Xi Siyan was the only child of the Xi family’s third generation. His father held a high position in the political world, and the Xi family, whether involved in business or government, had accomplished significant feats.

Chen Mo didn’t have much interaction with him.

In his previous life, the first time they met was in Yuhuai Village.

The Xi and Yang families had been close for years, and it was through Xi Siyan’s connections that the Yang family was able to confirm Chen Mo’s identity so quickly. When the Yang family came to find him that day, Xi Siyan was there, accompanying Yang Shule.

On the muddy village road under heavy rain, he sat in the back seat of the car, wearing a white shirt, never once stepping outside. Even the young women in the village blushed when they looked at him.

The second time they met was in the school bathroom, where Chen Mo stumbled upon a boy confessing to Xi Siyan.

Xi Siyan easily admitted that he liked men, but he rejected the boy without any mercy. After dismissing the other guy, he started washing his hands, saying casually, "Have you seen enough? If so, come out."

Chen Mo had been smoking in one of the stalls. When he opened the door, their eyes met coldly.

There were many more encounters like this after that.

On the sports field, in the classroom, at the Yang family’s home, or at gatherings during the New Year between the two families.

They would always run into each other but never became close.

Chen Mo had a fixed impression of this person. He was someone others referred to as the "prince" of the Xi family—born into wealth and status, never bothering to hide his likes and dislikes. He was always surrounded by a crowd, and among them, Yang Shule stood out as the most special.

Their childhood bond was enough reason for Xi Siyan to dislike Chen Mo, without needing any further justification.

Later, all news about Xi Siyan came from Yang Shule.

Whenever Yang Shule mentioned the name "Xi," his face would light up.

"Mom, I’m going to the Xi family’s place! Today is A-Yan’s birthday, and I still haven’t picked up his gift from the store!"

"He’s going abroad. No one will be around to tutor me anymore."

"A-Yan, can I fly over to see you during summer vacation?"

"When will you come back?"

"Big brother! He’s not leaving again this time, right?! Come with me to pick him up from the airport, please!"

"I’m not going to work at the company. I’ve already arranged to stay with A-Yan—don’t worry, I won’t starve."

"Chen Mo, how did this project end up in A-Yan’s hands?"

…

That year, Chen Mo managed countless projects.

When faced with Yang Shule’s questioning gaze, Chen Mo had genuinely been taken aback, before responding with a cold sneer: "What are you implying? All I know is that this project supports my entire team. Just because the boss on the other side is named Xi, does that mean I have to step aside for your sake, Yang Shule? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Those were Chen Mo’s most aggressive years—his temper could ignite at the slightest provocation.

Yang Shule had turned pale on the spot.

Chen Mo had even prepared himself for Yang Shule to run and complain to Xi Siyan, expecting the project to be sabotaged.

But in the end, that project went on surprisingly smoothly until completion.

At the celebration banquet that followed, both sides gathered to drink.

Halfway through the night, Xi Siyan arrived fashionably late.

He was no longer the young man from Chen Mo’s memories of school. Broader in the shoulders and back, his every movement now reflected the maturity of someone in a position of power. Yet he was still the center of attention, drawing the focus of everyone wherever he went.

He sat down to Chen Mo’s left.

With so many people in the private room, each came to toast him, and he drank every glass without flinching.

Eventually, only Chen Mo was left.

Chen Mo’s alcohol tolerance was low—his face already flushed with the effects of the drinks. Leaning back in his chair, he raised his glass to Xi Siyan amid the cheers of the others: “President Xi, I’ll drink first out of respect.”

He downed the glass in one go.

After finishing, he raised his eyebrows, glancing at the still-full glass in front of Xi Siyan. "Not drinking, President Xi?"

"You’re already drunk," Xi Siyan remarked flatly.

Pretentious.

Chen Mo cursed inwardly.

He guessed that Xi Siyan looked down on him, despising his current behavior, all the while remembering Yang Shule’s earlier suspicions. Most of the celebratory mood had now dissipated.

Fueled by alcohol, Chen Mo braced himself on the table, rising to his feet.

He placed one hand on Xi Siyan’s shoulder, while with the other, he lifted the glass of wine to Xi Siyan’s lips, speaking softly: "Class Rep, we haven’t seen each other in a long time. Are you really not going to drink? Or do you want everyone here to know that we’ve known each other for a long time?"

Chen Mo couldn’t recall whether Xi Siyan had lifted his hand to help him with that last drink. All he remembered was the look in Xi Siyan’s eyes, passing through the transparent glass, appearing distant and indifferent.

When Chen Mo woke up the next morning with a hangover, he was in the apartment he had bought outside.

Opening his eyes, he was greeted by Lao Gou’s large face.

