Jin Zongmin had good luck at the cards tonight, but he seemed to lack any real interest. Even his discards followed no discernible pattern, yet carried a careless, razor-sharp edge. The other players at the table were on edge, unable to figure out what kind of game this man was playing tonight.
Duan Sikai sat to Jin Zongmin's left. He glanced at Jin Zongmin, picked up a tile, and said casually, "Zongmin, you're the dealer this round. Take it easy—don't go winning by self-draw again. Leave a little for the rest of us."
Jin Zongmin didn't respond.
The others exchanged glances and reached a conclusion: Jin Zongmin was in a terrible mood today.
Everyone at the table was a seasoned player in their circle, and they chose their words with tenfold caution, afraid that one wrong sentence might touch a nerve.
Jin Zongmin drew a tile, glanced at it, then abruptly pushed his hand across the table.
"I'm done."
The tiles flipped over. A pure flush.
Everyone at the table froze. That hand was about to win.
But Jin Zongmin stood up, grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair, and walked straight out.
The remaining players stared at each other, not daring to breathe.
Only after his figure disappeared beyond the door did someone lower his voice and ask Duan Sikai beside him, "Brother Jin, is he…?"
Duan Sikai took a sip of tea and glanced in the direction Jin Zongmin had gone. "Some unlucky bastard must have pissed him off."
At the end of the corridor, Jin Zongmin leaned against the railing of the terrace and lit a cigarette.
He took a drag and slowly exhaled.
Halfway through the cigarette, he pulled out his phone and opened the call log.
The top of the list was a string of calls to the same number. Some outgoing, some rejected, some that rang a few times before being hung up.
The most recent entry showed this afternoon, call duration: two minutes and seven seconds.
His thumb paused over that number for a second, then pressed down.
After three rings—"The number you have dialed is busy…"
She had clearly seen the call and hung up.
Jin Zongmin dialed again.
"The number you have dialed is powered off…"
Jin Zongmin stared at the screen for a few seconds, a flicker of genuine intrigue rising within him.
He raised his hand and stubbed out the cigarette, letting out a scoff. "You really know how to get to me, Xu Youqing."
The night was as dark as ink.
Duan Sikai came over, leaning against the railing beside Jin Zongmin, and lit a cigarette of his own.
He looked at Jin Zongmin with a hint of teasing. "So I hear Boss Jin went to Jingda today to 'do some charity work'?"
Jin Zongmin flicked the ash from his cigarette and didn't deny it.
Seeing Jin Zongmin's reaction, Duan Sikai grinned. "I think you went to see someone, didn't you?"
Jin Zongmin took a drag and exhaled slowly. "Can't I make a contribution to the country's archaeology cause?"
"Sure, you contribute."
Duan Sikai wasn't buying it. He said bluntly, "Spending money and putting in effort—you're pretty invested in her."
Jin Zongmin had supported similar projects before, and Xu Youqing's case was, to some extent, going with the flow.
It was clear that Xu Youqing worked hard, and Jin Zongmin didn't want anyone to think she'd gotten into the project through some connection. That would not only insult her, but also diminish him.
"She's qualified on her own merits," Jin Zongmin said. "Has nothing to do with whether I put in effort."
Duan Sikai smiled. "Fine, I won't say anything about her."
He paused. "I asked around with Xu Weiyue. That girl—she's got someone."
Jin Zongmin held the cigarette between his fingers and tapped it against the crystal ashtray beside him, unhurried.
"So?"
He lifted his eyelids, not a trace of ripple in his gaze.
In this capital city, whatever Jin Zongmin wanted, there was nothing he couldn't get.
Everyone around him—who didn't cater to his every whim? It wasn't just that they feared the Jin family behind him; they were well aware of his methods as well.
Everyone in their circle knew that Jin Zongmin appeared calm and indifferent on the surface, but when he actually made a move, he wouldn't even give you a chance to beg for mercy. The safest approach was to never provoke him and never stand in his way.
Duan Sikai understood this well. That kid surnamed Han—Jin Zongmin had probably already figured him out completely.
This was Jin Zongmin through and through. When he wanted something, he was determined to have it, unless he himself lost interest first.
Xu Youqing was beautiful, sure, but people like them—what beauties hadn't they seen? By all logic, Jin Zongmin's fleeting interest should have passed and been forgotten. Yet this girl had repeatedly given him the cold shoulder, practically charging straight into the line of fire.
Duan Sikai stubbed out his cigarette. "That girl clearly has a stubborn streak running through her bones. Ease up a bit. If you really scare her off, in the end, who's the one who'll be hurting? Yourself."
Jin Zongmin held his cigarette between his fingers without smoking it. "Why would I be hurting?"
