Seventeen, seventeen.

No matter how deeply Lian Sheng’s heart was torn, Xia Songbai’s mood was just as joyful.

He happily finished the interview, noticing Di Guoxing standing beside him with a speechless expression.

Xia Songbai said, “What’s wrong? Want to say something too?”

Di Guoxing: …

Di Guoxing asked, “You really enjoy the news that much?”

“Of course,” Xia Songbai replied.

It wasn’t that he loved the spotlight from the news; rather, today he had saved Lian Sheng’s beloved, and now that it was reported, everyone knew of his good deed. If in the future, Lian Sheng wanted to discard him like a rag, he’d at least have to consider public opinion.

—Though in the world of novels, mentioning public pressure was a bit far-fetched, it might at least make Lian Sheng hesitate a little before acting.

A barefoot child must run hard. Perhaps just a little hesitation could spare him some suffering.

Xia Songbai felt a bit bittersweet but couldn’t help smiling when thinking about Lian Sheng’s lost token kiss.

When he smiled, his brows curved gently, his eyelashes like black lacquer and raven feathers—soft, beautiful, pure and clear—drawing one's gaze like a whirlpool, pulling them in so they couldn’t look away.

Di Guoxing stared at him, and the usual cold, somewhat sharp look in his eyes softened into gentle warmth, but he lowered his gaze before Xia Songbai noticed.

“It’s time to go. Come on, I’ll take you out for a late-night snack.”

Xia Songbai didn’t suspect a thing, happily replying, “Yay!”

After a big lunch and McDonald’s for dinner, Xia Songbai wasn’t really hungry, so Di Guoxing took him to a traditional dessert shop.

The shop was a long-standing establishment, open for many years, without trendy new items—just classic treats like tangerine peel red bean paste, glutinous rice balls with sesame paste, and freshly made ginger milk pudding served right at the table.

Xia Songbai was dazzled by the choices, so Di Guoxing said, “Get one of each.”

Xia Songbai said, “I can’t eat all that.”

“Eat what you can first; I’ll finish the rest.”

Xia Songbai smiled brightly, “Thanks a lot!”

The white bowls were edged with blue floral patterns, worn with age to show the patina of time. When Xia Songbai found a flavor he liked, he squinted slightly, leaning back in his chair like a cat—making one want to reach over and ruffle his hair.

He tasted every flavor, then pushed his favorite bowl toward Di Guoxing. “This one’s the best. You have to try it.”

Di Guoxing didn’t move. His gaze fell on Xia Songbai’s snow-white fingertips, then traced upward to his slender wrist bones—like jade, fragile enough to shatter with the slightest pressure. Further up was Xia Songbai’s neck, with a small, vivid mole at his Adam’s apple that moved subtly as he spoke—like a tiny moon floating on cold ocean water, surrounded by a faint pink mist that lent it a sensuous hue.

Xia Songbai asked with curiosity, “Why are you spacing out? Don’t worry, I used a new spoon for each bowl—no contamination.”

Di Guoxing lifted the bowl but didn’t use a spoon. Instead, he pressed his lips to the rim, which still seemed to hold the warmth of Xia Songbai’s fingertips.

Under the light, Xia Songbai’s eyes sparkled like stars fallen into their depths, and he asked, “Is it good?”

Di Guoxing’s Adam’s apple moved once, but he tasted no particular flavor—only the rich aroma of milk, as if he were holding Xia Songbai’s finger in his mouth.

Sweetness maddening enough to drive one insane.

—

After helping others, Xia Songbai always felt great.

He just didn’t know in what form the missing part of the story would be restored.

But that no longer concerned Xia Songbai. His principle was simple: if he knew a plot, he’d help; if not, he was powerless.

After all, he was just a minor character always at risk of dying, while the protagonists—both dominant and submissive—were indestructible cockroaches. No matter how crazy the plot got, nothing would truly go wrong.

Xia Songbai had a good night’s sleep and cheerfully went to his interview the next day—

—

Of course, it wasn’t at Chonghe.

What a joke. With his poor grades, what right did he have to enter Chonghe?

Every year, the top students in their department fiercely competed to get into Chonghe. The competition wasn’t just internal; returning overseas students and elites from home and abroad all eyed Chonghe covetously—it was like thousands crossing a single-log bridge.

Xia Songbai was realistic, so he applied to a low-profile company. The CEO’s surname was Sun, and the company was now managed by his only son, Sun Ding. The Sun and Xia families had been equals in the past and maintained decent relations. When the Xia family fell on hard times, the Suns had not taken advantage, so Xia Songbai submitted his first resume to their company.

Ahem, having connections and backdoor help was just meant to be used.

At the company, before the interview ended, Sun Ding’s secretary took Xia Songbai away, and soon he found himself drinking coffee in Sun Ding’s office, chatting with the young boss.

In the original story, Sun Ding also had a role—he attended the grand wedding of Lian Sheng and Ning Qing, and in a corner, upon seeing Ning Qing on stage, was struck by her aloof and cold aura, murmuring, “No wonder… Lian Sheng gave up Xia Songbai.”

Xia Songbai: *tsk*

If you want to praise the main character, why drag me down?

But Xia Songbai held no grudge against Sun Ding. Though not very close, they got along well this time, and when leaving, Sun Ding personally escorted Xia Songbai to the elevator and even invited him to play golf sometime.

As for the interview result, it was obviously a pass.

Xia Songbai was delighted.

This company suited him perfectly—not too big to expose his poor grades, nor too small to offer no learning opportunities.

