The Last Favor He Would Ever Ask

Back in the car, just as he fastened his seatbelt, a message from Qin Jianhe came in.

[QIN: If one isn’t enough, next time I’ll bring two.]

Ye Zhiqiu pressed his lips together.

The light in the underground garage was dim, but under that light, the glow in his eyes was especially bright.

Many witty retorts, full of pleasant emotion, rose in his heart. He raised his hand to type.

But after a few characters, he paused, pressing his lips together again.

He tilted his head, thinking for a moment, then pulled himself out of the playful mood and looked down to type.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: I’m helping a classmate look at an apartment tonight. After that, I’ll go straight back to my place.]

[QIN: Okay. Be safe. Get home early.]

[QIN: When you get back tonight, remember to send a message.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Okay.]

Back and forth, nearly five minutes passed. Ye Zhiqiu put down his phone and started the car.

He arrived at the classroom just two minutes before class started. Even the old professor’s figure had already appeared at the corner of the stairs.

He hadn’t been back to class since before the New Year, and with his recent eye-catching achievements at Fashion Week, his appearance caused quite a stir in the classroom.

Smiling and responding to his classmates’ enthusiastic greetings, Ye Zhiqiu scanned the room.

He noticed that Tang Le, who usually liked to sit in the front row, had chosen a seat at the very back this time.

And around him, there was a noticeable empty space. No one wanted to sit with him.

Ye Zhiqiu smiled, his expression unchanging, and walked straight over, sitting down next to Tang Le.

Instantly, everyone’s eyes followed, each gaze carrying its own meaning, pricking at Tang Le like needles, leaving him nowhere to hide.

Instinctively, Tang Le lowered his head even further.

He knew, deep down, that he couldn’t really blame Ye Zhiqiu for this. But at this moment, he could only transfer all his hatred onto Ye Zhiqiu.

After all, if he hadn’t come, maybe everyone would have forgotten about him, and this whole thing might have slowly blown over. But he had to show up now, and not only that, he had to attract all the attention to his side.

“Lele.” The sound of a chair scraping, and Ye Zhiqiu’s voice, carrying a smile and a hint of innocent playfulness, as if he had never known hardship. “Why are you sitting back here? I was looking all over for you.”

Tang Le closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, too exhausted even to speak.

Not that he needed to, because at that moment, the old professor walked into the classroom.

“The atmosphere is very lively today,” the old professor said with a smile. “Is there some new topic… oh… Ye Zhiqiu is back.”

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu, the old professor’s expression grew even more gentle and kind, his appreciation and delight almost impossible to hide.

“A couple of classes ago, we used one of your exhibition pieces as an example in our discussion,” the old professor said with a smile. “Since you’re here in person today, why don’t you share your creative process with us?”

Everyone turned to look at him again.

But this time, all the admiring gazes were directed at Ye Zhiqiu.

Even though they were sitting right next to each other, those gazes managed to give not a single glance to Tang Le.

The stark contrast, especially the admiring look in the old professor’s eyes, brought Tang Le’s feelings of being forgotten, overlooked, compared, and crushed to their peak.

To avoid the lunch rush, he had gone to the cafeteria later than usual.

By the time he got there, the popular dishes were long gone, and the remaining food was already cold.

He had eaten, and his stomach had been uncomfortable ever since. Now, those dark, low emotions hit him, and he suddenly felt like throwing up.

“Ugh…” Tang Le bent over, covering his mouth.

The classroom was silent for a moment. Tang Le was once again the center of attention.

But the looks he received were more disgusted and mocking than before.

“What’s wrong with that student?” The old professor noticed and walked over. “Do you need to go to the health center?”

“Professor, he seems sick,” Ye Zhiqiu’s voice came from beside him. “Can I talk about my work another time? I’ll take him to the health center.”

“Of course, of course,” the old professor agreed.

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu bent down and took Tang Le’s arm. “Lele, come on. Let’s go to the health center.”

Tang Le wanted to say no, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the urge to vomit came back.

He said nothing and, under the varied gazes of the others, was helped out by Ye Zhiqiu.

Once out of the classroom, the fresh air hit his nose. Tang Le took a few deep breaths and finally felt a little better.

He didn’t want to go to the health center, but he didn’t want to go back to the classroom either.

“How do you feel?” Ye Zhiqiu asked with concern. “Feeling any better?”

“A little,” Tang Le had to admit. “I probably ate something that didn’t agree with me, so my stomach’s a bit upset.”

Then he added, “I’m really sorry. You finally got a chance to come to class, and this happens.”

“It’s no big deal,” Ye Zhiqiu smiled. “Work is the best teacher. I have so many talented colleagues; I learn much more from them than I do at school.”

Another knife.

Tang Le looked down, not speaking for a moment.

