The One Who Cut In?

"Is it him?" Classmate Taozi her breath in silence.

She quietly circled around to the front, stood at a distance, and immediately spotted a fair-skinned, sunny-looking young man.

That look was just like her in her youth.

"Looks a bit like her, ladies." She didn't dare to go up to her, but first posted the photo in the group chat.

A moment later, the group chat erupted in a small uproar.

"Sure, he's handsome and sunny. If it's him, then this meeting was definitely worth it."

"Not bad, not bad, it evokes a bit of my student days. Let's go up and ask."

"Yes, don't hesitate, just ask."

The group Classmate Taozi took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Are you... Lin Sen?

She stood in front of the boy and mustered her courage to ask.

"You are... Classmate Taozi Tao Xiaoxiao?" The boy smiled immediately. "It's nice to meet you."

Tao Xiaoxiao, also known as Classmate Taozi, was instantly filled with joy.

Just as she had wished, it really was him!

A moment later, the two walked side by side for a while, and Tao Xiaoxiao couldn't wait to share the good news in the group chat.

"Oh no, it's love at first sight," she said in the group chat.

Soon, a wave of blessings flooded the group chat.

Congratulations on your successful meeting in real life!

Congratulations!

"Hey, hey, hey, don't forget there's one more thing. Don't forget about our Xiao Yang just because you've successfully met him in real life. We've been looking forward to it!"

"Yes, sister, of course I'm happy for you, but I also hope you can share the news about Xiao Yang soon."

Tao Xiaoxiao looked down at her phone, a smile playing on her lips, and quickly sent a message.

"I won't forget it, everyone wait here, I'll be there in a bit."

Meeting in person is her own business, but going to Xiao Yang seems to represent everyone's wishes. For them, witnessing someone's growth and the feelings cultivated during this process are different.

"What's making you so happy?" Lin Sen asked with a smile, glancing at Tao Xiaoxiao beside him.

"I'm going to see someone later," Tao Xiaoxiao quietly teased.

"Meet someone? Male or female?" Lin Sen was taken aback and asked again.

"It's a guy." Tao Xiaoxiao couldn't help but chuckle at the nervous look on her boyfriend's face.

Sure enough, boys are prone to jealousy.

When he finds out the truth, he'll realize that his jealousy was truly inexplicable.

"A man?" Lin Sen raised his voice.

"Alright, I won't keep you in suspense any longer, it's him!" Tao Xiaoxiao excitedly shared a photo of Xiao Yang at his heaviest, and then explained the whole story to reassure him.

"Okay, then it's alright." Lin Sen felt relieved after seeing the photo.

"Are you relieved now? Do you think Xiao Yang is no threat?" Tao Xiaoxiao asked with a smile.

"Only insecure boys are prone to anxiety and insecurity," Lin Sen said, shaking his head. "To me, it's the same whether it's Xiao Yang or Xiao Li or Xiao Wang."

"So..." Tao Xiaoxiao stared at Lin Sen.

"Just go see him, I'll go with you," Lin Sen said dismissively.

···

When Tao Xiaoxiao arrived near Shudu Roasted Duck by taxi, she sat in the car and looked down to compare the addresses.

"This should be it."

"Go ahead, how about this, or I'll wait for you outside," Lin Sen said quite generously.

When faced with a boy who posed no threat whatsoever, he was willing to demonstrate his magnanimity and grace to the fullest extent.

"Thank you, I'll try to hurry. We'll go out for dinner later." Tao Xiaoxiao felt a little guilty.

After all, if we're going to meet in person, we'll meet in person, and I'll also take the opportunity to visit Xiao Yang at the same time.

This isn't a good amount.

"It's alright, if it really doesn't work out, we can eat here. We can have a proper meal later tonight," Lin Sen said nonchalantly.

Tao Xiaoxiao nodded gently, and without wasting any more time, walked straight into the store.

I still vividly remember Xiao Yang's last appearance.

So much time has passed, even if there are further changes, the changes probably won't be significant.

Therefore, she actually had high expectations for Xiao Yang's current appearance.

"Are you at the store? I'm coming, Xiao Yang." She texted Xiao Yang as she walked.

"Yes, please wait a moment, I'm in the kitchen," came the reply from the other end of the line.

Before long, Tao Xiaoxiao was already standing inside the Shudu Roasted Duck restaurant.

"Business is good."

Looking at the bustling crowds and the packed restaurant, Tao Xiaoxiao couldn't help but be a little surprised.

I initially thought it was just a small shop.

But now it seems that this shop actually has some merit.

