In the bathroom.
Shen Sizhan splashed cold water on his face over and over again.
He needed to confirm, again and again, that this was reality.
He really wasn’t dreaming.
His sister had traveled back from eleven years ago, and their fourth brother had also been found and brought home by her.
Yet, he had nearly strangled the fourth brother to death just moments ago.
How was he supposed to face his sister and their younger brother now?
Would they never speak to him again?
What should he do? What should he do?
He stared at his reflection in the mirror, tugging at his hair in agitation.
In the living room.
Shen Yihan said to Shen Ji'an, "Fourth Brother, don’t be angry with Third Brother. He just had an episode—it wasn’t directed at you. When he comes out, I’ll beat him up for you."
Shen Ji'an shook his head. "I’m not angry."
Lin Mo frowned. "What illness does he have? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Shen Yihan twisted the Buddhist beads around his right wrist. "I thought the herbal medicine had already cured him."
Looking at his sister, he continued, "Because you died in a car accident on your way to a date, he blamed Gu Jingchuan for your death."
"After you passed, Gu Jingchuan went on with his life as if nothing had happened, cycling through one girlfriend after another. Every time Third Brother saw those news reports, he’d smash his phone and sob uncontrollably."
"Eventually, it escalated—whenever he saw couples, he’d lose control. Then it got worse—he couldn’t stand men at all. He’d attack any man he saw, then vomit, convulse, and collapse afterward."
"I took him to a psychologist, who diagnosed him with androphobia—a condition that’s hard to treat. So we switched to traditional Chinese medicine, and he drank a lot of herbal concoctions."
"He improved enough that later, after entering the entertainment industry, he only had a few outbursts directed at Gu Jingchuan. The rest of the time, he seemed normal. I thought he was fully recovered."
"But seeing a man getting close to you triggered him again."
Shen Sizhan had never liked Gu Jingchuan.
When Gu Jingchuan was pursuing Lin Mo, Shen Sizhan constantly sabotaged him.
For example, when Gu Jingchuan came to their house to see Lin Mo,
Shen Sizhan would serve him water—except it was actually scooped from the toilet.
Then, when Gu Jingchuan spoke,
Shen Sizhan would say, "Why does your breath stink so bad? Did you sneak into the bathroom for a snack?"
Gu Jingchuan would storm off in fury.
Yet, in the end, Lin Mo still ended up with Gu Jingchuan.
Shen Sizhan cried for days and refused to eat.
(Though he secretly snacked.)
After Gu Jingchuan entered the entertainment industry, Shen Sizhan became his biggest anti-fan.
He created hundreds of burner accounts to harass him, left negative reviews on his films,
and even used his posters as toilet paper.
He often said, "If only Sister had never dated, she wouldn’t have died."
So, lately, Shen Yihan had been worried—if Shen Sizhan found out about Lin Mo and Xie Guanyan,
he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Now it was clear: he’d either cry himself into the hospital or attack Xie Guanyan in a fit.
"Androphobia?" Lin Mo repeated the term.
She’d only ever read about misogynistic CEOs in novels.
This was the first time she’d heard of a man with androphobia.
Shen Yihan spoke softly, "Sister, all these years, Third Brother has missed you terribly. This illness wasn’t something he chose. Please don’t resent him for it."
Lin Mo sighed. "He’s my little brother. Besides, his condition developed because of me. How could I resent him? I just feel heartbroken for him."
Damn it—why had she impulsively accepted Gu Jingchuan’s confession back then?
Another day, another wave of regret for that decision!
Though, strictly speaking, her death wasn’t Gu Jingchuan’s fault.
Even if she hadn’t gone on that date, she might have gone out anyway.
Her death was caused by brake failure in her new car.
But why had the brakes suddenly failed?
If she hadn’t realized, in her dying moments, that this world was just a novel, she might have dwelled on that question.
But she knew the truth now.
She was just a plot device—a doomed white moonlight.
From Shen Sizhan’s perspective, though, he didn’t know this world’s true nature.
He was only eleven at the time. His reaction was understandable.
And it set the stage for his later fate—being cyberbullied into depression after targeting Gu Jingchuan on a variety show, ultimately leading to his death.
Thinking of her third brother’s tragic end, Lin Mo’s heart ached.
Other A-list celebrities: living their best lives, getting everything they wanted.
Shen Sizhan: spiraling into madness, sinking into despair.
