The call ended.  

Xu Yitong bent her knees, hugging her phone to her chest, curled up in her chair.  

She felt like she was soaking in a pool of honey, her mind adrift until Yi Yi called her name several times.

Xu Yitong finally snapped out of her daze with a blank “Huh? What’s up?”  

Yi Yi asked, puzzled, “Where did you just go?”  

Xu Yitong replied reflexively, “To get water.”  

Roy chimed in, “What a coincidence, Fish also went out to get water.”  

His offhand remark made Xu Yitong immediately clam up.  

Her mind was soaring, lost in narcissistic thoughts.  

Even though everyone was just teasing and joking around, no one took it seriously.  

But in those few short minutes, hadn’t she and Yu Ge shared a little secret, a hint of unspoken ambiguity…?  

*  

On Wednesday, when meeting with the designer, CC took some time off to drive Xu Yitong there.  

As soon as the car door opened, a wave of cloying fragrance wafted in. 

CC glanced at the passenger seat.

A few seconds later, she took off her sunglasses, staring at Xu Yitong from head to toe in disbelief.  

Her eyelid twitched as she asked in bewilderment, “What’s with this glamorous outfit? What are you trying to do?”  

“Is it really that glamorous? I feel like it’s pretty normal,” Xu Yitong feigned innocence, eyeing her reflection in the mirror. “I haven’t been out in a while, just threw something on.”  

CC suddenly understood, “Ohhh, just threw something on, huh? You scared me—I thought you were heading to the Weibo Night red carpet.”  

Xu Yitong buckled her seatbelt. “Go die.”  

The last time she’d gone out, it had been drizzling, humid and sticky, but still bearable.

In just a couple of weeks, the temperature had skyrocketed, and Shanghai felt like it had been tossed into a boiling iron pot.

Staying indoors without air conditioning was pure torture.  

After arriving at the location, within half an hour, sweat was pouring down her face, and her makeup was half-ruined.

Xu Yitong couldn’t take the heat anymore and excused herself to run to a nearby convenience store.  

It was past three in the afternoon, and the store was nearly empty. 

A young cashier was watching a drama at the counter.  

Xu Yitong thoughtfully bought cold drinks for CC, the designer, and their assistant, then returned to the convenience store.  

She bought a Häagen-Dazs ice cream as a token purchase and settled in to enjoy the air conditioning.  

Last time, it had been dark, so she hadn’t noticed. Now, she realized that from here, she could see OG’s building—quite impressive, actually.  

Before she could stop herself, she wondered: What is Yu Ge doing right now? Pro gamers’ schedules are so irregular—maybe he’s still asleep?  

And then, unable to resist, she sent him a message: [“Hey! What are you up to?”]  

After waiting a while, unsurprisingly, there was no reply.  

She should’ve held back.  

Xu Yitong set her phone aside, eating her ice cream.

Bored, she struck up a conversation with the cashier. “Hey, how’s business here?”  

“Huh?” The girl looked up, confused.  

“Ha, I just leased the shop next door,” Xu Yitong explained. “Just curious, thought I’d ask.”  

“Oh, I see,” the girl paused her drama to answer. “Business is okay. It’s busier at night.”  

Pretending to be casual, Xu Yitong probed further, “I noticed there’s a club nearby. Do they come here to shop often?”  

“Sometimes, but they usually order delivery,” the girl smiled. “The shop you leased used to be a flower store. Business was great, but the owner went back home to get married.”  

“Wow, really?”  

The girl pointed, “Yeah, because of that club. I’m not sure what game they play, but they’re super popular. Fans order flowers for them all the time during holidays.”  

……  

After taking measurements, they found a nearby café to sit down.  

After some more discussion, the designer handed them the contract. “Take a look. If everything’s fine, we’ll sign today. Pay 50% upfront, and the construction drawings will be ready this week.”  

Xu Yitong leaned in next to CC to review it, though she didn’t understand much. She sought CC’s opinion: “Does anything look off to you?”  

