Chapter 47 Give It a Shot

Chapter 47: All or Nothing

Jiang Ruotang playfully nudged Cai Ji’s side. "Your blushing face looks like you just asked someone out."

Cai Ji’s face turned even redder. Zhao Zhangfeng passed by and, taking advantage of his height, ruffled Jiang Ruotang’s hair. "Don’t bully Cai Cai."

"Cai Cai?" Jiang Ruotang did a double take. It seemed he and Zhao Zhangfeng really were brothers—even the nickname they gave Cai Ji was the same.

"Calling him ‘Cai Ji’ always sounds like ‘noob.’ Calling him ‘Xiao Ji’ sounds like ‘little chick.’ And ‘Xiao Cai’? We’re not his elders. So we might as well call him Cai Cai," Zhao Zhangfeng said matter-of-factly.

Jiang Ruotang whispered to Cai Ji, "If you don’t like it, refuse now. Otherwise, with how loud he is, the whole school will call you ‘Cai Cai.’"

Cai Ji smiled. "It’s nice. I’ve heard your dad call you ‘Tang Tang’—it sounds affectionate. ‘Cai Cai’ is also a cutesy nickname."

Zhao Zhangfeng gave Jiang Ruotang a look, as if saying, *See? What’s wrong with the name I came up with?*

Sister Juan’s voice came from downstairs: "Breakfast is ready! If you don’t come down soon, the noodles will turn mushy!"

"Got it, coming!" Jiang Ruotang called back.

When Cai Ji arrived at the large round table, it was the first time he’d seen a spread like this. For a moment, he didn’t know where to begin.

Jiang Ruotang, seeing the look in Cai Ji’s eyes, guessed what he was thinking. "We don’t usually have such a variety for breakfast. It’s because you’re here—Sister Juan specially made yam noodle soup for you. She was worried tough foods might hurt your mouth."

As he spoke, Jiang Ruotang served Cai Ji a bowl of noodles and scooped some eggs and soft meatballs for him.

"Thank you..."

At that moment, Zhao Yunshu and Jiang Huaiyuan also finished washing up and came down for breakfast.

Zhao Yunshu said softly, "Cai Ji, just focus on going to class today. No matter what happens, you can talk to the teacher or find Ruotang or Zhangfeng. Leave the rest to Uncle and Auntie to handle for you."

Jiang Huaiyuan nodded. "We’re not just helping you temporarily. As long as you don’t give up, Uncle and Auntie will fight this battle with you to the end!"

Truly a director—his line, "fight this battle to the end," had the intensity of a movie’s most thrilling scene, successfully giving Cai Ji a boost.

Xiao Gao drove the three high schoolers to school. When they got out of the car, he even gave Cai Ji his phone number, telling him to call if anything happened.

Standing at the classroom door, Cai Ji suddenly sighed. "There really are so many good people in this world..."

Zhao Zhangfeng, however, added, "But there are plenty of bad ones too. So guys like you need to protect yourselves."

Teacher Song Qinghe, who was supposed to be recording attendance at the school gate, went straight to the principal’s office to report Cai Ji’s situation as soon as he arrived at work. The principal was taken aback.

"As long as we get evidence proving Meng Yang colluded with troublemakers outside school to bully Cai Ji and force him to cheat for them, we will punish them severely!"

Perhaps because of the overwhelming support from all sides, Cai Ji came out of his shell, even joking around with Jiang Ruotang and the others.

At noon, Jiang Ruotang didn’t order takeout because Sister Juan had prepared a lot of food and sent it over with Xiao Gao.

When Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng went to the school gate to pick up the food, the containers were still warm.

"Come on, come on! Feast today—Sister Juan made a lot. Let’s all eat together!"

Zhao Zhangfeng placed the lunch box on Cai Ji’s desk, then turned and waved to Jian Sha and Lu Guifan.

The other students still in the classroom were surprised.

