Zhang Chi dared not accept An Ran's suggestion.

He firmly believed in the power of emotions and never dared to think about crooked ways. But somehow, he still accepted An Ran's small bag. The bag was not heavy, but it felt heavy in his pocket, making it hard for him to breathe.

Shen Xingsui returned in the evening.

They gathered at a roadside stall. The evening sea breeze was a bit chilly. Shen Xingsui was carrying a bag that looked like it contained a lot of food and drinks.

When she saw him, Shen Xingsui waved to him.

Zhang Chi jogged over and said, "Sui Sui, why did you buy so much stuff?"

Shen Xingsui smiled and said, "I was just strolling around. This town has a lot of local specialties, so I bought some to share with my parents and friends when I get back."

Zhang Chi knew that Shen Xingsui had always been someone who was particularly considerate of others.

For example, when he goes out, he will bring gifts and local specialties for his friends and family. He always thinks of the people around him first, not himself.

Zhang Chi was somewhat moved and said softly, "I'll help you carry it."

Shen Xingsui shook her head: "No need, it's just two bags, I can carry them myself."

Zhang Chi, still somewhat forceful, took a bag and said, "It's okay, I'm just killing time anyway."

Shen Xingsui could only say, "Thank you."

The sunset at the beach was beautiful in the evening. Zhang Chi looked at the coastline and suggested, "You're welcome. But since we rarely get out for a stroll, how about we take a picture together to commemorate the moment?"

Shen Xingsui hesitated: "Is it right here? But I didn't get my hair and makeup done today, and I don't have any clothes either..."

Zhang Chi understood, of course. After all, they were idols and celebrities, and they had to pay attention to their image sometimes. So he said, "It's okay, it's okay. I won't post on Weibo, I'll just post on WeChat Moments or something."

This is relatively easy to accept.

Shen Xingsui wasn't a particularly pretentious person: "Alright then."

They stood with their backs to the sea, surrounded by lush green coconut trees. Their smiles were wide and bright, one radiant, the other shy. The phone camera captured this heartwarming moment.

Zhang Chi smiled and said, "Alright."

Shen Xingsui nodded: "Let's go back."

Zhang Chi nodded in agreement and posted the group photo on his WeChat Moments. It quickly received many likes, and comments poured in from former classmates and recent friends.

"Is this Shen Xingsui?"

"Wow, you two are good friends."

"They have such a good relationship, I'm so envious."

"Is this a private trip?"

"He's really handsome in real life. I'm a fan of his, could you get me his autograph?"

This is Zhang Chi's most popular post on WeChat Moments in recent years. Even his family and friends praised him and gave him a thumbs up. Many people also said that they are a good match and should get along well.

These words resonated deeply with Zhang Chi, filling him with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and vanity. He thought, if one day he really did get together with Shen Xingsui, how many people would envy them? So many people would bless them, wouldn't they be a perfect match...?

A few days later

Two songs are almost finished, and Hu Kaiyue is very satisfied, especially praising Shen Xingsui: "It has exceeded my expectations. I plan to give you a song that will be produced in collaboration with a big movie. You and Zhang Chi will work together to produce a version of the lyrics for me within three days."

Shen Xingsui said, "Okay, what if the arrangement is also completed within three days?"

Hu Kaiyue chuckled: "Such arrogance."

"No." Shen Xingsui remained humble. "Sometimes when inspiration strikes, I create lyrics and music together. Although it may not be the best, if you are satisfied, wouldn't it be perfect to revise and correct it?"

There's a reason he said that.

Hu Kaiyue thought for a moment, then raised an eyebrow: "Okay, I'll just look at the results in three days."

Shen Xingsui nodded.

"I'll be going out for the next three days to meet with the production team," Hu Kaiyue said. "If you two are working together, feel free to contact me via WeChat with any ideas or suggestions you may have."

Zhang Chi said, "Don't worry, I understand." Hu Kaiyue was relieved to see that Shen Xingsui next to him was also well-behaved and had no problems. In fact, the longer Hu Kaiyue got to know Shen Xingsui, the more attracted he would be to her talent and temperament. She was not arrogant or impatient, she was down-to-earth, and she had a stable personality. Not to mention her family background, her own abilities were top-notch, and she was sometimes even a little clever.

She's really likable.

He needs to observe further. If no one is paying attention, then he will make his move.

Shen Xingsui reminded him, "It seems like it will rain these next two days, so please be careful when you go out."

"I know." Hu Kaiyue reminded him, "Try to stay up less late writing lyrics. I'm giving you three days, which isn't much, but it's not too tight either. If I find out you haven't slept all night after three days, you'll be in big trouble, you know?"

Shen Xingsui smiled and said, "I understand."

After Hu Kaiyue left, Zhang Chi and Shen Xingsui were left alone together.

