Chapter 196

Chapter 196

The Macchiato International Garden Hotel is a five-star hotel in Su City, famous across China and even internationally for its castle-style architecture. However, the chain has only a dozen or so branches, each serving as a must-see attraction in its respective city.

Unlike the typical opulence of other five-star hotels, Macchiato features themed banquet halls. Even its medium-sized banquet halls, accommodating around a hundred guests, come in seven or eight distinct styles—princess, Mediterranean, medieval, classical Chinese, and more—each a feast for the eyes.

Yu Shang had booked the princess-themed banquet hall. The space was bathed in soft pastel colors, with embroidered lace curtains and cascading crystal chandeliers. A floral archway stood by the window, alongside several realistic white swan figurines adorned with real molted feathers.

The pink carpet was strewn with rose petals, and the room was filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers and fruit.

The group fell silent...

Guided by the attendants, Yu Shang entered first, and the others had little choice but to trail after him.

Tian Ruan smiled and asked Lu Qiuyan, "Do you like it?"

Lu Qiuyan replied impassively, "How... thoughtful."

Choosing a princess-themed banquet hall was indeed "thoughtful." Tian Ruan had reason to suspect that Yu Shang, influenced by yesterday’s birthday party, had subconsciously picked this pastel venue.

Not that Yu Shang could be blamed—his own birthdays had always been simple affairs, and the only proper birthday celebration he’d ever attended was his father’s. Naturally, that became his sole reference.

Fortunately, Lu Qiuyan didn’t react much, though Lu’s mother chuckled and remarked, "Still such a child at heart."

He Fang, true to form, flopped down lazily across the long pink sofa and declared, "Bring all the bodyguards here. I’ll check them out one by one."

Aside from the lengthy pink sofa, the seating area included two armchairs. Tian Ruan took one and motioned for Lu’s mother to sit opposite him. She obliged.

Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan stood by while attendants set the tableware on the lazy susan table, roughly two meters in diameter.

"Only two bodyguards are available today, so not much of a selection today," Tian Ruan told He Fang. "Come to the estate tomorrow, and I’ll personally oversee the selection for you."

He Fang patted his stomach. "Guess I’ll just eat then—nothing else."

Tian Ruan: "..." The fuck else did you plan to eat?

The group exchanged pleasantries for a while. Lu’s mother sat primly, while He Fang wandered around, lounged, played with his phone, and occasionally interjected with irrelevant comments.

Tian Ruan couldn’t resist asking, "Mr. He, do you have weak kidneys? Why are you always lying down?"

He Fang: "I have anemia. Poor health."

Tian Ruan thought to himself, *You seemed full of energy before, eager to 'test' the bodyguards one by one*—though of course, that was never going to happen. Tian Ruan simply wanted to keep He Fang occupied, putting on an act with the bodyguards to painlessly and cost-effectively drive him away.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. Tian Ruan answered, "Mr. Yu, are you on your way?"

"About ten minutes away."

"Alright."

Hearing that Yu Jingmo was coming, Lu’s mother became flustered. "It’s too much trouble for Mr. Yu to attend Lu Qiuyan’s birthday."

Tian Ruan replied, "Since I’m here, of course he’ll come." He knew Lu’s mother was sensitive—only by framing Yu Jingmo’s presence as being for *him* would she feel less awkward.

Lu’s mother nodded. "You two are so in love."

Tian Ruan smiled and didn't continue the topic.

Mother Lu didn't push the matter either. Her family situation was already bad enough, and wishing for what others have would just make her feel worse.

He Fang sat up and noticed Yu Shang speaking quietly with Lu Qiuyan. Unable to hear anything, he called out, "What are you two whispering about? Let us in on it too."

The two boys paused.

Yu Shang turned first and said, "Just school stuff."

He Fang: "Academics cover many things. Like love - that's a subject with lots of approaches."

Lu Qiuyan: "Using mathematical induction, prove that the plane vectors a=(a1, a2) and b=(b1, b2) satisfy the following inequality: a1/b1 + a2/b2 > 0 (assuming a1, a2, b1, b2 share the same sign). You know how to do this, Uncle?"

He Fang: "..."

Tian Ruan's mind automatically started calculating: "..."

He Fang waved his hand dismissively, "I graduated ages ago. That stuff's way behind me now."

Tian Ruan hadn't expected Yu Shang and Lu Qiuyan to actually be discussing math problems. What about all that love talk?

