Heartthrob, Your Image is Crumbling!

Chapter 182: The Sensitive Zheng Yanyan

During the week when Chang Hao discovered the relationship between Zhou Yuwen and Lu Lin, Zheng Yanyan continued to cling to Zhou Yuwen as before, affectionately calling him "hubby" all the time. She was busy planning where to go for New Year’s.“How about we go to Hong Kong for New Year’s?” she suggested.

“Hubby, since you often go to Hong Kong, I’ll ask my dad for some money, and you can take me there, okay?”

“Hubby, hubby, look! Does this outfit look good on me?”

No matter what, Zheng Yanyan always loved sharing everything with Zhou Yuwen.

But every time Zhou Yuwen read her messages, he thought to himself,

Zhou Yuwen decided to maintain some distance from Zheng Yanyan for a while, like meeting less frequently and cutting down on sleeping together. That way, even if she found out about Lu Lin, at least she wouldn’t feel so hurt.

At least that’s what Zhou Yuwen thought.

So, he started making excuses during this period:

“Busy with work outside, have dinner yourself tonight.”

“I have to go to Jiangning today, so I can’t be with you.”

For several days in a row, Zhou Yuwen kept giving similar excuses.

Zheng Yanyan wasn’t dumb. She felt frustrated and started overthinking.

While Su Qing focused on her studies, glowing with energy as she prepared for studying abroad, Zheng Yanyan sat in their dorm staring at her.

“What are you staring at me for?” Su Qing finally asked.

“Have you been seeing Zhou Yuwen again lately?” Zheng Yanyan asked directly.

Su Qing froze for a moment, then smirked sarcastically. “What? Zhou Yuwen’s cheating on you?”

Zheng Yanyan became furious. “He already has me. How could he cheat? Unless you’re seducing him!”

“Well, who knows?” Su Qing said smugly. “Zhou Yuwen’s so outstanding now; tons of girls are after him. How can you be so sure it’s me?”

Zheng Yanyan hated Su Qing’s smug attitude and gritted her teeth. “What are you so proud of? Even if Zhou Yuwen cheats, it won’t be with you. What’s there to gloat about?”

Su Qing’s confidence only grew. “It’s amusing to see you paranoid like this. Serves you right for fighting me over Zhou Yuwen. Hmph! You climbed up using your body, but it won’t last. I’m the only one who truly understands Zhou Yuwen in this world.”

Driven mad with anger, Zheng Yanyan wanted to hit Su Qing, but Su Qing dismissed her with a laugh. “If you want to fight, pick the right target. I’ve been busy making models with Shen Yu every day and haven’t even seen Zhou Yuwen.”

“If Zhou Yuwen’s with someone else, it just proves you’re not attractive enough. Don’t blame others,” Su Qing said coolly, leaving Zheng Yanyan speechless.

Frustrated, Zheng Yanyan confided in Lu Lin. “I feel like Zhou Yuwen is seeing someone else.”

Lu Lin responded calmly, “If you already suspect it, then you’ve already lost trust in him.”

“Didn’t you once say that you always play men, never letting men play you? If that’s the case, just break up with Zhou Yuwen. Dragging it out will only make it worse,” Lu Lin advised.

But Zheng Yanyan was on the verge of a breakdown. “But I’ve already been played by Zhou Yuwen! Don’t you get it? My mind’s a mess. If he doesn’t reply for even a second, I start overthinking. Is he talking to another girl? Lu Lin, what should I do?”

She suddenly asked, “Lu Lin, are we really good sisters?”

Lu Lin frowned. “Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”

“If one day I find another girl seducing Zhou Yuwen, would you help me catch her in the act?”

Lu Lin hesitated.

But Zheng Yanyan was resolute. “We’re best sisters for life. If there’s really a mistress, you have to help me pin her down so I can tear her apart.”

After a long silence, Lu Lin finally said, “Zhou Yuwen doesn’t like violent women.”

“Damn it! If I lose my boyfriend, who cares about being violent or not?” Zheng Yanyan snapped.

Perhaps because Zhou Yuwen was so exceptional, Zheng Yanyan constantly felt insecure.

In reality, their relationship wasn’t too unusual. Although they didn’t meet often in person, they still chatted on WeChat, and Zhou Yuwen would occasionally bring her milk tea after his busy day. But his constant busyness left her feeling unsafe.

