Tian Tian went to Zhao Yi’s classroom to confront him. As soon as she walked in, she saw him sitting at his desk, surrounded by a group of people. They were all smiling and chatting with him, treating him as if he were the center of the universe.

Since Zhao Zhicheng had been sent to rehab and Zhao Yi had smoothly entered Zhao Corporation for his internship, his status had drastically changed.

The fact that Zhao Yi had been personally approved by Chairman Zhao to join the company was a sign that he was now recognized by his father. He was no longer the downtrodden illegitimate child he had once been.

The students at this school, most of whom came from wealthy and powerful families, were shrewd enough to sense the shift in dynamics. They no longer looked down on Zhao Yi. Instead, they sought to ingratiate themselves with him, knowing that they might need his help in the future.

When Tian Tian walked in, people assumed she and Zhao Yi were a couple and even made way for her to pass.

Some even greeted her with a smile.

Tian Tian wasn’t used to the attention, but she had no time to care. She walked straight to Zhao Yi and fixed her gaze on him.

Zhao Yi’s expression was calm. Even when Tian Tian approached, he barely looked up at her, treating her as if she were a stranger.

Tian Tian felt a pang in her chest, the pain cutting deep. “Zhao Yi, don’t you think you owe me an explanation by now?”

Zhao Yi slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. His voice was calm and emotionless. “Explain what? What’s there to explain? Haven’t I made myself clear enough?”

Tian Tian’s anger flared. If it weren’t for the mission, she would have left immediately, refusing to tolerate such indignity.

“Why?” she asked, holding back her fury. She couldn’t understand what had changed between them. Just a short while ago, she had celebrated his birthday with genuine care and effort.

“There’s no why,” Zhao Yi replied indifferently. “I just suddenly didn’t feel like staying in touch anymore.”

His tone was so nonchalant, so devoid of any feeling, that it was as if the bond they had shared, their conversations, their moments together, had never existed.

Tian Tian was seething. His words left her with nothing more to say.

“Fine. As you wish.”

She turned and walked away, returning to her seat, forcing herself to focus on her studies.

Class was about to start, and she reminded herself to prioritize her education. The mission was important, but so was building a solid foundation for her own future. Tian Tian was inherently proud and preferred to rely on herself. What she earned through her own effort was hers to control, while relying on others always came with strings attached.

As for Zhao Yi, if he no longer wanted anything to do with her, she wouldn’t force it. Begging or flattering him would only diminish her in his eyes, and she refused to lower herself in such a way. She decided to look for another angle to complete her mission.

Maybe Zhao Hai Feng, Zhao Yi’s father, held the key. If Zhao Hai Feng could show more care and concern for Zhao Yi, perhaps it could change him.

The more Tian Tian thought about it, the more plausible the idea seemed. After all, Zhao Hai Feng was Zhao Yi’s biological father, and his involvement could make a world of difference.

However, meeting Zhao Hai Feng posed a challenge. Zhao Corporation was a prestigious enterprise, and even landing an internship there was extremely competitive. Meeting someone as high up as Zhao Hai Feng seemed almost impossible.

The only realistic way for her to gain access was through hard work. The school belonged to Zhao Corporation, and every year, the top five students in their third and fourth years were guaranteed internships there. If she could rank among the top five, she could enter Zhao Corporation and perhaps find an opportunity to meet Zhao Hai Feng.

Zhao Yi himself had always ranked among the top students, but in the past, his father’s disdain had kept him from joining the company. This time, however, Zhao Hai Feng had broken his own rule, signaling a significant change.

Having figured out her path forward, Tian Tian threw herself wholeheartedly into her studies, leaving Zhao Yi entirely out of her thoughts.

She returned to her solitary routine, sticking to the dining hall, dorm, and classroom like clockwork.

Rumors spread quickly among the students. They had all assumed Zhao Yi and Tian Tian were a couple, and now that Zhao Yi was ignoring her, they concluded she had been dumped.

Everywhere she went, Tian Tian overheard people gossiping.

“Cheng Xiaobei got dumped by Zhao Yi. She even went to confront him, but it didn’t work.”

