Chapter 19

Chapter 19

In the quiet library, Hu Chengyu sat in a seat by the window, reading a book, when a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him.

A backpack was casually placed on the table, and a boy wearing a black baseball cap sat down opposite him.

The boy waited patiently for a while, but with impatience, as Hu Chengyu didn’t look up. “Bro…”

Hu Chengyu’s long index finger touched his lips, indicating silence.

Lu Zhao:

Lu Zhao pulled out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Hu Chengyu.

Hu Chengyu’s eyes didn’t leave his book.

Lu Zhao soon realized that Hu Chengyu’s phone was probably on silent mode.

Lu Zhao rummaged through his backpack, took out a piece of paper and a pen, and hastily wrote: "Bro, are you free this weekend?"

He handed it to Hu Chengyu.

Hu Chengyu glanced at it and replied succinctly with two words: "Not free."

The handwriting was strong and forceful, imprinted on the paper.

Seeing this, Lu Zhao appeared anxious and quickly wrote: "Bro, what important thing do you have this weekend?"

Hu Chengyu patiently replied: "I have a charity gala on Saturday night."

After reading it, Lu Zhao slumped on the table, looking dejected.

Do I really have to cancel the reservation?

Thinking about having to continue navigating between his brother and Yan Yan, he felt a headache coming on. In the past, when Yan Yan used to cling to Hu Chengyu, he wished he could take his place. Now that Yan Yan didn’t cling to Hu Chengyu anymore, his worries only grew.

Lu Zhao fell asleep in the library; the quiet surroundings made it easy to sleep.

When he woke up, Hu Chengyu across from him had left, leaving only a note: "I’ve left."

Huh, you dare to leave a note, but you didn’t mention where you’re going?

Lu Zhao yawned and hurriedly stuffed the paper and pen into his backpack. Just as he left the library, he noticed it was raining. The weather was gloomy and frustrating.

What rotten luck!

“Lu Zhao-ge?”

Only Shen Lin and Yan Yan called him that.

He turned around and indeed saw Shen Yan behind him on the side.

A lot of students were crowded in front of the library. Shen Yan made her way to Lu Zhao’s side.

“Lu Zhao-ge, are you heading back to the dorm? I have an umbrella, want to share?” Shen Yan shook the umbrella in her hand.

It had a light gray checkered pattern.

The pink sunshade from last time left him with a psychological scar.

Lu Zhao, acting very gentlemanly, took the umbrella and held it between them, teasing, "So hardworking right at the beginning of the semester, Yan Yan is truly a model student."

Shen Yan chuckled softly, "Not at all, Xiao Lin's birthday is next month, and I'm planning to make something for him."

Lu Zhao glanced at the book in Shen Yan's hand, which was about jewelry design.

The Shu family built their fortune in jewelry, and Shen Yan has loved these sparkling beads since childhood. The gifts he gave to Lu Zhao and Hu Chengyu were all handmade by him.

Because of his love for these things, and due to his weak health, he was often mocked by boys his age as a child, ridiculed for liking girlish things.

At first, the things Shen Yan made were somewhat immature, but now he has gradually developed a unique style, delicate yet bold.

The bracelet on Lu Zhao's wrist was the birthday gift Shen Yan had given him last year, not overly extravagant but exuding a hidden air of dominance.

Lu Zhao fell in love with it at first sight.

However, if he remembered correctly, Shen Yan had never given Shen Lin a birthday gift.

Come to think of it, the relationship between these two brothers has been rapidly improving recently; in the past, they would quarrel even if they just stayed together, let alone giving gifts.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhao felt a headache coming on; Yan Yan and Shen Lin's relationship was getting better and better, but Yan Yan's relationship with Hu Chengyu was getting worse.

"So, Yan Yan, have you decided what you're going to make?"

Shen Yan had actually already decided on the birthday gift for Shen Lin; he came to the library to borrow books for the La design competition.

He still hadn't come up with any ideas.

Seeing Shen Yan's slightly furrowed brows, Lu Zhao, on impulse, blurted out, "I've booked a small island, want to go relax and find some inspiration this weekend?"

