Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The next morning, Song Yuan awoke in bed.

His first instinct was to reach for his phone on the nightstand. He stretched out his arm, but it met only empty air.

Baffled, he opened his eyes and noticed the ceiling looked different from usual.

Where was he?

Song Yuan shot upright, scanning his surroundings.

It was an extremely spacious room, with a massive floor-to-ceiling window facing the sun. Though the room was well-lit, its overall gray-black palette still left Song Yuan feeling cold.

The decor was typically modern, so stark it felt rigid and devoid of any warmth.

A dawning suspicion began to form in Song Yuan’s mind.

After quickly changing clothes, Song Yuan went downstairs and, sure enough, found Gu Jingchi’s butler on the first floor.

Song Yuan felt a pang of guilt.

So, Gu Jingchi had indeed brought him back.

What made it worse was that Song Yuan had no memory whatsoever of what happened after he got drunk.

The butler had breakfast ready for Song Yuan. "The driver will take you to school shortly."

Song Yuan nodded awkwardly. "Okay."

The car stopped in front of the university.

As Song Yuan thanked the driver and reached for the door handle, a fragmented yet vivid memory suddenly flashed through his mind.

He remembered.

Right here, in this exact spot yesterday, he had asked Gu Jingchi if he wanted a divorce.

!!

Song Yuan couldn’t believe he had actually uttered something so utterly shameful.

And not just that—he had even made Gu Jingchi call him by his nickname.

Since when was Gu Jingchi allowed to call him "Yuan Yuan"?!

He must have completely lost his mind!

The rest of the memory was a complete blank, but Song Yuan was certain he must have done something even more outrageous.

Had he… assaulted Gu Jingchi?

Song Yuan’s stomach churned with anxiety. His goal was to terminate the agreement with Gu Jingchi, not to act like a hooligan…

What if Gu Jingchi got the wrong idea? What then?

Suddenly, his phone buzzed.

*Gu Jingchi: Someone will pick you up after class.*

"Gu Jingchi: I have something to discuss with you."

Just as he expected.

What could be so important that Gu Jingchi felt the need to say it in person? It had to be about terminating their agreement.

Song Yuan's heart suddenly pounded, so fast it felt surreal.

This unreal sensation persisted until class began.

"Yuan Yuan, are you alright?" Jiang Ming frowned. "Your face is quite flushed."

"I'm fine," Song Yuan shook his head. "I just... I think Gu Jingchi is going to cancel our agreement."

Jiang Ming scoffed, completely unconvinced. "Pfft, no way. You didn't see the way he looked at you yesterday."

But Song Yuan, caught up in his own excitement, didn't register the remark.

A wave of elation washed over Song Yuan as he realized his wish was finally within reach.

Yet, beneath that joy, an inexplicable sadness, a sense of bracing for what was to come, subtly emerged.

To be honest, his feelings were complicated.

In his heart, Gu Jingchi was a truly responsible and good person.

Despite all the boundaries crossed last night, Gu Jingchi still showed him care. Even if they weren't partners, he was a very responsible and tolerant friend.

A subconscious part of Song Yuan told him he didn't want to lose this friend.

If Gu Jingchi truly ended their agreement, could they still remain friends?

Confusion clouded his mind, leaving Song Yuan disoriented.

Before he could find an answer, his thoughts were interrupted by a poster for the Arts Festival.

"W University Arts Festival?" Song Yuan's curiosity was piqued.

"The school plans to hold a fashion show on that day and is encouraging all students to submit design sketches," Jiang Ming said, handing Song Yuan a flyer.

"Are you going? Upperclassmen say many alumni, including quite a few industry heavyweights, will be returning to watch the show!"

Song Yuan considered signing up, though not for the networking opportunities.

Fashion design was a behind-the-scenes role, and this kind of work, which required minimal social interaction, suited Song Yuan perfectly.

More importantly, regardless of winning, all finalists would receive a scholarship sponsored by the university.

Song Yuan desperately needed it.

The news of the scholarship dispelled that vague sadness in Song Yuan's heart, and his mood suddenly lightened.

To commemorate this double dose of good news, Song Yuan decided to go for a celebratory meal.

The restaurant was warm, so Song Yuan took off his jacket and placed it on his lap.

When Song Shenyu entered, he saw Song Yuan wearing only a low-cut sweater. The wide neckline revealed a stretch of his collarbone, so pale it seemed to glow.

As he held a spoon in one hand, the fabric on his other shoulder nearly slipped off, appearing somewhat immodest.

Song Shenyu’s brow furrowed, and he averted his gaze.

Against his will, Song Shenyu recalled what Song Qiao had said after returning home last night.

“This shirt was given to me by Song Yuan.”

“Be careful with it. Don’t ruin it when washing.”

“What nonsense are you talking about! It’s not for his sake—I just don’t want to pay for damages!”

He had no idea what Song Qiao was thinking, going out of his way to protect someone else’s belongings—especially Song Yuan’s. This was truly abnormal.

Song Yuan really did seem different from before.

For some reason, a subtle unease stirred within Song Shenyu.

His gaze, against his will, drifted back to Song Yuan, narrowing as he watched him.

Suddenly, Song Yuan’s phone lit up. Whatever he saw, Song Yuan became visibly agitated. Without even bothering to put on his coat, he rushed to leave.

Song Shenyu had just entered and had been secretly watching Song Yuan, still lingering near the doorway. As Song Yuan approached, a sudden, inexplicable restlessness surged through Song Shenyu.

Song Yuan seemed not to notice him, not even sparing him a glance.

Just as they were about to pass each other, a child tripped on the carpet, nearly falling right in front of them.

In the nick of time, Song Yuan caught the child, but the child’s momentum made him stumble, accidentally bumping into Song Shenyu’s forearm.

Song Yuan’s back was so slender that Song Shenyu could almost feel the warmth beneath his arm, along with a fresh, clean scent of soap.

It was pleasant, not at all unpleasant, but it left him feeling a bit disoriented, momentarily throwing him off balance.

“Sorry!” Song Yuan quickly steadied the child, his expression full of concern.

Perhaps it was the joy of good news, but today, even seeing Song Shenyu, Song Yuan could smile.

Song Yuan nodded politely. “Hello, big brother.”

Song Shenyu’s eyes felt as if they had been struck by something bright, almost blinding.

It was no wonder he felt strange; Song Yuan had never shown him such a smile before, and he was momentarily stunned.

Seeing that Song Shenyu didn’t respond, Song Yuan didn’t mind and simply turned to leave.

Song Shenyu watched Song Yuan’s slender back disappear, remaining lost in thought for a long time.

Someone beside him spoke up, “Song Yuan? That embarrassing half-brother of yours again?”

Song Shenyu heard their loud laughter and discussions but offered no response. This topic was not new among them; usually, he would join in or laugh along.

But not today.

With his back to them, his face was dark. He didn’t laugh, nor did he speak.

He wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing at all.

The sky was overcast, punctuated by several claps of thunder.

It looked like rain was imminent.

Song Shenyu suddenly recalled that Song Yuan's residential complex was quite a distance away.

Song Yuan hadn't brought an umbrella and wasn't driving. If it started raining, walking all the way home in such heavy rain would surely leave him drenched from head to toe.

Song Shenyu found himself a little perplexed as to why he was even having such a thought.

After all, he used to despise this manipulative younger brother the most.

Meanwhile, Song Yuan was humming a tune, standing under the eaves as he waited for his driver.

A friend messaged him, asking if he wanted to join them for dinner.

Song Yuan declined.

He was currently on his way to have a very significant conversation with Gu Jingchi.