The filming location had been finalized.
The group was preparing to return to Jingbei.
The villa had been almost completely burned down, and the police had launched an investigation.
Xie Guanyan also arranged for additional personnel to assist.
The director chartered a plane to fly everyone back to Jingbei.
Lin Mo, afraid of flying, decided to take the high-speed train instead—and Xie Guanyan joined her.
Shen Sizhan was still unconscious.
Lin Mo was deeply worried and had the doctor check on him multiple times.
The doctor reassured her, "He's fine—young people just sleep a lot!"
They had no choice but to carry him onto the train on a stretcher.
Two bodyguards, claiming a fear of heights, also opted for the high-speed train.
They volunteered to help carry Shen Sizhan.
One of the bodyguards crouched down at the front, gripping the stretcher, but when he tried to lift it, he lost his balance—and ended up sitting right on Shen Sizhan’s face.
The impact jolted Shen Sizhan awake.
He opened his eyes to complete darkness. "Who’s blocking my view? Forgot to lift the curtain?"
The bodyguard scrambled up, laughing nervously. "Haha, sorry, sorry! My bad!"
Noticing Shen Sizhan was awake, Lin Mo rushed over, her heart pounding. "My adorable, brilliant little brother, are you okay? Let your sister check on you!"
Hearing her praise, Shen Sizhan, still dazed, instinctively smirked—his lips curling into a Nike swoosh.
"I'm fine. Are you hurt, sis?"
He scrutinized her carefully, relieved to see she was unharmed.
Then, a memory flashed in his mind.
His eyes rolled back, and he nearly fainted again.
Lin Mo pinched his philtrum. "My incredibly cute and smart brother, your sister—"
"Your sister kissed Xie Guanyan!" Gu Jingchuan chimed in, fanning the flames.
Lin Mo took a deep breath. "Is Liu Yuxi around? Can I hide in your 'no worldly disturbances' retreat for a few days? There’s a certain 'disturbance' here who’s driving me crazy!"
Shen Sizhan, still groggy, glared at Gu Jingchuan. "Ugh!"
Bam!
He stood up and punched Gu Jingchuan square in the chest.
Gu Jingchuan gritted his teeth. "Shen Sizhan! You hit the wrong person!"
Shen Sizhan scoffed. "No, I hit exactly who I meant to. My sister’s business is none of your concern!"
Xie Guanyan stepped forward, about to say something.
But Lin Mo grabbed Shen Sizhan’s arm. "Let’s get on the train first."
She had been the one to initiate the kiss—she didn’t want Xie Guanyan getting punched for it.
Xie Guanyan tried to follow them onto the same train, but Lin Mo signaled for him to take a different one.
She needed to talk to Shen Sizhan alone.
Inside the train, Lin Mo immediately took responsibility, her tone softening. "I’m sorry, Xiao San..."
Before she could finish, Shen Sizhan covered her mouth. "Sis, keep it down. Is this really something to announce?"
Lin Mo: "..."
The silver-haired young man withdrew his hand, tears welling in his eyes. "Sis, I get that Xie Guanyan couldn’t resist your charm and fell for you. He even risked his life to find you. But you two... you’re still... and in front of so many people..."
How could Xie Guanyan kiss his sister?
She was only eighteen—still so young and naive!
Lin Mo understood Shen Sizhan’s confusion.
She had never mentioned her interactions with Xie Guanyan before.
In his mind, the two had no prior connection, so Xie Guanyan’s earlier remarks hadn’t registered as being about her.
Plus, the show’s rules strictly prohibited contact, and Xie Guanyan hadn’t broken them.
With their phones confiscated, Shen Sizhan couldn’t see the audience’s reactions or the heart-rate monitors.
His smooth, uncomplicated brain just couldn’t piece it together.
Lin Mo decided to exaggerate slightly. "You don’t know this, but last night, I took a lot of sleeping pills. If Xie Guanyan hadn’t come for me, I would’ve burned to death."
A little white lie never hurt anyone, right?
Shen Sizhan’s heart dropped. He recalled the details from early that morning.
All the other guests had escaped—even he had made it out.
But after waiting outside, his sister still hadn’t appeared.
Xie Guanyan and Lin Mo must have jumped from the window.
He replayed her words in his head.
If not for Xie Guanyan, she would’ve died?
Cold sweat drenched his back. His heart pounded wildly, and tears streamed down his face as guilt overwhelmed him. "Sis, I’m sorry! I should’ve gone back for you!"
He was a useless brother, leaving his sister in danger.
Lin Mo shook her head, ruffling his silver hair. "You did the right thing. You listened to me—your safety comes first, no matter what. Even above mine."
She firmly believed in putting oneself first.
Shen Sizhan sniffled, his nose and eyes red. "Yeah, you’re right."
She might think that way, but he never would.
And neither would Xie Guanyan.
If he had, she’d be dead.
Xie Guanyan must really love his sister.
He hadn’t hesitated for even a second.
That was a billionaire—someone who valued his life more than most.
Shen Sizhan couldn’t make sense of it.
Even if Xie Guanyan liked her, it had only been five days. How deep could his feelings be?
Unless...
"Sis! Did Xie Guanyan have a crush on you before?" Shen Sizhan wiped his nose with a tissue.
Maybe he’d been secretly in love with her in high school, but when she "died," his feelings went unresolved.
Then, on the show, he discovered she was alive—old emotions resurfaced, amplified by her reciprocation.
Years of pent-up love exploded, making him reckless.
The sudden shift in topic made Lin Mo frown. "Impossible."
Shen Sizhan absentmindedly touched his ear—his earring was gone, probably reduced to ashes in the fire.
He stroked his chin instead. "Why not? Why else would he risk his life for you?"
Lin Mo had wondered the same. "But in high school, we never spoke. We were on stage together at award ceremonies all the time—either I was first, or he was. He barely even looked at me."
If he’d really liked her, how could he have been so indifferent?
Hearing this, Shen Sizhan’s brain short-circuited.
He had no experience with romance.
He’d never liked anyone—but his list of people he hated was endless.
A true warrior of spite!
"I’ll thank him properly. But with so many witnesses... his girlfriend might make trouble. Hope he handles it well."
Lin Mo’s eyes flickered. Tentatively, she asked, "Does that mean... you’re okay with me and him...?"
Shen Sizhan shook his head violently, lips trembling as tears fell like broken pearls. "No! I’ll never approve of anyone being with you. But sis, this is your love life. Don’t let my feelings—or anyone else’s—stop you. Just be happy!"
He’d cry for a few days, then get over it.
Lin Mo’s heart melted. She patted his head. "You’re my brother. Of course I care what you think."
Shen Sizhan blinked through his tears and teased, "Then promise you’ll never see Xie Guanyan again."
Lin Mo smirked. "You’re such a drama queen."
Shen Sizhan: "..."
