Two days later, Ning Zhiyuan received another call from his old classmate Zhou Haocheng, who mentioned that he would be leaving the next day. Before his departure, he suggested meeting up for a meal.

They agreed to meet at a restaurant in the business district. As they sat down, Ning Zhiyuan casually suggested, “Let me treat you to this meal as a farewell gesture.”

His friend didn’t argue, “Sure, when you come to the US next month, I’ll treat you.”

Ning Zhiyuan raised his water glass to take a sip, not bothering to respond to that.

Zhou Haocheng offered to help him inquire about job opportunities through internal recommendations: “With your impressive resume, any company would be eager to have you.”

Ning Zhiyuan chuckled, “It’s not that easy.”

“Are you hesitating? Don’t want to go anymore?” His old classmate observed him for a moment, suddenly realizing, “Last time I said you were heartbroken, you denied it. But today, it seems like you’ve reconciled with an old lover, and that has changed your future plans?”

Ning Zhiyuan, while sipping water, almost choked. He put down the glass and said, “What are you talking about? I’ve told you not to tease me like that.”

His friend said, “I really want to capture your current expression and let you see it for yourself, to see if it’s true.”

Heartbroken? Ning Zhiyuan found it amusing. If one becomes too fixated on someone in certain aspects and has to give up that obsession, the feeling of melancholy and loss might, in a sense, be similar to a breakup, although he had never truly experienced the taste of heartbreak.

“Well, if you insist on thinking that way, be my guest.”

Zhou Haocheng asked, “So, have you made a decision? Will you go there or not?”

Putting aside the playful mood, Ning Zhiyuan thought for a moment and said seriously, “I’ll consider it further.”

As they were finishing the meal, Ning Zhiyuan received a call from his former assistant.

“Mr. Xiao Cen, do you have some free time now? I’m with President Cen at a business reception. He’s had a bit too much to drink, Li Zhuo isn’t here today, and the driver took a day off. I might have trouble handling him alone. Could you please come over?”

Ning Zhiyuan was somewhat surprised, “Cen Zhisen is drunk?”

“Not drunk, but he did drink quite a bit,” the assistant replied.

Ning Zhiyuan asked for the address and found it wasn’t far from the restaurant. After instructing the assistant to expect him in twenty minutes, he hung up the phone.

His old classmate inquired, “Is there something urgent?”

Ning Zhiyuan’s tone, compared to before, was more helpless. “Ah, I need to meet that troublesome person who supposedly caused my ‘heartbreak.'”

About fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the location. Upon entering the banquet hall, he immediately spotted Cen Zhisen. Cen Zhisen, holding a champagne glass elegantly, was standing among the crowd, chatting and laughing with others, showing no signs of being drunk.

The assistant saw Ning Zhiyuan and hurriedly approached, “Mr. Xiao Cen”

Ning Zhiyuan stopped, raised his chin in Cen Zhisen’s direction, and said, “Explain.”

The assistant looked embarrassed, “He wanted you to come over. He was afraid you wouldn’t come, so he specifically asked me to say that. I’m sorry,.”

Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t help but smirk, “It seems that Cen Zhisen treats you quite well. You turned sides so quickly.”

The assistant wore a deeply resentful expression, making a begging gesture with clasped hands.

Ning Zhiyuan didn’t bother with more small talk and walked over.

When Cen Zhisen noticed him, he called out, “Zhiyuan, come over here.”

Surrounding him were various executives, most of whom Ning Zhiyuan had dealt with before. Greeting and exchanging pleasantries with these people felt easy and natural for him.

These individuals still addressed him as “Xiao Cen,” and Ning Zhiyuan didn’t feel the need to correct them. It wasn’t that the news about their family matters hadn’t spread; on the contrary, due to the internal information within the Cen family, and later being reported by media journalists with keen eyes, the melodramatic story of the wealthy family accidentally switching babies became a nationwide topic. Almost everyone knew about it, and he was receiving dozens of harassing calls daily from reporters wanting to interview him. He had even changed his phone number a couple of days ago.

“Zhiyuan resigned from Cen An a while ago. I couldn’t keep him. He plans to venture out on his own. If there are good projects in the future, I’ll have to trouble you all for your help. Don’t forget him.”

Cen Zhisen seemed to casually say these words, and the others all complimented him, saying they had heard of ‘Xiao Cen’s’ title as the God of Wealth of Cen An. If there was a chance for wealth, they would rely on Xiao Cen to lead them together.

Of course, it was just a joke. Even if Ning Zhiyuan really started his own business, the initial stages would not be easy, and these executives wouldn’t take him seriously. Nevertheless, Cen Zhisen’s actions tonight at least conveyed to everyone that the rumors about him being expelled from the Cen family and Cen An were false. Regardless of any internal conflicts, he was still the son of Cen Shengli, and Cen Zhisen’s brother.

Some individuals genuinely interested in Ning Zhiyuan asked him about his plans. Ning Zhiyuan smiled and said, “I’m still considering, maybe venture into venture capital. I like challenging things.”

Cen Zhisen glanced at him, lowered his eyes, and smiled.

As they left the venue, without outsiders around, Ning Zhiyuan suddenly reached out, grabbed Cen Zhisen’s collar, and pushed him against the wall, leaning in.

The assistant thought they were going to fight and quickly moved forward to intervene. However, the words “Mr Xiao Cen, stay calm” were abruptly cut off.

Ning Zhiyuan brought his nose close to Cen Zhisen’s lips and took a sniff, “You only drank champagne? How many glasses did you have?”

