Chapter 53 Lu Guifan: The Young Master

Chapter 53 Lu Guifan: The Young Master

Lin Chengdong gritted his teeth. No matter what explanation Fangzhou ultimately provided, its reputation and market share would plummet, and his investments were doomed to go down the drain. All that remained was to handle the PR properly and sell Fangzhou as quickly as possible once the public outcry subsided.

The thought of losing a huge sum of money sent him back to his study, where he turned off the lights and raged helplessly.

That battery had to explode—not earlier, not later—but right at the exhibition!

And it exploded because of that little game he had invested in!

Now, not only the phone but even that niche game had landed on many parents' blacklists.

It was truly a case of misfortunes never coming singly, wiping out all the money he had earned over the past few years.

When Lin Lu returned home, he could feel the tense atmosphere hanging over the entire house.

Silently, he hurried to his room and locked the door.

But Lin Chengdong, consumed by anger, needed an outlet for his fury. He pounded on Lin Lu’s door.

"I’m asking you—why weren’t you with Bai Yingchuan today? Didn’t I tell you to bring him to Fangzhou’s booth? If he had been there, crowds of young people would’ve gathered around. That middle schooler wouldn’t have had a chance to sit there playing on the phone for so long!"

Lin Chengdong now blamed Lin Lu for everything.

"You ruined all my plans and arrangements! Bai Yingchuan ended up at Xiaolan, giving my competitor free exposure! Can’t you even keep an eye on one person?"

The outburst nearly scared Lin Lu out of his wits.

It finally dawned on him just how badly his father had lost this time.

"Dad... Bai Yingchuan is an independent person! He just went to the restroom and disappeared! I thought Aunt Bai Yue had already talked to him... But now it seems... he deliberately avoided me. Dad, you should be asking Aunt Bai Yue—what exactly did she say to him? Why didn’t Bai Yingchuan cooperate with us at all?"

Lin Lu burst into tears, spilling his frustrations to his father.

Lin Chengdong froze for a moment, then immediately turned and left his son’s room. He called Bai Yue—both to confront her and to warn her.

What Lin Chengdong didn’t know was that Bai Yingchuan was sitting right beside Bai Yue, playing on his phone, when the call came in.

Under Lin Chengdong’s rapid-fire accusations, Bai Yue instinctively wanted to apologize—but Bai Yingchuan snatched the phone from her.

"Uncle Lin, my mother trusted you enough to invest thirty million in Fangzhou. Who could’ve imagined such a basic, catastrophic failure like a battery exploding in public? My mother is too polite to say anything because of your relationship, but I’m not. Is Fangzhou going into liquidation, or are you planning to sell it? How much of my mother’s thirty million can she expect back?"

Bai Yue’s eyes widened as she stared up at Bai Yingchuan, shocked by his direct challenge to Lin Chengdong.

On the other end, Lin Chengdong was completely caught off guard. Bai Yingchuan’s words left him unable to voice any further blame.

Bai Yingchuan hung up and tossed the phone back to his mother, his tone cool. "See? That simple. You don’t owe him anything—if anything, he’s the one who cost you a fortune. Why hasn’t he taken responsibility for your losses? If I had actually followed Lin Chengdong’s plan and endorsed Fangzhou at the booth, I’d probably be the scapegoat for their failures by now. You’d lose money, and I’d lose my future."

With that, Bai Yingchuan turned and walked back to his room.

Bai Yue opened her mouth but said nothing. This was the first time Bai Yingchuan had ever outmaneuvered Lin Chengdong, making her—his mother—seem completely ineffective, only capable of making decisions that dragged him down.

Before long, news of Deyi Tianxia’s investment in Xiaolan, a domestic smartphone brand, spread across the internet.

With a wealthy investor, Xiaolan’s marketing campaign took off rapidly.

Ads for the new model appeared everywhere—subway stations, bus stops, shopping mall LED screens. They were embedded in online games, takeout apps, and video platforms popular with young people. He Zhangqin was even invited for an interview on national television, positioning Xiaolan as a potential leader in the domestic smartphone market.

The choice of Xiaolan’s brand ambassador became a hot topic in the media, sparking discussions that spread from the tech industry to the entertainment world.

Both established actors and rising idols scrambled for the opportunity, knowing that landing this endorsement would tie them to Deyi Tianxia’s vast resources, ensuring continuous opportunities.

Bai Yue, sensing the upheaval in the entertainment industry, was resentful but silent.

By all rights, she was an acclaimed actress—yet she had chosen to side with Lin Chengdong.

If Xiaolan approached her for the endorsement, fine. But if they didn’t, she couldn’t even try to compete—doing so would openly defy Lin Chengdong, earning his resentment and likely costing her future film roles.

