Before, Shen He might still have been a little confused, but at this moment his sixth sense kicked in. He called out, “Zhou Yang.”

 

He deliberately dropped the word brother.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow.

 

“Are you—”

 

“What exactly are you hesitating about?” Zhou Yang cut in first, sharp and direct, forcing Shen He to swallow his words. Zhou Yang slid his hands into his pockets, straightened up, and walked to Shen He’s side. The two stood parallel to each other. Zhou Yang’s voice sounded casual, almost flippant, yet every word struck straight at Shen He.

 

“When I introduced Su Hao to you, it was because you liked her type. I knew your families weren’t equal, but neither you nor I ever cared about social status. I thought you’d be able to hold on a little longer—maybe even break through that imbalance and finally win the girl. But now that I look at you…”

 

Zhou Yang paused, then smiled faintly.
“It seems you’re not quite up to it.”

 

“If you’re not up to it, then don’t blame others for stepping in—especially me.”

 

Zhou Yang lowered his head as he spoke, his gaze seemingly fixed on the ground. His tone was light, as if chatting idly, yet every sentence was like a blade, stabbing straight into Shen He’s heart.

 

Shen He turned to him in disbelief.

 

Zhou Yang merely lifted a hand, rubbed the corner of his lips, then tilted his head to look at Shen He. Their eyes met. In Zhou Yang’s gaze, Shen He saw unmistakable determination—and his expression changed drastically. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I haven’t given up.”

 

“Oh? Have you?” Zhou Yang replied lazily.

 

Shen He stared back at him coldly.

 

Zhou Yang remained calm and composed, while Shen He was taut with tension—the contrast between them stark. Even the people around them could sense the aggressive tension in the air. Some subconsciously lingered to watch the scene unfold. The two men stood shoulder to shoulder, neither willing to yield.

 

At that moment, Su Hao came out of the lobby. Seeing them, she froze briefly, then quickly walked down the steps and called out, “Shen He, Zhou Yang…”

 

Her voice carried closer, clear and fresh like spring water. When she reached them, she noticed the scratches on both cars and asked, “What happened? Why are both cars scratched?”

 

Shen He felt bitterness rise in his mouth. After hesitating, he looked at Su Hao. Seeing how pale he was, Su Hao instinctively turned to Zhou Yang.

 

Under her gaze, the arrogance on Zhou Yang’s face faded considerably. “They got scraped,” he said.

 

“Who scraped whose?” she asked.

 

Though she asked the question, her eyes stayed on Zhou Yang. He narrowed his eyes and met her gaze. After a few seconds, he rubbed the corner of his lips.
“I did. I scraped it.”

 

Su Hao gave a simple “Oh,” then turned to Shen He. “What’s wrong with you?”

 

Shen He shook his head and forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

 

Did he look fine? Of course not. Su Hao didn’t believe him. She walked over to look at the cars, then glanced back at Zhou Yang.

 

The look was casual, yet sharp—just like before. It clearly accused him of bullying Shen He.

 

Zhou Yang fell silent for a moment. “Don’t look at me like that. I’ll pay for it, alright?”

 

“You scraped it. Of course you pay,” Su Hao said matter-of-factly.

 

Zhou Yang: “……”

 

All his aggressive fire was completely extinguished the moment he faced Su Hao. The words on his lips vanished the instant he met her eyes—he was afraid she might avoid him again.

 

His expression darkened. He turned away and kicked his car hard.

 

Shen He quickly opened the car door for Su Hao. “Let’s go eat.”

 

Su Hao glanced at Zhou Yang, an odd feeling rising in her chest. She looked at him a couple more times before walking over and bending to get into the car.

 

Shen He closed the door, walked around to the driver’s seat, started the engine, and pulled away from the building onto the main road. It was rush hour, traffic was heavy, and the car moved slowly. The atmosphere inside the car was quiet. Su Hao’s phone buzzed several times.

 

They were messages from Tang Yu and Liao Yun.

 

She lowered her head to reply, waiting for Shen He to say something. But he stayed focused on driving, a trace of worry on his refined face. After glancing at him a few times, Su Hao looked away and continued chatting with Tang Yu.

 

Tang Yu: Is Kyoto fun?
Su Hao: I’m here for work. Haven’t really had time to play.
Tang Yu: You must make time! So many handsome guys there. But Assistant Lu is with you too, right?
Su Hao: I have nothing to do with him.
Tang Yu: Hahaha, got it. He even posted on our company forum a few days ago, begging people to stop spreading rumors about you two—said someone would get mad. Who do you think that is? Don’t tell me it’s President Zeng?

 

The message was meant as a joke, but Su Hao fell silent. Something flashed through her mind, but before she could grasp it, Shen He’s voice sounded beside her.

 

“Haohao, what do you feel like eating?”

 

She looked up. The car had stopped in front of a new commercial complex, bustling with people. Restaurant signs were everywhere. She spotted a noodle place that looked decent and pointed at it. “How about that one?”

 

“Sure. Their dried noodles are good,” Shen He said with a smile, looking much better than before.

 

Seeing that, Su Hao relaxed a little too. “Then I’ll rely on your recommendation.”

 

“Mm. Let’s go.” He unfastened his seatbelt.

 

They got out of the car. It was a short distance, but traffic had delayed them, and by now the sky had grown dim.

 

As they walked, Shen He told her some stories about the restaurant.

