.fCFdUaFYhQqqiuDAtHLeFbelwISUQY

WaWGkVZGFLChJtc

“Song Yu’s Love Value for you just dropped straight to twenty,” Xiao Ai said.xpBXsebvmuLtLfvERzlvxbEbrJqYcY

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To be more precise, it had been fluctuating between 0 and 50 this whole time.GqIeHVmXFDhIgKjTiIcxpCjjtvDXlv

ZaHuBpumBEcwczn

Xie Fengxing let out an “Oh,” watching the fluctuating numbers with great satisfaction.mAUbczWOqXEyRawHnCQepMmVTJoYqB

VVPZjTwgHcjJRhY

“Did I really used to like such a low-tier man?” Xie Fengxing asked. “Thank goodness I was wiped clean—I don’t remember a thing. Otherwise, I’d be banging my head against the wall in shame.”pncauaTaQLpmamDARsCRBsqdMsuILY

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“But the Love Value dropped so much. All our efforts from today were wasted.”rcuwIDrYBKcdbhnUNrKlGgAwZDdwBg

IhNPVuGkEQDEElx

Xie Fengxing pursed his lips and said nothing.gfTzQervhjeKGAUaxLsMeUBjvMcpVA

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His face still carried traces of sleepiness, and the pout made him look a little childish—aloof and weary.fvjNxRxPwmsycWntUWTuyVEvbDBzDW

cAOTlGOsAhqgxGu

The next morning, when Xie Fengxing woke up and checked his phone, he saw a friend request notification.fGMsrdpVbIGJSXNMMEURsnwCOJQMzG

LovyHrddTDxJlPg

“Accidentally deleted you yesterday. Let’s add each other again. —Song Yu.”VBYXcHebMbXDTVztNVtUKAXcgrVIcm

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Oh-ho.meQPCQglyvqCJeLbfKFYfkAADjLJSo

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He tossed his phone aside, pulled open the curtains, and stretched lazily in the warm morning sunlight.YJrgbuOgnyIvzExoPDxgzUCNzknACz

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Scumbags could be worse than anyone—and more shameless than anyone.VfzqsuUnNgKgDAIqAhxSxDohcCfXuN

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