Xie Yichen had briefly checked the navigation earlier. There was only one main road through this part of Shuanglang , running from south to north. Their guesthouse was at one end, and Zou Xiao had specifically positioned herself at the other — quite the calculated move.

Xie Yichen applied force and the two of them shot out, so fast that even Lin Shuyu rocked backward and had to grab the rear storage box to keep his balance.

Xie Yichen was wearing a white hoodie today, which softened his sharper edges somewhat. In the rushing wind, the hem of his shirt didn’t so much as flutter — he looked utterly composed and steady. Lin Shuyu took the opportunity to strike up a conversation: “I heard from Zhang Yuge that you guys met a few gorgeous girls over the past couple of days?”

The scenery of the narrow city streets flashed past. Lin Shuyu continued: “Apparently one of them scored the same as me on the college entrance exam, applied to the mathematics department, and is even a classmate at my university. Seriously impressive.”

He was certainly never sparing when it came to complimenting himself.

Xie Yichen’s dark hair tossed freely in the wind as he glanced back with casual indifference: “Mm.”

Lin Shuyu went on: “And apparently both girls are quite beautiful — two top students from Jing University. One has a boyfriend, one doesn’t. The single one is the girl who scored the same as me: striking looks, fair skin, a total beauty — just a bit on the gentle and quiet side.”

Lin Shuyu recounted every detail of what Zhang Yuge had told him, then leaned forward with considerable interest and asked: “Is it true? By your standards, A’Chen — how does she compare to Luo Qiongxue? If she’s better-looking, give me her contact info. I’ll absolutely make my move!”

Luo Qiongxue was considered one of the most beautiful girls in their year at Gaohua. The guys were always comparing other girls to her in private discussions — she had become the unofficial benchmark for attractiveness.

She was cold and aloof, and barely acknowledged anyone, but Lin Shuyu always felt she lowered her guard ever so slightly when it came to Xie Yichen.

Rows of lively shops rushed toward them on both sides. Lin Shuyu, hearing no reply from ahead, suddenly nearly had his hat ripped off by the wind. The motorcycle engine hummed and vibrated, fully demonstrating just how much power was under the hood: “Why are you going so fast?!”

“Giving you some fresh air. Stop overthinking.”

Xie Yichen’s unhurried voice drifted back from the front. “Get Luo Qiongxue first, then we’ll talk.”

The way those words landed in Lin Shuyu’s ears felt like a compliment — Ning Sui was genuinely better-looking than Luo Qiongxue.

He had indeed pursued Luo Qiongxue before. But that girl was ice-cold. He’d tried everything — milk tea, flowers, heartfelt speeches — and after months of effort, she hadn’t been moved in the slightest, not even a fraction. It had shaken his confidence in his own appeal so badly that he’d practically developed a kind of trauma over it.

Lin Shuyu asked: “She’s not the same type as Luo Qiongxue, is she?”

Xie Yichen: “What does it matter if she is?”

Lin Shuyu: “If she’s not, then I’m going for it!”

From the front, a line was tossed back without warning: “How shallow can you get — chasing someone just because they’re pretty?”

Lin Shuyu: “…”

He supposed… that was a fair point.

Thinking back on the painful memory of that last failed pursuit, Lin Shuyu’s fleeting boldness was doused cold. He genuinely could not bear to go through that whole agonizing process again, and settled down a little.

Three kilometers is nothing on a motorcycle. When they were almost at Zou Xiao’s pinned location, Xie Yichen pulled up to the side, took out his phone, and messaged her: 【I’m here.】

Zou Xiao replied almost instantly: 【[Obedient nod.jpg]】

Zou Xiao: 【I’m at this intersection. Can you see me?】

In truth, she had spotted Xie Yichen long ago. He was on the other side of the road not far away, wearing a loose white hoodie and black-trimmed sweatpants. His long legs reached the ground as he leaned forward with his elbow propped on the handlebars, his whole manner relaxed and languid.

She hadn’t seen him in a few days, and he was still just as heart-stoppingly handsome as ever — the kind of person you’d spot instantly in a crowd.

Zou Xiao automatically filtered out Lin Shuyu. She told herself that Xie Yichen must certainly be coming to pick her up. Getting to ride behind him on a motorcycle even once — it was worth the careful planning, and worth that uncomfortable night she’d spent at the little hotel outside.

Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly found that the handsome young man had lifted his gaze — and was looking directly at her.

Unlike what she’d imagined, there was no emotion whatsoever in Xie Yichen’s eyes. Completely flat and still, that look sent a quiet ripple of unease through her.

