After the New Year, messages were constantly being sent in the class reunion group. Especially on New Year’s Eve, red envelopes were practically everywhere. Most of Chu Lai’s group chats were muted, and it wasn’t until later that he found out Cen Wei had also sent quite a few.

The digital invitation was said to have been designed by one of the classmates’ family members, and it had a futuristic vibe. Chu Lai liked it and even asked if there was a physical version available.

Liu Yuan had been preparing for this day for a while. He messaged Chu Lai almost daily, asking about what to wear. Chu Lai, too busy finishing his game, gave him perfunctory replies. Unexpectedly, just before heading out that afternoon, Liu Yuan started agonizing over which colored contact lenses to wear, sending Chu Lai a bunch of photos for advice.

The gathering was set to take place at a tavern in S City. The tavern was spacious and functional, designed specifically for hosting gatherings. It allowed for an endless continuation of events within a single space, but it didn’t offer exclusive bookings. On the other side, there was a section open to walk-in customers.

Even so, this was enough to make Chu Lai, who was slightly socially anxious, subconsciously feel uneasy about the gathering of social butterflies. Despite this, in the eyes of his classmates, he was now a full-fledged, socially successful, married man.

Perhaps due to the rapid succession of notifications from Chu Lai’s phone, Cen Wei, who was driving, asked, “Is it Liu Yuan again?”

The word “again” reflected how Cen Wei viewed Liu Yuan. He also thought Chu Lai’s friend was a bit too lively. The thought of him hanging out with someone like Jiang Liyong, who disliked talkative people, was amusing to him—but only from an observer’s perspective. He had no intention of getting involved in their love-hate drama.

Chu Lai replied with a simple “Yeah,” then added, “His ex-boyfriend will be at the reunion. This gathering is really important to him.”

Chu Lai chose a smoky gray contact lens for Liu Yuan and then asked Cen Wei, “Will Dr. Jiang really be there?”

Liu Yuan may have been chatty, but his relationship with Jiang Liyong was odd. Chu Lai only knew that their relationship moved at lightning speed—280 mph—entirely adult-like, unlike his own with Cen Wei, which, despite appearances, had been slow and gradual, even though they got married first and fell in love later.

Cen Wei replied, “Use my phone to ask him.”

Chu Lai shook his head. “Forget it, let them handle it.”

That was just how he was—always keeping a polite distance, never crossing the line. Cen Wei chuckled and said, “That tavern serves roasted green peppers, and I’ve heard they’re really good.”

Chu Lai knew well that Cen Wei had picked the place because he was fulfilling another item on his wish list. Chu Lai nodded and said, “Then I want several servings.”

“It’s a semi-buffet,” said Cen Wei. “Eat as much as you want.”

Chu Lai pursed his lips and said, “Then everything will taste like green peppers.”

“Would a green pepper-flavored kiss be too much?” asked Cen Wei.

Chu Lai winced and replied, “Let’s skip that. I prefer watermelon frost.”

They chatted casually as they drove, the traffic smooth and unimpeded. The walk-in customers and those who booked the tavern were in separate areas, though everyone entered through the same door.

At the gathering, Chu Lai ran into college classmates he hadn’t seen in two or three years. Many greeted him warmly.

Contrary to what Cen Wei had thought, Chu Lai wasn’t as unpopular as he imagined. Many people enjoyed talking to him, but his partner had a naturally distant demeanor.

The event appeared to be organized by the leader of the game studio Paper Umbrella Town, who happened to be Chu Lai’s schoolmate. Cen Wei shook hands with the studio’s leader, who then lowered his voice and said, “Don’t worry, Mr. Cen, I’ll definitely get the job done.”

Their company collaboration had been steadily progressing. Paper Umbrella Town was initially a low-budget indie game, but after Chu Lai’s game streams garnered attention and with the traditional umbrella craftsmanship explanations provided by expert Cen Wei during the streams, a lot of enthusiasts were drawn in. Now the company was planning to increase its investment and upgrade the studio’s level.

