Chapter 3: The Male Lead? Hiss—”Forced Romantic Encounter”

Lin Yu left early. Unfortunately, he had been coerced into agreeing to this “joyride.” 001 had even informed him it was an unrefusable Main Quest.

Car keys in hand, he summoned his driver.

A gentle breeze blew—today’s northerly winds reached level three, causing Lin Yu’s hair tips and fluttering clothes to sway lightly with the wind. In the distance, chimney smoke rose straight up before dispersing in the breeze. The cool air lifted Lin Yu’s spirits as he sat in the backseat.

Arriving home, he retrieved a weather-appropriate sports car from the garage and called Li Yide.

Firm hands on the steering wheel, he tapped the accelerator—the hundred-kilometer acceleration transformed the vehicle into a white streak that shot past the villa gates as Lin Yu headed straight for the meeting point.

The wind seemed to pick up slightly.

It was a beautiful day.

Few idlers ventured out this early. When Lin Yu parked at the club entrance, the manager respectfully ushered him inside, pouring hot tea.

Lin Yu waved away the delicate steam curling from the tea’s surface and took a slow sip:

[You’re not here yet?]

Not bad, he thought, taking another sip.

[Babe babe babe! Just woke up, coming now!] Li Yide’s frantic tone betrayed his nature as a pampered young master whose greatest hardships—beyond romantic woes—were waking early to accompany his crush on joyrides.

Lin Yu sensed something and slowly raised his eyes to meet an unfamiliar face—

A coldly handsome man cradling a helmet paused before Lin Yu, frowning at the man engrossed in his phone before giving Lin Yu a peculiar glance.

The morning breeze threaded through the stranger’s hair, lifting his bangs:

“Lin Yu?”

“You also enjoy racing this early?”

Lin Yu looked up, studying the man before glancing at the blank profile card, rapping the table.

“And you are?”

Zhang Modu seemed startled, pausing before responding with disbelief: “You don’t recognize me… Fancy meeting again.”

“Wait, was this character even in the original novel??” 001 muttered incredulously.

“001, investigate,” Lin Yu’s stern voice echoed in the consciousness space as the system scrambled to comply.

“This person is unusual.”

“Did we know each other as children?” Lin Yu extended a hand in what humans considered a friendly gesture.

“Host! This character exists in the original text but has no detailed information! He never appeared in this plotline—just an unnamed background extra!”

001’s panicked exclamation sent its glowing orb trembling violently.

Lin Yu arched a brow as their gazes locked—neither yielding ground.

After a beat, the stranger set his helmet down and rose, gripping Lin Yu’s hand firmly for a shake.

The wind strengthened as he turned his face away, lips pressed into a tight line:

“Zhang Modu.”

“My name is Zhang Modu.”

“We’ve crossed paths many times at races before.”

The morning draft howled as it swept past their feet, the rising currents gently rustling the hems of their clothes.  

Zhang Modu’s fingertips were cold, even trembling slightly, yet inexplicably they burned the moment their hands touched.  

Lin Yu tilted his head faintly, accompanied by the sound of 001’s commentary roaring in the wind…  

**[Zhang Modu—A renowned entrepreneur in the city, graduate of a prestigious university, a background character in the original work, with businesses spanning finance, manufacturing, global chains, and other international sectors…]**  

The panting wind whistled past their hair, dark strands scattering softly in the breeze. Beyond the chaotic doorway, life had already begun anew.  

—*Bang.*  

The silent gaze between them was disrupted. Lin Yu turned his head away, shifting his line of sight.  

Li Yide rushed over anxiously, the force of his push against the door so strong that even the momentarily dazed Zhang Modu snapped back to attention and glanced at him.  

“Sorry, Lin Lin, it’s been a while since I’ve woken up this early.” Li Yide was slightly out of breath as he leaned against the table in front of Lin Yu, panting heavily.  

Lin Yu handed him a glass of water.  

Li Yide’s eyes lit up, and he immediately took it, gulping down the water in one go. Only after finishing did he turn around, voicing his surprise:  

“Zhang Modu? What are you doing here so early in the morning?” He stared at the man standing before Lin Yu in confusion, still holding the empty cup, forgetting to put it down.  

“What was that look just now? What’s your problem?”  

Li Yide muttered under his breath, clearly displeased.  

Zhang Modu gave him a cold glance. “You’ve actually gotten a little smarter than before.”  

His words carried a faint trace of disdain, even a hint of barely noticeable hostility.  

Lowering his eyes, he turned away with effortless grace and strode off, the hem of his clothes fluttering sharply in the wind.  

“You son of a—” Li Yide felt a surge of anger.  

Before he could finish, the other man had already left. He was about to lash out but hesitated, stealing a glance at Lin Yu from the corner of his eye.  

“You know him? How come I don’t?” Lin Yu crossed his legs, tilting his head curiously at Li Yide.  

Even the **Miniature World virtual screen** hadn’t displayed his name.  

Li Yide wiped the water droplets accidentally smeared at the corner of his mouth, a shadow flickering in his eyes. “It’s nothing. You don’t need to know him.”  

