Lin Bai had a rough time during his days at the police station. The dark, damp room filled him with fear. For the past few days, he kept having the same dream.

In his dream, Fu Chengyu, Xia Zimu, and Zhou He were all deeply infatuated with him. Not only that, but Fu Chengyu was gentle, caring, and wholeheartedly devoted to him alone. Even Fu Chengyu’s uncle, Fu Zhiyuan, treated him with kindness. Shen Nanxing, on the other hand, was nothing more than a speck of dust on his path to love, who eventually died of a heart attack one morning—completely insignificant and no threat at all.

After Shen Nanxing’s death, Lin Bai seemed even luckier in the dream. He not only married Fu Chengyu as he wished but also established himself as a rising star in Capital City, becoming a young elite.

Yet, the more glamorous he was in the dream, the more wretched he felt upon waking. Recalling that blissful life, his heart only grew more resentful. He began to see this illusory dream as a divine revelation—This is what my future should be.

And it was all ruined by Shen Nanxing.

Why aren’t you dead yet, Shen Nanxing? Don’t you have a heart condition? Why haven’t you died already?

Once you’re gone, everything will return to how it’s supposed to be.

Lin Bai silently swore to himself: Once I get out, I’ll make sure Shen Nanxing disappears.

Meanwhile, Shen Nanxing, who was lying on his couch reading a novel, suddenly felt a dull pain in his chest. He was about to call for help when the pain mysteriously vanished.

Pressing his hand to his chest, he frowned. What was that? I was fine just now. Why did it hurt all of a sudden?

Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from Xia Zimu, who hadn’t contacted him in a while. If Fu Zhiyuan hadn’t told him that Xia Zimu and Zhou He were close to him, he wouldn’t have believed they hadn’t fallen for Lin Bai’s tricks already.

“Nanxing, miss me?” Xia Zimu’s voice was still as playful as ever.

Lately, Zhou He had been keeping a close watch on him. Aside from his rehab sessions, Xia Zimu spent all his time living at Zhou He’s place. He still remembered how Zhou He had firmly told his parents, “Uncle, Aunt, I’ll make sure to personally supervise Mu Mu’s rehab after he’s discharged. Don’t worry.”

His parents, Xia Zhenyu and Qiao Yun, had wholeheartedly agreed. “Xiao He, make sure you keep a strict eye on him. Don’t go easy on him at all.”

And just like that, Zhou He had shamelessly taken over the “guardianship” of Xia Zimu. The worst part? Resistance was futile.

Thinking about it again, Xia Zimu couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, “Damn Zhou He, so cunning.”

Shen Nanxing, who hadn’t caught what he was mumbling, took a sip of water and asked, “What did you just say?”

Xia Zimu glanced at Zhou He cooking in the kitchen and replied, “Nanxing, want to come over for dinner?”

Shen Nanxing paused. “Aren’t you staying at Zhou He’s house?”

The last time they talked, Xia Zimu himself had said he was staying at Zhou He’s place while being pampered like a young master since Zhou He insisted on playing the role of his personal caretaker.

Xia Zimu slipped up and instinctively responded like it was his own home. Realizing his mistake, he quickly coughed to cover it up. “Ah, no, I meant Zhou He’s house. I misspoke.”

“Nanxing, are you coming or not?” he quickly changed the subject.

Shen Nanxing, thinking he had nothing to do that afternoon, agreed without much thought.

Xia Zimu immediately sent him the location.

His leg had mostly healed, so he skipped toward the kitchen cheerfully, calling out, “Hehe, Nanxing’s coming over later. Make sure to cook a few extra dishes.”

Zhou He, startled by his sudden movement, quickly turned off the gas and scooped Xia Zimu into his arms. “Mu Mu, how many times have I told you not to move like that?”

The doctors had already said that aside from his rehab exercises, he could practice walking normally. But Zhou He, terrified that he’d worsen his condition, refused to let him exert himself too much. When they went out, Zhou He practically insisted on keeping him in a wheelchair. At home, he would carry Xia Zimu everywhere, including to the bathroom and even when bathing him.

