"Ah I know"

Before Wang Yi could fully take in his surroundings, a figure appeared at the villa's door.

"Wang Yi," a familiar voice called out.

"Lin Youyu."

They exchanged glances, and Wang Yi noticed that Lin Youyu's appearance was completely different from what he was used to. Her long, silky black hair flowed down her back, and the thick black-framed glasses she usually wore were gone, revealing a delicate face and striking, almond-shaped eyes that shone with warmth and vibrancy. She looked stunning, like a flower that had been waiting for the right moment to bloom.

Wang Yi was taken aback. He had never realized how breathtaking Lin Youyu could be.

The two of them stood there, unsure of what to say, and a slight awkwardness settled between them. After a few moments, Lin Youyu brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red as she whispered softly, "Wang Yi, come in."

Inside the villa, Wang Yi followed a path lined with pebbles, flanked by rows of stone benches with intricately shaped potted plants. The atmosphere was serene and elegant, and after turning left, they entered a courtyard through a moon gate. The courtyard was set up for Lin Youyu's birthday celebration, not overly grand but still exuding a festive vibe.

Several people were already gathered in the courtyard, most of them young and well-dressed. As Lin Youyu walked in with Wang Yi, a wave of surprise passed over the crowd. Some of the men in particular eyed Wang Yi with thinly veiled hostility.

Lin Youyu leaned in and whispered to Wang Yi, "They're relatives and friends my parents invited."

Wang Yi nodded in understanding. It was normal for Lin Youyu to have family members attending her 18th birthday, though he could sense that some people weren't too pleased to see him.

Lin Youyu's affectionate demeanor toward Wang Yi also raised a few eyebrows, especially from some of the men who had harbored their own thoughts about her. Now, seeing Wang Yi at her side, they were clearly not happy.

But despite the tension, no one openly voiced their displeasure.

"There are fish, who's your friend? You haven't introduced us," said a girl with a bronzing ponytail, stepping forward with a smile.

"He's my classmate, Wang Yi," Lin Youyu replied, looking at Wang Yi with a softness in her eyes.

"Oh, a classmate..." The girl's gaze lingered on Wang Yi's handsome face and simple attire, her smile widening. "Nice to meet you, Wang Yi. I'm Shang Yueyue." She extended her hand for a polite shake.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shang Yueyue moved away, but not before leaning in to whisper to a bespectacled young man nearby. "Don't worry, brother, that guy's no threat to you."

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "Lin Youyu's just naive. Do you want me to set something up for you later to get closer to her?"

The man with glasses, Shang Wenhai, cast a dark look in Lin Youyu's direction as she chatted with Wang Yi. He adjusted his glasses and warned, "Don't do anything stupid. My family works under Lin Youyu's father. If we upset Director Lin, there's no way our parents could shield us."

Shang Yueyue feigned indignation. "Brother, I'm just trying to help you. How could you say that to your little sister?"

Shang Wenhai sighed, his eyes narrowing as he studied his sister. "I know you too well. Do you have a thing for that guy?"

"Hehe..." Shang Yueyue chuckled, her mischievousness shining through. "You caught me. I do like his type. Besides, you saw it too, right? Lin Youyu's got a soft spot for Wang Yi... If you don't make a move soon, you might lose your chance."

Shang Wenhai glanced at his sister, his face expressionless. "And you're so sure you'll get him?"

"Oh, you know me." She smiled, licking her lips playfully. "When have I ever failed?"

Meanwhile, another person entered the courtyard, immediately drawing the attention of many people, especially the men. A tall, elegant girl with delicate features and a cold demeanor walked in, wearing a lavender dress that accentuated her graceful figure.

Wang Yi heard a familiar voice behind him, "There you are, Lin Youyu."

Turning around, Wang Yi saw Gao Yurong, her presence as striking as ever. The two locked eyes, both surprised to see each other.

"Wang Yi, you're here?" Gao Yurong asked, her clear eyes flickering with surprise.

"Yeah, Lin Youyu is my classmate. I'm here for her birthday," Wang Yi replied, somewhat taken aback.

"Really? What a coincidence." Gao Yurong's gaze moved briefly to Lin Youyu, who stood close to Wang Yi, before she stepped forward to greet her friend. "Happy birthday, Lin Youyu."

Lin Youyu smiled, embracing Gao Yurong. "Thank you for coming, Yurong."

As the two girls exchanged pleasantries, Wang Yi stood quietly by, unsure of what to do next. However, he quickly realized that both Lin Youyu and Gao Yurong were now looking directly at him.

"..."