Chapter 141

Chapter 141

"What do you mean by *'Yu Shang's banana*’?" Lu Qiuyan asked. "He didn't buy any bananas."

Yu Shang, who had learned the double meaning of "banana" far too early due to having free-spirited fathers at home: "..."

Tian Ruan pressed his lips together, then opened his mouth again before lifting the curtain and saying, "Bananas replenish potassium. Potassium is one of the body's essential elements, involved in maintaining normal cell metabolism, regulating osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, and also affecting neuromuscular excitability. If the body lacks potassium, it can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, arrhythmia, and so on..."

Lu Qiuyan cut him off: "Not a biology lesson today."

Tian Ruan managed to dodge the topic, relieved that his R-rated thoughts hadn’t warped the protagonist of the motherland. After all, Lu Qiuyan was still going to join the military and serve the nation’s border defense.

Yu Shang deadpanned at Tian Ruan. "Where's my dad?"

Tian Ruan: "He had errands. He should be back soon."

Yu Shang lay still for a while before taking out his phone to call Xi Qin. "How's the program team?"

"Almost done. How are you?"

"Tell Xie Tangyan I'm not dead."

Will do." Xi Qin adjusted his glasses. "I'm curious—what’s your take on Lu Qiuyan?"

"What do you mean?"

"You’ve been trying to reform him, yet he smashed your head with a brick. What’s your opinion on that?"

"Xi Qin, are you a tab journalist now?"

"Just asking. If even you aren’t clear about his role, the Student Council will have an even harder time handling this."

Whether intentional or not, hitting the Student Council President warranted a mark on his record.

Yu Shang frowned at the thought and glanced at Lu Qiuyan, who was currently peeling an apple. Thankfully, the apple skin was thick—otherwise, with Lu Qiuyan's peeling skills, the fruit would have gone from chubby to twiggy.

Tian Ruan watched Yu Shang's conflicted expression, burning to know what was being said on the other end of the call, but unfortunately, it wasn't on speaker.

After a pause, Yu Shang said, "I’ll handle it personally. No need for you to worry on my behalf."

Xi Qin scoffed. "Still dodging, huh?"

"What do you want me to say? Students aren't allowed to date early."

Hearing this, Lu Qiuyan looked over. *"?"*

Yu Shang avoided his gaze. "I’m hanging up."

Lu Qiuyan didn’t press further and handed over the butchered peeling job that looked like it had been mauled by a beaver. "Here, eat."

Yu Shang: "Did you bite it?"

"No, just peeled it."

Yu Shang took the apple and ate it slowly. At least it’s vitamins.

The infirmary door swung open, letting in a gust of cold wind that battled the heater’s warmth. Tian Ruan sneezed violently and looked up to see Yu Jingmo's tall figure. "Mr. Yu."

Yu Jingmo asked Yu Shang, "How’s the head? Any dumber yet?"

Yu Shang: "Not bad."

"Make time to get an IQ test. Can't be too careful." Yu Jingmo's heir must excel in every aspect, including intelligence.

"Mm," he replied.

Tian Ruan, seeing that Yu Jingmo was serious, asked, "Then should I get my IQ tested too?" As Yu Jingmo's wife, did she also need to be outstanding in every way?

Yu Jingmo lowered his gaze; his stern expression softened slightly, his eyes warming. "No need. That clever little head of yours works just fine."

Tian Ruan's eyes lit up.

Lu Qiuyan glanced at Tian Ruan, then at Yu Shang. Well, training an heir and pampering a wife really were two different things.

Yu Jingmo turned to Lu Qiuyan, his voice flat. "Since Yu Shang's injury was your doing, you're on the hook for this."

"Mr. Yu, Lu Qiuyan didn’t mean to," Tian Ruan quickly interjected, afraid Yu Jingmo would demand compensation.

"I will," Lu Qiuyan said. "I'll cover the medical expenses."

"Paying the bills isn't enough to make up for what happened to Yu Shang. Starting tonight, you’ll move into our home and look after him personally."

