“That’s bias. If I were dumb, how could I go to the same university as you?” Lin Zhi analyzed logically. “He snatched my watch because you gave it to me—he doesn’t want me wearing your gift. He has a strong possessive streak toward you. From a fandom perspective, he’s a toxic solo stan. Toxic solostans get flamed everywhere.”
Lin Zhi followed Song Mian into a bedroom—simple Western European style, with a cabinet full of trophies. This was Song Mian’s bedroom. Lin Zhi looked around curiously for the first time.
Song Mian found the first-aid kit. “You being at the same university as me just proves you’re good at studying. Song Feng isn’t dumb—he sweet-talked my dad into giving him his shares.”
Lin Zhi sat in a chair, curious. “Will that affect you inheriting the Song Corporation later?”
Song Mian pulled out iodine and cotton swabs, about to apply it, but seemed to recall something unpleasant and made Lin Zhi do it himself. Lin Zhi obediently treated his wrist wound while Song Mian leaned nearby without answering directly. “He’s an illegitimate son. Even after this banquet, in the Song Family, besides Song Jiancheng, no one acknowledges him. The Song Family is full of intrigue. My mother is gone, but her faction remains. No one will prop up an illegitimate son. So he clings to me but resents it—stealing your watch was just to embarrass me.”
“And—”
A glint of malice flashed in Song Mian’s eyes. “My mother’s death is tied to him. So stay away from him too. Don’t get killed someday without knowing why.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes widened. He hadn’t fully grasped the earlier parts, but the wealthy family gossip was real! Lin Zhi stood and hugged Song Mian. “From now on, I’ll hate Song Feng with a passion!”
Song Mian shoved Lin Zhi away and gave a one-word verdict: “Idiot.”
Lin Zhi blinked with wide, innocent eyes. “But we’re really ditching the watch? It’s the most valuable thing I own, and you gave it to me. Even though you tossed my old one when you gave it… it was still your thoughtfulness!”
Song Mian sneered.
“You could’ve skipped the latter part. Now you know it’s valuable? Didn’t think to snatch it back when it was taken?”
Lin Zhi flushed sheepishly. “Couldn’t win it back.”
After treating the wrist wound, Song Mian didn’t mention the watch again. Lin Zhi figured he’d have to reclaim it himself. After scarfing several pieces of seafood to calm his nerves, he scanned for Song Feng.
He spotted Song Mian nearby too. Lin Zhi dashed over, only to get a vicious glare from Song Feng. Emboldened by Song Mian’s presence, Lin Zhi reached out aggressively. “Give me back my watch!”
Song Feng grudgingly said, “I already gave it to my brother. I didn’t mean to snatch it; I just wanted to borrow it.”
Lin Zhi was skeptical. “Do you even believe that?”
Song Feng smiled. “That’s the truth.”
Lin Zhi’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“Bro, you’re kinda fake.”
Song Feng’s smile nearly cracked. “That watch’s face is worn—it’s been dropped multiple times. Since you and my brother are ‘besties,’ surely he’ll give you an even better one?”
Lin Zhi missed the sarcasm and stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This one’s worth 500,000 bucks, and you want Song Mian to give me an even pricier one? Kid, are you trying to paint me as a gold digger?”
Song Feng: “……”
Song Mian stayed silent.
Lin Zhi narrowed his eyes. “Malicious intentions, huh.”
“I didn’t!” Song Feng protested loudly.
Lin Zhi grabbed Song Mian’s arm and whispered, “Let’s go. He’s no good.”
Song Mian’s lips curved slightly. He said nothing and followed Lin Zhi away. While Lin Zhi was off grabbing more food, Song Mian glanced at the watch. The face was indeed scratched. He pocketed it again.
Lin Zhi came over with a glass of wine. “I sniffed this—it smells great. Wanna drink?”
Song Mian’s guard was up. “If it’s good, why don’t you drink it?”
Lin Zhi didn’t drink for a simple reason: he was afraid that if he got drunk, he’d spill the truth about kissing Song Mian in the middle of the night. But he really wanted to share it anyway.
“I get drunk easily from alcohol. Can you taste it for me?”
Song Mian refused to drink. “I still have to drive.”
Lin Zhi regretfully sniffed the aroma of the wine. Song Mian couldn’t stand watching it and snatched the wine glass from Lin Zhi’s hand, placing it on the counter. “We’re going back.”
Lin Zhi didn’t want to leave paradise yet. “But I’m not full.”
“Eat more and you’ll burst.”
