Chapter 31 I’m Watching You from the Window

Chapter 31 Watching You from the Window

Lin Lu was so angry that he swept the desk lamp and books off his desk, accidentally cutting his foot on a shard in the process.

It hurt so much... Tears streamed down his face.

"Oh my, what happened?"

Auntie Zhao, hearing the commotion from Lin Lu's room, knocked on the door.

At that moment, Lin Lu just wanted to crawl into a hole, wishing no one would notice him.

He had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep at all. Even the mere thought of those extreme fans surrounding him made him so tense he felt nauseous. His dreams were filled with people splashing water at him, even scenes like those in TV dramas where prisoners were paraded and pelted with rotten eggs.

But what were these compared to the public trial by social media Jiang Huaiyuan endured after being framed in his past life?

The next morning, when Jiang Ruotang arrived for class, many of his classmates eyed him curiously, whispering all sorts of speculations among themselves.

"I remember Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Changfeng were constantly at odds last semester—they even flipped a desk while standing in the back row as punishment. But this semester, they suddenly got along?"

"Looks like Jiang Ruotang accepted the stepmom his dad found for him?"

"Hahaha, so Zhao Changfeng’s a rich kid now too?"

"Guess if you can’t be born into wealth, marrying up is the next best thing..."

They had no idea Zhao Changfeng was standing right behind them.

At that moment, his blood boiled, and he was about to charge forward when someone suddenly jumped onto his back, throwing an arm around his shoulders.

"Changfeng! Have you grown taller again?"

Jiang Ruotang's cheerful voice rang in his ear.

Simultaneously, the whispering classmates abruptly fell silent, exchanging awkward glances.

"You—get down..." Zhao Changfeng gripped Jiang Ruotang’s wrist but didn’t shake him off.

"No way. The whole school knows we’re family now. Can’t I be your sidekick for a bit?"

Jiang Ruotang peeked over Zhao Changfeng’s shoulder, glaring coldly at the gossipers.

"Classmates, I have no issues with my dad’s choices, so no need for your concern."

Under Jiang Ruotang’s piercing stare, they quickly backed off.

"S-sorry..."

"We were just kidding around, no harm meant..."

Jiang Ruotang, still clinging to Zhao Changfeng’s back, brushed past them and tossed back, "Maybe skip the 'jokes' next time. They don’t amuse me."

After a few more steps, Jiang Ruotang leaned in and whispered to Zhao Changfeng, "Save your energy for the court. Let those college scouts see you. These jealous trolls will vanish from your life soon enough. Getting banned over a fight with them? Wouldn’t be worth it."

Zhao Changfeng took the words to heart. The anger that had been boiling inside him moments ago dissipated entirely—Jiang Ruotang’s simple show of solidarity gave him reassurance.

"Got it. They’re not worth my time."

"Good." Jiang Ruotang hopped down and walked into the classroom.

When Lin Lu entered, the bags under his eyes were obvious—clear signs of a sleepless night.

In the early hours, Lin Chengdong had returned home from a business dinner, reeking of booze, and stormed into Lin Lu’s room.

He berated Lin Lu for being reckless, for jumping the gun without verifying the facts, and for foolishly assuming Bai Yingchuan was oblivious—when in reality, he was just being polite.

More importantly, Lin Chengdong pointed out that Jiang Ruotang no longer trusted him.

The old Jiang Ruotang would’ve never been able to keep quiet about his dad’s grand proposal plans—he would’ve told Lin Lu immediately. But this time, he’d kept it totally secret.

Originally, when Zhao Yunshu was transferred to the audit department and requested staff from finance or experienced auditors through HR, no one took her seriously. After all, she was just a remarried woman with no family backing, bringing along a son to marry into Jiang Huaiyuan’s life. Everyone had been waiting to mock her.