What he didn't say was that she didn't appreciate his efforts at all—she couldn't even be bothered to give him a proper look.
Duan Sikai chuckled. "True. In all the years I've known you, I've never seen you show any tenderness toward anyone."
Getting Jin Zongmin to lower himself to coax someone? That would be like an iron tree blooming.
Jin Zongmin raised an eyebrow slightly, turning the conversation back on Duan Sikai. "When it comes to being a pushover, you take the crown."
Duan Sikai had been chasing after a girl from the Communication University lately, completely smitten. He laughed and said, "I'm happy doing it. Got a problem with that?"
Jin Zongmin scoffed with a smirk and couldn't be bothered to respond.
Duan Sikai asked again, "Got time this Saturday? There's a new place that just opened. Want to check it out?"
"No time."
"Busy with what?"
"Blind date."
Duan Sikai ribbed him. "Nice one, Boss Jin. Got one girl on your mind while meeting another face to face."
Jin Zongmin didn't reply. He crushed out his cigarette butt and straightened up.
…
On Saturday, Xu Weiyue invited Xu Youqing to dinner.
She said there was a restaurant with incredible desserts, but it was in an out-of-the-way location and extremely hard to book. Xu Youqing had originally planned to go to the library to study, but she couldn't withstand Xu Weiyue's persistent wheedling.
When they arrived, the location was indeed secluded and quiet. Xu Weiyue gave Duan Sikai's name, and the server respectfully led them to an inner room.
Xu Youqing was curious. "Is Boss Duan here too?"
"He's not. He booked it for me."
"Is it really that hard to book?"
Xu Weiyue nodded. "If I tried to book it myself, I'd have to wait at least two days. But Duan Sikai is different—one phone call and it's done."
Seeing Xu Youqing's confusion, Xu Weiyue explained, "My family… compared to people like Duan Sikai's—there's no comparison."
In Xu Youqing's understanding, Xu Weiyue's family was already extraordinarily wealthy. Even so, there was still such a gap between them and people like Duan Sikai.
"You seem pretty close with Boss Duan."
"We are close. My mother and his mother are best friends." Xu Weiyue turned her head. "Come to think of it, my family's company has relied a lot on the Duan family's resources and support."
The two continued walking inward as they chatted. Passing through the corridor, they went by a private room where a door was half-ajar. Suddenly, a woman's voice came from inside: "Jin Zongmin, what do you mean by that?"
Xu Weiyue was startled, then pulled Xu Youqing to a stop, her eyes lighting up as she leaned toward the door.
She pointed at the door and mouthed to Xu Youqing: "Jin Zongmin…"
Hearing that name, Xu Youqing only wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Xu Weiyue wasn't about to pass up the chance to eavesdrop. Ignoring Xu Youqing's tugging, she craned her neck to peek through the crack in the door.
She recognized the person inside. "Isn't that Fu Xiaoting…"
Xu Weiyue squinted through the door crack and whispered, "Fu Xiaoting's grandfather and Jin Zongmin's grandfather were comrades-in-arms. She's an only child, and her family dotes on her like crazy."
Xu Youqing felt that sneaking a peek was inappropriate—especially when it meant spying on Jin Zongmin. She tried to pull Xu Weiyue away. But Xu Weiyue was thoroughly invested in the gossip and refused to budge, stubbornly dragging Xu Youqing to stay put.
Xu Youqing had no choice but to steel herself and pray they wouldn't be discovered.
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was frozen.
Fu Xiaoting's face was flushed red as she stared at the man across from her, who remained completely unruffled.
Jin Zongmin lifted his eyelids lazily, looking at Fu Xiaoting with a casual tone. "Getting married is fine. But wife-swapping—are you up for that?"
Fu Xiaoting froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "What kind of joke is that?!"
The hint of nonchalance on Jin Zongmin's face vanished, his gaze turning cold. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Fu Xiaoting trembled with rage. She grabbed the glass of water in front of her and hurled it at him. Jin Zongmin tilted his head, and the water flew past him, missing him perfectly.
Outside the door, Xu Weiyue covered her mouth in shock. "Did he say swap what? Wife? Oh my god…"
Xu Youqing didn't want to know what they were discussing at all. She kept worrying about being caught and tugged at Xu Weiyue. "Let's go, quick."
Xu Weiyue turned around, still savoring the moment.
They had only taken a few steps to the side when they heard the scraping of a chair and the rapid clatter of high heels from inside.
The next moment, the door to the private room was yanked open, and Fu Xiaoting rushed out, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Let's go…" Xu Youqing pulled Xu Weiyue toward the other direction.
But just then, Xu Weiyue's phone rang, the ringtone piercingly loud in the quiet corridor.
Xu Weiyue fumbled to hang up, but it was already too late.
