Chapter 35

"Swish—"

The curtain behind them was suddenly pulled open. The downward-facing light barely illuminated the entrance before the intruder, unable to make out the figures on the sofa, blurted out:

"Holy shit!" He immediately backed out. "Sorry, sorry! Wrong room!"

A woman's voice followed, "Why are you so flustered if it's just the wrong room? What's inside?"

"Don't ask, they were... occupied..."

The hurried footsteps quickly faded into the distance.

Inside the curtain.

Qin You and Yan Tingshen were both startled by the unexpected interruption and jerked apart.

Onstage, the play marched on.

The theater was still filled with the actors' dialogue.

Yet a heavy silence settled around the sofa as the two remained wordless for a long while.

The system piped up at this moment, "Host, that kiss lacked intensity. Since someone walked in on you and his affection meter didn’t drop, maybe you should—"

Qin You snapped, "Shut up."

"..." The system went radio silent.

Qin You’s gaze fell to the lower floor, and he said nothing more.

Beside him.

Yan Tingshen glanced over and saw Qin You listing slightly to port, his elbow resting casually on the armrest, his posture utterly unruffled, as if completely unfazed by the earlier accident.

Yet his fist was pressed against his lips, and he remained uncharacteristically restrained for an unusually long time—unlike his usual demeanor.

Perhaps due to the dim lighting in the venue, Yan Tingshen noticed Qin You’s profile, devoid of its usual smile, looked carved from ice, as if lost in deep thought.

What could possibly warrant such contemplation about such a breach?

Yan Tingshen’s gaze darted to Qin You’s mouth, now hidden from view, before he averted his eyes back to the stage.

If reactions were any indication, Qin You seemed even less accepting of the breach than he was.

Yan Tingshen’s eyes lowered slightly.

Aside from those two exceptions under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Qin You had never crossed boundaries in behavior or initiated physical intimacy.

Now it seemed that, beyond polite restraint, Qin You’s feelings for him were exactly as he'd feared.

It wasn’t real feelings.

At this thought, Yan Tingshen’s fingers dug unconsciously into the armrest.

Maybe this was better.

Qin You wouldn’t waste real feelings on him.

He no longer needed to be on guard against Qin You either.

Staying friends was the best way forward for both him and Qin You.

Later, as the performance reached its midpoint, there was an intermission.

The lights in the theater came up.

When Yan Tingshen looked at Qin You again, the guy’s expression was back to normal.

Qin You also glanced at him and smiled. "How does it feel watching this play again after so long?"

"It’s alright," Yan Tingshen replied. "What about you? Did you get the story?"

Though he hadn’t paid much attention, the performance wasn’t particularly hard to understand—nothing so confusing it needed explaining.

Still, to uphold his earlier excuse, Qin You said, "Fill me in. Might’ve missed something."

So Yan Tingshen started from the beginning.

Since it was intermission, neither of them moved closer to the other, talking at a regular pace and volume.

As Qin You listened to the straightforward explanation, staring at Yan Tingshen’s face under the lights, the memory of that dimly lit accident flashed in his head.

His brows furrowed slightly, his gaze accidentally lingering on Yan Tingshen’s lips before shifting to the unrelated crowd below the railing.

An accident. Another damn accident.

He’d been having way too many accidents with his target lately.

He wasn’t looking for romance right now.

Especially not with some guy.

Especially not when that guy was one of the protagonists, dragging around a ton of baggage.

"You wanna watch the second half or get the rundown first?" Yan Tingshen asked.

Qin You turned his gaze back to him.

Yan Tingshen added, "Once you understand the character dynamics, the plot shouldn’t be hard to follow."

Qin You gave a small smile. "I’ll go with the rundown."

Yan Tingshen didn’t push it and continued his explanation.

Not long after Qin You finished listening, the intermission ended, and the show picked back up.

They stayed quiet through the second half.

By the time the show officially concluded, it was already seven, night fully settled in.

