Chapter 54: So It Was You

Judging by Ji Zhi’s expression, Chen Xingwen could guess what was troubling him. After all, they had discussed this topic before.

“It’s fine,” Chen Xingwen said. “Take your time to think it over. Fu Huixu isn’t even on campus right now anyway…”

Though some time had passed, the sudden mention of that name still made Ji Zhi pause involuntarily, stirring up a mix of complicated feelings in his heart.

Previously, Duan Zhao had used the possibility of running into Fu Huixu after his return to school as a reason to persuade Ji Zhi to study abroad. But two and a half years had gone by. The news of Fu Huixu’s return had spread, yet Ji Zhi had never spotted him on campus.

As a frequent subject on the campus confession board back in the day, Fu Huixu remained a hot topic even after taking a leave of absence, with people constantly asking when he might come back. Once word got out about his return, posts quickly popped up questioning why no one had seen him around. Even some of his classmates from the same year replied anonymously in the comments.

According to them, Fu Huixu still hadn’t shown up for classes, which drew a wave of disappointment.

Ji Zhi had been puzzled too. Why had Fu Huixu officially returned to school but skipped classes entirely? Over time, though, the discussions on the campus confession board dwindled. Ji Zhi’s few remaining sources of info on Fu Huixu dried up completely—especially since Duan Zhao certainly wouldn’t share any updates.

“That’s what I think too,” Ji Zhi replied.

The two of them soon shifted to other topics.

It had been a whole month since they’d last met in person. Online chats helped, but they weren’t the same as hanging out face-to-face.

Chen Xingwen changed the subject. “Oh, right—there’s this female colleague of mine from my internship. She looks just like that idol you were obsessed with as a kid, and she’s single too. I was thinking if there was a chance, I could introduce you…”

He trailed off mid-sentence, slamming on the brakes as if he’d suddenly remembered something. “Oh, wait. I forgot—you’ve already got someone at home.”

Chen Xingwen was naturally referring to Duan Zhao.

Though Ji Zhi and Duan Zhao weren’t actually together, Chen Xingwen had grown so used to seeing Duan Zhao by Ji Zhi’s side that he subconsciously treated him like Ji Zhi’s boyfriend.

Ji Zhi’s expressions whenever Duan Zhao came up had also grown more nuanced lately—not the outright fear and disgust from before. Chen Xingwen could sense the change.

Sure enough, Ji Zhi didn’t show the disappointment he might have in the past. Recently, he’d started realizing something was off with him.

But Ji Zhi had no idea how to explain his weird mental state to Chen Xingwen.

Time spent together always flew by. After dinner, Chen Xingwen had to head back to his internship at the company.

Ji Zhi waved goodbye to Chen Xingwen and headed toward the parking lot. Just as he got there, a message came in from the driver: traffic was backed up, so he’d be a few minutes late. Ji Zhi replied that he understood and told the driver to drive safely.

At first, the driver would wait in the car for Ji Zhi after school. Later on, he’d head back to the nearby house to rest during classes or pick up the desserts the servants had prepared for Ji Zhi to eat on the way home.

Since he was already close to the parking lot, Ji Zhi didn’t bother going back to the cafeteria or classroom as the driver suggested. Instead, he decided to just wait there.

What he hadn’t expected, though, was to spot a terribly familiar figure the moment he arrived.

Ji Zhi’s body reacted before his mind did, ducking behind a nearby car. He peeked out cautiously, taking in the man’s features clearly. His heart sank.

It was Fu Huixu—the very person Chen Xingwen had just mentioned.

“…”

Why was Fu Huixu here?

Or was everything unfolding before him just a dream?

A flurry of thoughts raced through Ji Zhi’s mind. But whether he rubbed his eyes repeatedly or pinched himself hard, he confirmed it wasn’t a dream. Fu Huixu stood there plain as day.

Two and a half years hadn’t softened the sharp angles of his brow bone and nose bridge. Instead, the passage of time had refined his aggressive bone structure into something more subdued and profound. The impeccably tailored suit wasn’t mere ornamentation for him—it was another layer of armor, accentuating his already sleek frame into something even more imposing and upright.

Standing across from Fu Huixu was another man who bore some resemblance to him, though dressed far more flashily. He chattered away, glancing around as he spoke.

Though they were some distance apart, the young man’s voice carried. Ji Zhi could make out his words: “So this is the university you went to?”

“Domestic universities are way bigger than the one I attended abroad. Speaking of which, back when I was studying overseas…”

Fu Huixu’s responses were downright chilly, offered only every so often.

Compared to his companion, Fu Huixu’s voice was much deeper. “Fu Qingyang, quiet down.”

Catching the faint sound of “Fu Qingyang,” Ji Zhi’s memory stirred.

