What had just happened was completely beyond Zhou Yi’s imagination, leaving him ashamed and unsure of how to face anyone, especially Liang Xianzhang. As he looked at the taller man, Zhou Yi couldn’t bring himself to meet his gaze. Every time he thought of Liang Xianzhang’s face, he was reminded of what had just occurred, and it made him want to flee.

Zhou Yi didn’t understand why Liang Xianzhang had acted the way he did. It was difficult to ask, but the confusion gnawed at him. Right now, he just wanted to leave—if he stayed any longer, who knew what might happen next? The last thing he needed was further entanglement with someone like Liang Xianzhang.

Moreover, Shang Yichen could return at any time, and Zhou Yi knew it would be better for everyone if he severed all ties with Liang Xianzhang. Continuing this interaction would only create more trouble.

With this thought in mind, Zhou Yi turned his back to Liang Xianzhang, his hands clenched at his sides. He forced his voice to sound cold as he spoke, “Mr. Liang, we… should not meet again in the future.”

Without waiting for a response, Zhou Yi limped out of the door, leaving the man behind.

Liang Xianzhang stood still, watching as Zhou Yi closed the door behind him and left. He made no move to stop him. Once the door clicked shut, the silence in the room was almost suffocating.

Then, without warning, Liang Xianzhang punched the wall with a dull thud. His knuckles turned red instantly, the skin scratched by the force. But he seemed to feel no pain. He continued to hit the wall, his breaths shallow, until the impulse subsided.

He had told himself to remain composed when facing Zhou Yi, but in the heat of the moment, he had lost control. The memory of Zhou Yi’s words before he left cut him deeply.

Not meeting again… How could he possibly accept that?

The thought of never seeing Zhou Yi again made Liang Xianzhang’s emotions spiral. As Zhou Yi had walked away, he’d almost stepped forward to stop him, but something had held him back.

For the first time, Liang Xianzhang felt regret. If only he had been more rational, perhaps he could have communicated with Zhou Yi and prevented this sudden departure.

The room still carried the mingling scent of their pheromones, but now it was empty—Liang Xianzhang was the only one left to feel the weight of it. He sank onto the sofa, the suffocating feeling building within him. He undid a few buttons on his collar, hoping it would ease the tension in his chest.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yi, back at home, sighed deeply. His lips were sore and numb, and his mind felt fractured. Even though his estrus period had just passed, he still found himself drawn to Liang Xianzhang. There was an undeniable pull, a desire that he couldn’t ignore. Despite the way Liang Xianzhang had treated him, Zhou Yi didn’t feel repulsed. On the contrary, there was a strange comfort in it, something that left him both unsettled and strangely content.

And before he left, he had glimpsed the lost expression in Liang Xianzhang’s eyes. It was an image that unsettled him, for reasons he couldn’t explain.

The more Zhou Yi became entangled with Liang Xianzhang, the more he felt himself slipping from control, as if he were no longer the person he thought he was. This feeling was alien to him—something he had never experienced before.

He didn’t understand why it was happening, but he knew one thing for certain: he could no longer stay in contact with Liang Xianzhang. His estrus had passed, and now it was time to pretend that nothing had ever occurred between them.

There was no need for further complications. Involved with a man like Liang Xianzhang—one who lived in such a complicated world—only created more problems. Zhou Yi had enough to deal with, especially with Shang Yichen, his financial sponsor. He wasn’t interested in lofty ambitions. All he wanted was a peaceful life, free of any further entanglements.

Back at Liang Xianzhang’s apartment, he sat quietly for a long time, his emotions eventually settling into a semblance of control. Finally, he returned to his bedroom.

The moment he lay down on the bed, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Liang Shaowen.

Liang Shaowen: [Brother, there’s some progress on the matter you asked me to look into. I’ve compiled a document, but you should be mentally prepared before reading it.]

Liang Xianzhang’s hand clenched around his phone as he read the message. The warmth of Zhou Yi’s breath still lingered on his skin. With a sigh, he opened the document his brother had sent, bracing himself for whatever news awaited.