She glanced at the empty checkout counter, strolled over, and prepared to wait there, sending her location to Xiao Yang as she went.

"I'll be there soon." That was the first message Xiao Yang sent.

Tao Xiaoxiao glanced at it with a smile, then waited by the cashier while reporting the current situation to the sisters in the group.

"I'm at the store, waiting. I'll see Xiaoyang soon," she posted in the group chat.

"Wait and wait."

"Speed."

"I'm so excited! I'll be meeting my virtual boyfriend soon!"

"Is he my virtual boyfriend?"

Tao Xiaoxiao found it amusing and was just about to post something in the group chat when someone gently patted her shoulder.

"You must be Classmate Taozi?"

"Xiao Yang?" That was Tao Xiaoxiao's first thought.

She immediately turned around with a smile, but the next second, all her expressions froze, and she stared blankly at the figure in front of her.

Tall and handsome, with thin lips and a straight nose... In an instant, countless adjectives flashed through Tao Xiaoxiao's mind.

This overwhelming handsomeness crashed into her heart in an instant.

"If the male protagonist in the novel has a real-life counterpart, then he must look like this," she murmured to herself.

Lin Sen's handsomeness was so striking that she could almost touch him, which made her feel that the trip was worthwhile.

But the man before her exuded an aura of unattainability in every gesture; this was... a true god, wasn't he?

"Classmate Taozi?" Zhang Yang looked at the cute little girl with her hair in a bun in front of him, who was looking dazed, and waved his hand in front of her eyes.

Tao Xiaoxiao looked at the handsome face in front of her and instantly came back to her senses.

Because she suddenly realized...

The handsome man before me is none other than my former Xiao Yang, the one whose transformation I've witnessed through their constant advice and suggestions.

"Xiao Yang!" she finally exclaimed, her heart pounding wildly.

"It's me. By the way, my Zhang Yang. What's yours?" Zhang Yang nodded and casually asked in return.

"Ah... I, my name is Tao Xiaoxiao." Tao Xiaoxiao stammered, somewhat incoherently.

Faced with this Xiao Yang, she was at a loss.

"Have you eaten? Let me treat you to a meal," Zhang Yang asked politely.

After all, while his current changes stem from the system, they are also inseparable from the suggestions of his fans.

When friends come from afar, it is only right to treat them well.

"I... I haven't yet." Tao Xiaoxiao's mind went blank, and she blurted out without thinking.

But then she remembered that her boyfriend, whom she had met in person, was still waiting outside. They had agreed to go out for dinner after they were done.

"Then find a place to sit, I'll arrange a meal for you," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

"Um, the person I'm meeting in real life is still waiting for me," Tao Xiaoxiao said softly. "Maybe I should..."

"Let's call them all over," Zhang Yang said casually.

A moment later, Tao Xiaoxiao walked out of the store in a daze, her mind still filled with Lin Sen just moments before, and her thoughts still on this upcoming meeting in person.

But now, all I can think about is the image of what just happened.

It's simply... impossible to get rid of at all.

"All done? Shall we go?" Lin Sen greeted them.

"How about we eat here?" Tao Xiaoxiao suddenly looked up and said, as if possessed.

"Eat here?" Lin Sen was a little surprised, but then nodded. "Sure, let's eat here."

"Thank you," Tao Xiaoxiao said softly, feeling a little guilty.

This person is clearly the one I'm supposed to meet in real life, so why am I thinking about someone else all the time?

The messages in the group chat kept coming in one after another; everyone was getting impatient.

But at this moment, Tao Xiaoxiao inexplicably didn't want to reply or share, and this sudden selfishness surprised even herself.

As Lin Sen entered the store, he was greeted by Zhang Yang.

"This... this is...?" He was dumbfounded.

"This is, Xiao Yang, Zhang Yang." Tao Xiaoxiao's cheeks flushed red, and she didn't know how to explain.

Lin Sen's throat bobbed, but an intense sense of crisis surged within him.

In what way does this person resemble the previous photos?

"This is your boyfriend, right? Please, make yourselves at home." Zhang Yang didn't think much of it at all; he simply invited the two of them to sit down politely.

"Actually, it's not really that, we just met." Tao Xiaoxiao said shyly, seemingly unintentionally.

Lin Sen clenched his fists instantly.

This is terrible!

"Okay, wait a moment, I'll go make the arrangements." Zhang Yang nodded and turned to go make the arrangements.

As soon as the others left, Lin Sen couldn't hold back his words any longer.

"Xiaoxiao, what about us?"

