Chapter 29 Confession Screen

Chapter 29: Declaration Wall

When Lu Guifan looked back at the painting again, an unprecedented feeling of warmth and beauty flooded over him.

Suddenly, it felt as though Jiang Ruotang had comforted him.

No... this wasn’t just comfort—it was the sensation of being carefully cherished and pampered.

That night, Lu Guifan found himself unable to focus on his studies. He spent a long time reading about astrophysics, feeling a stab of envy toward Jiang Ruotang’s way of thinking. It seemed that everything, when filtered through Jiang Ruotang’s mind, became soft and romantic.

After the monthly exam ended, Jiang Ruotang returned to class and immediately noticed Zhao Zhangfeng’s utterly dejected expression—sighing heavily, brows furrowed, his face was meme material.

“You’re actually worried about exam results?” Jiang Ruotang turned and leaned over Zhao Zhangfeng’s desk. Though he didn’t want to admit it, Zhao Zhangfeng’s eyes were bigger than his, making any glaring contest an unfair fight... so annoying.

“It’s all because of that trainer Auntie Zhao introduced to me... kept saying I had talent, but it was all a scam—working with that fitness coach, they’ve been running me ragged like a dog every day...”

“Huh? Blaming my dad? Should I tell him to fire the trainer then?”

“No way! Coach Pei is important...” Zhao Zhangfeng sat up abruptly, only to see Jiang Ruotang grinning at him, realizing he’d been tricked again. Too lazy to argue, he slumped back onto the desk. “Coach Pei made my mom think I could get into college just based on my sports skills... but what about my math and science scores? Even sports recruits have to take the *gaokao*... This monthly exam made me feel like I’ve got no hope...”

Jiang Ruotang flicked his ear. “Kid, I heard this exam was three times harder than the actual *gaokao*. Everyone in the top testing section except our homeroom rep was complaining. Even the brainiacs were struggling—why should an underachiever like you be crushed by one monthly test?”

Zhao Zhangfeng mumbled weakly, “I don’t feel comforted at all...”

Jiang Ruotang raised an eyebrow. He’d just called him “kid,” and Zhao Zhangfeng hadn’t even protested?

Had he finally accepted reality?

Just as Jiang Ruotang turned away, his back was suddenly jabbed hard.

“Who are you calling ‘kid’?”

Ah, so it wasn’t “accepting reality” but “late to the party”—his reaction time was ridiculously long.

“You, obviously.” Jiang Ruotang didn’t even turn around. “My dad even got you a trainer—can’t I call you ‘kid’? So petty.”

“You... you...” Zhao Zhangfeng choked, struggling for five or six seconds before finally spitting out, “What month were you born in, calling people ‘kid’ like that?”

“Me? March! Weren’t you born in August?” Jiang Ruotang asked.

Zhao Zhangfeng refused to back down. “What year?”

Oh, so you’re not done yet?

“Same year as you! Don’t forget, that Lakers Sports Card is still with me!”

“You’re just refusing to give it back on purpose... you’re shameless...”

“Shameless is fine—it’s not illegal.”

Just then, Lin Lu walked into the classroom, followed by Bai Yingchuan.

“Ruo Tang, you’re here early today. Worried about your exam ranking? With how hard you’ve been working, you’ll definitely move up,” Lin Lu said with a smile.

“Slacking off for so long means karma’s a bitch.” Jiang Ruotang shrugged indifferently.

Bai Yingchuan glanced at Jiang Ruotang, but Jiang Ruotang barely spared him a look.

To him, the deflated Zhao Zhangfeng in the back row was far more interesting, and Jiang Ruotang kept turning around to provoke him.

“What’s Auntie Zhao’s goal for you? Escaping the lowest-tier exam section?”

“None of your business!” Zhao Zhangfeng’s vein pulsed.

“Actually, if you just move up three spots, you’ll make it to the second-lowest exam section!” Jiang Ruotang’s cheerful tone sounded suspiciously like mockery.

“I said it’s none of your business! You’re in the third-lowest section yourself—look who’s talking!”

