"Yanyan said it's just the two of us," having received Zhou Xuyan's reply, Shi Sui put down her phone, "going shopping around Guojin."

"Tomorrow?"

Shi Sui nodded.

Yan Tingli: "I'll drive you there."

"Aren't you supposed to..." Shi Sui stopped mid-sentence, swallowing her words, "I'll just go by myself. It's not far, just a few subway stops away."

"What am I supposed to do tomorrow?"

Yan Tingli removed his glasses, looking down at her.

Shi Sui lowered her head, fiddling with her phone as she replied "ok" to Zhou Xuyan: "Isn't Uncle Yan calling you for dinner?"

If it were just an ordinary dinner, Yan Zecheng would have invited her too. Since he didn't, it meant it had nothing to do with her.

"I'll go after dropping you off."

"Oh." Shi Sui lowered her eyelashes.

The dessert shop on the top floor of Guojin Center was brightly lit. Across from her, Zhou Xuyan had long flax-brown curls, paired with strappy boots, her bold red lips making her appear even more striking and alluring.

"Every time you come to see me from his place, you're sporting a pale, kidney-deficient face."

She clicked her tongue: "Young people should still practice some restraint."

"No, I've just been a bit tired lately."

Shi Sui denied it outright, but her ears had already betrayed her by turning red.

Zhou Xuyan didn't call her out on it, changing the subject instead:

"He asked me to finish up and send you back. What's up, does he have plans?"

According to Yan Tingli's usual way of doing things, he should have precise control over Shi Sui's every movement. From sending her here to taking her back at night, he shouldn't have left it to her.

"He has a dinner engagement with Uncle Yan and them."

"With Uncle Yan?" Zhou Xuyan looked at her, "He didn't invite you?"

Shi Sui shook her head: "Probably not convenient."

Two seconds of silence.

"Suisui." Zhou Xuyan suddenly called her.

"Mm?"

"Who exactly did he go to dinner with?"

Shi Sui bit the straw in her mouth: "He didn't say, I just overheard. It is Uncle Yan, but there's also his mentor Su Ye."

She paused, then said softly: "Probably Professor Su's daughter, too."

Zhou Xuyan narrowed her eyes upon hearing this: "He's having dinner with a woman behind your back?"

Shi Sui thought about it: "Maybe it's not really 'behind my back' – he didn't avoid me when taking the call."

"But he didn't proactively tell you either, did he?"

Shi Sui was momentarily speechless.

A few seconds of silence.

After a moment, Zhou Xuyan asked: "Didn't you tell me last time that you wanted to break up with Yan Tingli?"

Shi Sui was stunned, her long eyelashes drooping.

She nodded very lightly, then corrected: "Break up isn't quite right, at most it could only be called separating."

They weren't in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship anyway.

What Zhou Xuyan was referring to was something Shi Sui had mentioned to her last month while sketching.

That time, Yan Tingli hadn't contacted her for half a month, and Shi Sui thought this relationship would just end like that. In that instant, her subconscious had felt relieved – perhaps at some point, she had already had thoughts of separating.

Shi Sui had only briefly mentioned it during a phone call with Zhou Xuyan.

She had said they would probably be breaking up.

"You think he would break up with you?" Zhou Xuyan laughed at her naivety, "I said it was impossible."

Shi Sui remained silent.

Hearing her silence, Zhou Xuyan finally sensed something: "Suisui, is it you who wants to break up?"

Shi Sui opened her lips but didn't say yes, only saying: "We're going to separate sooner or later anyway."

Coming back from memory, she heard Zhou Xuyan ask: "Do you think this time Uncle Yan calling him to have dinner with that Professor Su's daughter – what's his plan?"

Shi Sui rested her chin on her hand: "Matchmaking?"

"You know it's matchmaking, yet you're still so calm!"

Shi Sui gazed out the window, saying: "They're very suitable for each other. Uncle Yan and Aunt Song would be satisfied too."

"Don't you care? Aren't you jealous?"

Shi Sui thought that saying she didn't care at all would be false, but she had already built psychological defenses two years ago, constantly preparing herself for such situations.

She said calmly, "If they can develop something, wouldn't it be easier for me to break up?"

"Can you even break up?" Zhou Xuyan was skeptical.

Shi Sui: "Why can't I break up?" Though she asked this, a strange feeling still arose in her heart.

"Do you know what his gaze looks like when he looks at you?"

"...Hm?"

Zhou Xuyan lowered her voice and leaned closer: "Like a snake."

Shi Sui suddenly felt a chill down her spine, but still pursed her lips and said: "You're being too dramatic."

"I was with a film crew shooting wild animals this time, and one segment was about cobras." Zhou Xuyan was about to take out her phone, "Let me show you..."

