TMLSG -Chapter 17 The First Group Photo

As the champion, runner-up, and third-place teams received their awards on stage, a group of girls created a mini chat group called “Ren Yanjing Support Squad”, filled with photos of Ren Yanjing standing on the winner’s podium, gold medal in hand.

“Ladies, next time there’s a signing event, post it in the group so we don’t miss it.”

“So annoying! I was almost next just now, and then… just missed it. What exactly did his girlfriend say to him?”

“Maybe she had something to tell him, and that’s why he left.”

“Ren Yanjing is so handsome!”

“This man is ridiculously charming… too bad he has a girlfriend.”

“So what? She’s just a girlfriend.”

“Exactly, even married couples get divorced sometimes.”

Li Ran and her best friend were also in this group. Most of the fans at today’s competition were added to it.

Scrolling through the chat, Li Ran felt a little disheartened.

As a top student at B University, she had her pride. No matter what, Ren Yanjing to her was just a guy with a girlfriend—someone she had to keep her distance from.

Yet, some things were hard to control, even when she knew exactly what she should do. How can a person precisely control their heart?

If they could, would they still be human?

Her friend was much more active in the group. One of them, “A Fish,” wrote:

“I know his girlfriend. She’s from my school. We’re both in the art program. She’s a year below me—just a freshman this year.”

This immediately drew attention in the group.

“She’s not from B University?”

“A Fish: No way. Don’t overthink it. Her grades are average.”

“Then how could she have anything in common with Ren Yanjing?”

“A Fish: Probably nothing. I’m an art student myself, I know my own kind.”

“But… she’s really beautiful…”

“A Fish: Typical case of nothing but looks. Ask her anything about robot algorithms, and she’d probably have no idea.”

“Hahaha, exactly!”

“From now on, I’m renaming my group ‘Is Ren Yanjing Single Today?’”

Tang Zhen also took a photo of Ren Yanjing.

Even at this highlight of his life, his smile was restrained and controlled, in stark contrast to his teammates’ broad grins showing eight white teeth. Yet the warmth in his eyes still shone through.

This was the 20-year-old Ren Yanjing.

Full of ambition, the future stretching out before him.

Tang Zhen clapped for him from the audience.

It didn’t matter who she was or what their relationship was—at this moment, she just wanted to applaud him.

000: 【Eh?】

Tang Zhen: “What is it, Sanquan?”

000: 【This group of fans created a Ren Yanjing fan club chat, and someone asked in the group when you and Ren Yanjing are going to break up… this system is pissed.】

Tang Zhen blinked, confused. “But Sanquan, Ren Yanjing and I are supposed to break up in just over two months. Why are you angry?”

000: 【I know you’ll break up, but what do other people have to do with it? They have no right to meddle in your relationship. Just wait—I’ll go teach them a lesson.】

Tang Zhen: ???

“Sanquan?”

000: 【Xiao Zhen, I joined the group.】

“Ah?”

In the Ren Yanjing Support Squad, a newcomer named Sanquan quietly posted:

“Ren Yanjing will no longer sign autographs for you.”

Then immediately went silent. No matter how many @mentions came her way, It didn’t respond.

000 couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. No matter how the side character’s and male lead’s story ended, for now, they were fine. As the leader of the CP fans, the system would periodically drop sweet updates of Ren Yanjing and Tang Zhen in the group.

No questions asked.

Just to make them furious!

After receiving his medal, Ren Yanjing stepped down from the stage with his teammates.

Tang Zhen walked a few steps toward him. The moment they met, something was draped around her neck. She looked down and saw it was his medal.

Golden, heavy, and beautiful—with a cute robot engraved on it.

Tang Zhen lifted her fair, delicate face, her moist red lips moving slightly. “How come you’re giving this to me?”

Ren Yanjing stared at her lips.

Ever since she had whispered in his ear, he subconsciously noticed that area.

Soft.

Looking kissable.

He averted his gaze and said casually, “It’s for you.”

The moment he said that, his teammates around him cheered loudly.

“Ohhh, it’s for you!”

“Brother gave it to you, accept it quickly!”

“Even though this isn’t the first medal our Ren Yanjing won, it’s the most meaningful one in history. Giving it to you, I’m touched.”

“Why didn’t anyone give me a medal?”

“Shut up, you already have one.”

While the teammates joked around, Ren Yanjing slipped one hand into his pocket and held Tang Zhen’s hand with the other. “Let’s go, time to eat.”

They had taken first place. The supervising teacher treated them to a private dining room for a celebratory meal. When they returned to school, they would also receive generous rewards. This competition brought them both fame and prizes.

As they walked a short distance, a few girls came rushing over.

“Ren Yanjing, sign my autograph!”

“Ren Yanjing, me too!”

Ren Yanjing apologized, and teammates like Zhang Mian quickly offered to help. “I’ll sign for you.”

Shen Quanli added, “I can do it too! I’ll do it!”

One heavily made-up girl sneered, “Who cares about your signatures? I want Ren Yanjing to sign for me!”

Her words immediately darkened the faces of the supervising teacher and the team.

Ren Yanjing was excellent, but his teammates were no slouches either. All nineteen or twenty, young and energetic, willing to sign for fans, yet still looked down on—how frustrating.

The supervising teacher scowled. “Students, my team members aren’t here just to sign autographs. They are still students—please understand.”

Then another female voice rang out, “Ren Yanjing, why did you suddenly stop signing? Is it because of your girlfriend?”

Tang Zhen: …

Unexpectedly, someone had guessed correctly.

But that voice… why did it sound so familiar?

000 quickly answered: 【It’s the female lead’s best friend, Lu Yu.】

Tang Zhen turned and saw a flash of icy blue hair—bold and attention-grabbing. That must mean… the girl beside her is the female lead.

Before Tang Zhen could focus, Ren Yanjing held her and led her out of the circle of fans. Security arrived to clear the crowd, and they were able to leave smoothly.

The supervising teacher joked, “You’re way too popular with girls. Looks like you’ll need bodyguards in the future.”

Ren Yanjing replied calmly, “Bring them on.”

Everyone could tell he wasn’t joking. He was serious.

The teacher nodded. “When we return to campus, I’ll talk to the administration. Your safety is the top priority. Don’t worry about it.”

While Ren Yanjing and his team discussed bodyguards, 000 was venting to Tang Zhen about the female lead’s best friend.

【Who cares what she’s doing, all dancing and shouting over there.】

Then 000 snapped a photo from behind of Ren Yanjing holding Tang Zhen by the shoulders and immediately posted it in the fan support group.

Come on, tremble, envy, be jealous!

That’s exactly the effect we want!