“Ah Huai, can you hurry up a bit? How do you still have time to stop and admire flowers?” Xu Yichen urged, glancing back.
Behind him, Xie Huai leaned in to look at a rose covered in water droplets. He flicked one off with his fingertip before looking up, satisfied.
Xie Huai held a gift in one hand, a small smile at the corner of his mouth. “I’m thoughtful, aren’t I? Are you nervous or what?”
Xu Yichen’s secret was exposed. He denied it stubbornly, nervously grabbing a handful of his white hair. “Nervous? Me? It’s not even my birthday. My birthday already passed. I’m an adult now.”
His words were all over the place, his eyes darting away, unconsciously licking his lips. If he wasn’t nervous, who would be?
Xie Huai nodded approvingly. “Adult now—definitely out of the ‘puppy love’ phase.”
Xu Yichen cursed under his breath, unable to hide it any longer, and tried to find some confidence by asking his friend, “Tell me, what are the chances I’ll succeed confessing?”
Xie Huai raised his hand and pushed the white-haired guy leaning in to the side. “Before the dye, fifty percent. After the dye…”
Xu Yichen gasped, turning to go fix his hair dye, but Xie Huai grabbed his collar. “By the time you make a round trip to the birthday party, it’s over.”
Xu Yichen slumped his shoulders. “What do I do then?”
Xie Huai said, “Make her wear sunglasses.”
Xu Yichen: “…”
You have to admit, the way he said it sounded serious—as if he really meant it as advice.
Xu Yichen, with his white hair, nervously entered the birthday party, thinking he would be the center of attention. Instead, all eyes were on his friend.
Including the one person he liked.
He was the one who really needed to wear sunglasses.
“Class president, long time no see.”
“Since the banquet, I haven’t seen the class president. I thought the next time I’d see you, it’d be in college.”
“All the class officers are here, just missing the head teacher.”
As if they’d found their center, laughter and cheer filled the room, a vibrant energy sweeping over everyone.
Xie Huai didn’t exactly fit the model student mold. As class president, he wasn’t solely a servant of the teachers; he often sided with the students and knew how to negotiate with the faculty.
He was often spotted near the small pond, by the walls—bringing takeout, sneaking in late through the fence. A constant target of teasing by the “Baldy” gang.
He was the Monday flag-raising student representative, and also the one who read out reprimands and warnings.
Once, he got caught red-handed in an internet cafe by the Baldy gang because he couldn’t keep up with Xu Yichen, his rank falling all the way to Bronze. Furious, he started watching Olympiad math videos and got so absorbed he didn’t even escape in time.
Teachers had a love-hate relationship with Xie Huai. They loved his grades and his personality, but he had his own ideas and was more mature than his peers. Their relationship was less about authority and more like equals.
All lights and attention were on the young man. Xie Huai wore a crisp white shirt, looking clean and fresh, with a polite smile. His eyes, however, held no definite focus.
In the corner, Qi Xu leisurely swirled his drink, watching the center of attention and the ever-present Shen Zeyu beside him.
This was Qi Xu’s first time seeing Xie Huai.
Throughout the birthday party, Shen Zeyu stood shoulder to shoulder with him—including during the incident when they were caught sneaking a peek in the lounge. Qi Xu became the scapegoat, condemned by everyone. Xu Yichen, who was close to Xie Huai, was especially angry.
Qi Xu fought Xu Yichen. How could a refined young master possibly win against someone like Qi Xu, trained by drunks? Just as Qi Xu clenched his fist to strike, Xie Huai grabbed his arm to stop him.
It wasn’t a look of blame, but concern—for Xu Yichen.
His tone was calm: “Enough.”
Qi Xu met his gaze with cold eyes full of resentment, yanked free, and turned away.
Xie Huai’s group immediately pushed Qi Xu away, isolating and driving him out of the party.
From that moment on, Qi Xu had nothing to do with the gatherings of those young masters—and earned a bad reputation.
