In this world, some people eventually cross paths again after many twists and turns—but whether they can go back to the past is uncertain.
Shen Li thought his reunion with Ji Zhouye was just a coincidence.
An old friend had returned to the country, and Shen Li had a dinner engagement at night. At 3 p.m., he sent a message to Ji Zhouye, but by the time he was about to get off work, there was still no reply.
Just as he was about to call, Ji Zhouye finally replied with two words: “Up to you.”
Seeing that message, a wave of discomfort surged in him. Through the screen, he could feel Ji Zhouye’s sudden coldness.
It was so different from that morning.
Ling Feng’s earlier analysis seemed completely wrong. Ji Zhouye liking him was clearly in the past; now, the current Ji Zhouye didn’t like him at all.
If Ji Zhouye said he was going to dinner with friends, Shen Li would want to know who and when he’d be back. The fact that Ji Zhouye didn’t ask meant he didn’t care—and had no interest in Shen Li’s life.
Clutching his phone, Shen Li realized he couldn’t discuss feelings with someone who had never been in love.
After work, Shen Li arrived as promised.
His old friend had arrived first.
Just as he entered the restaurant, someone called out:
“Shen Li, over here.”
He turned to see a man grinning mischievously, waving at him.
Tang Qinian—someone he’d met abroad, in the same program. During that time, Shen Li had been in a slump, and Tang Qinian was his first friend overseas.
Shen Li smiled faintly and sat across from him.
Since returning to the country, he hadn’t kept in touch much with Tang Qinian, though the latter occasionally sent greetings.
“When did you get back?”
“Two days ago. After arranging things, I thought I’d invite you to dinner.”
Tang Qinian wore a green floral shirt, looking as cheeky as ever despite a year apart. “Girlfriend? Came back with you?”
He swirled his glass, smiling wryly. “We broke up. She was too obedient.”
Shen Li clicked his tongue. “Don’t regret it later.”
“Don’t talk about me. How about you? Been back long, seen your first love yet?”
Not only had he seen her, he’d slept with her.
Shen Li’s thin lips pressed together. “I’ve seen her.”
Tang Qinian teased a little: “Any chance of reconciliation?”
Shen Li’s eyes darkened. “I don’t know. Not likely.”
“So… there’s something going on,” Tang Qinian said, hitting the mark.
Shen Li didn’t deny it.
They had a simple meal; Shen Li didn’t drink since he’d drive. Tang Qinian promised to drink together next time.
Back abroad, they’d lived in the same villa area, which was how they met. Shen Li’s return was due to family wanting him to take over the company—but he had to start from the bottom, hiding his identity. Tang Qinian wasn’t interested in business, so starting from the bottom was torturous; he vented to Shen Li for a while.
Shen Li returned home to find Ji Zhouye hadn’t yet come back. Aunt Zhao said he was still out.
In the bedroom, Shen Li sent a message:
[Where are you? Need me to pick you up?]
Minutes ticked by. Half an hour later, Ji Zhouye replied:
[No need.]
At JH’s office:
Li Ming was speechless. “What’s going on with you two? Playing games? Secretly arguing like kids.”
“If I didn’t have Jiangqing threaten him, would he even stay put beside me?”
Ji Zhouye’s hand holding a wine glass whitened at the knuckles, pupils slightly darkened.
“You’ll have to ask him that.”
Li Ming: “Anyway, if it were me, I wouldn’t repeat the same mistake. Someone who’s hurt me won’t get a second chance.”
Everyone knew Ji Zhouye was ruthless, yet he was soft and persistent when it came to Shen Li. Once bitten was enough; no need to be bitten twice. But Ji Zhouye didn’t listen.
He set down the glass and stood. “Drive me home.”
Li Ming: “Wait, Ji Zhouye, you’re using me to get at Shen Li? You know he’s already misunderstood our relationship before.”
Ji Zhouye: “Drive or not?”
Li Ming: “…Fine, fine, drive.”
He didn’t care much for Shen Li anyway. He and Ji Zhouye had been friends along with Shen Li. When Shen Li did certain things, their trio fell apart. Without Ji Zhouye, he wouldn’t even know Shen Li.
Besides, Shen Li’s past actions weren’t forgivable. Only Ji Zhouye, foolish as he was, would go out of his way to help him.
“Do you know what this kind of behavior is called?”
Ji Zhouye looked at him, knowing he wouldn’t have a comeback.
Sure enough.
“This is called being a simp.”
Ji Zhouye: “…”
“Need me to remind you of all the simp things you’ve done?” Ji Zhouye’s gaze pinned him.
Li Ming: “…”
Seeing Ji Zhouye ready to recount his embarrassing history, he wisely kept quiet. That dark chapter was one he never wanted to revisit.
Because of that past, Li Ming despised jerks. Shen Li, in his eyes, was one.
Outside the estate, Shen Li stood at the gate, lost in thought. He didn’t know if Ji Zhouye would come back tonight, so he waited.
Wearing a white T-shirt and gray casual pants, the evening breeze made his loose shirt flutter slightly.
But the wind couldn’t calm his restless heart.
A car he didn’t recognize pulled up. Not Ji Zhouye’s. Through the windshield, he saw Ji Zhouye and Li Ming.
Seeing Li Ming made his heart skip a beat.
Ji Zhouye’s eyes rested on Shen Li. Li Ming gave a quick glance—Shen Li had changed a lot over the years, noticeably thinner. He wondered what Shen Li had gone through.
Li Ming: “Aren’t you going to invite me in for tea?”
Ji Zhouye’s expression darkened. “Get out.”
Li Ming stepped out, his gaze lingering for a few seconds, then threw an arm around Ji Zhouye’s shoulders in a brotherly gesture. Ji Zhouye remained expressionless, making Li Ming awkwardly retract his hand.
Shen Li watched everything.
Ji Zhouye ignored him and walked past with Li Ming. Shen Li’s fingers twitched as he watched their retreating backs, a bitter ache rising in his chest.
Back inside the estate, Shen Li saw Ji Zhouye on the living room sofa with Li Ming, the latter grinning from ear to ear.
Shen Li didn’t say anything and went straight upstairs. Li Ming called out: “Shen Li, long time no see.”
Shen Li tugged at the corner of his lips. “Long time no see.”
He had nothing to say to Li Ming.
Back when he and Ji Zhouye first dated, he had misunderstood Ji Zhouye and Li Ming’s relationship.
From the moment he entered the living room, Ji Zhouye’s gaze never left him.