When Ning Zhiyuan entered, Ning Zhe had already returned home.

Ning Zhiyuan took the initiative to greet him, and Ning Zhe nodded with a somewhat shy smile. They sat together in the living room, watching TV and eating snacks. Ning Zhiyuan brought up topics to chat with Ning Zhe, discussing Ning Zhe’s research project.

Ning Zhiyuan was not completely unfamiliar with these matters. With a master’s degree in business and an undergraduate degree in engineering, he understood the importance of technology in investments to avoid being deceived easily.

As soon as they touched on Ning Zhiyuan’s field, Ning Zhe became more talkative. He enthusiastically discussed the flourishing AIGC and other topics. Listening to it, Ning Zhiyuan felt that Cen Zhisen had indeed found a treasure. Having a younger brother who was a professional in the field could be beneficial for the future of Cen An.

More importantly, Ning Zhe would undoubtedly not cause trouble for Cen Zhisen like he did, making Cen Zhisen’s life easier.

Seeing they got along well, Ning Zheng relaxed, stood up, and went to the kitchen to assist Sun Xiaoqing.

When Ning Zhe took a break and sipped tea, he noticed Ning Zhiyuan’s amused expression and belatedly realized that he might have spoken too much. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he said, “Did I talk too much? These things are quite dull, and most people aren’t interested.”

“Not at all,” Ning Zhiyuan chuckled. “I’m quite interested. I plan to invest in this area, so it’s good to hear more. Otherwise, how would I know which products are good and which ones are just mediocre? If I didn’t know you were graduating and would probably join Cen An, I would have wanted to hire you as a technical evaluation consultant.”

“I don’t really mind going wherever,” Ning Zhe replied, seeming a bit hesitant to discuss the matter. “But I actually just want to focus on research. I’ve told Sen-ge before; I wouldn’t do well in administrative or other roles.”

Ning Zhiyuan nodded. “That’s good. Don’t force yourself to do things you’re not interested in. Just refuse Cen Zhisen directly if you don’t want to do something.”

Ning Zhe hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did you resign from Cen An because of our matter? It doesn’t matter; I can tell Sen Ge seems quite reluctant to see you go.”

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “He mentioned this to you?”

“Not exactly,” Ning Zhe explained, “he casually mentioned it, but from his tone, it seemed like he was quite regretful.”

Ning Zhiyuan smiled, “You got it wrong. When I was at Cen An, I bothered him every day. He couldn’t wait for me to leave. Leaving Cen An has nothing to do with you; don’t worry. I just didn’t want to serve Cen Zhisen anymore.”

Ning Zhe opened his mouth, somewhat unsure of what to say. It seemed he didn’t expect Ning Zhiyuan’s relationship with Cen Zhisen to be so bad, although his tone sounded like a joke.

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “Do you find Cen Zhisen easy to get along with?”

Ning Zhe thought for a moment and said, “Although he is a bit serious, he’s a good person. Once, my car needed repairs, and he lent me his car. I don’t know much about car brands, and I thought it was worth only a few million at most. However, when I drove it to school, many people came to see it and touch it. I then realized that his car was worth several tens of millions. I dare not drive it again.”

Ning Zhiyuan laughed even more, “Doesn’t everyone at school now know that you are the son of the chairman of Cen An?”

Ning Zhe’s expression was helpless.

After the media extensively reported their affairs, not only Ning Zhiyuan but also Ning Zhe had been surrounded by reporters. He had become thoroughly famous at school, but for someone like him, who cared more about academics and wasn’t very materialistic, it was just an added hassle.

“Sen Ge helped solve these troubles later,” Ning Zhe expressed his gratitude. “Fortunately, reporters didn’t come to school to pester me anymore.”

Ning Zhiyuan suddenly felt a bit bitter. Cen Zhisen indeed seemed to be a good elder brother in Ning Zhe’s eyes. He genuinely seemed to want to mend his relationship with Ning Zhe, which was quite rare.

At half-past eight, Cen Zhisen called.

“Have you had dinner? Haven’t left yet? The snow outside is heavy. Do you want me to come pick you up and take you back?”

Ning Zhiyuan was eating the fruit that Sun Xiaoqing had just cut, and he chuckled, “Haven’t you gone back yet?”

“Just came out after a trip to the company. I’ll pass by your place. It’s just twenty minutes or so,” Cen Zhisen said. “How about it?”

Ning Zhiyuan replied, “Sure, I’ll wait for you. The roads are slippery due to the snow, so drive slowly.”

After hanging up, he suddenly realized that something was off. Looking up, he saw his parents and Ning Zhe looking at him curiously. Sun Xiaoqing smiled and asked, “Is it your girlfriend? How can you let a girl come to pick you up in such heavy snow? If you didn’t drive here, just take a taxi back.”

Ning Zhiyuan almost choked on the apple in his mouth. “No, really not. It’s Cen Zhisen. He just came out of the company and is stopping by to pick me up. He also dropped me off earlier.”

“Oh, I see,” Sun Xiaoqing realized her misunderstanding, but there was a hint of regret. “Mr. Cen is quite nice. He’s been caring about your affairs all along.”

However, Ning Zhe’s eyes were filled with inquiry, as if he didn’t quite understand. Didn’t Ning Zhiyuan say their relationship was not good earlier?

Half an hour later, Cen Zhisen sent a WeChat message, saying that he had arrived.

Ning Zhiyuan and Ning Zhe went downstairs together. Ning Zhe, who was about to graduate, had been busy writing his thesis recently and planned to return to the school dormitory.

