The Trilogy of Failure

How could there be someone so eerily similar in this world?

The face of that unknown tall, burly boy kept swirling in Lin Yu's mind, refusing to fade away.

Even though he had tested the waters multiple times, Lin Yu still couldn't quite believe that this guy wasn't Niu Dafei.

Because the resemblance was uncanny.

So uncanny that Lin Yu would bet his life on it—if you placed this unknown tall guy and Niu Dafei side by side in front of their own parents, even their own mothers and fathers wouldn’t be able to tell them apart!

Weird.

Really weird.

Lost in thought about what had just happened, Lin Yu kept shoveling food into his mouth, completely oblivious to the faint floral scent that had begun wafting toward him.

It wasn’t until that soft, sweet voice spoke up that he snapped out of his daze and looked up at the pretty girl who, for some inexplicable reason, always seemed to get tangled up with him.

"Hello, Lin Yu."

Tang Manman stood obediently by the table. When Lin Yu’s gaze landed on her, she timidly raised a hand in greeting, forcing a slightly nervous smile.

"Get to the point."

Even though Lin Yu was convinced Tang Manman only felt gratitude toward him, he maintained a cold, indifferent attitude—just to make sure that gratitude didn’t morph into some other messy emotion.

Strangely, instead of being put off by his icy demeanor, Tang Manman actually seemed relieved. She let out a small sigh, and her smile became more natural.

"Lin Yu, are your injuries feeling better?"

Lin Yu paused mid-bite. He wanted to snap, "None of your damn business," but considering she was the one who had saved him, he couldn’t bring himself to be that rude. Instead, he replied coldly:

"Much better."

After a brief hesitation, he added, just to shut down any further prying:

"Almost fully healed."

"That’s good."

Tang Manman exhaled deeply, as if she were the one who had been injured and was now relieved.

Having answered her question, Lin Yu went back to eating, assuming she’d leave. But to his surprise, she lingered by the table, her cheeks gradually flushing pink, her eyes darting away shyly—clearly, she had something else to say but was too embarrassed to spit it out.

"Is there something else?"

Lin Yu couldn’t stand her hovering and finally broke the silence.

"Mhm."

Tang Manman nodded lightly. After a brief pause—whether to gather courage or reconsider—she finally spoke in a soft voice:

"Lin Yu, my mom found out about how you helped me… She wants to invite you over for dinner. Would that be okay?"

Lin Yu, who had been sipping the school’s free soup, nearly choked.

"Tang Manman, what did you just say?"

"Your mom wants me to come over?"

He stared at her in disbelief, pointing at himself as if to confirm.

Tang Manman didn’t reply, but her already rosy cheeks darkened further. She gave a quick, tiny nod, the motion so adorably bashful it could melt hearts.

But Lin Yu wasn’t in the mood to appreciate her delicate beauty. Still pointing at himself, he pressed:

"Does your mom even know what kind of person I am?"

Tang Manman thought for a moment, then shook her head slightly before adding:

"I told her… you’re a good person."

As she spoke, her face turned even redder, the flush spreading down her slender neck until not a trace of her usual fair complexion remained.

Lin Yu took in her utterly unguarded, flustered expression, and all the curses on the tip of his tongue evaporated. Instead, he let out an exasperated laugh.

Still pointing at himself, he smirked and said:

"Tell you what, Tang Manman. Go around the school and ask if anyone thinks I’m a good person. If you can find ten people who’ll say that to my face, I’ll go to your house. Deal?"

His eyes curved into amused slits.

Tang Manman shrank back slightly. She hated it when Lin Yu smiled like that—it never meant anything good.

But even so, she wasn’t ready to give up. Deep down, she refused to believe Lin Yu was a bad person, no matter how much he pretended otherwise.

"Really?" she asked cautiously.

"Of course not, you dummy!"

Lin Yu’s expression darkened instantly.

"Get lost already! You’re annoying me!"

"Oh."

Dejected, Tang Manman let out a small, pitiful sound. But as she turned to leave, she suddenly hesitated. Her dark, shining eyes held a fragile hope as she whispered:

"So… you won’t come over?"

"Never. Don’t even think about it."

Lin Yu glared at her, leaving no room for argument.

With slumped shoulders, Tang Manman walked away.

Lin Yu, meanwhile, stared at his half-finished meal, his appetite gone.

His plan to distance himself wasn’t working.

At all.

His three-step strategy to avoid Tang Manman had completely failed.

Avoiding her? She’d just seek him out.

Being cold and dismissive? He couldn’t even commit to it properly.

After all, she had saved his life—he couldn’t just curse her out for no reason.

And as for the final step—acting like a delinquent to scare her off…

Would that even work anymore?

Lin Yu had his doubts.

Just remembering what happened the day Tang Manman brought him medicine made his face burn with humiliation.

It was so. Freaking. Embarrassing.

Covering his flushed cheeks, he took several deep breaths before finally calming down. Staring at his now-cold food, he decided to give it one last shot.

At this point, what else could he do?

Fine.

Next time Tang Manman came looking for him, he’d double down on the sleazy delinquent act.

Hopefully, it would still work.

Lin Yu could only pray.