Please come to my house for dinner.

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Su Ran had never seen so much money before; the moment he saw the transfer, he felt it burn in his hands. He truly wanted to keep the money, but it felt unreasonable. Su Ran called 555 out, “555, we should return this money.”

555, a system just as money-focused, immediately teared up, “No, please... Do you know how hard it is for honest folks like us to come across this kind of money? I’ve already copied it into the piggy bank. Soon, we’ll be the richest honest people ever!”

“But what if it ruins my image?” Su Ran said anxiously.

Coming from a small town and always living honestly, he had worked diligently to earn money. His only method of saving had been to set aside his salary. In his view, earning money required a proper exchange—so what did he owe in order to receive such a sum?

It would make sense if the money was for Jiang Yi’s project, but Lu Jin hadn’t mentioned that. Could it be a reward for facilitating the cooperation between him and Jiang Yi?

He truly couldn’t fathom the mindset of the wealthy; all he knew was that holding onto this money made him uneasy.

555 came to the same conclusion. Given Su Ran’s honest persona, it was difficult to accept the money without a reasonable explanation.

“Hey, then why do you think Lu Jin transferred this money?” 555 asked.

Su Ran pondered, “Based on Lu Jin’s self-righteous image, maybe it’s out of compensation—because he wants me to act in front of Jiang Yi. He’s being generous as a way to ease his conscience. After all, for a wealthy man like him, buying peace of mind shouldn’t be a big deal.”

555 agreed, “Makes perfect sense; I think so too!”

“Rich people are so detestable. I want to take them on,” Su Ran said bitterly. For a poor homebody like him, this money could fund a lifetime of internet indulgence without ever leaving home.

555 put on a crying face, “Me too! But let’s return it tomorrow. Leaving it in the piggy bank for a day will earn some interest—it’s not insignificant!”

“Alright, that’s the best we can do,” Su Ran agreed.

*

The next morning, Su Ran woke early at five to watch the sunrise on the mountaintop with Ye Qiao and to earn his modeling fee.

Just after washing up, Ye Qiao knocked on his door, and Su Ran quickly grabbed his things and went out.

Opening the door, he saw Ye Qiao’s sweet smile. “Good morning, Ran Ran-ge.”

“Morning.” It was hard not to be cheerful when greeted by such a smile.

As Su Ran headed toward the elevator, Ye Qiao suddenly grabbed his arm. Su Ran looked at him in confusion. Ye Qiao winked mischievously, “I just heard Jiang Yi talking with someone over there. Let’s see what they’re discussing.”

Su Ran was taken aback but before he could think further, Ye Qiao pulled him along. Jiang Yi lived around the corner, where another corridor was out of their sight.

Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Su Ran’s mind. Could it be Jiang Yi and Zhou Luo? He wasn’t prepared to face them yet...

At this hour, everyone else was still asleep, and the hallway was quiet. The closer they got, the clearer the voices became. By the corner, he could hear distinctly.

It was definitely Jiang Yi’s voice, along with Zhou Luo’s, who seemed to be crying, her voice choked with emotion.

Su Ran’s heart pounded faster. Ye Qiao peeked around the corner, motioning for Su Ran to look. Sure enough, they saw the two by the window at the end of the corridor, bathed in the bright light.

Jiang Yi’s expression was icy; he showed no mercy toward the sobbing Zhou Luo standing before him.

“I saw it with my own eyes—Lu Jin kissed Su Ran yesterday,” Zhou Luo said.

Jiang Yi showed no reaction. Rather, Ye Qiao looked at Su Ran and his face changed slightly. Su Ran felt embarrassed. When did that happen? How did he not know? Zhou Luo was clearly making things up.

He shook his head at Ye Qiao, signaling his innocence.

Jiang Yi grew impatient, speaking coldly, “Do you think I’d believe that? Have I ever warned you not to bother Su Ran?”

Jiang Yi’s attitude startled Su Ran. This was just like not long ago, when Jiang Yi treated him coldly, as if he were invisible.

It seemed their relationship was about to end. According to the story, Jiang Yi was about to be with Ye Qiao, so naturally, he would part ways with Zhou Luo.

