Refusing someone's outstretched hand for no reason was very impolite. Coupled with his frosty expression, Zhuang Mingqi's entire being radiated an indifference that screamed 'strangers keep out, acquaintances get lost'. Shen Zhengning silently made a mental note, deciding to get back at him through his dog next time.

However, seeing his mood, which had nearly hit rock bottom, Shen Zhengning suddenly recalled seeing Zhuang Mingqi dressed all in black by the Xinliu River that day. Had he gone there specifically to pay his respects to Ye Tongsheng?

"Did you and Ye Tongsheng know each other for a long time?"

Zhuang Mingqi's gaze swept coolly over his face, as if speaking one more word would cost him half his life. "I suppose so."

A crowd gradually gathered in front of the farewell hall. Most were colleagues from the company, who would greet Shen Zhengning upon seeing him. There was also a small group of family members they didn't recognize, huddled around Father and Mother Ye. Amid the comings and goings, only Zhuang Mingqi stood aloof from the world, unfamiliar with anyone present. He didn't even seem to have much to do with Ye Tongsheng's funeral, like a ghost that had drifted down from the mountains and was just passing by.

Shen Zhengning didn't avoid social interaction, but he was no longer the proactive type he'd been in high school. Seeing that Zhuang Mingqi had no desire to chat, he tactfully held his tongue and didn't press further. The weather was gloomy. On the mountain behind, the soughing of the pines rolled like waves, and a thin mist dispersed only to gather again. At eight o'clock sharp, the farewell ceremony began. They walked into the hall, and the first thing they saw was Ye Tongsheng's portrait in the center, surrounded by white chrysanthemums and black gauze, smiling serenely at the guests.

That was also the photo from Ye Tongsheng's work ID—young and handsome, his brow relaxed, and not a trace of shadow in his eyes.

Zhuang Mingqi stood right next to Shen Zhengning. When the master of ceremonies reached an emotional part of his speech, Father and Mother Ye let out loud sobs. Shen Zhengning lifted his eyelids, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught Zhuang Mingqi frowning swiftly. The expression that flashed across his face for an instant was one of plain, unadulterated disgust.

Up until now, the only expressions Shen Zhengning had seen on Zhuang Mingqi's face were cold, cold, and still more cold. Such an undisguised expression was almost vivid in comparison, causing his incurable curiosity to act up at an inopportune moment.

'He would go all the way to the waterside to mourn Ye Tongsheng, yet he hates the man's parents?'

'Connecting this to what Yuan Hang had mentioned about Ye Tongsheng's experiences as a teenager, it seemed highly likely that Zhuang Mingqi was a friend from Ye Tongsheng's high school days. And he was well aware of what Father and Mother Ye had done to him. In that case, what were his thoughts on Ye Tongsheng's death?'

'I have to get to know Zhuang Mingqi better, otherwise this loose thread will keep eating away at me.'

Before the other man could notice his probing gaze, Shen Zhengning quickly returned his attention to the ceremony, while simultaneously convincing himself inwardly: 'This is definitely not just for Zhuang Mingqi's Samoyed.'

The farewell service wasn't long, only about half an hour. Afterward, staff members came to wheel the body away and arrange for the cremation. Most of the guests left after this part of the service. Shen Zhengning had also planned to leave directly, but just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He moved away from the crowd to a quiet spot to answer the call and, from a distance, saw Zhuang Mingqi walking against the flow of people toward Father and Mother Ye, who were seated at the side.

Shen Zhengning had a bad feeling. He ended the call in a few words and hurried to follow, but that guy Zhuang Mingqi's legs were unfairly long; in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Father and Mother Ye. Nearby friends and relatives were consoling the mournfully weeping middle-aged couple. Father Ye held a tissue, sighing and lamenting to the people around him, "How could a perfectly fine person just be gone like that? How could he bear to make us white-haired folks send off one with black hair? His mother and I worked so hard to raise him, and he just turned around and abandoned us completely. No news for so many years, not a thought for his parents' kindness. I blame myself for not teaching him well..."

The people beside them offered pale consolations like "my condolences" and "you have to look forward," until the crisp click of Zhuang Mingqi's leather shoes sounded on the floor tiles. He drifted over like a dark cloud, looming over Father and Mother Ye's heads. "Hello."

