Shen Li had been pampered since childhood, adored and pursued by countless Alphas who would obey his every whim. No one had ever dared to treat him so harshly before.

His neck stiffened, his face flushed a deep red from suppressed anger and fear. Tears brimmed in his reddened eyes, and his delicate, fair complexion made him look especially pitiful and endearing in this state.

Song Yi had always been unable to resist an Omega’s vulnerable gaze. His heart softened, and his sympathy surged. Tugging at the hem of Gu Xingchuan’s T-shirt, he whispered. “I feel like having steamed bass.”

Gu Xingchuan turned his head to glance at him, narrowing his eyes. He sat back down and scooped a piece of bass with his chopsticks, slamming it into Song Yi’s bowl with deliberate force. His tone was harsh. “Eat.”

Shen Li lowered his head, carefully pulling out a few tissues to dab at the tea stains on his clothes. His long lashes quivered, and his lips trembled as he held them together tightly. His chest rose and fell subtly with his uneven breaths.

After a while, Zhou Moquan returned drenched in sweat and radiating heat from the sweltering summer sun. He placed two drinks on the table.

“Xiao Li, here’s the lime juice you wanted.”

He set down a bottle of fruit tea on the rotating tray in the center of the table. Looking at Song Yi, his lips moved slightly before he broke into a candid smile. “Sugar-free, if I remembered correctly?”

Song Yi was taken aback. His gaze swept over the colorful drink in the glass before he shook his head with quiet resistance. He pointed to the tea cup beside him. “Thanks, but no need. Water is fine for me.”

Gu Xingchuan’s gaze flickered between the two of them. He reached out and lightly pinched Song Yi’s cheek, his smile turning playful. “You’re really low-maintenance, aren’t you?”

The tone was so intimate, it felt like they were a couple in the throes of a passionate romance.

Zhou Moquan’s expression instantly shifted, his gaze turning unreadable.

Gu Xingchuan lazily spun the table’s rotating tray with one hand, picked up the bottle of fruit tea, and casually twisted the cap off. He took a sip, then flung the bottle with practiced ease. It arced through the air in a graceful parabola, landing perfectly in the nearby trash can.

“Terrible.”

Zhou Moquan glanced at the discarded fruit tea in the trash can before turning his head to look at Gu Xingchuan again. Gu Xingchuan raised his sharply defined chin, exuding the arrogance of a proud peacock. The challenge in his demeanor was impossible to miss.

Without a word, Zhou Moquan sat down beside Shen Li. The latter quietly sipped his drink through a straw while his eyes darting around the table then glancing at the three others in turn, his expression unreadable.

The meal was incredibly uncomfortable for Song Yi. He had no appetite and barely ate a thing.

After they finished eating, Song Yi went with Gu Xingchuan to the front desk to settle the bill. When they stepped outside, the sun was setting. The last rays of the evening glow painted the sky, a vivid scarlet spreading across the horizon like a breathtaking beautiful desert.

The clean streets shimmered in the fading light, and the evening breeze carried a tranquil charm.

Just as Song Yi was about to get in the car, Shen Li pushed open the restaurant’s glass door and hurried toward him. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Song Yi turned his head, frowning slightly as he recognized the source.

Shen Li’s eyes were red as he forced a smile, his hands stuffed into his pockets. “Song Yi, can I talk to you alone?”

“No,” Gu Xingchuan said, rolling down the car window. His expression was indifferent. “Whatever you have to say, say it here.”

Song Yi didn’t move. He glanced at Zhou Moquan, who stood not far away, and tactfully chose to go along with Gu Xingchuan’s words.

Shen Li sniffled, let out a soft, bitter laugh, and then raised his head to look at Song Yi. “I’m sorry, Song Yi.”

Song Yi lifted his hand, intending to pat Shen Li’s head, but stopped midway. Instead, he reached out to straighten Shen Li’s disheveled shirt collar, his tone gentle. “There’s nothing for you to apologize to me about, Xiao Li. Don’t be so upset. I want you to be happy.”

Shen Li rubbed his reddened eyes and asked. “No matter what I do, will you forgive me?”

Song Yi found the question odd. Shaking his head, he replied evasively. “Xiao Li, I trust you wouldn’t do anything to disappoint me.”

Shen Li froze briefly before quickly wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes. He spread his arms toward Song Yi. “I won’t disappoint you. Can I get a friend’s hug?”

Song Yi hesitated, but before he could respond, a jarring car horn blared behind him. Gu Xingchuan leaned out of the car window, looking impatient. “Want me to hug you instead?” he mocked.

Amused, Song Yi lightly patted Shen Li’s shoulder and said warmly. “Your fiancé is waiting for you. He treasures you so much—he might get jealous.”

