Chapter 20

“Who are you to be saying this to me?”

Han Lanmeng froze.

Without even turning her head, Zang Ling replied, “If I’m speaking as a friend, then you can be rest assured. Yan Wenshu hasn’t been threatened or forced by me. We’re in an equal relationship, and we’re getting along just fine.”

“Even if you ask him directly, you’ll get the same answer.”

“But if you’re speaking from any other position,” Zang Ling turned her head to give her a meaningful look, “then there’s nothing more to say.” And with that, she left.

The moment she opened the door, she came face-to-face with Yuan Haolang, who was standing there with a dark expression. Who knew how much he had overheard.

Zang Ling didn’t care. She glanced around him and asked coldly, “Where’s my boyfriend? What did you do to him?”

“Nothing!” Yuan Haolang snapped, scowling. “He went to the bathroom.”

Then, furiously, he pushed open the door and went past her. Seeing the terrified woman behind, he knew he had more urgent matters to deal with right now.

Zang Ling was skeptical of Yuan Haolang’s words. She’d only believe him after seeing Yan Wenshu safe and sound.

——-

Yan Wenshu stared at himself in the mirror. He’s got a healthy body, a youthful face. The past life seemed like a distant haze; everything now was moving in a better direction.

But he knew, this was never truly over.

[Host, why didn’t you talk back to the male lead just now? You just let him curse you out like that?] The system asked in confusion.

Not long ago, after Zang Ling and Han Lanmeng left, Yuan Haolang had started interrogating Yan Wenshu like a criminal.

Even though Yan Wenshu had clearly stated that he had nothing to do with Han Lanmeng, Yuan Haolang refused to believe him, mocking him both openly and indirectly, suggesting he used women to climb the social ladder.

Yan Wenshu didn’t respond. He sat in silence and listened until the end. Even the system couldn’t stand it anymore.

[Yuan Haolang thinks I’m no threat to him,] Yan Wenshu stared into the mirror, his gaze dark and unreadable. [But when he finally lets his guard down, and that “worthless nobody” in his eyes becomes the one controlling his fate… what do you think he’ll feel?]

[Humiliated and furious.]

[Shocked.]

[Or terrified?]

The system was startled. [Host, are you planning to kill the male lead?! If a central character of the novel dies, the world might collapse!]

After a pause, Yan Wenshu suddenly smiled. [Just kidding. I treasure this second chance too much, I wouldn’t kill him.]

The system breathed a sigh of relief and was about to say something when Yan Wenshu’s next words chilled it to the bone.

[But thank you for the reminder, system. Letting him die so easily… would be letting him off too lightly. I should make him wish he were dead.]

Seeing the hatred in his eyes, the system hesitated for a while before saying weakly, [Then… just don’t accidentally kill him, okay…]

Debts should be repaid. Grudges should be settled. That’s only natural.

And the system could only turn a blind eye, as long as he didn’t cross the ultimate line.

Suddenly, Yan Wenshu heard footsteps approaching. Someone was coming in.

He didn’t react, just kept washing his hands calmly.

The person walked over and spoke harshly, “Hey, who are you to Zang Ling?”

Yu Tianran scrutinized Yan Wenshu’s face with jealousy. He had thought he was good-looking enough, but this guy was even better-looking.

Yu Tianran liked Zang Ling. He had been pursuing her for six months without success. And today, when he heard she had brought a male companion with her, which was something she had never done before, he couldn’t sit still.

Yan Wenshu lowered his head and quietly washed his hands. “What does that have to do with you?”

Yu Tianran gritted his teeth. “I like Zang Ling! If you’re her boyfriend, then I have no chance!”

“I am.”

Yu Tianran hadn’t expected him to admit it so easily. He was stunned for a moment, then crossed his arms and raised his chin arrogantly.

“Name your price. How much will it take for you to leave Zang Ling?”

“I don’t want money.”

Yu Tianran replied, “If you don’t want money, I can offer you something else, as long as it’s within my ability.”

Yan Wenshu turned to look at him. “What I mean is, no matter what you offer me, I won’t leave her.”

“You—!”

Yu Tianran was furious. No one besides Zang Ling had dared reject him like this before.