He didn’t drive in the snow, originally intending to take the subway back. Ning Zhiyuan stopped him, “Cen Zhisen is already here. Let him drop you off; why take the subway?”

Cen Zhisen had already spotted them coming out and honked the horn, urging them to get in.

Ning Zhe, very obediently, got into the back seat first, greeted Cen Zhisen, and said, “Thank you, Sen ge. Sorry for the trouble.”

Cen Zhisen nodded at him and glanced at Ning Zhiyuan, who was fastening his seatbelt in the front passenger seat.

Ning Zhiyuan seemed to sense something, raised his gaze, met Cen Zhisen’s somewhat smiling eyes, and mouthed the same words as Ning Zhe.

“Thank you, Sen ge. Sorry for the trouble.”

His eyes were full of playfulness. Cen Zhisen chuckled, straightened up, and started the car.

They first dropped Ning Zhe off at the school. In fact, Cen Zhisen dropping off Ning Zhiyuan first would make the detour shorter, but he didn’t mention it, and Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t be bothered to bring it up either. After Ning Zhe got off, Cen Zhisen asked the person beside him, “Did you have a happy birthday at home?”

“It was okay,” Ning Zhiyuan casually replied. “Just that my parents worked hard. Our tastes are completely different, and they prepared a table of dishes. They even bought two cakes, but we couldn’t finish them.”

“I can see that you get along well with Ning Zhe too,” Cen Zhisen remarked.

“Who don’t I get along with?” Ning Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow. “Well, except for you. But your younger brother is only concerned about academics and research. Dealing with him is indeed effortless.”

Cen Zhisen reversed the car and smiled, “It seems dealing with me takes a toll on you?”

“You know it well,” Ning Zhiyuan reminded him not to scratch the car parked nearby, and continued, “If you used to lend me your car voluntarily, maybe I would have found it easier to get along with you.”

Cen Zhisen was a bit surprised, “Lend you my car? Did he even tell you about that?”

“Casually in a conversation. He also mentioned you helping him resolve troubles when he was besieged by people at school,” Ning Zhiyuan said, and a hint of sarcasm unintentionally crept into his tone.

Cen Zhisen stopped and looked at him.

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “What’s up?”

“Do you need a car? Do you still want me to lend you mine?” Cen Zhisen asked with a playful smile, “As for resolving troubles, haven’t you noticed that there are no reporters bothering you now?”

“I thought it was because I changed my phone number. Oh, thanks,” Ning Zhiyuan said.

Cen Zhisen nodded slowly, resumed driving, and said, “If you address me like Ning Zhe does, calling me ‘ge’ when you get in the car, maybe I’ll find it easier to get along with you.”

Ning Zhiyuan lazily smiled, “Sorry, I’ll stick to my style.”

After the banter, he asked Cen Zhisen seriously, “Do you know that Ning Zhe is also changing his surname?”

“I know. He mentioned it a couple of days ago,” Cen Zhisen said.

“Yeah,” Ning Zhiyuan continued, “Ning Zhe probably doesn’t mind, but it’s my parents’ decision. They don’t want to take advantage of your family too much.”

“No,” Cen Zhisen said, “Don’t think of it that way.”

“Whatever,” Ning Zhiyuan said nonchalantly, “It’s fine if he changes his surname to Cen. When it comes time to divide the family property, it will be legitimate. It’s better than benefiting others.”

Losing interest in the topic, with no outsiders around, Ning Zhiyuan completely relaxed, closed his eyes, and leaned back in the seat. He hadn’t slept much the previous night, and he soon felt drowsy.

Cen Zhisen glanced at him several times. Ning Zhiyuan was sleeping soundly, breathing steadily, and his furrowed brows had completely relaxed.

The tension and confrontation he used to face when dealing with him seemed to have disappeared. Now, he could relax his guard and peacefully enter into slumber by his side.

Cen Zhisen slowed down the car and turned on the interior heating.

When Ning Zhiyuan woke up in a daze, Cen Zhisen also opened his eyes. “Awake?”

The car was parked in the underground parking lot of their home. Ning Zhiyuan frowned at his wristwatch; it was already past eleven. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“I saw you were asleep, and there was no hurry, so I didn’t wake you,” Cen Zhisen explained.

Ning Zhiyuan had just woken up, feeling lazy all over. He casually waved his hand as a farewell, pushed open the car door, and was about to get out when Cen Zhisen suddenly reached over, grabbing his wrist and squeezing it hard. Caught off guard, Ning Zhiyuan fell back into the seat.

Ning Zhiyuan looked puzzled as Cen Zhisen handed him an unopened bottle of mineral water. “Drink some water, wake up a bit before getting out of the car. Walking like this, you might run into a wall.”

Ning Zhiyuan took the water, couldn’t help but laugh, and said, “It’s not that exaggerated.”

Cen Zhisen’s hand slid down, and he quickly pressed a thumb against the back of Ning Zhiyuan’s hand before letting go.

Ning Zhiyuan fell silent, opened the bottle, and took a couple of sips. The cold stimulation indeed cleared his mind a lot. He nodded at Cen Zhisen, “I’m off.”

Cen Zhisen watched him walk into the elevator, and after his figure disappeared, he slightly tilted his head, taking a light sniff.

There was still a lingering fragrance in the air—a cold, wooden rose mixed with a hint of white wine. After the sharp top notes faded away, what remained was a soft scent that made people slightly intoxicated.

It suited Ning Zhiyuan’s cologne very well.

Cen Zhisen curved his lips into a smile, started the car, and drove back into the night.