Twelve Twelve

Early in the morning, having to face this particular face put a damper on Xia Songbai’s otherwise pleasant mood.

Once they got into the car, both fell silent.

Lian Sheng had originally reined in his temper to come pick up Xia Songbai, but seeing him remain quiet, Lian Sheng couldn’t help but break the silence first. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Making a sour face so early—what did he expect others to say?

Xia Songbai rolled his eyes inwardly and feigned innocence. “I was afraid you didn’t want to talk to me.”

Lian Sheng said nothing but caught a glimpse of Xia Songbai’s profile in the rearview mirror: a full forehead, delicate and clear features, lips slightly pursed like a rosebud, glowing faintly with a subtle allure.

In fact, from an appearance standpoint, Xia Songbai perfectly fit Lian Sheng’s aesthetic preference. Ning Qing was too bland, so plain as to be nearly unnoticed. Lian Sheng had always loved intensity—everything had to be the best, and even his fiancée had to be the most beautiful.

Seeing Xia Songbai made the time spent with Ning Qing feel like a fleeting dream, and now that dream was over; it was time to return to reality.

Lian Sheng softened his tone. “I’ve just been too busy with work lately. About that trip to Switzerland for skiing, it just so happens I have some free time now. I’ll have someone help you get your visa.”

Xia Songbai hesitated. “Uh… isn’t it an odd season for skiing?”

Skiing in autumn—was he serious?

Lian Sheng: …

He had only wanted to ease the recent distance between them but ended up making such a rookie mistake.

Lian Sheng corrected himself, “Well, we can just go see the autumn scenery.”

Xia Songbai had no desire to travel with him and quickly found an excuse: “I still have an internship to go to.”

“What internship? You never told me before.” Lian Sheng was dismissive. “Quit that. When you come back, I’ll arrange something for you.”

Xia Songbai chuckled softly. “I applied to Chonghe. Since you don’t want me to go, I won’t.”

“Wait… did you say Chonghe?”

“Yeah.”

Lian Sheng found it hard to believe. “How did you get into Chonghe?”

Did Xia Songbai’s grades even qualify for Chonghe?

Xia Songbai looked at him innocently. “I don’t know… I mentioned it to Mr. Shen, and he told me just to send in my resume. I did, and I got accepted.”

Lian Sheng fell silent.

It was obvious that the Shen family had pulled strings for Xia Songbai.

But how could he not know when Xia Songbai had gained such favor?

Xia Songbai asked, “Should I still go for the internship?”

“…Go,” Lian Sheng said irritably. “Behave yourself there. If you don’t understand something, ask me. Don’t embarrass me.”

Looking at Xia Songbai’s face, Lian Sheng couldn’t help but ask, “Which Mr. Shen did you mean—Shen Zhao or Shen Tingzong?”

Xia Songbai feigned innocence. “What’s the difference?”

Neither had actually been involved in finding him an internship.

Mentioning Chonghe was just a test to gauge Lian Sheng’s reaction.

Sure enough, Lian Sheng was still wary of the Shen family.

Xia Songbai smiled subtly, feeling that he might have stumbled upon the right path by accident.

Lian Sheng frowned, displeased with Xia Songbai’s answer. Yet, thinking of his father’s advice to maintain good relations with the Shen family through Xia Songbai, he couldn’t reprimand him. The words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed his frustration.

Xia Songbai didn’t care what he thought and closed his eyes to catch up on sleep. Given this, Lian Sheng was even less likely to drop his pride and continue talking. He remained silent all the way, pressing the accelerator to the floor.

But when they reached the school gate, Lian Sheng’s car was stopped.

As the most prestigious university in the port city, the school was always strict about outsiders entering. Though the Lian family had once donated a teaching building, and Lian Runwen’s photo hung in the corridor with the principal, granting special privileges, this time the security guard stopped him.

Lian Sheng frowned but kept his tone calm. “I have a pass.”

The guard explained, “There’s a VIP visiting today. Even with a pass, no entry is allowed.”

A rough start to the day, Lian Sheng pinched the bridge of his nose to suppress his anger.

Xia Songbai worried he might lash out and quickly said, “Just drop me here. I can go in on my own.”

With his domineering temperament, Lian Sheng was unlikely to accept that easily. He gave a cold smile, didn’t argue further with the guard, and took out his phone to make a call.

Xia Songbai knew he was calling Director Sun from the academic affairs office, who had a good relationship with Lian Runwen and had facilitated the donation. Usually, Sun called Lian Sheng “nephew” warmly, but this time the call went unanswered.

