The past few days were all about midterms. Qi Xu practically survived on Xie Huai’s notes. He hadn’t touched a textbook in years and still wasn’t quite used to sitting through lectures. His mind often wandered. Thankfully, he was still smart enough to make it work.
His skills in higher math were unquestionable. But for courses that required rote memorization, like theoretical subjects, he’d glance at the textbook and immediately start yawning. Xie Huai’s notes, though—those were a different story. He could stay focused, maybe because the handwriting was nice.
Compared to Qi Xu’s own calligraphy-trained brush strokes, his regular penmanship was casual at best—full of cursive loops and connected strokes that made it hard to read at a glance.
Xie Huai’s handwriting, though, was neat with a hint of flair. Especially the boxed characters—they were sharply framed, but the strokes inside had a rebellious edge, just like him. Outwardly refined, but black-hearted on the inside.
After finishing their final exam, the pressure finally let up. Students being students, it didn’t matter how they thought they did—the moment the tests were over, it was time to relax. People were already chatting about weekend plans.
“End of the month, and I’m out of money. I gotta find a part-time job, or I’ll be living off air these next few days.”
“Where you working? Take me with you.”
“Milk tea shop. They’re desperate for someone who can hand-make lemon drinks. I worked two shifts there last weekend. Honestly? It crushed all my study stress. I came back to class feeling reborn. Even our grumpy prof looked kind of cute.”
“You mean the shop where I placed an order last time? I asked for boba and pudding, and you gave me something that looked like eight-treasure porridge. I couldn’t even use a straw—had to eat it with a spoon.”
“That was almost closing time, and we had so many leftover toppings. Waste not, want not. Call it a midnight snack.”
Somehow, the conversation drifted from weekend fun to part-time job horror stories.
“You could try tutoring—being from Q University actually counts for something in that world. Only thing is, you gotta watch out for bratty kids. Once they get rowdy, there’s no holding them back.”
“I joined a part-time job group chat. Lots of gigs pay daily, but they’re kinda far. After the round trip, you’re barely making a few dozen bucks.”
The neighboring dorm guys had gathered in Room 314. They even brought over their own chairs, snacks, and drinks, turning the place into a little tea party.
Li Yan noticed Qi Xu, who’d been sitting earlier, suddenly pulling a duffel bag out of the wardrobe and packing clothes.
“Xu-ge, why are you packing?”
Qi Xu stuffed a shirt into his duffel. “Going to work.”
Everyone looked shocked and doubtful. With his background, it didn’t seem like Qi Xu would need to pick up side jobs—even at the end of the month.
Meeting their eyes, Qi Xu explained, “Got something to do in S City this weekend. Leaving tonight.”
Hearing that, Xie Huai turned to look at Qi Xu, who instantly looked a little guilty—he had clearly forgotten to tell Xie Huai about it.
The trip was originally planned for next week, but Li Kaixing had moved it up. The notice came so last minute that Qi Xu had only just seen it on his phone.
After finishing his packing, Qi Xu avoided Xie Huai’s gaze. But even that one glance earlier had left a weird feeling lingering between them. With too many people around, it wasn’t a good time to talk, so Qi Xu simply grabbed his bag and headed downstairs. The moment he walked out, someone followed right behind.
Li Yan nudged Feng Zhenjie. “Something’s up. Xu-ge didn’t tell Huai-ge he was leaving?”
The guys from the other dorm were clueless. “What could be the big deal? You talk like Xu-ge just ran off on his wife and kid or something.”
Li Yan didn’t say it, but those two had always been complicated. And that mess still hadn’t been sorted out.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Qi Xu slowed down. As he turned around, the first thing he did was apologize. “I only found out about the S City trip twenty minutes ago. I’m not avoiding you or anything—don’t overthink it.”
Xie Huai replied flatly, “I didn’t say anything.”
But Qi Xu could hear the shift in his tone. If there really wasn’t anything wrong, he wouldn’t have followed him downstairs. Clearly, he was upset and keeping it bottled up.
