Chapter 21

Chapter 21

A 100-yuan gift was something Yu Jingmo had rarely received since childhood.

He rarely received gifts worth less than ten thousand yuan. In return, he would also give others far more expensive presents.

His thirtieth birthday wasn’t a major milestone, and Yu Jingmo had planned to celebrate it as usual—just a family reunion dinner with the Yus, with no expectation of receiving gifts. Yet every year, relatives would still come flocking regardless.

Those gifts were basically favors in disguise. Taking them meant he’d handle their requests, while rejecting them signaled his inability to assist.

Yu Jingmo explained this unwritten rule to Tian Ruan and asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Tian Ruan couldn’t understand: “Isn’t it strange to expect something in return just because you gave a gift?”

“Business runs on give-and-take.”

“I’m not a businessman.” Tian Ruan looked at Yu Jingmo earnestly. “I just want you to be happy, at least on your birthday.”

Yu Jingmo was taken aback as he gazed at the beautiful young man before him. His amber-brown eyes shone with nothing but pure sincerity, as innocent as a child’s.

“If celebrating a birthday is just about fulfilling others’ schemes, it’s better not to celebrate at all—less trouble.” Tian Ruan huffed in frustration.

Yu Jingmo smirked. “I don’t mind.”

“The less you care, the more they’ll take advantage.” Tian Ruan was serious even when angry. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I’ll give you your birthday gift in advance.”

“What gift?”

Tian Ruan pulled out a 100-yuan bill and handed it to him. “I’m giving you a whole day.”

“A whole day?”

“Tomorrow, you can do whatever you want.”

Yu Jingmo’s eyes darkened, his pupils reflecting the young man’s fair, delicate face—soft as mochi. His voice gentled. “Do whatever I want?”

“Mm.”

“Alright.” Yu Jingmo’s slender, immaculate fingers took the bill. “As you say.”

Yu Ti gaped. “Uncle, what about the reunion dinner tomorrow?”

“We can have reunion dinners anytime, but a thirtieth birthday only comes once.” With that decided, Yu Jingmo called toward the door, “Assistant Xu, clear my schedule for tomorrow.”

Assistant Xu responded from outside, “Right away, Mr. Yu.”

Yu Jingmo asked Tian Ruan, “What are you craving? It’s noon.”

Tian Ruan thought for a minute. “Can we have hairy crab? They’re in season now—fat and juicy.”

“Sure.” Yu Jingmo stood. “Let’s go to a seafood restaurant nearby.”

Yu Ti moved to follow, but Assistant Xu stopped her. “Miss Yu Ti, just tell me what you’d like.”

“…Never mind, I’ll eat at home.” Yu Ti knew better than to intrude on their date.

Tian Ruan turned to ask, “Aren’t you having hairy crab?”

Yu Ti waved her off. “Nah, crabs upset my stomach.”

There happened to be a seafood restaurant nearby, located in the downtown square. It wasn’t high-end but offered affordable prices, attracting many customers—unlike the kind of place Mr. Yu usually frequented. In fact, Mr. Yu had skipped his usual spot for this.

The square itself was quite unique, with architecture that looked like giant underpants from a distance, drawing tourists from all over.

As a result, the place was crowded, and you had to take a number. Customers would grab a ticket and wait for their turn to be called over the loudspeaker when a table became available.

Fortunately, the seafood restaurant wasn’t packed, and they were seated right away.

By sheer coincidence, at the next table sat a young man with blond hair, leisurely enjoying a plate of seafood fried rice.

He Lansi smiled slyly. "Never thought I’d see the great Mr. Yu dining in a place like this? Guess fate’s got a sense of humor."

Mr. Yu ignored him, scanning the menu on his phone.

Tian Ruan chimed in, "What are you doing here? Is your family nearly bankrupt and out of money?"

That hit a nerve.

He Lansi faked a smile. "So, is Mr. Yu also on the verge of bankruptcy?"

"He’s slumming it with us commoners—accompanying a nobody like me for a meal," Tian Ruan joked.

"Nobody?" He Lansi burst into laughter. "Mr. Yu, what do you think?"

"Not thinking about it," Mr. Yu replied impassively.

Tian Ruan: "...Did no one realize I was joking?"

Soon, their food came out, and the server asked warmly, "Need help cracking the crab?"

Mr. Yu: "Please."

"Of course, it’s my pleasure." The server put on disposable gloves, blushing a little as she worked on the crab.

The golden crab roe was plump and fragrant, even better with a splash of vinegar.

The first crab was placed in front of Tian Ruan, who scooped up the roe with a small spoon, his eyes lighting up after the first bite. "Delicious."

Mr. Yu watched him with a smile. "Crabs can be heavy—don’t eat too much. Just two."

"Mr. Yu, you should have some too."

"Mm."

Once the server finished shelling the crab and left, He Lansi suddenly lost his appetite. "I’ve lost my appetite from all this sweetness. Enjoy your meal—I’ll take my leave."

Tian Ruan: "? Oh, goodbye."

