Chapter 38 Lu Guifan’s Home

Chapter 38 Lu Guifan's Home

The officers who arrived late at night were no strangers to territorial disputes among street vendors. After sternly reprimanding the troublemakers, they dismissed them.

But Jiang Ruotang interjected, "That’s it? Once you leave, they’ll just come back and beat this couple. If things escalate and it ends up in the news, can you take responsibility?"

"Look, these kinds of things are endless..."

Jiang Ruotang waved his phone. "I’ve got photos and video evidence. If you won’t handle it, I’ll send it to the press."

The sausage vendor, a burly man, flared up, rolling up his sleeves. "You’re asking for it—today I’ll kick your ass—"

"Go ahead. Hit me. That’ll land you in jail. I won’t settle, and I’ll make sure your family pays until they’re left with nothing. You can bet on that."

The man’s rage burned in his throat, but before he could retort, the officer barked a warning, "You want to spend the night in a cell?"

Glancing at the battered tricycle, now little more than scrap metal, the officers realized the situation was worse than usual. Left unchecked, it could spiral into something far more serious. With Jiang Ruotang’s insistence, they took all the vendors in.

As the vendors hurled curses at Jiang Ruotang, he kept recording, his tone icy. "Maybe No. 14 High should beef up security at their gates? I wonder what their principal would think if he saw this—potential safety hazards. Today it’s rival vendors, but what if they start targeting students next?"

"You wouldn’t dare—"

Before the sausage vendor could finish, the officers dragged him off.

Xiao Gao sighed. "Ruo Tang... they’re strangers to you. Why get involved?"

Jiang Ruotang shrugged with a faint smile. "Who knows? Maybe I’m crazy."

Since Xiao Gao had filed the report and Jiang Ruotang was a witness, they both ended up at the police station to give statements.

After a stern warning and a legal lecture, the vendors were hit with fines for causing trouble.

Just as Jiang Ruotang finished signing his statement, a familiar voice rang out nearby.

"Dad, Mom—are you okay?"

The usually composed voice was laced with unmistakable worry.

"We’re fine... thanks to that student who called the police for us..."

Jiang Ruotang stood and turned to see Lu Guifan.

Dressed in a thin jacket, Lu Guifan was slightly out of breath, likely from running. The night breeze tousled his hair, revealing his forehead and the anxiety in his eyes behind his glasses.

Jiang Ruotang froze. He never imagined the couple selling chive and egg pancakes were Lu Guifan’s parents.

What the hell?

Why hadn’t Lu Guifan mentioned it last time?

Was he embarrassed?

No—no way. Lu Guifan wasn’t that kind of person.

Looking back, Jiang Ruotang realized the couple had watched them differently—not just as customers, but with a quiet hope and nervousness.

That explained why, in his past life, when he couldn’t find the couple, Lu Guifan had brought him the pancakes in a thermal container.

When their eyes met, Jiang Ruotang saw a whirlwind of emotions in Lu Guifan’s gaze—relief, resignation, as if he’d finally confessed something long hidden.

And Jiang Ruotang was the sole judge.

"Thank you," Lu Guifan said.

The sincerity in those words instantly threw Jiang Ruotang back to square one, the sudden distance between them squeezing his heart painfully.

Lu Guifan’s mother looked flustered. "I’m sorry we couldn’t make you chives egg jianbing tonight... Next time... I’ll send some with Gui Fan for you."

His father added, "We’re grateful you called the cops. Who knows what might’ve happened otherwise... and making you stay out so late..."

They nudged Lu Guifan, urging him to say more.

The silence between them grew awkward. Before Jiang Ruotang could think of what to say, Lu Guifan spoke first.

"I’m sorry. Last time, I didn’t tell you they were my parents."

"Oh... it’s... it’s fine..."

Sensing the tension, Lu Guifan’s mother quickly explained, "Please don’t be upset with Gui Fan. You... you’re Jiang Ruotang, right?"

Jiang Ruotang nodded. "Yes, Auntie."

"Lately, Gui Fan’s talked about you at home. When you first came in your Beicheng Guangyao uniform, asking for our pancakes, we had this feeling... that such a kind, good boy might be the one Gui Fan mentioned."