Lu's mother, however, eyed Lu Qiuyan and Yu Shang suspiciously and said, "Yu Shang, my son's not the sharpest. I apologize for the trouble."

Yu Shang was silent for a moment before replying, "Lu Qiuyan is very intelligent. He hasn't caused me any trouble."

Tian Ruan: "That's right. Lu Qiuyan always makes top ten in his class."

Lu's mother didn't seem pleased. Parents always want their children to be even better. "Madam Yu, I heard you always rank in the top three of your grade?"

Tian Ruan: "...I just cram a lot. Lu Qiuyan casually makes it into the top ten—he's actually smarter than me."

Mother Lu wasn't buying it. Grades were the most objective measure. Whether Lu Qiuyan studied casually or not, the gap between him and the top students at Deyin was clear.

She said, "You're too modest, Madam Yu. If you have time, please keep helping Lu Qiuyan."

Tian Ruan didn't know what else to say. He couldn't understand what more Lu's mother wanted but simply replied, "I will."

Lu Qiuyan never reacted to his mother's words. He just lowered his head and picked at his nails absently, as if cleaning something, though there was nothing there.

Tian Ruan glanced at Lu Qiuyan worriedly and suddenly realized that He Fang's presence might not make much difference in the end. What really came between them was caused by Lu's mother herself.

Just like Tian Ruan and Sha Meijuan—no matter how much Tian Ruan had wanted to mend things before, Sha Meijuan had made up her mind to leave. Now, they only made small talk during occasional meetings, with little else to say.

Sha Meijuan hadn't even attended Tian Ruan's birthday. She'd said on the phone, "Today is also Tian Yuan's birthday. Back then, I lied about the date, hoping he could retire early. Even if I can't see him, I want to mark it at home for him."

Tian Ruan knew he couldn't force things and had made his peace with it.

But Lu's mother was Lu Qiuyan's mother. Would Lu Qiuyan ever really get over it in the years to come?

"Madam Lu," Tian Ruan said seriously, "To me, Lu Qiuyan is outstanding—more so than Yu Shang, better than anyone I know. He's wonderful."

Lu's mother was taken aback, then smiled faintly. "That you think so is lucky for him."

"..."

He Fang suddenly asked, "You're still in school?"

Tian Ruan: "Yeah."

He Fang pointed at Lu Qiuyan, "Still in the same class as Qiuyan??"

"Exactly."

"How old are you really?"

"Twenty."

Yu Shang corrected, "Little Dad, you're twenty-one."

Tian Ruan: "I'll wait for you guys. Give me two more twenties, and you'll catch up."

"..."

He Fang burst out laughing and gave a thumbs up, "Damn, that’s wild."

The banquet hall doors swung open abruptly, Mao Qi stood stiffly by the door. He Fang stretched his neck eagerly, "Is he your bodyguard?"

Tian Ruan: "Yes."

Mao Qi remained motionless by the door. Moments later, heavy footsteps echoed as the scent of wood clashed with the sweet fragrance of the banquet hall. A tall, commanding figure appeared, radiating an oppressive aura—like a towering mountain peak or the blazing midday sun, blindingly radiant.

He Fang was instantly spellbound, widening his eyes and declaring, "I want him as my bodyguard! He’s perfect!"

Tian Ruan: "??"

Lu’s mother’s face changed, "What nonsense are you saying? This is—"

"Mr. Yu, you're here!" Tian Ruan jumped up and bounced over eagerly, nearly colliding with Yu Jingmo.

He Fang: "..."

Yu Jingmo lifted a hand to grip the young man’s slender, softly rounded shoulder, halting his steps. His gleaming square-toe oxfords crushed a rose petal as he glanced down, his gaze sweeping past Tian Ruan's sparkling eyes. "Mm."

Tian Ruan gave him a light hug, marking his territory, "Glad you made it."

Yu Jingmo lifted his head and addressed Lu's mother, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Lu’s mother stiffened briefly before hastily standing up, "Not at all."

Yu Jingmo's hair was combed back in a sharp side part, revealing a full forehead and sharply defined sideburns. His long eyebrows and phoenix eyes carried an air of aloof indifference, yet his lips curved into a deceptively warm smile. "Today is Xiao Lu's birthday. Since my wife is attending, naturally, I had to come as well."

This sentiment unexpectedly aligned with Tian Ruan's own thoughts. Tian Ruan declared shamelessly, "Mr. Yu and I are really becoming more and more on the same wavelength."

