Chapter 62

Chapter 62

After Lu Qiuyan finished his belated lunch, he didn’t actually do anything extreme to the three creeps—just gave them a scare and warned them never to "force themselves on girls" again. Once they admitted their wrongdoing, he let them go.

Then, Lu Qiuyan scolded the girl, "Next time those losers ask you out, don’t be naive enough to go with them."

The girl replied flustered, "Thank you, Brother Lu."

"I’m not your brother, and I can’t protect you forever," Lu Qiuyan said coldly. "If you want ways to protect yourself, talk to your parents about signing up for a martial arts class during winter break."

The girl: "...Oh."

With some time left before afternoon classes, Tian Ruan suggested, "Since we’re out, let’s take a stroll around the street and get some snacks to chill out."

Yu Shang was about to refuse when Lu Qiuyan said, "Sure."

Admittedly, aside from the arcade, this street was pretty much a shopping district for women—luxury boutiques, cosmetics stores, clothing shops, nail salons… Other than the food street, the large shopping mall, and the arcade, there wasn’t much else worth browsing.

Tian Ruan, who hadn’t gone grocery shopping in a while, excitedly bought a pile of snacks, then shoved them all into Lu Qiuyan’s hands under the excuse that he couldn’t finish them himself.

Lu Qiuyan rolled his eyes. "If you can’t finish them, why buy so much? What a waste of money."

Tian Ruan: "Exactly, so take one for the team and finish them."

"You could take them home."

"You think if I drag this giant bag of snacks in front of Mr. Yu, I won’t get lectured?"

"...Then why buy them?"

Tian Ruan smirked. Though Yu Jingmo didn’t restrict his snacking, his schoolbag only had so much space—mostly for books, so snacks are a stretch. Unless it was an outdoor activity class, Yu Jingmo would quietly let him bring extra snacks, not just for himself but to share with classmates as a way to bond.

The afternoon passed without any further incidents. Tian Ruan attended his classes normally, his role as a student council observer pretty much useless—there was no need for him to participate.

Moreover, neither he nor Yu Shang had managed to convince Lu Qiuyan to join the student council. In the original novel, Lu Qiuyan never joined at all, and it seemed this setting was unchangeable.

By 4:30 p.m., the sun had begun to set. While other high schools were still in their third afternoon class, the prestigious Deyin High School was already out.

Tian Ruan packed his bag, paid his respects to the statue of Lord Wenchang, and dashed toward the school gate.

Over time, he had become less clueless about cars. Yu Jingmo usually came in a Maybach—understated among the flashy luxury cars, making it relatively easy to spot.

Tian Ruan hopped into the car, having already forgotten what he’d said to Yu Jingmo that morning—until two candied hawthorns in oil-paper wrappers were handed to him.

"One hawthorn, one strawberry," Yu Jingmo said.

Tian Ruan looked them over. "I’ll have the hawthorn. You take the strawberry."

"The strawberry at the top is the biggest. You eat it."

Tian Ruan opened his mouth wide and chomped down, but it was too big to fit, so he only managed half.

Yu Jingmo ate the remaining half of the strawberry, along with its crispy sugar coating, the sweet and tangy flavor exploding in his mouth.

Turns out, a kiss isn’t as sweet as candy—rather, candy isn’t as sweet as a kiss.

Tian Ruan gawked at Yu Jingmo, who had eaten the strawberry he’d bitten without a second thought.

"Kinda tart," Yu Jingmo remarked. "Doesn’t beat the ones at home."

Tian Ruan: "Obviously. The stores outside aren’t using twenty-yuan-per-strawberry ingredients to make five-yuan candied haws."

Yu Jingmo slowly swallowed the tart-sweet strawberry. "If you want candied haws next time, you can ask Liu Ma to make them. I looked it up—it’s dead simple."

Tian Ruan took another bite of the hawthorn candied haws. "Candied haws are pure nostalgia."

"Nostalgia?"

"Yeah, when I was little, snacks were a luxury. Occasionally, I’d buy a stick of candied haws—back then, it only cost one yuan."

