Chapter 135

Chapter 135

The entire school was in an uproar.

From the last incident, when a false rumor of Yan XX's arrival led to Wang Weiqi being trampled, it was clear how obsessed Deyin’s girls were with this “Mr. XX.”

Even the notoriously aloof Nan Mengyao had fallen for Yan XX.

How could such an ordinary name as “XX” become such a heavyweight star in this story?

Handsome? Of course—but there are plenty in the entertainment industry more handsome than XX.

A good singer? Sure—though broadcasting students might sing even better.

Good acting skills? Not bad—but the acting world is full of talent.

XX’s dominance in the entertainment industry for three years could only be described as the best of a mediocre bunch—pure luck, with no real competition in sight.

XX started as a minor idol, the kind of D-list celebrity who wasn’t fit to carry shoes for the big names. He debuted in some boy band where others were more handsome, but after the group disbanded and XX went solo, his opportunities improved slightly.

But that alone wasn’t enough to make him explode in popularity. So XX took on bit roles in various productions, using a scattershot approach to get his face recognized.

Later, with a few minor opportunities, he signed onto a variety show as a punching bag and sidekick, enduring all kinds of humiliation with a smile.

This unremarkable little star suddenly skyrocketed to fame overnight thanks to a web drama with a budget of ten million.

Fans dug into his past and discovered XX was truly dedicated and responsible, with no dirt on him. Even when he played a minor eunuch role, he’d munch on steamed buns while studying his script.

Fans wept: “XX deserves the best!”

When this minor celebrity suddenly gained millions of followers, just as many suspected it was a marketing scheme, XX’s pitiful past was unearthed.

Whether XX had backing or not, those years of bit parts, mockery, and attacks were undeniably real.

Then, his participation in the variety show *Detective X's Dedication* launched him to stardom.

How popular was this show? It aired globally, East and West, with its dramatic plots, stylish character designs, and unconventional reasoning, making it one of the hottest variety programs of the previous year.

Eight out of ten Deyin students had watched it. Tian Ruan was among the one or two who hadn’t.

Wang Weiqi: “Damn, he’s really coming?”

Tian Ruan, who knew this was coming, wasn’t surprised.

XX arrived at Deyin to film the show and unexpectedly learned about Zhu Jueshou’s rough situation—his family’s bankruptcy and daily harassment by debt collectors. XX felt for him, having once been buried in debt himself…

“He’ll definitely relate even more this time,” Tian Ruan snickered.

Moved by this connection, XX wanted to offer financial support to Lu Qiuyan, sensing an inexplicable pull toward him. But since the other was still a high school student, XX didn’t dwell on it—just a good deed, what some might call “spreading warmth” to the protagonist.

“Hopefully, this ‘warmth’ is worth a hundred grand,” Tian Ruan mused. He remembered the original book mentioned fifty thousand—maybe it’d double this time?

“What are you muttering about?” Wang Weiqi asked, confused.

Tian Ruan snapped out of it. “Nothing. What were you saying?”

“Yan XX is coming to film the show. Do you think we’ll get the day off?”

Tian Ruan looked at Wang Weiqi, whose face was as dark as goat droppings, and shook his head. “Wang Weiqi, is that all you care about right now?”

"Otherwise? You want us to be the audience? In your dreams."

"Nan Mengyao would probably love to be that audience."

"...Being an ordinary bystander is fine, as long as no one steps on me again."

"What if someone steps on your junk?"

Wang Weiqi flushed, though it was barely visible on his dark skin, and quoted with flair: *"To die under a peony, even as a ghost, is romantic."*

Tian Ruan: "You'd still be a dark-skinned ghost."

...

Director Hu's raspy voice continued: "The recording is scheduled for in two days and will only take one day, so it won’t interfere with your studies. Teachers and students who have other plans can request leave in advance."

The entire school: "You bet! We’ll take leave early to see Yan Xx!"

Tian Ruan didn’t care how excited the students were. All he could think about was how the money Yan Xx earned from filming the show would end up in his pocket, which gave him a kick.

"Is this the perk of being the boss?" After school, Tian Ruan asked Yu Jingmo while sitting in the car.

Yu Jingmo: "I’ve never worked for anyone—always been the boss, so I don’t know if this counts as joy. As long as you’re happy."

Tian Ruan glanced at him. "Flex, thanks."

Yu Jingmo’s lips curled slightly. "But I earn enough to support my family, and I think that’s good."

Tian Ruan immediately whined, "I want candied haw sticks."

After finishing one candied hawthorn, they arrived home.

The butler greeted them and said, "Yu Ba and his son are here, waiting in the tea room."

Tian Ruan was puzzled. "Yu Ba? Where did this 'Eighth Master' come from?"

"Yu Linluo’s father," Yu Jingmo replied succinctly, striding toward the main house with long steps, still holding Tian Ruan’s hand.

"What are they here for?" Tian Ruan couldn’t hide his surprise.

"Naturally, they’re here to ask for a favor," Yu Jingmo said icily, clearly having anticipated it. "Don’t let them in next time."

The butler bowed. "Yes, sir."

As soon as they entered the main house and Tian Ruan had just changed his shoes, hurried footsteps approached: "Jingmo, you're finally back! I've been waiting ages."

Like Yu Er, Yu Ba was a nameless NPC (non-player character)—of medium height, with a wrinkled, pale face framed by a scruffy black beard. His features suggested he had been handsome in his youth, but age hadn’t been kind.

