As soon as they turned the corner, out of the car’s line of sight, Shen Yuan immediately let go of Wang Ziqin.
Wang Ziqin had been happily expecting to go grab a drink with him, but Shen Yuan pushed him away without a word. Not realizing it was rude, Wang Ziqin reached out again, only for Shen Yuan to swat his hand aside and ask bluntly, “What are you doing?”
Wang Ziqin froze, rubbing his hand. “Weren’t we going to have a drink?”
Shen Yuan frowned. “I still have homework to do later. Drinking what?”
“Ah,” Wang Ziqin said. “But… you’re good with alcohol, aren’t you?”
Shen Yuan scoffed. “Being ‘good with alcohol’ was forced out of me by you guys. Drinking makes me dizzy too. How am I supposed to do homework?”
“Oh… then what should I do now?” Wang Ziqin asked, flustered.
Shen Yuan looked around. They were already out, and Qiao Hailou was probably still waiting somewhere. Better not go back just yet. Scanning the nearby shops, he said, “Let’s find a café, get a couple of cakes, and do homework there. Finals are coming up. Did you bring your homework?”
“I—I’ll go to the bookstore and buy a practice workbook right now! Let’s do homework together!”
Shen Yuan felt a surge of determination. He wanted to become a domineering CEO one day! He needed to study hard!
Meanwhile, Qiao Hailou, missing Shen Yuan for several days, had driven around aimlessly and somehow ended up near K University, then inadvertently turned toward Shen Yuan’s apartment complex.
He parked, blasting the air conditioning, just hoping to see Shen Yuan, maybe even exchange a few words.
But he didn’t expect that the moment Shen Yuan appeared, Wang Ziqin would suddenly pop up from somewhere, and the two of them would walk off laughing, arms linked. Qiao Hailou, hidden behind a closed door, couldn’t hear what they were saying.
Huh? Since when had Shen Yuan gotten so close to Wang Ziqin? Could it be that they were already dating? Impossible! Shen Yuan had claimed he hated Wang Ziqin. He had hated him so much he wouldn’t even admit that Wang Ziqin liked him.
Qiao Hailou forced himself to stay calm, reasoning that Shen Yuan was probably just trying to get under his skin. His behavior didn’t look natural at all—Shen Yuan never linked arms with people.
Logically, that made sense. But he couldn’t help feeling jealous. What if… what if Shen Yuan really was getting close to Wang Ziqin? He didn’t know if Shen Yuan had moved on so quickly. Wang Ziqin still liked him, that was certain. And Shen Yuan now knew Wang Ziqin liked him because he had told him himself!
At the time, Qiao Hailou hadn’t thought much of Wang Ziqin, dismissing him as an insignificant kid. Now, he realized something might be wrong…
He could say Shen Yuan didn’t like Wang Ziqin, but Shen Yuan was young—maybe he’d do something foolish just to spite him. Young people do crazy things on impulse.
Qiao Hailou pictured it and felt his heart sink… was it starting to turn green with jealousy?
He got out of the car, following them. From a distance, he saw Shen Yuan and Wang Ziqin enter a café. He went in too and found a seat Shen Yuan couldn’t see, quietly watching them. After all, he had canceled his recent dinners and had plenty of free time.
Peeking at Shen Yuan, he saw the two young guys… doing homework.
Shen Yuan seemed to notice someone watching, turning his head to check. Qiao Hailou quickly ducked out of sight.
He ordered an Americano, settled in, and continued observing.
His coffee arrived quickly. He added sugar and stirred, overhearing two young women at a nearby table giggling quietly:
“Hey, did you see those two guys over there?”
“Yes! So handsome! The one in the navy jacket is really pretty. His face is perfect, his outfit classy—not like ordinary guys. I wish I could secretly take a photo. I wonder which department he’s in?”
Qiao Hailou realized they were talking about Shen Yuan and felt an odd sense of pride—like a proud parent. Shen Yuan’s daily style had been shaped by him these past months. Previously, Shen Yuan had paid little attention to his appearance. At most, he dressed well for work, but back at school, he just stored his expensive suits in dust covers. Qiao Hailou couldn’t stand seeing him waste his potential, so he personally guided him on how to dress neatly every day.
Hearing others compliment Shen Yuan, Qiao Hailou felt inexplicably proud. “Well done, girls. You have good taste.”
The girls continued:
“Taking photos secretly isn’t right… but the boy opposite him is pretty cute too.”
“Yeah, different types. The one in black looks more serious, the one in blue is softer.”
“The black jacket guy seems fierce but is actually nice. Look at the blue jacket guy, he says something and he just laughs it off.”
After a pause, one said meaningfully, “They’re a perfect match…”
The pair glanced at each other and giggled.
The more Qiao Hailou listened, the more annoyed he became. College girls these days! He knew some weird trends were online, but how could they say Shen Yuan and Wang Ziqin were a good match? They looked compatible? No way!
Reluctantly, he glanced over. Shen Yuan and Wang Ziqin sat across from each other, both youthful and handsome. Wang Ziqin looked up, smiled at Shen Yuan, and in the soft, lingering sunset, he looked truly young, clean, and sincere.
They chatted casually, and somehow… they did look kind of matched.
Seemingly, more than him—a grown man—was. Qiao Hailou froze.
After letting Wang Ziqin wait a while, Shen Yuan asked, “Hey, where did you hear I broke up with Qiao Hailou?”
