“Young Master Yang, there’s news about Lu Linshen’s Project.”
The subordinate hurriedly reported as soon as he noticed the situation, panting heavily.
“Young Master Yang, They has been hiding things really well. They secretly went to universities to recruit talent. If I hadn’t been keeping people watching them constantly, we wouldn’t have caught on to their little tricks.”

“Recruiting at universities, huh? Not a bad idea,” Yang Xun scoffed, his gaze filled with disdain.
“No matter what method you use, make sure they can’t hire anyone. Got it?”

The subordinate nodded nervously and wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, hesitantly adding,
“Young Master Yang, this might be a bit difficult. Don’t forget, our authority has been limited.”

Although Shoucheng Group was founded by the Yang family, the addition of many board members during its development diluted their control. Initially, these board members gave face to Grandfather Yang, refraining from interference. However, Young Master Yang’s repeated reckless decisions—especially the smartphone plagiarism scandal, which tarnished the group’s reputation and caused substantial losses—forced the board to step in. This led to the restriction of Yang Xun’s authority, a decision communicated internally just days ago.

The thought of this made Yang Xun’s blood boil. He wasn’t used to setbacks after years of smooth sailing, and this indignation was unbearable. Another round of destruction erupted in the office, leaving shards scattered everywhere.

The subordinate, sprayed with debris, dared not move an inch.

After venting his anger, Yang Xun turned his attention back to the game’s progress. Hearing that the development was progressing smoothly finally eased his frown a little.
“Tell the game company to pick up the pace.”

“And about Lu Linshen’s project recruiting…” the subordinate cautiously asked.

“Don’t let them recruit even a single person,” Yang Xun’s eyes turned as cold as an icy mountain, sending chills down one’s spine.

“And the expenses…”

Yang Xun opened a drawer, pulled out a card, and tossed it in front of the subordinate.
“I’ll cover the costs. But if you fail, be prepared to face the consequences.”

Once the subordinate left, Yang Xun’s eyes were filled with a determined light. This was his key to turning things around, and he wouldn’t let them trip him up in the slightest.

—

June 24, 2000.
Three days remained until Wu Hai Net’s game launch.

On this critical day, Shoucheng Group made a high-profile announcement, revealing their game’s launch date—identical to Wu Hai Net’s. Both were set for midnight on June 27.

The public quickly noticed the tension between the two companies, sparking heated discussions online.

“Wu Hai Net making a foray into gaming? That’s laughable enough, and now we’ve got another clown jumping around.”
“Heh, we all know what the domestic gaming scene is like. Even dedicated gaming companies can barely make waves, and now these two—a website maker and a phone seller—think they can outdo the professionals? Ridiculous!”
“Hey, don’t be so quick to judge. Wu Hai Net had never made smartphones before either, but didn’t they manage to develop one successfully? I believe in them. Their game will definitely be impressive.”
“Haha, saying you believe in Wu Hai Net just proves you’ve never played games before. Gaming and the internet are worlds apart. Even if they manage to release something, it’s going to be garbage—”
“…”

Opinions online were divided, but Shoucheng Group’s bold move undeniably brought attention to both companies’ games.

—

June 27, 11:00 AM.

With just an hour remaining before the game launch, Shoucheng Group released an announcement: the first 500 players to complete their game would each be rewarded with the latest smartphone.

This familiar tactic made Meng Suihuan laugh. Clearly, Yang Xun had copied the marketing strategy she had previously used.

“Boss Meng, Lu Ge, should we also run a promotional giveaway?” one of her team members suggested. It was obvious that the other side was using this move at a critical moment to apply pressure or poach their players.

“No need.”

“Games are judged by their novelty and overall player experience,” Meng Suihuan said, resting her chin on her hands as she looked at Lu Linshen. Though he was shy and easily flustered around her, in his work, he was calm, composed, and full of independent judgment, never swayed by others.

What could she do? She felt herself growing increasingly captivated by him.