This mutually beneficial arrangement surprised the studio leader, especially because he hadn’t expected someone as low-profile as Chu Lai during their four years in university to have such a dramatic love life.

Chu Lai wasn’t great at small talk, but he had his own way of handling it. He would nod, say “Mm-hmm,” and occasionally throw in phrases like “Is that so?” “I agree,” or “That’s nice,” using these filler words to get through conversations. When he finally sat down, he noticed Liu Yuan still hadn’t arrived. Instead, he saw Liu Yuan’s ex, who had been the one to break his bones previously.

It was awkward. Even though they were all alumni, Chu Lai hadn’t expected to see someone from the finance department. He didn’t say anything and instead texted Liu Yuan to ask where he was. Liu Yuan replied that he was on his way, but it was hard to get a ride since he didn’t have a car and was trying to hail a cab.

Getting a taxi on the third day of the new year was difficult. Chu Lai wanted to offer to pick him up but then remembered he rarely drove after getting his license. The Cen family’s chauffeur usually took care of his rides, and now that his partner drove him around, there was no need.

So, he texted Liu Yuan, “I’ll have Cen Wei come pick you up.”

There was no response for a while.

Just as Chu Lai was about to mention this to Cen Wei, he spotted a familiar figure. Liu Yuan had arrived. He had dyed his hair specifically for the occasion, though his fluffy scarf didn’t quite give him the vibe of someone ready to dazzle his ex.

As Liu Yuan stopped to check in, the man behind him accidentally bumped into his fluffy scarf, filling his mouth with fluff.

Chu Lai let out a small “Oh” and, amid the tavern’s classy background music, remarked to Cen Wei, “I thought Dr. Jiang wasn’t coming.”

Cen Wei hesitated, remembering the event allowed attendees to bring their partners. After a long pause, he finally said, “Your friend… he’s impressive.”

Surprised, Chu Lai asked, “What do you mean?”

Recalling Jiang Liyong’s extreme cleanliness and obsessive-compulsive tendencies, Cen Wei explained, “Jiang Liyong is a serious germaphobe with OCD, and it seems Liu Yuan prefers things that are a bit messy.”

He paused, finding it hard to comprehend. He even remembered doing homework with Jiang Liyong as a kid, during which Jiang Liyong couldn’t stand the asymmetry in the curve of a pear that Cen Wei had drawn for art class.

Now, as a doctor, Jiang Liyong strictly adhered to this habit. It was said that whenever a guy with a floral tattoo broke his arm and needed screws, their department would assign the case to Jiang Liyong because no one else could sew as perfectly as he could.

Chu Lai listened to more stories about their childhood and asked, “You two did homework together?”

It was hard to imagine someone like Cen Wei, with his current personality, doing homework with someone else. To Chu Lai, that just seemed childish, something you did to avoid doing the work at all.

This made him recall a conversation with Xuan Rongqing, who had once described a very obedient and adorable childhood version of Cen Wei.

Chu Lai stared at him for a while.

With a cough, Cen Wei said, “We also watched DVDs together, like Mecha Warriors. Back then, Jiang Liyong’s parents hadn’t divorced yet, but they argued every day.”

Chu Lai nodded slightly. Everyone around them was busy chatting with their own groups, though a few came over to talk to him and Cen Wei.

The organizer of the event had already planned it in advance and didn’t like the boastful atmosphere. The invited guests were all great at keeping the energy up. As the lights swept over the room, the buffet spread kept rotating, and Chu Lai grabbed a cherry, eating it as he said, “We watched similar stuff too.”

“What?” asked Cen Wei.

“DVDs,” Chu Lai mumbled with his mouth full.

“Then we can reminisce at home,” Cen Wei suggested.

Before he could finish, Liu Yuan came over and sat next to Chu Lai, asking, “Reminisce about what?”