Not wanting to waste more time, Xia Songbai said, “It’s the opening ceremony today. Director Sun must be busy. I’ll go in first, Sheng-ge.”

Just then, a group of people appeared at the school gate, led by none other than Director Sun.

Xia Songbai: ?

---

Director Sun hadn’t answered the call—was it to surprise Lian Sheng?

Lian Sheng clearly thought so, his expression improving somewhat. He got out of the car and walked toward Director Sun.

“Uncle Sun.”

Director Sun paused upon seeing Lian Sheng. “What are you doing here?”

Lian Sheng: …

So, he hadn’t come specifically to welcome him.

“I’m here to drop someone off.”

“Oh, I see.” Director Sun was unusually curt and perfunctory. “Nephew, I’m busy today. Let’s talk another time.”

Suppressing a chuckle, Xia Songbai bit his lip.

Though he kept his laughter in check, Lian Sheng—who cared deeply about his image—was already showing signs of displeasure.

Director Sun had no time to pay him much attention and immediately cleared the school entrance for the VIP. All other traffic was diverted to side gates. Sun himself stayed behind with his staff to maintain order.

Curious about who warranted such treatment from a usually selective man like Director Sun, Xia Songbai soon saw his face light up. “They’re here!”

A convoy of black Mercedes-Benzes with sequential license plates approached, escorting a black Rolls-Royce Phantom at the center, its glossy body gleaming under the sunlight, the golden Flying Lady on the hood sparkling brilliantly.

Before reaching the gate, Director Sun signaled the guards to lift the electronic barriers. The convoy entered without pause, disappearing from sight.

After the commotion, Director Sun, without a hint of displeasure, breathed a sigh of relief and sent a message to the principal to announce the VIP’s arrival.

Then he remembered Lian Sheng. “Hey, nephew, why are you still here?”

Lian Sheng asked, “Why did they get to drive in?”

Director Sun replied, “What did the guards tell you?”

Lian Sheng: “They said no entry for outsiders today because of the VIP.”

Sun laughed, “Exactly. The people you saw just now are the VIPs. If they can’t enter, no one can.”

Lian Sheng: …

Sun added, “By the way, weren’t you looking for the principal? There’s a banquet after the ceremony. The principal’s in a good mood today—he’s open to discussions.”

Lian Sheng’s visit was mostly to see the principal. The cooperation project between Rui Lan and the school was nearing expiration, and Lian Runwen wanted to renew it. He had sent Lian Sheng to handle negotiations, mainly to keep him busy since he’d been too idle, always hanging around Ning Qing.

Lian Sheng knew he had displeased Lian Runwen. If he messed this up, his father might indeed bring the illegitimate son home.

Despite his annoyance, Lian Sheng controlled himself. “Thank you, Uncle Sun. May I ask who the VIP is?”

Sun smiled mysteriously. “You’ll find out at the banquet.”

---

While they exchanged pleasantries, Xia Songbai slipped away.

Lian Sheng was clearly full of frustration and needed someone to vent to. He didn’t want to stay and be the target of that anger.

Xia Songbai headed to their class assembly point, where many classmates had already gathered. Many had started internships during the summer, and they were discussing future plans.

The original owner of this body had been notorious for slacking off, yet because of good looks and a decent personality, he got along well with others. Many greeted Xia Songbai warmly. He couldn’t remember who was who and simply smiled back.

Someone called out, “Songbai!”

Turning, Xia Songbai recognized a somewhat familiar face—a boy with black-rimmed glasses, slightly tanned skin, and fairly ordinary features.

After a moment, Xia Songbai recalled, “Da Zhi.”

Wang Zhi looked serious. “I thought you’d be late again.”

The original owner often shirked classes, frequently skipping general courses and asking Wang Zhi to sign in for him while he went to pester Lian Sheng.

Xia Songbai wiped the sweat off his brow and smiled brightly. “Last opening ceremony of senior year. If I’m late now, that’d be ridiculous.”

Wang Zhi said, “About that internship you mentioned…”

Facing him, Xia Songbai felt like he was talking to a teacher and answered earnestly, “I’ve already planned which company to apply to.”

“That’s good.” Wang Zhi rarely smiled and had deep furrows between his brows. He only cracked a faint smile upon hearing that. “You used to say you wanted to get married right after graduation… but I still think people need their own work. They can’t totally rely on others.”

Xia Songbai felt a surge of respect.

The original owner did have genuine friends, but sadly, he never listened.

