Chapter 43

Back at home, Chu Yin sat cross-legged on her bed and began to reflect.
After the initial chaos in her mind, she gradually calmed down.
Did Lu Zhen like her now…?
If that were really the case, then everything had returned to the starting point!
But why?
Was it because her good student persona had collapsed? Because she had become wild again?
Or maybe it started even earlier, the iPod he handed her, the Buddhist scriptures he kept, the cookies he took from her, the Buddha statue and pen he gave her… the look in his eyes during the final shot of the basketball game, the lazy young master suddenly starting to take exams and compete, and the kitten he wanted to give her but didn’t that night.
…Everything seemed to have left traces.
Thinking back through everything that had happened since her rebirth, Chu Yin hugged her knees and fell into a daze for a moment.
She suddenly realized that in both lifetimes, she had never truly understood Lu Zhen.
To be honest, the Lu Zhen she encountered in this life was very different from the one in her memories. Many of her high school memories from her previous life had blurred, but the most vivid ones etched into her mind were of his later obsessive and possessive behavior.
People only remember the worst and most terrible parts.
…Hurt leaves a much deeper impression than fleeting feelings of affection.
Lu Zhen's love was pathological, and in this book, the white moonlight character died young and miserable, full of sorrow. So, if this bastard liked her, he was just messing with her!
No way.
Chu Yin anxiously bit her finger.
Confessing was out of the question. If she rejected him, even though the 17-year-old Lu Zhen still seemed immature, who knew if this overpowered male lead would start turning twisted and perverted? Wouldn’t that just repeat the white moonlight’s tragic fate?
This was practically a death sentence. Chu Yin decided to use her high-level permissions.
Fortunately, it was the weekend, so she didn’t have to go to school. She could keep an eye on the script and wait for the right moment.
The young master of the Lu family was also busy over the weekend, he had to study at the family company, attend courses arranged by the Lu family, and squeeze in some high-level socializing. Just watching him made Chu Yin feel exhausted.
Only after returning home in the evening could he briefly catch his breath.
Then he would stare blankly out the window.
Chu Yin had no idea what he was thinking about. A few short lines couldn’t capture all the details.
The key plot hadn’t appeared in the script yet, and Chu Yin couldn’t even focus on her studies. It wasn’t until Monday, when she unlocked the day’s script again, that she finally found the crucial point,
[...Lu Zhen confessed to her...]
Chu Yin’s hand, holding the light pen, trembled slightly.
Ahhhh, you bastard, bastard, bastard!,
Chu Yin felt suffocated, her pen tip shaking uncontrollably. She couldn’t help but want to change "her" to "pig."
Go confess to a pig!!!
But she quickly calmed down. Lu Zhen was already somewhat perceptive. If she really made him confess to some poor pig, he would definitely notice something was off.
So, how should she change it?
Chu Yin crossed her arms, sitting in the back seat of her family’s car, lost in thought.
“Miss?” The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror and asked for instructions, “Shall we set off?”
“Wait!” Chu Yin instinctively refused. She had to figure things out before going to school.
It seemed the only solution now was to tackle the problem at its root, make the conditions for the confession impossible!
“Use single-sentence permission,” she commanded the system.
Study System: “Okay! Host, how do you plan to change it?”
Chu Yin’s mind raced. She gripped the light pen, pondered for a moment, then crossed out that deadly line and changed it to: [Lu Zhen could never find her.]
Study System: “…Well… that works too!”
Since she didn’t know how long the permission would last, Chu Yin’s choice of the word “never” was quite subtle, it required the system to interpret it. But in any case, “couldn’t find” became an objective part of the plot.
If he couldn’t find her, of course, he couldn’t confess!!
Chu Yin threw down the pen: Whatever, I’m going to be invisible!!
…
The results of last Friday’s assessment were out, and the rankings were posted directly on the school website.
Chu Yin hadn’t checked yet, but Han Chuying had already rushed excitedly into Class 5.
“Ahhh, I made it, I made it!” She ran up to Chu Yin’s desk, waving her phone. “We both made it!”
Chu Yin was also delighted: “That’s amazing!”
She lowered her head and opened her phone. As she clicked on the webpage, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. She only glanced at her own name at the top of the list before starting to search further down.
Even at the very bottom of the list, Lu Zhen’s name was nowhere to be found.
Was the plot taking effect? Or did that bastard just not score high enough to make the cut?
Either way, Chu Yin felt slightly relieved.