“Boss Meng?” Qin Yu quickly switched sides after Lu Ge shot down his suggestion, eagerly looking to Meng Suihuan. After all, she had risen to fame through savvy marketing, and he trusted her judgment.

Meng Suihuan thought for a moment before responding, “Your Lu Ge is right. Marketing’s purpose is to boost visibility. Shoucheng Group is already giving us free publicity, so there’s no need to waste unnecessary money.”

—

Not only was Meng Suihuan’s team keeping a close eye on developments, but Yang Xun of Shoucheng Group was also monitoring the situation constantly, frequently asking his subordinates for updates.

“Young Master Yang, Wu Hai Net Technology hasn’t made any moves.”

Yang Xun frowned, feeling a vague sense of unease, as though they were secretly planning something.
“What about their technology? Have they made any new breakthroughs recently?”

“No, Young Master Yang. My team has been keeping close watch. As for game technology, our advancements in smooth gameplay and skill usage far surpass Wu Hai Net.”

Hearing this, Yang Xun’s restless heart finally calmed. He shifted his posture and reclined comfortably. That made sense.

Their resources and network were worlds apart. For gaming, he was willing to spend millions to upgrade comprehensively. Wu Hai Net, on the other hand, could only serve as a stepping stone for him to crush underfoot.

How could he wait? He was itching for the moment of victory to arrive.

—

At exactly noon, both games launched simultaneously. While monitoring their own game, Wu Hai Net and Shoucheng Group also tested each other’s games.

The results were self-evident.

Qin Yu was so ecstatic that he paced the office, hopping and nearly breaking into a celebratory dance on the spot.

Meanwhile, at Shoucheng Group, Yang Xun, who had been practicing calligraphy with phrases like “Great Success” and “Abundant Wealth,” tore his artwork to shreds upon hearing the news and threw everything around him in a furious rage.

Amid the chaos, he harshly scolded every project member involved.

The team stood frozen in fear, anxiously calling out, “Young Master Yang…”

Another teacup shattered on the floor, the sound hitting everyone like a hammer to the heart.

Yang Xun slowly picked up a shard of porcelain and walked toward the project leader. The icy shard pressed against the leader’s neck, slowly sliding down.

A sharp sting spread, and the leader broke out in a cold sweat, trembling as he said, “Y-Young Master Yang, this is my failure, but Wu Hai Net’s team is too cunning, using diversion tactics that caught us off guard…”

Yang Xun ran the shard along the corner of the leader’s mouth, his lips thinly pressed. “Are they too cunning, or are you too stupid? Hmm? Or maybe you’re defying my orders and didn’t take my words to heart?”

The leader stammered, drenched in sweat, “Young Master Yang, I swear I’ve been monitoring them every second—even while I sleep…”

“You know I don’t care about the process,” Yang Xun cut him off coldly, the shard grazing the leader’s neck again. “I only look at results. If you couldn’t deliver, then go accept your punishment.”

The group, drenched in cold sweat, prepared to leave when Yang Xun added casually, “Oh, and those people from Wu Hai Net—get rid of them when you get the chance. They’re an eyesore.”

—

In the gaming industry, success was celebrated. Qin Yu enthusiastically proposed a celebratory feast, which Lu Linshen readily agreed to. Amid the joyous atmosphere, a cold voice interrupted, “You all go ahead. I have something else to take care of.”

It was Xie Zhixin.

Qin Yu grabbed him, annoyed. “Hey, Xie, what’s up with you lately? It’s one thing to be busy on normal days, but this is our victory party after crushing Shoucheng Group. How can you miss this important day?”

Xie Zhixin remained indifferent. “I’m not feeling well. You all go ahead and have fun.”

His abrupt departure dampened the festive mood. Lu Linshen glanced at Xie Zhixin’s retreating figure but ultimately said nothing. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was slipping away.

Though they had achieved a major milestone in the gaming world, Meng Suihuan noticed that Lu Linshen had become increasingly quiet. Late at night, she often woke to find him standing by the window, as though something was weighing on him.