Jiang Liyong, who wasn’t working that day, sat next to Cen Wei, noticeably in a bad mood. He silently opened a bottle of alcohol and asked, “Want a drink?”

Cen Wei replied, “What do you think?”

Seeing that he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol all night, Jiang Liyong remarked, “Can’t you at least try? Even your grandpa can handle his drinks.”

Shaking his head, Cen Wei responded, “If I’m going to practice, I’d rather do it at home with my wife.”

The comment was so acidic that Jiang Liyong was left speechless, glancing over at Chu Lai and Liu Yuan deep in conversation.

The recent online controversies didn’t seem to have affected the couple at all, who were still sweet as ever.

As the year came to a close, Jiang Liyong had been busy with hospital assessments and inspections, so he hadn’t had the time to check in on Cen Wei. He asked a couple of questions now.

“It’s all resolved,” Cen Wei replied.

Jiang Liyong shook his head, exasperated. “You’ve got quite the patience.”

Most of the people around them were drinking since, after all, it was a tavern known for its strong liquor. Chu Lai, sitting next to Liu Yuan, was pairing his drink with green peppers—an odd combination, spicy but flavorful.

Liu Yuan’s eyes drifted over to his ex, who wasn’t even invited to the reunion but somehow managed to show up. He sneered, “How’d he get in here?”

Another former roommate, who noticed Jiang Mingchen’s still-healing hand, hesitantly asked, “Aren’t you two back together?”

Liu Yuan let out an exaggerated “Ah!” and retorted, “Back together? With who?”

The other person motioned toward Jiang Mingchen, who was drinking at another table.

Liu Yuan took a deep breath and said, “You see his hand? I broke it. Do you think we’d get back together?”

The classmate glanced between Liu Yuan and Jiang Mingchen, then looked over at the soft-spoken man sitting a few seats away and quietly asked, “So, the rumor that you’re dating your ex’s older brother… is that true?”

Liu Yuan had no answer to that. Even Chu Lai, who rarely paid attention to gossip, stopped eating his green peppers and looked at Liu Yuan. The once cold and distant Liu Yuan seemed more alive now, even engaging in the conversation. “Is it true?” he asked.

Jiang Liyong, who had been talking with Cen Wei, overheard this and couldn’t take the smell of roasted green peppers anymore. He headed toward their table, but Liu Yuan grabbed him just as he was about to knock into someone. Chu Lai immediately scooted over to sit next to Cen Wei and listened as Liu Yuan introduced Jiang Liyong, “This is my current boyfriend. He’s an orthopedic surgeon—big, strong, and gentle. Way better than Jiang Mingchen.”

Liu Yuan’s voice had a punch to it, and just at the perfect moment, as the tavern music paused, everyone turned to look. Jiang Mingchen, who had been watching them, couldn’t believe his eyes and stared at Jiang Liyong in shock.

Jiang Liyong: …

Finally, Chu Lai understood why Liu Yuan had been acting a bit odd lately. But this awkward situation, where the ex and current boyfriend were half-siblings, wasn’t something he wanted to linger on. So, he dragged Cen Wei over to the bar to check out the different types of alcohol.

Curious, Cen Wei asked, “Did Liu Yuan always have a boyfriend in college?”

Over by the seating area, there were walk-in customers chatting, creating a lively atmosphere. They stood side by side, not noticing that someone had been watching them for a long time.

Shaking his head, Chu Lai replied, “Not really. He just gets moved easily.”

Back in their university days, even if they had crossed paths, it wouldn’t have been like this.

“We wouldn’t have met,” Chu Lai said, remembering that back then, Cen Wei had already been a senior and no longer on campus.

With a wristband showing that he was a guest at the event and enjoying the tavern’s full access, Chu Lai ordered a small glass of wheat beer to try.

As the server handed him the drink, Chu Lai took a sip, squinting his eyes. He looked adorable.

Laughing, Cen Wei said, “Your social style is basically staying in the dorm.”