Shen Li’s hand lingered awkwardly in the air before stiffly pulling back.

Without saying more, Song Yi got into the car. Gu Xingchuan kept his face impassive, remaining silent the entire way back to the hotel in town.

By the time they arrived, it was already 7 p.m. Song Yi entered the room and switched on the lights. It was a spacious suite with a distinctly Mediterranean-style décor, very American in design. He opened the window and leaned against the sill, letting the evening breeze ruffle his hair. The oppressive mood brought on by Shen Li slowly dissipated.

Song Yi had always been a practical person. Back in high school, he’d pursued Shen Li for three years because he sensed that Shen Li had feelings for him. It was like bait on a hook, keeping him invested, making him give more and love deeper.

But when he confessed after graduation and was rejected, he accepted it without complaint. Yet now, six years later, Shen Li’s attitude toward him was ambiguous again. Despite being engaged, Shen Li still acted like this around him. Song Yi couldn’t figure out if Shen Li had ever truly liked him—or if he liked him now.

If Shen Li did like him, how could things be this way?

Gu Xingchuan parked the car and came upstairs. As he entered the suite, he saw Song Yi’s slender figure outlined against the sunset. The golden light enveloped him, casting a soft halo that made him seem serene and boundless.

Gu Xingchuan’s heart stirred. He walked over and embraced Song Yi from behind, his taller frame bending slightly so his chin could rest on Song Yi’s shoulder. “What are you looking at?”

“The sunset,” Song Yi replied simply.

Gu Xingchuan pursed his lips, remaining silent for a moment before muttering awkwardly. “You’re really gentle with Shen Li.”

Song Yi let out a soft laugh and turned his head to look at him closely. “Shen Li’s an Omega. It’s only natural that I treat him better. Not like you.”

“What’s wrong with me?” Gu Xingchuan shot him a defiant look, his long eyes narrowing.

Song Yi couldn’t help but smile at the old memory. “Do you remember back in school when Shen Li asked you to drive him home?”

Gu Xingchuan tilted his head, trying to recall. “Vaguely…”

Song Yi burst into laughter. “Shen Li asked you to drive him home, and you said it was too far and that you were going to play basketball. You pulled out a hundred yuan and gave it to Shen Li, telling him to take a taxi home.”

At the time, Song Yi had happened to be at the school gate. Shen Li had intended to ride with Gu Xingchuan, but he’d been quite upset. Still, Gu Xingchuan managed to make Song Yi laugh.

Back then, the term ‘straight man’ didn’t exist. If it had, Song Yi would’ve definitely slapped that label on Gu Xingchuan.

Gu Xingchuan seemed a little embarrassed. He looked at Song Yi, who was grinning widely, and leaned in to kiss him near his lips. “Is it really that funny?”

“It really is,” Song Yi thought, imagining that if Shen Li had a Weibo account, he’d surely post this as a prime example of straight-man behavior.

Gu Xingchuan snorted softly, his hand moving over Song Yi’s body, and he leaned in to lick Song Yi’s lips. In a low voice, he said. “If it were you, even if you wanted to go to the moon, I’d find a way to pay NASA to send you there.”

Song Yi’s back stiffened for a moment as last night’s memories came rushing back, vivid and unforgettable. If it happened again, he wouldn’t be able to get out of bed. He forced a casual smile. “I’m not going to the moon. I’m going to take a shower now.”

“I’m not stopping you.” Gu Xingchuan glanced at him, a wicked smile tugging at the corner of his handsome face. “Or are you hinting you want me to join you?”

“You’re overthinking it.” Song Yi pushed him away and walked into the bathroom without looking back.

He turned on the showerhead, warm water cascading over his body as he watched the mist rise around him. Song Yi absentmindedly tapped the damp back of his neck with a soft “Hmm?” before the realization hit him.

Damn it, he’d booked another room.

Lately, he and Gu Xingchuan had been staying together, even sharing a bed at his place. It had become routine to have him around, so it felt only natural to share a room while traveling.

But last night…

Song Yi leaned his forehead against the cool bathroom tiles, his face flushing slightly. He exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of frustration. Could it be that subconsciously, he really did want to have a friends-with-benefits situation with Gu Xingchuan?

Song Yi didn’t think of himself as someone without morals. He had firmly told Gu Xingchuan before that they couldn’t cross that line—that old classmates shouldn’t get involved romantically, like not eating where you sleep.

But now, with things turned out this way, he couldn’t lay all the blame on Gu Xingchuan. It was a mutual thing, wasn’t it?