But Jiang Huaiyuan’s lavish proposal changed everything—it was a public show of support. Now, finance had to allocate staff, HR had to speed up hiring, and other departments began cooperating with Zhao Yunshu’s audits. Every department head could see the clear sign: if Jiang Huaiyuan valued Zhao Yunshu this much, he’d likely hand the company over to her eventually, freeing himself to focus on filmmaking. Who wouldn’t rush to get on her good side?

Lin Chengdong wasn’t just frustrated—he was humiliated. He’d yelled at Lin Lu the night before, blaming him for failing to maintain control over Jiang Ruotang, for not staying updated, for letting things get this bad.

Overnight, Lin Lu felt like he’d lost everything—his father’s trust, Bai Yingchuan’s confidence, the adoration of countless fans, his grip on Jiang Ruotang—all gone, wiped clean.

He was overwhelmed by the terrifying thought that trust, once broken, was nearly impossible to rebuild.

Even now, as he walked into the classroom and saw Jiang Ruotang biting his pen cap while solving problems, an inexplicable, growing unease took hold of him.

By lunchtime, when Jiang Ruotang pulled out his phone to order takeout, Lin Lu immediately edged closer to him. "Ruotang, there’s a new trendy restaurant near campus. Come try it with me?"

"Huh?" Jiang Ruotang blinked, startled—not by the sudden invitation, but by Bai Yingchuan, who was resting his chin on his hand at the next table, watching him with a knowing smirk.

As if to say: *What’ll you do now?*

Jiang Ruotang’s brow arched slightly. *Oh, Bai Yingchuan, you’re something else—pretending to be close with Lin Lu in public while playing mind games in private.*

"Sure." Jiang Ruotang nodded.

Bai Yingchuan’s expression shifted slightly.

Lin Lu clearly wanted a private chat, and Jiang Ruotang made no move to invite Bai Yingchuan along. The two walked out of the classroom together.

Admittedly, the restaurant Lin Lu chose had a great ambiance, with every dish presented like a work of art—Jiang Ruotang almost hesitated to take a bite.

"Ruotang, how could you keep your dad’s proposal to Zhao Yunshu a secret from me? Aren’t we best friends?" Lin Lu pouted, faking hurt feelings.

In his past life, Jiang Ruotang would’ve found Lin Lu’s pout endearing. Now, all he saw was a fake performance. *Let’s be real—you never treated me as a friend to begin with.*

*Pfft. An amateur fox playing tricks.*

"My dad was worried Auntie Zhao might reject him and make him look bad. Since he wasn’t sure it’d work out, he made me promise not to tell anyone. What if you accidentally let it slip to your dad? My clueless old man would’ve become the laughingstock at work," Jiang Ruotang replied smoothly.

It sounded reasonable enough, but Lin Lu wasn’t fooled—he could feel the distance between them widening.

He leaned closer, studying Jiang Ruotang’s face. "Then... aren’t you afraid they’ll target your dad’s shares?"

Jiang Ruotang waved it off. "Why would I be? Changfeng’s dream is to play in the NBA—he has zero interest in Universe Pictures. And hey, you can’t fight fate or your dad’s love life—it’s inevitable.

"If it wasn’t Zhao Yunshu, it’d be Li Yunshu or Wang Yunshu. I’m eighteen—you think I’m gonna act like a spoiled child? Think about it—if I’m off at college and my dad marries her behind my back, what could I possibly do? Lin Lu..."

"What?"

"Stop watching those prime-time melodramas. I'm not Snow White, and Auntie Zhao isn't the evil queen either."

The moment Jiang Ruotang looked up, Lin Lu felt as if a part of him had been pierced.

"Then... are we still friends? I feel like... you're closer to Zhao Zhangfeng now than to me..."

Lin Lu looked like he might cry, drawing glances from nearby diners.

Jiang Ruotang sighed. He had agreed to this meal precisely to give Lin Lu a warning. After all, they moved in the same circles, and their fathers worked at the same company—they couldn’t avoid each other. He hoped the Lin father and son would know where to draw the line.

