Chapter 85

Chapter 85

The suffocatingly deep kiss, the heat spreading through his body like spring water, sent Tian Ruan into an unfamiliar yet thrilling surge of passion.

His mind went blank, unable to think of anything else—his only thought was to breathe.

Tian Ruan’s kissing skills remained clumsy. A kiss that lingered just a second too long from Yu Jingmo left him breathless, his hands fumbling awkwardly, letting himself be manhandled, only letting out soft, breathy whimpers.

"...Mmm..." Tian Ruan finally remembered he had hands to push Yu Jingmo away, but when his palms pressed against Yu Jingmo’s broad, firm chest, it was like pushing against an unyielding mountain. He wasn’t the Foolish Old Man—if anything, he only embodied the "foolish" part of the tale.

After nearly a minute of whimpers, Yu Jingmo finally allowed the young man to catch his breath.

Tian Ruan gasped like a fish out of water, desperately inhaling the precious air, his face flushed, dazed and panting.

Yu Jingmo traced his crimson lips, where pearly teeth glinted, his tongue wet and shyly retreating.

A moment later, those lips exhaled warm breath, tempting him closer.

Yu Jingmo lowered his head to kiss him again.

The young man turned his face away. "People will notice..."

Yu Jingmo shifted to kiss his cheek, earlobe, and neck, then gently nipped at his delicate, prominent collarbone—the sensation just as intoxicating as his lips.

Tian Ruan trembled, feeling like prey about to be consumed, his body damp—some parts glistening with sweat, others tingling from Yu Jingmo’s touch.

Yu Jingmo posed him a challenging question.

This question was worth ten points in total. Seeing that Tian Ruan couldn’t solve it, Yu Jingmo first guided him through it.

Starting from the periphery, he analyzed the question’s structure to deduce its shape. Then, working the equation, he unraveled layer after layer of resistance with slow, deliberate strokes, reaching the core.

As long as the right equation was applied, no problem was unsolvable.

Yu Jingmo explained the formula and the approach—no matter how complex the question, in his hands, it unraveled effortlessly, revealing its true nature, achieving the state where seeing the mountain as the mountain, the water as the water.

"Like this... do you understand?" Yu Jingmo murmured.

Tian Ruan shook his head—still lost.

So Yu Jingmo continued solving the question for him. When it became clear Tian Ruan still didn’t grasp it, he painted a landscape—spring’s warmth woven into every brushstroke, dragons in flight, phoenixes twirling.

Tian Ruan still didn’t understand.

Neither the math nor the art—mountains and waters twisting endlessly, a dragon hidden in the abyss, unseen by the world.

Tian Ruan transformed into a brave warrior to slay the dragon, only to fall into its trap, captured and plundered of every treasure.

"Wicked dragon!" Tian Ruan managed to strike it once in retaliation before the end.

"It should be called a divine dragon," Yu Jingmo corrected, holding him close. "Now, do you understand?"

Tian Ruan panted softly, curled into Yu Jingmo’s embrace. "...No."

Yu Jingmo chuckled softly. "Next time, I’ll go slower. For now, you need rest."

A sticky mess, too spent to move, Tian Ruan shot Yu Jingmo a pitiful glare. "You did this to me."

"Mm." Yu Jingmo took responsibility and swept him up for a bath.

The result of their afternoon delight was Tian Ruan sleeping through the whole afternoon.

By evening, after eating and washing up, he crashed again.

Lu Qiuyan came by to see Tian Ruan after finishing his homework, only to find him asleep once more. He left shaking his head muttering, "How can he sleep so much?"

Yu Shang: "Maybe it's the concussion making him drowsy."

Lu Qiuyan shot Yu Shang a glance. "You're so innocent."

"?"

"Maybe your dad deserves some credit."

"What credit does my dad have?"

"Getting laid."

"..." Yu Shang said, "That can't be. Tian Ruan still has a concussion."

Lu Qiuyan hoisted his backpack over his shoulder and walked out of the manor gate. "All you remember is the concussion, but forget that he's your younger dad—your father's lawfully wedded partner. Two guys alone in a room, how could nothing happen?"

Yu Shang thought for a moment. "Then you and I are alone in a room all the time, and nothing happens."

Lu Qiuyan said awkwardly, "How is that the same? We're not married."

"...Oh."

