Keep me company.

"I absolutely will not lose it."

The superstar was exceptionally serious when making promises, and Xuan Congnan was quite satisfied.

The morning class consisted of theoretical knowledge. When Zhang Que saw him arrive at the door, he moved the books he had used to save a seat and said, "Here."

Xuan Congnan walked over, sat down, and thanked him for saving the spot.

Zhang Que said, "It looks like you've recovered pretty quickly. There's no sign of heartbreak on your face today."

Xuan Congnan pulled out his books and replied, "I didn't have any yesterday either."

"Hey, if you say you didn't, then you didn't." Zhang Que leaned against Xuan Congnan’s arm and said happily, "I painted something yesterday, but the coloring seems to be a bit off. Are you going to the studio after school? Could you help me take a look?"

Xuan Congnan said, "Sure."

It wasn't class time yet, and the professor hadn't arrived. The classroom was buzzing with noise, and the vibration of a phone was barely noticeable.

Feeling the skin on his thigh tingle twice near his side pocket, Xuan Congnan pursed his lips. In the past, it was always Shen Qian sending him messages, while Zhuo Yajun and the others would call directly.

Shen Qian had already been blocked.

Seeing the name Gu Shi, Xuan Congnan was quite surprised.

Gu Shi: [Congnan, how do you use the washing machine at home? I don't know how.]
Gu Shi: [I bought a few sets of clothes to change into and need to wash them.]

The washing machine was an ancient model; you just added water to it and tossed the clothes in.

Although he had said earlier that he could send a message if he needed anything, Gu Shi was a big star, and Xuan Congnan had only been polite.

He doesn't even know how to use a washing machine? What a fool, Xuan Congnan thought to himself.

He looked down and typed a reply: [Connect the hose to the faucet; the hose is in the cabinet under the sink where the shampoo is kept. Once connected, let the water into the washing machine. If you don't have many clothes, don't let the water level go above the first mark in the tub.]

Gu Shi: [Okay.]

Xuan Congnan: [There are several twist-knob switches on top of the washing machine. One of them is for drainage. You must set it to 'Normal' mode when filling it with water. Do not set it to 'Drain,' or the machine will never fill with water even if you leave it for a whole day. Don't waste my water.]

Gu Shi: [Okay. I won't waste it.]

Xuan Congnan stopped replying. Zhang Que watched him chatting.

As Xuan Congnan was about to put his phone away, he glanced sideways and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Oh, I didn't mean to look at your phone. I just happened to catch a glimpse while looking down for something," Zhang Que apologized first, then asked, "Gu Shi?"

Xuan Congnan: "..."

Not everyone was as out of the loop as he was regarding Gu Shi.

Xuan Congnan said, "It's not the real Gu Shi; that's just his contact name."

Zhang Que said, "I was about to say." He asked, "You have a friend staying in your rental?"

Xuan Congnan: "Yeah, leaving tomorrow."

The class bell rang, and the professor walked in right on time. Xuan Congnan opened his book, glanced left and right discreetly, blocked the phone with the book, and changed Gu Shi's nickname to "Scavenger."

It was Gu Shi's own handle anyway.

Scavenger: [[Image]]
Scavenger: [Didn't waste the water, filled it to here. Set it to normal.]

The image showed water just covering the first water level mark, with a few pieces of clothing inside, not yet churning.

Xuan Congnan reminded him: [You didn't add laundry detergent.]

A few seconds later, Scavenger: [It's spinning now, can I still add it?]

Xuan Congnan: [Yes.]

Scavenger: [Added it.]

Xuan Congnan felt he had left out something earlier: [How much did you add?]

Scavenger: [Two capfuls.]

The large tub of detergent was 10kg, and the cap was huge.

Xuan Congnan was defeated: [It's summer, and you used two capfuls for these few clothes?]
Xuan Congnan: [I advise you to wash them again later, just with clean water this time.]
Xuan Congnan: [What a waste. Remember to buy me a new tub of detergent, a 20-pound one.]
Scavenger: [Okay.]

After a while, Gu Shi sent another WeChat message. Xuan Congnan felt this person was inconsistent with his surface-level quiet and aloof demeanor—he was annoying.

Scavenger: [[Video]]

A tub full of foam was squeezing out from under the lid of the washing machine. Gu Shi, never having seen such a scene, was frantically trying to catch it with his hands, standing there stupidly, not knowing how to handle it.

Scavenger: [Congnan, it's overflowing.]

Xuan Congnan suddenly found it funny. Zhang Que’s jaw nearly hit the floor, and he whispered, "Goodness, rein in that effortless charm of yours. You shine even when you aren't smiling, but this smile? That’s lethal."