Jiang Ruotang glanced at Lu Guifan, who seemed to struggle for words.

Lu Guifan’s mother continued, "You get driven around in nice cars, with a chauffeur—clearly from a well-off family. Gui Fan says you’re talented, that your paintings are beautiful... Someone like you, if you knew his parents were street vendors... Even if you were polite, things would change. Gui Fan isn’t one for sweet talk, and you two might drift apart."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"In middle school, when we worked at the rubber factory, classmates would rag on him for smelling like rubber. Now, if they knew we sold pancakes, they’d say he stinks of chives... Gui Fan kept telling us, ‘Jiang Ruotang isn’t like that. If he knew, he’d be happy.’"

Jiang Ruotang looked at Lu Guifan. So he *had* understood.

"We told him not to say anything... We didn’t want him laughed at again..."

Lu Guifan’s father swallowed hard, clearly emotional.

Lu Guifan lowered his gaze, fingers curling slowly, as if his heart felt heavy.

In that moment, Jiang Ruotang understood—Lu Guifan hadn’t hidden the truth to protect himself, but to shield his parents’ fragile pride.

This couple, who’d left their fishing village for the rubber factory, had raised an amazing son.

Over the years, at parent-teacher meetings or around Lu Guifan’s classmates, they must’ve felt inferior, hearing snide remarks from kids who weren’t half as smart as their son.

Like when Lin Lu, Geng Yu, and Xie Liang had mocked Lu Guifan for "smelling like rubber" while discussing imported laundry detergent. If they learned his parents no longer even worked at the factory, who knows what crap they’d pull—might’ve bought pancakes just to rub his nose in it.

Lu Guifan was strong, above such childish crap.

But for his parents, it cut much deeper.

They always felt like they were being a burden to their son.

Sigh... Knowing all this, Jiang Ruotang wouldn’t hold it against them for hiding it from him—he only felt heartache.

He tilted his head, leaning toward Lu Guifan’s expressionless face, and his eyes crinkled with a smile.

“No wonder I thought Auntie’s eyes were so pretty and familiar. Now I know where our Class Monitor got his good looks from! Good looks don't come from thin air—genes don’t lie.”

Lu Guifan’s mother froze for a moment, then shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This... this boy sure knows how to sweet-talk...”

“Let’s go then. The tricycle is still parked at the entrance of No. 14 High School—we’ll have to push it back, right?” Jiang Ruotang walked over with a smile and gently grabbed Lu Guifan’s wrist.

At that moment, Lu Guifan’s fingers trembled as if zapped. All his negative emotions were left behind in the deep mud, effortlessly pulled out by that hand. Each beat of his heart felt lighter and freer than ever before.

The warmth of Jiang Ruotang’s palm made him reluctant to let go, happy to go along.

The family of three followed Jiang Ruotang and Xiao Gao out of the police station.

Lu Guifan’s parents hesitated at the car door, too embarrassed to get in. They tugged at Lu Guifan and whispered, “This car looks so expensive... We’re dusty with flour and grease stains... If we dirty it, they’d have to get it cleaned...”

Lu Guifan knew Jiang Ruotang wouldn’t mind that, but it might trouble Xiao Gao, who was responsible for maintaining the car.

Just as he was about to politely decline, Xiao Gao warmly interjected, “It’s fine, Uncle and Auntie. It’s getting late—hurry and get in. Let’s get you home first.”

Jiang Ruotang chimed in. “Exactly, exactly!”

The whole way, Lu Guifan stayed silent. Never before in his life had he been so acutely aware of another person’s presence.

Jiang Ruotang kept the conversation going with his parents—asking how they made the chive and egg pancake so fragrant, how to beat eggs till fluffy, and what other dishes Aunt Lu excelled at besides the pancake.

At first, Lu Guifan’s mother was shy, but soon she opened up. Before long, Jiang Ruotang had found out most of everything about their move from Lujia Village in Chengtan to the city.

When they reached No. 14 High School’s entrance, Lu Guifan and his father tried to reattach the broken wheel, but without tools, the bent iron rim and missing screws made it impossible. Riding it back wasn't happening.

Jiang Ruotang squatted beside them, hands on his knees, watching.

