Noticing Lin Shuicheng's stunned expression, Han Huang smiled. "Did you think I was unaware? People in one-sided love have sharp eyes. Since we rarely had the chance to meet, you would always return the gifts I sent with your other returns. Yet, I happened to bump into Chu Shihan while playing table tennis and basketball. His eyes would light up when he mentioned you. Several times, I saw your lab having meals in the cafeteria, and the atmosphere between you two was different from everyone else's. Initially, I thought it didn't matter if I couldn't join your lab. I could still work at the branch after graduating with a chemistry degree, eventually finding a chance to meet you. But then, I guessed that you two were dating, so I gave up. As you said, you don't think it's worth wasting time like this."

He lowered his head and chuckled. "To be honest, I'm not sure if it's worth it or not. I only know that I still regretted my decision to study finance. I thought I could let go, but then you unexpectedly transferred to the main campus' School of Mathematics, Lin Shuicheng. I wonder if fate has given me another chance."

Lin Shuicheng remained in a daze for a while before he lowered his head, holding the cup but not drinking from it.

He didn't respond to Han Huang's words. Instead, he said, "Student Han, perhaps you don't really know me, and I might not be what you imagine..."

Han Huang looked earnestly into his eyes. "I may seem abrupt, but I don't feel that way. We entered university in the same year, with me in the School of Automation and you in the School of Chemistry. I saw you at the scholarship ceremony, where you were representing the students to give a speech—I was aimlessly dragged there by a friend who wanted me to help find him a girlfriend. But the moment I saw you, I couldn't take my eyes off you... and they haven't left since."

In his first year, Lin Shuicheng still carried an air of a high school student. He was distinctively aloof yet more mature than his peers.

Strangely, he was such an attractive and captivating person, despite being very low-key—he even delivered a conventional speech, quietly returning to his seat afterward, jotting down notes in a small notebook as he waited for the lengthy ceremony to end.

He was a model excellent student, resembling a perfectly functioning machine. However, for some reason, he seemed perpetually cold and solitary.

Han Huang continued, "Although it sounds like boasting, I have to say that I'm quite smart. I've never worried about my grades growing up. My family is well-off, and they've given me the freedom to do as I please until I turn thirty. After seeing you, I began considering my future path. I learned that your family circumstances weren't good, that you received full scholarships for tuition and accommodation, and worked under Yang Zhiwei... I'm not implying anything by mentioning these. I just want to say that at that time, you were dazzling and out of reach for me. You're an arrogant person who wouldn't feel inferior due to material conditions but strive to overcome them. You realized your life goals earlier than anyone else around me. You were the first of your kind."

Han Huang took a deep breath and massaged his head. "At first, I was foolish. I switched my major... but later on, I realized that if it were you, you probably wouldn't like me changing my path for someone else. After I figured that out, the transfer quota had been used up, so I dropped out of Star University and retook the entrance exam, entering the finance department and starting to participate in debate competitions. Freedom given by others isn't true freedom; I gradually understood that after meeting you. In a sense, I found my direction by chasing after you, so... I..."

He felt a bit awkward and at a loss, realizing he had talked about irrelevant matters. Then, he took a big gulp of water and asked, "So... can you give me an answer? Do I have the right to pursue you?"

Han Huang replied, "I've investigated your situation with Chu Shihan. I couldn't find anything on him, nor do I have any recent news. Are you still together?"

During the two years he had been away from the Jiangnan branch, even using his connections within the Han family hadn't revealed Chu Shihan's background. He guessed that Chu Shihan had entered some sort of confidential system. All he knew was that Chu Shihan seemed to be backed by the Fu Corporation's military industry, as after Lin Shuicheng became the student council president, he had seen Chu Shihan's name on the list of graduates' job placements, indicating that he was working for Fu Corporation Military Technology, a top-notch high-tech military company in the Alliance with close cooperation with the government.

