Still Shaken?

Tong Zhao dreamed that night of the day he had parted from Shu Sizhuo eight years ago.

It had been early autumn, and the sea wind was fierce. The yacht was in chaos. He had been tied to the mast, his lower back wounded and bleeding steadily.

As he rubbed at the ropes binding him, he searched the crowd for Shu Sizhuo.

Just as the ropes wore through, Shu Sizhuo finally appeared. His already frantic expression turned to horror when he saw Tong Zhao, and he rushed over madly.

But it was already too late.

Before Tong Zhao fell into the sea, he saw Shu Sizhuo's eyes nearly split with anguish.

For some reason, the system had malfunctioned, and Tong Zhao wasn't taken away immediately. Injured, he flailed wildly in the sea and choked terribly on the seawater. At one point, he thought he was going to die.

Just before his body disappeared, he seemed to hear something fall into the sea with a splash.

After Tong Zhao returned to his own world, he was depressed for a long time. For a long while, he was also afraid of water and didn't dare go near the sea or swim.

Only later did his symptoms gradually improve.

So what had Shu Sizhuo meant by that?

Had Shu Sizhuo unconsciously warned him like that because he looked like his former self?

Had his jumping into the sea hurt Shu Sizhuo badly?

Was Shu Sizhuo still shaken by it even now?

The hotel's complimentary breakfast ended at nine. Tong Zhao hadn't wanted to get up for it, but he was worried that the others would bully Shi Ruohe, so after dawdling for a while, he finally climbed out of bed.

As he washed up in the bathroom, Tong Zhao took out the toothpaste Shu Sizhuo had given him and held it up for a look.

Strawberry flavored.

Tong Zhao smiled faintly.

That hadn't changed. He had loved strawberry-flavored toothpaste ever since he was little.

Once he was ready, Tong Zhao walked out of his room with his phone in one hand and the toothpaste in the other.

But when he stood outside Shu Sizhuo's door, he hesitated. It was only eight, and Shu Sizhuo might still be asleep. He decided to return the toothpaste after breakfast instead.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, the door clicked open. Shu Sizhuo clearly looked as though he hadn't fully woken up, with strands of hair sticking up, but his gaze was wary. "Where are you going?"

Tong Zhao was a little bewildered. "I'm going to breakfast."

Shu Sizhuo relaxed, then looked down at his hand. "You're bringing toothpaste to breakfast?"

Tong Zhao hurriedly offered it to him. "I came to return it, but I was worried you weren't awake yet."

Shu Sizhuo reached out, but instead of taking the toothpaste, he caught Tong Zhao by the wrist. "Come eat in my room. Someone will bring breakfast up in a bit."

"No, thanks. I'll eat in the restaurant."

Shu Sizhuo didn't let go. "The food in the hotel restaurant is awful."

"I think it's all right."

Shu Sizhuo thought for a moment. "But I don't want to eat in the restaurant."

Only then did Tong Zhao catch on. "Then eat in your room. You don't need to keep me company."

Shi Ruohe, who had come upstairs to find Tong Zhao, rounded the corner and saw the scene: Shu Sizhuo, dressed in black pajamas, was holding on to Tong Zhao. The two stood close together, and Shi Ruohe couldn't make out what they were saying.

He paused, then hesitantly approached them, until Shu Sizhuo noticed him and pinned him in place with a glare.

"Tong... Tong Zhao, you didn't come downstairs to find me, so I came up to find you."

Under that stare, Shi Ruohe's scalp tingled, and he stammered as he spoke.

Seeing that Shi Ruohe had arrived, Tong Zhao pulled free of Shu Sizhuo's grasp and put the toothpaste in his hand. "I'm going down to eat. Get some more sleep."

Without paying any attention to Shu Sizhuo's face, which had suddenly darkened, he turned and pulled Shi Ruohe toward the elevator. "Come on."

