03

 009 heard Song Yu's rapid breathing and reminded him: [Host, calm down.]

Song Yu came back to his senses and immediately turned around. He was so flustered that he even stumbled several times when hiding his phone.

His cheeks started to burn, and his mind went blank. When

he looked up, he met Xie Zhiyan's gentle face.

"Why did you come to the basketball team today? Are you with Zhou Yanming?" Xie Zhiyan didn't seem to care about the photo from earlier, as if nothing had happened. Instead, he was concerned about him: "What's wrong? Why is your face so red?"

"I exercised for a little while earlier..." Song Yu was so nervous that he was panting. He lowered his head and didn't dare to look at the other person's expression.

Anyone with eyes could see the unease that was so obvious, let alone someone as ruthless as Xie Zhiyan. However, this person didn't care about the fact that he was secretly admired by the person in front of him. What he cared about was more important than that.

His gaze slid over the boy's fair and delicate collarbone and finally stopped on the light-colored mole on it.

The mole in the photo was even lighter in color.

Song Yu thought Xie Zhiyan's tone was quite normal, at least he didn't suspect him, so he looked at him and said, "Do you need to change your clothes? I'll go out first."

He thought Xie Zhiyan would move aside, but the boy stood still.

Xie Zhiyan skillfully concealed the possessiveness in his eyes. He was tall and had long legs, so being this close, he could completely envelop the boy in his shadow.

His voice was still gentle: "You seem to have a bruise on your back."

"Huh?" Song Yu was stunned. He was too nervous just now and didn't even realize his back was injured. Now that he was reminded, it seemed to hurt a little.

"I must have bumped into something accidentally."

Song Yu had always been delicate and weak, and he bruised easily from the slightest touch. He was dissatisfied with his constitution but helpless: "It's okay, it doesn't hurt much, it'll be fine in a few days."

However, there was a kind of pain that Xie Zhiyan felt he was in: "I have some medicine here, let me put it on for you, it'll heal faster."

Hearing that he was going to have physical contact with the protagonist, Song Yu's eyes lit up, and he didn't refuse anymore.

Xie Zhiyan took a small tube of ointment from his bag, squeezed it onto his finger, and then slightly pulled down a small section of Song Yu's collar.

The moment the cool ointment touched his skin, the shoulder beneath him trembled slightly.

So delicate.

The boy was slender, but not gaunt.

His bones were still developing, his limbs were thin and long, his skin was supple and fair, and when his back was slightly arched, a beautiful butterfly-shaped indentation appeared on his shoulder.

Xie Zhiyan slowly spread the white ointment evenly over the bruise, his movements meticulous and deliberate.

Song Yu felt a little itchy and was about to ask if it was done when the door creaked open—

Lu Xing, carrying a bag over one shoulder, glanced in their direction as soon as he entered.

He first looked at Song Yu, then looked away and asked Xie Zhiyan, "When did you arrive?"

Xie Zhiyan didn't look up and replied, "Just now."

The plot had progressed to the point where the protagonist had confessed his sexual orientation to the other person, and Lu Xing, being straight, couldn't accept that his longtime friend was gay, thus creating conflict. Therefore, the lukewarm tone between the two was normal.

Lu Xing didn't speak again. He had just finished exercising, and the veins on his forehead and arms hadn't yet faded. He quickly took off his shirt, grabbed his change of clothes, slammed the closet shut, and went into the bathroom.

The sound echoed in the quiet dressing room.

Although he couldn't see Lu Xing's expression, Song Yu subconsciously felt that the other person was unhappy.

Was he jealous because he saw Xie Zhiyan applying medicine to him?

Song Yu couldn't figure it out when he suddenly heard a "All done." He turned around, and Xie Zhiyan was considerately tidying his clothes.

Song Yu felt like he was completely awful.

Despite Xie Zhiyan's gentle and considerate nature, he felt guilty for bothering him like that. "Thank you," he said

. "You're welcome,"

Xie Zhiyan smiled.

After they left, the smile in his eyes gradually faded, becoming inscrutable.

*

Given that Song Yu hadn't exercised much before, Zhou Yanming only had him do the simplest training. Even so, Song Yu was exhausted. Sitting in a chair, panting, he whispered to 009: "I seem to be quite unsociable."

Perhaps sensing the host's emotions, 009's mechanical voice softened slightly: "How so?"

Song Yu looked around.

Since he started training, many people had been looking at him, undoubtedly mocking his poor stamina, saying he couldn't even last a few moves.