Bai Yingchuan had wanted to go over and say hello, but Lin Lu pulled him back.

Lin Lu whispered, "Cai Ji was just investigated for cheating. Even though Teacher Song insists he’s innocent, until everything’s cleared up, we shouldn’t get involved."

Bai Yingchuan turned his head, his gaze icy as he looked at Lin Lu. "Since it’s not yet cleared up, do you really need to assume Cai Ji is guilty first?"

"I..." Lin Lu felt a pang of guilt under Bai Yingchuan’s stare, but he still blurted out, "I’m just looking out for you."

"Right. If my mom found out I was hanging out with someone involved in cheating, who knows what punishment she’d give me, huh?"

Lin Lu had been about to say, *You get it*, but he suddenly realized Bai Yingchuan was being sarcastic—his so-called "looking out for you" was being treated as a threat.

But so what? All Lin Lu could do now was keep Bai Yingchuan from getting close to Jiang Ruotang’s circle.

Even if Bai Yingchuan resented and rebelled against him, Lin Lu couldn’t let him get close to Jiang Ruotang. If Bai Yingchuan’s popularity and commercial value became assets to the Jiang family, Lin Chengdong would be furious.

Lin Lu consoled himself: *As long as Dad gives Bai Yingchuan more resources and opportunities, he’ll forget about Jiang Ruotang.*

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang was opening the lunch boxes one by one—inside were Sister Juan’s lion’s head meatballs, bean sauce ribs, shrimp with eggs, Yangzhou fried rice... and even fresh juice.

Jiang Ruotang joked jealously. "Cai Cai’s getting better treatment than me and Zhangfeng."

Cai Ji smiled, warmth filling his heart. It was the first time in his life he’d felt such a warm connection with the people around him.

The other students exchanged glances. Cai Ji had always barely noticed—how was it that right after the cheating incident, not only Zhao Zhangfeng and Jiang Ruotang but even Jian Sha and Lu Guifan were eating with him?

Lu Guifan—the guy who *never* socialized in class!

As Cai Cai ate, Zhao Zhangfeng kept adding ribs to his bowl, and Jiang Ruotang shared his lion’s head meatballs with him. For once, he wasn’t silently eating a five-yuan boxed lunch alone.

During the lunch break, most of the class was passed out at their desks, sound asleep. Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng were already out cold, with Zhao Zhangfeng even lightly snoring.

Cai Ji’s phone rang, sending his heart into a frenzy. He thought it might be his father or brother calling to demand to know why he hadn’t come home last night or hitting him up for money again. But the screen showed "Mom."

His throat went dry, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. He had no idea what his mother would say to him.

The moment he answered, his mother’s tearful voice trembled through the phone, asking why he hadn’t told her. She’d already booked a flight and was coming that very night.

In that instant, Cai Ji believed his mother still cared for and loved him. The two of them broke down crying over the phone.

"Mom... I miss you so much..."

That evening, there were no art club classes, so Jiang Ruotang planned to stay in the classroom for evening study hall.

He sent a message to Lu Guifan: *[Class Prez, wanna go for a three-buck walk?]*

Meaning: eat a three-kuai jianbing and walk it off.

Standing in front of the jianbing stand outside the school gate, Jiang Ruotang heard Lu Guifan say for the first time: "Two eggs, with beef, shredded potatoes, and ham."

Even such an everyday order sounded oddly elegant coming from Lu Guifan.

Jiang Ruotang didn’t refuse. Lu Guifan’s father was now working under Zheng Huasheng. Because he was diligent and honest, Mr. Zheng even taught him some basic money management and gave generous bonuses. The Lu family was doing much better than before.

As they walked side by side, Jiang Ruotang—lost in his food—kept nearly bumping into lampposts or pedestrians. Each time, Lu Guifan would pull him back to his side.

Jiang Ruotang rambled on, mostly about Cai Ji, railing against the two deadbeat men in Cai Ji’s family.