Chu Lai’s lips felt a bit numb, so he replied, “I also went to events for credits.”

The small glass only lasted a couple of sips, so Chu Lai handed it to Cen Wei. “Try it?”

“How strong is it? I’m worried I’ll pass out,” replied Cen Wei, well aware of his low alcohol tolerance.

Chu Lai laughed and said, “Just wet your lips. Don’t actually drink it.”

With the dim lighting, instead of drinking, Cen Wei pushed the glass back to Chu Lai, his gaze clearly hinting at something.

Understanding the message, Chu Lai downed the rest of the drink, wetting his lips before brushing them against Cen Wei’s.

It only lasted a few seconds, barely noticeable in the dimly lit corner, but Shen Quanzhang saw it.

He sat alone in the walk-in customer section, where the minimum spending was in the thousands. His plate of medium-rare steak was bleeding as he cut into it forcefully, pulling his gaze back with a look of hatred.

“It’s a bit bitter,” remarked Cen Wei.

Surprised, Chu Lai asked, “Is it?”

He licked his lips, savoring the taste for a moment, then noticed the smile on Cen Wei’s face. “You tricked me?”

Shaking his head, Cen Wei replied, “It’s bitter at first, then sweet. Now all I can feel is the spiciness.”

Chu Lai suspected there was more to the comment but had no proof.

He tried a few more types of alcohol, while Cen Wei, too cautious to drink, could only “taste” it from Chu Lai’s lips.

This class reunion was more about catching up during the New Year. Many had brought their partners, entering new phases of life, while others were still busy with their careers, not yet considering such matters.

Cen Wei heard plenty of stories about Chu Lai’s college life but was surprised to find that the person involved seemed mostly unaware of them.

“I’m talking about you,” said Cen Wei.

Leaning back on the sofa, playing with the ring on Cen Wei’s finger, Chu Lai lazily asked, “What?”

“A lot of people liked you,” Cen Wei revealed.

Chu Lai looked at him in disbelief. Leaning in close to his ear, Cen Wei whispered, “That guy over there, the one sitting by the plants.”

“When we were talking earlier, he couldn’t help but express his regret. He said he once pursued you, but you never noticed.”

Following his gaze, Chu Lai spotted a classmate he barely remembered, a guy who had handed him water during physical education. He didn’t seem like he was into guys.

Shaking his head, Chu Lai replied, “No way.”

“You’ve always had a certain charm, but you’re just too distant. No one dared to make a move on you,” said Cen Wei softly.

He could easily picture how Chu Lai had been in college—always alone, occasionally sitting by the lake at school, eating snacks while watching the sunset.

Chu Lai’s quiet demeanor had a way of drawing people in, even without looking at his face. He just had that presence.

But he had always kept his head down, hiding those beautiful eyes and disliking crowded places, which made people hesitate to approach.

“If we were in the same class, would you have liked me?” asked Chu Lai.

Without hesitation, Cen Wei nodded. “We have so many common interests.”

Like the roasted green peppers in front of them and the raffle tickets being handed out now.

Looking at the raffle sheet, Chu Lai could tell that they had invested a lot into this event. There were trendy home appliances and various digital products up for grabs.

The real sponsor was sitting right next to him, pretending to be impressed. “Your class reunion is quite the spectacle.”

Chu Lai just nodded. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Want me to go with you? I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink. Your face is—”

Cen Wei touched Chu Lai’s face. “A little hot.”

Chu Lai admitted, “Yeah, I’ve had a bit too much, so I’m going to splash some water on my face.”

Glancing at the prize list, he said, “I hope I get lucky and win that game.”

Nodding, Cen Wei let him go.

Chu Lai slowly made his way to the bathroom. As he washed his face, he sensed someone standing nearby and shifted to the side.

The tavern was warm, and the alcohol had made him even hotter. He had taken off his coat, leaving him in just a thin, plain T-shirt tucked into his pants, which made his waist and legs look even more slender. As he bent down to wash his face, the skin at the back of his neck was as white as snow.

