Experience the privileges of being the protagonist.

Dear passengers:
The plane has landed at Qizhou Airport and is currently taxiing. For your safety and that of other passengers, please do not unfasten your seatbelt, stand up, move around, or open the overhead compartments.
...

As the flight announcement sounded, Chu Qingchan slowly opened her eyes and glanced to the side. That annoying man was still watching her out of the corner of his eye.

"Miss, after we land, would you join me for afternoon tea?"

A handsome young man in his twenties flashed her a confident smile.

"No, thank you. I have a husband," Chu Qingchan replied casually, not even turning her head, then removed her headphones and placed them in their case.

"Is your husband picking you up?"

"He's very busy. I doubt he'll come."

"Then let me help you with your luggage."

"No." Chu Qingchan was truly getting irritated.

This guy had been pestering her since they boarded. Despite her wearing a mask and keeping conversation to a minimum, he’d started flaunting his supposed advantages right away, subtly flashing his watch—though she couldn’t care less about watches.

But she did know clothes. The IXFK jacket he wore was obviously fake. The embroidered label at the cuff seemed to be white thread, but on closer inspection, there was a fine gold thread woven in. Most people wouldn’t notice it, and even if they did, it wouldn’t matter, because that thread was a special gold fiber, impossible to replicate with ordinary yellow thread.

So, this jacket didn’t have the signature hidden line at all—clearly a counterfeit, likely the uniform of a wannabe rich kid fishing for girls.

Still, he’d put in some effort. His shoes were high-quality knockoffs, his pants were genuine—over two thousand—but his cologne betrayed him. It was TK’s "Subtle Harmony," the cheapest in the TK line, only about 450. She didn’t like perfume herself, but working in the entertainment industry, she knew a thing or two.

But even if he were truly wealthy, it wouldn’t matter. She didn’t care about money. She’d never lacked for it since childhood, but had never been wasteful. Only after becoming a celebrity did she start buying pricier clothes.

She’d forgotten to buy him any gifts on this trip. Maybe she could pick something up in Qizhou to bring back, though it might seem perfunctory.

No, wait—this guy always treats me perfunctorily, too. I’m just testing him. I never actually expected him to come.

The exam ended at noon. Even if he rushed over without rest or food, caught a bus he’d reserved ahead of time, it would still take four hours, plus the trip from the station to the airport.

But to her surprise, he’d refused outright. This guy really doesn’t understand women at all—no wonder he’s still single... what a rookie.

Seeing that Chu Qingchan had fallen silent and was no longer responding, the young man beside her sighed. She really was an ice queen.

But he’d met plenty who only pretended to be aloof. Once off the plane, he still had his trump card.

A few minutes later, the announcement sounded again.

Dear passengers:
The plane has come to a complete stop. Please unfasten your seatbelt and check your belongings...
Thank you for flying with XXX Airlines. We look forward to seeing you again.

Chu Qingchan stood up and opened the overhead compartment. The man beside her also rose. "Let me help."

"I just have one bag." She pulled down a small backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and walked off.

The young man watched her go, then took a deep breath, savoring the air she’d left behind. "She smells wonderful—she must be a beauty!"

Though she’d worn a mask the whole time, her bearing and figure made it impossible for her not to be beautiful. He simply had to try his luck.

So what if she had a husband? With the right approach, there’s no wall that can’t be toppled!

He narrowed his eyes, adjusted his fake designer jacket, and followed.

Once outside, Chu Qingchan saw several buses and taxis. She planned to hail a cab and head to the mall to buy gifts for Xu Lin and his parents.

A quick search on her phone revealed a new shopping center a few kilometers from the airport. Not a chain, but sizeable enough.

"Miss, where are you headed?"

"Could you please stop following me?"

"Sorry, I just thought you might not be local. I’m from around here—maybe I can help if you need anything."

The young man spoke softly, as if oblivious to the annoyance in her tone, which made her skin crawl.

"One more step and I’m calling the police for harassment."

"Sorry, sorry. My friend’s coming to pick me up. If you’re going that way, I can give you a lift... Ah, there’s their car now."

He pointed to a black GLS parked not far away, his tone growing more excited, but Chu Qingchan didn’t even flicker an eyelid.

"No, thank you."

She waved him off and walked forward, but after a few steps, a figure ahead waved at her.

She hurriedly took off her sunglasses and rubbed her eyes, frozen in disbelief, as if something unimaginable had happened.

Seeing her stop, the young man thought she’d finally succumbed to his charms.

But the next moment, she broke into a run, arms outstretched, and threw herself into another man’s embrace!

His eyes widened, jaw hanging awkwardly open. "What... she..."

He took a closer look at the man—dressed in an ordinary sports jacket worth a few hundred, shoes about the same, looking so young, probably a college student. All the more reason to show him how it’s done!

Meanwhile, Chu Qingchan pressed herself against Xu Lin, feeling his warmth. Neither said a word, but tears slid down her cheeks.

"So enthusiastic? You’re even crying—your persona’s falling apart~" Xu Lin’s teasing voice sounded by her ear. She smacked his back.

"Ow! Why so rough?" Xu Lin laughed helplessly. "I rushed home from school, changed clothes, and came straight here—and you still hit me."

"I never asked you to come! Hmph!"

She punched him again, but much more gently, her tone turning playful, making Xu Lin’s expression shift.

"Are you possessed or something?"

"Oh, so you’re only happy when I’m cold and distant? Turns out you’re a masochist..."

"What’s a masochist? Is that a clothing size? I’m just a kid..."

"Xu Lin, put your arms around me."

"Why?"

"Are you even a man? You’ve ruined my moment of emotion." She shot him a frosty glare.

"Now that’s more like you."

But just as she was about to let go, Xu Lin suddenly pulled her back and hugged her tightly.

"It has to be me who initiates the hug." He gazed into her eyes, seeing his own reflection, as she saw hers in his.

With each tick of his watch, Chu Qingchan shivered slightly, and Xu Lin swallowed hard.

People nearby had begun to watch with interest, but Xu Lin suppressed his desire and started to pull away. The next instant, her red lips brushed his before retreating.

He barely had time to register it before she pulled away. Stunned, he stared at her in disbelief, while Chu Qingchan’s eyes narrowed in triumph.

"I win, kid," she whispered, and before anyone could glimpse her face, she slipped her mask back on.

Xu Lin noticed the jealous, awkward young man standing not far away and asked quietly, "What’s his deal?"

"He’s been trying to hit on me. Husband, what should we do?"

"Ahem! So you’re using me as a shield?" Xu Lin caught on immediately.

"Mm, here—take this. The rest is up to you."

"What?" Xu Lin felt her slip a hard card into his pocket—was it a bank card?

"Alright, since you’re giving me this chance, I’ll enjoy the legendary main character’s privilege—time to play the fool and catch the tiger! No, wait—play the tiger and catch the fool!"