On the other side of the restaurant, a handsome man kept glancing toward another table.
"Lu Sheng, what are you looking at?" his companion across the table asked.
Lu Sheng withdrew his gaze. "Nothing. Just thought I saw a classmate."
"A classmate? Didn’t you study in the UK for university? You actually ran into a classmate back in Jing City?" the companion pressed.
"High school classmate," Lu Sheng clarified.
"Ah, high school," the other man chuckled. "I heard you were the school heartthrob and top student back then. Was it a girl who had a crush on you?"
Did Sang Lu like him?
Probably not.
The moment Lu Sheng spotted Sang Lu earlier, her name had immediately come to mind.
The girl with natural curls from the neighboring class.
The club president.
Thinking back, Sang Lu had been a rather extraordinary girl.
During the dreary, exhausting days of senior year, she was never worn down—always energetic, organizing club activities, excelling in her studies, and radiating enthusiasm every single day.
At this thought, Lu Sheng glanced at his phone.
If he remembered correctly, her number was still saved in his contacts.
He’d added it during a club event years ago. Even after changing phones over the years, the data had transferred automatically. Her name was probably still there, listed under "President."
His gaze drifted back to Sang Lu’s table.
Just like in his memories, she was chatting animatedly with her companions, her smile bright and infectious.
His companion followed Lu Sheng’s line of sight and noticed the document bag on the table bearing the words "Jing City Television Station."
"Your classmate works at Jing City TV? What a coincidence—that’s directly related to our current project," the man remarked, surprised.
At those words, Lu Sheng’s eyes lit up.
What a coincidence indeed.
……
Meanwhile, at the other table, Sang Lu had already forgotten about the chance encounter, engrossed in lively conversation with her colleagues.
After several rounds of drinks, the big eaters among them went to fetch more desserts, while the rest idly scrolled through their phones, occasionally clinking glasses.
Sang Lu, sober, browsed her social media feed.
Her finger slipped, landing on a photo Feng Bai had posted that afternoon—
Only his hands were visible, clad in rough gloves as he mixed fertilizer.
Caption: My Chinese genes have been activated.
Unconsciously, Sang Lu’s lips curved into a warm, almost maternal smile.
Why did it feel like she was watching a child grow up?
She tapped the like button.
After scrolling a bit more and finding nothing new, she returned to the top of her feed—
Only to see that Feng Yi had posted a minute ago, also a photo—
A chaotic study room, textbooks strewn across the floor.
Caption: The spirit of learning is being activated…
Still smiling fondly, Sang Lu hit like again.
Then paused.
Wait.
Their captions were oddly similar.
Both used "activated."
Coincidence?
Or were they subtly calling each other out?
Hard to say.
The two of them always seemed at odds—it didn’t seem like they’d even have each other on social media.
But if this wasn’t some veiled exchange… then the implications were even more intriguing.
Two brothers, sharing the same blood, posting nearly identical updates in succession—it spoke of an uncanny synchronization.
Sang Lu’s inner gossip flame ignited.
What was the reason they’d never gotten along since childhood?
With such a small age gap, they should’ve been playmates.
Her curiosity burned brighter.
Then, an image of Feng Yan’s cool, detached expression flashed in her mind.
Sang Lu tapped her chin thoughtfully.
Despite Feng Yan’s aloof, mind-your-own-business demeanor, he was actually observant and kind-hearted.
He’d even noticed the wear on Chengzai’s tires before she had.
Maybe… he knew exactly why his younger brothers were like this?
Hmm.
She’d find an opportunity to ask him tonight.
Later that evening, when she returned to Qinghe Bay, the clock had just passed 9:30.
After checking the living room and study, she found no sign of Feng Yan.
Just as she wondered if he was still working overtime, rhythmic thuds echoed from the direction of the home gym.
Ah. He was punching the sandbag.
Sang Lu nodded to herself.
Alright, she’d shower first and find a chance to satisfy her curiosity later.
The buffet had left her hair carrying all sorts of smells, so she took her time soaking in the bath.
By the time she stepped out, she was fresh and fragrant.
Heading to the walk-in closet to pick out tomorrow’s outfit, she had just reached the doorway when the bedroom door opened—
Feng Yan stood there, shirtless, wearing only workout shorts, having just showered in the gym’s bathroom. He’d come to grab a change of clothes.
Their eyes met.
Both froze.
He hadn’t known she was home.
She hadn’t expected him to walk in half-naked…
Sang Lu’s eyes widened, her gaze involuntarily dropping—landing on his impossibly defined abs.
Post-workout, his muscles were slightly engorged, every ridge and groove sharply pronounced.
This was the first time she’d seen him bare-chested so… vividly.
The impact was overwhelming.
Her brain short-circuited for a second.
Only when Feng Yan stepped forward and said flatly, "I’m getting clothes," did she snap back to reality—
She was blocking the closet entrance.
Flustered, she sidestepped. Feng Yan brushed past her.
He had just finished showering, his body still enveloped in a layer of steam. As he walked toward her, Sang Lu felt that warmth rush straight to her face.
Feng Yan stepped inside calmly, casually grabbed a black T-shirt, and pulled it over his head with practiced ease before turning his gaze toward Sang Lu, who stood motionless by the door.
Meeting his eyes, Sang Lu suddenly remembered—she had come to gossip with him.
"I have something to show you."
Sang Lu abruptly spoke, tossing out the words before pivoting on her heel and disappearing through the doorway of the walk-in closet.
Feng Yan’s tall figure remained in the closet, his cool, detached expression flickering with a trace of confusion.
Soon, Sang Lu returned with her phone in hand.
She walked toward him, already launching into the preamble of her gossip:
"Did you see Feng Yi and Feng Bai’s posts on social media today?"
"No," Feng Yan answered without hesitation.
He never paid attention to what they posted.
If he saw them, he’d just swipe past without a second thought.
Sang Lu stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Feng Yan, head bowed as she scrolled through her phone.
She was a head shorter than him.
The spotlight in the walk-in closet cast their shadows onto the carpet.
In the silhouette, their shoulders melted into one.
Sang Lu kept her eyes down, fingers swiping relentlessly until she finally found the two posts.
She tilted the phone toward him.
"Here, look."
Feng Yan leaned down, his gaze dropping to her screen.
As his tall frame bent slightly toward her, Sang Lu caught the faint citrus scent of his body wash, mingling with the damp warmth that clung to him, wrapping around her.
Tendrils of steam lingered in the air between them.
He was so close—close enough that a single upward glance would bring his sharp, striking jawline into view.
His Adam’s apple stood prominent, and a few droplets from his hair trailed down his collarbone.
Bathed in the warm golden light, it all blended into an indescribable aura of raw magnetism.
Feng Yan’s eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
Before he could finish reading the posts, a new text notification popped up at the top.
From an unknown number—
"Sang Lu, it’s Lu Sheng. What a surprise running into you today. Do you still remember me? I wasn’t sure if you’d changed your number..."
The preview cut off, the rest of the message hidden behind the ellipsis.
Sang Lu wasn’t looking at the screen and didn’t notice the new message.
Her attention was fixed on Feng Yan’s striking features.
She watched as his brows slowly furrowed, a sharp, dark glint flashing through his pitch-black eyes.
