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The Suning phone was still vibrating in my palm, and the skyrocketing trending search numbers and fan counts on the screen felt like an absurd dream.

He never believed in the existence of "metaphysics" without a reason.

I did not go to Thailand to pay homage to the mysterious White Dragon King, nor did I, like some female celebrities in the industry, resort to any shady means, such as raising poisonous insects or worshipping any evil spirits.

This sudden and baseless surge in popularity must have a reason behind it.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and sank his mind into the depths of his consciousness, trying to call out to the being that had been silent for a long time since Si Teng disappeared.

"System," he murmured to himself, "What's going on?"

Almost the instant his thought was uttered, a cold yet familiar mechanical voice rang out from the depths of his mind, responding with extraordinary speed.

[Host issue detected. Analyzing the current anomaly... Analysis complete.]

[Root cause determined: The lingering influence of Shito.]

Su Ning's heart sank suddenly, and she subconsciously raised her hand to press on her left chest, where her heart was.

There, beneath his skin, a faint green vine pattern quietly coiled, the last mark left by Si Teng before he vanished. It was perfectly normal on ordinary days, and he had almost forgotten its existence.

"What?" His thoughts were momentarily confused. "Wasn't Si Teng completely dissipated? And the energy balance has already been settled!"

[Correction: It did not completely dissipate.]

[She infused the last trace of her primordial essence into your life aura, the vine imprint you perceive. This essence continuously and passively fine-tunes and enhances your personal aura and external magnetic field of charisma. This influence is intangible and invisible, but it amplifies the latent perceptions and emotional projections of those around you, especially humans.]

The system's explanation is cold and direct, like a scalpel dissecting a seemingly fantastical appearance.

It's not a curse, not sorcery, but something more fundamental and elusive...

A life force originating from ancient spirits is subtly altering his sense of existence.

Suning's fingertips felt slightly cool.

He recalled the fervent gazes of the girls in the coffee shop, the unintentional admiration Chen Xiaojun displayed that went beyond a typical working relationship, and even the strangers online who developed a strong liking for him based on just one photo…

So all of this wasn't entirely his own doing?
"This..." He felt a complex emotion churning in his chest, a mixture of shock and unease. "Is this good or bad for me?"

This uncontrollable force, like an invisible amplifier, puts him in the spotlight, but may also distort real interactions and evaluations.

The system remained silent for a moment, seemingly processing this issue involving value judgments, and ultimately provided an absolutely rational answer:

[Insufficient database permissions prevent a cost-benefit assessment. This impact is a persistent, passive condition and cannot be actively mitigated or removed.]

[Note: Influence only amplifies charm; the final outcome still depends on the host's own behavior and choices.]

The system's voice fell silent, leaving Su Ning standing alone, digesting this astonishing information.

He looked down at his long, slender fingers, then looked up at the dazzling yet cold city night view outside the window.

A legacy from a powerful demon from another world is quietly stirring up the fate of reality in 2013 in a way he cannot comprehend.

He knew that from this moment on, every step he took would be inextricably linked to the "blessing or curse" that clung to him.

……

Time, like the tide of the Qiantang River, carries the affairs of the world forward, and in the blink of an eye, it is already the end of 2013.

As winter deepens in Hangzhou, the plane trees on the Zhejiang University campus have shed all their leaves, leaving only their sturdy branches pointing towards the gray sky. With the semester drawing to a close, the air is filled with a sense of relaxation and anticipation for the upcoming winter break.

During this busy period, Suning spared no effort in cultivating Chen Xiaojun.

Instead of confining her to the complexities of the early stages of the "bizarre and colorful" startup, he planned a more unrestrained path for her growth.

He personally enrolled her in the elite MBA program hosted by the School of Management at Zhejiang University. The tuition was high, and most of the students were middle-level managers or entrepreneurs with several years of experience.

“Case studies, strategic decision-making, and financial control—these are the things you most need to brush up on right now.” As Su Ning handed her the thick course materials, his tone left no room for doubt. “The theater troupe teaches you art; here, you’ll learn the logic of business.”

"Suning, aren't your expectations of me too high?"

"What? Are you already backing out?"

"No! I'm just worried that you'll be disappointed in the end."

