Xie Huai was a man of action. For half a month after that night, Xia Xia only saw him during dinner time.

He spent four hundred thousand yuan at once to sublease the farmhouse resort and another thirty thousand on simple renovations and additional facilities.

Xia Xia was shocked that he had so much money. Xie Huai smiled smugly and proudly: “I said I would support you, and I meant it. Don’t go looking for work anymore, just stay home with Brother Huai. Focus on your studies during the day, go shopping or watch shows when you’re tired of studying, and let Brother Huai earn money for you…”

Just as Xia Xia was deeply moved by his words, Xie Huai smiled mischievously: “At night, it’s your turn to take care of me.”

Xia Xia didn’t catch his meaning and asked innocently: “How am I supposed to take care of you?”

Xie Huai wrapped his arm around her neck and whispered something in her ear, making Xia Xia’s cheeks instantly flush bright red.

The grass grew lush by Nan Da Lake. It was a cool late autumn evening, wild ducks paddled freely in the lake, and the moonlit water sparkled with rippling light.

Not far away, two couples sat by the lake playing with the water, while people walked back and forth on the campus path behind them.

Xia Xia broke free from his grasp and gave him a playful beating.

Afterward, Xie Huai behaved himself, rubbing his ear that Xia Xia had pinched painfully, and admitted: “I’ve spent most of the money, but we won’t need to spend more going forward. We can start trial operations at the beginning of next month. We’ll promote it around campus and try to establish long-term partnerships with companies in Changping since they need venues for team building.”

“We’ll also need to connect with travel agencies. Changping has many tourist spots, so we can get wholesale prices on tickets to resell,” Xie Huai lay on the grass looking at the moon, hands behind his head. “There are also pick-your-own farms. Students love going to those places, and we should be able to earn good commission during fruit seasons.”

Xia Xia had thought running a farmhouse resort just meant tending to stoves, adding charcoal, cleaning, and buying daily supplies. She hadn’t expected Xie Huai to have thought of so much.

Xie Huai truly had a mind for business. While blazing one main path, he could simultaneously open countless smaller trails.

Xie Huai smiled: “Before, I could get by however I wanted when I was alone, but now that I have you, I can’t just make do anymore.”

Xie Huai’s farmhouse resort opened in early November.

He spent all of October promoting and negotiating business deals, running around under the scorching sun every day until he got noticeably tanned.

Whenever Xia Xia asked what he was doing, his answer was always simple: “Discussing business.”

Xie Huai never told her about the difficulties he encountered or the unfair treatment he received.

When she asked, he would casually curse “those bastards” and laugh it off as if it didn’t matter.

A week before opening, Xie Huai had paid to advertise on popular channels like campus WeChat accounts and confession walls. Opening day featured half-price specials with complimentary drinks.

Opening day fell on a Saturday, and the farmhouse resort was packed. Xia Xia stayed busy from morning till night – delivering charcoal, lighting fires, serving water, giving directions, and handling the cash register. She ran back and forth on the cobblestone path carrying beer crates until her arms were too sore to lift by evening.

That night, thick clouds covered the sky, hiding the moon’s radiance.

After finishing their barbecue, the customers moved to the card room and billiards hall to play. Xie Huai was making tea and mixing drinks at the bar while Xia Xia, having finished collecting the grills, collapsed in a chair, unable to get up.

On the table was food prepared by Jiang Jingzhou in the kitchen. Xia Xia weakly picked up a chicken leg but felt nauseated after smelling barbecue all day and couldn’t bring herself to eat it.

She grabbed a corn on the cob and nibbled feebly: “I’m starving.”

Xie Huai finished preparing the drinks and sat beside her, massaging her shoulders. Xia Xia leaned her head against his chest and whined: “Brother Huai, I don’t want to drink this. I want orange juice.”

Xie Huai got up again to get oranges from the back to make her fresh juice.

Jiang Jingzhou chuckled: “Young Master is truly hopeless now, he’s learned to be henpecked. Does whatever she says without daring to say no.”

Xie Huai’s voice drifted from behind the bar: “Jiang Jingzhou, don’t think I can’t hear what you’re saying.”

Jiang Jingzhou quickly shut his mouth.

Zhu Ziyu was driven there by Zheng Zhiming, who didn’t leave after dropping her off but followed her inside.