And Wang Zhi—such a common name—clearly marked him as a supporting character, destined to be cannon fodder.

Only cannon fodder understands cannon fodder. If the original owner had listened to Wang Zhi earlier, studied hard, and worked diligently to find a job—or even stayed on for graduate school—it would have been far better than entangling with a man who didn’t love him.

Xia Songbai couldn’t help but say, “You’re right.”

Wanting to leech off someone else’s success was one thing, but why choose the protagonist?

Was the protagonist’s advantage really that easy to exploit?

Wang Zhi didn’t expect Xia Songbai to agree. Previously, whenever he brought up such matters, Xia Songbai was always impatient. He glanced at Xia Songbai just as Xia Songbai handed him a bottle of cold cola.

Xia Songbai smiled warmly. “Here, drink this. It’s really hot today.”

It was indeed hot.

Sweat beaded on Wang Zhi’s forehead. Holding the bottle, his palm was cool, yet the brief brush of skin against Xia Songbai’s fingertips felt scorching.

Condensation formed on the bottle’s surface as he took a deep breath and quietly said, “Can you come out with me for a moment? I have something to tell you.”

Before Wang Zhi spoke, Xia Songbai already guessed what it would be.

His expression was too easy to read!

So when Wang Zhi finally confessed, Xia Songbai’s face remained unchanged. Even as Wang Zhi stammered through many shared moments, Xia Songbai sighed silently.

The original owner clearly didn’t like Wang Zhi, but to save his grades, had deliberately said ambiguous things, giving the honest boy false hope.

Xia Songbai patiently listened, then asked, “You know I’m engaged, right?”

Wang Zhi was silent for a moment. “But I know he doesn’t love you that much, does he?”

Xia Songbai was silent too.

So, everyone except the original owner knew Lian Sheng didn’t love him.

Xia Songbai was about to say something fitting the character’s image when out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar figure on the rooftop terrace above.

Still clad in a perfectly tailored, expensive black suit, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, tall as ever, golden-rimmed glasses glinting coldly, a high nose bridge and sharply defined jawline forming near-perfect arcs—just a glimpse was enough to feel the man’s unmatched icy nobility.

Shen Tingzong.

Seeing Shen Tingzong while being confessed to.

His spine stiffened; Xia Songbai’s first thought was disaster.

Would the big shot misunderstand him as a flirt who invites trouble everywhere?

The distance was too great to discern Shen Tingzong’s expression.

Summoning courage, Xia Songbai said firmly, “This is none of your business. Even if he doesn’t like me, as long as our engagement stands, I won’t betray him.”

Wang Zhi’s confession was impulsive. Now rejected, he felt downhearted but still asked with a hint of hope, “If you weren’t engaged to him, would you like…”

“Sorry.” Xia Songbai cut him off decisively. “Even if I weren’t engaged, you’re not my type.”

Wang Zhi asked, “Then what type do you like?”

Xia Songbai choked on the question.

How was he supposed to answer that?

He couldn’t very well say he liked someone who could bankrupt Lian Sheng.

He restrained himself from turning around abruptly but glanced back discreetly.

Shen Tingzong was already gone from the terrace.

Xia Songbai finally exhaled and said with conviction, “I like someone taller than me, someone who can protect me—there’s already someone like that in my heart, but that person is not you.”

Wang Zhi: …

Seeing Xia Songbai towering over him by more than a head, Wang Zhi realized there was no chance between them. Saddened, he walked away.

Xia Songbai watched him go and silently wished him to find someone better. Then he couldn’t help but look up at the terrace again.

The big shot was truly gone.

Xia Songbai felt a little sad.

He wondered if Shen Tingzong had heard his declaration of love.

Wang Zhi’s confession was just a minor episode. Returning now would surely lead to awkwardness between them, so after some thought, Xia Songbai decided to skip the opening ceremony altogether.

He had already made an appearance; not going back wouldn’t be a big deal.

Just as he turned to leave, he bumped into a strong embrace.

A cold, clear scent filled the air, pure and fresh like the first sunlight on a winter morning.

Looking up, Xia Songbai met an excessively handsome face, with an indescribable noble aura. His features, his temperament, even the glasses perched on his nose, looked like a flawless portrait, without a single flaw.

Shen Tingzong stood before him, eyes cast down slightly, gazing intently.

Broad shoulders, arms with sharply defined muscles that could be felt when flexed, and a presence that was cold and distant yet filled with strength and desire.

Xia Songbai suddenly realized Shen Tingzong was nearly half a head taller than him.