Just as the group was considering Lisa's offer, another voice chimed in from the entrance of the manor.
"Can we also stay…?"
Everyone turned to see a group approaching—four girls and two guys, dressed casually but with an unmistakable air of familiarity. They didn't look like strangers to Lisa. In fact, from the way they greeted her with easy smiles and confident steps, it was clear they knew each other well.
Lisa's eyes lit up with recognition. "Of course. There's enough room for everyone. You all made it just in time."
The newcomers entered with an energy that subtly shifted the atmosphere—fresh faces meant new social dynamics and, possibly, new rivalries or alliances. One of the girls, with striking eyes and a faint smirk, glanced over the existing group, sizing them up without a word.
Lin Wei observed silently. From their body language, he could tell these weren't just volunteers—they were probably Lisa's acquaintances from outside the college group. Maybe even a backup plan to liven up the evening.
"Looks like it's going to be a full house tonight," Stella whispered to Chen Yuxi, who nodded, arms crossed, clearly alert to the change.
As Lisa started organizing room assignments again, the sun dipped lower beyond the trees, and a different kind of tension started to build—less from work and more from anticipation.
Lin Wei stayed off to the side, quietly observing the new arrivals. From where he stood, it was easy to notice things others didn't—like how Chen Yuxi seemed intrigued by one of the newcomers. Her gaze lingered a moment longer than casual conversation warranted, especially on the guy with striking blue hair and dark eyes. Lin Wei recognized that kind of look. He'd seen it before.
Across the way, Wang Hao had noticed it too—and didn't take it well. His jaw clenched ever so slightly, and the easygoing smirk he usually wore had faded. Jealousy wasn't a good look on him, and yet, here it was—plain as day. The new guy had barely done anything—just glanced at Stella and Xueyin before turning away—but that alone was enough to irritate Wang Hao.
Lin Wei sighed quietly. He'd seen this pattern before—Wang Hao trying too hard, ruining his own chances in the process. But Lin Wei wasn't about to get involved in that mess.
Instead, he stayed by the grill. The group had gathered for a barbecue, with drinks already passed around. Laughter and chatter echoed under the soft dusk light, the mood shifting to something looser, more festive.
Despite the casual fun, Lin Wei remained sharp. A couple of beers in, he was still completely steady—alcohol never hit him easily. He nursed his second bottle while watching the interactions unfold.
What surprised him, though, was that Xueyin chose to sit beside him.
Not too close—but close enough.
She hadn't touched her drink, and he quickly caught on. The last thing she wanted was to get drunk in this kind of mixed company, especially with everything going on. So when someone playfully tried to coax her into drinking, Lin Wei smoothly intercepted.
"She's got a low tolerance," he said with a casual grin, lifting her glass and drinking it down himself.
Just like that, the moment passed. And just like she'd expected, Lin Wei stepped in again—not with drama, not with flair, just quietly doing the right thing. She glanced at him with a silent nod of thanks.
And for the first time that evening, she finally seemed to relax.
As the night deepened, the group gradually settled down around the flickering campfire, laughter softening into quieter conversations. Some had slipped into sleeping bags, scattered beneath the stars. Lin Wei sat at the edge, quietly nursing his drink.
He wasn't drunk—years of handling his limits had taught him better—but the warmth in his chest was unmistakable.
To his surprise, both Stella and Li Xueyin had ended up beside him. Stella eventually leaned against his shoulder, her breathing light and even. Lin Wei glanced down at her, speechless for a moment. Do I really give off that safe vibe? he wondered.
Still, he didn't move.
Moments later, Stella got up, mumbling something about needing the restroom and disappearing into the darkness. Wang Hao, already restless earlier, quietly followed not long after. Lin Wei noticed the girl from the other group slip away too. He sighed. The patterns were too familiar.
"Let it be... I will not wake her up." Knowing that if he were to make Li Xueyin wake up, she would definitely try to find Wang Hao, and if they got caught, his chance to shine would be there.
But he still did not have the heart to let her get hurt at this moment and thought about how he should let her rest at the moment, but it was like fate; she opened her eyes, feeling like going to the toilet.