Lu Guifan glanced sideways at Jiang Ruotang’s nose and slightly upturned lashes. The pale streetlight cast a surprisingly warm glow on his face.

He wanted to mess with Jiang Ruotang’s hair but stopped when he noticed the grime on his hands. Softly, he said, “You go on ahead. We’ll have to carry the tricycle home—there’s no point in you waiting here.”

“Huh?” Jiang Ruotang frowned, then suddenly pressed a hand atop Lu Guifan’s head. “Class Monitor, are you crazy? Why carry it? The front wheel still works, doesn’t it?”

Lu Guifan stared at him. “We can’t ride a unicycle.”

“Just open the trunk. Put the rear of the tricycle inside, leave the front wheel outside, and Xiao Gao can tow it back. Easy.”

Lu’s father immediately protested, “No, no! That’ll make your trunk filthy!”

“You think that trunk’s clean? Open it and it’ll shock you!”

Jiang Ruotang patted Lu Guifan’s back, urging him to help.

Before Lu Guifan could move, Xiao Gao rushed over. Together, he and Jiang Ruotang efficiently loaded the scattered items into the tricycle’s rear. Lu Guifan’s parents stood there amazed by their swift, decisive actions.

“Guifan, your friend is just trying to help. Let’s not trouble him further.”

“Yes, yes! Cleaning the trunk would be expensive! He’s already helped us so much—we shouldn’t ask for more.”

Just then, Jiang Ruotang’s complaint rang out: “Xiao Gao! Did you transport corpses today? The trunk stinks to high heaven!”

Xiao Gao laughed. “Your dad went fishing in the countryside and caught a lot. I helped drop them off to relatives, but the bucket tipped over halfway... Haha...”

“So it’s fish smell...” Jiang Ruotang pinched his nose and waved at Lu Guifan. “Come on!”

Lu Guifan gave a small smile and patted his mother’s shoulder. “See? He’s telling you his trunk already stinks so you won’t feel bad about the mess. If we keep refusing, Ruotang and Xiao Gao will just keep trying to convince us.”

Lu’s father took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s go home first. We’ll be careful with the car. Don't be so formal with friends—no need to embarrass ourselves in front of Xiao Jiang. The longer we hesitate, the longer he’ll worry and delay going home himself.”

And so, the tricycle was loaded into the trunk.

There was no traffic at night. The thirty-minute drive to the old district took only fifteen minutes.

Xiao Gao recognized the area—it was the rubber factory’s company housing, originally assigned to workers and later sold to them over a decade ago.

Normally, Lu’s parents, as factory employees, shouldn’t have been poor.

But last year, the factory was acquired. Workers over thirty-five without education were let go all at once. Though they received severance pay, without new income, they’d eventually run out.

Normally, Lu Guifan would’ve attended a public high school for its affordability—Beicheng Guangyao was beyond their reach.

But Lu Guifan’s amazing middle school grades and contest victories led Beicheng Guangyao’s principal to cover all costs to recruit him.

Turns out that being smart pays off.

At their building, Xiao Gao helped unload the tricycle. As they prepared to say goodbye, Jiang Ruotang’s stomach let out a loud growl—an awkward interruption in the quiet night.

Lu’s mother quickly offered, “Xiao Jiang, if you don’t mind, come upstairs for a bit. I’ll make you a chive and egg pancake?”

Lu’s father added, “Yes, yes! We’re fast—it’ll be ready in under ten minutes.”

Jiang Ruotang glanced at Lu Guifan. He longed to reconnect quickly—in their past life, he’d shared everything with Lu Guifan, even complaining about chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

But he also knew rushing might backfire, making Lu Guifan withdraw.

They locked eyes under the dim stairwell light. Jiang Ruotang’s gaze was so bright it seemed to transcend all barriers, piercing through worldly prejudices.

“Come up. Can’t have you dreaming about chive and egg pancakes.”

“Perfect!” Jiang Ruotang bounded over and slung an arm around Lu Guifan’s shoulders.

The dormitory was shabby, its hallway walls peeling and poorly lit. Alone, Jiang Ruotang might’ve found it horror-movie material, but with Lu Guifan ahead, he hammed up exhaustion, tugging at Lu Guifan’s shirt.

