Chapter 124: A Tale of Two Nights

Chapter 124: A Tale of Two Nights

Fancy a smoke?

This could be rephrased as,

Fancy a kiss...

Tang Rufeng understood the drunkard atop him all too well, his fingers tensing at the unspoken invitation. He hesitated, unsure if he should push the other away. In that moment of indecision, Lu Yan's kisses, laced with alcohol, rained down on his neck. His fair, delicate skin couldn't withstand such onslaught, quickly reddening under the assault.

"Lu Yan!"

Tang Rufeng spoke low, his voice tinged with anger, struggling instinctively. Yet, his strength was feeble against Lu Yan's, who continued his fervent ascent, eventually capturing his lips, easily prying them open.

Boom—

Tang Rufeng's mind went blank, involuntarily recalling that night in the hotel. He nearly panicked, trying to escape. In his struggle, he accidentally hit the bedside lamp switch, plunging the room into darkness. The darkness enveloped them completely, shrouding them in its embrace.

Lu Yan seemed to sense Tang Rufeng's stiffness, loosening his grip slightly. Silence filled the air, the kisses gradually ceasing. His lips hovered near Tang Rufeng's neck, his breath causing a ticklish sensation.

Tang Rufeng could now easily push Lu Yan away.

Lu Yan appeared to be waiting for him to do just that.

After a prolonged silence, Tang Rufeng slowly reached out in the darkness, clasping Lu Yan's nape and asking hoarsely, "Who am I?"

His tone was obsessive. "Lu Yan, who am I?"

He had slept with this person once without understanding why, unwilling to repeat the same mistake twice.

"Mmm..."

Drunkards often have muddled thoughts. After a moment of effort, Lu Yan muttered three words, "Tang Rufeng?"

These three words were like a key unlocking forbidden desires, shattering all rationality. Tang Rufeng's expression froze, his fingers slowly sliding down, like a man on the edge of a cliff releasing his last lifeline, surrendering to the abyss.

Clothes were peeled off layer by layer. Tang Rufeng kept his eyes closed, unsure if it was shame or embarrassment. Yet, Lu Yan's murmured whispers echoed repeatedly in his ears, stirring his senses:

"Tang Rufeng…"

"Tang Rufeng…"

He called out this name without any ulterior motive, repeating it like a child learning to speak. Tang Rufeng felt a tumultuous wave within him, a silent tsunami erupting. He squeezed his eyes shut, enduring the aftermath.

That night, one indulged recklessly under the influence of alcohol, while the other endured silently. They writhed together until dawn.

The next morning, when Lu Yan woke up with a headache from the hangover, he saw a familiar figure lying beside him, breathing deeply in sleep. He was stunned.

Tang Rufeng?

To confirm his suspicion, Lu Yan lifted the covers, checked the face of the person beside him, and realized it was indeed Tang Rufeng!

And the emphasis is on, no clothes.

Lu Yan had never been more shocked in his life. He hastily put on some clothes, rushed into the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and his befuddled mind finally cleared. Memories of the drunken night flooded back, making him smack his forehead in frustration.

Damn, what a mess!

Lu Yan felt he had already committed a grave sin by seducing an innocent college student once. To do it again was purely taking advantage. The first time could be excused, but the second time was pure forceful domination. How would he explain this when Tang Rufeng woke up?

Lu Yan stared solemnly at the mirror, giving himself a pep talk for over half an hour before stepping out of the bathroom. He found Tang Rufeng already awake, silently dressing on the bed, his back turned to him.

"…"

Seeing the bruises on the other's body, Lu Yan's guilt peaked, feeling even more like a beast. Hesitantly, he began, "About last night…"

At the sound of his voice, Tang Rufeng paused momentarily before resuming his actions. Without turning to look at Lu Yan, he calmly stated, "You were drunk."

Lu Yan hadn't expected Tang Rufeng to be so calm, almost stealing his line.

Embarrassed, Lu Yan coughed lightly. "How about you hit me? It might help you vent."

Tang Rufeng was already putting on his coat, only to find the zipper broken from Lu Yan's rough handling the previous night. He gave up, saying coolly, "Assault is illegal; I don't want to go to jail."

With that, Tang Rufeng walked straight to the bathroom to freshen up. Only then did Lu Yan notice how pale he looked, his brows furrowed even as he walked. He must have been thoroughly worn out by Lu Yan's antics the previous night.

Lu Yan fell silent again. "…"

His guilt doubled.

Lu Yan stood outside the bathroom, waiting for Tang Rufeng to finish. Seeing him ready to leave with his bag, he subconsciously grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"

Tang Rufeng paused, not looking back as he said, "School."

Hearing this, Lu Yan instinctively let go. After a moment, he offered, "I'll drive you there."

Lu Yan knew Tang Rufeng was a college student but wasn't aware of which school. As they drove, he discovered that Tang Rufeng attended one of the top three universities in City A, where most students were academic geniuses destined for bright futures.