Even the driver was getting impatient. Young master, you dense idiot, can't you say something sweet?

Then, on the way to take Lu Qiuyan home, Yu Shang stayed clueless the entire time. Lu Qiuyan glanced at him several times, biting his tongue, until at the alley entrance, he finally said, "See you tomorrow," and went home.

The driver could only sigh.

Yu Shang paid no attention because his head was in the clouds.

The next day was Monday. While others went to school, Tian Ruan stayed home having a steamy dream.

In the dream, the dragon still soared through the skies, attending to needs with both hands and mouth. When Tian Ruan woke up, he felt a heavy guilt—so depraved, all because of Yu Jingmo...

At just eighteen, he had already experienced grown-up pleasures.

Tian Ruan's scattered thoughts couldn't focus on the textbook problems. To bring his mind back, he opened his tablet and played past English CET-4 exam questions.

Gradually, his head cleared, and his mind cleansed.

When Yu Jingmo entered, Tian Ruan immediately said, switching to English, "Good morning, sir."

Yu Jingmo: "Good morning, sweetheart."

With that, Yu Jingmo leaned down and kissed Tian Ruan's forehead.

Tian Ruan: "..." Stay strong, keep it clean!

Yu Jingmo stopped the playback of the English exam audio and said, "Let's go have breakfast."

Tian Ruan: "Got it, I'll wash my face and brush my teeth first."

Yu Jingmo: "Are you planning to speak to me in English all day today?"

Tian Ruan: *Yes.*

Yu Jingmo smiled without a word. In the manor, apart from him and the housekeeper who were fluent in English, others probably wouldn’t understand.

Then—

Liu Ma chatted with Auntie Zhang: “The madam must be flirting with Mr. Yu in a foreign language. I caught a word or two, like ‘hungry,’ *san ke you,* and ‘rear.’”

Auntie Zhang: “Tsk tsk, young couples these days!”

Tian Ruan overheard and said, “……That’s ‘pig’—it means ‘hog.’”

Liu Ma flustered: “Madam isn’t speaking English anymore? So sorry, this old country fool can’t understand.”

Tian Ruan gave up on speaking English.

That night, Yu Shang came back. Though way more mature than kids his age, a teenager’s emotions still showed on his face—he seemed somewhat down.

When Tian Ruan asked about school, Yu Shang said, “A transfer student joined Class 1.”

“A transfer student? Who?”

“Named Nan Huaiju, the cousin of Nan Mengyao from Class 8.”

“…”

“‘Oranges south of the Huai are sweet’—Nan Huaiju’s name had a role in the original story.”

As Nan Mengyao’s cousin, Nan Huaiju had been doted on since childhood. Unlike his noble-hearted cousin, however, he was infamous for troublemaking. After beating someone up at his previous school and the parents raising hell until he had to leave, he transferred to Deyin through his family’s connections.

Upon arriving, Nan Huaiju zeroed in on Yu Shang and attempted to force his way into Yu Shang’s life—only to discover Yu Shang's family background far outmatched his own.

Now what?

Rather than retreat, Nan Huaiju observed closely and noticed Yu Shang's closeness to Lu Qiuyan, so he went to provoke Lu Qiuyan. He then found out his cousin had a crush on Yu Shang, so he taunted Nan Mengyao. Convinced the entire student council coveted Yu Shang, he started shit with every single one.

Within a month, Nan Huaiju had offended the entire student council and was ultimately kicked out of Deyin for good.

Such a beautiful name, yet he was an even more insignificant cannon fodder than Tian Ruan.

Tian Ruan was thrilled—after all, cannon fodder existed solely to advance the main couple's romance, and Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan had been stuck in a rut for too long. Finally, a cannon fodder had arrived.

Tian Ruan did the math: “No worries, Hai Chao is also transferring to Deyin. He’ll wipe the floor with Nan Huaiju.”

Yu Shang: “??”

There’s always someone tougher. Nan Huaiju's provocation of Lu Qiuyan not only ignited Yu Shang's protective instincts but also deepened Hai Chao’s sympathy for Lu Qiuyan. The showdown would be epic.

Tian Ruan couldn’t wait to return to school, itching to see the drama... well, ‘protect’ their dear Lu Qiuyan.

After dinner, Tian Ruan marched into Yu Jingmo’s room and slammed the door with a flourish.

