Seeing that Lin Yumeng remained unmoved after all his efforts, Zhang Tianyu’s eyebrows shot up in frustration. In his years at the university, aside from Sun Lingfei, there hadn’t been a girl he couldn’t win over.
But this junior he had been pursuing for over a month showed no progress whatsoever. She remained indifferent, even firmly rejecting him, which truly vexed him.
Given his popularity with girls, he was nearly unstoppable on campus, with few able to outshine him. In recent years, he’d never needed more than a week to win a girl’s heart. Yet, after a whole month, he still hadn’t succeeded, which was both a blow to his ego and a source of great irritation.
Thinking of all the time he’d wasted this past month, focusing solely on pursuing her while ignoring other girls, without even holding her hand once, Zhang Tianyu was filled with resentment.
Fueled by the thought of his wasted time, Zhang Tianyu strode forward, blocking Lin Yumeng’s path. He demanded angrily, “Yumeng… You always say you already like someone, but who is it? I don’t believe there’s anyone at this school better than me… Are you just making excuses to avoid me?”
Blocked by Zhang Tianyu, Lin Yumeng had no choice but to stop. Her delicate face wore an expression of helplessness and annoyance. She looked up at Zhang Tianyu, who towered over her, frowned slightly, and said wearily, “Zhang Tianyu, who I like is none of your business. Besides, I’ve already told you I won’t like you… So don’t waste your energy!”
“Hmph… That’s just an excuse. I refuse to believe there’s anyone more outstanding than me at this school…” Zhang Tianyu was tired of hearing her rejections. This time, he was determined to find out who this supposed person was. He refused to believe his methods couldn’t win Lin Yumeng over.
Seeing Zhang Tianyu’s stubborn persistence, Lin Yumeng’s own frustration boiled over. He had been pestering her like a fly for a whole month, buzzing around her the moment class ended. It was utterly infuriating.
“Zhang Tianyu… I’ve said I won’t like you. No matter how much you pester me, it’s useless. Don’t you realize how annoying you are…”
Watching the usually quiet and sweet-looking Lin Yumeng suddenly shout like that, Xu Ze couldn’t help but smile and shake his head. “Who would have thought this little girl could be so fierce…”
Seeing Zhang Tianyu, despite the scolding, still showed no sign of backing down, Xu Ze frowned and stepped forward.
Zhang Tianyu, stung by Lin Yumeng’s outburst, was about to retort angrily when a calm voice interjected from ahead, “Yumeng… A young lady shouldn’t be so harsh…”
Hearing the voice, Zhang Tianyu froze, then looked up in surprise.
His expression immediately darkened. On campus, he feared no one except the teachers, but he held a deep wariness for this senior who had “stolen” Sun Lingfei. Remembering how Xu Ze had thoroughly humiliated him several times last semester still filled him with bitterness.
Moreover, Xu Ze was the top figure on the influential persons list. Every remarkable thing Xu Ze had done this past year filled Zhang Tianyu with envy. He had to admit he was no match for Xu Ze’s formidable abilities.
So, at Xu Ze’s appearance, Zhang Tianyu instinctively shrank back, not daring to speak. He could only watch with resentment as Lin Yumeng’s face lit up with a genuinely sweet smile upon hearing Xu Ze’s voice.
“Brother Xu Ze!” Lin Yumeng turned around in delighted surprise, her face beaming with happiness.
Seeing her joyful expression, Xu Ze smiled too. “What’s going on, Yumeng? Why are you being so harsh?”
Seeing the faint amusement in Xu Ze’s eyes, Lin Yumeng pouted slightly and shot a glance at Zhang Tianyu. “Brother Xu Ze, I’m not being harsh… It’s this Zhang Tianyu who’s so annoying…”
“Oh?” Xu Ze chuckled lightly, looking at Zhang Tianyu’s ashen face. “How is he annoying? Many girls at our school seem to like him a lot.”
Now feeling emboldened by Xu Ze’s presence, Lin Yumeng glared at Zhang Tianyu before walking over to Xu Ze, wrapping her arms around his, and saying sweetly, “Hmph… This guy follows me around every day like a fly. It’s really, really annoying…”
“Like a fly?” Hearing himself described that way, Zhang Tianyu finally felt a pang of despair, mixed with furious indignation. He felt like he might cough up blood.
I, ranked first on the school heartthrob list… well, second now… the dashing, handsome young man known for my charm, am actually being compared to a fly today! And by the new campus belle I vowed to win over! Zhang Tianyu felt an urge to bang his head against a wall.
Seeing Zhang Tianyu’s face turn livid, Xu Ze couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This guy had been too arrogant. Getting such a blow from Lin Yumeng was indeed pitiable.
