Shi Zhou had eaten his fill and was gradually regaining his strength. His tone held a touch of envy and admiration:
"Brother Shen, I wish I could become someone like you someday."
He had always thought people who achieved great things in finance and mathematics were incredible. On top of that, Bai Shen was leading the development of artificial intelligence. Maybe every household would use his company's products someday. That was just amazing.
Although he had little talent in those fields, he could shine in other areas!
Then he would wear thin-soled leather shoes and a long coat, too.
Most importantly, he wanted to be as strong and composed as Bai Shen, protecting the people he wanted to protect.
Bai Shen was amused by his frank gaze and earnest, youthful praise. He could naturally tell that Shi Zhou meant it.
True enough. He had investigated what Shi Zhou's parents were like. How could parents like that raise a child with a terrible personality?
The AI model must have been the problem after all.
"Someone like me?"
A faint smile appeared on the man's handsome, sharply sculpted profile. Paired with his deep, cello-like voice, it was as rich and intoxicating as the finest red wine.
Shi Zhou rubbed his ear and picked out what he could safely say.
"Actually, I saw you when I was in my final year of high school. You came to give a talk, and afterward I bought two of your AI Mecha stocks. I think the ticker codes were 10096 and 17231."
Although two years had passed in real time, to Shi Zhou, that past did not feel very distant.
Back then, he had not known he was a minor cannon-fodder character in a book, nor that Bai Shen was the male lead. But after hearing his talk, he had gone home and read plenty of materials and books, and felt that those two stocks could rise sharply in the future.
"Oh?"
With Bai Shen's memory, he naturally remembered which fields those two stocks represented. His company's board was also optimistic about them, but for certain reasons, their latest breakthroughs had not yet been unveiled. For now, both stocks still had low valuations.
For a high school student, having that much foresight and boldness was already impressive.
When Bai Shen said nothing and his expression gave nothing away, Shi Zhou murmured, "But it wasn't much money. I didn't buy that much, only a hundred thousand worth."
The amusement in Bai Shen's eyes deepened, like starlight. "You could buy some more."
Shi Zhou froze for a moment, then realized that the chairman of the Universal Group was personally giving him a hint.
Shi Zhou's heart began to pound. His eyes were slightly deep-set, his lashes long and curled, and his smile made him look dazzlingly bright and beautiful. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone!"
This was confidential, right?
It was, wasn't it?
All his earlier dejection vanished. All Shi Zhou knew was that he was about to get rich!
Which stock favored by a heavyweight like Bai Shen had not later soared?
Bai Shen turned his face away, his Adam's apple shifting, his eyes half-lidded. "Why so formal? Just speak to me like before."
Shi Zhou blinked and obligingly said, "Then I'll keep calling you Brother Shen?"
"Mm."
Bai Shen paused. "Two years ago, I only gave one talk, at my old high school-"
He had already been very busy then and had practically no time for things like that. He had only made time because his former school's elderly principal had personally invited him to attend its anniversary celebration.
"Was it XXX Affiliated No. 1 High School?" Shi Zhou asked.
Bai Shen nodded. Of course he knew Shi Zhou had attended that school too. He was simply changing the subject and prompting him to talk, so the younger man would stop being so cautious.
He did not want to spend the next month with a guest like this.
Being addressed so formally all day long.
It made him sound two hundred years old.
Shi Zhou looked surprised. "You were an upperclassman at my school? How come I never saw you on the outstanding alumni wall..."
Something occurred to him, and he froze. "Were you the anonymous big shot who donated two billion?"
That wealthy anonymous benefactor, who sought neither fame nor profit, sparked lively discussion among every class of students. They never tired of talking about him, their conversations full of speculation.
Many people thought he must be a very elderly gentleman or lady.
They had never imagined he was so young.
And so handsome.
"Your donation paid for the laboratories and upgrades to the school's Mecha," Shi Zhou said admiringly.
It was also thanks to his donation that students like them, who were not in the Mecha classes, had a chance to pilot Mecha.
The benefactor he had always silently thanked and Bai Shen, who had helped him today, were actually the same person!
An emotion stirred in Shi Zhou's heart, mingling with memories of his happy, busy high school years. It felt unlike anything else.
Bai Shen said, "I'm hardly a big shot. No. 1 High School has plenty of famous alumni."
Traffic moved slowly. Without any cameras around, Shi Zhou and Bai Shen talked about many things, mostly their old high school. By the time they arrived, Shi Zhou still wanted to keep talking.
He no longer felt as distant from Bai Shen as he had at first, because the man's manner and conversation were genuinely gentle and gentlemanly.
The car soon turned onto Mountain Ring Road. Darkness stretched across the sky, and the red maple woods on either side stood quiet. A figure walked beneath the streetlights.
The man stood tall and straight, strolling slowly with one hand in his pocket, apparently just out for a walk.
Between the slender fingers of his other hand was a glowing red ember. He did not bring it to his lips, only tapped it occasionally, letting the smoke drift behind him where no one was.
Shi Zhou broke off and turned to look out the window. "Is that Jiali?"