Yu Jingmo had no idea why he said that, but he guessed it was likely because he’d inadvertently echoed Tian Ruan’s thoughts. "Mm."

Lu's mother smiled, "Take a seat."

Everyone moved to the dining table. Only He Fang was still in a daze, staring at Yu Jingmo and asking stubbornly, "He’s really not a bodyguard?"

Tian Ruan turned to ask, "Mao-ge, if Mr. Yu were a bodyguard, would you be scared?"

Mao Qi replied with utmost seriousness, "I’d wake up screaming from nightmares in the middle of the night."

He Fang gave Yu Jingmo a half-hearted salute, "Pleasure to meet you, the legendary, stone-cold, merciless Boss Yu."

Yu Jingmo neither confirmed nor denied it.

Tian Ruan objected, "When has Mr. Yu ever been cold-blooded? Stop spreading rumors."

He Fang shrugged, "Just messing with you."

"Then if I say you hook up with ten people a night, that’s also a joke."

"Ten’s pushing it, but five or six is no problem."

"..." He Fang had no shame admitting it, but Tian Ruan was too embarrassed to even comment.

Madam Lu shot He Fang a glare, "If you keep spouting nonsense, get out."

He Fang grinned, "Sis, I was just joking. Why’s everyone taking it so seriously? You guys are no fun."

Tian Ruan: "The real fun’s tomorrow."

Having accepted that Yu Jingmo wasn’t a bodyguard, He Fang winked at Mao Qi, "You’re coming tomorrow, right, bro?"

Mao Qi: "..."

Waiters streamed in, carrying an array of exquisite dishes—beautifully plated and fragrant. The only weird part was the super girly theme of the dining ware, with frilly edges and soft pastels. It was like eating here would magically turn you into a princess.

Even the cake was pink and white, adorned with a ring of red strawberries and fancy cream decorations, including several miniature princess dresses.

Lu Qiuyan: "..."

The last birthday party here had to be for a ten-year-old girl.

Once all dishes were served, Yu Jingmo said, "Yu Shang, play the birthday song."

Yu Shang rose and walked to the transparent grand piano in the corner. Lifting the fallboard, he adjusted a few notes before beginning to play.

The melody of "Happy Birthday" was simple, but Yu Shang gave it a soft, lingering warmth. Lu Qiuyan watched him, his dull eyes slowly lighting up.

Tian Ruan sang along, "Happy birthday to you~ Happy birthday to you~ Wishing you happiness always~ Wishing you joy and blessings~"

As the song ended, the banquet hall doors opened again, and Madam Du entered with a smile, applauding, "That sounded lovely."

Tian Ruan: "Mom! You made it!"

Madam Du first greeted Madam Lu, "Madam Lu, hello. Hope I’m not interrupting."

Madam Lu: "Not at all, please have a seat."

Madam Du moved beside Madam Lu, who then said to He Fang, "Scoot over."

He Fang: "Oh."

The two mothers sat together, chatting briefly. Madam Du was elegant and composed, while Madam Lu seemed slightly reserved—until she realized Madam Du looked down on no one, and gradually relaxed. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate Qiuyan’s birthday," she said.

Madam Du: "Nonsense. Xiao Lu is practically half my son, and with him being classmates with Xiao Ruan and Yu Shang, it’s like family squared, double the joy. It’s meant to be."

Madam Lu simply smiled.

He Fang interjected, "Yeah, I think Qiuyan and Yu Shang are meant for each other—"

Tian Ruan: "Ack!"

Madam Lu and Madam Du turned to look. Madam Du asked, "Xiao Ruan, you okay? Sore throat?"

Tian Ruan: "Mm-hmm."

He Fang continued: "I think Qiuyan and Shang—"

Tian Ruan: "Aah~ Ooh~ Eee~"

He Fang: "I think they're really—"

Tian Ruan: "The sun is shining bright! Flowers smile at me! The little bird says, chirp chirp chirp!"

He Fang: "..."

Madam Du instructed the waiter: "Quick, bring a bowl of pear soup. His throat's bothering him."

He Fang smirked at Tian Ruan, "Mrs. Yu, what do you mean?"

Tian Ruan put on an innocent face, "My throat is uncomfortable."

He Fang gave up trying to talk.

Yu Jingmo glanced at Tian Ruan, "Keep your voice down, or everyone will think there’s a bunch of kids making noise in this banquet room."

