I can’t stay in bed any longer as I have an appointment to keep. After getting up early in the morning to make breakfast for Zhao Jiusi, Zheng Yixu went back to sleep for a while.

Zhao Jiusi doesn’t have lunch at home; he takes a nap at school. This gave Zheng Yixu some convenience, such as going out at noon without Zhao Jiusi noticing. Zheng Yixu didn’t tell Zhao Louqin that he was going to meet his rival—not exactly—Lin Ninghua, nor did he mention it to Zhao Jiusi. Lin Ninghua is eyeing both Zhao Louqin and Zhao Jiusi menacingly, so how could Zheng Yixu possibly lead the lambs to the slaughter by telling them about Lin Ninghua’s presence?

I should go to the battlefield like a warrior, silently solve the enemy, and then casually mention this matter during some dinner. That would be the most dignified way to handle it.

Zheng Yixu imagined Zhao Louqin’s expression upon hearing that he had taken care of Lin Ninghua and felt invigorated.

Although… facing a rival alone for the first time was a bit daunting.

Ahem, he had never even had a partner before, let alone a rival.

But it’s okay; there’s always the all-knowing internet and forums.

As long as he searched for “how to gracefully confront a third party or rival,” there would be plenty of advice. By selecting the best tips and discarding the rest, he would naturally be left with useful strategies.

Zheng Yixu took a well-tailored suit from the wardrobe and tried it on in front of a full-length mirror. This body was a perfect clothes hanger, with a good physique, a handsome face, and excellent temperament. Compared to the stunning and beautiful Zhao Louqin and Lin Ninghua, his charm was more scholarly and refined, a type of beauty that grew on people.

Of course, if his appearance was subpar, he wouldn’t stand a chance in the high-caliber romantic entanglements involving Zhao Louqin and Lin Ninghua.

How could he meet his rival without dressing up properly?

He might lose the person, but he wouldn’t lose his dignity.

Zheng Yixu put on a white shirt, layered the suit jacket over it, and left the collar slightly open, revealing a bit of fair skin.

He casually brushed his hair, giving it a fresh and natural look.

According to the advice of an experienced girl, the highest level of dressing up is to make it look effortless. In other words, don’t let your rival feel that you’re making a big deal out of meeting them. Don’t give them the satisfaction of thinking you’re taking them too seriously.

Zheng Yixu dressed himself meticulously from head to toe and finally nodded in satisfaction.

He could score a solid ninety points.

Totally on the track to being a tall, rich, and handsome guy—very handsome!

With a confident stride, Zheng Yixu marched towards the door, imagining various scenarios and solutions in his mind. He was determined to make his rival back off, understanding the universal truth that being a third wheel, regardless of gender, was wrong.

…

But stepping out the door and onto the street, Zheng Yixu was stunned.

How was he going to get there? How?

Even though Lin Ninghua had given him the exact location of the restaurant and there were several flashy sports cars in the villa, and although Zheng Yixu did have a driver’s license, the truth was, he had hardly touched a car since getting his license after the college entrance exams in his past life.

He didn’t want to make headlines with #CEO Zheng Yixu gets into another accident after previous injury#.

Zhao Louqin had left a driver for him, but could he call the driver? Calling the driver would mean telling Zhao Louqin that he was meeting Lin Ninghua. It would mean telling Zhao Louqin that an old flame who hadn’t forgotten him was waiting to convince him to remember their past relationship.

In the end, Zheng Yixu would be kicked out and left to freeze on a snowy night, and that would be the end of the story.

How could that happen?!!!

He’d be kicked out with negative points.

Zheng Yixu rubbed his forehead, trying to calm himself down. There had to be a solution.

Ten minutes passed.

Twenty minutes passed.

Half an hour was about to pass.

Zheng Yixu had been staring at the road for almost half an hour and finally decided… not to go. He’d just call later and say he had a stomachache. Zheng Yixu thought this with a blank expression.

“Mr. Zheng.”

Just as Zheng Yixu was about to turn around and head back, a black car stopped in front of him. The window rolled down, revealing an incredibly beautiful face.

“Mr. Zheng, what a coincidence.” Lin Ninghua, suppressing a smile and absolutely refusing to admit that he had been watching Zheng Yixu with amusement for over ten minutes, said, “Shall we go?

“Caught by his rival…

Such an awkward situation!

