After the National Day, S City experienced continuous rain for almost half a month.

Autumn was always rainy, with endless showers day and night, enveloping the entire city in gloomy weather.

By November, the sky gradually cleared up.

Although Song Mianfeng was still busy with work, his heart was at peace. Returning home was no longer to a dark and desolate house; there was always someone waiting for him, and he slept with his beloved at night. Even if he had occasional nightmares, there was someone to pat his back and soothe him with gentle words, smoothing out his emotions.

Perhaps what his parents hoped for him was to live a stable life, which was exactly how he was living now.

Towards the end of the month, there was a sudden drop in temperature, and Lu Yin Zhen caught a cold.

He developed a fever at night, and Song Mianfeng had encountered such situations before. He calmly took him to the hospital for emergency treatment. He hardly slept through the night, staying by his bedside. It wasn’t until the next day when Lu Yin Zhen’s fever subsided that Song Mianfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

However, he couldn’t help but nag at Lu Yin Zhen for not wearing enough clothes to keep warm, knowing well that his health wasn’t good and yet not being more careful. He would often scold him about the importance of taking care of one’s health even if work was important.

Lu Yin Zhen knew he was in the wrong and stayed at home to recuperate for several days, finally putting the incident of falling ill behind him.

As December approached, the days grew shorter and colder, the leaves withered, and winter arrived quietly.

The winters in the south were damp and cold. It was fine indoors with the air conditioning on, but once you stepped outside, you were met with bone-chilling winds. Song Mianfeng stopped taking outdoor shoots that required going out. If there were outdoor shoots, he would let Liu Chengyin handle them. He justified it by saying that Liu Chengyin should learn to stand on his own.

On this day, there was a fashion show for a large international brand’s winter collection in City A. Normally, such large-scale fashion shows were covered by Song Mianfeng with Liu Chengyin. Although the photos might not always be chosen in the end, the most important thing in such occasions was to network, and experience and reputation were slowly accumulated over time.

Song Mianfeng was now intentionally training Liu Chengyin, so he assigned this show to him. The two new photographers who had recently joined the studio for internship were also sent out to assist Liu Chengyin. Song Mianfeng stayed back in the studio, sipping hot tea and retouching photos, feeling not an ounce of guilt.

When he returned home in the evening, Song Mianfeng noticed that Wang Letian had mentioned him in the group chat.

He said that Song Mianfeng was now even skipping such international shows and sending his apprentice and two interns instead, which was simply heartless.

Song Mianfeng replied with a voice message, “Who is the boss? Me right? If you’re jealous, start your own studio. Teach an apprentice, have someone carry your bags, and let someone else cover the shows you don’t want to do.”

Wang Letian replied with a string of ellipses, probably feeling quite stirred up.

Song Mianfeng continued, “Or you can just take over my studio directly. The studio and the apprentice are both readily available. Interested?”

Wang Letian didn’t reply further, either contemplating the pros and cons or simply ignoring Song Mianfeng. Instead, Mei Siye spoke up.

[Your Fourth Lord: Are you trying to poach him in front of everyone?]

[Your Fourth Lord: That’s not cool.]

[Wu Director: After hearing what Song’er said, I’m starting to feel tempted.]

[Wu Director: Being a director is really damn exhausting.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Are photographers not tired?]

[Wu Director: … Advising people to become photographers is like wishing thunder to strike.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: @Letian Knows His Fate, I’m serious.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Let me think about it.]

Song Mianfeng had invited Wang Letian to work together when he first started the studio. But at that time, Song Mianfeng was already somewhat known in the photography circle. He had held an exhibition, and Wang Letian didn’t want to take advantage of a friend. Besides, his family matters were in a mess, and he declined.

Later, when Wang Letian gained some fame for his studio photography, Song Mianfeng mentioned it again. At that time, Wang Letian was thinking about starting his own studio, so he politely refused. But his studio never really took off, and at that time, he had just started dating Mei Siye, facing opposition from his family and squandering his hard-earned money, which made him feel embarrassed and lost interest.

Now that Song Mianfeng brought it up again, Wang Letian was indeed tempted.

[Wu Director: Why did Song’er suddenly bring this up again?]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: He’s in a relationship now, so he has to plan for the future.]

[Your Fourth Lord: Are you going to move to B City?]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Move to B City? Ridiculous.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: We’ll live in both places for a while. The studio still needs to operate, and I trust Letian to handle it.]

[Wu Director: Well, it’ll be even harder to gather everyone together in the future…]

[Wu Director: We haven’t gathered for quite some time.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: You make it sound like we’ll never meet again in this lifetime.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Just say the word, and we’ll meet. It’s not like I can’t afford a few plane tickets.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: It has been quite a while since we last gathered. Song’er wasn’t even there last time.]

[Wu Director: It’s getting cold. It’s about time for a hotpot gathering.]

[Your Fourth Lord: It’s still warm here.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Are you kidding me?]

[Your Fourth Lord: That’s enough. If we keep talking, I might end up sleeping on the couch tonight.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Fu Qingshan, after all this talk, we’re still one short.]

[Wu Director: He’s probably still busy.]

[Wu Director: “Phoenix Flying” will be released on Christmas, and he’s been busy with promotional activities lately. His name is trending on hot searches every day.]