“Haha, serves her right! She needs to know her place. She’s just a regular girl—how could she ever think she deserved someone like Zhao Yi? Even though he’s an illegitimate son, he’s now accepted by Chairman Zhao, and his status is miles ahead of hers.”

“You’re right. Even if he doesn’t take over Zhao Corporation, he’ll inherit at least a few billion. That’s enough to put him on the Forbes list. She’s way out of her league.”

“That kind of social-climbing woman is just a plaything. No real family would ever let her through their doors. Marriages in their world are always between equals.”

Tian Tian had grown used to hearing such talk and didn’t bother responding. She focused on her own goals instead.

When she returned to her dorm one day, she was surprised to find Zhang Xue there.

It had been a while since Zhang Xue had returned. Ever since their argument, Zhang Xue had moved in with her boyfriend off-campus.

Seeing Tian Tian, Zhang Xue sneered. “I heard you got dumped by Zhao Yi?” Her tone was full of schadenfreude.

Tian Tian rolled her eyes. Did Zhang Xue come back just to mock her?

“My relationship with Zhao Yi is none of your business,” Tian Tian snapped, not bothering to be polite.

Zhang Xue laughed. “Oh, struck a nerve, did I? It’s no surprise you got dumped. People with brains wouldn’t waste their time on you. Zhao Yi was just playing with you—now that he’s bored, he tossed you aside.”

“That’s enough!” Tian Tian’s voice was sharp. “Zhang Xue, if you keep spewing your bitter nonsense, don’t blame me if I write a little expose about you and post it online. I’m sure the internet would love to hear about your ‘glamorous’ escapades.”

Zhang Xue paled slightly. She knew Tian Tian wasn’t bluffing; after all, Tian Tian had taken on Zhao Zhicheng and won. Zhang Xue didn’t want to end up in the same boat.

“Hmph! I’m not going to stoop to your level,” Zhang Xue said, grabbing her bag and leaving in a huff.

Finally, Tian Tian had some peace.

---

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Tian Tian completely ignored Zhao Yi. Though they shared the same classroom, they hadn’t exchanged a single word.

She didn’t feel particularly heartbroken. Their relationship had never progressed beyond friendship, and while she’d once thought they might take a step forward, the lingering disappointment had long faded.

Now, when they crossed paths, she could look past him as if he weren’t there.

After weeks of gossip about them, the rumors eventually died down.

With Zhao Yi and Tian Tian’s relationship seemingly over, some boys began to show interest in her.

Although her reputation and family background weren’t stellar, her beauty drew attention, and there were always admirers willing to pursue her.

One day during class break, a male classmate named Wu Bo approached her. Wu’s family owned a seafood business, and while he wasn’t particularly handsome, he had a reputation as a playboy.

Wu Bo placed a bag of snacks on Tian Tian’s desk. “Xiaobei, I bought you some snacks. I noticed you’re always busy studying and sometimes skip meals. These can keep you going.”

Tian Tian blinked, startled by the unexpected gesture. She and Wu Bo had never spoken before, so she was puzzled by his sudden interest.

Moreover, she remembered that Wu Bo already had a girlfriend. Apparently, they had broken up just yesterday, something she overheard in the cafeteria while buying food.

Tian Tian was just about to decline when someone acted faster than her.

She saw someone stride over to Wu Bo, grab him by the back of his collar, and yank him from his seat, forcefully tossing him to the side.

Being publicly humiliated like this—especially in front of Tian Tian—made Wu Bo feel incredibly embarrassed. He was about to explode in anger, but when he saw who had grabbed him, he didn’t dare make a sound.

“Uh… uh… I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just trying to be nice to Xiaobei because she’s been working so hard,” he stammered, quickly retreating to his seat.

Tian Tian looked at Zhao Yi, whose handsome face was clouded with anger, and felt confused. Why was he targeting Wu Bo? Hadn’t he already made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her? What was this supposed to mean?

Zhao Yi, as if knowing what Tian Tian wanted to ask, explained directly, “That guy isn’t genuinely interested in you; he just wants to mess around with you.”

Tian Tian knew Wu Bo’s character well enough but couldn’t help retorting, “That’s my business and has nothing to do with you.”

Zhao Yi said nothing and returned to his seat.

