Han Lanmeng never expected to run into Yan Wenshu here. Iit was their first time meeting again after growing up.

“I’m Han Lanmeng, do you still remember me? We used to play together when we were kids.” She asked excitedly, “Where do you work now? Where do you live?”

Yan Wenshu’s eyes remained cold, yet he watched himself respond with a gentle expression, “Oh, so you’re that cute little girl. I remember you.”

“I work in Tianhai now and live in the Liulin Community.”

“What a coincidence! I live in the Liulin Community too! We should hang out sometime.”

The system let out a sigh. Until the host broke free from the storyline’s control, he could only act like a fool, giving the female lead whatever she wanted, answering whatever she asked. As long as it was her will, he had no choice but to comply.

What a tragic tool character.

[Host, be storng.]

Yan Wenshu stared at the fake smile in front of him, feeling a strong urge to tear it apart.

A wave of nausea rose within him.

Meanwhile, Zang Ling glanced between Yan Wenshu and Han Lanmeng in confusion before speaking up, “Excuse me, Miss, but it seems like you’re currently working. The people behind us are getting impatient. Could you process our tickets quickly?”

Han Lanmeng let out an “Ah!” before sticking out her tongue playfully. “Oops, Wenshu, I was just too happy and forgot I was working. You go ahead.”

Zang Ling was like, what?

Wait a second.

She was the one who reminded her, yet this woman only responded to Yan Wenshu? That was way too obvious.

Yan Wenshu nodded and walked forward briskly.

Zang Ling called out to him, “…Yan Wenshu, you forgot about me.”

Yan Wenshu halted, as if he had just snapped out from a thought, then turned back and returned to her side. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you behind.”

The system silently added in its mind, Thank you for saving the host.

Zang Ling was like a bug in this story—the closer he got to her, the more freedom he seemed to gain.

But she was also just a side character in the book. Why was she so special?

Yan Wenshu was wondering the same thing—what made Zang Ling different?

In his past life, after she got engaged to Yuan Haolang, she provoked Han Lanmeng, and soon after, her company was bankrupted by Yuan Haolang…

Looking at it that way, it seemed normal.

But then something struck Yan Wenshu—what happened to Zang Ling after she went bankrupt?

He had no memory of it at all.

“Yan Wenshu? Yan Wenshu!”

Yan Wenshu snapped out of his thoughts and saw Zang Ling looking at him in confusion. “Are you bored being out with me? I’m not that dull, right…?”

“No, you’re great. It’s my own issue.”

“So we’re both fine! Don’t overthink it.” Zang Ling had only asked casually and didn’t take it seriously. She shoved another ticket into his hand. “Now it’s time to reveal the first mystery. Check it out!”

We’re both fine…

Yeah, we never had any problems in the first place.

Yan Wenshu’s mood visibly lifted. He looked at her expectant face and smiled. “Alright, I’ll check.”

“‘Song of the Bright Moon’? A historical drama?”

Zang Ling smirked mysteriously. “You’ll see once we’re inside.”

Yan Wenshu unconsciously smiled and followed her into the theater.

Zang Ling had picked seats in the third-to-last row, believing that angle was the most comfortable for watching a movie.

After sitting down, she glanced at the screen. Still two minutes until the movie started.

Thinking for a moment, she turned and whispered to Yan Wenshu beside her, “Are you friends with that girl from earlier?”

Yan Wenshu’s smile faded slightly. “No.”

“We only met a few times as kids. We’re not close.”

Zang Ling remarked, “You guys seemed to be chatting well. She clearly likes you.”

“It was just small talk,” Yan Wenshu said awkwardly. “We haven’t been in contact for years. I barely remember anything from back then.”

He hesitated before adding softly, “Honestly, I wanted to leave, but she kept talking. I had no choice.”

Zang Ling chuckled. “Then—do you like anyone right now?”

“No.”

The system yelled, [She’s getting anxious! She’s getting anxious!]

