Shang Yichen sat in the VIP room, waiting for Gu Shuning, who was trying on clothes in the changing room. He absentmindedly flipped through his phone, his mind wandering. His WeChat was filled with messages—many from subordinates and friends—but none from Zhou Yi.

Shang Yichen scrolled through his messages, searching for Zhou Yi’s chat. It took a while before he found it, buried at the back. He clicked on it, but there were no new messages. The conversation was stuck on the last one, from the previous day.

Though he understood that Zhou Yi hadn’t contacted him out of respect for his work, Shang Yichen couldn’t help feeling a sense of emptiness without any new updates from him.

His finger hovered over the keyboard, about to type a message when Gu Shuning’s voice broke his concentration. “Yichen, what do you think of this suit?” she asked, stepping out of the fitting room.

Shang Yichen quickly hid his phone, looking up at her as she walked toward him. He smiled, “Very good.”

Gu Shuning noticed his small movements, her eyes darkening slightly. She pretended to fiddle with her sleeves and said, “Yeah, I liked it at first sight…”

“It suits your style very well,” Shang Yichen complimented.

Gu Shuning twirled in front of him, then added, “Indeed, but the price is beyond my budget.”

Without hesitation, Shang Yichen took out his card. “Swipe my card.”

“I’m sorry.” Gu Shuning pursed her lips. “I was able to study abroad thanks to your sponsorship. I feel bad about buying such expensive things for me.”

“Do we really need to worry about that between us?” Shang Yichen replied, handing the card to the shopping guide beside him. “Pack all the clothes she just tried on.”

The shopping guide nodded respectfully and went to pack the clothes.

“Yichen, please,” Gu Shuning said, catching his attention. “Really, it’s not necessary. Just buy the one I’m wearing.”

Shang Yichen picked up the clothing album and handed it to her. “See if there are any other pieces you like, and buy them all.”

Gu Shuning pursed her lips slightly, sitting down next to him. She took his hand, her eyes reddening. “You’re the only one who treats me this well now. Thank you.”

“No need to say thank you,” Shang Yichen replied softly, holding her hand. “When everyone looked down on me as a child, you were the only one who took me out to play. You saved me when I was pushed into the pool. If anything, I should be the one thanking you.”

He smiled at the memory. He and Gu Shuning had met at a banquet years ago. As the designated heir of the Shang family, Shang Yichen’s position was always precarious. His parents had a business marriage without love, and his father’s many affairs only added to the pressure. He was bullied and excluded by his own family and peers.

It was at this time that Gu Shuning had stepped into his life. At the banquet, while he was being bullied by children his age, they had pushed him into the pool. Shang Yichen, who couldn’t swim, had been helpless. Just as he thought he was going to drown, Gu Shuning had appeared, jumping into the water to save him. She wrapped him in a blanket and gently asked if he was okay.

Her kindness had been something Shang Yichen had never experienced, especially not from his parents. His mother, an Omega with strict ideals, had always pushed him to excel, punishing him when he failed to meet her expectations. His father, indifferent, favored his illegitimate child. Shang Yichen had never felt cared for by either of them.

Gu Shuning had been a light in his life—always there for him, helping him through dark times. When her family fell into poverty, Shang Yichen, now a successful Alpha, had supported her family financially. When she went abroad to study, he had provided her with a villa and taken care of every detail.

For Shang Yichen, Gu Shuning was irreplaceable, and he would go to great lengths to ensure her happiness.

“You should know that you don’t need to be polite with me,” Shang Yichen said, his voice gentle. “I’m happy to buy you anything.”

Gu Shuning looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears.

Shang Yichen reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek, about to speak when a knock interrupted him.

Without turning, Shang Yichen called out, “Come in.”

The shopping guide entered with the packed shopping bags and handed him the card. “Sir, the payment has been completed. Here is the bill and invoice.”

Shang Yichen took the documents and turned to Gu Shuning, who had regained her composure. “Shuning, let’s go have dinner at your favorite western restaurant.”

Gu Shuning smiled and nodded.

As they left the private room, the secretary and assistant at the door took the shopping bags. The secretary also handed Shang Yichen an umbrella and a coat. “Mr. Shang, it was raining heavily earlier. Although the rain has lessened, it’s still best to hold the umbrella.”

For a moment, Shang Yichen’s expression flickered, but he quickly masked it, putting the coat on Gu Shuning and taking the umbrella. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her to the parking area.

Once inside the car, Gu Shuning smiled, “Yichen, you’re really foresighted. You brought an umbrella and a coat, or we would’ve gotten soaked.”

Shang Yichen’s thoughts drifted to Zhou Yi, remembering how he had reminded him to bring an umbrella and extra clothes. Even from far away, Zhou Yi was still looking out for him.

