“When’s your next song coming out? Can you give us a preview?”
“Come do a concert in A Province! I’d fight for tickets!”
Chu Xingxiao politely used the store’s neutral pen to sign autographs on napkins and clothing.
“The new single drops in a week. The full album will be available on all platforms then.”
A cheer erupted from the group.
Only then did Chi Zhan realize—he hadn’t actually listened to Chu Xingxiao’s music before. The only time he had, it was on a variety show in the background, and he hadn’t been paying attention.
Chu Xingxiao had always been polite with fans. He didn’t say much, but any request within reason, he’d fulfill. Chi Zhan could still remember the time he signed autographs for fans while burning up with a fever.
As he looked at Chu Xingxiao’s profile now, he couldn’t help but glance back at Qi Song. That subtle sense of déjà vu crept up on him again.
They really did… look alike.
Once Chu Xingxiao finished signing and answering a few questions, a server brought over his coffee and dessert. With refreshments on the table, the group backed off to let him enjoy some peace.
He took a sip of the mocha and nodded in approval.
“The coffee here’s not bad.”
Chi Zhan suddenly realized something. Zhou Yanxing liked his coffee with milk and sugar. Qi Song hated anything bitter. Cen Chi had ordered a cappuccino. Chu Xingxiao preferred chocolate.
All four of them—the romance targets—had a clear preference for sweet things. And aside from Zhou Yanxing, they all had pets.
Every now and then, Chi Zhan noticed little similarities between the four of them. Maybe it was the creator’s subconscious preferences bleeding through?
Cen Chi sipped his coffee quietly, observing the dynamic between Chi Zhan and Qi Song. But ever since Cen Chi had arrived, Qi Song had barely spoken.
A boyfriend who liked gaming.
Song Guang.
Cen Chi had once been only fifty percent sure, but now… he was almost certain: the boyfriend Chi Zhan mentioned was none other than WT’s team captain, Qi Song.
Not an easy opponent.
Cen Chi reevaluated his mental playbook. Then he turned his attention to Chu Xingxiao, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Chu Xingxiao felt that probing, unpleasant gaze again. It came from that doctor.
He’d never liked that man. There was something about him—like he was always hiding some rotten scheme, just waiting for a moment to trip you up. And worst of all, you’d never have proof.
“I just noticed,” Cen Chi said to Chu Xingxiao, “you and Seven look a little alike. Especially the teardrop mole and the eyes. Feels like a family trait.”
Chi Zhan chuckled.
“Funny, I thought the same thing. You two really do look—”
“Did I never tell you?” Qi Song interjected, tone completely flat. “He’s my cousin.”
The words were spoken as casually as if he were commenting on the weather—but for Chi Zhan, it was like a bomb had gone off in his brain.
“—Cousin?” Chi Zhan could only manage that one word before he froze, staring at Chu Xingxiao in disbelief.
He’d just been joking.
But it was true.
Seeing how stunned he was, Qi Song frowned slightly and added, “When you were sick, I asked him to look after you. Since you were both in A Province. Did he not do it?”
Just as it looked like the blame was about to land squarely on Chu Xingxiao, Chi Zhan quickly said, “No, no, he did. He just… never mentioned being your cousin.” He couldn’t help but glance at Chu Xingxiao again.
Chu Xingxiao scratched his head awkwardly.
“Oh. I forgot to say. Didn’t think it mattered. But I really did take good care of ge.”
“He did. He often brought me breakfast.”
No wonder Chu Xingxiao had been so proactive back then—he was fulfilling Qi Song’s request. But at that moment, a realization struck Chi Zhan like a lightning bolt. His gaze flicked toward Qi Song, unable to hide his shock.
Qi Song raised an eyebrow.
“What is it?”
“N-Nothing…” Chi Zhan replied, though his mind was a chaotic swirl of emotion, like someone had upended a palette of paint.
He felt like he’d just uncovered a massive secret.
Qi Song had a boyfriend. And Chu Xingxiao… was in love with that boyfriend?
Did Qi Song know?
If he did, then how were they still this civil? If Chi Zhan’s own friend liked his boyfriend, he’d be furious. Probably cut ties altogether. But this—this was something Chi Zhan absolutely couldn’t mention to Qi Song. And what made him even more curious was… who was the player behind it?
Who had enough charm to win over Seven, of all people?
In Chi Zhan’s eyes, Qi Song was the toughest to romance out of all the targets. Unlike Zhou Yanxing, whose family still forced him into blind dates every month, Qi Song was entirely self-contained. He rarely contacted his family, lived a private life, and unless you were already on WT’s roster, it was nearly impossible to “coincidentally” run into him.
Could it be…
Chen Che?
Somewhere across the table, Chen Che was eating cake when he suddenly sneezed.
Weird. Was someone talking about him?
Chi Zhan wasn’t sure if Chen Che was a player. When Zhou Yanxing wasn’t nearby, he couldn’t see the surrounding player list. Still, from what he’d observed, Chen Che seemed to treat Seven like a straightforward teammate. Was this some reverse psychology scenario? Two people completely uninterested in romance somehow stumbling into love?
As Chi Zhan spiraled deeper into speculation, he found himself looking at Chu Xingxiao with a trace of sympathy.
The player was a Sea King—skilled enough to romance all four targets simultaneously. But the targets? They could only be duped—heart and body.
The moment Qi Song had revealed his relationship with Chu Xingxiao, the latter had gone stiff. Then Chi Zhan glanced at him with that unreadable look… and his imagination ran wild.
He knows.
He definitely knows.
Will he forgive me?
Chu Xingxiao’s break-up plan hadn’t even begun—and it had already fallen apart halfway through.
For the rest of the gathering, Chu Xingxiao was visibly distracted. Qi Song, after dropping that one bombshell, went right back to sipping his coffee in silence—as if his words only ever flowed when he was alone with Chi Zhan.
