Why Is It You Again (Two-in-One, Chapter 17/36)

"Pei Ningxue."

Chen Zhi took half a step back, his handsome face filled with righteous indignation.

"Please have some self-respect. Although we have a good relationship, I am now a prospective freshman at Peking University, a flower of the motherland, not a male model for you capitalist young ladies to amuse yourselves with."

"Besides, this is the airport. We are in public, it does not look good."

Pei Ningxue looked at him with a half-smile. "Oh? Is that so?"

She was not annoyed. With a light tap of her toe, she sent her suitcase sliding smoothly right to Chen Zhi's feet.

"Keep up, good bro."

Chen Zhi watched her back, gritted his teeth, and resigned himself to pulling the luggage.

The two walked to the ride-hailing lane.

Chen Zhi glanced down at the order info on his phone. "0721, ah, it is here."

A sedan slowly pulled up to the curb.

The car window rolled down.

Chen Zhi reached out to pull the back door open. "Sir, could you pop the trunk..."

Halfway through his sentence, Chen Zhi froze completely.

In the driver's seat, the middle-aged driver wearing a yellow vest was staring wide-eyed, his gaze fixed dead on Chen Zhi.

This scene felt like it had happened somewhere before.

It was him.

It was him again.

It was still him!

The very same driver who had dropped off the big star at the Central Conservatory of Music in the morning, dropped off the sweet girl at Renmin University at noon, and was now picking someone up at the airport in the afternoon—meeting the ultimate time management master!

Chen Zhi felt his scalp go numb.

What kind of messed-up karma was this?!

Out of the tens of thousands of cabs in Beijing, how could he run into the exact same car three times in one day?

Was God playing a joke on him?

"Yo."

The driver broke the silence first. He looked up and down at Pei Ningxue, who stood behind Chen Zhi with an overwhelmingly noble aura, and then gave Chen Zhi a thumbs up.

The driver gave him a thumbs up, his eyes no longer holding the gossipy look from the morning, replaced entirely by a borderline-pilgrimage level of worship.

Bro, you are truly hungry, and truly capable.

"Sir..." Chen Zhi swallowed hard and bit the bullet as he opened the car door. "To Peking University."

"Alrighty! Hold on tight!"

The driver's voice carried a hint of excited trembling.

This day was totally worth it!

He felt like he was not driving a passenger, but a Casanova, a living legend.

A pure big star in the morning, a girl-next-door at noon, and a wealthy heiress in the afternoon.

Different types, different styles, seamless transitions, and every single one was top-tier!

This kid was truly a god among men!

Chen Zhi stuffed Pei Ningxue into the backseat and climbed in himself, not daring to meet the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror.

The car started and merged into the traffic on the airport expressway.

The atmosphere in the car was a bit bizarre.

Pei Ningxue had no idea what had just happened. She only felt that Chen Zhi's reaction was a bit weird, but that did not stop her from doing her thing.

For the entire summer break, she had been locked at home by Pei Dongcheng. Aside from the time she went to the police station to bail someone out, she had not seen Chen Zhi in two months.

Although she was usually unforgiving with her words, sitting beside him right now and smelling his familiar scent made the emotion called longing grow wildly like weeds in Pei Ningxue's heart.

She scooted over toward Chen Zhi.

Scooted a bit more.

Until her thigh was pressed tightly against his, until they could feel each other's body heat.

Chen Zhi shrank back toward the car door. "What are you doing? It is burning hot, sit over there a bit."

"I do not want to."

Not only did Pei Ningxue not back off, but she also doubled down, resting her head directly on Chen Zhi's shoulder and casually hooking her arm through his.

"Chen Zhi, I missed you."

Her voice was very soft, carrying a rare hint of grievance.

In the front seat, the driving driver's ears instantly perked up like antennas, completely forgetting to use his turn signal when changing lanes.

Here it comes, here it comes!

The third act is starting!

Chen Zhi stiffened all over, trying to pull his arm out. "Pei Ningxue, use your words, do not get handsy. The driver is right here."

"So what if the driver is here?" Pei Ningxue huffed. "I am your... good bro. What is wrong with leaning on you for a bit?"

She originally wanted to say I am your girlfriend, but swallowed the words right as they reached her lips.

