Li Sitong had just finished speaking when her phone rang.
"Si Tong, I think I'd better tell you—I transferred one million, not one hundred thousand."
Ye Chen's voice came from the phone.
Li Sitong's lips curved into a sweet smile.
She knew Ye Chen would never lie to her.
"Si Tong, I'm confident I can invest for you; of course, if you disagree, I can wire the money back."
Li Sitong said, "No need—I trust you."
After hanging up, Li Sitong exhaled slowly.
She knew Ye Chen wasn't a fraud.
If he were, he definitely wouldn't have called her.
"What's up? Did Ye Chen call?" asked Yu Weiwei.
Li Sitong nodded. "Mm, Ye Chen explained—he transferred a little over a million."
Yu Weiwei stared at her speechlessly. "Has love addled your brain? That's a million yuan."
Li Sitong's cheeks flushed. "I'm addled by love—so what?"
Ye Chen had sent Xia Yingluo back to the Orphanage, then cycled home.
"I'm back."
Ye Chen smiled at his youthful parents.
Before rebirth, Ye Chen's parents had been in their fifties.
They'd worked in state-owned enterprises; after restructuring, both retired early.
On their pensions they lived comfortably.
"Why so late? Wash up—dinner's ready," Mother Ye said with a smile.
"Okay." Looking at his young mother, Ye Chen smiled back.
The family sat at the table.
"Ye Chen, the National Higher Education Entrance Examination is only months away—set yourself a goal," Father Ye said.
"Already done," Ye Chen replied between bites.
"Which University?" his father asked curiously.
"Huaqing."
Pfft—
Father Ye sprayed a mouthful of wine.
Mother Ye gaped at their son.
She hurriedly pressed a hand to Ye Chen's forehead.
"Son, are you running a fever?"
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. "I'm fine."
Father Ye coughed. "Dreams are good, son, but keep them realistic."
Their reaction didn't surprise Ye Chen.
His grades had always been rock-bottom of the class.
Getting into any ordinary University would already be a blessing.
Huaqing was beyond their wildest dreams.
Ye Chen grinned. "Don't worry—I'll get into Huaqing University. Right, I'm off to study."
After dinner he left.
Mother Ye nudged Father Ye. "Notice anything different about Xiaochen?"
"We should call his teacher—maybe something happened at school."
Mother Ye rolled her eyes. "Can't you see? Our son's gotten handsomer!"
Next morning, in Class Five, Grade Twelve Classroom.
Gao Qian lay on her desk.
Usually Ye Chen had delivered her breakfast long ago.
Today he hadn't even shown up.
Deskmate Wang Hongjing asked, "Gao Qian, has Ye Chen stopped liking you and quit bringing breakfast?"
Gao Qian's face darkened further.
"Hmph, who cares. Don't mention him again."
She'd never forget the disgust in Ye Chen's eyes yesterday.
Actually Ye Chen was quite handsome.
When he kept bringing breakfast and fawning over her, she'd rather enjoyed it.
Yet the guy had treated her like that.
"Why'd he suddenly ditch you? Worst of all, he likes Xia Yingluo now," Wang Hongjing laughed.
"Maybe it's a trick—he'll come apologize any minute!" she teased.
Gao Qian snorted. "Too late; he's out of chances—I won't forgive him."
Determination flashed in her eyes.
"If he thinks childish games will grab my attention, he's an idiot. We're done."
"Dating Xia Yingluo is the dumbest move ever. From today on, love is just a stumbling block; my only goal is my dream University."
"I can't wait to see his grades plummet while I enter a top University."
"One day I'll sip coffee in an Office while he toils in some factory—we won't share a world."
"And I'll forever be the goddess he can never reach."
She already pictured Ye Chen lugging bricks, face full of regret.
"You're right, Xiaoqian; I'm swearing off romance too. Plenty of cute guys await in University, and we can date openly—so exciting!"
Both girls grew visibly elated.
For love in University—go for it!
They high-fived.
Just then a figure flashed past the corridor.
A boy in uniform, tall and fair-skinned.
His delicate face carried both charm and gentleness.
Gao Qian and Wang Hongjing spotted him together.
Their eyes locked onto him instantly.
"Wow, that boy is gorgeous."
Wang Hongjing couldn't help exclaiming.
Beside her, Gao Qian rose and walked toward him.
"Gao Qian, where are you going?"
"I'm asking for his QQ—I'm going after him."
"Didn't you say you'd study hard?"
"Study for what? For love? Love is right in front of me—why chase an illusion?"
"Didn't you call love a stumbling block?"
"Exactly—I've already tripped. University, future—none of it beats his refreshing smile."
Wang Hongjing: "…"
The corridor boy was Ye Chen.
After taking the Charm Capsule and Physique Capsule, he'd transformed inside-out.
He now stood 1.8 m tall with solid abs.
His aura carried the halo of a drama lead.
The change was so thorough classmates barely recognized him.
Gao Qian excitedly approached Ye Chen.
Head lowered, face red as an apple, she stammered,
"Hi—can I have your QQ? I'd like to be friends."
"Sure. Oh, you're Gao Qian, right?"
"Yes! You know me?" she beamed.
Ye Chen nodded. "You should know me too."
"Really? So fated—what's your name?" she asked excitedly.
"Ye Chen…"
"Ye… Chen!"
Gao Qian stared, utterly shattered.