Especially Lu Xing, whose gaze was sharp and somewhat frightening.

Reading the host's thoughts, 009 was silent for a moment before reminding him: "Your collar."

Song Yu hummed in confusion. "

It's crooked."

Song Yu looked down and quickly straightened his collar.

Lu Xing, standing not far away, quickly averted his gaze. He had no prior impression of Song Yu, only knowing that she lived on their floor, always walking with her head down and remaining silent.

But why was she suddenly so close to Zhou Yanming lately?

Not only Zhou Yanming, but even the usually aloof Xie Zhiyan.

In just a few days, she had managed to make men fawn over her like dogs; she certainly had a lot of tricks up her sleeve. Lu Xing glanced again at Song Yu's dazzlingly beautiful face.

Who was her target? Zhou Yanming? Xie Zhiyan? Or the other members of the basketball team? As

long as they didn't mess with her.

Lu Xing casually tossed the basketball into the hoop, his lips pressed tightly together, a sense of irritation creeping over him.

*

Song Yu had thought she could relax and enjoy the weekend after completing her mission, but the next mission was fast approaching—having a meal with her family.

Song Yu's parents were both abroad, and the only family she could call her in China was her older brother, Song Xu. Song Xu was an adopted son of the Song family, seven years older than him. He separated from the Song family after graduating from university, started his own company, and incidentally helped manage the Song family's businesses in China.

In the original world's storyline, Song Yu had no hostility towards Song Xu; it was just that the other was too outstanding, and his parents often compared him to Song Xu, which gradually made Song Yu feel inferior and gloomy. Their relationship gradually became distant, like strangers under the same roof.

This is a campus novel, and Song Xu isn't described in much detail. Only later in the story, when Song Yu is expelled, is it mentioned that Song Xu is sick and receiving treatment abroad, so he couldn't help.

Compared to being a psychopath, this task couldn't be easier.

Saturday afternoon arrived. Zhou Yanming

, who had originally planned to have dinner with him that evening, asked after learning that he was going home, "When are you coming back?"

Song Yu thought for a moment, "Probably tomorrow night."

"Okay, then we'll talk when you get back."

Seeing Zhou Yanming's slightly disappointed expression, Song Yu couldn't bear it, so he ordered a milk tea as an apology.

Song Yu was just slow to react, not emotionally deficient. He could feel Zhou Yanming's goodwill during this period.

"Here, take this. I'll be back tomorrow night."

"Don't be sad anymore."

Zhou Yanming paused, taking the milk tea.

The boy's soft voice pierced his ears, sending a jolt through him.

The dormitory was quiet; no one else was there, except for a tall boy who stared at the milk tea in his hand. After a few seconds, he suddenly squatted down, frantically scratching his hair.

A shy blush rose to his ears.

Zhou Yanming was immersed in joy; he had always been someone who shared happiness.

So he decided to share this joy with others—

"Hey, Brother Zhou, weren't you supposed to be out tonight?" The basketball team members saw their captain arrive and gathered around, surprised to see him holding a cup of milk tea.

"Why did you suddenly decide to drink milk tea?"

"Didn't you say you don't like sweet things?"

"Last time I let you try a sip, and you frowned."

Zhou Yanming pulled out the straw and shoved it back in with a loud "bang": "My roommate bought it for me; I can't refuse."

Everyone: "..."

Xie Zhiyan, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.

The roommate Zhou Yanming mentioned was obvious; everyone knew who it was.

Everyone's impression of Song Yu had changed; the thought of being given milk tea by such a handsome and clean-cut boy made them envious of Zhou Yanming.

Zhou Yanming himself, beaming, took a large gulp of milk tea: "So delicious."

"..."

Amidst the noise, Xie Zhiyan silently left the basketball court. Reaching the corridor, he finally stopped, head down, staring indifferently at his phone.

Since sending that photo, Song Yu hadn't messaged him again.

*

At the school gate, a gray sky pressed down on the ground, an impending downpour.

Following 009's directions, Song Yu found a black sedan. As soon as he approached, the driver got out to open the door: "Young Master Song."

Song Yu wasn't used to being addressed like that and nodded stiffly.

He was about to get in when he noticed a man sitting in the back seat. It was too dark; the man's features were hidden in the shadows, only a vague outline visible.

Song Yu could feel the man's gaze linger on him for a few seconds before looking away.

009: [This is Song Xu, president of the Song Group, personality and temperament unknown.]

So he's the president…no wonder he has such a strong aura. Song Yu was always cautious in front of his parents. He called out softly, then tiptoed into the car.