"Hmm?" Shen Yan looked up in surprise, "Is it your birthday in February, Brother Lu Zhao? Any recent celebrations?"

Lu Zhao couldn't explain the real reason; how could he tell Shen Yan that it was to essentially put them in a 'time-out' with Hu Chengyu?

"No special celebrations, just thought we'd go out since the semester has just started."

He didn't know what logical connection there was between wanting to go out and the start of the semester either.

Shen Yan seemed to ponder for a moment, then nodded, "Okay, thank you, Brother Lu Zhao."

"Will there be many people?"

Lu Zhao's eyes lit up instantly; Yan Yan actually agreed right away!

But then his eyes dimmed again; his brother hadn't agreed.

Well, he had already booked it; perhaps he could just take Yan Yan out.

Lu Zhao knew he liked quiet places, "Not many people, just a couple of close friends, I'll introduce you to them."

They chatted all the way back, and upon returning to his dorm, Lu Zhao posted on WeChat Moments: "Thanks for the umbrella, kid! Looking forward to playing together this weekend!"

The attached photo showed him and Shen Yan walking back to the dorm under the umbrella.

Lu Zhao posted this WeChat Moment with a hidden agenda; he hoped his brother would see it and understand that he only saw Yan Yan as a friend, absolutely no other intentions.

He even chose a moment when neither of them was smiling to prevent any misunderstandings.

However, even so, there were still people commenting that they make a great couple under his post.

Straight-laced Lu Zhao couldn't understand it, but he believed his brother would understand him.

Lu Zhao stopped checking his Moments and sent messages to two friends with whom he had a good relationship, inviting them to spend the weekend on the small island.

Those two friends had just liked his post and responded immediately.

Although he hadn't managed to isolate his brother and Yan Yan on the island, he believed that the recent post should be enough to clear up the misunderstanding.

However, the next second, he saw a new message appear on WeChat.

Hu Chengyu: Where are you taking Shen Yan this weekend?

Lu Zhao's heart skipped a beat, feeling confused. What was his brother getting at?

But he replied truthfully: Booked an island, taking Yan Yan there for two days this weekend.

After sending the message, he didn't receive a reply for several minutes.

Lu Zhao chuckled softly to himself. What was he hoping for?

Hu Chengyu had said he was attending a banquet this weekend; once he had made up his mind, nothing could change it.

Hu Chengyu: I'm coming too.

Lu Zhao froze. Was the sky actually falling?!

*

Leaf lost badly in a best-of-three round of rock-paper-scissors and was forced to go to University A’s Third Canteen to buy boiled fish slices with spicy broth.

The boiled fish slices with spicy broth were the treasure of the third canteen. Not only was the fish fresh and tender, but the broth was also spicy, numbing, sour, and hot, and the price was very affordable.

The only downside was that they didn’t offer delivery service.

Whenever Leaf and his friends got a craving, they had to settle it with a game of rock-paper-scissors, and the loser had to go buy it.

Leaf balanced an umbrella on his shoulder and typed on his phone with both hands, venting about his bad luck. Not only did he lose, but it started raining too.

While playing with his phone, he still paid attention to the road. He was suddenly stunned out of the corner of his eye.

After a momentary shock, he quickly opened his phone's camera and rapidly snapped several photos.

Leaf: Guess who I just saw?

Leaf: [Photos][Photos][Photos]

Third Brother: Patron!

Fourth Brother: Lifeline!

Third Brother: Patron's face is truly cold and otherworldly. With the light rain setting the mood, it’s just perfect!

Leaf: [Photo] Do you even get what ‘light rain ambiance’ means?

Fourth Brother: Leaf, just speak. Why are you posting a self-portrait? Delete it quickly, it’s hard to look at.

Third Brother: Hey, who’s the guy next to the sugar daddy? He looks a bit like the other person from that post you deleted.

Fourth Brother: It does look like him!

Boss: His name is Lu Zhao.

Leaf: Holy shit, I didn’t expect to bring the boss out. Boss, weren’t you called to write some code?

Boss: Just slacking off. What were they talking about?

The sight of the two of them laughing and chatting in the photos was quite grating.

After a while, Leaf replied: They just walked past me. I overheard Lu Zhao saying that they’re going to some island for two days this weekend.