Qi Xu realized he was starting to really understand Xie Huai—on a deeper, instinctive level.
He mimicked Xie Huai’s tone, tilting his head. “I didn’t say anything.”
Xie Huai shot him a look, emotions flickering in his eyes—restrained and unreadable.
Qi Xu wasn’t actually doing a good impression at all, but still asked, “Did I sound like you?”
Without a word, Xie Huai grabbed Qi Xu by the wrist and pulled him into the alley behind the dorm building, pressing him into a corner.
They looked just like a couple of high school kids sneaking off to the woods for a secret date.
Qi Xu wasn’t surprised at all—he even had a smile on his lips, completely letting Xie Huai do as he pleased.
He nudged the tip of Xie Huai’s shoe with his foot. “Are you actually mad? Come on, tell me what you’re mad about.”
Honestly, Xie Huai’s anger had already melted away the moment Qi Xu mimicked him earlier. Now, he just asked calmly, “You’re going to S City for work?”
Qi Xu started explaining. “Yeah, there’s a project that’s been stuck. I need to go sort it out—and maybe try to poach someone while I’m at it.”
Xie Huai followed up, “Li Kaixing is going with you?”
Qi Xu nodded. “It was originally scheduled for next week, but the partner company’s heading abroad soon, so we pushed the trip up to this weekend.”
Qi Xu was used to these kinds of last-minute business trips. In his last life, he handled everything himself. Flying around multiple times a week was normal. With an assistant in tow, there was never any need to report to anyone.
Once, he’d taken an international flight that hit turbulence so bad the oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. People were screaming all around him. His assistant was crying while trembling and writing a will.
Qi Xu had just leaned back, eyes closed behind his oxygen mask. Saying he wasn’t scared would be a lie. That feeling—of standing at death’s door, counting down your final moments—it was impossible to describe.
His assistant, sniffling and teary, had turned to him and asked, “Boss Qi, aren’t you going to write something?”
Qi Xu opened his eyes, but instead of taking the paper and pen, the first thought that crossed his mind was: Who would I even write to?
Back then, Old Master Shen had already passed away. His feud with Shen Fengkai was at its peak, and his relationship with the Shen family was in shambles. He hadn’t seen them in over half a year.
So, in the end, he didn’t write a single word. Luckily, the plane made a safe emergency landing.
And true enough, fortune follows those who survive disasters. The very next day, traveling alone to the destination, Qi Xu successfully secured the project.
Xie Huai’s voice brought him back to the present. “Send me your flight info. And the hotel you’re staying at.”
Qi Xu chuckled lightly. “What’s this? A loyalty check?”
Honestly, being reborn wasn’t such a bad thing. He had more people around him now. Life was slowly getting better.
At the very least, if he ever had to write a will again, he’d have someone to start it with.
Xie Huai said, “As your admirer, I’m just confirming your safety.”
Qi Xu wasn’t ready for that line. He clicked his tongue. “You really never miss a chance, huh?”
“Alright, I’ll send it to you later.”
Not sure if he’d successfully soothed him, Qi Xu added on instinct, “I’ll bring you back a gift.”
Xie Huai gave him a side glance. “Is that supposed to make up for leaving me here all alone?”
Man, nothing gets past this guy. Qi Xu gave a half-laugh. “So lonely, huh? Want me to call Xu Yichen to come keep you company?”
If he really did that, Xu Yichen would probably bring the whole gang, and his place would be torn apart by those little gremlins in under an hour.
Just then, Li Kaixing called to say he had arrived.
Right after Qi Xu hung up, Xie Huai pulled him into a hug. Qi Xu opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.
They stood like that for over ten seconds, holding each other in silence. Finally, Qi Xu tugged on Xie Huai’s shirt to get him to let go.
It’s not like we’re doing long-distance or anything, he thought. What’s with the dramatic goodbye?