Qi Xu thought he’d changed, but really hadn’t. Xie Huai was always the center of attention.
Now he understood the truth of being blind when involved but clear-eyed when observing. Just like last life, he would always be the outsider.
Suddenly, Xie Huai, who should have been talking to those around him, looked up and met Qi Xu’s eyes in the corner. Qi Xu was caught off guard by the clear, black-and-white gaze—there was no probing, just a flicker of surprise.
Qi Xu’s hand froze; the liquid in his glass settled. His expression didn’t change as he looked away.
Following Xie Huai’s gaze, Xu Yichen spotted Qi Xu and said, “Hey, isn’t that—”
Shen Zeyu, watching Xie Huai closely, cut in, “That’s my second brother, Qi Xu. It’s his first time at a gathering; please be understanding.”
Xu Yichen recalled the recent mix-up with the Shen family, and seeing Qi Xu’s uniform from Haizhong school in the internet cafe, his expression changed drastically.
He couldn’t keep it in and blurted out, “He’s not a student of Haizhong. Why—”
A sharply defined hand landed on his shoulder, cutting off his words.
Ouch, that hurt.
Xu Yichen glared at Xie Huai, who just smiled and said, “Aren’t you going to give the gift?”
Xu Yichen and Xie Huai had been friends for over a decade; they could tell he was trying to change the subject. Got addicted to holding umbrellas now, huh?
He stopped talking, handed the gift to Fang Qian, avoiding her gaze. “Happy birthday. Just something casual. If you don’t like it, never mind.”
Fang Qian lifted her skirt and kicked Xu Yichen. “It’s my birthday today. Can you please be nicer? And your white hair looks awful!”
Xu Yichen dodged skillfully, pretending to hold his leg. “We’ve known each other since birth, see each other every day, say nice things every year—there aren’t that many nice things to say. My white hair looks awesome, okay?”
Their constant bickering was nothing new to the others.
It was only when Xie Huai gave the gift to Fang Qian that the childish quarrel ended. He looked toward the corner, but the person was gone.
Shen Zeyu and Song Ruoming exchanged looks, and Song nodded slightly.
Shen Zeyu casually looked away and asked Xie Huai, “Ah Huai, Ruoming said he’s going out to sea in a few days. Are you going?”
Xie Huai put down his juice without looking at Shen Zeyu and politely declined, “Probably not. The company’s busy.”
Shen Zeyu anxiously fiddled with his fingers, hopeful. “It’s just half a day. It won’t take much time.”
Xie Huai’s eyes rested on the edge of the swimming pool as he replied, “Have fun.”
Disappointment was clear on Shen Zeyu’s face. Before he could say it’s okay, Xu Yichen put an arm around him and led him away.
Shen Zeyu looked enviously at the hand resting on Xie Huai’s shoulder—this was what growing up together looked like: casual physical contact, easy joking.
Shen Zeyu blamed his parents for moving away from his grandfather’s place when he was six. Otherwise, he would have grown up alongside Xie Huai, going to school together.
They wouldn’t have only reconnected in their senior year of high school, ending up in the same class again. It was only because he asked Zeng Yun to contact Xie Huai’s mother that, through their elders’ connections, they were able to keep in touch.
Fortunately, they ended up at the same university, studying the same major. There would be plenty of chances to see each other going forward.
Qi Xu, ignored by everyone, left the corner holding his wine glass, wandering aimlessly.
He reached the poolside where a waiter carrying a tray with one hand approached him.
Whether it was because he tripped on the air or his legs were weak, the waiter stumbled and nearly crashed into Qi Xu. Qi Xu quickly shifted the gift bag onto his back, but the drinks on the waiter’s tray spilled all over his clothes.
Instantly, a strong smell of alcohol hit him.
The young waiter, trembling with fear and eyes brimming with tears, clasped his hands together: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please don’t tell the host. This is my first part-time job, and if the team leader finds out, I’ll be fired.”