After all, they were not yet.

Chen Zhi sighed and gave up struggling. "Fine, fine, lean all you want."

She stayed silent for a few seconds, then slowly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes staring straight at Chen Zhi.

"Chen Zhi, there is something I have to tell you."

"What?"

"My dad found out that my pregnancy was fake."

"Screech—!"

A sharp sound of sudden braking rang out.

The car jerked forward violently, and Chen Zhi almost slammed his head into the back of the passenger seat.

"Holy crap!" Chen Zhi was startled. "Sir, how are you driving?"

The driver scrambled to steady the steering wheel, apologizing profusely. "Sorry, sorry! My foot slipped, my foot slipped!"

It was not like he wanted to brake!

But this gossip was too huge, he was choking on it!

Pregnancy? Fake?

Not only was this kid three-timing different women, but he also cooked up a melodramatic rich-family fake pregnancy plot?!

Genuine question: was this a TV show shoot?

"So he knows, big deal." Chen Zhi had a look of a dead pig unfazed by boiling water. "Anyway, it was just to help you anger him back then. Now the goal is achieved, you did not have to go abroad to study business, and I am not missing any arms or legs. It is a win-win."

He paused, asking curiously, "How did your dad find out?"

Pei Ningxue shrugged. "Nothing much. A few days ago, the family's private doctor came to give me a checkup. I tried to bribe him, but we could not agree on terms, so the secret spilled."

Chen Zhi: "..."

"Then what was your dad's reaction?" Chen Zhi suddenly felt a chill down the back of his neck.

"What reaction could he have?" Pei Ningxue played with Chen Zhi's fingers. "Ever since he found out you were the provincial top scorer, his attitude changed."

"Oh? Overwhelmed by my brilliance?"

"No." Pei Ningxue let out a faint sigh. "He said that even though you have terrible character, spout nonsense constantly, and are a delinquent youth, since you have a good brain, your genes should be decent. If you could really leave a seed for the Pei family, it would not be entirely unacceptable to him..."

"So now you have to take responsibility for me."

The driver in the front seat had now completely forgotten he was driving a cab.

His speed got slower and slower, dropping from eighty miles to sixty, then to forty, and finally just coasting at a turtle's pace of twenty miles per hour.

He even secretly muted the navigation volume, terrified that Sister Chi-ling's voice broadcast would interrupt the spectacular conversation in the back seat.

This was firsthand material!

If he posted this to the group chat, would it not absolutely blow up?

"Take responsibility my foot!" Chen Zhi snapped, pulling his hand back. "You take the blame for the trouble you caused yourself, do not pin it on me. Besides, your dad dotes on you so much, could he really kick you out of the house?"

"Chen Zhi, do you have a conscience?" Pei Ningxue's eyes widened. "I lied to my dad for you!"

"What do you mean for me? Wasn't it so you would not have to attend some cocktail party?"

"That was also because of you!"

The two began bickering back and forth in the back seat.

The driver listened with immense relish, wishing he could take notes in a little notebook.

"Sir!"

Chen Zhi finally reached the end of his patience.

He looked at the trees slowly receding outside the window, and the mobility scooter that just overtook them in the bike lane, and cried out in despair, "Could you drive a little faster, please?"

Chen Zhi was anxious.

He hadn't even reported to Peking University yet, his luggage was still in a locker at the Central Conservatory of Music, and most importantly, he had a dinner date with Lin Wanwan tonight!

It was almost three o'clock now. If they kept dawdling like this, he might not even be able to register today.

The driver woke up as if from a dream. "Ah? Oh, oh! Okay, okay!"

Smacking his lips as if he hadn't seen enough drama, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal.

The car finally picked up speed again.

"Chen Zhi."

Pei Ningxue suddenly leaned in close, her warm breath brushing against his ear.

"Actually..."

"My dad isn't wrong."

"Why don't we turn this fake relationship into a real one?"

Chen Zhi's heart skipped a beat.

He turned his head and met Pei Ningxue's eyes. They seemed playful, but held a hint of seriousness hidden in their depths.

The atmosphere in the car instantly turned intimate.

The driver in the front seat held his breath, wishing he could turn invisible.

