Lin Wei had no choice but to retreat—fast.
With his heart pounding and his face burning, he turned on his heel and rushed out of the courtyard, one hand awkwardly trying to tame his overly enthusiastic little brother, who had apparently decided to take full command of the morning.
"Damn it… so active this early?" he muttered under his breath, frustrated at both his body and the sheer audacity of fate.
But his escape wasn't smooth.
As he darted past the outer corridor, he caught the attention of another group of girls just stepping out from the adjacent guest wing. Their chatter stopped mid-sentence as their eyes landed on him—more precisely, on the prominent bulge that still refused to settle.
There was a beat of silence.
Then gasps. Stifled giggles. One girl's jaw literally dropped as she stared, wide-eyed, at the unmistakable 90-degree salute he hadn't quite managed to hide. Lin Wei didn't dare look back. He disappeared around the corner like a fugitive, silently cursing morning biology, seductive night scents, and whatever perverted god was watching him today.
Jogging along the quiet roadside, Lin Wei felt the tension in his chest begin to ease. The cool breeze from the beach brushed against his skin, salty and clean, and the rhythmic pounding of his footsteps grounded him in the moment. For the first time in a while, he felt... light.
Maybe it's the billion dollars, he thought with a crooked smile. Ever since the money came into his life, something had shifted—not just his circumstances, but the way he looked at the world. It all felt wider now, freer. Less burdened. Like he didn't have to hide anymore. Like he didn't have to prove anything to anyone.
Around him, others were out running too—some serious, some casual, all lost in their own thoughts. The scent of the ocean drifted inland, mingling with the sizzle of breakfast cooking in a nearby restaurant. Something rich and savory hung in the air, and his stomach gave a low, impatient growl.
"Alright, alright," he muttered, turning off the path and heading toward the restaurant. "Let's eat."
He decided to pack extra food for the girls—especially Xueyin. After last night, it felt right. As for Wang Hao? Lin Wei smirked to himself. That guy could have whatever leftovers remained. He's a heavy sleeper anyway, he thought. Let him wake up to cold rice and regret.
The restaurant turned out to be a high-end spot—clean interiors, elegant decor, and an air of quiet refinement. Lin Wei hesitated at first, but once the food arrived, any doubts vanished.
The dish he ordered—a light, perfectly balanced plate of bacon and seared salmon—was a revelation. Each bite was rich with flavor, delicately seasoned, yet not overpowering. The texture of the fish, the crisp of the bacon—it all felt like something straight out of a top-tier restaurant in Italy. His appetite woke up fully, and he savored every bite.
As he was finishing up, a polite young waitress approached him with a warm smile and a notepad.
"Hello, sir. If possible, could you write a short review of your experience? We're always looking to improve."
Lin Wei glanced at her, then at the clean plate in front of him. With a small nod, he took the pen and wrote something genuine—a few lines of heartfelt praise, noting the freshness, the flavors, and how it reminded him of what mornings should taste like. He rarely left reviews for anything, but this one felt deserved.
After breakfast, he jogged another loop around the area, letting the meal settle as the sea breeze kept him cool. When he returned to the manor, he was met with a few sidelong glances and hushed giggles from the group of girls nearby. They were clearly still gossiping about the early morning... incident.
Great... word spreads fast.
Brushing it off, he stepped inside. Xueyin and Stella were already awake, lounging casually in the shared space. But Chen Yuxi was nowhere to be seen, and Wang Hao was—as expected—passed out cold in one of the rooms.
"Here," Lin Wei said as he walked over, placing two neatly packed breakfast boxes on the table. "Thought you might want something warm for the morning."
Both girls blinked in surprise before smiling genuinely. Xueyin accepted her box with a quiet "thank you," and Stella gave him a playful nod.
Moments later, the room was filled with the quiet sound of them eating. Whatever reserve they had melted away quickly as they dug in, clearly enjoying the meal. Lin Wei leaned back, watching them eat with quiet satisfaction.
Sometimes, it really was the small gestures that mattered most.
For the next few hours, Lin Wei couldn't help but notice how closely Xueyin stayed beside him. She didn't say much—just lingered near, always within arm's reach, as if his presence made her feel anchored. Sometimes her shoulder would brush against his; other times, she'd simply lean ever so slightly in his direction, the soft scent of her hair drifting toward him.
