Shi Xi wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but Huo Yao’s presence felt particularly intense tonight.
His aura enveloped her completely, as if threatening to swallow her whole.
Every time she looked at him, his gaze seemed full of desire, his tone suggestive, every movement radiating sensual energy!
Yet he remained restrained.
“Don’t be nervous.”
He merely carried her to the guest room bed without making any intimate advances.
Sitting upright by the window, Shi Xi said, “I’m not nervous.”
Huo Yao raised an eyebrow slightly. “You trust my character that much?”
She nodded firmly.
Meeting her beautiful, clear eyes, he actually felt somewhat guilty. He told her, “First and foremost, I’m a man – a man who’s attracted to you. In front of you, I might not have any character at all.”
As she listened, Shi Xi’s expression gradually shifted from surprise to disbelief, until her eyes widened completely.
Watching her incredibly expressive face, Huo Yao couldn’t help but chuckle. “What kind of reaction is that?”
Shi Xi: “You can say something originally quite shameless so openly and righteously. I think that’s quite remarkable.”
Huo Yao couldn’t tell whether she was complimenting or mocking him.
But he liked this feeling of speaking frankly.
He didn’t know how to date, but… he figured he’d just go with it.
Talk about work, studies, cooking, Xiao Bao, sex…
He clasped her slightly cool hand, his dark eyes glimmering with hidden light as he deliberately lowered his voice. “Guess – do I still have any character now?”
Shi Xi glanced at a certain part of him. “Yes! Absolutely yes!”
Huo Yao had been feeling quite upright, but under her gaze, his blood began to boil, concentrating in that certain area.
“Take another look?”
Shi Xi: !!
She looked at his face. “…Did my looking make your character disappear?”
Huo Yao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The atmosphere was too strange, not suitable for doing anything.
He lowered his gaze to her dangling left foot, noticing the slightly deformed area.
“When’s your follow-up appointment?”
“After the graduation party. If everything goes smoothly, we can schedule the surgery too.”
“I’ll go with you then.”
“Okay.”
As he leaned close, Shi Xi touched his cheek with the back of her hand and asked, “What do you usually use on your face?”
Huo Yao: “?”
He said, “A towel.”
“…” Shi Xi suppressed a laugh. “I mean, do you use any skincare products?”
Huo Yao fell silent.
Skincare products – he’d never touched them.
Shi Xi got her answer from his expression.
She hadn’t even found his facial cleanser – well, he probably didn’t use that either.
She studied his face seriously. “Then how is your skin still so good?”
His complexion was somewhat dark, but clean and fresh without any other flaws.
Huo Yao couldn’t quite handle her gaze.
Keeping her here out of selfish desire, wanting to stay with her longer, was already crossing the line.
“I’ll have a delivery service buy some for you. What kind do you want?”
Shi Xi waved her hand. “No need, I’m exhausted. I need to sleep.”
She finished with a yawn.
“Then sleep.”
Huo Yao showed no intention of leaving. His tall frame crouched by the bedside as he slipped his hand into hers.
Now that they were in a relationship, she could openly engage in Tie Tie with him.
If she didn’t, he’d actually feel uncomfortable.
Before falling asleep, Shi Xi thought to herself: A thousand hours didn’t seem that difficult after all.
The girl who had been lying flat instinctively curled up, hugging the blanket after falling asleep.
Huo Yao’s hand was held by her, wrapped within her warm embrace.
He couldn’t bring himself to pull away.
Sitting by the bedside, he typed on his phone with one hand.
In the family group chat, he sent a message: “I’m getting married.”
Huo’s father immediately called.
Huo Yao didn’t answer.
Huo’s mother called.
Huo Yao didn’t answer.
A minute later, Huo’s father sent a fifty-nine-second voice message.
“Son, what’s troubling you so deeply? When we arrange blind dates for you, it’s only because we can’t bear to see you alone—we’re not forcing you to marry. Honestly, marriage has its merits, but staying single offers freedom too. If work is too overwhelming, take a few days off. We’re not pressuring you about marriage, so don’t feel stressed. It’s late now, and your mind might not be clear. Don’t make rash decisions. Son, get some rest early, and we’ll talk tomorrow, alright?”
Just as Huo Yao finished reading the transcribed text, Huo’s mother sent another fifty-nine-second voice message.
“…”
At first, Huo Yao thought his parents were worried he’d marry someone hastily. Later, he realized they simply thought he’d lost his mind, hallucinating a marriage partner.
Huo Yao was left speechless.
He and Xixi had only known each other for a month, with very few people aware of their interactions.
Yet he wanted to marry her and bring her home.
Huo Yao replied: “Okay, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
On the other end, Huo’s parents exchanged worried glances.