"Yin Yin, Yin Yin, I want to sit with you!, Oh, and Yanyan too, then the three of us can sit together, front and back, left and right, oh my god, I’m so happy!"
Song Zhaolin looked resentful. "I’m not happy!"
Although this elite class was just an extra tutoring session, Chu Yin and Jiang Yan would now be absent from the regular classroom from time to time. Many others in the class had also made it into the elite group, making those left behind feel somewhat abandoned.
He felt so empty! So lonely! So in need of company!
Han Chuying grinned and said, "Then you should just test into it too."
Song Zhaolin immediately bristled. "You’re insulting me!!"
Chu Yin let the two of them bicker while she calmly reviewed the list of selected students again.
First place: Chu Yin, total score 290, firmly at the top. Second place: Han Chuying, also steady with a total score of 276.
Chu Yin continued scanning the list and realized this small class was quite lively, Fu Mingxuan, Chu Qiuqiu, and even Liang Yueqi had all managed to get in.
After being heavily humiliated during the winter camp over the break, Liang Yueqi had immediately hired top-tier tutors in every subject at high salaries for intensive one-on-one coaching. She hadn’t taken the exam because she particularly valued the resources Quiwen offered; she simply wanted to prove herself and regain some dignity.
Seeing all three of them in the class didn’t worry Chu Yin. After all, these three women could put on several dramatic scenes all by themselves, they could keep themselves plenty entertained.
The first elite class session of the week was held during Monday afternoon’s self-study period. Aside from major exams each semester, this was the first time the top students from the entire grade had gathered in one classroom, making the experience feel quite fresh.
Chu Yin took a seat in the middle of the classroom.
Fu Mingxuan and Liang Yueqi had arrived early. Neither wanted to sit anywhere near Chu Yin, so they found seats on opposite sides. Not long after, Chu Qiuqiu walked in with light, cheerful steps.
Wearing an elegant smile, she approached Chu Yin and said gently, "Sister, it’s rare for us sisters to attend a class together!"
Chu Qiuqiu was dressed in an intellectual style that day, with a diamond ring on her ring finger, subtly highlighting her elevated status.
Chu Yin nodded. "Oh, yeah."
Chu Qiuqiu brushed her hair back with the hand wearing the diamond ring and smiled. "Is this seat next to you free? Then I’ll, "
Chu Yin: "It’s taken."
Before Chu Qiuqiu could say another word, Chu Yin continued, "That one’s taken too, well, all the seats around me are taken."
A few low chuckles immediately spread through the classroom, and Chu Qiuqiu’s expression instantly soured.
Is Chu Yin getting a bit too full of herself now?? Just because she won a few awards and topped a few exams, and now everyone at school is blindly praising her, has it really gone to her head?
Right now in the Chu family, her status is way higher than Chu Yin’s!!
Chu Qiuqiu no longer pretended to be sisterly, tilting her chin up proudly as she turned and went to another seat.
Not long after all the top students had found their seats and settled in, the instructor walked in and arranged the seating.
Many people in the classroom were secretly glancing at Chu Yin, who sat in the most prominent spot in the center. She was still wearing the standard academic-style school uniform, she had dressed like this ever since transferring, and before anyone realized it, more and more students at school had started wearing their uniforms too.
They had assumed that during class, Chu Yin would be the picture of intense focus, back straight, not a hint of slackness. Some even resolved to sit behind her, hoping her unwavering posture would motivate them.
But from the back, Chu Yin looked completely relaxed. Her slender shoulders were slightly slumped, one hand propping up her cheek, while the other hand was actually spinning a pen.
The transparent pen twirled deftly between her slim, pale fingers, even her pen-spinning looked professional.
Chu Yin sat there thinking over a problem for a while when she suddenly heard a clattering sound from the seats behind her, as if several pens had fallen.
Surprised, she turned to look, and a few classmates blushed.
Oh well, they could never imitate the posture of a top student!
But wow, even the way Chu Yin spins her pen is so cool,
Probably no teacher dislikes the feeling of a classroom full of high-achieving students. The instructor smiled as she scanned the room from the podium and gave a brief speech.
“As you all know, we’re not here to play around. The city-wide joint exams are coming up, and you are the main representatives of Quiwen. The school will provide you with the best teachers and study materials. If you have any other needs, feel free to bring them up, the school will do its best to accommodate.”