“Stop crying. You’re going back to City A now. I’ll pretend you never came,” Jiang Yi said, his tone softening slightly. Of course, he didn’t believe Zhou Luo. She had been restless lately.

Besides, the idea that Lu Jin would be interested in Su Ran was absurd. Lu Jin had all kinds of people around him. Not to mention Su Ran’s humble origins, which were worlds apart, but even Su Ran’s marital status—Lu Jin would have to be blind to think of someone like Su Ran romantically.

Hearing Jiang Yi’s words, Zhou Luo became desperate. She grabbed Jiang Yi’s arm, “Jiang Yi, you can’t treat me like this. You said there’s no chance between you and Su Ran, but you…”

Before she could finish, both men heard a noise and turned to see Ye Qiao and Su Ran.

Su Ran was too shocked by Zhou Luo’s words; before she finished speaking, he accidentally bumped into a trash bin at the corner.

Since they’d been spotted, Ye Qiao boldly brought Su Ran out. He tried to hide his smile but still looked awkward. “Brother, you... Ye Qiao and I were just going to watch the sunrise. Didn’t expect to see this…”

It was obvious they’d heard everything. Su Ran looked lost, clearly affected.

Jiang Yi’s eyes nearly popped out when he saw Su Ran, his heart racing with a panic he’d never felt before. He stared fixedly at Su Ran.

But soon Jiang Yi calmed himself, collecting his thoughts before turning to Zhou Luo. “You go back first. The plane leaves at noon. Get some rest.”

Zhou Luo didn’t say more. She glanced at Su Ran, tears still in her eyes but a faint trace of triumph on her lips. Now that he had heard, her goal was achieved.

After Zhou Luo left, the corridor fell silent. Su Ran approached Jiang Yi with heavy steps, eyes red as he stared at him. He whispered, “Is what Zhou Luo said true?”

Jiang Yi’s expression returned to normal. Their earlier conversation had been empty, so now he looked coldly at Su Ran, questioning, “What?”

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“What she said—that there’s no chance between you and me,” Su Ran said.

“And you believe everything she says? If I believed Lu Jin was interested in you, I’d be the fool,” Jiang Yi retorted without any guilt. “Can you use your brain for once?”

Su Ran’s chest rose and fell, tears gleaming in his eyes. “But…”

“But what? What else do you have to say? Think carefully before speaking. I don’t have patience for your nonsense,” Jiang Yi’s tone grew aggressive.

That force stunned Su Ran, making him doubt his own suspicions. “You and him... are you...?”

Jiang Yi sneered, towering over Su Ran by half a head, looking down at him from above. “Su Ran, if there was anything going on, I wouldn’t hide it from you.”

Su Ran froze completely. He didn’t know whether to feel relieved that Jiang Yi and Zhou Luo were not involved or to be heartbroken by Jiang Yi’s words.

Tears fell uncontrollably. “I understand.”

With that, Su Ran turned and left. Staying would only cause him to lose control of his emotions. As he turned, he complained to 555, “Damn, Jiang Yi… I have to give him credit.”

555 responded, “Ugh, such scumbags are terrifying, boohoo.”

Ye Qiao frowned at Su Ran’s retreating figure, wanting to follow but held back after seeing Jiang Yi’s expression.

Jiang Yi took off his glasses, rubbing his nose bridge tiredly, his voice tinged with loneliness. “Ye Qiao, you think Su Ran believes me, right?”

He certainly knew that their earlier exchange might have fooled Su Ran, but not Ye Qiao. Not only was Ye Qiao perceptive, but he had also seen everything with his own eyes, so there was nothing to hide.

“I think... he probably believes you,” Ye Qiao said, looking quite displeased.

Jiang Yi leaned against the windowsill. His eyes were narrow, his face handsome and chiseled, but without glasses, there was a hint of confusion in his gaze. He murmured, “Actually, Su Ran and I never registered our marriage or had a wedding. We just did it to appease our parents and ended up living together by chance.”

