A few days had passed since Yun Xiyan's birthday, and now, her coming-of-age banquet was just around the corner. But instead of relaxing before the big event, she was standing in front of her walk-in closet, hands on her hips, deep in a fashion crisis.
Today's mission wasn't just to look good she needed to look adorable enough to "accidentally" bump into Li Mochen.
In the original novel, she remembered clearly: at this very point in the timeline, Li Mochen was beginning to receive personal guidance from his father in preparation to inherit the Li Corporation.
Not that Father Li had any doubts about Mochen's capabilities — it was more about carefully grooming him for the crown. After all, inheriting a corporate empire wasn't as simple as handing over a signature. It was a meticulous transition, one with high expectations and even higher stakes.
She knew she'd definitely see him at her coming-of-age party — the Yun and Li families were close, and their parents were practically family friends. But... she couldn't wait that long.
She had to make her move now. At the very least, she needed him to remember her face.
Li Mochen, now 24 years old, was in his final year at B University — the most prestigious and competitive university in the country, with an acceptance rate of just 3%. It was a place reserved for the elite, and yet Mochen had made it in purely on merit, following in his father's footsteps.
He majored in Business, of course — naturally charismatic, fiercely intelligent, and effortlessly handsome. The perfect heir, the perfect student, and the perfect male lead.
And yet—
How in the world was the original female lead so blind?!
How did she not realise the gem beside her this whole time?!
Yun Xiyan nearly groaned in frustration at the thought. If the original female lead didn't want him, she certainly wouldn't mind stepping in.
She reached for her cutest outfit, sweet, but not overdone; eye-catching, but still tasteful. If fate wouldn't move fast enough, then she'd just create her own plot twist. She quickly changed into the outfit and walk towards the parking lot of the Yun Family Mansion.
"Young Miss, are you ready to head out?"
Mr. Ji, the long-time driver of the Yun family, stood beside the sleek black car, holding the door open with practiced grace. He had been in service for decades — steady, discreet, and impossibly reliable.
Yun Xiyan gave a soft nod, slipping into the plush leather seat with ease. "To B University, please, Mr. Ji."
Mr. Ji settled into the driver's seat and glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a kind smile tugging at his lips. "Visiting a friend today, Young Miss?"
A soft blush crept up her cheeks. She turned her gaze to the window, but a small smile betrayed her. "You could say that."
Mr. Ji didn't press further, he simply nodded and pulled the car smoothly onto the road.
While the city blurred past outside the window, Yun Xiyan pulled out her phone and opened her chat with the only person who knew the full truth, her best friend and confidante, Xu Meilin. It had been a shocking surprise, post-birthday, to discover that the male lead's younger sister was her one and only close friend in this world.
Even more surprising? Xu Meilin was the only person who knew about her growing crush on Li Mochen.
Xu Meilin:Yanyan, are you seriously going all the way to B University just to see him?
Yun Xiyan:Of course, Linlin! I need to leave a lasting impression — something unforgettable!
Xu Meilin:You do know my brother and Li Mochen are best friends, right?
Xiyan's fingers paused above her screen.
Of course. How could she forget that?
In the original novel, the three central male characters; Xu Yanfei (the male lead), Li Mochen (the second male lead), and Zhang Wei (supporting male lead), were once close as brothers. But everything crumbled the moment Xia Qinglan walked into their lives.
A friendship turned to rivalry, loyalty twisted into heartbreak... all for a girl who didn't deserve it. She didn't care if Xia Qinglan and Xu Yanfei got together in the end, she just couldn't accept Li Mochen being used and treated as a mere backup.
Yun Xiyan clenched her phone tightly. No. She couldn't let it happen again. She would protect Li Mochen from the fate the novel wrote for him.
He deserved more. He deserved happiness.
She quickly resumed typing:
Yun Xiyan:Of course I know. But that's not going to stop me. Nothing will.
Xu Meilin:Sigh… fine, fine. I'll support you. Just don't do anything reckless, okay?
Yun Xiyan:Yay! Thank you, Linlin! You're the best ♡
As the car pulled closer to the gates of B University, Yun Xiyan looked out with a determined glint in her eyes. She wasn't just a side character anymore. This time, she was rewriting the story — and she was starting with Li Mochen.
Mr. Ji smoothly brought the car to a stop just outside the main gates of B University. Turning slightly, he offered a respectful nod to his young passenger.
