Lin Mo woke up with one thought. He wanted to drop out. Not seriously. But emotionally. He stared at the ceiling for several seconds. Then checked the time. 7:12. His first class was at nine. Perfect. He had time for breakfast. That was the important thing. By eight o'clock, Lin Mo was sitting in the university cafeteria with a bowl of noodles in front of him. His mood had improved considerably. Food was miraculous. It solved problems that philosophy couldn't. Xu An dropped into the seat opposite him. “You're early.” Lin Mo looked at him. “I'm hungry.” “That explains everything.” Xu An opened his breakfast. Then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right.” “What?” “There's an academic exchange event next week.” Lin Mo continued eating. “Congratulations.” “Why are you congratulating me?” “I don't know.” “You're supposed to participate.” Lin Mo stopped chewing. “No.” Xu An laughed. “You didn't even ask what it is.” “No.” “You could get extra academic credits.” “No.” “There will be free food.” Lin Mo put down his chopsticks. “Tell me more.” Xu An stared. “You really are predictable.” “Free food is a serious matter.” Apparently, the university was organizing a small technology and business exchange event. Several companies were sending representatives. There would be professors, students, researchers, and business guests. Lin Mo listened while eating. Then he made his decision. “I won't go.” Xu An looked disappointed. “Why?” “Too many people.” “That's your reason?” “Yes.” “What if there's free food?” “I'll survive.” “What if there are famous people?” “I'll survive.” “What if—” “No.” Xu An sighed. “You're impossible.” Lin Mo returned to his noodles. He had learned something after transmigrating. The easiest way to avoid trouble was not to walk toward it. After breakfast, Lin Mo went to class. Halfway through the lecture, his phone vibrated. He glanced down. A message from Gu Wen. Gu Wen: Are you going to the exchange event next week? Lin Mo frowned. Why was everyone suddenly asking him about it? Lin Mo: No. Three dots appeared. Gu Wen: I have to attend. Lin Mo: Good luck. Gu Wen: You're really not coming? Lin Mo: No. Gu Wen: There's free food. Lin Mo stared at the message. Traitor. Even Gu Wen knew his weakness now. He typed: Lin Mo: What kind? There was a pause. Gu Wen: I don't know. Lin Mo: Then no. Gu Wen sent a laughing emoji. Lin Mo put his phone away. The professor was looking directly at him. “Student Lin.” Lin Mo froze. “Yes?” “Since you're so interested in your phone, perhaps you can answer the question.” Silence filled the classroom. Lin Mo looked at the board. He had absolutely no idea what the question was. He glanced sideways. Gu Wen quietly moved his notebook so Lin Mo could see it. Lin Mo answered. The professor nodded. “Correct.” Lin Mo sat down. Then whispered, “Thank you.” Gu Wen whispered back, “You owe me.” “For what?” “Saving your academic career.” “I'll buy you noodles.” “Deal.” The next few days passed peacefully. Lin Mo attended classes. Gu Wen prepared for his seminar. Xu An complained about assignments. The university cafeteria continued committing crimes against his favorite noodles. Everything was normal. Until Friday afternoon. Lin Mo was leaving the library when he noticed a small crowd near the main gate. Students were whispering. Someone had arrived. Lin Mo didn't care. He walked around them. Then heard someone say— “Isn't that the Shen Group's young master?” Lin Mo stopped. Only for half a second. Then continued walking. Don't look. Don't care. Keep moving. He had already met Shen Yichen once. That was enough. Unfortunately, fate apparently disagreed. “Lin Mo.” He stopped. That voice was familiar. Lin Mo slowly turned. Shen Yichen stood several meters away. He wasn't alone. Several university administrators were speaking with him. Shen Yichen's gaze had landed directly on Lin Mo. For several seconds, neither spoke. Lin Mo's brain produced one sentence. Why is he here? Then another. This is exactly why I avoid protagonists. Shen Yichen walked toward him. Lin Mo considered running. That would be suspicious. So he stayed. Shen Yichen stopped in front of him. “You study here.” It wasn't a question. Lin Mo nodded. “Yeah.” “I remember.” Lin Mo forced a smile. “Good memory.” Shen Yichen looked at him. “You've been mentioned in a report.” Lin Mo's smile disappeared. “What report?” “The library's equipment project.” Lin Mo blinked. Then remembered. A few weeks ago, the computer science department had collected student suggestions for improving the library's old computer systems. Lin Mo had submitted a short technical proposal. He'd forgotten about it. Shen Yichen continued. “Your proposal was forwarded to one of our partner companies.” Lin Mo stared at him. “Oh.” That was all. Shen Yichen seemed to wait for more. There wasn't more. Lin Mo had no idea what else to say. Finally, Shen Yichen asked, “Why did you write it?” Lin Mo answered honestly. “The computers were slow.” Silence. One of the administrators looked like he wanted to laugh. Shen Yichen's expression didn't change. “You didn't do it for the competition?” “No.” “Or recognition?” “No.” “Then why?” Lin Mo looked at him as though the answer were obvious. “Because the computers were slow.” Shen Yichen stared at him. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth moved. Barely. Almost imperceptibly. “Understood.” He turned and walked away. Lin Mo watched him leave. He stood there for several seconds. Then sighed. “I really should stop submitting things.” That evening, Lin Mo received an email. Subject: Student Proposal — Library Computer Upgrade The university had accepted his proposal. His idea would be used as the basis for a new project. Lin Mo stared at the screen. There was also a note. A technology company had offered to sponsor part of the project. The company belonged to the Shen Group. Lin Mo leaned back in his chair. He was silent for a long time. Then he opened his survival rules. He looked at Rule Number Four. Do not interfere with the plot. He thought about it. Then changed one word. Try not to interfere with the plot. He saved the document. “That's more realistic.” Outside his dorm window, the campus lights slowly came on. Lin Mo had no idea that a proposal he had written simply because he hated slow computers had just connected his ordinary university life to one of the most important business families in the city. And somewhere else, Shen Yichen was reading the same proposal. This time, he didn't close the file immediately. He read it twice. Not because the proposal was extraordinary. But because the person who wrote it seemed strangely uninterested in everything that usually mattered. Money. Recognition. Connections. Opportunity. Lin Mo wanted none of them. Shen Yichen found that... Interesting.

A Name in the Wrong Place