As Su Mianmian watched the video on her phone, Song Zhi—who just moments ago had been wailing dramatically as if the world were ending—was currently hunched over the table, guzzling down a milk tea.
The video was split into two clips, both filmed with crystal clarity. In the first segment, Song Zhi and Cheng Yuli were seen exiting a bar; Song Zhi was absolutely dead drunk, practically being hauled along by Cheng Yuli. Cheng Yuli was slightly less intoxicated than she was, though his steps were still a bit unsteady. "Song Zhi, where do you live? I'll take you home." Song Zhi slurred incoherently, "Home? What home? I haven't had enough to drink yet! Let's go somewhere else and keep drinking! Drink up!" Cheng Yuli rubbed his temples. "If you don't tell me, I'm just going to drop you off at a nearby hotel. My head is spinning, and I don't think I can hold out much longer."
Song Zhi suddenly straightened up and mumbled, "Hold out? What is there left to hold out for? I already told you that the beautiful maiden Mianmian has Mr. Z! Any further persistence on your part is just—well, it's like a blind man lighting a lamp: a total, utter waste of wax!" "You... you're such a wonderful person; surely you don't have to worry about finding someone to like you?"
Cheng Yuli looked at her. "In that case... do *you* like me?" "Like you? Of course I like you!" Song Zhi reached out a finger to tip up Cheng Yuli's chin. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... You're so handsome and so innocent—what woman wouldn't like you?"
Su Mianmian had the video playing on speakerphone, and upon hearing this, Song Zhi's entire face turned as red as a boiled shrimp. She frantically swallowed the mouthful of pudding she was chewing. "Mianmian, you have to believe me! I completely blacked out at that point; everything I said was totally involuntary!"
Su Mianmian blinked thoughtfully. "Zhizhi... but I've always heard that 'in vino veritas'—that people speak the truth when they're drunk."
Song Zhi let out a frustrated groan and lunged to snatch the phone out of Su Mianmian's hand. "Stop watching! Stop it! I was trying to share my misery with you, and instead, you're just using it to mock me!" Naturally, Su Mianmian didn't let her get the phone; she fended Song Zhi off with one hand while using the other to tap open the second clip.
This time, the scene took place in a hotel hallway, right in front of a guest room door. After swiping his keycard to unlock the door, Cheng Yuli stepped aside and let Song Zhi walk inside on her own. But by now, Song Zhi had gone completely limp—floppy as a noodle. The moment Cheng Yuli took his hands off her, she began to slide toward the floor.
Left with no choice, Cheng Yuli had to scoop her back up. "Song Zhi, it wouldn't look right for me to carry you inside. A man and a woman alone together—if word got out, it would be bad for your reputation." "Afraid? Afraid of what? Me? Is *Song Zhi* really the kind of person who cares about things like that?"
"Carry... carry me inside! Now! Right now! I... I command you!" And so, Cheng Yuli carried the utterly limp Song Zhi into the room. As the door closed behind them, the video cut out abruptly. Su Mianmian cast a silent glance at Song Zhi, then offered an objective analysis:
"Looking at it this way, Zhizhi, you basically invited the wolf right into the fold yourself. Though, what I'm really curious about is: what happened next? I mean... how exactly did you two... you know... *get together*?"
Song Zhi's face crumpled into a hideous scowl. With a sudden wail, she burst into tears all over again. "Cheng Yuli claims that the moment we got inside, I tackled him to the ground and started doing all sorts of 'naughty things' to him! Su Mianmian, tell me—is *Song Zhi* really that kind of person?"
Su Mianmian pursed her lips. "Based on my general understanding of you... of course you're not that kind of person." Song Zhi's sobbing instantly ceased; she was moved beyond words. "Mianmian, I knew it! You're the only person in the whole world who believes in me unconditionally!"
Su Mianmian felt a sudden pang of guilt. "Zhizhi... I wasn't quite finished yet. Based on my *general* understanding of you, you're certainly not that kind of person. *However*... judging by the state you were in during that video just now... you actually might very well be exactly that kind of person." "Su Mianmian!"
Song Zhi's composure completely shattered. She continued to wail, yet still tried to sip her milk tea between sobs. Terrified that she might choke on a tapioca pearl while hiccuping, Su Mianmian hurriedly snatched the drink out of her hands. "Zhizhi, stop crying. What's done is done; let's just focus on figuring out what to do next." "What *can* I do? That scumbag, Cheng Yuli, actually expects *me* to take responsibility for him!" "It's not like I'm completely out of options, though—I still have the option of just dying!"
With a wail like that, the entire dormitory building could hear the commotion coming from their room. Tan Huilin had already been driven next door by the racket; attracting the dorm matron's attention on top of that would really be a bad look. Su Mianmian suddenly remembered the autographed photo of Allen she had; she quickly rummaged through her bag to pull it out and use it to console her friend.
"Stop crying! Here—isn't this the autographed photo of Allen you've been wanting for ages?" Song Zhi took the photo, glanced at Allen—who looked absolutely stunning in the picture—and then carefully read the line of flamboyant calligraphy inscribed beneath it: "Wishing Ms. Song Zhi eternal happiness and eternal beauty!"
