"Mom!"
"Hello, Xiao Fan? You must be close to Chuzhou by now. Your Aunt Tang should be waiting for you outside the station. I had her find a place for you here in Chuzhou and asked her to look after you. Make sure you study well while you're here."
"Don't think your mother is heartless. You know your grades—if you don't work hard, you won't even get into a good university. That's why I pulled strings to get you into the city's finest Ivy League school."
"Listen carefully to Aunt Tang while you're in Chuzhou. She was my partner years ago and is a genuinely good person."
Hearing the stern voice he hadn't heard for years stirred a warm current deep within Chen Fan's heart, and without realizing it, moisture welled up in the corners of his eyes.
"Mom, I know. Don't worry, I'll study hard in Chuzhou," he murmured softly.
Since his mother passed away the year he graduated from university, he had never again heard her voice.
In his past life, his mother was a distant figure—they had rarely spent time together.
Wang Xiaoyun was a fiercely determined woman. After enduring ridicule and cold shoulders from the Wang family, she was driven to prove herself. So, when Chen Fan was very young, she took her daughter Anya and moved to Zhonghai, where she built the JinXiu Group from scratch. By the time Chen Fan entered university, the JinXiu Group had gone public, dominating Zhonghai's real estate market, and Wang Xiaoyun was hailed as the "Empress" of Zhonghai's property world, with a net worth in the billions.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck when his mother was in a car accident. The JinXiu Group was swallowed by the Shen family's Wanrong Group, and Chen Fan found himself destitute, returning alone to Chuzhou.
His mother only came back once or twice a year, so Chen Fan's impression of her was faint.
Yet, after her accident, he realized how deeply he depended on her; she had been the pillar and faith of their entire family. He still remembered how, upon hearing the news, his father's hair turned half white overnight, as if his vitality had been drained away.
"By the way, your Aunt Tang has a little girl named Jiang Churan, a top student. She wants to introduce you two. I don't oppose it, but your grades come first—don't get distracted by romance and forget your studies," Wang Xiaoyun instructed, every word deliberate.
Chen Fan couldn't help but laugh—what kind of mother talks about matchmaking when her child is still in his final year of high school?
He replied resignedly, "Mom, I'll definitely get into a good school. You should take care of yourself in Zhonghai and not overwork. Anya's almost graduated, so have her help out more and lighten your load."
"Alright, alright, when did you start mothering me? I got company matters to attend to. I'll hang up now. The money's already in your account—be frugal," Wang Xiaoyun chuckled and quickly ended the call.
Chen Fan smiled wryly and shook his head.
Though his mother was a strong woman, she often handled things carelessly. If it weren't for his sister Anya watching over her, who knows how many mistakes would have been made.
Thinking of Anya, a pang of sorrow gripped his heart.
Besides Xiao Qiong, Chen Fan's greatest regrets were his parents and Anya.
"I failed Sister Anya in my past life. I don't know how to repay her in this one," he mused quietly. Matters of the heart are never easy for outsiders to comprehend.
Lost in thought, Chen Fan heard the bus driver calling out, urging passengers to disembark as the Golden Dragon coach had arrived at the station.
Stepping off, he gazed at the familiar Chuzhou bus terminal and the endless stream of people. Only then did the reality of his rebirth hit him—he had truly returned to being a seventeen-year-old youth.
"The mundane world, I must walk it once more. What fear do I have now?"
A faint smile curved his lips as he followed the crowd outside.
…
Outside Chuzhou bus station, curious onlookers cast admiring glances at a dazzling red imported Audi A6 parked nearby.
This car, a high-end model from around 2007, would have cost six to seven hundred thousand yuan—quite a luxury for Chuzhou at the time. Although not a wealthy metropolis, Chuzhou ranked mid-to-upper tier in Jiangnan Province, where Porsches and Ferraris were not uncommon sights.
What drew the eyes was the two beauties standing by the car—one mature, the other youthful.
The elder appeared in her thirties, fair-featured, clad in a well-tailored black skirt suit over a crisp white blouse, complemented by nude stockings and high heels, her makeup refined—an image of a poised and accomplished professional.
The younger was barely sixteen or seventeen, tall and slender, sharing about seventy percent resemblance to the elder, but her features were more striking, her demeanor cold and aloof.
Naturally, these were Aunt Tang and her daughter, Jiang Churan.
Jiang Churan frowned, scanning the station's exit impatiently.
"Mom, when will he get here? Why don't you call and hurry him up?" she said irritably.
"You're such a child, can't even wait ten minutes," Aunt Tang replied with a helpless frown.
This was the child of her closest childhood friend in Chuzhou, sent here to attend senior year. It was Jiang Xiaoyun's trust that made her determined to care for him wholeheartedly.
"Chen Fan is a very honest boy. When he comes out, mind how you speak to him. You'll be classmates, so you should get along. He just came from Sishui County and is unfamiliar with the area. You need to look after him," Aunt Tang reminded gently.
"Alright, alright, Mom, enough already," Jiang Churan sighed, clearly annoyed.
Because her mother's friend's child was coming to study in Chuzhou, she'd been dragged out under the scorching midday sun for ten minutes. She had plans this afternoon to go to Starbucks with her best friend, now seemingly ruined.
Worse, her mother seemed keen on matchmaking. Jiang Churan was hypersensitive to such things; after only a few words from Aunt Tang, her resistance flared. She also took a dim view of the unseen classmate.
Just then, a voice rang out:
"Aunt Tang, sorry to keep you waiting."
A boy with a gentle smile greeted her mother politely.
Could this be Chen Fan?
Jiang Churan gave a cool, appraising glance.
He was of average height, about 1.7 meters, wearing canvas shoes that barely gave him any height advantage.