Sun Ding also had a good impression of Xia Songbai, thinking he wasn’t the kind of person rumored to use any means to catch a wealthy fiancé and only study to marry into a rich family. Instead, he was quite adorable, naturally inspiring a protective feeling.

As they spoke, the elevator doors opened, and Xia Songbai looked up to see Shen Zhao standing inside.

Unlike his usual casual style, today Shen Zhao wore a suit and was surrounded by a group of people. His expression was blank, with cold, sharp features resembling Shen Tingzong, exuding an icy, refined distance.

Xia Songbai was momentarily stunned, but Shen Zhao’s face lit up with surprise: “Xiao Xia! What are you doing here?”

That smile revealed his true nature—the happy big dog.

Xia Songbai said, “I’m here for an interview. Why did you suddenly come back to the country?”

Shen Zhao had been abroad recently, appearing only occasionally, like a prisoner let out for a walk, looking miserable. He complained to Xia Songbai that his grandfather had locked him up, even confiscating his phone, only allowing him an hour of use per day.

No one expected him to show up so suddenly.

Shen Zhao cleared his throat awkwardly and glanced at his subordinates. “You all get off first.”

At his command, the subordinates promptly and orderly left the elevator, leaving it empty.

Shen Zhao smiled warmly at Xia Songbai. “Come on, I’ll take you back.”

Remembering his grand plan of catching a wealthy fiancé, Xia Songbai said goodbye to Sun Ding and stepped into the elevator.

Sun Ding watched the doors close, hardly believing his eyes. “Is that… Shen Zhao?”

They were all in the same circle, so of course he knew Shen Zhao. But Shen Zhao always belonged to the “perfect child” category—tall, handsome, good grades, and most importantly, the future heir to the Shen family fortune. Their statuses were worlds apart.

Why would someone like that have such a good relationship with Xia Songbai?

Sun Ding muttered, “How do they know each other? Doesn’t Xiao Xia already have a fiancé?”

Someone answered, “Mr. Shen, Mr. Xia, and Mr. Lian are all friends.”

Sun Ding was startled, realizing he had just spoken his thoughts aloud.

The assistant, who had been ushered out by Shen Zhao, smiled at Sun Ding without waiting for the elevator and led the others down the emergency stairs.

Sun Ding: …

—

Inside the elevator, Xia Songbai asked, “Weren’t you locked up by your grandfather?”

Shen Zhao was full of grievance. “He said I was disobedient and needed to stay home and think it over.”

That day, after hanging up the phone, Shen Zhao impulsively planned to return home but was stopped at the private airport by his grandfather’s men and locked away without explanation.

Shen Zhao’s grandfather was British, with a noble title and an ancient castle. His surname carried the bloodline of a very old golden family, a classic English gentleman, stern and unsmiling. Especially after his only daughter died, he became even more cold and unapproachable.

Shen Zhao had always been a little afraid of his austere grandfather, thinking he resembled a vampire. For Xia Songbai, he openly rebelled for the first time and got locked up as a result.

Only a few days ago, when he couldn’t take it anymore, he sought help from his second uncle and was released under Shen Tingzong’s instructions.

Such a bitter tale.

Shen Zhao wanted nothing more than to hug Xia Songbai and cry. Looking at him, Xia Songbai felt a strange familiarity.

He looked a bit like a lost dog returning to its owner’s embrace.

Xia Songbai comforted him gently and kindly: “You’ve been wronged.”

Shen Zhao: “Wuwuwu…”

Xia Songbai was the best.

Shen Zhao said, “I had planned to surprise you by inviting you out to dinner. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Xia Songbai replied, “When the elevator opened and you looked so serious, I didn’t dare recognize you.”

Shen Zhao laughed heartily. “I’m out today for work. You’re a senior this year, right? Interning?”

Xia Songbai nodded. Shen Zhao asked, “Why not come to Chonghe? I remember they recruit at your school every year.”

Xia Songbai was candid. “I’m a poor student, so I didn’t want to join the fuss.”

Shen Zhao hesitated, then looked at Xia Songbai’s long, dark lashes and radiant pale cheeks, unable to resist temptation. “Actually, my second uncle also asked me to return to the company this year. Xiao Xia, could you help me out?”

He was considerate, afraid that if he directly asked Xia Songbai to use connections, it would hurt his pride.

Xia Songbai laughed, “What can a poor student like me do to help you?”

The elevator was brightly lit, its spotless stainless steel walls reflecting his image clearly from all sides. Surrounded by his own reflections, he tilted his chin slightly, revealing a radiant, beautiful smile. His black-crystal-like eyes shone brightly, clear and focused.

Shen Zhao grew warm, his ears turning bright red. He dared not look at Xia Songbai anymore. “We’re both interns. If we’re together, we can help each other.”

Xia Songbai’s gaze fell on his reddened ear, deliberately staring and smiling a while longer until Shen Zhao’s neck flushed as well. Then, mischievously, he looked away. “I probably can’t handle ordinary duties.”

“No worries. Just follow me. We’ll go to the new department together. If there’s anything you don’t know, just ask me.” Shen Zhao said cheerfully, “Send me your resume. Can we have dinner tonight? I’ve got a gift for you.”

He really was like a big dog—with a tail that, if wagged, would probably hurt someone.

Xia Songbai smiled brightly, “Sure.”

Shen Zhao sighed, “Too bad, Haina still faded.”

Xia Songbai said, “There will be other chances.”

Shen Zhao tossed that regret aside and looked at Xia Songbai, feeling the future full of promise.

Even if he already had a fiancé, so what? As long as they weren’t married yet, there was still hope.

But he forgot: the better something is, the more fiercely it is fought over.

Not only did he want Xia Songbai; others were eyeing him just as jealously.