What was destined to come had finally arrived. After an ordinary, peaceful Saturday, Lu Li rose early to buy fruit at the market. Visiting as just a classmate, he couldn’t show up empty-handed.

Fruit was the perfect gift—neither too costly nor too cheap, warm without seeming fawning. As Lu Li browsed the stalls, his phone rang with an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Mr. Lu Li?"

*Mr. Lu Li?* No one in this life had ever addressed him so formally. He checked the caller ID—definitely not a sales call.

"Yes."

A muffled exchange came through the speaker, then a new voice took over: Chu Jingyi.

"Lu Li? Are you there? What time are you coming? I’ll have Uncle Long pick you up." Her tone was elegant, painting the image of a poised young lady from an esteemed family.

"So early?"

"Not early at all! It’s already 8 a.m.—sun’s burning your butt! Just hurry up!"

Why the rush? Didn’t the class rep know how easily a guy might get the wrong idea? Lu Li shook his head. Silly goose’s sense of distance was always off—swinging between icy aloofness and sudden warmth. Thankfully, decades of life experience kept him from misreading her.

He gave the market address. Moments later, a discreet sedan pulled up—different from last time’s black car. A tall, lean man stepped out: clean-shaven, sharp-eyed, radiating quiet competence.

"Mr. Lu Li, please get in."

This was Uncle Long. Lu Li greeted him politely. The man smiled. "Call me Uncle Long. Brought fruit? Thoughtful."

Settled in the backseat, Lu Li’s mind wandered.

*What if Chu Xiaodong summons me to his study and slides over a check?*

*He’d steeple his fingers coolly: "Five million. Leave my daughter. You know the gap between you."*

*Perfect melodrama.*

*If it’s one million—I’d refuse firmly: "She’s not an object. She deserves to choose!" He’d be moved, grip my hand: "Comrade Xiao Lu, I misjudged you!"*

*But… five million? Well. Hard to say no to that.*

Unaware Lu Li was mentally scripting a prime-time soap opera, Secretary Long observed him quietly through the rearview mirror.

A neat, clean-cut boy. Faint fuzz on his lip—reminded him of his own youth, when he grew a beard to seem mature. Now, clean-shaven felt right.

Lu Li wasn’t nervous. Smiling, even. *Does he not grasp the Chu family’s standing in Chuanhai City?* Secretary Long had no idea the smile came from his mental theater hitting the classic amnesia plotline.

*Decent kid,* he thought, giving a slight nod. Living alone, balancing studies and life—impressive for his age. Upright character, too.

To ease the silence, Lu Li spoke: "Uncle Long, your driving’s incredibly smooth."

Secretary Long’s lips curved faintly. "Over a decade behind the wheel. Gotta have skills."

"A driver? You don’t look the part."

"Oh? What do I look like?"

"Like a prosecutor. Your aura screams it."

A flicker of nostalgia crossed Secretary Long’s face. He’d aimed for the prosecutor’s office once. Fate rerouted him to Chu Xiaodong’s side. At this level, "secretary" meant family—handling both public and private matters.

"Just a driver," he said lightly. "No prosecutor material." But his tone warmed.

Conversation flowed easier after that. Lu Li wisely steered clear of prying, sharing only about himself. When he mentioned his guardian vanishing with his funds, Secretary Long’s brow furrowed.

"Unconscionable! No decency left in people?"

"It’s alright. Hardest days are behind me. Every tomorrow’s brighter—I’m content."

Secretary Long nodded inwardly. His regard for Lu Li rose sharply.

Soon, the car entered a residential compound—modest in appearance, officially allocated to officials. Lu Li noticed the "security" wore uniforms with police badge numbers. *Not guards. Special police.* No wonder silly goose sent a ride. Coming alone? He’d likely be detained at the gate.

The deeper he saw into Chu Jingyi’s world, the more staggering it felt. In his past life, he’d never stood near someone like Chu Xiaodong. Now, barely a month reborn, he was here as a private guest—all thanks to silly goose. No wonder so many in the system sought a good spouse.

Yet clarity settled in Lu Li’s chest: he and Chu Jingyi belonged to separate worlds. Their paths should never have crossed.

*Was inviting her to the study group a mistake?*

"The young miss is waiting," Secretary Long said, spotting Chu Jingyi peering anxiously from the doorway. He chuckled. "Go on."

Lu Li stepped out, watching the car depart. Such a high-status man, driving just for him. *Chu Jingyi… you’re really piling on the pressure.*

The bag of bananas and apples suddenly felt childish. A quiet wave of insecurity rose—flustered, uneasy, adrift. *Haven’t felt this in years. Is this… being young?*

Then he saw her.

Silly goose jogging toward him, face lit with genuine joy. Today, rare casual wear: a soft goose-yellow dress hugging her tall frame. Slender, porcelain-white legs caught the sun; bare arms added delicate radiance.

Exquisitely refined. Pure. Graceful. She *was* spring’s vibrant charm.

Eyes crinkled in a smile just like her father’s: "You’re finally here! Come on!" Her hand instinctively reached for his—then froze. *An Baili’s words echoed: Lu Li’s a pervert. And An Baili’s boyfriend.* She tucked her fingers behind her back.

*I should keep my distance.*

"I… finished the song you asked for," she blurted, then winced inwardly. *Sounded like a kid seeking praise. Why do I care what he thinks? Ugh.*

"Very impressive," Lu Li said.

*Hehe.* Chu Jingyi let out a silly giggle, heart fluttering warm and light.