Chu Shangluo’s new company was located not far from a villa that had been converted into a vegetable market. Every day on his way to the company, he would stop by to check the progress of the villa’s renovation.

The villa was almost completely demolished, with no trace left of its original form. It was better this way, as it spared him from constantly being reminded of the foolish things he had done for Ren Jiaoming. Chu Shangluo lit a cigarette, smoking slowly. If Ren Jiaoming hadn’t betrayed him, the villa would have been completed by now, designed just as the beautiful and grand blueprint drawn by Fan Mo had originally shown. He had planned to give the villa to Ren Jiaoming, hoping to exchange it for a glimpse of affection in his eyes or even a smile.

Back then, Chu Shangluo thought it was worth it. But now, looking back, it felt not only unworthy but also pathetic. When he decided to turn the villa into a vegetable market, it was his way of defiling his own sincerity, a harsh reminder that loving too selflessly and unconditionally only led to disgrace.

Now that the villa had been completely transformed, all he felt, besides the waste of money, was a small sense of satisfaction. After all, the current Ren Jiaoming would surely be upset to see his former home turned into a vegetable market.

Exhaling a puff of smoke, Chu Shangluo headed toward his company. The new office space was small, with only two rooms — one for himself and another shared by Lu Wen and Lin Zhi. There weren’t many employees since he had no active projects yet. The old city renovation project hadn’t started, so for now, he could manage the workload, though it left him with occasional free time to play video games and enjoy a rare sense of leisure.

Upon entering his office, he noticed a package on his desk. Hanging up his coat, cigarette between his lips, he picked up the package with a card attached. The name on it read: “Shen Jue?”

Lu Wen walked in with a cup of coffee and said, “The people from Yu Corporation brought it this morning. The young master sent it to you.”

Chu Shangluo was puzzled. He couldn’t imagine what Shen Jue would send him. Opening the package, he found a bottle of expensive red wine and a brand-new skateboard.

Staring at the skateboard, he wondered — how did Shen Jue know he liked these things?

Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Shen Jue:

“I heard you enjoy wine and skateboarding. Just a small gift, I hope you like it.”

Seeing Chu Shangluo holding the skateboard with clear fondness, Lu Wen’s smile faded slightly. “Since when did you get so close with the young master?”

Chu Shangluo snapped out of it, set the skateboard down, and asked, “Didn’t you work at Yu Corporation for a few years? What kind of person is Shen Jue?”

Lu Wen shook his head with a smile. “I didn’t interact with him much, but I’ve heard that he’s a very indifferent person, with little desire for anything. For him to show such care for you, he must really admire you.”

Everyone seemed to think Yu Corporation valued him, but Chu Shangluo didn’t see it that way. When he’d last met Shen Jue, his gaze had clearly carried a hidden agenda. It was obvious Shen Jue didn’t want him to act against the Wen family yet. Smart people often enjoyed the thrill of control and the satisfaction of personally taking down their targets.

During their last conversation, Shen Jue had made it clear he didn’t want Chu Shangluo disrupting his plans with the Wen family. Shen Jue wanted the full satisfaction of delivering the final blow himself.

These gifts — the wine and skateboard — were clearly a soft approach to dissuade him from making a move. If this didn’t work, Shen Jue would probably resort to harsher methods.

Frowning, Chu Shangluo packed the wine and skateboard back into the cabinet.

This Shen Jue… was truly a difficult one to deal with.

After work, Chu Shangluo didn’t forget that today was Lu Wen’s birthday.

Before dinner, Chu Shangluo suggested they browse some watch stores together. First, he wasn’t sure what to gift Lu Wen, and watches were a universal present. Second, ever since he had taken off his watch and returned it to Ren Jiaoming, he hadn’t gotten around to buying a new one for himself. Today seemed like a good opportunity to pick one up.

The nearby mall had several luxury watch stores. Chu Shangluo and Lu Wen entered one and came out with a watch bag each.

As they walked out of the mall, Lu Wen suddenly slowed his pace.

At first, Chu Shangluo didn’t understand why, but then he saw not far ahead—Ren Jiaoming walking side by side with Wen Yan. Ren Jiaoming wore his usual cold, indifferent expression, while Wen Yan looked at him with obvious affection in his eyes.

Chu Shangluo’s gaze turned icy, yet he also found it amusing. Wasn’t Ren Jiaoming supposed to be waiting for him to celebrate his birthday? So why was he here with Wen Yan?

Was Ren Jiaoming planning to spend time with Wen Yan first, then meet up with him later for his birthday?

He had to admit, he was impressed. Ren Jiaoming was a master of time management. Back when they were together, Ren Jiaoming had managed to secretly sell off the antique shop behind his back. And now? It seemed he had even mastered the art of being in two places at once.

If this was Ren Jiaoming’s way of trying to win his heart back, it was truly laughable.

Noticing Chu Shangluo’s darkened expression, Lu Wen asked, “President Chu, should we take another way around?”

“No need. Why take the long way when there’s a shortcut right here?” Chu Shangluo’s face remained calm, his eyes full of indifference.

In the past, whenever he saw Wen Yan and Ren Jiaoming together, he never dared to approach. He had been too in love with Ren Jiaoming, afraid of causing awkwardness for both of them. So he always turned away.

But things were different now.

