Chapter 151

Chapter 151

As Yu Jingmo had predicted, Xu Bingyang's early appearance was bad for the protagonist’s career development. But at the same time, having sat as shadow leader of the Xu family for ten years and kept hidden behind the scenes, with no one to share the spoils of success, even with his naturally patient and cautious nature, he couldn’t help but grow restless.

Yu Jingmo played the waiting game, quietly handing over a few small companies to Yu Shang and saying, "Don't worry about profits this year—it's just for your training."

Raised with aristocratic education, Yu Shang naturally had high aspirations. "I can guarantee a cash flow of 300 million," he said.

Tian Ruan witnessed the protagonist officially taking over the Yu family and got inexplicably excited: "Son, you're the future tycoon CEO!"

Yu Shang: "..."

A formal handover required a proper ceremony. Coincidentally, spring had arrived, and the Wintergreen Group held its annual "Spring Banquet." Company executives came bearing gifts and goodwill, while industry leaders were also invited to attend the grand event.

Recalling the original novel, Tian Ruan thought—this day would truly be the protagonist's shining moment, barring any surprises.

"Holy crap, Tian Ruan, my parents got invited to the Wintergreen Group's Spring Banquet!" Wang Weiqi exclaimed excitedly.

Tian Ruan: "Not just your parents—Xi Qin's parents, Xie Tangyan's parents, Qian Lailai's aunt, Nan Mengyao's parents, and what's-their-names' parents were all invited too."

Wang Weiqi: "..."

Suddenly, it didn’t feel special at all.

Wang Weiqi, uncharacteristically calm, asked, "Doesn’t that mean they’ll all know your identity?"

Tian Ruan had long been prepared: "There’s something in this world called a disguise."

"Damn, does that really exist? I thought it was just in kung fu novels—let me see!"

Tian Ruan pulled out a surgical mask and put it on.

"...What kind of disguise is this?"

"A mask is enough." Everyone knew he was "Tian Yuan's" younger brother. Even if their features were similar, no one would suspect much.

Wang Weiqi had nothing more to say, simply giving a thumbs-up. "All that excitement for nothing."

With the arrival of spring, boys at Deyin High changed into their newly issued spring uniforms, while girls wore short skirts despite the chill, creating an illusion of summer coolness.

The spring chill still lingered—only Tian Ruan carried an overcoat with him.

Others either prioritized beauty over warmth or, like Lu Qiuyan and Hai Chao, simply couldn't afford warmer clothes.

Tian Ruan noticed Lu Qiuyan's spring uniform was old, his pants slightly too short, showing a good eight inches of bare ankle when riding a bike—just seeing it gave him chills.

The next day, Tian Ruan brought a sewing kit and waited to intercept Lu Qiuyan. "Let me patch those for you."

Lu Qiuyan: "?"

It had only been a few days since Lu Qiuyan moved out of the Yu estate. Truth be told, the lap of luxury there had almost made him soft again. He hadn’t forgotten his precarious situation, nor did he miss that Tian Ruan was trying to save face for him by offering to mend rather than give.

"How are you going to fix them?"

"Take 'em off."

Just then, two girls from another school passed by, eyeing them weirdly.

Lu Qiuyan: "...I'm good."

Tian Ruan thought for a moment. "Then after class, let's go to the changing room."

"Alright."

When the morning break came, Tian Ruan grabbed his sewing kit and said to Lu Qiuyan, "Let's go."

Lu Qiuyan went with him to the changing room, took off his pants, and sat aside watching. Though Tian Ruan’s sewing wasn’t great, he was surprisingly dexterous. "Didn’t know you could sew."

"?"

"You seem like the spoiled rich type who’s never done a day’s work—the kind who’d trip over a broom."

"…" Tian Ruan protested, "What? No way!"

Lu Qiuyan’s legs—pale, straight, and long—were bare and casually spread. "Just a metaphor."

Tian Ruan stole a glance at Lu Qiuyan’s crotch. Huh, same size as last semester. Good.

Lu Qiuyan frowned. "What are you looking at?"

Tian Ruan immediately turned his attention back to the pants. "Dude, we’re both guys—no big deal. Honestly, since you're older than me, do you jerk off a lot?"

Lu Qiuyan turned red. "...No. I’m not like you, already an adult."

"..."

Things got a little awkward.

Tian Ruan finished one pant leg and started on the other, threading the needle, cutting the fabric—his movements growing more skilled by the second.

Suddenly, Yu Shang stormed in, scowling, especially when he saw Lu Qiuyan’s smooth, hairless legs. His face went stormy. "What are you two doing?"

Tian Ruan blinked. "Huh?"

Lu Qiuyan squirmed. He didn’t mind Tian Ruan seeing him naked, but under Yu Shang’s gaze, he wanted to cover up. "My pants were too short, so Tian Ruan’s sewing them for me."

Yu Shang marched to his locker, pulled out a pair of pants, and tossed them to Lu Qiuyan. "Put these on."

Lu Qiuyan didn’t move, just draped the pants over his legs. "What’s your deal?"

"Someone ratted you two out for dating."

"…"

Tian Ruan: "Who even knows about me and Mr. Yu?"

Yu Shang: "It's about you two."

"Yeah, Mr. Yu and me," Tian Ruan said firmly. "We gotta shut them up."

Yu Shang sighed in relief. At least these two weren't up to anything.

Lu Qiuyan pulled on the sewn pants without a word, his tone indifferent. "I don’t know who started the rumor, but I’m not dating anyone in high school."

Yu Shang nodded curtly.

They all fell silent. Then Tian Ruan suddenly caught on and snapped, "Who the hell saw Lu Qiuyan naked?! I’ll make sure they lose their dick!"