"As long as you don't suddenly leave with another man one day, I will never be disappointed in you."

"Pah! Nonsense." Chen Xiaojun couldn't help but feel embarrassed at this point.

It's important to understand that Su Ning's words had a lot of hidden meaning, but Chen Xiaojun secretly felt a little pleased.

Moreover, Suning used its connections to hire a top English tutor in Hangzhou for her at an almost extravagant hourly rate, with the goal of enabling her to reach a level of fluent business negotiation skills within six months.

"Future cooperation will not be limited to the domestic market; the vision of 'bizarre and wonderful' must be global." He said this with undisguised ambition in his eyes.

"Hmph! Aren't you afraid I can't handle it?"

"Hehe, I believe you! Besides, I've already spoken with Shandong Film and Television, and they'll let you intern on all their projects from now on, so you can learn from those top producers and behind-the-scenes staff."

"Damn it! I regret it! You're a complete capitalist."

"Jun Jun, if I were to say that I would invest in you for the rest of my life, I wonder if you would feel it would be too abrupt?"

"Stop joking! Some jokes shouldn't be made lightly. Besides, aren't you with that Fan Lin?"

“My relationship with Fan Lin is complicated. She is very good to me, and I like her very much, but I just feel a little bit of an inexplicable distance. It is far less natural and harmonious than when I am with you.”

"..."

The enormous investment and extremely high expectations sometimes almost suffocated Chen Xiaojun, and she understood that Suning's attitude towards her was very complicated.

Now, she is studying difficult cases in her MBA class with a group of older and more experienced elites. After class, she has to rush to receive intensive one-on-one English training, and in the evening she has to find time to understand the "bizarre" business reports.

She often studied until late at night, her eyes bloodshot, her notebooks filled with notes.

Even she herself sometimes wondered why Su Ning would place such a "heavy bet" on such an ordinary girl.

But she could sense that it wasn't an investment from the boss in his subordinates, but rather an almost certain expectation.

Suning himself couldn't explain where that inexplicable expectation came from.

A blurry image would flash through his mind only for a fleeting moment...

The girl before me has shed her former naivety and trepidation. Dressed in a sharp suit, her eyes are sharp and confident. She moves with ease at the negotiating table and makes decisive decisions in project matters.

The powerful aura of that woman, a blend of wisdom, courage, and unique presence, inexplicably attracted him and even inspired him to admire her.

He is willing to invest time and resources and wait for that day to come.

……

On the other hand, Fan Lin continued to move between various film crews, and being separated from her loved ones for long periods of time was the norm.

Occasional phone calls and text messages are not enough to dispel the loneliness in Suning's life.

Sometimes he would leave his still-lit, bizarre temporary office late at night and drive home alone. Inside the car, there was only the cold light and beeping of the navigation system, while outside the window was a dazzling city night view that had nothing to do with him.

If it weren't for the fact that the investment strategy of "Da Ning Capital" required his review and decision-making, and that the "bizarre and colorful" content development strategy also required his personal control, with a large number of tasks filling the gaps in his time, he might have long since found it difficult to endure this loneliness.

The car drove into the underground parking garage of the residential complex, and after the engine stopped, the surroundings fell silent.

Su Ning leaned back in the driver's seat and rubbed his temples.

His career is rapidly taking off thanks to the winds of his unexpected rise to fame. Important talents have been recruited and carefully nurtured, and everything seems to be developing in the direction he envisioned.

But on this winter night at the end of 2013, when success was just beginning to show, he felt a strange emptiness.

He looks forward to the day when Chen Xiaojun emerges from her cocoon and transforms into a butterfly, and he also looks forward to...

A true confidante who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him and share all the joys and sorrows.

……

On a winter afternoon in Hangzhou, sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting interplay of light and shadow on the desk.

Suning was reviewing the draft content plan for the next quarter, which was described as "bizarre and colorful," when his phone screen suddenly lit up with a name he hadn't seen in a long time: Song Yujie.

That third-year senior was still as enthusiastic as ever, even a little too enthusiastic.