He handed Lin Yu a brand-new key, the luxurious car emblem on it gleaming silver under the crisp morning sunlight. “I had my dad get the car you’ve always wanted. Wanna take it for a spin?”  

As he spoke, he shoved the key into Lin Yu’s hand, signaling the manager to prepare the necessary gear while enthusiastically ushering Lin Yu toward his new car.  

Lin Yu waved him off without ceremony, smoothly opening the car door and tossing his own car keys to Li Yide, brushing away the lingering image in his mind.  

Running his fingers over the steering wheel, he flashed Li Yide a smirk. “Thanks.” It was the car the original owner had liked—and Lin Yu liked it too.  

Li Yide’s entire body tensed slightly as he nodded eagerly. “As long as you like it… as long as you like it.”  

After speaking, he rubbed his flushed face and quickly turned away, pressing Lin Yu’s car key firmly. “Take mine. You can keep your car for a couple more days.”

Lin Yu nodded, ignited the engine, and stepped on the accelerator, speeding all the way from the foot of the mountain to its peak. Drifting through multiple curves, he cut through the howling wind like a meteor shattering the dawn. The ceaseless rush of wind in his ears felt like the burning passion of life itself.

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

Gradually, the roaring wind faded into silence as he came to a steady stop in a clearing, where lush grass stretched in every direction.

There, he saw a lone figure sitting atop the mountain.

It was Zhang Modu, braving the wind. His hair swayed gently in the mountain breeze, blending with the emerald-green grass around him as it danced in unison.

Hugging himself, he gazed into the distance with a lost expression.

—Zhang Modu seemed to have noticed him too.

He stood up, as if snapping out of sorrow. Slowly, he walked toward Lin Yu, struggling to smooth his emotions.

The grass brushed against his feet, bending beneath his shoes as the breeze composed a sonata for him, harmonizing with the faint curve of his lips.

Locking eyes with Lin Yu, he smiled softly. “Can I race you?”

“I know you’re talented, Mr. Lin.”

“Did you lose to me before?” Lin Yu asked, puzzled.

Zhang Modu hesitated before replying sullenly, “I didn’t like driving back then, so I lost last time.”

“Then I think… the outcome might not change.” Lin Yu gave him an inscrutable look.

Zhang Modu felt his heart pounding violently in his chest. His hair whipped wildly in the mountain wind as he dragged his foot across the ground, leaving a shallow mark.

The wind combed through his strands, slowly covering his bangs like an accompaniment, making the hem of his clothes sway lightly.

Pressing a hand to his chest, he lifted his gaze to meet Lin Yu’s eyes, as if mustering all his strength. “Can I ride down with you? I didn’t bring a coat.”

“It’s too cold today. How about we race next time?” The breeze, like a fleeting star, seemed to paint a brilliant streak across the sky the moment he spoke.

Lin Yu sat in the car, tapping the window lightly with a knuckle. “Alright.”

Zhang Modu pressed his wrist, rummaged around, and pulled out his phone from his pocket. “Can we add each other? To arrange next time.”

Lin Yu calmly took out his phone and scanned the chat interface.

Zhang Modu exhaled in relief, feeling fortunate.

He thought today had been a success. After all, a good start was half the battle, wasn’t it?

From waiting atop the mountain early to adding Lin Yu and leaving a good impression—everything had gone just right.

Zhang Modu tilted his head slightly, stealing a glance at Lin Yu, who seemed lost in thought in the car, before turning away and stepping forward.

The morning breeze was cool, yet it wrapped around him like the beautiful thoughts of Utopia.

It tugged at a distant flag, drumming a unique rhythm that harmonized with their light footsteps, plucking at heartstrings again and again.

Today, the north wind blew at level four.

[Congratulations, Host Zhang Modu. You have successfully befriended Lin Yu. Estimated progress: 20%]

…

Lin Yu glanced at his watch, nodded in farewell to Zhang Modu, and waited for quite a while until Li Yide arrived before getting back into the car. He drove up and down the mountain three more times, thoroughly embodying the original protagonist’s love for speeding, before leisurely making his way down.  

Zhang Modu sent him a message: **[Be careful.]**  

Lin Yu’s gaze sharpened. Gripping the steering wheel, he took a sharp turn and spoke to 001 in a measured tone:  

“001, tell me—what could possibly give a character who was practically a background figure in the original story so much screen time?”  

His voice was calm, almost detached, as if he were merely analyzing, yet the words that left his lips were cold as ice shards.  

“001.”  

“Why would a nationally renowned CEO waste so much time at a racetrack early in the morning?”  

001 shrank back, almost too afraid to speak. “This Zhang Modu is really strange…”  

“Oh right, Host!!!”  

“You should go complete the Final Task now—the family business still needs you to save it~”  

Lin Yu’s expression turned chilling, his flawless face darkening like a storm cloud. One hand rested on the steering wheel, his index finger slightly curled.  

Zhang Modu… just who are you?  

……