The two held each other’s gaze for a moment. Zou Xiao had initially resolved to wait for him to come to her — but now her legs weren’t quite cooperating. She started to walk toward him of her own accord. Just then, Xie Yichen nonchalantly started the bike, steered a light turn, and came to a stop right in front of her.

Zou Xiao was carrying a large number of bags — in addition to the overnight essentials and clothes she’d taken with her, she had gone shopping that morning and bought some souvenirs. Now, under Xie Yichen’s direct scrutiny, she felt a twinge of self-consciousness. She cleared her throat: “I…”

“Give me those.” Xie Yichen didn’t wait for her explanation. He simply opened his knees slightly, indicating that there was space on the motorcycle’s footboard for her things.

Zou Xiao froze for a moment, but then passed her bags over anyway. Lin Shuyu in the back, watching all this, couldn’t contain himself — he lowered his voice and murmured in Xie Yichen’s ear: “Hey, what exactly are you planning here?”

He wasn’t actually going to make him get off the bike, was he?

“If Xie Yichen gives me a ride, you’ll probably have to take the electric bus back.”

Encouraged by Xie Yichen’s earlier gesture, Zou Xiao curved her lips into a somewhat smug smile and said to Lin Shuyu, “I just checked — the electric bus here runs every 20 minutes, 10 yuan per person. It goes all the way to our guesthouse door. Actually very cheap and convenient.”

She was a little cute when she smiled, if only she weren’t so demanding. Lin Shuyu had a hot temper, and a retort was already on the tip of his tongue — but then he saw Xie Yichen curve his own lips: “Since you know the schedule so well, I guess we can leave without worry.”

The tone carried a faint edge of irreverence — roguish and a little wicked. Zou Xiao was stunned for a beat.

She stood by the roadside, phone in hand, and heard him say: “Thought you might have too much to carry to dig out ten yuan. Looks like that’s no longer a problem.”

Zou Xiao still hadn’t caught up, and Xie Yichen continued patiently: “The electric bus has a roof, so it’s cooler than a motorcycle — no risk of heatstroke. And there are shops all along the route, so since you clearly love shopping, you can browse a bit longer. No need to worry about us — with Zhang Yuge and me here, we have enough to play a round of cards without you. Oh, and — I just noticed your phone is fully charged. Since it isn’t broken, I’d kindly ask that you stop pretending not to hear it ring. Going deaf at such a young age is, after all, a rather sad thing.”

Zou Xiao: “…”

Lin Shuyu would forever refer to that one minute as his brother’s legendary moment.

The instant the motorcycle roared off into the distance, paired with the darkening expression on Zou Xiao’s face, his heart swelled with a satisfaction so complete it nearly blossomed.

Xie Yichen very rarely spoke so directly and pointedly, especially in front of friends. This time, he had probably reached his limit of patience and let himself go — releasing everything in one swift, decisive volley.

But as expected of someone who knew where to draw the line — he had helped the girl carry all those bags, which were clearly heavy. So he had still given her some dignity in the end.

On the way back, Lin Shuyu told him: “Sun Hao is actually a good person in most other ways — straightforward and genuine. His only real flaw is that he’s not great at spotting scheming types. Don’t be too hard on him when you see him.”

Xie Yichen wasn’t the kind of person who confused right and wrong. Lin Shuyu had no real concern there — it was just habit that made him say it out loud.

When the two of them returned to the large suite at the guesthouse, it unfolded exactly as expected: fifteen minutes later, Zou Xiao quietly came back on her own.

Everyone looked at her in silence, but she acted as though nothing had happened, holding up a bag of star fruit with a sweet smile: “I just went to buy these — they’re really good.”

Zhao Yingyao was the first to reach out and take one of the round yellow fruits, playing along to smooth things over: “Oh really? How much were they?”

“Very cheap — 15 yuan a bag, I think.” Zou Xiao said, and made a beeline for Sun Hao in the corner. She held out the bag to him openly and generously: “Try one. Just bought them.”

Sun Hao looked up at her. Zou Xiao’s voice softened: “I’m sorry. I was way too impulsive. I put you all through unnecessary worry. I won’t do this again.”

Sun Hao’s gaze flickered, and his expression was complicated. After a brief silence, he accepted her gesture — reaching into the bag and taking out a piece of star fruit.

Watching him eat the fruit she had bought, Zou Xiao curved her lips into a small smile, then turned toward Zhang Yuge.

She was shrewd enough not to bother Xie Yichen, and offered the final piece to Lin Shuyu at his side: “Sorry about earlier, General Shuyu.”

As the saying goes, you don’t hit a smiling person with a raised fist. Lin Shuyu’s temper came and went quickly. Seeing the girl hold her hand out stiffly in midair, he cleared his throat, and still accepted it: “Thanks.”