Lin Zhi grabbed another piece of cake and reluctantly followed behind Song Mian, who didn’t bother hiding the disgust in his eyes.
By eight o’clock on the weekend, the closer they got to the city center, the heavier the traffic became. At one intersection, cars blocked half the street. Lin Zhi, who had eaten his fill and was fast asleep, was woken by a gust of cold wind.
Song Mian had opened the car window.
Lin Zhi yawned and saw Song Mian smoking again. He still voiced his concern. “Smoking is bad for your health.”
“Mm.”
Lin Zhi shook his head with a sigh Curious onlookers in the car next to them peered at Lin Zhi, and upon spotting Song Mian driving, they gossiped loudly, “Are you two a couple?”
Lin Zhi waved his hand. “No!”
The Romance Survival System came online: [Host, just wait until the strategy succeeds! If you deny it again, I’ll administer an electric shock!]
Lin Zhi changed his tune. “Yes!”
“Blessings to you both!”
Lin Zhi shouted back, “Thank you!”
Song Mian: ?
After finishing his cigarette, Song Mian closed the car window. Lin Zhi unbuckled his seatbelt and squeezed in front of Song Mian. “Sorry about that. If you don’t admit it, people will keep asking.”
Song Mian was skeptical. “Really?”
Lin Zhi guiltily sat back down and asked the system, “Baby, will the electric shock kill me?”
The Romance Survival System came online again, its electronic voice tinged with a bit of guilt: [No!]
Lin Zhi didn’t pick up on it and sighed instead. “You systems are really powerful. Besides me, can you shock other people? There’s someone in my class I hate—go shock him.”
The Romance Survival System’s electronic voice grew even guiltier: [I can only shock the bound host.]
“That’s too much!” Lin Zhi complained.
The Romance Survival System quietly went offline.
Back at the dorm, after Lin Zhi showered and returned the suit to Song Mian, Song Mian didn’t take it back and told Lin Zhi to handle it himself—either throw it away or keep it.
As if Lin Zhi would throw it away!
Lin Zhi looked at Tong Xu, who was eyeing him, and said sincerely, “I’m not a gold digger.”
Tong Xu replied, “No one’s calling you a gold digger. I’m just purely envious. That suit looks like top-quality material.”
“I’m envious of myself too.” Lin Zhi grinned dopily.
“Where’s your watch?”
“It’s with Song Mian. He’s holding onto it for me.”
Tong Xu didn’t pry further. When Lin Zhi asked if he was gaming, Tong Xu said, “Just one round,” then went invisible after it ended and gamed on under Lin Zhi’s watchful eye.
Lin Zhi let Tong Xu off the hook, yawned, and decided to sleep.
Monday’s first class for the computer science major was at eight. The dorm alarm rang at seven, accompanied by the system’s voice in Lin Zhi’s mind: [Host, wake up! Side quest two has refreshed!]
No alarm was better than the system. Lin Zhi instantly opened his eyes.
The system excitedly issued the task with enthusiasm: [Side Quest Two: Secretly collect the male lead Song Mian’s personal belongings, then get caught by the male lead in the act. Let the male lead know that you truly cherish him! Deadline: Five days. If the task isn’t completed within the time limit, the host will die in the dorm on the morning of March 21, 2025. The male lead will investigate your cause of death, return to the Song Family to seize power, and ultimately become the overlord of City A.]
Lin Zhi’s mind was still foggy and asked the system to repeat it. The system broadcasted it again with the same excited enthusiasm.
Lin Zhi said, “Is this really a strategy? Can thieves strategize the male lead now?”
The Romance Survival System explained knowingly: [It’s secretly collecting the male lead’s personal belongings! Personal belongings! This isn’t theft—it’s being a fanatic!]
Lin Zhi rolled over, deep in thought.
This time, he was really pondering. The Romance Survival System chimed in cheekily: [The system is upgrading too! You didn’t hear wrong—let the male lead discover it! Considering the host’s sneaky and cunning nature, this task requires the male lead to find out! Host, don’t blame the system for being heartless; it’s my job. Since it’s a strategy task, the host must complete it properly—no sneaky business!]
Lin Zhi rolled over again to stare at the ceiling.
Doing this task would completely shatter his straight guy’s dignity.
“Zhizhi, time to get up.” Someone knocked on the edge of his bed. It was Zhu Muyun, backpack on, about to leave the dorm. Zhu Muyun was the earliest riser in the dorm. If Lin Zhi wasn’t up when he left, he’d call out to him.
Lin Zhi sat up from the bed. He would never love again.