Yu Jingmo: "I didn’t eat much candied haws as a child. My parents said sugar rots your teeth."

Tian Ruan nodded. "True. Most kids around me had cavities back then. I ate less, so I didn’t get any."

Occasionally eating a stick of candied haws was indeed delicious, though it left your stomach sour.

Yu Jingmo twisted open a water bottle and handed it to him.

"My queen, you’re a godsend," Tian Ruan joked.

Before Yu Jingmo could respond, the driver jerked the wheel, causing the car to sway.

Tian Ruan lost his balance and pitched into Yu Jingmo—

A candied haw’s width apart from kissing Yu Jingmo’s beautifully arched lips.

The driver glanced in the rearview mirror. "Sorry, sir, ma’am. Are you both alright?"

More than alright—they were drowning in heart-eyes. The driver might as well have been third-wheeling.

Tian Ruan hurriedly sat back up, holding the candied haws they had both "kissed." He popped one into his mouth, cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.

Yu Jingmo licked the sugar dust from his lips but said nothing.

Just as they returned to the manor and dropped their bags, Tian Ruan saw the butler bow in. "Madam Du, the Du family has invited you and the sir to visit."

The bonus-cut threat worked—the butler was noticeably more cautious now, every move textbook-perfect.

Tian Ruan asked, "What for?"

Butler: "I heard Chairman Du has returned." Calling him "Mr. Du" would sound too young—using his title was just right.

Upon hearing that his placeholder dad was back, Tian Ruan began recalling the man’s role in the original novel. The conclusion? Less relevant than a background extra—a footnote of a side character, with only a vague outline of personality.

—His relationship with Madam Du was tepid, his relationship with Du Henbie was tepid, and his relationship with everyone else was tepid.

Thus, his placeholder dad’s name was incredibly casual: Du Danren.

So the only impression readers had of him was that he was a "tepid" person.

"..."

Yu Jingmo changed into a silver-gray suit, dabbed on cedar cologne, and combed his hair again—the picture of polished charm.

In contrast, Tian Ruan still had the baby-faced high-schooler vibe.

Tian Ruan: "Should I dress up a bit?"

Yu Jingmo studied him, then reached out to smooth his slightly messy hair. "You’re fine like this."

This time Yu Shang did not accompany them, as the invitation specifically mentioned only the couple Tian Ruan and Yu Jingmo.

Driving into the "Prosperity Manor" neighborhood, Tian Ruan felt a little nervous: "I wonder if my absentee dad likes me."

"Absentee dad?" Yu Jingmo chuckled. "Fitting description."

Tian Ruan had accidentally spoken his mind.

"I don't think he likes you," Yu Jingmo warned him in advance. "Don’t get your hopes up."

Tian Ruan: "...Alright."

If he truly liked this youngest son, he wouldn't have waited until now to return to the country. No matter how busy, he could’ve squeezed in a video call.

The message was loud and clear—this absentee dad had no expectations whatsoever for his long-lost youngest son.

"Don’t take it to heart," Yu Jingmo held Tian Ruan's hand.

Tian Ruan thought about it carefully and, surprisingly, found that he wasn't sad at all. "...I might be a terrible son."

"?"

"I have no expectations of him either. Beyond blood, we’re strangers."

Yu Jingmo chuckled lightly. "Yeah."

Soon, they arrived at the Du family's villa. Though temporary, the villa was elegantly decorated, and the garden radiated warmth and life.

Tian Ruan rang the doorbell.

The butler, Dew, came out, smiling. "Please come in, Master Tian. And you too, Mr. Yu."

Entering the living room, they saw a family of three seated in the modest sofa area: a gentle and resilient mother, a composed and dignified son, and a father... off in his own world.

"Xiao Ruan," Madam Du stood up and instructed the maid, "Bring the pear soup, quick. The weather is dry now—this will soothe the throat."

After a pause, Du Danren’s gaze shifted over. Though he was already in his fifties, his face was clean-shaven, and he wore thin silver-framed glasses, looking more scholar than businessman.

Du Henbie had clearly inherited his father's refined appearance, even surpassing him—his smile came easier than his father’s.