A hand suddenly grabbed his waist, and a familiar voice whispered in his ear.

“Chu Lai, are you living too well these days?”

Startled, Chu Lai instinctively backed away. The automatic faucet quickly stopped, but water still dripped down his face. Just as he was about to reach for his glasses, Shen Quanzhang grabbed them and threw them away.

He stared at Chu Lai’s face, which looked as though he had just cried, and remembered their time together. He reached out, but Chu Lai smacked his hand away.

The delicate-looking man grabbed a tissue and coldly asked, “What are you doing here?”

Shen Quanzhang let out a bitter laugh. “What am I doing here?”

“Yeah, I should be back home by now.”

Grabbing Chu Lai’s wrist tightly, his face twisted with anger, he demanded, “Who do you think I have to thank for that?”

“You did this to yourself, didn’t you?” Chu Lai’s eyes narrowed, cold and distant—those same eyes that had once captivated Shen Quanzhang in the library. Water trickled down his face, highlighting his snow-white skin.

Unable to resist, Shen Quanzhang reached out to touch him again, only to have his hand slapped away once more.

“I didn’t make your life this way. You did,” Chu Lai said, his voice still cold. A red mark on his wrist caught Shen Quanzhang’s eye, the trace of something intimate, and he could imagine how it had been kissed.

His suppressed anger flared up again, and Shen Quanzhang grabbed Chu Lai by the collar. “Don’t you dare say this has nothing to do with you! Didn’t you get Cen Wei to fire me?”

“Am I wrong?”

“You two hooked up so fast—were you already with him back then? Did you—”

Before Shen Quanzhang could finish his increasingly ugly words, Chu Lai interrupted, “Weren’t you the one who cheated?”

“Wasn’t it you kissing someone else that day?”

His light-colored eyes were now icy. Shen Quanzhang had never liked it when Chu Lai wore glasses, as his eyes looked like amber, tempting anyone who looked into them for too long.

Shen Quanzhang let out another laugh. “Do you care?”

Chu Lai’s collar was wrinkled from being grabbed, but his neck, marked with the traces of intimacy, was still visible.

In a low voice, Shen Quanzhang sneered, “You’re really enjoying being with Cen Wei, aren’t you?”

“I remember you used to hate these kinds of marks. Didn’t you?”

Occasionally, people passed by the bathroom. Though the tavern was private, it was clear these two weren’t having a normal conversation. A guy walking by took a few glances and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you need help?”

Chu Lai looked younger, and without his glasses, his expression was somewhat hazy. Before he could respond, Shen Quanzhang snapped, “Get lost!”

The guy wasn’t intimidated and tried to pull Chu Lai away, but Shen Quanzhang shoved him back. The glint of a silver steak knife caught the light, making the guy jump in fear. “Don’t do anything crazy!”

Chu Lai, however, didn’t react much. Holding the knife, Shen Quanzhang leaned in close and whispered, “Aren’t you scared, Lai Lai?”

Shen Quanzhang had been Chu Lai’s first boyfriend. After three years of dating, Chu Lai realized he had fished a non-recyclable item out of the trash.

He glanced at the knife, still stained with blood from cutting steak. Pressed against his face, the knife left a red mark on his pale skin, as if it had cut him. It gave him an oddly sinister, almost enchanting look, completely opposite to his usual quiet demeanor.

“Scared,” Chu Lai said softly, staring at the man so close to him. “But is this really necessary?”

Shen Quanzhang, with his bushy eyebrows and large eyes, wasn’t particularly handsome, but he was tall. Back when he first approached Chu Lai in the library, Chu Lai hadn’t even remembered his face.

He was never good at remembering names, and it wasn’t until their junior year that he managed to connect names with faces. Now, at this class reunion, he had forgotten most of them again, but his classmates seemed to be well aware of his nature, and no one held it against him.

