The atmosphere they'd built up was shattered by a series of events. Jiang Yi's mind was filled with the news from that phone call and his relationship with Ouyang, which felt like a tug-of-war that left his scalp tingling. Ouyang, having just parted ways with Menghai, was also feeling especially down, so he said nothing more.

It was almost a sleepless night.

Since the Yunxi project's design plans had already been submitted for final approval and there would be no more changes before construction, Jiang Yi could leave the daily affairs to his studio team. Over the next two days, he handed off all necessary work to Ali and the others, booked a flight to another city that morning, and moved up his planned trip to Hong Kong by two weeks. This marked the official start of Jiang Yi's next journey.

Everyone at Ivan Studio thought Jiang Yi had gone to Hong Kong, but in reality, he boarded a flight to Denver, Colorado. The call had been about news of a benefactor.

The dim attic was lit by just one lamp, its pale glow losing all its poetic warmth in the absence of that person. Ouyang didn't usually smoke, only doing so when he was truly upset, letting the smoke swirl around him.

He had never thought the house could feel so cold and empty. Only the sound of the phone's redial button echoed monotonously in the air, followed by a flat voice repeating, "Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service."

With a snap, he yanked out the phone cord and tossed a few magazines at the wall in frustration. Ouyang Jinghui rarely lost his temper, but this time, he was furious for reasons he couldn't even name. His face was pale, his eyes red, staring at the airplane model on the stereo for a long time.

Jiang Yi had just packed up and left without a word! Even if he were staying in a dorm, he shouldn't have been so rude and heartless. Ouyang had thought Jiang Yi was just working late, but by midnight, there was still no sign of him. Worried something had happened, Ouyang finally called his cell, but still couldn't reach him.

Ouyang was uneasy, waking up several times during the night. By morning, he felt terrible. He called Ivan Studio, only to be shocked when the designer told him the boss had gone to Hong Kong the day before. Ouyang was rattled and called Jiang Yi's assistant, Ali, who said the same thing.

Ouyang couldn't accept it. He didn't understand why Jiang Yi would leave without a word, so he had his secretary check all flights to Hong Kong from the previous afternoon. There was no record of Jiang Yi on any of them. That answer left him deeply disappointed. He realized Jiang Yi had fooled everyone and gone somewhere else alone. It was another day before he found out Jiang Yi had flown directly to Washington.

After doing everything he could to win Ouyang's affection, Jiang Yi just left quietly? Without even fulfilling the one-month agreement! He definitely hadn't gone to Washington for work, nor was he going home, so what was it for? How many more secrets did he have?

Ouyang couldn't control his wild guesses. Besides suspicion and anger, he felt even more worried.

The thought that Jiang Yi might disappear from his life made Ouyang lose all sense of reason. He had never been approached so closely by anyone, nor had he ever been so abruptly abandoned. Jiang Yi had swept in like a tornado, disrupting all the order and principles Ouyang once held dear, making him break his own rules again and again—only for Jiang Yi to vanish without a trace.

If Jiang Yi wanted to leave, he could have just told Ouyang Jinghui directly. Why sneak away? Remembering their intimacy the day before, Ouyang was even more confused, his heart a mix of emotions. He didn't know whether Jiang Yi was crazy, or if he himself was even crazier.

Ouyang suddenly felt he didn't even have the right to look for him. The agreement was Jiang Yi's idea, making Ouyang feel completely passive. Even in bed, he had never been able to let go. He knew Jiang Yi was fiercely independent and proud, always struggling to maintain his dignity while playing his social role.

Ouyang understood the deep feelings in Jiang Yi's eyes, but he simply didn't want to admit it. Jiang Yi must have figured everything out and decided to leave without even saying goodbye. If Ouyang tried to chase after him, it would be a joke.

In just one day, both his male and female lovers had left him. Ouyang couldn't deny he felt lost—it was punishment for his arrogance.

When Jiang Yi had pursued him, and during their harmonious life together, every glance and conversation was full of endless joy, sparking creativity and potential in both of them.

When they discussed work, even if they disagreed, they could always talk things through, pointing out each other's mistakes in time. That was the most precious part—they were more than just partners; their relationship was influencing their judgments and actions in ways they hadn't expected. Maybe they were so in sync that they didn't notice any dramatic changes. After work, they'd skip other social events just to return to Xiaozhu Courtyard. If the other wasn't home yet, there was no need to worry—they'd be back soon.

Usually, Jiang Yi came home earlier. Sometimes, he didn't even go out for dinner, spending the whole day at Xiaozhu Courtyard. He ate simply—sometimes just coffee and bread, sometimes ordering pizza. Only once did they cook together in the kitchen, making salmon and pasta.

Ouyang could cook, but wasn't skilled, especially at Western food. That time, he tried for Jiang Yi's sake and ended up in a quirky purple apron. Jiang Yi guided him and then showed off his own creation: papaya salad. He even brought out a light Pinot Noir from the bar to pair with the pasta. Sometimes, Jiang Yi's talents weren't just in his career—being his companion was a pleasure in itself.

They often danced slowly in the attic. Ouyang tried to teach him the waltz, but Jiang Yi kept laughing, so they gave up. He only laughed so freely on rare occasions; usually, his smile was faint but genuine, never fake.

He liked comfortable, flowing fabrics and admired certain master designers. Ouyang once saw him in the garden wearing a "skirt"—not a real skirt, but a piece of white striped cloth wrapped around his waist, with loose shorts underneath and a row of distinctive buttons on the left side. Jiang Yi was tall to begin with, and that "skirt" made him look even taller and more elegant, his handsome face bright and spirited, like a prince.

Jiang Yi appeared cold on the outside, but in reality, he was full of adventurous spirit. He was bold and decisive—if anything, even more so than Ouyang. They once sat together watching horror movies, both unimpressed by the lousy makeup; they went on a trip to Daqing Mountain to watch extreme sports, and Jiang Yi insisted on trying bungee jumping, with Ouyang risking his life to accompany him. In the supermarket, Jiang Yi often picked out foods others wouldn't dare to buy, like the hottest chili sauce. In the hallway, the bathroom, by the bar, on the sofa, even on the bedroom floor, they had embraced passionately, their desire burning like fire.

Ouyang would never forget the dizzying pleasure of their first time together—the almost overwhelming madness. He forced himself to endure the pain, and even though it was uncomfortable, Jiang Yi still looked back at him with encouraging eyes. Those eyes were like two clear, deep pools—intense and captivating, able to draw in someone's soul. Perhaps, in that moment, everything between them changed.