Du Danren rarely smiled, his face stern. "Hello."

Tian Ruan: "Hello."

Yu Jingmo: "Pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Yu Jingmo."

Du Danren: "Mm. Hello."

"..."

Du Henbie summed up this father-son reunion: "Hello all around!"

Madam Du gave her eldest a sharp look and mustered an awkward smile. "Come, have a seat."

Tian Ruan and Yu Jingmo sat together on the two-seater sofa reserved for them, with Madam Du to their left, Du Danren to their right, and Du Henbie across from them.

The pear soup was served, and everyone held a bowl, faking a cheerful atmosphere.

Tian Ruan, however, sipped the soup thoughtfully. The mild sweetness of the white pear blended with the flavors of hawthorn, dried tangerine peel, and goji berries, warming him from the inside.

"Haa~" Tian Ruan blew gently.

"Haa~" Du Danren blew gently.

"..."

"..."

"Too hot?" Yu Jingmo asked Tian Ruan. "Wait a bit before drinking."

Tian Ruan took a sip of the warm pear soup. "It’s okay, I’ll cool it by blowing."

Madam Du looked at Du Danren. "Blow gently, don’t let it make noise."

Du Danren: "...Alright."

Tian Ruan also stopped blowing audibly.

Madam Du then said, "Xiao Ruan, slow down, don’t scald yourself."

"Yeah."

The family drank the pear soup in quiet unease.

Du Danren seemed to finally remember his role as a father and stared at Tian Ruan. "How old are you?"

Tian Ruan: "Twenty?"

"Twenty and still in high school?"

"...Quit for a bit, then returned."

"Why quit?"

"No money for it."

Du Danren fell silent for a moment before saying, "Now that money isn’t an issue, you can study up to a Ph.D."

Tian Ruan: "Yeah."

Du Danren pressed further, "Did you marry for money too?"

Tian Ruan: "..." This so-called dad’s questions were cutting.

"If so, you’re free to divorce."

"......"

Madam Du scowled. "What are you saying? Telling the child to divorce right off the bat?"

Du Danren looked baffled. "Marriage only matters if it’s for love. They’re not in love."

"How do you know that?" Tian Ruan rushed to argue. "I married Mr. Yu out of love! Isn’t that right, Mr. Yu?"

Du Danren studied them, his stern face sharp with scrutiny.

Yu Jingmo, unfazed in such moments, smiled at Tian Ruan, his sharp phoenix eyes softening a touch. "Of course."

Tian Ruan, though, couldn’t look Yu Jingmo in the eye. He’d only said it in a panic—what made him think he could claim they were in love? It was ridiculous.

He was still figuring out his own feelings.

But... he didn't want others to decide his life for him.

His life should be his own choice.

Before he could clearly understand his own feelings, and with the three-year agreement still in place, Tian Ruan wouldn't easily divorce Yu Jingmo. Besides, he still wanted to get front-row seats to the main couple's romance!

He absolutely couldn't lose track of the main plot, or anything could happen.

Tian Ruan looked firmly at his so-called father, "Marrying Mr. Yu is something I don’t regret, and I won’t divorce him. Don't even try to come between us."

The corners of Yu Jingmo's lips turned up slightly.

Du Danren: "...I was just throwing it out there. Since you both have feelings for each other, I’m not here to play the villain."

Tian Ruan: "?"

Du Danren added: "The one who comes between lovers."

Why did this scene feel so familiar?

Tian Ruan recalled that when he decided to bring Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan together, cheering on their love and giving their love his blessing, he had thought the same thing—never be the one who comes between lovers!

Tian Ruan: "..."

Du Danren stood up, "Alright, I've said my hellos. I’m off to work."

Madam Du hesitated to speak.

Du Danren: "Madam, see you tonight."

"Mhm."

Du Danren looked around and chose to exit the sofa area from his eldest son’s side. But then somehow, he tripped and went crashing face-first to the floor.

Du Henbie: "Dad!"

Madam Du: "Danren!"

Tian Ruan: "So-called father!" ...?

"? (literally 'cheap dad')"