My Supernatural Exes Are Desperate to Win Me Back

Xie Yi found himself agreeing with Wen Nansen’s advice.

Xu Xining had started their fake relationship purely for the cameras, assuming he still wasn’t serious about her.

Genuine feelings? How hard could that be?

Following Wen Nansen’s suggestion, Xie Yi adopted traditional courting methods, like waiting on her route home from work with roses and gifts every day.

Although he intended to emulate Teacher Wen’s single-minded devotion, his natural charm seemed to attract attention effortlessly.

One moment, Xie Yi stood under a blooming tree, impeccably dressed, pulling a girl into his arms with a suave smile. “Do you feel any different knowing I like you?”

Xu Xining replied, “I don’t want to know.”

Online, Xie Yi was known as the “King of Charms,” with a strikingly handsome face that could pull off any bold color.

Up close, his presence was overwhelming, like a tidal wave crashing over you.

He leaned closer, so near she could see the captivating light in his eyes. “It seems I can’t see anyone else but you.”

The next moment, a daringly dressed woman rushed over, bypassing Xie Yi’s polite refusal, trying to plant a fiery kiss on his cheek.

Xie Yi leaned back to dodge, flipping his wrist to conjure a bouquet, placing it between himself and the woman. “Thanks for the affection, but my heart’s already taken.”

He turned to Xu Xining with a charming grin. “Right, darling?”

Xu Xining: “…”

Xu Xining glanced at the time, her face indifferent, and turned to leave. “Got anything else? If not, I’m leaving.”

Xie Yi dropped the flowers and chased after her. “…Hey, hey, don’t go! Ning, I don’t even know her! I swear!”

For the first time, Xie Yi found his charm troublesome, so he changed tactics and waited outside her home.

Surely no woman would appear out of nowhere at her doorstep, right?

No women, indeed.

But her neighbor was a maniacal hitman.

Every time Xie Yi showed up, Zhan Xingye would step out, expressionless, and start a fight.

To those in the know, he was just a neighbor; to others, he seemed like Xu Xining’s personal guardian, professionally warding off evil.

Xie Yi was frustrated by the constant beatings because, despite Zhan Xingye’s slender appearance, he was a formidable fighter, attacking with silent ferocity.

In this peaceful era, Xie Yi hadn’t been on a battlefield in ages. Even if he were, one look at him would have the enemy commander surrendering to his charm.

In mere breaths, they exchanged hundreds of blows, the fierce wind pressure capable of annihilating anything in the corridor.

Xie Yi felt as if he were battling an army, eventually being slammed against the wall by Zhan Xingye, losing a few strands of his vibrant red fox fur.

His hair fell messily over his pale skin, and he wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, smearing a diagonal streak across his face. He chuckled softly, “You hate me this much? I’m honored. Seems I’m quite important to Ning.”

Zhan Xingye held Xie Yi by the collar, nose to nose, eyes cold and indifferent. “Using demon spells on civilians violates the ninth clause of the contract. If you keep approaching her, I won’t let you off.”

“You dare take me back, and the Administration Bureau dares to detain me?” Xie Yi scoffed.

The Administration Bureau couldn’t possibly imprison the Demon King. They’d likely serve him fine tea, issue a symbolic warning, exchange diplomatic pleasantries, and send him on his way.

If anything happened to Xie Yi, his brother Xie Jing would undoubtedly lead the Mount Tu Fox Clan in rebellion, sparking a war between humans and demons, costing millions of lives.

“The Administration Bureau won’t detain you,” Zhan Xingye said coldly, “but I will kill you.”

Xie Yi’s eyes filled with silent rage. The Demon King’s dignity was sacred and inviolable. His true red fox form had nine tails, a body as vast as mountains.

At that moment, a crimson shadow flashed through the air, colliding with suddenly appearing tentacles, like thunder exploding in the sky!

“Ding-” The elevator door opened.

Xu Xining stepped out, chewing on candy, tilting her head curiously as she removed her headphones. “What are you two doing?”

Dust filled the corridor, walls cracked, both men disheveled, Xie Yi panting, Zhan Xingye expressionless but guilty.

Xie Yi forced a playful smile, conjuring a rose from his fingertips, whistling, “Hey, Ning…”

Before he could finish, his body swayed, blood seeping from his back.