Indeed, Lin Ninghua was no ordinary rival. This person was a cosmic-level enemy, a Frieza, a great demon king!”

In that case, I’ll trouble you,” Zheng Yixu said, calming down in the awkward situation as if nothing had happened, treating Lin Ninghua like air.

When faced with awkward situations, if one remains calm, others often feel too embarrassed to bring it up again.

Zheng Yixu understood this well and sat in the car with an increasingly inscrutable demeanor. The driver took note, thinking highly of him. No wonder he was a guest invited by the boss; his composure was truly rare.

Lin Ninghua also remained silent, reminiscing about his first meeting with Yixu. It was similar to now; Yixu was also very young back then.

At that time, Lin Ninghua had caused quite a bit of trouble at school and was forcibly sent to a small county high school by his family. Zheng Yixu happened to be the class monitor of the class Lin Ninghua transferred into, and the homeroom teacher had sent Yixu to show Lin Ninghua around.

But who knew that Zheng Yixu himself was not very familiar with the school?

Sixteen years ago.

“Young master, the master said you should study well for three years in this high school. Although this school is small, it has a good educational atmosphere and quality,” the driver said respectfully. For the head of the Lin family to praise a school’s education quality meant it was indeed commendable.

In fact, this high school was well-known for its excellent school culture.

For students, the quality of the teachers was secondary; a good learning environment was the most important. At least in this school, the chances of incidents involving fights over jealousy for the young master were much lower than at other schools.

“Tch.” Lin Ninghua disdainfully glanced at the rather ordinary-looking school, not believing for a moment that the fights among his classmates over him were his fault. He had merely smiled at a few of them, and rumors of promiscuous relationships had spread. Was there anything more unjust? He had no interest in those mediocre admirers.

“Aren’t you going to walk me in?” Lin Ninghua asked, resting his chin on his hand and tilting his head.The driver shook his head.

“The master said you should walk in by yourself. Someone will meet you at the main gate.”

“Isn’t this the main gate?”

“This is the back gate, young master.

The master will deposit five hundred a month into your account for living expenses.”

“Five hundred?!” Lin Ninghua was stunned by his father’s stinginess. What could five hundred possibly cover?

“Young master, five hundred is enough. Things at the school are not expensive.

“Lin Ninghua really wanted to roll his eyes. “I really have no interest in those idiots. Really, they’re so unattractive. Even if I wanted to date early, I wouldn’t choose them. At the very least, someone at that level.

“He pointed vaguely in the direction where Zheng Yixu was standing.

The driver didn’t concern himself with such details and would relay the young master’s words.

“Young master, it’s time for you to get out.

“Lin Ninghua:

……

So he said all that for nothing?”Alright, alright.” Lin Ninghua gave in. As long as the old man could withstand his grandmother’s demands, it would be fine.His grandmother doted on him so much that he probably wouldn’t have to stay here for more than a month before returning.

As soon as Lin Ninghua got out of the car, the driver drove off. His luggage would be delivered in the afternoon after going through inspection.

“Hey, where’s the main gate of the school?” Lin Ninghua strode over to the boy he thought looked decent.

Sixteen-year-old Zheng Yixu still had a somewhat delicate appearance, and he wasn’t particularly tall, giving off the impression of a shy little girl at first glance.

If only his expression wasn’t so cold, Lin Ninghua thought.”This is the main gate.” Zheng Yixu was initially stunned by Lin Ninghua’s beauty, then his eyes flashed with determination, though it wasn’t clear if he was saying this to Lin Ninghua or to himself.

Lin Ninghua almost believed Zheng Yixu. If he hadn’t seen this boy pacing back and forth with an anxious look just moments ago.

“This is the back gate, isn’t it?” Lin Ninghua crossed his arms, looking at Zheng Yixu with amusement.

Zheng Yixu’s face turned slightly red, but he stubbornly insisted, “No, this is the main gate. You’re mistaken.”

————————————————————————

“Ha!” Lin Ninghua couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud.

Sure enough, the amnesiac Zheng Yixu was just like before.

Zheng Yixu slightly turned his head away, silently repeating in his mind, “He’s definitely not laughing at me. He’s definitely not laughing at me.

“Oh no, this is so embarrassing.

Why did Zhao Louqin buy a villa in such a place?!! And why does Zhao Louqin have an old flame like Lin Ninghua?!!!

Far away, Zhao Louqin sneezed violently, feeling a chill down his spine.