Chapter 2 Part 1

Song Mian would occasionally wonder later if his chest wouldn’t have been attacked if he had refused to eat with Lin Zhi back then.

Lin Zhi was the typical type who got familiar with anyone quickly; he could chat with everyone in the dorm. But Song Mian generally ignored him. One day after military training ended, Lin Zhi suddenly invited him to eat together. Song Mian didn’t agree.

Lin Zhi, dressed in camouflage, leaned in front of him with a pitiful look. “But it’s so lonely eating alone.”

“What does that have to do with me?” Song Mian showed no mercy to Lin Zhi.

Lin Zhi got angry too. “You’re too heartless!”

Lin Zhi ran off.

Song Mian didn’t take it to heart. That evening, as Song Mian ate in the second-floor cafeteria, Lin Zhi came running over with his tray. Gone was the seal-like face from noon; he grinned and sat right next to him, his voice tinged with flattery. “You’re the eldest son of the prestigious Song family in our city, right?”

Song Mian ignored Lin Zhi.

Lin Zhi kept talking to himself. “It’s normal for someone from a prestigious family to have a temper. Can I be your lackey?”

Song Mian: ?

Perhaps the speechless look in Song Mian’s eyes was too obvious. Lin Zhi explained with a silly grin. “I’m from a small county town; it’s my first time seeing a real-life golden boy like you. You really look noble from head to toe.”

Song Mian reminded him. “You said I was showing off this afternoon.”

That afternoon, after Song Mian rejected him, Lin Zhi was annoyed with everything about him. When the instructor called Song Mian up to demonstrate military training moves, Lin Zhi muttered “showing off.”

Lin Zhi quickly apologized. “I don’t know any better.”

Lin Zhi had a very refined appearance, so Song Mian didn’t hold it against him too much. He refused flatly. “I don’t need a lackey.”

Lin Zhi was easygoing. “Then I’ll be your lapdog.”

Song Mian: ???

Song Mian looked up. Lin Zhi’s eyes curved in a smile; he saw no desire in them. But everyone who had approached him since childhood had ulterior motives. Maybe the Lin Zhi in front of him was just good at hiding it.

“What do you want?”

Lin Zhi: “A villa and a private jet.”

Song Mian’s lips twitched slightly. “You sure dare to ask.”

Lin Zhi bumped Song Mian’s shoulder. “I’m kidding. I don’t want anything; I just want to have dinner with you.”

In that instant of bewilderment, he got stuck with Lin Zhi.

–

The next day, Lin Zhi slept through his nap until past four, groggily hearing Yama’s voice: “Get up or there’ll be no food left.”

Lin Zhi jolted his eyes open and looked down to see Song Mian with an unpleasant expression.

Lin Zhi yawned. “Getting up right now!”

Song Mian often teased him about everything except his oversleeping. Lin Zhi didn’t know why, but around March and April, he got extremely sleepy. If he was sleepy, he slept.

Lin Zhi let out another big yawn and put on a more formal shirt. Lin Zhi was indeed very good-looking; the white shirt he rarely wore, paired with his refined features, added a touch of youthful innocence.

Song Mian glanced at him a few more times.

Lin Zhi: “How do I look? Formal enough? I won’t embarrass you, right?”

But Song Mian suddenly noticed something and grabbed Lin Zhi’s collar in disbelief. “Why is there a tiger on your collar?”

Lin Zhi looked down; it was a cute Q-version mini tiger.

Lin Zhi looked innocent. “My mom sewed it on. It’s her love for me—hoping I’ll be as brave as a tiger!”

Song Mian: “…”

“There’s clothes in my car. Go change.”

Lin Zhi had no choice but to change out of his Q-version tiger shirt.

The Romance Survival System reminded him in his mind: [Host, you have two hours left before you die. But this system will save you!]

Lin Zhi was touched. “Brother System!”

The Romance Survival System was cold: [Don’t get too moved yet. I want you to experience the fear of death first. Once you’re dead, you’ll appreciate this system!]

Lin Zhi grew nervous too, but he probably wouldn’t die, right? He knew the novel plot now.

A black luxury car was parked not far from campus. Among the row of cars, it stood out arrogantly. Lin Zhi habitually went for the passenger seat, but Song Mian grabbed his nape and shoved him into the back to change.

The back seat had a neatly folded set of custom black suits. Lin Zhi took off his tiger shirt, but it was his first time in formal wear; he couldn’t tie the tie to save his life. Finally, Song Mian lost patience, opened the door, and leaned in.

“Not dressed yet?”

Lin Zhi was honest. “I can’t tie this tie.”

Song Mian got in and grabbed Lin Zhi’s tie without a word, only to find he’d tied a dead knot. Song Mian glanced at Lin Zhi, who looked even more innocent, eyes wide and round.

Song Mian untied it with disdain, his distinct knuckles working deftly.

Lin Zhi lifted his chin to avoid Song Mian’s hair poking it, but explained, “I’m not looking down at you; I’m afraid you’ll poke me.”

Song Mian: “…Shut up.”

Lin Zhi fell silent.

The dead knot came undone. Song Mian quickly tied the tie for him. Once the formal knot was done, Lin Zhi straightened up, hands crossed on his lap, exuding young master vibes.

Song Mian went to the driver’s seat and glanced back at Lin Zhi posing. “Why are you still sitting there? Even cosplaying, you’re not the boss.”

Lin Zhi’s thoughts were exposed; his face reddened as he scrambled to the passenger seat, buckling up. Thinking about heading to a prestigious family home, he felt a bit nervous. “Brother Song Mian, if I embarrass you with my lack of experience, will you hate me?”