These two no longer deserved his avoidance.

Lu Wen blinked in surprise but kept walking beside him. He glanced at Chu Shangluo’s stoic profile, thinking perhaps he really had moved on.

At the same time, Ren Jiaoming and Wen Yan also noticed them.

Ren Jiaoming froze for a moment before subtly increasing the distance between himself and Wen Yan, his gaze locked onto Chu Shangluo.

Wen Yan, noticing Ren Jiaoming’s sudden shift, felt a surge of jealousy and anger. His hands clenched into fists as he watched.

Meanwhile, Chu Shangluo didn’t spare them a glance. Turning to Lu Wen, he asked, “What do you want to eat later? It’s your birthday, so you get to decide.”

Lu Wen grinned. “Since you’re saying that, I won’t hold back!”

The two continued chatting and laughing, completely ignoring Wen Yan and Ren Jiaoming as they walked past them.

Ren Jiaoming watched their backs, hearing Chu Shangluo’s words replay in his mind, “It’s your birthday, so you decide.”

His face darkened, and he instinctively moved to follow Chu Shangluo.

However, Wen Yan grabbed his arm.

The smile on Wen Yan’s face was faint, almost forced, as he whispered, “Ruan Ge, you’re not really falling for Chu Shangluo, are you? Don’t forget—it was his father who destroyed your family.”

Ren Jiaoming stopped, his expression turning cold as he looked at Wen Yan.

“I know what I’m doing. I don’t need your reminders. I have things to take care of. I’m leaving.”

After speaking, he firmly pushed Wen Yan’s hand away and walked toward Chu Shangluo.

Wen Yan was left standing there, his chest heaving violently. He absolutely couldn’t let Ren Jiaoming be taken away. If he couldn’t have Ren Jiaoming’s heart, then he wouldn’t let Chu Shangluo have it either. Worst case, they’d both end up losing.

With that thought, Wen Yan followed after them as well.

Just as Chu Shangluo was about to leave the mall, a young child ran toward him. The child was holding an ice cream, which accidentally fell all over Chu Shangluo’s clothes.

Seeing the mess he’d caused, the child’s eyes turned red, and the next second, tears started falling as he sobbed, “I’m sorry, Da Ge^[1]Big brother! I didn’t mean to bump into you… sob sob…”

Chu Shangluo looked at the crying boy, his lips curving into a faint smile. He took out some money and handed it to the child, saying, “Don’t cry anymore. Go buy yourself another one. Otherwise, people will think I stole your ice cream.”

The little boy’s eyes lit up as he stared at Chu Shangluo, sniffled, and whispered, “Da Ge, you’re so nice.” Then, holding the money, he ran off still crying but with a smile.

Once the boy left, Chu Shangluo frowned irritably at his stained clothes. He pulled out a tissue and tried to wipe it, but the more he wiped, the worse the stain got. The creamy color only spread further, making him even more frustrated.

Due to his terrible recent lifestyle habits, he hadn’t taken his clothes to the dry cleaner in time, and this was his last clean suit.

Lu Wen, meanwhile, watched him with a grin.

Already annoyed, Chu Shangluo noticed Lu Wen’s amused expression and frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”

Lu Wen quickly denied it. “No, I just think…”

“Think what?”

“I think you’d make a great dad one day.”

Chu Shangluo actually laughed, the comment clearly the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard from Lu Wen. “Do I look like someone who’d have kids? I don’t plan on marrying a woman or having children.”

Lu Wen stared at him for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before finally replying, “True. I guess it’s best for you to just find someone you love and spend your life with them.”

“That’s too far off to think about now.”

Chu Shangluo tried wiping his clothes again, but the cream stain only got worse.

“I’m going to the restroom. Wait here for me.”

“Alright.”

Chu Shangluo walked into the restroom, placing the watch box on the sink as he turned on the faucet to wash the milk stain off his suit.

A moment later, someone walked up and stood beside him but didn’t turn on the water. Chu Shangluo glanced sideways in confusion. The young man next to him showed a gentle smile—Wen Yan.

Wen Yan spoke softly, “Chu Shangluo, you’re just a stand-in for me.”

Chu Shangluo, noticing that his suit was clean enough, shut off the water and cast a cold glance at Wen Yan, his tone filled with disdain. “Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror? Do you really think you’re qualified for that?”

Wen Yan’s expression darkened. “Chu Shangluo, don’t you think you’re overestimating yourself?”

“No, I think you’re the one overestimating yourself, Young Master Wen.”

Chu Shangluo lazily wiped his hands, then suddenly grabbed Wen Yan’s shoulder, pulling him closer. With his other hand, he tapped the mirror in front of them.

The reflection showed two men.

One was strikingly handsome, almost dangerously so, with sharp, proud eyes like those of a beautiful yet lethal predator—so captivating it was impossible to look away.

The other had a softer, purer appearance, also outstanding among the crowd. His face held a faint smile, and his gentle, scholarly aura made him seem approachable and warm.

Though their features shared some similarities, a closer look revealed they were completely different. And when standing side by side, the difference in presence was obvious.

Chu Shangluo smirked, his gaze lingering on Wen Yan’s forced smile in the mirror.

“You really think…” He tightened his grip on Wen Yan’s shoulder, leaning in and whispering, “…that you’re the one looking down on me?”