Chapter 44: Her Perfume

Meng Zhi knew she meant Lin Yuhan.

After a moment, he answered.

“A friend. Like you, she just used me as a shield.”

“Oh…”

Chen Xinya patted her chest, relieved, but her eyes held a trace of loneliness, her smile bitter as she mumbled to herself.

“So I’m not the only one with a shield…”

Meng Zhi glanced at her, puzzled.

“It’s nothing.”

She forced a smile, trying to seem unbothered.

“That girl’s really pretty. I only saw her from afar, but she looked stunning.”

“Hm… maybe.”

He looked away.

“I didn’t really notice.”

“Oh…”

Chen Xinya’s lashes fluttered slyly.

“Then why were you staring so hard at that gorgeous professor giving the speech?”

“Was I?”

Meng Zhi realized something.

If Chen Xinya was reborn, she might not know Lin Yuhan, but she’d definitely know Zhong Menghuai.

Zhong Menghuai was their grade director and their class advisor.

“You were. So focused, you didn’t even notice me watching you from my class’s spot.”

“I wouldn’t have noticed anyway.”

She pouted, then flicked her hair.

“Do you… like that type?”

“What type?”

“You know… the gorgeous older sister type.”

“Not especially. Just thought the professor was a beauty, that’s all.”

“I see.”

She murmured, “If we both get into X University, she might actually be our professor.”

“That’d be nice.”

She puffed her cheeks, a hint of jealousy.

Fiddling with her fingers, she said softly, “If you like that type… I could try dressing like that.”

He glanced at her, then looked away.

“…Nah, don’t.”

“Hey! I could totally pull off that style! I’ll show you if you don’t believe me.”

“I mean, you’re fine as you are.”

He said helplessly, “You’re already pretty.”

She froze, her cheeks flushing hot as his words sank in.

“Really?”

She sounded like she was complaining, but her lips curved up.

“But you only looked at that professor, not me.”

“Staring at your class’s spot would’ve been weird.”

“Would it? I was watching you the whole time.”

‘That’s why you’re the weird one, and you don’t even know it.’

He shot her an exasperated look.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Zhao Meng sent a message.

[Sorry to interrupt your moment, bro, but you still coming later? Or you sticking with your girlfriend?]

Meng Zhi glanced around and spotted Zhao Meng lurking in a far corner, too shy to approach, clearly afraid of being a third wheel.

Smirking, Meng Zhi replied.

[You’re overthinking. I’m not ditching my friends for a girl. I’ll be there.]

“What’s up?”

Chen Xinya leaned in, curious.

“Classmates asking me to hit the internet café.”

“Oh—”

She perked up, asking, “Can I come?”

Meng Zhi blinked, surprised.

“You? Why?”

“To play games.”

“You play what, exactly?”

“You promised,” she pouted, aggrieved.

“You said you’d teach me to play. Forgot already?”

He vaguely recalled that.

Thought it was a joke, but she was serious.

“You sure?”

He rubbed his eyes, head aching.

“Gaming’s not fun for everyone.”

“Plus, they invited me. I’d need to check with them if you can come.”

“Then ask.”

She looked expectant.

Sighing, he messaged Zhao Meng.

To his surprise, Zhao Meng was thrilled, clearly excited about a girl joining them.

[Perfect, we need one more for a five-stack! Bring Class Beauty Chen!]

[…Think it through. She’s got zero gaming experience.]

[No big deal, we’re all new to Valorant too.]

As expected, female gamers were rare treasures.

Meng Zhi shook his head but figured it was fine.

They were being nice.

“Okay.”

“Yay!”

Chen Xinya cheered.

“I’ve never been to an internet café.”

He shrugged, unenthused.

“Nothing special. Home’s comfier.”

“Then why go?”

“No choice. They’ve got good setups.”

He grinned faintly.

‘…Friends are the best setup.’

In past lives, he was always alone, chasing tasks, no time or interest for socializing.

Gaming with classmates felt… nice.

*

They chatted a bit more as the dinner wound down.

Most of the food went untouched—everyone was here to socialize, not eat.

But Meng Zhi knew Lin Yuhan was probably in some corner, scarfing down food while others toasted.

Chen Xinya, still hungry, followed him to his class’s spot and snuck a few bites.

Meng Zhi waited idly for the event to end, mentally planning how to teach Chen Xinya WASD.

…For someone with no PC gaming experience, even keyboard finger placement might take ages.

He’d seen her try gaming in his last life.

Like taming ten rebellious fingers.

Then, a pleasant, refined voice sounded behind him.

“Sorry to interrupt, classmate.”

“Are you from Experimental High?”

The familiar voice made Meng Zhi tense.

A strong perfume hit him—rich, almost sharp, quickening his breath.

He paused for a second, putting on a shy expression before turning carefully.

“No, Experimental High’s in the next hall.”

“Oh.”

The elegant woman with black-framed glasses smiled, pushing them up, her eyes glinting.

“Thanks.”

She walked off in her heels, leaving only the lingering, dizzying scent of her perfume.