Lu Guifan didn’t comment on Cai Ji’s situation. Instead, he silently watched Jiang Ruotang walk ahead of him.

"Huh? Class Prez, what’s wrong?" Jiang Ruotang turned around, popping in the last bite of pancake into his mouth as he waited for Lu Guifan.

"Jiang Ruotang, I don't understand."

"Don't understand what?"

"Why you always... throw yourself into helping others without hesitation."

"What? Since when?" Jiang Ruotang looked completely baffled.

"Like when my parents' car got smashed and you jumped in to protect them, like helping my dad find a job, and with Zhao Zhangfeng... I know you've helped him a lot privately too. Now, even Cai Ji, whom you barely talked to, you're helping him. Jiang Ruotang, if someone is too kind, they’ll be treated like a favor dispenser. One day, when this ATM can’t spit out what they want, they might not be grateful—they might even abandon you."

Sounds exactly like the Lin Chengdong father-son pair, doesn't it?

"So you actually care about me, huh." Jiang Ruotang looked into Lu Guifan's eyes and laughed.

Lu Guifan turned his face away silently.

"I don’t help just anyone. Zhao Zhangfeng is family to me. He’s always been all bark and no bite, looking big and strong but actually a softie. I don’t want him influenced by Meng Yang because I genuinely see him as my brother, so I want him to have a good future."

"As for why I rushed in when your parents' car got smashed, it’s because the first time we ate together like friends was in front of your parents' stall."

Lu Guifan froze—he hadn’t expected that to be the reason.

"I helped Cai Ji because he spoke up for justice with the teacher about Meng Yang deliberately knocking your glasses off. Cai Ji is brave deep down."

The sky had darkened, and streetlights came on.

The cool light fell on Lu Guifan’s handsome profile and shoulders, giving Jiang Ruotang the illusion that his crush might be flaring up again.

"Sounds like I’m the center of your world."

Jiang Ruotang grinned, joking but meaning every word, "You've always been the center of my world, Class Monitor."

Lu Guifan stood still while Jiang Ruotang walked ahead.

"Jiang Ruotang..."

"Hmm?" When Jiang Ruotang turned back, he found the other studying him with a faraway, serious gaze.

That seriousness made Jiang Ruotang inexplicably nervous.

"No matter who you meet in the future, or who you impulsively fall for, you must always be the center of your own world. Everything should please you, benefit you. Never be the one who sacrifices yourself. You’re not the sun—you don’t have to shine on the earth. Nor are you a candle—you don’t need to burn yourself to light up others. Put yourself first—that's the only way I'll stop worrying."

"Oh... Class Monitor, can you not call me by my full name like that? It feels like I’ve got a dozen Worksheets left unfinished, and I’m about to be sent to the back row by Wang Fuzi again."

"Then, Jiang Ruotang, classmate."

"Said in your tone, it sounds like the dean." Jiang Ruotang bumped him with his shoulder. "How about just 'Ruo Tang'?"

"No."

"Why?"

Lu Guifan sighed. "...Total Lin Lu flashback."

Jiang Ruotang almost did a spit-take.

"What nonsense! Just last night, you said 'Goodnight, Ruo Tang' on the phone!"

Lu Guifan turned and walked back toward school stone-faced.

Jiang Ruotang hurried after him, tagging along like a puppy.

"Then call me Tang Tang? That’s what my dad calls me."

"I’m not your dad."

"I'd gladly call you Dad."

Lu Guifan pressed a hand to Jiang Ruotang’s face. "I don’t have a son who ranks 250th in the grade."

They barely stayed apart for three seconds before Jiang Ruotang closed the gap again. Even with his long strides, Lu Guifan couldn’t shake him off.

"Class Monitor, last night when I didn’t ask you any questions, did you miss me? Like something was missing in life?"

"What’s missing is a bottle of insecticide. Go buy one and spray yourself."

