Chapter 31

Chapter 31

In the original novel, He Lansi relentlessly pursued Lu Qiuyan, but Lu Qiuyan ignored him. It wasn’t until He Lansi accompanied Lu Qiuyan while loitering at the hotel entrance that they were harassed by a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man had originally taken a liking to Lu Qiuyan, but He Lansi knocked him down with a single punch. Then, Lu Qiuyan joined in for a tag-team beatdown.

Under the tag-team assault, the man’s legs weren’t even broken—yet He Lansi alone made sure *all three* legs were out of commission.

If not for the bodyguards intervening, the man’s arms might not have been spared either. At the very least, he’d be laid up for a month, if not worse.

The man was dragged off howling, shouting, "I’ll sue you! I’ll sue the hotel!"

Yu Shang pinched the bridge of his nose, forcing himself to stay calm, but he still couldn’t help getting angry when facing He Lansi. "You crippled him. My family will have to pay compensation."

He Lansi dusted off his hands and adjusted his clothes adorned with chains. "However much it is, I’ll pay. And I think you should be more concerned about the ‘escort card’ mess, no?"

Yu Shang’s face darkened. The matter was indeed suspicious—how could a five-star hotel like the *Macchiato International Garden* engage in such shady business? He immediately set out to handle it.

He Lansi smoothed his champagne-colored hair and grinned at Lu Qiuyan and Tian Ruan. "What, shell-shocked?"

Lu Qiuyan gave him a thumbs-up. "Now *that’s* a real man."

Tian Ruan: "..." That was straight-up savage.

Such violence was something Lu Qiuyan encountered from time to time, so he was used to it. Realizing this, Tian Ruan sympathetically said, "Lu Qiuyan, let’s go rest for a bit."

Lu Qiuyan shrugged it off. "I still have work to do. You go ahead."

"I’ll get you paid leave."

"No need."

For the first time, Tian Ruan used his own status to request something from the hotel’s general manager, who readily agreed. In truth, the general manager no longer had the time to deal with Tian Ruan—he was busy getting chewed out by Yu Shang.

"Yu Shang, I truly had no idea about this," the general manager, a middle-aged man in his forties—supposedly in his prime—said, his head bowed under the scolding of a seventeen-year-old.

It wasn’t exactly a scolding, but every word felt like a knife slowly carving into his spine.

"Whether you knew or not, those under-the-table profits couldn’t have reached you without your involvement."

"I’ll get to the bottom of this. Give me another chance."

"You shouldn’t be saying that to me, but to headquarters."

"Yu Shang..."

"If you’re clean, you’re fine."

The general manager’s face turned ashen.

Yu Shang was done talking. He rounded up every manager and called in the police for a full investigation. The moment the police arrived, the managers panicked, and several were hauled off for interrogation on the spot.

The hotel was shut down, likely not reopening until the following evening.

During the lockdown, current guests weren’t kicked out, and staff continued working—only new bookings were barred, with no online reservations available for that day.

Watching the show wrap up, Tian Ruan said to Lu Qiuyan, "Take the paid vacay, alright?"

Lu Qiuyan: "...You planned this?"

Tian Ruan had indeed known how this plot would unfold—otherwise, how could he set up alone time for the novel’s main CP?

It was barely the start of the holiday, and the hotel's occupancy rate was already low. With this lockdown, the losses would amount to at least a million over the next two days. Though Yu Shang was stressed about it, he still reported the situation truthfully to his father.

Yu Jingmo's tone was indifferent: "Our reputation matters more than the loss. End of story."

"Yes."

"Hang out with your stepdad and have some fun. Do your duty as a son."

"...Yes."

Since when did Tian Ruan need his 'dutiful son' to babysit him?

Yu Shang was speechless, but he still obeyed his father's orders. He found Tian Ruan in the lobby café, munching on pastries, and asked what he wanted to do—name it, and it’s yours.

Tian Ruan thought for a moment. "I’ve got homework."

"..."

"Lu Qiuyan, want to cram together?" Tian Ruan took the chance to buddy up with Lu Qiuyan. Now, he had likely been upgraded from expendable extra to minor supporting role. With a bit more effort, he might even become a key character and avoid his bad ending.