“Mm.”

Lin Zhi disagreed. “Be more respectful to your white moonlight.”

Song Mian gripped the wheel; he’d wanted to ask for a while. “You?”

The doubt was obvious. Lin Zhi sighed heavily. “Not now. You’ll only realize my importance after I die. So why do people only cherish after death? Song Mian, cherish me now.”

Song Mian said nothing.

Lin Zhi successfully filled the car with awkward silence, but he didn’t feel it. After a quiet moment, as the car drove further from the city, his tension finally surged.

Would he really die? Just avoid the pool, right?

Song Mian slowed down, glanced sharply at Lin Zhi, and frowned. “What are you up to now?”

Lin Zhi was doing deep breaths repeatedly.

“I’m nervous.”

Song Mian wasn’t completely heartless. “Nothing to be nervous about. I’m not the star today. Just think of it as a free buffet.”

Lin Zhi pondered.

The Romance Survival System chimed in: [Host, eat plenty to go out in style.]

Lin Zhi: “…”

Lin Zhi stopped mentally listing the menu.

The Song estate was in a suburban manor, nestled by mountains and water, scenic and beautiful. Security checked invitations at the gate. When Song Mian and Lin Zhi arrived, the guard respectfully called “Young Master” and let them in.

Lin Zhi didn’t recognize the others entering with them, but he knew the watch on one man’s wrist—same model as his, official price 500,000 yuan. Song Mian had looked down on his cheap watch and gifted him a fancy one for his birthday to broaden his horizons.

The Romance Survival System exclaimed first: [Host! So when you said the male lead looks down on you, you meant he looked down on your watch and then gifted you a 500,000-yuan one?]

“Yes, exactly.”

[You ungrateful brat! The male lead was being nice to you!]

Lin Zhi scratched his cheek defensively. “How am I ungrateful? He did look down on my watch!”

[You said he looks down on you!]

“I shortened it.” Lin Zhi was righteous.

The system nearly died of frustration from Lin Zhi.

Inside the manor, one side was lawn, the other a swimming pool. Lin Zhi noted the pool’s location mentally: he’d die before going near it!

In the main hall, a massive floating glass chandelier hung overhead, reflecting the well-dressed crowd mingling with wine glasses, servants refilling drinks and dishes.

Lin Zhi beelined for the food, grabbing bites everywhere despite Song Mian’s repeated warnings not to wander. He offered Song Mian another cake slice. “Eat?”

Song Mian: “……Eat it yourself.”

Lin Zhi swallowed it in one bite; Song Mian couldn’t bear to watch.

Soon, someone called “Little Mian.” It was an elderly man still radiating nobility. Irritable Song Mian instantly smiled. “Grandpa Jiang.”

Lin Zhi stared curiously at Song Mian.

Grandpa Jiang asked about Old Master Song’s health.

Song Mian: “He’s in good health.”

“Song Jiancheng is messing around. Making such a fuss over a bastard son.” Mentioning Song Feng, Grandpa Jiang’s eyes filled with undisguised disdain. “Little Mian, you’ve been wronged.”

Song Mian smiled without replying.

“Is this your friend?”

Called out, Lin Zhi’s mouth was stuffed full; he could only nod frantically and bump Song Mian to introduce him.

“Mm.”

After the man left, Lin Zhi chewed half a minute before he could speak. “You were a bit rude. You should’ve introduced me.”

Song Mian: “You’re the rude one. Mouth stuffed like a hamster—better to play mute.”

Lin Zhi grinned foolishly. “The food here’s too good.”

People came one after another to greet Song Mian. Lin Zhi sneaked another salmon slice, but after the middle-aged man left, he poked Song Mian’s arm and whispered, “I know that guy; I saw news about him cheating. How do you hang with him?”

“I’m not hanging with him; it’s normal socializing.” Song Mian calmly spilled the tea to Lin Zhi. “Not suspected—he gave his wife a card worth tens of millions, and she covered for him.”

Lin Zhi’s eyes widened.

“Damn? You know that?”

Song Mian’s lips twitched. “Same circle—what can be hidden?”

Lin Zhi secretly pointed at a bald man nearby, tiptoeing to whisper in Song Mian’s ear. “Is the prostitution thing real?”

Song Mian followed his gaze, voice just loud enough for Lin Zhi. “Prostitution’s fake; he got set up. That old guy wants the land in West City.”

Lin Zhi’s eyes rounded again, full of admiration.

Song Mian was disgusted. “……Don’t look at me like that.”

Lin Zhi hugged Song Mian’s arm, excitedly pointing here and there. Song Mian couldn’t shake him off and indulged Lin Zhi’s gossip itch one by one.

Admiration nearly overflowed from Lin Zhi’s eyes.

“Got any dirt on yourself?”

“My dirt is—”

Lin Zhi perked his ears.

Song Mian looked down. “Hanging with idiots.”

Lin Zhi froze.

“Huh?”

Song Mian let out a short laugh; Lin Zhi got it.

Lin Zhi went silent.

“You’re calling me an idiot.”

“Not calling; stating facts.”

“Even madder now.” Lin Zhi said.

Song Mian drawled. “Want more cake? Hold it in.”

Lin Zhi bit into a cake, holding it! But glared at Song Mian with both eyes.

Song Mian was in a great mood; this was the use of idiots.

A suited teen approached Song Mian nervously. It was Song Mian’s half-brother, the illegitimate son Song Feng, eighteen years old. Brought home three years after Song Mian’s mother died.