Everyone there was Xie Huai’s friends – Jiang Jingzhou, Xin Pu, Liang Yuantai, and Zhao Yilei. Zheng Zhiming looked unhappy seeing a table full of men, and when he saw Zhu Ziyu about to sit between Jiang Jingzhou and Xia Xia, he inserted himself between them.

Zhu Ziyu casually pulled Xia Xia into conversation, completely oblivious to Zheng Zhiming’s actions.

Xie Huai squeezed fresh orange juice for both girls and brought over several bottles of beer.

Zheng Zhiming didn’t drink since he was driving. Zhu Ziyu found orange juice boring and reached for a beer, but Zheng Zhiming stopped her: “Young ladies shouldn’t drink when out if they can avoid it.”

Xin Pu, being socially obtuse, cheerfully said: “Uncle, we’re all Ziyu’s classmates and good friends at school. It’s fine to have some drinks. Don’t worry, I’ll personally escort her back to school afterward, guarantee nothing will happen.”

Zheng Zhiming’s expression darkened. Xia Xia whispered: “That’s Ziyu’s boyfriend.”

Xin Pu: “…”

Zhu Ziyu’s meticulously drawn eyebrows arched with an air of cool elegance: “What, does he look like my father?”

Xin Pu quickly waved his hands: “No, no, no—”

He hung his head and muttered dejectedly: “How is he the boyfriend…”

Zhu Ziyu glared at him before pulling Xia Xia into gossip.

“Cai Yun knew about Xie Huai’s opening today and spent all evening making snide remarks.” Zhu Ziyu imitated Cai Yun’s voice: “Leasing a farmhouse resort costs hundreds of thousands. How could Xie Huai possibly have that much money? Running around outside all day, who knows what he’s doing? Maybe he’s being kept by some rich older woman.”

Xia Xia accidentally swallowed a chili seed and started coughing violently.

“She’s just jealous.” Zhu Ziyu continued, “God, you know how trashy this woman is? The student council has six department heads, and she slept with three of them last semester. Remember Lu Shuo? That creepy guy from External Relations? When I went to see Zhiming in May, I saw Cai Yun going to a hotel with him.”

“Lu Shuo! She’d even stoop to sleeping with Lu Shuo.” Zhu Ziyu looked nauseated. “The student council is full of her hookups. During the start-of-term election, over half the department heads voted her straight into the External Relations director position.”

Xia Xia’s worldview was nearly shattered by Zhu Ziyu’s words: “That’s too much, who told you all this?”

“Of course, Cai Yun wouldn’t admit to sleeping with them, but those guys aren’t afraid of people knowing. A friend of mine in the student council told me. During their transition dinner, they were comparing notes and realized they’d all slept with the same woman. They all felt like they’d swallowed flies.” Zhu Ziyu said, “If you don’t believe me, ask Senior Jingzhou.”

Jiang Jingzhou smiled: “It did happen.”

“Holy… crap.” Xia Xia remembered when Cai Yun went to knock on Jiang Jingzhou’s door during the research trip and was shocked to the point of stuttering, accidentally cursing. “…She did it with Lu Shuo? Isn’t she close with Yi Meixian? There’s no need to do such things just for a director position, right?”

“The student council is elected by students, advisors don’t have much say, and Cai Yun probably doesn’t think she’s losing out.” Zhu Ziyu mysteriously leaned close to her ear, “That day when she was organizing her wardrobe, a little monster accidentally fell out. I saw it, and she pretended it was silly putty.”

“She must have strong needs in that department.”

Xia Xia asked: “What’s a little monster?”

Zhu Ziyu glanced at Xie Huai: “How can you be so innocent? You don’t even know that? Hasn’t Xie Huai bought you one?”

Xie Huai hadn’t heard their whispered conversation, but seeing them both look at him, he casually asked: “What are you talking about?”

Xia Xia quickly stopped Zhu Ziyu from saying anything shocking: “Nothing.”

Even food couldn’t stop Zhu Ziyu from gossiping: “Cai Yun is something. Every day in the dorm she preaches to Zhao Shanqi about how marriage requires the man to buy a house and car outright, the bride price can’t be less than 200,000 yuan, and after marriage, he still has to do housework and raise kids – that’s what makes a truly filial good man. And her? What does she think she brings to marriage besides her body?”