“In that case, you should say, ‘The crow standing on the pig’s back only sees others as black, not itself.’ You’re the little pig!”

“Then you’re the dumb crow! Turn your head back around—you’re so annoying!”

Lin Lu watched as Jiang Ruotang teased Zhao Zhangfeng, the two of them arguing like grade-schoolers. Zhao Zhangfeng knew full well Jiang Ruotang was messing with him, yet he always took the bait.

In the end, it was like a mutual roast—one willing to hit, the other willing to take it.

It was as if these two rivals were actually the best of friends.

Cai Ji, sitting a few rows behind, rested his head on the desk, watching Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng trade barbs with a hint of envy in his eyes.

When Lu Guifan returned from the homeroom teacher with the grade ranking list, the whole class crowded around.

“Let me see!”

“Oh god, I don’t want to look, but I have to...”

Lin Lu didn’t push forward—with his popularity, someone would tell him his rank soon enough.

Bai Yingchuan also acted indifferent, leaning back in his chair.

Jiang Ruotang had a weird hunch—no, more like a self-conscious suspicion—that Bai Yingchuan had been staring at him.

But why?

Because Jiang Ruotang was good-looking? But in terms of appearance, Lin Lu was even more handsome.

Jiang Ruotang glanced over and met Bai Yingchuan’s gaze.

The other gave him a small smile, and Jiang Ruotang nodded slightly before immediately turning back to the crowd checking the rankings.

Bai Yingchuan’s smile vanished instantly, his gaze darkening as it lingered on the side of Jiang Ruotang’s face, waiting for a look back that never came.

“Lin Lu! You’re 9th in the class, 28th in the grade!”

Hearing his rank, Lin Lu exhaled in relief—about the same as last semester.

“Damn, Bai Yingchuan’s amazing! 7th in the class, 22nd in the grade! Who knew you weren’t just a pretty face but also a brainiac?”

“Ugh, why do you have to make the rest of us look bad?”

All eyes turned to Bai Yingchuan, who smiled calmly and said, “Appreciate it.”

Jiang Ruotang recalled how, in his previous career, Bai Yingchuan’s PR team had marketed him as a “brainiac.” At least that part wasn’t a lie to the fans.

Lu Guifan turned and wormed his way out of the crowd gathered around the ranking list, heading back to his seat. He paused when he passed Jiang Ruotang.

“You inched up a little, but not much.”

“Wait, really? You checked for me?” Jiang Ruotang glanced up at him.

"Hmm, ranked 41st in class, 393rd in grade."

"So... I've improved from third-to-last in the bottom-tier exam hall to third-from-the-front in the bottom-tier exam hall?"

"Basically."

As Lu Guifan passed by, he lightly ruffled Jiang Ruotang's forehead.

Just that casual touch made Jiang Ruotang's heart feel sweeter than if he'd ranked top three in class.

Too bad it was still the bottom-tier exam hall—Jiang Ruotang, are you the bottom-dweller?

Lin Lu watched this scene in disbelief. Jiang Ruotang hated having his head touched, yet when this ice-cold, expressionless Lu Guifan did it, he was actually happy?

A strange unease settled in Lin Lu's heart. The Jiang Ruotang who used to do everything according to his expectations was increasingly going off-script.

At noon that day, Jiang Ruotang as usual plopped the nutritious lunch made by Sister Juan onto Zhao Zhangfeng's desk before heading out to pick up takeout.

"I don't get it—Sister Juan's cooking is delicious. Why do you insist on eating takeout? Is it because 'the grass is always greener on the other side'?" Zhao Zhangfeng grumbled while unpacking the lunchbox.

Jesus, this idiot shouldn't make analogies if he sucks at them. No wonder he only got 50 points out of 150 on the Chinese exam!

"Sister Juan doesn't even put chili in your food. I want some real spice!"

When Jiang Ruotang went out to get the takeout, Lin Lu followed him.

"Ruo Tang, guess what? The Golden Commerce Twin MALL downtown just opened! It's got tons of luxury brands and hype brands, plus an arcade in the basement! When should we hit it up?"