Zhang Chi looked at Shen Xingsui and said, "Sui Sui, then we..."

"Let's first agree on our respective parts for this song," Shen Xingsui said, always keeping it strictly businesslike. "That way, it'll be easier for us to work together."

Zhang Chi nodded and said, "Okay."

He has been looking for opportunities these days, but frustratingly, he hasn't been able to find a good one.

With the collaboration nearing its end, and this potentially his last chance, Zhang Chi spent the entire night sleepwalking until lightning shattered the stillness of the night, signaling that it was going to rain. Usually, after work, Shen Xingsui would leave the villa, accompanied by two assistants, and return to the small house down the mountain to rest. However, tonight's thunderstorm made going down the mountain dangerous, and the villa did have guest rooms…

Zhang Chi seemed restless.

When Shen Xingsui came downstairs, she saw Zhang Chi sitting in the living room and asked, "Why didn't you go to the music room?"

"Sui Sui?" Zhang Chi snapped out of his thoughts, looking at him with a startled expression, and then hesitated before saying, "No, because I was thinking about something."

Shen Xingsui and he had been working together for almost a month, and out of humanitarian concern, she asked, "What?"

Zhang Chi hesitated for a moment, An Ran's words kept replaying in his mind, like a spell to bewitch him. The rain outside was pouring down, and as if possessed, he said, "Today is my birthday."

Shen Xingsui was taken aback: "Is it today?"

Zhang Chi nodded, looking outside as he said, "I used to spend it at home, but this year I can't go back because of work."

Shen Xingsui understood this feeling. He had also experienced many days when he was not in control of his own life and no one even remembered his birthday. So he comforted him, "Don't be sad. There will be other opportunities to celebrate your birthday in the future."

Zhang Chi smiled and said, "Thank you, Sui Sui."

Shen Xingsui smiled, pursing her lips.

Zhang Chi stood up and said, "It's dinner time. I remember there are some dishes in the refrigerator. I'll cook some. It's raining so hard outside. Why don't you stay in the guest room tonight? I'll cook some dinner."

Shen Xingsui originally wanted to go back for dinner, but at that moment another flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder that seemed to tear the sky apart. The villa was located halfway up the mountain, and it would be dangerous to drive up or down at this time. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Well, I'll stay in the guest room tonight."

Zhang Chi was secretly pleased and went into the kitchen to cook.

Shen Xingsui was never one to sit and wait for others to do the work, so he leaned over and said, "I'll do it."

"It's okay, it's okay." Zhang Chi said softly, "I can do it. You must have worked hard writing the song, so you should rest."

Shen Xingsui wasn't actually very tired, or rather, he had long been used to this kind of work pace. However, he always felt bad seeing others working so hard. But Zhang Chi insisted, so he gave up. After leaving the kitchen, he received a call from Fu Jinxiao.

Shen Xingsui walked to the window and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Why aren't you back yet?" Fu Jinxiao's voice came softly from the other end of the phone: "It's already very late."

Shen Xingsui didn't expect that Fu Jinxiao would still remember her, so she honestly replied, "The rain is too heavy today. It's dangerous for the driver and assistant to go up the mountain. I won't go back. I'll stay in the guest room."

Fu Jinxiao frowned: "Just you alone."

Shen Xingsui replied, "No, there's also Zhang Chi."

Upon hearing the name Zhang Chi, Actor Fu frowned even more deeply. It was raining heavily outside, and he naturally considered safety. Letting Shen Xingsui brave the rain to go down the mountain was not the best option.

Fu Jinxiao instructed, "Spend less time with Zhang Chi and go back to your room early."

Shen Xingsui was both amused and exasperated, realizing that she always seemed unable to take care of herself in the eyes of Actor Fu: "Okay, I'll go back upstairs after I finish eating. Don't worry, I'll call you later."

Fu Jinxiao nodded: "Mm."

Shen Xingsui seemed to hear the sound of rain on his side as well, and it was raining here too. A faint longing sprouted in her heart. It had been almost a month since they last saw each other. Every time they met, the time they spent together was very short, and every time they were apart, it felt so long. And the distance between them was not the kind that could be bridged with just a phone call.

Everyone has a job, and everyone is busy.

However, Shen Xingsui is an introverted person. She is afraid that if she asks too much, she will be seen as immature. So even if she misses him very much, she will not do anything willful.

Rainwater streamed down the window, and Shen Xingsui whispered, "Where are you?"

"What?" Fu Jinxiao asked after a long silence, her voice slow and deliberate, yet carrying a hint of a gentle smile: "Did you miss me?"

Shen Xingsui blushed, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed: "That's not what I meant."

After refuting him, he fell silent again.

He said things against his will, but he really hoped Fu Jinxiao would understand.

Fu Jinxiao responded softly. In the quiet night, his voice was deep and magnetic, as if carrying a hint of lingering affection: "I miss you too."

