Chapter 104: The Postman is a Hypocrite!

Xiao Yang had long known that Shen Xian and Zhou Wan maintained a professional partnership. Their collaboration had spanned live-stream connections, the ballad "Can't Bear to Part," and the ballad "As You Wish," all crafted by Shen Xian himself. Yet the sudden visit from Zhou Wan came as a complete surprise.

In Xiao Yang's estimation, Zhou Wan, revered as the nation's goddess, would embody an aloof detachment and an air of untouchability. Beyond their occasional work-related exchanges with Shen Xian, their private lives would scarcely intersect. Now that she had appeared unannounced, Xiao Yang could not discern her intent.

His eyes turned restlessly as he tried to unravel her purpose. Might she harbor an admiration for the Postman? He would have to investigate further before drawing conclusions.

"Originally it is Zhou Wan. What brings you here?" Xiao Yang inquired with a courteous smile.

His heart, however, was struck with astonishment. He had to concede that she was truly a ravishing beauty—her figure curvaceous and alluring, her waist slender and supple, her presence captivating in a way that demanded attention.

"Having known each other for so long, it is truly an honor to finally meet the true form of the Postman teacher." Zhou Wan smiled, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Yang from head to toe.

This was the Postman teacher? His physique aligned closely with the one displayed on stage at noon.

The remark allowed Xiao Yang to analyze several pivotal points. First, the Postman and Zhou Wan had known one another for a considerable time. Second, despite their familiarity, they had never actually met in person—or rather, Zhou Wan remained unaware that the Postman was Shen Xian. Third, Zhou Wan admired the Postman.

"I am merely an ordinary man. What honor is there in that?" Xiao Yang waved a dismissive hand. "Please, make yourself at home."

As Xiao Yang observed Zhou Wan, she did the same to him, finding a discrepancy from her preconceptions. In her imagination, the Postman should have been gentle and refined, scholarly and composed, carrying an unmistakable aura of the literary gentleman. Xiao Yang was attractive enough, yet he possessed a certain worldly, roguish charm—perhaps a touch of swagger.

"Postman teacher and Shen Xian are close friends?" Zhou Wan inquired.

Xiao Yang paused. "How did you come to know that?"

Zhou Wan bit her lip and smiled faintly. "I saw a photograph of you and him together."

Xiao Yang's heart jolted as though struck by lightning, and he seized upon the most crucial revelation.

Xiao Yang had managed to maintain five girlfriends without mishaps, largely thanks to his meticulous nature beyond his prowess in time management. From Zhou Wan's words, he deduced a vital truth: she had entered Shen Xian's bedroom. The only photograph Shen Xian and Xiao Yang shared dated back to their school days and had remained on the bedside table in Shen Xian's private quarters ever since. He never posted it on social media, nor did he display it in public. Coupled with recent developments—Shen Xian exchanging messages with a woman who had expressed a desire to move in, with Shen Xian replying that Zhou Wan was coming—Xiao Yang could no longer dismiss the matter.

In summary, Xiao Yang confirmed several certainties. First, Zhou Wan had indeed relocated into Shen Xian's residence and remained there. Second, a woman who willingly moves into a man's home, irrespective of romantic entanglements, must harbor affection for him—Zhou Wan clearly liked Shen Xian, even cherished him. Third, Shen Xian possessed an exceptionally strong sense of personal boundaries and valued privacy; by permitting Zhou Wan to move in, he demonstrated his own regard for her.

Xiao Yang felt a surge of excitement. If that were true, Shen Xian might finally find love. He certainly needed a fresh romantic connection. Zhou Wan would be ideal—a celebrated singer with striking beauty, a perfect match for his brother.

Yet the situation was complicated. Zhou Wan seemed to harbor an admiration for the Postman. Should he reveal the truth—that Xiao Yang was not the Postman, but Shen Xian was—or should he continue as the Postman and firmly reject her, urging her instead to pursue Shen Xian? After all, Shen Xian had withheld his true identity, perhaps out of some undisclosed reluctance. In that case, Xiao Yang could only conceal it as well.

He would reject Zhou Wan in his capacity as the Postman and encourage her to safely pursue Shen Xian. At that moment, Xiao Yang felt as though his mental processes were on the verge of overheating.

"I and Shen Xian are indeed very close friends, with no secrets between us," he said.

Zhou Wan nodded, then asked, "Has the Postman teacher eaten? Would you care to join me for dinner tonight?"

Xiao Yang's instincts flared. Something was amiss—very amiss. Zhou Wan had built an idealized image of the Postman. Why did online romances captivate so? Because before meeting, both parties cast an illusory veil of perfection over one another, convincing themselves that the other was flawless, the embodiment of their ideal. Once the veil shattered, reality set in, and disappointment followed.

"Since that is the case, I shall be the one to shatter this illusion and guide Zhou Wan back to reality, urging her to pursue Shen Xian with her heart at ease." Xiao Yang thought to himself. "Today, I shall ensure your online romance comes crashing down."

Xiao Yang possessed abundant experience in matters of the heart, an uncanny intuition in judging women, and his own methods for both winning affection and earning disdain. Though his repertoire was not vast, it was decidedly effective.

Thus he said, "I have already dined, but I wonder what brings you here today, Zhou Tianhou?" As he spoke, his gaze fixed upon her with intense heat.

Zhou Wan felt an inexplicable discomfort from that stare. No... In their previous conversations, the Postman teacher had been polite and considerate, maintaining a firm boundary. What had prompted this sudden intensity?

"Nothing... I simply wished to see you. After all, we have known each other for some time now..." Zhou Wan replied, her eyes locked on his.

Xiao Yang's vigilance intensified. He was now certain that Zhou Wan cherished Shen Xian yet held an idealized view of the Postman, creating hesitation in her choice.

Nodding, he turned his gaze and asked, "Zhou Tianhou, I like you. Do you like me?"

Zhou Wan was stunned. How bold!

So direct on first meeting? The Postman teacher was nothing like her imagined version.

A faint crack echoed in her heart. She forced a smile. "Postman teacher jests. I merely admire your talent and am grateful for your assistance to me."

She needed to press harder to make him even more direct.

Disappointment flickered in Xiao Yang's eyes. "Oh, I had hoped for a favorable connection with Zhou Tianhou." Zhou Wan could not have missed the implication. He held feelings for her. Damn her! She had always viewed him as a gentleman, yet now she saw otherwise. The Postman was a fake gentleman! All his kindnesses were fabricated, serving only one purpose—to claim her bed.

Zhou Wan sat back, retrieved her phone, and sent a message: "Woo woo woo, Cai Cai, my online romance has crashed!"