Shi Ruohe kept feeling as though an unmistakable hatred was burning a hole in his back, and he couldn't help shuddering.

As the elevator descended, he finally couldn't hold back. "Tong Zhao, are you and President Shu pretty close now?"

Tong Zhao hesitated. "Not that close."

"Do you... think President Shu seems to really dislike me?"

"Dislike you?" Tong Zhao hadn't noticed. "Are you overthinking it? You've only met twice. Why would he dislike you?"

Shi Ruohe nodded distractedly.

That was true. He had only met President Shu twice, and there was no bad blood between them. There really was no reason for him to dislike Shi Ruohe. But why did he keep feeling that President Shu's looks were full of killing intent?

Shi Ruohe thought again of how the people in the production crew treated him.

Perhaps he was simply unlikeable, and no one would like him.

Seeing his mood suddenly drop, Tong Zhao quickly put an arm around his shoulders. "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly unhappy?"

Shi Ruohe shook his head.

Tong Zhao hurriedly said, "Shu Sizhuo really doesn't dislike you. He looks at everyone like that."

"Am I..." Shi Ruohe said quietly, "really annoying?"

"No!" Tong Zhao immediately denied it. "They just don't understand you. You're outstanding and talented. They're jealous of you."

"Really?"

"Really! Trust me."

Seeing Tong Zhao's sincere expression, Shi Ruohe managed a smile.

In this world, only Grandpa and Tong Zhao liked him and treated him well.

After breakfast, Tong Zhao returned to his room. As he unlocked the door, his gaze lingered on Shu Sizhuo's doorway for a moment.

Neither he nor Shi Ruohe had anything to do that morning, so after staying in their rooms for a while, they took their hats and sunglasses and planned to go for a walk by the sea together.

Tong Zhao suddenly remembered what Shu Sizhuo had said the night before. Almost without knowing why, he stayed away from the water and stood on the beach instead, gazing at the cruise ship in the distance.

The cruise ship looked especially magnificent in the daylight. It had a fashionable, distinctive design and stood three decks high, spacious and luxurious. In preparation for that evening's banquet, staff members were still bustling about, arranging food and drinks.

At lunch, Qiaozi arrived late and sat down with a quiet squeal. "Oh my god, I just saw such a handsome man! He was wearing a designer suit, had two bodyguards with him, and got into a helicopter! They said he's a CEO, going to the deck banquet across the way! Oh my god, he was so handsome!"

Tong Zhao's chopsticks paused, and he unconsciously glanced toward the entrance.

Was it Shu Sizhuo? Had he already left?

"Really? How handsome? Did he stay here last night? Why didn't he stay on Fine Jade Island? I heard they have luxury suites there, and the views are even prettier," Liu Danning asked curiously.

"So handsome he left me speechless. He had such a strong presence, a great figure, and such long legs."

Qiaozi described him excitedly, and stars practically appeared in Liu Danning's eyes. Hearing her, Bai Yue and Yu Tao, who were sitting beside them, looked distinctly displeased.

Yu Tao said, "Aren't you exaggerating? We're all in the entertainment industry. What kind of good-looking people haven't we seen? Besides, could he be better-looking than Bai Yue?"

Qiaozi glanced at Bai Yue and smiled. "He's a different kind of handsome from Bai Yue."

Bai Yue also took the opportunity to smooth things over. "I know quite a few wealthy businessmen, and a fair number of them are good-looking. I might even have met the man you're talking about."

"Bai Yue, you're really something. You know everyone. Next time, you have to take me along and broaden my horizons." Yu Tao draped an arm over his shoulder and eagerly poured him some tea.

"Sure, I'll take you all next time." After speaking, Bai Yue cast a subtle glance at Tong Zhao and Shi Ruohe, his eyes full of contempt and arrogance.

Shi Ruohe leaned close to Tong Zhao and whispered, "Is she talking about President Shu?"

Tong Zhao nodded and put a piece of chicken in his bowl. "Eat up."