“Ah, it’s a bit odd that Senior Xia isn’t coming, huh?” someone said, pretending to be regretful.

“I think you’re just upset because you won’t get to see the two seniors argue,” another person remarked, causing the crowd to burst into laughter. The scene became lively. During the past few days of rehearsals, everyone had witnessed that Fu Chengyu and Xia Zimu argued almost every day. The rumors about the two not getting along were practically confirmed by their actions.

After waiting for a while, Fu Chengyu and Lin Bai finally arrived, a bit late. Everyone looked at the two of them, then glanced at Shen Nanxing, who seemed indifferent sitting to the side. The gossip flames in their hearts burned brightly. After all, the rumor was that Fu Chengyu was Shen Nanxing’s fiancé, and now, seeing him walk in with another man, everyone was eager to see Shen Nanxing’s reaction. Clearly, they were going to be disappointed. Shen Nanxing just gave them a brief glance and showed no displeasure on his face.

Lin Bai apologized, looking at everyone. “Sorry, there was a bit of an issue on the way. I happened to run into Senior Fu, so I came with him.”

It was then that everyone noticed Lin Bai was walking with a slight limp, as if he had tripped.

“No problem, no problem! You’re here, that’s what matters. Please, take a seat,” Su Lin, as the club president, warmly greeted them, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Xie Ling angrily poked at her cake with a fork and muttered under her breath, “Damn green tea, just wait until I poke you to death!” She knew exactly what Lin Bai was trying to do—he just wanted everyone to see that his relationship with Fu Chengyu was special. She saw through his intentions and, with concern, glanced at Shen Nanxing, worried that he might overthink things.

Shen Nanxing caught her glance and shook his head, signaling that he was fine.

Fu Chengyu surveyed the room, realizing that only Shen Nanxing’s table had a vacant seat. Naturally, he sat down at Shen Nanxing’s right side.

“Nanxing, why didn’t you wait for me?” Fu Chengyu asked with a questioning look.

Shen Nanxing hated this attitude, as if he was supposed to apologize to Fu Chengyu. “Didn’t you have someone else waiting for you?” Shen Nanxing retorted.

Fu Chengyu stiffened slightly at the words, “Nanxing, we ran into each other by chance on the way here, don’t misunderstand,” he said.

Lin Bai, who had sat down beside him, quickly added, “Shen, please don’t misunderstand. We really did meet by accident.”

Shen Nanxing ignored them and focused on eating the food in front of him. The atmosphere at the table became somewhat awkward. Seeing this, Su Lin, trying to lighten the mood, smiled and said, “Alright, everyone, let’s dig in! We should eat while the food is still hot, or it’ll get cold soon.”

A trace of disappointment flashed across Fu Chengyu’s face. He picked up a piece of steamed bass and placed it in Shen Nanxing’s bowl, smiling ingratiatingly. “Nanxing, your favorite steamed bass, come on, eat it.”

Shen Nanxing glanced at the fish in his bowl and immediately lost his appetite. Coldly, he declined, “No need, I can serve myself.”

He placed the fish on a separate plate. Fu Chengyu’s smile froze, clearly taken aback. This was the first time Shen Nanxing had embarrassed him in front of so many people.

Lin Bai noticed Fu Chengyu’s behavior, and his heart sank with bitterness. He didn’t understand why Fu Chengyu, who was supposed to be engaged to Shen Nanxing, still felt the need to flirt with him. Was it just because Shen Nanxing came from a prestigious family and had striking looks? But Lin Bai was no worse than Shen Nanxing! The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he felt, a flash of resentment in his eyes.

However, the others didn’t pay much attention to this small scene. Most of the people present were around the same age, with similar interests and experiences, so there were plenty of common topics to talk about, and soon, they were all chatting comfortably. During the meal, Shen Nanxing excused himself to the restroom. When he reached the door, he noticed most of the people at the table had left.

Wanting to get some fresh air, he walked to the end of the corridor. It had started raining outside, and the mist blurred the view. Shen Nanxing stared through the window at the cars passing by, lost in thought. Everyone has their own fate, but what about his? Why did he end up in this world? Did it have any meaning? A sense of helplessness surged within him, feeling as if he were a drifting reed, powerless to fight back.

Fu Chengyu, feeling displeased with Shen Nanxing’s cold attitude, made an excuse to leave the room to smoke. Before he left, he gave Lin Bai a meaningful glance. Soon, Lin Bai also found a reason to leave the table.

Lin Bai had injured his knee earlier but endured the pain as he searched for Fu Chengyu. As he passed through the hallway, a pair of strong hands suddenly pulled him into the corridor. The door was swiftly closed behind them with a quick motion of a foot. Lin Bai was startled and screamed, but Fu Chengyu wrapped his arms around him from behind, covering his mouth with one hand. In a low, husky voice, he murmured, “It’s me.”

Lin Bai, still shaken, asked with a choked voice, “What do you want to do?”

Fu Chengyu gently caressed Lin Bai’s face, his eyes filled with a trace of infatuation. His tone was deep and heavy as he spoke, “Why, why do you treat me like this?”

He stared at Lin Bai’s face, but in his mind, he was thinking of Shen Nanxing.

Lin Bai, seeing Fu Chengyu’s disoriented state, grasped his hands. “Chengyu, what’s wrong?”

“Why are you ignoring me? What did I do wrong?” Fu Chengyu’s grip tightened, his face twisted with anger as he demanded.

Soon, marks appeared on Lin Bai’s pale cheek from the force. Lin Bai cried out in pain, looking at Fu Chengyu with hurt in his eyes. It was clear that Fu Chengyu’s words weren’t meant for him—they were directed at Shen Nanxing.

“So, you actually like Shen Nanxing, don’t you?”

Lin Bai wanted to ask but couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Fu Chengyu didn’t give him the time to feel sad, lifting his chin and kissing him. This kiss seemed to carry a sense of punishment, as Fu Chengyu kept nibbling and sucking on his lips.

Lin Bai could only passively endure, allowing him to take what he wanted. His body gradually became warmer, and Fu Chengyu’s hand began to move downward. He lifted the hem of Lin Bai’s shirt, and the cold touch made Lin Bai shudder, snapping him back to reality.

He quickly grabbed Fu Chengyu’s misbehaving hand. “Fu Chengyu, let go of me!”

Fu Chengyu looked at his pitiful pleading expression, his gaze growing hotter. “A Bai, you like me, right?”

Lin Bai shook his head vigorously, denying it. “I don’t like you. Fu Chengyu, I don’t like you at all. This will only make me hate you more!”

“You already have a fiancé, so why are you still provoking me?” Lin Bai questioned him sharply.

Fu Chengyu thought he was jealous and tried to comfort him. “That engagement was arranged by our elders. I don’t like him. I only like you.”

After saying that, he kissed him again.

Little did they know, everything was being recorded.