“This is what you’ve driven me to,” Shen Quanzhang muttered.

“I’ve lost my job, and everyone mocks me. Do you know why I didn’t rush back home?”

“Because my relatives keep asking me vague questions, and my parents… they know, too. They’re telling me not to come back.”

Chu Lai knew what kind of person Shen Quanzhang was—someone with a strong sense of vanity and a desire to compete. He had a deep yearning for wealth and status, knowing full well that he’d never achieve it. Unlike Chu Lai, who was content with finding a job and making a living, Shen Quanzhang wanted to make it big in the stock market and get rich overnight.

He had been borrowing money to trade stocks since university, and he still hadn’t paid back the money he’d borrowed from Chu Lai.

“You did this to yourself,” Chu Lai calmly replied.

The knife had warmed in Shen Quanzhang’s hand by now. With one hand propped on the sink, Chu Lai’s posture was awkward as Shen Quanzhang gripped his shoulder, but his gaze remained steady. “Weren’t you planning to dump me as soon as you found someone better?”

His voice was as flat as ever. “You thought I was boring and unromantic, didn’t you?”

These were all things Shen Quanzhang had said before, and now, as Chu Lai repeated them, Shen Quanzhang looked into his eyes and saw no emotion there.

Chu Lai had already moved on to the next stage of his life, his side business booming, his marriage partner the envy of the internet.

Why should he be doing better than me after our breakup?

Shen Quanzhang was at a loss for words. Chu Lai grasped his wrist and said, “Stop making things worse for yourself.”

Growing up, Chu Lai had never been particularly strong, though having a dog might have toughened him up a bit. He no longer caught colds every time the weather changed. Still, his hands and feet were always cold, a fact that Xuan Rongqing had been quite concerned about. She had even mentioned taking him to see a doctor when they returned to the country.

Shen Quanzhang stared at Chu Lai’s hands and recalled the early days of their relationship, taking a deep breath. “Did you ever love me?”

Just as the words left his mouth, someone rushed in.

The guy from earlier had called the tavern staff, and the other patrons coming out of the bathroom were shocked, thinking the blood on Chu Lai’s face was from a cut.

Back at the table, Cen Wei had been talking with Jiang Liyong. Jiang Liyong had fallen silent for a moment after learning that this whole reunion had been organized just so that Cen Wei could give Chu Lai a gift.

“You really wanted to find out what Chu Lai was like before, huh?” Jiang Liyong had asked.

“Of course,” Cen Wei replied without hesitation. “Isn’t that what happens when you love someone?”

Jiang Liyong, knowing him well, scoffed, “You say that like you’ve ever loved anyone before.”

In the middle of a group of people drinking wine, the man pretending to drink grape juice nodded. “I married the first person I ever loved.”

Jiang Liyong rolled his eyes, about to get up, when he overheard someone who had gone to get a drink say, “It looks like something happened near the bathroom. I heard there’s a guy with a knife.”

“That’s terrifying! A criminal?”

“But I just saw someone who looked like one of our classmates. I swear I’ve seen him before.”

“Isn’t that guy… the crazy one who spread rumors about his ex?”

“That guy? He’s the worst!”

The tavern’s manager and staff rushed over, trying to clear out the patrons while one of them cautiously approached Shen Quanzhang. “Sir, please put down the knife. We can talk about this…”

Frustrated, Shen Quanzhang waved the knife, causing the staff member to instinctively back away.

Chu Lai leaned against the sink, his shirt soaked from the water splashed on the counter. His collar was damp from the drops that had fallen after washing his face, and the wet fabric clung to his skin, emphasizing his long neck. He no longer looked like the unremarkable, forgettable classmate everyone once thought he was.

This hidden beauty now belonged to someone else.

Shen Quanzhang’s mind buzzed with resentment.

“How could I look down on you?” Chu Lai’s voice was calm as he countered each word.

“Did you have money when we first got together?”