Agree to it! Bro! A rich woman of this caliber, a gorgeous heiress who even wants to have your babies, what the hell are you hesitating for!

If it were me, never mind making it real, I'd even marry into her family!

Chen Zhi fell silent for two seconds.

Then, he reached out and expressionlessly pushed Pei Ningxue's face away.

"Pei Ningxue."

"Please don't repay my kindness with malice."

"I treat you like a brother, and you want to sleep with me?"

Pei Ningxue wasn't annoyed at being pushed away. She just gave a soft snort, leaned back in her seat, and wore a faint smile on her lips. "Fine, play innocent. Let's see how long you can keep that up."

The driver sighed heavily in his heart.

Brilliant.

Absolutely brilliant.

Is this the realm of a master? Playing hard to get, retreating in order to advance.

No wonder this guy could juggle three girls a day, while he had been driving for ten years and was still a bachelor.

Lesson learned.

...

Over half an hour later.

Peking University, West Gate.

The entrance was packed with people. Freshmen and parents carrying bags of all sizes were everywhere, along with volunteers wearing red vests.

As soon as the car stopped, Chen Zhi got out in a frantic rush.

He quickly pulled Pei Ningxue's suitcase out of the trunk and set it on the ground.

The driver rolled down his window and gave Chen Zhi a deep look.

That gaze contained a thousand words: admiration, envy.

"Young man," the driver suddenly spoke up. "Next time you go to the airport, remember to call my car again. I'll give you a thirty percent discount."

I want to see how this ends.

Chen Zhi: "..."

"Definitely, definitely."

After sending off the driver who had enjoyed entirely too much gossip, Chen Zhi felt time pressing even tighter.

"We're here, we're here!" Chen Zhi spoke at lightning speed. "Listen, Pei Ningxue, look at all these volunteers at the gate. Just grab any senior student, and they'll definitely fight over who gets to carry your luggage."

"I have an emergency, a really urgent one, so I won't walk you inside!"

Having said that, he turned around, ready to slip away.

Are you kidding? Lin Wanwan was still waiting at the Central Conservatory of Music.

Furthermore, his own luggage was still in the mall locker, and he hadn't even entered the gates of Peking University yet.

If he was any later, his dinner date with Lin Wanwan was going to blow up in his face.

"Stop right there."

Pei Ningxue's voice came from behind.

Chen Zhi paused his steps and turned around helplessly, "My lady, what is it now?"

Pei Ningxue stood in the shade of a tree, holding the silver suitcase with one hand, while her other hand took off her wide-brimmed hat to gently fan herself.

A few strands of hair stuck to her slightly sweaty cheeks, making her look exceptionally charming.

"I'm hungry," Pei Ningxue said with absolute justification. "The airplane food was terrible, so I didn't touch a bite. And I skipped breakfast rushing to see you."

"So?"

"Take me to get food." Pei Ningxue walked over and naturally hooked her arm through Chen Zhi's. "Now. Immediately. Right this second."

He felt his temples throbbing.

Chen Zhi tried to reason with her, "I really have an emergency. I haven't even registered yet!"

"I don't care." Pei Ningxue started acting shamelessly, practically hanging her entire body onto him. "I have low blood sugar. If I don't eat something soon, I'm going to pass out."

Chen Zhi looked at the freshmen and parents around them who were already starting to cast curious glances their way, and gritted his teeth.

This wicked woman was definitely doing it on purpose.

"Fine, let's eat." Chen Zhi compromised. "But we have to be quick. Is the cafeteria okay?"

"The cafeteria?" Pei Ningxue frowned in disgust. "You're treating me to the cafeteria?"

"Take it or leave it. If you don't want it, forget it." Chen Zhi made a show of walking away.

"I'll eat, I'll eat!" Pei Ningxue immediately pulled him back. "The cafeteria it is. As long as I'm with you, I'd gladly eat chaff and swallow vegetables."

Chen Zhi rolled his eyes.

Yeah, right.

The two of them dragged the suitcase and navigated through the Peking University campus.

As a handsome guy and a gorgeous girl, they turned heads everywhere they went.

Especially Pei Ningxue. With her light yellow dress and a face beautiful enough to cause the downfall of a nation, who knew how many freshmen's eyes were glued to her as she walked by.

