Chi Li nodded. "Yes, do you know where he went?"
"Mmm!" The girl pointed in a direction, "It seems like someone he knows is looking for him; they walked that way."
"Thanks."
Chi Li thanked her and walked in the direction the girl pointed.
... How could Shen Xunye know someone here?
He thought this person would have a hard time making friends.
Turning into the corridor, Chi Li quickly saw Shen Xunye's standing figure.
The person standing opposite him was completely blocked by his tall figure; it was impossible to tell whether they were male or female.
"You really don't remember me?"
A clear, pleasant male voice entered Chi Li's ears.
Okay, gender confirmed.
"Should I remember?" Shen Xunye asked, his tone somewhat impatient.
"Okay, I guess you're upset that I was too rude to you back then," the boy said, sounding a little aggrieved. "But I'm the kind of person who can get spoiled."
At that time, he was arrogant because he was favored.
These two unusual words made Chi Li stop in her tracks.
He stood there, ready to openly eavesdrop.
Shen Xunye looked at the person in front of him again, but still couldn't recall anything about him.
But he knew this was probably one of his attempts to find a romantic partner while following his doctor's advice.
"So?" Shen Xunye countered.
He doesn't seem to owe any of the people he's trying to date anything, does he?
The boy sniffed and slowly began, "After I made you leave, I regretted it. I realized... I actually fell in love with you a long time ago, and even now, I still can't forget you."
Shen Xunye took a half step back. "It sounds like a horror story."
"I know you like Chi Li now," the boy said sadly, "But have you ever thought that someone like Chi Li will have many suitors, he will face many temptations, and one day he will abandon you! But I'm different... I will only look at you."
Faced with this sudden and inexplicable 'confession,' Shen Xunye closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again. "Don't force your own ideas onto him, and besides, the way you look at me is worthless."
After saying that, he turned around, preparing to leave early and end this boring conversation.
Before he had even fully turned around, he had already caught a glimpse of Chi Li's shadow.
He had clearly been standing there for a while.
A few strands of his soft black hair clung to his smooth forehead; his complexion was rosy, but his eyes held a complex expression.
Surprise, astonishment, and perhaps a subtle tension and... inquiry?
Shen Xunye's heart sank without warning.
What's Chi Li doing here?
How much did he see?
Did he hear that incredibly foolish 'confession'?
An extremely rare, almost agitated feeling washed over Shen Xunye's heart like an icy tide.
It wasn't because of this trivial entanglement and confession, but because he was afraid... that Chi Li would have inappropriate associations with it.
However, his facial expression did not change much.
He simply walked very naturally, as if Chi Li was supposed to be standing there waiting for him, and strode towards where the other person was standing.
Then reach out and take my hand.
"Is it over?" Shen Xunye asked, his tone much gentler than before.
"Almost." Chi Li was pulled around by Shen Xunye, not even getting a good look at the boy who had confessed his feelings. "... Have you eaten well?"
Shen Xunye laughed, "Of course, do you think I'd starve myself?"
The two chatted casually about the most mundane topics as they left, leaving behind only a cold and embarrassed figure who had been coldly rejected.
After the dinner party ended, Shen Xunye took a slightly tipsy Chi Li back to the hotel late at night.
After settling the person down on the sofa and carefully feeding them hangover soup, as she was about to change into comfortable loungewear, Chi Li suddenly spoke up, "You used to..."
Shen Xunye stood frozen in place, blankly waiting for Chi Li to continue.
"Have you ever dated anyone?" Chi Li asked slowly.
It's perfectly normal to have had romantic relationships or ambiguous relationships with people in the past.
He talked to Zhou Yang about it, didn't he?
He shouldn't have cared about this matter, especially since Shen Xunye had already rejected him without leaving any room for negotiation.
... but he just cares a lot.
If you care, ask.
"No." Shen Xunye sat back on the sofa and held Chi Li's hand tightly. "I've never been in a relationship with anyone, never kissed anyone, and never slept with anyone."
He was eager to prove his innocence.
"What about that just now..." Chi Li puffed out her cheeks, seemingly a little embarrassed by her 'questioning'. "What happened?"
"... Shen Qiang must have told you about my illness, right?" Shen Xunye knew he couldn't hide it, so he had no choice but to be honest.
Chi Li nodded slightly. "Mm."
What he didn't tell you was...
Shen Xunye then shared the 'love therapy' recommended by the psychologist.
Including several attempts he made to reassure his family.
This also includes his decision to use popularly recognized beauties as the selection criterion in order to save time.
And the fact that several attempts all failed.
"So..." A faint glint of tears welled up in Chi Li's eyes, "Your initial purpose in approaching me was simply to cure your illness."
Shen Xunye opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
This is what he's most worried about.
But he had to admit that he couldn't tell whether his initial interest in Chi Li was due to the hope of recovery or simply love at first sight, unrelated to anything else.
"Are you feeling better now?" Chi Li asked softly.
"Not yet." Shen Xunye answered almost instantly. He tightened his grip on Chi Li's hand, "... It's all hanging on by a thread."
He always felt that as soon as he opened his mouth and said "okay," Chi Li would leave in the next second.
"It sounds like my medicine only treats the symptoms, not the root cause." Chi Li gently curled the corners of her lips, her tone softening considerably, the end of her voice so soft it could be drawn out like silk.
Shen Xunye retorted somewhat unreasonably, "Treating the symptoms for a lifetime is the same as treating the root cause."
"But I heard... this medicine has serious side effects," Chi Li said earnestly.
"... Then tell me, what are the side effects of this medicine?" Sensing that Chi Li was probably drunk, hence her slurred speech, Shen Xunye softened his tone. "Is it addictive? Otherwise, why wouldn't I leave your side for a moment?"
"... No, that's not it." Chi Li kicked Shen Xunye's shin, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, "It's your own fault... it's because you're addicted!"
"Okay, okay, I'm addicted." Shen Xunye accepted all the accusations. "Then tell me, what are the side effects?"
"... Yes, yes, I've gained someone who's jealous, possessive, and prone to overthinking..."
Chi Li frowned, unsure of what identity to assign to herself.