Later, Fu Qingshan finally appeared in the group chat. Song Mianfeng was lying on the bed playing with his phone when he saw the WeChat notifications pop up.

[Fu Qingshan: Picture of hotpot]

[Fu Qingshan: Just finished eating.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Smiling.jpg]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Muting the conversation.]

[Wu Director: Is it almost Fu Qingshan’s birthday?]

[Wu Director: I saw fans on Weibo starting to congratulate him today, and there are many retweet giveaways.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Seems like it, I remember it’s the Winter Solstice.]

[Wu Director: Is it the 30th or the 31st?]

[Fu Qingshan: It’s the 29th, thank you.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Rounded up, it’s the 30th.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Turning thirty, we must gather.]

[Fu Qingshan: …Alright, as long as you guys are happy.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Let’s have hotpot, and then we can go out for drinks.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Aren’t you afraid of being devoured alive by Fu Qingshan’s fans if you party too hard?]

[Wu Director: Is it because Fu Qingshanisn’t trending enough, or because his girlfriend’s fans aren’t enough, that you dare to take him out for drinks.]

[Your Fourth Lord: Are you out of your mind?]

[Letian Knows His Fate retracted a message]

[Fu Qingshan: Let’s just stay at my place, we’ll have dinner at night, order takeout directly to the house.]

[Fu Qingshan: I’ll invite a couple more friends.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: !]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Huh.]

[Wu Director: Smelling the scent of gossip.]

[Fu Qingshan: Don’t ask, it’s inconclusive.]

[Letian Knows His Fate: Place your bets, everyone. I bet on Chu Zhaoying.]

[Your Fourth Lord: I’ll bet on Chu Zhaoying too.]

[Wu Director: I’ll join with 1 RMB.]

[Fu Qingshan: ???]

[Fu Qingshan: Why are you all guessing her?]

[Wu Director: Then I’ll guess Zhou Yang? Li Juansheng? Yu Hongjian?]

[Letian Knows His Fate: If you invite Zhou Yang, I’ll salute you as a man.]

[Your Fourth Lord: What’s with Zhou Yang?]

[Wu Director: Song’er’s ex.]

[Your Fourth Lord: …]

The atmosphere in the group suddenly became awkward. Song Mianfeng smiled and typed a reply.

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: I’ll be bringing my partner along.]

[Leisurely listening to the wind sleep: Warning: battlefield.]

[Fu Qingshan: I don’t have, I’m not, don’t make baseless accusations.]

Fu Qingshan’s desperate plea for survival made Song Mianfeng chuckle.

After finishing his shower, Lu Yin Zhen came out wearing loose, thick fleece pajamas and leaned over to kiss Song Mianfeng.

“What are you chatting about? You’re smiling so happily.”

“It’s Fu Qingshan’s birthday, on the Winter Solstice. Everyone said we should get together, and I said I’ll bring my partner.” Song Mianfeng paused and asked him, “I wonder if my partner is available?”

“I’ll always make time for my boyfriend.”

…

Out of curiosity about the other friends Fu Qingshan had invited to his house, Song Mianfeng left early on Fu Qingshan’s birthday. But someone was even earlier than him—Wang Letian and Mei Siye were already sitting in Fu Qingshan’s living room.

After a short while, the delivery guy brought the hotpot, dishes, drinks, and alcohol, all of which were placed in the living room while the dining room was downstairs. When Wu An arrived, Song Mianfeng and the others were busy moving the alcohol and drinks to the dining room, so he rolled up his sleeves and joined in the work as soon as he entered.

After moving everything and setting up the table, everyone returned to the living room and started playing cards to pass the time.

Compared to Wang Letian, Wu An, and the others who were as close as family, Lu Yin Zhen sitting on the sofa appeared polite and reserved. As the host, Fu Qingshan received the gifts and felt that he should treat Lu Yin Zhen well, so he washed some fruits and brought them out on a plate. “Brother Lu, would you like some fruit?”

“Thank you.” Lu Yin Zhen took an apple from the plate closest to him and began eating.

“No need to be so polite.” Fu Qingshan placed the fruit plate on the coffee table. “I’ve known Song’er for almost ten years. Since you’re his partner, you’re like family.”

Lu Yin Zhen glanced at Song Mianfeng, who was secretly swapping cards with Wang Letian while Wu An wasn’t looking, and a smile crept up on his lips. “You guys have a really good relationship.”

Fu Qingshan smiled and was about to speak when the doorbell rang.

Everyone in the room instinctively looked towards the door. Wang Letian was the quickest to react. He grabbed the cards in his hand and ran towards the door, shouting, “One RMB is here! I’ll go, I’ll go open the door, no one else try to steal it from me.”

Lu Yin Zhen was puzzled. “One RMB?”

Mei Siye glanced at Fu Qingshan, who seemed a bit nervous, and smiled. “Besides us, Fu Qingshan invited some other friends. We made a bet in the group chat, betting that he invited Chu Zhaoying.” He paused and asked, “Do you know Chu Zhaoying?”

“I’ve met her once.” Lu Yin Zhen replied. “Mianfeng helped her with her makeup photoshoot.”

“Really?” Mei Siye raised an eyebrow, also curious, and stared in the direction of the door.