“Come on,” Ye Zhiqiu said, helping him again. “We should still see a doctor, just to be sure.”

Not wanting to go back to class, Tang Le let Ye Zhiqiu take him to the school health center.

After the examination, the school doctor also determined that he had eaten something cold and was not seriously ill, just prescribing some medicine.

By the time they were done, there was hardly any time left in the class, so they didn’t go back.

“I was going to treat you to dinner tonight,” Tang Le said, embarrassed. “But now I can’t eat anything.”

“You should at least have some congee,” Ye Zhiqiu said with concern. “If your stomach was already upset, eating nothing will make it worse.”

“Besides,” he said, “if you’re giving Senior Lin a gift to apologize, it wouldn’t be right to just hand it over dryly. I know a good congee place. Why don’t we invite him to dinner, give him the gift afterwards, and I’m sure he won’t hold a grudge.”

As he spoke, Ye Zhiqiu put a familiar arm around Tang Le’s shoulder. “After all, it was an accident, right?”

Tang Le: “…”

He nodded.

He nodded to go along with Ye Zhiqiu’s last statement, not because he actually wanted to see Lin Xuehua.

The only thing Tang Le felt for Lin Xuehua now was resentment.

He had apologized, he had said it was an accident, so why did Lin Xuehua have to be so ruthless?

And having to eat with him would only make him lose his appetite.

“But I have to sign the lease tonight,” Tang Le said. “I’m afraid we won’t have time.”

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu checked his watch.

“Isn’t it at eight?” he said. “Don’t worry. We’ll have an early dinner. No drinking, just a few words. It’ll be quick.”

He added, “You still have a few years of school left. This needs to be resolved if you want things to get better, right?”

Tang Le had no choice but to nod again.

Ye Zhiqiu then contacted Lin Xuehua, and directly booked a restaurant. They agreed to meet at the school gate at 4:30.

Exiting the chat window, Ye Zhiqiu opened his photo album to check the name of the restaurant on the takeout packaging Qin Jianhe had ordered for him.

The places Qin Jianhe went might not be the absolute best, but they wouldn’t be bad.

He booked a small private room at the restaurant.

At 4:30, Lin Xuehua appeared at the school gate.

If Tang Le looked haggard lately, Lin Xuehua didn’t look much better.

Although he had cleared his creative block, a graduation project was no small matter. It wasn’t easy, and his time was still tight. He had been staying up late often.

The two of them looked equally drawn, flanking Ye Zhiqiu like wilted leaves around a flower. They made his colors seem especially vivid.

“If it weren’t for you, I definitely wouldn’t have come,” Lin Xuehua said, not even glancing at Tang Le, addressing only Ye Zhiqiu. “Everyone knows I’m living by ‘time is money’ right now.”

Hearing this, Tang Le’s already unpleasant expression turned even sourer.

Lin Xuehua was telling the truth, but it was also a public humiliation for Tang Le.

“Get in, senior,” Ye Zhiqiu said, smiling and opening the car door, guiding Lin Xuehua to the passenger seat. “Just to show Lele’s apology. We’ll make it quick.”

With Lin Xuehua in the passenger seat, Tang Le had to sit in the back.

Listening to the two of them chatting and laughing up front, he felt completely outside their sphere, without any presence at all.

“Please be understanding, senior. Lele was definitely wrong, but it wasn’t intentional,” Ye Zhiqiu’s voice came, sounding light to Tang Le. “Look, he’s been so guilty and anxious, he hasn’t slept well either.”

If Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t said anything, Lin Xuehua might have held back, but hearing this, he let out a cold snort.

The snort made Tang Le both burning with anger and inexplicably guilty.

“Lele,” Ye Zhiqiu called to him. “Say something, too.”

“I’m sorry, senior,” Tang Le said, numbly.

Fortunately, this time, though Lin Xuehua didn’t say he forgave him, at least he didn’t say anything harsh.

The restaurant was near Q.L. There was no traffic in the afternoon, and they arrived just before five.

In the private room, Ye Zhiqiu immediately ordered a bowl of plain congee for Tang Le, then ordered a few small dishes for himself and Lin Xuehua.

By the end of the meal, Lin Xuehua’s expression had finally softened.

“Alright,” he said. “For Junior Ye’s sake, let’s call it even.”

Again, Ye Zhiqiu…

It was as if all the world’s attention and luck were focused on him, as if everyone had to indulge him, yield to him, for his sake…

And he was nothing more than a clown lurking in the shadow cast by that giant spotlight.

He needed Ye Zhiqiu’s help. Ye Zhiqiu was much richer than him, paying his rent, giving him gifts, buying him meals…

But the more Ye Zhiqiu did this, the more sick and uncomfortable Tang Le felt.