Lin Shuicheng fell silent for a moment.

He whispered, "No."

Han Huang appeared relieved. "Then I..."

Lin Shuicheng interrupted him and continued softly, "I'm sorry. If I could play a positive role in your life, I'm honored. But growth is yours, and all the decisions you made were your own. I don't deserve such credit."

"I... didn't expect you two to separate," Han Huang said after a moment of silence. "Although from my perspective, I hoped for it, I didn't expect it to actually happen..."

Lin Shuicheng opened his mouth, just about to speak when suddenly, the window glass beside them was tapped.

This private room was situated near a narrow corridor by the window, which served as a small passage leading to the rear relaxation area of the restaurant. This side of the corridor was adjacent to the parking lot, and most customers here were students from Star University, so few people walked this way.

The window glass was soundproof, with ornately carved wooden frames that formed a semi-transparent lattice. Outsiders were usually obscured, only silently tapping on the glass to create vibrations.

Both Lin Shuicheng and Han Huang jumped in surprise, then noticed the figure leaning closer to the window, tilting their head to look at them – first glancing at Han Huang before shifting their gaze to Lin Shuicheng's side.

It was Fu Luoyin.

Upon seeing that Lin Shuicheng had recognized him, Fu Luoyin smiled gently and then leaned back against the outer corridor, calmly observing him.

Through the blurred light filtering through the window glass, he could see the same startled and vigilant expression in Lin Shuicheng's eyes as he would have seen in a commander – it inexplicably brought him joy. Teasing Lin Shuicheng was endless fun.

He had arrived early today and, with too many messages to sift through, couldn't immediately locate the one Lin Shuicheng had sent him.

Text messaging still wasn't very user-friendly, unable to be pinned to the top.

Fu Luoyin had driven over and, as usual, located the room using Lin Shuicheng's ID card. Spotting him right away, he couldn't resist tapping on the window for a playful jest.

As Lin Shuicheng saw him, so did Han Huang.

That identical face from his memories appeared at the window, and Han Huang was immediately stunned.

Lin Shuicheng whispered, "I'll be out for a bit, meeting a friend."

There was a hint of panic in Lin Shuicheng's eyes for that brief moment. He stood up, grabbed his coat, and walked out, softly apologizing, "Sorry."

Han Huang hastily rose to his feet as well, saying, "I... I'll just go to the restroom too."

The restroom was at the back, but Han Huang didn't head in that direction. Instead, he followed Lin Shuicheng outside, maintaining a distance of no more than five or six meters between them.

In the long corridor, Fu Luoyin leaned against the railing, turning his head to look at him under the dim lamplight.

Lin Shuicheng approached him briskly, his brows slightly furrowed – for some reason, he seemed slightly aggrieved.

As soon as Lin Shuicheng came over, Fu Luoyin reached out to pull him into an embrace. In that instant when he clasped Lin Shuicheng's shoulders, he lifted his gaze to glance at Han Huang, who had just come out and was following behind.

Han Huang stopped in his tracks.

The man across from him was handsome, with a straight back and a sharp demeanor. His eyes conveyed an unmasked warning and provocation. Like a male peacock claiming his mate, he proudly displayed his plumage, emphasizing the unbreakable bond he shared with Lin Shuicheng.

Lin Shuicheng felt a bit anxious and tried to wriggle out of Fu Luoyin's embrace. Fu Luoyin said, "Just hold me for a while. It's not like anyone can see us. There's nobody here."

After taking a few deep breaths of Lin Shuicheng's scent, he finally released him.

Lin Shuicheng whispered, "Why did you come now?"

"I lost track of time. Anyway, it's evening. Since I had nothing else to do, I came over to see you," Fu Luoyin squinted his eyes. "If you're not done, go back. I'll be fine waiting here for you."

