Nathaniel Johnson ignored him and instinctively glanced at the front passenger seat, where, as expected, he saw his goddess Laura Reed sitting there with a gentle smile. Nathaniel Johnson sighed inwardly and stepped aside toward the curb. He didn’t want to stoop to the level of this arrogant, domineering rich kid, and even less did he want to make a scene in front of Laura Reed. As long as he walked out of these school gates, his life would diverge from these people’s paths, and they would never meet again. So why get into a conflict over something so trivial?

But what he didn’t realize was that from the very moment he was reborn, the trajectory of this world—and his own lifeline—had already become “misaligned.” Everything that was destined to intersect in his previous life might not do so in this one, and those who were once strangers might not remain so. Laura Reed, the woman who had gradually drifted away from his life in his previous existence, now found her life’s path slowly overlapping with Nathaniel Johnson’s.

This, perhaps, was the arrangement of fate. And today’s encounter was nothing more than a predestined beginning.

……

……

Perhaps it was Nathaniel Johnson’s calm, almost indifferent attitude, tinged with a trace of disdain, that unconsciously struck a nerve in Charles Bennett’s rebellious heart. Or maybe this rich kid just wanted to show off his “manliness” in front of Laura Reed—Charles Bennett actually pushed open the car door, jumped out, and blocked Nathaniel Johnson’s way with a hostile expression, pointing at him with his well-manicured, slender fingers. “Hey, kid, don’t you even know how to apologize?”

Nathaniel Johnson looked at the arrogant Charles Bennett in front of him with a hint of amusement. As someone who had lived for decades across two lifetimes, with a psychological age close to forty, Nathaniel Johnson really couldn’t be bothered to argue with this ignorant playboy and “little brat.” In the face of Charles Bennett’s provocation, he didn’t even feel a trace of anger—only a hidden aversion he didn’t want to show. There was even a hint of hostility.

Most likely, it was because of his old enemy Ashley Brooks from his previous life. Would he encounter that once arrogant, high-ranking official’s son Ashley Brooks again in this life? At this thought, a cold glint flashed in Nathaniel Johnson’s eyes.

……

……

With a faint smile, Nathaniel Johnson continued dragging his suitcase, walking around Charles Bennett to go on his way.

Charles Bennett was furious. He stepped forward and grabbed Nathaniel Johnson’s shoulder. Nathaniel Johnson frowned, then forcefully shrugged off Charles Bennett’s hand. He might not be a handsome pretty boy, but he was tall and strong—not only a member of the college basketball team but also a long-distance running ace at Jinghua University. With that forceful shrug, Charles Bennett staggered back a step. Compared to him, Charles Bennett’s pampered, delicate frame was simply too weak.

Nimbly turning around, Nathaniel Johnson looked back at the embarrassed and angry Charles Bennett, about to offer some earnest advice—“Young people shouldn’t be so arrogant”—but as the words reached his lips, he realized it didn’t fit his current identity, so he swallowed them back with a wry smile. He simply chuckled softly and cast a gentle yet complex glance at Laura Reed, who had already gotten out of the car, frowning as she stepped in front of Charles Bennett.

But Laura Reed was clearly unaware that, in the gaze of this complete stranger, there was a deep tenderness accumulated over two lifetimes of admiration. She smiled as she walked up, nodded to Nathaniel Johnson, and said softly, “Sorry… I apologize!”

She was right in front of him, so close yet so far away. Nathaniel Johnson let out a long breath. Though he sighed inwardly, his expression remained calm. He said nothing, only nodded gently to Laura Reed, then resolutely turned and walked away without a trace of reluctance.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to use this second chance at life to make up for the regrets of his past, but that he now had more important things to do. If fate was on their side, they would end up together without forcing it; if not, what was the point of trying to force it?

Laura Reed glanced curiously at Nathaniel Johnson’s tall figure as he walked away. She could tell that this boy was clearly a fellow graduate, judging by the standard suitcase marked with the Guanghua School of Management logo he was dragging. He must also be a student from Guanghua. But why did she have no impression of him at all?

Still, the deep sense of world-weariness in Nathaniel Johnson’s eyes moved Laura Reed. Though their encounter was brief, Laura Reed could sense that he was different. It wasn’t about looks, clothes, or any outward appearance, but rather a unique aura and presence she had never felt from any of her classmates. Clearly just an ordinary, unremarkable boy, yet in that fleeting moment, he left a deep impression on Laura Reed.

For a moment, Laura Reed felt a fleeting sense of confusion.

Charles Bennett glared hatefully at Nathaniel Johnson, wanting to rush over and teach him a lesson. But seeing his tall, strong build, he knew he was no match, so he suppressed his urge and merely looked at Nathaniel Johnson’s back with feigned disdain, secretly cursing him as “all brawn and no brains.”