There were no evening self-study sessions on Saturdays.
After class, Lin Mo took a taxi accompanied by Shen Ji'an to visit the psychologist arranged by the influential Buddhist benefactor in the capital's elite circle.
Tonight, Xu Zunlong had scheduled a business discussion with Shen Yihan.
Lin Mo certainly wouldn’t ask him for a ride—making money was more important.
Her participation in the variety show had already been confirmed.
This recording would require her to stay away for a week.
She needed to get some sleep medication from the psychologist.
However, she hadn’t yet told Shen Sizhan about her upcoming appearance on the show.
Shen Sizhan had always worried about her being disturbed by the media.
But compared to him suffering online harassment and dying from depression,
a little disturbance seemed insignificant.
Upon arrival, Lin Mo met the legendary psychologist renowned for treating sleep disorders.
Contrary to the stereotypical handsome man with gold-rimmed glasses often seen in novels,
he was a middle-aged man with thinning hair, surnamed You.
Though judging by appearances was unfair, Lin Mo inexplicably felt confident in him!
Shen Ji'an waited outside while Lin Mo went in alone.
Dr. You sniffed and raised an eyebrow, asking, "You're here for sleep disorders, right?"
Lin Mo nodded. "Yes, I can't sleep in unfamiliar places."
Dr. You replied seriously, "Then try sleeping on eight-pack abs in those unfamiliar places."
Lin Mo: "..."
Dr. You: "I’m not joking. Some of my patients found it effective, and with the medication I prescribe, they recovered quickly."
Lin Mo's lips twitched. "Just prescribe me the medication."
"President Huo, why do you look so much older?"
In the elegantly decorated private room, Xu Zunlong asked Huo Tingshen.
The collaboration with Lin Mo's younger brother had been suggested by his son, Xu Yan.
Shen Yihan was indeed an excellent business partner.
But since Xu Zunlong wasn’t very familiar with him, he had invited Huo Tingshen along.
Huo Tingshen shot Xu Zunlong a deadpan look. "Not as old as you."
The divorce had left him too distracted to even soak his feet these days!
He couldn’t eat well or sleep well.
No matter how much pressure the Zhao family exerted, Zhao Ziling refused to compromise.
Meanwhile, his parents were eager for him to remarry quickly and have children.
Even taking over the Huo Group hadn’t been as exhausting as this!
Xu Zunlong noted Huo Tingshen’s sharp tongue but, considering his recent divorce, chose not to engage.
Instead, he kindly suggested, "Let me recommend a few clinics for cosmetic treatments. A man’s prime is short—inner health matters, but so does outer appearance!"
He himself had relied on his good looks to keep his wife.
Huo Tingshen remained stern. "No."
What kind of man goes to a beauty clinic?
"Mr. Xu."
The private room door opened.
Xie Guanyan, dressed in a white suit, and Shen Yihan, in black with Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist, entered.
The collaboration was with Shen Yihan,
but Xu Zunlong also wanted to connect with Xie Guanyan.
In business, more connections meant more opportunities—especially with a rising billionaire like Xie Guanyan.
Xu Zunlong stood. "Welcome, please sit. No introductions needed, right? President Huo, you know him. This is my son, Xu Yan—you probably met at my sister’s birthday party."
Xie Guanyan and Shen Yihan exchanged polite nods with Huo Tingshen and Xu Yan.
Huo Tingshen’s expression was indifferent. "President Xie, long time no see."
Xie Guanyan replied coolly, "President Huo, likewise."
Xu Zunlong laughed heartily. "Likewise? More like ‘likewise miserable’!"
Huo Tingshen: "..."
The dishes arrived quickly.
As the youngest at the table, Xu Yan stood to pour wine for everyone.
Xie Guanyan declined politely. "Thank you, but none for me."
Xu Zunlong, being the enthusiastic type, insisted.
"President Xie, this is aged vintage I brought specially from Jingnan. Even the old-fashioned President Huo is drinking!"
Huo Tingshen’s face darkened at being called "old-fashioned" by a man in his forties.
Unable to refuse Xu Zunlong’s persistence—and considering the importance of Shen Yihan’s deal—Xie Guanyan relented.
"Alright, I’ll join you for a few glasses."
Huo Tingshen, who rarely drank, had been indulging lately out of sheer resignation.
After several rounds, Xu Zunlong was in high spirits. "I’ll be in Jingbei for a couple of days. Let’s drink again tomorrow night!"
Xie Guanyan’s eyes curved slightly. "I’m busy tomorrow night."
Xu Zunlong suddenly remembered. "Ah, right—you must be going to Lin Mo’s performance."