 

“So it used to be an imperial chef?” Su Hao said in surprise.

 

“Yes. Actually, their handmade noodles are better, but I personally prefer the dried ones.”

 

Inside, the décor was elegant. They sat at a small table for two, facing each other. The table was narrow, their knees brushing slightly.

 

Shen He glanced at her and quietly shifted his leg away.

 

Su Hao did the same. That small movement created distance where there had just been closeness. Shen He tightened his grip on his chopsticks.

 

Fortunately, the server came to take their order. Shen He recommended dishes for her.

 

After glancing at the menu, Su Hao chose the dried noodles.

 

“I’ll have that too,” Shen He said with a smile.

 

She smiled back, thinking that a boy like him might be better suited to a carefree girl—someone with a good family background, someone who wouldn’t put him in such a difficult position.

 

Soon the noodles arrived. Shen He sliced the lamb and added it to her bowl. “You need to mix it—it tastes better.”

 

She sprinkled some scallions and stirred. The aroma bloomed instantly.

 

Shen He fanned the steam. “Pretty good, right?”

 

She nodded. “Yeah.”

 

“The lamb has to be sliced like this—chewy. If you boil it, it gets too soft.”

 

He added more lamb to her bowl.

 

She laughed and told him to eat his own instead of fussing over her. He smiled brightly but still added more to her bowl.

 

They chatted as they ate. Shen He mentioned family matters—his grandfather returning to Kyoto, having gone back last month.

 

Su Hao didn’t have much to say. She only mentioned changing job positions.

 

Suddenly, Shen He asked, “Does Zhou Yang treat you well?”

 

She paused. “He’s rarely at the company.”

 

“So he doesn’t really help you at work?”

 

“I have hands and feet of my own. Why would I need him to help?”

 

“Oh.”

 

After a moment, Shen He added quietly, “Zhou Yang is too flirtatious.”

 

It sounded almost like a sigh.

 

Su Hao glanced at him but said nothing, lowering her head to eat. Thoughts formed pictures in her mind.

 

After dinner, it wasn’t very late. Shen He went to pay while Su Hao stepped outside to take a call. As he handed the bill to the cashier, he stared at it absentmindedly.

 

The amount was small to him, yet he opened Alipay several times before the payment finally went through.

 

This time, Su Hao didn’t pay.

 

Did that mean there wouldn’t be a next time?

 

The call was from her mother, rambling about family matters. Su Hao listened with a smile and learned her health had improved. Looking up at the sky, she said, “How about I pick you up and bring you to Li City for a while one weekend?”

 

Cheng Ling, who had always refused, fell silent this time. After a moment, she smiled. “Sure. When are you free? I’ll pack.”

 

“After I get through this busy period.”

 

“Alright. Then I’ll hang up.”

 

“Okay.”

 

After the call ended, Su Hao was about to put her phone away when a new message arrived—from Liao Yun.

 

Liao Yun: Did you know? Tang Rui is coming back.

 

Su Hao stared at the message for a while, then typed:
Su Hao: Mm. I know.

 

No wonder her mother suddenly agreed to come to Li City.

 

“Haohao, we can go now,” Shen He said, holding his phone and car keys.

 

She nodded and followed him down the steps toward the parked Mercedes. The sky was completely dark now.

 

The car sped toward the hotel. Soft music played, but neither of them spoke.

 

They arrived at the same spot as the night before. Su Hao unfastened her seatbelt. The click sounded loud in the quiet car, making both of them suddenly cautious.

 

Shen He rested one hand on the steering wheel, watching her. She looked back at him.

 

The lighting was good.

 

The confusion on his face was clear. Su Hao smiled gently. “Shen He, let’s stop here.”

 

Her tone was firm—no question, no hesitation.

 

He jolted. “Haohao.”

 

Her hair was a little messy, yet her softness remained untouched. Leaning slightly forward, she said, “I hope you stop hesitating and walk the path you need to walk.”

 

“That’s not it,” Shen He said tightly, gripping the steering wheel. “My grandfather gave me two choices—either an arranged marriage, or becoming stronger. And to become stronger, I can’t be trapped by emotions. I chose that path, which means temporarily letting you go. But I know I can’t ask you to wait for me either. That’s why I’m hesitating.”

 

So that was it.

 

Su Hao smiled, leaned closer, and reached out.

 

After hesitating, Shen He wrapped his arms around her. The next second, he held her tightly. “You have to be well too.”

 

“I will.” She patted his shoulder.

 

At this moment, she was indeed more mature than him. His eyes reddened. With her mind made up, Su Hao gently pulled away, opened the door, and stepped out—feeling light the moment she did.

 

She didn’t look back. Walking past the massive stone screen wall, she suddenly saw a man standing there—hands in his pockets, an unlit cigarette between his lips, watching coldly.

 

He had seen everything.

 

The hug.

 

Su Hao walked toward him.

 

Zhou Yang stepped forward as well. She had no choice but to stop, retreating a step—only to hit a stone pillar. He stood against the light, towering over her, his narrow eyes fixed on her.

 

“Do you really think there’s such a thing as pure friendship between a man and a woman?” he asked softly. “Hmm?”

 

He was laying everything bare.

 

Su Hao remained calm. Everything was clear now.

 

He had been deceiving her all along.

 

She asked gently, “Zhou Yang… have you never been dumped by a woman before?”