That reminded Jiang Ruotang about this mall—they'd invited many A-listers for the opening ceremony.

"I think Bai Yingchuan's endorsed sportswear brand MARS is there too?" Jiang Ruotang asked offhandedly.

Lin Lu's eyes lit up. MARS' endorsement had only been officially announced recently. For Jiang Ruotang to remember it and know the brand was in Golden Commerce—he was clearly still following Bai Yingchuan!

"Right! Did you know the mall's light show can be used as a confession screen? This weekend is the grand opening. If someone booked it to confess to Ying Chuan, it'd be such a power move for him!"

Seeing Lin Lu's excitement, Jiang Ruotang understood. Ever since he left Bai Yingchuan's fan club, Lin Lu had become its head cheerleader, pulling sponsorships and promotions everywhere. With Lin Chengdong already being in the entertainment industry, Lin Lu's insider info was always accurate, quickly earning him prestige in the fan club within just a month.

Lin Lu's reminder now was clearly treating Jiang Ruotang as an ATM.

In his past life, Jiang Ruotang had taken Lin Lu's suggestion and rented that confession screen, dropping ten grand!

Meanwhile, Lin Lu had already hinted at this in the fan group, so everyone credited it to him, praising his extensive connections and ability to secure sponsorships without crowdfunding—the praise nearly inflated his ego.

Jiang Ruotang had funded and facilitated Lin Lu's rise in the fan club's hierarchy, even earning Lin Lu recognition from Bai Yingchuan's team as a "rising star," while Jiang Ruotang remained the clueless human piggy bank.

His younger self had confronted Lin Lu, only for Lin Lu to talk his way out with a few words, calling Jiang Ruotang his "media liaison" and publicly thanking him in the fan club. The fans expressed gratitude, but their phrasing framed Jiang Ruotang as just another resource Lin Lu had pulled—all credit still went to Lin Lu.

Tch, Lin Lu... if you keep pulling stunts like this, it'll backfire someday.

"This confession screen... could work," Jiang Ruotang said thoughtfully.

"You think so too?" Unaware Jiang Ruotang had seen through him, Lin Lu's eyes shone with anticipation.

"I'll discuss it with my dad."

Lin Lu looked envious. "Director Jiang really spoils you. He never stops you from doing anything."

Jiang Ruotang wanted to roll his eyes. *This* was "spoiling"?

His dad's standards were just rock-bottom. As long as he wasn't committing arson or murder, Jiang Huaiyuan would find even his son scratching his butt adorable.

The moment he got home and changed into slippers, his unconditionally doting father excitedly hugged him.

"Tang Tang! Dad heard you improved so much in this monthly exam! Jumped over twenty spots in the grade ranking!"

Jiang Ruotang said flatly, "I was already at the bottom. Of course there's more room for improvement..."

Unlike Lu Guifan, who had nowhere left to go.

"No rush. Rome wasn't built in a day!"

"Mm, and some people are born in Rome," Jiang Ruotang said leisurely, dropping his backpack. "By the way, it's been a month. How's Auntie Zhao's transfer going?"

"The announcement went out today! Your Auntie Zhao is now the head of internal audit!"

At the mention of Zhao Yunshu, Jiang Huaiyuan's eyes lit up—truly like a teenager with a crush, burning fiercely.

"Sweet! When does she start auditing?"

Jiang Ruotang couldn't wait to uncover what numbers Lin Chengdong had been fudging all these years.

"She'll need her own team first. After taking office, she'll clean house in audit."

"Oh." Jiang Ruotang then asked, "So when are you proposing?"

Jiang Huaiyuan froze, then turned pink. "Well... I've got the ring ready, but I'm not sure how to say it."

"Ha! You've directed so many movies and can't even manage romance?" Jiang Ruotang sat on the sofa, crossing his legs with the swagger of a young master—more the head of household than Jiang Huaiyuan.

"Then what should I do?" Jiang Huaiyuan asked.

"Give me money, I'll handle it. Just bring Auntie Zhao when it's time." Jiang Ruotang unhesitatingly put his hand out to his dad.

