Ji Jingchuan walked into the banquet hall and went straight to sit beside Rong Yu.

This resting area was occupied by the older generation—Old Master Tang Che, Old Master Ji, Old Master Si, and other family heads from prominent clans, along with some younger members who were serving tea and water.

"I won’t pour tea for Miss Rong. Help yourself," said a strikingly beautiful girl after serving tea to the elders, stopping in front of Rong Yu.

The girl was Tang Tang, a descendant of the Tang family and the granddaughter of Tang Youyi.

For her coming-of-age ceremony, she had originally been promised a pink gemstone necklace, which her grandmother had shown her—only for it to be taken back by her great-grandfather. Rumor had it that the necklace had been gifted to Rong Yu instead.

A minor celebrity, daring to accept such an extravagant gift?

Tang Che said coldly, "Did Tang Youyi not tell you that Miss Rong is my dear friend? Since I consider her my peer, she is of the same generation as me. Shouldn’t a junior like you serve tea to your elder?"

Tang Tang stiffened.

She was eighteen, and she’d heard that Rong Yu was still in high school—also eighteen. How ridiculous was it to treat someone the same age as her as an elder?

The old man was clearly losing his mind with age.

But even her grandfather feared Old Master Tang, so she didn’t dare disobey.

Just as she was about to pick up the teapot, Old Master Ji beat her to it, pouring a cup for Rong Yu. "Since Miss Rong is Uncle Tang’s peer, she is my elder as well. Please, have some tea."

Tang Tang froze.

Old ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌ ‌‌ ‌ ‍Master Ji, an octogenarian, personally serving tea to Rong Yu?

Before she could process it, Old Master Si placed a box of desserts in front of Rong Yu. "Try these. They’re quite delicious."

Old Master Hai chimed in, "Miss Rong, why don’t you sit with us old folks later? I hope you won’t mind the scent of aging."

Rong Yu smiled. "That sounds perfect. I’ll make sure none of you drink alcohol."

Old Master Hai: "..."

He’d spoken too soon.

Damn Old Ji for always acting so subservient in front of Miss Rong, making him and Old Si seem inferior by comparison. What was the deal with that?

The rest of the guests exchanged glances, utterly shocked.

To be held in such high regard by the heads of the four great families of Haicheng—Miss Rong was clearly no ordinary person.

Tang Tang clenched her teeth.

As the Tang family’s young mistress, she was being overshadowed by Rong Yu, a minor celebrity with no real background.

Her gaze lingered on Rong Yu, burning with resentment.

Ji Jingchuan frowned.

He didn’t like anyone looking at his great-grandmother that way.

Pretending it was an accident, he knocked over a teacup, spilling tea onto Tang Tang’s high heels. "My apologies."

Tang Tang knew Ji Jingchuan was Old Master Ji’s long-lost grandson, doted on beyond measure. She couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.

Ji Jingchuan stood. "Do you need help?"

Tang Tang replied, "No."

She headed toward the restroom, and out of courtesy, Ji Jingchuan escorted her.

On his way back, a voice called out to him: "Ji Jingchuan, let’s catch up, shall we?"

Tong Lan held a glass of champagne, her smile perfectly measured.

If she’d had any doubts outside the banquet hall, they were gone now. Seeing Ji Jingchuan seated among the elite, chatting effortlessly with the Tang family’s young mistress, erased all her suspicions.

She stepped closer. "We were classmates for three years in high school. Surely that counts for something, doesn’t it?"

Ji Jingchuan’s expression was unreadable. "Let’s talk over by the flower trellis."

Tong Lan glanced at the trellis—a private area of the Hai family estate, off-limits to outsiders. Yet Ji Jingchuan only had to show his face before the servants ushered him in respectfully, setting out refreshments beneath the vines with impeccable service.

Tong Lan prided herself on being a wealthy socialite, but in all her years attending high-society events, she’d never received such treatment.

Ji Jingchuan looked at her. "You’ve grown even more beautiful since high school."

Tong Lan’s lips curved.

Back then, she’d worn no makeup, but now, with her polished appearance, she knew exactly what men liked.

She spoke softly, "Back in high school, I was focused on my studies, so I turned down your advances. I hope you didn’t hold it against me."

Ji Jingchuan replied flatly, "You’re mistaken. I never pursued you. I only gave you a cake as thanks—nothing more."

Tong Lan stiffened.

Now that he mentioned it, she remembered—after throwing that cake in the trash, Ji Jingchuan had vanished from her life.

But because he was handsome yet poor, ostracized by others, the rumor that he’d pursued her had persisted, making her believe it over time.

"Then let me pursue you now," Tong Lan said, sitting beside him. "I haven’t dated anyone in college. Deep down, I’ve always carried a piece of you in my heart... Ji Jingchuan, I had feelings for you back then, but I was too busy with school to act on them. Now, I can finally confess. Will you be my boyfriend?"

Ji Jingchuan studied her in silence.

The once-unattainable school belle was now lowering herself to confess to him.

It felt surreal.

He murmured, "Boyfriend?"

Tong Lan whispered, "Yes. Be mine, and I’ll belong to you completely. You can do whatever you want."

She leaned in, closing her eyes and tilting her head up, offering her lips to him.

She waited for Young Master Ji to claim them.

But after a long moment, nothing happened. When she opened her eyes, he was gone—only the swaying vines remained.

This was worse than outright rejection.

And yet, she had no right to be angry.

The day after the Hai family wedding was Monday, time for school. But this time, besides Rong Yu and Ji Zhouye, Ji Jingchuan tagged along.

Ji Jingchuan was nervous.

At nearly twenty-one, he was older than most high school seniors, who were usually seventeen or eighteen. Three years was a generation gap—he felt out of place.

"There’s a centenarian attending high school here too, Fourth Brother. You’re nothing special," Ji Zhouye teased. "Haicheng No. 1 High is my turf. Don’t worry, no one will mess with you."

Rong Yu: "..."

Just days ago, this brat had called her a "youthful, peerless beauty." Now she was a "centenarian"? How filial.

Thanks to Ji Zhouye’s antics, Ji Jingchuan gradually relaxed.

The trio arrived at the gates of Haicheng No. 1 High.