Chapter 43: Who is she?

When Meng Zhi returned to the venue, the leadership speeches had begun.

While the student council reps droned on, he quietly found his class’s spot and sat.

Everyone knew this was the time for empty talk.

Students whispered and chatted below, few actually listening to the presidents’ formalities.

“Hey, Meng Zhi, got plans after dinner? Wanna hit the internet café?”

During a lull, his old deskmate, Zhao Meng—a scruffy guy who rarely washed his hair—nudged him.

“Internet café? All the guys from our class going?”

“Just me, Old Wang, and Old Ma. You know our humanities class has barely any guys. Getting five for a game is tough.”

“Hm… sure.”

Meng Zhi hesitated, then nodded.

In the past, he’d avoid group stuff like this.

But this life, with them inviting him, he wanted to try fitting in.

Gaming was one of his few hobbies, after all.

While the stage rambled on, Meng Zhi and the guys started chatting.

“What games you play?”

“Any FPS. I can do LoL and Dota too.”

“Damn, that’s broad,” Old Ma said quietly.

“We’re thinking of trying that hot new game from abroad, Valorant. You in?”

“That one—”

Meng Zhi almost said he’d played it, but his Radiant account wouldn’t work with newbies.

He’d need a smurf.

“I’ll give it a shot.”

“Nice. Shame we’re only four,” Zhao Meng sighed.

“Would be great to get a full five-stack.”

“Ask around then. See if any other guys in class—”

Before Meng Zhi finished, his phone buzzed.

It was Chen Xinya.

[Can you help me slip away during the toasts later?]

After a moment, he replied.

[Sure.]

She sent a thank-you emoji and didn’t press further.

“Holy sht, Meng Zhi, look.”

Zhao Meng suddenly jabbed him, excited.

Meng Zhi looked up.

A stunning, elegantly dressed woman stepped to the mic.

Her figure was striking—tall and shapely, heels and black stockings amplifying her model-like aura.

Her chest was so prominent, anyone’s first glance would prompt a quiet “damn, huge.”

Her half-curled black hair framed her tight dress, and her fox-like eyes behind glasses could dry out mouths with a single look.

Her mature, seductive style hit the average high school boy like a scene from an adult film.

Her opening line was direct.

“Hello, future students. I’m Zhong Menghuai, deputy director of X University’s Law Department.”

“I know many of you from X City’s high schools will aim for X University. I’ll be leading a new batch of freshmen this year, so after the holidays, I might be your advisor.”

“Damn… an actual professor,” Zhao Meng muttered, entranced.

“I thought women like that only existed in adult films.”

“Now I have to get into X University.”

“Keep barking, you think you can get in?”

The guys whispered.

Meng Zhi stared at the woman, lost in thought.

…It’s really her.

She’s here.

She looked just like his memories.

Zhong Menghuai always presented herself impeccably, masking any trace of fatigue.

Adult workplace rules.

Among that year’s freshmen, plenty of guys saw her as a dream goddess.

A woman like her was lethal to naive boys.

They couldn’t imagine resisting her if she came on to them.

But Meng Zhi knew.

You couldn’t resist.

She’d devour you completely.

Beneath her polished exterior was a succubus-like heart.

Once you were hers, escape was impossible.

Luckily, he’d been there for the task.

He never planned to escape.

Onstage, Zhong Menghuai gave her recruitment speech—clearly her main reason for attending.

With a beauty like her pitching, X University’s applications would likely hit a new high.

Meng Zhi watched her, then noticed her scanning the crowd.

Their eyes met.

But it was fleeting, like glancing at a stranger.

Her gaze moved on, unfazed.

He frowned, uncertain.

Did she not recognize him?

Or was she not reborn, so she didn’t know him?

Her speech was short, and she soon left the stage.

Like most guys, Meng Zhi’s eyes followed her until she vanished.

…Whatever.

If she’s not reborn, fine.

He had enough trouble already.

One less was a relief.

He looked away.

The rest was even more pointless.

Dinner began, and everyone split into their high school and class cliques, toasting teachers and chatting.

Meng Zhi disliked most of his teachers, so he only toasted the few he didn’t mind, thanked them, and slipped away.

He headed to Chen Xinya’s class area.

Spotting him, she quickly apologized to a girl in front of her.

“Sorry… someone’s here for me. Talk later.”

“Ooh, boyfriend’s here? Go, go!”

Chen Xinya smiled awkwardly, then rushed to Meng Zhi, grabbing his hand and bolting.

They stopped in a quiet corner of the venue.

“Thanks… that girl was so annoying. Couldn’t she see I didn’t want to talk?”

“She kept dragging me to toast teachers. Just showing off her drinking skills. So fake.”

Meng Zhi’s eye twitched.

He’d just seen them laughing like best friends.

…Is this how girls interact?

“You’re good now, so I’m leaving.”

“Wait…”

Chen Xinya stopped him, hesitating before mustering her courage.

“That girl who hugged you in front of everyone.”

“…Who is she?”

Her eyes flickered with the unease of a small animal.