Meng Wanyu affectionately wrapped her arms around Lu Chengzhou.

“Alright, I’m holding on tight now.”

“Mm.”

Lu Chengzhou walked at a leisurely pace—past Su Qiaoman, past Lin Chen—and retraced their steps.

Su Qiaoman’s glare could’ve devoured Meng Wanyu whole.

She was slowly convinced Meng Wanyu had stolen *her* Ah Zhou. If ever given the chance, she’d eliminate that detestable woman.

Of course… that chance was vanishingly slim.

With her current standing, she stood no chance against the Meng family.

Unless…

She found a taller ladder—and climbed, step by step.

Lu Chengzhou never imagined tonight’s incident would reshape Su Qiaoman so deeply.

This woman, once fixated on marrying into the Lin family to become Yi City’s richest man’s wife, now aimed far beyond.

Lin Chen watched them leave, his expression shifting subtly.

He wasn’t blind to the weight of Lu Chengzhou’s words.

Had Lu Chengzhou seized the moment and stirred further chaos, Su Qiaoman would’ve been ruined—and Lin Chen dragged down with her.

But he didn’t.

Proof Lu Chengzhou wasn’t the despicable man his so-called buddies claimed.

Not the type to kick someone when they’re down.

Meanwhile, Su Qiaoman beside him…

What was *wrong* with her?

Out of nowhere, had she lost her mind and framed Meng Wanyu?

Even if Meng Wanyu *had* sent those people—and she hadn’t—blurting it out *here*? Was she begging for trouble?

“Su Qiaoman,” Lin Chen asked, patience strained, “why are you so set against Meng Wanyu?”

He asked only because a flicker of fondness remained.

One more pointless stunt, and he’d have to let her go.

He liked her—but not enough to endanger the Lin family.

“I… I just… misidentified her! Yes, I thought that person was Meng Wanyu…”

She knew she needed to salvage her image.

Yet all she offered was a shaky echo of Lu Chengzhou’s earlier words.

Lin Chen wasn’t blind. Her flustered tone screamed lie.

An awkward silence hung.

He snorted coldly and turned to leave.

“Brother Lin Chen!”

He paused.

Su Qiaoman threw caution aside, rushed to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Voice soft, she played vulnerable:

“I’m sorry. Today’s mess… I dragged you into it.”

Lin Chen sighed.

He turned, cupped her face,

and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

“No more of this. Understand?”

“I understand.”

Her timely submission pleased him.

They embraced—but their thoughts diverged sharply.

Lin Chen wondered when he’d get to first base.

Su Qiaoman plotted to use him as a stepping stone… to climb to an even higher branch.

…

“Alright, this is far enough.”

Meng Wanyu finally slid down from Lu Chengzhou’s back.

The Meng family car waited nearby.

She had to go.

Today’s pickup wasn’t the driver—but her older sister.

No reckless antics in *her* presence.

Her sister leaned against the car door, cigarette between fingers, sizing up Lu Chengzhou.

A faint, enigmatic smile played on her lips—

captivating… and dangerously sharp.

Meng Wanyu hurried over, linked arms with her sister, and cooed playfully.

Her sister flicked her forehead.

“You lost track of time again? Another half hour and you’d have missed Dad’s check-in call.”

“Ugh, I *know*!” Meng Wanyu chirped obediently—though inwardly scoffed.

Did Dad still see her as a child?

She was nearly an adult!

Weekly check-in calls… did he really think she’d go wild?

Her sister shook her head, smiling.

Still indulgent.

They got in the car and drove off.

Lu Chengzhou boarded a bus home.

No sooner had he sat than a message arrived—from “Flower Beauty.”

Flower Beauty: Still playing games tonight? (expectant emoji)

Lu Chengzhou: What game?

Flower Beauty: Hmph! Idiot. A *proper* game, of course~ And I still wanna take a few liberties with you~

Lu Chengzhou: …

Well.

Calling it “proper” while planning to take liberties? What definition of “proper” was *that*?

Flower Beauty: Thinking dirty thoughts again? The “tofu” I meant isn’t *that* tofu!

Lu Chengzhou facepalmed.

Honestly—he hadn’t even gone there.

He wasn’t the type who hears “tofu” and instantly imagines a full erotic novel.

So he replied plainly:

You mean the fried tofu from the shop across from school?

Flower Beauty: Mhm.

Lu Chengzhou: It’s cheap. Just buy it yourself—no need to “win” it via game.

Flower Beauty: Huh?!

Then she saw it: a 10-yuan transfer.

Lu Chengzhou: No thanks needed. Eat well.

…

In the passenger seat, Meng Wanyu clenched her fists.

“That idiot!” she hissed.

Her sister chuckled. “What’s wrong? Who upset our little princess?”

Meng Wanyu pouted. “Nothing.”

She wouldn’t discuss Lu Chengzhou.

This was *her* little secret amusement.

Her sister shot her a knowing glance.

No words needed—it was *him*.

Why did her sister keep clashing with that guy?

Curiosity grew: What kind of man *was* Lu Chengzhou? To resist her stunningly beautiful sister’s repeated advances?

Did men who didn’t care about looks even exist?

“I heard you’re attending the Lin family banquet tomorrow. Don’t let Dad find out.”

Her sister’s intel network never ceased to impress.

Meng Wanyu hadn’t even explained yet.

“Got it. I’ll keep it low-key.”

“Just a quick appearance. No spotlight-seeking.”

“So… who changed your mind?”

Meng Wanyu’s gaze darkened. She turned stiffly toward the window.

Her silence gave everything away.

“Lin Chen doesn’t have that kind of pull,” her sister murmured. “So… it’s Lu Chengzhou, right?”