His kidney had been pierced by a tentacle, leaving him unable to stand. Zhan Xingye, catching him in his peripheral vision, quickly reached out to support him, forcing him to stand upright.

“I just happened to see him on my way out and exchanged a few words,” Zhan Xingye explained to her, which was technically true.

Xu Xining tilted her head. “What are you hiding behind your back?”

Zhan Xingye hid his severed limb further behind him. “Nothing, nothing.”

Xu Xining approached suspiciously.

As she stepped closer, the two men retreated, fearing she’d smell the blood.

Xie Yi and Zhan Xingye were both disheveled, covering each other’s injuries and bloodstains on their clothes.

Zhan Xingye held Xie Yi’s waist, Xie Yi draped an arm over Zhan Xingye’s shoulder, inseparable, like a couple glued together.

Xu Xining: Something’s fishy!

Xu Xining: These two are definitely up to something!

Xu Xining: The world is going downhill, in broad daylight, two grown men pulling and tugging, clinging to each other at my doorstep!

Xu Xining, exasperated, pointed at Xie Yi’s nose and scolded, “You old scoundrel, isn’t it enough to seduce innocent girls on the street? Now you’re seducing my Xingye!”

Xie Yi: “?”

Xu Xining pulled Zhan Xingye aside.

Without Zhan Xingye’s support, Xie Yi nearly fell, but a few transparent tentacles quickly caught him, holding him up.

Xu Xining leaned closer to Zhan Xingye, lowering her voice, “He didn’t do anything to you, did he? He’s very good at making people like him!”

Xie Yi leaned against the door, exasperated. “Hey, I can still hear you!”

“That’s the point!” Xu Xining shouted, her gaze sweeping over Zhan Xingye’s torn collar and the glimpse of his shoulder, her heart aching. “You’ve only met Xie Yi once at Bailu Bridge Cave, right?! How could this happen!”

To this point!

With anyone else, Xu Xining would never believe someone could have an ambiguous relationship after just one meeting.

But Xie Yi was no ordinary person, like a magnet for admirers. She’d seen countless people lose their minds, throwing themselves at him… and now it was Zhan Xingye’s turn!

Xu Xining looked pained. “I don’t mind if you like men, but you can’t like Xie Yi! You’re so naive, you’ll definitely be deceived!”

Zhan Xingye mumbled, “…I don’t like him.”

Xie Yi roared from afar, “I don’t like men, damn it!!!!”

Xu Xining yelled back, “Shut up!”

Xu Xining grabbed Zhan Xingye’s shirt, suddenly feeling something sticky. She pulled her hand back to find it covered in blood.

Xu Xining was stunned.

“You’re hurt?” The girl frantically searched Zhan Xingye, like a panicked cat pawing around.

Zhan Xingye stood stiffly, feeling as if the girl had thrown herself into his arms, her hair’s sweet lemon scent invading his senses.

The tentacles couldn’t resist the temptation, writhing like coiled snakes, crowding around her, the voices of longing and infatuation overwhelming:

“Like,” “Really like,” “Want to get closer,” “Touch me more”…

It was even worse because the young man had been forcing himself to stay away from her for years, and the long-repressed tentacles were on the verge of losing control as the girl suddenly approached.

They twisted and entwined frantically, wanting to wrap around her, leaving no gap untouched, eager to absorb her scent, as if she were a juicy fruit, a gentle touch releasing honey-like nectar.

One tentacle had already wrapped around a stray strand of Xu Xining’s hair, greedily coiling around it.

The remaining tentacles were mad with jealousy, rushing to get closer to the girl’s slender body.

A shadow of gloom passed through Zhan Xingye’s eyes.

His lowered fingers clenched, veins bulging, and the tentacles closest to the core shot out like lightning, mercilessly severing the one that had wrapped around the hair.

Every tentacle was a part of him, and their incredible sensitivity allowed him to smell Xu Xining’s hair through them, making the severing excruciatingly painful.

The other tentacles, intimidated, obediently retreated.

All this happened in a flash, and when Zhan Xingye spoke again, his voice was slightly hoarse. “…It’s not my blood.”

Xie Yi was even more furious. “Then it’s my blood, damn it!!!!”

Xu Xining paused, hurriedly running over to Xie Yi, scolding, “Why didn’t you say you were hurt? Xingye was helping you, right?”