Jin Zongmin stepped out of the private room as well, his expression cold and grim.
His gaze swept over Xu Weiyue before finally landing on Xu Youqing, who was practically trying to shrink into herself. He paused there for two seconds.
Xu Weiyue forced a calm demeanor and smiled in greeting. "Zong—Zongmin-ge, what a coincidence…"
Jin Zongmin didn't respond. His gaze lingered for a moment on Xu Youqing's awkward face, then, without a word, he walked straight past them.
Only when his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Xu Weiyue let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, good thing he didn't lose his temper."
She turned and pulled Xu Youqing toward their own private room for dinner.
…
"Youqing, this tiramisu right here—I think it's top three in all of Jingxi!"
Xu Youqing picked up her spoon and took a bite. First came the slight bitterness of coffee, mingled with the silky smoothness of mascarpone cheese, slowly melting on her tongue, leaving a faint hint of wine in her mouth.
"Good, right?" Xu Weiyue smiled with narrowed eyes.
Xu Youqing nodded. "It really does taste different from regular cake shops."
Xu Weiyue twirled her spoon, recalling the scene from earlier. "Zongmin-ge's cold face is seriously terrifying, isn't it?"
So she wasn't the only one who felt that way. Xu Youqing smiled slightly. "Absolutely."
Halfway through the meal, Xu Weiyue's phone rang.
She answered it, listened for a moment, and her eyes lit up instantly. "Sicheng-ge is back?"
"…Okay, okay, got it."
Xu Weiyue hung up the phone, unsure how to break the news to Xu Youqing—after all, she was the one who had insisted on dragging Xu Youqing out.
She pressed her palms together toward Xu Youqing. "Youqing, I'm so, so sorry…"
Xu Youqing was no stranger to the name "Sicheng"—it was the person Xu Weiyue had liked since middle school.
It seemed Xu Weiyue still liked him now, and they still weren't together.
"I understand. Go on, hurry." Xu Youqing said with a smile.
Xu Weiyue's face was full of apology. "It's a special situation. Duan Sikai said his brother came back with a woman, and he told me to come right away."
So he was Duan Sikai's older brother. No wonder Duan Sikai always looked after Xu Weiyue so well.
"Go on, I'm fine."
Xu Weiyue felt a little better and leaned down to hug Xu Youqing. "Next time I'll definitely treat you to something better to make up for it, I promise!"
Xu Youqing smiled and nodded. Xu Weiyue hadn't changed at all—still adorable and sincere.
A while back, Xu Weiyue had been in a car accident, and her car was still being repaired. The two of them each ordered rides through their apps. Xu Weiyue's car arrived first, and Xu Youqing told her to go ahead, saying her own ride would be there soon.
But no sooner had Xu Weiyue left than the rideshare driver called Xu Youqing to say his car had broken down and couldn't make it, asking her to cancel the order.
Xu Youqing rebooked, but no driver accepted for a long time. The scenery here was beautiful, but it was too remote—even passing cars were few and far between.
As the sky gradually darkened, she had no choice but to start walking slowly along the roadside.
A black sedan pulled up slowly. The window rolled down—it was Jin Zongmin.
"Get in. I'll give you a ride."
Xu Youqing could never quite figure out Jin Zongmin's temperament, but no matter what, keeping her distance from him was the safest option.
"No need, thank you, Mr. Jin."
She truly wanted to avoid him at all costs.
Jin Zongmin glanced at her, said nothing more, and the window rolled back up.
The car drove away.
Xu Youqing watched the taillights disappear around the corner. She stood at the intersection and continued trying to hail a ride.
Inside the car, Old Chen glanced in the rearview mirror. Jin Zongmin leaned back in the rear seat, his expression dark and heavy.
The car had been parked by the roadside for half an hour just now—clearly waiting for that Miss Xu. Jin Zongmin hadn't mentioned it, only coldly telling her to get in. How would a young woman dare to get in a car like that?
Old Chen chose his words carefully. "Mr. Jin, it's getting dark. Miss Xu is alone, and she's quite eye-catching. Isn't it unsafe?"
Jin Zongmin said nothing.
Old Chen had been with Jin Zongmin for years and understood his nature well. Jin Zongmin was always domineering—he never accommodated anyone—but his face clearly showed displeasure. Old Chen decided to offer him a way out and tested the waters. "How about… we go back and pick her up?"
That was exactly what Jin Zongmin wanted. He was angry at Xu Youqing, but worried about her, and too proud to show it.
Xu Youqing was walking toward the intersection when the wind rushed into her collar. She pulled her coat tighter.
Suddenly, a whistle sounded from behind. She turned around and saw several young men on electric scooters following her. One of them smiled at her, his gaze roaming up and down her body.
Her heart tightened. She quickened her pace.
The whistle sounded again.
