Chapter 175

Chapter 175

"Xiao Ruan, would you like to come visit Mom during the summer vacation?" On the first day of the holiday, Madam Du called in the evening.

Tian Ruan was naturally happy to receive Madam Du's call and said, "Mom, I can only come to you in half a month. I have to attend a summer camp."

"Summer camp?"

"This year, Deyin's summer camp is being held locally. I've already made plans with my classmates."

"No hurry then," Madam Du said gently. "I’ll get the house ready first so you and Jing Mo can stay when you arrive."

"Thank you, Mom," Tian Ruan said sweetly. "How about Dad?"

"He’s in France and won’t be back for another week or two."

"So you're alone in the U.S.?"

"I have Dew, the cook, and the doctor. I’m keeping busy." Madam Du had originally planned to return to China in spring or summer, but her health didn't permit it, so she could only wait for her son to visit.

Tian Ruan hesitated. "Maybe I should skip the summer camp..."

"You have to go," Madam Du insisted. "This is your last high school summer break."

"I’ll come straight to you when it’s done."

"Good. Mom will be waiting."

Tian Ruan lingered on the call a little longer before hanging up reluctantly. Suddenly, his hand itched, and he slapped it—leaving a bright red mosquito smear in the evening light.

The butler, standing nearby, called out, "Madam, you shouldn’t stay in the garden. Come inside."

Just then, a car pulled up at the estate gate. Tian Ruan rushed over. "Mr. Yu, look! A mosquito got me!"

Yu Jingmo had barely stepped out of the car when the young man eagerly showed him the bite. Frowning, he grabbed Tian Ruan’s slender wrist and marched him to the bathroom to wash his hands, scrubbing hard with soap several times.

After carefully rinsing off the soap, he dried each of Tian Ruan’s fingers with a tissue.

Tian Ruan let Yu Jingmo take over without protest and said, "Summer’s here, and the mosquitoes are brutal."

Yu Jingmo replied calmly, "A few sprays of repellent should help. Stay inside at dusk—that’s when they swarm."

"Does repellent actually work?"

"It does," Yu Jingmo said, glancing down. A red mosquito bump had formed on Tian Ruan's hand and was starting to itch. "Don’t scratch. I’ll get some ointment."

Tian Ruan’s hand was held firmly. "It itches. Let me scratch it."

"Scratching will just irritate it more." Yu Jingmo pulled him along.

The family doctor was already waiting nearby and asked professionally, "I heard Madam got a mosquito bite. Is it bad?"

"Serious," Yu Jingmo said. "Take a look at it."

Tian Ruan: "...It's just a mosquito bite. No need to trouble the doctor."

Family doctor: "It's my duty. Of course." He examined the bite, then took out antiseptic from the medical kit. "First, I’ll disinfect your hand, then apply some ointment. It’ll clear up by morning."

Tian Ruan felt a bit embarrassed. "Thank you for your trouble."

"No problem," the family doctor said, using a cotton swab dipped in alcohol disinfectant to dab it gently on Tian Ruan's mosquito bite.

Yu Jingmo took the ointment and said, "I'll put this on him."

The family doctor then stepped aside.

When Yu Shang returned, he saw the whole family gathered around Tian Ruan and assumed he was sick. He asked, "What's up with Dad?"

Yu Jingmo lifted his phoenix eyes slightly, glancing at his tall, grown son. "Your dad's got a mosquito bite."

Yu Shang: "…………"

Yu Jingmo asked sternly, "Aren’t you going to show some concern?"

Yu Shang: "...Dad, feel better."

Tian Ruan: "Thanks, son. I'll be good by tomorrow."

During dinner, Yu Jingmo unusually spoke up at the table and asked Yu Shang, "Have you settled everything at school?"

"All set," Yu Shang replied.

"You've worked hard these past days. Go relax at the summer camp."

"Yeah."

Tian Ruan, holding his bowl, chimed in, "Lu Qiuyan could use some fun too."

Yu Jingmo didn't respond.

Yu Shang lowered his gaze, acting like he didn't care.

Tian Ruan watched him pretend. The original novel had made it clear—the male lead’s main reason for attending the summer camp was to spend the holiday legitimately with the love interest. Upon learning that the love interest hadn’t signed up, he had lost sleep over it for days.

