When Chu Shangluo received Lin Zhi’s call, he was lying on his bed, half-asleep.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Shangluo forced his eyes open.

“Boss, where are you? I’ve been waiting for you for so long. The banquet has started, and even the head of the Yu family has shown up. Aren’t you coming back to make an appearance?”

Chu Shangluo felt slightly more alert. For the future of the Chu family, no matter how much he disliked such events, he had to attend.

He took two hangover pills, changed into dry clothes, and went to the bathroom to wash his face. He quickly ran his fingers through his messy hair.

Looking at his reflection, he noticed how long his hair had grown. The last person to cut it for him was Ren Jiaoming.

His gaze fell on a pair of scissors lying by the sink. After staring at them for a moment, he suddenly picked them up and began cutting his own hair.

Strands of hair fell into the sink, but it wasn’t just hair he was shedding—it was also that stubborn attachment he had clung to for too long.

When he finished, Chu Shangluo looked at his reflection with satisfaction. It was his first time cutting his own hair—not perfect, but neat and clean enough.

For the first time, he thought if he ever failed completely, maybe he could open a barbershop. Who knew? Haircutting might just be his hidden talent.

The rain outside had eased by then. Chu Shangluo grabbed an umbrella and opened the door.

The man standing outside froze for a moment when he noticed Chu Shangluo’s new hairstyle.

Chu Shangluo’s expression turned cold, his brow furrowing slightly. “How did you know I was here?”

The man replied gently, “I asked the front desk.”

“Oh,” Chu Shangluo responded flatly, closing the door behind him. “Right. I forgot you’re the manager here, Song.”

Song Yuchu looked hurt. He reached out to grab Chu Shangluo’s arm, his voice soft. “After I left, have you been doing okay? Has your stomach condition flared up again?”

Chu Shangluo shook off his hand, stepping out and opening his umbrella. Tonight felt ironic—one after another, the people who had betrayed him kept showing up with their fake concern.

A trace of sadness flickered across Song Yuchu’s face.

He knew Chu Shangluo too well.

Chu could be incredibly kind to you, but he could also withdraw that kindness in an instant, leaving you forever staring at his retreating figure.

Taking a deep breath, Song Yuchu didn’t want to be left behind again.

But his own weakness had held him back all this time. He never had the courage to face Chu Shangluo, not until tonight when their paths crossed again. Now, he couldn’t suppress his longing and overwhelming guilt.

If he didn’t explain himself, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

Song Yuchu quickly chased after him, his voice trembling with urgency.

“I’m sorry. I really had no choice back then. You know I didn’t have much money. My mother was seriously ill, and I desperately needed the money. I thought I’d just borrow 500,000 for a while, and I promised myself I’d return it before you even noticed. But before I could, you found out. I was too ashamed to face you, so I ran. ”

“I’ve wanted to see you ever since. I wanted to return the money. But every time I reached your office building, I lost my nerve. You know I’ve always been a coward, I—”

Chu Shangluo, fed up, interrupted coldly, “I don’t know you. I know nothing about you. Don’t speak to me like we’re close.”

Song Yuchu was most afraid of seeing Chu Shangluo like this. He reached out again to grab Chu Shangluo’s arm, and this time, Chu Shangluo’s steps suddenly slowed.

At that moment, Ren Jiaoming had already changed into a crisp, new suit, once again returning to his clean, refined, and distant appearance. His eyes were slightly red as he stared at Chu Shangluo under the umbrella, noticing his freshly cut hair.

Instinctively, he reached out towards Chu’s forehead and murmured, “The new hairstyle suits you.”

In the past, Chu Shangluo might have felt happy hearing those words. Ren Jiaoming had noticed the subtle change and even complimented him. Those words of praise and attention he had once longed for were now being offered, yet his heart remained completely unmoved.

He brushed past Ren Jiaoming without a word, but the next moment, his hand was firmly grasped.

Ren Jiaoming clutched Chu Shangluo’s warm hand tightly, his fingers tracing over his skin, unwilling to let go of this warmth that once belonged to him. He didn’t just want to hold him now—he wanted to hold onto him forever.

Ren Jiaoming’s hands were cold, and Chu Shangluo hated that chill. The icy sensation seemed to seep through his skin, reaching his heart, a coldness that had once extinguished his burning feelings countless times before.

Ren Jiaoming was finally willing to hold his hand. But Chu Shangluo didn’t want it anymore. He had sworn he would let go of Ren Jiaoming completely, never reaching for him again.

“This is really pathetic, you know that?” Chu Shangluo yanked his hand away with force.

Ren Jiaoming’s grip was so strong that it felt like Chu Shangluo’s hand was nearly dislocated.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Trying to crush my hand or something?” Chu Shangluo gritted his teeth in pain.

The twisted obsession in Ren Jiaoming’s eyes softened slightly when he heard Chu Shangluo hiss in pain. He hesitated, not wanting to let go, but when he saw Chu Shangluo’s furrowed brow, he finally released his grip.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Chu Shangluo rubbed his reddened wrist, his voice low and cold. “We’re done. You’re smart enough to understand plain words, aren’t you?”

Ren Jiaoming’s face paled. Every word, every expression, every movement of Chu Shangluo’s was like a dagger stabbing straight into him.

Just then, Song Yuchu approached. He had intended to help Chu Shangluo get rid of this persistent man, but when he saw Ren Jiaoming, he froze.

“You? What are you doing here?”

Ren Jiaoming glanced at Song Yuchu but ignored him completely.

Chu Shangluo found the whole scene amusing.

“So you two know each other? What a joke. Both of my backstabbing assistants are actually acquainted. How lucky I am to have all this melodrama dumped on me.”