“She demands men be young and rich, with at least a master’s degree, no shorter than 180cm, and look like Takeshi Kaneshiro. She should look in the mirror at herself. Even I don’t dare dream of Takeshi Kaneshiro. Now even Zhao Shanqi ignores her…”

Zheng Zhiming heard her crude language and mention of how handsome the male celebrity was, and raised his hand to interrupt her.

He stood up, holding his cup: “I’m very happy today to meet all of your friends through Ziyu…”

Zheng Zhiming was a businessman who had developed his style of social dining over many years in society.

The others were simply eating, occasionally sharing gossip, and laughing together. A gathering of friends didn’t need much formality – everyone ate their food, poured their drinks when empty, and served themselves more food when needed. When Zheng Zhiming spoke up, everyone put down their chopsticks and looked at him in confusion.

“Today is a very important day for young Xie. As for Ziyu’s family, I’m happy for him too. Let’s raise our tea cups in place of wine for a toast…”

It was their first meeting, and Zheng Zhiming was already calling him “young Xie” in an elder’s tone. Xie Huai found it bizarre and frowned: “We’re all friends here, just call me Xie Huai.”

Zheng Zhiming was still holding his cup ready to speak when Zhu Ziyu, also unable to take it anymore, pulled his arm: “We young people don’t do your formal toasting routine, sit down.”

Zheng Zhiming’s expression froze, showing clear displeasure, but he didn’t say more and sat down as Zhu Ziyu asked.

After the meal, Zheng Zhiming took out two red envelopes and handed them to Xie Huai: “One is from me, one is from Jin Song. Wishing you prosperity and business success.”

Xie Huai didn’t accept them: “I appreciate the thought, but no need for red envelopes.”

“Return Zhao Jin Song’s to him.” His expression was cool. “I barely know him, we’ve met a few times but hardly exchanged words. Him suddenly giving gifts like this makes me think he has ulterior motives regarding my woman.”

Zhu Ziyu smiled mischievously: “So what if he has ulterior motives? Before you’re married, Zhao Jin Song has the right to pursue Xia Xia. Better watch out or someone might steal her away.”

She deliberately said to Xia Xia: “If Xie Huai doesn’t treat you well, come find me. I guarantee I’ll find you a rich older man to date.”

Xie Huai narrowed his eyes, and Zhu Ziyu instinctively sensed the dangerous atmosphere, jumping into Zheng Zhiming’s car and fleeing.

The courtyard was empty now. Xie Huai wiped down and put away the grills, then calculated accounts at the front desk.

Xia Xia sat quietly beside him, sensing his unusual mood, and poked his arm: “What’s wrong?”

“Damn it.” Xie Huai regretted it. “I should have given Zhu Ziyu a beating just now. She dares to encourage you to find an older man? She must be tired of living.”

Xia Xia couldn’t help laughing. Xie Huai snapped at her: “You’re laughing? Did Zhu Ziyu’s words strike a chord? If I hadn’t been pestering you all the time before, would you have run off with Zhao Jin Song?”

When Xie Huai got jealous, his logic became disordered and he recognized no one, seemingly forgetting who it was that had pretended not to like someone in the beginning. He even managed to say things like he had been pestering Xia Xia.

“Is Zhao Jin Song still pining for you? What right does he have to send red envelopes?” Xie Huai’s momentary restraint gave way to increasing anger. “He should look in the mirror and see how old he is.”

Xia Xia was still laughing, and he said impatiently: “Stop laughing!”

But Xia Xia wasn’t afraid of him. She tilted her bright little face-up, eyes sparkling: “What are you going to do if I laugh?”

Xie Huai lowered his head to meet her soft gaze, threatening: “Want to try and see what I’ll do?”

Xia Xia’s smile remained unwavering. Xie Huai grabbed her arm and pressed her against the freezer behind them: “Still laughing?”

His voice was low: “Not taking Brother Huai seriously?”

Xia Xia found him too long-winded and stood on tiptoe to kiss him first.

Her palms rested on his shoulders, her soft red lips gently moving against his: “Come bully me if you dare.”

The girl’s sweet smile was the best catalyst, and her provocative words were the fuse that ignited the powder keg.

Xie Huai’s rationality burned away as he pressed down and kissed her hard.

In the night, the insect sounds briefly ceased. The freezer shook, and drinks inside tumbled with clattering sounds.

After a long while, in the silence came the sound of Xie Huai sniffing like a puppy.

A moment later, he buried his face in her neck, his voice intoxicated and intimate: “You smell so good.”