Qin You glanced at his watch, took his coat from his bodyguard, and said to Yan Tingshen, "Let’s get dinner before we go."

Yan Tingshen glanced at him. "You got a place in mind?"

In trivial matters that don’t involve principles, Qin You's assertive nature always comes through in full force.

For instance, the play they had just watched, or the meal he mentioned afterward—Qin You wasn’t extending an invitation but issuing a non-negotiable directive.

Qin You chuckled lightly. “Just two blocks away. Let’s walk.”

Having sat for nearly three hours, he knew Yan Tingshen wouldn’t want to ride in a car again either.

“Mhm,” Yan Tingshen replied.

Once outside, he understood why Qin You had made a point about the coat.

It had snowed just yesterday—the streets had been swept clean by sanitation workers, but the cold still clung to the air.

Walking side by side with Qin You on the wide road, even without wind, the cold bit at their faces.

Streetlights lit up the sidewalk, and people ahead and behind them chatted and laughed as they strolled along.

Yet along the stretch where the two walked, only their footsteps broke the silence.

At the corner, Yan Tingshen glanced down at Qin You's hand, paused, then let his fingers graze Qin You’s handback as they turned—

Qin You turned his head.

Seeing Yan Tingshen looking the other way, he shrugged it off.

Yan Tingshen also averted his eyes.

Noticing Qin You's movement, he lowered his gaze again, watching as Qin You slipped his hand into his pocket before lifting his eyes to study Qin You's profile.

“Does your illness still have long-term effects?”

Illness?

It took Qin You a couple of seconds to realize he was referring to that mild fever. He let out a laugh. “What am I, made of glass? Of course not.”

Being this considerate of others all the time—there was no way someone like that would stand a chance against the "ruthless" protagonist in the future.

Yan Tingshen observed the real mirth in Qin You's eyes this time before turning forward again, remarking offhand, “Your illness wasn’t just a mild fever. Be careful there might be some long-term effects.”

“I’ll be fine,” Qin You said with an unwavering smile. “If you have the energy to worry about me, focus more on yourself. Get your health back first.”

Yan Tingshen said, “I do physical therapy every day. Isn’t that enough?”

“That depends on your progress,” Qin You replied. “In half a month, we’re going to Cangbin—it’s right by the snow-capped peaks. I hear the scenery’s beautiful. Don’t you want to see it? With your current condition, hiking would still wipe you out, no?”

“We’re going to Cangbin for the conference, not the scenery,” Yan Tingshen replied.

“But I’m going for the scenery,” Qin You shot him a grin.

Yan Tingshen paused. “Then have at it.”

“Where’s the fun in going solo?” Qin You laughed. “When the time comes, tag along with me.”

Yan Tingshen remained silent, a faint "hmm" escaping his lips.

Qin You said, "That settles it."

The more petty tasks the mark disliked, the better.

Being too polite to say no would only make things harder for the mark himself.

Yan Tingshen glanced at him again but ultimately said nothing.

"We're almost there."

Qin You gestured ahead, "That's the place."

Yan Tingshen followed his gaze.

No need to double-check—the restaurant sharing its name with the play was undoubtedly the one Qin You had reserved.

Calvert.

A restaurant from the same country as the play, just as famous.

Famous for outrageous prices and a divisive reputation.

Qin You smiled at him, "I've been dying to try this place, but haven't yet. How about you?"

Yan Tingshen replied, "You won't like it."

Pei Sheng had once spent time in that country for an exchange program and came back hating the place. Coupled with the insistence of local friends treating him to meals before departure, he had to endure back-to-back dinners there, leaving him with a bad aftertaste.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yan went out of his way to book here for a later meeting. After trying it once while listening to the story, he found it just as bad as advertised.

Qin You's smile deepened slightly, "Not to my taste?"

The system picked up on his normal tone and came off mute automatically: "Host, this is clearly the mark's least favorite place. Is he hinting you low-key push for a change?"