Only when she got closer did she realize Xie Yi’s red coat was soaked with blood, though the color made it less obvious than the blood on Zhan Xingye’s white T-shirt.

Xu Xining touched it, her hand coming away warm and bloody. She grabbed him, panicking, “Why so much blood?! How did this happen? Where’s the wound? I have a first aid kit at home… Should I call 911?”

Xu Xining actually pulled out her phone to dial 911, but Xie Yi, half-amused, half-exasperated, raised a hand to snatch her phone away, hiding it behind him. “Sweetheart, I don’t need an ambulance; I need mouth-to-mouth.”

Xu Xining was so angry she could jump. “You’re still joking!”

Xie Yi leaned against the door, slowly sliding to the ground, his blood-red coat contrasting with his pale skin, exuding an oddly captivating, broken allure.

He couldn’t help but want to see Xu Xining’s worried expression, struggling to smile. “If I die, will you regret not giving me a chance…”

Xu Xining clamped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t talk about dying! You’ll be fine, just give me the phone! I’ll give you a chance, as many as you want!”

Zhan Xingye watched coldly from a distance.

He suddenly regretted not aiming for Xie Yi’s heart earlier.

Xu Xining was genuinely panicking, the blood soaking through his clothes, indicating a terrifying wound!

And yet, he chose this moment to talk about chances, infuriating Xu Xining as she grabbed his collar and shouted, “Xie Yi!”

Her voice was clear and angry, resolute.

Xie Yi seemed to snap awake at her call, his pupils dilating slightly, clearly reflecting the girl’s anxious expression, her reddened eyes, and tearful gaze.

Oh no.

Xie Yi thought, I think I scared her.

He’d never felt this way before, like something clawed at his heart, leaving him breathless.

Xie Yi forced himself to stand, hastily reassuring her, “It’s okay, I was just messing with you. It’s all fake blood for a magic trick.”

He snapped his fingers behind his back, using a demon spell to conjure a fake blood pack. “See, it’s really fake blood.”

Xie Yi playfully flicked Xu Xining’s cheek, his eyes curved in amusement, “Oh, which little friend was about to cry seeing me hurt?”

Xu Xining was incensed, “Huh?! Who cried?! You cried!”

Damn it! Better to feed her heart to the dogs than to worry about men!

Fuming, Xu Xining turned on her heel and stormed back to her apartment, slamming the door with a loud bang.

As soon as Xu Xining left, Xie Yi’s smile vanished, the pain nearly causing him to black out. Without a moment to catch his breath, he quickly transformed back into his fox form and darted into her apartment, pretending to be asleep as if nothing had happened.

At one point, he thought Zhan Xingye might be his long-lost son, tolerating him in every way possible, but now he had reached his limit.

Zhan Xingye, despite being a highly dangerous Exotic Species, had infiltrated the Administration Bureau as an Exotic Species Killer, using the violation of the contract as a pretext to hunt him down.

What would happen if he leaked the information that the Bureau harbored an Exotic Species within its ranks?

…

Surely, Zhan Xingye would transform from the Bureau’s ace into its most wanted enemy.

For some reason, Xu Xining never considered the possibility that Zhan Xingye might be in cahoots with Xie Yi to prank her. Since childhood, Zhan Xingye had been like a silent big dog trailing behind her.

Sometimes Xu Xining even felt that if she pointed at the Huai River and told him to jump, Zhan Xingye would do so without hesitation.

He would never team up with someone to go against her, not even for a prank.

Thus, Zhan Xingye must have been deceived by Xie Yi!

First, Xie Yi faked his death with a blood pack, tricking the kind-hearted Xingye into hugging him. Next, he would use more sinister means to deceive Xingye’s body.

Xu Xining was glad she lived across from Zhan Xingye, allowing her to keep an eye on Xie Yi and prevent him from misleading the naive youth.

Thanks to her job, she had access to numerous portable pinhole cameras and casually stuck one on her door’s peephole before leaving.

And indeed, she captured undeniable evidence!

Before she returned home, Xie Yi went up to the 28th floor with roses in hand.

Zhan Xingye seemed to have timed it perfectly, stepping out to meet him, and the two collided against the wall, hugging and clinging to each other, scattering rose petals everywhere.

Then they rolled onto the floor, eventually disappearing into a blind spot beyond the camera’s view.

Xu Xining: …

Xu Xining: This is a disaster.

