Zhong Fanrui saw the wedding announcement online. He was in the library working on his graduation thesis when he happened to click on an entertainment news article.
In the photo, Jian Ran wore a stern expression that said "stay the hell away," but the light shining in his eyes was impossible to ignore.
Beside him, Lu Yanting kept his gaze fixed on Jian Ran's face, his lips curving faintly, his love spilling across the screen.
In the past, Zhong Fanrui would probably have gone mad with jealousy at the sight of that photo, but now he felt completely calm.
The affection he had once gained through underhanded means had never been secure, as illusory as flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water.
At that thought, Zhong Fanrui stood, packed his things, and left the library.
Someone holding flowers turned around at the entrance. "Fanrui, long time no see."
"What are you doing here?" Zhong Fanrui looked pleasantly surprised. "Is the rap competition over?"
Top Rapper had a handsome face with a slightly mixed-race look. He slowly approached. "I won the championship. You said you'd reward me."
"Are you going to keep your promise now?"
He pressed the bouquet into Zhong Fanrui's arms, but Zhong Fanrui hesitated to accept it. "You... you and Jian Ran... the two of you..."
"I know him, but we've never interacted. Didn't he just get married?" Top Rapper asked in confusion.
Zhong Fanrui said, "Did you never think of making him my substitute? Before I said yes to you?"
Top Rapper smiled. "What are you thinking? You're one of a kind. Who could replace you?!"
Those words seemed to touch a sensitive nerve. Tears immediately streamed down Zhong Fanrui's face, and he spread his arms and hugged him. "Thank you."
"Thank you so