Chapter 185

Chapter 185

Not far from the campsite stood an old-fashioned public restroom, hidden within a grove of camphor trees. During the day, the scenery was naturally picturesque, but at night, it appeared spooky and unsettling, with shadows dancing among the trees like lurking mountain spirits.

Tian Ruan's bladder ached as he glanced around, hoping to find someone to accompany him to the restroom. Suddenly, he caught sight of Mao Qi's pale, expressionless face and took a startled step back. "Brother Mao?"

Mao Qi raised a hand and pointed, murmuring, "Young master, Mr. Yu is waiting for you over there."

Tian Ruan peered into the dimly lit distance. Under the moonlight, amidst the swaying shadows, a tall figure stood faintly visible, as calm and imposing as a mountain god.

Feeling slightly reassured, Tian Ruan asked, "Why is Mr. Yu here?"

Mao Qi replied, "Young master will know once you go over."

Walking along the stone paths of the campsite, Tian Ruan occasionally stepped on dry twigs and fallen leaves. The surrounding tents were lit, with mosquito coils smoking into the air, accompanied by the laughter of classmates and the aroma of grilled meat.

"Hey, come grab some barbecue!" Wang Weiqi called from a charcoal grill. "Where are you off to?"

Tian Ruan feigned composure. "I need to use the restroom."

"Don’t forget to come back for the meat!"

Blushing, Tian Ruan thought to himself—Mr. Yu was here, and he had much better "meat" to enjoy.

The moonlight shone like liquid silver, and the chirping of insects filled the mountain air. The scorching heat of the day had given way to a refreshing coolness under the night sky.

Yu Jingmo stood on a small path outside the campsite, playing with a flashlight, flicking it on and off like a lighthouse guiding lost travelers.

"Mr. Yu," the lost traveler whispered, his voice sweeter and clearer than a mountain spring.

Yu Jingmo pointed the flashlight at him.

Tian Ruan shielded his eyes. "Stop pointing that—someone might see."

Yu Jingmo turned off the flashlight and chuckled. "Can’t let anyone see?"

Tian Ruan sneaked closer, glancing around as if sneaking around. "Of course not."

"A secret midnight meetup with a lover—who also happens to be a classmate’s father—now that’s thrilling."

"..." Tian Ruan rolled his eyes. "I gotta piss. Come with me first."

Yu Jingmo glanced toward the faint lights in the camphor grove. "Aren’t you afraid of running into classmates?"

"Then what should I do?" Tian Ruan clenched his legs, desperate to go.

Noticing his discomfort, Yu Jingmo took his hand and said, "It hasn’t rained in days. These old trees are thirsty—you could help them out."

Tian Ruan hesitated. "That's... not right, is it?"

"From the perspective of how nature works, all sorts of animals do their business in the mountains. Humans are no exception."

Going alone was too scary, but going with Yu Jingmo might raise suspicions. After a quick debate with himself, Tian Ruan followed Yu Jingmo to a more secluded spot.

"Here. The perfect spot," Yu Jingmo remarked, surveying the surroundings—rolling hills ahead and a babbling brook in the valley behind.

Tian Ruan couldn’t hold it any longer. He quickly pulled out his dick and "offered" some relief to a withering old tree.

After he was done, Tian Ruan let out a relieved sigh and cleaned up with a wet wipe.

Just as he was about to pull back, Yu Jingmo took out another wet wipe and wrapped it around his hand, carefully wiping.

"...Mr. Yu, it's clean." Tian Ruan's knees went weak as he clutched Yu Jingmo's shirt sleeve.

Around Yu Jingmo's wrist was the gold watch Tian Ruan had gifted him—tacky in daylight, but under the night sky, it exuded an understated luxury, reflecting the faint moonlight. He gently and slowly toyed with the small, jade-like object in his hand, the wet wipe now dry.

Gradually, the softness within the wet wipe formed a shape.

Adorable, delicate, irresistible.

Yu Jingmo discarded the biodegradable wet wipe, his slender fingers deftly enveloping Xiao Tianruan. "Let me double-check."

Tian Ruan couldn't stand steadily, leaning against Yu Jingmo's shoulder with a kittenish whimper, "Mr. Yu..."

Yu Jingmo wrapped an arm around his narrow waist, pinning him against a thick, towering old bamboo.

Bamboo leaves rustled as a cool breeze swept past.

Yu Jingmo's palm was damp.