She hugged him from behind. “Lu Linshen, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange lately.”

He affectionately stroked her hair. “I’m fine, just a project I’m working on ran into some issues. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

She couldn’t help him with work problems, so she did her best to comfort and support him.

Wu Hai Net was riding high, leveraging the success of their first game to accelerate development of their second and third titles, earning a fortune.

It was during this time that Xie Zhixin announced he was leaving.

Everyone thought he was joking. Qin Yu, however, sternly reprimanded him, “Xie, I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but this isn’t funny at all.”

Xie Zhixin’s expression remained calm as he pulled out a document from his bag and placed it on the table. “This is the share transfer agreement. I’ve already signed it.”

Qin Yu snatched the contract with lightning speed, disbelief written all over his face as he confronted Xie Zhixin. “Xie, are you going through something? If you need money, just tell me—I’ll lend it to you. We promised to go through this together—”

Xie Zhixin looked at him calmly. “It’s not about money.”

“Then what is it?” Qin Yu’s voice rose sharply. “No matter what you’re going through, you can’t joke about something like this!”

Xie Zhixin remained silent for two seconds before saying, “I’m moving abroad. Everything’s finalized, and I’m leaving next Monday.”

“Xie Zhixin, do you even consider us your brothers?! Something this big, and you kept it from us?”

Seeing Xie Zhixin’s indifference, Qin Yu’s anger flared. He swung his fist and landed a punch. Bang!

“Have you come to your senses now?”

Xie Zhixin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, the crimson stain smearing his fingertips. He suddenly chuckled, grabbed Qin Yu by the collar, and swung a punch in return. His expression was calm as he spoke, “What gives you the right to hit me?”

“As your good brother, it’s my duty to steer you back on the right path,” Qin Yu spat. “You’re welcome for the wake-up call.”

“I’m perfectly clear-headed,” Xie Zhixin said, wiping the corner of his mouth again. He chuckled lightly, “I know exactly what I’m doing and what choices I need to make. This is my decision.”

Qin Yu’s barely-contained anger flared again. “Xie Zhixin, it seems you’re still not thinking straight—”

“That’s enough, Qin Yu.”

Before he could finish, a cold voice interrupted. Everyone turned toward the source of the voice, including Xie Zhixin.

Qin Yu, realizing he wasn’t alone in this confrontation, immediately rallied for backup. “Lu Ge, come and talk some sense into Lao Xie. He’s clearly lost his mind!”

Lu Linshen ignored Qin Yu and fixed his gaze on Xie Zhixin. His deep eyes betrayed an emotion he struggled to suppress. With difficulty, he asked, “Why?”

Xie Zhixin’s lips curved into a faint smile. His tone was unusually light and carefree. “I’m tired. I don’t want to force myself to do things I don’t enjoy anymore.”

He continued, “Back then, we all gathered together, talking about dreams, life, and the future. But somewhere along the way, everything changed. We started working on mobile chips, games, and messaging systems. I don’t understand it anymore. I feel suffocated, resentful. I can’t go on like this.”

Qin Yu, impulsive as always, bristled at his words, his tone growing sharp. “Lao Xie, that’s out of line. Don’t you remember why we developed mobile chips in the first place?”

“I remember. We wanted to take down Shen Jin and reclaim what was rightfully ours. But what about everything else? Is it just about making money? About gaining fame?”

Xie Zhixin’s gaze swept over them, filled with incomprehension. “But haven’t we already achieved all that?”

“Then what is it all for?”

“I tried to understand, tried to convince myself, tried to find common ground… but it was all in vain.”

His voice faltered, a sigh escaping him. Finally, he looked at Lu Linshen, his tone full of regret. “It’s a shame. Everything was for nothing.”

His words struck like a blade to everyone’s hearts. Qin Yu opened his mouth, intending to argue, but no words came.