The more Lu Guifan insulted him, the more inexplicably energized Jiang Ruotang became.

It was probably like elementary school—when you like someone, you just can’t help but provoke them, even knowing how childish it is.

"Say, last night when you didn’t get my WeChat, did it feel like your upstairs neighbor dropping one shoe—thud—and the other never coming, keeping you awake?"

"More like a construction crew outside your window suddenly stopping one day. The world’s so peaceful."

"Class Monitor, do you actually like the construction crew?"

"Why would I like them?"

"Because of the noise."

Lu Guifan said irritably, "...Why not say I like suona horns?"

"That’d be bad. One toot and it's curtains."

Lu Guifan couldn't believe it either—that one day, he could shoot the breeze with someone for ten minutes straight.

As long as Jiang Ruotang was around, he’d find a way to talk for a lifetime.

Back in the classroom, just as Jiang Ruotang was about to faceplant onto his desk, Bai Yingchuan’s voice came from across the aisle: "Jiang Ruotang, I took your suggestion."

"Huh? What suggestion?" Jiang Ruotang tilted his head lazily.

Lin Lu was also fake-sleeping. In the past, he’d have joined the conversation, but now he was utterly redundant—anything he said would be awkward, so he kept up the act.

Bai Yingchuan gave a dry chuckle. "Typical—you forgot. That script for *The Boiling Years*. After I said the dialogue was too wooden and outdated, they actually listened and brought in younger writers to revise it."

"Wait—your mom's okay with that?" Jiang Ruotang asked casually, though it was deliberate.

Bai Yingchuan’s gaze froze for a second before he smiled. "Why wouldn’t she?"

"Because at this stage, Ms. Bai Yue would care more about whether you can maintain your popularity." Jiang Ruotang didn’t bother sparing his feelings, calling it like it is.

This time, Bai Yingchuan admitted freely: "You guessed right."

Jiang Ruotang made a mental note to watch his words before speaking to Bai Yingchuan—he’d almost spilled info from his past life.

Bai Yue had always been controlling over Bai Yingchuan. In his past life, Jiang Ruotang had pitched several meaty roles to Bai Yingchuan—ones that might win critics but not fans—but Bai Yue shot them down immediately. Bai Yingchuan didn't even bother looking at the scripts.

"But I still tried to fight for it, using your argument from that day. To my surprise, Mom actually bought it."

Bai Yingchuan still remembered the night he returned home. Bai Yue, who was rarely home, was waiting for him on the couch after school, grilling him about why he was wasting time on that script.

Bai Yingchuan replied, "Because you're a bad judge of character. Not just about men, but also about business partners. Shady operators like Lin Chengdong will drag you down with them when they crash, and that’ll ruin your own prospects."

He was still young—there was no need to chase quick money or cash in on his fame. What really mattered was building a solid reputation by collaborating with established heavyweights as soon as possible.

Bai Yue immediately laughed at his naivety and idealism, insisting that the script would disappear without a ripple.

For the first time, Bai Yingchuan stood up to her, firing back, "And how do you know it won’t become a tribute drama or a key project?"

Bai Yue was stopped cold.

After shutting his door, Bai Yingchuan clearly heard Bai Yue calling industry contacts to inquire about the project.

Unexpectedly, a bigwig at the national broadcaster revealed that they were very interested in the theme—only the script’s dialogue was too rigid and fell flat, making it hard for audiences to connect. If that flaw could be fixed, the broadcaster would consider investing.

This news was exactly what Bai Yingchuan had said earlier.

Bai Yue knocked on his door and asked where he had gotten the information.

Bai Yingchuan gave a knowing smile and only said that if Bai Yue wanted reliable long-term partners in the industry, she should stop listening to Lin Chengdong’s sketchy advice—before he cleaned her out while making her think she was hitting the jackpot. Instead, she should build relationships with pragmatic figures like the great director Jiang Huaiyuan. Who knows? She might even stage a comeback through sheer skill.