His looks were nothing remarkable—plain at best, more clean-cut than handsome.
Even to her not-so-brand-conscious eyes, his clothes were cheap, the entire outfit costing less than a thousand yuan. If her white-glove friends, all devotees of LV and Prada, were here, they'd surely sneer.
A flicker of disdain crossed Jiang Churan's eyes.
'This Chen Fan doesn't look capable. Compared to Li Yichen and the others, he's far behind,' she thought, shaking her head inwardly.
Li Yichen was her classmate, president of the student council, son of Chuzhou's vice mayor—a prominent figure in school. Both his looks and family background were top-notch, and he was one of Jiang Churan's suitors. The world saw them as a near-perfect match.
Aunt Tang smiled warmly at Chen Fan, clearly pleased with this modest-looking youth, and introduced:
"Xiao Fan, this is my daughter Jiang Churan."
"She'll also be starting senior year next semester at your school, three months younger than you. Call her 'Ran Ran.' You must take good care of her."
Chen Fan nodded and smiled.
"Don't worry, Aunt Tang. Ran Ran will be like a little sister to me. I'll protect her."
He turned to look at the girl—the one he had once liked, who had hurt him, and who time had faded from memory.
Jiang Churan.
Aunt Tang's daughter, his senior year classmate, and the first girl he had ever been fond of in his past life.
Back in 2007, before the real estate boom, and before his mother became Zhonghai's "Empress," Chen Fan was just an ordinary boy from Sishui County, rarely venturing beyond his small hometown.
'Back then, when I fled that backward little county for bustling Chuzhou, unfamiliar and overwhelmed, seeing a wealthy, beautiful girl like Jiang Churan—the daughter of an elite family—and with Aunt Tang's enthusiastic matchmaking, it was only natural that my youthful heart wandered,' he mused with a slight smile.
"But with Jiang Churan's high standards, how could she have ever looked my way?"
He shook his head.
"I remember she was enamored with the school's golden boy, Li Yichen—the vice mayor's son. They later both entered Zhonghai University and became an inseparable pair. I wallowed in despair for a long time after that. Looking back now, it's truly laughable."
He was no longer the same person he had been five hundred years ago. How could he still be caught up in a past unrequited love?
Extending his hand, Chen Fan said, "Hello, Ran Ran. I'm Chen Fan from Sishui County. We'll be classmates now. If you ever need anything, just come to me."
Though she once hurt him, she was Aunt Tang's daughter. No matter what, he would protect her and spare Aunt Tang any worry.
The girl, accustomed to admiration for her beauty, rarely saw a boy with eyes so clear and sincere as Chen Fan's. Though not handsome, he had a clean, agreeable aura.
'A pity his family background and ability are lacking; he can only be a casual friend,' the young lady thought, yet graciously extended her delicate white hand.
"Alright, just don't forget what you said when the time comes," Jiang Churan said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—she wasn't taking it seriously.
Her father was a high-ranking official, her mother ran a multimillion-dollar company, and she herself was strikingly beautiful. Many suitors came from powerful, influential families. What need had she to trouble herself with Chen Fan?
Aunt Tang chuckled. "Let's get in the car. You can drop your things at your new home, then come to our place for lunch. I'll introduce you to your uncle."
"Alright," Chen Fan smiled and nodded.
After boarding, they first drove to the apartment Chen Fan had rented.
"The Lakeside Community."
A mid-tier residential area in Chuzhou, well landscaped and near Yan Gui Lake, the scenery was beautiful. It was only a ten-minute walk from the "Ivy League High School" where he'd be studying. The apartment was a finely furnished three-bedroom with a living room—air conditioning, hot water, bathtub, television, sofa, refrigerator—all the amenities. Aunt Tang had clearly gone to great lengths to find a comfortable home.
"Thank you, Aunt Tang. I truly appreciate your care," Chen Fan said sincerely.
In his past life, Aunt Tang was one of the few who treated him with genuine kindness.
She was his mother Wang Xiaoyun's partner, running a design firm worth millions—an accomplished and formidable businesswoman.
When he struggled academically in high school, his mother sent him to Chuzhou's best private school, the Ivy League High, where Aunt Tang looked after him. She helped him find housing, fed him regularly, and even tried to set him up with her daughter.
Whether in his prime or in poverty, Aunt Tang remained a steadfast friend.
"Look at you, kid. Your mom entrusted you to me. You're alone here in Chuzhou. I only have Ran Ran, and I've always wanted a son. From now on, treat my home as your own," Aunt Tang said with a gentle smile.
Chen Fan nodded earnestly.
Having returned this life, he too wished to repay Aunt Tang's kindness from his past.
Aunt Tang sensed the sincerity in his words and was further impressed. Compared to Li Yichen, who left her with an impression of deep cunning and a poor match, Aunt Tang preferred Chen Fan—a boy from a decent family, with a modest official father and a business-minded mother, well-matched socially, and above all, honest and reliable.
Leaving the Lakeside Community, the car headed to Aunt Tang's home.
Jiang Churan and Chen Fan sat side by side in the backseat. They exchanged a few indifferent words, their interests and social circles worlds apart, leaving little to discuss. Chen Fan offered a sheepish smile and leaned toward the window, closing his eyes as if weary.
Jiang Churan waited a moment, then, seeing his silence, turned her gaze to the window with a detached air.
Though the boy had made a decent first impression, she was the school's cherished darling, highly regarded, with strict upbringing and discerning tastes. Chen Fan was nowhere near the level to prompt her to initiate conversation.
She had seen too many attempts by boys to attract girls through contrarian or rebellious behavior. The young lady was immune to such games; she admired only those with genuine talent.
Chen Fan, fortunately, wasn't overthinking things. His mind was fixed on the cultivation path ahead in this life.