Lu Qiuyan: "...Huh?"

Tian Ruan: "Yes! This'll be fun!"

Yu Shang looked uncomfortable. "Dad, that's really not needed. It’s too much trouble."

Yu Jingmo asked, "Lu Qiuyan, do you find it troublesome?"

"It's no trouble..."

"Good. I’ve already contacted your parents, and they agreed."

Lu Qiuyan opened WeChat and, sure enough, saw several messages from his mother.

Lu’s mother: What were you thinking? Is Yu Shang’s head okay?

Lu’s mother: Mr. Yu has already spoken to me. He’s not holding it against you, but you’ll stay at their place to take care of Yu Shang. It's only fair.

Lu’s mother: You could learn a thing or two from Yu Shang. He’s the student council president and the Yu family’s only son—he’s going places.

Lu’s mother: Text me if you're short.

Lu Qiuyan started typing, backspaced, tried again, and finally sent: I'm good for cash. No worries.

Other than his schoolbag, Lu Qiuyan didn’t need to pack anything. He got into Yu Shang’s car, while the baby-faced driver beamed. "Young Master, make sure Lu Qiuyan's comfortable these days. We don't get many visitors."

Lu Qiuyan: "...I’m here to take care of Yu Shang."

Yu Shang didn’t respond either way, simply closing his eyes to rest.

"Want a temple massage?"

"Mm," he said.

"How's your head feeling?"

"Mm," he replied.

Lu Qiuyan began massaging Yu Shang's temples, but pressed too hard, causing the bandage to bleed.

"…"

The driver quickly said, "There's a pharmacy right by the roadside—we can just get the bandage changed there."

So their car came to a stop.

In the Maybach ahead, Tian Ruan kept checking the rear window anxiously, afraid that Lu Qiuyan’s car might fall behind. “They stopped—quick, go see what happened.”

Since they couldn’t easily turn around on the road, the driver turned right at the next intersection, went a short way, then turned right again into a narrow alley that led directly to the pharmacy.

The alley was cramped and nearly empty, so the Maybach moved slowly.

Tian Ruan stuck his head out the window, craning to see how much farther they had to go, when he suddenly spotted a pair of young men and immediately shouted, “Stop, stop, stop!”

The driver halted the car in confusion.

Tian Ruan’s eyes widened, and when the boys ahead glanced over, he ducked back into the car, nestling into Yu Jingmo’s arms. “Mr. Yu, look ahead—isn’t that Hai Chao and Nan Huaiju?”

Yu Jingmo lifted his gaze. The Maybach’s windows had privacy tinting, allowing those inside to see out but not the other way around. He replied coolly, “It’s them.”

“In broad daylight, what are they doing?” Tian Ruan knelt on the passenger seat, his eyes wide with nosy curiosity.

Yu Jingmo glanced at the young man’s perky backside, completely indifferent to the two boys ahead. “Why do you care what they’re doing?”

Tian Ruan: “Of course it’s my business! One’s my nephew, the other’s my classmate.”

Yu Jingmo: “You enjoy your melon, I’ll enjoy mine.”

“?”

Yu Jingmo reached out and squeezed his own “soft melon.”

“…” Tian Ruan turned to glare at him. “Stop fooling around.”

“Mm.” Yu Jingmo didn’t push further, just gave it a playful squeeze—it was more about appreciating what perfect handful it made.

Satisfied Yu Jingmo wasn’t pushing further, Tian Ruan went right back to spying—

Hai Chao lived in a shabby old apartment nearby. He was one of just two students at Deyin Academy who rode a bike to school. After finishing up at school, he headed home as usual, getting ready for his night job.

Cutting through this alley as a shortcut, he had barely entered when he heard an angry shout: “Hai Chao!! Wait up!!”

The SUV couldn’t enter the narrow alley, so Nan Huaiju had to run after him.

Hai Chao eased up slightly on the pedals but didn’t stop—until Nan Huaiju darted in front of his bike.