Just when the male lead was about to give up on the summer camp and focus on learning the family business, he suddenly heard that the love interest had changed his mind and decided to attend. He was so excited that he went for a run around the property the next morning.

Of course, to maintain the male lead Yu Shang’s aloof image, the novel rarely depicted his inner thoughts—those emotions were all Tian Ruan’s guesses.

Sure enough, Yu Shang woke up the next day in a bad mood. Tian Ruan had already spoken with Lu Qiuyan.

Lu Qiuyan: I’m not going to the summer camp. I need to work. You guys have fun.

Tian Ruan: (puppy-dog eyes)

Lu Qiuyan: That act won't work.

Tian Ruan knew nothing he said would make a difference. What would work was Lu Qiuyan’s mother’s insistence—the last summer of high school, the last summer camp of their student years, where many social connections could form during this "vacation."

So Lu’s mother persuaded Lu Qiuyan to attend the summer camp, saying he could work afterward. At first, Lu Qiuyan refused. To him, Deyin’s summer camp was just spoiled kids vacationing, eating, drinking, and fooling around—not worth missing work over.

Lu’s mother then said coldly, "If you don’t go, I’ll pull you from all your part-time jobs."

Knowing his mother meant it, Lu Qiuyan reluctantly agreed.

Deyin’s summer camp alone cost 20,000 yuan, which would basically wipe out Lu Qiuyan’s entire summer earnings—before he'd even earned a cent.

Tian Ruan knew Lu Qiuyan was worried about money. He had money to spare himself, but for the sake of Lu Qiuyan’s pride, he couldn’t just hand it over. Even if he did, Lu Qiuyan would likely use it to pay off family debts.

After much deliberation, Tian Ruan decided to consult Du Henbie. He called and asked, "Big brother, what's the best way to help someone financially without hurting their pride?"

Du Henbie didn’t get it: "Who gets insulted over free cash? Then you must not be giving enough."

Tian Ruan: "...20 grand isn’t enough?"

Du Henbie chuckled: "If I gave you 20,000, would you feel insulted?"

Tian Ruan: "I’d just call you cheap."

Du Henbie: "Then I won’t give it."

Tian Ruan: "Bro, He Lansi’s rubbing off on you."

Du Henbie: "Flattery will get you nowhere."

Tian Ruan: "...Bro, hook me and Lu Qiuyan up with some spending cash."

Du Henbie’s time was far more valuable than wasting it on idle chatter with Tian Ruan, so he promptly sent allowances to his two adopted bros. Unsurprisingly, Tian Ruan accepted it instantly, while Lu Qiuyan left it untouched.

Du Henbie found it amusing and asked: *Why won’t you accept it?*

Lu Qiuyan: *I didn’t earn it. There’s no need for such courtesy, Mr. Du.*

Du Henbie: *Since my parents have acknowledged you, you’re my honorary little brother. It’s normal for an older brother to give his younger brother some allowance.*

Lu Qiuyan: *Just give it all to Tian Ruan. He likes money.*

Du Henbie: *You don’t?*

Lu Qiuyan: *For me, money is a necessity, like toilet paper. Liking it doesn’t factor in.*

Du Henbie: *The Du family doesn’t have a habit of giving allowances. Tian Ruan only asked for it because of you.*

Lu Qiuyan: *...*

Du Henbie: *If you don’t accept it, he’ll take it to heart.*

After much hesitation, Lu Qiuyan finally accepted it and replied: *I’m keeping tabs. I’ll pay you back someday.*

Du Henbie: *If you were 20 instead of 18, I’d definitely pursue you.*

Lu Qiuyan: *...Big bro, please behave. Your better half’s right behind you.*

Du Henbie’s blood ran cold. He turned around in shock and indeed saw He Lansi looming there leisurely.

He Lansi had recently dyed his hair champagne gold again, the ends slightly curled. A matching hair tie loosely gathered the strands at the back of his full head, with a few wispy locks falling by his cheeks, framing his narrow, foxy eyes, all smiles and menace.

"CEO Du’s sure got his hands full hitting on twinks," He Lansi said, one hand resting on the wide desk, his slender fingers tapping rhythmically on the surface.

With such a beauty beside him, how could Du Henbie spare a thought for anyone else? His gaze traveled from that androgynous face to the long, fair neck, then down to the deep V-neck shirt that revealed a strip of skin—the hollow of the collarbone and the lines of the pectoral muscles like vessels of honeyed wine, begging to be tasted.