Xuan Congnan made a 'V' sign with his index and middle fingers, pressing the tips against the corners of his mouth, and manually pulled his upturned lips flat in front of Zhang Que. He performed the technique on the spot and said, "Cold-blooded killer."

Zhang Que clutched his chest and said, "Damn... good thing I'm straight."

Xuan Congnan said, "I only did that because I knew you were straight."

He looked down and replied to Gu Shi: [Clean up the floor after you finish the laundry. I'll check when I get back tonight. Don't make a mess of my home.]

Scavenger: [Okay.]
Scavenger: [Are you not coming back after class at noon?]

Xuan Congnan was sure he had already told Gu Shi about this: [No. I'm eating at the cafeteria.]
Scavenger: [Oh.]

Theoretical knowledge was incredibly boring. If the teaching method lacked innovation, it just made people want to sleep.

Zhang Que listened until his head was spinning. Halfway through the class, he took advantage of the professor turning his back, nudged Xuan Congnan's arm, and said, "I heard a new Malatang place opened in the north cafeteria. It's supposed to be really good. Shall we go try it at noon?"

Xuan Congnan said, "Sure."

When the two long classes ended, Zhang Que grabbed his books and ran, urging Xuan Congnan to hurry: "Let's go, let's go, let's go! It'll be crowded if we're late. We'll go to the studio after we eat."

Xuan Congnan was enthusiastic about his three meals a day, so he followed without hesitation: "Okay."

"Ah... shoot, you might not be able to eat," Zhang Que clicked his tongue and said.

Xuan Congnan: "Hm?"

Many students were pouring out of the teaching building, a sea of heads.

Amidst the crowd, a black car parked by the roadside stood out. Shen Qian was leaning against the car body, smoking. His sharp gaze seemed to have legs, locking onto Xuan Congnan precisely from among the countless students.

Xuan Congnan paused slightly.

Previously, Shen Qian wouldn't enter the campus when he came to the school. He would always send a message saying he had arrived and ask Xuan Congnan to come out to find him.

Zhang Que knew of Shen Qian’s existence and had occasionally run into him when he and Xuan Congnan were eating.

But today was the first time he saw Shen Qian driving into the school to find Xuan Congnan: "Damn, your boy... your ex-boyfriend drives a Maybach?"

"Is it a car?" Xuan Congnan said, frowning, "I don't know many cars."

He thought of a car he had seen before—a Cayenne.

The man in the backseat was wearing a mask and looking out. Xuan Congnan recalled carefully; it looked like Gu Shi.

"Nannan." Shen Qian waved, "Come here, let's talk."

Many eyes stared over with curiosity. Xuan Congnan glanced at him indifferently, nudged Zhang Que’s shoulder, and continued walking toward the cafeteria, having no intention of talking to Shen Qian.

Zhang Que was baffled: "Aren't you going?"

Xuan Congnan said coldly: "We broke up."

Zhang Que understood: "Xuan Congnan, the man of his word; Xuan Congnan, who never looks back!"

Watching his retreating back, Shen Qian frowned deeply.

Having been with Xuan Congnan for a year, Shen Qian had only seen him like this during the six months he spent pursuing him.

Xuan Congnan was a slow warmer; he wasn't resistant to making friends, but most of the time, he preferred the quiet of solitude. He always remained vigilant toward outsiders. Even when Shen Qian fell in love at first sight and pursued him, he didn't receive any special treatment.

...Just like that person.

Xuan Congnan's change was that he agreed to Shen Qian's pursuit, and they became boyfriends.

He was still a slow warmer, but Shen Qian would be treated specially.

Xuan Congnan liked him and was attached to him—though he still seemed too cold compared to other couples.

Now that these changes had been withdrawn in such a short time, Shen Qian was extremely unaccustomed to it.

In a daze, he couldn't even remember what Xuan Congnan looked like when he was just an ordinary friend, and he didn't want this version of Nannan.

"Nannan." Shen Qian put out his cigarette, wrapped it in a tissue, threw it in the trash, and used his long legs to catch up, grabbing Xuan Congnan's wrist, "Let's talk. I don't want to break up."

Xuan Congnan said: "Breakups don't depend on whether you want to or not. Once it's over, it's over."

Shen Qian said: "I don't know the reason for the breakup. Did I do something wrong?"

Xuan Congnan pursed his lips in annoyance and remained silent.

He stared at his tightly gripped wrist, his eyes filled with irritation.

Caught in the middle, unsure whether to stay or go, Zhang Que awkwardly said: "Congnan..."