Yan Tingshen said, "If you want to try it, go ahead."

Backing out without trying wouldn't be Qin You's style.

Qin You replied, "We're already here. Might as well try it."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the restaurant's entrance.

The attendant showed them to their reserved booth.

Only then did Yan Tingshen realize Qin You had already ordered. Shortly after they took their seats, their aperitifs arrived.

"Good evening—"

Yan Tingshen raised a hand slightly, "We're good."

The waiter froze, instinctively looking at Qin You.

Qin You said, "We'll pass."

After the waiter left, he turned to Yan Tingshen with a smile, "Do I have a curfew on drinks now?"

Yan Tingshen met his gaze, "Until that knife wound's fully closed up, you should avoid alcohol."

Qin You glanced at his left arm.

The mark still remembered this scar—even he himself had nearly forgotten about it.

But over something this minor, and since it was out of concern for him, there was no point giving the mark a hard time.

"Alright."

Qin You looked up, smiling. "Just some dietary restrictions—no big deal."

As they chatted, the waiter served the dishes one by one.

Qin You tried each in turn, was quiet for a while, then said to Yan Tingshen, "Let's try somewhere else."

He was here to keep the mark at arm's length, not to torture his taste buds.

Yan Tingshen took a sip of water, having seen this coming. "There's a pretty good spot nearby."

Qin You stood up. "That works."

With that, the two left together, walked a short way down the street, and arrived at the new restaurant.

This time, it was Yan Tingshen who ordered.

After selecting from the menu, he glanced at Qin You and added, "One more order of steamed eggs."

At that, Qin You also looked at him.

The waiter replied, "Certainly."

When the dishes arrived, Qin You tried them again. Everything was actually pretty good, just as the mark had said.

Soon enough, they'd finished eating, and he gave him a ride home.

The car stopped at the front gate. Qin You looked at Yan Tingshen. "It's late—I'll skip coming in."

Then, noticing the roses on the armrest, he reminded him, "Don't leave those flowers I got you."

Yan Tingshen hesitated briefly, reached out to pick up the bouquet, and said to him as well, "Get some sleep when you're home."

Qin You gave a small smile. "Alright."

Yan Tingshen got out of the car, but before it could pull away, the rear window rolled down again.

He turned back, locking eyes with Qin You.

Seeing him stop, Qin You said, "Head on inside."

Yan Tingshen frowned at how lightly dressed Qin You was. "You're not going?"

Qin You chuckled. "I'll leave once you're in."

Twenty-one days to form a habit.

The habit of picking up and dropping off the mark after his recovery was becoming second nature.

Since he hadn't walked the man to his door today, he’d make do with seeing him to the door.

Yet the mark didn’t give him the chance.

"Your fever just broke,"

Yan Tingshen's tone darkened slightly, "Trying to get sick again?"

Qin You had no choice but to roll up the window.

Through the narrowing gap, he looked at Yan Tingshen, "Happy now?"

Yan Tingshen watched as the window slowly hid his face. He hesitated a second before turning to go inside.

"Mr. Yan—"

Yan Tingshen brushed past the approaching butler, cut through the foyer, down the hallway, and then went upstairs.

Returning to the bedroom, he continued to the sliding glass door of the balcony, hesitated again, and then stepped outside.

The car sat quietly in the driveway.

Yan Tingshen gazed at the tightly closed window.

Aside from the streetlights’ reflection, the window showed nothing.

But through the window, Qin You’s eyes seemed to lock onto his.

A second later, the car pulled away.

Yan Tingshen watched as it drove off, and not long after, he turned back into the bedroom.

The butler waited outside, cradling a fresh vase, "Mr. Yan."

Yan Tingshen said, "Just set it down."

The butler set the vase down and took his employer's coat.

This time, he didn’t offer to take it, only his eyes flicked to the crimson roses in Yan Tingshen’s hand, then sneaking a glance at the wilting plum blossoms on the nightstand that were still struggling to bloom.