“The intensity of teaching in this class will definitely be higher than in your regular classes. If you can’t handle it, you can drop out midway, but once you drop out, you won’t be allowed back in.” After giving this warning, the teacher switched back to her cheerful expression. “Although this is just a short-term extra class, for the sake of convenience, let’s elect a class monitor, shall we?”
As soon as she finished speaking, several pairs of eyes turned toward Chu Yin.
Chu Yin blinked and subconsciously raised her hand to touch the tip of her nose.
She had never held a class cadre position before. Deep down, she was someone who resisted being controlled, she didn’t like being told what to do, and she certainly couldn’t be bothered to manage others.
But the teacher clearly thought differently, Chu Yin, the top student in her year, not only had outstanding grades but, more importantly, possessed a maturity and steadiness that set her apart from her peers.
Aside from her, there was simply no more suitable candidate for class monitor.
“So… our top student, Chu Yin, would you be willing to take on the role?”
The eyes of the entire class instantly focused on her, and Chu Yin suddenly felt as if she were standing in a field of bright, golden sunflowers.
“...” Under the earnest gazes of her teacher and classmates, she paused for a moment before replying, “Alright, I’ll do my best. Thank you, teacher.”
The whole class immediately broke into enthusiastic applause.
The instructor was clearly delighted. “Then it’s settled, from now on, we’ll be counting on you, Class Monitor, to help maintain order in the class!”
Chu Yin: “...Alright.”
Just managing some kids, she can handle it.
The first class hadn't ramped up in intensity yet, it was just about getting everyone accustomed to the format. Then, each person was handed ten test papers.
"All of these questions were personally compiled by the teachers. You have three days to complete them. In the next tutoring session, the teachers will go over the papers with you."
The classroom immediately erupted in groans.
However, Chu Yin’s face lit up with eager excitement, new questions! How wonderful!
...
Meanwhile, in Class 5.
Song Zhaolin sat alone at his desk, looking aloof and detached.
Without a deskmate, he resembled a pitiful little cabbage in a harsh storm, even starting to envy the two girls in front of him playing cat's cradle.
Just then, a voice called out to him from the back door of the classroom.
Song Zhaolin jolted, then sprang up, rushing over with tear-filled eyes: "Brother Zhen!! Did you come to play with me!!"
Since Class 5 had many high-achieving students, a good number of them had gone to the tutoring class, leaving a small section of the room empty. But the remaining students were still buzzing with excitement.
"Look! It's Lu Zhen, Lu Zhen!"
"He's so handsome today too!!"
"What's he here for? To hang out with Zhaolin?"
Lu Zhen’s gaze swept past the classroom and landed on Chu Yin’s seat, empty.
Song Zhaolin, with tears as wide as noodles, flew over to him, only to hear Lu Zhen ask, "Where’s Chu Yin?"
He felt like he’d been stabbed: I feel so hurt!!
"She’s at the tutoring class, " Song Zhaolin replied, utterly heartbroken. "You didn’t come for me?! Why?! Has your illicit affair already surpassed our bond?!"
Lu Zhen’s eyes fixed on his face, unmoving.
Song Zhaolin instantly backed down.
Lu Zhen stared at him for a few seconds, and Song Zhaolin automatically straightened his previously sloppy posture.
Just as he thought Lu Zhen was about to lay into him, the person in front of him suddenly smiled.
He thought.
But no.
"...There’s no affair," Lu Zhen quickly wiped the smile away. "Don’t ruin her reputation."
With that, he turned and headed toward the tutoring classroom.
Leaving Song Zhaolin standing alone in the drafty doorway, stunned for a couple of seconds.
Then he screamed internally: You big liar!!!
I don’t believe it!!!
Lu Zhen indeed hadn’t made it into that class, his math and English scores were perfect, but he had scored too low in liberal arts and Chinese because he’d barely prepared for them.
Now, he felt a twinge of regret.
As Lu Zhen walked toward that classroom, he passed several people returning from class. He quickened his pace, scanning the crowd as he made his way to the back door of the classroom.
He stood still and looked into the classroom, but still couldn’t find Chu Yin’s figure.
Lu Zhen leaned against the doorframe of the classroom, lowered his eyelashes, and sighed helplessly.
Why does it feel like she’s hiding?
…
The city-wide joint midterm exams were indeed getting closer.
Chu Yin realized that her special ability was truly working. Several times, she had seen Lu Zhen, that scoundrel, but he couldn’t see her. Or, he would suddenly get caught up in something and couldn’t come looking for her.
