Xiao Ming was at home at that time, reading through the book that he had bought when outside with Si Qi. The writing style was rather familiar, quite calming indeed just like he had hoped it would be.

This time though, he couldn’t help but feel a little strange about it. Now that he had seen him, that he had talked to him about his private issues, he suddenly felt like he was able to see a little more in this. Or maybe that was just because his own biases had been confirmed. At the very least, he knew by now that he hadn’t imagined the way that Shi Ru Qiu would describe the men in his books. There definitely were some undercurrents there, no matter how subtle they might be.

After a while, Xiao Ming put the book to the side, lying down in bed and staring up at the ceiling. This whole conversation was hard to forget. He definitely felt for Shi Ru Qiu’s situation. And at the same time, he couldn’t help but think about what he had told him about Nin Sha.

That guy had been following what he did for five years. It seemed … well, it seemed a bit strange now. He had always thought that Nin Sha was a normal person just like them. Maybe somebody who had a well-paying job and didn’t have to worry about throwing some money at a streamer.

It had only been later on when he realized that with the frequency Nin Sha threw money their way, this couldn’t just be a well-paying job. Really, the fact that he was rich hadn’t been too hard to accept. The degree to which his family was wealthy and their importance was a different matter though. He hadn’t expected this.

Xiao Ming turned to the side and picked up his phone that was lying on the bedside table, turning on the screen and looking at his background picture. It was a somewhat blurry photo of him and his family that had been taken shortly before his parents died. It was one of his most beautiful but also one of his most painful memories at the same time.

No matter the reason behind it, Nin Sha had had a similar experience. Maybe that was why he had related to him so much. Although Nin Sha naturally couldn’t have known that at the time. Maybe he had had a feeling though. Or maybe he had clung to whatever he could find at that time because it would somehow help him get through that time. It was possible. And it would explain why this channel of theirs was something that Nin Sha had supported for such a long time even though he wasn’t interested in cooking himself.

Xiao Ming switched the screen off and already wanted to just turn away when he couldn’t help but switch his phone back on and open the file that Si Er had sent him when they met. He looked at the video and his lips couldn’t help but curl up.

He didn’t know what to think of Nin Sha’s feelings for him. He felt honored that after five years of watching him, this was what he finally arrived at. At the same time, he also had to admit that he was worried about it.

This guy knew him but he didn’t know Nin Sha in return. And there were clearly some people around him that were at least a little worrisome like that youth who had sent him this.

He probably shouldn’t judge Nin Sha based on these things. If you had a life like him, it was probably normal to have some people around you who were a little … out there. Maybe that was the only kind of person you could be with if that was your life.

In fact, now that he thought about it, he figured that Shi Ru Qiu had probably left out quite a few details about his own life. It sounded like he was a bit of a loner even in this group that probably amounted to several rather weird people, but there was likely reason for that as well.

Yes, there had to be more to this whole matter. And he wasn’t sure if he should want to know or not. In any case, it sounded like it was dangerous to get involved.

But at the same time, he, Qian Huang, and Li Shui probably weren’t that different. They weren’t of the same caliber as these guys but they were also their own little group that had never really managed to fit in anywhere else. So he felt a bit of … companionship, probably. No matter how weird that was.

He finally turned off the screen and turned to the side, putting the phone down again. Just when he had, his phone suddenly rang.

Xiao Ming blinked his eyes and picked it back up, only to find another file that had suddenly appeared on the screen. He slightly frowned and then sat up, opening it.

What actually came up wasn’t the file he had just seen but some kind of video call though. And the person on the other side was none other than that youth he had just thought about who had sent him the previous files.

Xiao Ming raised his brows and faintly tilted his head while Si Er waved at him.

“Thinking about the master, I see. Do you want to know some more?”

Xiao Ming’s lips twitched at that. Had he really just called him ‘master’? That was going a little too far, wasn’t it?

Si Er didn’t seem to realize that Xiao Ming was a little weirded out and just leaned back on the bench in the park. “You know, I was wondering what was up. People have been running around all day, going here and there, doing some strange things.

“Actually, I just wanted some peace and quiet but all the time, somebody is trying to reach me, asking for this information or that. I know you’ve not been asking. I’m not trying to accuse you or anything. I just figured that maybe you would like some information. Do you know what he’s doing right now?”

Xiao Ming wasn’t even sure anymore if he wanted to know. He would rather know why exactly this guy knew exactly what he had been doing. But he hadn’t managed to get in a word yet when there was a knock on the door.

