Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant-Chapter 6: She Was the Most Vicious One

Mutants needed to "feed" once a month, otherwise they would starve to death. The Aberrant Purge Division was waiting to see when he would break. But even Su Zhan himself never expected - he felt no desire to "feed" at all. This was what saved him.
"Anyway, there's no way I'm spending my 300,000 on useless awakening serums," Su Zhan thought to himself. The 3% probability boost from awakening serums meant nothing to him. Or rather, as a mutant, awakening was impossible. No matter how much money he spent or how many serums he bought, it wouldn't change a thing. Even if this increased suspicion against him, it didn't really matter. After all, wasn't it perfectly reasonable for an 18-year-old high school senior to not want to gamble his entire savings on a mere 3% chance?
Su Zhan carried the stack of new textbooks back to his seat. The classroom buzzed with discussions about awakening serums.
"My dad pulled some strings to get me an Apocalypse serum - cost him two years' salary!" someone announced loudly, prompting envious gasps from those around.
"If only I could awaken..."
"I heard Purge Division members get at least 20,000 monthly, not counting bonuses and benefits."
"My dad promised to buy me a sports car if I awaken."
Amidst this fervent discussion, Su Zhan remained silent like an outsider. After all, he was a mutant who couldn't even qualify for that 10% chance.
A faint perfume scent drifted over. "Got your new books?" Li Yuqin leaned against his desk, twirling her hair around her finger. She wore a beige knitted short-sleeve that accentuated her generous curves, paired with a light blue pleated skirt. About 165cm tall with fair skin so pale the blue veins showed at her wrists in sunlight. She was the original host's unattainable crush.
But after sorting through his memories, Su Zhan immediately dismissed that image.
"Mm." He kept organizing his books without looking up.
"So..." Li Yuqin lowered her voice, "Which brand of awakening serum are you getting? My dad knows someone at the Drug Administration - could get you a discount."
Before she finished speaking, a heavy dictionary slammed onto the desk between them. "Yuqin, save your breath," Du Feng said with a sneer, standing in the aisle with one hand in his pocket. "With his family situation? He probably can't even afford the cheapest Dawnlight brand."
Li Yuqin frowned. "Du Feng!"
"Am I wrong?" Du Feng leaned over Su Zhan's desk, his gel-spiked hair practically poking Su Zhan's face. "Heard your shabby house burned down without even leaving a steel beam behind. Want me to donate you a couple serums?"
The classroom fell silent. Everyone knew the reason behind this drama. Du Feng and Li Yuqin's parents were big shots in Jiang City. Du Feng liked Li Yuqin. But Li Yuqin insisted on using the class's Su Zhan as her shield.
"Thanks for your concern." Su Zhan calmly closed his textbook. "But my affairs are none of your business."
Li Yuqin seized the chance to loop her arm through Su Zhan's. "Come on, walk me to the store. I'll buy you milk tea." Du Feng's face instantly darkened. But Su Zhan simply withdrew his arm. "Busy."
Everyone could see it clearly - everyone except the original host. She didn't like him at all, just used him as a shield. Rich girls falling for poor boys only happened in novels.
Li Yuqin's smile froze momentarily before blooming again. "Oh right, my birthday party's tonight. Invited the whole class - don't forget to come!" With that, she left.
"Listen here." Du Feng grabbed Su Zhan's collar and shoved him against the wall. "Don't push your luck. What makes you think you can get so close to Yuqin?" The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Du Feng's lackeys stood at the back, grinning with schadenfreude.
Su Zhan studied Du Feng's furious face calmly, suddenly finding it laughable. This rich kid couldn't even threaten people creatively.
"Relax." Su Zhan leisurely straightened his wrinkled collar. "I'm not interested in your games."
Du Feng blinked as if really seeing Su Zhan for the first time. "You'd better remember what you said today." With that, he roughly shouldered past Su Zhan and strode off.
Su Zhan returned to his seat and opened his textbook. He needed an excuse to skip that boring party tonight. Though the name Du Feng reminded him of something... Du Feng, Doberman. Could they be related?
He took out his phone to search, but found nothing - especially about Doberman, whose name yielded zero results. "Seems Daxia keeps Purge Division members' identities classified," he mused. Comparing Du Feng and Doberman's faces though, they shared at least fifty percent similarity, confirming his suspicion. Those similar faces and personalities - definitely brothers.
With this realization, the birthday party suddenly seemed more interesting. Su Zhan was no saint. Doberman had nearly killed him and had him under surveillance - clearly out for his life. If not for his differences from typical mutant behavior, he'd be dead already.
A birthday party? How intriguing.
Night fell over a riverside villa. According to Li Yuqin, her parents were away on business, leaving only her and the servants home. Su Zhan leaned against the railing's shadowed edge, holding an untouched glass of lemonade. Online listings said riverside villas like this cost over 20 million. Truly a rich girl's life.
Across the way, Li Yuqin held court like a queen. Her silver sequined mini dress glittered brilliantly under the lights. "Hiding alone here?" Du Feng appeared behind him, whiskey in hand. He'd changed into a casual suit with an open collar revealing unremarkable pecs, his hair still that ridiculous gelled porcupine style.
Su Zhan ignored him. Du Feng sneered and leaned closer. "What's with the act? Someone like you only got in because Yuqin pitied you."
Laughter erupted by the pool where Li Yuqin was being nudged by giggling girls, glancing their way. "Go on," Du Feng shoved Su Zhan. "Your goddess is waiting." Su Zhan remained unmoved. She hadn't called for him - he wasn't narcissistic enough to invite himself over just to become a joke.
Du Feng seemed surprised the poor kid didn't take the bait. He signaled his cronies, who immediately surrounded them. "Oh ho, our top student's got backbone!" "That's called pride, idiot. A poor man's dignity is priceless!" "You fools, he's playing hard to get!" Du Feng swirled his drink. "Too bad Yuqin doesn't fall for that."
More laughter came from the pool. Li Yuqin and her friends were huddled over a phone screen, laughing hysterically without a glance their way. Su Zhan had to admit Du Feng wasn't wrong about Li Yuqin - she clearly looked down on him, just stringing him along as a convenient shield. Otherwise she wouldn't have ignored when Du Feng's gang bullied him.
Truthfully, Li Yuqin was the most vicious one. Yet the original host genuinely believed she liked him - doting on her, attending to her every need, probably even willing to die if she asked. But things were different now. Su Zhan would never stoop to such simpering behavior.
"See that?" Du Feng smirked triumphantly. "Your goddess doesn't even remember you exist." One of his bleached-blonde lackeys reached for Su Zhan's collar. "Hey pauper, want us to take your picture? Proof you visited high society?"
His hand froze mid-air. Su Zhan's gaze triggered some primal danger instinct, like prey spotting a predator. "Scram." Just one word, spoken softly yet sending the lackeys stumbling back half a step. Du Feng's smile stiffened. Just as he was about to retaliate, all the mansion lights suddenly went out.