His hands were in his pockets, with no intention of shaking hands. His entire outfit was well-tailored and clearly expensive. Coupled with his exceptionally striking face and figure, he looked like an arrogant, aloof young master who looked down on everyone.

But this kind of arrogance was obviously inappropriate in front of the deceased's family. The more sensible ones among the friends and relatives had already started to frown. "And you are?"

"I'm a friend of Ye Tongsheng." Zhuang Mingqi looked directly into Father Ye's eyes and said, his voice cold and light, "We met at 'Summer Camp'. You know where that is, don't you?"

Father Ye started in alarm, visibly flinching, his expression like he'd just run into a blackmailer. He opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. But Zhuang Mingqi didn't need his answer. He gave a polite, shallow bow. "For something like this to happen to Ye Tongsheng, I, as his friend, am deeply grieved. He deserved a much better life. This ending is simply too unfair, considering the suffering he endured in the first half of his life..."

"Enough!"

Father Ye suddenly barked, staring at him with a mix of terror and anger. "Ye Tongsheng is already gone! What's the use of saying all this now?!"

Zhuang Mingqi retorted with a faint, cold smile, "What did I say?"

Father Ye: "..."

"I don't mean anything else, I just wanted to offer my condolences," Zhuang Mingqi continued in that same refined tone, mercilessly spitting out blade-like words. "After all, this precious grief of yours has come far too late for him."

The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves: "What's he saying?" "Who is that?" "Do you know him?"

Father Ye clutched his chest, trembling. A relative of the Ye family finally exploded, lunging forward and shoving Zhuang Mingqi. "Are you fucking sick!"

"I don't care what deep-seated hatred you have, this is their son's funeral! Can't you pick a better time to cause trouble?! Aren't you afraid of retribution for bullying people?!"

Although Zhuang Mingqi was tall, he was as thin as a sheet of paper. He was no match for a full-force shove from an eighty-kilogram adult man and immediately staggered backward. Just as the back of his head was about to kiss the floor tiles, at the crucial moment, a hand suddenly shot out from the side, half-supporting and half-holding him. Then another hand steadied his arm, and the person, in a protective posture, firmly and powerfully helped him stand straight again.

"Are you alright?"

The confrontation happened in an instant. Neither the man who shoved nor the onlookers had reacted. Instead, it was Zhuang Mingqi who reacted first, flinging off Shen Zhengning's hand in what could only be called a loss of composure, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, fur bristling. In his struggle, he even accidentally hit the back of Shen Zhengning's hand—

As everyone was silent, in the complete stillness of the hall, the "smack" was especially crisp, like a loud slap across a lecher's face.

Shen Zhengning: "..."

He resentfully rubbed the back of his hand and made another mental note as he looked at the ungrateful brat who had quickly turned his head away.

From this angle, he could only see a small part of Zhuang Mingqi's stubborn profile, but Shen Zhengning noticed the Adam's apple at his shirt collar bob several times, as if he were forcibly suppressing the urge to vomit.

He hadn't clearly heard what Zhuang Mingqi said, but he could tell from everyone else's reactions that Zhuang Mingqi was not in the right. However, resorting to violence at a funeral was really not appropriate. So, Shen Zhengning slowly turned to the Ye family. "Everyone, please calm down. With something like this happening, you as his family, and we as Ye Tongsheng's friends, all need time to accept reality. We are all here for Ye Tongsheng; I'm sure we can understand each other's feelings."

"It was him who—"

Shen Zhengning quickly cut the person off, his enunciation clear and carrying a slight warning. "I know. But we must respect the deceased. Whatever friction there is, at least for today, right now, let's not disturb the peace of his final journey."

Father Ye hid behind the crowd, caught off guard by this strange young man who had suddenly appeared. Shen Zhengning gave a courteous nod to everyone and, before they could speak again, put a hand lightly around Zhuang Mingqi's shoulders, leading him away from the center of the crowd.

Zhuang Mingqi said nothing, showing no sign of gratitude. If it weren't for his dog, Shen Zhengning couldn't have been bothered to come to the rescue. The two parted ways at the entrance of the hall. Shen Zhengning headed toward the parking lot, while Zhuang Mingqi, who had probably come by taxi, did not go the same way.