“What are you doing here?” Chen Mo asked.

Lao Gou wasn’t in the mood. "Did you black out? How many times have I told you to stop drinking? One of these days, it’s going to kill you!” He then asked, “When did Xi Siyan return to the country?”

Chen Mo was puzzled. "Why are you asking me? Weren’t you the one who said you two got along well in high school?"

While pouring him a glass of water, Lao Gou replied, "We lost contact a long time ago. After he went abroad, he pretty much cut ties with everyone in the country. Sure, we got along when we were younger, but you know how it is when people grow up—the gap between us becomes even more apparent. His circle is out of our reach."

Chen Mo took the glass and drank a sip.

Lao Gou, adopting a gossiping tone, added, "But I did hear another version of the story. Apparently, his family wasn’t too happy with his sexual orientation, which is why he severed ties with people here."

Chen Mo wasn’t surprised. Back then, Yang Shule often seemed down because he couldn’t get in touch with Xi Siyan.

What a pair of star-crossed lovers.

Chen Mo let out a cold laugh.

Setting down the glass, he said, "Thanks for picking me up last night."

Lao Gou gave him a strange look. "I didn’t pick you up. Xi Siyan was the one who took you home."

Chen Mo turned sharply.

Seeing his reaction, Lao Gou asked, "You really don’t remember?"

“What am I supposed to remember?”

Lao Gou kindly helped him recall, “It was when I got a sudden call from Xi Siyan—it scared the hell out of me. By the time I arrived, your jacket was lying in the middle of the street near the entrance to your building, and you were hanging onto Xi Siyan’s neck like a drunk flirt.” Then, not missing a chance to scold him, he added, "You know how you get when you're drunk—letting loose after holding back too much, and acting like a total mess. How could you have the guts?"

Chen Mo’s head throbbed from the hangover, his expression sour. “That’s not all.”

He proceeded to recount how, in his drunken state, he had pressured Xi Siyan into drinking.

Lao Gou looked at him like he was beyond saving. “What the hell were you thinking? No wonder his face looked so grim when I saw him.”

Chen Mo was aware that his drinking habits were problematic. He usually controlled himself well during social events, avoiding excess.

But that night, the alcohol had gotten to him.

He figured Xi Siyan probably wanted to strangle him.

Fortunately, he hadn’t needed Xi Siyan to finish him off.

Even at twenty-eight, he had been the picture of someone “dying young.”

Who could’ve guessed that the first person he’d run into in this life would be him?

It was probably karma.

In high school, Xi Siyan had already reached his full height, standing around 1.88 meters tall. Walking through the night, he exuded an imposing presence. His sharp eyes, prominent nose, and defined features made him strikingly handsome.

He was the class president of the advanced class, though he clearly wasn’t the type of student who tattled. Lao Gou’s group gravitated toward him, as if they had found their pillar of support.

Someone eagerly answered his question, "Where is he?"

"Over here!" another called, adding, "He’s burning up pretty badly."

Chen Mo had already retreated to his previous spot, leaning against the wall, hidden in the shadows. When Xi Siyan looked over, their eyes met. Chen Mo could see the brief flicker of surprise in Xi Siyan’s eyes, as if he hadn’t expected to find him among this group of people.

But he quickly composed himself and walked over.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

They were standing close, close enough for Chen Mo to catch a faint whiff of Xi Siyan’s scent. It was crisp and distinct, enough to make an impression. His shirt, though seemingly ordinary, had rolled-up sleeves revealing subtle gold patterns, hinting at its exclusivity.

"I'm fine," Chen Mo replied, his head resting against the wall. He looked straight into Xi Siyan’s eyes, searching for any hint of insincerity.

Unfortunately for him, this man had perfected his image as the ideal class president.

Xi Siyan even reached out to feel his forehead, frowning slightly. "Your temperature’s pretty high."

Without waiting for anyone to respond, he took charge.

"I’ll take him to the hospital."

After receiving confirmation of the group’s next destination, he added, "Keep a low profile. If Lai Xianfu catches you, I won’t be able to save you. What, do you think I’m superhuman? I’m not invincible, you know. Even class presidents get nightmares about being scolded by the homeroom teacher—I once solved two physics problems in my sleep just to get some peace." He joked, his aura relaxed, seemingly in a good mood. "Lao Gou, give me a hand."

Chen Mo didn’t even get a chance to refuse.

Before he knew it, he was being dragged out of the alley by the two of them.

Standing by the car, Lao Gou patted his shoulder. "What’s up? Has the fever burned out your brain?"

"Let go." Chen Mo glanced at the arm that Lao Gou was still holding, his expression a mix of frustration and exasperation. "I’ve got a fever, not a mental illness. Do I look like a prisoner to you?"