He asked Bai Shen to lower the partition window. "Sir, could you stop here? The person up ahead looks like my friend."
The driver looked at Bai Shen. Bai Shen nodded slightly. "Drop us off here. You can head back first."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as Bai Shen got out, he saw that Shi Zhou had already hurried over and was asking tentatively:
"Jiali? I thought that looked like you."
The light revealed an exquisitely handsome face, and Xie Jiali smiled.
Bai Shen saw Shi Zhou's cameraman get out too and dutifully raise his camera to film the three of them. He glanced over, then walked toward the other two.
Before Shi Zhou reached him, Xie Jiali had already come forward to meet him. Only after seeing that he was safe did he breathe a sigh of relief.
"I was going to look for you, but the production team said Brother Shen had gone to pick you up."
The other guests had also been harassed by small media outlets like these and had started complaining after returning to the house that evening.
Xie Jiali had said nothing and gone outside.
For the first time in ages, he had wanted a cigarette. He had already smoked two before coming here.
After contacting a lawyer he knew and learning about the procedures, he had unconsciously walked toward the Manor's entrance. Only now, finally seeing Shi Zhou return safely, did his heart settle.
If only he had not gone on that interview show today. He could have been at Shi Zhou's side immediately.
Hearing his words, Shi Zhou was touched too.
He walked up beside him and said, "I'm fine. Don't worry."
Xie Jiali pressed his lips together without speaking.
How could he be fine? He was afraid this would drag up the case involving Shi Zhou's family again, as well as the situation at his school... If anything else came to light, it could harm his future.
Especially now that he had uncovered a few things and learned there was more to Shi Zhou's situation than met the eye.
Shi Zhou did not think it was a big deal. Still, he was surprised that Xie Jiali smoked. It did not quite fit his usual image.
He glanced at the cigarette, and Xie Jiali extinguished it and tossed it into the nearby trash can.
"Mint cigarettes. They're not very harmful."
He made a point of explaining, "I don't smoke often, either."
Shi Zhou smiled and shook his head. "They don't smell bad."
Still, it would be better to smoke less.
He did not really like smokers.
This was not the time to discuss those things in front of the camera. Xie Jiali murmured an acknowledgment and, taking advantage of his height, ruffled Shi Zhou's hair. "Then let's hurry back. Everyone's worried about you."
Xie Jiali smiled, the evening breeze tousling his hair.
"Nothing like this will happen again."
Shi Zhou did not understand what he meant and sighed. "I hope so."
With one hand in his pocket, Bai Shen walked slowly, politely giving them plenty of time to talk. When they finished, he nodded. "We still need to discuss the follow-up with the production team."
Xie Jiali glanced at Bai Shen and smiled. "Thank you."
"What for?"
On whose behalf was he thanking him?
Bai Shen pressed his lips together. He didn't even have any official standing yet, and he was already thanking people on Shi Zhou's behalf.
The production team regretted having only one cameraman on the scene and hurriedly sent a shuttle and two more cameramen.
Most of the other guests did not know there was more to the story. They only knew Shi Zhou had been cornered, and all offered him comfort.
Asta said, "Don't worry. They're just a few little flies. I'll contact a law firm and help you drive them away."
Yu Manman said indignantly, "Thank goodness Bai Shen got there in time. These people will write any nonsense for clicks."
She had suffered from this sort of thing herself. The so-called "early scandals" of star streamer Manman were still online, and whether she responded or not, it caused trouble.
It was utterly annoying.
Because of this, the production team also apologized to Shi Zhou and the other guests. They decided to use a delayed livestream from then on and issue an announcement specifically explaining the incident.
After just half a day apart, Director Zhang's forehead wrinkles seemed to have deepened.
"We're sorry. We weren't careful enough. The production team will take full responsibility. Please don't let this spoil your mood. Just enjoy yourselves."
In truth, dealing with a few minor media outlets was simple. The difficult part was these guests, who had put the production team under immense pressure.
He sighed inwardly, but kept a cheerful smile on his face. "Everyone, get a good rest tonight."
After the day's unexpected incident, the production team thoughtfully ordered food for everyone. Shi Zhou still could not sleep after eating, so he changed into loose clothes and went to the gym.
Who would normally go to the gym on a Dating Reality Show?
There were no cameras, and getting covered in smelly sweat was hardly flattering. It could easily put the other guests off.
This was therefore Shi Zhou's first visit. Tonight, he did not want to think about his image at all. After working out for nearly an hour and breaking a sweat, he felt much better.
Wandering around, he actually discovered a Virtual Mecha Control Station tucked away in the farthest corner.
Shi Zhou's eyes lit up, and he felt an itch to try it.
Just as he was about to turn on the control station, someone pushed open the side door and came in. Seeing someone inside, he tugged at his black outdoor jacket.
It was Su Yue.
His clothes were casual and ordinary, but the more ordinary they were, the more they highlighted his handsome, sharp-edged looks.
Su Yue probably had not expected the person inside to be Shi Zhou either. He paused in surprise.
Before you continue