Happy times always slip away too fast.

After two days of rest, a refreshed Leng Shuang faced Monday—the dread of office workers—with vibrant energy and a radiant glow.

“Leng Shuang, there’s something I wanna ask you… um…”

During the quiet afternoon lull, Xiao Qian crept over mysteriously, cheeks flushed faintly as she whispered, “It’s… y’know…”

“Xiao Qian, what’s wrong? We’re friends—you can say anything,” Leng Shuang said, voice tinged with confusion.

“Ugh, I’ll just say it,” Xiao Hua cut in with a light cough, his own face pink. Leaning close to Leng Shuang’s ear, he murmured, “Xiao Qian and his girlfriend are serious now. They both… *you know*… but he’s scared it’ll hurt. He wants to ask—you—does *that* hurt?”

Huh?

Leng Shuang’s cheeks warmed slightly.

Thankfully, few were around. No one overheard. Discussing *that* in broad daylight? Total social death.

*Ahem.*

Leng Shuang cleared her throat, eyes flickering as she recalled her first night at Lin Mo’s. A shy, subtly alluring smile touched her lips. “If you truly care for each other… it doesn’t really hurt.”

“So… it *does* hurt,” Xiao Qian muttered nervously, imagination racing.

“No, it’s not like that—it’s…” Flustered, Leng Shuang searched for words. “It’s nice. Like alcohol: the first sip’s bitter, but you grow to like it.”

“Ooooh~”

Startled, Leng Shuang whipped around.

Yu Mo stood there, wearing pure disdain.

“Whoa! You scared me! When did you get here?!” Leng Shuang shot him a glare. *Caught talking about that in daylight? Social suicide.*

“I’ve been here since you started. Heard every word,” Yu Mo smirked. “Discussing *that* openly? Bold move~”

“Better than being a heartbreaker like you,” Leng Shuang retorted with a roll of her eyes.

“Hehe, I never deceived anyone. I just enjoy making *very* close friends~” Yu Mo tilted his chin up smugly.

“Hmph. Player.” Leng Shuang sighed, worry flickering. “Yu Mo, quit while you’re ahead. Push too far, and you might get cleavered.”

“Impossible. A true player? Never gets cleavered~” Yu Mo shrugged, utterly nonchalant.

*Sigh.*

Again. Leng Shuang could only sigh. *Hope he never meets the cleaver… He’s still my friend. Please don’t crash and burn.*

“Xiao Qian, ask Yu Mo! He’s got more ‘experience’,” Leng Shuang redirected smoothly.

“Heh~” Yu Mo raised an eyebrow. “Who said I’m experienced?”

Leng Shuang blinked. “Wait… you’ve dated so many. You can’t still be…”

“Heh heh. Now you see my skill,” Yu Mo declared proudly under their stunned stares. “I’ve wandered through countless blossoms—yet not a single petal clings to me~”

Their expressions? Priceless. They’d assumed a player like Yu Mo was long “experienced.” Yet here he stood, claiming purity. *What mythical creature is this?*

Leng Shuang’s view of him reshaped—again. This guy wasn’t just picky; he was a master-class player.

But…

“Yu Mo… doesn’t that make you *more* likely to get cleavered?” the trio asked, baffled.

“Skill decides everything.” Yu Mo patted Leng Shuang’s shoulder. “You really think I’m unskilled?”

“Alright.”

Leng Shuang had no counter. Perspectives differed. Like how Yinghua University felt impossible to him, but effortless to Lin Mo. To him, Yu Mo’s path screamed “cleaver fate.” To Yu Mo? Impossible. *Maybe he really has the skill.* Still… Leng Shuang feared the crash.

The four chatted idly—mostly Yu Mo, with his endless stories. Time drifted gently. Leng Shuang stayed sweet on Lin Mo; Bai He Zi dropped by occasionally to share work tales. Their chats revived the easy warmth of high school—natural, harmonious. With less time to space out, the memory of that cold beauty with fiery curly hair slowly faded. Life remained peacefully ordinary.

-------

Yinghua City, West District.

A new company emerged. As Rakuten faltered after its heir’s imprisonment, this newcomer struck fast—shattering Rakuten, seizing its market.

Then, prison news broke: Shangye Xinjie died by suicide.

The final straw for Boss Shangye.

A once-influential company collapsed overnight.

Shangye Xinjie’s suicide. A mysterious new firm’s rise. Boss Shangye’s retirement… Too coincidental.

But it wasn’t over.

After claiming Rakuten’s turf, the company expanded—new departments sprouting across industries, drawing eyes. Rocky start? Yes. But its bold moves sent ripples through the market’s calm lake.

The company’s name? Rain.

High in Rain’s headquarters, a woman of breathtaking beauty sat at her desk, sorting files. Wine-red curly hair framed an exquisite face. Her phoenix eyes held a whisper of aloofness and pride. Seated gracefully, her perfectly proportioned figure commanded attention—especially those long, porcelain-smooth legs, elegantly curved.

Divine face. Devilish silhouette.

Anyone would marvel at heaven’s favoritism.

She glanced at the document, lips curving into a playful smirk.

“It’s been so long… I wonder if my little toy’s forgotten me~”

She set it down. Among the new intern batch: a name Leng Shuang knew all too well.

Lin Mo!