Shi Sui was most afraid of reptiles. She got goosebumps all over and waved her hands repeatedly, "Don't, don't show me!"

"Little coward," Zhou Xuyan laughed, "How did such a timid person dare to provoke Yan Tingli?"

Shi Sui thought about it and uttered four words: "Lust clouded my judgment."

"I knew he was the one who seduced you." Zhou Xuyan slapped the table. "Do you know that when I found out you two had slept together, my world collapsed?"

Zhou Xuyan, knowing about this, wasn't coincidental, or rather, it was Yan Tingli's deliberate doing.

During the summer vacation after high school graduation, Zhou Xuyan kept asking her out.

Teaching her to dye her hair, do her nails, put on makeup, and take photos.

The fun between the girls was endless. Shi Sui was completely absorbed, and Zhou Xuyan even directly suggested she move to her house. Shi Sui was tempted.

High school entrance exams were over, so she didn't need to continue living at the Yan house.

Zhou Xuyan was often alone, so she could keep to herself.

When she mentioned this to Yan Tingli, he appeared nonchalant.

The next day, right in front of Zhou Xuyan, he pulled her close, lowered his head to lift her hair, and kissed her right neck.

Turning his head, he said coldly to Zhou Xuyan: "If she keeps you company, who will keep me company?"

Zhou Xuyan was angry but dared not speak out. Afterward, she grabbed Shi Sui's shoulders and shook her: "Are you crazy? Are you insane? How did you end up getting involved with him? Did he force you?"

At that time, Shi Sui couldn't understand Zhou Xuyan's hysteria. When she asked, Zhou Xuyan wouldn't say.

In her memory, Zhou Xuyan and Yan Tingli barely communicated. Zhou Xuyan feared nothing except that she was somewhat wary of Yan Tingli.

And Yan Tingli had always been good at pretending, with a good reputation outside. There was no need to specifically target Zhou Xuyan.

Shi Sui wanted to know: "What exactly is the conflict between you two?"

Zhou Xuyan pouted: "Although he and I do have some friction, essentially, it's still because Yan Tingli has problems."

Sometimes, Shi Sui would wonder what could have shaped Yan Tingli's personality despite having such a smooth life. She thought this and asked it out loud.

Zhou Xuyan stared at her wide-eyed, saying nothing.

Shi Sui blinked: "Can't you say?"

Zhou Xuyan put on airs, clearing her throat twice: "Logically speaking, if Yan Tingli hasn't mentioned these things to you, I shouldn't be gossiping."

Knowing her nature well, Shi Sui said calmly: "Then forget it."

Zhou Xuyan was silent for a few seconds.

After a while, she still couldn't hold back: "Don't tell me you've lived in the Yan house for so long without realizing his family isn't normal?"

Shi Sui blinked, not particularly surprised.

At the Yan villa, Yan Zecheng basically never stayed overnight, Song Jie was similarly absent every few days. The family of three treated each other with respectful distance, worse than relatives. Aside from methodically cultivating Yan Tingli, Shi Sui couldn't sense any emotional connection between them.

Whether there were more outsiders like her in the house or not wouldn't make any difference.

Anyone would realize this wasn't a healthy and harmonious family in any sense.

Bringing her thoughts back, Shi Sui said, "Is it convenient to talk about?"

Zhou Xuyan rested her chin on her hand: "Actually, I've been looking for an opportunity to tell you."

"How about today then?"

"But these are the Yan family's secrets. If I tell you, it would make me seem tasteless."

Shi Sui: "Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know."

"What if that guy Yan Tingli finds out and decides to settle old and new scores together to get revenge on me?"

Shi Sui expressionlessly swallowed her juice: "Then you'd better not say it."

She naturally assumed it was just some common family problems.

Essentially similar to those "I don't want lots of money, I just want lots of love" rich second-generation types online.

Zhou Xuyan's competitive spirit was aroused. She exhaled and said, "Fine, there's no better day than today. I'll tell you today."

Having finally pried an opening from Zhou Xuyan, Shi Sui poured her water: "Take your time, no rush."

"The second floor of the Yan house, the room next to Aunt Song's – you remember it, right?"

Shi Sui thought for a long time before nodding.

The largest house she had ever seen in her life was the Yan residence. Maid's rooms, movie room, gym, etc. – more than a dozen rooms of various sizes, and even an elevator.

The entire villa had five floors, including the basement. When she first moved in, Shi Sui would still get lost.

Over two years, her territory was limited to the main hall and the third-floor bedroom. She rarely approached other rooms, much less actively opened them.

That room on the second floor – Shi Sui had passed it many times when taking the stairs upstairs. She was timid and didn't dare take the elevator alone at night, so she had a clear impression of this room.

"I remember it," Shi Sui said, "but I've never seen that door open, don't know what's inside."

"Not knowing is right – that's Yan Tingli's younger brother's room."

