Collaboration is often built on mutual benefit.

Looking at the current situation, cooperating with Fu Xiling seemed to be entirely in Shi Zhi’s favor. After all, she had already tricked him once. In his eyes, she probably didn’t have much credibility left.

Originally, Shi Zhi was racking her brains, trying to figure out how to convince Fu Xiling. Was she supposed to follow her aunt’s example and hand out coupons?

Unexpectedly, Fu Xiling came to her first. Not only did he show up, but he also spoke in his usual unhurried tone, sitting casually on the steps with his legs relaxed. His attitude was so composed and easygoing that it seemed as though he wouldn’t even get upset, even knowing he’d be taken advantage of.

Fu Xiling’s behavior was so bizarre that Shi Zhi hesitated to respond. Of course, he wasn’t here out of concern about her having suicidal thoughts over a breakup, nor was he the kind to intervene in someone else’s business purely out of kindness.

Shi Zhi lowered her gaze, silently trying to figure out what kind of scheme Fu Xiling was cooking up. Then, she was struck by the realization: ever since Fu Xiling appeared in her life, she hadn’t been able to understand a single one of his actions.

Feeling a little irritated, Shi Zhi asked, “This doesn’t seem to benefit you at all. Why do I feel like you’re being surprisingly enthusiastic?”

They were sitting on steps beneath a large, ancient tree by the lake. The tree, over fifty years old, was well-cared for by the school staff. Its sturdy trunk was even hooked up to IV bags for nutrients, and its branches were lush and vibrant.

Dappled shadows danced across Fu Xiling’s face, obscuring the emotions in his eyes. Shi Zhi only heard him say, “People don’t wake up early without a reason. Who says there’s nothing in it for me?”

Shi Zhi’s gaze shifted slightly. If he had his own motives, that would actually be better.

Fu Xiling explained, “I’ve got a bit of a tricky situation right now.”

Recently, his elders had become very enthusiastic about introducing potential matches to him. But Fu Xiling, being used to his freedom, didn’t like the idea of being tied down in a relationship.

Shi Zhi found this odd. “And what does that have to do with me?”

“Well, let me put it this way: the girl they’ve introduced to me is… persistent. She won’t take no for an answer.”

Shi Zhi thought about it and began to understand. The girl his family introduced to him probably believed in the saying, “Sincerity can move mountains.” She likely thought that as long as she worked hard and put in enough effort, she could eventually win Fu Xiling over.

Shi Zhi had dealt with clingy admirers like that before. They’d say things like, “Liking you is my business,” while gazing at her with puppy-dog eyes, showering her with care she didn’t need, and getting lost in their own emotional performances.

With experience, Shi Zhi suggested, “In situations like this, just say some harsh words a few times, and they’ll back off.”

Fu Xiling suddenly turned his head and chuckled softly, clearing his throat before continuing, “I wish it were that simple.”

What’s so funny? Shi Zhi shot him a puzzled look.

Fu Xiling opened another can of beer and started explaining the intricacies of his predicament. “It’s not just about whether we’re business partners. Our families know each other well. She’s just a young girl, and if I’m too harsh, it might strain the relationship between our elders.”

“So… you need someone to play the role of a shield?”

“Pretty much. And I think you’d be a good fit. How about we help each other out?”

Shi Zhi eyed him skeptically. Fu Xiling had good looks, broad shoulders, and long legs. He was also a wealthy second-generation heir with a sports car. Was it really possible for someone like him not to have female acquaintances he could turn to? Why ask her, someone he’d barely met a few times?

It seemed like Fu Xiling knew exactly what she was doubting. He pulled out his phone, found a number in his contacts, and placed a call. He even put it on speaker and set the phone down on the steps between them.

After a few rings, someone answered. The voice was formal and almost operatic in tone, launching into a monologue: “Hello, Xiling! Got it, got it. This is about the appraisal, right? Hold on a sec, let me change clothes and I’ll be right out—”

Fu Xiling interrupted with a laugh, “Where are you going? I’m not asking you out for a midnight snack. I just need to ask you something.”

“Oh, damn, I thought you were inviting me out. My dad’s been raging at home. He just finished yelling at me, and I was about to find an excuse to sneak out…” The voice lowered conspiratorially before returning to normal volume as a door slammed. “What do you want to ask? Spill it.”

“About Yao Yao. Can you find someone to pretend to be my girlfriend?”

“Are you kidding? Do you think Yao Yao’s an idiot?” The guy on the phone spoke rapidly. “The girls we know in our circle, even if she doesn’t know them personally, she can dig up their backgrounds in no time. You think she wouldn’t figure it out if it’s fake? That girl’s sharp; she’s not easy to fool.”

Fu Xiling raised an eyebrow at Shi Zhi, as if to say: See? Told you so.