"Oh? I thought you were closer to Bai Yingchuan than to me," Jiang Ruotang said, propping his chopsticks and looking straight at him. "When Bai Yingchuan is upset because he’s surrounded by fans, you come to me. When Bai Yingchuan needs sponsors for an event, you come to me. In front of me, your conversations seem to revolve around nothing but Bai Yingchuan. Do you like him? I’m starting to feel like I’m just a side character in your romantic subplot."

Lin Lu was stunned. Every teasing word from Jiang Ruotang struck a nerve.

"Well... that’s because Bai Yingchuan’s mom asked me to look after him."

"Oh? Bai Yue acted in my dad’s movies too, didn’t she? Why didn’t she come ask me for help?"

Jiang Ruotang maintained his playful smirk.

"Um... if you’re not happy about it, I’ll..."

"You’ll what, Lin Lu? I don’t like Bai Yingchuan anymore. Do you still think I’m just being petty or trying to get his attention?"

Lin Lu nodded quickly. "I believe you. I really do now."

Was it because he always acted like Jiang Ruotang had feelings for Bai Yingchuan that he had upset him? The young master’s love and indifference came and went so decisively.

"Since you believe me, go ahead and take care of Bai Yingchuan, pursue him boldly. I don’t care. As long as you two are happy."

Lin Lu couldn’t help but ask, "What happened that made you suddenly lose interest in Bai Yingchuan?"

"What goes up fast comes down faster," Jiang Ruotang replied casually between bites. Then, out of nowhere, he added, "Aren’t you in Bai Yingchuan’s fan group too? Shouldn’t you understand this?"

Lin Lu’s chopsticks trembled, and the piece of rib he was holding fell with a clatter onto the table.

Could it be... Jiang Ruotang knew that "Lin Shen Chu Jian Lu" was him? Had he seen what he posted online and gotten angry?

But if Jiang Ruotang really knew, given his temper, he would’ve already confronted him in the group. There was no way he’d be calmly eating with him now.

He doesn’t know... he probably doesn’t.

The two walked back to school in silence, with Lin Lu observing Jiang Ruotang closely the entire way.

When they passed the bus stop with Bai Yingchuan’s chocolate advertisement, Jiang Ruotang’s steps didn’t falter. Bai Yingchuan seemed to have truly become nothing more than part of the scenery to him.

Lin Lu’s chest felt empty—an unfamiliar sensation born from uncertainty.

Before, no matter what Jiang Ruotang did, Lin Lu could predict his second and third steps just from the first. But now, watching Jiang Ruotang’s back, he only felt like a stranger.

Before afternoon classes, Jiang Ruotang went to get hot water for coffee.

Unexpectedly, Bai Yingchuan was there too.

"Instant coffee doesn't do much. You’d be better off drinking tea," Bai Yingchuan said with a faint smile.

Tea? I’ve had my fill of Lin Lu’s drama in my past life. No thanks this time.

"I’ve had too much tea before. I’ll stick with coffee. Honestly, nothing really helps—when exhaustion hits, you’ll still konk out."

Jiang Ruotang bent over, and the midday sun shone through his shirt, backlit his silhouette—resilient, like a sunflower stem temporarily bowed but ready to spring back up.

Bai Yingchuan’s right hand, tucked in his pocket, flexed almost unnoticeably, as if testing or trying to pry something open. He lightly brushed Jiang Ruotang’s back.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruotang turned around, his eyelashes and the fine hairs on his cheeks gilded by sunlight.

"What if Director Jiang’s proposal had failed last night? What would the screen have displayed instead?" Bai Yingchuan asked, half-joking.

"Dad, don’t cry," Jiang Ruotang answered without hesitation.

Bai Yingchuan froze for a few seconds before bending over laughing, clutching his stomach. "You really are Director Jiang’s son."

After stirring his coffee, Jiang Ruotang made another cup of tea for a mini thermos. Instead of entering the classroom through the front door with Bai Yingchuan, he went around the back and placed it on Lu Guifan’s desk as he passed by.