Chen Zhi, however, was in no mood to appreciate the view.

As he walked, he was frantically calculating the time in his head.

It was 3:30 now.

They'd probably finish eating around four.

After dropping this princess off at her dorm and then going to register himself, it would probably be five o'clock.

Then he'd have to go to the Central Conservatory of Music to find Lin Wanwan, and retrieve his own luggage...

Dinner time was at six.

Even if there was no traffic in Beijing, this schedule was tight as hell.

To make matters worse, Lin Wanwan had just sent him a WeChat message.

[Wanwan: Mr. Busy, are you done with your errands? My roommates said they want to meet you tonight. How about we all have dinner together?]

Chen Zhi looked at the message on the screen, feeling his scalp go numb.

"Chen Zhi, what are you thinking about?" Seeing him staring at his phone, Pei Ningxue pinched his arm in dissatisfaction. "You're spacing out while you're with me?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering which cafeteria has the best food," Chen Zhi lied smoothly.

Just then, a group of students wearing volunteer vests walked toward them.

The guy leading the group saw Pei Ningxue, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"Hello! Are you a freshman? Which school are you in? Is your luggage heavy? Let me help you carry it!"

The guy was overly enthusiastic, letting his lower brain control his upper brain, completely forgetting about Chen Zhi standing right next to her.

Seeing this, Chen Zhi was delighted.

Wasn't this a ready-made scapegoat?

"Oh my! Hello, hello!" Chen Zhi grabbed the guy's hand and shook it vigorously, as if he had just reunited with his long-lost brother. "She's a freshman at the Guanghua School of Management, and she's struggling to find her way! This suitcase is indeed quite heavy, so I'll leave it to you!"

With that, he ignored Pei Ningxue's murderous glare and shoved the suitcase directly into the guy's hands.

"So, Xiaoxue, since this senior is helping you, you go ahead and register. I just remembered my counselor has an urgent matter for me, extremely urgent, so I'll be going now!"

"Chen Zhi! Don't you dare!" Pei Ningxue stomped her foot in anger.

"Next time! Next time I'll definitely treat you to roast duck! All you can eat!"

Dropping those words, Chen Zhi greased his soles and instantly ducked into a nearby side path, vanishing without a trace.

He left Pei Ningxue standing there, staring at his fleeing back, grinding her teeth in fury.

"Chen Zhi..."

"Just you wait!"

The guy standing next to her holding a suitcase looked completely bewildered. "Miss, was that your boyfriend?"

Pei Ningxue took a deep breath, her face instantly switching back to the expression of an aloof goddess.

She cast a cold glance at the guy.

"No."

"That's my fiancé."

"!!!"

Shaking off Pei Ningxue didn't make Chen Zhi feel much better.

He sprinted all the way to the Yuanpei Program registration desk and completed the procedures at lightning speed in under ten minutes.

Then, he stood by the road, staring at the ride-hailing app on his phone.

There were 128 people in the queue ahead of him, with an estimated wait time of 45 minutes.

"Damn it."

Chen Zhi couldn't help but curse.

It was the back-to-school season in Beijing; getting a cab was harder than reaching the heavens.

If he waited these 45 minutes, went to get his luggage, and then headed to the Central Conservatory, it would be way too late.

Just then, a familiar yellow taxi slowly pulled up in front of him.

The window rolled down.

It revealed that familiar face.

The driver raised an eyebrow at Chen Zhi.

"Yo, brother."

"Flying solo now?"

"Where to? The Central Conservatory or Renmin University?"

Chen Zhi looked at this guy who seemed to be haunting him like a ghost, the corners of his mouth twitching.

What kind of messed-up karma was this!

But he had no choice right now.

Chen Zhi pulled the car door open and dropped into the seat.

"Driver."

"Back to the Central Conservatory."

The walnuts in the driver's hand clacked together.

He turned around, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"You got it!"

"Buckle up! We're going to pick up that big star from this morning!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. If I were an author, this material would be enough for me to write millions of words."

Chen Zhi slumped in the back seat, watching the scenery fly by the window, feeling completely drained.

He swore.

Once he was done with these next two days.

He was definitely going to buy a car.

He was never taking a taxi again!

Especially not one with a license plate ending in 0721!