But seeing Yan Wenshu’s calm and composed expression, he hesitated. “Whose family are you from? Why haven’t I seen you before?”

“I’m just an ordinary person,” Yan Wenshu replied coldly, not wanting to waste any more time. “Your feelings for Zang Ling are your business. Don’t involve me.”

Yu Tianran grabbed his arm, glaring. “You can’t leave!”

“You can’t go until you agree to break up with her!”

Yan Wenshu didn’t respond, He simply pulled his arm away coldly and walked forward.

Yu Tianran panicked and immediately ran ahead to block his path, spreading his arms wide.

“I won’t let you leave this room. You’ll have to step over my dead body to go through!”

Yan Wenshu was out of patience. He was just about to teach him a lesson when the system suddenly warned him.

[Host, Zang Ling is on her way here.]

Yan Wenshu looked at the frightened but stubborn young man in front of him, and lowered his raised hand.

He changed his mind.

Yu Tianran thought he didn’t dare hit him, so he got even bolder, boasting arrogantly, “If you dare lay a hand on me, I’ll have you thrown in jail. My family has connections in the government. If I want, I can have you locked up for months, maybe even years.”

“By then, you’ll be an ex-con. Zang Ling will definitely break up with you.”

[This brat is so full of himself. Host, why are you still wasting time here? Aren’t you going to see Zang Ling?]

Yan Wenshu stared at Yu Tianran. [He’s still useful.]

At first, the system didn’t understand what he meant, but within just a few minutes, Yan Wenshu deliberately provoked Yu Tianran, luring him into making a move against him, just as Zang Ling arrived outside.

The system stared at the large bruise on the host’s face and suddenly had a realization.

Smart. Incredibly smart.

Zang Ling stood gloomily at the restroom door. This was already the fourth one she had checked. If she couldn’t find him soon, she would really have to ask someone for help.

If she hadn’t left her phone in the car, she wouldn’t have to go around asking like this.

“Is anyone in there?”

“It’s me.”

Zang Ling’s eyes lit up immediately. It was Yan Wenshu’s voice. She asked eagerly, “Is there anyone else inside? Can I come in?”

“Don’t come in! I’ll be out right away.”

Zang Ling frowned. Something was off with his voice—something must have happened.

Without hesitation, she pushed the door open.

When she saw the scene in front of her, her pupils shook slightly, and she shouted sharply, “What are you doing? Stop it right now!”

Yu Tianran froze when he heard Zang Ling’s voice. His mind went blank. Why was she here?!

Panicking, he quickly pulled his hand back and hurriedly stood to the side, pretending like nothing had happened.

Zang Ling strode in with a cold face.

Yu Tianran’s back tensed. Instinctively, he put on a well-behaved smile and said, “Zang Ling, sis…”

Before he could finish, he saw her walk past him expressionlessly, as if she hadn’t even seen him, and stop right in front of Yan Wenshu.

Yu Tianran’s smile slowly faded. Listening to Zang Ling’s concerned voice behind him directed at that man, he clenched his fists silently, his eyes full of unwillingness. He had liked her first, so why wouldn’t she accept him, and instead chose to be with someone else?

Yan Wenshu sat rather roughed up on the ground. Seeing Zang Ling’s serious expression, he lowered his eyes and turned his head slightly. “Sorry… for letting you see me like this.”

Zang Ling crouched down, cupping his face in her hands, and looked into his eyes seriously. “You don’t look bad at all. Just promise me, don’t get hurt again next time, okay?”

Yan Wenshu replied softly, “Okay.”

“If you break your promise, I’ll punish you.” She suddenly leaned in and whispered in his ear.

Yan Wenshu’s body stiffened slightly, then he nodded gently.

Yu Tianran twitched his ears. Unable to hold back, he turned around and blurted out, “…Zang Ling, I was the one who hit your boyfriend.”

He would rather she scold him than ignore him like this.

It was only then that Zang Ling seemed to notice Yu Tianran. She stood up and said coldly, “Why did you hit him?”

Yu Tianran said aggrievedly, “Because he insulted me…” His heart was bitter. She showed such gentle expressions to her boyfriend, but was so cold to him.

