Li Cheng's morning had been suspiciously calm.
Suspiciously.
After humiliating Zhao Ruitian into emotional retirement, he returned to his desk, thinking the worst was finally over.
Mengyu dropped into the seat beside him, arms crossed, cheeks puffed slightly.
A dangerous sign.
He braced himself.
"…So," she said softly, "you're living with three women now?"
He coughed hard enough that he almost died.
"—I am NOT living with anyone! They just showed up! My grandmother summoned them like Pokémon!"
Mengyu narrowed her eyes, but her lips softened.
"…Just don't make me worry again."
Li Cheng blinked.
"Worry? About me?"
She suddenly grabbed her textbook and smacked his arm.
"D-Don't make it weird!
I need you alive so I can copy your homework!"
Li Cheng smirked.
"Really?"
"Yes!"
She didn't look him in the eyes.
She's lying, he thought.
But he wisely said nothing.
Before he could enjoy the rare peaceful moment—
The classroom door slammed open.
BOOM.
Every head turned.
A tall boy walked in like he owned the school.
Perfect hairstyle.
Designer shoes.
A suit jacket slung casually over his shoulder.
Expression colder than a CEO stepping out of a helicopter in a drama.
He scanned the room.
Slowly.
Calculatingly.
Then his gaze landed on Li Cheng.
His expression sharpened.
"So you're Li Cheng."
Li Cheng blinked.
"…Do I know you?"
The boy walked forward with the confidence of someone who bought three companies before breakfast.
"I am Lin Jue."
The classroom gasped.
"LIN JUE?!"
"From Lin Group?!"
"He's the young prodigy CEO!"
"He's the guy who founded two startups at age sixteen!"
Mengyu leaned in and whispered:
"Great. Another handsome problem."
Lin Jue stood directly in front of Li Cheng.
"I transferred schools today," he said calmly. "To face you."
Li Cheng stared.
"Why? Did I accidentally run over your dog or something?"
Lin Jue didn't smile.
"My fiancée," he said, "won't stop talking about you."
The room collectively inhaled.
Li Cheng's soul froze.
"…Your WHAT?"
"My fiancée," Lin Jue repeated. "She saw one video of you during your company's soft launch—when you dismantled the reporter and three investors publicly. Since then, all she does is compare me to you."
Li Cheng slammed his forehead on the desk.
"WHY does every woman in this city know where I live, work, and breathe?!"
Lin Jue pointed at him.
"I came to crush you. Academically. Socially. Economically. In every arena."
Li Cheng raised a finger.
"One: I didn't ask for competition.
Two: I don't even KNOW your fiancée.
Three: I didn't steal anything. I barely survived yesterday's women!"
The class buzzed with excitement.
Someone whispered:
"This feels like the start of a shounen arc…"
Someone else added:
"Or a romance arc…"
Someone else said:
"Or both."
Lin Jue continued with a CEO-cold voice.
"I challenge you."
Li Cheng stared blankly.
"To what?"
Lin Jue extended a hand dramatically.
"To everything."
Li Cheng sighed.
"Can I decline?"
"No."
"Will you accept money to go home?"
"No."
"Will you accept snacks?"
"…Maybe. But no."
Mengyu leaned over, whispering with an amused smile:
"Look on the bright side. At least it's a boy this time."
The Company Launch Event Invite
At that very moment—
A loud chime echoed from Li Cheng's bag.
Not the system.
His phone.
He pulled it out.
The sender:
CHEN YUXI
The message:
"The official company launch event is tomorrow night. Red carpet, investors, sponsors, partnerships. You must attend."
Another message came instantly:
"Also… make sure to look your best."
Mengyu leaned sideways.
"…Why did Chen Yuxi send you twenty heart emojis after the message?"
Li Cheng choked.
"S-SHE DIDN'T—"
Mengyu snatched the phone.
She stared.
Then lifted a dark glare toward him.
"…She DID."
Li Cheng grabbed the phone back.
"She's just being playful! It doesn't mean anything!"
Mengyu's expression says she absolutely didn't believe him.
Before Li Cheng could calm her down, another notification popped up.
This time from:
AUNTIE MEI
Message:
Bring me as your guardian. I will evaluate everyone.
He almost fainted.
Mengyu read it over his shoulder.
"…Your grandmother is sending a full boss character to the event."
