Ling Zhenfei sat in front of Yang Zixuan, observing the changes she had undergone, which seemed quite significant. The previous Yang Zixuan was just a fresh graduate, an intern at the company, with bangs in front and a long ponytail, innocent and shy. But now, Yang Zixuan was different; her bangs were gone, and her long hair had been cut to shoulder length.

The change wasn't drastic, but it had a transformative effect on her aura. Now, Yang Zixuan exuded a mature and confident air from head to toe.

Ling Zhenfei was momentarily taken aback, feeling that the current Yang Zixuan resembled Lin Yuluo from back then, yet she was also distinct from Lin Yuluo.

"What's wrong, Big Brother Ling? Don't look at someone like that," Yang Zixuan said, feeling somewhat embarrassed under Ling Zhenfei's gaze.

"I'm sorry, I just didn't expect you to change so much. I almost didn't recognize you," Ling Zhenfei admitted honestly.

"Look at what you're saying; however much I change, I'm still Yang Zixuan, and you are still my Big Brother Ling." Ling Zhenfei was very curious about what Yang Zixuan had experienced during the time they hadn't seen each other. This didn't seem much like Yang Zixuan at all.

"It's fine, it's good, just that this change feels a bit hard to adjust to." From the fragile Yang Zixuan to the strong woman-like Yang Zixuan before him, it all seemed too swift a transition.

Yang Zixuan suddenly leaned closer to Ling Zhenfei, stopping just a dozen centimeters away. They were close enough to hear each other's breathing and clearly see all the details on their faces. Yang Zixuan's skin was fair and without a trace of coarseness typically found in country girls.

Yang Zixuan's eyes, clear and bright, were fixed on Ling Zhenfei.

"So, Big Brother Ling, which version of me do you prefer, the current one or the one from before?"

Yang Zixuan had thrown Ling Zhenfei a difficult question, yet another choice to make.

"Sister Zi Xuan is naturally beautiful, looking good no matter what. Your current appearance is very much like a strong, independent woman," Ling Zhenfei responded with his true feelings.

The coffee had already been served, Ling Zhenfei's favorite flavor, latte with sugar. He hadn't expected that after such a long time, Yang Zixuan would still remember his taste.

"How would you compare me to Lin Yuluo?"

The moment Yang Zixuan finished her question, Ling Zhenfei almost spat out his coffee. He didn't understand why she would ask such a thing, especially since the name Lin Yuluo hadn't been mentioned in a long time.

Ling Zhenfei and Lin Yuluo had once been in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, or at least that's what everyone else thought. In truth, they had never really broken through that barrier, and their relationship hadn't progressed beyond platonic, though outsiders, including Yang Zixuan, assumed they were a couple.

"Why are you comparing yourself to Yuluo? Both of you are beautiful, but with different personalities, both are good," Ling Zhenfei said after considering the differences between the two.

Lin Yuluo was a wealthy young lady who had received a fine family education, possessing an innate noble grace that others couldn't imitate. She was also quite assertive. After Lin Zhengnan's death, she took over the company's management. She had never been a leader before, yet she exuded an undeniable leadership quality that no one could find fault with. This was a result of her upbringing.

Yang Zixuan, on the other hand, was different from Lin Yuluo. Having grown up in poverty, she might have been a beauty, but she lacked the cultivation of wealth. She was beautiful but didn't have the aura of a goddess. Her personality was also quite pleasant, not overly assertive, and reminded one of the girl next door – she was unique in her way.

But now Yang Zixuan had made an effort to change. After becoming a manager at the company, her aura was different, and she had gained confidence, earning the stature of a goddess-like figure. However, there was something incongruous about it that made Ling Zhenfei feel somewhat uneasy.

"Big Brother Ling, you are clearly just placating me. I know I can't compare to Lin Yuluo, not in looks or status," Yang Zixuan said, appearing somewhat upset.

"I'm not placating you. Why compare yourself to others? Being yourself is enough, and your former self was already good," Ling Zhenfei reassured her.

Yang Zixuan laughed with a hehe, "Actually, all this is just a pretense. I'm now a department manager, I couldn't keep acting the way I did before."

As she spoke, Yang Zixuan's commanding presence finally eased, and Ling Zhenfei saw the familiar Yang Zixuan again, albeit more confident than before. Previously, when she spoke to Ling Zhenfei, she wouldn't dare meet his eyes.

"So, what's the reason for seeing me today?"

Yang Zixuan, sipping her coffee and setting down the cup with a smile, said, "Can't I see you without having a reason? I just missed you."

"Really?" Ling Zhenfei certainly didn't believe that Zi Xuan simply missed him.

"Actually, there's just a small favor I need to ask of you," Yang Zixuan said, somewhat bashfully caught out.

"I knew you had something up your sleeve. Go on, spit it out," he said.

"Here's the thing, I have a classmate gathering tomorrow, could you come with me?"

Ling Zhenfei was somewhat taken aback, "Why would you want me to accompany you to your classmate gathering? You're successful in your career and still young, already a manager at a big company, surely no one would look down on you now."

Ling Zhenfei knew that college classmate gatherings generally turned into a stage for one-upmanship, where everyone compared who had done better after graduation. In such a short time since graduation, Yang Zixuan had become a manager at Lin's Group, a feat most people couldn't match.

"Big Brother Ling, you don't understand. Whether I'm doing well isn't the issue, and I don't care about that. It's just that I heard this classmate meeting is organized by Wu Lei, so I don't want to go by myself," she said.

"Who's this Wu Lei?" Ling Zhenfei knew there had to be some story between Wu Lei and Yang Zixuan.

"Well, Wu Lei was our class president and also the student council president. Back in school, he pursued me, but I heard he was a bit of a playboy, with many girlfriends. Each relationship didn't last more than a few months, so I turned him down. After that, they kept harassing me. He's organizing the class meeting this time, so I'm a little worried."

"Then you don't have to go," he suggested.

"But if all the classmates go and I don't, it will just make him look down on me even more."

"What are you implying by having me accompany you?" Ling Zhenfei asked.

"Just pretend to be my boyfriend. You don't need to say anything when the time comes; just showing that I have a boyfriend will be enough," she explained.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Ling Zhenfei felt this trick was a bit too clichéd.

"It'll be fine for sure, Big Brother Ling, just help me out," Yang Zixuan pleaded cutely with a tilting pout.

"Alright, alright," Ling Zhenfei gave in to her coquettish request. After all, it was just a meal, to make Yang Zixuan's classmates aware that she had a boyfriend now—to make those people give up hope.

"I knew Big Brother Ling would agree. You're always the kindest to me," Yang Zixuan beamed with joy, very pleased.

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