"I still have a few in my WeChat contacts," He Xiaohan said, stubbing out his cigarette.

"Don't you have anyone you genuinely like?" Peng Xinhe's expression turned slightly troubled.

"Do you?" He Xiaohan asked softly, that gentle smile returning to his face.

"Even if I did, I couldn't love them anyway," Peng Xinhe said calmly.

He Xiaohan fell silent for a moment. "Take care of yourself."

"You too," Peng Xinhe smiled again. "But if I really took care of myself, I'd have no money left."

He Xiaohan's gaze fell on her. Soft light bathed her lips, a strange vivid red like blood.

Like a red rose.

He had smelled this rose's fragrance before.

But life had bent its stem.

Now only a few trampled petals remained...

"I also liked today's photos," Peng Xinhe said. "I hope Xiao Han will show me more such scenery."

A trace of pity flickered in He Xiaohan's eyes.

"Alright, sir, your exclusive hostess time is up."

Peng Xinhe turned and walked inside. He Xiaohan's eyes lowered, seeing a man wrap his arm around her waist.

......

Xu Yecheng returned to his dorm as a WeChat message chimed.

He stared at the payment notification: 260 yuan...

He frowned. Wasn't it forty yuan per hour?

He'd only worked four hours. Why an extra hundred?

"Doudou, how much was your pay?" Xu Yecheng asked, confused.

"160 yuan," Doudou replied quickly. "What's up?"

"I have an extra... hundred yuan."

Doudou: sent a question mark emoji.

"Ask the manager?"

Xu Yecheng opened his chat with the manager. "Manager, why is my pay a hundred yuan more?"

The manager replied "Wait a moment," deepening Xu Yecheng's confusion.

After a while, the manager sent a screenshot.

A payment receipt.

"A tip?" Xu Yecheng muttered, puzzled. His eyes landed on the nickname.

"OldHanCan'tWakeUp."

Xu Yecheng went speechless, a wave of embarrassment hitting him.

Damn, why this guy?

He actually used such a mortifying nickname...

Xu Yecheng facepalmed. This was so damn frustrating.

He stared at the tip. So this guy... was into that version of him?

Tipping to reel him in slowly?

A chill ran down Xu Yecheng's spine as He Xiaohan's grinning face flashed in his mind.

He felt completely unsettled.

So this playboy was really making a move?

"Baby Cheng, where were you this afternoon?" Zheng Wenxuan asked, getting off his bed. "I didn't see you."

Xu Yecheng still looked embarrassed.

"I was working," he replied flatly.

"Oh? But I didn't see you at the convenience store."

"I changed locations."

"I see," Zheng Wenxuan chuckled, intrigued. "You didn't go to that cafe in girls' clothes, did you?"

Xu Yecheng's face stiffened. So doujinshi readers were all like this?

He laughed calmly. "Didn't you say you'd recognize me even in girls' clothes?"

Zheng Wenxuan nodded. "True." He suddenly remembered. "Ah! That cafe has maids on Sundays." His expression lit up.

Xu Yecheng's composure faltered.

Damn, if Zheng saw him like that, he'd go wild!

He couldn't let his secret out.

"Baby Cheng, wanna come? Busy Sunday afternoon?" Zheng Wenxuan invited eagerly.

Xu Yecheng's expression hardened. "Uh, I work Sundays. You go ahead."

"Okay... shame. No worries—the maids allow photos. I'll bring one for you," Zheng Wenxuan said, patting his shoulder.

Xu Yecheng looked up at the ceiling helplessly. He didn't care about photos; he just prayed Zheng wouldn't find him there.

A sudden idea flashed in his mind.

If Zheng really came looking, he could flirt back. See his reaction.

Xu Yecheng found the thought intriguing.

Zheng Wenxuan saw the sly look and grew suspicious. "You're grinning like that—thinking something dirty? It's a legit place. No bunny girl play."

Xu Yecheng stared speechlessly. "I think you're the one thinking dirty thoughts."

"No way," Zheng Wenxuan insisted.

Xu Yecheng glanced at Liu Xianlin grinding in a game. He remembered something important.

His changed undergarments hadn't been washed.

He took a deep breath. "Does anyone need the bathroom?"

After confirming no one did, Xu Yecheng grabbed his backpack and hair dryer, slipping in guiltily.

Zheng Wenxuan smirked knowingly. Heh, Baby Cheng's relieving urges.

Xu Yecheng had no idea.

He entered the bathroom, staring at his reflection. He suddenly felt so perverted.

He pulled a bra and panties from his bag. The soft texture made his face flush.

He glanced at the mirror—a grown man holding women's undergarments...

The sight was jarring. Xu Yecheng took a deep breath, put on the mask. It looked less intense now.

His gaze lingered on his masked face before snapping back. He needed to hurry.