Hearing that barely audible "brother," a flicker of emotion finally appeared in Song Xu's eyes.

In the year since he returned to the country, Song Yu had always treated him like air, refusing to communicate properly, and rarely returning home.

Song Xu felt surprised and glanced at Song Yu.

The close contact allowed him to smell the other's scent. Having been invited to numerous business banquets, President Song immediately recognized it—it wasn't any kind of perfume.

Soon, the silence in the car was broken by a downpour.

The roof rattled loudly as the rain pounded, gradually subsiding by the time they reached the villa.

Song Xu had just finished a work call and was organizing documents. Song Yu reached into his bag, wondering whether to toss the umbrella to Song Xu; after all, a little wet clothes were fine, but those important documents would easily get soaked.

The OOC notification didn't go off, and Song Yu, mustering his courage, was about to hand the umbrella to the other person when the car door opened. The driver was standing outside the car, holding an umbrella.

Song Yu: "..."

He'd forgotten that the CEO didn't need to hold an umbrella himself.

Song Xu glanced at the umbrella in Song Yu's hand and said calmly, "Pick him up first."

Soon, Song Yu was taken back to the villa by the driver. To avoid too much contact with Song Xu, he went straight to his room on the second floor and didn't come out until dinner.

When he arrived in the living room, someone was already sitting opposite him. Only

then did Song Yu get a clear look at Song Xu's face.

The man was handsome and mature, with a noble air about him.

After silently checking Song Xu's resume on 009, Song Yu took a breath and looked at the man with more admiration in his eyes.

The man, who was concentrating on his meal, suddenly received a gaze. He looked up, but the boy immediately lowered his head.

Clearly, he was refusing to communicate.

Song Xu was busy and didn't have enough energy or patience to discipline a younger brother who wasn't close to him.

The meal ended in silence.

The ingredients the Song family had purchased were high-end, and the task was completed smoothly. Song Yu asked 009, "Can I come home more often in the future?"

009 replied, "That depends on future tasks."

A few seconds later, 009 spoke again, "The task is here—"

Song Yu perked up his ears, starting to look forward to it.

009: "Task Six: Send a text message to the protagonist."

Song Yu: "..."

He was so angry, he wanted to hit someone.

The deadline for the task was before 9 PM.

Song Yu dawdled until 8:40 PM, still not sending the message. It wasn't until 009 urged him that he rolled around on the bed like a spoiled child, "I don't want to send it..." He had

just taken a shower, and it was summer, so Song Yu was only wearing a loose top and shorts. The clothes rode up to his waist with his movements, clinging to his skin and revealing every curve of his body.

009 fell silent.

Seeing that it hadn't spoken for a long time, Song Yu thought it was angry and immediately got out of bed: "I'll send it right away!" He

then muttered a complaint under his breath: "You have such a bad temper."

009: ...

Song Yu didn't waste any more time, edited a text message that resembled a confession, and sent it in one go. After sending it, he felt thirsty and went downstairs.

The living room lights were off, so Song Yu turned on the flashlight, found the light switch, and turned it on with a "click" before discovering someone sitting on the sofa.

Song Xu was sitting on the sofa with his arms crossed, wearing a dark bathrobe, his eyes closed, seemingly resting.

After realizing what was happening, Song Yu turned the light to a softer setting.

But Song Xu still seemed to have been woken up. He opened his eyes and looked over: "What are you doing?"

"Drinking...drinking water..." Song Yu was a little nervous in front of someone with Song Xu's aura and didn't want to talk much, so he turned his back to him and opened the refrigerator.

"The bottom shelf." The man's voice was a few degrees lower than during the day.

Song Yu gave a slow "Oh" and took out a bottle of water from the bottom shelf.

The boy's movements were slow, somewhat clumsy and nervous.

Song Xu frowned. Normally, he should be continuing with his work at a time like this. But perhaps it was the soft, obedient address from the car, or maybe the less glaring headlights, that made him more patient with his younger brother.

"How's school lately?"

The sudden question made Song Yu, who was drinking water, stop and slowly swallow. He gave a vague answer: "Fine..."

The phone suddenly vibrated.

When he saw the pop-up message, Song Yu's fingers paused.

The phone fell to the ground.

"Be careful," Song Xu instructed, bending down to pick up the phone. Just as he was about to hand it to the other person, the phone vibrated again.

He lowered his eyes slightly.

The unread message from before also popped up on the screen:

【Never been in a relationship.】

【Never kissed anyone.】

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