Lin Mo let out another bitter laugh.
Sometimes, it really felt like her life was a cruel joke—like reaching for a tissue to wipe her tears, only to find it smeared with chili oil.
Shen Ji'an pressed his lips together. "I feel bad for Third Brother too."
Shen Yihan glanced toward the bathroom, hesitating before adding, "So, Sister, about you and Xie Guanyan… let’s not tell him for now. I’m afraid the shock might be too much for him."
Lin Mo nodded. "I understand."
Then her eyes widened. "Wait—you know about me and Xie Guanyan?"
Shen Yihan and Shen Ji'an exchanged a look, then nodded in unison.
Lin Mo: "…"
Good grief! Was her crush on Xie Guanyan that obvious?
"What are you all talking about?" Shen Sizhan’s hoarse voice cut in.
All three looked up.
"Nothing, just waiting for you," Lin Mo said with a smile.
Shen Sizhan’s silver hair was damp, his usual rebellious cool-guy demeanor somewhat subdued. "Sister, Fourth Brother… about what I did earlier—"
"It’s fine!" Lin Mo and Shen Ji'an said simultaneously.
Shen Ji'an rubbed his buzz cut. "Third Brother, you’re weak. It didn’t hurt at all—I was just acting."
Lin Mo grinned. "No bond stronger than one forged in a fight. Consider this your reintroduction to Fourth Brother."
Shen Sizhan had braced himself for rejection when he stepped out of the bathroom.
He hadn’t expected this kind of response.
Warmth flooded his chest, and he managed a lopsided smile, the S-shaped earring in his right ear glinting. Before he could speak, tears spilled over.
"Wahhh—Sister, Fourth Brother, I love you guys!"
He pretended to wipe his tears as he sidled up to Shen Yihan, whispering, "Second Brother, you didn’t tell them—"
Shen Yihan: "No."
Relieved, Shen Sizhan smeared his tears on Shen Yihan’s suit jacket. "Best Second Brother ever. I’ll never call you a monk again."
Shen Yihan: "…"
Lin Mo spent the rest of the afternoon at Shen Yihan’s villa.
She listened as Shen Sizhan recounted the years she’d missed.
She also heard Shen Ji'an’s story.
Lin Mo briefly summarized what had happened since her return—omitting the parts about Xie Guanyan.
Shen Sizhan tilted his head. "Oh, right, Sister—is your insomnia better? Are you staying at Second Brother’s place? Want to come to my place? I’ve got a seaside penthouse!"
Lin Mo was touched he remembered her sleep troubles. "No improvement. I’m staying at our old family villa."
Shen Sizhan looked surprised. "I tried to buy that place a while back, but the owner refused to sell. How’d you manage it?"
Lin Mo blinked. "Let’s just say… I have my ways."
Shen Sizhan grinned, his usual cocky charm returning. "That’s my sister for you! Then tonight, I’ll stay with you!"
Lin Mo instinctively replied, "Huh?"
Shen Sizhan’s eyes reddened at her hesitation.
Lin Mo immediately cupped his chin. "Nope, no tears!"
"I didn’t mean you can’t stay. I just thought you’d be exhausted from the flight, and it’s a hassle to move around."
Shen Sizhan bared his teeth instantly, "I'm not tired at all!"
Lin Mo felt a pang of worry.
If Shen Sizhan saw Xie Guanyan at the villa, he’d definitely lose it.
If only she’d said the place was rented when he mentioned staying over!
Maybe she could ask Xie Guanyan to stay elsewhere tonight?
But she’d promised him before that she’d never make him leave.
Setting this precedent would only make him feel insecure—like she might kick him out anytime.
With classes keeping her busy all week, the property hadn’t even been transferred yet!
Technically, the house still belonged to Xie Guanyan.
Out of ideas, she sent a message to Zhao Ziling:
"My younger brother is staying with me tonight, but ever since what happened with Gu Jingchuan, he’s developed severe androphobia. If he sees me living with Xie Guanyan, it’ll trigger him. I don’t know what to do!"
After hitting send, Lin Mo sighed.
Then her eyes widened in horror.
Oh no—she’d sent it to the wrong person!
Straight to Xie Guanyan himself!
She frantically tapped "recall," but it was too late.
Xie Guanyan had already replied: "Bring him home as usual. I’ll handle the rest."