"Young Miss, we've arrived. Please give me a call once you're ready, and I'll be here right away to pick you up."
Yun Xiyan gave him a warm smile. "Thank you, Mr. Ji," she said graciously before stepping out of the luxurious car, the door clicking shut softly behind her.
As she walked toward the gates, her elegant yet youthful appearance turned more than a few heads. With her flawless skin, long flowing hair, and subtle grace in every step, she looked like she had stepped out of a magazine shoot. A few curious students discreetly raised their phones, snapping quick photos. Within minutes, her image began circulating on the university's online forum, captioned with:
"Who's the goddess at the main gate? A new transfer?!"
"Did a celebrity just enroll?"
"Someone get her WeChat!!"
Yun Xiyan, of course, remained blissfully unaware. Her mind wasn't on forums or gossip, it was completely focused on finding Li Mochen. Stepping onto campus grounds, she looked around with curious eyes, scanning for any hint of where he might be. Spotting a group of students nearby, she approached them.
One of the male students turned toward her, only to freeze when he got a proper look. She was breathtaking, like something out of a dream. When she smiled softly and spoke, it nearly knocked the breath out of him.
"Excuse me," she said politely, her voice as gentle as spring wind. "Do you know where student Li Mochen is?"
The boy's face flushed crimson on the spot. His heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest. A beauty like her... asking for Senior Li Mochen?!
"H-He's... um, Senior Li Mochen is in the Business Department building," he stammered. "It's the blue one on the left. He should be finishing class right about now…"
Yun Xiyan gave a graceful nod, her smile radiant. "Thank you so much."
"N-No, no it's our pleasure to help you!" the boy blurted, practically glowing from the encounter.
As Yun Xiyan walked away, her long hair swaying gently with each step, the group of students she left behind stood frozen, still caught in a daze. Eyes followed her until she disappeared past the gate, and for a moment, no one said a word.
Then, in a breathless whisper, one of them finally muttered, "I think I just fell in love…"
His friend didn't hesitate to flick the back of his head. "Wake up, idiot. She was looking for Senior Li Mochen. Obviously, it's not you she's here for."
The boy who had been lucky enough to speak to her was still blushing furiously, one hand pressed to his chest. "Senior Li Mochen really is on another level… Handsome, rich, and now even catching the attention of an angel like that."
It didn't take long for the encounter to light up the university forum.
[Hot Post]
Mysterious beauty spotted at the school gate — and she's looking for none other than Li Mochen?!
"Does Senior Li have a secret girlfriend?"
"Forget studying, I'm living for this drama."
"She looked like a socialite... is she from one of the Four Great Families?"
By the time Yun Xiyan reached the Business Department building, her face was already the talk of the school, and the rumors about her connection to Li Mochen were just getting started. Yun Xiyan opened the big double door of the building and finds one of the class' door is opened. She takes a peek inside and her eyes widen in delight, "It's Li Mochen! I finally found you!" She said to herself.
Meanwhile in the classroom
Li Mochen had just wrapped up his class and was standing near the podium, still engaged in a light conversation with his professor and a few classmates. The discussion was routine — something about upcoming corporate simulations — when suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
Clear. Soft. Almost… angelic.
He blinked, his words catching mid-sentence. His eyes subtly swept the room. There wasn't a single girl in sight — just his usual group of male classmates. He frowned ever so slightly.
Where did that voice come from?
"Gosh, he looks even more handsome in person. I can't believe I'm finally seeing him up close… How do I approach him casually? Maybe something like: 'Hi, I'm Yun Xiyan. Our families are close…' Ugh, no — that sounds stiff. I-I uh… ahh, so embarrassing!"
There it was again the voice, trailing in a mix of nervous energy and quiet admiration. Yun Xiyan, she said?
The name stirred something in his memory.
He remembered her.
He was ten years old then a formal banquet hosted by the Yun Family, grand and glittering, with important people gathered everywhere. Among them was a little girl in a pastel pink dress, hiding behind her mother's skirt, stealing glances his way with wide, curious eyes.
She had said nothing then, just smiled shyly at him before darting away the moment their eyes met.
Yun Xiyan.
So that little girl… had grown up.
And now she was standing somewhere nearby close enough for her thoughts to somehow reach him.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, subtle but undeniable.
So… she remembers me too.