Wang Ziqin honestly said, “Last week, I went to your school and happened to see you talking to Qiao Hailou. It looked like you were arguing. Later, you stopped going to him, so I thought… maybe you broke up?”
Shen Yuan, still heart-twisted from his recent breakup, had to tease. “Hey, maybe we’re in the middle of a cold war, not officially broken up yet.”
Wang Ziqin froze. “Huh? You were just cold-war-ing, not broken up yet??”
Before he finished, Shen Yuan firmly said, “No, we already broke up.”
Wang Ziqin: “…”
Wang Ziqin realized that since Shen Yuan had snapped at him before, his personality had become sharp, mischievous, and deliberately provocative. And yet, Wang Ziqin still felt a little charmed by this side of him.
Burying his head in math homework, Wang Ziqin worked diligently. For some reason, this felt reminiscent of their high school days—warm and comfortable. He thought wistfully: If only he had confessed back then. There’d have been no Qiao Hailou.
Finally, Wang Ziqin cautiously asked, “So… since you’ve broken up, can I… pursue you?”
Shen Yuan said without hesitation, “No.”
Wang Ziqin couldn’t accept it. “Why? Why can’t I?”
Shen Yuan answered matter-of-factly: “Because I only like older men in their 30s or 40s. You’re too young. Plus, we have a past—you bullied me. I can’t get past that, so it’s impossible.”
“But you can get revenge for it,” Wang Ziqin tried. “Once we cancel the past, will you consider me?”
Shen Yuan shook his head. “I don’t have time to sit around plotting revenge. I’m not keeping a mental ledger of every little thing you did. I’m not that petty.”
Wang Ziqin silently thought: Sure you’re not, huh?
“You’d treat me well if we were together? Double, no—tenfold? Make up for the past? Give me a chance?”
Shen Yuan sighed. “Wang Shao, you were arrogant before, now you’re still like this… there’s no point degrading yourself. I don’t like you. Forcing it is meaningless. Relationships need mutual feelings. If I used you as a backup, that would be wrong.
“I know you’re trying to make up for the past, but your preference isn’t even male. You don’t have to do this. I won’t hold grudges, okay? You can relax. I’ve let go; you let go too. Understand?”
Shen Yuan thought for a moment and added honestly: “I’m going to be real. The last time your dad kicked you out, that was me, with Qiao Hailou. I saw how miserable you were and felt satisfied. Revenge complete.”
Wang Ziqin stared, shocked.
Then Shen Yuan heard a familiar ringtone.
Huh? That sounded just like Qiao Hailou’s phone…
Shen Yuan looked around but saw no one. He went over and saw the phone had been left on the table, untouched.
Qiao Hailou sneakily answered outside. “Hello, Miss Lin? Is this about work?”
Lin Zhihui said gently: “Mr. Qiao, my child Shen Yuan said he left his notebook at your place. He’s embarrassed to come get it himself. Do you have a moment? I can come by and help him collect what he left behind.”
Qiao Hailou’s heart sank. What did that mean? Lin Zhihui was going to his house to gather Shen Yuan’s things? He had deliberately kept them, waiting for Shen Yuan to ask for them? And Lin Zhihui knew about it?
He asked cautiously: “Does he know? Didn’t he say he’d come himself?”
Lin Zhihui confidently said: “He didn’t want to tell you, so I’m speaking for him. He never said he’d come himself. He only said he didn’t want it, but his notebook is precious. He’s embarrassed to pick it up, so I’ll get it for him—and tidy up the rest while I’m at it.”
Qiao Hailou clenched his fists and let go, flustered. He couldn’t find a reason to refuse without looking petty.
“Fine… I’m not home right now. Come by in about an hour.”
When he got home, Lin Zhihui arrived within five minutes, bringing two storage boxes for clothes and supplies, and a sturdy box for books.
Shen Yuan’s things were easy to identify. Some items clearly belonged to a young person; if uncertain, she could just snap a picture and ask Shen Yuan via WeChat.
Qiao Hailou trailed behind, helpless, watching her organize Shen Yuan’s belongings. Every item she took felt like a piece of his heart being emptied.
Even though Shen Yuan was gone and couldn’t be comforted, he couldn’t help but wish he could keep just a few things for himself.
Since Shen Yuan had entrusted this to Lin Zhihui, it meant their relationship was close. Shen Yuan must have told her everything.
Qiao Hailou had previously looked down on Lin Zhihui, but now, for Shen Yuan, he meekly asked, “Miss Lin… you and Shen Yuan are close. Can you… try to persuade him? I really like him.”
“Regarding that contract, I’ll give you an extra 1% margin. Even for million-dollar jewelry, you can choose. Help me persuade him, and I’ll change the contract immediately! Really! No, I’ll change it first, then you persuade him. You don’t have to guarantee he’ll come back, okay?”
Lin Zhihui stopped packing, looked him in the eye, and said firmly: “Mr. Qiao, that’s not okay. You can’t use my child for profit. I won’t interfere in your personal matters. You and Shen Yuan have a huge age and social gap—it’s not a good match. Even if you like him, knowing it won’t end well, it’s better to give up early. That’s better for both of you.”
Qiao Hailou helplessly watched as Lin Zhihui packed up all of Shen Yuan’s things. He followed, wanting to snatch them back, but restrained himself.
Before leaving, seeing his despair, Lin Zhihui softheartedly said: “Mr. Qiao, if you really care about Shen Yuan, stop calling him ‘little thing.’ He hates that the most.”