Like a spring pulled violently in opposite directions, the only thing left was distortion and collapse. No strength left.

Tang Le sipped the congee Ye Zhiqiu had specially ordered for him, which tasted like sand, while jealously and twistedly listening to Lin Xuehua and Ye Zhiqiu chat happily.

At some point, Lin Xuehua brought up the fashion design competition in two months.

It wasn’t as major as the one Ye Zhiqiu had won, but it still held weight in the industry.

“I’m planning to enter,” Lin Xuehua finally said. “I’m graduating soon. I might not find a job as good as yours, but having an award would definitely help.”

“Of course,” Ye Zhiqiu said, ticking off on his fingers the brand invitations he had received after winning. “If I were just an ordinary student, how would high-end brands like M.H., Q.L., CA have noticed me and reached out?”

He smiled and looked at Tang Le. “Lele, are you entering this time?”

In his past life, Tang Le had entered this competition.

He hadn’t won, but he had placed respectably.

But back then, things had been different. Tang Le hadn’t changed his career plans so early.

Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t sure if the chain of events since his rebirth would affect Tang Le’s decision.

But in his plan, Tang Le had to enter this competition.

Because this competition would officially become Tang Le’s executioner.

That was the fate Ye Zhiqiu had chosen for him.

Hearing this, Tang Le looked up slowly, a bit dazed.

The string of recent blows had indeed made him lose interest in competing.

He hated Ye Zhiqiu, but Ye Zhiqiu’s existence also made him see his own mediocrity.

That was why he wanted to take shortcuts.

Call it clear-headed or call it opportunistic, Tang Le wanted to rise quickly.

He didn’t want to struggle for years, only to remain obscure and toiling for a living.

Like his parents.

That kind of life seemed endless. He had had more than enough of it.

Moreover, he was in a bad state lately, feeling distracted, even his basic assignments were difficult. Even if he entered, he would just be running in place.

Tang Le had actually given up.

But now, with Lin Xuehua entering, and Ye Zhiqiu’s tempting words, he felt a flicker of interest.

Having another option couldn’t hurt.

And he really hated Lin Xuehua.

If he couldn’t get back at him in other ways quickly, then maybe through results.

If he got lucky and placed higher than Lin Xuehua, that would be a blow.

“I will,” he nodded. “Actually, I’ve already been preparing for it.”

Lin Xuehua, having said he would let the matter drop, really seemed to have done so.

He even said to Ye Zhiqiu, “You have to share your competition experience with us.”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “I don’t have any other experience, but I do have some with competitions.”

Probably because Lin Xuehua had truly let go of the past, Ye Zhiqiu’s smile seemed much lighter and happier.

By the time they finished eating, it was nearly seven. The lights were coming on outside. They walked out together.

Just as they reached the stairwell, they ran into a group coming up.

Seeing the person at the front, Ye Zhiqiu instinctively paused.

The man was walking and texting, and a moment later, Ye Zhiqiu felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Then the man looked up, and his steps also paused slightly.

But soon, a faint smile appeared in his eyes, and he walked over to Ye Zhiqiu.

“Teacher Xiao Ye,” he said, looking down at him. “What a coincidence.”

“President Qin,” Ye Zhiqiu looked up, his manner respectful. “Are you here for dinner?”

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe replied quietly. “Having dinner with some uncles and elders.”

Behind Qin Jianhe were a few middle-aged men. Ye Zhiqiu recognized one or two as company executives and board members.

He politely said goodbye to Qin Jianhe. “We’ve already eaten and were just leaving. Enjoy your meal, President Qin.”

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe looked at him, his hand instinctively lifting, then lowering again. “You should head home and rest early too, Teacher Xiao Ye.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

“Thank you for your concern, President Qin,” he said, stepping aside to let the group pass.

This was the first time Tang Le and Lin Xuehua had seen Qin Jianhe in person, and they were both a little dazed.

In the eyes of fashion design students, Qin Jianhe’s status was far higher than any celebrity or heartthrob in the entertainment industry. Seeing him in person now was somewhat exciting.

Especially Tang Le. His gaze was glued to Qin Jianhe’s retreating back as he went upstairs to the third floor, not even noticing Ye Zhiqiu going down.

Qin Jianhe was incredibly good-looking, tall, with an elegant, noble bearing, and dark, deep phoenix eyes. When he smiled, it seemed he could steal your soul.

Although Tang Le had already seen photos taken by the media in Paris, seeing him face to face, he realized Qin Jianhe was even more handsome, many times over.

He stared, a strange warmth igniting in his heart.

If his initial reason for entering the fashion competition was just to beat Lin Xuehua, now he had another goal.

Even if Ye Zhiqiu was there, even if Ye Zhiqiu’s status at the company might be much higher than his, he still wanted to get into Q.L.

