Zhou Hao looked at the person in front of him who appeared more than a little haggard. He furrowed his brows and said, "I don't care about you, but make sure you have your meals on time and don't worry your parents."

Chu Qi's heart felt bitter. You see, this man even has to use his parents' name when he cares about himself. He stared at Zhou Hao and said, "Understood, brother."

The way he addressed him was biting, as if saying, "You are my older brother. I will obey everything you say. Are you satisfied now?"

He pushed Zhou Hao downstairs, each step feeling as though he was stepping on cotton, ready to fall at any moment. Auntie Chen had already heated up the food in the microwave for a bit, while Chu Qi sat at the dining table like a machine, feeding the rice into her mouth.

Zhao Hao looked at him for a while from upstairs before entering the room.

Tomorrow is the first day of school.

After finishing his meal, Chu Qi returned to his room and remained sulking, refusing to go outside. In the evening, he came out obediently to have his dinner, but he seemed to have no appetite. It was as if eating for him was just completing a mission.

Zhou Hao felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart, but couldn't say anything.

In the afternoon of the next day, Zhou Hao carried his suitcase and went to school. Before leaving, he hesitated for a while before reaching Chu Qi's bedroom. Without knocking on the door, he said, "I'm going to school. You stay at home alone and behave yourself. Don't cause any trouble."

Chu Qi did not respond, he knew Chu Qi heard it, and then he went downstairs.

Zhou Hao sat in the car, thinking about Chu Qi. Although this was a bit excessive for him, he couldn't help it. If he wasn't a member of the Zhou family, he would probably be openly together with Chu Qi.

But his parents raised him, so he couldn't do anything that would let them down. Even when Chu Qi told him that she liked him, he was extremely happy in his heart, wanting to get closer to her, even closer. But when he thought about the relationship between them, it was like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head, making him sober up.

After Zhou Hao was gone, Chu Qi still went to the coffee shop every day after school to read, do homework, and occasionally go with classmates. He knew that Zhou Hao would come back, and the job here hadn't been resigned.

Could I see you again if things were like this?

On the weekend, when Zhou Hao went to work, he habitually glanced at the position by the floor-to-ceiling window. Perhaps he still held some expectations in his heart, so he actually saw Chu Qi sitting in that spot.

Her complexion seemed to have improved slightly as she leaned over the desk, writing something. From time to time, she would discuss a few sentences with her classmates beside her, and then give a knowing smile.

Originally in a cheerful mood, Zhou Hao's expression turned sour when he saw the person sitting beside Chu Qi—a girl?

He knew that the girls around Chu Qi had changed constantly, but this time it was the most annoying for him. Last week, this guy even went on a hunger strike because he was rejected by her when he confessed his feelings. And now, he's happily laughing with another girl. Isn't this cycle a bit too short?

"Table number one's customer wants a latte," Xie Qiaoqiao grabbed his wrist.

He stopped in his tracks, looked at the macchiato in his hand, apologized, and then picked up another cup and handed it over.

He, who was usually cautious and mature in his work, made many mistakes today. The people around him noticed that something was wrong and asked him what was going on. He only said that he had just started school and hadn't adapted yet.

In fact, his mind has always been on Chu Qi. Every time he delivered coffee, he deliberately walked by Chu Qi, hoping to hear what she was saying. However, every time he passed by, Chu Qi was always reading a book.

In the past, Chu Qi would call him to ask him to bring coffee, but today she called Xie Qiaoqiao instead.

Zhou Hao watched helplessly as Xie Qiaoqiao happily carried a cup of espresso over. He furrowed his brows and wondered, "Didn't Chu Qi dislike drinking bitter coffee? Why did she order the most bitter one?"

He stood by the bar, listening to Xie Qiaoqiao and Xu Nuo's whispering conversation, which was essentially about Chu Qi.

During the week when he was absent, Chu Qi would come over every day to read books. He would only return to his place once the coffee shop closed. Xie Qiaoqiao asked him why, and he simply replied that his home felt too desolate, and he didn't want to go back.

Zhou Hao listened, feeling a bit sour in his heart. Indeed, it was deserted. His parents hadn't come back for months. With such a big house, only Aunt Chen and the housekeeper Uncle remained. When he was still at home, he could still have arguments with Chu Qi. But now that he had moved to school, there was only Chu Qi left at home. Especially when Aunt Chen and the housekeeper took their days off and went back home every week, then it truly became Chu Qi alone at home.

This guy has been timid since he was a child. Whenever there's no one at home, he probably turns on all the lights, right?

As he thought about this, he began to feel guilty. Although the school was not far from home, he had made a resolute decision to live on campus because of this incident, leaving Chu Qi all alone in the vast empty house.

He still remembers the day he packed his things, with Chu Qi standing carefully by his side, asking if he could not stay in the school dormitory. He evaded the question, and now looking back, he realizes how lousy he was.

Throughout the night, Zhou Hao didn't hear any summons from Chu Qi. When it was time to close, Zhou Hao went to the changing room to change his clothes. By the time he came out, Chu Qi had already left. Only then did he realize that Chu Qi would no longer wait for him to get off work.

Feeling somewhat disappointed, he took the bus back to school.

In many subsequent weekends, Zhou Hao would still see Chu Qi sitting in that seat, not even giving him a glance. What was strange was that the girls around her never changed.

Maybe he has finally met someone he genuinely likes?

Zhou Hao felt a bit restless. He quickly changed his clothes after work and happened to see Chu Qi, who was about to leave.

He slowed down his pace and followed behind Chu Qi, only to realize that she was heading in the opposite direction of their home. Where could she be going so late at night?

He was somewhat puzzled, but he kept his composure and followed along. After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at a residential area. The girl stood downstairs and waved goodbye to Chu Qi.

It turns out you were actually walking your girlfriend home? That's really thoughtful.

Zhou Hao chuckled and said, "It's almost time for the college entrance examinations, and you're still dating. As your older brother, don't I need to keep an eye on you?"

He followed Chu Qi all the way back home, and then took a taxi to school.

Once Zhu Qi returned home, she fully embraced her freedom. She jumped onto the sofa and turned on the TV immediately after taking off her shoes. She ordered some fried chicken takeaway and, of course, before going to bed, she would treat herself to a late-night snack.

After Zhou Hao left, he had the house all to himself, indulging in whatever he pleased. He ate his way through all the delicious food nearby. After all, how could he seduce men if he looked like he was on the verge of death?

Heh, this Zhou Hao really thinks he can seamlessly tail someone? But he shouldn't forget that he's also someone who owns a smartwatch. Finding out his whereabouts is a piece of cake, isn't it?

During the time when he did not contact Zhou Hao, he discovered that Zhou Hao's favorable impression of him had increased by another five points - a man who said one thing but meant another.

Wang Luo was just worrying about when to start implementing the next plan when Zhou Hao couldn't wait any longer and quickly proceeded to the next step, aiming for a successful outcome and completing the mission as soon as possible.