Su Yumian picked up the paper bag, and the two of them headed to B University together.

  As they strolled and chatted, Su Yumian realized that Shen Shiyan was indeed quite knowledgeable. No matter what topic she brought up, he could keep up effortlessly.

  His tone was steady, his demeanor warm and refined, making him a pleasant companion.

  After wandering around for a while, they passed by a stone wall. Su Yumian casually turned her head and spotted a familiar figure.

  Shao Wenbai had just finished css and was heading to the b when he suddenly looked up—only to meet Su Yumian’s smiling gaze.

  He paused for a moment before noticing Shen Shiyan standing beside her.

  “What a coincidence. Just finished css?” Su Yumian spoke first.

  Shao Wenbai nodded. “I’m heading to the b. What about you?”

  “I’m showing my friend around the campus. Let me introduce you—this is Shen Shiyan.” Then she turned to Shen Shiyan. “This is Shao Wenbai.”

  Their gazes met. Shen Shiyan subtly curled his lips into a faint smile and extended his hand. “Professor Shao, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Shao Wenbai shook his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  The Shao and Shen families were both prestigious names in the capital. Though they had heard of each other, this was their first actual meeting. Su Yumian was oblivious to the subtle tension between them, only wondering why their handshake sted so long.

  Shao Wenbai gnced at him again before letting go first. “I’ll head to the b now.”

  Su Yumian watched him leave. Meanwhile, Shen Shiyan looked at her thoughtfully. “Are you close with him?”

  Su Yumian didn’t want to eborate. “Not really.”

  Shen Shiyan didn’t press further. That night, Su Yumian received a WeChat message from him.

  [Thanks for accompanying me around campus today.]

  She replied: [It was no trouble at all.]

  She put down her phone, tossed it onto the bedside table, and y down.

  The soft pillow, freshly sun-dried the day before, carried a faint scent of soap. Warm and cozy, it lulled her into sleep.

  Now that she didn’t need to study as intensely, Su Yumian allowed herself a rare zy morning. She woke up at eight, got dressed, and went out.

  Her old neighborhood was bustling with life. As she stepped downstairs, she was greeted by familiar faces—an auntie carrying a basket of groceries, another walking her dog—all smiling at her.

  Su Yumian returned their greetings with a smile.

  She made her way to a breakfast shop at the corner of an old street. The soy milk here was neither too sweet nor too bnd, and the fried dough sticks were crispy and golden.

  As soon as she entered, she spotted Shao Wenbai sitting with his back to her. Grinning, she walked up behind him, pyfully patted his back, and quickly took a seat across from him.

  Seeing his unchanged expression, she was puzzled. “Why aren’t you surprised at all?”

  “Miss Su, this is the second time,” Shao Wenbai replied as he dipped his fried dough stick into soy milk. “You did the same thing st week. Besides, you’re not much faster than Er Bai.”

  Su Yumian followed his gaze to the rge yellow dog tied up at the entrance. “…”

  Before she could argue, the elderly dy who made wontons greeted her warmly. “Here again, dear? The usual?”

  Su Yumian nodded. “One fried dough stick, twelve wontons.”

  Despite her age, the dy was quick and efficient. In no time, she served the food along with a small dish of Su Yumian’s favorite pickles.

  Su Yumian smiled. “Thank you, Grandma.”

  The old dy beamed. “Eat up while it’s hot.”

  The wontons were thin-skinned and packed with meat, served in a rich broth made from slow-cooked bones. A sprinkle of fresh scallions made the aroma even more enticing.

  She gnced at Shao Wenbai—he always ordered the same two items. “Do you ever think of trying something different?”

  Without waiting for his response, she grabbed a clean dish, pced two small wontons on it with fresh chopsticks, and slid it toward him. “Try it?”

  Shao Wenbai hesitated for a moment before picking one up and taking a bite.

  Su Yumian watched eagerly. “Well?”

  Seeing her expectant gaze, Shao Wenbai nodded. “It’s good.”

  Su Yumian grinned. “Told you! My recommendations never go wrong.”

  Shao Wenbai chuckled as well.

  Meanwhile, at the other side…

  “Yan-ge, your birthday’s coming up, right? How are we celebrating this year? Racing? A dyboy show? Or how about something wild—strippers flying around the venue? Hahaha…”

  Cheng Zhou ughed, looking at Shen Shiyan expectantly.

  Gu Yizhou chimed in, “That’s actually a solid idea.”

  Both of them turned to the man in question. Among the three of them, Shen Shiyan was the most unpredictable when it came to partying. Some people might look refined in a suit and tie, but deep down, they were wilder than anyone else.

  “This year… let’s just have a simple birthday party.”

  Cheng Zhou: “??”

  Gu Yizhou: “???”

  Shen Shiyan: “What? Problem?”

  “No… it’s just not like you, Yan-ge.” Cheng Zhou scrutinized him. “Did you take the wrong meds today?”

  Gu Yizhou raised a brow. “Did I hear that right? A birthday party? You’re starting to act like my grandpa.”

  “What, unless…” Cheng Zhou’s eyes lit up. “Is it the ‘wild’ kind of party?”

  Gu Yizhou immediately sat up, eyes gleaming with excitement.

  Shen Shiyan: “What are you guys thinking? Just a normal one. Private estate on Jincheng Road. I’ll send you the invitations soon.”

  With that, he got up and left. Cheng Zhou and Gu Yizhou exchanged gnces and looked outside.

  Nope, the sun was still rising from the east.

  —

  Su Yumian was surprised to receive a call from Shen Shiyan. When he invited her to his birthday party, she was even more taken aback.

  “You’re inviting me?”

  “Yes.”

  She frowned.

  If Shen Shiyan was hosting a birthday party, Jiang Yihuai would likely be there. She didn’t want to run into him.

  “It’s just a small gathering with friends. Cheng Zhou will be there too. You’re not pnning to come?” Sensing her hesitation, Shen Shiyan raised a brow. “Or… are you afraid of something?”

  Su Yumian gripped her phone in silence.

  “You and Yihuai have already broken up. He seems quite happy with his new girlfriend. Are you refusing to come because you still can’t let go?”

  Su Yumian frowned slightly. “Of course not. We’ve already cleared things up and cut ties.”

  Shen Shiyan smirked. “Then there’s nothing to avoid. I’ll send you the address—be there.”

  Before she could say anything else, he hung up.

  —

  On the night of the party, the estate was vishly decorated and bustling with guests.

  Jiang Yihuai arrived te with Shi Muxi.

  After taking off his coat, Shi Muxi handed it to a waiter and clung to his arm as they entered.

  Real estate on Jincheng Road was exorbitantly expensive. Shen Shiyan’s private estate, over a thousand square meters, had only been secured because his family had reserved it in advance.

  The estate’s yout and furnishings had been meticulously designed by renowned experts, with an old master even brought in for feng shui arrangements.

  Passing through the rock garden and courtyard, they finally reached the reception area. Jiang Yihuai greeted Shen Shiyan first. “This is for you—happy birthday.”

  He tossed over a key, a gift for Shen Shiyan: a yacht, knowing how much he loved sailing.

  Shen Shiyan took it. “Thanks.”

  Jiang Yihuai smiled and was about to say something when his eyes nded on a familiar figure.