Chapter 95: The Interceptor?

“Is that him?” Peach held her breath.

She quietly edged forward, standing at a distance, and immediately saw a tall boy with fair, sunny skin.

He looked just like her memories of youth.

“Looks a bit like him, girls,” she said, not daring to approach yet, and sent this photo to the group chat.

The group immediately buzzed with excitement.

Not bad, handsome and sunny. If that’s him, your in-person meeting was worth it.
Nice, gives me a bit of that student-era youthful vibe. Just go ask him.
Yeah, don’t hesitate, just ask.

One message after another, Peach looked at them for a moment, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

“You are… Lin Sen?”

She stood in front of the boy, mustering her courage.

“You’re Peach, Tao Xiaoxiao?” The boy laughed instantly. “Great to meet you.”

Tao Xiaoxiao-Peach-felt her heart leap with joy.

It really was him, just as she had hoped.

A little while later, they walked side by side for a bit, and Peach eagerly shared the news in the group chat.

“Oh no, it’s that heart-fluttering feeling,” she posted.

Immediately, waves of blessings poured in.

Congrats on a successful meeting in person.
Congratulations!
Hey, don’t forget there’s still something else. Don’t forget our Little Yang just because you met him. We’ve all been waiting too.
Yeah, sis, I’m happy for you, but I also hope you share news about Little Yang soon.

Peach looked down at her phone, a smile tugging at her lips, and quickly typed a reply.

“Don’t worry, everyone. I’ll go there soon.”

Meeting her e-boyfriend was her personal matter, but visiting Little Yang felt like representing everyone’s wishes. For them, witnessing someone’s growth through this kind of nurturing process carried a unique sentiment.

“What’s got you so happy?” Lin Sen glanced at Peach and smiled.

“I’m going to see someone,” Peach teased, keeping a little suspense.

“See someone? A guy or a girl?” Lin Sen asked, puzzled.

“A guy,” Peach said, amused at her e-boyfriend’s nervous expression.

Clearly, boys got jealous easily.

Once he knew the truth, he’d realize this jealousy was completely unnecessary.

“A guy?” Lin Sen raised his voice.

“Okay, no more suspense. It’s him,” Peach said, excitedly sharing photos of Little Yang at his chubbiest, explaining everything so Lin Sen wouldn’t worry.

“Alright, that’s fine then.” Lin Sen saw the photos and felt at ease.

“Feeling reassured? Little Yang isn’t a threat?” Peach asked, smiling.

“Insecure guys are the ones who worry,” Lin Sen shook his head. “For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s Little Yang or any other guy, all the same.”

“So…” Peach stared at Lin Sen.

“Just go see him. I’ll come with you,” Lin Sen said nonchalantly.

When they arrived near Shudu Roasted Duck, Peach checked the address from inside the car.

“This should be it.”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait outside for you,” Lin Sen said generously.

Facing a boy who posed no threat, he was willing to show maximum courtesy and composure.

“Thank you, I’ll try to be quick. We’ll go out for a proper meal afterward,” Peach felt a little guilty.

After all, she was visiting Little Yang while also meeting her e-boyfriend.

“Don’t worry. If it doesn’t work out here, we can eat later. No rush,” Lin Sen said casually.

Peach nodded and headed straight into the store without wasting time.

She recalled Little Yang’s last appearance vividly.

Though time had passed, and he had changed, the transformation likely wasn’t too dramatic.

So she had some expectations for his current appearance.

“Are you in the store? I’m coming, Little Yang,” she texted while walking.

“I’m here. Wait a moment, I’m in the kitchen,” came the reply.

Soon, Peach was inside Shudu Roasted Duck.

“Business is good.”

She looked around at the bustling store and the full seating, a bit surprised.

She had expected just a small shop, but it was clearly more than that.

Seeing the empty cashier counter, she walked over and sent her location to Little Yang.

“I’ll be there soon,” he replied immediately.

Peach smiled and waited by the counter, updating the group chat.

“I’m in the store, waiting. Soon I’ll see Little Yang.”

Waiting eagerly.
Quickly now.
Can’t wait to meet my cloud-raised boyfriend.
Your cloud-raised boyfriend, right?

Peach found it funny. She was about to post something in the group when her shoulder was lightly tapped.

“You’re Peach, right?”

“Little Yang?” Peach’s first reaction.

She turned with a smile, but in the next second, froze, staring at the figure in front of her.

Tall and handsome, thin lips, straight nose… countless adjectives flashed through her mind.

This extreme handsomeness struck her heart instantly.

“If a novel’s male lead had a real-life prototype, it must look like him,” she murmured.

Lin Sen’s handsomeness was tangible, giving her a sense of satisfaction.

But the man before her carried an untouchable aura-this was the true male god.

“Peach?” Zhang Yang looked at the cute girl with a bun hairstyle, her stunned expression, and waved lightly.

Peach blinked, finally coming back to her senses.

She realized-this male god in front of her was the former Little Yang, shaped day by day by their advice and attention.

“Little Yang!” she finally exclaimed, her heart racing wildly.

“It’s me. Oh, right, I’m Zhang Yang. You?” he nodded and asked casually.

“Ah… I’m Tao Xiaoxiao,” Peach stammered, flustered.

Faced with this version of Little Yang, she was utterly disoriented.

“Have you eaten? Let me treat you,” Zhang Yang politely offered.

After all, though his change came from the system, it was inseparable from the fans’ advice.

Guests from afar deserved hospitality.

“I… haven’t yet,” Peach blurted without thinking.

Then she remembered her boyfriend waiting outside-they had agreed to eat afterward.

“Find a seat, and I’ll arrange a meal for you,” Zhang Yang said, smiling.

“Well, my boyfriend is still waiting…” Peach said softly.