Memories resurfaced in Lu Linshen’s mind—of their youthful ambition when they worked on developing the internet, and of their camaraderie during tough times. He had thought they would always walk this path together.

But things changed.

He had changed.

Pride and arrogance had made him forget their original ideals. He had destroyed trust with his own hands.

When trust collapses, how can it be rebuilt? Can it even be rebuilt?

“Lao Xie, I’m sorry.”

Xie Zhixin’s words struck Lu Linshen like a slap, the pain spreading through his chest. “It was my arrogance, my negligence, that ignored how you felt.”

The strength Xie Zhixin had been holding onto crumbled at that moment. His Lu Ge, the person who had always been unyielding even in the face of adversity, was now apologizing to him.

The grievances and bitterness he had bottled up for so long began to release in another form.

“Lu Ge, you’ve done nothing wrong. I’m just a stubborn person who’s stuck in my ways,” Xie Zhixin said with a faint smile.

Is it wrong to make money? Is it wrong to strive for wealth?

No, it isn’t. But it wasn’t what he wanted.

Lu Linshen’s voice choked, “Must you leave? If we sit down and figure out a solution, can’t you stay?”

For someone like Lu Linshen, who had so few close friends in his life, Xie Zhixin was one of the rare ones. He had always believed they could walk this path together.

“I can’t go back, Lu Ge.”

Xie Zhixin’s smile was light, carefree, and full of vitality. “From now on, I want to walk my own path.”

There was a long silence before Lu Linshen could only mutter a heavy “Okay.” He respected his decision.

Xie Zhixin smiled again. It was a smile of relief, of freedom, of renewed energy.

—

Lu Linshen returned home in a daze. When Meng Suihuan came to greet him, he wordlessly pulled her into a hug.

Having been with him for so long, she had never seen him like this—so utterly lost.

“What’s wrong?”

“Did Shoucheng Group pull another dirty trick? Or is it trouble with the gaming project?”

She didn’t get an answer. But she wasn’t impatient, nor did she push him for one. Instead, she simply stayed by his side, gently patting his back in a steady rhythm.

After a long while, she felt a wet patch on her shoulder. Then, Lu Linshen finally spoke.

“Suisui.”

“Xie Zhixin is leaving the country. I was the one who drove him away.”

His words were like a bomb exploding in her ears. She couldn’t understand why Xie Zhixin would suddenly leave or how this could possibly be Lu Linshen’s fault.

She knew how much he valued his close brothers, how deeply he cared for them.

Even in the original story, they had fought side by side, walking the same path until the very end.

But now?

Where had it all gone wrong?

Even though her heart was filled with countless questions, she refrained from probing. From his exhausted voice, she could sense how tired—utterly drained—he was. Yet, it was also the first time she had seen Lu Linshen in such a state: fragile, vulnerable, like a porcelain doll that could shatter with the slightest touch.

Although she didn’t know the whole story, she gently comforted him in a soft voice, “Lao Xie isn’t a child anymore. He wouldn’t make an impulsive decision. I’m sure he thought this through carefully. Don’t blame yourself too much.”

The dampness on her shoulder seemed to grow more pronounced.

In the books she had read and throughout the time she had known him, he was always strong, intelligent, and unshakable in the face of challenges. The man before her now seemed like a completely different person.

Yet it was precisely this side of him that made her realize he wasn’t some distant, untouchable moon hanging in the sky, but a living, breathing Lu Linshen—a man with warmth and fragility, firmly rooted in the human world.

For the first time, Lu Linshen allowed himself to cry so openly. While crying, he didn’t feel much, but after he was done, he felt embarrassed and unkempt. Awkwardly, he turned his face away, avoiding her gaze, unsure if her expression was mocking or shocked.

“I’ll grab a new shirt for you… Be careful not to catch a cold,” he muttered.

Meng Suihuan chuckled softly and grabbed his hand. “Don’t worry. It’s just my shoulder. I won’t catch a cold.”

“Get some rest,” she added.