Her heart instantly melted. She used her sleeve to dab away the tears—tears that, in truth, had never even been there to begin with. "Mianmian, you gorgeous goddess! You're the best! By the way, how on earth did you manage to get Allen's autograph—and get him to write a special personal message for me, too?"
Su Mianmian then recounted the story of that night—how Gu Yizhou had specifically arranged for Allen to come over and meet her. Upon hearing the tale, Song Zhi's jaw dropped, forming a perfect "O." "What?! He arranged a private meeting just for you? Su Mianmian, who *is* this 'Mr. Z' of yours, anyway?
He can even summon an international superstar like Allen? That is absolutely insane!" Su Mianmian was just debating whether or not to reveal to Song Zhi that "Mr. Z" was actually Gu Yizhou, when she saw Song Zhi close her eyes and raise a hand to signal for her to stop.
"You know what? Don't tell me. Just let me hold onto the mystery—let me keep fantasizing about what it's like to have a *real* boyfriend... someone else's boyfriend, that is!" Su Mianmian could only stare in speechless amusement. Meanwhile, just outside the gates of A University... Gu Yizhou sat inside his car, gazing silently in the direction of the campus entrance.
Gao Ze cleared his throat. "Mr. Gu, if you're missing Mrs. Gu, you could always just ask her to come out. Any later than this, and she'll miss her curfew." Gu Yizhou glanced at his phone; the screen displayed no unread messages and no missed calls.
Just yesterday at this time, she had been bombarding him with apologetic text messages; yet today—from morning until this very moment—she had completely vanished off the face of the earth. "There's no need; she's likely already gone to bed." "How could that be?
Young people these days are all night owls; they wouldn't dream of sleeping before midnight. Since you're already here, why not just give her a quick call?" Gu Yizhou hesitated, his fingers hovering over the line displaying Su Mianmian's phone number. Just as he was about to press it, his mobile phone suddenly rang.
Gu Yizhou glanced at the caller ID; his dark eyes deepened with gravity as he pressed to answer. "Grandfather." An hour later, at the Gu family's ancestral estate. Gu Yizhou stepped out of his car, clad in a crisp white shirt. Butler Jiang was already waiting by the vehicle; he bowed respectfully and took the suit jacket draped over Gu Yizhou's arm.
The two walked silently, one following the other, for a few paces before Gu Yizhou finally spoke. "Uncle Jiang, what is my mother's condition right now?"
Butler Jiang remained slightly bowed. "First Young Master, the First Madam hasn't eaten much since yesterday. Last night, I instructed the kitchen to prepare a bowl of stewed bird's nest for her, but it was brought back out completely untouched."
Gu Yizhou mused for a few seconds, his voice low—as if it had melted into the night itself. "She makes a scene like this every single time; doesn't she ever get tired of ruining her own health?" Butler Jiang raised his eyes, glancing at the broad-shouldered, broad-backed young man walking ahead of him, and let out a soft sigh.
Upon entering the main hall, Gu Yizhou first paid his respects to the family patriarch. The Old Master was seated in a rosewood armchair, sipping tea; he cast a glance at Gu Yizhou and raised a hand. "Go see your mother first." Gu Yizhou nodded, then bypassed the front hall and headed toward the wing where his mother—Xiao Ying—resided.
Before he even reached the entrance, he heard a sudden fit of violent coughing, followed by the hushed murmurs of servants trying to persuade Xiao Ying to take her medicine. Gu Yizhou stood outside the door; only after the coughing subsided did he raise his hand to knock. A moment later, a servant opened the door; upon seeing Gu Yizhou, she called out, "First Young Master."
Gu Yizhou gave a brief nod. His gaze passed through the intricate lattice of a carved screen, where he spotted Xiao Ying's frail figure seated at a round table, clutching her mouth as she coughed. He stepped inside and called out, "Mother." Xiao Ying furrowed her delicate brows, turning her back to him. "What are you doing here? Today isn't even the anniversary of your brother's death yet." Gu Yizhou stood silently, three paces away from Xiao Ying. "I heard you haven't eaten again? Please, take care of your health." "That's none of your business! Do you think everyone is as heartless and unfeeling as you are?" Having gone without food, Xiao Ying could barely muster the strength to deliver her rebuke. Gu Yizhou's expression remained calm. "You really should eat something; otherwise, how will you have the strength to attend your brother's memorial service tomorrow?" "Shut up!" Xiao Ying snatched a teacup from the table and hurled it at Gu Yizhou. *Smash!* The cup shattered against the floor—and alongside it, blood from Gu Yizhou's temple splattered onto the ground. A servant cried out in alarm, "Oh, Master Gu!" "Don't you dare tend to him!" Xiao Ying panted heavily, halting the servant—who had moved to examine Gu Yizhou's wound—with a fierce glare. She braced her hands against the table and slowly rose to her feet. "His father and his brother are both gone because of him; what does a measly little injury like this even matter?"