Early the next morning, Ye Chen was woken by his alarm—5:40 a.m.
He got dressed, washed up, slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed for school.
Ye Chen pedalled to the school gate.
Just then he saw two girls cycling over, chatting and laughing.
Ye Chen froze for a second—Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo.
The two girls seemed to be on pretty good terms.
In his previous life they had both reached out when he was at his lowest.
He would never forget that kindness.
Reborn, Ye Chen had resolved to repay the two of them properly.
The only snag was that both girls liked him—a lot.
He could feel their feelings, but he couldn't bear to hurt either of them.
So Ye Chen had just one aim: keep both girls happy.
To his relief, they were sensible and sweet, and they got along famously.
"Morning," Ye Chen greeted the two beauties with a smile.
Li Sitong grinned. "Ye Chen, Yingluo and I haven't eaten yet—aren't you buying?"
"No problem. I know a place up ahead that tastes great."
The three of them walked together—Li Sitong on his left, Xia Yingluo on his right.
Either Li Sitong or Xia Yingluo was an untouchable school flower.
Now Ye Chen was flanked by both; envious stares from the boys followed them.
It was 6:30; they had to finish breakfast and be in class for 7:00 self-study.
The trio stepped into a breakfast shop.
It was only a five-minute ride from school.
Ye Chen, Xia Yingluo and Li Sitong walked in.
"Whoa, the school flower and the school hunk are having breakfast here?"
A cry of surprise rang out the moment they entered.
Because Xia Yingluo was behind, he only spotted Ye Chen and Li Sitong.
Ye Chen glanced at the boy—didn't know him, but the uniform marked him as a Jiangzhou Middle School student.
It wasn't odd that the boy recognised Ye Chen and Li Sitong.
After all, both were wildly popular; plenty of people knew them.
Especially Li Sitong—long the school's prettiest flower, known by even more.
Practically every boy in the Whole School knew Li Sitong.
She was, after all, the goddess of their dreams.
"Morning, classmate."
Ye Chen hadn't expected to run into a schoolmate this early.
But he knew the more guilty he acted, the guiltier he'd look, so he stayed relaxed.
"Uh—m-morning, Ye Chen," the boy stammered.
Ye Chen smiled. "Si Tong, Yingluo, grab a seat inside; I'll get the food."
Only then did Zhang Wei notice Xia Yingluo behind them.
The girl who'd just been voted school flower by the boys; the boy was stunned.
Ye Chen was too awesome.
Two school flowers treating him to breakfast—envy nearly reduced the boy to tears.
The school hunk dating both school flowers—if this got out the Whole School would explode!
Zhang Wei had only half-finished his breakfast, yet he felt stuffed—on dog-food.
Ye Chen reached the counter: millet porridge, youtiao, soy milk, meat buns—plenty of choice.
"How much for the meat buns?" Ye Chen asked.
"One yuan for two."
Ye Chen frowned.
"Used to be three. Why so pricey?"
The boss eyed him. "Haven't you heard pork prices shot up?"
Ye Chen blinked. "Boss, if I'm not wrong, you're selling veggie buns, right?"
The boss nodded. "Exactly—veggie buns. But I feel like eating pork."
Ye Chen: "…"
Can't argue with that logic!
Ye Chen returned with the spread—buns, youtiao, soy milk, porridge and some pickles, a hearty feast.
Zhang Wei ate while casting envious glances at the laughing trio.
Wait—if they were really dating, how come all three were together?
And Ye Chen hadn't batted an eye when he saw me—super calm.
Could I have it wrong?
Maybe it's just… pure friendship?
Does pure friendship even exist these days?
Zhang Wei finished, stood up to leave, and even said goodbye as he passed Ye Chen.
"Ye Chen, take your time; I'm off."
Ye Chen smiled. "See you."
They were only chance acquaintances; nothing more needed saying.
Once Zhang Wei left, Li Sitong whispered, "Think he'll blab about us at school?"
"Scared of what? We had breakfast together—so what?" Ye Chen said.
Actually, even if there were a problem, he wouldn't care.
Reborn with system boosts, his future achievements would be limitless.
Besides, once he'd built some capital, becoming the next Brother Yun or Brother Teng was only a matter of time.
So petty gossip didn't register on his radar.
"Yeah, we're just in the same study group—hardly dating," Xia Yingluo murmured.
Ye Chen rolled his eyes. "What goes on in you girls' heads? Relax, I've got this."
Both girls gazed at him, starry-eyed.
Ye Chen's confidence was seriously handsome.
After eating, the three cycled off together.
They'd barely reached school when Xu Liang found Ye Chen.
"Teacher Wang wants you, Yingluo and Si Tong in the Office."
Xia Yingluo worried, "Could someone have seen us at breakfast and told on us?"
Li Sitong fretted, "Surely not. Since when is eating breakfast together against the rules?"
Ye Chen smiled. "Relax, it's nothing."
In the Office, Teacher Wang wasn't summoning them about breakfast at all.
"Tomorrow's flag-raising will include a pre-exam oath-taking rally. You three placed top in the mock exam; you'll give model speeches."
Ye Chen hadn't realised coming first meant public speaking—he'd have eased off if he'd known.
"Any chance I can skip it?"
He disliked the spotlight, and grandstanding held zero appeal.
"You're the Whole School's top student—if you don't go, who will?" Teacher Wang glared.
The kid was nothing but trouble.
"This speech is an honour the school grants our class. Prepare seriously—especially you, Ye Chen. The leaders want you to share how you improved so fast."
Ye Chen gave a wry smile: share my experience? Sure—any of you got a system?
Still uneasy, Teacher Wang added, "Si Tong and Yingluo are sensible; I trust them. It's you I worry about. Write your draft and let me check it."
He couldn't help it—Ye Chen's grades were stellar now, but back in first grade the boy had been a serial troublemaker.
He glanced at Li Sitong and Xia Yingluo.
Now those two were worry-free!
If Ye Chen were half as obedient, his life would be so much easier.