Tian Ruan tilted his face toward the moon and stars—always brighter in the mountains than in the city, as if washed clean, untainted by city smog.

Yu Jingmo kissed his eyelids. "Your eyes are prettier than the stars."

Tian Ruan glared at him, cheeks flushed. "You’re impossible..."

"How could I what?" Yu Jingmo expertly pulled up the young man's pants and straightened his clothes.

Tian Ruan's cheeks puffed, but when his gaze landed on the formidable penis, he quickly averted his eyes.

Yu Jingmo restrained his impulses. "Don't look there, or we really will have to do this outdoors."

Tian Ruan protested, "No, there are too many bugs outside."

"Mm." Yu Jingmo had considered that very point, which was why he held back after just a taste.

Just as they were about to leave the grove, footsteps suddenly approached, crunching on fallen leaves, accompanied by muffled voices. Yu Jingmo immediately turned off the flashlight.

Tian Ruan startled, about to bolt, but Yu Jingmo seized his wrist, fixed him with a stern phoenix-eyed gaze. He suddenly realized—running in the mountains at night was dangerous.

"...Hai Chao, it's too dark here."

"Would you dare in a brighter place?"

"No."

"Take it off."

The brief exchange drifted into Tian Ruan's ears like a bombshell, leaving his mind buzzing—Hai Chao and Nan Huaiju? What were they doing? Take what off?

Tian Ruan tugged Yu Jingmo behind a cluster of thick bamboo, his curiosity burning.

"They..." Yu Jingmo began, only for Tian Ruan to slap a hand over his mouth.

Yu Jingmo pulled his hand away, frowning. "Your hands aren’t clean."

Tian Ruan whispered, "I wiped them with a wet wipe."

Yu Jingmo let it slide—after all, he wasn’t one to talk. With that thought, he pulled out the last wet wipe, wiped his mouth, then Tian Ruan’s hand.

Maybe the sudden gust of wind gave them good cover, as Hai Chao and Nan Huaiju didn't notice them.

Tian Ruan watched, both excited and nervous, at the small clearing where bamboo shadows dappled in the moonlight—

There, Nan Huaiju fumbled with his pants, standing facing a bamboo trunk, his round butt wrapped in snow-white underwear clearly showing two SpongeBobs. His voice trembled slightly, "Go ahead."

Hai Chao glanced at his underwear. "Never mind."

"??" Nan Huaiju turned his head in surprise. "You're not gonna?"

Hai Chao moved behind him, lifting the elastic waistband of his underwear and yanking it down. "Like this."

Due to the angle, Tian Ruan could only see Hai Chao’s back and Nan Huaiju’s profile pressed against the bamboo, but couldn't see anything important.

Thwack! A crisp sound of flesh being struck rang out.

Tian Ruan: "!!!"

Nan Huaiju let out a cry, half-sob, admitting, "I won’t do it again."

Hai Chao’s voice was indifferent. "You knew what you were doing. That’s an extra slap."

Thwack! This one was gentler than the last.

Nan Huaiju sniffled, "I really won’t do it again..."

Hai Chao helped him pull up his pants.

Nan Huaiju mumbled, "Are the two handprints symmetrical?"

Hai Chao paused. "You want symmetry? Then two more."

"No, next time."

Hai Chao snorted. "Quite self-aware, aren’t you? Already planning for your next mistake and punishment."

Nan Huaiju: "...Is that not allowed?"

Hai Chao looked at the boy’s teary eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "Fine. Next time, I’ll leave symmetrical handprints—one per cheek."

Nan Huaiju nodded. That way, when he checked in the mirror during his evening shower, he wouldn’t have to agonize over which side was sorer.

Hai Chao led the way out.

Nan Huaiju scurried after him like a doting wife. "Wait, my ass hurts."

Hai Chao slowed his pace slightly. "Come to my tent later. I’ll put some cream on it."

"You’re the best."

"..."

Tian Ruan could no longer hear their conversation, leaving only prolonged silence.

Yu Jingmo remarked, "They've got their own thing going."

Tian Ruan was equally astonished. "One likes to give, the other likes to get."

Yu Jingmo took his hand. "Let’s go. Your present's up a little further."

The two strolled along the mountain trail and unexpectedly encountered a few late-night hikers. After some conversation, they learned everyone was rushing to the summit to catch the sunrise at dawn.

Tian Ruan thought it sounded romantic. "Mr. Yu, should we try night hiking?"