[Zang Ling is beating around the bush, trying to ask if you like Han Lanmeng without directly mentioning her. Ahh, I’m loving this!]

Yan Wenshu frowned. [Don’t mention that woman’s name.]

The system quieted down. [Understood…]

Was the female lead’s power that strong? Just hearing her name gave the host PTSD.

Zang Ling grinned. “That’s great—oh, I mean, what a coincidence, I’m single too! Hahaha.”

Noticing the opening credits rolling, she quickly added, “The movie’s starting! We’ll talk later.”

As a beautiful melody played, Yan Wenshu watched the screen unfold, a trace of surprise in his gaze.

[So Zang Ling likes anime? That doesn’t match her appearance at all. Normally, wouldn’t she pick a romance movie to set the mood? It feels like you were just dragged along.]

The system sighed. [And come on, she said ‘Let’s watch the movie,’ and she really meant it? Shouldn’t the focus today be on you?]

[Look at the couples around you. They’re already making out, and Zang Ling is just watching the movie. Host, at this rate, when will she ever realize her feelings? If you wait for her to get the hint, it’ll take forever. By the time you finish the storyline, you still might not have won her over.]

Yan Wenshu remained silent, his deep gaze unreadable.

Zang Ling was fully immersed as the movie reached its climax. Satisfied, she nodded. This was exactly the movie she had been looking forward to. Suddenly feeling thirsty, she reached for the water bottle—only to bump into another hand.

Yan Wenshu quickly withdrew his hand, but the warmth of his fingertips lingered.

Zang Ling instinctively turned to look at him. He was still staring intently at the screen, his profile sharp, with long, dark eyelashes. The dim theater lighting accentuated his defined features, making him look like a flawless Greek sculpture.

[Holy crap, how can he be this good-looking?! His face is way too perfect. This proportion is like an anime male lead! I used to think guys like this didn’t exist in real life. Ah, his nose is so straight—I bet you could slide down it like a playground slide. I heard guys with straight noses are… well, very skilled in certain areas. I wonder if that’s true…]

Yan Wenshu stiffened slightly, his brows furrowing.

[System, didn’t I tell you not to monitor Zang Ling anymore? If this happens again, don’t bother coming out.]

The system chuckled awkwardly, [Just this once, I won’t do it again.] In its mind, it muttered, Aren’t you the one who wants to know what she’s thinking?

The hour-and-a-half-long movie ended quickly, and by then, it was already noon. As they walked, Zang Ling chattered away with Yan Wenshu, discussing the movie’s plot.

Zang Ling rarely revealed her personal interests. In the past, when her parents found out, they never understood and would only call her childish. She glanced at Yan Wenshu, who had turned slightly, listening attentively to her, and realized she hadn’t heard his thoughts on the movie yet. She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you think the movie was good?”

“It was very good. My favorite character was Pang Ge—he stayed calm in the face of problems and could resolve them quickly. He also treated people fairly, never judging them based on status.”

Zang Ling’s eyes lit up. “Yes, exactly! He’s my second favorite character.”

“Then who’s your first?” Yan Wenshu asked naturally.

Zang Ling was just about to answer when she met his gaze. The words at the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.

“You.”

She nodded firmly. “You’ve taken Song Xuewu’s place. You’re now my number one favorite.”

Song Xuewu was the female lead in Song of the Bright Moon, well-known for her stunning beauty and high emotional intelligence.

Yan Wenshu smiled faintly. “Is it because of my face?”

Zang Ling nodded seriously, without a hint of embarrassment.

“You’re incredibly good-looking, completely my type. If there were an award for the most attractive person in the world, I’d give it to you.”

Yan Wenshu chuckled, a bit stifled. “Then I should really thank you.”

“You should!” Zang Ling grinned proudly. “Yan Wenshu, you better take good care of your face, or I won’t like you anymore.”

Yan Wenshu laughed softly and agreed, “Alright.”

“Please wait!”

Is someone calling out to them?