Tian Tian didn’t pay him any further attention. Treating him as though he were air, she picked up the bag of snacks from her desk and walked over to Wu Bo’s desk. “Thank you for your kind gesture, but I don’t like eating snacks. You should keep them for yourself.”

Wu Bo initially didn’t want to take them back, but Zhao Yi’s icy glare made him relent. “Xiaobei, I really didn’t mean anything by it. I just thought you were working hard and wanted to help.”

Tian Tian smiled politely. “I understand, and I appreciate it. Thank you, but I insist.”

After the snack incident, Tian Tian and Zhao Yi continued to interact like strangers, with no further exchanges between them.

Tian Tian focused on her studies, while Zhao Yi balanced both his academics and his internship at Zhao Corporation, keeping himself extremely busy.

That afternoon, after school, Tian Tian stayed at her desk to continue studying. As Zhao Yi walked past her, he suddenly collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.

The noise startled Tian Tian so much that she jumped.

The classroom was empty by then, and Tian Tian didn’t hesitate. She squatted down and called out to him urgently, “Zhao Yi! Zhao Yi! Wake up! Can you hear me?”

Zhao Yi’s eyes fluttered open groggily.

Seeing that something was clearly wrong, Tian Tian touched his forehead. It was burning hot!

“You have a fever?”

Zhao Yi struggled to sit up, leaning on his arms. “I’m fine.”

“You’re burning up so badly you’re barely coherent, and you say you’re fine? Come on, I’m taking you to the infirmary.” Tian Tian didn’t care about anything else at the moment; she just wanted to get him medical attention. If it had been any other classmate, she would have done the same.

“I’m really okay,” Zhao Yi said, trying to brush off her concern.

“This isn’t the time to act tough,” Tian Tian said firmly, helping him to his feet and supporting him as they walked.

The two of them trudged along for over ten minutes before finally reaching the infirmary. The nurse took his temperature—it was 39.8°C (103.6°F), a dangerously high fever.

“With a fever this severe, I recommend going to the hospital for intravenous treatment. I can give you some medication here, but this isn’t a proper hospital, and we don’t have advanced medical equipment. If his fever persists, there’s a risk of it developing into pneumonia,” the nurse advised.

Tian Tian nodded. “Thank you, doctor.”

She fed Zhao Yi some fever-reducing medicine and helped him to the school gate, where she hailed a taxi to take them to the First People’s Hospital in D City.

Once there, she helped him to a seat. “Zhao Yi, sit here for a moment. I’ll go get you registered.”

Zhao Yi nodded weakly.

Tian Tian quickly bought him a bottle of mineral water. “Drink this if you’re thirsty. Stay hydrated.” Then, she rushed off to register him.

Registering, paying fees, waiting to see the doctor, paying again, getting the IV medication, helping him to get the IV started—Tian Tian was running around non-stop like a spinning top.

Zhao Yi watched her from his seat, his heart warming. Something he had tried to suppress was now breaking free, like a dam bursting under immense pressure, flooding his mind with unstoppable force.

Tian Tian, oblivious to his thoughts, noticed him staring. “Zhao Yi, are you hungry?” she asked, standing up. “I’ll see if I can find a store nearby and get you some bread.”

Zhao Yi shook his head. “I’m not hungry. Sit down and rest. You must be exhausted after everything today.”

Tian Tian nodded. She was indeed exhausted. If it weren’t for having to look after Zhao Yi, she would have loved to collapse into bed and sleep for an eternity.

By the time Zhao Yi finished his IV, it was almost 1 a.m. His temperature had dropped to 38.4°C (101.1°F), and Tian Tian finally breathed a sigh of relief. She helped him back to the school.

When they reached the dormitory, Tian Tian instructed, “You’ll need to continue the IV for three more days. Tomorrow after school, make sure you go. I won’t accompany you, so take care of yourself. I’m heading back to sleep.”

Hearing her concern, Zhao Yi suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her firmly.

Tian Tian, startled and struggling to breathe, exclaimed, “Zhao Yi, what are you doing? Let me go!” She hadn’t expected this at all—it caught her completely off guard.

But Zhao Yi didn’t loosen his grip, ignoring her struggles. “Cheng Xiaobei, I’m not a good person, and I won’t let you slip away a second time.”