“Hey, you there, hurry up and explain for me!”

Yan Wenshu did as he was told, “…It really wasn’t his fault. I accidentally bumped into him.”

Yu Tianran looked smug. “Zang Ling, even he said that. You should believe me now, right?”

Zang Ling laughed in exasperation. Even now, he still didn’t realize his mistake.

“Yu Tianran, you’re still lying. Apologize to my boyfriend right now!”

Yu Tianran looked at Zang Ling’s cold face, his eyes reddening. He shouted, “I won’t apologize! I didn’t lie! Zang Ling, I’m doing this all for your own good. Your boyfriend doesn’t like you at all. Break up with him and be with me!”

“I’m just a little younger, but in what way am I worse than him? If he can be your boyfriend, why can’t I?!”

Zang Ling remained unmoved, calmly looking at him. “You don’t even understand what love is. Yu Tianran, I thought you might have a bad temper, but at least you wouldn’t be a bad person. I didn’t expect you to start bullying others. I’ll be telling your parents about this.”

Yu Tianran stared at her in disbelief, realizing with heartbreak that this woman really wasn’t interested in him.

He sniffed stubbornly and said, “Go ahead and tell them! I won’t give up anyway!”

Then he ran out angrily, slamming the door with a loud bang.

Zang Ling sighed helplessly. “He’s been spoiled. I’ll have him apologize to you another day.”

Yan Wenshu replied, “It’s fine. He’s just a kid. I understand.”

“Aren’t you going to check on him? He looked pretty upset.”

Zang Ling paused for a moment, then raised her eyes and smiled. “Yu Tianran’s already an adult. He won’t get lost. Besides, I’m not his parent. Don’t worry, you’ll get a proper apology for this.”

“Speaking of which, Yan Wenshu, I still haven’t settled the score with you.”

Yan Wenshu’s heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm. “I don’t know what I did wrong.”

Zang Ling said gloomily, “Do you even realize… your precious face is injured.”

“That face, handcrafted by God, the most perfect face I love, is injured!” Her voice trembled. “It’s like a priceless piece of art being damaged. Can you accept that? Do you know how that feels?”

Yan Wenshu couldn’t help but say, “…It’ll heal in a few days.”

[System,Stop laughing.]

[Oh… oh, hahaha!]

“Yan Wenshu.”

Zang Ling sighed. “Let’s not meet again until you’ve recovered.”

Yan Wenshu’s lips moved. “Zang Ling, I feel like you like my face more than me.”

“That’s right.”

Zang Ling answered honestly, “If you didn’t look like this back then, we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.”

“Of course, I like you as a person too, just a little less than your looks.”

The system really couldn’t hold it in anymore. [Hahahahahaha.]

Looking at the host’s frustrated expression. It was just too funny.

——

Five minutes later, the two of them appeared in the parking lot. A sudden cold wind blew by. Zang Ling was wearing a strappy evening dress, and the moment the wind hit, goosebumps covered her skin.

She silently wrapped her arms around her shoulders and quickened her pace without thinking.

The next second—

A jacket draped over her shoulders.

She froze for a moment, then looked up to see Yan Wenshu’s gentle smile. He said, “It’s getting a bit cooler, don’t catch a cold…”

The coat carried a pleasant scent. Wearing it felt just like… Zang Ling’s ears flushed slightly, like Yan Wenshu was holding her tightly from behind.

“Don’t think you can bribe me with this. I’m not changing my mind.”

Yan Wenshu indulged her, “Alright, I’ll wait until I recover.”

“…Why don’t you try persuading me again?” She changed her mind.

“Please, change your mind.”

Zang Ling burst out laughing, “No way.”

“Yan Wenshu, I don’t think we’ve ever come up with pet names for each other. Want to try now?”

“Pet names?”

Zang Ling smiled slyly, “Like how couples call each other.”

“How about calling you Shushu? No, it sounds like I’m calling you my uncle^[1]Shushu sounds similar to the pronunciation of uncle in Chinese. Then maybe baby? Nah, too common… then what should I call you…?”

Yan Wenshu turned his head to stare at her as she spoke, his gaze focused, as if he would never get tired of looking at her.