Si Yichen’s friends all knew that among the four children sent to the Si family, there was one named Chen Xu, whom Si Yichen particularly disliked. Naturally, as Si Yichen’s friends, they also treated Chen Xu with disdain. However, Chen Xu himself was low-key—many people knew his name, but few had actually seen him in person.
Especially among the daughters of prestigious families. None of them had expected Chen Xu to be this good-looking. They didn’t recognize him and assumed the name was just a coincidence. Besides, Si Yichen often badmouthed Chen Xu in front of them, making them believe that the person he despised so much must be incompetent and academically weak.
“What? Let me see!”
Tong Jiaxi’s reaction was even bigger than Si Yichen’s. He couldn’t believe that Chen Xu had done so well. He had always thought Chen Xu was beneath him, that Chen Xu would definitely score lower than him.
Tong Jiaxi snatched the phone away, his eyes landing on the screen.
There, in high-definition, was Chen Xu’s official ID photo—ink-dark brows, bright, intelligent eyes, a face so striking it was almost unfair.
His grip tightened on the phone, nearly crushing it in his hands.
It was really Chen Xu.
“Impossible… He must have cheated!” Tong Jiaxi refused to accept it. The thought that Chen Xu could be the province’s top scorer didn’t even cross his mind. If it was cheating—who could he possibly have copied? He didn’t believe these were Chen Xu’s real scores.
His outburst actually helped Si Yichen calm down a little.
Si Yichen snatched the phone back, scrolling through the article carefully, reading every word.
No mistake.
It was Chen Xu.
The same Chen Xu he despised.
The one he had been waiting to humiliate.
738 points.
Si Yichen thought back to all the times he had mocked Chen Xu, the way Chen Xu had remained indifferent, never arguing back.
Was he laughing at him in secret all along?
Chen Xu was the province’s top scorer.
Meanwhile, Si Yichen had been basking in pride over his 703 points—but compared to Chen Xu, it was utterly insignificant.
What would his father think?
Si Yichen’s heart pounded in terror.
His greatest source of pride had just been crushed under Chen Xu’s foot.
If he was inferior to Chen Xu, would his father finally give up on him? Would he shift his attention to Chen Xu as the Si family’s future heir?
Why did Chen Xu even exist?
If Chen Xu weren’t in the picture, none of this would be happening!
“Chen Shao…”
The men and women around him noticed how dark Si Yichen’s expression had become. They were worried he wouldn’t be able to handle the blow.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Then, suddenly—
Si Yichen hurled the phone to the floor, shattering it into pieces.
He kicked the table with force, sending glasses and bottles crashing onto the ground.
The girls screamed in fright.
Si Yichen slammed his fist down onto the table. Glass shards tore into his hand, blood spilling onto the floor.
That night, Si Yichen was rushed to the hospital. Not just because of his hand injury—he had drunk himself into oblivion and had to get his stomach pumped.
—
Meanwhile, Chen Xu had gone to bed early, completely unaware of how Si Yichen had self-destructed over his success.
The next morning, he casually sipped on his milk as a servant mentioned, “The Old Madam went to the hospital last night. I heard that Young Master Chen was injured.”
Chen Xu paused, his hand stopping midair. “Si Yichen? What happened?”
The servant shook her head. “We don’t really know the details.”
Chen Xu didn’t bother asking further.
It didn’t matter how Si Yichen got hurt—just knowing he was suffering already made Chen Xu’s mood much better.
—
After breakfast, Uncle Zhong called out to him.
“Young Master Xu, please wait a moment.”
Chen Xu glanced at the two men standing behind Uncle Zhong, holding measuring tools.
“Didn’t they already take my measurements earlier this year?” he asked.
Uncle Zhong smiled warmly. “Young Master Xu is still growing. It’s been six months—the data might not be accurate anymore.”
For everyday clothing, minor differences wouldn’t matter. But for formal attire, precise measurements were necessary. Chen Xu understood and nodded.
“Alright, where do we do it?”
“This way, please.” Uncle Zhong led the way.
The tailor had only just started measuring his shoulders when Si Ye walked in.
“Uncle Si, are you getting measured too?” Chen Xu was surprised. He hadn’t seen Si Ye at breakfast and had assumed he had already gone to work.
“I don’t need to,” Si Ye replied calmly.
Then, instead of letting the tailor do their job, he took the measuring tape from their hands.
Chen Xu blinked.
Si Ye was going to measure him personally?
“Raise your arms,” Si Ye instructed.
Though Chen Xu found it a little strange, he still obediently lifted his arms.
With professional tailors present, why was Uncle Si doing it himself?
Si Ye measured the length of his arms first.
Just as Chen Xu was about to lower them, Si Ye’s deep, rich voice came from behind him—so close to his ear that it sent an unexpected shiver down his spine.