Back when Tian Tian first showed interest in him, he assumed she was attracted to him. She was beautiful, so he naturally accepted her advances—after all, what man could refuse the attentions of a beautiful woman?

At that time, he thought he’d tutor her, let her spend time with him for a while, but never imagined a long-term future like marriage. In his eyes, she was too materialistic for that.

However, as they spent more time together, he realized that Tian Tian wasn’t the person he had initially thought. She was kind, down-to-earth, and cherished every penny her family provided her.

She had even stood up for him against Zhao Zhicheng, published a post risking retaliation from Zhao Haifeng, and had wanted to give him the 1 million yuan she received.

The turning point for him had been when she celebrated his birthday so thoughtfully—something no one else had ever done for him.

One event after another had shown him her goodness, and he realized how unworthy he felt in her presence. He wasn’t a good person, and he had lived his entire life in the gutter. Someone as wonderful as Tian Tian deserved better than him.

So, he had chosen to cut ties with her, thinking it was for her own good.

But over time, he realized he couldn’t let her go. Seeing her with Wu Bo, helping him tonight—he knew he was utterly and hopelessly in love.

“Cheng Xiaobei, be my girlfriend,” Zhao Yi said.

Tian Tian was stunned. The same Zhao Yi who had cut her off without explanation was now asking her to be his girlfriend?

“Zhao Yi, do you even know what you’re saying?”

“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Zhao Yi replied, his gaze intense. “Cheng Xiaobei, be my girlfriend. I’ll do my best to treat you well.”

He wanted to keep her close—not just as his girlfriend, but as his future wife. After graduation, he would marry her.

Tian Tian couldn’t understand his sudden change of heart. They had been acting like strangers during the day, and now he wanted to date her? It was too much, too fast.

His unpredictable behavior made her wary.

“Zhao Yi, I don’t think we’re suitable for each other. Let’s just stay friends,” she said.

She wasn’t foolish enough to make an enemy of Zhao Yi, but she couldn’t commit to him either. She still needed time to assess how to approach Zhao Haifeng and couldn’t afford to place all her bets on Zhao Yi.

“Is this because of what happened before?” Zhao Yi asked. “You’re upset with me?”

Tian Tian, seeing no point in beating around the bush, asked directly, “Why did you suddenly cut me off without saying a word?”

“I told you—I’m not a good person, and you’re too good for me. I thought distancing myself would be better for you. But I realized that I can’t let you go. I like you too much, Xiaobei. Please, be with me. I’ll never hurt you and will do everything to make you happy. After graduation, I’ll marry you and give you a life as a Rich wife.”

Tian Tian heard this explanation and couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. Zhao Yi truly wasn’t a good person, but his decision to let her go could, in some way, be seen as his only act of kindness in life.

Her anger had mostly dissipated, but letting go of her anger and agreeing to be his girlfriend were two separate matters. His mood swings were too unpredictable; he was not the kind of person suited to be a good partner, and that was a fact.

“Zhao Yi, I still maintain what I said earlier: we’re not suited for each other. But if you’re willing, we can be good friends.” Taking out her phone, she glanced at the time—it was already past 2 a.m. “It’s late. You should get some rest in your dorm. I need to go back and sleep as well; we have class tomorrow, and I don’t want to be nodding off in class.”

Zhao Yi couldn’t push any further, especially given the hour.

“Cheng Xiaobei, I won’t give up,” Zhao Yi said firmly before adding, “Hurry back and rest. Goodnight.”

Nodding, Tian Tian turned and headed toward the girls’ dormitory.

Zhao Yi watched her leave, standing there until her figure disappeared from sight, before heading upstairs to his dorm.

---

The next day, Tian Tian attended class as usual. During a break, Zhao Yi unexpectedly came over and sat beside her. “This problem can be solved this way. The thought process is…” Zhao Yi began to patiently explain the solution.

Tian Tian had intended to say something, but Zhao Yi’s detailed explanation pulled her in, and before she realized it, she was fully engrossed. Problems she hadn’t understood in class suddenly became clear.

“Thank you,” Tian Tian said with a bright smile, her mood lifted by the resolution of her confusion.