To his surprise, his dad transferred ten grand without blinking.

"Hey, aren't you gonna ask what I'm planning?"

"Eh, what could you possibly do? At most, it's bankrolling Bai Yingchuan's fan campaigns. As long as you're happy." Jiang Huaiyuan's reply was so matter-of-fact.

Jiang Ruotang sighed. *So this is how you see me, Dad? The worst I can be is burning money on Bai Yingchuan?*

"Just wait. We're gonna make it legendary."

Director Jiang: "Son... no need to go that big..."

After school on Friday, Lin Lu deliberately pulled Jiang Ruotang aside to ask, "That confession screen... did you get it?"

"Yep, we've got plans for it," Jiang Ruotang answered seriously.

"For what?" Lin Lu grinned, bumping shoulders with him.

"Secret," Jiang Ruotang said. "You'll find out when the time comes."

"Director Jiang is so good to you." Lin Lu's eyes lit up. When he'd called the mall to confirm, the staff only said the screen had been reserved—they wouldn't reveal by whom or for what.

Lin Lu could only check with Jiang Ruotang. If he'd rented it, what else would he use it for besides fangirling over Bai Yingchuan?

"'Secret' my ass. He just doesn't want me telling Ying Chuan first."

The confession screen deal is 80% locked in. Anyway, if it's about Jiang Ruotang splurging for Bai Yingchuan, this guy will definitely go all out in a big way.

A love obsession is still a love obsession—it doesn’t recover from just one summer of "treatment."

Lin Lu felt he could now boast about his capabilities in Bai Yingchuan’s fan group.

"On Sunday, Ying Chuan will be doing a promo for his brand endorsement. Are you going? There’ll definitely be lots of activities!"

"Sunday... I have my art class... If I go, it’ll have to be in the evening."

"Great! There’s an event at 8 PM too. See you then!"

Lin Lu grinned smugly. If it weren’t to check the confession screen’s effect, would Jiang Ruotang even agree to go to the mall at 8 PM? This guy couldn't care less about malls normally.

Lin Lu confirmed once again that Jiang Ruotang had rented the confession screen for Bai Yingchuan.

The moment he posted the announcement in the fan group, he was flooded with enthusiastic praise. Fans were all saying the Twin MALL’s building-wide digital displays were insanely expensive, yet Lin Lu managed to secure one without even needing a fan fundraiser—now that's impressive!

Even the admin of the fan forum personally set Lin Lu’s ID, "Lin Shen Chu Jian Lu," as a site moderator. This made Lin Lu feel incredibly smug.

Is this the sense of achievement from being adored by fans? Lin Lu even felt like becoming an actor—maybe he could even get to act opposite Bai Yingchuan someday!

Jiang Ruotang and Lin Lu parted ways at the school gate. Just as Jiang Ruotang was about to get into the car, someone grabbed him by the collar.

Zhao Zhangfeng’s irritated voice came from behind Jiang Ruotang’s head.

"Jiang Ruotang, I thought you’d come to your senses. Turns out you’ve gone from hardcore fan to a superfan battleship? Can’t you spend money on yourself for once?"

Jiang Ruotang was left dangling on his toes, wondering if this guy had grown taller again—why did lifting him feel like lifting a kitten?

"Let go, I’m suffocating here!"

"Whatever!" Zhao Zhangfeng loosened his grip and turned to leave, only to be pulled back by Jiang Ruotang.

"Bro, don’t go. I’ve got something to tell you."

"I don’t chat with fanatics! And—stop calling me ‘bro’ in public!"

"Zhang Feng... Zhang Feng, don’t be like this. I really have something to say!"

"I don’t have a fanatic for a brother! Stop claiming relations, get off!"

Despite his harsh words, Zhao Zhangfeng didn’t actually push Jiang Ruotang away. With his strength, he could’ve easily lifted Jiang Ruotang and tossed him onto the car roof.

"Zhang Feng, you have to go on Sunday too. Both of us need to be there!"