Yu Jingmo replied, "Climbing from here to the summit takes about three hours. Starting now, we’d arrive by midnight at the latest, then rest for four or five hours at the top. Are you sure you’ll still have energy for the summer camp tomorrow?"

"Never mind, then." Tian Ruan knew his limits. "Some other time, maybe."

Yu Jingmo said, "Actually, if you wake up at four or five in the morning at the estate, going up the mountain to see the sunrise would have the same effect."

"...Really?" Tian Ruan felt like he’d missed out on a fortune. Oh man—the Yu family estate was halfway up the mountain, not far from Ziyun Temple. It truly was the perfect spot for sunrise viewing.

"If you can wake up, I’ll accompany you."

Tian Ruan nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."

Yu Jingmo smiled without a word. Tian Ruan’s routine was too rigid—getting up at that hour would require a human alarm clock like him.

Bodyguards walked ahead, with two more following at a discreet distance. Tian Ruan had initially worried about being overheard like a cartoon sidekick, but now he saw there was no need for concern.

"We’re here." Yu Jingmo led Tian Ruan to a gurgling stream, its banks thick with greenery. In daylight, it would surely be a breathtaking sight.

A crescent moon hung in the sky, its glow and the stars reflected on the water.

"This is really pretty," Tian Ruan said appreciatively.

Yu Jingmo smiled softly and guided him to sit on a riverside rock, then signaled to the bodyguards.

After exchanging hand gestures, the bodyguards stepped into the dense foliage and began swinging ropes.

Tian Ruan listened to the stream shifting between rushing and trickling, finding it uniquely charming. Cupping his face in his hands, his eyes sparkled, reflecting the starry sky as he enjoyed the cool mountain breeze.

"Not just the stars will shine," Yu Jingmo murmured, his voice lingering in Tian Ruan’s ears like the wind.

Tian Ruan rubbed his earlobe absently and pulled his gaze away from the stars. "What else will shine?"

A huge cloud of fireflies emerged from the thick foliage, soaring into the night sky to rival the moon and stars.

Soft yellow-green lights flickered like drifting embers across Tian Ruan’s vision. His eyes widened as he watched clusters of fireflies cross the stream, merging with others, their glowing tails pulsing like tiny nebulae.

One firefly flitted past Tian Ruan. He reached out but missed, watching as it drifted leisurely between him and Yu Jingmo.

"I haven’t seen fireflies in forever!" Tian Ruan’s eyes shone brighter than the stars. "Mr. Yu, how did you find them?"

Yu Jingmo gazed at the young man’s genuine delight, his lips curving. "I didn’t find them. They’ve always been here."

Tian Ruan stood and waved his hands through the swirling fireflies, feeling these little guys outshone the stars themselves. "I’ve heard fireflies have luciferin in their tails—they glow to attract mates."

"Mm." Yu Jingmo also rose, taking the young man’s hand and leading him in a dance among the fireflies.

Tian Ruan couldn’t decide whether to watch the fireflies or Yu Jingmo, following his steps as they swayed through the intoxicating night.

As they danced, Tian Ruan’s stomach growled loudly.

Yu Jingmo chuckled. "Your stomach’s growling."

Tian Ruan clarified, "It’s basic biology."

Yu Jingmo called over Mao Qi to get the grill ready for barbecue.

If the fireflies were a surprise, then the barbecue was a shocker: "Mr. Yu, are you having a midnight snack now?"

"Depends on the situation," Yu Jingmo said. "We rarely go camping, so of course I want to give you a perfect experience."

Tian Ruan laughed. "Perfect."

Beef or lamb didn't do much for him, but the pork belly, roasted to a crispy, juicy perfection—crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor—golden on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth tender inside—was so good with just a dash of cumin, it'd make you wanna bite your own tongue off.

"Thank the heavens for this blessing, letting me eat such delicious pork belly," Tian Ruan said sincerely.

Yu Jingmo chuckled. "Shouldn’t you be thanking me instead?"

Tian Ruan: "Nature created pigs, animals that are treasures from head to toe, as food for humans—that’s the heavens’ blessing. Of course, I should also thank you for letting me eat it."

"Since you’ve eaten the meat, you should pay with your body."

"...Tonight, I’ll sleep at my hotel. We’ll regroup tomorrow morning to wrap up the summer camp."

Yu Jingmo elegantly cut the pork belly into small pieces, eating with a fork. Perhaps because the atmosphere was relaxed, he no longer adhered to his usual rule of not speaking while eating, but every time he spoke, his mouth was empty. "I’ll hold you to that. Payback later."

