That night, countless things were quietly unfolding.

Like Su Nisheng, still awake.

Her speakers looped an old anime’s theme song: "Departures ~Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta~".

She adored it, played it endlessly. The Alliance had another upheaval tonight—again tied to the enigmatic Raven. But this time, she had zero clearance to get involved.

After all, she was only A-rank. From now on, she’d never touch Raven-related cases. She was too weak. Yet Su Nisheng had accepted it: Raven and Lin Ran likely had no direct link. She buried her doubts.

So now, idle, she scrolled through photos posted by Xu Zhi’s account.

Su Nisheng couldn’t deny Xu Zhi’s beauty. She radiated mature confidence, with fair skin and a great figure. Though her irregular sleep and slouched posture showed—common flaws, fixable with time.

The photos were exquisitely shot. Even Su Nisheng felt her heart skip.

She recalled when Lin Ran took photos with her. He’d act silly sometimes, but deep down, he was gentle. He hated trouble and daydreamed often, yet he couldn’t resist her coaxing. After just a day or two of nagging, he spent weekends learning photography and makeup—just to shoot her private photos.

Mid-shoot, Su Nisheng spotted his reluctant frown. So… she gave him a little sweetness.

Or rather, she took a little herself.

They were adults then. It felt natural. Blushing, heart-pounding nerves—Su Nisheng wasn’t strict about saving intimacy for marriage. It didn’t matter, as long as it was with the right person.

Sadly, she and Lin Ran never crossed that line before parting. That final night, her hints were clear. But Lin Ran refused flatly. He didn’t want compensation. He wished her well to chase her dreams.

Lin Ran had failed his college entrance exam that year. Su Nisheng urged him to retake it, even offering to pay his tuition. But he refused—he disliked socializing anyway. Better to do what he truly wanted.

So he hid in that tiny rented apartment, starting his solitary life.

Su Nisheng struggled to imagine his days there. She drifted further away, yet secretly tracked him. She knew he became a photographer briefly, then learned painting. Later, he took up bar fighting. And grew close to a girl named Xu Zhi.

Once, at that bar, she saw them sitting together. She’d wanted to join her old friend for a drink. But seeing his faint smile, Su Nisheng lost her courage that day.

Now, she replayed that photo set and short video endlessly. It felt like she stood in a rose garden, a camera-wielding youth smiling at her.

The ice ball in her whiskey glass melted slowly, making a soft sound. But only the old song and her heartbeat filled her ears.

Finally, she found a contact.

"Miss Su, how may I assist?"

"Investigate Xu Zhi QAQ on Weibo and short video apps. Fast-track her with top resources. Make her this year’s hottest influencer. Control the narrative—zero scandals."

"Is she your friend, Miss?"

"Just do it. Treat her as my best friend."

Su Nisheng hung up, staring at the photos with a bitter smile.

Xu Zhi’s eyes held a faint glow, but little confidence. Su Nisheng thought she’d gain it soon. She’d earn big money… then what?

This would give her confidence, right? If Lin Ran was still with her, it’d be good. Would it repay the debt?

What if she’d looked down on Lin Ran back then? Su Nisheng wondered… how nice it’d be. Could she keep peeking into his life?

But it was just fantasy.

Su Nisheng gazed at the rain-lashed window, lost in past dreams. Whiskey spilled onto her collarbone, dripping slowly.

..................................................

Lin Ran woke at dusk.

Yes—he’d slept a full day and night. His cat pawed his face awake. Not from worry he was dead. Just: empty food bowl, dry water dish, full litter box. That’s all.

Groggy, Lin Ran cleaned the litter, refilled food and water. Then he saw two missed calls: Xu Zhi and… Ink Orange Ice.

He called Xu Zhi back first.

"Hey, what’s up?"

"Why just waking now? I’d have stormed to your place if you didn’t answer!" Xu Zhi’s voice buzzed with excitement. Lin Ran blinked. "Huh?"

"Overnight, famous cosplayers shared my Weibo photos! Followers exploded—150,000 already, still climbing!"

"Nice."

"And the short video—over a million likes! 300,000 followers. You said it’d take weeks to blow up. This is way better."

Lin Ran chuckled. "Told you to be confident. You’re stunning."

Silence. Then Xu Zhi’s voice turned cautious.

"Lin Ran…"

"Hmm?"

"Be honest. Did you ask Su Nisheng for help?"

"I refused her offer. Whether she acted anyway—I don’t know." He understood her worry.

This growth did exceed his plan. He’d arranged subtle promotion from an old friend’s company—undetectable. Xu Zhi would become a small influencer. Her future path was hers to choose. But within a year or two, she could earn a million.

Times were like that—winning over the masses wins everything.

"Then… she probably helped." Xu Zhi’s excitement faded.

"So what if she did?" Lin Ran pressed gently.

"You’re friends. I barely know her… why help me?"

"Because you’re my friend."

"What logic is that?"

"She knows we’re done. She hates my slacker life. Maybe out of guilt, she’s kind to you. For her, it’s trivial. Sister Xu Zhi—you didn’t ask. Accept it guilt-free."

"How can I… accept it guilt-free?" Her voice dropped.

"We’re finished. She won’t love me again. I won’t love her. Even if she helps you, she can’t lord it over you. You don’t owe her anything. Understand?"

"I don’t."

"I’ll explain in person soon."

"Oh."

"Rest well. I’m busy today. Dinner tomorrow?"

"Okay."

"Not happy?"

"I… am not."

"Why so tsundere?"

"You know everything. I just… feel a little off. Before, I’d take money without caring about pride. I could treat Su Nisheng as a random rich patron. But now…"

Xu Zhi trailed off. She knew Lin Ran understood.

Lin Ran paused, then smiled.

"Sister Xu Zhi—remember buying a big house when you’re rich?"

"I… remember."

"Then earn the money first. I’ll move in with you after. Deal?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Okay." Her tone brightened instantly.

"Gotta go. See you tomorrow."

"Mm. Tomorrow."

Lin Ran hung up, shook his head wryly, and called Ink Orange Ice.

The moment it connected, Ink Orange Ice snapped:

"I’m mad."