Chapter 54: I Only See You as a Fling

"Vivian, you and him?"

The white guy, Henry, was panting heavily, his eyes locked on the two of them.

"What, you can't tell?"

Vivian wrapped her arms around Rod's neck, making no effort to hide her affection. She knew Rod was using her to provoke Henry, but she didn't mind. She had hated this clingy guy for a long time, so she just went along with Rod's act. Of course, while Rod was acting, for her, it was only half an act — the other half was genuine.

"No way, there's no way you could like that... guy!"

Henry was in disbelief. He couldn't accept that the woman he had been pursuing for so long, who had been cold to him, could so easily fall for some Asian guy. This guy, what did he have that he didn't? It wasn't fair!

"I get it. You're just using this guy to push me away. You're pretending."

Rod couldn't help but shake his head at Henry's delusion. These guys... always so full of themselves. Did they really think they were that irresistible?

"Pretending? Do you really think you're that important?"

"Man, you should just leave. Staying any longer is just embarrassing. She's clearly tired of you, so why are you still clinging?"

With those words, Henry's already fragile composure shattered. His face twisted in anger as he marched toward Rod.

"You bastard! You must have threatened Vivian! I'm going to teach you a lesson!"

Henry's face was full of fury as he swung a punch straight at Rod's face.

"Henry, what are you doing?!"

Vivian panicked, trying to stop him, but Rod held her by the waist, making it impossible for her to move.

"Ahh!"

A scream echoed, but it wasn't from Rod. Henry, who had just attacked, now wore a pained expression, his face pale.

The scream came from Henry himself. Rod had caught his fist effortlessly and with just a little squeeze, Henry felt like his bones were being crushed.

As Rod slowly stood up, Henry was forced to kneel, desperate to prevent his wrist from breaking.

"This is pathetic."

Rod looked down at Henry, towering over him. The sheer physical dominance made Henry's face twist in fear. This guy... was like a monster in human skin.

"If I find out you're still bothering Vivian, you know what will happen," Rod warned, releasing his grip.

Henry, who had just been so aggressive, now stared up at Rod in terror, completely broken. Rod couldn't help but smirk at the sight.

These guys were all the same—arrogant on the surface but quick to fold when faced with real strength. They bullied those weaker than them but cowered in front of someone stronger.

In a place like this, you couldn't afford to show weakness. Otherwise, people would think they could walk all over you and just keep pushing. Revenge wasn't something you could delay; you had to hit back immediately. Be tough enough, and everyone will treat you with respect.

Of course, this toughness had to be backed by real strength—something Rod had in abundance. And if fists didn't work, well, he knew a bit about firearms too.

Leaving the library, Rod noticed the strange looks from people around him.

Rod sighed, feeling a bit helpless.

"Can you get down now?"

Vivian, who had been clinging to him like a koala, reluctantly climbed off. There was something about the scent of this guy that was strange, yet addictive. The more she smelled it, the more she wanted to stick close to him. If they weren't in school, she would have gladly stayed attached to him all day.

"So, what exactly is our relationship now?" Vivian asked, curious. She wasn't sure how to define their relationship. They had already done things that couples usually do, but in this country, casual hookups were common, so she wasn't sure if they were just friends or something more.

"Friends with benefits," Rod replied casually.

Girlfriend? What a joke.

Being single was so much more freeing. He wasn't about to get tied down by a woman. As long as there was no formal commitment, he was free to do whatever he wanted. If he got a girlfriend, it would be like willingly putting himself under someone else's control.

And would Vivian get mad about it? Why should he care?

If she was unhappy, she could walk away. He hadn't forced her to stay. She came to him willingly, so it wasn't his problem.

"You really have no tact, do you?" Vivian pouted, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She had never met someone so blunt, who would just straight up tell a girl that she was nothing more than a fling.

Rod glanced at her and shrugged before walking away.

"Wait for me!"

Vivian stomped her foot in frustration, but still followed after him. Being "friends with benefits" was better than being just classmates, right? It was at least a step closer. After all, Rod didn't have a girlfriend, so she figured she still had a chance to turn this into something more. With enough effort, she was confident she could make this guy fall for her, right at her feet.