Zhao Yi’s gaze softened. “If you encounter anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime. I’m always available.” Zhao Yi wasn’t experienced in courting someone, but he wanted to show her he cared and that he wouldn’t give up easily.

Feeling a bit awkward, Tian Tian replied, “Alright. If I don’t understand something, I’ll ask you.” But in her heart, she resolved to avoid troubling him whenever possible.

Zhao Yi nodded. “Class is about to start. I’ll head back to my seat.”

“Okay.” Tian Tian turned her attention back to reviewing the concepts Zhao Yi had just explained.

---

Zhao Yi’s proactive help didn’t go unnoticed by their classmates. The sight of him explaining problems to Tian Tian was like a bombshell that ignited a flurry of gossip in the classroom.

“What’s going on? Didn’t Zhao Yi break things off with Cheng Xiaobei? Why is he helping her with problems now?”

“Could Zhao Yi be trying to get back together with her?”

“What trick did Cheng Xiaobei use this time to get Zhao Yi to take her back?”

“Yeah, isn’t Zhao Yi being pursued by plenty of girls at school? He doesn’t seem interested in any of them, so why would he go back to her?”

“Weren’t they just ignoring each other yesterday?”

“I heard Zhao Yi wasn’t feeling well, and Cheng Xiaobei took him to the hospital. Some classmates even saw her helping him out of the school gates.”

“This Cheng Xiaobei is really good at seizing opportunities. Look at Zhao Yi now—he seems determined to reconcile with her.”

“Her dream of marrying into a wealthy family is finally coming true.”

“Well, let’s not jump to conclusions. Maybe Zhao Yi is just being soft-hearted. Besides, even if Cheng Xiaobei wants to marry into the Zhao family, the real question is whether Chairman Zhao would agree.”

“You’re right. Since when has it ever been easy to marry into a wealthy family?”

---

Tian Tian ignored the gossip and continued to focus on her studies, striving to improve herself.

---

The next morning, as Tian Tian left her dorm to head to class, she found Zhao Yi waiting at the dormitory entrance, holding breakfast.

“Good morning, Cheng Xiaobei,” Zhao Yi greeted as he approached her with the breakfast.

“Good morning.” Tian Tian looked at him curiously. “Why are you here at the girls’ dorm?”

“I came here to wait for you,” Zhao Yi replied, handing her the breakfast. “I bought this for you. You should eat it while it’s still warm. I wasn’t sure what you liked, but I remembered you seemed to enjoy red bean buns and soy milk, so I got you those.”

Zhao Yi wasn’t experienced with dating, and this move—bringing breakfast—was something he’d learned from a Google search the night before.

Feeling a bit awkward, Tian Tian hesitated. “Why don’t you eat it instead?”

“I already ate,” Zhao Yi said. “If you don’t eat it, I’ll have to throw it away.”

“Alright, I’ll eat it,” Tian Tian agreed. Wasting food wasn’t something she could do.

Zhao Yi’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

As they walked to class together, Zhao Yi proposed, “How about this: every day after school, I’ll tutor you for an hour. What do you think?”

Having already declined his romantic advances, Tian Tian didn’t want to get too close. “Well… I don’t think that’s necessary.” She was confident in her ability to improve her grades with her own effort.

“Cheng Xiaobei, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s settled, then,” Zhao Yi said firmly.

---

Zhao Yi was persistent. After school, as Tian Tian was preparing to head home, he stopped her to insist on tutoring her. Despite her reluctance, he didn’t back down.

After several days of being pestered, Tian Tian finally relented. She agreed to let him tutor her, reasoning that it was just tutoring and nothing inappropriate.

---

Zhao Yi turned out to be an excellent tutor. A month later, Tian Tian’s grades improved steadily across all subjects, and her face often lit up with a smile.

---

Three months later, Zhao Zhicheng was released from the rehabilitation center, and Zhao Yi had firmly established himself in the Zhao Corporation.

When Tian Tian saw Zhao Zhicheng again, it was in the classroom while Zhao Yi was helping her with her studies. Zhao Zhicheng’s face was dark, his demeanor foreboding like an approaching storm.

Zhao Yi treated him with respect, but it was clear from his expression that he no longer feared him.