Lu Qiuyan nodded. "Sure."

Tian Ruan invited Yu Shang, "Want to join us?"

Yu Shang: "I’ve already finished mine."

Tian Ruan was incredulous. "All that homework, already done?"

"I’ve got a lighter workload."

"Why?"

"For me, grinding through problems is pointless."

"..."

Lu Qiuyan went to fetch his backpack from the hotel lobby's storage locker. As he passed Yu Shang, he muttered, "Tryhard."

Yu Shang: "..."

The hotel was dead during the day—tourists were out sightseeing, and business travelers were working. The lobby café had only a handful of people. He Lansi slouched on the couch, mindlessly doomscrolling and playing games.

After a few rounds, the two cramming like their lives depended on it were still going strong.

"I’ll take you to an amusement park—I’ll cover everything," He Lansi whined, chucking his phone aside out of sheer boredom.

Tian Ruan didn’t even look up. "Buzz off. Homework’s calling."

"How much longer will you take?"

"About three hours."

He Lansi swore and bolted upright. "Could’ve told me sooner. Peace."

Tian Ruan shot back, "Dismissed, peasant."

"..."

Lu Qiuyan chuckled and said, "You're dismissed then," while twirling his pen and nodding.

He Lansi laughed, "What is this, the imperial court?"

Before Lu Qiuyan could reply, Yu Shang, who had been reading nearby, spoke up: "Mr. He's too important for us students. If there’s nothing important, please don’t bother us with your homework questions."

He Lansi strolled toward the door, muttering, "God, this is boring."

Doing homework was indeed boring, but Tian Ruan enjoyed this state—it felt cozy.

Tian Ruan carefully worked through calculations on his draft paper. His handwriting wasn’t as neat as Yu Shang’s, but it was elegant and refined, much like himself. In contrast, Lu Qiuyan’s handwriting looked like drunken earthworms, crooked and barely legible.

Tian Ruan noticed but didn’t comment—after all, that’s how it was in the original novel.

The protagonist shou was free-spirited, his messy handwriting costing him neatness points in every exam. Otherwise, he could’ve ranked in the top ten of his grade.

Later, this awful handwriting was eventually corrected by the protagonist gong…

Right on cue, Yu Shang suddenly set down his book and walked over to inspect their homework.

The tea table was by the window, where the lighting was excellent, highlighting every messy stroke—before, Yu Shang could turn a blind eye to Lu Qiuyan’s handwriting.

But now, he had seen Tian Ruan’s.

Yu Shang’s brows furrowed repeatedly before he finally tapped Lu Qiuyan’s scribble-filled homework. "Try writing properly."

Lu Qiuyan lied shamelessly, "I *am* being careful," emphasizing the word.

"Rewrite it."

"Why?"

"Or I’ll take points off."

"We’re off-campus."

"I’ll still take them off."

"..."

The original novel’s protagonist gong and shou locked eyes in a silent standoff while Tian Ruan stayed quiet. He mediated, "Lu Qiuyan, clean up your writing a bit. If you make it into the top ten, your scholarship will increase by five hundred."

Lu Qiuyan: "Is that true?"

Tian Ruan: "Yu Shang can make that happen right now."

"??"

Yu Shang’s stern face immediately thawed. "That’s an excellent proposal. After the holiday, I’ll work something out with the principal."

Lu Qiuyan fell silent for a moment, rolled his eyes, tore out the page, and grudgingly started over.

...

Before they knew it, evening approached. Tian Ruan finished all his homework, and Lu Qiuyan closed his workbook soon after, saying with a lazy stretch, "I’m out."

Tian Ruan tried to get him to stay, "Stay for dinner, then we can play games together."

After all, he was still a seventeen-year-old boy—the mention of gaming got him instantly excited. "Alright," Lu Qiuyan said.

After dinner, Tian Ruan led Lu Qiuyan back to his suite and informed Yu Shang and He Lansi, attempting to create a love triangle drama. However, the effect was far from satisfactory.