Being invisible is just too awesome!
I hope this joy lasts a little longer!
The tutoring class schedule was quite random. Sometimes, the specially hired teacher would suddenly show up at school and immediately start explaining problems, and the pace was incredibly fast.
Moreover, the teaching load in this class was indeed heavy. Countless test papers were handed out every day, almost gathering questions from famous high schools across the country. Quiwen Private High School’s strategy was simple: give these top students extra work and ensure they received thorough explanations and guidance.
After a while, it became clear that some in the class couldn’t keep up. After all, this was additional work on top of their regular class assignments, which were already no small burden.
Under such intensity, only Chu Yin and Han Chuying, who had competition experience, could adapt.
After another math class filled with a barrage of problems, Fu Mingxuan and Chu Qiuqiu slumped over their desks, questioning their life choices. Liang Yueqi once again felt the fear of being dominated by knowledge, just like during the winter camp.
Jiang Yan turned around weakly and looked at Chu Yin and Han Chuying behind her: “Was this how you felt during the winter camp? I’m starting to struggle…”
Han Chuying was also exhausted. She sighed, “Ours was even more intense, it was a complete crash course, and we were learning material way beyond the syllabus. At the time, I felt like I was about to die.”
Jiang Yan listened with trepidation: “Thank goodness you made it through! You’re amazing!”
Han Chuying waved her hand dismissively: “It was all thanks to Chu Yin. When I couldn’t keep up, I’d just gaze at Yin Yin’s face to recharge, and then I could go on! But she’s truly a powerhouse, a monster when it comes to studying, just look.”
Amidst a group of people slumped like salted fish, Chu Yin had already stood up and gone to continue discussing with the teacher. The specially hired elderly teacher was clearly very satisfied with this class monitor. After exchanging a few words, she smiled and took Chu Yin to the office for further discussion.
Jiang Yan looked at her as if she were a deity: “As expected of Yin Yin…”
Han Chuying covered her face, her eyes filled with heart-shaped sparkles: “As expected of my goddess!!”
Over the past few days, all the top students in the sophomore year had come to realize that Class Monitor Chu Yin was undoubtedly a well-deserved role model.
After being intellectually overwhelmed by the specially hired teacher, she could still calmly go and continue discussing with the teacher, what kind of mental fortitude was that?!
Now, watching Chu Yin’s retreating figure, many students in the back gritted their teeth and picked up their pens, if a slender girl like her could do it, they had no excuse to slack off!
Besides, with the city-wide joint exams approaching, the competition was fierce, and their performance was tied to the school’s honor. They had to give it their all!
But soon, the studious atmosphere during the break was disrupted by a figure.
Lu Zhen stood at the back door, his gaze sweeping inside.
Fu Mingxuan was still the first to notice him, her face lighting up with pleasant surprise: “Brother Zhen?”
Liang Yueqi turned around quickly at the sound. "Lu Zhen? What are you doing here?"
Everyone in the classroom looked over.
Liang Yueqi glanced at Fu Mingxuan, then stood up first and said with a familiar tone, "Want to come in and study for a while?"
Fu Mingxuan knew immediately that she was deliberately trying to show how close she was with Lu Zhen. Rolling her eyes inwardly, she smiled and said, "Yueqi, have you gone crazy from studying? Brother Zhen didn’t even step into the classroom, he obviously doesn’t want to come in."
Stung by the remark, Liang Yueqi shot back, "Why do you always think so poorly of him? I was just joking between good friends!"
Fu Mingxuan was fuming inside. Since when was Lu Zhen your good friend? Does he even acknowledge you??
Their gazes clashed like sparks flying, and then, as if by mutual agreement, they both turned to look at Lu Zhen.
Lu Zhen paid no attention to either of them.
His dark pupils swept across the room and finally settled on a seat in the middle of the classroom.
Lu Zhen recognized Chu Yin’s pencil case, it had a rabbit head on it.
The seat was empty. She wasn’t here again.
A faint restlessness stirred in his chest. It seemed increasingly hard to catch a glimpse of Chu Yin lately.
The words he’d been holding back for so long were becoming unbearable.
Lu Zhen lowered his gaze, his expression indifferent. In the end, he didn’t want to cause her any trouble. After one last glance, he turned and left without saying a word from start to finish.
Chu Qiuqiu witnessed the entire scene, from Fu Mingxuan and Liang Yueqi’s verbal sparring to Lu Zhen’s departure. Her eyes flickered thoughtfully, and she suddenly covered her mouth with a light laugh.
