After Shen Nanxing changed his clothes and came out, he noticed the strange atmosphere between the two. “Qingyan Jie, what’s going on between you two?” Lin Qingyan suppressed the anger in her heart. She smiled at Shen Nanxing and apologetically said, “Nanxing, I’m really sorry. I didn’t know they would ask you to shoot a duo cover.”

Shen Nanxing shook his head. “It’s fine, it’s already done anyway.” His words of comfort only made Lin Qingyan feel more guilty.

“Let’s go eat first. Nanxing must be hungry by now,” Xu Yuan suggested, changing the subject.

Lin Qingyan remembered she had promised to treat Shen Nanxing to a meal and quickly asked what he wanted to eat.

Shen Nanxing replied, “Something light.”

Talking about food seemed to lighten Lin Qingyan’s mood. After thinking for a moment, she said, “I know a Cantonese restaurant that has good food and good privacy. Xu Yuan doesn’t need to worry about being photographed. How about we go there today?”

“Sure.”

Shen Nanxing didn’t expect the world to be so small that he would run into Lin Bai while having a meal. Was Lin Bai some kind of part-time professional? Shen Nanxing frowned unconsciously when he saw Lin Bai in his work uniform. Lin Bai was responsible for the area that included the private room they had reserved.

Halfway through the meal, when Lin Bai came to serve them dessert, he was surprised to see Shen Nanxing at the table. Acting as if nothing was wrong, he greeted Shen Nanxing, “Student Shen, long time no see.”

Shen Nanxing responded coldly, “What’s up?”

Lin Bai’s smile froze for a moment but quickly returned to normal. “Nothing, we know each other, just wanted to say hi.”

Shen Nanxing didn’t pay him any further attention, focusing on his food.

Lin Bai hated Shen Nanxing’s condescending attitude, as if he didn’t even regard him. Seeing that Shen Nanxing was ignoring him, he turned his attention to Xu Yuan. He put on an excited expression and looked at Xu Yuan. “Is—is it really you, Emperor Xu? I’m a big fan of yours. Could I take a photo with you?”

He looked at Xu Yuan with those big, somewhat innocent eyes, pleading.

Xu Yuan subtly furrowed his brow and put on a flawless smile. “Sorry, I don’t take photos during personal time.”

Lin Bai was rejected and looked disappointed. “Alright then, I won’t disturb you. Sorry about that.”

As he reached the door, he turned back. “Brother, I really love your movies. Keep it up! I’ll always support you!” He even made a “fighting” gesture towards Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan: “…”

Lin Qingyan couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Shen Nanxing was also stunned by Lin Bai’s “green tea” behavior. It seemed he had underestimated Lin Bai’s thick skin.

Xu Yuan looked at the laughing Lin Qingyan and couldn’t help but intervene. “Lin Qingyan, have you laughed enough yet?”

Unexpectedly, Lin Qingyan wiped away the tears from laughing and, in a high-pitched voice, imitated Lin Bai, saying, “Brother, keep it up! I’ll always support you!” She couldn’t stop laughing again.

When Lin Bai said that, Shen Nanxing didn’t find it particularly funny, but after Lin Qingyan mimicked him, he couldn’t help but laugh too.

Xu Yuan’s expression darkened instantly. “Lin Qingyan!”

Lin Qingyan tried hard to suppress her laughter, teasing, “I didn’t expect you to have a green tea little fan.”

Xu Yuan: “Your fan!”

Lin Qingyan laughed several times. “Counterattack!”

Xu Yuan: “…”

Seeing that he wasn’t saying anything, Lin Qingyan threw him a provocative glance. You think you can argue with me? You’re still too young!

She then turned to Shen Nanxing and curiously asked, “Nanxing, was that person your classmate?”

Shen Nanxing casually replied, “Alumnus, we’ve met a few times.”

“Do you two have some history? I noticed your mood changed the moment he came in,” Lin Qingyan asked. Xu Yuan also looked at him with curiosity.

Shen Nanxing took a sip of juice and calmly responded, “It’s not exactly history, I just simply don’t like him.”

Lin Qingyan and Xu Yuan didn’t want to push him further since he seemed unwilling to talk about it, so they didn’t pry.

After finishing the meal, they came out to find Lin Bai seemingly waiting for them. He quickly walked over to Xu Yuan and smiled with his eyes curved, “Brother, see you!”

Xu Yuan simply replied, “Goodbye,” and quickly left the restaurant, almost running.

The three of them took the elevator to the underground parking lot, completely unaware that Lin Bai was following them from behind.

Lin Bai pulled out his phone and took several photos of Xu Yuan before slowly walking into the hallway.

…

In the afternoon, Xu Yuan had no other plans. Taking advantage of the rare free time, he ordered some ingredients through a mobile app, planning to cook dinner himself.

When he returned to the apartment, he was a little surprised to see someone on the couch.

“What are you doing here?”

Han Zhao, hearing the noise, turned to look at him with a fierce gaze and asked, “Is this how you speak to your benefactor?”

Xu Yuan casually threw his coat on the couch and sneered, “Heh, you always start with the same line when I come, aren’t you tired of it?” He was already sick of hearing it.

Was being a benefactor so glorious? Xu Yuan looked down on this behavior and, in reality, hated himself even more.

Han Zhao, insulted by his sarcasm, glared at him coldly, “You really need a lesson!”

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, “Who needs a lesson here? Don’t forget how you begged me…”

Han Zhao was stung by his words, his eyes reddening with anger. “Xu Yuan!”

Xu Yuan casually walked toward him and playfully lifted his chin, “What? Do you want more?”

Han Zhao, furious, slapped his hand away. “Get lost!”

Xu Yuan looked at his angry expression and immediately lost interest. He didn’t understand why Han Zhao was so determined to trap him. Now that he had succeeded, it was Han Zhao who couldn’t handle it. Sometimes Xu Yuan really wondered what went through Han Zhao’s mind!

“Fine, I’m leaving anyway!” Xu Yuan grabbed his coat and prepared to leave when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him.

Han Zhao grabbed his hand, his eyes slightly red. “Who the hell said you could leave? Xu Yuan, do you know you’re a bastard!”

He just used the fact that he liked him to trample all over his dignity.

Xu Yuan was truly a horrible person. He could smile so happily in front of others but turned cold when it came to him. How could there be such a terrible person in the world!

But, he just liked him.

Han Zhao kept cursing himself in his heart. He had thought about letting go, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Xu Yuan turned around and saw the hurt in his eyes, and he was deeply shocked. Han Zhao had always come to him with an air of superiority, as if he were doing him a favor—when had he ever been so fragile?

“Let go.” Xu Yuan broke free from his grip.

Not long after, Han Zhao wrapped around him again, his eyes full of obsession as he looked at him, “I won’t let go.”