The brakes screeched sharply—

Hai Chao put a foot down, staring coldly at him.

Nan Huaiju, whether from anger or cold, was flushed red. “Hai Chao… about what happened at noon…”

“Move.” Hai Chao said flatly.

“I want to apologize for what happened at noon! I’ll make up for what I did!” Nan Huaiju blurted out in one breath.

“Make up for it? What I lost?” Hai Chao let the words roll slowly off his tongue. “Are you sure you can afford it?”

"I'll pay whatever it costs." Nan Huaiju's eyes were red, his nose too, sniffling with a runny nose, his voice raspy.

Hai Chao pulled out a pack of tissues from his pocket and tossed it to him.

Nan Huaiju grew even more flustered, wiping his nose and mumbling, "I’ll definitely compensate you. I’m sorry."

Hai Chao stepped off the car and strode over to Nan Huaiju, suddenly grabbing back the tissues and scrubbing at his nose.

"Ow, that hurts—I can do it myself."

"I’ll do it."

"…" Nan Huaiju endured the pain as Hai Chao scrubbed his nose. There wasn’t any snot left, but Hai Chao kept going, making his eyes water.

"Is that enough?"

Hai Chao tossed the tissue into the trash can. "No."

Nan Huaiju hurriedly pulled out his wallet. "How much were you fined? I have three thousand yuan—will that do?"

"I don't want money." Hai Chao looked at his pitiful state, fingers flexing.

"No money?" Nan Huaiju couldn’t process this. "Then what do you want?"

"I want to punch you."

"…"

Nan Huaiju’s eyes grew wet again. He thought hard, then clenched his teeth shut his eyes, and said, "Go ahead—but don’t hit my nose, please."

Hai Chao paused, then grunted in agreement, raising his hand to grip his slender neck and pinning him against the wall.

Nan Huaiju went rigid but kept his eyes closed. "Don’t hit my nose."

Hai Chao’s grip gradually tightened.

Nan Huaiju panicked and opened his eyes. "Hack—don’t choke me…"

Hai Chao loosened his fingers slightly, leaning in closer. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of something sweet—maybe perfume, maybe food, or perhaps just Nan Huaiju’s own scent.

Nan Huaiju was truly frightened now, clawing at Hai Chao’s hand. "Don’t strangle me."

Hai Chao suddenly released him. "Not this, not that—is this how you make up for what you did?"

"Can I just pay you?" Nan Huaiju hacked weakly.

"No. Not enough."

"Then what do you want?"

Hai Chao went quiet for a beat before saying, "Make yourself cry."

"…"

Nan Huaiju gaped at him. "Cry?"

Hai Chao’s fingers twitched, acknowledging the twisted, urgent need within him. He wanted to see Nan Huaiju cry—the harder, the better. A snotty, tear-streaked face would be perfect.

Weeping until his nose and eyes were raw, pitiful as a soaked kitten. That’s exactly how he wanted to see Nan Huaiju.

"W-why would I cry? I'm a grown man—I don't cry..."

Hai Chao gave him a cold stare.

Nan Huaiju shivered, then suddenly noticed the Maybach. "How’d that car get in here?"

Hai Chao glanced over. He couldn’t see who was inside, and not wanting to be spotted either, he turned and started to mount his bike.

Nan Huaiju grabbed his sleeve. "Hai Chao, don’t go. I-I still owe you, don’t I?"

Hai Chao shook him off. "Then forget it if you won’t cry."

"...I’ll cry, just gimme a sec to get in the mood." Nan Huaiju thought through every sad thing he knew. "I can’t cry."

Hai Chao looked at him. "Come over. I’ll mess with you till you cry."

"Alright, fine."

Inside the Maybach, Tian Ruan was so hyped over the drama that he started bouncing excitedly, letting out a loud, "Ooooh!"

The Maybach rocked slightly with the movement.

Nan Huaiju looked ahead. "...There’s people getting it on in that car!"