With one hand buttoning his shirt, and the other holding his phone, Zhang Yunyao invited him to go ice fishing over the phone.

“Not going,” his voice hoarse, standing in front of the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window, the bed behind him messy, “It’s freezing cold, who would want to go fishing with you.”

After buttoning up his shirt, his hand was free again, so he reached for the coffee Qi Wang handed him from the side.

“Why do you have hobbies like an old man? What’s so good about fishing?”

Zhang Yunyao rolled his eyes, “Mind your own business.”

He sat in the warm office, loosened his wrist, and said again, “If you don’t want to go, then forget it. But there’s a porcelain exhibition this weekend at the Linjiang Art Museum, hosted by my friend. Do you want to go together? You mentioned before that you wanted to gain inspiration from porcelain for your designs, so it’s a good opportunity.”

Yu Nian did indeed mention it.

But he hesitated for a moment and still refused, “No, I have something to do this weekend too.”

Zhang Yunyao was even more puzzled.

“What’s your plan? Suddenly working overtime again? I remember you said you were free a few days ago. Why can’t you make it whenever I try to meet up with you recently? Young Master Yu, although I know you’re a workaholic, this is too much, isn’t it?”

Yu Nian couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty.

He turned his head and glanced at Qi Wang, who was replying to emails on his bed.

This was clearly his bedroom, but Qi Wang was wearing black home clothes, typing with reading glasses on, calm and natural, as if he were in his own domain.

Feeling a bit depressed and puzzled, he still coughed and lied, “Yeah, it’s suddenly been a bit busy. There were some issues with the production line before, and I’ve been busy for over a week.”

“Okay, you’ve been through a lot,” Zhang Yunyao didn’t suspect anything, sighed lightly, “Then call me when you have time.”

Yu Nian hummed in response, chatted for a few more minutes, then hung up the phone.

But when the phone quieted down, Yu Nian felt a mixture of emotions.

For the past two weeks, he had basically been hanging out with Qi Wang in his spare time, and this weekend was already booked by Qi Wang. Because in another week, Qi Wang would be flying to France, and he also had to prepare for the launch of the spring collection. Until the Spring Festival, they wouldn’t have much time to meet.

If an uninformed outsider were to see them, they might even appear like an overly affectionate couple. Qi Wang would come to pick him up after work, and the car would deliberately park in the shade, trying to avoid being seen by his colleagues.

Since last week, Qi Wang had boldly started entering and exiting his home, even staying overnight for three days. Qi Wang even brought his own laptop and change of clothes, in case there was work to be done.

On the surface, such a life seemed fine.

He couldn’t deny that he found pleasure in it. Qi Wang, as a bed companion, was undoubtedly perfect: handsome, considerate, always accommodating to his schedule, watching movies with him, making him coffee, and even helping with some work when he stayed up late.

His attentiveness almost took over the role of his assistant.

But like now, as Yu Nian drank the coffee Qi Wang brought, he felt a bit uneasy—Qi Wang’s intrusion into his life was happening too quickly.

He did give Qi Wang the door lock code to come and go, but he didn’t seem to invite Qi Wang to stay overnight.

Yet, when he came to his senses, Qi Wang had already made himself at home in his bedroom.

This was completely different from what he had initially envisioned.

They were clearly just a vague, fleeting “bed companion” relationship, without commitment or sweet words, where either could leave when tired.

That was his original plan.

But it turned out differently in the end.

Yu Nian finished the last sip of coffee, feeling a bit unsettled.

After finishing his emails, Qi Wang pushed up his glasses and noticed Yu Nian’s expression.

“Why do you seem a bit unhappy?” he asked. “Was it about the phone call just now? About work?”

Yu Nian chuckled lightly inwardly, thinking, ‘You dare to ask.’

But he still answered Qi Wang’s question, “It was Zhang Yunyao calling, inviting me to go ice fishing. I didn’t agree.”

He hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Do you remember him? I used to be his piano accompanist. His uncle is Zhang Yu, and you accompanied me when I went to his villa for the first lesson.”

As Yu Nian spoke, his voice softened.

He still remembered many years ago, when Qi Wang was worried about his safety alone and specially escorted him to Zhang Yunyao’s villa, bringing carefully prepared gifts, and even waited to pick him up after work, yet never boasted about it to him or sought his gratitude.

This quietly caring attitude made him fall deeper.

Qi Wang remembered Zhang Yunyao.

He glanced at Yu Nian, somewhat surprised. “You’ve still been in touch all these years?”

“Yeah.”

Yu Nian sat down on the sofa, one foot resting on the edge. “Back then, he was also studying in London, and I was there with Ying Quanshen. The three of us often hung out together. Ying Quanshen is my childhood friend.”

Qi Wang also remembered this name, although he had never met him, he had heard it from Yu Nian.

Over the years, although he and Yu Nian had long since changed, some people still remained by Yu Nian’s side.

In an instant, Qi Wang even felt a twinge of jealousy.

There was an inexplicable silence in the room for a moment.

Suddenly, Yu Nian asked, “Have you been in touch with anyone from Morning Ten in recent years?”

Qi Wang hesitated for a second. “I’ve talked to Song Yunchun a few times. I know she’s in France now. But no one else. But I sent gifts when Chu Hejun and Xiao Gu got married.”

Yu Nian’s back tensed suddenly, staring straight at Qi Wang, his voice slightly changed, “When did you contact Song Yunchun?”

“… This year.”

Yu Nian’s back relaxed again, but he also felt a little lost.

This year.

Qi Wang probably heard something from Song Yunchun, after so many years of delay.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly.

He didn’t say anything more, just stood up and took a chocolate from the snack cabinet.

As he ate it, chocolate sauce stained his lips in several places, but he didn’t care. He flipped through the fabrics while munching, like a little hamster.

Qi Wang tirelessly helped him tidy up the mess in the bedroom, including clothes, books, stationery, and various scraps of fabric.

A renowned artist whose paintings were collected by museums like the Zurich Art Museum, now looked like a domesticated sprite.

Yu Nian’s gaze wandered back and forth between the booklet in his hand and Qi Wang.

Qi Wang was tidying up for him while also replying to work emails.

It’s said that a man who works is charming, and a man who stays at home is gentle. At this moment, Qi Wang should be the ultimate killer, capable of charming any innocent girl at random.

He wore a Bluetooth earpiece in his ear, still discussing hotel procurement with someone. His deep black loungewear made him even paler, his hair neatly groomed, his face clear and refined, exuding a cold and dignified aura. Even his fingers were slender and distinct, the type that Yu Nian liked the most.

He seemed to be discussing a crucial issue with someone, his tone stern, with an imposing air.

But he was also helping Yu Nian tidy up the messy snacks, putting each one into a small basket shaped like a cat’s paw.

Yu Nian chewed on his chocolate, cheeks slightly bulging.

This scene in front of him seemed a bit familiar. Many years ago, Qi Wang would listen to English listening exercises while helping him tidy up the little dog’s nest.

But as he looked at Qi Wang, he keenly felt the passage of time.

The young man who still had traces of youth and carefully planned his university aspirations had turned into the composed, dignified, and wealthy man in front of him.

And he had never been a part of that stage of life.

For some reason, as Yu Nian took a bite of chocolate, the slightly bitter taste spread between his lips and teeth, and he suddenly felt a little sad.