It wasn’t until afternoon classes began that Lu Guifan, who had been napping, sat up and noticed the thermos on his desk. A sticky note was attached: *I saw you last night on my way home from Jinshang (smiley face).*

Lu Guifan pinched the bridge of his nose and peeled off the sticky note.

He must’ve lost his mind to go there.

After nearly two hours on the bus, he arrived near Jinshang, where Bai Yingchuan’s fans crowded the area.

Neither spectating, fanboying, nor shopping were part of Lu Guifan’s life. He didn’t even know why he went.

But the things those students mentioned after school on Friday had lingered in his mind.

*Did Jiang Ruotang go cheer for Bai Yingchuan again? Does he still like him? Does he know that once that confession screen lights up, he’ll become the class’s designated lovestruck fool again tomorrow?*

For the first time, Lu Guifan didn’t stop to question the meaning of his actions. He just wanted an answer—one that didn’t even concern him.

When the bus finally reached Jinshang Twin MALL, Lu Guifan looked up at the illuminated buildings. The words *"I love you"* hit him like a ton of bricks. The gasps around him faded into the background until someone asked, *"Who’s Xiaoyun?"*—only then did he come back to himself.

That screen wasn’t for Bai Yingchuan. It was someone’s marriage proposal.

Lu Guifan breathed out slowly and closed his eyes.

Back on the bus, he overheard people discussing how it was Jiang Huaiyuan’s proposal.

Lu Guifan adjusted his glasses. Despite the traffic jam on the return trip, he felt a strange sense of relief.

He opened the window, propped his chin in his hand, and closed his eyes, letting the evening breeze waft the fragrance of sweet olive. His heart had never felt so light.

Looking at the sticky note between his fingers, Lu Guifan unscrewed the thermos. The aroma of sweet olive and tea washed over him, as if transported back to last night.

A message pinged on his phone from Jiang Ruotang:

*"You gaze at the view by the window, while I watch you from below it."*

Only then did Lu Guifan realize—last night, on his way home, there must’ve been a private car in the right lane, one that had to be Jiang Ruotang's car.

How long had he been watching him?

Why didn’t he call out?

Lu Guifan could already picture Jiang Ruotang grinning at him from the car window.

After finishing the osmanthus-scented white tea in the cup, Lu Guifan automatically capped it, only to notice a line of small print at the bottom: "First Prize, 12th Sheng City Children's Painting Competition."

"Children's painting?" Lu Guifan sighed. No wonder the thermos was so small.

For some reason, he felt as though Jiang Ruotang was sharing a piece of his childhood with him, making the small thermos feel oddly precious.

After school, Jiang Ruotang was supposed to stay for a night study session, but he received a message from Jiang Huaiyuan saying that he had already got them excused. Xiao Gao was coming to pick them up, and the four of them would have dinner together.

Jiang Ruotang’s face broke into a grin upon reading it. He turned and tapped Zhao Zhangfeng’s desk. "Family dinner tonight - all four of us!"

"I... I know." Zhao Zhangfeng kept staring at his desk. Even now, the kid still wasn’t used to having a father and an older brother.

As soon as they entered the house, Jiang Ruotang opened the shoe cabinet and pointed to a pair of slippers inside. "These are yours. You'll wear these from now on when you come home."

"Okay." It took Zhao Zhangfeng a long moment to grasp the significance behind the word "home."

Following him to the dining table, they found it already set with dishes. Jiang Huaiyuan was letting red wine breathe, while Zhao Yunshu’s voice came from the kitchen.

"Just one more dish—sautéed shrimp—almost done! You two kids can start eating first!"

The youthful Zhao Yunshu’s voice was bright with joy, unlike the weary tone she would carry a decade later, hardened by life.

Jiang Ruotang chimed in, "Zhang Feng and I aren’t hungry yet. We’ll wait for everyone to eat together."