Qi Xu looked at him coldly. “It’s fine.”
The waiter didn’t expect him to be so easygoing. His pleas caught in his throat. After a long moment, he said, “I’ll take you to the first-floor lounge to change clothes.”
Qi Xu replied, “Okay.”
The waiter cautiously watched his expression and, seeing no reaction, tried to be helpful: “The gift is valuable; I’ll carry it for you.”
He reached out to take the bag from Qi Xu’s hand.
Qi Xu’s eyes turned icy, his brows darkened.
The waiter’s heart skipped a beat, scared stiff, and he didn’t dare move. Silently, he led Qi Xu on.
They arrived at the lounge entrance. Qi Xu spoke up: “I can clean up myself.”
The waiter, afraid his behavior would arouse suspicion, didn’t insist on accompanying him into the lounge. He silently watched as Qi Xu entered the entrance hall.
Just as the waiter turned to leave, Qi Xu slipped into the adjacent building, headed straight upstairs to a small balcony.
This balcony was surrounded by thick greenery, hidden and dim, but from its height, it had a full view of the lounge’s main door and the courtyard beyond.
Qi Xu found a spot on the railing, set up his phone, started recording, and waited for the second person he expected to appear.
Out of boredom, he instinctively reached into his pocket and surprisingly pulled out a pack of cigarettes—Golden Leaf, given to him by Li Kaixing that morning.
Li Kaixing had just rented two floors of office space and signed the contract yesterday; the other party had generously given him two packs to share—one for each of them.
Since his rebirth, Qi Xu hadn’t smoked once. First, this body wasn’t addicted; second, before he died, he intended to quit smoking—and now, quitting was painless.
He didn’t trust his self-control. Once he lit one cigarette, there would be a second, a third, and maybe the whole pack.
Feeling a strange irritation, Qi Xu leaned against the railing, took a cigarette out of the pack—and realized he didn’t have a lighter. Even more annoyed.
Creak — the balcony door was pushed open.
This place was very secluded; only the homeowner knew about it. It was Fang Qian, after growing up, who told him.
Qi Xu half-hidden in the shadows, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as he faced the intruder head-on, like a beast crouching, ready to attack.
Xie Huai met those wary eyes but wasn’t intimidated. In fact, he even joked, “I didn’t bring any weapons. Do you want to frisk me?”
Qi Xu remained alert, trying to read Xie Huai’s intent from his eyes.
No luck.
They were still as pure and harmless as the white shirt he wore.
Unlike the previous two times they met, Qi Xu was bristling with prickles all over. Anyone who came near would definitely get hurt.
“Xie Huai.” Without seeming to notice Qi Xu’s unwelcoming gaze, Xie Huai stepped directly beside him.
“…”
“Qi Xu.”
Through the smell of alcohol, Qi Xu caught a faint fragrance on him — woody, a little like his own dark wood prayer beads.
Xie Huai lowered his eyes and watched Qi Xu skillfully pinch a cigarette between his fingers. “Oh, smoking now?”
Qi Xu was speechless.
He tapped the cigarette pack, opened the lid, and put the cigarette back inside.
Xie Huai wrinkled his nose at the sharp smell of alcohol and added, “And drinking, too.”
Qi Xu didn’t want to explain, but he really hadn’t been drinking tonight. He didn’t want to be wrongfully accused.
“I didn’t drink. The alcohol spilled on me.”
Not long after, Xie Huai handed him a gray handkerchief and a pack of wet wipes. “Here, wipe it off.”
The alcohol had soaked through the sleeves and stuck to his skin, sticky and unbearable.
Qi Xu hesitated for half a second, then took the items and handed the gift bag back to Xie Huai.
“Today isn’t my birthday. And you brought a gift?” Xie Huai smiled lightly. “I’m a little flattered.”
He opened the bag and glanced inside — a familiar hat was in there.
Xie Huai’s expression stayed calm, closing the bag. “Returning it to its rightful owner.”