Then it hit him—Wait, we’re not even dating yet. This guy’s just taking advantage of me.
When Li Kaixing saw Xie Huai downstairs, he casually chatted with him for a bit.
And in just that little time, the idiot had spilled everything. Just short of handing over his entire résumé.
After getting in the car, Qi Xu rolled the window down. Xie Huai stepped up, thinking he had something else to say, only to hear:
“Don’t forget to light incense on the balcony in the morning.”
Xie Huai: “…”
At that moment, he felt like even the incense burner mattered more than he did.
As the car drove out of the dorm compound, Qi Xu couldn’t help bursting into laughter. Teasing Xie Huai was way too fun—he really should’ve taken his phone out and recorded that.
Driving up front, Li Kaixing was startled. “Qi-shao, what’s got you laughing like you just won the lottery?”
Qi Xu grinned. “Didn’t find money. Found myself a big ol’ cutie.”
He sent the flight and hotel info to that “cutie”—who didn’t respond. Probably busy plotting the murder of his incense burner.
Qi Xu boarded the plane at 7 p.m. without issue, and before takeoff, he sent another message to Xie Huai. This time, he got a reply: a picture of a dinner table.
Xie Huai was already home, alone, playing the role of the abandoned lover.
The next morning, Xie Huai got up and went to the balcony to light the incense, just like he’d been told. He sent a photo to Qi Xu, not expecting him to actually be awake at this hour—but surprisingly, he was.
Xie Huai started a video call. When it connected, the screen showed a ceiling light, along with the sound of running water and toothbrushes.
“You’re up this early?”
Qi Xu, still brushing his teeth, mumbled, “Li Kaixing booked a morning meeting. Said something about people being groggy and easier to negotiate with in the morning. Honestly, I don’t know what kind of genius logic that is.”
After listening to him complain for a bit, Xie Huai finally said, “The Xu family’s throwing a banquet tonight. I’ll have to drop by.”
Qi Xu glanced at the screen and saw Xie Huai standing on the balcony. “Sounds good. Xu Yichen and the others will be there—you can hang out with them.”
But Xie Huai, looking straight into the camera at Qi Xu’s half-open robe and exposed collarbone, said, “Not really. I’d rather keep pining alone.”
Qi Xu propped the phone up on the table and turned to grab his pressed suit jacket. “Huai-ge, you’ve been single for eighteen years. You still haven’t gotten used to it? Don’t be so dramatic—you’re making me feel like some heartless player who just ghosts after a one-night stand.”
“You never even had a one-night stand,” Xie Huai said, his view limited to just the upper half of Qi Xu.
“Exactly. I haven’t done anything, so what am I supposed to take responsibility for?”
Xie Huai shot back, “Then what do you want to do to me?”
There it was again—completely off track. Qi Xu didn’t even know when it had gone off the rails.
He leaned in toward the phone. “Alright, that’s enough. I gotta head out. You enjoy yourself tonight with Xu Yichen and the crew.”
As the call ended, Xie Huai couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed—he missed the chance to watch Qi Xu change into his suit.
Still carrying that regret, he put on formal wear and headed to the Xu family estate for Xu Yichen’s second uncle’s birthday banquet.
Xu Yichen’s uncle, Xu Shaopin, had been born into a prestigious business family, but instead of inheriting the family enterprise, he’d made a name for himself as a film director. A few of his films had even won international awards, giving him a respectable reputation in the entertainment industry. The banquet for his 45th birthday was held at the Xu family’s ancestral home, with a guest list packed with big names.
When Xie Huai arrived, he realized his parents were there too. Just last night, Xie Yaoting had said he’d be staying home with his wife and told Xie Huai to go in his place.
Qin Huansi was already four months pregnant. She was still slim, and with a jacket over her outfit, it wasn’t easy to tell she was expecting unless you looked closely.
She let go of her husband’s arm and instead took her son’s. Xie Huai glanced down at her flat shoes. “Didn’t you say you were staying home to rest?”