Xu Xining: My ex and my childhood friend are practically on fire, rolling around at my doorstep.

Feeling like she was facing a formidable enemy, Xu Xining sent Zhan Xingye links to tabloid news on WeChat every day.

Lock Heart and Love: [Top 10 Celebrities Who Publicly Confessed to Xie Yi]

Lock Heart and Love: [Uncovering the Chaotic Private Life of Xie Yi, the So-called Magic God]

Lock Heart and Love: [While Others’ Relationships Collapse, Why Does Xie Yi, the King of the Sea, Stand Firm?]

Lock Heart and Love: [In an Interview, Xie Yi Boldly Claims: His Heart Never Stops for Anyone!]

…

The screen showed “typing,” and Xu Xining anxiously stared at it.

Twenty minutes later.

Potted Plant: [Hmm.]

Xu Xining: Damn it, twenty minutes for one word!

Xu Xining: You’re brushing me off, aren’t you? Not listening, right? Not turning back until you hit the wall, huh?

Xu Xining directly sent the video of the two rolling around on the floor.

[Right at my doorstep! Still denying it!]

Zhan Xingye: …

At that moment, he was in the midst of a fierce battle. A group of corpse handlers had arrived at Huai River, playing flutes to raise the dead in the city outskirts during the rain, leading to an uncontrollable situation with Jiangshi running rampant.

He was slaughtering the horde of Jiangshi, and it was less of a battle and more of a one-sided massacre, with tentacles towering dozens of meters high, thrashing like enraged serpents.

As he walked, he used the tentacles to shred the pale Jiangshi around him, like a human meat grinder flattening the battlefield.

The more brutal the tentacles killed, the more troubled the young man in the center felt.

How did it get recorded…

It seemed like Xu Xining was angry, but he wasn’t sure. Better check again.

If only he were beside the girl, he could smell the changes in her hormones and pheromones, accurately judging if she was upset, and offer his foot for her to step on as quickly as possible.

Zhan Xingye carefully crafted his response, thinking it was perfect but missing the point:

[Sorry, next time I won’t be at your doorstep.]

Xu Xining: [What?]

Xu Xining: [Where else do you want to be? Explain yourself! Should I just crowdfund a room for you two?!]

Meanwhile, his subordinates, Chen Long and Zhang Hu, were observing from afar with binoculars…

Both stood at 1.9 meters tall, resembling muscular Schwarzenegger-like figures. To outsiders, they seemed like the team’s warriors responsible for combat, while Zhan Xingye appeared to be the scholarly student handling negotiations.

However, the reality was quite the opposite.

The student was expressionlessly slaughtering, while the muscle men handled behind-the-scenes work, their heaviest tasks being meetings and writing reports.

Through their binoculars, Chen Long and Zhang Hu couldn’t see Zhan Xingye’s tentacles.

They only saw their boss wielding a knife, walking around like a tornado, as Jiangshi turned into flying fragments.

Later, their boss seemed too focused on something, casually sheathing the long knife and hanging it on his back.

Chen Long was horrified, “Damn it, the boss put away his knife! Is he in trouble? Does he need backup?”

Chen Long continued to shout, “He’s looking at his phone! He’s replying to messages amidst the Jiangshi! … He’s still at it! He’s squatting down! He’s curled up into a ball!”

Zhang Hu: “Wait, if the boss isn’t using a knife, what is he using to kill Jiangshi?”

Chen Long: “Maybe his phone.”

Zhang Hu: “Maybe his aura.”

Chen Long: “Maybe his chi.”

Zhang Hu: “Or brainwaves.”

The two marveled, “Wow, no wonder he’s the boss! Killing while curled up into a ball!”

During the May Day holiday, Xu Xining’s high school classmates organized a reunion.

The event was hosted by the class’s wealthiest princess, Shen Shiqing, at her family’s Golden Glory High-End Club. Despite being a classmate gathering, venue fees were halved, and drinks, snacks, and refreshments were free.

The response was overwhelming.

Xu Xining, being someone who valued friendship and loved lively gatherings, naturally accepted the invitation and brought Zhan Xingye along.

They had been in the same class since kindergarten and were desk mates for six years in elementary school.

Xu Xining was a hyperactive child, constantly whispering to him during class, turning trivial matters into dramatic tales, leading to both being dragged out by the exasperated teacher to stand as punishment.

