Seeing several photos of A University pop up right after from Top Fan No. 2, Ji Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.
Was the other guy here looking for him?
It wasn’t unreasonable for Ji Zhi to suspect as much. After all, he hadn’t forgotten that one time during a chat with Top Fan No. 2 when he’d accidentally leaked some personal info, allowing the other man to guess that he was at A University.
Hadn’t he already agreed to meet up later? And the appointed time hadn’t even arrived yet…
As Ji Zhi mulled this over, another message arrived from Top Fan No. 2.
【Top Fan No. 2: I’m at A University for some business anyway.】
【Top Fan No. 2: I was thinking if you’re on campus right now, we could meet up early.】
Learning that Top Fan No. 2 was only at A University for his own errands eased Ji Zhi’s tension instantly.
He smoothly typed back: 【What a shame. I’m out eating right now and need to pick up some essentials later.】
【This mall is pretty far from our school.】
【[Picture][Picture]】
As he typed, Ji Zhi sent over the photos to Top Fan No. 2.
Luckily, he’d made a habit of snapping a few shots during meals earlier, which he could now use to prove he was out and about.
Top Fan No. 2 replied almost immediately.
【Top Fan No. 2: Yeah, that’s too bad. I’ve got a meeting soon anyway.】
【Top Fan No. 2: Be safe on your way back. Take it slow, and message me when you get back to your dorm safe and sound.】
Even through the screen, Ji Zhi could almost hear the man’s leisurely typing.
He was about to reply when the next message appeared.
【Top Fan No. 2: But good thing it’s just two days until we meet anyway.】
Ji Zhi’s fingers paused over the keyboard.
Ji Zhi: ?
…Two days later?
His pupils contracted as he hurriedly scrolled back through his chat history with Top Fan No. 2. Sure enough, to placate the man back then, he’d set the date for two days from now.
But Ji Zhi had always planned to find an excuse to bail, and with his recent worries about Fu Huixu discovering his identity, he’d shoved the whole thing to the back of his mind.
Only now, with Top Fan No. 2 bringing it up, did it come rushing back.
Ji Zhi held his breath, racking his brain for an excuse to brush it off.
Two days from now was a Saturday at school—claiming classes wouldn’t fly.
How about saying the school had some sudden event, and their counselor had scheduled something?
But before Ji Zhi could even finish typing, a new message from Top Fan No. 2 landed.
【Top Fan No. 2: I chatted with your principal. No word on any recent events.】
Ji Zhi: “…”
No way—the guy had even predicted what he was about to say?!
Beyond shock at Top Fan No. 2 chatting with the principal, Ji Zhi couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Good thing he hadn’t sent his message yet. That would’ve been mortifying.
But what exactly had brought the man to campus, anyway? How was he rubbing elbows with their principal…
Ji Zhi grumbled to himself but refocused on the priority: figuring out how to dodge the meetup.
Before long, the taxi pulled up to A University’s campus gate. Ji Zhi woke the dozing Chen Xingwen, and they headed inside.
Chen Xingwen had already been reeling from the revelation that Fu Huixu was Top 1 for quite a while now. Ji Zhi didn’t want to worry him further, especially since he had no intention of actually showing up for the date. So he kept the recent chat with Top Fan No. 2 to himself.
At the same time, a new message arrived from Top Fan No. 2.
【Top Fan No. 2: I’m heading out.】
The man had also sent a photo.
It looked like a casual snap, with light slicing in from the side. It captured only his hand resting on the genuine leather seat—long fingers slightly curved, the cuff revealing a stretch of pale wristbone, the black suit fabric gleaming subtly in the shadows.
The car’s interior details blurred into the background, but you could still make out the ebony trim on the center console, the precise stitching on the seats, and that untouched glass of whiskey on the armrest, its amber liquid edged with a golden sheen.
His figure lurked in the shadows, only the sharp line of his suited shoulder framed crisply by the car door—like a deliberately minimalist painting, the very air infused with restrained luxury.
Chen Xingwen glanced over. “Damn, that car’s gotta be pricey…”
Ji Zhi nodded along on instinct but quickly realized that wasn’t the point. Who cared about the car right now!
Snapping back to attention, he sent: 【Got it. Let me know when you get to the office.】
【Get some rest. Don’t overwork yourself.】
Knowing Top Fan No. 2 had gotten into his car and left, Ji Zhi finally relaxed. He and Chen Xingwen strolled into campus without a care.
They had an evening general elective class, and with nothing scheduled that afternoon, they decided to head back to the dorm to rest first.
Along the tree-lined paths of campus, the foliage stood thick and lush.
Some students hurried by under the branches, textbooks in hand. Others ambled leisurely with friends.