Tian Ruan nodded and focused on eating.

This unexpected midnight rendezvous lasted until nearly eleven. Tian Ruan, well-fed and thoroughly satisfied, even 'little Tian Ruan' taken care of, was glowing and wide awake. "Mr. Yu, I really have to go back now."

Yu Jingmo wiped his mouth with a tissue and led him to the creek to wash his hands.

Tian Ruan casually picked up a few pretty pebbles and stuffed them into his pocket. As they walked back, he also found a freakishly straight stick, like nature carved it just right.

Perfect for tying the captured firefly lantern to.

The fireflies were wrapped in semi-transparent gauze, faithfully lighting their path.

"Once we get back to camp, I’ll release them," Tian Ruan said sheepishly. "They belong in the wild."

Yu Jingmo looked at the innocent young man, held his hand, and walked him to the edge of the camp. "I’ll head back first."

"Okay. Goodnight, Mr. Yu."

"I’ll say goodnight again once you’re back at the hotel."

"Alright." Tian Ruan held up the firefly lantern, watching Yu Jingmo’s tall, striking silhouette gradually disappear beyond the forest.

"Tian Ruan?!" Wang Weiqi bellowed like a madman. "Dude, everyone’s freaking out looking for you!"

Tian Ruan: "?"

"Where the hell’ve you been?" Aside from Wang Weiqi, seven or eight classmates crowded around him. "What’s that?"

Tian Ruan said, "I went to catch fireflies."

"Fireflies?" Most of these city kids had grown up in concrete cities and had rarely seen fireflies, things you only see out in the sticks. "These are fireflies? No way, they actually glow?"

Tian Ruan had no doubt that, a thousand years from now, fireflies might become legendary "magical bugs"—glowing, flying bugs? That’s some fairy-tale stuff.

He untied the gauze bag and released the glittering fireflies.

The camp burst into awestruck murmurs.

Wang Weiqi, however, was more interested in the branch in Tian Ruan’s hand. "Yo, lemme mess with that for a sec? It’s so straight—it’s practically my perfect stick."

Tian Ruan reluctantly handed over the branch, "Then be careful with it. It took me a lot of effort to find one this straight."

Wang Weiqi: "Straight like me, it’s a perfect match."

"Nope."

"..."

Not just Wang Weiqi, many of the boys were particularly fond of this branch, and it gradually turned into an auction.

"I’ll bid a thousand."

"I’ll bid ten thousand!"

"I’ll bid twenty thousand!"

Wang Weiqi gritted his teeth: "I’ll bid thirty thousand!"

Another boy: "I’ll bid fifty thousand!"

Silence fell.

The boy proudly exchanged money with Tian Ruan for the branch, "From now on, it’s mine."

Tian Ruan: "..." He didn’t understand, but respected it.

Selling a branch for fifty thousand was like winning the lottery. Tian Ruan immediately shared this golden opportunity with Lu Qiuyan.

Lu Qiuyan had heard the noise from afar but ignored it, busy helping Yu Shang with taking down the camp—setting up tents was easy, but packing them up was difficult and time-consuming.

Then he saw Tian Ruan ran over, excited: "Lu Qiuyan, I sold a branch for fifty thousand."

Lu Qiuyan: "What?"

After Tian Ruan explained, he said, "Let’s go hunt for branches."

Lu Qiuyan followed him to collect branches, but after ten minutes of searching, he couldn’t find a single one as perfectly straight and naturally grown as before. He couldn’t help but say, "Seems like free money doesn’t grow on trees."

Tian Ruan looked up at the tall tree, "Can you climb trees?"

Lu Qiuyan understood and immediately climbed up, breaking off several relatively straight branches from the forks.

After looking them over, Tian Ruan still wasn’t satisfied, "Are there any straighter ones?"

Lu Qiuyan scanned the surroundings and spotted a straighter one, though it was a bit farther away. Carefully, he inched along the branch—it wasn’t too thick, and his 150-pound weight made it groan precariously.

Tian Ruan was startled and spread his arms below, "Lu Qiuyan, don’t go any further! It’s too dangerous!"

Lu Qiuyan refused to give up and kept moving toward the tip. He reached out—got the branch—but then came a loud *crack*, followed by another.

"Ahhh! You’re gonna fall! Help!" Tian Ruan darted around below, panicked.

Lu Qiuyan: "Get out of the way!"

Tian Ruan: "Come on, I’ll catch you! I won’t let anything happen to you!"

