After spending this time together day and night, Zhou Shiyi came to understand Gu Sheng more and more.

He no longer felt like a passing acquaintance, someone who only saw Gu Sheng as the character from the original work; Gu Sheng was truly a person.

No matter how the novel’s plot unfolded, the world outside the parts the author didn’t write was still a complete world.

Just as if Gu Sheng and the others weren’t there, everyone else still had to take the college entrance exam and live by their own rules.

Zhou Shiyi’s understanding of Gu Sheng wasn’t limited to the one-sided depiction in the novel.

He also saw how, beneath the novel’s brief mention of Gu Sheng’s decent grades and eventual admission to a good university, Gu Sheng had worked so hard.

After Gu Sheng finished his exams, Nian Meilan got out of the car too. Seeing that Gu Sheng had clearly lost a lot of weight, she felt a pang of concern.

“Shengsheng, why have you gotten so thin? Come back with me for a while—I’ll have the family make your favorite dishes.”

“Mom, I’m fine. I’ll be having a dinner with my classmates in a bit.”

As if remembering, there was such a thing after the college entrance exam. Nian Meilan rambled on, “That’s okay too. When the time comes, invite your classmates over and we’ll make it up with a birthday banquet.”

Gu Sheng’s birthday was one week before the gaokao, so the timing was very unfortunate. The family avoided that date and would have to make it up afterward.

Gu Sheng, having already celebrated an eighteenth birthday once, was a man in his twenties inside the shell, so he didn’t take it as seriously.

“By the way, that classmate of yours, Zhou Shiyi, is coming too. If it weren’t for him looking after you, we all would still be worried.”

Gu Sheng always said he went to a classmate’s house; Mr. Gu always assumed he went with Qin Shu, and Nian Meilan knew it was because Zhou Shiyi was attentive.

When he saw Nian Meilan pull out her phone and send a message to Zhou Shiyi, Gu Sheng suddenly grew a little unsettled.

“Mom, how do you have his number?”

Nian Meilan’s eyes flickered; she said, a little guiltily, “I ran into him at the hospital before, so I added his number.”

Before? At the hospital?

Gu Sheng recalled for a moment — it must have been that time in the alpha quarantine room. So it was that early; Zhou Shiyi had already been entrusted to her care, which is why the Gu family felt comfortable with him interacting with Zhou Shiyi and hadn’t questioned their relationship during this time.

He had always assumed it was that paper, treated like an agreement, that set the rules. He hadn’t expected Zhou Shiyi to be considerate of a mother’s feelings toward a child.

So what about now? With the college entrance exam over, was Zhou Shiyi finally going to ditch him like a burden?

He turned back, anxiously searching for Zhou Shiyi’s figure.

People flowed past in a steady stream, so many of them, but Gu Sheng couldn’t see Zhou Shiyi anywhere.

Suddenly he felt a sharp panic.

Zhou Shiyi didn’t expect that just standing in the shade of a tree, acting like a landmark to draw his classmates from Senior Three Class One toward him, would lead to someone holding a camera and interviewing him.

“Student, what do you plan to do after the college entrance exam?”

Zhou Shiyi: “After the exams, most people want to get some good rest, then have some fun and prepare for the university life ahead.”

“Have you decided which university you’ll be going to?”

Zhou Shiyi: “If nothing unexpected happens, it’ll be University B.”

“Then your usual grades must be really good. Do you think this exam was hard? Confident you’ll get into University B?”

Zhou Shiyi: “My usual grades are probably okay. I was recommended for admission; I’m just here to accompany the test-takers this time.”

The short few-minute video shot up to the trending list.

After the “college entrance exam finished” entry, a trending search titled “most handsome examinee” immediately followed.

Of course, that headline was just riding the gaokao buzz.

Zhou Shiyi came across as poised and natural in front of the camera, and when he mentioned he’d been recommended for admission, it stirred even more lively discussion.

But none of that had anything to do with Gu Sheng — he found him in the crowd.

Zhou Shiyi was a little surprised. Seeing Gu Sheng’s face covered in sweat, he handed him a bottle of water.

“Are you okay? Why are you panting so hard?”

But Gu Sheng kept holding onto him, not letting go. After catching his breath for a moment, he asked, “Where did you run off to just now? I’ve been looking for you.”