Third Brother: Boss, do you like the sugar daddy? I’ve never seen you care so much about anyone before.

Leaf and Fourth Brother also agreed wholeheartedly.

After Third Brother sent his message, the group chat fell silent for a few minutes.

A few minutes later, the boss said: Here’s some information on Lu Zhao. Leaf, check where they went this weekend.

Leaf: ……Holy shit, boss, you’re serious?

However, no matter how shocked he was in the group, no one replied to him.

*

Lu Zhao felt like he was on a roller coaster. He had originally thought there was no hope.

Unexpectedly, things took a turn, and his brother actually agreed!

Then should he still go this weekend?

Lu Zhao paced back and forth in his dorm room, occasionally pulling at his hair.

Those two definitely can't come along!

Lu Zhao quickly messaged his two friends: Plans have changed, let’s do it another time.

The two friends made him buy them drinks but didn’t press further.

If he went, he’d be the third wheel too.

If he didn’t go, it seemed like a big problem.

Lu Zhao carefully analyzed the situation. If he didn’t go, by Saturday, his brother would find out that it was just him and Yan Yan on the island.

From Hu Chengyu’s perspective, if he hadn’t changed his original plans, then this weekend on the island, it would just be Shen Yan and Lu Zhao alone together!

Lu Zhao’s head immediately began to ache. What a mess he had gotten himself into!

Wouldn’t that make things worse?

Forget it, he should still go.

If he didn’t show up, Yan Yan might not even board the boat.

By Saturday, it was a sunny day.

Probably due to the rain from earlier, the air was unusually cool, ideal for a trip.

Hu Chengyu went to handle some business. He left the school last night, informed Lu Zhao, and arranged to meet at a specific location.

Before Shen Yan left, he received a call from Shen Lin. The kid excitedly said he was coming to pick him up and take him home.

"I'm not going back this week; I've already told Mom."

Shen Lin's cheerful tone abruptly changed. "Do you have classes on the weekend?"

"No, I'm going out with friends."

Shen Lin complained for a while on the phone. "Shen Yan, don't forget what you promised."

Shen Yan said, "I asked Dad, and I just asked Mom. They are currently very cautious. The aunts, uncles, and others at home must have been briefed already.

"Do you think you can get any information from them?"

Shen Lin thought Shen Yan's words made sense, but he was still unhappy that Shen Yan was spending the weekend with friends instead of going home.

Doesn't he know his own health condition?

Despite being upset, Shen Lin still repeatedly instructed, "Bring all your medicine, don't play any intense games, and don't drink. Call me if anything happens, and I'll come pick you up."

Even after Shen Yan got into Lu Zhao's car, Shen Lin continued to nag.

Shen Yan said, "Alright, little caretaker, I'm nineteen, not nine."

"Shen Yan, do you find me annoying?"

Shen Yan, irritated by the constant nagging, calmed him down before hanging up.

After hanging up, Lu Zhao, who was driving, chuckled. "I really didn't expect Xiao Lin to be so attached to you. Most teenagers at sixteen or seventeen are rebellious and self-centered, but Xiao Lin is different."

Shen Yan didn't respond. He hoped Xiao Lin would stay rebellious a bit longer and mature a bit more slowly, not having to go through that excruciating pain again.

An hour later, they arrived at their destination.

As soon as Shen Yan got out of the car, he recognized Hu Chengyu from a distance.

Shen Yan was unsurprised to see Hu Chengyu. Lu Zhao was even closer to Hu Chengyu than to his own brother, Shen Lin.

Shen Yan followed behind Lu Zhao and greeted Hu Chengyu. "Mr. Hu Chengyu."

Hu Chengyu seemed accustomed to Shen Yan's form of address and didn't show any particular expression.

Just before they set sail, Hu Chengyu's deep voice spoke up. "Lu Zhao, you only invited Shen Yan to the island?"

Shen Yan, seeing Lu Zhao's awkward expression, spoke up to help him out. "Brother Lu Zhao mentioned a few other friends would join us."

Lu Zhao, feeling a bit helpless, said, "...Yan Yan, they suddenly couldn't make it and aren't coming."