"Mingxuan, Yueqi, don’t you think Lu Zhen seemed to be looking for someone?"
Fu Mingxuan immediately asked, "Looking for who?"
Liang Yueqi cursed inwardly, Idiot.
Her irritation and unease grew stronger again.
The spot Lu Zhen had been looking at just now… seemed to be Chu Yin’s seat.
…
When Chu Yin came out of the teacher’s office, she felt exceptionally satisfied.
The special instructor Quiwen had hired was truly impressive. Just now, the teacher had opened her laptop and shown Chu Yin several research papers, explaining the lesson’s key points from a higher structural perspective.
In just one short break, she had gained insights that would have taken her several days of self-study to achieve.
So satisfying.
In high spirits, Chu Yin wandered around the corner and suddenly spotted Lu Zhen in the distance. She quickly turned and hid, waiting a full minute until she was sure he had returned to his own classroom before stepping out again.
Heh heh heh, you dog of a man, keep those words to yourself.
Suffer in silence!!
Chu Yin slipped back into Class 5 to grab a few things before heading to the small study group.
As soon as she entered, Song Zhaolin exclaimed as if he’d seen a long-lost relative, "Sis Yin!"
Chu Yin looked at him with amusement. "Linlin, you're laying it on a bit thick. I've only been gone for two classes."
"Oh, really?" Song Zhaolin scratched his head. "It feels like forever to me! It must be because I need you so much!"
Chu Yin nodded. "I understand. Children who lack a father's love are often like this."
Song Zhaolin seized the opportunity. "So, a responsible father absolutely must not miss their child's birthday party, right!"
Chu Yin: "Huh?"
Song Zhaolin blinked his big eyes rapidly. "It's my birthday this Sunday! My brother gave me permission to host a party at home. Sis Yin, you have to come!"
Logically speaking, given her friendship with Song Zhaolin, Chu Yin should attend his birthday party.
...But Song Zhaolin was also friends with Lu Zhen!
Chu Yin hesitated for a moment. "Well, I'll pick out a gift..."
Song Zhaolin immediately began fake crying like a princess. "Are you rejecting me?! You can't be so cruel, boohoo! Brother Zhen already turned me down because he has something else going on. If you don't come too, I'll be so embarrassed!!"
Chu Yin suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Really?"
Song Zhaolin forgot to pretend-cry. "What's really?"
"Lu Zhen," Chu Yin hesitated, "isn't going?"
Song Zhaolin, being rather thick-skulled, said, "The Lu Corporation is holding a board meeting. From what my brother said, it seems to involve some internal power struggles or something. It's pretty important. Brother Zhen doesn't know when it'll end, so it's hard to say."
Chu Yin's heart suddenly stirred. Why would Song Zhaolin's brother know about the Lu Corporation's internal affairs?
She suddenly remembered that last time, outside the exam hall at No. 1 High School, when Lu Linyuan showed up, she had also run into Song Yanchuan.
...Was that a coincidence?
Chu Yin's mind whirred, her eyebrow arching slightly. "Is that so... I can stop by for a bit, but I'll have to leave early. Is that okay?"
"Okay, okay, okay!" Song Zhaolin broke into a silly grin. "That's totally fine!"
He'd been bragging to everyone about how beautiful and outstanding his deskmate was. If Chu Yin didn't show up, it would be really awkward! She was so busy, just coming by for a little while was already a huge favor!
Ah! I'm so looking forward to the birthday party!
...
Chu Yin returned to the tutoring class classroom, her mind still turning things over.
The class bell had just rung. This period was self-study. Most students were conscientiously working on problems at their desks, but a few were huddled together chatting.
Fu Mingxuan was whispering something to Liang Yueqi. When she saw Chu Yin, she shot her an annoyed glare.
Chu Yin: "?" What's her problem.
She walked up to the podium, tapped the chalkboard eraser against the multimedia cabinet, and the low buzz in the classroom immediately ceased.
Then Chu Yin turned around, picked up a piece of chalk, and began copying the day's assigned homework onto the blackboard.
She had only written three lines when the buzzing started up again below.
Fu Mingxuan had just heard from Liang Yueqi that Lu Zhen seemed to have come looking for Chu Yin, without them knowing, had Chu Yin hooked up with Lu Zhen again?! How shameless could she be!