It's like a drop of rich honey falling on your heart, slowly enveloping your entire being in warmth.

Shen Xingsui held his phone with reluctance. Not being able to meet in person made even phone calls feel like a luxury. He didn't want to hang up. He thought he might actually be a hopeless romantic, just more restrained.

However, it was almost time to eat, so he reluctantly hung up the call.

Coming down from the second floor, they were surprised to find that Zhang Chi had prepared a very elaborate dinner. The dinner was lit by candlelight and there was even red wine on the table. This did not seem to be a casual dinner, but a very formal date dinner.

Zhang Chi came out of the kitchen and said, "I didn't know what you liked to eat, so I just made something."

Shen Xingsui stood beside the table and hesitated, "Is it this lavish?"

Zhang Chi smiled and squinted, saying, "I originally just wanted to make something simple, but since it's my birthday today, I unconsciously made a little more. You don't mind, do you?"

Why should I mind if it's someone else's birthday?

Shen Xingsui shook her head and said, "I don't mind."

However, they were still surprised by the sumptuous dinner. The two of them sat down at the table. Shen Xingsui ate a few bites of the dishes and was surprised to find that they were not bad. Zhang Chi's kitchen skills had actually improved in recent years while he was abroad. He remembered that once when he went to Zhang Chi's house in junior high school, Zhang Chi cooked a dish that was terribly bad.

Zhang Chi clearly had thought of that himself, and smiled, saying, "Was I really bad at this before? I couldn't do anything right."

Shen Xingsui replied softly, "Everyone has things they are good at or not good at."

Zhang Chi looked at Jian Mei under the lamplight and said softly, "It's a pity that before you, I always thought I was a good cook."

Because at that time, Shen Xingsui ate every last bite of that very unpalatable meal, so he always thought that his cooking wasn't bad, even though he himself didn't think it tasted good. But his friend's unwavering support gave him a lot of confidence.

It wasn't until later that I understood Shen Xingsui's gentleness.

Zhang Chi asked, "Why didn't you tell me back then?"

“Because my own cooking is terrible too.” Shen Xingsui smiled at him, thinking of her many disastrous dishes. “We’re both equally bad, so let’s not laugh at each other.”

Zhang Chi couldn't help but chuckle after hearing this.

He really enjoyed this feeling, being able to sit at the table on a quiet, rainy night and talk with his old friends. As he reminisced about the past, he felt all the more that they had so many wonderful memories, and those were the ones he wanted to make up for.

Under the lamplight, Shen Xingsui looked delicate and handsome. When he smiled, his eyebrows and eyes seemed to be wrapped in a gentle smile. Perhaps the food was a little spicy, which made his beautifully shaped red lips look particularly delicate and beautiful. Zhang Chi drank two glasses of wine and felt as if there was a fire burning in his heart. Taking advantage of the alcohol, he mustered up his courage and said, "Sui Sui, have a drink with me."

Shen Xingsui said softly, "I can't hold my liquor, so I won't drink."

Zhang Chi felt even more distressed.

The rain was pouring down outside the gate. The person he liked was right in front of him, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

"It's alright, this red wine isn't very strong. Today is my birthday, so just consider it a celebration for me." Zhang Chi picked up the bottle, poured himself a glass, drank half of it, and then poured one for Shen Xingsui: "Just a little bit."

He drank the wine himself, which dispelled many of Shen Xingsui's doubts.

Since Zhang Chi had prepared the meal, it was only right that we thanked him. It was also his birthday, so there seemed to be no reason for us to refuse.

Shen Xingsui hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and said, "Okay."

Zhang Chi smiled and said, "I'll pour it for you!"

Perhaps he was genuinely excited, for he lost his balance while holding the wine glass, and the glass shattered on the ground, scattering glass everywhere with a loud and shocking sound.

Zhang Chi quickly said, "I'll go get another one."

Shen Xingsui originally wanted to go by himself, but seeing Zhang Chi run to the kitchen, he had no choice but to leave to find a broom and sweep the floor clean. He carefully cleaned up the glass shards, and then saw Zhang Chi come out of the kitchen somewhat embarrassed and say, "I'm sorry, I was too happy, so my hands were shaking."

Shen Xingsui gently shook her head: "It's alright, as long as you're not hurt."

Zhang Chi poured another glass of red wine. Shen Xingsui drank half a glass. He wasn't very hungry that night, so he didn't eat much. When he felt full, he said, "I think I'm full. You cooked, so I'll wash the dishes. After you finish eating, just leave these dishes here, and I'll wash them."

Zhang Chi nodded and said, "Okay."

Not far from the villa, another car full of people was squatting.

That was arranged by An Ran. Last time, the paparazzi who followed the town all the way up the mountain had been staking out the area for several days, hoping to get some explosive news. However, the people here rarely came out and almost never stayed overnight, so they had no juicy stories to dig up. Today, with the torrential rain, everyone was planning to give up.