Even minor cannon fodder with the surname Yu were rarely ugly. Clearly, the original author had a soft spot for this family name.

"Eighth Brother, what’s the matter?" Yu Jingmo’s tone was icy as he handed his coat to a servant. Just as he went to loosen his tie, the young man beside him beat him to it.

Yu Jingmo lowered his gaze. The youth’s wrist was slim, his fingers long and slender, appearing even fairer against the *sandalwood bead bracelet*. He caught that hand and said gently, "You’re tired too."

Tian Ruan smiled.

Yu Ba bit back his anger, but Yu Linluo wasn’t as polite. He jumped up and snapped, "Aren’t you two disgusting? Two grown men all over each other like that."

Tian Ruan flinched at his words.

Yu Jingmo's phoenix eyes swept over them, cold as ice.

Yu Ba flinched, then flew into a rage, raising his hand and slapping his son across the face. "You little bastard! Is that any way to talk to your uncle and uncle-in-law?"

Yu Linluo's cheek immediately turned red and swollen, with a thick, glaring palm print.

Tian Ruan widened his eyes. "Is that the Five-Finger Mountain?"

*(Note: A reference to the mountain in Journey to the West where the Monkey King was imprisoned)*

"..."

Yu Ba's gaze flickered as he forced a smile. "My sister-in-law's quite the comedian."

Tian Ruan: "...Who's your sister-in-law?"

"Oh, brother-in-law," Yu Ba quickly corrected, grinning obsequiously. "Don't mind him. Linluo is just an immature child who speaks without thinking."

"How old is this 'child' of yours?"

"Twenty-eight, counting the traditional way."

"I'm twenty by the same count."

"..." Yu Ba pivoted to Yu Jingmo, desperate to change the subject. "Jingmo, I came today to apologize for Linluo’s rudeness last time."

Yu Linluo’s expression darkened. "I wasn’t rude to them! They just stood by and watched me fight some nobody!"

"Shut your mouth," Yu Ba snapped before turning back with a Buddha-like smile. "Jingmo, my company is in a bit of trouble. You could fix it with a snap of your fingers."

Yu Jingmo took his seat at the head of the tea table, carefully warming a white porcelain teacup before pouring tea for Tian Ruan. "Try this. It's winter harvest tea."

Tian Ruan took a sip of the thick, mellow brew but couldn’t tell the difference from ordinary tea. "The leaves are enormous."

"Mhm."

Yu Ba’s eyebrow twitched as he launched into an explanation. "This winter tea goes for over ten grand a pound—it’s called 'golden leaves.'"

Tian Ruan: "If only it were actual gold."

Yu Ba’s face betrayed a look of disdain—"what a clueless bumpkin"—before he caught himself, breaking into a cold sweat. "Ah, brother-in-law has such... creative perspectives."

Yu Linluo scoffed. "Just some overpriced leaves."

"...Shut up."

Tian Ruan also fell silent, not wanting to interrupt further.

But Yu Jingmo showed no interest in small talk. "Let's talk business. I can help you, Old Eight, but what can you offer me in return?"

A muscle in Yu Ba's cheek jumped, his face turning sharp. "I'll part with 10%."

"Insufficient."

"12%."

"Then we're done here, Eighth Brother."

"15%, at most. I only hold 63% to begin with. If I give you 15%, I could lose controlling interest." Yu Jingmo sipped his tea, tone glacial. "Make it 20%."

"..." Yu Ba clenched his fists, falling silent for a long moment. "Let me think about it."

"Take your time, I'm not in a rush. By the time the investigation comes through, you might not even get to keep 1%."

Yu Ba abruptly stood up. "I'm leaving."

"Don't let me keep you."

Yu Linluo was slow to react. "That's it? What was the point of bringing me here anyway—just for a few useless words?"

Yu Ba pointed at his son. "From now on, I no longer have a son—you're on your own."

"?!"

"Today, I ask my brother and brother-in-law to witness this: from this day forward, Yu Ba and Yu Linluo are no longer father and son. You go your way, I'll go mine—we are done with each other."

"Dad!"

"Don't call me Dad. If you want to call someone Dad, then at least recognize your uncle. I've raised you this far—that's more than you deserve. Figure out the rest of your life yourself."

Yu Linluo helplessly watched as Yu Ba strode away from the estate, leaving him completely behind—not even bothering to leave him a car. All he had was his phone; not a dime to his name. "..."

Tian Ruan: "???"

The butler approached Yu Linluo. "Would you like us to take you home?"

Yu Linluo seemed to remember something, speaking through clenched teeth. "I'm not going back. That's not my home anymore. I... I'm not budging from this spot!"

With that, he flopped down onto the ground and yelled into the house, "Starting today, Uncle is my dad, and Uncle's husband is my mom!"

Tian Ruan: "Huh?"

Yu Jingmo didn’t react at all, just watching Yu Linluo throw his fit with cold indifference.

It was at that moment that the Rolls-Royce returned. Yu Shang stepped out of the car and saw an unfamiliar punk-looking kid sitting right in the middle of the road. His thick brows furrowed, his handsome face turning stern. "Dad, stop bringing home every stray you meet. The Yus don't run a charity."

Tian Ruan: "..."

Yu Linluo: "...I'm not a beggar!"

Tian Ruan: "He's no friend of mine. He's your long-lost cousin—the one here to stake his claim on the family money."

Yu Shang: "?"