Fu Chengyu lay in his apartment for several days, his injuries finally starting to heal. Looking at the message Lin Bai sent him, he hesitated for a moment but ultimately decided to meet him. The reason was simple—Lin Bai had claimed on WeChat that he had a way to help him win back Shen Nanxing.

Fu Chengyu’s feelings toward Shen Nanxing were a mix of love and hatred. He hated Shen Nanxing’s coldness yet craved the gentleness and care he used to receive. No matter what mistakes he made before, Shen Nanxing would always forgive him. But now, no matter how much he apologized or tried to win him back, Shen Nanxing ignored him completely. What angered him the most was that Shen Nanxing had betrayed him—he had fallen for someone else.

Desperate to prove his charm, Fu Chengyu, despite his doubts, went to the meeting.

In the café, their conversation seemed completely normal. They didn’t mention Shen Nanxing’s name, appearing like an ordinary couple on a date. However, Lin Bai had changed his mind at the last minute. The café was crowded and noisy—what if someone overheard their conversation?

So when Fu Chengyu arrived, Lin Bai avoided mentioning the plan altogether. Instead, he kept acting concerned, leaning close to whisper, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

Eventually, they returned to Fu Chengyu’s apartment.

As soon as they entered, Fu Chengyu’s disdain was written all over his face. He pushed Lin Bai away and said coldly, “You can speak now, right?”

Lin Bai smirked nonchalantly. “What’s the rush?” He walked straight to the sofa and sat down. “You’re really that desperate to be with Shen Nanxing? Don’t forget to thank your matchmaker when it happens.”

After saying that, he burst into mocking laughter.

Fu Chengyu found his laughter grating. Frowning, he snapped, “Are you playing games with me, Lin Bai?”

Lin Bai raised an eyebrow and looked at him calmly. “Relax. You’ll definitely be interested in what I’m about to say…” He leaned close, whispering something in Fu Chengyu’s ear, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.

Shen Nanxing, I’ll ruin you completely.

Fu Chengyu’s face twisted with conflict after hearing it. “Are you sure this won’t get exposed?”

Lin Bai patted his chest confidently. “Relax. All you have to do is wait for good news.”

Fu Chengyu gritted his teeth, seemingly making up his mind. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

Unbeknownst to them, Fu Zhiyuan and Shen Nanxing had already been monitoring their every move.

—

That day, the final exams finally ended. Shen Nanxing felt like celebrating with fireworks—no more cramming in the library!

In the evening, Shen Chuanqiong booked a private room at “Yayun” for a family dinner to celebrate Shen Nanxing’s achievement.

While the family was enjoying their meal, Fu Zhiyuan suddenly walked in.

Shen Chuanqiong’s face darkened as he glared at him. “President Fu, don’t you think barging in like this is a bit rude?”

Ignoring his hostility, Fu Zhiyuan politely greeted Shen’s parents before explaining with a calm face, “I was discussing business in the next room and thought I saw someone who looked like Xingbao in the hallway. I just wanted to confirm, and it turns out it really is you. So I came by to say hello.”

Shen’s parents smiled warmly. “Zhiyuan, you’re just in time. We’re about to cut the cake—care to join us?”

Before Fu Zhiyuan could respond, Shen Chuanqiong interrupted, “Mom! President Fu is a busy man. He surely doesn’t have time for cake!”

Fu Zhiyuan pulled out a chair and sat next to Shen Nanxing, unfazed. “No matter how busy I am, I always have time for cake.”

Under the table, his hand slyly brushed against Shen Nanxing’s hand.

Shen Nanxing glared at him, silently warning him to behave.

But instead of stopping, Fu Zhiyuan grew bolder. His hand crept down and brushed against Shen Nanxing’s thigh.

Caught off guard, Shen Nanxing shot up from his seat.

Everyone at the table looked at him in confusion.

“Xingbao, what’s wrong?” Shen Chuanqiong asked.

Shen Nanxing glanced under the table, then pressed his foot firmly on Fu Zhiyuan’s polished shoe, forcing a smile. “Nothing. I just need to use the restroom.”

Fu Zhiyuan winced in pain but didn’t make a sound, his face slightly strained.

Shen’s father took a sip of wine. “Alright, Xingbao, don’t take too long.”

“Got it,” Shen Nanxing replied with a victorious glint in his eyes as he left the room.

—

The restroom was at the end of the hallway on the left side. After washing his hands, Shen Nanxing was about to return when a cool male voice echoed from behind him.

“Shen Nanxing, fancy meeting you here.”

It was Lin Bai, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.

Shen Nanxing rolled his eyes on the spot. He hadn’t expected Lin Bai to lose patience so quickly, already revealing his true colors.

Turning around, Shen Nanxing carefully examined the so-called “white lotus” standing before him. He had to admit, Lin Bai did have some qualities suited for playing the role of a manipulative green tea type—the delicate, vulnerable expression between his brows was exactly the kind that could trigger a man’s protective instincts.

Frowning, Shen Nanxing asked coldly, “What do you want?”

Lin Bai had worked hard to sneak into this place tonight. The restaurant was members-only, and he was only able to get in because he had worked part-time here before and knew the layout. Otherwise, there would have been no chance for him to get close to Shen Nanxing.

Forcing a friendly smile, Lin Bai quickly shifted to a guilty expression and said, “Shen, I’m here to apologize. You and Fu Chengyu broke off your engagement because of me. I’m really sorry for ruining your relationship. Can you forgive me?”

Shen Nanxing nearly gagged from disgust at his nauseating act. Without holding back, he lashed out at Lin Bai with a barrage of insults.

“You’ve really got some nerve! How many times have you rolled around in bed with Fu Chengyu already? And now you’re here playing innocent?”

“Only someone like you would be into recycled trash! You and Fu Chengyu are the perfect pair of garbage!”

“All day long, you have nothing better to do than stir up trouble!”

“Shameless green tea, get lost! Stop being so disgusting!”

“…”

Lin Bai was completely overwhelmed by Shen Nanxing’s verbal assault. He never expected someone who seemed so non-aggressive to be capable of cursing with such viciousness. His face turned pale, then paler, and his eyes welled up with tears. With a pitiful expression, he stammered, “Shen, you’ve really misunderstood me, I—”

“Misunderstanding my ass!” Shen Nanxing spat, cutting him off mid-sentence. “If you want to cry, go do it somewhere else! Stop performing here—I’m not interested in your show.”

If he wants to act, I’m not buying a ticket. Shen Nanxing mentally cursed his bad luck and turned to leave.

A flash of hatred flickered in Lin Bai’s eyes as he quietly approached Shen Nanxing from behind. As he got close, he clenched his hand tightly around a hidden object, preparing to throw it at Shen Nanxing.

However, Shen Nanxing had remained on high alert the entire time. He knew Lin Bai wouldn’t come just to get scolded. The moment Lin Bai got close, Shen Nanxing abruptly sidestepped and stuck out his leg, tripping him.

Lin Bai had been so focused on Shen Nanxing’s face that he was caught off guard. His reflexes kicked in too late, and he stumbled forward uncontrollably.