Just getting in would be enough.

“Lele?” Ye Zhiqiu, at the turn of the stairs, turned back and saw that Tang Le wasn’t following. He leaned on the railing and looked back.

Those eyes were ambiguous, smiling. “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” Tang Le hurried downstairs, his footsteps echoing loudly on the steps.

Ye Zhiqiu stood still, watching him, his eyes smiling.

He was naturally handsome, and when he smiled, he was even more beautiful.

But at this moment, Tang Le felt a slight chill.

“Let’s go,” Ye Zhiqiu finally said. “If we hit traffic, are you still going to rent that apartment?”

Hearing this, Tang Le returned to reality from his fantasies. The stars in his eyes immediately dimmed.

They went outside. Ye Zhiqiu drove again, with Lin Xuehua in the passenger seat.

This time, Tang Le didn’t mind being left out, because he was listening intently to the conversation up front.

“President Qin is so handsome,” Lin Xuehua sighed, unable to resist steering the topic a little further. “Did you see the online comments when you were abroad?”

“What comments?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

“Netizens dug up some things about President Qin’s childhood,” Lin Xuehua said, a little emotional. “Who would have thought that kid could grow up to be so exceptional?”

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t answer, focusing on the road ahead.

He hadn’t dared to think too much about Qin Jianhe’s past.

First, because he was very strong now, with a stable mental core, enough to look down on 99.9% of the world’s population. He was too small to worry about someone so far above him.

Second, he had his own mess to deal with and didn’t have the energy. Besides, if he was honest, he was probably much worse off than Qin Jianhe.

Third, he didn’t want to think about it, because it didn’t feel good.

After a long moment, he smiled, though his fingers unconsciously tightened on the wheel. “Who has it easy in this world?”

Tang Le, listening quietly, disagreed.

Forgetting his past issues with Lin Xuehua, he leaned forward and laughed.

“You, Xiaoqiu,” he said. “You’ve never had any problems, have you? Still in school, and your career is already taking off. I really can’t see what you have to complain about.”

Hearing this from Tang Le made Ye Zhiqiu feel sick.

He knew better than anyone what kind of environment Ye Zhiqiu was in. Hell, he was the one holding the knife, ready to stab him at any moment. And now he was saying he had it easy.

“Easy or not isn’t determined by those things,” Lin Xuehua interjected, cutting Tang Le off.

The car stopped at the school gate. When Lin Xuehua got out, Ye Zhiqiu opened the trunk and handed him the box of tools.

“A small apology,” he said with a smile, then, “Thank you.”

Lin Xuehua didn’t say anything, but his eyes lit up when he saw the box. He didn’t stand on ceremony and took it.

Time was getting on. Ye Zhiqiu got back in the car and drove Tang Le to the apartment complex he had chosen.

The place wasn’t bad. It wasn’t large, but it was clean and tidy, with all the necessary appliances and furniture. On the third floor of an older building, the best floor.

Tang Le signed the lease. Ye Zhiqiu paid the rent and deposit. They walked out together.

“When are you moving?” Ye Zhiqiu asked.

“Tomorrow,” Tang Le said. “I don’t have much stuff. You don’t need to come.”

“Mm.” Ye Zhiqiu nodded. “I’m busy at the office these next couple of days. I really won’t be able to help you.”

They walked out one after the other. Hearing this, Tang Le smiled. “I’m not standing on ceremony with you.”

The greenery in the old complex was good. Moonlight filtered softly through the branches. Though the temperature wasn’t yet high, insects were already chirping.

They were quiet the whole way. Neither spoke. Ye Zhiqiu didn’t want to. Tang Le’s mind was elsewhere.

Only when they reached the entrance, where the lights and traffic noise broke the silence, did Tang Le stop.

“Xiaoqiu,” he asked. “If someday I need your help with something really important, will you help me?”

In the past, whenever he asked, Ye Zhiqiu would promise.

And whenever he promised, he would deliver.

But this time, Ye Zhiqiu was silent.

His hand was in his coat pocket. Inside were a key card, a piece of candy, and a phone.

There was a message on the phone, which he had just secretly checked. It was from Qin Jianhe.

He had asked if he had eaten, what he had eaten…

At this moment, everything within his reach was connected to Qin Jianhe.

He didn’t know what Tang Le was going to ask.

He knew that Tang Le was about to be completely destroyed.

He knew that even just going through the motions wouldn’t matter.

But for some reason, at this moment, he didn’t want to use Qin Jianhe as a bet or even a joke.

Whether Tang Le was going to ask him to help him get into Q.L., or to introduce him to Qin Jianhe.

He didn’t want to do either.

“Lele.” He looked up, still smiling, but with a slight distance in his eyes. “That depends on what you need. Only then can I answer you.”