"Lin Sen, I know what you want to say. Although we had a good chat, I still want to tell you that I'm a slow starter," Tao Xiaoxiao said, biting her lip.

"Slow to warm up?" Lin Sen repeated, feeling a strange sense of familiarity with the phrase.

A moment later, the Mao Roast Duck was served.

The food tasted incredibly delicious, but Lin Sen, seeing Tao Xiaoxiao's absent-minded expression, found it utterly unappetizing.

"Hey, what do you think of the taste?" Tao Xiaoxiao suddenly asked.

"This... is so-so, I can't really handle spicy food," Lin Sen blurted out, offering his opinion.

"It's clearly very appetizing," Tao Xiaoxiao muttered softly.

Lin Sen was getting anxious. This supposedly sure meeting had suddenly become complicated, and now things seemed to be turning against them.

This can't go on.

He looked down at his phone and began asking his roommates for help.

"It's hopeless. If that's the case, even if this person just unintentionally exudes an aura that surpasses yours, you'd better give up on the looks aspect," said my roommate.

"Don't panic, you're not without a chance. A kind word from you can warm her heart for three winter months, and a single sentence from you can warm her heart for an entire day..."

"Get lost! Be serious!" Lin Sen snapped in the group chat.

"If you want to completely win this girl over, you need to make sure you have an absolute advantage. How about this, I'll lend you my clothes." In the dormitory, Wu Mengzhou, the fourth oldest student who always came from a very wealthy family, spoke up.

"Car, watch, clothes—you name it, I'll go along with it. The other party runs a small shop; they probably don't have much money. Tonight, find an excuse to invite them out. You know what to do next, right?"

Upon seeing Wu Mengzhou's promise, Lin Sen's eyes lit up, and he felt instantly reassured.

With Lao Wu's strong support and cooperation, what is there to worry about?

He knew all about the Wu family's financial strength. While he was still in school, his family had already provided him with Mercedes E-Class- Class, and he was living a very carefree life.

"OK. Thanks in advance, brother," Lin Sen replied.

"Yeah, hurry up and make the date. My roommates and I will come over to support you. We'll definitely make sure you win the heart of your sweetheart," said Wu Mengzhou, the fourth oldest.

Lin Sen thought it over and over,

"Xiaoxiao, how about I show you around our school this afternoon? Then tonight, we can find a quiet bar and listen to some music," Lin Sen said with a smile, though he had something on his mind.

"A quiet bar, want to drink?" Tao Xiaoxiao asked hesitantly.

"Don't worry, it's just going to listen to some music and relax, we don't necessarily have to drink," Lin Sen quickly explained. "By the way, do you want to invite your little... Xiao Yang along too?"

"Huh?" Tao Xiaoxiao's face suddenly flushed red, and she lowered her head in a fluster to hide it. "Are you going to invite him? You really don't mind?"

"I don't mind." Lin Sen looked at the blush on Tao Xiaoxiao's cheeks and forced a smile, pretending to be nonchalant.

"Then I'll ask him out and give it a try," Tao Xiaoxiao said softly.

After finishing his meal, Lin Sen reluctantly went out of the store to wait for Tao Xiaoxiao.

Inside the store, Tao Xiaoxiao mustered her courage and went to find Zhang Yang.

"Zhang Yang, are you free tonight? I'd like to invite you to get together."

"Get together?" Zhang Yang felt a little confused, since they were not familiar with each other, and today was the first time they had met.

What kind of gathering is this?

"Is it okay? Look, I've been following you for so long, and this is the first time I've met you in person. It's a rare opportunity, and besides, I might not have another chance in the future." Tao Xiaoxiao stared at Zhang Yang, trying to remain calm, but she felt inexplicably nervous inside.

After all, it's a date with my crush.

"Okay then, but I'll have to go later tonight, there's a lot going on at the shop." Zhang Yang thought for a moment and nodded.

In an instant, Tao Xiaoxiao's heart was filled with joy.

"Then wait for my message, I'll confirm the address and send it to you as soon as possible."

"Alright, your boyfriend is still waiting for you outside, go on." Zhang Yang glanced at the figure still standing outside the door looking inside.

"Zhang Yang, he really isn't my boyfriend yet," Tao Xiaoxiao said reproachfully, emphasizing it again as if it were a very important matter.

"It's up to you... See you tonight," Zhang Yang said casually.

Tao Xiaoxiao was a little disappointed, feeling that Zhang Yang didn't seem to care much about whether she had a boyfriend or not; in other words, he didn't care about her at all.