Chapter 14: How Could There Be a Next Time?

Ji Zhi’s body went rigid.

Though he knew the chances of parting ways after the meal were slim, hearing Duan Zhao say it still made him tense up instantly. He quickly asked, “…Where to?”

It couldn’t be a hotel, could it?

Ji Zhi itched to stand up, yank open the curtains, and remind Duan Zhao that it was still broad daylight outside.

Duan Zhao naturally didn’t miss Ji Zhi’s tension. He spoke leisurely, “Not a hotel. Just the mall.”

“You mentioned before that you don’t have a suit. We can pick one up—something you can wear to your events.”

So that was it.

Ji Zhi recalled when he’d said that to Duan Zhao.

Once, during a custom perk request, Duan Zhao had asked if he owned a suit.

Ji Zhi had replied no. Before college, he’d checked online and learned that suits were rarely needed unless for student council or school dances. They just took up space, so he’d never bought one.

But he’d thought that if his Top Fan wanted it, he could order one online.

However, as soon as Ji Zhi suggested it, the Top Fan had refused.

Ji Zhi remembered the reason for that refusal.

The donor preferred to buy clothes for him in person.

At the time, Ji Zhi hadn’t thought much of it. Only now did he realize what it truly meant.

Ji Zhi: “…”

No point lying now and claiming he had a suit. What Duan Zhao wanted was the thrill of dressing him up himself.

For the moment, he could only wait for that backup plan.

Ji Zhi slowed his eating, trying to buy time until the promised phone call arrived.

Earlier, assuming he’d never meet the Top Fan in person, Ji Zhi hadn’t told Chen Xingwen about it.

But last night, realizing escape was impossible—and suspecting dinner might lead to more—he’d hurriedly messaged Chen Xingwen for help. The plan was for Chen Xingwen to call around this time, giving him an excuse to leave.

It should be any minute now.

Right on cue, as the agreed time hit, Ji Zhi’s phone rang.

Hearing the ringtone, he shot Duan Zhao an apologetic glance. “I’ll take this.”

Before Duan Zhao could respond, he answered with visible relief. “Hello? What’s up? Something wrong on your end?”

“But I’m still eating with someone… Is it urgent?”

“What? That urgent? Then I…”

He hadn’t put it on speaker, so Duan Zhao couldn’t hear the other side. He had no idea Chen Xingwen was just holding back laughter, listening to Ji Zhi’s one-man show.

As Ji Zhi spoke, he glanced at Duan Zhao—only to find that the man had stood up at some point and was now right beside him, long fingers resting on the back of his chair.

Their previous meetings had either kept some distance between them, or Duan Zhao had been seated when they first arrived.

Now that Duan Zhao was standing, Ji Zhi realized just how tall he was. A simple lean forward was enough for his shadow to envelop Ji Zhi completely.

They were so close that Ji Zhi could smell the crisp scent of Duan Zhao’s cologne.

Too late to pull away now. Duan Zhao’s casual posture formed a natural cage, trapping him in place. He couldn’t even stand without brushing against the man and could only tilt his head up to meet his gaze.

Even knowing Duan Zhao couldn’t hear the call, Ji Zhi’s heart still skipped. A flicker of guilt stirred inside him.

But he recovered quickly, his expression turning troubled as he continued, “Sorry, Mr. Duan, my friend has an emergency…”

“Maybe I can help.” Duan Zhao spoke calmly while extending a hand that brooked no refusal. “You were too flustered earlier. You might’ve missed some key details. Let me hear what he has to say.”

Ji Zhi hesitated, but Duan Zhao’s demeanor made it clear he wouldn’t buy it without hearing for himself.

After a brief internal debate, Ji Zhi handed over the phone.

Good thing he’d coordinated the excuse details with Chen Xingwen beforehand. It should fool him.

He switched to speaker so he could listen, then passed it over.

Duan Zhao took the phone. “Hello.”

Chen Xingwen didn’t know what was happening on the other end, but the unfamiliar voice told him the phone had changed hands.