In the voice message, her voice remained crisp and clear, carrying an undeniable liveliness:
"Su Ning! I hope I haven't bothered you, you busy person? It's like this, our Qingdao No. 2 High School alumni association at Zhejiang University is having a small gathering this weekend. Everyone here is alumni from the same school! You're the pride of our No. 2 High School at Zhejiang University, so you absolutely have to come! The venue is 'Guiyu Shanfang' by West Lake. It's a very private place, so don't worry, there will be absolutely no outsiders!" Su Ning frowned slightly as she read the message.

Since the "coffee shop incident," he has indeed been bothered by it and has deliberately reduced his public appearances, becoming increasingly low-key.

However, the internet craze did not subside because of his low profile; instead, it exhibited a peculiar "countercurrent effect."

Because he rarely appears, the public's curiosity is heightened.

Some talented video bloggers and netizens have spontaneously created various derivative works based on his few scenes and lines as Taozi in "Under the Zhengyang Gate".

Some paired his performance with a poignant and grand background music, portraying him as a tragic hero whose talents were not recognized; others edited his performance into fast-paced, rhythmic videos, highlighting the penetrating power of his eyes and his angular bone structure; some even wrote lengthy analytical posts, interpreting his micro-expressions frame by frame, calling him a "seriously underestimated gem of method acting."

These fan-made videos spread like a virus, quickly attracting countless netizens who had never seen "Under the Zhengyang Gate" to this "good-looking and talented" newcomer actor who was "mysterious and low-key".

Instead of decreasing, his popularity increased, and his fame broke through his original circle in a way he never expected, spreading to a wider public.

He rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat helpless about the out-of-control spread, but also knowing that this was the norm in the internet age.

After a moment's thought, he realized that this was just an alumni gathering, and since everyone there was from the same hometown and alumni, the atmosphere should be much simpler than in a public setting.

Perhaps it's also an opportunity to bring myself down from the "cloud" back to reality and engage in some normal social interactions.

Isolating oneself indefinitely is not a long-term solution.

So he typed a reply on the screen: "Okay, senior, I'm free this weekend. Send me the specific time and room number, and I'll be there on time."

After clicking send, he put down his phone and looked back at the document, but his thoughts drifted away.

A private restaurant by West Lake, frequented by alumni from our hometown…

Perhaps this will allow him to temporarily escape the ubiquitous virtual hype and rediscover a touch of real life.

But he didn't know that this seemingly ordinary alumni dinner would be like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up another unexpected wave of passion and ripples in his already turbulent life.

……

The "Guiyu Mountain House" where the party was held that night was hidden deep in the greenery by West Lake, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, creating a quiet and private environment.

Suning's appearance indeed caused a small stir among the group of about twenty alumni.

Several senior students excitedly took out their phones to take a group photo, but the organizer, Song Yujie, stopped them with a smile: "Hey, hey, it's a private gathering today, no photos allowed!"

She moved around with ease, becoming the true focus of the entire event.

As Suning observed, Song Yujie, a junior, was clearly more popular than his somewhat distant "internet celebrity junior."

She was bright and generous, with proper manners. As the organizer of the event, she was always surrounded by several attentive boys, whose words revealed their admiration.

She handled the situation with ease, her smile radiant, yet she offered no clear hope to anyone.

Suning also met several alumni from the class of 2012. They were from different majors and didn't know each other well. Since they were all sophomores now, most of them came to ask out of curiosity.

But thanks to the shared connection to Qingdao No. 2 Middle School and a few familiar faces, we were able to chat about the recent situations of several high school teachers, and the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

The juniors from the class of 2013 are also very curious about Suning, so it won't make Suning feel too embarrassed.

The party ended late at night.

The evening breeze by West Lake carried a chill, dispersing the lingering aroma of cooking from the feast.

Suning didn't drive, thinking it would be inconvenient to drive after drinking at the dinner, so he stood by the roadside to hail a taxi.

Just as he opened the car door and was about to get in, a figure carrying a faint scent of alcohol beat him to the punch and smoothly sat down in the back seat.

"Senior?" Su Ning looked at Song Yujie in the car with some surprise.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were brighter than usual; she had clearly drunk too much.

"Su Ning, can you give my senior a ride?" She looked up and smiled, her tone carrying a hint of coquetry, leaving no room for refusal.