The bluntness of his son’s mockery left Bai Yue standing in silence for a long time. She looked like she was ready to blow her top but ultimately held back.

After that, she didn’t stop Bai Yingchuan from taking the role.

Jiang Ruotang lazily glanced at Bai Yingchuan and drawled, "Well, I hope you land a great role and make waves."

Being reborn, Jiang Ruotang now realized that Lin Lu’s methods of influencing Bai Yingchuan had always been too ham-fisted.

The truly high-level approach was making the target willingly step into your harness.

Bai Yue thought she could control her son—his habits, friendships, and future.

But once Bai Yingchuan got a taste of rebellion, he’d realize that the Lin father and son weren’t offering him a future—just a cage. His rebellion would only grow more ferocious.

Once someone experienced even a moment of freedom, they’d eagerly snap their leash, seeing anyone who interfered as an enemy.

In Bai Yingchuan’s heart, Jiang Ruotang was the one who had given him the path to freedom—even if all it took was some well-placed advice.

Jiang Ruotang turned his head and locked eyes with Lin Lu.

Lin Lu had been pretending to sleep. He hadn’t expected Jiang Ruotang to catch him staring.

His stomach dropped, an inexplicable fear surging through him. For a moment, he didn’t even know how to look away.

Until Jiang Ruotang smiled at him.

That seemingly ordinary smile gave Lin Lu the illusion that he was a clumsy child caught in a blatant lie by an adult who saw right through him.

Jiang Ruotang turned away and went back to napping, finally letting Lin Lu exhale a shaky breath in relief.

That night, after self-study ended, Xiao Gao came to pick up the three kids.

As soon as the door opened, Cai Ji saw his mother sitting on the couch with eyes puffy from crying. Hearing the door, she rushed over and hugged him tightly, wordlessly breaking down.

The scene made even Jiang Ruotang’s nose tingle. Sister Juan and Xiao Gao’s eyes were red too.

Only after Cai Ji’s mother calmed down did they gather in the study to discuss how to handle things.

Her first instinct was to take Cai Ji back to the capital. But the problem was he couldn't transfer schools—even if he studied there temporarily, he’d have to return to Sheng City for the college entrance exams. The two regions used different curriculums, putting Cai Ji at a disadvantage. But staying here meant being harassed by his worthless father and stepbrother, leaving him no reprieve.

"Worst case, I’ll quit my job and come back to support Cai Ji through the exams. If that bastard dares to show up, I’ll call the police!"

Cai Ji was stunned. He hadn’t expected his mother to consider quitting her job for him.

She had worked so hard to put down roots in the capital—how could she just give that up?

And what about her current family? She’d finally found a husband who cherished her and an adorable daughter…

"Mom, I want to push back," Cai Ji said, lifting his head with determination.

"Push back… how?"

When Cai Ji spelled out his plan, not only his mother but even Zhao Yunshu and Jiang Huaiyuan exclaimed in unison, "No!"

"There’s nothing wrong with it. I was too cowardly before—I never gathered evidence. This time, I have to succeed!"

Even if not for himself, he had to fight for his mother and everyone who had helped him!

Jiang Ruotang watched Cai Ji’s resolute expression. The plan would indeed be tough on him, but if it worked, it’d be a clean break.

But… Cai Ji had been at school all this time. How had he come up with such an idea?

The next day, Cai Ji’s phone kept vibrating during class—his stepbrother Li Chun’s name flashing on the screen. His breath caught, palms sweating as he instinctively glanced back at Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng.

Jiang Ruotang immediately sensed his gaze and turned to give him a nod.

Cai Ji exhaled and quickly replied under the desk: [In class, can’t answer.]

Soon, Li Chun’s message came: [What, now that you’ve sucked up to some rich kid in class, you’re getting too big for your britches? Get your ass to Blue Dragon Internet Cafe at noon! Or I’ll beat you to death!]