Chapter 162

Chapter 162

By June, Tian Ruan had joined the translation club.

The club leader, Aige, was a no-nonsense and level-headed young woman. She said to Tian Ruan, "I've heard about your involvement in the opera and literature clubs. I hope the translation club won't meet the same fate."

Tian Ruan replied, "The translation club has such high standards—I trust all the members are reliable."

Aige simply said, "They're all ordinary people."

When Tian Ruan met these so-called ordinary people, he found that even the least accomplished among them came from families where both parents were professors and had already aced the IELTS two years prior.

"...Hello, seniors. My name is Tian Ruan," he introduced himself politely.

"We've heard a lot about you," they said with a smile.

Then Aige handed him an English manuscript and said, "Hand in the translation tomorrow."

That same day, Tian Ruan returned home and began studying the carefully crafted document. Due to the many specialized terms, he wasn't completely sure about some interpretations, so he sought advice from Yu Jingmo.

Yu Jingmo skimmed through the manuscript and casually remarked, "While 'liable' and 'responsible' are similar in meaning, 'liable' often refers to legal responsibility—it's passive. 'Responsible,' on the other hand, emphasizes moral or duty-bound accountability—it's active."

Everything clicked for Tian Ruan, and he asked a few more questions. Since there was no hurry, he worked on his translation while asking, "Mr. Yu, what's going on with the Xu family lately?"

He hadn't heard any news about Xu Bingyang recently and had almost forgotten about him.

"The police have recently stepped up their crackdown on organized crime," Yu Jingmo said calmly.

Tian Ruan paused. "So... was the Xu family targeted?"

"Even if they weren't, they're likely under close scrutiny now."

Tian Ruan nodded. "In that case, Xu Bingyang must be getting ready to skip town."

Yu Jingmo: "Then he can only escape to some obscure country."

Tian Ruan immediately understood—Europe was Du Henbie's stronghold, and sneaking past him wouldn't be easy. Xu Bingyang must now seriously regret crossing such a formidable figure, realizing he can't shake him off now.

For now, there was no need to worry about this antagonist. Tian Ruan was confident he wouldn’t cause any immediate trouble, so he dove headfirst into preparing for final exams and club activities.

Unlike other clubs, the translation club kept a low profile. Among the hundred-plus clubs at Deyin, it ranked somewhere around seventieth in popularity.

This actually reassured Tian Ruan. The hectic activities of other clubs—like the opera club’s rehearsals or the literature club’s reading sessions—were draining.

He much preferred immersing himself in the ocean of knowledge, appreciating the subtleties of both Chinese and foreign texts.

To his surprise, Xi Qin also participated in the translation club’s activities. Aige explained that he was an associate member, and as a student council member, he had the privilege of joining any club no questions asked.

Tian Ruan repeated in disbelief, "...Student council members can join any club no questions asked?"

Aige: "That's right."

Tian Ruan: "Then what did I kill myself studying for?"

Aige: "Just shows how hardheaded you are."

Tian Ruan: "..."

Xi Qin went over Tian Ruan’s translation with a fine-tooth comb and remarked leisurely, "You were meant to read the student council member guidelines—you just didn’t bother."

Tian Ruan felt like he’d lost a fortune—proof that overconfidence backfires. Remembering Yu Shang hadn’t warned him either, he got even madder. Back in the classroom, he shot a glare at his "adopted son."

Yu Shang: "What’s with the death glare?"

Tian Ruan: "Student council members can join any club without approval—why didn’t you tell me something that important?"

Yu Shang said flatly: "Telling you would’ve made you even more of a menace."

"Menace? I’m not some chaos gremlin."

Yu Shang didn’t respond.

Tian Ruan doubled down on the glare.

Lu Qiuyan cut in: "You could strain your eyes out, and he still wouldn’t think he’s wrong."

Tian Ruan figured that made sense and quit glaring.

Yu Shang said seriously: "Lu Qiuyan, we’ll talk after school."

Lu Qiuyan paused mid-pen search. "About what?"

Tian Ruan handed him a pen. "A love confession?"

"..."

Yu Shang: "Just talking."

Lu Qiuyan casually took the pen, grabbed Tian Ruan’s hand, and quickly sketched a little turtle on his knuckles.

Tian Ruan: "...Why not a rabbit?"

Lu Qiuyan: "With you here, it’s a turtle and rabbit combo."

Tian Ruan suddenly found the turtle adorable. "Thanks, I love it."

Lu Qiuyan gave him a ‘are you serious?’ look.

When Wang Weiqi spotted the turtle on Tian Ruan’s hand, he asked, "Why’d you draw that?"

Tian Ruan: "It’s a good luck charm from Lu Qiuyan—works like magic."

