“Oh, President Shen, what a coincidence!” Xue Zhongming had been waiting for this day for a long time, and it came even faster than he had expected.

He wondered how Shen Ling would explain the look-alike beside him. Rejecting the original and opting for a stand-in—how much must he dislike the original?

Xue Zhongming was eager to see how this would play out.

“Let’s talk inside.” Chi Yao’s cold gaze swept over both Shen Ling and the boy he held, and without further word, he turned and walked into the café.

Chi Yao and his friends had been coming to this café frequently. Previously, Chang Feng’s café had faced all sorts of issues and restrictions, but after one call from Chi Yao, the street manager had personally come by for coffee, and since then, no one bothered the café about issues like fire safety or other problems.

Inside, there was a private room that was reserved for Chi Yao. He walked straight toward it, and the others followed behind him.

The boy was visibly nervous, trembling as he gripped Shen Ling’s clothes. His eyes darted around, avoiding contact. He wasn’t that clueless; he likely already realized that the person he resembled had a significant connection with Shen Ling. The way that person stared at him—just moments ago, the boy felt like he could have been thrown out by the neck at any second.

He was too scared to move forward, his voice barely audible and hoarse. “President Shen, that person…”

“It’s fine, just a friend. He won’t harm you.”

If there were any harm to be done, it would’ve happened already. Shen Ling’s lips curled into a small smile. Chi Yao loved him so much—this was just a mere look-alike, not even a real substitute. The boy might resemble Chi Yao a little, but his demeanor couldn’t compare—he was trembling at the first sign of trouble, whereas Chi Yao was always proud and defiant.

Shen Ling, still holding the boy, walked inside.

A server came in with coffee, placing a glass of warm water in front of Chi Yao. All the staff knew Chi Yao didn’t drink coffee or tea, only plain water. Chi Yao took two sips and scooped a bite from the desserts laid on the table, prepared by the café’s pastry chef.

Shen Ling and the boy sat down as Xue Zhongming pulled out their chairs. Chang Feng, sensing the tension, quietly asked Chi Yao, “Should Xue Zhongming and I wait outside?”

It didn’t seem right for them to be present for what was about to unfold.

“No need.” Chi Yao raised his hand, signaling Chang Feng to sit down.

Xue Zhongming, ever perceptive, sat down immediately and took a sip of coffee, looking like he was ready to watch a show. Both Chi Yao and Shen Ling gave him a glance.

Smiling apologetically, Xue Zhongming put his cup down and folded his hands, sitting quietly like a well-behaved student.

Unlike Xue, Chang Feng wasn’t so calm. He kept glancing at Chi Yao’s face, which was calm but eerily so, like the stillness before a storm.

---

Flashback of the Night with Gray Hair

---

“So, do you think you owe me an explanation about this person?” Chi Yao asked bluntly, staring directly at Shen Ling, demanding an answer.

“A small-time internet celebrity. We met by chance. He recently signed with an agency. Since you’re getting into the entertainment business, I figured I’d take a look too.”

“So you’re planning to promote him?” Chi Yao laughed. Promoting someone was fine, but promoting someone who looked so much like him? He didn’t want people to see this internet celebrity and say he resembled Chi Yao.

“I’m still considering it. If your company hasn’t signed anyone yet, maybe you can try signing him.”

Shen Ling was smooth with his words. What had originally been about finding a replacement for Chi Yao now sounded like Shen Ling was just scouting talent for Chi Yao’s company, as if he was looking out for him.

Chi Yao hadn’t realized before how skilled Shen Ling was at twisting things. He almost fell for it.

“How long have we known each other? Don’t you know me by now?” Chi Yao wasn’t that easy to fool and indirectly exposed Shen Ling’s real intention.

“This is just business, making money. What’s there to fear?” Shen Ling replied casually.

“If someone looked like me, I would definitely promote them,” Shen Ling added with a grin, his expression suggesting he was his own biggest fan. “You don’t like yourself? You prefer others?”

Shen Ling said this deliberately, confident in his belief that Chi Yao was deeply infatuated with him. After all, Chi Yao loved him to the point of obsession. What was the harm in keeping someone else around?

“Sometimes, I think I’m truly an idiot.”

“A pure idiot.”

Chi Yao’s expression suddenly darkened, his eyes turning cold and intense.

“I’ll ask you directly, Shen Ling—do you want to date me?”

Chi Yao had never asked this question in his previous life. But in this life, where he no longer liked Shen Ling, even loathed him, he asked it.

Shen Ling hadn’t expected Chi Yao to be so straightforward and was genuinely stunned for a moment.

“We’ve always been friends,” Shen Ling deflected.

Chi Yao let out a cold laugh. “Give me a clear answer. There’s been too much from you—first Fu Rong, another one of your admirers, and now this boy?”

“I’m done waiting. Today, it’s this one; tomorrow, who will it be?”

“When will it be my turn? Shen Ling, I love you so much I could die for you.”

“But you keep leaving me in the dark, not showing me how you really feel.”

“We start dating. Right now!”

After finishing, Chi Yao abruptly stood up, walked over to Shen Ling, and sat on his lap. His eyes were seductive as he wrapped his arms around Shen Ling’s shoulders and kissed him.

Shen Ling had always been fond of Chi Yao’s face. It was stunning, surpassing even the boundaries of gender. This kind of beauty was irresistible to both men and women.