They’d last another day at most—most of the remaining petals were already withering.

Luckily, fresh ones had arrived to take their place...

—

"Host, today was a total bust—not one favorability point lost..."

Qin You shrugged it off.

After watching that play, he knew today’s plan wouldn’t succeed.

Even an unexpected incident hadn’t made the target dislike him. Instead, the man had calmly overlooked it and patiently explained the plot to him.

He’d underestimated the target’s 34% favorability rating. With such a foundation, minor likes and dislikes like these didn’t matter.

The system added, "But hey, silver lining."

Qin You asked, "Silver lining?"

The system said, "No loss, but no gain either! Keep pushing, Host—you’ve got this!"

Qin You replied, "Whatever."

There are still half a month until the next task.

There's plenty of time—let the affection level remain unchanged for now. As for the rest, we'll take it one step at a time.

Returning to Zeshui Bay, Qin You freshened up and rested.

In the following days, it was a routine of five locations: Zeshui Bay, the Qin Corporation, Junmin, the hospital, and the target’s residence—everything followed a set pattern.

The task had already been triggered, and the system wasn’t keen on lowering affection levels, and didn’t push him either.

A week went by.

After the morning meeting, Qin You was about to return to his office when he passed by the break room and overheard employees chatting inside.

"Hey! What do you guys think—should I try to get my crush back?"

"Get her back? That crush of yours is icy, stuck-up, and picky. Didn’t you say you keep getting shot down? Just drop it already!"

"Don’t say that! Didn’t you two used to get along? Chengming, you go first—what have you been doing lately? Why did your crush suddenly start treating you so poorly? You probably messed up somehow, right?"

"What did I do… I’m not sure! But it’s true, she used to treat me really well. It’s just recently that she’s been colder toward me…"

"If it’s just recent, shouldn’t it be obvious? Just think about what you’ve done lately."

"Exactly! She was fine with you before, but suddenly turned cold—there’s definitely a problem here."

Hearing this, Qin You paused, a thought crossed his mind.

After a moment’s consideration, he walked into the break room. Scanning the room, his gaze settled on one person.

"Young Master Qin!"

The people in the break room froze when they saw him, their expressions tense.

Qin You looked at Li Chengming. "You?"

Li Chengming’s hands went clammy.

He hadn’t expected the company’s vice president to still remember him playing games before a meeting. "Young Master Qin, I…"

"As you were."

Having identified the person, Qin You waved a hand and left the break room.

The remaining employees shot each other confused glances, unsure what had just happened.

But since it was still break time and their superior hadn’t reprimanded them, they went back to chatting.

Not long after, Cui Ling walked in.

Everyone froze again.

"President Cui!"

Cui Ling glanced at the group before motioning to Li Chengming. "Come with me."

Li Chengming gulped. "President Cui, what’s up?"

Cui Ling gave him a once-over before replying coolly, "*Allegedly* good news."

Li Chengming: "..."

First Young Master Qin came, now Assistant Cui... This can't be good...

The others watched as the two left one after another, sharing confused looks.

"What's going on?"

"Who knows... Let's ask him when he gets back..."

Silence fell over them.

"Speaking of which, do you really think he can get that goddess back?"

"Come on... What 'get the goddess back'—he's just a love-struck fool. The moment that goddess beckons, he'll come crawling back. All those things he claims, he only dares to think about them in his head. Would he actually do any of it..."

"Exactly. Actually, his goddess is quite nice—she never led him on. They just helped each other out when needed. He's the one who fell head over heels. Forget all that stuff he claims, he doesn't even dare confess. His goddess probably has no idea about his ulterior motives."

"Then what did you mean earlier about 'making the goddess dislike him'?"

"It means telling him to stop being so pathetic. If the goddess has a problem, she'll naturally think of him as her go-to person."

"Right. Just let him talk big to save face and have his little ego trip. Who in their right mind would take his words seriously anyway..." (With occasional scoffs or eyerolls implied throughout.)