Gu Shuning noticed his silence and the faint tension in his demeanor. She leaned in with a concerned smile, “Yichen, did something happen in China?”

Shang Yichen snapped back to reality. “No, what’s wrong?”

“I just feel like you have something on your mind.”

“No, you’re overthinking it.” Shang Yichen lowered his voice, realizing his tone was too stiff. “I mean, nothing will happen to me.”

“I know you’ll be fine,” Gu Shuning said softly. “But you were distracted by your phone, and it worried me. We’re half a world apart now. If something happens, I won’t know in time. Please promise me you’ll tell me if anything does, and don’t hide it. Even if I can’t do much, I’ll help however I can.”

Shang Yichen felt a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry. I’ve been busy with work and didn’t consider your feelings. I promise, if anything happens, I’ll let you know right away. Okay, Shuning?”

Gu Shuning nodded, holding his hand. “Okay.”

As the night wore on, Zhou Yi woke up to a strange softness beneath him. Blinking in confusion, he realized he was lying in Liang Xianzhang’s bed. They had agreed not to get too involved, yet here he was again, in Liang Xianzhang’s home.

His mind replayed the events of the previous night—the care Liang Xianzhang had shown him. No one had ever taken care of him like that before. Zhou Yi was used to enduring illness alone, but Liang Xianzhang’s attention had left him feeling unsettled. He couldn’t understand why Liang Xianzhang treated him with such gentleness.

Zhou Yi was used to people offering kindness with ulterior motives. His early experiences had taught him to distrust people who were overly nice. But something about Liang Xianzhang didn’t fit that pattern. He didn’t seem to want anything in return, and Zhou Yi couldn’t figure out why he kept helping.

As Zhou Yi pondered, he didn’t realize the door had opened.

“Awake?” Liang Xianzhang’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Zhou Yi looked up, startled. “Awake…”

Liang Xianzhang walked to his bedside, naturally reaching out to touch his forehead. “The fever has subsided. Are you hungry?”

Zhou Yi’s stomach grumbled in response. He hadn’t eaten anything yesterday except a cold drink from the faucet. His embarrassment was palpable as he looked away, missing the faint smile that tugged at Liang Xianzhang’s lips.

“I’ve placed some clothes in the bathroom. You should take a hot bath now that your fever has gone down,” Liang Xianzhang suggested. “The clothes you wore last night are in the laundry basket. Once you change, you can come out for breakfast.”

Zhou Yi, feeling too embarrassed to refuse, quietly thanked him. Liang Xianzhang left the room, closing the door behind him.

Sighing, Zhou Yi got up and went to the bathroom. The clothes Liang Xianzhang had left for him were neatly placed, soft to the touch. Zhou Yi immediately realized they were expensive. The care Liang Xianzhang had shown him made him feel strange, as if something in his heart was swelling with emotion.

He couldn’t understand why this simple kindness was affecting him so much.

After a quick shower and changing into the perfectly fitting clothes, Zhou Yi walked out of the bathroom, still trying to process his feelings. Liang Xianzhang was already waiting for him, breakfast set on the table. Zhou Yi couldn’t help but admire the thoughtfulness behind every detail—his chair had cushions, and the food looked delicious.

“Sit down,” Liang Xianzhang urged.

Zhou Yi sat down, the scent of the chicken soup wontons and shrimp scrambled eggs making his stomach ache with hunger. He couldn’t help but eat quickly, feeling grateful for the food.

Liang Xianzhang noticed and poured him a cup of soy milk. “Eat slowly, there’s no rush.”

Zhou Yi nodded, pausing to swallow before speaking. “Mr. Liang, thank you for your care yesterday…”

Liang Xianzhang’s expression turned serious. “You’re welcome… But the responsibility for what happened is mine.”

Zhou Yi felt uncomfortable with his words. “I’m also responsible…” he said softly.

His hand holding the spoon shook slightly, but he quickly composed himself, not wanting to dwell on the past.

The silence stretched on as they ate.

Once breakfast was over, Zhou Yi tried to clean up, but Liang Xianzhang insisted on doing the dishes, not allowing him to lift a finger. Zhou Yi, too embarrassed to sit, stood by the kitchen door, watching.

As he observed Liang Xianzhang, he couldn’t help but compare him to Shang Yichen. There was no contest. Liang Xianzhang was superior in every way—his looks, demeanor, and manners. Zhou Yi felt embarrassed to even think of comparing the two.

His thoughts were interrupted when Liang Xianzhang looked up, catching him smiling absentmindedly. “What are you thinking about? So happy?”

Startled, Zhou Yi quickly replied, “Nothing… nothing…”

Liang Xianzhang’s gaze softened, but he remained quiet, sensing that Zhou Yi wasn’t being entirely honest.

The room fell into another quiet lull.