Desperate for reassurance, Zheng Yanyan even re-added Chang Hao to her contacts, despite having deleted him earlier.

When Chang Hao received her friend request while reading a novel in the library, he panicked. His first thought wasn’t, but instead remembered Liu Shuo’s slap.

Despite his fear, curiosity got the better of him, and he accepted the request.

“What’s up?” he asked.

Zheng Yanyan wasted no time. “Have any girls in your class been getting close to Zhou Yuwen lately?”

Chang Hao thought for a moment. “Not really.”

After some hesitation, he added, “Why do you ask?”

“I feel like some girl is seducing Zhou Yuwen. Keep an eye on him for me, and let me know if anything strange happens,” Zheng Yanyan replied.

Chang Hao almost choked. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Suppressing his irritation, Chang Hao asked, “Is this the only reason you added me?”

“Why else?” she replied bluntly.

After a long pause, Chang Hao reluctantly answered, “Fine.”

Zhou Yuwen wasn’t completely absent from school. Occasionally, when he wasn’t busy, he attended classes. By now, Zhou Yuwen had become something of a celebrity in the class. From starting with campus cards to opening a courier station, and now launching Xianlin Takeout, he was someone everyone noticed.

Xianlin Takeout had become his focus recently. He was recruiting delivery riders across various campuses and even offering subsidies. Compared to other part-time jobs, being a campus rider was easier—no long commutes, no early mornings, and flexible hours.

Everywhere around the school gates, students handed out flyers to help others register for the Xianlin Takeout app. Zhou Yuwen’s goal was clear: grow the business and sell it directly to Meituan. This time, instead of using Liu Shuo as a figurehead, Zhou Yuwen openly acknowledged that this was his entrepreneurial project, fully self-funded.

With Xianlin Takeout gaining traction, his classmates looked at him with admiration.

“Back when school started, I already saw something special about you, Brother Zhou!”

“We were still playing around, but you were already starting a campus card business. Now you’ve launched this takeout service. Brother Zhou, this time you have to take me along!”

Li Qiang had become Zhou Yuwen’s most shameless admirer, constantly hanging around him, hoping to secure a delivery rider position.

Zhou Yuwen explained, “Right now, orders are still limited, and we prioritize financially struggling students. If you meet the criteria, you’re welcome to apply.”

Li Qiang immediately claimed, “I meet the criteria, Brother Zhou!”

“Then go ahead and apply,” Zhou Yuwen replied.

“Hey, Brother Zhou, considering our relationship, can you arrange a more comfortable job for me?” Li Qiang asked cheekily.

“That’s impossible. Operations are managed by Liu Shuo. I focus on app development and construction. I don’t interfere with management,” Zhou Yuwen said plainly.

“Then can you at least talk to Brother Shuo for me?” Li Qiang pushed.

“That’s even less likely. The Xu Zhou Association has its own rules.”

Li Qiang was a bit miffed by this response but had no choice but to grin and bear it, knowing Zhou Yuwen was in a strong position.

As the project gained momentum, the school even allocated Zhou Yuwen two offices in the entrepreneurship park. This only increased his classmates’ awe. They surrounded him, asking questions about the app, like how to register and place orders.

Zhou Yuwen remained approachable, patiently answering everyone’s questions. He even opened a mobile hotspot so they could download the app on the spot. He explained that five local eateries had already joined, including BBQ rice, yellow braised chicken, and Shaxian snacks.

“All you need to do is pick what you want, place an order, and a rider will deliver it to your dormitory door,” he said.

“Wow, it’s that easy? I thought it’d be complicated!”

“Brother Zhou, you’re amazing! You’re officially my hero now. No more getting out of bed on weekends, haha!”

Surrounded by flattery, Zhou Yuwen remained humble. “The app isn’t perfect yet. If you have any suggestions for improvement, let me know, and I’ll urge the development team to address them.”

Someone chimed in, “Brother Zhou! Could you get the duck blood vermicelli shop near the east gate to join?”

“Brother Zhou, I love the steamed buns at the south gate. Can you add that too?”

A flurry of suggestions poured in.

“Got it,” Zhou Yuwen said, “I’ll contact them as soon as I can.”