He thought she would ask him about Xie Zhixin, but she didn’t. Instead, she slipped into his arms as usual, like a fish seeking warmth.

He frowned slightly and asked, “Suisui, aren’t you going to ask me?”

Meng Suihuan replied, “When you’re ready to tell me, you will. Why should I press you now and make you feel worse?”

Some people’s emotions surge quickly and need immediate release, while others are slower to process, needing solitude to digest their feelings. Sometimes, even well-meaning comfort can inadvertently add to their burden.

Lu Linshen was the latter type.

Meng Suihuan tilted her head and kissed his Adam’s apple. “Stop overthinking. Get some sleep. I’m tired too.”

Lu Linshen leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. Holding her, he gradually let go of his exhaustion and emotions, falling into a deep sleep.

—

The next morning, over breakfast, Meng Suihuan finally asked what had been on her mind all night. “Last night, you said Xie Zhixin is leaving the country. What happened?”

Seeing that his emotions had stabilized, she couldn’t help but ask, her curiosity having simmered overnight.

Lu Linshen slowly recounted what had happened the previous day. When he finished, he gave a self-deprecating laugh, closing his eyes in frustration. “Suisui, I broke my promise. I pushed him away.”

It was he who had slowly crushed their dreams, step by step. It was also he who had driven Xie Zhixin to lose faith.

“Ah Shen, don’t blame yourself,” Meng Suihuan said gently. “Everyone has their own paths to take and choices to make. Sometimes we meet because of certain circumstances, and sometimes we part ways for the same reason. You’ll have to get used to it sooner or later…”

As she finished speaking, she noticed him staring at her intently, his lips trembling slightly, as if struggling to hold something back.

“Lu Linshen, what’s wrong?” she asked, alarmed, and moved closer to check on him.

But the moment she got close, he pulled her tightly into his arms. His unease and fear were palpable, unable to be concealed.

“… Suisui, I don’t want you… to leave.”

Meng Suihuan froze for a moment, about to reassure him that she wasn’t going anywhere. Then, she suddenly remembered something she had mentioned to him in the past: when her task was complete, she would have to return to her own world.

At that moment, realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, and everything that had felt odd finally clicked into place.

—His questions about how she was supposed to complete her mission.
—How he always gave her the best things and created memories just for the two of them.
—His insistence on hearing stories about her world.
—How he would panic and call her incessantly every time she went on sudden business trips.
—How he always held her tightly in his sleep, clutching her anxiously the moment she moved away.

She had thought he was just clingy or overly curious.

But no.

She had been too dense to realize that he was always worried—afraid she would disappear suddenly.

A wave of guilt surged in her chest. This man, who seemed so calm and composed on the surface, must have been silently carrying so much anxiety. Overwhelmed, she began hitting him in frustration.

“Lu Linshen! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Lu Linshen didn’t resist, letting her hit him without dodging. When she finally stopped, he slowly raised his head.

“I was afraid.”

“Suisui.”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” she demanded. “I’m not some terrifying monster. What could be so scary?”

“I was afraid my thoughts were too absurd, so abrupt that they’d catch you off guard. I was also scared that my thoughts would add to your burden. But more than anything, I feared you wouldn’t like them—that you wouldn’t want to stay with me…”

He had never been in a relationship before, so he didn’t know how to handle situations like this. He had even sought advice from Qin Yu, but none of the answers he received felt right. Confused and at a loss, he could only rely on his instincts, fumbling his way forward.

She hadn’t expected him to have so many thoughts and worries. After all, when they were together, she hadn’t noticed a thing. Was his acting too impeccable, or had she been too carefree, oblivious to his emotions?

“Lu Linshen,” she called to him softly.

“Do you know why I accepted your confession back then?”

It was the first time she had opened up to him about this. As expected, he slowly shook his head.

“It was because of you—because of your persistence and courage. You made me want to give it a try, to see if there could be something more between us.”