Tsk, a good student.

Lu Yan silently marveled, feeling the term didn't quite fit with the idle, rich second-generation stereotype. He parked the car by the roadside, noticing Tang Rufeng's old coat with the broken zipper. He handed over a casual jacket from the backseat. "Change into this. Wear mine."

Appearance matters, especially in first impressions. While Lu Yan wasn't sure if wealth discrimination existed in universities, he knew that a poor, introverted student like Tang Rufeng likely faced bullying. Wearing a tattered coat to class wasn't ideal.

Tang Rufeng declined directly. "No need, I have clothes."

As he opened the car door to leave, Lu Yan pulled him back, gripping his wrist firmly. His voice was deep and commanding. "Change if I say so."

Tang Rufeng looked up at him, finding it strangely amusing. In fact, he even sneered. "Reason?"

Lu Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "You look good in it, okay?"

He just felt that those faded old clothes didn't suit Tang Rufeng. A clean-cut person in the prime of his life should dress brightly.

"…"

Tang Rufeng didn't say anything. Under Lu Yan's gaze, his fingertips twitched slightly. In the end, he silently took off his old jacket and replaced it with Lu Yan's expensive new casual jacket. Although it seemed a bit loose, fortunately, Tang Rufeng had a slender figure, so he could carry it off.

Only then did Lu Yan release him, whispering softly, "You look pretty good."

It was said that people relied on their clothing to make an impression. Tang Rufeng already had a clear and handsome face and a detached demeanor. After changing into new clothes, he looked like a noble young master raised on poetry and books in a large family, far surpassing Lu Yan, the playboy.

Hearing this, Tang Rufeng rubbed the corner of his clothes, unsure what he was thinking. After a moment, he finally spoke up, his voice hoarse from the aftermath of passion. "About last night…"

When Lu Yan heard these words, his heart instantly hung in suspense.

Tang Rufeng raised his eyebrows indifferently. "Let's pretend it never happened. You don't have to feel guilty."

Lu Yan: "…" Not at all, but now he felt even more guilty.

If Tang Rufeng had made a big fuss, Lu Yan might have felt better. But since the other party didn't say anything, it inevitably pricked his conscience.

Tang Rufeng opened the car door and walked into the school. His back was always thinner and straighter than others. Such a person was easy to spot, but also easy to get lost in the crowd.

Lu Yan rolled down the window and stared for a long time until Tang Rufeng's figure gradually disappeared from his sight. Then he closed his eyes and wiped his face. He leaned on the steering wheel and muttered to himself, "Lu Yan, you're nothing but a beast in human clothing…"

Because of this matter, Lu Yan hadn't slept well for several days and had visibly lost weight. Yang Qin was worried that he wasn't eating properly, so she deliberately kept him at the old house for dinner today, specially stewing soup to nourish him.

Duan Jiyang had originally come to visit Lu Wanshan and Yang Qin, intending to lay the groundwork for his marriage to Lu Bing. But unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the small garden, he saw Lu Yan sitting lazily outside on a swing chair, lost in thought. It had been half a month since they last met, and Lu Yan looked visibly listless. He didn't know why.

Duan Jiyang paused at the sight and instead walked over. "Lu Yan?"

Lu Yan: "? ? ?"

Lu Yan lifted his eyelids and saw Duan Jiyang's familiar face. He frowned and asked incredulously, "Why are you here?"

All the procedures for breaking off the engagement had been completed last time. He couldn't think of a reason for Duan Jiyang's sudden visit.

Duan Jiyang didn't answer but looked deeply at him and asked, "You seem to have lost a lot of weight. Did something difficult happen?"

Duan Jiyang began to ponder. Was Lu Yan greatly affected by the broken engagement, leading to loss of appetite and depression? Although he didn't like Lu Yan before, seeing the other party so haggard, he felt somewhat reluctant.

Lu Yan yawned, wondering if Duan Jiyang couldn't understand human speech. He frowned slightly and repeated patiently, "What are you doing at my house?"

Duan Jiyang hesitated. "I came to see Uncle and Aunt to discuss my marriage to Lu Bing."

Lu Yan, who was originally sleepy, suddenly perked up at the news. He wanted to hear some fresh gossip. "So, Lu Bing agreed to marry you?"

That couldn't be. Lu Bing was suffering from a "terminal illness" and didn't want to burden Duan Jiyang. Logically, he shouldn't have given in so easily.

Duan Jiyang shook his head as expected. His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a barely noticeable disappointment. "He didn't agree, so I planned to talk to Uncle and Aunt first."

Lu Yan chuckled and kindly pointed the way. "Then hurry inside. If you wait any longer, Lu Bing will be back from work."

Lu Bing originally didn't plan to live in the old house, but his design studio was nearby. There was no need to find another place. After much persuasion from Lu Wanshan, he condescendingly moved in. It was about time for him to return.

Duan Jiyang looked at Lu Yan with a complicated expression. "Aren't you angry that Lu Bing and I are getting married?"