Even during punishment, Xu Xining was cheerful, secretly drawing little pigs on Zhan Xingye’s hand with a marker.

After one class, Zhan Xingye’s arms were covered in various little pigs, resembling the tattooed arms of a socialite.

The girl laughed crookedly while drawing, insisting he say they looked good.

Zhan Xingye believed her words, cherishing the drawings without washing them off, only to be dragged to the sink by a shocked Xu Xining the next day to wash them away.

Zhan Xingye silently felt sad for a while, thinking he must have done something wrong to lose the little pigs.

But in high school, Zhan Xingye distanced himself from her, moving his seat to the back and rarely speaking to her, leading most classmates to be unaware of their long acquaintance.

They were the last to arrive, with other classmates already gathered, chatting in groups on the sofas.

The luxurious room was bathed in colorful lights, with a central table laden with various pastries, fruit platters, and cocktails.

Xu Xining’s high school class was a science class, with a majority of boys. Seeing Xu Xining, their eyes lit up, instinctively standing to greet her warmly:

“The beauty arrives late!”

“We’ve been waiting for you!”

“How come you haven’t changed at all in four years?!”

“Sit here, I’ve got a spot!”

“You think pushing me away makes a spot, huh?!”

Xu Xining smiled, carrying a large shopping bag like a leader greeting soldiers, nodding to each, “Hello comrades, you’ve worked hard. I brought a bag of spicy strips! Who wants some?”

Instantly, hands shot up like an explosion, “Whoa, spicy strips! Count me in!”

“Feels like high school evening study again!”

“Haven’t had these in ages! Still the familiar taste!”

“Awesome! Spicy strips are the best!”

The princess Shen Shiqing wore an exceptionally glamorous wine-red gown, with a European-style skirt, a massive gemstone pendant, and hand-stitched diamonds on the satin bodice.

She looked less like she was attending a classmate gathering and more like she was heading to a gala.

Originally surrounded by classmates, they were all mimicking adults, eating sashimi with white wine, while Shen Shiqing basked in their admiration, eloquently discussing the differences between Burgundy and Bordeaux.

But as soon as Xu Xining arrived, the group scattered like children, rushing to eat spicy strips.

Shen Shiqing’s smile faltered slightly.

Xu Xining, always her, stealing the spotlight as soon as she arrived!

During the first week of high school, Shen Shiqing’s outstanding family background and appearance made her famous throughout the school, with rumors of her being the new school beauty spreading in the space.

But Shen Shiqing’s reign lasted only a week.

On the first day of military training, a late-arriving freshman made her entrance.

It was an overcast day, with all classes lined up on the field for morning drills, arranged into neat formations, looking weary and dispirited, enveloped in a somber atmosphere.

The girl arrived in a hurry, wearing a green training uniform, holding her hat, the narrow belt cinching her slender waist, running across the field like the wind.

The wind lifted her golden hair.

In the dull campus, she was so stunningly radiant, like golden dawn illuminating everyone’s eyes.

…

At that moment, every student in formation was watching her.

Without any dispute, the title of school beauty changed hands, and the whole grade was asking about the golden-haired girl.

She did nothing but steal all of Shen Shiqing’s spotlight.

Thinking of this, Shen Shiqing maintained her smile, extending her hand, “Xining, long time no see. Tell us what you’ve been up to lately?”

Xu Xining, munching on spicy strips, replied, “I’m an intern at Pianyu Media.”

Shen Shiqing, with a meaningful tone, “An intern, huh…”

How pitiful, unlike her who could directly manage the family business after graduation.

Xu Xining swallowed the spicy strip, her smile bright, “Haha, isn’t that impressive? Do you want to join?”

Shen Shiqing: “…No, thank you.”

Every time she tried to mock Xu Xining, it felt like punching a pillow, leaving her frustrated.

Zhan Xingye watched Shen Shiqing from the corner, uneasily fidgeting with his fingers.

He could sense the hostility Shen Shiqing harbored beneath her smiling facade towards Xu Xining, and his tentacles instinctively disliked it. Protecting Xu Xining had almost become a reflex for them, with a strong urge to tear Shen Shiqing apart like a Jiangshi.

Of course, that was out of the question; she was just an ordinary person who didn’t get along with Xu Xining.

Zhan Xingye adjusted his hat brim, forcefully suppressing the restless tentacles underfoot.