"Ungrateful bastard," Lao Gou muttered, but he released him. Then, pulling out a cheap packet of tissues from his pocket, he handed one over. "Wipe yourself off. You’ve got sweat pouring out like there’s no tomorrow."

Chen Mo took the tissue and balled it up in his palm.

The tissue absorbed the sweat from his hands, the heat of his fever making everything around him feel oppressive.

Just then, Xi Siyan returned after speaking with the driver. He glanced at Lao Gou. "Are you coming with us?"

"I can’t," Lao Gou said apologetically. "My grandma called me earlier, and I have to go see her."

Chen Mo knew that Lao Gou’s grandmother was an important person in his life.

The old woman’s health wasn’t good, and she passed away before Lao Gou even finished high school.

Later, during their late-night drinking sessions, Lao Gou would often say that his biggest regret in life was not spending more time with her while she was still alive, and always getting annoyed by her nagging.

So Chen Mo said, “You don’t need to come.”

Though he knew the words sounded strange, he still insisted, "Spend more time with your grandmother when you’re on break. She’s getting older, so she might nag a bit."

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Try not to get too impatient."

When he finished speaking, he could feel two pairs of eyes on him.

Chen Mo’s expression remained unchanged.

Lao Gou was stunned for a moment before replying, "Got it. Thanks...brother."

After that, he turned and patted Xi Siyan on the arm. "Class rep, I’m leaving my classmate in your capable hands. If anything comes up, just give me a call."

"Okay."

Ten minutes later.

The low-key Maybach glided through the lively night market.

The windows were tightly shut, creating a quiet, isolated space inside the car.

Chen Mo leaned back against the rear seat, his arm draped over his eyes. The person sitting beside him had remained silent the entire time, as if he wasn’t even there.

After a while, Chen Mo broke the silence. "You can drop me off anywhere along the road."

The other person’s gaze felt tangible. Chen Mo heard him ask, "Then what?"

"Then I’ll hail a taxi myself. It doesn’t matter where I go."

The other person seemed confused. "Why go to all that trouble?"

"Why not?" Chen Mo lowered his arm and turned to look at him, his arm having pressed creases into his eyelids, making him appear even more fatigued. But his words were sharp and direct. "There’s no one else here. Lao Gou was the one with enough nerve to call you in the first place. Now that you’ve seen that I’m the one needing help, is Class Rep still feeling generous?"

Xi Siyan let out a short laugh, clearly angry.

It was obvious.

When he smiled, it wasn’t soft or warm—it only made him more imposing. "You think I’m putting on a show?"

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Aren’t you?"

"Chen Mo." Xi Siyan called his name, his tone growing colder. "I don’t like meddling in other people’s business. But if I do get involved, I don’t appreciate being accused. Especially not when you’re bringing up the Yang family’s internal conflicts. If you have a problem with them, feel free to fight for what you want."

Chen Mo laughed.

"Fight with who? Your little childhood friend?" Seeing the vein pulsing at Xi Siyan’s temple, Chen Mo pushed further, leaning in closer, and spoke slowly, "He’s not even worthy."

Before Xi Siyan could respond, Chen Mo leaned back.

He smirked. "Or should I fight with the rest of the Yang family? Not interested."

In the end, Xi Siyan didn’t kick him out of the car.

The vehicle continued all the way to the hospital entrance.

Chen Mo stood on the curb, watching as the taillights disappeared around the corner before turning and walking inside.

Meanwhile, in the car that had just rounded the corner...

The driver, Uncle Lin, glanced at the rearview mirror and cautiously spoke up. "Siyan, are we really just leaving like that? The kid seemed pretty sick."

Xi Siyan replied, "With a mouth as sharp as his, do you think he needs my help?"

"I don’t think his words were aimed at you," Uncle Lin said diplomatically. "In the end, the Yang parents did go too far. If they couldn’t treat him equally, they should have at least been fair. For him to be this sick, and yet they only...”

Uncle Lin had worked for the Xi family for many years, so he knew Yang Shule. But he didn’t feel it was his place to say the boy’s name.

After all, it wasn’t his place to criticize.

He continued, "Anyone in his situation would feel wronged. Even though the whole switch-up wasn’t Yang Shule’s fault, the favoritism is still hard to ignore.”

Xi Siyan didn’t comment on the switch-up itself.

Instead, he said, “Uncle Lin, when did you start believing in rumors?”

“Am I wrong?” Uncle Lin chuckled. “You’ve always favored those close to you over what’s right. Since when have you ever cared about being fair?”

The car fell silent for a while.

"Make sure the hospital staff keeps an eye on him."

"Wouldn’t want him to die on us."