Wasn’t that Fu Huixu’s cousin?

Ji Zhi recalled two and a half years ago, when he’d gone out without his glasses with Duan Zhao and run into the man. Fu Qingyang had recognized him as Zhi Zhi and told Fu Huixu, who then learned he was there.

That’s why the name “cousin” had stuck with Ji Zhi.

He hadn’t expected Fu Qingyang to be here with Fu Huixu now.

The parking lot was usually pretty empty of students, so Fu Huixu’s presence didn’t draw much attention.

Unfortunately, that worked against Ji Zhi.

He was afraid of being spotted by Fu Huixu or Fu Qingyang.

With so few people around, stepping out or moving to another car would make him stand out and easy to notice.

It had been two and a half years since he’d last seen Fu Huixu. Ji Zhi had no clue how the man felt about him now.

Maybe he’d forgotten all about him.

But given what had happened, Fu Huixu might still remember—and not fondly.

Ji Zhi recalled their last encounter at that banquet.

Even after two and a half years, the way Fu Huixu had looked at him still sent a shiver down his spine.

After all, the whole mess had started because of him. Ji Zhi worried Fu Huixu held a grudge. He certainly hadn’t forgotten that he was no match for the man.

Sure, he’d vowed to hit the gym and get stronger, but schoolwork had derailed that. His stamina hadn’t improved a bit.

Ji Zhi stayed hidden carefully behind the car until Fu Huixu and Fu Qingyang headed toward the campus. Only then did he stand up.

Just then, the driver messaged that he’d arrived at the parking lot.

Ji Zhi hurried into the car. When the driver asked if something was wrong, he realized his unease must have shown on his face. He quickly assured the man it was nothing.

Ji Zhi pulled up the campus confession board anyway. It was the fastest way to catch up on school gossip and big news—hundreds of posts popped up daily if you didn’t check.

After a few refreshes, he found what he was looking for.

Someone had snapped a photo of Fu Huixu and Fu Qingyang walking through campus, asking for their contact info.

The comments filled up fast. Many said the poster must be a freshman who didn’t recognize Fu Huixu.

Then came recaps of Fu Huixu’s background, with sighs that he’d suddenly stopped showing up at school. This visit was probably just for some important finance department materials.

One person from the same major claimed they’d boldly asked if Fu Huixu would return. Fu Qingyang answered a pretty girl’s question enthusiastically, saying Fu Huixu was only there briefly to pick up some things. He clammed up only when Fu Huixu shot him a look.

Fu Qingyang’s good looks and smooth talk still landed him several girls’ contacts, drawing fierce backlash in the comments. People wondered how Fu Huixu could stand being seen with him.

Reading the replies eased Ji Zhi’s mind.

It looked like Fu Huixu had just swung by briefly for something, not returned for good.

The car pulled to a stop. Ji Zhi glanced out the window and realized they’d reached home.

He pocketed his phone, got out, and headed inside.

To his surprise, a servant greeted him: “Mr. Duan is already back. He’s working in the study…”

Ji Zhi froze.

It wasn’t that surprising, really. Just as Duan Zhao had said when first urging him to move out, the man was often away from home—either abroad for stretches or coming back late at night.

Duan Zhao called frequently, but Ji Zhi rarely saw him during the day. Sometimes Ji Zhi whimsically wondered if he was a vampire, though he quickly remembered seeing him out and about at the company in daylight.

The house was filled with their personal belongings even so. Even without Duan Zhao there, Ji Zhi could still sense his presence lingering in the rooms.

Hearing that Duan Zhao was back early filled Ji Zhi with a twinge of guilt.

On any other day, it wouldn’t faze him. But today of all days, he’d just run into Fu Huixu.

Had Duan Zhao installed cameras at school and seen him staring?

Nerves got the better of him, sending his thoughts spiraling into wild speculation.

As he debated whether to report it proactively, footsteps interrupted his musings.

Ji Zhi looked up to see Duan Zhao emerging from the study.

Because Duan Zhao had gone on a business trip a week earlier, Ji Zhi hadn’t laid eyes on him for a full seven days. Yet since they spoke on the phone every day, the reunion didn’t feel like bridging the gap of worlds apart. Ji Zhi simply pondered the reason for Duan Zhao’s sudden early return home.

He covertly studied Duan Zhao’s expression. The other man’s brows and eyes curved in a gentle smile; at a casual glance, he didn’t seem angry at all. But considering how Duan Zhao sometimes concealed his anger behind that very smile, Ji Zhi kept watching him on the sly.

Fortunately, Duan Zhao spoke up soon after. “Today is the anniversary of the day we first met.”

Only upon hearing those words did Ji Zhi finally recall what it was all about.