In the classroom, Jiang Cai and Chu Xi were fighting, Quan Lushen was asking for a picture of the dress, and now Yuan Jin was calling!

Yu Zao, unable to deal with everything at once, ensured that the two in the classroom were momentarily distracted before answering Yuan Jin’s call. Feeling guilty, he covered his mouth as he whispered, “What’s up?”

Hadn’t they agreed to meet at 8 p.m. for the movie?

Yuan Jin said, “I read the class schedule wrong. I thought I had classes all afternoon, but you’re free now, right? How about we grab dinner?”

“There’s a newly opened restaurant everyone says is great.”

Yu Zao hesitated. “Now?”

“Yes, now,” Yuan Jin replied. “I’m already at your school. You’re in the 3rd teaching building, right? Fourth floor? I’m taking the elevator.”

Yu Zao panicked. Why was Yuan Jin so quick to act?!

Glancing to his right, he noticed the elevator was just nearby. Turning back, he saw that Jiang Cai and Chu Xi had stopped fighting, still glaring at each other with hostility but now looking around as if searching for him.

Yuan Jin continued, “I’m almost there.”

Beijing University’s elevators had Wi-Fi, so phone calls weren’t interrupted.

Through the window in the corridor, Yu Zao saw them about to open the door. If Yuan Jin arrived now, they would undoubtedly run into each other… Given how strained the relationship between Yuan Jin and Jiang Cai was, what would happen if they found out Yu Zao had promised to meet both of them? Would he get beaten up?

Nervously gripping his phone, the moment the elevator doors opened, Yu Zao rushed in, frantically pressing the close button.

As the doors shut and he confirmed Jiang Cai and Chu Xi couldn’t follow, Yu Zao finally exhaled in relief.

“Why so rushed?” Yuan Jin chuckled softly, seemingly finding Yu Zao’s flustered behavior endearing. He bent down slightly, saying, “What’s the hurry? I would’ve waited for you.”

Yu Zao blushed, looking like a frightened kitten with his entire body tense and on edge. His fair, soft fingers clutched the phone, making him appear even more obedient.

Yuan Jin had a sudden urge to touch Yu Zao’s face, though he knew it wouldn’t be appropriate. “I actually wanted to see what your classroom looks like.”

Yuan Jin wasn’t usually interested in Beijing University, despite the many opportunities to visit. But this was his first time being curious, solely because Yu Zao attended classes here.

“It’ll look the same next time.” The consequences of letting Yuan Jin see the classroom were unimaginable. Yu Zao quickly added, “I’m really hungry now. Let’s eat first.”

Back in the classroom, Jiang Cai and Chu Xi’s fight ended in a stalemate. Suddenly, they stopped in unison.

They quickly realized Yu Zao was missing.

They messaged him and searched the entire floor. Jiang Cai, with bruises on his face and a fierce look in his eyes, threatened, “If something happens to him, you’re dead.”

“He’s not a three-year-old; he won’t get lost,” Chu Xi replied coolly. “If he disappeared, it’s probably because he didn’t want to see you.”

Jiang Cai retorted, “No way. We had plans to watch a movie together. I even told him I’d pick him up from the classroom…” Pointing to the chocolates and fruit on the table, he added, “Who else do you think he was waiting for?”

“Were you keeping him company while waiting for me? How considerate of you.”

Chu Xi smirked sarcastically. “You wasted your time coming here.”

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Jiang Cai ignored Chu Xi and continued messaging Yu Zao. Meanwhile, Chu Xi cleaned up the mess on the floor, even taking the chocolates and grapes Yu Zao had left behind.

Jiang Cai, before leaving, warned coldly, “Don’t get any ideas about him. If this happens again, I won’t let you off so easily. Yu Zao may have a good temper, but I don’t.”

Chu Xi paid no mind to Jiang Cai’s threats.

At the airport, the door to the VIP lounge opened as Quan Lushen’s assistant reminded him it was time to board the flight.

It had been time to board a while ago, but Quan Lushen hadn’t moved, frequently checking his phone as if waiting for something.

His assistant, confused but afraid to ask, waited a few more minutes. Finally, after sending a message to someone, Quan Lushen stood up to leave.

…

After getting into the car, Yu Zao was bombarded with messages from both Jiang Cai and Chu Xi.

And then, there was Quan Lushen.

Quan Lushen: [Where’s the photo?]

Quan Lushen: [I’m boarding soon. I’ll arrive at my destination in three hours. Don’t even think about deleting the message.]

Yu Zao: …

Forget three hours; even thirty wouldn’t help. He didn’t even have a skirt.

Yu Zao, at a loss for how to respond, decided not to reply at all.

Sitting next to Yuan Jin, he cautiously responded to messages. To Jiang Cai: [Sorry! I just realized I have an assignment due and need to go to the library. I can’t make the movie.]

Jiang Cai: [I’ll come join you?]

Yu Zao: [No need!]

Yu Zao: [If you come, I won’t be able to focus on my studies.]

In the underground parking lot, Jiang Cai was seated in the driver’s seat, just about to get out of the car to go to the library. When he saw the message, he suddenly flipped his phone face down and raised his hand to cover his eyes.

The quiet garage seemed to amplify the sound of his heartbeat, like raindrops falling on the surface of a river. His ears and cheeks warmed up.

Yu Zao is really… so cute. And so hardworking.

Jiang Cai was in a good mood today. Coincidentally, in his friend group chat, one of his brothers was whining loudly, complaining about a fight with his family, and asked Jiang Cai if he wanted to go out for drinks.

Jiang Cai replied: [Bars are too noisy. How about a movie?]

He thought it would be a good trial run. If the movie was good, he could come back and watch it again with Yu Zao.

…

At this hour, the mall wasn’t crowded, and parking in the underground lot was easy.