“Let’s bring him in too,” Zhang Yang said casually.

A moment later, Peach stepped out dazed, her mind still occupied by Lin Sen from just moments ago, thinking about the in-person meeting.

But now, all she could think about was the figure she had just seen-completely unforgettable.

“Finished? Shall we go?” Lin Sen approached.

“Um… maybe we can eat here?” Peach suddenly said.

“Eat here?” Lin Sen was surprised, then nodded. “Sure, if we eat here, we eat here.”

“Thank you,” Peach said quietly, feeling a bit guilty.

Her e-boyfriend was supposed to be the main focus, yet her thoughts were dominated by someone else.

Meanwhile, messages in the group chat kept coming in rapidly, but Peach suddenly didn’t want to reply or share. This unexpected selfish feeling surprised even her.

Walking into the store, Lin Sen immediately saw Zhang Yang.

“This… what is this?” He was dumbfounded.

“This is… Little Yang, Zhang Yang,” Tao Xiaoxiao’s cheeks flushed red, unsure how to explain.

Lin Sen’s throat moved, but an intense sense of crisis surged through him.

This person… how in the world even remotely resembled the photos before?

“Your boyfriend, right? Just sit anywhere,” Zhang Yang said politely, not overthinking it, inviting the two of them to sit.

“Actually… it’s not really like that, we just met,” Tao Xiaoxiao said shyly, almost unconsciously.

Lin Sen clenched both fists.

This is going to be bad!

“Alright, wait here a moment. I’ll make arrangements for you,” Zhang Yang nodded and walked off to handle things.

No sooner had he left than Lin Sen could no longer hold back.

“Xiaoxiao, we…?”

“Lin Sen, I know what you want to say. Even though we’ve been talking well, I want to tell you that I’m a bit slow to warm up to people,” Tao Xiaoxiao bit her lip.

“Slow to warm up?” Lin Sen repeated, feeling oddly familiar with that phrase.

A short while later, the roasted duck arrived.

Even though the flavor was bold and stimulating, Lin Sen found no taste in it, glancing at the distracted Tao Xiaoxiao.

“Hey, how’s the flavor?” Tao Xiaoxiao suddenly asked.

“This… it’s okay, I’m not really good with spicy food,” Lin Sen blurted out.

“It’s actually very appetizing,” Tao Xiaoxiao murmured softly.

Lin Sen grew anxious. This in-person meeting, seemingly guaranteed, was suddenly complicated, and elbows were starting to nudge in unexpected directions.

This could not continue.

He lowered his head and began messaging his dorm roommates for help.

“This is risky. Even his natural aura could crush you; for looks, you might as well give up,” one roommate said.

“Don’t worry, you still have a chance. Use your words wisely, a single phrase can warm her all day…”

“Shut up! Be serious,” Lin Sen snapped in the group chat.

“If you want to completely win her over, you need absolute advantage. Here, I’ll lend you my stuff,” said Wu Mengzhou, the wealthy fourth roommate.

“Car, watch, outfit-whatever you need, I’ll coordinate. The girl runs a small shop, so her financial power is probably limited. At night, find an excuse to meet her-no need to explain further, right?”

Seeing Wu Mengzhou’s support, Lin Sen’s eyes lit up; his mind immediately calmed.

With Wu Mengzhou backing him, what was there to worry about? He knew Wu’s family wealth; even while still in school, Wu had a Mercedes E, living lavishly.

“OK. Thanks in advance, bro,” Lin Sen replied.

“Yeah, set it up quickly. The guys in the dorm will back you up too-guaranteed you’ll get the girl,” Wu Mengzhou added.

After thinking it over, Lin Sen said,

“Xiaoxiao, this afternoon I’ll show you around our school, then tonight we can go to a quiet bar to listen to music,” Lin Sen said, smiling despite his inner thoughts.

“A quiet bar? Drinking?” Tao Xiaoxiao hesitated.

“Don’t worry, just to listen to music and relax, not necessarily to drink,” Lin Sen quickly explained. “Oh, do you want to bring Little… Little Yang along too?”

“Ah?” Tao Xiaoxiao’s face turned red, and she nervously looked down to hide it. “Invite him? You really don’t mind?”

“Don’t mind,” Lin Sen said, forcing a casual smile as he looked at her flushed cheeks.

“Then I… I’ll invite him,” Tao Xiaoxiao whispered.

After the meal, Lin Sen, reluctantly, went outside to wait for Tao Xiaoxiao.

Inside, Tao Xiaoxiao mustered courage and approached Zhang Yang.

“Zhang Yang, are you free tonight? I’d like to invite you to hang out.”

“Hang out?” Zhang Yang felt puzzled. They barely knew each other; today was their first meeting.

What kind of hangout was this?

“Can you? Look, I’ve been following you for so long, and this is the first time meeting in person. It’s a rare opportunity. Besides, there may not be another chance later,” Tao Xiaoxiao said, trying to stay composed but feeling nervous.

After all, she was inviting a male god.

“Alright, then. But I’ll come later tonight, the shop has many things to handle,” Zhang Yang thought for a moment, then nodded.

Instantly, Tao Xiaoxiao felt overjoyed.

“I’ll send you the address as soon as I confirm it,” she said.

“Alright, your boyfriend is still waiting outside, go ahead,” Zhang Yang glanced at the figure standing outside looking in.

“Zhang Yang, he really… isn’t officially my boyfriend yet,” Tao Xiaoxiao said, teasingly emphasizing it, as if it were important.

“Fine… suit yourself. See you tonight,” Zhang Yang replied casually.

Tao Xiaoxiao felt slightly disappointed, sensing that Zhang Yang didn’t really care whether she had a boyfriend-in other words, he wasn’t concerned at all.