Mike and other were already struggling to process what they were seeing.
Jason had already been close with Emma, Quinn, and Megan—three of the recognized "flowers" of their university. Now, he was openly together with Holly Larson, the dance department's star.
And on top of all that, the goddess of another academy—Jinyi herself—had just walked up to him with flattering words, almost deferential.
It was incomprehensible.
Luce especially couldn't stomach it. He and Jinyi both belonged to the same Academy. For him, even a few exchanged words with her would be something to boast about for weeks.
Yet here she was, smiling at Jason Carter, the outsider, speaking with respect as if he were the one doing her a favor.
After all his bragging, all his attempts to look superior, Luce felt like the ground had been pulled out from under him. His sense of importance collapsed in an instant, leaving only bitterness.
And then Jason spoke, calm and high-handed, his tone casual—almost dismissive."Yeah, your taste in clothing isn't bad. Next time I need to pick something, I'll ask you for help."
Luce's fists clenched under the table. That's my goddess you're talking to. If she ever helped me pick an outfit, I'd brag about it for a year straight. And you—you talk like it's her honor to be your assistant?!
But to his horror, Jinyi's eyes lit up at the words."Of course! I'll always be at your service. Actually… after that day, I designed a few more sets that would suit you. Want to see them now? I could fetch my board from the studio."
Jason waved his hand lazily, as though swatting away an unnecessary formality."No need to trouble yourself. Just leave it with my secretary. You've been walking around in those heels all night—sit down before you tire yourself out."
Luce nearly choked.
Leave it with your secretary?! This was Jinyi—the idolized beauty of their academy—and Jason was treating her sketches like courier parcels, not even worthy of direct handoff.
Worse, Jinyi smiled even wider, her expression softening as she happily lowered herself into the seat beside Jason.
When she leaned in, her shoulder brushed his arm, steadying herself with an easy intimacy. The gesture was so natural, as if the closeness had always been there.
Then she beckoned her classmates over, seating them near Jason. The girls whispered among themselves, sneaking glances at him, their admiration plain.
Luce's stomach burned.
This was supposed to be his stage—the seating arrangement, the backdrop, everything had been prepared so he could look important in front of the visiting girls. But now Jason had stolen the spotlight effortlessly, and worse—he'd done it using Luces own goddess.
Finally, Luce couldn't take it anymore. He forced himself to step closer, putting on what he hoped was a natural smile, though his voice cracked slightly."Jin… Jinyi, long time no see."
Deep down, his confidence wavered. He knew the truth.
In looks, he was plain; she was radiant.
In status, he relied on bravado; she was already a successful influencer, her channel making more money than he could hope to touch.
There was no real equality between them.
"Hello," Jinyi replied politely, sparing him the briefest glance before turning her attention right back to Jason.
Luce's throat tightened. He pushed on, desperate."Jinyi, these chairs are a bit rough. Fine for us guys, but for delicate girls like you, they're not really suitable. I wasn't expecting you to come tonight, otherwise I'd have arranged something better. Let me swap these out for proper ones."
His words carried a double edge—on the surface courteous, but also meant to remind everyone that he had arranged the seating in the first place.
That he was still relevant here.
Luce sat there seething, his earlier smugness dissolving like mist under sunlight. He had hinted, he had bragged, he had all but declared that the backstage seating was his arrangement—yet Jinyi hadn't even looked at him when she brushed off his offer.
Her gaze remained fixed on Jason Carter.
"Jason," she said softly, her tone laced with warmth, "I thought you looked young from the photos and videos I saw before, but now… you're actually here, at the talent showcase? Don't tell me you're still just a student?"
Jason leaned back casually, one arm resting on the seat. "Yeah. And you're at the Academy of Fine Arts, right?"
Jinyi's eyes brightened. "That's right. So close to each other, and yet this is the first time we've met."
Jason smiled faintly. "Then you should visit our campus sometime. I'll show you around myself."
Jinyi's whole face lit up, as though a secret wish had just been granted. "Really? Then I'll rely on you, senior. You'll be my guide?"
Luce's vision blurred with jealousy. Why does she talk to him like that? He had just reminded everyone that the seats here were his doing, but it was as if Jinyi didn't even hear him.
And then Jason, with effortless grace, added, "Of course. This time I only got a spot backstage thanks to your classmate Luce here. He's the one who arranged it."
Jason didn't mean to throw Jinyi away; to him, this small credit wasn't worth keeping. But by mentioning Luce, he showed a kind of generosity that made him seem above it all.
Luce's chest swelled with a shred of hope—finally, the spotlight might turn back to him.
But no. Jinyi and the other girls simply offered a polite, "Thank you, Senior Luce," before moving on, their attention instantly returning to Jason.
Worse, they looked at Jason with even more admiration than before, as though they saw his acknowledgment of Luce as proof of emotional intelligence and magnanimity. To them, Jason wasn't dismissing—he was considerate enough to include others.
Luce sat frozen, his face gray, completely ignored.
Mike and others exchanged looks. Their expressions were twisted mixtures of envy and disbelief.
Jason's too much.It was already insane when he got Holly Larson. Now even the Academy of Fine Arts' goddess is falling over herself for him?When did our "third guy" turn into this monster?
They almost missed the old days, when Emma used to toy with him, when Jason was the one they could laugh at.
Mike sneaked a glance at Luce, whose expression was pitifully dark, and patted him on the shoulder with a sigh.
Just then, he pulled out his phone. An idea struck him.
He snapped a photo of Jinyi in her stunning red dress and sent it to Zach:"Beauty from the Fine Arts Academy. What do you think?"
The reply came instantly.Zach: "Damn! Bro, I love you. This one's totally my type. Wait—why are you in the backstage area? Never mind, I'm on my way!"
He smirked, kept quiet, and waited.
Half an hour later, just as Zach would be running across campus in excitement, he sent another picture—this time of Jinyi sitting close beside Jason, smiling brightly at him.
Zach, panting from his sprint, slowed to a stop, staring at his phone. His jaw dropped. For several seconds, he stood frozen, before finally blurting one raw, unfiltered word:
"Shit."
The roles had reversed.
Days ago, Zach had pranked him by sending him a picture of Jason and Holly Larson together, leaving Wang crushed. But now the pain had been transferred, bouncing back to Zach.
The joys and sorrows of college life might not align—but envy and heartbreak had a way of evening out.
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