Qin Huansi had on light makeup. She hadn’t made a public appearance in a while, but news of her pregnancy had already made the rounds. Plenty of eyes kept drifting toward her belly.
With a gentle smile, she said softly, “I was about to rot just sitting at home. I heard Shaopin invited a bunch of celebrities—one of them is an actor I really like lately. I had to come see for myself.”
Xie Huai knew his mom had become obsessed with TV dramas while on bedrest. Even at her age, she’d turned into a fangirl.
Dr. Xu had already told them the risky period was over and that she could go out a bit. Xie Yaoting hadn’t been able to stop her, so here they were.
Still, Xie Huai frowned. “There’s a lot of people here. It’s too easy to get bumped.”
Qin Huansi could hear the worry in his voice. She patted his hand reassuringly. “I’m not made of glass. And besides, your father’s here.”
True enough, Xie Yaoting was trailing close behind. Every time someone greeted him, he waved them off with a “not now,” never letting his wife out of his sight.
He came up beside them and said to her, “You sit down. I’ll go get you an autographed photo.”
“Oh come on, I’m already here. Can’t I at least take a look for myself?” Qin Huansi playfully gave him a side-eye. “Why are you so stingy?”
Xie Yaoting’s face remained stern. After a few seconds, he finally relented. “Fine. I’ll take you over there.”
Xie Huai handed his mother over to his father and, just as he turned to leave, heard his dad ask, “So who’s more handsome—me or our son?”
Then came Xu Yichen, leading a group over to Xie Huai. “Where’s Qi Xu?”
Xie Huai, holding a glass of juice, looked down and said calmly, “On a business trip.”
Xu Yichen looked even more disappointed than he did. “Damn, I was gonna show him my family’s wine cellar—so I’d have an excuse when I grab more wine next time.”
Zhang Xinping, who had lost a watch during their last yacht outing, laughed. “Don’t use Qi Xu as your excuse. Didn’t Uncle Xu catch on last time?”
“Shh, keep your voice down,” Xu Yichen hissed. “He didn’t notice. My dad hasn’t even stepped into the cellar lately—my mom’s banned him from drinking.”
This whole group was made up of the same rich kids who had been on that yacht trip. Among the second-gen elite in the capital, Xie Huai’s circle was the hardest to get into.
Some stared longingly from the sidelines, while others mustered up the nerve to start a conversation—only to receive a cold, polite nod in return.
Tonight, Xie Huai was noticeably distant—more aloof than usual. Even when an elegant young lady from a prestigious family approached him, he only exchanged a few polite words before walking away. The way he carried himself, it was as if he’d locked up his heart completely.
From afar, Qin Huansi and Xie Yaoting watched the scene unfold, both thinking of what Xie Huai had told them not long ago.
“I’ve never seen our son show any real enthusiasm toward anyone. He doesn’t even seem that interested in socializing. The only ones he talks to comfortably are a few of those kids. Could it be… the person he likes isn’t from our circle?” Qin Huansi hadn’t really come just for the actor’s autograph. She still had her son’s words from earlier on her mind—how he said he wanted to change. That’s what brought her here to observe for herself.
Xie Yaoting, of course, knew exactly what was on his wife’s mind. Truthfully, he wasn’t all that into the actor either.
“You’ve been going on about this for days,” he said. “Our son already told us—he’ll explain everything when the time is right. We’re not some overly traditional family obsessed with matching status. If he’s willing to open up to us and the old man, that means he’s serious. The kid’s like me—when he falls, he falls hard. Wants to be with his first love for life.”
Hearing that, Qin Huansi finally felt a sense of peace. Status and background didn’t matter—what mattered was that her son truly liked someone.
Just then, Xu Shaopin walked over with the actor Qin Huansi admired. Her attention instantly shifted, and she started chatting happily with the young man. Xie Yaoting, standing beside her, maintained his polite composure, the corners of his mouth twitching as if unsure whether to laugh.