Just then, headlights shone from behind and the car pulled up steadily beside her.
The window rolled down—it was that same handsome, indifferent face.
Old Chen leaned over from the front, speaking warmly. "Miss Xu, please get in. It's hard to get a ride around here, and it's getting dark."
Xu Youqing hesitated.
Jin Zongmin didn't look at her. He only stared straight ahead, his voice flat, impossible to read.
"I'll only wait three seconds."
She froze.
"One."
The wind blew past, carrying a chill.
"Two."
In the distance, the shadows of those electric scooters had yet to disperse.
Getting in the car was the better choice.
Xu Youqing pulled open the door and slid inside.
The car was warm.
She sat up straight, hands resting on her knees, and murmured a quiet thank you.
Jin Zongmin said nothing, gazing out the window. His silence only made her more uneasy.
The atmosphere was stifling.
Suddenly, Jin Zongmin's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, then answered.
The car was quiet, and Xu Youqing could hear a vigorous male voice on the other end, laced with anger:
"What nonsense did you say to Xiaoting?!"
Jin Zongmin leaned back against the seat, unbothered. "Nonsense? Then what about those old fools you associate with…"
"Jin Zongmin!"
Jin Zongmin's voice cooled. "I'm getting married. The outcome will be the same either way. I'm making things clear in advance—it's better for everyone."
"What the hell are you talking about now?!"
"Dad, you handle it as you see fit. I'm hanging up."
Jin Zongmin ended the call and tossed his phone aside. He reached up to loosen his tie, frowning as he looked out the window.
After a few seconds, he rolled down the window, pulled a cigarette from the pack, and turned his head slightly. "Mind if I smoke?"
It was clear he was in a bad mood. Xu Youqing shook her head.
She had never seen Jin Zongmin like this—stripped of that effortless, all-controlling veneer he wore daily, revealing the genuine exhaustion beneath, and even… a hint of inexplicable wistfulness.
Halfway through his cigarette, Jin Zongmin suddenly spoke. "Is there anything you want to do?"
Xu Youqing froze.
Jin Zongmin glanced at her, then turned back to the window, the smoke whisked away by the wind.
Confirming he was asking her, Xu Youqing said, "You mean… right now?"
"Yeah."
Jin Zongmin nodded.
She thought for a moment, then answered honestly, "I want to join an archaeology team."
"Why?" Jin Zongmin exhaled a puff of smoke toward the window, his voice light and airy.
"Because…" Xu Youqing paused, then said softly, "I love it."
He turned his head again to look at her.
The light inside the car was dim, but her eyes were bright—just like the first time he'd seen her.
Jin Zongmin gave a slight nod. "That's good."
Then he said nothing more. He seemed utterly exhausted, leaning back against the seat with his eyes closed.
Xu Youqing stole glances at him from the corner of her eye. He wasn't so intimidating after all. He was just like any ordinary person—he argued with his family, and he felt disappointed and sad too.
The car was too quiet. Jin Zongmin had barely spoken today.
His father's voice had sounded stern and imposing, nothing like her own father's gentleness.
Xu Youqing tried to ease the heavy atmosphere. "My dad… dotes on me a lot, but we still argue and sulk sometimes."
Jin Zongmin didn't open his eyes, but his lashes flickered.
Xu Youqing continued, her voice soft, as if lost in memory. "When I get angry, I can go three days without speaking to him, without even calling him 'Dad.'"
Speaking of her family, the girl's voice turned sweet and tender, and Jin Zongmin's irritation eased considerably.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her. "And then?"
"Sometimes, I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong." Xu Youqing smiled. "But most of the time, it's my dad who comes to coax me first."
A smile crept onto Jin Zongmin's face as he looked at her. "So when you're upset, how does someone coax you?"
"My dad would give me a Wish Card," Xu Youqing gestured with her hands. "As long as I pulled out that card, whatever I wrote on it, he would agree to."
A flicker of loss crossed her face. "But… I'll never receive one of those cards again."
Jin Zongmin knew her father was gone. His throat moved, but in the end, he asked nothing and said nothing.
Xu Youqing quickly composed herself. "Actually, sometimes arguments happen because you care. You and your father… it's the same, right?"
Jin Zongmin didn't answer. He just looked at her, and in his gaze was something she couldn't understand.
…
The car stopped at the gate of Jing University.
Jin Zongmin got out of the car but didn't leave. He just stood there, watching her.
Xu Youqing's heart fluttered under his gaze. She pulled her coat tighter. "It's cold. You should get back in the car."
She turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly caught by a warm, strong hand.
Xu Youqing froze, turning back in shock.
Jin Zongmin looked at her, his gaze so deep it seemed to pull her in.
"What if I suddenly don't want to let you go?"