Zhao Zhicheng sneered, “Well, look at you. I’ve been gone for only half a year, and you’ve already secured a foothold in the Zhao Corporation. Do you think you can take what’s mine? Dream on.” With that, he stormed off with his lackeys.

Since the bullying incident, Zhao Zhicheng had faced harsh discipline from Zhao Haifeng and dared not openly act out. And now, Zhao Yi was no longer someone he could push around. He could only vent his frustration with empty threats.

“Zhao Yi, now that Zhao Zhicheng is back, he won’t cause you trouble, will he?” Tian Tian couldn’t help but worry.

“He won’t dare,” Zhao Yi replied confidently.

Reassured, Tian Tian felt she had worried unnecessarily. Zhao Yi was not the type to suffer in silence.

---

One afternoon, after the bell rang to signal the end of class, Tian Tian was heading to the restroom when she saw Zhao Zhicheng swagger into the classroom, holding a bouquet of bright red roses. Behind him was his usual group of lackeys.

“Cheng Xiaobei, come out for a moment,” Zhao Zhicheng said with a grin, his eyes locked on her.

Tian Tian frowned. What had gotten into him today?

The other students in the classroom were equally dumbfounded.

“Zhao Zhicheng brought flowers to find Cheng Xiaobei?”

“Am I seeing things?”

“What’s going on? I could barely accept Zhao Yi chasing after Cheng Xiaobei, but now even Zhao Zhicheng is after her? I can’t believe this.”

“Are there no other beautiful girls in this school?”

---

Zhao Yi’s eyes narrowed, and he quietly moved to Tian Tian’s side. “Xiaobei, don’t fall for it. He’s definitely doing this to get back at me.”

Tian Tian nodded, fully aware of the situation.

Zhao Zhicheng, seeing that Tian Tian didn’t step outside, strode directly into the classroom with the bouquet of roses. He stopped in front of her and extended the flowers toward her. “Cheng Xiaobei, I’m officially telling you: starting today, I, Zhao Zhicheng, am pursuing you.”

Zhao Yi frowned deeply. “Big Brother, you know perfectly well that Cheng Xiaobei is the girl I like, and yet you…” His anger surged uncontrollably.

Zhao Zhicheng replied nonchalantly, “As far as I know, you and Cheng Xiaobei aren’t officially dating. So what does it matter if I pursue her? She has the right to choose.”

Tian Tian refused the bouquet without hesitation. “Take your flowers back. I won’t agree to date you.”

Zhao Zhicheng scoffed and said bluntly, “Cheng Xiaobei, let’s be clear here. Even though Zhao Yi and I share the same last name, I’m the heir to Zhao Corporation, and he’s just an illegitimate child. The difference between us is like heaven and earth.”

Tian Tian remained indifferent and paid him no attention.

In the days that followed, Zhao Zhicheng didn’t back down; instead, he grew more persistent. Initially, he brought flowers every day, but soon he began gifting luxury handbags, necklaces, and other high-end items. His lavish gestures turned heads across the school.

Tian Tian, however, remained resolute. She refused to accept any of his gifts.

Rather than feeling discouraged, Zhao Zhicheng grew even more serious in his pursuit. His extravagant tactics, totaling over a million yuan’s worth of gifts, didn’t sway her in the slightest. This unyielding attitude earned his genuine admiration.

“She’s unlike anyone else I’ve met,” Zhao Zhicheng thought, his interest in her growing deeper.

Zhao Yi observed Zhao Zhicheng’s antics with increasing disdain. His disgust toward his older brother intensified. “Last time, I went too easy on him. He hasn’t changed at all,” Zhao Yi thought grimly.

The next day, photos of Zhao Zhicheng meeting a popular internet celebrity late at night were splashed across the headlines.

#Zhao Heir Meets Million-Follower Influencer After Release From Rehab#

Having already been featured in the news twice before, Zhao Zhicheng’s notoriety as a household name grew. This time, his playboy image was cemented in the public’s eyes.

Zhao Zhicheng rushed to explain himself to Tian Tian, fearing she might misunderstand.

