Yaxi ddn't know how to thank Zhou Tao, let alone how to express her gratitude to the older benefactor who had stepped in to help her—a woman whose wealth seemed boundless, yet whose kindness remained understated.
Fortunately, her recent livestreams had gained traction by riding the wave of a Korean idol group's comeback.
Creating bullet journals themed around her favorite idols drew more viewers and donations than usual.
After settling the bill, Yaxi sent a message to the generous woman, thanking her and explaining the situation.
She also advised her not to take the yacht trip anytime soon, as she'd saved enough money to cover future consultations herself.
As she approached the entrance, through the bustling crowd of people coming and going, Yaxi spotted Lu Ziyang immediately.
It was impossible to miss him—he stood inside the revolving door, taking exaggerated little steps while pressing his face against the glass, making silly faces to entertain a pair of twins.
His antics were so absurd that everyone nearby couldn't help but glance his way.
He hadn't left yet.
Yaxi paused, watching quietly.
He appeared to be pretending to be some kind of monster trapped within the revolving door, likely to ensure the children wouldn't get caught between its panels.
He even pretended to lose "health points" as though under attack, spinning several times before finally stepping out.
The twins clung to each of his sleeves, giggling as they pulled him in circles.
Only when their visibly relieved parents arrived to thank Lu Ziyang did he bid farewell to the children and turn toward the lobby.
The moment he saw Yaxi, his eyes lit up with unmistakable joy, and a radiant smile spread across his face.
His clothes fluttered slightly, his hair tousled, as he strode toward her with unwavering focus, as if no one else existed in the world.
"Yaxi—" he called out loudly, utterly disregarding the curious stares of those around them, as if determined to make sure the entire lobby heard how long he'd waited.
His voice softened into a plaintive whine, "Why do you always keep me waiting? A whole hour. Don't do that again."
It wasn't until the weight of countless gazes settled on them that Yaxi realized she was being hugged.
His strong arms encircled her tightly, and despite her reluctance, she caught a faint whiff of his sweat.
She tried to push him away, but he clung to her like a loyal dog, nuzzling his chin against her shoulder. "I thought you might sneak out the back. Good thing you didn't escape my grasp."
Back when they were desk mates, Yaxi had once arrogantly assumed that Lu Ziyang harbored feelings for her.
Unlike others who treated her with disdain, he adored sticking close to her.
Sometimes, during lunch breaks, he would nap on her shoulder.
When he woke up, he'd beam with satisfaction while her shoulder throbbed in pain.
Then, he'd turn her around and give her a massage, kneading her shoulders and back.
Secretly, Yaxi observed him—his relaxed posture, the softness hidden beneath his clothing—even then, there was never any sign of arousal.
His affection for her seemed confined to casual touches under the guise of friendship—passionate yet distant, coming without reason and leaving without warning.
But he clearly avoided other girls, recoiling as if their touch carried a curse.
This made Yaxi believe she was special.
Until one day, when she lay feverish in the infirmary's innermost bed.
In her haze, she overheard whispers from the next bed.
Pulling the curtain aside slightly, she saw Lu Ziyang leaning close to Xu Xiaoyi, who was nearly asleep, whispering something tenderly. He carefully tucked the blanket around her, his movements gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her rest.
This was the same Lu Ziyang who was usually rough and harsh with Yaxi.
In that moment, Yaxi suddenly understood that Lu Ziyang's affection was ordinary—it was the kind that wanted to reach out but held back, driven by an involuntary tenderness.
But it didn't matter.
To Yaxi, Lu Ziyang was no different from a passerby.
Except for the times he'd scolded her unfairly for Xu Xiaoyi's sake, he didn't affect her in the slightest.
At its core, it was simply because she liked Chen Ling and envied Xu Xiaoyi.
Thanks to this realization, now when he overstepped boundaries to express intimacy and desire, she didn't misinterpret it.
She simply led him into the depths of desire, letting them both float and sink together, tasting the fleeting pleasures of human connection.
Once she was done, she could discard him without regret.
She allowed him to wrap his arm around hers as he guided her forward.
His warm breath brushed her ear, "Yaxi, I can't wait. Can we do it tonight? Otherwise, you'll stand me up again."