CC carefully went through each clause and nodded. “Seems fine. Let’s sign.”  

After paying the deposit, the designer quickly created a group chat.  

Xu Yitong checked the time and suggested, “It’s already five. How about we grab dinner nearby? My treat.”  

The designer packed up her things. “No need to be so polite. Next time? We have a meeting back at the office soon.”  

“Alright.”  

Xu Yitong didn’t press further.  

CC also stood up, pulling out her car keys. “Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”  

Xu Yitong didn’t budge. “How about we sit a little longer?”  

“Why?”  

Xu Yitong’s eyes darted around, hesitating as she scanned the area outside the window.

“It’s still early.”  

CC was skeptical. “Did you make plans with someone?”  

“Yu Ge?” Xu Yitong shook her head. “No.”  

“Then what are you staying here for?”  

Xu Yitong said without batting an eye, “I ran into him around here last time. Maybe he’ll come out to shop later.”  

“You’re insane.”  

Xu Yitong dug in her heels, refusing to move.

“I’ll wait a bit longer. You go ahead, don’t worry about me.”  

She looked so good today.

If she didn’t get to see him, how would she sleep tonight?  

……  

The clock in the shop ticked from five to eight.  

She’d refilled her coffee and tea several times, sitting there from daylight until dark.  

As the shop was about to close, the person she’d been waiting for still hadn’t shown up.

Xu Yitong felt a pang of disappointment.  

Looks like the heavens weren’t smiling on her today.  

But that’s okay.  

She quickly rallied her spirits.  

Three parts fate, seven parts effort.  

Fortune favors the bold!  

Xu Yitong meticulously studied the menu before flagging down a server to pack up some desserts and drinks.  

She asked, “By the way, do you have any good cookies here?”  

The server thought for a moment.

“Shortbread? The Earl Grey white chocolate and red velvet cheese flavors are the most popular.”  

Xu Yitong made her decision. “Great, pack one of each separately.”  

After a sweltering day, the temperature finally dropped a bit in the evening.

As night fell, the entire OG building lit up, its floor-to-ceiling windows glowing brightly.  

Xu Yitong lugged her bags of goodies, loitering around the base’s entrance.  

Her suspicious behavior quickly caught the attention of the security guard, who barked, “Hey, you! No loitering!”  

Her arms were starting to ache. Xu Yitong took a few steps closer.

“I’m here to deliver some food! Could you let them know? I can leave it with you if they can come pick it up.”  

The guard scrutinized her for a few seconds. “Did you arrange this with any staff?”  

“No.”  

In recent years, obsessive fans showing up unannounced had become more common.

The guard was used to it.

His expression hardened.

“Sorry, we have rules. The base doesn’t accept individually delivered gifts—food or drinks included. Take it back.”  

“…”  

Under the guard’s stern gaze, Xu Yitong slunk away.  

But she didn’t go far.  

After some deliberation, she opened WeChat and messaged Awen: [“Hi, I bought some food for you guys, but the guard wouldn’t let me leave it at the door. Can someone come down to get it?”]  

Ten minutes later, Little C hurried down in slippers.  

Seeing Xu Yitong laden with bags, he exclaimed, “Wow, what brings you here? And with all this stuff?”  

Xu Yitong smiled. “I happened to be in Xuhui today for some errands. Since I’ve mooched off you guys a few times, I thought I should return the favor.”  

“You’re too kind!” Little C marveled, taking the bags from her. He explained, “Awen just started a game, so he couldn’t come. He asked me to get it.”  

“Oh, I see.”  

Little C, never one for subtlety, blurted out, “Why didn’t you message Fish?”  

Xu Yitong froze, a hint of awkwardness crossing her face. “I did this afternoon. He still hasn’t replied.”  

Little C immediately reassured her, “Fish is like that. He barely checks his phone.”  

“Whatever, it’s fine,” Xu Yitong forced a smile. “Just take the stuff up. I’ll head out.”  

“Um…” Little C suddenly called after her.  