Again.

Lu Yan realized that not only was Lu Bing sick, but Duan Jiyang was also quite sick. He smiled mockingly. "President Duan, have you never been in love in your life? Who hasn't broken up? If someone were to die or live because their ex is marrying someone else, how many people in the world would be dead?"

A person's expression could deceive others, but their eyes couldn't. Duan Jiyang believed he had some skill in reading people. But precisely because of this, his heart felt empty, for Lu Yan truly didn't care.

As autumn approached, the garden was covered with fallen leaves that crunched underfoot. Duan Jiyang didn't know why he repeatedly confirmed this question. In the end, he could only smile self-mockingly. "Then I'll go in."

Duan Jiyang's visit caused a small stir in the quiet Lu household. The most excited was none other than Lu Wanshan. Sitting on the sofa, he wore a full smile, asking after warmth and coldness. If one didn't know better, they'd think he was the one proposing. "Young Master Duan, if you came for Lu Bing's marriage, I'll give you ten thousand guarantees. There's definitely no problem. With so many years of feelings between you, I see you as a match made in heaven. How could it not work out? Today, I'll take the lead. Stay for a simple meal. Ah Qin, didn't you cook soup? Quickly, quickly, bring a bowl over."

Yang Qin responded with a gentle smile but her expression changed instantly when she turned around. She cursed inwardly: That old thing Lu Wanshan, for the sake of climbing the social ladder, he doesn't even want his face anymore. Duan Jiyang and Lu Bing are a match made in heaven, so what does that make her Ah Yan?

The more Yang Qin thought about it, the angrier she became. She divided the soup she had worked hard to cook into two, putting most of it in a thermos box, planning to let Lu Yan take it back to drink later. She sprinkled a handful of Sichuan pepper and a handful of monosodium glutamate into the remaining soup in the pot. Only then did she adjust her mood and carry a bowl of soup out.

Yang Qin placed the bowl of soup in front of Duan Jiyang, her attitude indifferent. "It's just dinner time. If President Duan isn't picky, stay for a simple meal."

Duan Jiyang thanked her politely. "Thank you, Auntie."

After speaking, he subconsciously glanced at the door. "Lu Yan seems to still be sitting outside. Should we call him in to drink together?"

Yang Qin looked embarrassed. "No need. I packed a portion for him. He can eat it when he goes back."

But Lu Wanshan said, "Call Ah Yan in. It'll cool off if he takes it back. It's better to drink it fresh. Besides, with guests at home, what does it look like for him to sit outside?"

Since he said so, Yang Qin could only get up and call Lu Yan in. The four of them sat around a table. From a distance, they looked harmonious, almost like a family.

When Lu Bing returned from the studio and saw this scene, he couldn't explain why, but his heart suddenly felt cold. His gaze first fell on Duan Jiyang, noticing that the other party kept glancing subtly across the table. And there sat Lu Yan, who was quietly eating his meal. His hand hanging by his side couldn't help but clench the corner of his clothes tightly, his complexion pale and unattractive.

Yang Qin was the first to notice Lu Bing. She put down her chopsticks and feigned surprise, shouting, "Ah, Lu Bing, when did you come back? Why didn't you make a sound? Just so happens that President Duan is here today. Come over and eat together."

At her voice, almost everyone subconsciously looked towards the door. Even Lu Yan silently put down his bowl and chopsticks:

This soup tastes terrible. I should have known not to come back for dinner today.

Lu Bing didn't say anything. He seemed to have suffered a great blow, looking lost and dispirited. He slowly retreated a few steps and finally turned and ran out.

"Lu Bing!"

Seeing this, Duan Jiyang panicked in his heart. He hurriedly got up and chased after him, moving so hastily that he nearly knocked over the chair. He left the three people in the room staring at each other.

Lushan Lu was utterly confused. "W-What’s going on?"

Yang Qin, with her womanly intuition and sensitivity, sensed something amiss but chose not to reveal it. Instead, she shook her head in puzzlement. "I'm not sure either. Why did Bing suddenly run off?"

Lushan Lu was beside himself with worry. Neither of his sons gave him a moment's peace. It would have been better if he had secured the golden son-in-law, Jiyang Duan, earlier. "Yan Lu, hurry up and follow them. Make sure they don't cause any trouble."

Layan Lu lifted an eyelid, initially intending to say it was none of his business, but then reconsidered, thinking that watching the drama unfold might be entertaining. Reluctantly, he pushed back his chair and got up to follow.

The area was a residential zone filled with villas, peaceful and serene. A Ginkgo-lined path greeted him as soon as he stepped out. Layan Lu didn’t have to walk far before he spotted Jiyang Duan and Bing Lu engaged in a heated argument under a tree, more intense than their last encounter at the bar.

Seeing this, Layan Lu’s eyes lit up. He found a discreet spot to hide in, ready to enjoy the unfolding spectacle.