Lin Mo sat on the sofa downstairs, waiting for Xie Guanyan.
She replied to a message from Zhang Shuo, who had asked when she would arrive.
["I'll be there soon."]
Zhang Shuo responded quickly: ["Got it! This old servant will wait for you at the school gate!"]
Lin Mo was amused again. ["No need. I’ll drive straight into the school. Just save two good seats for me."]
Zhang Shuo: ["Two?"]
Lin Mo: ["Yeah, I’m bringing a friend along."]
Zhang Shuo: ["Alright then."]
Footsteps sounded from the staircase. Lin Mo looked up.
The handsome man had changed out of his white dress shirt and slacks, now wearing a white hoodie set—fresh and striking.
His soft hair, unstyled, fell casually over his forehead, and silver-rimmed glasses still perched on his nose, exuding an overwhelming youthful charm.
Lin Mo’s heart skipped a beat for no reason.
Somehow, she connected the man before her with the thin, delicate boy from their school days.
Eleven years had passed, and he had changed a lot.
Yet, in a way, he hadn’t changed at all.
"You’ve got this refined, ethereal look—you could totally pass as a high school senior at First High..."
Under the girl’s bright, unwavering gaze, Xie Guanyan tensed up, his back stiffening slightly.
Even his voice sounded less natural.
"Let’s go."
The butler noticed immediately—his boss was walking with his arms and legs out of sync!
"Mr. Xie could totally pass for a high school senior today!"
Once in the car, Lin Mo teased him with a playful grin.
The car was a low-key silver Alphard.
The driver had the day off, so Xie Guanyan was behind the wheel himself.
With one hand on the steering wheel, his voice was smooth and pleasant. "As long as no one mistakes me for your parent, it’s fine."
Eleven years had given him wealth, power, and confidence.
But the moment he thought of walking beside her, that old sense of inadequacy crept back in.
Now, age had become another insurmountable barrier between them.
Being able to joke about his insecurities was already a big step for him.
Lin Mo had a special kind of magic—the longer you spent with her, the more relaxed you became.
She was like a little sun, and even the darkest corners would slowly sprout new life under her warmth.
Lin Mo burst into laughter. "Honestly, you’re not wrong!"
In his tailored white suit, he did look mature, his presence commanding.
But in the hoodie, his aura softened, the silver glasses adding a scholarly touch.
Noticing the band-aid on his right hand, Lin Mo asked, "Have you changed this band-aid yet?"
Xie Guanyan shook his head. "No."
Lin Mo: "Then pull over. I’ll run back and grab a new one. Band-aids should be changed daily."
Xie Guanyan glanced at her. "No need. There are some in the car. I’ll change it myself when we stop."
Lin Mo looked around. "Where? I’ll do it for you—it’s no trouble."
The road was smooth, and with it being Sunday, traffic was light.
She found the band-aids in the small compartment near the dashboard.
Lin Mo took his slightly cool hand and peeled off the old band-aid.
Two small puncture wounds had scabbed over, the surrounding skin tinged faintly purple—still painful to look at.
"You don’t really need one now, but it does look a bit unsightly," Lin Mo said, glancing up at the man driving.
With one hand on the wheel, sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on his striking features. The tea-colored mole on the bridge of his nose seemed to shimmer, delicate yet alluring.
Lin Mo stared, momentarily entranced.
"Put one on. I’m vain like that."
At the red light, he turned to her with a light chuckle.
Snapping out of it, Lin Mo blinked and lowered her head to open the new band-aid.
She missed the way his Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze fixed on her with an intense, almost feverish excitement.
Lin Mo had held his hand again!
Once the new band-aid was in place, Lin Mo crumpled the old one in her palm. "Is there a trash bag in the car?"
Xie Guanyan’s slender fingers turned upward. "Give it to me. I’ll toss it later."
"There are drinks and fruit in the back. Help yourself if you’d like."
Lin Mo turned and brightened instantly. "Lao Xie, you really know how to live!"
For the rest of the ride, Lin Mo chattered nonstop about the changes in Jingbei.
Xie Guanyan responded to every word, his warm smile never fading.
Only one traffic light stood between them and the school gate now.
Lin Mo, thirsty from talking, quieted down and took a sip from the drink in the car.
Tart—it was lime juice, her favorite.
She’d also polished off most of the fruit box.
"Ding!"
Xie Guanyan’s phone, placed in the center console, chimed.
At the red light, he picked it up and glanced at the screen—a WeChat notification.
This wasn’t the first message; several had come in unnoticed.
The girl in the car had consumed his full attention—between watching the road and listening to her, he’d missed them all.
Only now, with her quiet, did he notice the alerts.
Reading the messages, the warmth in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling darkness.
Half an hour ago:
["Mr. Xie, Gu Jingchuan flew back to Jingbei this morning."]
Fifteen minutes ago:
["He’s now headed to Jingbei First High."]
Five minutes ago:
["Gu Jingchuan is almost at Jingbei First High."]
