Lin Mo’s eyes flickered slightly at Xie Guanyan’s response.
He hadn’t taken the guy’s side and even suggested switching to someone else.
That meant he didn’t mind.
Lin Mo’s mood brightened considerably.
As long as he didn’t mind, that was enough!
The dishes they ordered arrived quickly.
The fusion Sichuan cuisine at this restaurant was delicious.
Lin Mo thoroughly enjoyed her meal.
She noticed Xie Guanyan ate quite a bit too.
Yes! This dinner was a success!
Xie Guanyan didn’t want to dampen the mood and was also savoring this rare moment of dining alone with her.
Even if her heart wasn’t fully here, even if she hadn’t originally planned to eat with him—
Just having this opportunity was more than enough.
He refused to waste such a lovely time feeling upset.
This time, Lin Mo paid the bill in advance, leaving Xie Guanyan no chance to settle it.
The two walked out of the restaurant together.
Naturally, they headed toward the beach.
Lin Mo cradled the bouquet of frosted blue roses in one arm, strutting with uncontainable pride.
Look, everyone! Today, she received flowers from the man she liked!
She was over the moon with happiness!
Only a few dim streetlights illuminated the beach.
The tall, long-legged man gazed at the young woman before him with infatuation.
The sea breeze lifted the hem of her blue dress, making it flutter alongside the blue butterfly pendant at her neck.
She looked like a spirit emerging from the depths of the ocean—utterly mesmerizing.
The frosted blue roses in her arms symbolized stars and the sea.
A wish for her to surge forward freely, unbound.
All he could do was guard that freedom of hers.
No matter what, he would always protect her.
Autumn had long settled in, and the seaside grew colder as the night deepened.
After only a short walk, the two returned to the car.
By the time they got home, it was quite late.
The butler and maids had already clocked out.
The live-in maid no longer stayed overnight—Lin Mo heard she wasn’t used to it.
Placing the roses on the living room coffee table, Lin Mo checked the time.
"Third Brother is coming back tomorrow, so I need to pick him up early at the airport. I’ll head to bed now. Good night, Lao Xie! I really enjoyed dinner with you today!"
She hadn’t contacted Third Brother at all since returning. No doubt he’d be furious when he found out.
She had to make it up to him somehow.
Confessing to Xie Guanyan was something she’d planned to do after Third Brother’s return.
While dating was her own business, she still wanted to discuss it with her three younger brothers first.
She hoped for their blessings.
The next morning arrived swiftly at five o’clock.
Shen Yihan parked his car outside the villa.
Lin Mo, wearing a Shen Sizhan fan headband and holding a support banner, climbed into the passenger seat.
Shen Yihan glanced at his sister, twisting the Buddhist beads around his right wrist.
"Sis, are you pretending to be Third Brother’s fan?"
Lin Mo rolled her eyes. "Pretending? I am his most devoted fan!"
As Shen Yihan started the car, he mused inwardly—Third Brother was one lucky guy!
To avoid overwhelming Shen Sizhan too soon, they didn’t bring Shen Ji’an along this early.
He’d find out everything once they got home.
Beijing International Airport.
Watching the plane descend onto familiar ground, the silver-haired man’s defiant expression softened slightly.
The blue S-shaped earring on his right ear glinted under the light.
His manager, Zhou Sheng, shot him a warning look.
"We’re back in the country now. Watch your words and actions—no more stirring up trouble, got it?"
Some of the concert organizers on this tour had been downright terrible.
Overpriced tickets, cramped venues, shoddy equipment.
At the last stop, the organizers had insisted on filming a video with Shen Sizhan before departure.
Shen Sizhan flashed a thumbs-up, grinning. "This organizer’s a total dumbass—don’t work with them!"
The organizer, mistaking it for praise, beamed like a blooming chrysanthemum and posted it on foreign social media.
The backlash was immediate, with the organizer getting roasted online.
Furious, they even threatened to send thugs after Shen Sizhan!
Zhou Sheng couldn’t understand why Shen Sizhan had to be so blunt. Concerts were just cash grabs—why pick fights?
The silver-haired rebel lazily met Zhou Sheng’s glare.
"You know, you remind me of a famous figure from the Three Kingdoms era… Zhuge something… Oh right—Zhuge this!"
Zhou Sheng: "…"
His face darkened with rage.
Shen Sizhan had always been difficult to manage, and his rising fame only made it worse.
One day, that mouth of his would ruin everything!
Outside the airport, a crowd of excited fans waited eagerly.
Lin Mo blended in among them.
Before long, the silver-haired icon strode out of the terminal.
Black sunglasses shielded his eyes as his long legs carried him with effortless swagger.
Rogueishly handsome and untamed!
The fans erupted, surging forward.
Lin Mo, inexperienced in fan chases, got shoved to the outskirts before she could react.
"Ahhhh! Brother Sizhan, you’re finally back!"
"Congratulations on the successful tour!"
"Brother Sizhan, I’d die for you!"
Shen Sizhan: "…"
His expression remained aloof, but warmth flickered in his chest.
These devoted fans were part of why he’d persevered all this way.
The early morning Beijing wind carried a chill.
Shen Sizhan headed toward the company’s arranged van.
As usual, he’d bid farewell before getting in.
This time was no different.
He turned, addressing the crowd. "Everyone, head home safely. Be careful on the—"
But the words "be careful" never left his lips.
A familiar-yet-unfamiliar figure wriggled like a fish from the outermost ring, squeezing through to the front.
A radiant face beamed up at him.
"Shen Sizhan, welcome back!"
