Their timing was impeccable—it was the Palm Springs Film Festival. Outside the theater, a list of competing films was on display. One of them was by a director Song Yi particularly admired, known for his indie films. Excited, he immediately booked two tickets, eager for a sneak peek.

The theater was located on the fourth floor of a mall. As Song Yi and Gu Xingchuan stepped into the elevator, they found themselves sharing the space with a lovey-dovey young Chinese couple, whispering sweet nothings to each other.

The young woman was holding a plush rabbit almost half her height. Its fur was snow-white and fluffy, with soft pink ears drooping adorably beside its round face. It even carried an orange carrot on its back, making it irresistibly cute.

Song Yi glanced at it a couple of times, thinking he might buy one for Song Jie’s baby later when they shopped around. The only question was whether such a large toy could be easily shipped back home.

Noticing his gaze, Gu Xingchuan crossed his arms and nudged him with an elbow. In a low voice, he asked. “You want one?”

Song Yi nodded and whispered. “Let’s see if we can find one when we go shopping later.”

Just as he finished speaking, the young couple in front of them seemed to have a minor disagreement. The girl clung to her boyfriend’s arm, shaking it playfully as she pouted. “Don’t be mad at Simon anymore! You’re the most handsome in my eyes!”

The guy teased her, asking. “How handsome am I?”

“Even more handsome than Gu Xingchuan!” she exclaimed, laughing exaggeratedly.

Gu Xingchuan couldn’t help but chuckle, adjusting the amber-tinted sunglasses on his nose. Song Yi leaned closer and softly reminded him. “They’re just flirting. Don’t interrupt them.”

Gu Xingchuan snorted lightly. “Well, we’re also a couple. They’re the ones interrupting us.”

Song Yi froze for a moment, then blurted out without thinking. “You think we’re a couple?”

Gu Xingchuan was momentarily stunned by the question, his expression darkening. “What do you think our relationship is?”

Song Yi thought to himself, weren’t they just friends with benefits? When did they become a couple? This was progressing wat too fast.

He didn’t answer. The two entered the theater in silence with Gu Xingchuan wearing a stormy expression and saying nothing.

Song Yi, on the other hand, was more than happy to enjoy the quiet as he immersed himself in the film. It didn’t disappoint. The director he admired delivered a work that was exquisitely crafted, emotionally touching, and laced with a hint of tragedy that elevated its artistic appeal.

Midway through the film, just as Song Yi was deeply engrossed, Gu Xingchuan suddenly leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against his earlobe. The cool touch, combined with the warm breath on the sensitive skin behind his ear, sent an involuntary shiver down Song Yi’s spine, his heartbeat faltering. “What are you doing?” Song Yi whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

Gu Xingchuan’s tone was serious as he asked. “What do you think our relationship is?”

Song Yi glanced at him, noting the earnestness in his expression. Realizing this wasn’t a joke, he replied with equal seriousness. “Didn’t you just want to be friends with benefits? You got what you wanted.”

Gu Xingchuan stared at him, his gaze sharp and unyielding as though trying to pierce through him. Under the weight of that intense stare, Song Yi felt inexplicably uneasy. He pressed his lips together nervously and cleared his throat.

After a long pause, Gu Xingchuan reached out and pinched Song Yi’s cheek—hard. Through gritted teeth, he growled. “You’re the first person who’s dared to treat me this way.”

Song Yi rubbed his aching cheek, bewildered. His entire body felt out of place under the heavy atmosphere.

After Gu Xingchuan said his piece, he fell silent. When the movie ended, he cast a cold glance at Song Yi before standing up and heading straight to the parking garage to get the car.

Song Yi sensed that Gu Xingchuan was upset, but he couldn’t figure out why. Sure, he knew he was charming, but there was no way a few nights together could make Gu Xingchuan fall head over heels in love with him. It just didn’t add up.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Song Yi walked to the entrance of the mall to wait for the car so they could head to the next destination.

Under the glow of the setting sun, the bustling crowd moved in waves, accompanied by the lively hum of conversation. Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out behind him, brimming with excitement.