Cen Zhisen turned his head, meeting his gaze, and with a lazy expression, said, “One and a half, approximately.”

One and a half glasses, considering Cen Zhisen’s alcohol tolerance, he definitely wouldn’t be drunk.

Having figured this out, Ning Zhiyuan pushed him forcefully, stepping back, “I’m going back.”

As he turned, Cen Zhisen grabbed his arm, “The meaning of what you just said is that you’ve already decided to stay?”

Ning Zhiyuan was a bit exasperated, “I haven’t decided. I just went along with what you said. You unilaterally made the decision for me.”

Cen Zhisen let go of his hand, “Alright.”

Ning Zhiyuan was ready to leave, but Cen Zhisen suggested, “Want to go for a drink?”

“Haven’t you had enough?” Ning Zhiyuan halted his steps.

Cen Zhisen gestured to his assistant who had been standing nearby for a while, “You go back. I’ll take Xiao Cen’s car.”

After dismissing the assistant, Cen Zhisen’s eyes returned to Ning Zhiyuan, asking again, “Drink?”

Ning Zhiyuan asked, “Where are we going to drink?”

Cen Zhisen replied, “My place.”

Before getting into the car in the parking lot, Ning Zhiyuan heard someone calling him. Turning around, he saw the woman he had met twice before, the one who had cried. He didn’t expect to run into her here.

Cen Zhisen seemed to recognize her as well. He raised an eyebrow, reminding Ning Zhiyuan, “She’s looking for you.”

Seeing the slightly narrow smile in Cen Zhisen’s eyes, Ning Zhiyuan could only sigh in resignation.

“Wait for me a moment.” Saying this, he walked over.

Cen Zhisen didn’t immediately get into the car. Leaning against the car door, he lit a cigarette and put the tie he had casually removed into his pocket. His gaze followed Ning Zhiyuan.

He didn’t know what Ning Zhiyuan said, but the woman unexpectedly lowered her head and started crying. Ning Zhiyuan handed her a tissue and gently brushed her long hair with his hand, as if comforting her.

Cen Zhisen watched his actions, observing every subtle change in expression on Ning Zhiyuan’s profile.

He had always known that his younger brother was a playboy, surrounded by different women. He used to think that Ning Zhiyuan was frivolous and dissolute. However, he couldn’t recall exactly when Ning Zhiyuan had become like this.

It seemed that from the moment he became aware of it, he and Ning Zhiyuan had gradually drifted apart. The brotherly relationship between them had long become unrecognizable.

Brushing off the ash from his cigarette, Cen Zhisen lowered his head, inexplicably a bit melancholic.

After a moment, the woman stopped crying. Ning Zhiyuan said a few more words to her, and she left. He then walked back.

Cen Zhisen held the cigarette in his mouth, quietly watching him approach.

Ning Zhiyuan was also looking at him.

Cen Zhisen’s collar was loose as he leaned against the car door, exhaling smoke and staring at his own reflection, reminiscent of the hidden photo.

Cold and affectionate, it was unclear which side was the real him.

When he stopped in front of Cen Zhisen, he asked, “Why didn’t you get in the car first?”

Cen Zhisen gestured towards the woman who had disappeared into the elevator, “A romantic debt?”

“She said she wanted to date me.”

“And then?”

“I declined. I told her I just went through a breakup and wasn’t interested.”

Ning Zhiyuan maintained a calm attitude, looking directly into Cen Zhisen’s eyes when he spoke this. Perhaps, this was an excuse he made up to discourage her advances. Cen Zhisen seemed uncertain, “Breakup?”

Ning Zhiyuan wasn’t interested in elaborating, “Consider it as such.”

After a moment of thought, Cen Zhisen didn’t inquire further, “Let’s go.”

After getting into the car, Cen Zhisen provided his home address, and Ning Zhiyuan nodded, starting the car.

He didn’t speak afterward, focusing on driving.

The car smoothly moved through the night, sealed off from the outside noise by the enclosed space.

Cen Zhisen lazily leaned against the seat, turning his head to casually observe Ning Zhiyuan’s hands resting on the steering wheel.

Ning Zhiyuan’s skin was fair, and his palms weren’t rough like those of typical men. His fingers were slender, with beautiful joints, and his nails were neatly trimmed, short and translucent. Due to the grip on the steering wheel, two prominent blue veins could be clearly seen on the back of his hand, conveying a sense of strength.

Cen Zhisen’s gaze followed the course of those two veins, suddenly freezing.

At the recess before the ulnar styloid process on the back of Ning Zhiyuan’s wrist, there was a small burn scar, inconspicuous, and probably difficult to notice without careful scrutiny.

“What happened to your hand? Did you get burned?” Cen Zhisen asked.

Ning Zhiyuan turned his head, initially puzzled, then followed Cen Zhisen’s gaze, realizing what he was referring to. Without much ado, he pulled down the sleeve of his sweater, saying casually, “Accidentally burned by a cigarette butt, left a scar. It’s been many years.”

Cen Zhisen furrowed his brows internally but, seeing that Ning Zhiyuan didn’t want to elaborate, he let it go.

Twenty minutes later, the car entered the underground parking lot of Cen Zhisen’s residence.

When parking, Cen Zhisen informed the person next to him, “This is my private residence. If anyone wants to secretly photograph me in the future, make sure not to mistake the location.”

Ning Zhiyuan felt no embarrassment whatsoever, looked around, and asked Cen Zhisen, “Have you really never brought anyone here before?”

“I’ve said I don’t like bringing people to my home.”

Cen Zhisen opened the car door, concluding with, “You’re the first one.”