Huo’s father urgently typed on his phone, saying, “No, I have to call Chief Zeng. What cases has our son been working on lately? Look how stressed he’s become.”
Huo’s mother: “Call him, quickly.”
Having spent most of his career at the municipal bureau, Huo’s father still occasionally returned after retirement to help with challenging autopsies. He and Chief Zeng had worked together for over a decade and maintained a good rapport.
Upon hearing Huo’s father’s description, Chief Zeng affirmed, “He’s handling several cases now, mainly related to Huaying Hospital, but this isn’t the most stressful period for him. He managed fine during the previous throat-slashing case.”
“Then why is he suddenly talking about marriage? He doesn’t even have a partner.”
“…” Chief Zeng hesitated. “Well, I did urge him to take the lead in addressing his single status. Could I have pressured him too much? But that doesn’t make sense—he usually ignores my advice entirely.”
“Has he met any women recently?”
“The only one around him lately is an intern, and Huo Yao avoids her. It can’t be her…”
“Did he meet someone during a case?”
“Unlikely. You know his temperament. Ever since that incident, he’s kept his distance from all women involved in cases, staying vigilant.”
…
After discussing all evening, they reached no conclusion.
In the dim guest room, Huo Yao set his phone aside, gently playing with the delicate, boneless hand in his palm.
He suddenly understood her—he too had become captivated by the sensation of touching her.
That rainy night, he never imagined he’d one day hold her hand like this, wishing to never let go.
He wanted to merge their worlds as soon as possible.
Contrary to his wishes, Huo Yao was extremely busy.
And Shi Xi had little free time herself.
After confirming their relationship, they hadn’t seen each other since.
But Huo Yao received toys and snacks that Shi Xi bought for Xiao Bao every day.
One week later, at University A’s graduation party.
The venue was exceptionally crowded.
During the day, when Shi Xi was rehearsing in the auditorium, someone had taken a photo of her and posted it online.
So everyone knew she would be performing with the school band that evening.
Even before the party started, people had already occupied seats in the auditorium.
Bai Fan and the others were dressed in trendy outfits.
The clothes Shi Xi had left at school seemed too plain in comparison.
In the end, the female bassist from the band lent her an outfit.
Dopamine style—a tight T-shirt and a short skirt, both chic and cute.
This was a style Shi Xi had never tried before. The skirt was so short that taking two steps risked exposing herself, let alone performing on stage.
The four male band members unanimously agreed: Change it!
Shi Xi didn’t change. Instead, she paired it with loose light-blue jeans.
It was an unconventional mix, but it looked… surprisingly good.
As night fell, the backstage of the auditorium was bustling with activity.
“If you get tired, use the microphone stand as a crutch.”
Bai Fan, with two streaks of silver-dyed hair, usually had a clean-cut appearance but now carried a hint of roguish charm.
Shi Xi nodded, “I know, and it’s just one song. It won’t be a problem.”
“Mm.”
After a moment’s thought, she suddenly said, “Bai Fan, thank you.”
Bai Fan glanced at her lazily, “For what?”
“I needed this stage.”
Shi Xi didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. She just wanted to give her imperfect four years a shining conclusion.
Bai Fan nodded nonchalantly, “Then give it your best. If you can’t hit the high notes, it’ll be embarrassing.”
“Of course.”
“Tch.”
Bai Fan shot her a quick glance, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The school band’s performance was the grand finale. As time passed, more and more students crowded into the auditorium.
The auditorium, which could originally seat a thousand people, was now packed. The aisles, stairs, and empty spaces at the back were all filled.
Someone with sharp eyes spotted familiar faces in the front row.
“Wow, is that Chi Xuan? Did he come to see Lin Shi Xi?”
“Lu Mingzhe is here too, sitting with the faculty. A domineering CEO is still a domineering CEO—ugh, he’s so dreamy!”
“Haha, did they all come to watch Bai Fan and Lin Shi Xi perform? Aren’t they jealous?”
“I heard Bai Fan and Lin Shi Xi are actually dating!”
“Didn’t they say the two of them often rehearse together? The ‘Xi-Bai’ pairing is so fun to ship!”
“Who are the couple next to Chi Xuan? The guy looks a bit like him.”
“Everyone came for a reason! Just the looks of the people in the front row are enough for me to admire for a lifetime!”
“Are they all waiting for Lin Shi Xi to perform? What’s so charming about her? Even if her face has healed, she’s still a cripple—who would marry her? She’s just a worn-out shoe who loves to stir up drama!”
No one responded to this spiteful remark.
The others merely glanced at the boy who had spoken, their eyes filled with disdain and reproach.
Since being honored by the school, Lin Shi Xi had, in a way, become a symbol of the school’s pride.
Moreover, her life had been full of twists and turns, and she had endured countless injustices and hardships. Making it this far was no small feat.