“Don’t move.”
Chen Xu stiffened.
Then, a pair of long, elegant hands reached from behind, sliding under his arms as the soft measuring tape wrapped around his chest.
Si Ye was measuring his chest circumference.
It was a completely normal thing.
But for some reason, Chen Xu suddenly had the illusion of being embraced by Si Ye.
It was his first time realizing that something as simple as taking measurements could feel strangely… intimate.
The faint scent of Si Ye’s cologne lingered around him. It wasn’t overpowering—subtle, almost imperceptible.
Because of their close proximity, Chen Xu found himself unconsciously leaning in slightly, trying to catch more of that scent.
“Stop moving.”
Si Ye’s half-lidded eyes lifted, his dark pupils locking onto Chen Xu’s.
His gaze was intense, almost predatory.
Chen Xu’s heart slammed violently against his ribs, as if he had been tossed from a great height.
Panicked, he quickly averted his eyes, his ears turning a deep shade of red.
Standing nearby, Uncle Zhong and the two tailors maintained their professional composure, pretending not to notice.
But inside, their thoughts were in utter chaos.
This isn’t just measuring…
This is full-on flirting!
Outside the Si family, people always said that the head of the household, Si Ye, was completely indifferent to romance—whether it was men or women throwing themselves at him, he remained unmoved.
But now, watching this scene unfold, the truth was clear.
He had already hidden his little treasure away in a golden cage!
Indifferent? Cold?
That look in his eyes was anything but indifferent.
His gaze was dark and heavy, filled with a hunger so intense it seemed he wanted to devour the little beauty before him whole.
“Lift your head.”
Si Ye wrapped the soft measuring tape around Chen Xu’s neck. Chen Xu obediently tilted his chin up, exposing his slender, pale neck.
Fragile and beautiful.
Si Ye’s gaze darkened as he took in the sight of him, standing there completely unguarded.
His fingertips brushed over Chen Xu’s skin—smooth and soft to the touch, addictive even.
He tightened the measuring tape slightly.
“Cough…”
Chen Xu felt it constrict around his throat.
“Too tight?”
Si Ye stood directly in front of him, close enough that Chen Xu could see the storm brewing in his dark eyes.
For a second, Chen Xu felt an inexplicable dryness in his throat.
A primal sense of danger ran down his spine, the same feeling a small prey animal gets when caught in the gaze of a predator.
His instincts told him to run.
He licked his lips, trying to keep his voice steady. “…A little.”
“I’ll be gentler.”
Si Ye’s voice was soft, patient even, but his eyes betrayed him.
They were filled with possession.
With desire.
“…Okay.”
Strangely, Chen Xu felt threatened and excited at the same time.
A new kind of rush—dangerous, exhilarating, and impossible to ignore.
It was just a simple measuring session.
Yet, by the time they finished, Chen Xu’s back was damp with sweat.
The corners of his eyes were tinged with red, as if he had been teased into submission.
His eyes, already naturally enchanting, now looked even more breathtaking—like peach blossoms in full bloom, bright and intoxicating.
“Drink some water.”
Si Ye handed him a glass.
His voice snapped Chen Xu out of whatever daze he had fallen into.
“Thank you, Uncle Si.”
Chen Xu took the glass with both hands, tilting it back and draining the water in one go.
He was thirsty.
After finishing, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Si Ye watched the movement, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
“Why aren’t you at the company today?” Chen Xu asked, trying to make conversation.
Si Ye’s gaze softened, a rare hint of amusement appearing.
“Today is the weekend.”
Chen Xu blinked.
That’s rare.
Si Ye actually took a day off?
Everyone knew he was a workaholic—so much so that even when hospitalized, he would still conduct video meetings while hooked up to an IV.
But today, he wasn’t working?
Had the sun risen from the west?
“…Oh.” Chen Xu nodded, suddenly feeling unsure of what to say.
“Do you have any plans later?”
Si Ye asked, taking the initiative.
Chen Xu shook his head.
“No.”
Since the media started hyping up the “Most Handsome College Entrance Exam Top Scorer” angle, the school had been swarmed with people hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
Even talent agents from entertainment companies had called, asking if he was interested in joining the industry.
Of course, Chen Xu had no interest in that.
In this life, he had already made up his mind—he would study economics.
He would rise to the top.
And one day, he would completely crush Si Yichen underfoot, forcing him out of the Si family’s inheritance.
There had also been several publishing companies reaching out, hoping to release his study notes as books.
But Chen Xu wasn’t interested in misleading the masses—his notes were chaotic, understandable only to him.
Tomorrow, he had a part-time job at Guan Qingqing’s sister’s place.
But today?
No real plans.
“Then come out with me for a bit,” Si Ye said, looking down at him.
Chen Xu was caught off guard for a moment.
Then he nodded.
“Okay.”
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