Xu Yueyao gave Zhang Beilu a meaningful look, and Zhang Beilu instantly understood, pulling Xu Yueyao to find seats and sit down.
Fu Xiao Si’s close friend Wu Haolin explained what had just happened to him, even mocking, “Don’t you think this girl is crazy?” His father was the top legal counsel of the Fu family, and even he had never met Zhan Rong Xuan. Yet she claimed to be Zhan Rong Xuan’s woman. Wu Haolin shook his head—she must be insane.
Another close friend beside them, Xiao Beichen, looked at Xu Yueyao, his eyes gleaming as he said, “It’s not entirely impossible. After all, looking at her today, that face and figure are truly top-tier.”
Wu Haolin punched him lightly. “Damn, do you think Zhan Shao has never seen a woman before?”
“Enough, both of you keep it down,” Shen Yi said, looking at Fu Xiao Si. “What do you think?” Although Fu Xiao Si loved to have fun, he never took things seriously. But that night at the nightclub, remembering his uncharacteristic behavior, Shen Yi couldn’t help feeling a pang of bitterness in his heart.
Fu Xiao Si walked up to Xu Yueyao and gently lifted her chin. Xu Yueyao frowned as she looked at him. What did he want to do? With this posture, he wouldn’t try to kiss her, would he?
“Xu Yueyao, you have quite the appetite, don’t you? If things get out of hand, come find me,” Fu Xiao Si said to her with a doting smile.
Gao Yuyan was touching up her makeup when she saw this. Angrily, she clenched the powder compact in her hand tightly, swearing to herself, Xu Yueyao, after today, I’ll make your life a living hell.
During lunch, Xu Yueyao found a quiet place to call Zhan Feng. She had thought of several reasons in her mind, determined to convince Zhan Feng to make an appearance.
In the Empire Group office, Zhan Rong Xuan was listening to Zhan Feng’s report on the collaboration with the Nangong family regarding the gold mine when a phone rang.
Zhan Rong Xuan looked up at him impatiently. Zhan Feng quickly glanced at his phone and said, “It’s Miss Xu.”
Xu Yueyao? Zhan Rong Xuan thought for a moment. “Answer it.”
Xu Yueyao nervously picked at the peeling paint on the corner of the wall. “Miss Xu,” Zhan Feng’s voice came from the other end of the line.
Xu Yueyao was startled. “It’s me. I’ve run into a bit of trouble and wanted to ask for your help.”
After saying this, Xu Yueyao lightly hit her own head, scolding herself. Why are you so nervous? Just be confident.
“What is it, Miss Xu?”
Xu Yueyao took a deep breath and spoke with determination, “I’m being pursued by many powerful male classmates at school and bullied by many powerful female classmates. I need Zhan Shao to make an appearance to intimidate them a bit.”
Xu Yueyao swallowed and continued, “Brother Feng, could you come pick me up at four this afternoon?” After saying this, she closed her eyes, awaiting judgment.
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Her heart grew uneasy. This request isn’t too much, is it? Although I haven’t done anything for Zhan Shao yet… but I saved him. Even though he gave me a house and money… but his life is valuable, precious. He can help with this small favor, right?
Zhan Feng turned to look at Zhan Rong Xuan. He had put the call on speakerphone, so Zhan Rong Xuan could hear everything. Zhan Rong Xuan frowned, puzzled as to why Xu Yueyao wanted Zhan Feng to go instead of him.
Zhan Rong Xuan nodded to him. Zhan Feng picked up the phone and said, “Alright, Miss Xu. Four o’clock this afternoon, at the school gate.”
After hanging up, Zhan Feng looked at Zhan Rong Xuan, whose expression seemed slightly displeased. “Go investigate.”
Zhan Rong Xuan frowned again and asked, “Doesn’t she have my number?”Zhan Feng had just agreed when he shook his head upon hearing the question: “No.” Very few people knew Zhan Shao’s phone number; most contacted him through Zhan Feng.
Zhan Rong Xuan said nothing more and returned to his work, signaling for him to continue discussing the collaboration with the Nangong family.
Xu Yueyao slumped to the ground upon hearing this, feeling as if she had come back to life. She had insisted they wouldn’t be so heartless. Holding the phone gratefully, she thought she must serve Zhan Shao well in the future. While saving her own life, should she also give him a hint to avoid too tragic an ending?
After resting for a while, Xu Yueyao hopped and skipped back to the classroom with her phone. Not long after she left, a figure appeared at the corner of the wall. An Zhiyi bit her lower lip lightly. It seemed she really did know that Zhan Shao—no wonder she had changed so much, her entire demeanor and aura were different now. Watching her retreating figure, An Zhiyi felt a twinge of envy.
