"Go on ahead, I'll go get the braised chicken feet for you!"

Mrs. Zhou had already risen from her seat and gently tapped her waist with her palm. Zhang Yang gave Mrs. Zhou a casual glance before following Mi Xue into the private room.

The booth wasn't large but exquisitely arranged. The group seated themselves in separate corners, forming an encircling formation.

Zhang Yang sat beside Mi Xue after they entered together. After sitting down, both Mi Xue and Xiao Dāi immediately rushed out to order food—the establishment's specialties were well-known to them.

"Mi Xue, you're here too!"

Just as Mi Xue stepped outside, an excited voice cut through the air. At this sound, Hu Xin first furrowed his brows before casting a glance at Zhang Yang.

The voice was familiar yet elusive in memory. For some inexplicable reason, the moment he heard it, Zhang Yang's stomach twisted with visceral dislike.

"Zhou Yichen? Why are you here instead of your usual fancy hotel?"

Xiao Dāi's sharp tone immediately followed, clearly laced with disdain. Hu Xin, Gu Cheng and Nan Nan all turned their eyes toward Zhang Yang.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" Zhang Yang raised his brows in confusion.

Hu Xin narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Zhang Yang up and down before slowly saying, "Zhang Yang, I've realized you're really different now—you can still sit there calmly despite Zhou Yichen's presence!"

This was the second time Zhang Yang heard this name. A rush of memories suddenly flooded his mind—Zhou Yichen wasn't just a name; he was the Student Council President at Changjing University, a social butterfly and playboy who'd long courted Mi Xue.

The moment Zhang Yang understood this connection, it explained why hearing this voice caused such an instinctive revulsion.

In former life, Zhang Yang had been academically outstanding with high aspirations. As a key student council leader, he'd competed fiercely with Zhou Yichen for the presidency. Though both were strong candidates, Zhou's financial advantages and family connections ultimately secured him the position.

More seriously, Zhou had also pursued Mi Xue relentlessly. If not for his notorious reputation as a womanizer, Zhang Yang might never have regained his standing with her—Mi Xue despised men too preoccupied with romance to focus on anything else.

This history of rivalry and heartbreak was now glaringly obvious in their reactions toward Zhang Yang upon Zhou Yichen's arrival.

"Mi Xue, I know how much you've worried about your injury," the voice outside continued, "I couldn't find you anywhere until now—clearly fate brought us together!"

Zhou Yichen gave his 'devoted' gaze to Mi Xue before taking a step forward to take her hand.

Mi Xue subtly pivoted and slipped away from his reach.

"President Zhou, please observe proper boundaries," she said coldly. "I'm fine, thank you for your concern."

The abrupt shift in tone left Hu Xin and Gu Cheng momentarily stunned—Hu nearly jumped up instinctively. Though they remained inside the booth, hearing Mi Xue's clipped response was enough to understand Zhou Yichen had overstepped.

"I need to go out there," Zhang Yang slowly rose from his seat, feeling a tightness in his chest.

Could this be part of the mission warning? Through his memories, Zhang Yang now understood Zhou Yichen better—he wasn't just another rival. With money and connections (including an uncle who served as a school administrator), Zhou had long exploited his status to manipulate situations. If not for these advantages, former Zhang Yang would never have lost that presidency.

"I'm coming with you," Hu Xin immediately stepped forward. Though he often seemed brusque in demeanor, his heart was genuinely warm and protective toward the group.

"Me too!" Gu Cheng followed without hesitation. He had always naturally aligned himself with Zhang Yang, viewing Mi Xue as family—how could he stand idly by while she was being harassed?

"It's fine," Zhang Yang waved them off firmly before exiting the booth. Hu Xin and Gu Cheng remained rooted in place—the authority in Zhang Yang's voice left no room for argument.

Outside, this was just another student council president. But to Zhang Yang, past experiences with various powerful organizations made such titles seem trivial. And physically? Even injured now, he still vastly outclassed these spoiled brats.

"Zhang Yang, why are you coming out?" Xiao Dāi's startled voice drew everyone's attention. At her exclamation, both Mi Xue and Zhou Yichen turned toward the booth.

Enmity flashed in Zhou's gaze as he looked at Zhang Yang—Mi Xue had always been his obsession. Though he'd once claimed he could certainly win her over, reality proved otherwise. The girl saw through his flattery and rejected every attempt. But today's news was worse: not only did Mi Xue spend the night with Zhang Yang in the hospital after their injuries, but now they were dining together openly.

This revelation ignited Zhou Yichen's fury instantly. Having tracked them to this restaurant, he'd arrived with a subordinate determined to steal Mi Xue from Zhang Yang—after all, how could his defeated rival possibly win someone he himself couldn't?

"Nothing serious," Zhang Yang smiled faintly as he approached. "President Zhou is here too—are you joining us?"

There was no denying Zhou Yichen's advantages—he wore a much more expensive outfit than Zhang Yang (worth several thousand) and carried the latest mobile phone model. In 1998, owning such technology made him stand out among students.

Both Mi Xue and Xiao Dāi stared in disbelief at Zhang Yang.

Was this really their old friend? Previously, he would never have spoken to Zhou Yichen without hostility—never mind offering him hospitality now!

"Why would you come here?" Zhou attempted to feign indifference while sidestepping Mrs. Zhou. "Move aside!"

The spoiled brat had been raised in luxury and couldn't stand anyone's presence when he was already unsettled by Zhang Yang and Mi Xue sharing dinner. Without thinking, he shoved past Mrs. Zhou.

The shove proved disastrous. With her swollen belly from being pregnant, Mrs. Zhou immediately lost balance. Before she could recover, she collapsed onto the nearest chair with a strangled scream.

The sudden commotion froze everyone in place. Zhang Yang acted instinctively, catching Mrs. Zhou's pulse point before quickly moving to check her middle finger.

Pregnant women often showed unusual pulse patterns—Zhang Yang's years of medical knowledge confirmed this was imminent labor without complications. A small sigh escaped him; at this time period, even a minor mishap during childbirth could be catastrophic for both mother and child.

"My back—it hurts so badly!" Mrs. Zhou wailed suddenly, clutching her waist. Mi Xue and Xiao Dāi scrambled to assist while Hu Xin, Gu Cheng and Nan Nan emerged from the booth. Her husband burst out of the kitchen upon seeing his wife's condition, dropping his spatula in panic as he rushed to cradle her.

"Gu Cheng," Zhang Yang calmly instructed, "call 120 immediately and tell them to bring a gynecologist."

"Mi Xue, find two regular embroidery needles for me—quickly now!"

Though Mrs. Zhou's situation was urgent but manageable, the crowd's reactions needed calming. With proper acupuncture to stabilize the birth process, there would be no risk until morning. But others didn't share his medical knowledge...

As Mrs. Zhou screamed in agony and Zhou Yichen paled completely at seeing this scene, the latter began muttering frantically, "It wasn't me! It was her own fault—she fell by herself!" before bolting for the door. His subordinate followed instantly.

...

Though today's progress wasn't as much as hoped, Xiao Yu still plans to post another chapter around midnight. Readers with recommendation votes—if you could spare a vote or two, that would be greatly appreciated!