She and Liang Yueqi deliberately huddled together to talk. After all, they were discussing study-related matters, so the class monitor couldn't interfere.
Chu Yin's chalk paused for a moment, then she calmly finished copying the homework, turned around, and looked at the two of them.
Liang Yueqi and Fu Mingxuan acted as if they didn't notice her gaze, continuing their fake discussion.
Chu Yin spoke: "Are you done talking?"
Her voice was clear and bright, her tone indifferent, not at all grating.
Liang Yueqi paused, the discomfort in her heart surging once again: "Class monitor, we were just discussing a problem."
Fu Mingxuan chimed in, "Yeah, aren't we here to study? And you call yourself the class monitor, how do you even manage things?"
Chu Qiuqiu seized the moment to join the fray, gently mediating, "Sister, don’t be angry. I can testify that Mingxuan and the others were studying."
Chu Yin: "..."
Three waves of hypocrisy hit her head-on. It was her first time facing all three of them at once, and she was momentarily stunned.
Jiang Yan frowned, while Han Chuying didn’t hold back: "Everyone’s studying here, and you’re the only ones talking. Don’t you find it noisy yourselves?"
Liang Yueqi shot her a glance. "If you find it noisy, then leave. Why are you so selfish? Do we all have to cater to you?"
"?!" Han Chuying was so infuriated she couldn’t even form a response.
Hearing this, the rest of the class looked displeased.
In their elite class of top students, hierarchy was naturally determined by grades. Chu Yin’s scores in every subject, the awards she’d won, even her speed of thinking in class, all of it far surpassed theirs. So most of them respected her authority as class monitor.
Were these two privileged young ladies openly ganging up to deliberately embarrass Chu Yin?!
The expressions in the classroom varied, but Chu Yin’s face remained perfectly calm.
"Are you done studying?" she asked.
A hint of smugness flashed across Fu Mingxuan’s face. "Not yet. If you hadn’t interrupted us, we’d have finished long ago."
Liang Yueqi also shot her a glance. "Is this how you act as class monitor?"
The boys in the class couldn’t take it anymore, ganging up against Chu Yin alone? The class monitor was just too pitiful!
But at that moment, Chu Yin slowly stepped down from the podium, walked over to their desks, and stopped in front of them.
"What are you doing?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Chu Yin suddenly raised her foot and delivered a sharp kick, BANG!, right into the desk they were leaning on.
Fu Mingxuan and Liang Yueqi, caught completely off guard, were jolted backward by the impact, scrambling to grab onto something to steady themselves.
Chu Yin’s face was icy as she dusted the chalk off her hands. "What kind of problem takes this long to discuss? If it’s the problem itself, show it to me. If it’s a problem with your brains, go get them checked yourselves."
For three seconds, the entire class fell into dead silence.
Then, led by Han Chuying, the room erupted into laughter.
"Sorry, I’m so satisfied, hahahaha!"
"Oh my god, oh my god, ultimate badass queen, so freaking cool!"
"As expected of Chu Yin. Anyone else saying that would be asking for a beating, but she’s totally qualified, ahhh!"
Chu Yin turned her head to glance at the class once more, raising a finger to her lips: "Shh, "
All sounds abruptly ceased.
"During self-study time, no noise is allowed," Chu Yin said. "For anyone who violates this, I can teach not only math but also a bit of sanda."
Liang Yueqi, Fu Mingxuan, and Chu Qiuqiu: "!!!"
For the entire self-study period that followed, the class was as quiet as mice, with an unprecedentedly good study atmosphere. The teacher was extremely satisfied when they came to inspect.
While working through practice problems, Chu Yin curled the corner of her lips.
Maintaining discipline, she never intended to do it gently anyway!
Why waste words when fists can solve the problem?
…
For several days in a row, it was all very peaceful.
No one in the tutoring class caused trouble, and the "invisible buff" helped her avoid that scumbag. Chu Yin felt at ease and studied diligently for a whole week, preparing for the city-wide joint exam.
On Sunday, Chu Yin, carrying a pre-purchased figurine, met the Song family's car outside the villa area.
Song Zhaolin's big head popped out of the window, beaming with joy: "Sis Yin!"
Chu Yin first wished him a happy birthday, then handed him the gift, and finally said, "You really didn't have to pick me up; I could have gone on my own."
"It's on the way, no problem!" Song Zhaolin cheerfully unwrapped the gift while beckoning her, "Come on in!"