Yu Shang didn’t spill anything, only saying, "I’ll handle it."

Tian Ruan pulled Lu Qiuyan along. "Let’s go check the bulletin board."

Whenever someone was disciplined, the announcement screen would refresh with the details. For serious cases, Director Hu would personally use his gravelly voice to criticize and educate.

The announcement screen scrolled past the name of the person disciplined for "spreading rumors": Nan Huaiju.

Tian Ruan: "..."

Lu Qiuyan: "Was he just bored or something?"

Tian Ruan: "Will this go on his permanent record?"

Lu Qiuyan: "Deyin’s student records work differently than regular schools’. I’ve gotten written up over ten times and still made Party member."

Tian Ruan suddenly remembered—Deyin High students automatically get Party membership. Though most future career paths leaned toward business, they could still take civil service exams.

That was why Lu Qiuyan could enlist right after high school—his record had to be squeaky clean.

Deyin pulled all kinds of strings to make sure that as long as a student remained enrolled, their future held multiple possibilities. Naturally, their records had to be clean—except for those already expelled.

"That's good." Though Tian Ruan knew Nan Huaiju might go abroad, just in case—this could mess up his political career.

Back in the classroom, Tian Ruan stared at the visibly panicked Nan Huaiju.

Nan Huaiju snapped, "Why are you staring at me?"

Tian Ruan: "What, you got bored and decided to collect demerits for kicks?"

Nan Huaiju: "...So what? I like it."

Tian Ruan: "Yeah, and you’re into choking too."

At those words, Hai Chao glanced over from the back row.

Nan Huaiju turned red. "You're the one—you creep!"

Tian Ruan: "You're the creep."

"You were the one who peeked at me first." Nan Huaiju couldn’t let go of the fact that Tian Ruan had seen him and Hai Chao that day. In a fit of spite, when he spotted Tian Ruan and Lu Qiuyan in the changing room, he called the student council.

Of course, it was Yu Shang who picked up.

Tian Ruan looked at the stubborn Nan Huaiju and said, "That day, I wasn’t trying to look."

Nan Huaiju: "Not trying? You stopped the car to hook up?"

Tian Ruan quickly covered his mouth and whispered, "Since when are you this shameless?? The driver was right there."

Nan Huaiju pushed his hand away. "Oh."

Tian Ruan said, "Let’s just drop it this time."

Nan Huaiju: "Oh."

"Total tsundere. Only Hai Chao puts up with you."

"..."

With that, Tian Ruan started counting down to the Spring Festival banquet.

Set for late March, during the bright and lively spring season, it was also close to Yu Shang's birthday.

Tian Ruan learned of this news and immediately reported it to Lu Qiuyan.

"I know," Lu Qiuyan replied offhandedly.

Tian Ruan: "? You know when Yu Shang’s birthday is?"

"We’re classmates. Knowing birthdays is normal, right?"

"Oh yeah? Then when’s Wang Weiqi’s birthday?"

"..."

"How about Hai Chao’s?"

"..."

"What about mine?"

"...When *is* your birthday?"

Tian Ruan: "Dunno. Never celebrated mine. I’d have to ask my mom when I was born."

Lu Qiuyan gaped at Tian Ruan.

Beyond shock, there was a gut-wrenching sense of pity.

Blindsided by Zhu Jueshou’s radiant aura, Tian Ruan almost got blinded by its brilliance. "Lu Qiuyan, why—why are you looking at me like that? Whoa, that’s blinding!"

"..." The divine glow vanished as Lu Qiuyan muttered flatly, "Lucky you’re so clueless, or you’d be a total sociopath."

Tian Ruan blinked in confusion. "Why would I be a sociopath? Sure, society has its suffering, but it also has beautiful moments. We’re here to live it up."

Lu Qiuyan lazily shot back, "Then enjoy it, by all means."

Tian Ruan pressed eagerly, "You *have* to come to both the Spring Banquet and Yu Shang’s birthday."

Lu Qiuyan: "I’ll go to the birthday, but I’ll pass on the Spring Banquet. My family’s bankruptcy is common knowledge."

Tian Ruan: "He Lansi’s family went bankrupt too, and everyone knows it. My older brother says he’s already picked out his clothes and shoes, planning to steal the show at the Spring Banquet."

"I’m not him."

"But you *gotta* see the mess unfold."

"...What mess?"

Tian Ruan mimed counting on his fingers. "At the Spring Banquet, with flowing wine and endless songs, Yu Shang will sing—completely butchered, and they’ll still cheer."

Lu Qiuyan: "Really? Then I should definitely go listen."

At that moment, He Lansi and Yu Shang, miles away, sneezed simultaneously.

Tian Ruan returned home and happily put on a runway show for Yu Jingmo, trying to find the most dazzling outfit.

After a pause, Tian Ruan asked, "Mr. Yu... how about this one? Gems stitched into lace—the latest design from the designer with ramen-noodle hair."

"This outfit screams 'dark empire ruler,' brooding solo in a frozen castle."

"And this one? Like a dawn-blooming narcissus, admiring itself by the riverside, unknown to anyone—until a knight passes by and lends his horse to the narcissus, and from then on, the narcissus and the horse stay together…"

"And this outfit, the design concept is…"

Yu Jingmo silently smiled at the bizarre costumes Tian Ruan had somehow managed to pull together.

"Mr. Yu, why aren’t you smiling anymore?" Tian Ruan suddenly stopped.

Yu Jingmo tactfully replied, "No matter how ugly—no, *how* beautiful—these clothes are, they don’t hold a candle to you."

Tian Ruan: "…"