A completely unexpected answer.

"Younger brother?" Shi Sui repeated, "Younger brother?!"

"Yes, Yan Tingli has a younger brother, a biological brother, named Yan Congjin."

Shi Sui was shocked: "Then where is his brother? Why have I never seen him?"

Zhou Xuyan looked at her without speaking.

Shi Sui's expression gradually changed color, "It can't be..."

"It's exactly what you're thinking."

Shi Sui was somewhat dazed.

"Haven't you noticed that Yan Tingli doesn't have a good relationship with his parents, especially with Aunt Song?"

Shi Sui slowly nodded.

"Yan Congjin's death – Aunt Song still hasn't gotten over it."

"Or rather, she's still blaming Yan Tingli."

The spring rain came fast and fierce. After dinner, wind and rain lashed outside.

"Tingli, see Professor Su's family off." Yan Zecheng instructed Yan Tingli while personally opening an umbrella, gesturing for Su Ye to go first.

"We've imposed on you today." Su Ye's wife smiled at Song Jie, falling a step behind.

Song Jie intimately held Su Han's hand: "Not at all. I genuinely like little Han. I was so happy to know she was coming."

Su Ye's wife laughed softly: "I like Tingli too. He's so excellent. I hope little Han can spend more time with him."

Nearby, Su Han curved her lips, her gaze sweeping across Yan Tingli's face at the rear. He didn't look up and showed no expression.

She restrained her smile.

Upon reaching the door, Song Jie held an umbrella and conveniently opened one for Su Ye's wife, glancing at Yan Tingli: "Tingli, look after little Han."

Su Han stood by the door waiting, watching his slender fingers open the umbrella, then hand it to her: "Take care."

She was stunned, slow to take it.

"Tingli." Song Jie noticed this side, her tone slightly heavy, "It's windy outside. Why aren't you holding the umbrella for little Han?"

Yan Tingli's tone was slow: "Two people sharing makes it easier to get wet."

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Song Jie couldn't save face. Before she could figure out how to smooth things over, Su Han quickly took the umbrella, smiling: "I'll do it myself."

A small episode, but when Song Jie wanted to continue chatting with Su Ye's wife, the latter's lips turned down, no longer as warm as before.

After seeing the Su family off to their car, the lively atmosphere just now dissipated.

Cold wind swept by, bringing swirling fine rain.

Yan Zecheng walked at the front, Song Jie next, Yan Tingli at the rear. No one spoke until they entered the house.

The servants were still clearing the dining table. Song Jie glanced over, and the two immediately put down what they were doing and returned to the servants' quarters.

Yan Tingli put his phone back in his pocket, expression cold and languid: "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

Song Jie called out, "Stop, come sit down first."

Yan Tingli didn't move.

"Tingli, sit first. We have something to say to you." Yan Zecheng's tone was still gentle.

"Next time. I'm a bit tired." Yan Tingli said blandly, turning to continue walking.

Yan Zecheng frowned, about to speak, when Song Jie on the side sofa raised her voice: "Tingli, what's your attitude toward us?"

"Little Jie, calm down." Yan Zecheng spoke up.

Song Jie's eyes were indifferent, completely ignoring him.

Yan Zecheng pulled at his lips but didn't continue with the cold shoulder, softening his voice to speak with Yan Tingli: "Tingli, I'll make it short."

Yan Tingli lowered his eyelids, looking at the rain falling outside the door.

"Su Ye had his daughter late in life and dotes on Su Han extremely. Moreover, you can see he appreciates you." Yan Zecheng said.

Song Jie: "Su Han is also talented and beautiful, very suitable for you. You can see the girl has feelings for you, too."

Yan Zecheng smoothly continued: "As far as I know, many companies have tried to contact Su Ye's team, but currently, he's only accepted our invitation. Tingli, you've always been smart – you know what this means."

He observed Yan Tingli's expression, then added: "Even if you don't like her, just bear with it. Get to know her for a while, we'll talk about other things later. It's not like we're asking you to marry her right now."

When it came to business, this couple who seemed incompatible suddenly had a tacit understanding.

A few seconds of silence.

Yan Tingli's eyes moved lazily, and he laughed with a "heh."

"You're right," he walked leisurely toward the front hall, "Liming throws money, Shengshi throws resources, but neither can get a meeting with Su Ye. I sell my body and soul to make him serve Qisheng for life."

Bending down to look at the two: "What deal could be more profitable than this? Even the hostesses at clubs would praise you two as sales champions."

"You bastard!" Yan Zecheng's face darkened, his tone suddenly harsh, "Listen to what you're saying!"

"I've said my piece," Yan Tingli composed his expression, "I'm leaving."

"Stop." Song Jie called out.

Yan Tingli headed straight for the main door.

