---

Just as he took a couple of steps, Zheng Qin rushed up behind him, grabbed Chi Yan’s wrist, and pulled him toward a small side path.

Chi Yan’s wrist hurt from the grip. Though he had a good temper, that didn’t mean he would tolerate such criminal behavior directed at him.

Chi Yan clenched his fist, ready to punch Zheng Qin in the face.

With a loud crack of bones colliding, the sound exploded in Chi Yan’s ears.

Someone acted faster than him.

A fist landed hard on Zheng Qin’s face, but it didn’t stop there. The person then grabbed Zheng Qin’s wrist and twisted it forcefully.

Zheng Qin let out a miserable scream, his fingers lost strength, and he had no choice but to release Chi Yan.

Chi Yan thought that was enough and was about to thank the person who suddenly appeared. However, when he raised his eyes and saw the person’s face, the words of thanks rolled off his tongue and quickly retracted.

The man’s eyebrows were tightly knitted together, and his gaze toward Zheng Qin was both dangerous and cruel, as if he were looking at a large piece of garbage that belonged in an incinerator, not here.

Feng Min had overheard the conversation just now. He vaguely saw his own shadow in Zheng Qin.

Chi Yan’s cold rejection of Zheng Qin and his words about disliking Zheng Qin’s overwhelming control made Feng Min’s heart clench. Compared to Zheng Qin, Feng Min’s possessiveness was far more extreme, not just controlling but also obsessively violent.

Seeing Chi Yan’s cold expression and rejection of Zheng Qin’s confession, Feng Min felt as though those words were directed at him as well.

Several times, he couldn’t stop himself from rushing forward, but each time, he managed to hold himself back.

But when Zheng Qin suddenly rushed to grab Chi Yan’s hand, Feng Min lost control completely. When he appeared between Chi Yan and Zheng Qin, twisted Zheng Qin’s arm, and snapped it, Feng Min abruptly regained his clarity.

Yet, even after he had sobered up, he couldn’t suppress the violence within. He raised a foot and kicked Zheng Qin hard in the chest, sending him sprawling on the ground, crying in pain.

Hearing Zheng Qin’s wailing, Chi Yan’s originally calm face changed slightly.

His gaze trembled as he looked at the man who had stepped in front of him protectively.

Suddenly, Chi Yan was more guarded against Feng Min than Zheng Qin.

Chi Yan stepped back, retreating several more steps.

When Feng Min turned around, thinking Chi Yan was just behind him, he realized Chi Yan had backed off to a distance beyond his reach.

And the look in Chi Yan’s eyes at that moment was the same one he had just given Zheng Qin.

To Chi Yan, he and Zheng Qin were the same kind of person—stalkers, obsessed perverts.

Feng Min wanted to find a reason to explain, but the way Chi Yan stared at him made Feng Min realize that any explanation was pointless. The truth was evident: he had been following Chi Yan.

“You’re not going to be like him, are you?” Chi Yan didn’t specify what he meant, but he rubbed his left wrist with his right hand, where Zheng Qin had just grabbed him, and the bone still ached faintly.

Feng Min’s lips trembled slightly. Under Chi Yan’s indifferent smile, Feng Min shook his head.

---

Chi Yan wanted to leave, but there was someone still lying on the ground, wailing. He stared at Zheng Qin for a couple of seconds, then walked over to him, crouching down in front of Zheng Qin’s twisted, pained face.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to just stay friends?”

“Did it really have to come to this?” Chi Yan sighed inwardly.

“Don’t come looking for me anymore,” Chi Yan said. As for Feng Min’s true identity, Chi Yan didn’t disclose it.

He guessed Zheng Qin would probably misunderstand, and that was fine. It would be one less problem to deal with.

As for whether Feng Min would become a bigger problem, Chi Yan wasn’t too concerned. He could stream anywhere he wanted. Even without streaming, he could live quite comfortably on rental income alone.

Zheng Qin, clutching his chest, slowly got up from the ground after a long while.

Terror filled his heart. Just moments ago, he had the distinct feeling that the man who suddenly appeared could have killed him.

Even now, his entire body trembled uncontrollably.

He could clearly see the way the man looked at Chi Yan—obsessive and crazed, far more intense than his own.

He knew he couldn’t compete with this man. There was no way he could win Chi Yan over from him.

Stumbling to his feet, Zheng Qin looked over at the two figures heading toward the building. His gaze flickered.

Chi Yan walked in front, while Feng Min followed behind him. Aware that someone was trailing him, Chi Yan swiped his card to open the door, slightly turned his head, and glanced back at the person behind him.

“Thanks for what you did earlier, but Feng Min, don’t ever do something like this again. Stalking—it’s over between us. It ended three years ago.” Chi Yan hoped this would be the last time he’d have to say this to Feng Min.

He also hoped that Feng Min would be rational. There were plenty of people in the world, and with Feng Min’s status, many would be eager to climb into his bed.

“Chi Yan, I’m sorry for leaving back then. It was my fault. I didn’t marry anyone. I’ve been alone all these years abroad.” Feng Min wanted to say, “Chi Yan, can I pursue you again?” but he held back, knowing the answer was already clear.

“What’s in the past is in the past. Whether you had a reason or not, we’ve broken up. I’m doing well now, so please don’t disturb me.”

The last time they met, arranged by You Xiao Qi, Chi Yan’s attitude toward Feng Min wasn’t entirely different, but there was still a gap.

This time, Feng Min had at least helped him, and Chi Yan wasn’t ungrateful.

Though his tone was much softer, his rejection of Feng Min was unmistakably clear.

“You’ve been single for too long. Just find a lover. There should be plenty of people willing to be with you.” Chi Yan smiled faintly, and without waiting for Feng Min’s response, he pulled the door open and walked in.

Standing by the elevator, Chi Yan stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the elevator door.

When the elevator arrived, Chi Yan stepped in without hesitation.