“I just did an interview a moment ago—maybe this place is too remote.” Seeing that Gu Sheng couldn’t free his hands, Zhou Shiyi took the bottle back and pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat from Gu Sheng’s face.

He performed the motion with great skill, and Gu Sheng didn’t feel anything amiss.

Gu Sheng opened his mouth, intending to ask whether it was out of pity that he had agreed to his mother’s request.

He was clearly a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old himself, yet he had to look after another classmate his own age, but seeing Zhou Shiyi’s utterly unaware expression made it feel less important.

“They were all looking for you earlier. They’re going to a dinner soon, so don’t wander off.”

“Mm.” Zhou Shiyi replied, “I just saw Auntie—aren’t you going back with her?”

“Let’s wait until the meal’s over. Besides, my mom contacted me about the birthday banquet.”

Gu Sheng’s birthday timing wasn’t convenient, so when Grandma Zhou learned it was Gu Sheng’s eighteenth, she cooked him a bowl of longevity noodles.

An alpha who has just come of age also means the family will arrange meetings with omegas; if the ages match, they’ll spend time together and see how it goes.

Among the three alphas in the Gu family, it’s rare for even one not to be engaged.

Gu Sheng’s birthday banquet this time was more of a matchmaking party.

Even if Gu Sheng doesn’t settle down, aren’t there still two unattached alphas in the Gu family? No matter who they marry, it wouldn’t be a loss.

“Mm, that’s great.”

“You’re coming that day too.” Gu Sheng didn’t wait for Zhou Shiyi’s response and announced it forcefully.

He had already seen Zhou Shiyi’s true nature. To put it nicely, he was aloof and didn’t interact with people; in reality, he simply didn’t want to waste time on unrelated people and things.

Most of the time, Zhou Shiyi existed in a way that made him optional—if you didn’t take the initiative, he wouldn’t move.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Shiyi refused outright this time: “Then I probably can’t come. I’ve already promised Grandma I’d spend the holiday taking her back to our hometown. Ever since the surgery she’s been a bit off; I plan to bring her home to rest for a few months.”

Gu Sheng was momentarily stunned—he hadn’t considered that possibility.

He had assumed Zhou Shiyi might take a summer job, or just stay at home for a few months to read, then return to school. He hadn’t expected Zhou Shiyi to go back to his hometown.

“I’ll go too.” Gu Sheng decisively abandoned his plan to throw a birthday party—after all, he’d already done that in his previous life, and neither his eldest brother nor his second sister had found anyone.

His second sister had even guessed long ago that Nian Meilan would set him up on a blind date, and had already signed up early for an Antarctic research expedition — she was probably on her way there by now.

“Hm?” Zhou Shiyi was a little puzzled. During the time he’d spent with Gu Sheng, he genuinely treated him as a friend, and a friend visiting his home was naturally welcome.

But he hadn’t expected Gu Sheng to be so eager; he wanted to ask whether that meant Gu Sheng wouldn’t be going back to his home afterward.

Unexpectedly, Gu Sheng’s face suddenly flushed, and he leaned close to his ear and whispered a few words.

Zhou Shiyi’s expression flickered: “Are you sure?”

Gu Sheng nodded, not looking at him, and indeed seemed a little embarrassed.

Gu Sheng wasn’t completely lying — his estrus period really was about to arrive.

Last life it actually came the day after the college entrance exam, and he experienced his first estrus period then, which forced his birthday banquet to be postponed by another week.

This time his estrus period came early; he didn’t know whether it would still fall within this period, but if he said it would, then it would.

At the farewell dinner, everyone hugged Teacher Wu, crying and laughing, and they all embraced their classmates to say goodbye.

They’re already adults, so they could drink a little.

There was only a little cola left in Zhou Shiyi and Gu Sheng’s cups.

Zhou Shiyi didn’t like the taste, and Gu Sheng declined because Zhou Shiyi had used his stomachache as an excuse.

Gu Sheng blinked—before the easy-heat period arrived, it was better not to drink. Zhou Shiyi said it, so he followed suit.

So they were among the few whose heads were still clear after the dinner. Together with the class monitor they saw everyone into their cars, making sure each person had somewhere to go, and only then returned to their own homes.