That loud V-neck shirt cinched tightly at the waist, creating the illusion of a waist you could span with your hands. The pelvis was narrow, the waistline arched like a harp, and those long legs wrapped in white trousers only accentuated the damn near hypnotic allure of the upper body.

Du Henbie devoured He Lansi’s body with his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips: "Kids got nothing on you."

He Lansi gave a half-smile: "Your taste is excellent. I had a thing for Lu Qiuyan too."

"..."

"How about we both chase him and see who bags him first?" He Lansi tossed out, like it was the hottest proposition.

Du Henbie's expression remained unchanged, though his gaze cooled slightly. He pulled the beauty into his embrace with one arm. "This wager isn't exciting enough."

"How would you make it interesting then?" He Lansi, with his slender waist, long legs, and shapely rear, might appear lean but actually weighed a solid 150 pounds. Yet, sitting on Du Henbie's lap, he felt as light as a drifting flower.

Du Henbie tightened his hold on He Lansi, his refined and handsome features carrying a hint of animalistic hunger. "Your body still turns me on more."

He Lansi paused briefly before bursting into laughter. "Mr. Du, your words are so crude."

"Rude but right. Am I not the man who rocks your world the hardest?"

He Lansi wrapped his arms around Du Henbie's neck. "If you want me even more satisfied, you'll have to let me be on top."

Du Henbie glanced down at him and stated firmly, "You're at your best when I'm the one on top."

"..." He Lansi gritted his teeth, both annoyed and amused, quivering with suppressed laughter in Du Henbie's arms like jello in a quake.

A wolf in gentleman's clothing like Du Henbie would never let him go.

He promptly locked the office door, placed the beauty on the desk, and took what he wanted.

Papers went flying across the floor, and the computer was knocked to the floor, but Du Henbie paid no mind—only pounding into him relentlessly. Whatever fleeting attraction he'd felt from the original plot had long vanished, leaving only raw desire for the man before him.

He Lansi matched his rhythm, both swept up in their carnal frenzy.

Under broad daylight, far away in the Yu family manor, Tian Ruan suddenly shivered and sneezed.

Just as he finished, a message from Lu Qiuyan arrived.

Lu Qiuyan: Stop asking me for allowance money anymore.

Tian Ruan guessed it was due to the main character's mental griping and replied: Okay.

The "typing" indicator at the top lingered for a full minute, yet no message followed.

Tian Ruan: Do you want to ask about Yu Shang?

Lu Qiuyan: ...

Tian Ruan: He went to the group. He was really upset when he found out you weren’t going to the summer camp.

Lu Qiuyan: How could you tell he was upset?

Tian Ruan: His face was cold, like someone owed him $5 million.

Lu Qiuyan: $5 million wouldn’t make Yu Shang upset.

Tian Ruan: Then $50 million.

Lu Qiuyan: Oh.

Tian Ruan: You should go cheer him up.

Lu Qiuyan: ...I don’t know how.

Tian Ruan: Here's how: Send him the kissy-face emoji.

Lu Qiuyan: Get lost.

Tian Ruan: Then just any emoji to show you're thinking of him.

Lu Qiuyan thought for a moment and sent Yu Shang a *clenched fist* emoji.

Yu Shang: Looking for a fight?

Lu Qiuyan: ...No.

Yu Shang didn’t reply again.

Lu Qiuyan vented to Tian Ruan: It didn’t work at all. He’s giving me the silent treatment again.

Tian Ruan: Keep trying.

Lu Qiuyan sent a *thumbs up* emoji to Yu Shang.

Yu Shang: You want to fight again?

Lu Qiuyan: Look closer, it’s a thumbs up, not a fist.

Yu Shang: Oh.

Lu Qiuyan: Do you even know how to hold a conversation?

Yu Shang: No.

Lu Qiuyan: What are you doing?

Yu Shang: Working.

Lu Qiuyan: Then get back to work.

Yu Shang went radio silent again.

Lu Qiuyan messaged Tian Ruan: Let the world burn.

Tian Ruan: STOP!!!!!!!

RUMBLE! CRACK! The sky blackened with roiling clouds, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the earth trembled. Zhu Jueshou had spoken it into existence—the world was destroyed. The End.

……

……

Lu Qiuyan: I’m going to summer camp.

Tian Ruan’s eyes widened: Thank God, the world’s saved!