“Cheng Xiaobei, there’s nothing between me and that influencer. She’s someone I used to know. Last night, she got drunk and called me, crying her heart out. I was worried she’d do something stupid, so I went to check on her. Nothing happened, I swear!”

How could nothing have happened? Zhao Zhicheng was notoriously promiscuous. After spending six months in rehab without any women, he had focused his efforts on pursuing Tian Tian, but since she hadn’t reciprocated, he sought solace elsewhere.

Tian Tian responded calmly, “Zhao Dasha, your affairs have nothing to do with me. There’s no need to explain. I’ll repeat myself: we are not possible.”

Zhao Zhicheng became anxious. “Cheng Xiaobei, I’m serious about you. I’ve never been this serious about any woman. If you agree to be with me and we’re good together, I promise I’ll marry you.”

Tian Tian shook her head firmly. “Sorry, I don’t like you.”

“But you pursued me for a year before. Even if you didn’t like me back then and only liked my money, I’m still just as wealthy now. Why not be with me?” Zhao Zhicheng’s eyes narrowed, shifting toward Zhao Yi. “Is it because of that illegitimate child?”

“This has nothing to do with anyone else. I just don’t like you,” Tian Tian replied coolly. “Before, I was blinded by the idea of wealth, thinking that marrying rich and becoming a society lady would bring me a better life. But later, I realized that relying on my own efforts is far more secure. Through hard work, I’ve already raised my academic ranking to the top 100. This proves that self-reliance is the way to go.”

Zhao Zhicheng’s face darkened, but he refused to give up. “No matter what, I won’t stop trying.” His gaze turned icy as he glanced at Zhao Yi. “Don’t get too smug just yet.”

Tian Tian found his behavior utterly exasperating. Despite her rejection, Zhao Zhicheng continued to pursue her relentlessly, though his scandals with other women grew increasingly frequent. Anytime he was spotted with a woman, whether at a hotel or elsewhere, it became front-page news the next day.

When Zhao Haifeng caught wind of these reports, he was furious. In contrast, he placed greater importance on Zhao Yi. His elder son’s unruly behavior and incompetence contrasted sharply with Zhao Yi’s excellence, shifting the balance of his favor.

---

Time flew, and another semester passed. Tian Tian’s academic performance improved rapidly, propelling her into the top 20 in the school rankings.

This achievement should have been a cause for celebration, but it still fell short of her personal goal.

“Cheng Xiaobei, how about I treat you to lunch today to celebrate your top-20 ranking?” Zhao Yi proposed.

After a moment of thought, Tian Tian agreed. “Where should we go?” she asked. Zhao Yi wasn’t the type for flowery words or sweet talk, but he had consistently tutored her throughout the semester and brought her breakfast every day. His dedication was rare and admirable.

Without his help, her academic progress wouldn’t have been so significant.

She had no reason to decline.

“How about French cuisine?” Zhao Yi suggested. Over the past six months, his excellent performance at Zhao Corporation had earned him substantial savings, more than enough to afford a nice meal.

“Alright, I’ll leave the arrangements to you,” Tian Tian replied with a smile.

At 11 a.m., the two got ready, with Zhao Yi waiting for her outside the girls’ dormitory.

Since the French restaurant was formal, Tian Tian dressed appropriately in a long white dress with light makeup. Her wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she wore a white down jacket paired with 5-centimeter heels.

When Zhao Yi saw her step out of the dormitory, every movement exuded grace and elegance. She was like a noble white peony in full bloom, stunningly beautiful.

Today, Tian Tian was breathtaking.

Tian Tian, in turn, took a moment to admire Zhao Yi. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, radiating sophistication and a quiet aristocratic air that naturally drew attention.

“Shall we go?” Zhao Yi asked with a smile.

Tian Tian nodded, and the two leisurely strolled toward the school gate.

With their striking looks, they became a captivating scene on the campus path, causing many students to stop and stare.

Zhao Yi had chosen a five-star restaurant. Upon entering, the subtle scents of perfume and gourmet food filled the air, accompanied by the soothing sound of violins, creating a relaxing ambiance.

He had reserved a private room. Following him inside, Tian Tian noticed a large bouquet of red roses on the table. Puzzled, she glanced at Zhao Yi, vaguely guessing his intentions behind the meal.

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