Li Cheng whispered:
"I don't want to go anymore…"
Lin Jue raised a brow.
"You're attending the launch event?"
Li Cheng nodded weakly.
"…Yeah."
Lin Jue smirked.
"So am I."
Li Cheng's eye twitched.
"…Why?"
"My father wants to see your company's growth," Lin Jue replied. "And my fiancée insisted."
Li Cheng dropped his head onto his desk again.
"This is harassment."
Lunch Break: The Jealousy Spike
The cafeteria was crowded.
Li Cheng carried his tray like a man going to war.
Mengyu sat with him.
And Lin Jue also sat with him.
Uninvited.
Naturally.
The annoying CEO sat across the table, crossed his arms, and said:
"I must study your behavior close-up to surpass you."
Li Cheng took a bite of rice.
"You sound like a villain. Please stop."
Lin Jue stared intensely.
"Do you always eat rice first?"
"…Yes?"
"Then I will eat rice first."
Mengyu burst into laughter.
Li Cheng groaned.
"Bro, this is not a competition."
Lin Jue's eyes glowed with determination.
"It is."
Then—
A girl walked by and blushed at Lin Jue.
But then she saw Li Cheng.
She blushed harder.
Lin Jue frowned.
"…Even with a charm suppression buff, you're still a threat."
Li Cheng slammed his chopsticks down.
"I AM NOT TRYING TO BE ANYTHING!"
Mengyu leaned closer, smirking.
"Actually, you ARE pretty cute today."
Li Cheng froze.
"W-What?"
She casually sipped her juice.
"I mean… You look more normal and less sparkly. It's nice."
Lin Jue stared at her.
"…Do you like him?"
Mengyu choked.
"I—WHAT—NO—"
Li Cheng choked too.
"WHAT—NO—"
Their overreaction made the table shake.
Lin Jue watched them silently for five seconds.
Then sighed.
"…I see."
Mengyu turned bright red.
"Y-You see nothing! Shut up!"
Lin Jue stood dramatically.
"I will surpass you in the launch event tomorrow. And I'll show my fiancée I am superior."
Li Cheng waved him away.
"Please go do something productive."
Lin Jue marched off.
Mengyu leaned back, still blushing.
"…Ignore him. He's insane."
Li Cheng nodded.
"That makes two of us."
After School: Unexpected Help
Li Cheng walked home with Mengyu.
She seemed quieter than usual.
Finally, she said:
"When's the launch event?"
"Tomorrow night."
She looked up at him.
"…Do you want me to help you prepare?"
Li Cheng stopped walking.
"You… want to?"
"I mean—" she cleared her throat, "—your company is important. You should look good. And you're hopeless with clothes."
Li Cheng smiled.
"That's true."
Mengyu turned her face away, ears red.
At Home: The Real Chaos
He opened the door to find—
Auntie Mei.
Standing in the living room.
Holding a measuring tape.
"Cheng'er," she said calmly, "I will be tailoring your suit for the event tomorrow."
Li Cheng froze.
"…Tailoring? YOU?"
Auntie Mei narrowed her eyes.
"Do you doubt me?"
"No."
"Good."
She pointed at him.
"Take off your shirt."
Mengyu, who had followed behind, screamed.
"WAIT! I'M STILL HERE!"
Li Cheng screamed.
"WAIT! I'M STILL HERE TOO!"
Auntie Mei sighed.
"You two are dramatic."
She measured his shoulders.
Mengyu watched, face bright red.
Li Cheng prayed for death.
As Auntie Mei adjusted the fabric, the front door opened again.
Li Cheng turned.
And froze.
Chen Yuxi walked in.
Wearing a sleek black dress suit.
Elegant.
Professional.
And she stared directly at him.
"…Li Cheng. We need to talk about the event tomorrow."
Mengyu stiffened.
Auntie Mei narrowed her eyes.
Li Cheng whispered:
"Oh no."
Then—
The door behind Chen Yuxi opened again.
Another woman stepped in.
Li Cheng's brain shut down.
It was -
Lin Jue's fiancée.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Calculating.
And holding a gift bag addressed to—
LI CHENG
She smiled.
"I've come," she said softly, "to meet the boy my fiancé is so insecure about."
Mengyu gasped.
Chen Yuxi tensed.
Auntie Mei's teacup cracked in her grip.
Li Cheng whispered:
"…I'm dead."