Now that the person had been found and apologies had been made, the surface atmosphere thawed once more. They sat in the room for a short while, then agreed to go visit the Sun Palace.

This estate had been built by a celebrated ethnic Chinese dancer, situated against the hillside with a commanding view of the water. Its structure was intricate and sprawling — all stone construction — with a sweeping panorama, warm in winter and cool in summer. Entry required both a ticket and a reservation.

As Xie Yichen climbed the stone steps, he could hear Zhao Yingyao and Zou Xiao making exclamations behind him: “If I could live in a place like this — even for just one night — it would be enough to remember for a lifetime!”

The staff member leading the tour smiled: “The Moon Palace next door is open to overnight guests. The layout is similar to this one, though availability isn’t always consistent — you can keep an eye on the announcements online.”

Zhao Yingyao eagerly asked: “How much per night?”

The staff member replied: “Five thousand yuan at the moment.”

Zhao Yingyao: “…”

She said wistfully: “I suppose that’s a dream for the next life.”

Having been unable to arrange the shared car, Ning Sui and her group spent a night in Xizhou Ancient Town, took photos in the beautiful wheat fields, and posted them to WeChat Moments.

Afterward she scrolled through Moments, and Ning Sui, flipping through the feed, noticed that Xie Yichen had also posted a photo of the Sun Palace’s scenery. The angle was rather careless, but the grandeur and elegance of the structure still came through clearly. Her heart stirred with curiosity, and she tapped to enlarge the image.

Wanting to ask what they were up to now, Ning Sui clicked into Xie Yichen’s chat window. She deliberated for a moment, couldn’t think of what to say, and decided she’d just go to his photo album to look at the picture again.

Without thinking, her finger slipped — and she accidentally poked him again.

“…”

The sensation of having been caught snooping and leaving evidence behind was truly unpleasant.

Ning Sui’s eyelids gave a faint twitch. She held her breath and stood perfectly still.

One second…

Two seconds…

No response from Xie Yichen’s side.

Ning Sui figured he must be with his friends and hadn’t looked at his phone, so she pretended nothing had happened, kept her expression entirely calm, locked the screen, and tossed her phone onto the bed.

She fell asleep at some point. Hu Ke’er still shared the room with her that night. When Hu Ke’er came out after her shower, she saw that a message had come in from that side: 【?】

Xie Yichen’s profile picture was dark-colored — it stood out at a glance among all the other chats.

Ning Sui thought for a moment, then started chatting with him: 【Did you settle in at Shuanglang ?】

Xie Yichen: 【Mm】

Ning Sui: 【Your missing friend — did you find her?】

His reply was, as always, brief: 【Found her】

Ning Sui: 【Oh.】

On the other side, “the other party is typing” appeared, then: 【You’re staying in Xizhou Ancient Town tonight?】

Ning Sui: 【Yes, that’s right.】

Xie Yichen: 【When are you planning to come to Shuanglang ?】

Ning Sui: 【Probably tomorrow. Not sure if Butterfly Spring is worth seeing. If it’s fun, we might stay an extra day.】

Two minutes later, Ning Sui watched him slowly send a line: 【This time of year, there are no live butterflies at Butterfly Spring. Only specimens.】

“…”

She thought it over: 【Oh, then I’ll tell the others we’re heading to Shuanglang tomorrow.】

His tone was neutral: 【Mm, I’m going to sleep. Goodnight.】

Ning Sui: 【Alright, goodnight.】

Ning Sui had barely exited the chat when Hu Ke’er sidled up to her with a gleeful expression. “Let me show you something fun.”

It was a screenshot from a WeChat mini program.

It seemed to be from a social app that Hu Ke’er’s cousin had recently started using. Her cousin was a second-year college student with no shortage of male attention, but few of them were high-quality, so she was actively searching online.

“Qinguo” had been recommended by a friend who had found her current boyfriend through this very app — a student from the same university.

She said the app required real-name verification, which made it more secure and less prone to hookup culture — most people using it genuinely wanted a relationship. Hu Ke’er’s cousin had been on it for a month, and indeed scrolled past attractive male profiles every single day.

Like this one: Jing University, Chemistry Department, ESTJ personality — the Commander type.

It was a side-profile shot taken on a basketball court. His expression was lost in the bright lighting and hard to make out, but his physique was solid, and he did look to be around 180-something centimeters tall. He had wide-ranging interests and seemed like someone who appreciated the finer things in life. The only drawback was his ideal partner criteria, which were rather extreme.

Hu Ke’er’s cousin had screenshotted it and sent it to Hu Ke’er: 【Insane right? He’s looking for someone who’s good at math? AND scored at least 680 on the college entrance exam? How much does he think he’s worth? Is everyone at Jing University this full of themselves?】