Seeing that her words repeatedly had no effect, Song Jie's anger flared: "What exactly is your attitude toward me? Do you still consider me your mother?"

"If you say I don't, then I don't." Yan Tingli waved his hand dismissively, one foot already out the door.

Urgent footsteps came from behind. Suddenly, a "bang" accompanied Song Jie's pained cry as she tripped and fell.

Yan Tingli's brow furrowed. Across from him, Yan Zecheng moved his foot and reached out halfway.

Song Jie endured the pain, coldly telling him, "Don't touch me."

Yan Zecheng's expression worsened: "Come help your mother up."

Yan Tingli turned back. Song Jie's voice was indifferent: "I don't need you either."

His footsteps paused.

Song Jie: "Call Aunt Jiang over."

Song Jie had twisted her ankle and was helped by a servant back to her room to tend to her injury.

Yan Tingli leaned against the doorframe, his eyelashes casting shadows.

"Go upstairs and check on your mother." Yan Zecheng lit a cigarette.

"She doesn't want to see me. Why be an eyesore?"

"She's still your mother. You-" Before he could finish, Yan Zecheng's phone rang. He glanced at it, hung up, but it rang again. He walked a few steps away, "Wait a moment, let me take this call first."

Too far to hear clearly, but Yan Zecheng's brows relaxed, wearing an ambiguous smile.

The corner of Yan Tingli's lips curved mockingly.

"There's something at the company," Yan Zecheng hung up and came over, lowering his head to adjust his tie: "Go check on her. I have to go."

Before leaving, he looked at him again: "Tingli, you are my only heir, always have been."

"Su Ye's team's patents and technology – you know better than anyone how important they are. Even occasional rebellion should have limits."

The car's taillights disappeared into the rain curtain. Yan Zecheng had left.

Footsteps came from the stairs. Aunt Jiang came down, poking her head out toward the door: "Did the master leave already?"

Yan Tingli walked inside, not answering such an obvious question.

"Really..." Aunt Jiang sighed, "The mistress's ankle is all swollen from the fall. How could the master not stay home to take care of her? Even one day as husband and wife means a hundred days of kindness."

She was an aunt Song Jie had brought from the Song family, naturally feeling sorry for her.

But privately discussing employers was a major taboo.

Yan Tingli lifted his eyelids, glancing over.

Aunt Jiang felt a chill, lowering her head and hunching her shoulders, falling silent.

"How is Mom?" He pressed the elevator button.

"Her foot is severely swollen. I just applied ice for the mistress, and it's better now." Aunt Jiang said, "But her mood is still poor..."

She so hoped he would accommodate Song Jie, show more understanding for his mother, but looking at Yan Tingli, she didn't dare voice these thoughts.

This young master had always been noble and opinionated. When had he ever allowed himself to be manipulated?

Just as she was thinking this, Yan Tingli suddenly stopped.

"Little Li?" She was puzzled.

"I'm not going up." He said flatly.

"Why?"

"My going would make her mood worse."

"How could that be? What mother wouldn't be happy to see her child?" Aunt Jiang said matter-of-factly.

After speaking, she saw the young man's eyelashes flutter: "Is that so?"

A questioning tone, but his footsteps didn't stop again as he walked to Song Jie's bedroom door.

The thick carpet muffled his footsteps. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, warm light spilling out.

Yan Tingli raised his hand halfway.

Soft voices came from inside – Aunt Li was comforting Song Jie.

"Please don't worry yourself. Little Li has always been strong-willed, maybe he just doesn't like being arranged..."

"No, some children are born cold-blooded. He's not close to me, never has been since childhood, and doesn't listen to me either."

"What child isn't close to their mother?"

"Yes, what child isn't close to their mother?" Song Jie closed her eyes, "He doesn't even count as my child. He's a cold-blooded machine raised by Yan Zecheng."

Song Jie covered her face, her voice taking on a weeping tone, "My Congjin, Congjin was close to me from childhood, would softly call me mama, would throw himself into my arms acting spoiled, and always listened to me most. Why did heaven have to take him away?"

...

Rain streamed down the windows like two winding tear tracks.

It had rained today, making the sky particularly dark. Shi Sui looked outside the window as Zhou Xuyan's voice drifted elegantly by her ear: "At first, Uncle Yan and Aunt Song had an arranged marriage between families with no feelings."

The second year after Yan Zecheng and Song Jie's marriage was also the first year when the Yan and Song families joined forces to create the subsidiary company Qisheng Technology. When the families arranged the marriage, Song Jie was forced to break up with her first love, her heart dead as ash, carrying resentment throughout her body.

This marriage began as a transaction. Having an heir would make it more stable. So at the end of the second year, Yan Tingli was born and raised from childhood as an elite heir.