This level of care made Xia Zimu, who was naturally energetic, feel completely stifled.

“My legs are fine now! I can walk like normal,” he protested while leaning against Zhou He’s chest, clearly exasperated.

Zhou He’s face remained stern as he set him back on the couch. “Almost fine is not fully fine. Behave yourself.”

Then, softening, he gently stroked Xia Zimu’s hair and whispered, “Mu Mu, please don’t make me worry, okay?”

His voice was so tender and affectionate that it made Xia Zimu feel strangely flustered. Turning his face away to hide the heat rising to his cheeks, he muttered, “Yeah, yeah… Don’t forget to make sweet and sour ribs for Nanxing.”

“Got it.”

Half an hour later, Shen Nanxing rang the doorbell at Zhou He’s house.

Upon hearing the sound, Xia Zimu was just about to get up when a figure swiftly passed by. Zhou He had beaten him to the door.

Shen Nanxing stood there holding a box of snacks—durian pastries, Xia Zimu’s favorite. Looking at the cold, distant man in front of him, Shen Nanxing hesitated before calling out uncertainly, “Zhou He?”

Zhou He nodded and handed him a pair of slippers. “Nanxing, did you really lose your memory?”

Shen Nanxing thanked him. “Yes, I did lose my memory.”
But not completely. He still remembered that these two were also main characters in the novel.

As they walked inside, Xia Zimu, tall and broad, threw himself into Shen Nanxing’s arms, dramatically wailing, “Nanxing! You finally came to see me! You have no idea how much I’ve been suffering lately!”

Shen Nanxing stiffened slightly, his smile almost cracking. If not for the fact that Xia Zimu was still a patient, he would have pushed him away already.

His waist was tightly gripped as Xia Zimu clung to him like a koala. Shen Nanxing awkwardly patted his back and asked, “What happened? Is Zhou He mistreating you?”

Zhou He snorted coldly, muttering, “I’m going to serve the rice,” before retreating into the kitchen.

Xia Zimu glanced back to make sure Zhou He was gone before continuing his exaggerated complaints. “Zhou He won’t even let me leave the house! I’m going crazy from being stuck inside all day when he’s not home!”

Shen Nanxing glanced down at his legs and gently comforted him, “But your legs haven’t fully healed yet, right? He’s just being cautious because he cares.”

Still clinging to Shen Nanxing, Xia Zimu pouted, “You don’t understand… I’ve missed you so much lately that I lost my appetite and got all skinny.”

Hehe, gotta stick closer to Nanxing while my uncle’s not here…

Shen Nanxing was speechless. No matter how he looked at Xia Zimu, his glowing, healthy face didn’t seem the least bit “skinny.”

Just then, Zhou He emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup. Overhearing the comment, his face darkened even further. He exposed Xia Zimu’s lie without hesitation.

“Skinny? Wasn’t it just last night that you weighed yourself and were five pounds heavier?”

Always thinking about Nanxing… Why not think about me more often?

A trace of jealousy stirred in Zhou He’s heart, though he knew Xia Zimu’s affection for Shen Nanxing was purely platonic. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sour.

Xia Zimu, feeling guilty, avoided Zhou He’s gaze and defensively muttered, “That’s just water weight!”

How dare he talk! He’s the reason I gained weight! He’s been feeding me so much that my proud muscles are disappearing! 555…

Watching their bickering, Shen Nanxing found the whole scene oddly familiar. He couldn’t hold back a laugh and teased, “You two are so childish!”

“Alright, time to eat,” Zhou He said, clearing his throat. Then, as if it were completely natural, he bent down and lifted Xia Zimu into his arms, placing him gently on a dining chair.

Shen Nanxing stared blankly at the scene, utterly shocked.

Why does it feel like there’s something unusual going on between these two…?