He Lansi chuckled lightly. "We’ll meet again, Tian Ruan."

Five minutes later, Tian Ruan finally realized. "He Lansi called me by my name."

Hardly anyone knew about Tian Ruan’s new name or his enrollment in school.

Mr. Yu didn’t react. "He has his ways."

"...Why would he pay attention to me?"

"Because you’re my husband." Mr. Yu ate with perfect manners, pausing to look straight at him.

This is a basic social etiquette that gives people the feeling of being "respected."

Tian Ruan recalled the plot from the original book, and it suddenly occurred to him—a post from the campus forum surfaced in his memory. The art teacher was taking maternity leave, and soon after, the replacement teacher would be... He Lansi.

Few people knew that He Lansi was actually an art major and had even earned a teaching license.

Tian Ruan: "..."

"What are you daydreaming about?" Yu Jingmo spoke up. "Eat your food."

"Oh." Tian Ruan obediently focused on his meal.

He Lansi substituting as the art teacher was a rather abrupt plot point in the original book. One moment, his family was about to go bankrupt, and the next, he became a teacher. After the bankruptcy, he went into business, causing chaos and opposing the protagonist until he landed in prison.

Tian Ruan hesitated over whether to warn him. He ate slower and slower before finally asking Yu Jingmo, "You're planning to acquire the He family, right?"

"It’s an investment deal. I'm investing a portion of assets to buy 80% of the He family company's shares. The company will technically remain under the He family's name, but the actual control will shift to the Yu family."

"Then why doesn’t he agree?"

"It’s about pride."

"Even when facing bankruptcy, he still cares about pride?"

Yu Jingmo smiled without answering.

Tian Ruan pondered, "Is there any way to preserve his pride while also preventing his bankruptcy?"

Yu Jingmo: "Unless he borrows $200 million from a bank, but right now, no bank would risk lending to him."

"What about you? Would you dare lend it?"

Yu Jingmo's gaze was steady and composed, carrying the detachment and gentleness of someone in power: "I'm not a philanthropist."

"...But you support orphans." Tian Ruan wanted to say he was also an orphan but held back.

"He Lansi isn’t an orphan. His parents and grandfather are all very ruthless. If given the slightest opportunity, they would turn on me instead."

Tian Ruan fell silent, then finally nodded. "I don’t understand these things. Mr. Yu must have considered more in his decision."

Yu Jingmo lowered his eyes, his slender fingers slowly and precisely peeling a large shrimp before placing it in Tian Ruan’s bowl. "The business world is like a battlefield—it's not just simple social courtesies."

Tian Ruan realized he had been thinking too simplistically. He shouldn’t interfere with Yu Jingmo’s decisions. Business wasn’t child’s play—one misstep could affect the main plotline. After all, Yu Shang still needed to inherit the family business.

After the meal, the couple left the restaurant.

Spotting an ice cream stand, Tian Ruan asked, "Mr. Yu, do you want ice cream?"

Yu Jingmo: "No. You just ate crab—your stomach is still cold."

"Oh."

Seeing his slight disappointment, Yu Jingmo added, "Tomorrow, Liu Ma can make you homemade milk ice cream with waffle cookies, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry."

Tian Ruan immediately brightened. "Great!"

They had walked a few yards toward the elevator when they suddenly bumped into two teenagers—one dressed conservatively, the other fashionably—emerging from a Hunan cuisine restaurant, their lips still burning from the spice. The four of them locked eyes.

Tian Ruan and Yu Shang exchanged startled looks.

Of course, Lu Qiuyan was standing beside Yu Shang.

Yu Shang tensed up and called out, "Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Having dinner." Yu Jingmo gave Lu Qiuyan a once-over, face unreadable. "Friend from school?"

"Yeah."

"Go on, have fun."

"...Okay."

Lu Qiuyan turned to Tian Ruan. "Wanna hit the arcade with us?"

Tian Ruan stood there like a statue, eyes glazed over. *Zhu Jueshou, how can you be so chill, acting like just some ordinary classmate of Yu Shang’s? Don’t rope me in, just go—we can’t get busted for 'underage dating.'*

*Snap.* Yu Jingmo flicked his fingers in front of the motionless Tian Ruan. "Curse lifted."

Tian Ruan jolted back to reality, blinking rapidly.

Lu Qiuyan’s eyes widened as he turned to Yu Shang. "They say if a dude’s still a virgin at thirty, he turns into a wizard. So it’s real? Your dad’s a wizard??"

Yu Shang: "..."

Yu Jingmo: "...”

Tian Ruan: "...”

Lu Qiuyan pushed, "Right?"

Tian Ruan peeked at Yu Jingmo, whose expression had instantly turned icy, and was just about to defend him—

"Kid, I’m married—very happily, to my wife. Can’t you tell?" Yu Jingmo wrapped an arm around Tian Ruan’s shoulder, drawing him into a snug but possessive hold.

Tian Ruan: "...”

*This might as well be a billboard saying we’ve slept together.*