Ye Qiao was taken aback. The sunlight outside shone on his face; his expression shifted to surprise, then a growing brightness appeared in his eyes. “You guys... a fake marriage?”

Jiang Yi sighed, “Something like that.”

He had never told anyone this, but now he felt the need to confide.

“Oh...” Ye Qiao replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he suppressed his excitement.

“Ye Qiao,” Jiang Yi looked at him with a confused and troubled expression, “Do you think it’s okay for Su Ran and me to keep living like this? I think... I might actually like him.”

“Really? Not necessarily,” Ye Qiao analyzed calmly. “When you spend a lot of time with someone, you can mistake habit for affection.”

Ye Qiao fiercely suppressed his excitement, maintaining a calm and empathetic face, though a smile lingered in his eyes. “Brother, as an outsider, it’s clear. Think carefully about what Su Ran brings to you. Your career is taking off, and he can’t help you. You didn’t choose him when you ‘married’ for show, and the delay in registering the marriage shows your considerations. Honestly, I understand you.”

Jiang Yi frowned deeply, his brows creased. He agreed with this logic but felt something was changing beyond his control, and yet he wanted to be convinced. “Alright... maybe you’re right.”

As Ye Qiao turned to leave, he finally couldn’t hold back a smile.

So that was how it was.

At the villa entrance, Ye Qiao noticed it was raining. He went to Su Ran’s room but found no one, so he called him. No answer.

The excitement in Ye Qiao’s heart vanished. Recalling the earlier scene, he felt worried.

He sent Su Ran a message, asking for an immediate reply. Luckily, this little incident had happened; otherwise, they would have been soaked on the way, and he wouldn’t have learned about the fake marriage.

That scene was unplanned. Ye Qiao had been paying attention to Jiang Yi these days, and seeing that as soon as he stepped out caught him off guard, too.

Ye Qiao waited quietly on the first floor, watching the rain, growing anxious.

Half an hour later, he finally received a message from Su Ran, saying he hadn’t noticed his phone earlier and was now at the supermarket.

Ye Qiao grabbed an umbrella and stepped into the rain.

Though Su Ran was timid, he was a master of emotional regulation, used to processing his feelings alone, which shaped his personality.

He had bought many ingredients, and after leaving the supermarket, he was surprised to find it raining.

Ye Qiao quickly spotted Su Ran, who was thin and lightly dressed, hesitating under the eaves. He stepped out, felt the rain, and quickly retreated back.

Su Ran was carrying two large plastic bags filled with vegetables and fruit, green scallions poking out. He looked up at the sky, troubled by the sudden downpour.

The figure was unremarkable.

But Ye Qiao stopped, raindrops beating on his umbrella, his heartbeat louder than the rain.

Through the rain and morning mist, he watched that figure, heart pounding like thunder. He hadn’t thought this would happen. He only wanted to be with him physically, to enjoy him, but now he was certain: he wanted to love him properly.

“Su Ran,” Ye Qiao called softly.

Su Ran looked up, eyes brightening. “You came to pick me up!”

Ye Qiao stepped closer, pulling him under the umbrella. “Yeah, I came to get you.”

“Good thing you’re here,” Su Ran smiled.

Ye Qiao tilted the umbrella toward him and looked at the bags in his hands. “Why the supermarket?”

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Su Ran replied, “I bought some food to cook for lunch to improve everyone’s meals. We’ve eaten out a few days already. I’m planning to make rib soup and braised fish. Oh, and I also got your favorite beef to make tomato beef brisket…”

Ye Qiao draped his arm over Su Ran’s shoulder and took a deep breath, the damp air filling his lungs.

He thought, falling in love with Su Ran was easy. No one could resist loving him.

*

That evening,

Everyone gathered in the yard, drinking, chatting, and enjoying themselves freely. Su Ran wanted to talk to Jiang Yi, but Jiang Yi’s cold attitude during the day made him doubt himself. Despite many inconsistencies, he dared not question him further.

But Jiang Yi was indifferent. When Su Ran approached, Jiang Yi simply turned and walked away, not even sparing a glance.

Su Ran took a deep breath and complained to 555, “That bastard, the same old trick again.”