Yu Jingmo watched him leisurely. “What is it?”

Tian Ruan inhaled, exhaled, and forced out two tears: “Husband, I want to go back to school.”

Yu Jingmo sat by the window on a small sofa, the soft yellow glow of the reading lamp casting a halo over his striking profile—arched brows, phoenix eyes, heart-stoppingly gorgeous.

They say lamplight enhances beauty, and Tian Ruan was utterly mesmerized, his tears forgotten.

Yu Jingmo stretched his long legs, lifting slender fingers from the snow-white pages of the book, and beckoned, "Come here."

Tian Ruan bounded over eagerly, naturally settling onto his lap and wrapping his arms around Yu Jingmo’s neck, his throat prominent, unable to resist snuggling close.

After a while, Tian Ruan came to his senses: "..."

Yu Jingmo wrapped an arm around his slender waist, pulling him closer, and buried his face in his neck, breathing him in like a cat drawn to catnip.

Tian Ruan squirmed. "Mr. Yu, no... I still have to go to school."

Yu Jingmo tugged his earlobe between his teeth and murmured, "You were the one who threw yourself at me."

Tian Ruan: "...You seduced me."

"Hmm?" Yu Jingmo eased up just enough but didn’t let go. "How so?"

Tian Ruan didn’t know how to explain—his kissed earlobes flamed like embers, the heat spreading to his cheeks.

The answer didn’t matter. Yu Jingmo kissed him.

Tian Ruan squirmed as if scalded but couldn’t bring himself to pull away, limbs weak as he clung to Yu Jingmo’s arms...

After a lengthy bout of kisses and clinging, Tian Ruan finally exclaimed: "I want to go to school!"

Yu Jingmo helped him pull up his pants and chuckled, "Hubby says yes."

Though he consented, Yu Jingmo laid out three conditions: First, no strenuous activities at school; second, no horsing around with friends; third, no overthinking.

Tian Ruan knew it was for his own good. After repeatedly promising to play dumb, Yu Jingmo sent him to school the next day.

Overjoyed, Tian Ruan messaged Lu Qiuyan: *I’m going to school! Let’s have lunch together!*

Lu Qiuyan: *Head on straight now?*

Tian Ruan: *My brain was always fine, just a bit scrambled these past few days.*

Lu Qiuyan: *Picked up a banana for you—brain food.*

Tian Ruan: *Thanks / mwah!*

Lu Qiuyan: *...*

Before Tian Ruan even entered the classroom, Director Hu’s voice blared through the speakers: *"Zhu Zhizhi from Class 8, Grade 2, is hereby reprimanded for reading obscene material. Let this serve as a warning to all students—do not read inappropriate books! Zhu Zhizhi will deliver a 500-word self-criticism during morning exercises for the entire school to hear. Learn from this mistake!"*

Tian Ruan: "......"

So Zhu Zhizhi had been called out yesterday, and now again today. Would this go on for days? Talk about brutal.

Silently sending thoughts and prayers, Tian Ruan sauntered into the classroom.

"...Tian Ruan? Tian Ruan!!" Wang Weiqi howled, making a grab for him.

Calm and unhurried, Tian Ruan sidestepped, and Wang Weiqi ate linoleum.

Wang Weiqi: "..."

Tian Ruan set his bag down at his desk and feigned amnesia: "Do I know you? Sorry, I don’t remember you." His gaze swept the room before landing on an unfamiliar boy’s face. "But I remember you! You’re the bastard who sent me airborne!!!"

Dead silence. The bastard classmate: "..."

What a coincidence, he actually saw one of the culprits behind the pile-up accident that night—this kid.

If it weren’t for those reckless street racers, Tian Ruan wouldn’t have suffered a concussion, and Du Henbie wouldn’t still be lying in the hospital. Just my fucking luck.

Tian Ruan’s phone buzzed. He opened it to see—

Yu Jingmo: "Don’t mess around with classmates."

Tian Ruan: "...Got it."

He took a deep breath, calming himself: "When others anger me, I stay cool. Their provocations are just fuel. If I take the bait and rage, I'll pay the price—no help engaged."

The little shit said, "My name is Nan Huaiju. My bad for what happened. If you want to vent, go ahead and hit me twice—I won’t fight back."

Tian Ruan: "The hell?"