"What? You’re obsessed with Bai Yingchuan—fine, but why drag me into it? I’m not going—" Zhao Zhangfeng’s face flushed red with frustration, looking ready to strangle Jiang Ruotang.

Jiang Ruotang sighed. "Listen, this isn't about Bai Yingchuan. It’s about our parents!"

"Huh? What? Whose parents?" Zhao Zhangfeng’s totally lost look was actually kind of adorable.

Jiang Ruotang beckoned him closer. Zhao Zhangfeng leaned in, and Jiang Ruotang muttered a bunch of stuff into his ear. Zhao Zhangfeng’s expression went from annoyed to shocked.

"You... no way?"

"If I’m lying, I’ll do a handstand and eat shit!"

"Ugh, disgusting..."

"Gross how? Don't you say that phrase all the time yourself?"

You don’t find it gross when you say it? If it weren’t for you, would I have been brainwashed by that crap?

Lu Guifan was walking toward the bus stop when a few younger girls behind him were chatting about the event at Jin Shang MALL.

"I heard Jiang Ruotang from Class 1, Senior Three rented the billboard display to support Bai Yingchuan!"

"Hahaha, truly Bai Yingchuan’s ride-or-die fan! I’m going to check it out on Sunday. They say the whole building will be lit up with ‘I love you’—what an over-the-top love proclamation!"

"So jealous! If I had the money, I’d rent a billboard display for Bai Yingchuan too! Love should be bold and spectacular!"

Lu Guifan paused, tilting his head slightly, and saw Bai Yingchuan’s advertisement poster at the bus stop—his unforgettable features, his disarming smile, his tongue lightly licking the corner of his lips, his elegant fingers holding a milk-flavored chocolate ball that made people want to take a bite.

Bai Yingchuan… really did have the kind of charm that made people lose their minds over him.

That night, back at home, Lin Lu also put out the word in fan groups and major forums, inviting fans to Jin Shang Twin MALL to support Bai Yingchuan.

Amid the adoration, he was feeling himself way too much, completely forgetting Jiang Ruotang’s remark about "our family has connections." He couldn’t resist flexing that he had confirmed the billboard display arrangements.

Fans eagerly awaited the event, making plans to gather at Jin Shang MALL for the big event.

On Sunday afternoon, Jiang Ruotang was painting in the studio, receiving messages from his dad every few minutes—"Son, do these pants work with this shirt?" "Son, should I get a haircut?" "Do you think this ring is too flashy? Should I switch to something more low-key?"...

Jiang Ruotang sighed and replied: [Dad, I’m painting. If you keep bothering me, you're getting blocked!]

Jiang Huaiyuan finally quieted down.

At five in the afternoon, Jiang Ruotang left the studio, and Xiao Gao gave him a ride to Building A of Jin Shang MALL.

At first, Lin Lu sent him a few messages asking where he was, but eventually, they stopped.

Jiang Ruotang could totally see it—Lin Lu was probably surrounded by a crowd of fans right now. Aside from Bai Yingchuan’s manager, Lin Lu was practically his spokesperson, maneuvering to lock it down. Soon, these fans would become his free hype squad.

Every floor was packed, security guards busy maintaining order—this was Bai Yingchuan’s influence, a human hype machine.

Jiang Ruotang took the elevator directly from the underground parking lot to the rooftop terrace to check the setup.

Flowers, lights, fireworks—everything was in place.

Meanwhile, the entire mall was packed to the rafters, all crowding toward Bai Yingchuan’s newly endorsed store.

Jiang Huaiyuan was accompanying Zhao Yunshu for a meal at the rooftop panoramic restaurant—romantic lighting, exquisite food, the vibes were immaculate.

The rooftop confession was planned for after dinner.

Jiang Ruotang’s phone buzzed in his pocket—a message from Zhao Zhangfeng: [Where are you? Not eating? Or are you planning to crash their date?]

[Is today your splurge day? Can we have fast food? I want pizza.]

[Then I’ll wait for you at the food court spot on the basement level.]

So Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng sat in the basement, eating an XXL pie and drinking Coke.

The place was packed, and everyone around them was gushing over Bai Yingchuan.