“Can’t beat her? Then join her!” the friend quipped sarcastically. “Why don’t you just go along with it and date Yao Yao? Sure, she’s a bit domineering, but she’s not bad otherwise—”

Before he could finish, Fu Xiling turned off the speaker and spoke a few more words privately into the phone. After hanging up, he turned to Shi Zhi. “You heard him. That girl’s smart. Do you think you can handle it?”

Shi Zhi wasn’t afraid of smart people. She prided herself on her own wits—getting into University B with top scholarships and managing her aunt’s bar single-handedly had given her plenty of confidence.

As for Shen Jia… Shi Zhi wasn’t the kind of person who aspired to be graceful or magnanimous. She didn’t care for a peaceful breakup. If someone made her unhappy, she’d make sure to return the favor.

After the breakup, Shen Jia might feel guilty for a while, but guilt wouldn’t last long. For someone like him, it was the sting of regret that would really get under his skin.

“Hey, Shi Zhi,” Fu Xiling called, pulling her out of her thoughts. His eyes held a faint smile. “So, what do you say? Want to give this collaboration a shot?”

“Alright.” Shi Zhi threw in her own condition. “But you need to tell all your other lady friends that I’m just your shield. No matter how jealous they get, they can’t come to my school to cause trouble—including Yao Yao.”

Fu Xiling agreed without hesitation.

Shi Zhi gave him a suspicious look. “And you? No conditions?”

“No conditions. But I’m only going to help you mess with Shen Jia. I can’t touch his family’s business dealings—otherwise, my elders would be in a tough spot later.”

Shi Zhi nodded, pointing at the beer by his feet. “Beer.”

Fu Xiling chuckled, “You’re surprisingly bold when it comes to bossing people around.” Despite his words, he still grabbed a can, popped it open, and handed it to her.

“It’s a mutually beneficial deal. Why should I feel shy?”

Fu Xiling raised his beer. “Cheers to our collaboration?”

Shi Zhi half-heartedly clinked cans with him. “Sure.”

The deal was struck so smoothly that it felt oddly unsettling. This strange sense of unease left Shi Zhi feeling a bit off. She didn’t want to linger any longer, so after finishing her beer, she got up to leave. Behind her, Fu Xiling teased, “Using me and then ditching me already, Boss Shi? Are you always this cutthroat in negotiations?”

Fu Xiling tidied up the empty beer cans, tossing them into a nearby trash bin. Then, jogging a few steps to catch up, he walked alongside Shi Zhi for a short while. Without offering to escort her or discussing the details of their arrangement, he parted ways with her at the campus gate.

“Get some good sleep when you get back,” he said casually.

Shi Zhi’s dorm was in the opposite direction. As she walked away, she heard the flick of a lighter behind her, followed by the faint smell of cigarette smoke.

To Fu Xiling’s credit, the two beers had done their job. That night, Shi Zhi finally had a good sleep—without any more annoying dreams of the “Best/Shen Jia Duo.”

The next morning, her roommates were already out by the time Shi Zhi woke up. After freshening up, she opened her wardrobe. Shen Jia liked light colors, so during their time together, most of the clothes she wore were white or pastel.

From the bottom shelf, Shi Zhi pulled out a black T-shirt, slipped it on, and paired it with some jeans. She didn’t plan on eating in the cafeteria. Instead, she figured she’d grab a piece of bread from the convenience store on her way out.

When she reached the campus gate, her attention was immediately caught by a matte black sports car. Tied to it was a huge bunch of brightly colored helium balloons. It looked absurdly flashy, like something out of Up. People were already sneaking pictures with their phones.

Next to the car, Fu Xiling leaned casually, sipping iced coffee as if he had nothing to do with the spectacle.

If Shi Zhi didn’t already know this was part of their deal from last night, she might’ve thought Fu Xiling had fallen on hard times and taken up selling balloons for a living.

She stormed over and grabbed his arm, hissing through clenched teeth, “Are you insane?”

Fu Xiling’s grin widened. “Well, you wouldn’t unblock me, so I had no way of contacting you. How else would I know what level of theatrics would satisfy my business partner?”

He spread his hands and gestured toward the car. “So? Does this meet your expectations?”

Shi Zhi didn’t bother entertaining him. “The balloons were your idea. I’m not paying for them.”

“Of course not.” Fu Xiling reached into the car and pulled out a bag of breakfast. “I’ll show off for a bit and then donate the balloons to a kindergarten. A little act of charity. Want to come with?”

Shi Zhi answered without hesitation. “No.”

“How about accompanying me? It’d be weird if I went alone.”

Before she could refuse, Fu Xiling shoved the brown paper bag of breakfast into her arms.

She frowned. “You—”

Leaning in slightly, Fu Xiling’s voice dropped to a murmur. “Don’t overthink it. This isn’t for you. Shen Jia’s watching from behind you.”