Hearing this, Lu Linshen abruptly raised his head. She was looking at him too, her eyes sparkling and her lips curved in a gentle smile.

Under his gaze, she leaned forward slightly and planted a light kiss on his lips.

“So, you don’t need to hesitate, nor should you shoulder everything alone. You can share your thoughts and worries with me,” she said as she lowered her head to clasp his hand tightly, their fingers interlocked. Her smile was warm, but her gaze was firm.

“You, me, us—we’ll face it together.”

—

Only a handful of people knew about Xie Zhixin going abroad. On the day of his departure, the weather was beautiful, with the sun shining brightly. Meng Suihuan and Lu Linshen, along with a few others, went to see him off. When they arrived, Xu Xuanyi was helping load the last of the luggage.

Xie Zhixin looked as she remembered him: gentle and elegant, a refined gentleman. She had thought he was mild-tempered and introverted, but this incident had changed her perception. He was a stubborn and determined person with ideals in his heart.

As he looked in her direction, they exchanged nods and a few pleasantries, talking briefly about his departure.

Lu Linshen stood quietly to the side, waiting for their conversation to end before pulling out a prepared bank card and share transfer documents.

“The shares have been cashed out, and I’ve converted the money into international currency. It’s all on this card,” Lu Linshen said. “If you encounter any problems later, don’t hesitate to come back.”

Xie Zhixin gave a faint, gentle smile. “I will.”

“Where’s Qin Yu?” Xie Zhixin asked, glancing around but not seeing him.

“He had something to take care of, so he probably couldn’t make it,” Lu Linshen explained.

“He’s still upset with me, isn’t he?” Xie Zhixin lightly touched the wound on his face and gave a self-deprecating smile. “That’s fine. This way…”

This way, he wouldn’t feel reluctant to leave.

He glanced off into the distance, his eyes filled with deep regret.

Back in university, Qin Yu had been the first friend he made. Qin Yu had enthusiastically helped him move his luggage, shown him to his dorm, and even taken him to the cafeteria for his first meal. Over the years, their bond had grown strong, despite occasional disagreements and arguments that were never taken to heart.

This time, Qin Yu must have been truly angry. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he come to see him off?

Xie Zhixin glanced behind him again, regret flashing in his eyes. “Lu Ge, help me tell Qin Yu something for me,” he said.

“No matter where I am, Qin Yu will always be my friend. Always.”

“Alright, I’ll pass it on,” Lu Linshen promised.

After a pause, he added, “Lao Xie, take care of yourself abroad. Stay safe.”

Xie Zhixin smiled. Lu Ge was unusually talkative today, repeating the same advice over and over.

Just then, a breathless voice called out, “… Xie Zhixin!”

Xie Zhixin’s head shot up. Across the way, a figure wrapped in a thick coat and wearing a hat that obscured everything but their eyes stood there. He recognized him instantly—it was Qin Yu.

He came.

He still came to see him off.

Everyone turned to look, watching as Qin Yu approached, carrying two large bags, one in each hand.

“I’ve never been abroad, but I read online that the food there isn’t great and the snacks aren’t tasty either. So I bought you a bunch of things. Take these with you…”

Qin Yu stuffed Xie Zhixin’s hands full of items, leaving him both amused and touched. Wasn’t this too much?

Though he said so, his heart felt warm.

When the boarding announcement sounded, Xie Zhixin had to join the crowd heading inside. Suddenly, Qin Yu rushed forward and hugged him tightly.

“Lao Xie, you have to call me often. Don’t forget about me…”

“I won’t,” Xie Zhixin replied, his voice firm. ^[1]T/L’s note: Why am I shipping this two uwaaahhhh. They are so shipable ackk

He would remember them all—every single one of them—for the rest of his life.

As he turned to leave, he suddenly stopped and turned back around.

“Lu Ge,” he said, “leaving was my own choice. Don’t take all the blame on yourself. Forget what I said before. Whether it’s making money or chasing dreams—”

“Just don’t let yourself down.”