Xuan Congnan said: "You go eat first. I'll meet you at the studio this afternoon."

Zhang Que: "Okay. Bye."

He glared at Shen Qian and urged Xuan Congnan: "Call me if you need anything."

"Mr. Shen, let go of me," Xuan Congnan said.

Shen Qian’s face darkened abruptly. In a year of dating, he had never been like this: "What is the reason? Tell me. We never argued. You were even talking about marriage when we were eating. Why break up so suddenly? You're not the type to make unreasonable trouble."

"I bruise easily. If you use this much strength, my wrist will be bruised. Let go." Xuan Congnan shook his wrist, but Shen Qian’s grip only tightened.

When he felt the pain, Xuan Congnan gave up. He looked directly into Shen Qian’s eyes and said word by word: "I am not willing to be anyone's substitute."

Shen Qian froze, and his grip loosened. Xuan Congnan took the opportunity to pull his hand away and took several steps back, maintaining a safe distance.

"Did I say something?" Shen Qian asked softly.

Xuan Congnan wanted him to understand clearly, so he said: "Actually, you've said it many times; it just wasn't that obvious before. I didn't understand it then, but this time, I do."

Shen Qian said: "I..."

Xuan Congnan’s phone rang. Too lazy to listen to Shen Qian, he turned his back to answer it.

"Congnan, did you see the messages I sent?" Gu Shi’s low voice came through the phone, slightly distorted.

Xuan Congnan glanced at the number; it was unfamiliar: "How did you get my phone number?"

Gu Shi said: "It's written on your WeChat profile."

"Sorry, I called without your permission, but I sent you messages," he explained, "You didn't reply."

Xuan Congnan looked down and opened WeChat; Gu Shi had sent several.

Scavenger: [Congnan, can you come back for lunch? I can't go out; it's inconvenient.]
Scavenger: [I could order takeout, but I'm afraid the delivery person might accidentally see my face. It's not safe.]
Scavenger: [I'm not picky. Could you bring me whatever you're eating at the cafeteria?]

There was also a missed voice call, which Xuan Congnan hadn't received because his phone hadn't rung at all.

Scavenger: [Is your phone running too slowly to react to voice calls?]
Scavenger: [Can I call you?]

Xuan Congnan exited WeChat and said, "My phone is indeed laggy... I didn't see them."

"That's okay," Gu Shi said, "Can you come back to eat?"

Xuan Congnan didn't want to go back. He didn't want to get too involved with a famous person.

"Whose call is that? A man's voice?" Shen Qian stood behind Xuan Congnan, his brows darkening, "Is he asking you to go back for lunch? Is he staying in your rental?"

On the other end, Gu Shi said: "Congnan, who is that with you?"

He asked slowly: "Is that your ex-boyfriend?"

Xuan Congnan felt a massive headache coming on. He didn't want to answer either of their questions, so he hung up on Gu Shi.

He said coldly to Shen Qian: "You don't need to try and pin a dirty label on me, claiming I’m hiding someone at home or that I broke up with you to cheat. Even if there wasn't anyone at my house, it would have nothing to do with us breaking up. I am not the type to use people as substitutes or to cheat."

Shen Qian’s expression changed: "That's not what I meant."

The phone, just opened to WeChat, wasn't lagging and was receiving messages in real-time.

Scavenger: [Eat with me.]
Scavenger: [If I go out, it will cause traffic congestion. I'm very hungry.]
Scavenger: ['Scavenger' has transferred 10,000 yuan to you.]
Scavenger: [Lunch money. Let me know if it's not enough.]

10,000 yuan for a lunch?

Can you ascend to heaven after eating this lunch?

Xuan Congnan didn't dare to accept it.

Xuan Congnan: [What are you planning to eat that costs 10,000? Do you want me to go to a high-end restaurant and bring back a few dishes for you? 10,000 might not be enough at a high-end place, and the portions are tiny. You won't be full. I'm not buying that for you.]

Gu Shi replied instantly: [What are you planning to eat for lunch?]
Xuan Congnan: [Malatang.]
Scavenger: [Okay, I'll have Malatang for lunch.]

Xuan Congnan felt like he didn't recognize Chinese anymore. He confirmed: [Malatang is worth 10,000?]
Scavenger: [It is. Bring it home to me.]

Xuan Congnan replied firmly: [I'll be home in twenty minutes. Wait for me.]
Scavenger: [Okay.]

He clicked "Accept Payment" without a moment's delay.

Xuan Congnan didn't give Gu Shi any chance to change his mind. After collecting the money, he didn't even look at Shen Qian and ran straight to the cafeteria to buy lunch.