Chapter 60 Lu Guifan at His Best

Chapter 60: The Flawless Lu Guifan

Right after Lin Lu stepped out of the restroom, he ran into Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng, arms slung over each other’s shoulders, carrying milk tea as they headed upstairs.

Lin Lu’s heart raced. Jiang Ruotang visibly paused—he had seen it. He had seen the slap mark on Lin Lu’s face.

But Jiang Ruotang didn’t say a word, instead turning without a word toward the classroom door.

Zhao Zhangfeng, however, wasn’t nearly as kind.

A mocking grin spread across his face. “Well, well, Lin Lu, what happened to your face? Did the wife catch you being the side piece?”

Zhao Zhangfeng’s voice was just loud enough for students returning from lunch to hear, and murmurs quickly spread among them.

Lin Lu turned his face away, lowered his head, and hurried past Zhao Zhangfeng, praying as few people as possible would notice him.

After going home early, Lin Lu couldn’t resist searching for Fu Chunshi’s “Rising Talent” competition winner—and sure enough, Jiang Ruotang’s name appeared.

Likely due to copyright reasons for the artwork, the winning piece wasn’t displayed online, but rumors claimed its price had already shot up past 800,000 yuan, with even overseas collectors inquiring. Yet Jiang Ruotang had no plans of selling.

Fu Chunshi’s review of Jiang Ruotang read: *Full of emotion, brimming with talent, boundless potential.*

Lin Lu took a deep breath and forcefully closed his laptop.

Before he knew it, Jiang Ruotang had reached a height Lin Lu could only look up to.

Lin Lu had assumed Geng Yu slapping him would be the end of it, but he’d underestimated Geng Yu’s need to get back at him.

That evening, Geng Yu went to his father angrily, indignantly declaring, “Dad! Lin Lu set me up!”

“How?”

“Lin Lu knew about the mark we agreed on with the examiner! He called the supervisory committee!”

Geng Yu’s father found this absurd. “What nonsense! Why would Lin Lu target you?”

“Because he was trying to ruin Jiang Ruotang! He thought Jiang Ruotang’s 284 score was also from cheating! So he called the inspection team, but instead of Jiang Ruotang, they pulled *my* paper!”

With this shifting blame, Geng Yu pinned his own stupidity squarely on Lin Lu.

“Are you sure?”

“My friend heard it! How could it be fake? And Lin Lu specifically took me out for hot pot just to fish for information!”

Previously, Lin Chengdong had already clashed with Geng Yu’s father over the rising prices at Chengtan’s fish farms. Though Lin Chengdong later apologized, Geng Yu’s father, a high-ranking provincial secretary accustomed to being fawned over, had never been yelled at like that before.

Geng Yu’s father scoffed. “That father and son… truly two of a kind!”

He knew his son’s character well.

Geng Yu wasn’t the type to make up such a story if it weren’t true.

And the idea that Lin Lu had tried to frame Jiang Ruotang only for Geng Yu to get caught instead? It sounded all too plausible.

Geng Yu’s father called Lin Chengdong, furious. “You’ve certainly raised a fine son! He’s completely ruined my boy’s future! As for Chengtan, I won’t be involved anymore—who knows when you might ‘accidentally’ scheme against me next? I can’t afford that!”

Lin Chengdong was baffled. “Secretary Geng, what do you mean? I put a lot of money into Chengtan’s fish farms! I was counting on you to connect me with the authorities! If you back out now, what happens to my farms—”

Geng Yu’s father sneered. “Farms? Then stick to fish farming! May you get rich from them and rule Chengtan!”

With that, he hung up.

*Like father, like son*, Geng Yu’s father thought. Lin Lu’s tricks were clearly learned from Lin Chengdong.

Today, Lin Lu had targeted Jiang Ruotang, and Geng Yu got caught in the crossfire.

Who knew who Lin Chengdong might go after tomorrow, dragging *him* down?

Just then, Lin Lu happened to come downstairs for a snack, only to find Lin Chengdong glaring at him coldly, arms crossed.

“Dad…” Lin Lu had a bad feeling.

“Are you lost your mind?! What’s this about snitching on the unified exam?!”

Lin Chengdong’s roar sent Lin Lu’s legs buckling, nearly making him collapse on the spot.

“Explain yourself! How the hell did you get involved in reporting the exam?!”

Under his father’s fury, Lin Lu confessed everything.

Lin Chengdong understood this was Geng Yu’s own fault, but Lin Lu’s “using someone else to do his dirty work” hadn’t harmed Jiang Ruotang at all—instead, it had stabbed *him* right in the back.

That 30-million-yuan fish farm? He’d been counting on selling it for office construction to make tens of millions!

“You’re good for nothing! All you do is ruin things!”

Lin Chengdong couldn’t control his temper—he threw a punch.

It was too fast. Lin Lu, standing too close, took the full force of the punch, collapsing to the floor with his head ringing.