He looked over, not quite sure what to do about it when the door was already opened and Qian Huang stuck his head inside, showing his own phone. “I just got a strange message.”

Xiao Ming looked from Qian Huang to the guy on his own phone screen who was grinning back.

“Well, I didn’t quite know where to send it. In any case, you can’t very well talk with me and have a look at it on your own phone, can you? And I’m pretty sure the three of you are living together even now so I figured this would be the fastest.”

Qian Huang furrowed his brows and then came over, looking at Xiao Ming’s phone screen. “What is he doing on your phone?”

“I have no idea.”

Si Er couldn’t help but laugh when he saw the two of them react like that. “You are too funny. Is it really so surprising to see me?”

Xiao Ming had no idea what to say and could only continue to stare at him while Qian Huang had some thoughts of his own. “Well, did you call like a normal person? Because if you didn’t, then it kind of is. Just like sending over some files without me ever giving you my number. I think you’re being a little … creepy?”

Si Er reached up and rubbed his chin, pondering that comment for a moment. “Actually, I would call that being ‘helpful’. Anyway, this isn’t about your love life. So just leave your phone and butt out.”

Qian Huang stared at him dumbfounded, not even sure what to say about this anymore.

On the other hand, Xiao Ming couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable as well. “You know, this isn’t about my love life either.”

Si Er tilted his head, his gaze inquisitive. “Is it because of what Si Qi said?”

“Who?”

“You know, that Shi Ru Qiu. I didn’t listen in to the whole conversation but I heard some bits and pieces. It did sound like he told you quite a lot. I mean, even when we take out him complaining about his own love life to you.

“Which, honestly, is a bit unprofessional if you ask me but hey, I’ve no room to judge.” In any case, he himself didn’t have a love life and he also didn’t intend to get one. His one true love in this life was computers. And it’d stay that way until the day he died. Which he was pretty happy with.

Just looking at that idiot Si Qi, he really didn’t get the appeal of falling in love or having a partner. Clearly, that was just asking for trouble. “In any case, I think that there’s more stuff that you should know so I made you a small file with data on him. Just so you know what kind of decision to make. I wouldn’t want you to be biased, you know?”

Xiao Ming slightly furrowed his brows, feeling that Qian Huang wasn’t wrong with calling this creepy. To be honest, if he had still been hovering between not being sure if he wasn’t too fast in rejecting the idea of being with Si Jin or not, then right now, the scales were definitely tipping more in his disfavor. Because really, while he might be able to get over the fact that Si Jin was part of a family that had that kind of drama attached to it, he wasn’t sure if he would survive being surrounded by Si Jin’s friends. They just seemed … too much. Way too much.

He gave a noncommittal smile to Si Er and shook his head. “You know, I guess he’d feel honored at the sentiment that you want to help him but I’d rather get to know the person myself. Whatever I hear from somebody else or read in some kind of file wouldn’t help me with deciding at all. That isn’t how that works for me.

“So if you wouldn’t mind, please just take it back and don’t try something like this again.” He had some other things to say about that but he didn’t think that he would get rid of him that way. And right now, just getting rid of him was something that he would be happy about.

Si Er pursed his lips, feeling that his hard work was going to waste. “Are you sure about that? Anyway, you don’t have to read it but I’ll leave it with you just in case. You can still look at it later on if you change your mind or not if you don’t. Do whatever you want.

“In any case, I already made it and you have it now so you decide. Now, I guess I shouldn’t disturb you any further.” He gave another wave and then, the video vanished and the screen already reverted back to usual.

Xiao Ming and Qian Huang stared at it for a moment before they exchanged a glance.

“What was that?”

Xiao Ming put the phone down and then also took Qian Huang’s out of his hand, putting it next to it before he pulled him out of the room. Clearly, they couldn’t talk right next to the phones or they’d have to worry about being overheard again.

Coming out of the room, Li Shui was also there, texting.

Xiao Ming rubbed his forehead and then went over, patting his shoulder. “Do you have some time? Also, do you mind putting the phone in my room while we talk?”

Li Shui wasn’t quite on board with the latter part but seeing how the other two looked at him, he still got up and brought the phone over.

He couldn’t help but furrow his brows though when he saw that Xiao Ming and Qian Huang had also gone to put their notebooks down there as if they were gathering all the tech in the house at the same place. Then, he watched as Qian Huang even threw a blanket on top for good measure and then left the room, going back to the kitchen to talk.

Li Shui had no idea what had happened but looking at them, he felt like it should be something big.