Meanwhile, Bai Yingchuan sat nearby, scrolling through his phone as if nothing was wrong. With a smirk, he asked, "Ms. Bai Yue, why is it that in the online polls for Xiaolan’s potential ambassadors, Xie Langhua and Zhang Minzhen are topping the charts, while you barely have any votes? Weren’t the three of you once called the ‘Three Leading Actresses’ of the industry?"

Bai Yue wasn’t fooled by his sarcasm. "Those two are obviously manipulating votes, just to get Xiaolan’s attention. At their age, resorting to such tricks—how pathetic. Do they really think the public can’t tell?"

Bai Yingchuan grinned, his tone teasing. "Oh? From what I’ve seen, most netizens seem shocked that a certain acclaimed actress has had no notable work in years and has completely fallen out of relevance."

Bai Yue’s expression turned cold. "So what if I’ve fallen out of relevance? These netizens are just online trolls. If you’re so confident, why don’t you go after the Xiaolan endorsement yourself?"

Bai Yingchuan’s smile vanished, replaced by a frosty edge. "Sister Yu already tried. Xiaolan said I’m a ‘liability’—unfit to be their ambassador."

"What kind of risk could you possibly pose?"

Bai Yue prided herself on managing her son meticulously—ensuring he never clashed with teachers, maintained good relationships with classmates, avoided early romance, and always presented a humble, diligent attitude in public, even if it was all an act.

As Bai Yingchuan walked past her toward his room, he paused and looked down at his mother with a mocking smile. "The risk is you. Have you forgotten your investment in Fangzhou? If it gets out that the mother invested in a faulty phone while her son endorses the future leader of domestic smartphones—wouldn’t that be ironic?"

Without waiting for her reaction, he strode into his room and shut the door.

Xiaolan’s latest smartphone model was now in high demand, with pre-orders skyrocketing. Even Mu Xianqing called Jiang Ruotang to joke about his investment genius—the few million he had put in would not only be recouped quickly once the new model launched but would likely multiply in profit.

"You really are a little fortune magnet, aren’t you?"

"Don’t underestimate me. I’m your North Star," Jiang Ruotang teased back.

"Then, oh North Star, tell me—apart from phones, what else are you investing in lately? Cut me in, will you?"

There was probably no one else in the world who could make Mu Xianqing jokingly refer to himself as a "little brother" except Jiang Ruotang.

"Let me think." Jiang Ruotang smirked, deliberately pausing to build suspense before finally saying, "I have a gaming company working on a small but interesting project. Low cost, but it could make a lot once it launches. We handle the product—you handle the marketing. Want in?"

Mu Xianqing laughed. "Absolutely."

By November, the weather had turned chilly. Jiang Ruotang added a sweater under his school blazer before heading to school.

As he neared the campus, he noticed many of his classmates had already switched to winter wool coats.

The moment he opened the car door, a cold gust hit him.

Zhao Zhangfeng, however, didn’t even bother with a thin sweater, let alone a coat.

Typical athlete—built tough.

Jiang Ruotang trailed behind him, sneezing twice. Zhao Zhangfeng glanced back, his expression clearly saying, "Wimp."

The classroom was much warmer. Though the heating wouldn’t kick in for another week, the body warmth from so many students made it comfortable.

When Lu Guifan walked in, Jiang Ruotang stiffened.

They all wore the same school-issued black wool coat, but on Lu Guifan, it looked uniquely polished.

Even his well-used backpack and thick black-framed glasses added to his vibe.

How could Jiang Ruotang have been so blind in his previous high school life to miss such a broad-shouldered, long-legged guy who walked with such natural confidence?

The seemingly contradictory mix of restraint and ease coexisted perfectly in Lu Guifan, without any awkwardness.

Setting down his backpack, Lu Guifan began his usual morning routine—collecting homework.

As he moved through the classroom, he drew many gazes.

Indeed, when it came to aesthetics, humans still shared some universal standards.

Many female classmates couldn’t help but steal glances at Lu Guifan, especially when he reached out with his right hand to take the practice test papers, letting them hang from his left hand… looking exactly like the vampire butler from that trending manga.

—Elegant, mysterious, and with a touch of melancholy.

Finally, Lu Guifan stopped in front of Jiang Ruotang, tapping his fingertips on the corner of the desk as usual. "Practice papers."

"Huh?" Jiang Ruotang looked up at him.

Lu Guifan probably thought Jiang Ruotang was teasing him again, so he leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer. "Young master, hand in your papers."

Just those few words, traveling from his ears straight to his heart, made Jiang Ruotang’s heart skip a beat. Just as he was about to lower his head to search his desk drawer for the papers, he suddenly—and embarrassingly—had three consecutive sneezes.

From the back row, Zhao Zhangfeng chimed in mockingly, "Haha, Young master, someone must be cursing you."

Jiang Ruotang deliberately bumped his back against Zhao Zhangfeng’s desk.

