Chapter 75: The False "Rival in Love"

When Ye Fei and Zhang Xiaoxiao appeared together in the classroom, a wave of commotion swept through the students. Although rumors had been circulating, seeing them side by side shattered more than a few hearts all over again.

Ye Fei could feel the envious, jealous, and resentful stares from many of the boys, so intense it was as if they might devour him, leaving not even a trace behind.

“Zhang Xiaoxiao and her top-tier boyfriend are here! Everyone, take a look at her boyfriend, what do you think?” teased Ling Fei, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes glinting with mischief as she glanced at Ye Fei.

“He looks a bit old, doesn’t he?” a female classmate chimed in.

Laughter erupted across the classroom. Perhaps it was the experiences Ye Fei had been through—both his appearance and demeanor seemed more mature than these students.

“Maybe he had a facelift and it failed!” Ling Fei called out loudly, sending the class into another fit of laughter.

“You—” Zhang Xiaoxiao couldn’t take it anymore; she bristled at anyone speaking ill of Ye Fei.

“Xiaoxiao…” Ye Fei gently tugged her back, stopping her. He winked at her, then turned to Ling Fei with a calm smile. “I know a top plastic surgeon. I can refer you to him—just mention my name, and he’ll give you a complimentary breast augmentation.”

At once, the classroom fell into a chilly hush, an icy tension filling the air. Everyone stared, first at Ye Fei, then at Ling Fei, whose face had turned to stone. It was as if a volcano was about to erupt.

Oblivious, Ye Fei continued, “Many celebrities have had theirs done with him—very successful results. Normally, it’s hard to get an appointment, but I could help put you at the front of the line.”

A suppressed giggle escaped Zhang Xiaoxiao, which finally set off the volcano within Ling Fei.

“You’re dead!” Ling Fei spat coldly. Her figure was decent, her face beautiful, but her chest was only a B-cup—her one imperfection, and the thing she was most sensitive about. Today, not only had Ye Fei brought it up, but he’d done so in front of the entire class. For someone as proud as Ling Fei, this was the ultimate humiliation. Now she felt everyone’s gaze mocking her.

There was no way she could stay in that classroom. Skipping class was nothing new to her, anyway. She grabbed her bag and stalked out, her face cold as ice.

As fate would have it, Ye Fei and Zhang Xiaoxiao had entered the classroom, blocking her path.

“Hmph!” Ling Fei snorted, shoving Ye Fei in an attempt to knock him over.

Ye Fei stood unmoving, solid as a post. Ling Fei, using too much force, failed to budge him and instead stumbled, tumbling directly into his arms.

Her face blazing, Ling Fei quickly pushed away from Ye Fei, then stormed out, not willing to stay a second longer.

“Feifei, where are you going?”

“Leave me alone!”

Their voices drifted in from the hallway. It seemed Ling Fei had run into a boy outside, who greeted her but was promptly snapped at.

“What’s wrong with Feifei? She looks furious,” the boy’s voice came from outside.

Then footsteps sounded, and three boys appeared in the doorway.

“Ye Fei, be careful. Those are the guys I told you about. The red-haired one is Zhao Kai—the one you just made angry. He likes Ling Fei, and to pursue her, he even dyed his hair to match hers. The one in the middle is Liu Lei, and the other is Chen Hao,” Zhang Xiaoxiao whispered from her seat.

Ye Fei nodded and glanced at the trio. They looked back at him, their eyes meeting in silent confrontation.

Ye Fei could tell Liu Lei was their leader; he was interested in Zhang Xiaoxiao, so he must see Ye Fei as a rival in love. Zhao Kai and Chen Hao were backing Liu Lei up, though from the look in Chen Hao’s eyes, he seemed to like Zhang Xiaoxiao too, but had stepped aside, knowing he couldn’t compete with Liu Lei.

“Xiaoxiao, you never liked sharing a desk with anyone. Who is this guy?” Liu Lei asked, his face dark.

“What business is it of yours? Do I owe you any explanation?” Zhang Xiaoxiao retorted, unwavering, positioning herself protectively in front of Ye Fei.

Liu Lei’s gaze grew even colder as he stared down Ye Fei.

Zhao Kai, unable to hold back, turned to one of Ling Fei’s friends. “Xiaoxiao, I just ran into Feifei—she ignored me and looked furious. Who made Feifei so angry?”

Xiaoxiao nodded toward Ye Fei. “There, the new guy.”

“Damn it, you’re the one who upset Feifei? Who do you think you are, dreaming about her?” Zhao Kai snarled. This wasn’t just about backing up his friend—he was furious on Feifei’s behalf.

Before Ye Fei could speak, Zhang Xiaoxiao shot to her feet, slamming the desk. “Zhao Kai, who are you calling names?”

Ye Fei found himself secretly amused by Zhang Xiaoxiao’s fierce protectiveness.

Zhao Kai hesitated, caught between his loyalty to Liu Lei and Zhang Xiaoxiao, whom Liu Lei liked. He didn’t know what to say.

Just then, more boys arrived outside.

“Zhao Kai, if you dare mess with Xiaoxiao, I’ll break your legs. Believe it or not!” said a crew-cut youth, his tone bordering on truly menacing.

A spark flickered in Ye Fei’s eyes. That kind of ruthlessness was unusual in a student—something only seen in those with underworld connections.

“Xiaoxiao, who’s that?” Ye Fei asked quietly.

“Lu Sicheng—one of the school’s little tyrants,” Zhang Xiaoxiao replied.

“Lu Sicheng? Is he related to Lu Weiming from the Ming Gang?” Ye Fei asked.

“You’ve heard of the Ming Gang too? My dad must have told you. Lu Sicheng is Lu Weiming’s son!” Zhang Xiaoxiao explained.

Lu Weiming’s son! Ye Fei was taken aback, giving the boy another look. No wonder he had that gangster’s aura—he’d been immersed in it since childhood.

Ye Fei made a mental note to be cautious.

“Lu Sicheng, don’t start biting people at random—I’m not scared of you,” Liu Lei stepped forward. As the leader, he had to back up his boys; otherwise, he’d lose face.

“Liu Lei, drop the tough guy act. If you’ve got guts, fight me,” Lu Sicheng challenged.

“What a lively scene!” More boys entered, among them a handsome youth.

At his arrival, both Liu Lei and Lu Sicheng paused their confrontation; neither wanted to let him take advantage of the situation.

“That’s Rong Cheng, son of another major shareholder at Yingde School. Ye Fei, remember them. Be careful around these guys,” Zhang Xiaoxiao warned.

Ye Fei eyed her, puzzled. “Why do I need to be careful?”

She sighed. “Because all of them like me. Now that we’re together, you’ve become their rival in love. Of course, they’ll try to get rid of you.”

Ye Fei stared at Zhang Xiaoxiao, momentarily speechless. So he’d become the enemy of all these guys? He could only sigh inwardly—so be it. Let them come; he’d deal with whatever they threw at him.