Ren Jiaoming and Song Yuchu exchanged a brief, surprised glance before both fell silent, the tension thick and unresolved.

Ren Jiaoming stared at Chu Shangluo, raising his hand as if to pull him back, but the icy, heartless look in Chu Shangluo’s eyes stunned him. His chest tightened with a dull ache, and his hand slowly dropped, clenching into a pale fist.

Song Yuchu wore a pained expression but didn’t know what to say. Both of Chu Shangluo’s former assistants—they weren’t interested in comparing experiences; they just wanted his forgiveness.

However, Chu Shangluo had no intention of wasting words on them and left swiftly, leaving the two standing silently in the drizzle like lifeless statues.

＊

Returning to the banquet hall, Chu Shangluo was met with glittering lights and a crowd gathered around a beautiful woman on the stage.

Lin Zhi rushed over the moment he saw him, his eyes lighting up in surprise. There was a new confidence and fearlessness in Chu Shangluo’s gaze that hadn’t been there before.

“Boss, you cut your hair!” Lin Zhi exclaimed, delighted.

Chu Shangluo smiled and tousled his hair lightly. “Does it look bad?”

“No! It looks great! So sharp! So handsome! So dazzling!”

Chu Shangluo lifted his chin, playfully slinging an arm around Lin Zhi’s shoulders. “Of course. Just look at me—I’m so good-looking. The line of people who admire me could stretch from the city center all the way to the suburbs.”

Lin Zhi noticed the bright spark returning to his boss’s eyes. Ever since being betrayed by Ren Jiaoming and the Wen family, Chu Shangluo had seemed clouded by pain and anger. Lin Zhi had genuinely worried he might never recover. But now, Chu Shangluo seemed even more radiant than before those betrayals.

Lin Zhi grinned. “That’s underselling it—I’m sure the line would reach the next city.”

Chu Shangluo chuckled, giving Lin Zhi a playful shake before grabbing a glass of red wine from a server’s tray and making his way toward the stage.

The woman in the red dress on stage was undeniably the center of attention. She looked to be around 35, with striking, elegant features and an aura of grace and power in every movement.

Chu was surprised that the owner of the Yu Corporation was so young—achieving such dominance at her age was no small feat.

With a charming smile, he approached the crowd, waiting for the right moment to speak with her.

The woman, Shen Mingyu, had been conversing with Wen Yan. However, when she noticed Chu Shangluo, she suddenly raised her glass toward him.

The surrounding business elites, who had been lingering around Shen Mingyu making small talk, shifted their attention to Chu Shangluo. He met their gazes with poise, stepping forward gracefully and clinking his glass lightly against hers.

“Hello, I’m Chu Shangluo.”

Shen Mingyu responded with a refined smile. “I know you. I’m very interested in your collaboration proposal.”

The crowd, who had been chatting with Shen Mingyu for quite some time without receiving a mention of business, fell into silence. It was the first time she had taken the initiative to discuss cooperation with anyone that evening.

It was clear—Chu Shangluo had just secured her favor.

Jealousy rippled through the group. Many had been enjoying the spectacle of Chu Shangluo’s recent downfall, relishing in his struggles after offending so many powerful figures. But now, watching him rise again so quickly left them bitter.

The most displeased of all was Wen Yan, who had been speaking with Shen Mingyu moments before she turned her attention to Chu Shangluo. His jealousy twisted violently inside him, his nails digging into his palms.

He couldn’t understand—why was fate so unfair? He wasn’t inferior to Chu Shangluo, yet it seemed the world always favored him.

Chu Shangluo was well aware Wen Yan must be seething with rage but knew he would hold back for the sake of appearances, forced to endure silently for now.

He glanced at Wen Yan, who had a gentle smile on his lips but was glaring daggers at him with his eyes. The satisfaction in Chu Shangluo’s heart deepened as he deliberately continued chatting with Shen Mingyu for a long time.

Wen Yan, standing nearby, was clearly on the verge of losing control.

After finishing his conversation with Shen Mingyu, Chu Shangluo returned to his seat with a smug smile. The thought of Wen Yan being humiliated yet forced to suppress his anger, twisting with frustration, filled him with joy.

Lin Zhi refilled Chu Shangluo’s glass, but he chose not to drink. He didn’t want to get drunk anymore—being sober felt much better.

Later, when the banquet ended, the host announced on stage that updates regarding the collaboration would be communicated via phone in three days. Additionally, due to rough seas, everyone was advised to stay overnight on the island.

During that night and even on the boat ride back the next day, Chu Shangluo never saw Ren Jiaoming again.

Smoking a cigarette while gazing at the vast blue sea, Chu Shangluo thought perhaps Ren Jiaoming had finally given up on bothering him. He felt satisfied. Becoming strangers was exactly what he wanted.

However, before they fully became strangers, the fact that Ren Jiaoming had stood with the Wen family—the very people who betrayed him—was something he would make both Ren Jiaoming and the Wen family pay for, sooner or later.

＊

When Chu Shangluo returned to the small farmhouse, he noticed several chickens at the door. He paused for a moment, watching the clumsy little yellow chicks stumble around, then saw the young man sitting at the doorstep waiting for him.

Fan Mo stood up and smiled. “I brought them for you.”

Chu Shangluo lightly nudged one of the awkward chicks with his foot. “What’s the point of these?”

“They can grow up to lay eggs. Or you could eat them. Or the eggs could hatch into more chickens—who knows, maybe you’ll become a top chicken farmer someday, Boss Chu,” Fan Mo joked with a grin.

Then, his smile faded into a hesitant, pleading expression as he softly asked, “Can you tell me now? Who is my brother? Where is he?”

Chu Shangluo had known that was why Fan Mo had come today. At this point, he didn’t want to keep the truth from him anymore.

“Alright,” he replied.