Must be the guy Ji Zhi was dining with today.

Duan Zhao spoke unhurriedly, “May I ask who you are?”

“Ji Zhi mentioned something came up on your end. I’d like to see if I can assist.”

His tone was polite, so Chen Xingwen couldn’t snap back. He answered straightforwardly, “I’m his friend.”

“No need. It’s a family matter.”

Duan Zhao replied smoothly, “I have a driver here. We can head over together with Ji Zhi.”

Chen Xingwen: “No need to go to the trouble. It’s my family’s issue—I’d rather not involve too many people.”

Duan Zhao: “It’s no trouble. Since Ji Zhi needs to go, it’s easier if I drive him.”

“If it’s inconvenient, just give me your home address. We’ll head straight there, and I’ll wait downstairs.”

His words came at a steady pace, but the tone left no room for argument. The tight phrasing gave Chen Xingwen no time to think deeply.

Chen Xingwen’s thoughts were pulled along involuntarily, assuming Duan Zhao had already decided. Panic hit him—

He wasn’t even home. How could he let Duan Zhao bring Ji Zhi over?

He scrambled to the backup excuse they’d discussed.

But though Ji Zhi had gone over details with him last night, Duan Zhao’s questions were far more precise. Chen Xingwen floundered, his mind a jumble, his words stumbling. “I… you…”

Ji Zhi, listening in: “…”

He’d already realized Chen Xingwen was no match for Duan Zhao. Not just the age gap, but their life experiences were worlds apart.

Before Chen Xingwen could give himself away completely, Ji Zhi cut in. “If it’s not too urgent, handle it yourself for now. I’ve still got things here.”

As soon as he finished, Duan Zhao handed the phone back.

Ji Zhi hung up quickly.

To Duan Zhao, who navigated corporate intrigue daily, Ji Zhi’s ploy barely qualified as a tactic.

From anyone else, it would annoy him. But from Ji Zhi, it was endearing.

Duan Zhao’s eyes darkened.

With Ji Zhi, he found endless patience. Otherwise, the moment he’d realized his feelings, he’d have investigated the young man’s background and shown up at his door.

So he wasn’t angry. Instead, he smiled. “Looks like your friend can handle it himself.”

“Now we can head out together.”

Ji Zhi: “…Yeah, great.”

I’m doomed.

He’d given up entirely. Standing, he prepared to follow Duan Zhao out.

Since escape had failed, Ji Zhi was past caring.

He glanced at the untouched dishes and suggested packing them up to share with friends.

Duan Zhao summoned the waiter to box them and even asked if Ji Zhi wanted to add a few more dishes.

Ji Zhi: “No need.”

The dorms had no fridge, and leftovers wouldn’t keep overnight. This amount was perfect for Chen Xingwen’s one meal.

The waiter packed the food into elegant takeout boxes. Before Ji Zhi could reach for them, Duan Zhao took them smoothly. “Let’s head to the car.”

Ji Zhi followed Duan Zhao into the elevator and down to the parking garage.

For this private outing, Duan Zhao had come without his secretary—just a driver.

The driver took the front seat, leaving Ji Zhi and Duan Zhao in the back.

The car glided smoothly along the road, cityscapes whipping past the windows. But neither passenger paid the view any mind.

With the partition rising between front and back, the driver’s figure vanished from Ji Zhi’s sight.

The spacious rear cabin felt like a sealed world now, containing only him and Duan Zhao. The man he’d seen countless times in interviews and writing prompts sat right beside him.

Yet Ji Zhi kept his eyes down.

He could feel Duan Zhao’s gaze on him, heavy and deliberate, scanning him slowly from head to toe.

No physical touch, but it felt like a thorough caress all the same.

Back at the company, seeing Duan Zhao had thrilled Ji Zhi—the living inspiration for his essays.

Now that he knew Duan Zhao was the Top Fan, he wanted nothing more than to put as much distance between them as possible.

The car’s roominess was his only comfort. He pressed himself against the door, maximizing the space.