When they got home, Gu Sheng still instinctively wanted to follow Zhou Shiyi inside, but Zhou Shiyi stopped him, and Gu Sheng was a little dazed and didn’t immediately react.

“What’s wrong?” After the exam, the taut string Gu Sheng had been holding suddenly snapped; he felt as muddled as if he’d been drinking.

Soon Gu Sheng heard Zhou Shiyi chuckle softly: “What, still want to go back with me and sleep on the floor?”

He only then realized that he had instinctively wanted to follow Zhou Shiyi into the room.

During this period Gu Sheng slept at Zhou Shiyi’s place more often than at his own, so at first he didn’t even notice.

“What’s wrong? Not welcoming me?” Gu Sheng imitated the way he spoke.

Zhou Shiyi was amused by him: “No, if Grandma found out I wouldn’t let you into the room, she’d definitely kick me out.”

Gu Sheng tugged at his clothes in a perfunctory attempt to cover himself, but in the end he still didn’t go in.

“Forget it, you should go back. I’ll rest for a bit. By the way, when are you planning to leave? I need to pack my things.”

Zhou Shiyi: “Next Thursday, I think. I haven’t packed anything yet.”

A week was indeed a bit rushed, but it was enough time for Gu Sheng to go home, pack his things, and leave together.

Gu Sheng nodded: “Mm, tell Grandma for me, and remember to call me before booking the tickets.”

“Alright.”

Having dealt with the thing weighing on his mind, Gu Sheng wearily returned to the room he rented opposite Zhou Shiyi’s.

After a quick wash, Gu Sheng crashed into bed.

He slept straight through until seven in the morning. Opening his eyes, he threw back the covers and rushed to the bathroom. While rinsing his mouth, he looked in the mirror at his bedhead and his bleary-eyed face.

Thinking about it, why hadn’t Zhou Shiyi called him today? They were already running late.

Then he suddenly remembered—the college entrance exam had ended yesterday.

He nearly swallowed his mouthwash, glanced at the time, and after a long moment could only exclaim in shock, “Damn.”

Zhou Shiyi returned from his run; it was already seven-thirty, which was far too late for Grandma Zhou.

As soon as he opened the door, he heard Grandma Zhou call to him: “Xiaoyi, come on, breakfast is ready.”

“Grandma, didn’t I say I’ll make breakfast?” Zhou Shiyi bent down to change his shoes in the entryway.

“It was bought by Xiaosheng, come over.” When Zhou Shiyi entered the living room he saw someone sitting up straight.

He raised an eyebrow—waking up so early, maybe his biological clock still hadn’t adjusted.

Gu Sheng pretended not to notice the teasing in Zhou Shiyi’s eyes, kept his gaze neutral, and accepted the offerings from Grandmother Zhou.

Zhou Shiyi went to the bathroom, washed his hands and face clean, then came out.

After breakfast, the two were sent back to their room by Grandma Zhou to read.

Although they explained that the exams were already over, Grandma Zhou still ignored them.

Unable to argue, the two could only look at each other and go into the room.

Once they were in the room, Gu Sheng flopped onto Zhou Shiyi’s bed and refused to move.

The college entrance exam was over for now; they were at the stage of waiting for the results. At this point, most people were either catching up on sleep at home or making plans to go out and blow off steam.

Almost everyone was completely drained — at least three days of rest were needed to shake off that kind of exhaustion.

Gu Sheng is exactly at that stage right now.

Usually they could work on exam papers when they came into the room, but now the two of them really had nothing to do.

“I heard the answers are out. Want to check them?”

Gu Sheng originally wanted to avoid it, bury his head in the sand, but in the end he honestly took out his phone and checked the answers.

Zhou Shiyi estimated his score from the side. His result depended on the essay—if it didn’t go off-topic, based on his usual marks he’d just barely pass last year’s A University cutoff.

He heard Gu Sheng holding his breath, waiting for Zhou Shiyi to announce.

“You’re fine. As long as you perform normally, getting into A University isn’t a problem.”

“Phew.” Gu Sheng tossed his phone aside and hugged a pillow on the bed. “That’s good. I just want to sleep now — don’t let anyone wake me.”