With everyone gathered, classmates began singing and playing games in small groups.

Xu Xining could party on her own, let alone with a crowd to join her.

One moment she was dancing and singing, and the next she was shaking the dice cup wildly amid cheers from the boys.

With a loud “bang,” she slammed the dice cup onto the table, revealing two sixes, two fours, a three, and a one.

“Haha, am I awesome or what?” Xu Xining laughed arrogantly, then asked, “Did I win or lose?”

Turns out she didn’t understand the game at all; she was just playing with confidence.

The boy across from her chuckled indulgently, “You won, I’ll take a penalty drink.”

The crowd erupted, “Su Jiachi’s letting her win! He’s letting her win a whole ocean! Oh wow~”

Su Jiachi shrugged helplessly, “She’s a newbie, what’s wrong with giving her a break?”

Shen Shiqing watched, feeling annoyed.

The Su family was in the jewelry business, the only one in the grade wealthier than hers. Su Jiachi was polite to her, but his favoritism towards Xu Xining was blatant.

Four years ago it was like this, and four years later it was still the same.

Shen Shiqing had painstakingly dressed up, wearing a six-figure custom gown, yet all these men only had eyes for Xu Xining.

Even though the girl had casually tied her hair in a bun, wore overalls, and her slender ankle was strikingly pale.

Shen Shiqing lifted her skirt and approached, “What’s the fun in playing like this? Let’s do Truth or Dare.”

Since Shen Shiqing organized the gathering, everyone obliged and sat in a circle, including Zhan Xingye.

As he approached, Xu Xining pulled him to sit between her and Shen Shiqing, winking at him.

Zhan Xingye: ?

Though Xu Xining was having a blast, she noticed Zhan Xingye in the corner constantly watching Shen Shiqing.

Tsk tsk tsk, who would’ve thought? He actually likes someone like Shen Shiqing!

Last time during fishing, he said he’d never been in love, feeling too clueless to pursue a girl. Xu Xining decided to play matchmaker today, pairing them up on the spot!

Shen Shiqing was better than that jerk Xie Yi! Xingye deserved the best!

Xu Xining was fired up, ready to go.

Zhan Xingye caught the scent she emitted when happy, like vibrant lemon soda, softening his gaze slightly.

She seemed to be enjoying herself.

That’s nice.

The first round landed on Su Jiachi, who chose Dare and was penalized with twenty push-ups, showing off his abs.

The second round landed on Xu Xining, who chose Dare, “Call your first love and ask to reconcile.”

Teacher Wen would take anything seriously.

Xu Xining laughed, “I’ll drink!”

She downed her drink in one go.

The crowd made meaningful yet regretful noises, “There’s a story here!” “Who’s the first love, tell us?” “Is Xu Xining still single?”

Xu Xining was a good sport, unfazed, “Next, next!”

The third round landed on Zhan Xingye, who chose Dare, “Kiss a girl present.”

Zhan Xingye froze.

Xu Xining covered her mouth, mischievously whispering, “Shen Shiqing! Shen Shiqing! Kiss her, kiss her!”

Zhan Xingye turned to look at her, his gaze deep and dark.

He didn’t understand why Xu Xining suddenly urged him to kiss Shen Shiqing; he only felt discomfort, as if a damp rag was wringing out sour water in his heart.

Shen Shiqing didn’t object, her cheeks glowing with a warm blush, playfully saying, “Why call me out? I’m not the only girl here.”

Xu Xining saw his lack of response, unsure if he was slow or unwilling, leaned in and whispered, “If not, just drink?”

Zhan Xingye said, “I’m allergic to alcohol.”

Alcohol was toxic to him; contact with it would corrode his skin like humans touching concentrated sulfuric acid. He suffered greatly the first time he drank, unaware of this.

Xu Xining, familiar with him since before she was of age, learned this for the first time, whispering, “So, do you want to kiss her or not? Give me a reaction!”

The crowd had been egging him on for a while, but now waited for Zhan Xingye to speak.

Zhan Xingye: “I…”

Shen Shiqing was genuinely displeased.

With everyone urging him, Zhan Xingye should at least ask her, whether to refuse or agree, it should be up to Shen Shiqing.

But did Zhan Xingye even glance at her from start to finish?! His eyes were only on Xu Xining!