Huo Tingshen frowned. "Lin Mo is performing already?"
Xu Zunlong grinned over his glass. "Yes, that girl is impressive. My son’s loved watching her dance since childhood. We’ve ordered plenty of flower baskets for the event."
Huo Tingshen glanced at Xie Guanyan, a hint of schadenfreude in his gaze.
He was in trouble now!
Xu Zunlong added, "I heard your ex-wife is performing too."
Huo Tingshen: "............"
His face instantly turned as dark as centuries-old soot.
Shen Yihan, whose status at this gathering was relatively low, had drunk quite a bit.
Now dizzy, he spun the prayer beads on his right wrist and glanced at Xie Guanyan.
He and his younger brother knew about their sister’s plan to confess her feelings.
Their task was to keep their third brother in the dark.
Yet his heart ached with regret—he wished he’d never encouraged her to admire Xie Guanyan’s virtues!
Xie Guanyan had already had a few drinks. He glanced at Xu Yan, his brow slightly furrowed.
It was normal for Xu Yan to send flower baskets.
But did Shan Shan actually like Xu Yan?
After their failed date, how far had things progressed between them?
This past week, Shan Shan had gone to the theater every day to practice, and Xu Yan had been there too.
Xie Guanyan hadn’t let his bodyguards observe what went on inside too closely.
As long as she was safe, that was enough.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," Xie Guanyan said, standing up.
In the restroom, icy water soaked his slender, well-defined fingers as he removed his glasses and splashed his face.
When he looked up again, Xu Yan was standing beside him.
Xu Yan handed him a tissue and said calmly, "Xie Guanyan, Lin Mo is only eighteen. You’re already thirty. Let her go."
Xie Guanyan’s heart clenched. He didn’t take the tissue, his voice turning cold. "Sorry, I don’t understand what you’re talking about."
Leaving the restroom, Xie Guanyan’s eyes darkened, his fingers tightening.
Yes, he was twenty-nine, and Shan Shan was only eighteen.
But so what?
He had never dared to imagine actually having her—only longing to bask in her light a little.
If Shan Shan really fell in love, he would wish her happiness.
"Sis! Can you please not confess tomorrow? It’s killing me too!"
Suddenly, Shen Yihan’s slightly drunken voice echoed down the hallway.
Xie Guanyan’s steps faltered, his breath catching.
Lin Mo was going to confess to someone?
To whom?
Shen Yihan caught sight of a figure in white from the corner of his eye and nearly jumped out of his skin.
His mind snapped to sobriety, and he quickly hung up the phone.
Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, he scrambled for something to say. "Mr. Xie, uh… was the bathroom trip… smooth?"
Xie Guanyan didn’t even register Shen Yihan’s words.
His mind was roaring, his heart gripped by an invisible fist.
Shan Shan was going to confess to Xu Yan tomorrow, wasn’t she?
Lin Mo picked up her medicine and went home.
She’d been busy these past few days.
The packages in the living room had nearly piled into a small mountain.
After her shower, she sat on the carpet by the sofa, using a small knife to open them.
A sound came from the door.
Lin Mo looked up and saw Xie Guanyan.
"You’re back!" she said, smiling.
Xie Guanyan held his suit jacket in one hand, his gaze landing on the medicine boxes on the coffee table. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Lin Mo continued opening packages. "No, I just picked up some medication today for my sleep disorder."
The darkness Xie Guanyan had been suppressing surged back, impossible to hide.
Sleep disorder medication?
So she could be free to be with Xu Yan, was that it?
Lin Mo kept unboxing.
Then she realized Xie Guanyan had sat down beside her—close.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She blinked but kept her hands moving.
The next moment, she pulled a small pink seal from the box.
Lin Mo frowned, puzzled. She didn’t remember ordering this.
Holding it up for a closer look—
"Buzz buzz buzz."
The little seal suddenly started vibrating.
Lin Mo: "……"
Her scalp prickled in horror.
This was that toy Zhao Ziling had ordered for her!!
Oh god, of all the times to open this package, it had to be when Xie Guanyan was sitting right next to her!
Was the universe messing with her again?!
The air was dead silent.
Lin Mo fumbled to turn it off, stammering, "This is—"
Xie Guanyan: "I invested in this company."
Lin Mo: "…………"
Now she couldn’t even lie about it!
She had no choice but to face it head-on.
Swallowing hard, she turned to him with forced calm. "Oh? Well, perfect timing for a product test. I heard it’s… really good."
But then the man suddenly leaned in, his deep eyes locking onto hers, his voice low and rough.
"Lin Mo, my tongue is also very good. Would you like to try it instead?"