“Wasn’t it always me paying for meals while you were studying for your exams?”

As he spoke, Chu Lai lowered his gaze. No one could erase time, and back then, he never would have imagined that his love life would one day lead to a real knife being held to his throat.

“Do you look down on me?” Shen Quanzhang growled.

Chu Lai let out a small laugh, his tone tinged with faint helplessness. “If I looked down on you, why would I have been with you?”

He stared at the man in front of him and thought of Cen Wei. The contrast between people was stark and obvious.

Shen Quanzhang had never respected him, their love always tangled with insecurity. But with Cen Wei, he had found unconditional support.

Not because of status or wealth.

Simply because he was Chu Lai.

Shen Quanzhang clenched his teeth. “Then why does it have to be Cen Wei?”

Would it be so hard to choose someone worse than me?

Everyone mocked Shen Quanzhang for overestimating himself. Love, like exams, involved competition and elimination.

“Did you ever love me?” Chu Lai asked in return.

He hadn’t cared much about love before. He had only wanted companionship and intimacy. It was only later that he realized the companionship and intimacy he desired were manifestations of love.

Who doesn’t want to be loved? This relationship had begun with Chu Lai’s selfish desire for a “lifelong partner” and had ended in the daily grind of weariness and disappointment.

No one knew how long Chu Lai had scrolled through their chat history before finally deleting Shen Quanzhang’s account. He had saved their conversations even after switching phones, but in the end, he had erased it all. Chu Lai wasn’t made of stone; of course, he had had hopes and dreams.

But they had reached a crossroads long ago, and there was no way forward together.

Shen Quanzhang was stunned into silence.

Chu Lai smiled, “See? You never loved me.”

His smile was like a small flower, with a fragrance far stronger than its size.

But Chu Lai rarely smiled. His calm demeanor was like the surface of a tranquil lake, even in moments of intimacy, rarely showing any ripples.

Seeing that smile, Shen Quanzhang’s anger boiled over. He shouted, “And what about you!”

The next second, someone pushed through the crowd and kicked Shen Quanzhang to the ground. The silver steak knife clattered to the floor. Jiang Liyong, who had come with Cen Wei, picked it up using a glove meant for eating fries. At the same time, Liu Yuan rushed over, cursing, “Shen Quanzhang, are you out of your mind? Do you want to be a murderer?”

The room fell into a tense silence as many people turned to look at the pair huddled together—Chu Lai and Cen Wei. It suddenly dawned on them that these two were the recently famous heir to the umbrella-making business and his spouse.

Lying on the ground, Shen Quanzhang let out a pained groan, his eyes fixed on Cen Wei. “Do you think I’ll give up?”

But Cen Wei didn’t even want to look at him. Holding Chu Lai’s shoulder, his gaze fell on the bloodstained mark on Chu Lai’s cheek. His voice trembled as he asked, “Lai Lai, does it hurt?”

Chu Lai shook his head. Even though their bodies were pressed together, it was as if Cen Wei was the one trembling, needing Chu Lai’s reassurance. “I’m not hurt,” he said softly.

Cen Wei seemed more terrified than he was. Chu Lai reached up to touch his face and said, “I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

By this time, someone had already called the police, and a few officers arrived at the scene. Cen Wei also made a call, summoning a lawyer to handle the matter.

Shen Quanzhang was taken away by the police, and the class reunion was brought to an abrupt end. Chu Lai had to go with them to give a statement.

As Shen Quanzhang passed by, his gaze lingered on Chu Lai, as if he were grasping at the last lifeline while falling into the abyss.

But Chu Lai didn’t look back. Instead, he was still soothing Cen Wei, who had always liked being held but now clung tightly to the taller man, as if he had been the one threatened with a knife.

With his chin resting on Chu Lai’s shoulder, Cen Wei’s eyes were red. In the brief moment when he locked eyes with Shen Quanzhang, he mouthed silently—

“He will only love me.”