After the conversation with the actor, Qin Huansi was perfectly content holding the autographed photo in her hands. She headed to the garden to rest—her walk had tired her out—and asked Xie Yaoting to go mingle with the Xu family while she sat for a while.
A few young people wandered into the garden. At first, Qin Huansi considered leaving, but the topic of their conversation made her pause.
“Didn’t they say that Qi Xu was really close with Xie Huai? How come he’s not here tonight? I thought he was supposed to be somebody. Rumor even said he was their so-called ‘sixth member.’ You really think someone like that meets their standards?”
“Please, everyone in the circle knows Qi Xu is gay. He sleeps around with men and even keeps lovers on the side. There’s no way Xie Huai and the others would allow someone like that into their circle.”
“Didn’t they say he’s into Xie Huai? Using his background to gain Uncle Shen and the others’ sympathy—he even forced Shen Zeyu to drop out.”
The ones speaking were people from Shen Zeyu’s crowd. They’d come to the Xu family’s banquet under orders to cozy up to Xie Huai’s group, but were shut out without even a glance. Not long ago, Shen Zeyu had vaguely implied that his leave of absence had something to do with Qi Xu, and these people—never lacking in imagination—had immediately cast Qi Xu as the villain and Shen Zeyu as the victim.
“Does Xie Huai actually like him? I heard when Qi Xu was being harassed at school, Xie Huai personally stepped in to handle it. Don’t tell me the two of them are actually a thing?”
“No way. Are you saying Xie Huai is gay too?”
The garden filled with idle smoke and gossip. Qin Huansi didn’t listen any further. Covering her nose, she left the garden.
Xie Yaoting, having just finished speaking with the Xu family, came looking for his wife—only to see her hurrying out of the garden. He quickly moved to shield her.
“What’s the rush?”
Qin Huansi’s face had clearly changed. She clutched his hand tightly. “We’re going home. Tell Xie Huai to come home.”
At that moment, Xie Huai was still in contact with Li Kaixing, who informed him they had successfully signed a contract and were now at a dinner with the other party. Xie Huai reminded him to keep an eye on Qi Xu and make sure he didn’t drink too much.
Li Kaixing, ever the smooth operator, snapped a candid photo of Qi Xu and sent it over.
In the picture, Qi Xu had traded his usual casual clothes for a sharp suit. He stood confidently among older men, discussing business with ease and poise. Even in a formal setting, he looked entirely at home.
Xie Huai had always known Qi Xu was exceptional. That day, when Qi Xu had said their life paths were different, Xie Huai never saw it as a problem—just as separate goals to work toward. In the end, he believed they would meet at the top.
When the chauffeur informed him that his parents had asked for him, Xie Huai put away his phone and walked to their car.
The moment he got in, he could sense the tension in the air. At first, he didn’t think much of it—his parents argued often, and usually it ended with his father apologizing.
But once they were home, Qin Huansi turned to him and said, “Ah Huai, come to the study. I need to talk to you.”
After changing his shoes, Xie Huai made his way to the study. On the way, he exchanged a look with his father, who asked quietly, “Did you upset your mom?”
Xie Huai countered, “Wasn’t it you who upset her?”
Inside the study, Qin Huansi went straight to the point: “What exactly is going on between you and that Shen family boy?”
Xie Huai raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t bother asking who’d been whispering in her ear.
“It’s not the Shen family’s boy,” he replied calmly. “His name is Qi Xu.”
Xie Yaoting, still confused, asked, “What’s this got to do with Qi Xu? Isn’t he just one of your classmates?”
Xie Huai didn’t deny it. “He is.”
Qin Huansi’s eyes lit up the moment she heard Xie Huai say it—hope flared in her gaze.
But under that flame of hope, Xie Huai calmly drew a dark curtain as vast as the sky over it all:
“And right now, I’m pursuing him.”