"It’s gotten colder today. Why are you still dressed so lightly?" Lu Guifan asked.

"Blame Zhao Zhangfeng for that. When I left home this morning, I was wondering if I should switch to a coat, but this guy said it wasn’t cold at all, so I just added a thin sweater under my jacket." Jiang Ruotang shot Zhao Zhangfeng a sharp glare over his shoulder, his look clearly saying, *If you dare mock me again, I’ll knock your desk over.*

Unexpectedly, Lu Guifan first placed the collected papers on Jiang Ruotang’s desk, then took off his own coat and draped it over Jiang Ruotang’s shoulders.

"Zhao Zhangfeng is an athlete. How could you possibly compare?" Lu Guifan said.

The sudden weight on his shoulders, along with the lingering warmth from Lu Guifan’s body, left Jiang Ruotang frozen in place, unable to move.

It was as if he had been enveloped by the other—a feeling Jiang Ruotang had longed for.

A sudden rush of security and belonging made his eyes inexplicably warm.

From the other side of the aisle, Jian Sha sighed, "Wow, if you think about it, this is basically the class president hugging you!"

Jiang Ruotang grinned, slipping his arms into the coat’s sleeves. He hadn’t expected Lu Guifan’s arms to be so long—the cuffs nearly covered his fingers.

He held his arms out wide, as if to embrace Jian Sha. "Come on, Sister Sha! If you hug me, it’s basically like hugging the class president!"

Jian Sha crossed her arms in refusal. "If you dare hug me, the class president will definitely punish you harshly."

"Oh? I *want* him to punish me. Come on, come on!" Jiang Ruotang shamelessly teased her.

Zhao Zhangfeng interjected, "If the class president gave you his coat, won’t he get cold?"

That reminder gave Jiang Ruotang an idea.

He took off his sweater, and when Lu Guifan passed by his desk after collecting the papers, Jiang Ruotang suddenly stretched out an arm to stop him.

"Hm?" Lu Guifan lowered his eyes in confusion.

Jiang Ruotang handed him the sweater. "A trade. Don’t want you catching a cold in class."

Though Lu Guifan’s shoulders were broader, Jiang Ruotang’s sweater was loose enough that it wouldn’t matter under his uniform jacket.

Lu Guifan’s silence made Jiang Ruotang nervous. Just as he was about to find an excuse to save face, Lu Guifan reached out and took the sweater, saying quietly, "Thank you."

Jiang Ruotang smiled. "I should be the one thanking you for the coat."

From behind Lin Lu, Bai Yingchuan watched Jiang Ruotang’s profile, the way he absentmindedly played with the collar of the coat. To Bai Yingchuan, these expressions were all too obvious—so obvious that he’d seen them countless times in cheesy high school dramas. They were impossible to ignore, confirming one undeniable fact: Jiang Ruotang liked Lu Guifan.

Bai Yingchuan took a quiet, deep breath, but it did nothing to suppress the bitter pang rising in his chest.

If this were really a TV drama, he probably wouldn’t even make the supporting cast—because between him and Jiang Ruotang stood Lin Lu.

Lu Guifan returned to his seat, the sweater still in his hand.

Soft and fluffy to the touch, just like its owner.

The classmates around him glanced over, but Lu Guifan remained unfazed as he took off his uniform jacket, pulled the sweater over his shirt, and then put the jacket back on—as if trapping Jiang Ruotang’s warmth close.

Occasionally, when he lowered his head to take notes, the faint scent of laundry detergent drifted from the collar, surprising Lu Guifan every time. His heart would tighten inexplicably, and his mind would involuntarily recall Jiang Ruotang sniffing his wrist and saying, *It smells nice.*

It was the first time Lu Guifan had ever been distracted in class. He lifted his gaze to the front, where Jiang Ruotang sat wearing his coat, tilting his head slightly as he listened attentively to the English teacher explaining the "past future tense."

During lunch break, Xiao Gao texted to say he’d brought Jiang Ruotang’s coat.

Jiang Ruotang’s stomach dropped. From behind him, Zhao Zhangfeng’s voice rang out, oozing smugness. "See how good I am to you?"

*So it was you who told Xiao Gao! I wanted to wear Lu Guifan’s coat a little longer!*

Furious, Jiang Ruotang almost wished he could punish this Siberian Husky to a lifetime of bones with no meat.

With great reluctance, Jiang Ruotang went to the school office downstairs to retrieve his coat.

When he returned to the classroom, he found Lu Guifan had already finished lunch. His glasses were off, and he was using his arm as a pillow, asleep.

Jiang Ruotang stood nearby, quietly watching for a while.

Lu Guifan’s eyelashes were long, and his usual sharpness softened, his sleeping face looked gentle and handsome.

*I really want to touch his lashes… but he seems pretty sharp. If I wake him up, I’ll have to return the coat.*

Moving with exaggerated care, Jiang Ruotang gathered the collar of his own coat and gently draped it over Lu Guifan’s shoulders before returning to his seat for a nap.