He Lansi, nonchalant as usual, arrived and simply joined the gaming session, speaking to Lu Qiuyan in a perfectly normal manner.

Warning bells rang in Tian Ruan’s mind—had his interference caused He Lansi to lose interest in Lu Qiuyan? How, then, could he orchestrate the "first kiss" scene between Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan?

This scene was one of the most crucial plot points for advancing the romantic development between the original protagonist couple.

No matter what, he had to make sure Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan "sealed the deal" tonight.

Just as Tian Ruan was wracking his brain over how to proceed, Yu Jingmo sent him a message.

Yu Jingmo: You eat yet?

Tian Ruan: Yes.

Yu Jingmo: There’s an outdoor pool near the amusement park next to the hotel. If you’re bored, go exercise. Cut back on gaming.

Tian Ruan: …How are you spying on me inside my room?

Yu Jingmo: Look out the window.

Tian Ruan turned his head toward the ornate American-style window. The frames were white, the glass pale blue—especially at night, making it difficult to see outside clearly from within, but the outside offered a full view of the inside.

A burly bodyguard cupped his hands around his eyes, pressing them against the glass, conducting eagle-eyed surveillance and reporting every detail to Yu Jingmo.

He saw the madam storming toward him.

As the window was yanked open, he immediately straightened his posture, his muscular frame swaying slightly on the rappel line, flashing an earnest, dopey smile: "Don’t be scared, Madam. It’s me, Da Zhuang."

Tian Ruan said flatly: "Tch. Get lost."

Without another word, the bodyguard swiftly climbed down the rope and vanished.

Tian Ruan tried to close the curtains—but they wouldn’t budge. He picked up the damn remote to shut them, only to turn around and find his buddies staring at him oddly.

"How about we go swimming instead?" Tian Ruan suggested. Staying here playing games wasn’t solving anything—they needed interaction.

He Lansi chuckled lightly: "Sure."

The hotel had thoughtfully prepared swim trunks for them—three sets, none for Tian Ruan.

Tian Ruan: "Where’s mine?"

The staff smiled apologetically: "Mr. Tian’s swimwear will be delivered by the Yu family’s butler."

While Tian Ruan waited for his swimwear, the other three had already changed and emerged, damn near blinding him—what kind of fashion show-worthy half-naked spectacle was this?

Yu Shang, the original male lead, was naturally impeccable—lean in clothes, muscular without them. At seventeen, his physique oozed teenage masculinity, his muscles well-defined, his lines as powerful and beautiful as a lion’s.

Though Lu Qiuyan often got into fights and was tall, his family’s bankruptcy had left him underfed. As thin as he appeared clothed, he was just as lean unclothed—but his proportions were flawless, with a narrow waist, long legs, and, notably, a pert ass.

He Lansi brazenly checked out the MC's ass for a long while. Once Yu Shang noticed, he stepped in front of Lu Qiuyan.

"Shang-er, you’re looking fine yourself," He Lansi teased with a roguish grin.

Yu Shang: "..."

Lu Qiuyan instinctively glanced at Yu Shang’s "not exactly modest" package—not just not modest, but downright impressive.

"Where are you looking?" Yu Shang's temples bulged with veins, though no one noticed the faint redness at the base of his ears.

Lu Qiuyan, face burning, averted his gaze nonchalantly. "Nowhere."

"You did."

"..."

He Lansi rubbed his chin, eyeing the two teenagers thoughtfully. "Are you two together?"

"Piss off," Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan snapped in unison. As their voices faded, they exchanged a glance before quickly breaking eye contact.

The four walked for about ten minutes to the poolside and began warming up.

Tian Ruan's swimwear finally arrived. The butler smiled warmly and said, "This is the swimsuit Mr. Yu personally selected for you, Madam. It’s brimming with his love for you."

Tian Ruan didn’t understand how a swimsuit could embody love. He took it—a drab gray with neon green stripes, looking rather odd.

Still, he said nothing and went to a nearby restroom to change. It fit snugly, covering everything but his calves and forearms.

