Yes," Zhao Yanyan said again. "I like you too. I've been so happy ever since I met you."
"Yay! I finally have a beautiful girlfriend!" Ye Chen stood up and did a small celebratory jump.
"Pfft!" Zhao Yanyan giggled, seeing his childish excitement. "You're so silly."
Ye Chen moved forward and pulled her into a gentle hug. Their eyes met.
"Yanyan…"
"Yes?" she replied softly.
Ye Chen's voice lowered. "Can I kiss you?"
Zhao Yanyan didn't answer with words.
She simply nodded and closed her eyes, lips trembling slightly with anticipation. This was her first kiss, and she wanted it to be with someone she truly liked.
Ye Chen leaned forward....but stopped. He had forgotten something important.
Oh no. I'm still wearing the skin mask!
Without a word, Ye Chen removed the mask, revealing his real, strikingly handsome face.
He leaned in again, but Zhao Yanyan, confused by the sudden pause, opened her eyes.
She gasped. "W-who…?"
Before she could say more, Ye Chen kissed her.
At first, Zhao Yanyan was startled and tried to resist. But the warmth of his lips, the tenderness of the moment...it melted her hesitation. She slowly closed her eyes again, surrendering to the kiss.
Their lips danced, and when Ye Chen boldly slipped his tongue into her mouth, she responded shyly at first, then eagerly. The kiss deepened, lasting several minutes.
When they finally parted, both were breathless.
Zhao Yanyan suddenly pulled back. "L-let go of me, you big pervert!"
Ye Chen blinked in confusion. "What's wrong, Yanyan? It's me.....Ye Chen!"
Zhao Yanyan stared at him, shocked. "Y-you're really Ye Chen?"
Ye Chen nodded and pointed to the mask on the table. "This is a human skin mask. I wore it to avoid attracting too much attention."
Zhao Yanyan picked it up and examined it. "But… you're so much better looking without it."
After finishing their meal, Ye Chen and Zhao Yanyan sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the lingering warmth of each other's company.
Zhao Yanyan glanced at her watch and nudged him lightly.
"Ye Chen, we should get back to class now," she said with a soft smile. "Next period is with Sister Rouxi
oops, I mean, Teacher Lin."
Ye Chen blinked. "Teacher Lin? I don't remember anyone by that name."
"You'll see soon enough," she said, holding back a giggle.
As they stood up, Ye Chen instinctively reached for his wallet to pay.
But Zhao Yanyan quickly tried to stop him.
"Ye Chen, let me pay. That meal was expensive, and I know you've been careful with money lately."
Ye Chen gently placed his hand over hers. "It's alright, Yanyan. I still have enough. Besides… in the future, I'm going to make a lot of money.
I want to give you the life you deserve."
Zhao Yanyan's heart softened, her gaze lingering on him with affection. "I believe in you. You're not just strong you're determined.
I'll support you no matter what path you choose."
Ye Chen felt her words warm his chest like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Her unwavering trust gave him strength he didn't even know he needed.
As they walked back to school, Ye Chen still wore his Kempali skin mask a realistic disguise that changed his appearance entirely.
Zhao Yanyan glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Still wearing that thing?" she teased. "You really don't need to. You look way better without it."
Ye Chen gave a helpless chuckle. "If I don't wear it, I might get mobbed again.
Did you see how the waitress reacted? Your boyfriend might get kidnapped by another girl."
Zhao Yanyan laughed. "Hmph, so full of yourself."
"Well, it's the truth. I'm just protecting our relationship."
They both chuckled and walked through the classroom doors just as the bell rang. The timing was perfect.
As they took their seats, a familiar voice called out.
"Ye Chen! Where the heck were you? I searched the whole cafeteria for you!"
It was Zhang Liao, looking slightly out of breath. He stared at Ye Chen and Zhao Yanyan walking in together.
"Oh, I just went out to eat with Zhao Yanyan," Ye Chen said casually.
Zhang Liao's eyes widened. "You what?! You went out with one of the school's top beauties?!"
He looked absolutely stunned. Over the months, Zhang had seen dozens of guys try their luck with Zhao Yanyan and fail every single time. She never even looked twice at anyone.
"You two… you seem pretty close," he added while sipping from his water bottle.
Ye Chen leaned back and smiled. "Of course. Zhao Yanyan is my girlfriend now."
Zhang Liao immediately choked on his water and sprayed it all over his desk. "Cough! What?! Are you serious? She's your girlfriend? You're not sick or delusional, are you?!"
Ye Chen laughed. "You don't believe me? Yanyan, help me out here."
Zhao Yanyan simply nodded, her expression calm. "Yes. I'm his girlfriend."
Zhang Liao froze for a long moment, as if struck by lightning.
Then, he finally burst out, "Ye Chen, you're insane! It's your first day in class, and you've already landed the most popular girl in school?!"
Ye Chen just scratched his nose modestly and grinned.
Just then, the classroom door opened, and a tall, graceful woman walked in.
Her presence immediately silenced the class. With her long black hair, confident gaze, and alluring figure, she was breathtaking on par with Zhao Yanyan in beauty, though in a more mature and elegant way.
"Good afternoon, everyone," the woman said with a calm voice. "I'm Lin Rouxi, your homeroom teacher.
I'm introducing myself again because it seems we have a new transfer student today."
She looked directly at Ye Chen.
"You...,please stand and introduce yourself to the class."
Ye Chen stood and walked to the front, standing tall.
"