Zang Ling turned in confusion and saw the ticket girl from earlier running up to them, panting. She bent over slightly to catch her breath before saying, “Wenshu, can I join you? I’m about to have lunch too.”

Hey, why is she ignoring me again? Zang Ling forced a polite smile. “Excuse me, miss, you are…?”

Han Lanmeng only seemed to notice her now. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t notice you earlier. You don’t mind, do you? I’m Han Lanmeng, Wenshu’s friend.”

“…Nice to meet you, I’m Zang Ling, also a friend of Yan Wenshu.” Did she really not see me? Does she think I’d believe that?

Han Lanmeng looked surprised. “That’s great! Wenshu used to be so cold when we were kids. It took me a lot of effort to get him to accept me. I used to wonder what to do if I ended up being his only friend. Right, Wenshu?”

Yan Wenshu pressed his lips into a smile. “Yeah, back then, you were the only one willing to talk to me. Without you, my childhood would have been pretty boring.”

Zang Ling didn’t know what to say.

Something felt off.

She glanced at Yan Wenshu skeptically. This is what he calls not being close?

“Oh? Is that so? Then tell me more about Yan Wenshu—I’m curious.”

Han Lanmeng teased, “Miss Zang, are you that interested in Wenshu? Don’t tell me you like him?”

“Yes, I do.”

Han Lanmeng froze for a moment, then forced a smile. “…Really? Wenshu has always been handsome, but back then, I was the only one by his side. Looks like I don’t have to worry about him not finding a girlfriend now.”

“I’m starving. Where are you guys going to eat?”

Zang Ling raised an eyebrow at how quickly she changed the topic but didn’t comment. “Sorry, Miss Han, I just remembered we have something else to do first, so we won’t be joining you for lunch.”

“Huh?” Han Lanmeng looked at Yan Wenshu, disappointed. “Is it really that important? Not even a quick meal?”

Yan Wenshu met her gaze and instinctively started to say, “I could—”

Zang Ling swiftly interrupted, hooking her arm around his and flashing Han Lanmeng a smile. “You two can catch up another time. We’ll be going now.”

“Oh…” Han Lanmeng could only watch as Zang Ling pulled Yan Wenshu away.

Wenshu and that girl seem really close… Will they end up together?

At the next intersection, while waiting for the light to change, Zang Ling let go of his arm and looked toward a nearby store. “Sorry about that earlier. I just wanted to spend the day alone with you. You can meet up with Miss Han some other time.”

But Yan Wenshu shook his head and smiled sincerely. “It’s fine. There’s nothing for me to catch up on with her. I’d rather be with you.”

Zang Ling turned to look at him seriously. “Do all handsome guys talk this sweetly? You’re not a player, are you?”

“…Why would you think that? Do I seem like a player?”

“I heard your conversation with Miss Han back then. The way you described your relationship with her doesn’t quite match up with what I just saw.”

“I swear, I don’t toy with people’s feelings,” Yan Wenshu said, a shadow passing through his dark eyes. His tone cooled. “If anything, I wish I’d never met her.”

Zang Ling thought he was joking and laughed. “The light’s green, let’s go.”

“…Alright.”

Yan Wenshu assumed they were heading to a restaurant, but unexpectedly, Zang Ling took him to a supermarket.

He waited at the entrance while she went inside. A moment later, she came out carrying a small bag.

Yan Wenshu didn’t ask what she bought. Just as he was about to ask where they were eating, she suddenly grabbed his hand and placed something in his palm.

Yan Wenshu stared at it in surprise. “This… is for me?”

Zang Ling nodded happily and shook the bag in her other hand. “These are yours too!”

“Why?”

“You didn’t seem too happy today, so have something sweet.”

Yan Wenshu looked down at the White Rabbit candy in his hand. Slowly, his fingers curled around it. “Thank you…”

“So, what’s my score for today?”

“Hm?” Yan Wenshu blinked.

Zang Ling walked ahead, swinging the bag as she turned back to grin at him, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “As a suitor, on a scale of one to ten, what’s my score for today?”