"Good night, Bai Bai~"

He watched Meng Wanyu step inside.

The porch light clicked off, swallowed by darkness.

Lu Chengzhou felt slightly dazed.

The girl’s lingering scent, the cool press of her fingertips—all still vivid.

Love strikes like a tornado: here in a flash, gone just as fast!

He had to admit—it *had* charmed him, just for a heartbeat.

But for his own safety? He steadied his breath. No getting swept into that storm.

He turned quickly. Home. Home.

…

Meng Residence.

Inside Meng Wanyu’s bedroom.

Her older sister leaned against the door, watching her sister frantically change outfits and primp. *Tsk, tsk, tsk.*

She’d seen it—a boy walking her sister home!

That silhouette? Definitely Lu Chengzhou.

Wow. Just one day, and he’s already escorting her home?

She remembered: heirs from Jingzhou’s other great families had tried endlessly to win Meng Wanyu’s favor—yet none even knew her address!

Was it her sister’s skill… or Lu Chengzhou’s?

"So… you’re actually interested in that commoner boy?"

Meng Wanyu offered a faint smile, shrugged noncommittally.

She’d slipped into a sleek black gown.

Before the floor-length mirror, she admired herself.

Fair neck. Pigeon’s blood ruby necklace. Aristocratic grace, instantly perfected.

Her figure, wrapped in smooth satin—no trace of excess.

Her sister lit a cigarette, eyes narrowing.

Still just a high schooler… yet already this alluring.

A flicker of envy stirred in the older sister’s heart.

"Father said we must prepare to return to Jingzhou."

"You go ahead."

Meng Wanyu adjusted every strand of hair.

A detail-oriented woman.

After deliberation—high ponytail.

Revealed the smooth curve of her back. A quiet kind of allure.

"I’ll stay in Yi City a little longer. Rare to find prey so perfectly suited to my taste."

Her sister frowned.

*Lu Chengzhou?* Truly this captivating?

To bewitch her proud, mischievous little sister so completely… bizarre.

She’d need to meet this boy herself.

…

Lin Residence.

After seeing Su Qiaoman home—further delayed—

Lin Chen finally neared the gate. Butler waiting.

His stomach dropped.

"Young Master. You’re late again."

The butler stood firm, blocking his path.

"The Master’s order: one more late return means house arrest."

Ice shot down Lin Chen’s spine.

Confinement. Facing the wall. No.

"Please, Uncle Wang! Don’t!"

He softened his tone, adding a hint of coyness.

"I was… at the library. Lost track of time…"

The butler’s brow furrowed.

The Master loved books.

But *Young Master*? A playful troublemaker. Library? Unlikely.

"I understand youthful fun," the butler said evenly, "but avoid trouble." A light cough. "Confinement stands. My apologies."

A clap. Guards stepped forward, securing Lin Chen.

"Reflect well."

Panic surged. "No! School tomorrow! Uncle Wang! Uncle Wang—Wang Defa!!!"

The butler paused. Studies mattered.

The Master’s words echoed: *No legacy for a wastrel.*

Lin Chen wasn’t ready.

"Arrange tutors."

"Chinese, math, English. All subjects covered."

"Post the recruitment notice now."

…

Lu Chengzhou’s small rental apartment.

Showered. Relaxed on the sofa. Cola in hand. Scrolling.

This world mirrored reality—but differed.

No original-era tycoons. No top celebrities.

No iconic cities or landmarks.

Yet currency, prices—familiar.

A novel’s world. Canon characters followed fixed personas.

Canon plots held firm… unless altered.

*His* leverage.

"Sigh… Good thing that restroom only had *this* book. Forced me to finish it."

Melodramatic romance. Once wildly popular.

Cheesy? Yes. Marketable? Absolutely.

Moms’ favorite, after all.

As he pondered—

[System Alert: Your influence altered canon. Male lead Lin Chen confined. Reward unlocked: Learning Skill—High School English Mastery.]

Lu Chengzhou jolted upright.

Not for the skill. For the *change*.

"Lin Chen… confined?"

He recalled: rebellious teen. Master Lin’s "three late returns = one week confinement" rule.

In canon, *only* Lu Chengzhou suffered at the barbecue stall.

Su Qiaoman returned home with Lin Chen—no punishment. Bonding time.

Now? Complications.

"Hope he doesn’t blame me," he murmured.

*Ding. Ding.*

QQ notification.

Friend request:

"Fresh Flower Beauty" wants to add you.

ID. Silhouette of a girl cradling a little black cat.

Recognition hit instantly.

*That plain-looking girl.*

"How’d she get my number?"

He declined.

She requested again. And again.

Sighing, he blocked her.

Then—the phone rang.

She wasn’t giving up.