Staring at himself in the mirror, *The swimsuit might be ugly, but it’s warm. Yu Jingmo’s judgment might be off this time, but I should still be grateful.*

Yet when he stepped out of the restroom under the night sky, the three by the pool stared at him: "..."

Tian Ruan: "?"

The butler maintained his smile. "Madam, you’re certainly… unique."

Dread washed over him. Tian Ruan looked down—his chest, shoulders, arms, and thighs were glowing. The neon green stripes were now illuminated, making him look like a freshly crash-landed alien.

Lu Qiuyan gave a thumbs-up. "Daring."

Tian Ruan: "..."

Any gratitude vanished instantly.

Snatching the phone from the butler, Tian Ruan video-called Yu Jingmo. The moment the call connected, Yu Jingmo took in his bizarre outfit and asked, "What planet did this little alien beam down from?"

Face reddening with outrage, Tian Ruan demanded, "Do you think this looks good?"

It was still daytime where Yu Jingmo was, seemingly at a banquet. He strolled leisurely to the balcony, mouth twitching with suppressed laughter. "It’s dangerous to swim at night. This makes it easier for others to spot you."

"So they can laugh at me?"

"Who’d dare?"

"Even if they don’t say it, their eyes are laughing—you’re laughing!" Tian Ruan accused, glaring at the handsome yet utterly infuriating man on the screen.

Yu Jingmo *was* laughing, though restrained. "Just deal with it for now. When I return, I’ll get you one you actually like."

Tian Ruan asked, "Can’t I just wear trunks?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"While I’m gone, you’ve got to keep up appearances."

"..." Tian Ruan suddenly asked, "Wait—*I’m* the wife here?"

Yu Jingmo gave the perfect answer: "We're each other's husbands."

Just a simple term of endearment, and Tian Ruan was immediately cheered up. "Alright then. When you get back, I'll pick a swimsuit I really like."

"Yeah."

"I'm going to go have fun now."

"Sure."

Tian Ruan ended the call and, under everyone's odd stares, said firmly, "A swimsuit's gotta be practical first. Looks are secondary."

Lu Qiuyan: "So, will you wear it again next time?"

Tian Ruan: "No."

Everyone cracked up.

Lu Qiuyan and Yu Shang got into the water one after another, while He Lansi approached Tian Ruan, his sly fox eyes sweeping over him. "Look at this slender waist, this nice ass—Yu Jingmo is a damn lucky guy."

Tian Ruan, doing his warm-up exercises: "Keep eyeballing me like that... and you might not be so lucky to enjoy life anymore."

He Lansi had pretty, almost girlish features—champagne-colored hair tied into a small bun at the back of his head, a few strands falling over his ears and cheeks, narrow eyes, long brows, a straight nose, and thin lips—all super sexy. "You're good-looking, so I like looking at you. Do you think I'm good-looking?"

Tian Ruan stayed loyal: "You're okay, I guess, but not as good-looking as Mr. Yu."

He Lansi scoffed. "You've got no taste."

"What are you, some prize?"

He Lansi narrowed his eyes. "Say that again."

Tian Ruan plunged in, with He Lansi following close behind.

Five seconds later, the two of them shrieked and flailed their way back to the edge of the pool. Under the warm yellow glow of the poolside lights, a "corpse" slowly surfaced.

Everyone was stunned.

Just as Yu Shang was about to call security, the "corpse" suddenly opened its eyes and spoke in a sleepy, deep voice: "So noisy."

"..."

It was a man—tall, lean, and muscular, with broad shoulders but surprisingly delicate facial features. His legs, clad in black swim trunks, sank as he effortlessly steadied himself. With long, bony fingers, he slicked back his wet hair and shot a cold look at the two pretty young men by the pool.

"Screaming like pigs being slaughtered—utterly undignified," the man said.

Tian Ruan, still recovering: "Who are you?"

The man's eyes suddenly fixed on Tian Ruan. "...You look just like my mom."

Tian Ruan: "???"

The others: "???"

He Lansi: "Since when did you and Yu Jingmo pop out a grown kid?"

Tian Ruan: "Hell no we didn't!"