"Really?" Wang Weiqi hesitated but added, "I’ve been hitting a rough patch lately..."

"Like what?" Tian Ruan pressed.

Wang Weiqi sighed: "Girls barely talk to me anymore."

"...That’s not bad luck. That’s just you."

"Bro, too harsh. I used to be popular. Must be some weird cosmic interference putting up a force field between me and girls." Wang Weiqi insisted, "If that turtle’s legit, draw me one too."

Tian Ruan never missed a hustle: "Five hundred per turtle—fair deal, right?"

Wang Weiqi, rolling in money: "That’s a steal. If my love life improves, I’ll take a dozen."

"Deal!"

Lu Qiuyan, eavesdropping, just stared.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

No point leaving money on the table, so Lu Qiuyan proceeded to draw an even chunkier turtle on Wang Weiqi's hand.

Wang Weiqi paid via WeChat and said, "Bro, if this luck charm works, I'll come back for more."

Lu Qiuyan: "Appreciate the business."

Whether it was main character vibes at play or the turtle's ugly-cute charm, within ten minutes, Wang Weiqi—flaunting his hand—got giggles from the girls.

Wang Weiqi immediately struck up conversations. Girls who'd previously ignored him now chatted him up. Amped up, he turned to Tian Ruan and Lu Qiuyan, beaming, "No fucking way, this charm actually works!"

Tian Ruan smiled without a word.

Lu Qiuyan gave him the dumbass look.

Wang Weiqi spread the word about the "turtle charm's" power, and soon thirty to forty students crowded outside Class 1 begging for "lucky turtle charms." Lu Qiuyan became an instant celeb as the "Master."

Lu Qiuyan: "..."

Tian Ruan: "Cha-ching! Keep that cash coming~"

Yu Shang couldn't even. When the Student Council wanted to debunk this, he shut them down with one look.

Student Council: They're totally together!

Lu Qiuyan inexplicably raked in cash, though against his family's debt, it barely made a dent.

That day, Yu Jingmo was too busy to pick up Tian Ruan.

After school, Tian Ruan decided to wait for Yu Shang while texting:

Tian Ruan: Mr. Yu, school's out. I'm taking Yu Shang's car back.

Yu Jingmo: Yeah.

Tian Ruan: Yu Shang wants to talk to Lu Qiuyan. Not sure about what—fingers crossed it's about dating.

Yu Jingmo: Yeah.

Tian Ruan: How about you? Everything smooth?

Yu Jingmo: Smooth. Don't worry.

Yu Jingmo: Mmm... *kiss*

Tian Ruan was grinning like an idiot. It had been over half a year since he and Yu Jingmo got married and began their romance, yet they were still this sappy. Even Tian Ruan found it hard to believe.

"Not going back yet?" Yu Shang's cool voice snapped Tian Ruan back to reality.

"I'll go with you," Tian Ruan said, throwing his backpack over his shoulder.

Yu Shang paused. "Why?"

"Since when does a dad need a reason to ride with his son?"

"..." Yu Shang said, "I have things to do. My dad probably sent a car for you."

Tian Ruan, never one to pass up gossip about the main couple, blurted out a lie, "Old Liu's son, Little Liu, is sick and didn’t come."

Yu Shang was already pulling out his phone to verify.

Tian Ruan quickly stopped him, "Ah, don’t call! Little Liu’s in the hospital with hemorrhoids—he’d be too embarrassed."

Yu Shang: "...Oh."

Lu Qiuyan walked past, backpack hanging off one shoulder, walking at a leisurely pace. "No wonder drivers are high-risk for hemorrhoids—sitting all day long."

Tian Ruan managed to reply, "Yeah. We sit all day too—should probably move around more."

Lu Qiuyan gave him a knowing smirk, "You and... move around more." To avoid eavesdroppers, he didn’t mention Yu Jingmo’s name.

Tian Ruan: "..." He really wished he hadn't caught the meaning so fast!

Tian Ruan lamented, "Lu Qiuyan, you’ve changed."

Lu Qiuyan: "Hang around you long enough, and Barbie turns into King Kong, even mutes would start talking."

"..."

Since the days were getting longer, students at Deyin School, dismissed at 4 p.m., had lots of time for after-school activities. Lu Qiuyan had no club activities—he just wanted to rush home and then head to his job at the bar.

Yu Shang wanted to talk to him, even tailing him into an alley near his home.

Lu Qiuyan leaned his bike against the wall and turned around. "You've got twenty minutes. Spit it out."

Yu Shang glanced at Tian Ruan. "Wait in the car."

Tian Ruan: "No."

Lu Qiuyan said bluntly, "He can hear whatever."

Yu Shang: "...About those Student Council rumors going around—don’t take them seriously."

"What rumors?"

"The ones about... us."

"About what?"

