Chapter Sixty-Six: An Accidental Encounter on the Street

Delicate and charming, with long hair cascading down her back, her eyes were as innocent and bewildered as a young fawn. She was attractive enough, but the longer one looked, the more comparisons arose in the heart: her skin didn't have the creamy fairness of Jiujui, her hair lacked Jiujui's luster, her gaze was not as pure as Jiujui's...

"And you are?" With nothing remarkable about her appearance, he could only start with her name.

"I—I’m Lin Yuexin." Lin Yuexin’s face was flushed with shyness, her heart fluttering wildly, excitement surging within.

But even after hearing the name, there was no special reaction. What, then, was so unusual about her? Cheng Yanran fell into contemplation.

Lin Yuexin noticed the school heartthrob suddenly staring at her and asking for her name, her face turning redder with embarrassment, her mind spiraling into fantasies: could it be he had fallen for her...?

Mu Tian, having previously felt a bitter ache in her heart when she saw that Cheng Yanran had eyes only for Wei Jiujui, now caught a glimpse of sadness in Wei Jiujui’s eyes as well. To her own surprise, a surge of happiness washed over her. Casting a sidelong glance at Lin Yuexin, whose expression was unmistakably coquettish, she felt a malicious delight.

Ha, so how does it feel when the boy you love is lured away by your best friend? You always seemed so smug. Even if I can't have him, I’d rather he end up with your best friend than let you have him.

I can’t wait to see the two of you turn against each other! Hahaha...

Noticing the strange looks from those around them, Cheng Yanran belatedly tore his probing gaze away, and with a calm face said to the girl, "Jiujui, I have something to do, so I’ll head back first."

The girl, eyes tinged red, pretended not to care and nodded.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Yanran’s heart ached terribly. He grew flustered but could not bring himself to comfort her in front of Mu Tian, so he had no choice but to leave coolly.

In truth, he wanted to explain. He had a persistent feeling that Lin Yuexin possessed some kind of force that drew people’s attention in a crude, uncomfortable way, making him disinclined to linger.

But it all seemed so fantastical; he feared Jiujui wouldn’t believe such an explanation, so he could only bury it in his heart.

Now that all the key players had left, who would bother staying? Mu Tian glanced at the girl with a meaningful, mocking tone: "Some people really shouldn’t be so delusional. Just because you receive a little special treatment, you think that means he likes you. What if it’s only pity?"

Seeing the girl’s body tremble and her face blanch, just as she’d expected, Mu Tian gave a cold snort and left, satisfied.

Inside, Lin Yuexin was already overjoyed, but she knew she couldn’t show it. She could only softly console, "Jiujui, he only looked at me once. Don’t listen to Mu Tian’s provoking words."

The girl pressed her lips together, then forced a smile. "Mm, I know. Actually... I’m not even sure whether he likes me or not..."

Her voice, soft and gentle, was tinged with unmistakable dejection, heartache woven through it, like a pitiful porcelain doll—anyone who saw her would feel a pang of sympathy.

Lin Yuexin kept her tone as gentle as possible, trying to comfort her. "Feelings can’t be forced. What’s meant to be yours will be yours, and what isn’t, you can’t obtain no matter how hard you try."

Ha, what you’re really saying is that Cheng Yanran doesn’t like me, he likes you, and I shouldn’t force it. Such double standards! I just hope you can comfort yourself with these words when it’s your turn.

The girl smiled softly, then changed the subject and said she was heading back.

...

That day, in the most famous milk tea shop in City B.

The girl took her freshly bought milk tea and headed outside. While waiting at the traffic light, the system’s telltale beeping sounded in her mind.

[Jiujui, Mo Ziyuan’s car is right behind you.]

The girl paused, then her lips curled up slightly. She lifted her slender, elegant hand and, as if absentmindedly, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate and gentle face.

At that moment, she was dressed in a white silk dress, her simple white shoes setting off her slender calves. Standing in the sunlight, her smile was bright and serene, her fair skin almost glowing, the very picture of an angel descended to earth.

The scene was so beautiful that passersby couldn’t help but steal glances, some nearly missing the green light. It was only when they saw her start to walk that they realized the light had changed. Even as they moved, their eyes lingered on the girl gliding gracefully away.

In the driver’s seat, a man was leisurely steering the car down the road when he realized something was off—the cars and pedestrians ahead were moving at a snail’s pace.

He grumbled to the man in the passenger seat, "Master, look at those people up there—why are they driving so slowly? What’s going on?"

The other man glanced at him indifferently, then turned to look out the window—just in time to catch sight of that familiar, flawless face. His eyes immediately lit up.

It was her!

He had previously ordered his subordinates to investigate her background, but they had come back empty-handed, which surprised him and made him realize that this girl’s identity must be unusual, or else she was extremely well protected.

Mo Ziyuan’s hawk-like eyes narrowed. The more he thought about it, the more a smile played about his lips.

No matter what, anything that caught Mo Ziyuan’s eye, he had to have. Besides, the more difficult it was, the more thrilling the challenge, wasn’t it?

With a wicked arc to his lips, he spoke coolly: "Unlock the car doors."

The man in the driver’s seat didn’t ask what for; he obeyed at once, his eyes reflecting absolute loyalty and trust.

The door opened, and a pair of long, powerful legs stepped out, followed by his whole form. The people nearby, turning by chance, caught sight of the scene and couldn’t help but marvel: after glimpsing such a beauty, now there was a handsome man too! So it wasn’t just in novels—good-looking men and women did exist in real life.

He stood tall and straight, his fitted, elegant suit accentuating both his perfect figure and his wild charisma. Arched brows gave him a hint of mischief, not the least bit off-putting; every blink and curve of his lips made hearts race.

Perhaps it was the intensity of his gaze, burning and domineering, that startled the girl as she walked, causing her to falter and glance back, clear eyes full of confusion.

At the instant their eyes met, Mo Ziyuan’s heart felt as if struck by lightning, the sensation spreading through every nerve, lingering restlessly.

It was only their second meeting—so why did it feel so deeply familiar?

Bystanders, seeing their soulful exchange, immediately began to imagine a long-parted couple reunited by chance, compelled to do nothing but gaze at each other.

Mo Ziyuan’s dark eyes fixed on the beautiful girl ahead, and he strode closer, determined to get a better look.

When she flusteredly broke eye contact and tried to slip away, he stepped forward in a flash, appearing right in front of her.

"Why are you running?"

The girl felt a sudden shadow fall over her. She tried to back away, but the man’s speed was far greater than hers.

His strong arm naturally circled her slender, supple waist, tightening abruptly and pressing her into his embrace. A deep, magnetic voice sounded at her ear, tinged with arrogance and discontent. For someone in his position, before whom everyone else was cautious and deferential, he was already speaking gently—yet this girl still wanted to escape?