Yuan Jin, ever the attentive one, helped unbuckle the seatbelt and opened the door. Just as Yu Zao stepped out of the car, Yuan Jin, like a magician, produced a bracelet from his fingertips.

It was a white mother-of-pearl bracelet with four flower charms. Yu Zao’s eyes were instantly glued to it, his face lighting up with a sparkle in his eyes. “Is this for me?”

“It’s for a little guy named Yu Zao,” Yuan Jin said with a smile. “Do you like it? I was in a bit of a rush on the way here, couldn’t take too much time picking. The store associate recommended a few, so I chose the most expensive one.”

Upon hearing “most expensive,” Yu Zao’s eyes lit up even more. “I love it!”

Yuan Jin knew it—choosing the priciest option never failed.

“Let me help you put it on.”

Yu Zao eagerly extended his hand. His small, pale wrist looked even more delicate next to Yuan Jin’s larger hand. The outline of his wrist bones was clear, with faint blue veins showing through his translucent skin, emitting a subtle fragrance.

Though he hadn’t even broken a sweat, the air around him seemed to heat up, making Yuan Jin’s body temperature rise as well.

The underground parking lot was cool, but Yuan Jin found himself sweating. He stared at the hand extended toward him, and his usually deft fingers fumbled clumsily, taking a long time to fasten the clasp.

How embarrassing, he thought, feeling like an idiot. When he looked up, he met a pair of bright, clear eyes. Yu Zao blinked slowly at him, his long, curled lashes gently fluttering, stirring something in Yuan Jin’s heart.

“Sorry,” Yuan Jin muttered. “This is the first time I’ve helped someone put on a bracelet, so I’m a bit nervous… I’ll get it soon.”

Yu Zao smiled, “It’s okay.”

While Yuan Jin was busy with the bracelet, Yu Zao sensed someone watching them from a distance.

He looked up and saw a well-dressed man in a tailored suit, exuding an air of refinement and handsomeness. The thin-framed glasses gave the man an intellectual look, but the prolonged stare made Yu Zao feel uncomfortable.

The man didn’t avert his gaze when caught, continuing to observe Yu Zao with an odd expression. Irritated, Yu Zao glared back fiercely. What are you staring at?!

After giving the man a sharp look, Yu Zao felt a bit scared and instinctively moved closer to Yuan Jin for protection, fearing he might actually provoke a fight.

The suited man frowned but eventually looked away.

It turned out that Yuan Jin had booked a horror movie. The timing, around six o’clock, made Yu Zao uneasy. Coincidentally, Jiang Cai had also booked a horror movie for the same time.

To his dismay, just as Yu Zao and Yuan Jin settled into their seats, two young men walked in from the side. One of them was particularly tall, exuding a defiant aura typical of youth.

It was Jiang Cai!

Yu Zao immediately lowered his head in panic. Yuan Jin leaned over and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The warm, soft touch of Yu Zao’s hand, paired with the delicate fragrance, left Yuan Jin momentarily dazed.

Jiang Cai and Yuan Jin were childhood friends and would surely recognize each other’s voices. Worried that speaking would get them noticed, Yu Zao quickly covered Yuan Jin’s mouth with his hand.

His hand was small, barely covering the lower half of Yuan Jin’s face. Flustered, Yu Zao tilted his head up to meet Yuan Jin’s gaze. Yuan Jin’s throat moved slightly, his eyes locked on Yu Zao’s face.

In a quiet voice, Yu Zao said, “I… I’m a bit scared.”

So timid? The horror movie hadn’t even started, and Yu Zao was already frightened. Yuan Jin, his voice muffled under Yu Zao’s hand, asked softly, “What are you scared of?”

With his mouth covered, Yuan Jin’s lips accidentally brushed against Yu Zao’s palm, startling Yu Zao into silence.

In the aisle, Jiang Cai seemed to notice something and glanced in their direction. As the lights dimmed, he could only make out a vague silhouette.

A couple sat very close to each other, their faces almost touching, as if they were about to kiss.

Jiang Cai frowned. Beside him, his friend muttered, “Gross.”

“Can’t these couples be a bit more considerate? Hugging and cuddling everywhere. Should I chip in and get them a room? It’s such an eyesore.”

Jiang Cai remained silent. Sitting in the back row, he watched the couple three rows ahead and suddenly said, “Don’t you think they look familiar?”

His friend replied, “Do they?”

Yuan Jin was oblivious to all this. Thanks to the assistance of 0926, Yu Zao overheard the conversation between Jiang Cai and his friend, feeling increasingly anxious.

Jiang Cai said, “Not sure. I’ll take a look later.”

The slender boy on the left looked a lot like Yu Zao. He didn’t pay much attention to the other person.

The fluffy, slightly curly hair on the boy’s head, and especially the faint fragrance in the air as he passed by, felt so familiar to Jiang Cai.

As the movie started, 0926 warned: [Jiang Cai is still looking your way.]

There weren’t many people in the theater, and many seats around them were empty, including those in front and behind Yu Zao. What worried him the most was that Jiang Cai might come over.

He couldn’t even imagine the scene.

0926: [Jiang Cai shifted.]

0926: [He might be moving to a seat closer to you.]

Yu Zao: “!”

A single lie always leads to more lies. Yu Zao regretted it now—he had been too greedy, and now he was caught in a dilemma.

If Jiang Cai found out that he wasn’t at the library but had come to meet Yuan Jin instead, would he be furious and hit him, like he had done with Chu Xi?

And what about Yuan Jin?

Yuan Jin also had a bad temper. If he found out Yu Zao had been stringing both of them along…

These two young men, both at the top of their game, could easily lift him up with one hand.

The thought of being caught and getting beaten up by both of them, one after the other, made Yu Zao’s eyes well up with tears.