"...Alright."

The branch wobbled, then with one final *crack*, Lu Qiuyan and the branch tumbled down—

Tian Ruan spread his arms but caught nothing.

Lu Qiuyan was sprawled on the ground.

"..."

"..."

"God damn it, Lu Qiuyan!!"

Lu Qiuyan rolled his eyes. Fortunately, it was only a three- or four-meter fall, and he was used to rough tumbles. Relying on Tian Ruan to save him was like waiting for pigs to fly.

"What are you two doing?" Yu Shang's voice was deep and stern.

Tian Ruan said exasperatedly, "Where were you? Shouldn’t you have been the hero to catch him?"

Yu Shang ignored Tian Ruan, crouching beside Lu Qiuyan instead. "Did you fall from the tree?"

Embarrassed, Lu Qiuyan nonchalantly got up from the soft dirt, dusting his hands. "It's nothing. I was using this branch as a pull-up bar—turns out it couldn’t hold my weight."

"Are you really okay?" Yu Shang frowned slightly.

Miraculously, Lu Qiuyan was completely unharmed, as if he had plot armor—not a single scratch on him.

Tian Ruan suggested, "Maybe we should still get you checked at the hospital?"

Lu Qiuyan brushed it off. "Really, no need. Think we can sell this branch?"

Tian Ruan took the branch, which looked like a magic wand, and nodded. "Definitely."

"Good."

Yu Shang’s face went cold. "Come with me to the hospital."

"No." Lu Qiuyan rolled his shoulders. "I'm perfectly fine."

Yu Shang grabbed his wrist and yanked him away without another word.

"Yu Shang, what are you doing?"

Ignoring him, Yu Shang went straight to the teacher. "Lu Qiuyan fell from a tree. I'm taking him to the hospital for a checkup."

The teacher looked startled. "Is it serious?"

Before Lu Qiuyan could speak, Yu Shang cut in, "Very. We think adrenaline’s numbing the pain."

Lu Qiuyan muttered, "That's bullshit—"

The teacher’s expression turned serious. "Yu Shang, take him to the hospital. The teachers and student council will handle the rest of the camp."

Yu Shang nodded and marched Lu Qiuyan off.

Still hung up on the branch, Lu Qiuyan looked around for Tian Ruan.

Tian Ruan quickly sold the branch to Wang Weiqi, saying, "Need cash fast—three grand, take it or leave it? Comes with two egg-shaped pebbles, perfectly round."

Wang Weiqi cradled the "magic wand," stroking the egg-shaped stones, tearing up. "One man’s trash is another’s treasure. You’re a real one, finally hooked me up with my dream branch."

Tian Ruan didn’t stick around to hear the rest, bailing fast.

In the dead of night, Tian Ruan and Yu Shang accompanied Lu Qiuyan to the hospital emergency room.

Lu Qiuyan’s objections fell on deaf ears—he was dragged through a battery of tests...

Finally, the doctor said, "Not a scratch on him. This student is completely unharmed, with no damage to any organs. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a healthy body."

Yu Shang: "Hn."

Tian Ruan also felt relieved. After all, Lu Qiuyan still had to enlist in the military, and injuries could complicate things.

Lu Qiuyan’s anger dissipated the moment he received the 50,000 "windfall" transferred by Tian Ruan: "Who knew a single branch could be so profitable? Those spoiled brats are all cash, no brains."

Tian Ruan, who earned 50,000 but lost 20,000—the one with "more money than sense": "..."

The three walked out of the hospital, shouldering past a middle-aged man. The man turned back in shock, staring at the tallest of the three teenagers, his lips quivering: "Yu Shang?"

Yu Shang turned around, coolly sizing him up, certain he didn’t recognize him.

The man took a deep breath: "Do you remember me?"

"And you are...?" Yu Shang asked politely yet distantly, already standing beside the waiting Porsche.

The man glanced at the car, his gaze dripping with envy. "You’re a rich man’s child now, of course you don’t remember your real father."

His words struck like a bolt from the blue, shattering the night’s calm.

Tian Ruan’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the middle-aged man, whose features still bore traces of handsomeness—the biological father of the protagonist’s love interest. How had he appeared ahead of schedule??

Thunder growled in the distance, signaling the storm to come.

Yu Shang stood frozen by the car. After a long pause, he spoke: "I only have one father."

"A Tong..." the man whispered hoarsely.

"My name is Yu Shang," Yu Shang said firmly.