He didn't mind it at all.
In fact, he liked it. A lot.
There was something comforting about having a girl like Xueyin beside him—sweet, quiet, and now a little clingy in the way someone becomes when they start to feel safe. She reminded him of a girl caught in a spell of puppy love, her mood light and dreamy, eyes occasionally meeting his with a subtle warmth that hadn't been there before.
Even when Wang Hao finally woke up—yawning and stumbling out like a zombie—Xueyin didn't seem to acknowledge him. Her focus stayed on Lin Wei, almost as if the other guy had turned invisible.
Lin Wei didn't comment. He just sat there, quietly enjoying her company, listening to the distant ocean breeze and the soft hum of life returning to the manor.
She really does smell good, he thought with a faint smile. Something light—like lavender and fresh linen.
For now, it was enough. No drama, no tension—just a peaceful moment between two people who were slowly, without needing to say it, drawing closer.
Stella felt the change too.
She wasn't oblivious to the quiet tension in the room—the way Xueyin clung a little closer to Lin Wei or how Lin Wei didn't seem to mind one bit. But instead of jealousy or discomfort, what Stella felt… was relief. Even happiness.
She had been friends with Xueyin for a long time. Long enough to know that, deep down, her friend had always been too patient, too forgiving—especially when it came to that bastard, Wang Hao. Stella had never liked him. She hated the way he treated Xueyin like she was always just there—never truly seen, never really cherished.
But Lin Wei was different.
No, he wasn't flashy. He wasn't swimming in wealth or throwing around status. But he was thoughtful. Quiet. Kind in the little ways that actually mattered. And for someone like Xueyin, who had spent too long settling for less, that difference meant everything.
So Stella smiled to herself, watching from across the room as Xueyin leaned into Lin Wei again, her expression soft and unguarded.
"Li, you don't have to cling to Brother Lin like that. He might get... bothered," Wang Hao said after a while, approaching with a strained smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
He had been watching from a distance—watching Xueyin's soft laughter, the way her eyes lit up beside Lin Wei, and how naturally her hand rested near his. And now, the discomfort in his voice slipped through the cracks of his forced casualness.
Xueyin turned to look at him, her smile fading into something sharper—cool and unimpressed.
"Well, that doesn't really concern you," she replied, her voice calm but firm. "And I'll make sure Brother Lin doesn't feel bothered by my presence. In fact…"
She stepped closer, slipping her arms around Lin Wei's, hugging it to her chest like a girl showing off her favorite toy. Her cheek brushed his shoulder as she leaned in, her expression smug and just a little spoiled—like a child daring someone to take her candy.
"…I think he likes me right where I am."
Wang Hao's smile faltered for a second—just enough to reveal the sting beneath. Lin Wei remained silent, caught off guard, but didn't pull away.
If anything, he felt Xueyin's warmth more clearly now—and the quiet statement behind her actions.
After that tense exchange, Lin Wei watched Wang Hao walk away, his expression unreadable—but noticeably more serious than before.
He threw one last glance over his shoulder, eyes meeting Lin Wei's briefly. There was no hostility, no biting words—just a quiet, wry look, like someone coming to terms with something they didn't want to admit out loud. And then he left, without saying anything more.
Lin Wei exhaled quietly. He could tell—Wang Hao wasn't himself. The guy wasn't usually so direct, especially when it came to Xueyin. For him to openly bring up her clinginess… it meant something had cracked.
He must've figured it out, Lin Wei thought. She saw something last night. Probably with those girls… and that changed everything.
Wang Hao might have acted unaffected, but Lin Wei could see the truth: the guy was shaken. And he was smart enough to realize that pushing Xueyin now—when she was clearly pulling away—would only make things worse. He was playing the long game. Waiting for a better moment, a better angle. Maybe trying to line up a quiet comeback.
Still, Lin Wei couldn't shake the feeling that something else was going on.
He's usually cocky... arrogant, even. But now, it's like his confidence took a hit. Lin Wei thought back to the night before—how Wang Hao disappeared with those girls and how oddly quiet he'd been since. Something happened. Something that's eating at him.
And yet, even with all that circling in the background, Lin Wei couldn't help but glance at Xueyin—still holding onto his arm, her face alight with affection.