Chapter 155

Chapter 155

What kind of sane person sings "Happy Birthday" at a ceremony for inheriting the family business?

Oh, right—Yu Shang.

Not only did he sing "Happy Birthday," but he sang it completely out of tune.

Could it be that he was still hung up on messing it up at Yu Jingmo’s last birthday and wanted to prove he could hit the right notes this time? In that split second, Tian Ruan could only think of this explanation.

The original novel didn’t mention the protagonist singing "Happy Birthday"—it just said an ordinary campus folk song.

But none of that mattered now, because Tian Ruan had spit out his drink in shock.

He and the guy in the wheelchair, whose hair was drenched in soup, stared at each other in stunned silence. "...Uh, are you hot? Want some artificial rain?"

Whether it was artificial rain or artificial soup, either option made Xu Bingyang shudder. His delicate, fragile face looked even more pitiful: "Madam Yu, what have I ever done to you to deserve this?"

Tian Ruan: "..." What a masterclass in fake innocence.

Xu Bingyang lifted his gaze, eyes already glistening with tears. Just as Yu Jingmo approached, he clenched his fists, trembling as he played the role of a delicate but resilient white flower: "Yu Jingmo, does your wife hate me that much?"

Yu Jingmo: "He just thought you were too hot and gave you some artificial rain."

Xu Bingyang: "..."

Yu Jingmo took out a handkerchief and wiped Tian Ruan’s mouth. "You shouldn’t go around wasting your spit on artificial rain."

Tian Ruan sulked: "Mm."

Xu Bingyang: "..."

Assistant Xu stepped forward. "Sir, would you like to go to the restroom to change? If you need help, I can assist."

Xu Bingyang gave him a look like he was some creep.

Assistant Xu: "..."

Xu Bingyang said, "I’ll handle it myself."

As he spoke, his older brother Xu Jiankang arrived. The man was built like a tank, almost comparable to Da Zhuang. Tian Ruan couldn’t help but marvel—Talk about living up to their names. Jiankang (Healthy) versus Bingyang (Sickly).

The old Xu patriarch really nailed the irony with those names. Who knew the “sickly” one everyone wrote off would rise to become the family head?

To outsiders, though, Xu Jiankang remained the public face of the family. His voice was deep and rough as he said, "Our apologies for the trouble. My brother may be confined to a wheelchair, but trouble always finds him."

Yu Jingmo: "No trouble at all."

Xu Jiankang led Xu Bingyang away to change. The moment Xu Bingyang turned his head, his face twisted into something much uglier. "Big brother, do you think that Tian Yuan did it on purpose?"

Xu Jiankang: "Dunno."

Xu Bingyang smirked coldly. "Doesn’t matter if it was on purpose—what’s mine stays mine. And I’ll take even more, until I swallow Wintergreen whole."

On stage, Yu Shang stood there, mortified, after finishing his rendition of "Happy Birthday," facing a silent audience.

After a beat, someone began clapping, and soon more applause followed. The crowd awkwardly praised him: "Young President Yu, that was... a *unique* interpretation." "Like the voice of an angel... if angels gargled nails." "What a blessing to hear such a performance on a birthday." "Ha. Ha. Ha."

Yu Shang’s ears burned pink, though his face remained perfectly composed. "Forgive my *artistic* choices."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"..." Yu Shang hastily left the stage, making an excuse to go wash his hands and quickly heading toward the restroom.

Tian Ruan: "Hahaha, buddy's shy!"

Yu Jingmo tugged his mask down slightly, "Did you forget there's a snake in the restroom?"

Tian Ruan snapped out of it, "Lu Qiuyan! Go after Yu Shang, quick!"

Lu Qiuyan was leisurely sipping soda, looking clueless at the sudden urgency.

Tian Ruan exaggerated dramatically, "There's a ladyboy in the men's restroom who feeds on men's vitality, plus a snake that loves biting guys' junk."

Lu Qiuyan: "...How do you know that?"

Tian Ruan: "I went in and got scared off."

Lu Qiuyan stood up, "Chicken. Watch me deck 'em in one hit."

Tian Ruan bounced along behind him like a sidekick, "I believe you'll protect our precious Yu Shang."

