Michelle was very popular at Hongfa Supermarket; everyone there, male or female, liked her. Michelle was generally warm and genuine, unlike other girls who could be fragile, and she was beautiful too—everyone appreciated her disposition.

Changing into her uniform and greeting others, Michelle quickly headed to her designated work area.

Michelle today was different from usual; she spoke very little, lacking her usual vivacity, as if burdened by some secret.

"Michelle, what's wrong today? Missing your man again? Didn't he say he was back yesterday?"

Not long after starting, while customers were still sparse, a girl in the same uniform leaned over, cheerfully asking Michelle.

Michelle hurriedly shook her head: "No, he had something urgent yesterday and couldn't make it back!"

Denying it while simultaneously emphasizing Zhang Yang’s absence, Michelle’s preoccupation was instantly laid bare.

The girl chuckled, saying, "He promised to come back and didn't? We'll have to give him a good talking-to later. But I'm truly curious—who is lucky enough to have captivated our most beautiful flower of Hongfa like this?"

"Xiao Lan, don't talk like that. Maybe he really was held up!"

Michelle shook her head. This girl was a friend she’d made at the supermarket, her closest one.

The girl's name was Zhang Lan. She was a year younger than Michelle, a sophomore at Jiangdong University of Science and Technology, and did very well in her studies. Like Michelle, she worked diligently here to support herself.

Being fellow students, they shared much common ground.

Zhang Lan was also beautiful, with an oval face and fair skin, though just a shade less radiant than Michelle. When they stood together, they were the biggest attraction in the store's area, and the section they covered was the favorite spot for other employees.

"Michelle, you shouldn't defend a man like that so much. If I see him, I'll definitely teach him a lesson for you!"

Zhang Lan whispered again, her expression laced with indignation.

In her view, a girl as lovely as Michelle deserved to be pampered and doted upon; how could some guy dare leave her here alone for half a month?

If she were a boy, she absolutely wouldn't act that way. She felt indignant on Michelle's behalf, naturally forming a poor impression of Zhang Yang.

Michelle shook her head. "Don't say that. He really had an obligation; a friend got into trouble, and he couldn't come back!"

"Silly girl, you're still speaking up for him. Just because he said he had something important, does that make it true? Maybe he’s out carousing—men’s words can’t be trusted!"

Zhang Lan said urgently, feeling even more aggrieved for Michelle. How could such a wonderful girl end up with such a man?

"Zhang Yang is not that kind of person!" Michelle shook her head firmly.

"That’s right, my Michelle knows me best. I really am not that kind of person!"

As soon as Michelle finished speaking, a laugh sounded from behind her. Michelle quickly spun around, looking at Zhang Yang standing behind her with surprise.

After waking up this morning, Zhang Yang had come straight to Hongfa Supermarket. Long Cheng's home was too far; he knew he wouldn't see Michelle if he went there. So, he simply came here instead.

"You—you're back!"

Michelle looked at Zhang Yang; her eyes were still slightly red, and glistening tears were gathering in her eyes. All the longing from the past few days seemed to converge here, crystallizing.

Zhang Lan hurried over. Zhang Yang was standing near the shelves; her previous vantage point hadn't allowed her to see him.

"I got back yesterday, but something urgent came up, causing a slight delay!"

Zhang Yang explained softly, reaching out and taking Michelle’s small hand in his palm.

It was working hours, and technically Michelle shouldn't be dealing with personal matters, but Zhang Yang had just returned, and after so many days without seeing her beloved, she couldn't control herself, slightly bending the rules.

"It's okay, it’s just good that you’re back!"

Michelle kept her head down, allowing Zhang Yang to hold her hand, while Zhang Lan stared with wide eyes, curiously examining Zhang Yang.

She had only been working at Hongfa Supermarket for half a month, starting after Michelle, and had never met Zhang Yang before.

But she had heard the name Zhang Yang many times, always spoken by Michelle. She could tell Michelle was deeply infatuated with him.

This only deepened her curiosity about Zhang Yang.

"I'm taking the day off!"

Zhang Yang said quietly. After so many days apart, he missed Michelle terribly too. If it weren't for the despicable actions of the Zhang family at Huatuo Residence, worrying they might retaliate if one attempt failed, or worse, harm Michelle, he wouldn't have rushed to Shanghai to resolve that trouble.

Now that the trouble was settled, he had nothing more to worry about.

"Okay!"

Michelle nodded slightly, her voice very soft, but she had already agreed.

Michelle had worked for so many days without taking a single leave day; the moment Zhang Yang arrived and mentioned it, she immediately asked for time off.

"Michelle, you don't want the perfect attendance bonus anymore?"

Zhang Lan suddenly exclaimed, staring at Michelle with wide eyes.

The perfect attendance bonus was a monthly stipend for showing up every day. Though not large, it was an incentive; many people never took leave just for that reward.

"I don't want it. Xiao Lan, why don't you take the day off too? We can all go out and have fun?"