Clutching his face, he wondered if his bone was fractured.

Lin Lu’s mother, Wu Ning, came running downstairs at the noise, shielding her son.

“What’s wrong with you?! Taking your anger out on him?!”

“*My* anger?! Ask him what the hell he’s done! Secretary Geng refuses to work with me now! No more insider information! That 30-million-yuan farm might be a complete waste!”

“What? Can we still back out of the deal?” Wu Ning asked.

“The money’s paid! The contract’s signed! Now *I* have to apologize to the Gengs! Geng Yu’s year is down the drain—getting Secretary Geng to forgive us is near impossible! This idiot… I ought to drag him there and teach him a lesson myself!”

Cowering behind his mother, Lin Lu realized just how much trouble he’d caused.

Back in his room, Lin Lu checked his eye in the mirror—bruised.

*Damn it.* Tomorrow in class, people would ask questions. The thought alone was exhausting.

And Geng Yu? He’d probably badmouth him to Jiang Ruotang. That would be unbearable.

Honestly, Lin Lu almost wanted to burn bridges with Jiang Ruotang outright. At this point, they were practically strangers now.

But remembering Bai Yingchuan’s attitude toward Jiang Ruotang, Lin Lu quickly dismissed the idea.

He spent hours applying hard-boiled eggs and various creams to his face. By morning, the bruise had lightened a bit, though it was still visible up close.

Just as he’d expected, when he sat down in class, Bai Yingchuan asked, “What happened to your eye?”

“Huh? Just bad luck—got hit by a tennis ball at the local tennis court yesterday,” Lin Lu lied.

Bai Yingchuan looked at him and asked meaningfully, "Is that so?"

The slightly upturned inflection, whether teasing or sarcastic, made Lin Lu squirm.

Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Zhangfeng entered the classroom almost simultaneously. After sitting down, Jiang Ruotang also leaned over to take a look. "Your eye..."

Just yesterday, it had been a handprint—how had it turned into a bruise around the eye by today?

"Hit by a tennis ball," Lin Lu explained again, though internally he was fuming.

Stop looking at me! Have you finished your test papers? Copied your homework? Nothing better to occupy yourselves?

Zhao Zhangfeng threw in a cutting remark from behind: "As long as it wasn’t from getting punched for being too scheming."

Jiang Ruotang didn’t react, but Bai Yingchuan actually let out a faint chuckle, making Lin Lu despise Geng Yu all the more.

Truly, it’s not the godlike opponent you should fear, but the idiotic teammate.

As Geng Yu passed by Lin Lu, he deliberately stopped to examine him closely before leaving a suggestive comment: "Payback. And you got off easy."

That noon, Jiang Ruotang unexpectedly received a message from Geng Yu: [Got time? Talk?]

Jiang Ruotang sighed. If he said no, given Geng Yu’s impulsive nature, he might just drag him away for an awkward chat.

[Where?]

[Blue Sapphire for a steak?]

Fine. Whether eating takeout or sitting down somewhere, it was all the same. Might as well see what Geng Yu was up to.

At noon, Jiang Ruotang didn’t pick up his takeout but walked straight out of the school gate, which made Lin Lu inexplicably nervous.

"Ruo Tang, where are you going?"

"Oh, just getting steak."

Lin Lu was about to ask who he was eating with when Jiang Ruotang shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away.

Had Geng Yu invited him?

Lin Lu quickly followed and, sure enough, spotted Geng Yu at the intersection, exchanging greetings with Jiang Ruotang.

That jerk was definitely going to badmouth him.

Lin Lu hurried forward, ready to find an excuse to join, but Geng Yu turned and raised a fist in warning—if Lin Lu dared approach, Geng Yu wouldn’t pull punches.

Since he was already stuck repeating the year, pounding Lin Lu a few more times wouldn’t make a difference.

Lin Lu seethed. The only thing he could do now was prepare an explanation for when Jiang Ruotang confronted him.

After all, he hadn’t made the call—he’d just listened to Geng Yu vent about Jiang Ruotang.

Yes, that was it!

And he had no reason to sabotage Jiang Ruotang! Whatever Geng Yu said would be illogical anyway!

Jiang Ruotang and Geng Yu didn’t waste time. As soon as the sizzling steak platter arrived, Geng Yu spoke up.

"Do you know Lin Lu is gunning for you?"

Geng Yu waited for Jiang Ruotang’s reaction—confusion, disbelief, or anger.

But none came.

Jiang Ruotang simply leaned back in his chair, avoiding the spitting oil. "Oh? Go on."

"After getting burned badly, I talked to my family and pieced it together. Lin Lu got close to me, buttered me up, coaxed me into revealing the examiner’s prearranged signal, then passed it to you. When our results came out, you aced it while I bombed. Then he came to me, fanning the flames, pushing me to report you—because he didn’t believe you could score that high on your own!"

Your closest friend has been stabbing you in the back, Jiang Ruotang. You must be livid, itching to confront Lin Lu!