Helpless, Suning had no choice but to tell the driver that it was Zhejiang University's Zijingang Campus.

The vehicle slowly started and drove into the night.

Halfway through the journey, Song Yujie, who had been leaning against the car window, seemed to succumb to the effects of the alcohol and leaned gently against Su Ning's shoulder.

A delicate fragrance mingled with the scent of wine wafted from her hair.

Immediately afterwards, her warm palm landed on Su Ning's groin, seemingly unintentionally but with a clear purpose, her fingertips even pressing lightly.

Su Ning's body stiffened instantly.

He wasn't an naive young man. Fan Lin's aloofness, the superficiality of the entertainment industry, and even the various bold hints he received due to his sudden rise to fame all made him quickly understand the naked intentions behind these actions.

In the dim light inside the car, he turned his head to look at the woman on his shoulder. Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, but the corners of her mouth were curved into a very faint, knowing smile.

After a brief silence, Su Ning looked up at the driver in front and calmly said, "Sir, I'm sorry, we'll take a different route to Xizi Lakeside Garden."

The driver responded and turned around at the intersection ahead.

The car drove into the underground parking garage, and Su Ning half-supported and half-carried the slightly unsteady Song Yujie, taking the elevator directly to the top floor apartment.

As soon as he opened the door and led her into the entryway, before he even had a chance to turn on the lights, in the dim light filtering in from the lake and city neon lights outside the window, the previously "drunk" Song Yujie suddenly slammed the door shut behind her. Her arms wrapped around his neck like water snakes, and her warm, alcohol-scented lips pressed against his without hesitation. The kiss was urgent and skillful, filled with the unspoken desire of an adult man and woman.

At this point, any language is superfluous.

All the probing and hints turned into direct action at this moment.

……

An hour or two later, the bedroom was filled with an lingering, ambiguous atmosphere.

Song Yujie curled up in the soft quilt, looking at the dazzling night view of West Lake outside the window, her head resting on Su Ning's arm.

"Su Ning, where is this?" Her voice carried a languid quality, her fingertips gently tracing his chest.

“My parents were worried that I wouldn’t be used to living in the school dormitory, so they bought me an apartment here.” Su Ning’s voice was calm.

"I just saw West Lake outside the window?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Hmm, the view is pretty good," he replied casually.

"I didn't expect you to be such a hidden rich kid." She chuckled, her tone ambiguous, whether it was teasing or something else.

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then turned to look into her eyes in the dim light, her tone becoming serious: "Senior, our relationship... started rather hastily. I must be honest, I may not be able to give you any long-term guarantees or promises."

Upon hearing this, Song Yujie was not disappointed at all. Instead, she chuckled and tapped his chest with her finger: "Hey, Su Ning, have I asked anything of you? Have I cried and begged to be your girlfriend?"

“…I’m sorry.” Su Ning paused for a moment, then chuckled, “I guess I was just being presumptuous.”

After a brief silence, Song Yujie seemed to suddenly remember something and asked casually, "I heard your girlfriend is a very beautiful actress?"

“Yes, Fan Lin. She’s also from Qingdao.” Su Ning didn’t shy away from the question.

"Then..." Song Yujie propped herself up, her long hair falling down, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him in the darkness, "Can I... still come here in the future?"

Her toes gently brushed against his calf.

This question is straightforward and bold.

Instead of answering directly, Su Ning asked, "Senior, with your looks, intelligence, beauty, and popularity at school, what kind of boyfriend couldn't you find? Why put yourself through this?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

With her resources, she could easily start a legitimate relationship instead of what she's doing now.

Song Yujie lowered her head and kissed his collarbone, her voice as soft as a sigh, yet carrying a clear-headedness and willingness that seemed to see through everything: "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish? Su Ning, how do you know that I am... unhappy right now?"

There was no hint of grievance in her words; instead, they were filled with confident self-control and a carefree enjoyment of the present moment.

In the darkness, Su Ning said no more, and with a swift movement, he covered her again, his hot breath brushing against her ear, his voice low and hoarse:
"Senior, I want more..."

His response was a soft laugh and an even more proactive hug.

"...As you wish."

...(End of chapter)