Michelle smiled faintly. Her main purpose for working here was self-improvement; earning money was secondary.

Between the bonus and Zhang Yang, she would naturally choose Zhang Yang. After waiting so long for him to return, taking one day off meant very little to her.

"Forget it, I won't play third wheel. I'll stay and get the bonus!"

Zhang Lan shook her head, scrutinizing Zhang Yang even more curiously, a hint of disappointment coloring her gaze.

Zhang Yang's appearance was decent, but he looked overwhelmingly ordinary. Today, Zhang Yang was wearing the outfit Michelle had bought him; he wore it right after returning to make her happy.

The outfit was utterly plain, coupled with his highly distinctive canvas bag; it was difficult to make a good first impression.

"What exactly did you poison Michelle with? Why is she so obsessed with you?"

As Michelle went to request time off, Zhang Lan suddenly asked.

Zhang Yang gave a wry smile. "You must be Xiao Lan. I haven't poisoned her with anything; we just naturally fell into being together!"

Michelle had mentioned the name Xiao Lan countless times on the phone, so Zhang Yang recognized the girl immediately.

"I'll be honest, don't be angry, but I feel you two are completely mismatched," Zhang Lan stated bluntly. By mismatched, she meant Zhang Yang didn't deserve Michelle, whom she saw as beautiful, virtuous, and extremely excellent.

Such a girl, she felt, ought to find someone strong in every aspect.

"Xiao Lan, who is this? Why are you being so close to him?"

Just as Zhang Yang was about to reply, a young man with dyed blonde hair walked up behind Zhang Lan, speaking to her cheerfully.

Zhang Lan frowned before even turning around.

"Your friend is here. I won't keep you," Zhang Yang offered a polite smile. Zhang Lan clearly held reservations about him, so it was a good chance to excuse himself.

Besides, he wasn't keen on the blonde youth, who looked like a ruffian, and he didn't want to stay around them.

"He’s not my friend, and you really can't leave. He's here looking for Michelle!"

Zhang Lan turned back to tell Zhang Yang, then turned again, pointing at Zhang Yang: "Huang San, this is Michelle's boyfriend. I told you repeatedly Michelle had a boyfriend, but you wouldn't give up!"

Her words made Zhang Yang momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected this person was here for Michelle.

From Zhang Lan's tone, this blonde man was one of Michelle's pursuers.

The blonde youth was also staring at Zhang Yang in astonishment.

He was actually a university student as well, from the same school as Zhang Lan but in a different department and grade. He shared some similarities with Zhou Yichen; his family had money, and he held some prestige on campus—the kind of person who could strut around.

After seeing Michelle while shopping at the supermarket one time, he was instantly captivated by her beauty and vowed to win her over to be his girlfriend.

He had certainly made efforts, but naturally, he was rejected.

The young man was rather persistent; he didn't lose heart after Michelle's rejection. Instead, he came back daily, convinced he would eventually win her over.

Before this, Michelle had told him she had a boyfriend, but he hadn't believed it, thinking it was just an excuse Michelle used to brush him off. Every time he was rejected, he regrouped and tried again.

"Zhang Yang, I already asked for the day off. You don't need to come in tomorrow either; let's call Xiao Dai and the others out for dinner!"

Michelle was running towards them from a distance, shouting excitedly before she even arrived.

When she reached them, Michelle finally noticed Huang San’s presence, and her expression immediately soured.

This Huang San had bothered her several times, and she had rejected him every time, yet he wouldn't give up. Now he had shown up again, colliding with Zhang Yang today.

"Michelle, is he really your boyfriend?"

Huang San pointed at Zhang Yang, asking with clear surprise. He hadn't believed Zhang Lan when she told him; he’d secretly suspected Michelle might have just pulled someone in for show to definitively reject him.

However, hearing the joy in Michelle’s voice and seeing the different way she treated Zhang Yang, he began to believe it. Michelle never acted like this with any other man.

"Yes, I told you long ago I had a boyfriend. I ask you to have some self-respect!"

Michelle said slowly, linking her arm through Zhang Yang's as she spoke, appearing incredibly close.

A smile also appeared on Zhang Yang's face. So this fellow was his romantic rival! He had thought he was somehow related to Zhang Lan.

Yet, his initial shock quickly faded, and he returned to normal. Having a rival wasn't a big deal; with Michelle being so excellent, it would be strange if no one liked her.

"I don't believe it. He can't be your boyfriend. Even if you found a boyfriend, you'd find someone decent! How is he better than me in any way?"

Huang San yelled loudly, looking somewhat agitated, drawing the attention of nearby customers who turned to look at them.

Seeing the situation escalating, Zhang Lan quickly grabbed Huang San's arm.

Although Michelle had taken the day off, she was still an employee of the supermarket. If handling personal matters here affected business, Michelle could still face penalties... Fifth update, taking a short break, then back to writing! (To be continued...) RQ