Yan Zecheng and Song Jie were each busy with their careers, hardly returning home. Yan Zecheng led the technical team, Song Jie handled marketing. Their division of labor was clear, each achieving their accomplishments.

In the fifth year after marriage, Qisheng Technology's profits surpassed all the parent and subsidiary companies, topping both family groups. It was also in this year that Yan Zecheng and Song Jie developed feelings over time, understanding each other and reaching the peak of their relationship.

The incident happened when Yan Congjin was five years old.

Ten-year-old Yan Tingli brought home a stray cat, personally bathing and feeding it.

Yan Congjin followed behind his brother, carefully asking if he could pet the kitten.

Children raised in love tend to be loved by everyone, and no one would deliberately refuse them.

"It sounds quite melodramatic, but that's exactly how it happened." Zhou Xuyan sighed.

That weekend, Yan Congjin happened to have ice hockey class. Usually the driver and nanny would pick him up, but that day Yan Zecheng returned from a business trip and particularly missed his younger son, so he called to say he would personally pick him up.

Everything was perfectly normal.

But the accident still happened. Yan Zecheng was a few minutes late, and it was just those few minutes when Yan Congjin crossed the street and got into a car accident.

"How could this happen?" Shi Sui raised her voice, somewhat incoherent, "But what does this have to do with Yan Tingli?"

She didn't know how to dissolve this enormous grief and could only point the blade at everyone. Whether it was Yan Zecheng or Yan Tingli, in her eyes, they were all murderers who caused her younger son's death.

From then on, the surface harmony of the family was completely torn apart, and Yan Congjin became an unspeakable taboo.

Song Jie and Yan Zecheng played the role of a respectable couple in public while each had new lovers privately, rotting from within.

And Yan Tingli continued as a programmed robot, running along his predetermined track.

...

After a long silence, Shi Sui asked: "What about you? Why are you so at odds with him?"

"Because I secretly picked up that cat Aunt Song threw away." Zhou Xuyan said with an innocent expression, "Before, he wouldn't even let me touch it once."

Shi Sui paused, her eyes widening: "You're not talking about Little Round, are you?!"

"Yes, yes."

Little Round was a long-haired calico cat that Shi Sui had seen many times when visiting Zhou Xuyan's house. Little Round was well cared for by Zhou Xuyan. The old lady cat was over ten years old now, but could still eat, sleep, and run around energetically.

Shi Sui didn't understand the logic: "Just because of this?"

"Oh right, have I mentioned that you also have very big eyes, just like Little Round, so I liked you from the first time I saw you." Zhou Xuyan said jokingly.

Shi Sui was about to speak when suddenly her phone rang, showing an incoming call notification.

She pressed answer.

"Where are you?" There seemed to be rustling rain sounds on the other end, the voice not very clear.

"I'm still at the mall, want to hang out with Yanyan a bit more." She instinctively held her breath, "Is that okay?"

The other end suddenly said, "Talk to me."

Shi Sui was confused: "Huh? Say what?"

"Anything."

"Just say anything."

Shi Sui was baffled: "Is there something that must be said over the phone?"

"Mm."

Shi Sui's expression was strange. Zhou Xuyan, who had specifically perked up her ears to catch most of the conversation, leaned in and clicked her tongue, whispering: "He's like he's about to die any second and needs you to续命 him."

Shi Sui glanced at her but had no idea what to say, so she could only ramble like keeping a diary, saying whatever came to mind:

"Tonight we ate Thai food, sour and salty, I'm not used to it. The passion fruit juice we drank this afternoon was a price trap, a tiny cup cost sixty-eight yuan, not as good as the eight-yuan chain store cups at the school gate."

"Mm."

"We also tried new spring clothes and bought a sweater."

"Browsed the accessory store and bought a hat."

After Shi Sui said a few sentences, she felt it was dry.

"Very boring."

"Indeed." He gave an affirmative response.

Shi Sui pouted: "Then I won't talk anymore."

"Continue."

The rain sound was getting louder on the other end.

She could only search for something to say: "Where are you? The rain sounds so loud."

"In the rain."

She was shocked: "No umbrella?"

"Forgot."

Yan Tingli only realized he hadn't taken an umbrella when he walked out the door, so he simply didn't bother.

"Don't you know how to take shelter when it's raining? Are you an idiot?"

His tone was flat: "Didn't you always say I have problems?"

Shi Sui was simply irritated: "Then drench yourself in your rain, don't tell me about it."

Yan Tingli said casually, "If I don't tell you, how can I make you feel sorry for me?"

"You asked for it; only a dog would feel sorry."

Although Shi Sui was angry, she still couldn't ignore it. She sighed: "Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

He suddenly laughed for a long time. Shi Sui was confused and heard him say: "Bark once for me to hear."

...So cheap.

Shi Sui took a deep breath: "Stop talking nonsense. Where exactly are you?"

