At that moment, Jesse Johnson had just seen Zero’s Weibo post and couldn’t contain his excitement.
Originally, he was eagerly preparing to repost for a giveaway, but as soon as he clicked into the comments, he saw one that was replied to by Zero.
—God Z, is this your first time giving a TO signature?
The simple dialogue felt like a cold bucket of water being thrown in his face, chilling him to the bone.
The passion, excitement, and joy all turned to smoke and vanished, leaving only confusion and a deeper sense of realization, awkwardness, and anger emerging from the depths.
At the same time, many friends who had seen the "God Z TO signature" in his hands sent him messages.
[Bro, have you seen God Z’s Weibo? He said he’s never sent out a TO signature. What’s going on?]
[Dude, can’t be that your signature was a fake, right? Hahahaha, a well-meaning lie?]
[I told you before that your TO signature looked a bit fake, now it’s confirmed. [Image-Screenshot] Don’t be too sad, bro, I’ve got your back forever.]
[Jesse, what’s up with your TO signature? The person who tricked you is inexcusable!]
Countless gloating and mocking messages made Jesse Johnson’s stomach churn as if twisted by an invisible giant hand.
His anger flared uncontrollably.
Suddenly, Jesse saw two messages pop up in the pinned conversation.
Lily: Jesse, God Z’s TO signature has arrived. When are you coming to pick it up?
The familiar picture and inquiry snapped Jesse out of his daze, and the flood of anger from being deceived surged, drowning his rationality.
Jesse’s first instinct was to call and question her, but since it was Lily Turner, he ultimately held back.
Slowly exhaling, Jesse felt his surging emotions gradually settling.
Jesse: Can I come to get it now?
His eyes reddening, Jesse jumped up, grabbed the car keys and jacket from the table, and slammed the door as he left.
Sitting on a swing chair, Lily Turner stared at the message from Jesse Johnson, feeling something strange.
It seemed... much colder than she anticipated.
At this moment, a new message came in.
Sophie Scott: Lily, did you receive the package?
Lily Turner opened it and replied.
Lily Turner: Just got it. Thanks.
Sophie Scott: You haven’t given it to anyone yet, right?
After replying, Lily bit her lip, feeling an ominous premonition. Sure enough, Sophie’s next message was a hard hit.
Sophie Scott: [Image-Screenshot]
Sophie Scott: God Z admitted he’s never given out a TO signature. If your friend sees it, it might be exposed.
Lily’s eyelids twitched, finally understanding the sense of dissonance when Jesse Johnson responded.
Her eyes flickered slightly. Lily lowered her gaze and sent Sophie a message.
Lily Turner: Okay, thanks.
A moment later, Lily placed her phone on the table, got up, and took a towel into the bathroom.
Jesse Johnson sped all the way to the hotel.
He rushed to Lily Turner’s hotel room door.
The doorbell rang repeatedly as Jesse anxiously waited. Amidst his restless thoughts, he heard a soft "coming" from inside, and then the door opened.
Originally intending to confront her directly, Jesse was taken aback by the figure inside the door.
Lily’s dark eyes were misty, with a slight red ring around them, clearly showing signs of having cried. She looked pitiful and heart-wrenching.
Jesse swallowed hard.
Lily nervously glanced outside, then murmured softly, "There might be paparazzi outside; you’d better come in first."
Jesse nodded in a daze, all his thoughts and emotions on the way turning into nothingness.
On the tatami table, the tea steamed, the white mist curling up, and the aroma of the tea wafted gently, refreshing the heart.
White as jade hands held the teapot, pouring two cups of fragrant tea, and gently pushed one cup to the side.
Separated, the two sat on either side of the low table.
"Have some tea first," Lily Turner’s voice was soft.
Jesse dimly picked up the teacup and took a light sip.
The fragrance of the tea spread between his lips and teeth, but in the air, there seemed to be another kind of scent.
His gaze shifted, landing on a nearby aroma diffuser.
"Jesse, there’s something I need to confess to you," Lily’s gentle voice pulled his attention back.
With eyes filled with a lingering sentiment, Lily sighed softly, a hint of frankness and embarrassment in her voice, "I asked a comic artist friend to imitate God Z’s signature."
"Oh..." Jesse came back to his senses, answering somewhat dizzily, "I know."
"Aren’t you angry? I thought you came to settle the score with me."
But now, tempered steel became gentle; settling scores and such...
All that was cast aside.
"I just wanted to make you a bit happier," Lily lowered her eyes, her eyelashes gently trembling, "Sorry, it seems I made a mess of things."
Such pitifulness made one’s heart ache, unable to voice any blame.
Jesse’s heart softened completely, and after a while, he conceded, "It’s... it’s okay."
Lily’s eyes lit up with joy, as bright as the shining stars.
Her glowing gaze stirred his heart and mind, and it took Jesse a long time to regain some clarity, "By the way, about Isabel..."
"Isabel’s already resigned. I can’t get ahold of her, so even confronting her is difficult," Lily’s face showed distress.
Jesse sensed something, "You mean she did it on purpose?"
Lily pursed her lips, shook her head, and sighed, "I’ve always treated her well; I also want to know why she did this to me."
"We’ve known each other for so long, you know how I’ve treated her," Lily’s eyes were full of grievance, her gaze moist, "Do you believe this is true?"
With rationalization and thought both on the verge of collapsing, Jesse didn’t hesitate to make a judgment—
"Jesse, I..." Lily hesitated, all her words turned into two soft words, "Thank you."
Seeing her gratitude, tears filling her eyes, Jesse felt a suffocating pause in his heartbeat.
With a hand on the teapot, he poured the tea again.
Lily pursed her lips and lowered her gaze, "Why don’t we be together?"
The next day, morning.
Nora Scott was woken by her vibrating phone.
The room was pitch-black, and she irritably groped for her phone on the bedside table, squinting to make out the words "Pedro Langley" on the screen.
It’s only ten, why is he eager for hotpot?