The sun was already high in the sky, yet Feng Mian remained unconscious on the floor. It was only when a series of urgent, deafening knocks rang out that he slowly regained consciousness.
Feng Mian looked up at the door, which was shaking from the blows, his eyes filled with exhaustion.
The dilapidated door panel rattled incessantly, as if it were about to be kicked in at any second. Chi Chen’s volatile voice sounded from outside, “Feng Mian! Feng Mian, get out here!”
Feng Mian rubbed his temples and sighed helplessly. He looked down at his naked body, then climbed up with great difficulty to grab the clothes nearby and pull them on.
His legs were trembling, and he walked with a limp. Even though the weather outside was scorching, he felt a lingering chill even while wearing a high-collared, long-sleeved knit sweater, as if the cold was seeping out from his very bones.
Chi Chen stood outside, his patience long since exhausted. Just as he was about to raise his leg to kick the door in, the door in front of him clicked open.
Feng Mian stood before him, pale-faced with cracked lips. His voice was hoarse and weak. “What is it?”
Chi Chen looked him up and down. Although he was a bit surprised to see Feng Mian wearing such heavy clothing, he didn’t ask any questions. He frowned unhappily and said, “It’s all thanks to your big-mouthed Feng family! The fact that you’re in my house has leaked out after all!”
Unable to lash out at the shameless old man from the Feng family, he could only take his anger out on Feng Mian. Feng Mian said nothing, simply bowing his head in silence.
Chi Chen grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the exit without room for refusal, his pace urgent. “Do you know Gu Ziheng?”
Feng Mian paused for a split second upon hearing that name. His gaze wavered, and he gave a slow nod.
Chi Chen looked him up and down and let out a scoff. Although he didn’t speak, the disdain in his eyes clearly conveyed: Are you even worthy?
He looked down on Feng Mian in every way, and the contempt in his eyes felt like a blade, making Feng Mian feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Feng Mian turned his head away, remaining silent.
Chi Chen looked away, his voice cold. “Ziheng wants to see you. If you dare to say anything you shouldn’t while in front of him, you’ll regret it!”
He brought Feng Mian downstairs. The moment they entered the living room, he immediately changed his expression, putting on a forced, friendly smile as he explained, “I asked my mother, and it turns out young master Feng really is here. I’ve been at the company these past few days, so I wasn’t aware of this.”
As he spoke, he observed Gu Ziheng’s reaction, terrified of seeing any sign of dissatisfaction on his face.
From the moment Feng Mian entered the living room, Gu Ziheng’s gaze remained fixed on him. His focus was intense and earnest, and the smile on his face turned somewhat stiff. He appeared entirely ill-at-ease—a stark contrast to the effortless composure he showed when dealing with Chi Chen.
Chi Chen watched from the side, a vague sense that something was wrong forming in his mind.
A hint of scrutiny crept into his eyes as he said gloomily, “I never expected such a coincidence, that Ziheng would actually know him.”
Gu Ziheng was undoubtedly a favorite of the heavens, with abilities that even slightly surpassed his own. He appeared easygoing, but in reality, he was aloof; few people could truly enter his heart. Even though Chi Chen had tried everything to please him, they remained nothing more than superficial friends. There were countless people in Ning City who tried to cozy up to him, but most walked away empty-handed.
He let his gaze wander between the two of them.
Only after hearing Chi Chen’s words did Gu Ziheng slowly withdraw his gaze. He smiled and said, “We went to the same school. Mianmian was the top scorer in the college entrance exam that year. Everyone at Ningda knew who he was.”
As soon as these words fell, Chi Chen froze on the spot, the look of contempt in his eyes not yet fully masked.
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