Xu Yitong turned back. “What’s up?”  

“Fish isn’t at the base right now, but he’ll probably be back soon. Do you want to wait?”  

They found a clean spot to sit in a nearby pavilion.  

“What’s Yu Ge doing out so late?” she asked curiously.  

Little C: “His family called him away. Not sure what it’s about. Definitely not anything good, though.”  

Xu Yitong didn’t pry further.  

Placing the bags on the table, Little C grabbed a milk tea, stuck in a straw, and slurped loudly.

“It’s so late. I’ll keep you company for a bit.”  

“Thank you,” Xu Yitong was genuinely touched.

“Next time, I’ll treat you to dinner—any restaurant in Shanghai, your pick!”  

Little C grinned.

“You’re so generous, way better than Awen and the others! They make me call them ‘Daddy’ just for a barbecue.”  

Xu Yitong laughed.

“How old are you?”  

“Nineteen.”  

“Just an adult?”

Xu Yitong mused.

“Same age as my brother, but you’re way more likable.”  

“Conquer?”  

“Yeah. I read online that you guys don’t get along?”

Xu Yitong handed him a small cake.

“My brother’s young and childish, spoiled by our family. He doesn’t mean any harm. If he’s offended you guys, don’t take it to heart.”  

“No, no,” Little C set down his milk tea.

“It’s just the fans fighting online. The players are fine. After the last intercontinental tournament, we even went drinking with TG.”  

“That’s good,” Xu Yitong sighed unconsciously.

“Maybe we’ll be family someday.”  

“Huh? Family?” Little C was stunned.  

Xu Yitong laughed at his bewildered expression.

“Just kidding.”  

Maybe because Little C was the same age as Chen Yucheng, they hit it off surprisingly well.

The conversation flowed easily, never lagging.  

Checking her phone, she saw it was down to 10% battery. 

Xu Yitong brushed off her skirt. “Never mind, I won’t wait. You go back—I don’t want to keep you.”  

Little C: “Okay…”  

They stood up.  

Xu Yitong packed up the unfinished cake for Little C, adding, “The white bag has cookies in it.”  

Little C nodded eagerly. “I’ll make sure Fish gets them personally.”  

Xu Yitong smiled. “You’re the best!”  

Standing so close, Little C was momentarily dazzled by her bright, radiant smile.  

In his daze, he suddenly noticed someone standing not far away.  

Little C blinked. “Wait, isn’t that Fish over there?”  

Xu Yitong followed his gaze.  

There were no streetlights here, just a dim yellow bulb hanging above the pavilion, casting weak light.

In the darkness, Yu Ge stood in the shadows, his expression unreadable.  

After a brief pause, Yu Ge walked past as if he didn’t know them.  

Little C reacted first, calling out to him twice, but Yu Ge didn’t even slow down.  

The blatant disregard was jarring.  

Little C thought to himself—why was Yu Ge in such a bad mood? Had he done something to upset him today?  

Not wanting to poke the bear, Little C wisely grabbed the bags and said, “You guys talk. I’ll head up first.”  

……  

“Yu Ge, Yu Ge! Wait up!”  

Xu Yitong clutched the bag of cookies and hurried after him.  

He ignored her.  

Xu Yitong trotted alongside him, her tone cheerful. 

“Why are you back so late? I bought some food for you and Little C, but the guard wouldn’t let me leave it, so—”  

As they stepped into the light, her words caught in her throat. 

“Oh my god, what happened to your face?”  

“Your clothes are so dirty—were you in a fight?”  

Realizing how intrusive that sounded, she quickly backtracked.  

Yu Ge suddenly stopped.  

After a moment of silence, he said, “None of your business.”  

Xu Yitong explained, “I’m not trying to pry, I’m just worried—”  

“Worried?”  

Yu Ge repeated the word, letting out a strange laugh. 

His dark eyes were filled with gloom.  

The taste of blood in his mouth grew stronger.

He said coldly, “Are we that close?”