Despite the praise, Chang Hao found himself annoyed for reasons he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

After class, most of the students had left when Liu Yue quietly approached Zhou Yuwen.

Chang Hao, standing nearby, thought Liu Yue was there to find him, which annoyed him further. However, to his surprise, Liu Yue walked straight up to Zhou Yuwen and nervously asked, “Zhou Yuwen, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Zhou Yuwen, ever polite, replied, “Of course.”

Liu Yue glanced at Chang Hao hesitantly, as if reluctant to speak in front of him.

Zhou Yuwen thought for a moment and said, “Let’s talk while I head to the cafeteria. I was planning to grab a meal anyway.”

“Alright,” Liu Yue agreed.

The sight of the two walking out together caught Chang Hao off guard. He couldn’t fathom what Liu Yue might want to discuss with Zhou Yuwen.

As they walked, Liu Yue hesitated before finally speaking up. “I’d like to apply to be a delivery rider at your station.”

“You?” Zhou Yuwen was surprised but maintained a friendly tone. “It’s not impossible, but most of our riders are guys. We even had to coordinate with the dorm supervisors to ensure deliveries could be left at dorm entrances. You’d be the first female rider. Are you sure?”

“My family isn’t well off,” Liu Yue explained. “My parents run a small stall in Beijing, and I have a younger brother to support. Zhou Yuwen, I really want to earn some money.”

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Zhou Yuwen nodded. “Alright, I’ll speak with Liu Shuo. Actually, we really need female riders, so it’d be great if you could join.”

Hearing his approval, Liu Yue smiled brightly for the first time in ages. “Thank you!”

Zhou Yuwen had heard about Liu Yue’s troubles but wasn’t sure how to comfort her. After a moment, he gently patted her shoulder and said, “Don’t overthink it. People will forget about it soon enough.”

Liu Yue’s eyes turned red at his words, and she almost started crying.

It was at this moment that Zheng Yanyan suddenly appeared. “Zhou Yuwen!” Follow current novels on novᴇlfire.net

She had spotted him from a distance with his hand on Liu Yue’s shoulder. Given her sensitivity lately, she immediately thought she’d caught him cheating and rushed over with teary eyes.

When she realized it was Liu Yue, however, her anger subsided.

Liu Yue quickly excused herself and left, thanking Zhou Yuwen again before departing.

After she was gone, Zhou Yuwen asked, “Why are you here?”

“You scared her. The poor girl’s already timid.”

Zheng Yanyan suspiciously watched Liu Yue leave, then clung to Zhou Yuwen’s arm. “I missed you! After all these days without seeing you, I come here and find you cozying up to another girl? Of course, I’d be upset! What’s going on between you two?”

Zhou Yuwen briefly explained Liu Yue’s situation and her application to be a rider.

Zheng Yanyan muttered, “Why would a girl want to be a delivery rider? It’s so rough.”

Zhou Yuwen sighed. “Not everyone has a privileged family like you. Most people live tough lives.”

Shifting the topic, he asked, “Why are you here? I told you I didn’t have time today.”

“I just wanted to see you,” she pouted.

“Let’s grab a meal together at the cafeteria, okay? It’s been so long since we’ve eaten together!”

Zhou Yuwen glanced at Zheng Yanyan, who was dressed stylishly despite the cold weather. She wore a black knitted top paired with an A-line leather skirt that exposed part of her thighs, though her legs were wrapped in over-the-knee boots for warmth. Her pink-dyed hair glistened in the autumn sunlight, making her look exceptionally fashionable.

It had been a few days since Zhou Yuwen last saw her, and her vibrant appearance reminded him of Chang Hao’s earlier grumbling about wanting to "expose" something about Zheng Yanyan. But nothing had come of it, and Zhou Yuwen couldn’t help but think it was amusing.

Just then, Chang Hao exited the building, his gaze lingering on Zhou Yuwen and Zheng Yanyan, who looked like a perfect match.

“I really don’t have time today,” Zhou Yuwen reminded her. “I need to meet with a labor company to discuss the car show later.”

“Oh, come on! Just a little while, please? Pretty please?” Zheng Yanyan tugged on his arm, pouting persistently.

Zhou Yuwen sighed. “Alright, just for a little while.”

“Yay! Hubby, you’re the best!” she chirped, clinging to his arm with a bright smile.