At the foot of Muyang Mountain stood Shengjing Business University, basking in the soft glow of morning light.
On the first day of the new semester, the campus gate was already crowded with freshmen carrying new backpacks and wheeling suitcases. Some clustered together in excited groups, others stood nervously by themselves, scanning their surroundings. The entire campus buzzed with youthful energy.
Suddenly, a low, steady rumble came from outside the gate. A black Rolls-Royce slowly rolled in, its glossy surface reflecting the morning sun with understated luxury.
The car door opened, and two figures stepped out.
The man in front stood tall, crisp white shirt tucked into dark slacks, his sharp brows and cold eyes radiating an intimidating presence — this was Gu Jinghan.
The man beside him had a warm, easy smile. Though equally refined, he carried less chill and more approachability — Shen Zhili.
> "Oh my god! That's Gu Jinghan!"
"He's even more handsome than the photos!"
"Senior, take my heart already!"
Squeals erupted instantly, the girls' eyes sparkling with infatuation.
Gu Jinghan's expression didn't change, but a faint trace of helplessness flickered in his eyes. He hated this kind of scene.
Shen Zhili, on the other hand, looked completely at ease, nodding politely to the crowd with his gentle, jade-like smile.
But before they had taken more than a few steps, another roar of an engine tore through the air — a bright red Porsche zipped to a sharp stop at the school gate.
The door clicked open, and a pair of long legs stepped out first.
Off came the sunglasses, revealing Xiao Yutian's strikingly beautiful face — bold and dazzling. She wore a cropped black leather jacket over a casual printed T-shirt, denim shorts, and platform boots. Every move screamed confidence and rebellion.
From the passenger seat, her best friend Zhang Xiaorou hopped down, milk tea in hand.
> "Holy crap, who comes to school in a Porsche?"
"Uh… clearly someone not ordinary."
"That must be the Xiao family heiress. The famously rebellious one."
Whispers spread through the crowd — some awed, some envious.
Gu Jinghan's brows knitted as his cold gaze swept over her.
> "Attention-seeking, first thing in the morning," he said flatly.
Xiao Yutian tilted her head, immediately catching that hint of disdain. Her lips curled into a smirk as she shot back without mercy:
> "Well, if it isn't the great Young Master Gu. What's with the funeral face? Did someone owe you a few million?"
The crowd fell into shocked silence — then exploded into a chorus of "Ooooh!"
Shen Zhili coughed softly, muttering under his breath:
> "It's literally the first day…"
Zhang Xiaorou tugged her friend's sleeve nervously.
> "Alright, alright, don't start a war this early in the semester."
But could two lifelong enemies just call a truce?
Gu Jinghan's eyes turned frosty.
> "That outfit — are you here to study or to audition for campus celebrity?"
Xiao Yutian planted her hands on her hips, full attitude:
> "What I wear is none of your business. And don't think your icy monk face makes you superior. You look like a fridge door — hard to open and bound to pinch someone's fingers."
Shen Zhili: "…"
Zhang Xiaorou: "…"
The two friends exchanged a look and sighed in unison.
This was going to be a long semester.
---
When they finally got to class, the professor had already begun roll call.
Gu Jinghan sat straight-backed, cool and composed, carefully highlighting key points in his textbook.
Shen Zhili, calm as still water, sat beside him.
And Xiao Yutian? She tried to sit properly for about ten minutes before her chin dropped into her palm and she started yawning.
Then her eyes lit up with mischief. She tore off a tiny scrap of paper and scribbled quickly:
> Young Master Gu, with that stiff face, maybe you should get Botox.
Suppressing her laughter, she crumpled the note and, when the professor turned to write on the board, flicked it toward him.
It landed squarely on Gu Jinghan's book.
He froze, opened it — and his face darkened immediately.
Slowly, he raised his eyes and shot her a frigid glare.
Xiao Yutian only arched a brow, a smug smile on her lips. Her gaze practically taunted him: Come on. Get mad.
After a beat, Gu Jinghan crushed the note into powder-fine scraps, tossed it into his desk, and went back to his book.
But in his mind, a thought flickered: This woman still needs someone to keep her in line.
---
When the bell finally rang, the room burst into chatter as everyone rushed toward the cafeteria.
Xiao Yutian was the first out the door, shouting as she ran:
> "Hurry, hurry! The steak's gonna sell out!"
Zhang Xiaorou chased after her, laughing:
> "Can't you be a little more ladylike?"
> "What good is ladylike if I miss the steak? Now that's a tragedy!"
The cafeteria was a sea of students, and Yutian was jostled from all sides. Suddenly, her foot slipped and she stumbled backward.
> "Ah!"
An arm shot out from behind, catching her firmly by the waist and pulling her upright.
She spun around — and froze.
It was Gu Jinghan.
His brows were drawn tight.
> "Can't you behave for one minute?" he said in a low voice.
His hand was still at her waist.
His palm tightened slightly before he realized — she was… so soft.
A strange jolt ran through him, like static electricity under his skin.
They had spent their entire childhoods bickering, fighting, never once touching — and now…
> "Gu Jinghan! You're taking advantage of me!" Yutian's eyes widened in outrage.
> "If I hadn't caught you, you'd already be on the floor," he replied coolly, withdrawing his hand as if it burned.
The students nearby erupted in whistles and teasing.
Yutian's cheeks flushed pink.
> "Hmph! I didn't need you to save me anyway!"
Gu Jinghan said nothing, but realized his heart was beating far too fast.
As she turned away to get back in line, his gaze followed her — lingering far longer than he intended.
Somewhere deep inside, a new, dangerous feeling began to take root.