---

Regarding making Chi Yao pay for them, Xue Zhongming felt no guilt at all. If he didn’t make Chi Yao spend money, others would. So, he simply found more ways to get Chi Yao to spend.

After eating a few skewers, Xue Zhongming noticed the lotus root slices were ready. He grabbed them and handed them to Chi Yao. Chi Yao took a slice and bit into it. Even though he had an overly beautiful face, no matter how large a bite he took of the barbecue, to others, it still seemed as if they were looking at a painting.

Among this group of scoundrel friends, there were some who were gay. One quietly approached Chi Yao, staring at him from a spot where Chi Yao wouldn’t notice, with an extremely greedy look in his eyes.

But this time, after only a few seconds of staring, he suddenly found a pair of cold eyes gazing back at him. The voyeur drew in a sharp breath, feeling a chill run down his spine under Chi Yao’s piercing and stunning gaze.

The stare lasted only two seconds, and soon Chi Yao turned his attention toward the entrance of the venue. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he saw two people walking in—both of whom were striking in appearance and aura.

Chi Yao’s gaze first lingered on the gentle and calm one, but soon, without any emotion, he shifted it away and landed on the face of the other man, which was as cold and rugged as it was in his dreams. His sharp, defined features made Chi Yao’s heart stir slightly.

Almost instinctively, Chi Yao placed his hand on his abdomen. Feeling the flatness there, he thought to himself that there was no longer any need to doubt it.

He had been reborn. After dying once, he had come back to life two years earlier, to a time when his body had not yet started to deteriorate, and when he had not yet slept with an unknown man and become pregnant.

Chi Yao’s gaze was silent, but for some reason, the powerful man walking over there seemed to sense it and turned his head in his direction.

Unlike the previous times, this time Fu Rong didn’t see a face full of jealousy and hatred. Instead, Chi Yao smiled at him—a smile without arrogance, provocation, or contempt.

It was a smile of genuine gratitude.

Gratitude…?

When had he ever helped him?

There was never such a time.

In fact, their current relationship was best described as adversarial.

After all, both of them liked the same person—Shen Ling.

---

Eyes of Crystal Clarity, Filled with Spring Water

---

At the same time, Fu Rong was aware that his affection for Shen Ling was different from Chi Yao’s. To be precise, he and Shen Ling were more alike, and his fondness was more about admiration than love.

Most people probably thought he was pursuing Shen Ling. Maybe that was accurate, but both of them knew that their personalities clashed, making it impossible for them to be together.

Lately, he had some free time, so if people misunderstood, so be it.

After meeting Shen Ling, Fu Rong felt that his previously monotonous life had gained some amusement.

One source of that amusement was the young man eating barbecue not far away.

Though referred to as a young man, Chi Yao’s slender figure and youthful appearance could easily make him pass for a high schooler. His face was so youthful that even if he wore a school uniform and sat in a classroom, no one would doubt it.

A high school uniform?

Suddenly, an image flashed in Fu Rong’s mind. He had to admit a certain fact: this boy, his supposed rival in love, was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful people he had ever seen.

It was a pity that his eyes weren’t sharp, falling for someone as sly as Shen Ling, completely smitten, like a little puppy being toyed with, unaware of it.

What a waste of such a pretty face.

Fu Rong turned away, not bothering to look at Chi Yao again. He wasn’t particularly drawn to beauty—after all, good-looking people were everywhere, but truly interesting ones were rare.

Fu Rong preferred people with interesting personalities.

Shen Ling, for example, was one of them.

“Hey, hey, don’t look at me like that. You’ll make me think you actually love me,” Shen Ling teased, chuckling. His flirtatious phoenix eyes always seemed to be smiling, especially when he looked at people, giving the impression he was brimming with affection.

Those same eyes were part of what had instantly captivated Chi Yao.

“I do love you,” Fu Rong said, squinting slightly.

“Ha!” Shen Ling laughed. “Sure, if you say so.”

They were alike in nature. With just a glance, they could read each other’s true thoughts.

Being friends was enough; any deeper relationship would benefit neither of them.

Shen Ling glanced over at Chi Yao. By coincidence, they ran into him again outside. His pretty little puppy always wanted to be by his side. Though Shen Ling didn’t care for Chi Yao’s personality, finding him neither obedient nor submissive, he figured the boy’s good looks were at least entertaining. Chi Yao’s crush on him wasn’t the worst way to pass the time.

But something was different today. Chi Yao hadn’t rushed over to him like usual. Instead, he had been staring at Fu Rong for quite a while.

And he smiled at Fu Rong?

Shen Ling glanced up at the sky—sure enough, the sun hadn’t risen from the west.

Before his strange thoughts could linger, Chi Yao stood up and ran over.

The way he ran—like a puppy coming at a wave—was indistinguishable from a dog answering a call.

“Shen Ling!” Chi Yao ran up to him, slightly out of breath. His pale face was tinged with a little redness, and his black and white eyes sparkled as if brimming with spring water, clear and shimmering. Shen Ling’s gaze flickered slightly. At times, Chi Yao felt rebellious and eccentric, while at other times, he seemed incredibly fragile and weak.

Like a delicate crystal ball, ready to shatter with just a touch.

Sometimes, Shen Ling actually thought about giving in to Chi Yao, letting him into his bed, and then breaking him completely, inside and out.