Old Zhang, the leader, gritted his teeth and said, "They haven't come out yet, so they'll definitely be spending the night. All this hard work over the past few days can't be wasted. If we get closer and take some pictures, the brothers will make a profit."

After discussing it, the group of people agreed that it made sense and readily agreed.

...

Inside the villa

Zhang Chi finished eating.

Shen Xingsui was resting on the sofa next to him. It was past ten o'clock at night. He had been drinking and was feeling sleepy. He walked to the table to clear the dishes, but the sleepiness slowly came over him. He sighed and said, "I think I'm a little tired. I'll wash the dishes tomorrow."

Zhang Chi's eyes flickered slightly: "Are you tired, or is something not quite right? Let me help you upstairs to rest."

Shen Xingsui shook her head and said, "It's okay, no need."

He took a few steps forward, but felt a little dizzy. He managed to steady himself by holding onto the table. Zhang Chi, who was next to him, quickly came over to support him: "Sui Sui, are you alright?"

By the time Shen Xingsui arrived here, she already sensed that something was wrong.

He might have gotten a little drunk because the red wine was too strong, or it might have been because he was too tired lately. Of course, there was also the possibility he least wanted to know.

Zhang Chi leaned against him, supporting him, his eyes filled with worry.

Shen Xingsui glanced at him sideways, and said somewhat warily, "It's okay, don't worry about me, I'll go back to my room first."

Zhang Chi was extremely nervous, and even his palms were sweaty.

In the end, he was too cowardly. He really wanted to pour the stuff An Ran gave him into the wine, but when the time came, he saw Shen Xingsui cleaning up the broken pieces through the kitchen, and she didn't even blame him for breaking the glass. So he couldn't bring himself to pour the packet of powder in. Only a few bits of powder from the packet got mixed in, and Zhang Chi eventually threw the packet away.

This might have exerted a tiny bit of the drug's effect, but it's only about the same as the effect of sleeping pills.

Shen Xingsui was the kind of person who couldn't hold her liquor. After taking a few steps, she almost tripped and fell. Zhang Chi quickly went over to help her up, saying, "Suisui, let me help you."

Shen Xingsui glanced at him warily. He was panting, his eyes flickering slightly, but he finally asked softly, "You didn't add anything to that wine, did you?"

Zhang Chi paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I didn't."

Shen Xingsui remained silent for a moment, and finally did not speak. However, he still did not receive Zhang Chi's help. He simply walked slowly to the first-floor restroom, which was only a few steps away. These few steps were very difficult for him. After he went in, Zhang Chi heard the clear sound of the door being locked from the inside.

It was at this moment that Zhang Chi clearly saw Shen Xingsui's determination to sever ties with him.

Suddenly

He breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, he hadn't been blinded by greed and done something irreversible...

Outside the villa

The paparazzi's hands were trembling slightly as they braved the rain.

Old Zhang asked, "Did you get the shot?"

"I got it! I got it!" the paparazzi exclaimed in a low voice. "I've taken all sorts of intimate photos of the two of them leaning against each other."

Old Zhang breathed a sigh of relief: "It wasn't a wasted trip."

The paparazzi said, "How about it, boss? Now we've completed the task the client gave us. We'll send it to him in a bit, and then post a copy online ourselves. We're definitely going to get some buzz this time. This is a popular young actor's relationship, and it's even same-sex."

Even though the money was within his grasp, Old Zhang remained silent.

Having been in the industry for so long, he understood some of the rules. After his men handed the photos to An Ran, Lao Zhang said, "We need to contact Shen Xingsui's agent later and give her these photos."

The puppy didn't understand: "Why?"

"Let's see if they're willing to pay the price." Old Zhang, being a more experienced person, said, "If they buy it, we won't release these photos."

The puppy whispered, "But we've already sent it to another employer. Even if we don't send it, the employer will send it anyway."

Old Zhang revealed a shrewd smile: "We don't know how many groups of paparazzi are on the employer's and agent's side. Anyway, we took the money but didn't publish it. What does it matter to us if others publish it? We might as well make this money."

Even the little puppy thought the master was shrewd.

Just as they had agreed to retreat in the pouring rain, car lights flashed on the mountain road not far away, and another car came up. This car was driving fast despite the rain. It was going to be a thunderstorm. In this kind of weather, someone would really be so reckless as to go up the mountain.

Everyone was astonished.

They all wanted to know who had come. Could it be Hu Kaiyue?

The car stopped in front of the villa, and then the door opened, and a person got out. He didn't have an umbrella, and his tall figure stood in the darkness. The dim yellow light from the doorway shone through the rain onto the man's shoulders, and then the paparazzi saw the man's face clearly. They were all shocked because the person was none other than—Fu Jinxiao.