The world always drops a heavy hammer when you least expect it, suddenly setting the scene when there's no need. The sky, which had been gloomy on their arrival, now started to drizzle.

Five minutes later, Shen Zhengning stepped on the brakes with a blank expression and rolled down the window. His gaze, complex from behind his lenses, landed on the human-shaped standee by the road. "Can't get a taxi?"

It was right during the morning rush hour, so the city was probably congested. The funeral home was in the suburbs, where there were few taxis to begin with, and it didn't look like any were coming at the moment.

Zhuang Mingqi's beautiful, glass-bead-like eyes stared at him through the rainy mist. He didn't speak or move, as if weighing his intentions. Shen Zhengning felt like he was dealing with a very wary black cat—he couldn't get close, didn't know what to use as bait, and was afraid he'd scare it off just by speaking too loudly. Speaking of which, why was he being so cautious? Shen Zhengning suddenly asked himself: 'What does it matter to me if he runs off?'

In his memory, the snow-white Samoyed chose that moment to smile at him, casting a sacred radiance that illuminated all things.

Shen Zhengning: "Get in. I'll give you a ride back, it's on my way. The rain's going to get heavier soon."

Zhuang Mingqi tilted his head. It might have looked like he was trying to be cute, but he was actually rapidly weighing the pros and cons of the front passenger seat versus the back seat. Then he decisively pulled open the rear car door. Shen Zhengning sighed silently and tossed half a pack of tissues over from the gap in the armrest box.

"Thanks."

His soft black hair, wet with rain, clung to his cheeks in strands, making his face look even paler. His thin lips were almost colorless. Shen Zhengning glanced at him twice in the rearview mirror, suspecting Zhuang Mingqi was on the verge of hypoglycemia. "Are you okay? I have some chocolate. Don't make me navigate to the emergency room halfway there."

Zhuang Mingqi leaned his head back against the rear seat. The posture stretched the lines of his neck to their limit—slender, beautiful, and incredibly fragile. That Adam's apple was still bobbing restlessly, and his voice was so low it was almost a mumble. "No need. I don't eat chocolate."

"Now you're being picky." While waiting at a red light, Shen Zhengning rummaged through the glove compartment, pulled out two small bread rolls, and tossed them to him. "Bought these for my physical in June. They shouldn't be expired yet."

Zhuang Mingqi listlessly picked up the small bread roll that had landed beside him, frowning and staring at it with an expression of deep-seated hatred, as if the roll might bite him back. After a long while, he finally decided to follow his heart. Shen Zhengning caught a glimpse of him about to put it down in the rearview mirror and immediately spoke up, "Eat. Don't pass out in my car."

Zhuang Mingqi: "...I might throw up in your car."

"Then throw up," Shen Zhengning said coolly. "I can pull over and wait for you to finish."

He was probably getting fed up with the passive man, so his attitude started to harden. But Zhuang Mingqi's willfulness was beyond imagination; his life's motto was to yield to neither carrot nor stick. The man even pushed the small bread roll far to the other side of the seat, using a physical action to replace a verbal refusal, making his stance crystal clear.

Shen Zhengning: "..."

'How can someone be so childish? Even a dog is more mature than him.'

At the end of the day, they were strangers who had only met a few times and had just exchanged names today. Shen Zhengning was simply doing his good deed for the day, while Zhuang Mingqi's various actions, if posted online, would earn him three hundred flame comments. It was his own business whether he ate the bread or not. It would be perfectly reasonable for Shen Zhengning to tell him to get out and walk right now.

"It's fine. It's not me who'll be suffering from hypoglycemia, anyway." Shen Zhengning's tone was gentle, impressively tolerant. "A friendly reminder: if you're unfortunate enough to faint, I'll take you directly to the hospital. Then people will carry you, take your temperature, measure your blood pressure, and give you a glucose drip. There's no telling how many doctors, nurses, and ordinary passersby might touch you during the entire process. You might lose consciousness briefly, but you won't be out the whole time."

"That would be very uncomfortable for you, wouldn't it?"

His hands rested loosely on the steering wheel as he looked straight ahead and said meaningfully, "After all... you seem to really hate being touched by other people."