Only then did Lin Shuicheng remember to ask, "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet," Fu Luoyin's heart melted when he heard Lin Shuicheng inquire about his meal. Despite the chilly wind blowing outside, he whispered, "Go take care of your business. I'll find a place to sit down and order some dishes. Come find me after you're done eating."

Despite saying that, Fu Luoyin made no move to leave.

He reached out and gently massaged Lin Shuicheng's wrist in a lingering and affectionate manner, speaking softly, "Do you really have the heart to let me sit alone at a table while you're with someone else? Hmm? With roses on the table, is this a confession?"

Lin Shuicheng: "…"

On the surface, Fu Luoyin appeared polite and magnanimous, but he was actually throwing a tantrum indirectly. Lin Shuicheng saw Fu Luoyin smiling, but there was no warmth in his eyes. It was a predatory gaze filled with extreme possessiveness.

When Fu Luoyin wore such an expression, Lin Shuicheng could usually expect a difficult morning the next day. This was the look Lin Shuicheng received when he had made a mistake and needed to be disciplined – even if Lin Shuicheng hadn't provoked him, as long as Fu Luoyin believed he had crossed a line at the wrong time, he would make things difficult for him.

Lin Shuicheng pursed his lips, pretending not to understand the hidden meaning behind Fu Luoyin's words. He nodded obediently. "Alright, I'll be back soon."

Fu Luoyin: "…"

By the time Lin Shuicheng returned to his original seat, Han Huang's gaze followed closely behind Fu Luoyin, who had entered with him.

Seeing the boy's unceasing admiration for his face, and then glancing at the roses on the table, Fu Luoyin's earlier tension slightly dissipated.

"I should introduce myself – I'm Lin Shuicheng's boyfriend, Fu Luoyin," Fu Luoyin said to Han Huang with a proper smile. "Thank you for looking out for our Lin Shuicheng."

Han Huang remained completely unresponsive.

He had been like this ever since he saw Fu Luoyin at the door.

Noticing Han Huang's stunned state, Fu Luoyin continued, "You still have matters to discuss, so I won't disturb you." The last part was directed at Lin Shuicheng. "Come find me later, okay? Be a good boy."

He reached out to pat Lin Shuicheng's head affectionately.

Fu Luoyin had gone to another private room, out of his sight.

Lin Shuicheng looked at Han Huang.

Han Huang sat opposite him, engrossed in his phone.

Search term: Fu's Military Tech Corporation

Entry - Profile of Former Chairmen:

Fu Qingsong, Fu Kai, Fu Luoyin.

He couldn't find any information on the Fu family's relationships. Fu Luoyin had only taken over Fu's Military Tech in the past two years, and there wasn't much visual documentation available. However, amidst a flurry of gossip about Fu Kai, he stumbled upon the most widely circulated rumor of a supposed marriage partner – an international cake decorator named Chu Jingshu.

Chu Jingshu, Chu Shihan.

The identical face.

Although the news hadn't been confirmed, the answer was glaringly obvious.

Moments later, Han Huang finally calmed down. He looked at Lin Shuicheng and whispered, "You…."

He was certain now. The man who had just arrived, the one who had been acting intimately with Lin Shuicheng, claimed to be his boyfriend, and Lin Shuicheng hadn't denied it—this person had the exact same face as Chu Shihan!

Lin Shuicheng remained silent.

Han Huang felt somewhat dazed. "Lin Shuicheng, do you know who he is?"

His question sounded peculiar. After all, it was their first meeting. It wasn't "Who is he?" but rather "Do you know who he is?"

It was obvious that Fu Luoyin resembled Chu Shihan, and if Han Huang found out, the consequences wouldn't be unbearable.

Lin Shuicheng picked up on the oddity in the question, but he didn't know the reason behind Han Huang's words.

Was it because Fu Luoyin was a high-ranking member of Department Seven, and Han Huang felt that he couldn't afford to provoke him?

He glanced in the direction of the other private room and said coolly, "It doesn't matter. He… is just a substitute."