Chapter 2 – The Man From Her Past Life's Shadows
The books at Meilin's feet were already soaked from the light drizzle clinging to her umbrella. She bent down instinctively to gather them, but a slender, masculine hand reached out faster than hers.
"Leave it," the man said sharply.
Meilin looked up again, her eyes meeting his.
Li Yanzhou.
His presence was colder than the rain. Dressed in a dark designer coat over his university uniform, he looked more like a CEO than a student. No one around dared speak as they passed—everyone parted like the sea around him.
"You're in my way," he added flatly.
Meilin blinked.
In her previous life, she had only seen his face once, on the cover of a business magazine the week after her death. Back then, Yanzhou Group had devoured Lin Corporation overnight, leaving Lin Haoxuan completely bankrupt and exposed.
He was a silent tycoon in the shadows of the elite.
And now, here he stood, in the flesh.
Before she could speak, the system chimed in her mind again.
---
[System Notification]
> Fated Partner Detected: Li Yanzhou
Current Compatibility Level: 78%
First Encounter Dialogue Progress: 0/100
Quest: Speak to him without fear.
Reward: +10 System Favor, Unlock Relationship Track
---
> "Without fear, huh…" Meilin thought.
She squared her shoulders, standing to meet his gaze. "Apologies. I wasn't watching where I was going."
Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise? Annoyance?
Then he tilted his head slightly. "You're not afraid of me?"
Meilin smiled softly. "Should I be?"
Li Yanzhou's brows furrowed, but he said nothing.
Another chime echoed in her mind.
---
[+10 System Favor Earned]
[Dialogue Progress: 20/100]
---
"You're new," he said after a pause, scanning her face. "Freshman?"
"Second year," she replied calmly, pretending to brush a raindrop from her cheek. "You don't remember me?"
"You expect me to remember everyone on campus?"
"No," Meilin said, "but most people wouldn't ignore someone they've knocked into. Then again, most people aren't Li Yanzhou."
The air around them turned sharp, but his lips twitched slightly—whether in irritation or amusement, she couldn't tell.
[+10 Dialogue Progress | Total: 30/100]
"I don't like being underestimated," he said.
"Neither do I," she replied.
A long silence stretched between them as the rain eased.
Finally, he crouched down to pick up the last of her books—his fingers grazing hers. Meilin flinched as a bolt of warmth surged through her palm.
The system flared.
---
[System Notification]
> Physical Contact Established
Fated Partner Affinity: +3
Relationship Status: Neutral
First Imprint Detected: "Soft but brave"
Suggested Action: Exit encounter gracefully or continue deepening bond.
---
He handed her the book without another word and turned to leave. But before he could take a step, Meilin's voice stopped him.
"Wait."
He turned slightly, his profile sharp against the gray sky.
"I owe you for the help," she said, holding up her umbrella. "At least let me walk you back. It's still drizzling."
Yanzhou stared at her as though she'd just offered him something absurd.
"You're not afraid of being seen with me?"
She smiled again. "Let them talk. I have no reputation to lose."
He narrowed his eyes.
A moment passed.
Then, he walked forward—into the space under her umbrella.
---
They walked in silence along the stone path leading toward the eastern dorms. Students whispered as they passed, staring at the impossible sight: Li Yanzhou, the university's ghost prince, walking beside a girl they didn't know.
Meilin didn't care. Her heart beat calmly, even as the system's glowing text filled her vision.
---
[Umbrella Encounter Logged]
> Intimacy Points: +5
Affection Rating: 3/100
Relationship Status: Low Interest
Bonus Quest: Discover Li Yanzhou's Secret
Reward: Passive Skill Unlock (Insight – Level 1)
---
"Why are you really talking to me?" Yanzhou asked suddenly, his voice low.
Meilin tilted her head. "Because I feel like you don't talk to anyone. Maybe I'm just curious."
He stopped walking and looked at her directly. "Curiosity is dangerous."
"So is silence."
Another pause.
Then he said, "People who get close to me regret it."
> "So did I," she thought bitterly, thinking of Lin Haoxuan.
But out loud, she replied, "Then I'll take the risk."
The air shifted again.
His eyes lingered on her face, unreadable.
Then without warning, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone under the umbrella.
---
[System Notification]
> Encounter Complete
Progress Saved
Affection +2
You have unlocked the Relationship Track: Shadow and Flame
Current Title: "The Girl He Noticed"
Reward: +15 XP | +1 System Favor | +1 Emotional Resonance Point
New Quest Available: Attend University Welcome Gala
---
Meilin let out a long breath.
She hadn't planned to meet Li Yanzhou this early—or feel the strange pull between them.
But there was something different about him.
Something wounded. Hidden.
She didn't know if he was meant to be her true love or just a turning point in her journey.
But the system had recognized him—and she had felt it too.
> "He's not like Lin Haoxuan," she whispered. "And I'm not the same Meilin."
As thunder rumbled again in the distance, she turned toward the campus gates, her umbrella swaying in rhythm with her thoughts.
Somewhere in this city was the future she was meant to create.
A future filled with choices.
A future where she would not be betrayed.
A future where she would find justice—and love.
And this time, it would be on her terms.