Lu Guifan slowed, letting Jiang Ruotang drag him.

By the fifth floor, Jiang Ruotang—no acting required—was genuinely winded.

“Hah... hah...”

Xiao Gao and Lu’s parents had already reached the top, leaving Lu Guifan to match Jiang Ruotang’s sluggish pace.

At a landing, Lu Guifan paused. Jiang Ruotang, head down, bumped into his back and nearly toppled, grabbing Lu Guifan’s waist at the last second.

Lu Guifan’s breath hitched. Sensing his tension, Jiang Ruotang expected his hand to be pushed away—but Lu Guifan’s palm only hovered over his, as if silently permitting it.

Jiang Ruotang’s heart hung in suspense. Unless Lu Guifan moved, he’d stay like this.

Then, the sound of a key turning upstairs. Lu Guifan sighed. “How long are you planning to rest?”

Jiang Ruotang quickly withdrew his hand, his face burning hot. He wondered if the other could notice anything and instinctively blurted out, "Class monitor, your waist is so slim!"

"Weirdo."

Lu Guifan walked forward without looking back.

Jiang Ruotang followed behind him into Lu Guifan's home.

It was a tight two-bedroom place with a tiny living room. A sofa covered in cracks, an old-fashioned coffee table, and a folding dining set against the wall occupied the space. The bright lighting revealed the wear on the tiled floor.

Xiao Gao, however, plonked himself down on the sofa, texting Jiang Huaiyuan that he was hanging with Ruo Tang for late-night eats at a classmate's place.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang stood in the middle of the living room, looking around. Lu Guifan watched him silently, wanting to get him a drink but finding no beverages in the fridge—not even tea.

Lu Guifan knew Jiang Ruotang had grown up in a wealthy environment. A place like this was probably straight out of a TV show for him.

Just as Lu Guifan tossed his school jacket on the sofa, intending for Jiang Ruotang to sit on it, Jiang Ruotang instead ducked down by the TV stand, pointing at a family photo. "Wow… Your dad was so handsome when he was young! And your mom is gorgeous! You must have hit the genetic jackpot, inheriting the best features from both of them!"

Lu Guifan opened his mouth but couldn’t find the right words to respond.

Jiang Ruotang backed up to the sofa, picking up Lu Guifan’s jacket before sitting down. He leaned back without a care for the cracks in the sofa, which groaned under him.

Taking a whiff of the collar of Lu Guifan’s jacket, Jiang Ruotang exclaimed, "Class monitor! Your clothes smell so nice! Is this ALPHA pheromones?"

It was a joke Jian Sha often made, teasing that Lu Guifan had the aura of an ice-cold, top-tier alpha.

Lu Guifan froze for a second. Though Jiang Ruotang’s nose only touched his jacket, the back of his neck inexplicably burned.

Xiao Gao couldn’t help but laugh. "Ruo Tang! Who says stuff like that? Good thing your class monitor is handsome, or I’d think you were a flirt!"

Jiang Ruotang said seriously, "Pretty faces can be trouble too."

The sound of cooking came from the kitchen as Lu Guifan’s parents were hustling in the kitchen.

Too antsy to stay put, Jiang Ruotang whispered, "Class monitor, can I see your room? You’ve lived here since middle school, right?"

"Mm." Lu Guifan nodded and opened a nearby door, revealing a tiny, spotless room.

The bookshelf was packed, and a tall stack of practice papers sat on one side of the desk. A narrow single bed was covered with a checkered bedsheet, perfectly smoothed out.

There was hardly any extra space—if Jiang Ruotang wanted to leave the room, he’d have to squeeze past Lu Guifan.

Like discovering a new world, Jiang Ruotang sat at Lu Guifan’s desk, closed his eyes, and pretended to pray. "Absorbing some of the top student’s brainy vibes."

Lu Guifan slouched against the wall, arms folded, quietly watching Jiang Ruotang’s back.

So close, yet somehow still so far.

Jiang Ruotang opened his eyes and played with the only decoration in the room—a small wooden roly-poly toy.

To Jiang Ruotang, this room felt like a portal to another world, filled with little treasures.

Lu Guifan’s textbooks from childhood, along with some old books—likely passed down from his grandfather—packed the shelves.