Chapter 103

Chapter 103

A pointed, yes-or-no question that cuts straight to the heart.

There are only two answers: yes or no.

Cheng Yunxi gazed at Bai Xingshu for a long while before finally offering a bitter smile. "You're obviously trying to let me down easy, right?"

Though Bai Xingshu had phrased it as a hesitant question, Cheng Yunxi could tell he only hesitated about whether to mention it at all.

After uttering the first few words, Bai Xingshu's tone was nothing but resolute.

And after speaking, the look in his eyes was calm and composed.

No hope. No happiness.

This was the look of someone who'd made up their mind, with no intention of wavering.

It was obvious that the decision Bai Xingshu had reached was the exact opposite of what Cheng Yunxi wanted.

Bai Xingshu didn’t deny it. He simply stated his thoughts: "I get it—people always dream about roads not taken."

Cheng Yunxi was quiet for a long moment.

It was true.

Especially after Bai Xingshu had given him that bracelet.

Cheng Yunxi took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. "Sometimes I wonder if it’s because my movies always go for the tragic ending that my own life ends up the same way."

Bai Xingshu didn’t respond to that, and Cheng Yunxi didn’t need him to.

By the time he spoke those words, he had already made his decision.

Turning to face Bai Xingshu, Cheng Yunxi wore his easiest, brightest smile.

"I have feelings for you."

Bai Xingshu: "..."

"This feels awful," Bai Xingshu couldn’t help but mutter to the system.

The system, already muted in advance: *static noise*

Just as Cheng Yunxi had guessed, Bai Xingshu had already made up his mind to turn him down.

But when faced with the moment itself, Bai Xingshu—who had always been acutely attuned to others’ emotions—was briefly swept up by Cheng Yunxi's wide-open heart.

And then, Bai Xingshu suddenly felt this all weigh heavy on him.

He'd always played it cool.

But it seemed he had overlooked the fact that not everyone could be as easygoing as him.

As he looked into Cheng Yunxi’s eyes—eyes still hoping for his love despite knowing rejection was coming—Bai Xingshu recalled the loving image of Shen Geng’s mom and dad working together in the kitchen at the start of the holiday.*

Finally, he heard again the words he had promised Shen Geng.

After a beat, Bai Xingshu still spoke honestly to Cheng Yunxi, turning him down. *If referring to a specific cultural holiday, consider clarifying for context.

"I'm sorry, Yunxi, you're not my type."

That settled it.

Bai Xingshu's words brought no surprise to Cheng Yunxi, but...

They still took him by surprise.

Swallowing the bitterness in his chest and unwilling to appear disheveled in front of Bai Xingshu, Cheng Yunxi made his voice sound as casual as possible, teasing: "I thought you'd say you already have someone you like."

"Saying I'm not your type is just cruel," Cheng Yunxi complained. "Come on, I'm the empire's biggest star..."

Bai Xingshu thought for a moment and, playing along with Cheng Yunxi's tone, gently helped maintain the atmosphere he wanted: "I wanted to be clearer. If I said I might have someone I like, you could hold out hope I'd change my mind. But saying you're not my type means there's no hope at all."

Cheng Yunxi sputtered. "Hey!"

"And... I don’t want to lie to you." Bai Xingshu's expression softened as he looked at Cheng Yunxi with sincerity. "I rejected you only because you're not my type, not because you're lacking in any way."

"You're passionate, brave, free with your love, and you care for everyone around you who loves you or whom you love. No matter how hard things get, you never badmouth anyone or take out your frustrations on those close to you."

"It's wonderful to be loved by you."

Cheng Yunxi: "..."

Even with the compliments, Cheng Yunxi felt worse.

It hurt more than Bai Xingshu's blunt rejection earlier.

Unable to maintain his lighthearted expression, Cheng Yunxi silently stared at the maze-like grain on the table between them.

Seeing Cheng Yunxi's spirit visibly deflate, Bai Xingshu—who had never dealt with this situation before—fumbled for whether to stay or go. As he hesitated, Cheng Yunxi asked in a flat voice:

"Then... what is your type?"

Bai Xingshu froze.

At that question, an image forced its way into his mind—a figure rushing toward him, and a hand covering his eyes, trembling yet desperately suppressing fear.

"A fool," he blurted out.

Cheng Yunxi clearly saw that Bai Xingshu’s answer came only after recalling something.

His smile was different from any Cheng Yunxi had ever seen before.

Staring at that smile—one Bai Xingshu had never directed at him—Cheng Yunxi felt there was nothing left to say.

"Then... I won't disturb you anymore?" Sensing Cheng Yunxi's quiet resignation, Bai Xingshu spoke softly.

Cheng Yunxi: "..."

"Stay with me until 5 p.m. After that, I've got another appointment."

"...Alright."

At 5 p.m., Bai Xingshu waved goodbye to Cheng Yunxi.

As they parted, he clearly noticed the sunflower pendant he'd made himself now hung among several necklaces around Cheng Yunxi's delicate collarbone, standing out sharply.

Bai Xingshu had nothing left to say.

He bit back his words.

Whatever, as long as Cheng Yunxi’s happy.

Bai Xingshu headed for the mall exit, about to ping Shen Geng and Wu Jigao to ask where to find them. But before he could take more than a few steps, he spotted Shen Geng’s figure.

Bai Xingshu couldn’t help but smile, quickly closing the distance between them and eyeing the guy with open curiosity from head to toe.

When Cheng Yunxi had asked that question, the one who’d popped into his head was… Shen Geng?!

Was this guy really his type?

No matter how he sliced it, he couldn’t see how this guy could make his heart race or give him the urge to jump his bones.

—Love in the apocalypse was simple, direct, and brutally practical.

Shen Geng had been pissed about Bai Xingshu taking time off specifically to bail on him and spend time with Cheng Yunxi.

Then, upon realizing Bai Xingshu had stayed with him until the very last moment, only saying goodbye when Cheng Yunxi had to leave, it left him even saltier.

But…

Of course.

Cheng Yunxi was an elite Alpha.

Naturally, Bai Xingshu would be fawning all over him.

Shen Geng’s chest burned with jealousy. He had initially planned to give Bai Xingshu the silent treatment, afraid he might say something unpleasant if he opened his mouth.

Like, *“Haven’t you already agreed to choose the elite Alpha you like?”* or something along those lines.

But…

The moment he saw Bai Xingshu sprinting toward him, grinning like an idiot, it became impossible for Shen Geng to stay mad.

Especially with…

That weird-ass stare.

This guy…

Where the hell are his eyes?!

Shen Geng gritted his teeth and, before his ears could turn red, raised a hand to block Bai Xingshu’s line of sight.

“What are you doing?!” As a cop in all but name, there were times Shen Geng seriously considered arresting him himself.

“Testing a theory.” Bai Xingshu rubbed his chin and made a straightforward request. “Give me your hand.”

Shen Geng: "?"

Despite his confusion and still ticked off at Bai Xingshu, Shen Geng held out his hand.

The next second, Bai Xingshu’s fingers slid against his.

So damn soft.

The heat was unbearable.

Shen Geng instinctively grabbed the hand that reached out to him.

His earlier embarrassed frustration was instantly overwhelmed. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Bai Xingshu murmur.

"Nothing."

"What?" Shen Geng froze.

"Holding your hand—I don’t feel anything." Bai Xingshu’s tone remained light, and Shen Geng even saw him let out a relieved sigh.

Shen Geng: "..."

All of his earlier wild thoughts were gone in an instant.

Clenching his teeth in frustration, Shen Geng fumed inwardly.

What the hell did Cheng Yunxi tell this guy?!