Ji Zhi and Chen Xingwen had no rush, so they took their time.
That’s when Chen Xingwen spotted someone and waved. “Hey, Lu Bro! Where you headed?”
Ji Zhi followed his gaze and saw one of Chen Xingwen’s dormmates—the guy Chen Xingwen was greeting.
Ji Zhi had visited Chen Xingwen’s dorm a few times, so he recognized him: Lu Bro, a third-year senior, vice chair of the student council. The man stayed busy but was decent enough.
Lu Bro waved back and lifted the files in his hand. “Running an errand for a prof—delivering some materials.”
Ji Zhi nodded in understanding.
Back when he’d first started university, he’d toyed with the idea of joining the student council. It’d mean dealing with students but also chances to network with professors, which could’ve led to job recommendations. It was Chen Xingwen who’d warned him how demanding it was, citing their own dormmate as proof, and that had nipped the idea in the bud.
After all, with streaming and his part-time internship, Ji Zhi couldn’t handle that kind of workload.
Lu Bro seemed to remember something and lowered his voice. “Oh, right—when you get back, tell our dorm to step it up this semester. I overheard the profs talking in the office earlier. Some big shot showed up and set up a scholarship fund for the school. The prizes are hefty…”
Chen Xingwen and Ji Zhi were tight, and it wasn’t a secret in their circle, so Lu Bro didn’t bother hiding it.
Chen Xingwen: “A big shot?!”
Ji Zhi: “Scholarships boosted?!”
Lu Bro: “…You two only hear what you wanna hear.”
“Yeah, I heard the big shot’s Duan Zhao. The profs said his company was already planning scholarships here, but for some reason, he came in person this time to finalize it. This new one’s double the previous amount…”
Ji Zhi & Chen Xingwen: “Duan Zhao?!”
This time, their attention synced up.
Like Ji Zhi, Chen Xingwen knew the name and reputation.
Ji Zhi had spotted the man from afar once, but Chen Xingwen and Lu Bro hadn’t.
Mentioning it brought disappointment to Lu Bro’s eyes. “Sigh, shame he only met with the principal. No chance for the likes of me to see him…”
His gaze flicked to the files in his hand, snapping him back to reality. The disappointment vanished. “Anyway, gotta deliver these. Catch you later.”
With that, he hurried off, vanishing from sight.
Watching Lu Bro go, Ji Zhi and Chen Xingwen turned their attention back to the topic.
The prospect of bigger scholarships had them both thrilled.
Their grades were solid. Chen Xingwen had been relying on them to cover the balance on his anime merch.
Ji Zhi did a quick mental tally of his scores and usual performance. He might snag one too.
As usual, they parted ways in front of the dorm.
Normally, Chen Xingwen would’ve tagged along to Ji Zhi’s room.
But with Fu Huixu crashing there now, who knew when he’d show up? In the end, Chen Xingwen decided against it.
Back in his room, Ji Zhi found Fu Huixu absent and let out a relieved breath.
He flopped lazily onto the bed, scrolling his phone while pondering how to ditch Top Fan No. 2.
Truth was, he really didn’t want to meet the guy.
Right—he could fake being sick!
To make it convincing, he’d wait until the night before and then message Top Fan No. 2 about a sudden fever.
He even snapped some thermometer pics, faking the numbers by holding it against hot water. In no time—
But Top Fan No. 2 beat him to it.
【Top Fan No. 2: How’s your health today? If you’re not feeling well, we can change plans. I can come take care of you.】
Ji Zhi: “…”
He instinctively glanced around the room, wondering if Top Fan No. 2 had planted cameras nearby. How else could the man always predict his next move?
Realizing the sick act was busted, Ji Zhi quietly deleted the thermometer photos.
After all, Top Fan No. 2 already knew he was at A University. The chances of him showing up were high.
Ji Zhi: 【I’m doing great. Why ask out of the blue?】
Had the guy teamed up with the school to bug the dorm while he was out?
【Top Fan No. 2: Good to hear. Some employees used to get sick before meeting me—some faked it, some were legit.】
【Top Fan No. 2: Looking forward to our meetup.】
【Top Fan No. 2: See you tomorrow.】
So Top Fan No. 2 had asked because he was seasoned at this.
The fake-sick route was blocked too.
Staring at the messages, Ji Zhi desperately combed his mind for excuses but came up empty.
In despair, he realized his options boiled down to ditching his student ID and current life to vanish—or actually show up.
In the end, Ji Zhi picked the latter.
He’d go meet Top Fan No. 2.
The man was so persistent, probably from not having seen him yet. Once they met, that interest would surely fade.