Chu Yin had no choice but to get in the car. When she looked up, she suddenly met a familiar face in the rearview mirror.
"?"
Song Zhaolin was really putting on airs today, was his aloof older brother actually the chauffeur?
Song Yanchuan probably noticed the surprise in the girl's eyes and casually remarked, "Just for today. Tomorrow, it's back to the usual beatings."
Chu Yin laughed.
Song Zhaolin: "? Why?!!"
Fortunately, Chu Yin had met Song Zhaolin's brother once before, so it wasn't awkward in the car. And with Song Zhaolin, the big chatterbox, there was no chance of awkward silence.
Chu Yin adjusted her sitting position slightly when, just then, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the screen of Song Yanchuan's phone mounted in the middle.
The navigation displayed the address of the xxxx Sanatorium.
Chu Yin's pupils suddenly contracted.
A wave of familiarity washed over her, and she instantly realized where she had seen this sanatorium before.
But why was it showing up on Song Yanchuan's phone navigation?
Chu Yin instinctively averted her gaze, maintaining a calm demeanor.
Beside her, Song Zhaolin was playing with the figurine she had given him like a fool. Chu Yin's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
...She remembered.
That was the sanatorium where Lu Zhen's mother, Su Yumin, lived.
Chu Yin recalled that in her past life, Lu Zhen had taken her there once, she had met his mother that one time.
Back then, Chu Yin thought Lu Zhen was taking her to meet his family, but it seemed like more than that, because that scumbag had left her alone in the room with Su Yumin for half an hour.
When he returned, he didn't enter the room.
Only after she stepped out did Lu Zhen embrace her and ask by her ear, "What did you talk about?"
"The weather," Chu Yin had replied listlessly at the time.
Lu Zhen let out a soft, very soft sigh.
This faint memory had almost been forgotten by Chu Yin, but today it suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
Why would Song Yanchuan have the address of this sanatorium? He seemed like a character completely unrelated to Lu Zhen's mother.
Chu Yin thought back again to the conversation outside the exam hall that day, could it be Lu Linyuan?
What role did Lu Zhen's uncle play in that intricate web of relationships?
A strange sense of predestiny suddenly surged in Chu Yin's heart. It dawned on her, was the world she had witnessed in her previous life truly the real one?
As she drifted into thought, Song Yanchuan glanced at her through the rearview mirror before looking away.
Little girl, tsk.
...
Song Zhaolin's birthday party had drawn a large crowd. As the youngest son of the Song family, though he often got scolded, he had been doted on since childhood. The party was grand and lively.
When Chu Yin entered the venue following the birthday boy, many people's eyes lit up.
The daughter brought back from the countryside by the Chu family had now grown into an exceptionally dazzling young woman, and word had it she was exceptionally talented. Many of the young people present were eager to get to know her.
But Chu Yin remained lost in thought.
Song Zhaolin, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying himself. Surrounded by friends, he could easily blend into any group and strike up a conversation.
After mingling for a while, he stood at the front with a selfie stick, capturing the entire hall in the frame.
"Come on, let's take a group photo!!"
The wealthy young man beside Chu Yin lowered his head and gently reminded her, "Look at the camera, beautiful."
Only then did Chu Yin snap out of her reverie, slightly tilting her chin up.
Song Zhaolin took several photos and then gleefully checked them. The wealthy young man beside Chu Yin tried to continue the conversation with her, but she politely declined.
Holding a drink, she moved to another spot, thinking she would bid farewell to Song Zhaolin and leave soon.
Elsewhere.
Lu Zhen had just finished a meeting and loosened his tie slightly.
Lu Linyuan smiled as he chatted with the board members, arranging to grab a drink together later.
Although Lu Zhen remained the undisputed sole heir of the Lu family, Lu Linyuan had now officially stepped into the Lu Corporation, taking over parts of the family business as one of Old Master Lu's sons, a testament to his own exceptional capabilities.
Old Master Lu didn't join the gathering. The board members approached Lu Zhen and invited him, "Young Master, care to join us later?"
Lu Linyuan chuckled from behind, "Zhen can drink now, right? Let's test that later?"
Lu Zhen nodded calmly, "Sure."
The world of fame and fortune, with its glamour and excess, was something he had been exposed to since childhood.
Lu Zhen didn't mind it.
But today, he felt somewhat irritated.
...It had been a long time since he last saw Chu Yin, as if he were under some kind of curse.
