Soon enough, school let out.

Lin Chen had packed up and left a class early.

His buddies were all in high spirits, chattering eagerly about visiting the Lin residence.

Passing Lu Chengzhou’s desk, they shot him another annoyed glare.

Lu Chengzhou sighed inwardly.

This was utterly absurd.

Their boss had already started seeing him differently—why were these lackeys still strutting around so arrogantly?

Outside the gate, several luxury cars idled.

Lin Chen walked arm in arm with his friends, laughing and inviting them to ride together.

Just then, Su Qiaoman and Lu Chengzhou exited the gate simultaneously—caught squarely in Lin Chen’s line of sight.

Pure coincidence.

They hadn’t shared a hallway or exchanged a single word.

Yet Lin Chen’s gaze darkened instantly. Jealousy flickered.

Men rarely have generous hearts.

And Lin Chen? He was famously the pettiest man in the original story.

Trouble was brewing.

With no escape, Lu Chengzhou offered a polite smile and greeted him.

Lin Chen: “Hmph!”

Then, with classic tsundere flair, he sharply turned away.

Lu Chengzhou sighed.

He knew—he’d pressed a warm face to a cold shoulder. Utterly futile.

Should’ve stayed silent.

Suddenly, Su Qiaoman whispered softly, “Chengzhou… wait for me after the gathering tonight?”

Lu Chengzhou blinked at her, confused.

“What’s this about?”

She hesitated. “They’ll definitely try to get me drunk. I’m worried… about safety.”

“Don’t trust Lin Chen?” he asked.

She nodded.

Truth was, it wasn’t distrust of Lin Chen—it was deeper trust in Lu Chengzhou.

She didn’t want things with Lin Chen to rush.

After all, men often undervalue what comes too easily.

Lu Chengzhou chuckled dryly. “You’re trusting me *too* much. I’m a man too—mature, physically and mentally. Think I won’t take advantage?”

Su Qiaoman visibly hesitated… then murmured, barely audible: “Even if you did… I wouldn’t blame you.”

A chill shot down Lu Chengzhou’s spine.

*Is she insane?*

Saying this to him—the so-called “backup”?

Totally out of character.

She quickly slipped past him into Lin Chen’s car.

Before closing the door, she sent him a glance tinged with quiet hope.

Lu Chengzhou hissed softly, jerking his gaze away as if burned.

He’d only joked. Never planned to poach the male lead’s love interest.

He valued his life.

Luckily, Lin Chen missed their fleeting exchange.

The convoy of cars faded into the distance.

Traffic outside the gate eased.

Just then, Meng Wanyu’s Porsche pulled up.

The window rolled down—not Meng Wanyu, but Meng’s older sister behind the wheel.

Today’s outfit screamed trendy confidence. Clearly, she was only dropping her sister off.

Catching Lu Chengzhou’s glance, she turned and gave a mysterious smile.

“Teacher Lu, waiting for a ride?”

“Yeah.”

Meng Wanyu let out a soft “Oh,” opened the door. “Get in. I’ll take you.”

…

Lu Chengzhou rarely refused Meng Wanyu anymore.

Honesty? Refusal never worked. She always started polite… then got persistent.

Settling into the backseat, he noticed Meng Wanyu’s new black cocktail dress—short, sleek, highlighting her long legs.

Stiletto heels, seven or eight centimeters high, simple yet dangerously alluring.

He stole two quick glances.

The car glided forward.

Meng Wanyu suddenly leaned in, grabbing his hand.

“Shh… don’t move. *My sister might see us*,” she mouthed with a playful grin.

Lu Chengzhou ducked his head awkwardly.

He tried slipping his hand free—but she laced their fingers tight, smirking.

She yawned, pulled out her phone. “Smile! First photo together!”

Lu Chengzhou: “….”

He stayed stone-faced.

From his angle? The dress offered *way* too much view.

*Never look down at this kind of dress…*

“Smile!” Meng Wanyu pouted. “C’mon!”

He forced a grimace.

“Sigh… such a fool.” She pinched his cheek, snapped the pic, and set it as her wallpaper.

“The serious Teacher Lu is *so* cute.”

“Though I wonder…”

“…is his body as proper as his words?”

Her fingers began tracing an “8” on his leg.

Lu Chengzhou stopped her firmly—before completion.

Up front, Meng’s older sister noticed everything… and said nothing.

She’d promised not to interfere.

Besides—Lu Chengzhou was decent. Her sister’s teasing wouldn’t go far.

…

Fifteen minutes later.

The car halted before the Lin villa.

Meng Wanyu finally released his hand.

Meng’s older sister stepped out, leaned against the door, lit a cigarette.

“I’ll wait one hour max. Got plans after.”

Lu Chengzhou’s ears warmed. *Way* too ambiguous.

Meng Wanyu humphed under her breath: “Someone this weak? Couldn’t last an hour anyway…”

Lu Chengzhou shot her a look.

*Provoking me now?*

She swept inside, face cool and aloof.

Moments later, Lu Chengzhou spotted Qin Ke—Su Qiaoman’s so-called second “simp” in the original story.

Alone at the bar, sipping champagne.

His gaze drifted toward the stage… then froze.

Eyes lit up. Glass stilled.

“What a stunning girl… like a swan.”

Lu Chengzhou followed his stare—and froze.

*Wait.*

*Qin Ke was staring at Meng Wanyu?!*