"..."

Tian Ruan pondered, "Wait, are people saying you're dating?"

"..."

Lu Qiuyan said somewhat awkwardly, "That’s ridiculous. Why even bring it up?"

Yu Shang: "I didn’t want to stress you out."

Lu Qiuyan shrugged it off. "What burden? I’m used to rumors about me."

"That’s good then." Yu Shang didn’t know what else to say.

They lapsed into silence for a moment, while Tian Ruan fidgeted impatiently. "Yu Shang, if you’ve got something else to say, hurry up and say it to Lu Qiuyan."

Yu Shang: "Also—"

Before he could finish, a gang of rough-looking guys approached. The leader, tattooed arms bare, dragged his flip-flops lazily, wearing a garish Hawaiian shirt and shorts, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He eyed them with a sneer. "Lu Qiuyan, you got that 50 grand we asked for?"

Tian Ruan glanced over—at first, he thought it was loan sharks—until Lu Qiuyan responded—

"And you are?" Lu Qiuyan gave them a sidelong glance, expression calm, like this was just another Tuesday for him.

Ever since his family went bankrupt, every bottom-feeder had come sniffing around, looking to pick the Lu family’s bones clean. By now, Lu Qiuyan had encountered this kind of harassment at least seventy or eighty times.

The gang leader exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and crushed the cigarette underfoot. "Forgotten me already, Young Master Lu? Just a small-time guy new to the block, trying to make a living with my brothers here. Pay up 50K, and we’re gone. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Lu Qiuyan hung his backpack on the bike handlebars, cracking his knuckles as he stared coldly at the group.

The gang leader faltered for a second but quickly regained his bravado. "I know all about you—your address, house number, even the rumors at school. Word is you’re shacking up with the Yu heir, huh?"

"..."

Tian Ruan: "Now even the street rats know?"

Lu Qiuyan shot him an embarrassed glare.

Tian Ruan: "...Wasn’t my fault. Some blabbermouth in the student council."

Lu Qiuyan: "You’re the one who started it."

"Sorry."

Yu Shang’s expression also turned odd as he asked the thug, "Who told you Lu Qiuyan and I are dating?"

The gang leader sized Yu Shang up. "So you’re the Yu family’s young master. No wonder you’ve got that rich-boy look. So how ‘bout five mil to keep your boy toy safe? Sounds fair, right?"

Tian Ruan doubted his ears. "How much?!"

"Five million."

"You’ve got balls hiking the price like that."

"Hahaha... Can’t help it. Young Master Yu’s loaded, after all. Hey, which family’s young master are you?"

Lu Qiuyan: "He’s Yu Shang’s stepfather, Yu Jingmo’s wife. He’s way richer than us."

Tian Ruan: "..."

The gang leader: "Even better. Then make it fifty mil."

Tian Ruan: "Why not just say five billion?"

"500 million yuan?" The thugs were practically drooling. "Add your son's five million and your wife's five hundred thousand—fair deal, right?"

Tian Ruan: "Damn, that's some next-level extortion. Never thought I'd meet someone shadier than me."

Lu Qiuyan snapped and swung a fist.

Yu Shang, red-faced and furious, jumped into the brawl.

At first, the thugs relied on their numbers, but they were quickly overwhelmed by a street-fighting pro and a competitive fencer. A couple even took off running, pissing off their leader, who screamed curses.

Lu Qiuyan went hardest, sending the gang leader scrambling: "Fuck! Fine, just fifty grand, alright?!"

No response—just nonstop punches raining down on him.

"Ten thousand—no, a thousand!" the leader finally begged, battered beyond endurance.

Tian Ruan tsked in mock admiration and called Yu Jingmo. "Babe, some guys are shaking me down. Pick me up—I wanna go home and finish my assignments."

Yu Jingmo: "?"

Like a mind reader, Tian Ruan added, "Dead serious. Listen—" *WHAM* *CRASH*

Thugs: "AGH! OOF! SHIT—"

Yu Jingmo: "..."

Sounded like a warzone. "Hold on, babe. Agree to whatever—just stay safe. I'm coming now."

Tian Ruan stepped back from the chaos. "I'm good, but your kid's banged up."

Yu Jingmo: "He's built for this. Tough luck for him."

Though Yu Shang only had scratches, hearing Tian Ruan's side of the convo left him speechless.

The gang leader went airborne from Lu Qiuyan's haymaker but still flashed a thumbs-up: "Sick moves!"

Tian Ruan, announcer-style: "AND DOWN GOES THE CHALLENGER! KNOCKOUT VICTORY FOR OUR HEROES! *clap clap clap*"

Gang leader: "..." *Fuck, this is beyond embarrassing.*

Yu Jingmo chuckled. His man was still full of surprises today.