Song Yi turned on the faucet and splashed some water on his face. Looking at himself in the mirror, he spoke seriously. “I’ll forgive you for being weak-willed this time, but don’t let it happen again, understood?”

He nodded to himself, as if making a promise.

After changing into his pajamas, Song Yi wiped his damp hair and walked out.

Gu Xingchuan was lazily leaning against the balcony, talking on the phone. His expression was distracted, but when he heard the footsteps, he glanced over, giving Song Yi a half-hearted look and letting out a long “Oh,” before turning back to the call in disinterest.

Song Yi opened his slim Apple laptop and placed it on the table, connecting to the hotel’s Wi-Fi while browsing through some travel photos he had taken.

Gu Xingchuan stayed on the phone for about ten minutes.

They were close enough that Song Yi could faintly hear bits of the conversation. “I’m not going back.” “You handle it.” “Send an apology letter, my ass.”

Though he wasn’t interested in prying into others’ private matters, Song Yi couldn’t help but wonder for a moment before returning to his own activities.

At that moment, a real-time Weibo notification popped up on the screen.

“Gu Xingchuan accidentally liked Zhou Moquan’s gossip post on Weibo.”

Song Yi froze for a moment, clicking on the post with an expression of helpless amusement. The trending topic was a screenshot of a Weibo post from a gossip account, which had been posted half an hour earlier: “It’s said that ZMQ kicked his long-time partner, a rich and spoiled white-collar woman, to the curb and hooked up with a socialite from an even wealthier family. ZMQ, the trophy boyfriend, sure knows how to work it.”

Below, there was a like from Gu Xingchuan’s Weibo ID.

Song Yi opened the comments and skimmed through them. Gu Xingchuan’s fans had already flooded the section, controlling the narrative, but one top-voted comment stood out: “People say it was an accidental like. How could he ‘accidentally’ like a post about Zhou Moquan?”

Song Yi knew exactly whether it was an accident or not. He sighed inwardly, folding his arms as he leaned against the door of the balcony, watching Gu Xingchuan’s straight back.

Once Gu Xingchuan ended the call, he turned and squinted at Song Yi.

Song Yi shook his head helplessly, his tone serious. “Don’t do things like this again. It’s childish.”

Gu Xingchuan raised an eyebrow, looking unsurprised. “What they said isn’t exactly false.”

Song Yi removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s not about whether it’s true or false.”

He paused, deciding to talk to Gu Xingchuan more seriously, softening his tone. “I know you look down on him, but not everyone’s circumstances are like yours. Zhou Moquan lost his parents at a young age and was raised by relatives. He learned early on how to read people’s faces and prioritize reputation and wealth. You could think of him as your opposite—he lacks everything you take for granted, everything you’ve always had.”

Song Yi sighed inwardly. “You need to understand people like him. They have their own way of surviving. When I met him, he was already like this, but I never looked down on him. It’s his choice, and as long as he’s at peace with it, that’s all that matters.”

Gu Xingchuan’s family never had to worry about reading people’s expressions. He had never known what it was like to have to watch his every move, living a life of pure indulgence. He was arrogant, willful, and reckless, doing whatever he wanted, with the world always making way for him.

Gu Xingchuan stared at Song Yi for a few seconds before turning away, his voice stiff as he said. “You speak up for others, and now I’m the one in the wrong.”

He stormed off to the living room, grabbed his clothes from the rack, and marched toward the door.

Song Yi watched his retreating figure, both exasperated and amused. He muttered softly. “Gu Xingchuan, how can you be so foolish?”

Gu Xingchuan turned to glare at him, his tone flat. “You think you’re the smartest?”

Song Yi shrugged. “At least when I like something, I use a secondary account.”

Gu Xingchuan snorted dismissively. “Am I supposed to be afraid of him?”

Song Yi smiled lightly, blinking a few times. “Then don’t be angry. I’m not blaming you.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Song Yi said firmly.

Gu Xingchuan stepped forward, suddenly pressing his hand to the back of Song Yi’s head. He leaned down and kissed him forcefully on the lips, clearly displeased. “You’re really annoying today.”

Song Yi calmly responded with an “oh,” thinking to himself that he must be very lovable today.

Gu Xingchuan paused for a moment, gritting his teeth. “You said I don’t read other people’s expressions? Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing right now—watching yours?”

Song Yi tilted his head, amused at how pitiful Gu Xingchuan looked, and smiled. “Are you really watching my face?”

Gu Xingchuan squeezed his jaw and snorted. “Don’t laugh.”

He paused for a moment, his thumb rubbing against Song Yi’s lower lip, his breath uneven. He spoke slowly and deliberately. “I don’t want to be your friend with benefits. I want to be your man. No rejection.”

=^_^=