Startled, Song Yi turned around to see Shen Li standing by an ice cream stand, dressed casually in summer attire, holding a cone, and waving at him with enthusiasm.

Song Yi froze, caught off guard by the unexpected encounter. He hadn’t anticipated running into Shen Li here of all places.

Shen Li quickly made his way over. He seemed to hesitate when he realized he couldn’t hug Song Yi with the ice cream in his hand, so he stopped short and beamed at him instead. “I knew I’d run into you here!”

“Hm?” Song Yi raised an eyebrow in confusion. Knew?

Shen Li nodded shyly, his eyes bright with excitement. “I saw the song you shared about Los Angeles. I thought maybe you were coming here for a vacation, so I suggested to my partner that we spend our honeymoon here. And look—it actually happened!”

As the realization sank in, Song Yi felt a twinge of annoyance at Shen Li’s presumptuous behavior. Forcing a polite smile, he replied. “It seems we really are fated to meet.”

Shen Li’s expression faltered. Song Yi’s lack of enthusiasm left him momentarily at a loss, something he clearly wasn’t used to. With a hint of grievance, he let out a long, drawn-out “Oh… Are you unhappy to see me?”

“No, I’m glad to see you.” Song Yi replied with a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Shen Li bit his lower lip, his gaze shifting to something behind Song Yi. Curious, Song Yi turned his head, only to freeze in place.

A familiar man approached. He appeared to be in his late twenties, his complexion unnaturally pale for the tropical weather, with thin, bloodless lips and sharply chiseled features that bordered on overly delicate. There was an unsettling quality to him, a wet, snake-like gaze that made anyone under his scrutiny feel cornered.

The man’s steps slowed when his eyes landed on Song Yi. He paused mid-stride, his expression unreadable, before quickly continuing forward. In a voice void of emotion, he addressed Shen Li. “Xiao Li, is this your friend?”

Shen Li nodded, avoiding Song Yi’s gaze as he lowered his head and murmured. “I’m sorry, Song Yi. This is Zhou Moquan, my fiancé.”

Song Yi’s tone was calm, almost indifferent. “That’s nice. Congratulations. I wish you both happiness.”

So that’s it, Song Yi thought. No wonder Zhou Moquan had conveniently bumped into Shen Li in Haibin City. And the man who’d gone all out with birthday banners for Shen Li—that must have been Zhou Moquan as well.

How amusing. Out of all the people, they ended up together.

Song Yi and Zhou Moquan’s rivalry was no secret, both within and outside their social circles. That Shen Li chose Zhou Moquan as his fiancé was nothing short of ironic.

The air around Song Yi felt stifling, suffocating as if it was pressing down on him, leaving him nauseous.

Shen Li wrestled with his emotions before finally lifting his head. But as his eyes landed on Song Yi, his pupils contracted sharply. Peeking out from beneath the collar of Song Yi’s shirt was half of a vivid red kiss mark, stark against his pale, slender neck—like a crimson rose petal.

“You… have a boyfriend?” Shen Li’s lips trembled as he forced out the words.

Zhou Moquan let out two shallow breaths, his mouth opening slightly as if to speak, but he pressed his lips tightly together instead.

Song Yi noticed Shen Li’s gaze lingering on his neck. Raising a hand to his collar, he touched the spot thoughtfully, deliberating on how to respond.

Just then, a black Bentley roared onto the scene, its powerful engine growling as it came to an aggressive stop beside him. The driver’s door swung open, and Gu Xingchuan stepped out, unfolding his long legs with practiced ease.

He was dressed casually cool—a snug T-shirt and light denim jeans. Sunglasses perched on his chiseled nose, his tall and striking figure could have been pulled straight from the pages of a fashion magazine. The only thing breaking the illusion was the oversized plush bunny tucked under his arm, making him look less like a stylish trendsetter and more like a rebellious children’s TV host.

=^_^=

Author has something to say: The ultimate nemesis of a delicate white lotus? A charming bad boy, of course!