Duan Zhao’s eyes curved, his smile unchanged. “Xiao Zhi, relax.”

“I like you. That’s why I wanted to meet—to get to know each other better, take things further.”

“Don’t worry. I heard from your principal about the school’s new dorm checks. I won’t let you get back late and risk punishment.”

Hearing “like” straight from Duan Zhao’s mouth made Ji Zhi stiffen again. But the promise to return before curfew eased his nerves a fraction.

Duan Zhao was surprisingly considerate, even thinking of that…

Ji Zhi caught himself, jolted. He’d nearly fallen for it, feeling grateful toward Duan Zhao.

He had the school rules to thank, not the man.

Online, he’d been hyper-vigilant with the Top Fan. Offline demanded the same—no letting his guard down.

Duan Zhao effortlessly tossed out questions about Ji Zhi’s daily life and campus routine, offering advice.

Though Ji Zhi reminded himself to stay wary, he instinctively wanted to pull out a notebook and jot it down.

After some time, the car pulled up at their destination.

Duan Zhao had chosen a luxury mall in the city center. Ji Zhi and Chen Xingwen had passed it before but never entered.

Ji Zhi trailed behind as they stepped inside.

The revolving doors shut out the street noise, cool air laced with fine leather greeting them.

Duan Zhao led him straight to a suit shop.

Ji Zhi’s suit knowledge extended only to colors, so Duan Zhao and the staff handled the discussions, settling on styles.

Duan Zhao preferred bespoke suits, but he knew young people like Ji Zhi favored recognizable brands. Wearing designer labels would also earn him face among classmates.

Ji Zhi was learning for the first time that high-end ready-to-wear outfits could still be tailored further to a customer’s exact measurements, with delivery in about one or two weeks.

“Perfect,” said Duan Zhao. “I’ll give it to you next time we meet.”

Ji Zhi: “…”

Next time they met?!

Ji Zhi resolved to start brainstorming excuses right then and there. He refused to believe he couldn’t come up with a way to bow out.

After his measurements were taken, while they waited for the fine-tuning on the clothes, Duan Zhao led Ji Zhi to browse a few other shops.

Ji Zhi hadn’t voiced any interest in anything, but Duan Zhao had already selected quite a few items on his behalf.

Realizing that the other man seemed determined to outfit him for all four seasons, Ji Zhi rejected the purchases with frantic insistence.

Midway through, Ji Zhi received messages from Fu Huixu and the top three on the list. He ducked into a fitting room under the pretense of trying something on to reply, letting them know he was out shopping for clothes. He even snapped a quick photo for good measure.

It was a Saturday, but the shops weren’t crowded.

Even so, Duan Zhao was recognized by a middle-aged man who appeared to be a business associate. The man lit up with excitement at the sight of him and hurried over, eager to pitch an investment opportunity.

Duan Zhao’s brows furrowed slightly. He usually didn’t differentiate between workdays and days off, but the time he spent with Ji Zhi was precious now, and he had no intention of squandering it.

Ji Zhi, however, saw things differently. The moment he spotted someone detaining Duan Zhao, he chimed in helpfully: “You two talk. I’ll just browse around over there…”

Before Duan Zhao could get a word out, Ji Zhi had already veered into the nearest shop, craving a moment of solitude.

Being around Duan Zhao kept Ji Zhi’s nerves strung tight. He had to stay constantly vigilant, lest he let slip something he shouldn’t.

But once inside the shop, Ji Zhi realized with a start that it was a women’s clothing store.

Embarrassment washed over him, and he turned to leave—but an enthusiastic sales assistant was already approaching. “What can I help you find, miss?”

Ji Zhi: ?

Had she mistaken him for a woman?

He wasn’t dressed in women’s clothes or anything, so he figured it must be his naturally androgynous features, combined with the rarity of men wandering into ladies’ boutiques alone.

He opened his mouth to correct her when a voice, laced with confusion, sounded from nearby: “Zhi Zhi?”