After he finished laughing, "Phone's dead, hanging up."

That night was Sunday, and she had early classes the next day. As usual, Shi Sui would return to school.

She called Yan Tingli several more times. Zhou Xuyan couldn't stand watching and grabbed her hand: "Aiya, let's go, let's go. He's a grown man. What could happen? Quick, I'll drive you back."

Shi Sui looked at her phone and softly hummed in agreement.

The red Porsche was parked quite stylishly at the entrance of A University. Before Shi Sui got out, Zhou Xuyan gave her repeated warnings: "You absolutely must not reveal that I told you these things!"

"Mm, mm, I know." Shi Sui nodded very loyally.

Just as she was about to leave, Zhou Xuyan couldn't help reaching out her arms: "Give me a hug."

Shi Sui smiled warmly and hugged her back, immediately being pressed into her embrace and having her face rubbed.

Shi Sui was the sweetest, softest little cake she had ever seen, Zhou Xuyan thought to herself.

"See you next time."

The two reluctantly said goodbye.

On the way back, Shi Sui was still digesting what Zhou Xuyan had told her that afternoon.

During the two years staying at the Yan house, it wasn't that she hadn't felt various discordances.

But she was an outsider, and always had to, and must, behave properly.

Shi Sui recalled some past events again.

When she first arrived and dirtied the car, although Yan Tingli smoothly handled it without showing emotion, for a teenage girl it was still an earth-shattering embarrassment. In the days that followed, she couldn't help being even more careful.

When she got to know Yan Tingli, he was already a campus celebrity.

Girls often talked about him, admired him, said how wonderful he was, but few dared to confess to him because he was simply too unreachable.

Occasionally, when Yan Zecheng and the others returned, they would ask about Yan Tingli's studies and competitions at the dinner table.

There were always various competitions and professional terms she couldn't understand, so she could only show a polite smile.

Not only that, the incident that left the deepest impression on Shi Sui was when Song Jie mentioned a former child star who debuted young, a rumored little princess of Beijing's elite circles.

Such a female celebrity that Shi Sui thought was high and mighty was dismissed by Song Jie with just a cold sneer: "A daughter raised by a third-rate family, doesn't know her place."

What Song Jie was referring to was how this starlet had used paparazzi to stage photos with her and Yan Tingli.

In the end, the photos were blocked by Song Jie's order, and after that, the starlet's popularity declined significantly.

Shi Sui watched various films and TV shows, and it seemed that rich people didn't like being taken advantage of.

So Shi Sui tried to minimize her presence in the vast Yan residence.

At school, it went without saying – usually half a street away, Shi Sui would find an excuse to have the driver stop the car and walk over to her.

Shi Sui couldn't remember many professional terms and competition names.

But she could remember that deafening phrase, "doesn't know her place."

Yet now she was doing bad things that appeared well-behaved and sensible on the surface, but were secretly underhanded.

The rain on the road grew denser, blowing past the umbrella's edge onto Shi Sui's cheek.

She stood in place for a long time, then finally lowered her head to delete the words she had typed in Yan Tingli's chat box.

Looking down, she turned off her phone and continued walking forward.

A new week began.

The school's lights-out was at eleven-thirty. When Shi Sui returned, she went to sleep after washing up.

Early the next morning, she opened the chat box and saw that Yan Tingli had replied to her message in the early hours.

A single number [1], meaningless, probably just indicating he was alive.

Shi Sui thought about the several calls she had wanted to make last night, and pressed the screen off without expression.

Between them, it had always been him controlling all her movements.

She was always hiding and avoiding, seemingly ignoring the fact that when Yan Tingli didn't want to be found, she actually couldn't find him at all.

She had full classes in the morning. When Shi Sui and her roommates came out of the teaching building at noon, she received an unexpected call from Song Jie.

Her fingers tightened, her expression momentarily stunned.

"What's wrong, Suisui?" asked Xue Jing, who was linking arms with her.

Shi Sui looked down at her phone: "You and Anran go to the cafeteria first, I have something to handle."

"Okay, should we save you a seat?"

Shi Sui waved her hand: "No need, it's fine."

She quickly walked away from the crowd to a quiet place and answered the call.

She said formally, "Auntie."

"Suisui," Song Jie called her, "are you busy?"

Shi Sui: "Just finished class, not busy."

Song Jie made an acknowledging sound and casually chatted with her for a few sentences, her voice carrying faint weariness.

Shi Sui didn't meet Song Jie often, and speaking alone with her could be counted on one hand. Guessing that Song Jie likely had something to say, she proactively asked: "Auntie, are you...?"

"It's like this, I can't get through to Tingli's phone, and my legs aren't convenient right now. Since you're at the same school as him, if it's convenient, could you help me see him and ask him to call me back?"

Shi Sui was stunned: "Auntie, what happened to your leg?"