"Come with me... I'm afraid," Xueyin said without hesitation, catching Lin Wei completely off guard.
"You trust me that much?" he replied, voice low, eyes narrowing. "I could take advantage of you in there—you know I'm still half-drunk."
"Then let it happen," she said quietly. "It's not my first time... and doing it again doesn't scare me."
Her words left Lin Wei stunned. He hesitated, then muttered, "Okay. I'll come."
As she turned away, she paused, glancing over her shoulder with a teasing smile. "Will you jump on me if I leave the door open?"
She disappeared into the room, leaving him frozen in the hallway—still reeling from her smile and her audacity.
Lin Wei had no intention of doing anything reckless. But when she stepped out of the bathroom, freshly washed hands still damp, her tone had shifted.
"Want to take a walk around?" she asked casually. The wine had left her a little flushed, but her eyes were clear. She wasn't flirting anymore—just trying to shake off the intoxication before bed. She had work in the morning and didn't want a hangover making it harder than it already was.
"Okay. I'll go..." Lin Wei agreed, though the sudden change in tempo left him slightly bewildered. It felt like fate had flipped the script—as if it wanted her to find out her boyfriend was cheating, wanted her to stumble into this unexpected night and stand exactly where she was now.
+
But nothing happened.
Just as Lin Wei thought she might head off to bed, the unexpected unfolded. From one of the manor's guest rooms—the very one they had helped clean earlier that morning—Wang Hao emerged... with another girl.
Xueyin saw it. On the surface, she remained calm, but Lin Wei could sense the fury simmering beneath. This time, it wasn't disappointment—it was cold, focused anger. Something in her had snapped. She had made up her mind. That guy was going to pay for it.
"Let's go, Brother Lin." Her voice was quiet, composed. But unlike before, she didn't keep her distance. She reached out and took his arm, holding it tightly as they walked away together.
Later, she fell asleep quickly, exhaustion and wine catching up with her. But Lin Wei noticed something different—something had changed in her. She stayed closer to him, her breathing even, yet her body unconsciously leaning his way.
Wang Hao noticed too. But after a moment of staring, he turned back to the girl beside him, already distracted.
Xueyin seemed to trust Lin Wei now—and for the first time, didn't mind showing it.
"Hmm! That boy is really something..." Lisa, who was up on the second floor, looked at Lin Wei and thought about how he really ended up with that beautiful girl from their group.
The next morning, Lin Wei woke early, just as he always did. For the past two years, not a day had passed without his morning exercises—his ritual for clarity and control.
"Let's do this…" he murmured, stretching the sleep from his limbs as he made his way toward the inner courtyard of the manor.
But as he stepped inside, he came to an abrupt halt.
There, under the soft wash of early sunlight, stood three of the girls from their group—including the one who had spent the night with Wang Hao. They weren't fully dressed yet, each of them wrapped in loose robes or sleepwear that barely clung to their frames.
The fabrics were thin, some slipping off one shoulder, others open just enough to tease the curve of a thigh or the swell beneath a collarbone. Their hair was still tousled from sleep, eyes heavy-lidded, skin glowing faintly with that unbothered morning softness.
For a long second, no one moved.
Then they turned—and saw him.
All three gasped in unison, startled… and then slightly stunned. Lin Wei followed their gazes and felt his breath hitch.
He hadn't noticed. Still half-dazed and unknowingly affected by the scent of Xueyin's lingering warmth from their shared sleep, his body had reacted—visibly. Painfully obvious.
He looked down.
His "little brother" was standing tall, offering what could only be described as a military-grade salute.
The girls froze, their eyes wide. One let out a nervous laugh before quickly biting her lip. Another blushed deeply but couldn't seem to stop staring.
Their surprise was laced with a sudden, undeniable curiosity. The tension in the room thickened, not just from shock but from something unspoken, simmering between morning stillness and awakened desire.
And Lin Wei, standing there bare-chested and burning red, suddenly wasn't sure if this morning was a disaster—or the beginning of a very complicated day.