Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Cheng Yunxi: "..."

Cheng Yunxi: "......"

As the main investor on set, Cheng Yunxi knew that when his subordinates wanted to talk behind his back, they would directly call him “boss.”

Now, since this was his company's promotional event, it made perfect sense for Bai Xingshu to avoid calling him by name and instead resort to calling him “boss.”

Never expecting Bai Xingshu to recognize him at a glance, Cheng Yunxi hurriedly reined in his unfiltered stare, though he couldn’t help but let his eyes light up with joy.

Bai Xingshu actually recognized him immediately...

Watching Bai Xingshu bustling around him excitedly, Cheng Yunxi tried to steady his voice as he asked, "How did you recognize me?"

Bai Xingshu had initially wanted to say, "Your eyes are very beautiful," but he swallowed those words before they could leave his mouth—they sounded like they might come off as flirting.

Even knowing the other person liked him, Bai Xingshu still kept some boundaries.

"Aside from you, who else would do something like harass an officer?" Bai Xingshu threw in a jab instead.

To Bai Xingshu, the words carried no special meaning, but to Cheng Yunxi’s ears, they transformed into...

Bai Xingshu’s first thought when harassed was of him.

In other words—

Bai Xingshu was thinking about him.

Often, what goes through people’s minds reflects what they secretly hope for.

Thus, despite being accused of harassment, Cheng Yunxi’s heart skipped happily. Still, he cleared his throat and asked Bai Xingshu, "Why did you suddenly become a cop? Seeing you earlier freaked me out."

Of course, after the initial shock, Cheng Yunxi had immediately asked the makeup artist, Lisa, to disguise him.

Once that was done, however, he got cold feet—too nervous to greet Bai Xingshu directly, he ended up shadowing him for quite a while.

But...

Watching Bai Xingshu cheerfully lugging bags for folks, pointing people the right way, and turning down selfie asks...

It was still quite enjoyable.

If not for noticing how much Bai Xingshu liked the brooch yet looked tight on cash, Cheng Yunxi wouldn’t have approached him at all.

Bai Xingshu answered casually, "It’s just a holiday break. The military and police are like kin, so I came to do temp work."

As he spoke, he noticed a clerk approaching—clearly intending to follow Cheng Yunxi’s instructions and package the lily brooch.

"Sorry, no need, thank you," Bai Xingshu quickly told the staff member.

The employee hesitated, glancing at Cheng Yunxi.

"Go on, keep it. It’s pocket change for me, and it’s rare to see you like something," Cheng Yunxi said, his tone casual—though the way he carried himself...

Well, if he had a tail—literally—it would be going berserk like a puppy’s.

Bai Xingshu laughed softly but still refused.

"It’s meant for someone else, so I should buy it myself," Bai Xingshu said bluntly, then apologized again to the staff and made it clear he didn’t want it.

Cheng Yunxi didn’t interfere, unconsciously repeating, "For someone else?"

He recalled how Bai Xingshu’s eyes had lit up looking at the brooch—open, unmistakable joy and affection.

But… it was meant for someone else?

"His birthday?" Cheng Yunxi asked.

Bai Xingshu shook his head. "No, gifts aren’t only for special occasions."

"If I think they’d like it, then I can give it, right?" Bai Xingshu said like it was obvious.

Cheng Yunxi pressed his lips together.

Even though he’d known this day would come when he chose to step back, hearing Bai Xingshu say such things still weighed on him.

Cheng Yunxi studied the brooch he had just tried to buy.

A delicate white lily—it looked more like Bai Xingshu’s style…

"That Lin guy wouldn’t pull this look off, would he?" Cheng Yunxi tried hard to keep the bitterness out of his tone.

That Lin Lie—was that really the image he held in Bai Xingshu’s heart?

Hah.

So fake.

"It’s not for him," Bai Xingshu said matter-of-factly. "It’s for my roommate. You don’t know him."

Then, considering Cheng Yunxi’s words, he added, "But you reminded me—I should get a gift for Lin Lie too."

When Bai Xingshu said this, he was talking about Lin Lie, but in his mind, he was thinking of many others—all his classmates in S-class, his teachers, and others like Song Xiyan.

The first money he earned from working should make everyone happy.

As for mentioning only Lin Lie, Bai Xingshu just thought it was simpler to put it that way.

Completely unaware of any hidden meaning, Cheng Yunxi just looked at Bai Xingshu, speechless.

However, the environment Cheng Yunxi grew up in had taught him to go after what he wanted.

Eyes shining with expectation, Cheng Yunxi gazed at Bai Xingshu. "What about my gift? My gift?"

He straight-up treated Bai Xingshu’s intention to give him a gift as a done deal.

This transparent ploy was obvious to Bai Xingshu.

But…

Bai Xingshu looked into Cheng Yunxi’s eyes, bright with real hope…

Who could say no to him?

"Boss, whatever you want, it's on me!!" Bai Xingshu said boisterously.

Cheng Yunxi snickered, "You want to treat the boss?"

"And... that's not very thoughtful," Cheng Yunxi criticized Bai Xingshu's behavior. "You'd better pick something for me too."

Bai Xingshu wasn't planning to choose a gift for Cheng Yunxi, but backing out now would be rude.

Looking at the prices of the items in the store, he looked away fast.

They were all out of his price range.

So...

Thinking fast, Bai Xingshu reached into his pocket. Pausing for a few seconds, he fished out a silver-white bracelet.

Made of alloy, it had a simple design with just a few simple charms.

He was short on time and supplies—nothing like back in the contest workshop, where he could freely pick and craft from abundant metals.

All Bai Xingshu had in his pocket now...

Was a pair of handcuffs.

"How about this? A sunflower bracelet—I think it suits you," Bai Xingshu said deadpan.

Cheng Yunxi looked at the bracelet, and the sulky look in his eyes from having to ask for a gift while Bai Xingshu gave to others instantly dissipated.

He clearly saw that the sunflower charm on the bracelet had a tiny, adorable braid—exactly like the one Cheng Yunxi often wore in his usual style.

Since Bai Xingshu had dug the bracelet right out of his pocket, there was no doubt it had been made beforehand, meant for him.

Cheng Yunxi felt his heart melt.

"Thank you, I love it," Cheng Yunxi said, quickly sliding the bracelet onto his wrist.

It fit perfectly.

Watching from afar, Shen Geng scowled.

He couldn't hear what the two were saying, nor could he clearly see their expressions at this distance, but their body language was crystal clear.

They stood way past normal personal space.

At times, Shen Geng even thought the man's movements looked like he was hugging Bai Xingshu.

And yet...

Bai Xingshu didn't pull away.

In fact, he looked happy about it.