Tian Ruan nodded obediently, "Gotcha."

Once all the dishes were served, Yu Jingmo said, "Birthday boy gets first dibs."

Lu Qiuyan raised his glass of orange juice and stood up, "Thank you all for coming to my birthday. Let me raise a toast to everyone with this drink."

The table was too large, so even standing, Tian Ruan couldn’t reach Lu Qiuyan’s glass. From across the table, he called out, "Lu Qiuyan, may you enjoy health, wealth, and happiness!"

Lu Qiuyan chuckled, "Thanks."

Yu Shang struggled before finally saying, "Happy birthday."

Lu Qiuyan: "...Thanks."

He Fang winked, "Hope my favorite nephew strikes it rich soon so I can cash in on your success."

Lu Qiuyan ignored him and drank without responding. The others simply wished him a happy birthday.

Without Yu Shang’s piano accompaniment, soft music played from the speakers as everyone had a pleasant birthday dinner together.

The cake was cut last. Tian Ruan helped slice it, ceremoniously offered the first slice to Lu Qiuyan—complete with a tiny drawn dress on top.

Lu Qiuyan: "...Do I have to?"

Tian Ruan: "No, birthday boy rules - you gotta eat cake."

Aside from the cake, the hotel thoughtfully prepared a bowl of noodles. Lu Qiuyan ate his noodles and some dishes, leaving him too stuffed for cake. He managed only a few polite nibbles.

Tian Ruan, however, wolfed down two slices and was about to reach for a third when Yu Jingmo stopped him.

Yu Jingmo patted his round belly, "That's enough - you'll make yourself sick."

Tian Ruan: "But it'll go to waste."

"We can box it up to go."

"Oh yeah. Lu Qiuyan, take home this half of the cake. Don't forget to put it in the fridge."

Lu Qiuyan glanced at his mother and said, "No need, this is already too much."

"Then I'll take it home for tomorrow."

"Oh."

"Mrs. Lu, these dishes haven't been touched. Please take them back. I really can't finish them."

Lu's mother only agreed after seeing he'd taken the cake, saying, "Alright. We shouldn't waste food."

Madam Du also said, "These candied peanuts are delicious. May I take some back?"

Lu's mother smiled, "Of course. Madam Du, feel free to take any dishes you like."

Tian Ruan thought to himself, "Truly her son. Whatever he thinks, Madam Du sees right through him."

As the banquet ended, Tian Ruan helped Lu Qiuyan organize the gifts everyone had brought. Suddenly, he asked Yu Shang, "Where's your gift?"

Yu Shang: "...At home."

Tian Ruan: "Take it over once you're home."

"Yeah."

Lu Qiuyan didn't say anything, though he wouldn't admit he was looking forward to Yu Shang's gift.

Everyone exited the hotel entrance. Madam Du had her own car, Tian Ruan rode in Yu Jingmo's car, and Yu Shang offered his own car to Lu's mother, saying, "The driver will take you back. It’ll be easier to transport everything."

Lu's mother didn't argue—there was indeed too much to carry for just her and Lu Qiuyan.

After saying their goodbyes, everyone got into their cars and headed home.

On the way back, Tian Ruan suddenly slapped his thigh. "Shit! Lu Qiuyan's father is still passed out in the hotel!"

Yu Jingmo: "Just leave him there. He’ll wake up and get home."

"That’s fine then." Tian Ruan wasn’t worried about what Lu's mother might think. She was probably glad for a night off from her husband.

Besides, sleeping on the floor of a five-star hotel—either way, Lu's father was coming out ahead.

Back home, Tian Ruan was exhausted. He took a shower and flopped onto the bed, quickly drifting off. But soon, he felt an itchy sensation, as if a snake were coiling around him.

"...Mr. Yu..." he murmured hazily.

Yu Jingmo handled the young man's limp limbs and said, "You sleep. I’ll take care of things."

Tian Ruan: "...Mmm... Ah..."

After whimpering a bit, Tian Ruan finally woke up.

"Mr. Yu..."

Yu Jingmo covered his eyes with a palm. "Go back to sleep."

"...Yeah, right."

It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky that Tian Ruan blearily opened his eyes. Every little move made his body ache in familiar ways.

"...You bastard... total bastard." Tian Ruan couldn’t come up with anything harsher.

Turning his head, he found a thick stack of banknotes on the pillow.