Soon, the family of four, along with Sister Juan, were seated at the table.

Jiang Huaiyuan glanced nervously at Jiang Ruotang and lightly tapped his wine glass. "Well... I have something very important to announce—Yunshu and I got married this morning!"

Jiang Ruotang, who had been sipping cola, almost spit it out. "What? You already got married?"

Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu looked nervous.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Zhao Zhangfeng was ready to pin down Jiang Ruotang if he started making a scene.

"Of course I have a problem! Dad, show me that marriage license!"

After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Huaiyuan handed it over.

Jiang Ruotang took one look and covered his eyes. "See! I knew you didn’t trim your eyebrows! There are untamed brows on the left side! I even ordered his-and-hers outfits for you two for the photos... but they haven’t arrived yet, and you’ve already done it! I was planning to hire a stylist for Auntie Zhao’s hair and makeup on the day! This is forever, Dad—where’s your sense of occasion? I’m your son, and I had zero involvement!"

Zhao Yunshu burst out laughing. "So that’s what Ruotang cares about? Don’t worry, once the clothes you ordered arrive, your dad and I will wear them and take new photos. We’ll display them at home, okay?"

"Fine... I guess that’ll have to do." Jiang Ruotang carefully closed the marriage certificate and returned it to Jiang Huaiyuan. "So when are Mom and my brother moving in?"

When Zhao Yunshu heard the words "Mom," her hand shook slightly.

She had imagined getting along with her stepson, but Jiang Ruotang had kept his distance before. She had resigned herself to stepping back into the role of Jiang Huaiyuan’s subordinate if he never accepted her—especially since Jiang Ruotang was in his senior year, and she didn’t want to disrupt his college applications.

But somehow, the boy seemed to have come around.

"Who’s your mom? Who’s your brother... Stop calling us that..." Zhao Zhangfeng, used to bickering with him, only realized how inappropriate his words were after saying them.

"Hey, do I get a red envelope for changing how I address you?" Jiang Ruotang batted his eyes at Zhao Yunshu.

"Yes, of course!" Zhao Yunshu stood up, took a lucky money envelope from her bag, and handed it to Jiang Ruotang.

"Thanks, Mom!" Jiang Ruotang beamed.

At that moment, all his guilt and desire to make amends toward Zhao Yunshu finally found direction.

In his past life, he had never once called her "Mom," not even when she waited outside his chemotherapy room, not even when she ruined her eyesight to transfer money for his treatment, not even when she sold their family home in the city center.

He was afraid that if he called her "Mom," it would devastate her when he was gone. So he only ever said it in his heart.

*Mom, I’m sorry.*

*Mom, take a rest.*

"Wow, I didn’t know Tang Tang could be so sweet," Zhao Yunshu said with a smile, her eyes shining with tears.

Her entire life had been spent giving, misunderstood by others, written off as trying too hard. Some at the company called her a social climber; others said Cinderella’s dream was bound to shatter. But in this moment, she felt truly happy.

As they ate, Jiang Ruotang asked about their wedding plans, where they’d go for their honeymoon, and if they could wait until after the college entrance exams so he and Zhao Zhangfeng could join them.

He even created a family group chat, announcing, "A family should always stay together." Throughout the meal, Zhao Yunshu and Jiang Huaiyuan were grinning like fools.

Zhao Zhangfeng felt an inexplicable sense of crisis—Jiang Ruotang was somehow more likable to his own mother than he was.

What kind of bizarre plot was this?

"Mom, have you seen your study yet? I picked out the bookshelves and desk!"

Zhao Yunshu smiled. "I was so surprised when I saw it—definitely not Huaiyuan’s taste. If it were up to him, he’d have given me some Rococo princess theme. But yours is clean, stylish and practical. Thank you!"

"Zhang Feng, are you staying here tonight?" Jiang Ruotang asked, gnawing on a rib.

"How? Sharing a bed with you?" Zhao Zhangfeng retorted irritably.