Sincerity is the only true trump card.
In his relationship with Song Yihan, Gu Zhe had often felt like an outsider. All he could do was quietly watch from a distance as Song Yihan and Duan Mingdong strolled side by side.
But hadn’t Gu Zhe always been the scenery in Lin Nuo’er’s eyes?
She ached for him—for how all his sincere affection toward Song Yihan was wasted. And she hurt for herself too—for being someone who could only stand far away and quietly admire him.
She was the one who came first. Back in high school, when she filled out her college applications, when she saw him again at university with her long hair down and awkwardly wearing a skirt—she had already imagined a future with Gu Zhe.
But in the end, it became a one-woman play.
No one’s sincerity deserves to be taken for granted.
And hers—was it finally going to be seen?
Lin Nuo’er was happy.
But…
Why was Gu Zhe looking at her like that?
He’d just said all those things… shouldn’t she say something now?
Oh no oh no oh no—
Why was she suddenly at a loss for words?!
Help!
What was she even supposed to say at a time like this?
She froze.
She had so many things to say—her mix of frustration, joy, and hope—but none of it would come out right.
She was just supposed to ask whether Gu Zhe’s recent kindness had been all because of the project, right?
How did things suddenly turn into this?
Granted, hearing those words from Gu Zhe… really did make her happy.
Just as she was mentally spiraling—wanting nothing more than to sprint around the cafeteria twice to calm down—a delicate, overly sweet voice rang out from behind her.
“Gu Zhe! What are you doing?!”
The voice belonged to none other than Song Yihan, who had come to check out the new milk tea shop with Duan Mingdong. She hadn’t even had a sip yet before she spotted Gu Zhe sitting across from a curvy girl, chatting and drinking milk tea like they were on a date.
Song Yihan exploded on the spot and stormed over.
Her tone was condescending and aggressive, instantly triggering Lin Nuo’er’s irritation. She stood up and snapped, “Wow, that’s rich coming from someone who’s been parading around with a guy every day. Who gave you the right to tell others what to do?”
“You’re like a green-shelled turtle calling someone else a monster.”
“Seriously, have some self-awareness.”
Your friend Lin Nuo’er has entered the battlefield.
Sometimes, girls remember beautiful rivals even more vividly than boys do—especially when that girl poses a threat.
And Song Yihan instantly recognized her.
“You again? Have you been trying to seduce Gu Zhe this whole time? You little fox! Always hanging around someone else’s boyfriend—what’s your deal?!”
She was genuinely panicking now.
Duan Mingdong had just told her that Gu Zhe probably said those harsh things to her last time so he could openly get closer to Lin Nuo’er.
That was absolutely unacceptable to Song Yihan.
Gu Zhe was hers—only hers.
She couldn’t let another girl, especially such a beautiful one, steal even a bit of Gu Zhe’s attention!
“Song Yihan, watch your mouth! You’re a girl—at least speak with some decency!” Gu Zhe stepped forward, placing himself between Lin Nuo’er and Song Yihan protectively.
Song Yihan’s eyes widened, her body trembling slightly like a frightened rabbit.
If this had been before, Gu Zhe would’ve instantly softened, maybe even apologized on the spot.
“Gu Zhe… you’re yelling at me…?”
Even Lin Nuo’er felt a bit uneasy seeing that pitiful look on her.
To be fair, the girl really knew how to act. That helpless expression could even stir sympathy in someone who hated her—let alone boys who were hardwired to protect the weak.
But Gu Zhe looked at her with pure disdain. “When you insulted someone just now, your words were a lot nastier than mine.”
Song Yihan hadn’t expected Gu Zhe to defend another girl over her. She was so stunned she even forgot to maintain her “pitiful mode.”
“You’re talking about me?”
Gu Zhe didn’t stop. “Who else? We’re already broken up. Who I hang out with, who I drink milk tea with—those are my choices. It’s my freedom, and Lin Nuo’er’s. What does it have to do with you?”
“You storm in here and start yelling at people? You’ve completely disgraced Jiang University! Next time, don’t even say you’re from our computer science department—if Instructor Yang finds out, he’ll probably have a stroke!”
“You… you…!”
Song Yihan knew Gu Zhe could be savage when he wanted to be.
Back when they’d go out and deal with pushy vendors or scammy shops, Gu Zhe could verbally destroy people in seconds. She’d just stand behind him, cheering him on. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
But now, the girl he was protecting wasn’t her anymore.
And the one being scolded… was her.
Well, at least she was still part of the scene, even if she was playing the villain now.
Lin Nuo’er, meanwhile, was over the moon hearing Gu Zhe tear into Song Yihan like that.
She almost wanted to grab a speaker and start blasting “This Feel… Is Just Too Damn Good!”
But she wasn’t Song Yihan.
She wasn’t going to just hide behind Gu Zhe.
She stepped out beside him, fighting shoulder to shoulder.
“Exactly! You keep hanging out with that guy and call him your guy best friend. Can’t find any girls to hang out with, is that it?”
“If you’re that bad at making friends, just say so. I’ll teach you how!”
With Gu Zhe backing her up, Lin Nuo’er fully unleashed. Every line she threw hit like a critical strike.
Song Yihan was losing it.
She suddenly remembered—wait, wasn’t there still a man next to her?
If this had been in the past, Gu Zhe would’ve stepped in to defend her already.
But Duan Mingdong had been standing back, watching the whole time, still waiting for the perfect “entry point.”
Noticing her gaze, Duan Mingdong realized… if he didn’t speak up now, he might as well be an NPC.
“Gu Zhe, you’re taking things too far, you—”
Duan Mingdong has entered the battlefield.
Gu Zhe glanced at him and said coolly, “Wasn’t it your big mouth that got you punched on Puchang Street last time?”
Just hearing “Puchang Street” made Duan Mingdong break into a cold sweat.
He didn’t even know how Gu Zhe had learned about that.
Maybe Gu Zhe had family in law enforcement, or some tech surveillance setup that knew his whole backstory…
Better to be careful.
If Gu Zhe spilled that story, it wouldn’t just ruin his rep—it could get him in trouble with the university too.
Duan Mingdong fumbled for words, then turned to Song Yihan and muttered weakly, “Hanhan… I haven’t even had breakfast today…”
Duan Mingdong has left the battlefield.