“Yao Yao, you didn’t go to eat. I brought you some milk and bread.” Zhang Beilu handed her the milk and bread.
Gao Yuyan laughed upon seeing this and said, “Zhang Beilu, you really know how to meddle in others’ affairs. How could she possibly eat anything now?” Ha ha ha—a chorus of laughter erupted.
Xu Yueyao unwrapped the bread and took big, deliberate bites. Hmph! Laugh all you want—by this afternoon, you won’t be laughing anymore.
After a full day of classes, Xu Yueyao was surprised to find she could actually understand the lessons. It seemed both she and the original owner had some talent for studying, which she was quite pleased about. With only a year left until graduation, it would have been miserable to spend it completely clueless.
As Xu Yueyao left the classroom, no one was in a hurry to go home anymore. Instead, they all followed behind her, eager to watch the drama unfold. Within just a few hours, the entire school had learned about the showdown between Xu Yueyao and Gao Yuyan.
Gao Yuyan, watching Xu Yueyao walking ahead, shook her head and said, “Xu Yueyao, if you beg me now, I might consider changing your punishment. Running naked—would you even have the face to live after that?”
To be honest, Xu Yueyao was a little nervous. She thought since Zhan Feng had promised, he wouldn’t break his word, right? She took out her phone, ready to send him a text to ask if he had arrived.
Zhang Beilu was equally worried. Looking at the dense crowd of classmates, her legs felt weak. Glancing at Xu Yueyao beside her—they were close friends, after all—she could tell at a glance that Xu Yueyao was also nervous. Suddenly, she stumbled; her legs really were giving way.
Sitting in the car, Zhan Feng watched the vibrant young woman walking at the front of the crowd and teased with a smile, “It seems Miss Xu is indeed quite popular.”
“Look, isn’t that a car from the Zhan family?” someone in the crowd shouted.
“It looks like it.”
“Oh my god, could she really be Zhan Shao’s person?”
The crowd began to buzz with discussion. Gao Yuyan grew nervous, and Xu Yueyao felt the same. Just then, she saw Zhan Feng step out from the passenger seat. Xu Yueyao immediately relaxed and happily hurried toward him.
Gao Yuyan was utterly stunned. She recognized Zhan Feng and knew he was someone close to Zhan Shao. Many in the crowd—heirs of prominent families, children of officials, and wealthy second-generation heirs—also recognized Zhan Feng. It seemed Xu Yueyao was under the Zhan family’s protection. Everyone’s minds began recalculating their plans.
Zhan Feng walked to the rear car door, pulled it open with one hand, slightly bowed, and gestured with the other in an inviting manner. “Miss Xu, please get in.”
Xu Yueyao smiled at Zhan Feng and said, “Thank you, Brother Feng.” Then, looking up, she saw Zhan Rong Xuan sitting inside the car and was struck speechless with surprise.The person behind also saw Zhan Rong Xuan. He was dressed in a tailored suit, with an exquisite tie and an elegant watch—every detail exuded an extraordinary temperament and taste. His posture was that of a person in power, his profile perfect, his features extremely refined. He possessed a natural elegance and nobility about him.
Perhaps growing impatient waiting for Xu Yueyao to get in the car, he turned his head, his cold eyes fixed on her. “Get in the car already.”
“Oh!” Xu Yueyao snapped back to reality, got into the car, and took her seat. Zhan Feng closed the car door, shutting out the noise from outside. The car slowly started moving. When they reached the intersection, she saw An Zhiyi standing there, looking into the car. Xu Yueyao hurriedly glanced at Zhan Rong Xuan beside her. He looked at her with a puzzled expression, as if asking, “What’s wrong?”
Xu Yueyao shook her head, indicating she was fine. She thought to herself, It seems I can’t let him come to the school again in the future. What if he runs into the female lead ahead of time? Then what role would I have left? I’ll have to delay this until after I graduate at least.
“Give me your phone.”
Looking at the slender, pale, and distinctly knuckled hand before her, full of strength, Xu Yueyao took out her phone and placed it in his hand.
“Unlock it.”
Zhan Rong Xuan frowned, holding the phone. Xu Yueyao didn’t take it back but instead extended her fair, delicate fingertip and directly drew a “Z” on the screen.
After the phone unlocked, Xu Yueyao looked up at him. He was staring at her. Seeing her confused gaze, Zhan Rong Xuan averted his eyes, entered a few numbers into the phone, and then tossed it back to her.
“Call me if anything comes up in the future.”
Seeing his number saved in her phone, Xu Yueyao nodded happily. “Okay, Zhan Shao.”