"Twisted it a bit, nothing serious." Song Jie seemed unwilling to elaborate, "Is it convenient for you?"

Shi Sui had no reason to refuse: "...Convenient."

They didn't have much to chat about. After exchanging pleasantries, they hung up.

Shi Sui looked at her phone, still processing the information from the call.

Yan Tingli wasn't answering Song Jie's calls.

Had they fought yesterday?

Shi Sui's hand paused over Yan Tingli's chat box.

Suddenly, she had a headache.

Could it be that from Song Jie's perspective, she and Yan Tingli were close? If Song Jie couldn't do something, how could she possibly manage it...

Shi Sui sighed, deleting and editing for a long time before finally sending Yan Tingli: [When are you free today?]

He didn't reply immediately.

That was normal – he was habitually busy and rarely chatted online.

Shi Sui wasn't free today either; on the contrary, she had classes all day. Just as she was hesitating whether to call directly, thinking about where her afternoon class was, she changed her mind.

They had several professional courses that required computer labs. The School of Cross-Disciplinary Information had top-tier domestic equipment. The Academy of Fine Arts had applied many times before the School of Cross-Disciplinary Information reluctantly approved it.

This semester, Shi Sui's major was fortunate to experience it here. Although they had already attended classes here several times, she was still inevitably shocked by this golden, gleaming, and extremely futuristic academic building.

As a top domestic science and engineering university, A University naturally allocated increasing funds to these flagship schools, not to mention the huge donations from industry leaders each year.

Although the Academy of Fine Arts was also impressive, compared to this place, it was like the difference between a legitimate son and a concubine's daughter.

In the evening, Shi Sui finished her last class and came out of the computer room.

The Cross-Disciplinary School building was over twenty stories high, and Shi Sui's group was on the eleventh floor.

Students coming and going all looked hurried, some still wearing lab coats, others drinking coffee while studying – everyone busy with their own affairs.

The academic atmosphere was so intense that Xue Jing and the other girl didn't dare make a sound, quietly arriving at the elevator.

Entering the elevator, Shi Sui habitually stood toward the back, taking her phone from her bag. She guessed Yan Tingli should be attending classes here and estimated she could call him out for a meeting.

The elevator descended about two floors.

Suddenly, there was a "ding" sound. The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and a crowd of people stood outside, surging into the elevator.

Shi Sui glanced and stepped back.

Just as she saw Yan Tingli's reply message, her sleeve was suddenly tugged excitedly by someone.

Turning her head, she saw Xue Jing silently screaming, pointing quietly toward the door with her finger.

Shi Sui followed her gaze.

Her pupils contracted in shock.

Quite coincidentally, Yan Tingli was walking in leisurely, wearing a black jacket with a backpack casually slung over his shoulder, his expression calm and indifferent.

Several male students clustered around him, talking to him.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Sui looked away.

Looking down at her phone, she happened to see his recent reply: [Missing me?]

She pressed her lips together, pretending not to see it, quickly turning off the screen.

The several people who entered were all tall male students, making the space cramped and the air thin.

Yan Tingli was not far from her.

People around him were conversing with him, asking professional questions. He responded briefly while looking at his phone.

Lin Anran sent a message to the group chat: [Every time I see him, I have to sigh about how handsome he is]

Xue Jing: [Asked for his WeChat last week, wonder if he still remembers me]

Lin Anran: [Such a handsome face, but he doesn't plan to date, what a waste ahhh]

It was peak after-class time, people kept getting on, and the elevator became increasingly cramped.

Shi Sui simply retreated to the corner at the back, minimizing her presence.

Just as she positioned herself, someone in front backed up – it was the male student talking to Yan Tingli.

Squeezed until his footing was unstable, he was heading straight toward her.

Shi Sui had nowhere to avoid, standing there staring at him.

Just as they were about to collide, the male student's arm was grabbed, and Yan Tingli cast a cold glance over.

The male student reacted, looking toward Shi Sui: "Sorry, too crowded."

"It's fine."

Zhuo Haoyu was momentarily dazzled upon seeing Shi Sui, his eyes not moving away for a while. Just as he wanted to say something more, he was pulled by a force toward another side, his original position occupied.

He looked toward Yan Tingli.

Somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Yan?"

"Stand properly." His tone was cold.

"...Oh."

Yan Tingli was very close.

Shi Sui knew without looking up.

Each other's breath was always familiar, even in an elevator full of people.

She lowered her eyes and held her breath, almost curling into a ball.

When the last person entered, she couldn't move an inch, her entire body pressed against the wall.

But the person in front of her pushed his luck.

He was too tall, standing in front like a wall, his breath domineeringly invading everything around her.

Xue Jing and Lin Anran were squeezed to the other side, their gazes frequently glancing over.

