Mei Fang instantly recognized “Uncle” from the unusually designed business card featuring a photo—the face strikingly similar to the man he knew in his past life, though younger and with fuller hair, even carrying a dashing aura.

However, his name differed now—Chen Rui, co-founder of Hound Mobile—which explained why Mei Fang’s previous searches had turned up empty.

While identifying him solely by appearance might be presumptuous, the phonetic resemblance and career overlap gave Mei Fang 70-80% confidence.

“Do you know him?” Xia Xun asked, noting Mei Fang’s shock. “This is an old card—he’s currently unemployed.”

“Yeah, got it.”

Accepting the card, Mei Fang probed further: “How did you meet him, Uncle Xia?”

“We’re alumni. His team approached me for investment when launching Hound Mobile—I put in 200,000.”

“When was this?”

“Three years ago. I’ve dabbled in similar internet ventures since—the sector shows promise.”

Xia Yuan had never elaborated, so Mei Fang only knew Xia Xun had profited from post-hotel investments. But the scale? A mystery.

This early internet foresight suggested his father-in-law’s acumen might rival his own.

How dare he get rich without my protagonist guidance! Where does that leave this transmigrator’s pride?!

Mei Yue chimed in admiringly: “Uncle Xia even tapped internet ventures? Had we known, we’d have sought you over Tencent!”

Xia Xun laughed. “My connections hardly compare to Tencent’s.”

Mei Fang inwardly sighed in relief—had Xia Yuan convinced him to invest earlier, their eventual “breakup” might have triggered apocalyptic retaliation from this doting father.

After obtaining contact details, Mei Fang planned to reach out—once Xia Xun paved the way. A high schooler recruiting a fallen tech star reeked of arrogance, especially when said teen might have stolen his destiny.

---

Seeing the trio efficiently divide chores upon returning home, Xia Xun felt superfluous. His gaze lingered on Lin Youxi—the once-timid follower now an exceptional young woman. While regretting her missed romance with Mei Fang, their solid partnership reassured him their bond would endure.

“I’ll take my leave. YuanYuan, consult them before acting alone.”

“Dad! I’m not helpless!”

Mei Fang stepped forward with his briefcase. “Let me walk you out.”

Xia Xun declined with a smile. “No skipping chores—a man’s duty.”

“Hear that, A-Fang? Duty!“

Xia Yuan’s rare alliance with her father drew laughter. Still, Mei Fang escorted him to the elevator before returning to clean.

Though tasks were numerous, teamwork made quick work. Collapsing on the freshly wiped couch, Mei Fang was immediately scolded:

“You’ll dirty it! Shower now!”

“But my unpacking—”

“I handled it,” Lin Youxi said, massaging his shoulders. “No stalling. Or we’ll undress you ourselves.”

“Too cold for that!”

He bolted as her hands crept under his shirt.

Clapping, Lin Youxi turned to Xia Yuan: “Grocery run for dinner?”

“Takeout tonight! I’m dead tired.”

“Not our first meal back—Aunt Xiang would judge me.”

“Then she’d scorn me! I’m the girlfriend here…”

“…”

Lin Youxi paused, then pinched Xia Yuan’s cheek with a smile. “YuanYuan… don’t tell me you’ve gotten so used to being the ‘public girlfriend’ that you’ve forgotten A-Fang has two girlfriends?”

“Ow ow ow! That’s not what I meant! Mercyyy—I surrender!”

After a brief tussle, both girls collapsed onto the couch, laughing breathlessly as they stared at the ceiling.

“First day of our new cohabitation… Shouldn’t we commemorate it?”

“Like how?”

Lin Youxi whispered into Xia Yuan’s ear, eliciting giggles.

---

The early-year Jiangcheng chill had Mei Fang pondering life plans under the shower. With over half of high school gone, he needed to balance entrepreneurship against savoring youth’s fleeting moments.

He wouldn’t join the Gaokao grind (TL: A Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges) —that’d waste his golden startup window. By semester’s end, he’d likely reveal all cards to secure early university admission.

But that meant forfeiting normalcy. In many ways, his high school life was already over.

C-Site’s livestreaming, Ximilu’s match-3 game, Xia Yuan’s next album—these would dominate his next eighteen months.

Yet Xia Yuan’s position remained precarious. Without industry backing, becoming a music diva through covers alone seemed impossible.

But what if she became C-Site’s mascot? Her wholesome image could embody the brand like Lin Youxi did technically. Still, real-person idols risked controversy—he’d never sacrifice her to public scrutiny.

Then it struck him—if 3D was risky, why not 2D? Virtual idols… digital divas…

His epiphany was interrupted by frantic knocking.

“Huh?”

“It’s freezing! Let us share the warm water, A-Fang~”

“Are you insane? No way!”

“Too late! We’re already undressed—”

Lin Youxi proved more decisive, sliding the door open. “Co~ming in.”

“Stay out! Have some shame!”

“Shame’s for strangers,” Xia Yuan declared while wrestling the inner shower curtain. “You’re our toy!”

“Stop objectifying men!”

“A-Fang…” Lin Youxi feigned hurt. “Don’t you want us? We’ll behave.”

“Yeah! We bathed together as kids!”

“It’s not that—there’s no space!”

“That’s the point! Cuddling keeps warm!”

“Sneak attack—!”

Splash!

---

In the end, the trio merely… bathed very platonically.