Many of those who had once slandered and mocked her had since realized their own pettiness.
They had all been perpetrators of her suffering.
So much so that they would wake up in the middle of the night, filled with regret, and slap themselves.
The boy had spoken without thinking. After noticing the others’ reactions, his face burned with shame.
The people standing in front also turned to look at him—two tall, burly men with murderous glints in their eyes!
The girl carrying the “pain bag” looked cute but shook her fist at him.
The boy cowardly lowered his head and slipped out through the crowd!
Huo Yao withdrew his gaze, his thin lips pressed tightly together, his eyes dark and brewing with coldness.
Lin Yu spoke up: “Captain, that guy has a foul mouth. Don’t get angry, okay?”
Ji Lu gasped, “You said you wouldn’t get angry, so why are you pinching my arm? It hurts like hell.”
Lin Yu snorted, “I’m a people’s police officer. I don’t get angry easily. I allow everything to happen.”
Ji Lu: “…”
She’s clearly furious, isn’t she?
He glanced sideways at Huo Yao.
Well, this one’s expression wasn’t any better.
After all, what that boy had said earlier was truly unpleasant.
Shi Xi, unaware of these minor incidents, had already followed the band backstage.
The auditorium lights dimmed, and the instruments were brought onto the stage first.
Bai Fan reached out to Shi Xi, “Follow me.”
Shi Xi calmly placed her hand on his arm.
As the lights brightened, their figures appeared, eliciting a wave of gasps from the audience.
Shi Xi noticed several particularly intense gazes. Her eyes swept across the audience, and she abruptly spotted those familiar faces in the front row.
Wait—why were they here at such a small graduation party?
Representing the corporation?
That would be absurd.
Meeting her gaze, Chi Xuan suddenly stood up, frowning as he stared at her and Bai Fan.
Shi Xi quickly averted her eyes and followed Bai Fan to the center of the stage.
She had applied makeup today—not heavy, but enough to conceal the uneven skin tone on her left cheek.
Her thick, long hair was braided into several thin strands and tied at the back, accentuating her delicate and radiant features.
“Ahhh!”
“Lin Shi Xi!!”
“Xi Bai!!”
The audience remained fervent.
After her thesis defense, Lin Shi Xi had kept a low profile on campus and rarely removed her mask.
So, most people had no idea how much her face had recovered.
Now, seeing her in person, they truly felt the striking impact of her beautiful face!
Wasn’t the “Modeled Face” from her livestream just her own?
She wasn’t deceiving anyone—she was simply restoring her beauty!
Shi Xi had always known that people are highly tolerant of beautiful things and individuals.
She stood calmly behind the microphone stand and accidentally voiced her thoughts aloud, “What is Xi Bai?”
As soon as she spoke, the audience fell silent for a moment before erupting into strange laughter.
Laughter also came from beside her.
Bai Fan gave her a meaningful look, “Why worry about that?”
Shi Xi: “Oh.”
She merely acknowledged.
Suddenly, the audience started shouting again, “Ahhhh Xi Bai is real!”
Shi Xi: “…”
Her gaze swept around and suddenly paused.
Even from such a distance, Shi Xi immediately spotted Huo Yao, who stood out like a crane among chickens.
The auditorium was packed, and everyone was excited, yet he stood quietly behind the seats.
His sharp, tempered demeanor clearly set him apart from the naive college students.
Not to mention, Ji Lu and Lin Yu—waving glow sticks—were beside him.
Lin Yu was slightly taller than her peers.
With a doll face and standing 1.7 meters tall, she shouted “Xi Bao!” with a wide grin.
Shi Xi instinctively waved back at her.
Lin Yu excitedly told the two beside her, “Xi Bao is like a little rainbow.”
Ji Lu: “What a weird description…”
Lin Yu declared with unshakable conviction, “Isn’t it obvious? Everyone else dresses like a paint palette, but only Xi Bao is a little rainbow. I’m her devoted fan now—you’d better not contradict me, or I’ll get angry.”
Ji Lu choked back his words, ultimately staying silent.
Huo Yao glanced at the two of them, sensing something off about their dynamic, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
In an instant, his attention returned to the stage.
Lin Yu often spouted nonsense, but this time she wasn’t wrong.
She truly was like a little rainbow—a glowing little rainbow on stage.
“Ahhh, Bai Fan looked at her! I’m dying from this ship!”
“I ship Xi Bai too!”
“Even if we set everything else aside, can’t they just kiss on stage for no reason?”
“Ahhh, I want to see it!”
Hearing the screams from the girls around them, Lin Yu and Ji Lu simultaneously turned to look at Huo Yao.
They had overheard plenty of similar comments since entering the auditorium.
But this was the first time they’d heard something so bold.
Huo Yao, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing.