In the elevator, Zhao Xiaorou excitedly said, "I'll never trust men again. Do you know how many tricks Li Ai has? After his wife passed away, this man dealt with coffee every day. I thought he was just a normally devoted man at best, but cream, jam, jelly, gelatin—he can turn anything into a game, practically making it impossible to keep my legs together."
Hu Xiu glanced at the surveillance camera above: "What did I do to deserve this from you?"
"We're both Lee Donghae's wives, what's wrong with telling dirty jokes? Is there any difference between the fanfiction BG you wrote when fantasizing about Lee Donghae and what I'm saying now?"
Zhao Xiaorou clearly hadn't said enough: "If I'd known Li Ai was like this, who would need those previous boyfriends? Now when I see him, I feel conflicted—part of me wants to, part of me is scared."
The elevator doors opened, and the two walked toward the stadium together, with Zhao Xiaorou chattering incessantly about Li Ai.
The stairs to the basketball court went up and down, much like the detours Zhao Xiaorou had taken in life. For Li Ai, she had truly journeyed over mountains and rivers.
Li Ai and Diao Zhiyu had arranged to play basketball with friends. The sounds of shoes and basketballs echoed as Li Ai occasionally dribbled and made layups, running a few steps. Close friends who deliberately watched carefully could still tell his leg had been injured before, while outsiders only saw a mature, refined man who loved sports.
As for Diao Zhiyu, he was passionate during exercise, his black curly hair damp with sweat. Standing with hands on his hips and running backward, Hu Xiu easily caught that captivating charm—it was his innate appeal.
The two men were on different teams, one dribbling and the other defending against feints. When they faced off, they were completely focused, neither noticing the two women chatting in the spectator seats.
Hu Xiu deliberately took a side door and sat directly in the corner. She still enjoyed quietly observing Diao Zhiyu, just like when she followed Qin Xiaoyi on the Snowpiercer.
Even though they liked each other, discovering new shining qualities in him through small details would make her happy for a long time.
Zhao Xiaorou wouldn't hide anything; she pulled out a huge light board from her bag featuring a refined Li Ai wearing glasses and making coffee, surrounded by flashing blue, yellow, and green lights: "Li Ai! Go! Crush them! I love you!"
Li Ai's running faltered slightly. He wiped the sweat from his face, squinted over, and looked utterly astonished.
Diao Zhiyu was long accustomed to such scenes and deliberately dribbled past Li Ai. Li Ai, catching on belatedly, chased after him. The young man jumped up for a slam dunk, hanging on the hoop to show off his victory and casually striking a pose amid the cheers.
The four of them pulled open the iron gate of REGARD and slipped inside to drink coffee.
As soon as the coffee pot was brought out, Zhao Xiaorou blushed and turned away to unpack a delivery for the shop, leaving the other three baffled.
Li Ai ground decaf coffee beans: "It's late, let's have something soothing. This batch of beans is from Yunnan. Zhao Xiaorou, did you talk to Hu Xiu about the matter?"
"She was busy organizing support for you and had no time for me. What's up?"
"Li Ai and I are planning to start an MCN, signing and incubating some fashion and relationship bloggers.
The early fashion bloggers have mostly moved into integrated marketing now. I'm still occasionally doing my own live streams, shooting ads, and taking promotions—there's no breakthrough.
But one thing is, the brands I work with are all high-quality, not vulgar, and the resources are good. I have deep collaborations with several top-tier brands. Now, wanting to go further, we'd like to sign some high-quality people. I wonder if you and Diao Zhiyu would be interested."
"Us?""That Bilibili account of yours—I can help you find advertisements and drive traffic. After that trending incident, both Diao Zhiyu's Weibo and your Bilibili gained followers. You could really capitalize on that momentum."
"Diao Zhiyu, let me finish—I'm not saying you have to become an influencer who takes ads."
"If you don't want to do advertisements, that's fine too. I can sign you as a model. You can keep doing what you usually do—just treat it as a side job for extra income."
Diao Zhiyu glanced at Hu Xiu. Neither of them had considered these possibilities before. After a moment's thought, Diao Zhiyu said, "I'm not particularly fond of being in the spotlight."
"Come on, after you went viral, you received plenty of offers. And before that, you were even breaking up with Hu Xiu. If I hadn't later realized you were setting her up, I'd still want to stuff you in a sack and beat you senseless whenever I thought of you."
"People need plans! You used to work as an NPC collecting tips to make money—now you're suddenly playing hard to get? Stage actors and Live Action Role Playing Game performers don't make much. There's a huge difference between just getting by and actually achieving something."
"Never thought you two would team up to become a capitalist couple. Can you handle all these business ventures?"
"The company is planning to expand. It's not about becoming huge—it's about keeping up while others are moving forward. I want to build something systematic."
"My immediate goal is to build my own influencer presence while signing ten bloggers or models I genuinely like for marketing. That way more brands will approach me."
"As for Li Ai, I recently discovered he's bursting with energy—he can manage my work even with two hours less sleep."
"See? Heartless capitalist." Li Ai finally finished polishing the coffee pot and took his seat. The warm yellow light illuminated the folding bicycle, guitar, camera, and the friends before him... He seemed thoroughly content with the scene.
Noticing Hu Xiu scrolling through her phone, he asked with concern, "What have you been up to lately, Hu Xiu? Still studying?"
"Yeah. There's a psychological counseling public welfare lecture this Saturday organized by Pei Zhen and his colleagues. I'll be providing translation."
She stretched comfortably. "I originally resigned to make room for his friend, but now not only am I employed again, we're steadily organizing events. Being able to maintain this connection to medicine makes leaving the hospital worthwhile."
"You're too kind-hearted."
"People shouldn't force themselves to do things they dislike. No matter how much we resist, fate always guides us to where we're meant to be."
Diao Zhiyu remained silent.
Zhao Xiaorou was still flipping through a magazine: "Li Ai, you never told us you were featured in a magazine."
"Just a minor award—not worth mentioning." After all, this was the man who had won the Pei Award.
"What's this 'dream house' mentioned in your interview? You've never talked about it."
"It's a recent project. I'll tell you all when it takes shape."
The architectural model once gifted to Xu Meng still stood in the shop. Zhao Xiaorou didn't bring up the past—the model had long since witnessed countless new stories as part of the shop's decor.
Like tonight, with the four of them sitting in the shop late at night, playing guitar and singing old songs, none willing to be the first to leave.
Zhao Xiaorou had secured more challenging projects for Li Ai beyond this. After learning her new boyfriend Li Ai was an interior designer, someone had reached out through multiple connections hoping he could design a bar.
The owner had approached several designers, all of whom rejected the concept from the proposal stage. The most recent rejection bluntly stated: "With your underworld aesthetic, you should be writing funeral couplets and arranging wreaths for mortuaries. Spend more time practicing your calligraphy instead."Li Ai had come to know this mysterious figure through several layers of mutual friends—not out of admiration, but more like trying to get this difficult deity to shut up.
Buried under a pile of contract approvals, Li Ai frowned at his computer screen. "It might not be that he's picky—more like he finds everyone beneath him. Sounds like a waste of time just hearing about it."
"They say he's an entrepreneurial type with a literary flair. Usually stays out of the spotlight, but when he emerges, he makes big moves. He recently stepped down as a partner in a social app and is about to go into seclusion again—even if we don’t collaborate, it wouldn’t hurt to make a friend."
"A friend of Gong Huaicong’s?"
"Yes. But it took a few connections to reach me. It has nothing to do with Gong Huaicong."
Zhao Xiaorou linked her arm with his. "Let’s go check it out. I’m really curious about what kind of man he is."
Hearing that the meeting was set at a café on Shaoxing Road, the two brought along fresh coffee beans and a brewing pot as gifts.
Zhao Xiaorou wore a white dress under a khaki blazer, paired with soft leather white flats that showed her ankles. She walked ahead, scanning the café, and declared, "That must be him."
Following her gaze, they saw a man sitting by the farthest window, typing on his laptop with a coffee cup beside him. His face was clean, and he wore a brown-green plaid shirt with a khaki vest and a hat, exuding an air of distinct style.
Zhao Xiaorou remarked, "What’s the big deal? I thought he’d be harder to handle. He looks about the same as us."
They sat across from him. The man kept typing for a long while before finally looking up, offering no greeting, merely sizing up the two in front of him.
Zhao Xiaorou spoke first. "Gong Huaicong had someone contact me. Is the bar you’re planning the one here?"
"No. It’s near Fuxing SOHO. The place used to be an unprofitable dessert shop."
"Should we go take a look?"
"No need. I judge the person, not the project."
His two sharp replies left Zhao Xiaorou speechless and successfully ignited her temper. The brim of his hat hid half his eyes, and his expression seemed smug. The next second, Zhao Xiaorou stood up and snatched his hat off. "Oh, so you’re not bald after all."
His single-lidded eyes widened into round shapes as he snatched the hat back and carefully repositioned it.
This threw him off his rhythm. The clacking of his keyboard grew louder, and he became even more reluctant to look up or engage.
Zhao Xiaorou propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin in her hand, watching him with keen interest. "Do you feel like things are getting more interesting? That’s what villains always think. Anyway, I’m just curious about what kind of person you are. I don’t know much about design—ask Li Ai."
What happened next, however, caught Zhao Xiaorou completely off guard. Li Ai picked up the man’s coffee cup and sniffed it. "The beans are a bit mediocre. I brought a brewing pot and some beans as a gift. If you’re interested, I can make you a cup right now."
"Alright then..." The man finally closed his laptop. "I’ll give this coffee a try."
No one spoke at the table. Li Ai stood up to wash the pot. Zhao Xiaorou stared at the man, who ignored her, instead crossing his arms and observing Li Ai from a distance. When he noticed Li Ai limping slightly, he let out a soft chuckle.
Zhao Xiaorou’s radar went off. "A word of warning—Li Ai is straight. Don’t get any ideas."
The man didn’t even glance at her.
Once the coffee was brewed, the man took a sip, his eyebrows lifting slightly, but he offered no comment. "Let’s get down to business. What style of design are you usually skilled in?""Uncertain. I'll probably need to meet the person and have a conversation to know. Regardless of whether it's built for profit, the shop's vibe always aligns with the owner's. Any business near Xintiandi won't do poorly. What's the building like?"
"A three-story Western-style house with a yard. I only plan to open the lower two floors. I have a photo of the third floor—I hope we can use it as inspiration."
The photo appeared to be taken at night, with yellow lighting illuminating a bookshelf filled with literary works like Blossoms, Paradise Lost, The Sound of the Waves, and 2666. The walls were adorned with movie posters, all featuring relatively niche visual stories.
The man opened his laptop again: "The books and bed have nothing to do with me—it's a room where others rest, but I really want to preserve the feeling and memories of this space.
So this assigned task depends on whether our creative ideas align. That's why I haven't been able to find the right designer."
"Let me guess—someone you loved once lived here."
The man laughed: "No. But nearby."
"I have some design drafts here—preliminary ideas. It might be a brown-toned space, entirely colored with a film celluloid palette, somewhat retro. Using fake books might not feel premium, so we'll need some real ones for decoration. Do you remember the bookstore from Notting Hill?"
The man sipping his coffee pondered for a moment: "Understood. I'll entrust this shop to you."
Li Ai seemed puzzled: "Don't rush. Have some more coffee."
"No need. I like your vibe." The man gathered his things to leave: "I have other matters to attend to now. I don't have a business card—I threw away my old company ones. Call me if needed. Your girlfriend has my number."
"Your name?"
The man picked up his bag without even saying goodbye: "Lei Zheng..."
"What an odd temper. But I have to say, everyone around Gong Huaicong is slick.
I looked up the shop's location. That property is worth nine figures, and the rent is expensive too—truly no lack of money.
And what kind of story do you think it is? After all, he's gay—could he have fallen for a straight man?"
"No one's as sharp-tongued as you." Li Ai didn't turn on Yuyuan Road: "I'm taking you somewhere."
The car drove to Gubei and parked in an open parking lot. After crossing the street, they entered a hotel-style apartment building. Before entering, she glanced around—Gubei's streets were quiet, lined with Japanese restaurants, cafes, and a children's hospital with Japanese signage.
The elevator reached the 16th floor. She said: "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
"Your intuitions have never been accurate."
When the door opened, Zhao Xiaorou first saw the tatami by the window at the far end. On it were Japanese manga of Slam Dunk and One Piece, along with two guitars.
To the left stood a marble table and a swing-style bench, with a wine cabinet fully stocked with liquor.
Everything was new, bearing little signs of habitation. Zhao Xiaorou asked suspiciously: "What is this place?"
"Brought you here for drinks. At your place, it's all work and you bossing me around—come here to relax."
Something felt increasingly off. Zhao Xiaorou looked at the bedroom with its identical bedding set to her own home: "Li Ai, don't scare me. Is this your home with your ex-wife, cleaned up to invite me for drinks?"
"Does this look like anyone lived here?" Li Ai sighed: "You really won't let me keep any secrets. Back when you said you were going to Shenzhen, I started looking for this place.""Then you lured me into your trap during the Live Action Role Playing Game, even seduced me systematically, and now you're shifting the blame...
Dreamhouse is our home. Though we've only rented it for five years, I've tried my best to renovate it.
We'll use the master bedroom and tatami room, Diao Zhiyu and Hu Xiu can sleep in the secondary bedroom, and we can play tabletop Live Action Role Playing Games at the big table...
I originally wanted to tell you after drinking, to test whether you'd like it—but you completely ruined my surprise."
Li Ai went to the refrigerator to find alcohol, helpless and dejected: "My life rhythm exists solely to be disrupted by you."
Zhao Xiaorou hugged Li Ai from behind: "Alright, I understand. I won't ask anything, let's just drink, okay?"
So they drank. From their first meeting to her divorce from Wang Guangming, when mentioning the lawsuit they couldn't avoid Xu Meng, and incidentally commented on the less rational Hu Xiu and Diao Zhiyu. Recounting their three years of acquaintance actually took so much time.
The sky shifted from bright to dark, the two knocked each other down, along with numerous bottles of imported liquor.
Sprawled on the tatami mats with empty bottles, Zhao Xiaorou reached out to wrap her arms around Li Ai's neck: "You're only thirty-three, why did I used to think you were so old?
You've improved quite a bit after the surgery. Looking at you now, you seem five years younger than before." Drunk and confused, Zhao Xiaorou held up only four fingers.
"One boyfriend after another—you've annoyed me back to youth. But I understand, life has no optimal solution. During difficult times, we all grasp at lifelines, not necessarily what we truly want most."
Zhao Xiaorou snorted with laughter: "Reaching out and plucking the moon—such fortunate things don't happen to everyone.
More often? It's like fishing for the moon in water, reaching out to grab air, touching a star, and falling back to earth with it as a meteorite.
Many times I envy Hu Xiu—she's certain about Diao Zhiyu. What angered me most at Christmas wasn't you and Xu Meng, but Hu Xiu.
Even when she stood beside Pei Zhen, I could tell from Diao Zhiyu's eyes that he would never easily let her go.
What kind of luck is that? I'm practically jealous. And me? Impatient, unlucky—combined, these are just human flaws."
"So you can only end up with a cripple."
"Who says otherwise." Zhao Xiaorou giggled foolishly: "Luckily he's a sexy cripple. You haven't drunk your legs into worse condition, have you? Come, let me feel them."
Too drunk to lift her hand, Li Ai grasped Zhao Xiaorou's hand: "Marry me."
Stunned for a second or two, Zhao Xiaorou couldn't control her tears but kept laughing: "What did you say?"
"I said, maybe we could try getting married. If we can still tolerate each other, then we won't need to divorce."
"No. Do you know how boring marriage is? I've been bound by marriage before, and I swore I'd be a dog before marrying again. You must be completely drunk to ask such a crazy question."
"Just three bottles, I'm not drunk at all. Those married years were happy every day—I never felt being bound was troublesome.
But I have to admit, I also caused my wife's death. On sleepless nights I often wonder—
if I hadn't argued with her that day, if I'd protected her on the inner side of the road, would everything have been different."
Li Ai pressed her head against his chest, feeling her tears with his hand: "Let's not talk about this. I won't force you. Being in a relationship is fine too—I'm just afraid you'll run off feeling insecure.""If it's with you, marriage doesn't seem so bad after all..."
"It's pretty bad—look how hard you're crying."
When Li Ai woke up the next day, the curtains were drawn, and voices could be heard outside the door. The new home wasn't fully set up yet, and the blankets still carried that brand-new smell.
But it was much quieter than the old house on Yuyuan Road and Zhao Xiaorou's Internet celebrity office. And aside from the filming equipment and lights, this place felt more like a home.
"Let me introduce everyone to my new place. This is the apartment my boyfriend and I just rented. The whole area is residential, super quiet.
There's a large balcony off the kitchen—it's not enclosed, so it's pretty cold. We haven't moved anything in yet. Yesterday was my first time here; he surprised me, and I was totally startled.
Yes, the café owner from my previous vlogs has become my boyfriend—or maybe my husband. I figured I should update you all."
She still remembered the proposal line—seems she wasn't drunk enough last night. Slipping quietly out of bed, Li Ai cracked the door open slightly. With just a wall between them, even a yawn was audible.
"No fill light or sunset lamp today, so Sister Rourou might not look her prettiest.
But it doesn't matter. Maybe from now on, I won't be so obsessed with perfection. My current state is fine too.
I used to always preach that women must be beautiful, cunning, and strategic—not to be evil, but as a way to get what you want—
After all, many of the people we're attracted to can't be won over with our true selves.
Over time, I advised everyone to act. You all know what happened next: I went overboard, got dragged into trending searches, was harassed daily in the comments, couldn't tell who meant well or not, and even worried that neighbors across the street were judging me...
Now I finally understand that hypocrisy ultimately backfires on yourself. Karma is real.
When it comes to someone you truly want to love, be honest. Honesty is the most precious thing in the world.
Well-intentioned white lies are okay, but don't let acting become a reflex. Don't blindly believe that deceit can buy you everything.
Some might jump out and call me fake for saying this, but I'm not. These words come from the heart.
Lastly, I want to say: lovers ending up together is the happiest thing in the world. The feeling of two unfamiliar souls choosing to lean on each other is just... magical."
Hearing her turn off the camera, Li Ai planned to wait for the right moment to pretend he'd just woken up and walk out.
His hangover hadn't faded, and getting up felt like a struggle. Before he could rise, Zhao Xiaorou shoved the door open and yelled, "Holy crap, Ma Liang got arrested!"
The force of it made Li Ai's head ring.
OpenNovel