In high school, Shen Shiqing cared about two boys: the wealthy Su Jiachi and Zhan Xingye.

Zhan Xingye was the most inconspicuous student, sitting alone in the back row, rarely speaking, always expressionless like an iceberg, not nearly as handsome as now.

Until one time, Shen Shiqing played the female lead in a stage play, with a princess carry scene.

The male lead looked tall and strong but was actually weak, failing to lift her and claiming she was heavy.

Shen Shiqing was embarrassed, feeling humiliated in public, stomping her foot, “Heavy? I’m a hundred pounds at this height, is that heavy? You’re weak!”

Both were prideful, arguing publicly. Shen Shiqing wore high heels, the heel stuck in a gap, and she fell backward, about to tumble off the stage.

At that moment, Zhan Xingye, arranging props nearby, suddenly reached out like lightning, grabbing her collar.

His expression was indifferent, lifting her entire weight with one hand, placing her back on stage without saying a word.

Shen Shiqing sat on the ground, shocked, cold sweat pouring like a flood.

She watched Zhan Xingye’s departing figure, her mind replaying that scene.

…

The boy wore a thin sweatshirt, his fingers long and cold white, eyelashes lowered, his profile cool.

He held her as if he were holding a bottle of mineral water.

Perhaps it was the bridge effect.

But in that instant, she was overwhelmed by primal, overpowering strength, instantly captivated.

A classic hero saves the damsel moment; he must be interested in her. Shen Shiqing was confident in her allure.

But later, she repeatedly tried talking to Zhan Xingye, who ignored her.

He neither liked nor disliked her; she was invisible to him, as if he saw everyone as air… except Xu Xining.

During evening self-study, he’d suddenly stare at Xu Xining’s back, watching her laugh, whisper with her desk mate, her bright and lively demeanor.

The classroom’s endless fan blew hot air, stirring unfinished papers and her dream-like golden hair.

Such deep, focused, passionate yet suppressed eyes, Shen Shiqing had never seen in a boy that age.

Two years later, nearing graduation, Shen Shiqing saw a video of the stage play, discovering a fact that shattered her:

Zhan Xingye grabbed her because Xu Xining was standing below the stage…

If Shen Shiqing had fallen, she would’ve landed on her.

That’s all.

What heart-fluttering, bridge effect, hero saves damsel, all nonsense.

Zhan Xingye wasn’t saving her at all.

So, it’s no wonder Shen Shiqing disliked Xu Xining.

Xu Xining kept taking things that belonged to her.

…

At the Golden Glory Club, Zhan Xingye, under everyone’s gaze, lowered his long lashes, saying softly, “I’ll drink.”

He reached for the glass.

Alcohol would burn through his insides instantly, but if he drank fast enough, others wouldn’t notice.

He hadn’t expected such a dare; if he knew, he wouldn’t have joined. But a bet’s a bet; he disliked backing out.

After drinking, he might pass out from pain, bedridden for three days, but he wouldn’t die.

Zhan Xingye had a temper, though he rarely showed it. He was already in pain, unable to breathe, when Xu Xining laughed, urging him to kiss Shen Shiqing.

He desperately wanted another pain to suppress the one inside, so he almost instinctively reached for the glass.

The girl beside him slapped his hand down.

“He’s allergic to alcohol, can’t drink. Let it go.” Xu Xining smiled, “I’ll drink for him!”

The crowd erupted, mostly sour, “No way a girl drinks for him!” “That’s not right!” “Allergic doesn’t mean he can’t drink a single glass!” “If you can’t play, don’t play!”

Xu Xining: “Darn, you’re bullying him!”

Her defense only made others more sour, sparking new uproar.

Amidst the noise, Zhan Xingye silently watched her.

He didn’t understand why Xu Xining was always surrounded by other Exotic Species, like Wen Nansen and Xie Yi. If she ended up with one, what did his years mean?

He’d decided not to let other Exotic Species near her; if it had to be someone, it should be him.

But she only wanted to push him to others.

Zhan Xingye felt something snap in his mind, turning to Xu Xining, “Can I kiss you?”

The place exploded, Shen Shiqing’s face darkened, screams, clinking glasses, pounding tables, the uproar almost tore the roof off!

Zhan Xingye regretted asking immediately; what was he doing?

He almost frantically grabbed the glass, ready to drink.

…

Xu Xining said, “Sure.”