He looked at Lin Yumeng, who was unexpectedly clinging to his arm, her pretty face still full of annoyance. A fond smile touched his lips. It seemed Lin Yumeng had truly been driven to her wit’s end by Zhang Tianyu’s persistence. Seeing him, she immediately sought refuge.
It looked like he had to step in today. He addressed Zhang Tianyu calmly, “Zhang Tianyu… Yumeng is like a younger sister to me. She doesn’t like you, so stop pestering her from now on… Don’t make her unhappy.”
Hearing this, Zhang Tianyu glanced resentfully at Xu Ze’s arm, which Lin Yumeng held tightly. Although wary of Xu Ze, he couldn’t help but retort defiantly, “Xu Ze… Lin Yumeng’s surname is Lin, yours is Xu… How can she be your sister?”
“Hmph! None of your business!” Now with backup, Lin Yumeng’s attitude became much more confident and assertive. She huffed at Zhang Tianyu, “Weren’t you saying no boy at school is better than you? Well, my Brother Xu Ze is! Unless you can surpass Brother Xu Ze… you have no right to say that!”
“You…” Thoroughly humiliated by Lin Yumeng’s merciless words, Zhang Tianyu’s face flushed red with alternating shame and anger. But facing Xu Ze, he didn’t dare react too strongly. He could only stomp his foot in frustration, then turn and run off.
Finally seeing Zhang Tianyu gone, Lin Yumeng let out a sigh of relief. She glanced at Xu Ze, then secretly at her own hands still holding his arm. After a slight hesitation, she didn’t let go.
“Brother Xu Ze… Thank goodness you came… Otherwise, who knows how long that Zhang Tianyu would have kept bothering me…” A faint blush tinged Lin Yumeng’s cute cheeks.
“Yeah… That guy is no good. He’s broken who knows how many girls’ hearts these past two years. It’s good you didn’t pay him any mind…” Feeling Lin Yumeng still clinging tightly to his arm, Xu Ze could only sigh softly.
Lin Yumeng nodded, her eyes sparkling. Then, blushing slightly, she looked up at Xu Ze and asked quietly, “Brother Xu Ze… What if Zhang Tianyu comes to bother me again in the future?”
“Comes again?” Xu Ze frowned. From Zhang Tianyu’s reaction earlier, he didn’t seem like the type to give up easily. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Hmm… How about this? Take down my phone number. If that guy really bothers you again, give me a call.”
“Really? Okay!” Delighted by this offer, Lin Yumeng quickly took out her phone and saved Xu Ze’s number.
She had wanted Xu Ze’s number for a long time but, being a girl, never had the courage to ask directly during their previous meetings. Today, thanks to the Zhang Tianyu incident, she finally got it.
Hearing his own phone chime with the incoming call from Lin Yumeng, Xu Ze smiled and saved her number as well.
“Brother Xu Ze… Would you like to have dinner together?” After saving the number, Lin Yumeng looked at Xu Ze hopefully.
“Dinner?” Mention of dinner reminded Xu Ze of his prior engagement. By now, Jiang Zhibo and the others were probably almost there.
He had to say, “I’m afraid not today. Some friends invited me to dinner… They’re probably waiting for me already…”
“Oh… I see…” Lin Yumeng’s face fell with disappointment.
Seeing her disappointed look, Xu Ze hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly. “How about this… Would you like to come with me?”
“Come with you?” Lin Yumeng was taken aback, a flash of joy in her eyes. After a brief hesitation, she asked, “Brother Xu Ze… Wouldn’t that trouble you?”
“It’s fine… They’re all good friends, though they’re all guys… You don’t mind, do you?” Xu Ze asked with a light smile.
Of course, Lin Yumeng didn’t mind. She quickly shook her adorable head. “No, not at all! With Brother Xu Ze there, I’m not worried.”
“Alright then… Let’s go. Otherwise, if they wait too long, they’ll probably start calling to hurry me up…”
Arriving at the parking lot, Xu Ze drove his car out and pulled up beside Lin Yumeng. After she got in, he turned the steering wheel and headed off campus.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Lin Yumeng looked around curiously at the luxurious interior, a hint of awe in her eyes. Having been at the university for two months, she naturally recognized this exceptionally handsome sports car.
She was deeply curious. She knew Xu Ze’s family background from Chengtang was quite ordinary—otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to sell barbecue outside the middle school gate. So how could he afford such an expensive sports car at university?
A barbecue prince who drives a sports car? The thought brought a wonderfully amused and delighted smile to Lin Yumeng’s pretty face.