Lu Qiuyan marched off heroically to confront the ladyboy and snake, with Tian Ruan tagging along.

Just as they reached the restroom entrance, they heard a flurry of "Sawadee ka" followed by a loud "Get out!"

Ai Li from Sawadee ka country was shoved out by Xu Jiankang, her ample curves squeezed into a half-leather top and skin-tight skirt. Little did they know, "she" was packing more heat than anyone there.

Spotting Tian Ruan, Ai Li’s eyes lit up as she batted her eyelashes flirtatiously, "Sawadee ka~"

Tian Ruan: "..."

Mao Qi appeared out of nowhere, whipped out a sack, and dragged Ai Li away again.

Lu Qiuyan, just about to throw a punch, cursed, "Damn, your bodyguards are ninjas or something."

Tian Ruan chuckled, "Maybe it's because they're all single—so they come and go like the wind."

"What does being single have to do with it?"

"Single folks move quick," Tian Ruan said sagely. "You’ll get it when you’re older."

"...Pretty sure I’ve got you beat downstairs," Lu Qiuyan suddenly understood.

Marching into the restroom, they faced off with Xu Jiankang. Lu Qiuyan glanced at the stall doors—except for the one Xu Jiankang was guarding, all were empty.

Tian Ruan: "Wait, where’d Yu Shang go? Did he get sucked into the sewer dimension?"

"No way," Lu Qiuyan knocked on the only closed door. "Yu Shang, you in there? Did the snake bite you?"

No response.

Xu Jiankang blocked him, "My brother’s changing in there. Please don’t disturb him."

Tian Ruan eyed the wheelchair parked by the wall, "Your brother can’t walk, and you left him alone on the toilet changing clothes? Not scared he’ll get portal-pottied away?"

Xu Jiankang: "I’m 36—not some kid."

Tian Ruan asked casually, "Got any kids?"

Xu Jiankang was flabbergasted. "Yeah, he's ten now."

Tian Ruan: "Then the birthday song Yu Shang sang today is perfect for your kid—happy birthday to him."

"...Thanks."

"You're welcome."

A soft but eerie male voice came from inside: "Big brother, Lele's birthday isn't until next month. Celebrating early... isn't that tempting fate?"

Xu Jiankang: "Don't be ridiculous."

"Heh."

Lu Qiuyan couldn't be arsed to argue. He kicked the door open, glanced inside, and said, "Oh, Yu Shang's not here. Let's go."

Xu Bingyang stood frozen in shock, bare-assed and terrified.

Tian Ruan took a look and smirked, "Even changing your underwear? Mr. Xu, you're pretty particular."

"..."

"Your little bird looks startled—what a cute little thing."

"..." Xu Bingyang yanked his clothes over himself, glaring at Tian Ruan with embarrassment and fury, teeth clenched. "You'll pay for this."

Tian Ruan: "Damn right I am. See ya, Mr. Xu."

As they walked out of the bathroom, Lu Qiuyan suddenly looked up at the sky.

Tian Ruan followed his gaze. "Is Yu Shang up there?"

Lu Qiuyan: "He's not freaking Superman. How would he be flying around up there?"

"Then what are you looking at?" Tian Ruan glanced around—just blue skies, white clouds, and some passing seagulls.

"The apricot blossoms are blooming."

Tian Ruan paused, then looked again. Sure enough, the grove was covered in a blanket of white, petals falling like snow in the breeze. "So damn beautiful."

Lu Qiuyan: "Flowers this pretty must mean the apricots will be big and sweet."

Tian Ruan: "Then let's come pick some when they're ripe."

They strolled through the grove, stepping on petals as they went. Tian Ruan was stoked to find that the park wasn't just full of apricot trees—it also had pear, peach, apple, and fig trees.

Just as Tian Ruan was enjoying the spring breeze, a fine mist landed on his face.

Chilly but nice.

Ahead, two eye-catching figures suddenly appeared—one dressed in silver-gray, the other in snow-white.

Lu Qiuyan's face went stone cold as he stared at Yu Shang and Bai Xu.

Tian Ruan: "..." He freaking knew it. This rain meant something! The shit was about to go down.