A restless agitation prickled at his nerves. Lu Zhen reached up and loosened his tie once more.
Just then, a WeChat message popped up on his phone.
Song Zhaolin: [Brother Zhen, are you done yet?! We’re having so much fun!!]
Song Zhaolin: [If you’re free, come join us! I saved you some cake!]
Lu Zhen chuckled softly and tapped open the photo Song Zhaolin had sent.
The venue was large and crowded, but his eyes immediately found Chu Yin.
She was sitting next to an unfamiliar man.
That person was too close to her.
Lu Zhen’s fingertips suddenly felt as if they were burning.
rndd: [I’m on my way]
“Chairman Liu, Uncle Wang,” Lu Zhen paused and looked up, “, and Uncle, I’m afraid I can’t stay any longer today. I’ll make it up to you next time.”
No one but the old master could tell the young master what to do. The directors cheerfully told him to go ahead.
Lu Linyuan, however, smiled teasingly. “Something urgent?”
Lu Zhen hesitated for a second before smiling. “Yeah.”
Urgent.
He left the Lu Corporation building, got into his car, and headed straight for the Song residence. When the car got stuck in traffic outside the villa area, Lu Zhen simply opened the door and ran the rest of the way.
Under the bright moonlight, a dark-haired boy ran.
Perhaps only once in a lifetime would he go this crazy, running toward the girl he liked.
In the banquet hall, Chu Yin suddenly felt a strange premonition.
She had already said goodbye to Song Zhaolin and originally planned to slip out quietly through the back door near the cars. But when she glanced at the script, she realized with a jolt, Lu Zhen was coming.
A sense of inescapable destiny wrapped around her once again, and Chu Yin suddenly felt inexplicably flustered.
While clutching the light pen and trying to alter the script, she hurried toward the main entrance on the other side.
Just as her fingers brushed the ornate door handle, the door was abruptly pulled open from the outside.
The boy’s heavy breathing washed over her. Chu Yin looked up and met Lu Zhen’s burning gaze.
“Don’t run.”
Chu Yin was stunned, Why hadn’t Lu Zhen taken the car?!
Lu Zhen looked at her, feeling as though it had been ages since he last saw her. Suddenly, he thought, screw the right time and place, he would just say it.
Chu Yin sensed something and took a step back.
But his voice, hoarse and slightly breathless, reached her clearly.
“Sorry, but I like you.”
The restless energy of the moonlit night finally stilled.
After twists and turns, they stood once again before these words.
A long moment later, Chu Yin slowly clenched her fingers, her tone turning fierce. “But I don’t like you.”
She had said the same thing in her past life.
Back then, Lu Zhen had stood before her, his eyes gradually reddening.
He had asked, “Why?”
But now, the 17-year-old Lu Zhen stood before her, still smiling.
He said, “I see.”
Chu Yin froze in surprise.
Lu Zhen’s hand trembled slightly. After a long moment, he raised it and gently ruffled her hair. “But I wanted to tell you.”
With that, he withdrew his hand. “Goodnight, Chu Yin.”
He left without looking back.
That night, no one even knew Lu Zhen had been there.
He had arrived like a gust of passionate wind and left quieter and lonelier than the moonlight.
Chu Yin stood there, dazed.
Someone had opened the door to the Song residence, and the deafening noise of the party suddenly spilled out. Wrapped in that wave of sound, Chu Yin didn’t hear the soft “beep” that echoed in her mind.
…
Lu Zhen had probably used up all his strength and courage. He lay quietly in bed.
He had said goodnight, but he did not dream well.
Lu Zhen closed his eyes and fell into a long, long dream.
He dreamed of a light drizzle, a corner of a floral skirt, a frigid classroom, and a cat.
Everything started over from the beginning, and all became different.
It felt like a memory.
He didn’t know whose perspective this memory was from, only that his heart felt as if it were being squeezed to the point of explosion, pain and suffocation clinging tightly to him.
After what felt like an eternity, someone knocked on the door, forcibly interrupting this torment.
"Zhen? Lu Zhen!, "
Lu Zhen abruptly woke up, opening his dark eyes.
Fragments of the dream drifted away, fading into a distant point in his memory, leaving only the final voice from the dream echoing incessantly in his ears.
The voice was both familiar and strange, chilling to the bone, it seemed to be his own, yet somehow different.
In the ear of his 17-year-old self, it asked: "Lu Zhen, do you like her?"
"If you want her to be happy."
"Then die right now."