But the moment Jiang Ruotang walked away, Lu Guifan’s eyes slowly opened. He lifted the coat slightly and brought it to his nose.

Cozy and warm, Jiang Ruotang slept deeply that afternoon.

He had no idea how long he’d been out when he opened his eyes to find himself in an over-the-top Rococo bedroom—exactly the gaudy style his father loved.

Then, the heavily carved wooden door was knocked on, and a rich, velvety voice called out.

"Young master, time to wake up."

Jiang Ruotang started—wasn’t that Lu Guifan’s voice?

The door opened, and in walked Lu Guifan, dressed in a black morning coat, a starched white shirt, a tailored vest, and a black satin tie.

He even wore black gloves, holding an antique pocket watch in his left hand.

When his gaze fell on the still-sleepy Jiang Ruotang, there was no impatience in his eyes—just the ghost of a smile, like a single sunbeam piercing midwinter.

"Little lord, why aren't you up yet?"

He leaned on one hand beside Jiang Ruotang's pillow, lowering his head to look at him.

Those deep amber eyes made Jiang Ruotang gasp—what was happening? What was going on?

"It seems a special wake-up call is needed."

Lu Guifan calmly tucked the pocket watch away, slowly peeled off his right glove with his left hand. Though it was a perfectly ordinary action, the slow motion made it oddly suggestive.

That warm hand lightly touched Jiang Ruotang’s forehead, then teasingly traced down his nose and chin, lingering at his throat before slowly slipping under the covers.

In an instant, a tidal wave of sensations surged through him, and Jiang Ruotang jolted awake, eyes snapping open.

Where was that Rococo-style room? All around him were classmates still napping.

Jiang Ruotang shuddered, realizing something, and glanced under the desk.

This was so embarrassing!

Heart racing guiltily, he turned to look in Lu Guifan’s direction.

Luckily, Lu Guifan showed no sign of noticing, still asleep with his head on the desk.

Jiang Ruotang quietly got up and hurried to the restroom, holed up in a stall forever.

As he washed his hands, he tried to console himself. "This just means I’m young! And healthy!"

When he returned to the classroom, he felt like a thief, stealing glances at Lu Guifan’s hand resting by the desk, his pulse racing.

Blame Lu Guifan’s stupidly perfect hands—that was why he’d had that dream.

Jiang Ruotang, you’re hopeless!

I really want to see Lu Guifan take off his gloves… How do I fix this?

After school, the security guards were fed up. Someone from their class had posted a photo of Bai Yingchuan wearing a wool coat online, and it spread through fan groups, drawing girls from other schools to Beicheng Guangyao’s gates, just to see Bai Yingchuan in his coat.

Jiang Ruotang had planned to grab dinner with his friends at a nearby diner before heading to the art studio, but the crowd at the school entrance threw them off.

Jian Sha sighed. "With this many people outside, Bai Yingchuan definitely won’t come out now."

Zhao Zhangfeng stuffed his hands in his pockets, unimpressed. "It’s just a wool coat. They’re turning him into some noble prince—total marketing."

Jiang Ruotang, gripping Cai Ji with one hand and Lu Guifan with the other, pushed through the crowd.

"Hurry up and grab a table! If we’re late, we won’t get to eat! I have to leave for the studio by 6:40!"

His mind was obsessed with the restaurant’s spicy fish stew and beef tripe hotpot, panicked he’d miss out.

Jian Sha, following behind, said under her breath, "The difference between love and indifference is so obvious…"

Perhaps sensing Jiang Ruotang’s desperation, Lu Guifan shielded him with his arm while Jian Sha jabbed Zhao Zhangfeng, who used his height to clear a path. Finally, they broke free.

Soon, Bai Yingchuan’s team arrived to manage the crowd, handing out signed postcards and urging fans to leave, not to disrupt Bai Yingchuan’s or other students’ lives.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang and his friends piled into the diner, wolfing it down.

"Honestly, Bai Yingchuan looks really good in our Beicheng Guangyao coat—like a novel’s male lead," Jian Sha mused.

"Any tall guy without a gut would look good in a coat," Zhao Zhangfeng scoffed.

Jiang Ruotang, chopsticks battling Zhao Zhangfeng’s, shot back, "Yeah, yeah, sure. If only you’d worn one today—you’d have had them swooning!"

As the last piece of fish was about to be mangled, Lu Guifan lifted his chopsticks, snagged it, and placed it in Jiang Ruotang’s bowl.

Zhao Zhangfeng protested, "Prefect, that’s favoritism—"

Dinner was chaos, but only after Xiao Gao picked Jiang Ruotang up did Lu Guifan only then noticed he had Jiang Ruotang’s sweater on under his school jacket.