Tian Ruan: "..."

Was he hallucinating? Had his love for money driven him crazy?

Rubbing his eyes, the money was still real.

Not a hallucination!

Tian Ruan quickly grabbed the pile—at least 200,000 yuan—breathing in the sweet smell of cash, all his pain melted away. A little note was tucked in with the cash: *Sweetheart, hope this makes up for how rough I was last night—Yu Jingmo.*

Tian Ruan kissed the note. "I forgive you, Mr. Yu."

Being a tough guy, Tian Ruan pushed through—brushing his teeth, washing his face, dressing himself—though he was still limping a little after a few steps.

Ignoring it, he headed downstairs and called out, "Uncle Wang!"

The butler scurried in and bowed. "Madam, perfect timing. Mr. He’s already barged into the bodyguard dorms."

"What?"

Without even eating or drinking, Tian Ruan rushed toward the shared dormitory for bodyguards and servants, hidden in a corner of the estate behind a little bridge and stream.

By the time Tian Ruan arrived, He Fang was lounging in the only doorway, having let all the servants pass but grilling every bodyguard who came by—

"What's your name?"

"How old are you?"

"How many people in your family?"

"What's your annual income?"

"What are your measurements? How long is your dick?"

Each question left the bodyguards turning red as tomatoes, frozen in embarrassment.

Tian Ruan caught the last question and gasped, "He Fang! Harassing my bodyguards in broad daylight—what the hell?"

He Fang turned around. "You’re the one who set me up! Just doing my due diligence."

Seeing bodyguards still watching from the windows, Tian Ruan sighed in relief—at least they hadn’t fallen victim to He Fang’s antics yet. He kept his voice steady. "These things take time. Come here."

He Fang strolled over, standing only a couple inches taller than Tian Ruan, and declared, "I like ‘em tall, not short."

Tian Ruan nodded. "Any other requirements?"

"Annual income of a million."

"CEOs don’t always pull that in, and bodyguards sure don’t."

"Then at least 500,000. Not too hard, right?"

Tian Ruan mentally filtered his options—only Mao Qi in his household earned that much. "I think 200,000 to 300,000 is already good."

He Fang picked at his ear. "Then just hand over the cash."

Tian Ruan immediately started making big promises: "No problem! Our bodyguards aren’t just rich—they’re also gullible. Guaranteed to be wrapped around your finger."

"That sounds fantastic, hahahaha!"

"Hahahaha..." The two cackled like villains.

The bodyguards not far away: (T_T)

Once Tian Ruan had laughed enough, he rubbed his stiff face, straightened his expression, and sauntered over to the dormitory building, calling out, "Mao Qi, front and center!"

Mao Qi reluctantly jumped down from the second floor, landing right in front of Tian Ruan.

Tian Ruan pounded enthusiastically on Mao Qi’s chest, gave a thumbs-up, and turned to He Fang. "Built like a tank!"

He Fang grinned, looking satisfied.

Mao Qi: "...Madam, please restrain yourself."

Tian Ruan continued slapping Mao Qi’s shoulders noisily while whispering, "Brother Mao, have your guys play along with this charade. Just string him along so he doesn’t have time to run off to the Lu family."

Mao Qi nodded. "Got it."

Tian Ruan slapped him again. "Attaboy!"

Mao Qi: "...Madam, that hurts."

Tian Ruan abruptly stopped, surprised. "Really? I always hit Mr. Yu like this, and he says it’s like a kitten’s playful swat..."

Mao Qi kept a straight face.

Tian Ruan fell silent. Had Yu Jingmo just been putting up with it all this time?

Mao Qi turned and barked, "Assemble!"

The bodyguards, long accustomed to his discipline (and beatings), didn’t dare delay. Within three seconds, they rushed to the open ground, lining up neatly and calling out their numbers with military precision.

He Fang’s expression grew increasingly lecherous. "Military men? I’m so down for that."

Mao Qi pointed at He Fang. "Madam says, keep him hooked!"

The bodyguards froze for a moment—then, as one, they pulled out ropes and swarmed toward He Fang.

He Fang: "Huh? Ah—ahhh...?!"

Tian Ruan’s mind was completely blown on the spot: "?! Oh my God! All of you at once?! So kinky! So kinky!! Help—"

Three minutes later, He Fang was hanging upside down from an old tree, swaying gently like a piñata, questioning his life choices.

Tian Ruan: "………………"

He Fang: "………………"