555 didn’t understand the tactic but agreed, “Exactly, so mean.”

This was Jiang Yi’s usual method: if they argued or he was displeased, he would ignore Su Ran for days, treating him with the coldest disdain.

It was a punishment that plunged Su Ran into self-doubt.

At that moment, Su Ran looked pitiful. After staring at Jiang Yi for a while, he turned and walked back inside.

Lu Jin was chatting with Yan Ze. He noticed Su Ran’s apparent unhappiness and was about to approach when Yan Ze pulled him back.

Su Ran returned to his room. In his mind, there was a clinking sound like coins dropping. 555 came online happily, “Interest has accrued. Now we can transfer the money back.”

Su Ran acknowledged and took out his phone. Returning the money now meant he had thought it through—he couldn’t accept it.

Just as he finished the transfer, there was a knock on the door. Su Ran was startled. Could it be so soon? He had just sent the money back, and someone had come for him.

Opening the door, he found Ye Qiao holding a sketchpad. Relieved, he invited him in.

Ye Qiao had not been seen since the evening. Judging from the drawings on his pad, he had been coloring them in his room.

Ye Qiao purposely showed him the sketches. Su Ran didn’t understand the lines but could tell the difference between beauty and ugliness. His image on the paper was vivid, and somehow the person in the drawing seemed to have even more atmosphere.

“Ran Ran-ge, want me to draw you another one?” Ye Qiao asked.

Su Ran readily agreed. Another drawing meant another fee, which he was happy to accept.

Ye Qiao adjusted the intricately patterned curtains and placed a redwood chair by the window. Su Ran sat down.

The room was exceptionally quiet, with only the brush strokes filling the air. The light outside gradually dimmed, turning gray and hazy inside.

Time passed quietly. Su Ran watched Ye Qiao’s serious face, wondering if it was too dark to paint and whether the light should be turned on.

Before he could decide, he found himself confusedly lying on the bed, his head fuzzy.

They had been drawing. He asked if the light should be on, and Ye Qiao stood up—not to turn on the light but to come close, saying he wanted to examine his bone structure. But like a precious jade, he couldn’t help but admire it...

Su Ran felt the heat behind him like a furnace and wanted to escape.

“Is that enough?” Su Ran asked, his voice heavier. He felt Ye Qiao must have memorized the shape of every bone.

Ye Qiao propped himself up and saw Su Ran’s discomfort. He buried his nose in Su Ran’s neck, breathing in his scent.

At that moment, the phone on the bedside table rang. First, a message alert lit the screen, illuminating the space.

Su Ran turned his head to see it was a message from Lu Jin. Ye Qiao suddenly pinched him, diverting his attention. Ye Qiao didn’t reply, but the other side called instead.

The ringtone kept ringing. Su Ran reached for the phone, just as Ye Qiao kissed his cheek. Su Ran was shocked and looked at him.

Ye Qiao held him tighter, his warm breath brushing his face. Now he was so hot he was sweating.

Ye Qiao’s lips came to his ear, brushing softly, “Ran Ran-ge, can I…”

Su Ran’s heart skipped a beat. The last words were hushed but enough to make Su Ran drop his phone, the ringing stopping abruptly. His mind was a mess. He thought Ye Qiao’s straightforwardness meant he had no ulterior motives—just a simple desire to satisfy physical urges. At his age, and with his obsession with human bone structure, it was understandable.

His honest openness confirmed that.

“Ran Ran, can I?” Ye Qiao whispered.

Su Ran’s ears burned fiercely. He quickly turned to push him away, his voice trembling, “Qiao Qiao, you can’t do this. This isn’t something I can help you with...”

The next second, Ye Qiao’s hand shifted position, and Su Ran choked on his words. He recalled that as a man, he had only helped his roommates in college. Back then, young and naive, after trying it out, curiosity and desire grew.

Ye Qiao must be the same...

Just as his mind grew chaotic, there was a knock at the door. Su Ran’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest.

He looked at Ye Qiao through the haze. Ye Qiao’s sharp features showed no emotion. He said, “Shh.”