Yan Tingli's hand was braced against the wall, just blocking their view.

Shi Sui couldn't help but send a message: [Don't stand so close to me]

"Close?" he said.

His sudden voice drew several glances.

Shi Sui's heart jumped violently, but she had to appear calm while messaging: [Why did you speak out loud?]

Yan Tingli calmly raised his hand to his earphone, appearing to be on a phone call.

Others then looked away again.

"Too lazy to type."

Shi Sui's scalp tingled: [Use your phone to talk to me]

"I won't."

Yan Tingli lowered his voice, "Why didn't you answer my question just now?"

The question just now?

Shi Sui thought for a moment and finally remembered the message on the screen – "Missing me?"

She blinked, trying to pretend she hadn't heard.

Suddenly, her other hand, hidden under her sleeve, was hooked.

The cool, jade-like touch traced up and down along the lines of her palm.

Shi Sui's face burned. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he wouldn't let go.

"Mm?" he said again, his fingers entwining like a snake.

Shi Sui was going crazy, finally giving up resistance.

Her fingers were completely wrapped in his palm.

"Answer me." He tickled her palm.

He was always like this, using every means to get the answer he wanted.

Shi Sui was forced into a corner, even forgetting to use her phone, squeezing out a sound from her nose: "...Mm."

"Suisui?" Lin Anran was puzzled. "What did you say?"

Shi Sui was covered in cold sweat: "Nothing."

Yan Tingli let out a laugh, pinching her fingertip flirtatiously.

Fortunately, the elevator finally reached the first floor, and Shi Sui took the opportunity to pull her hand away.

She ran toward the elevator entrance as if escaping.

At that moment, her phone buzzed.

Yan Tingli: [Wait for me at the back door]

Shi Sui hastily glanced at it and walked quickly forward.

Zhuo Haoyu instinctively took a step to follow, but He Nan behind him grabbed his bag: "Haozi, where are you going?"

"I..." his ears were somewhat red.

He Nan: "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you," He Nan keenly glanced in the direction of Shi Sui's group and whispered, "Tell me, which girl caught your eye?"

While talking, Yan Tingli was the last to exit the elevator.

He Nan looked at Zhuo Haoyu's expression and laughed, pushing him: "No way, you fell for someone? Then why don't you hurry up and get her WeChat before it's too late?"

Zhuo Haoyu was encouraged, and his feet were already eager to move: "Then I'll go right now-"

Before he finished speaking, his shoulder was pressed down by someone.

"Brother Yan?" Zhuo Haoyu was surprised.

"She has a boyfriend."

"What?" he was shocked.

Somehow, Zhuo Haoyu sensed Yan Tingli's coldness.

Different from his usual coldness.

"How do you know?"

"On her neck," Yan Tingli glanced at him, smiled without reaching his eyes, "there's a hickey."

Zhuo Haoyu stood frozen: "Brother Yan, are you sure you saw clearly?"

Yan Tingli pointed to his side neck, saying casually: "In this position."

Zhuo Haoyu was speechless, his expression dejected.

"Tsk tsk," He Nan laughingly put his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, enjoying the drama, "Heartbroken in one second."

Zhuo Haoyu frowned and pushed his hand away: "Get lost."

Yan Tingli withdrew his gaze and raised his hand: "I have something to do, I'm leaving."

"Sure, bye Brother Yan." He Nan waved while putting his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, "Come on, stop looking, the girl has a boyfriend."

"God, Suisui, you were so close to Yan Tingli just now ahhh!" As soon as they walked away, Xue Jing burst out exclaiming, "How was it? Does he smell nice?"

Lin Anran chimed in: "Did you have trouble breathing?"

Shi Sui's fingers still had the sticky sweat from his caressing: "...Yes."

It was suffocating indeed.

"Ah, what a pity."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel like Yan Tingli has a girlfriend." Xue Jing said regretfully.

Shi Sui's steps faltered slightly.

Lin Anran adjusted her glasses: "How can you tell?"

"Sixth sense!" Xue Jing said, "Didn't you hear his tone when he was on the phone just now? So doting and ambiguous."

"?"

Shi Sui was horrified: "Doting?"

Xue Jing: "Just now, was that a tone you'd use with guy friends?"

Lin Anran: "But didn't Weiwei say that Yan Tingli told her he doesn't plan to date in college?"

"You believe that, too!" Xue Jing pouted, "Maybe it was just an excuse to reject her." She raised a finger and lowered her voice: "My intuition tells me Yan Tingli has a girlfriend he's secretly dating. What type do you think he likes?"

Lin Anran: "I feel like it's high-IQ, long-legged, mature women."

"You're right." Xue Jing agreed.

Shi Sui: "......"

"Suisui, why are you looking at me like that?"

"..." Shi Sui was silent for two seconds. "I also think you're right."