"Your father’s a provincial government secretary, right? Pretty sharp. So why’s someone so smart running with Lin Chengdong’s crowd?" Jiang Ruotang sighed. "If you hadn’t cheated, or hadn’t been so jealous of me, Lin Lu couldn’t have stirred anything up, could he?"

Geng Yu opened his mouth but had no comeback.

Fine, he was already the villain in Jiang Ruotang’s eyes. But why should he be the only one?

The real villain was still everyone’s golden boy, still basked in popularity. Geng Yu couldn’t stomach that.

"You’re right. I brought it on myself. But is Lin Lu some saint?"

"Geng Yu, better to offend a gentleman than a petty man. Next time, don’t let your anger and resentment show—you’ll just be used as a weapon. Kids think venting brings satisfaction. As adults, we learn to keep it under wraps and observe quietly."

"You—"

Jiang Ruotang lifted his gaze with a faint smile. "What’s done is done, Geng Yu... Stop messing around. Hone your skills, put some effort into academics. Let’s both do well—that’s how we rub it in the haters’ faces."

Geng Yu was silent for a long moment before muttering, "You’re such a grandpa."

"Oh? If you don’t like it, pretend you didn’t hear it."

Geng Yu lowered his head, self-mocking. "Easy to say. I just can’t focus."

"Then learn something else. Everyone has their strengths."

"Mine is cutting corners."

Jiang Ruotang chuckled. "While you’re at it, tell your dad not to waste resources on unreliable partners."

"Huh?" Geng Yu looked lost.

"Some people’s flattery tactics are identical to their sons’. The backstabbing playbook? Pretty much the same."

Geng Yu tilted his head. "Are you hinting at something? I think I get it... but not really."

"Tell your dad. He’ll understand instantly." Jiang Ruotang smirked. "And not to brag, but my family’s reliable. At least we don’t stab allies in the back."

That was blunt enough.

Geng Yu thought for a moment, then lifted his chin. "I’ll pass that on to my dad."

That was the point of this meal—to stop Secretary Geng from collaborating with Lin Chengdong.

With full stomachs, they returned to class. Lin Lu immediately went rigid.

But Jiang Ruotang just dropped his head onto his desk to nap, as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Lin Lu lingered awkwardly, wrestling with whether to speak or stay silent.

From the back, Geng Yu watched Lin Lu’s wary, hesitant posture. Now this—this was pure psychological warfare.

Thinking this way, Geng Yu suddenly understood the true meaning behind Jiang Ruotang's advice during lunch about "reining in your emotions."

It wasn't until the end of lunch break that Lin Lu finally asked, "You had steak with Geng Yu?"

"Yeah."

"Did he... say anything?"

"He just mentioned the whistleblowing incident, saying you put him up to it." Jiang Ruotang's tone was so indifferent that Lin Lu couldn't continue.

"Huh... I put him up to reporting himself?"

"No, he said he wanted to report me, but since I didn't use the mark you suggested, he ended up shooting himself in the foot instead."

"That's just ridiculous... You don't believe that, do you?" Lin Lu asked nervously.

"It didn't affect me, and I feel this is a conflict between you and him," Jiang Ruotang replied.

"Right, just ignore him. He was jealous of you and reported you, only for the backlash to hit him—and now he blames me. I don’t even dare get close to him anymore."

As he spoke, Lin Lu carefully observed Jiang Ruotang's expression.

Jiang Ruotang's face showed no reaction; it seemed Geng Yu's words truly hadn’t affected him.

But Lin Lu knew this was just his own self-delusion.

With classes over for the day and evening study session canceled for the New Year's holiday, everyone could head home early.

Xiao Gao drove Jiang Ruotang, Zhao Zhangfeng, Cai Ji, and Jian Sha to a New Year's party.

Bai Yingchuan and Lin Lu were also invited—one for having starred in Jiang Huaiyuan's film, the other for being a childhood friend who hasn't had a public falling-out.

They rode in Lin Lu's family car.

Bai Yingchuan rested his chin on his hand against the window and said, "You really did want to report Jiang Ruotang, didn’t you?"

Lin Lu froze, forcing a smile. "Ying Chuan, what are you talking about?"

"Jiang Ruotang has a clear conscience. Lin Lu, if you put all that underhanded tactics into the right places, you might even compete with Lu Guifan for first in grade."

Bai Yingchuan's gaze was icy, carrying an unspoken warning.

Lin Lu wanted to argue, but under that pressure, he was rendered speechless.

This wasn’t the Bai Yingchuan he knew—it was more like the young general from Jiang Huaiyuan's films, coldly piercing through human nature.

His silence didn’t mean agreement.

The car arrived at Jiang Ruotang's house, and everyone chatted as they got out.

It was Jian Sha's first visit, and she was thrilled by the detached house.

Cai Ji, however, followed Zhao Zhangfeng naturally, even picking up slippers with ease.

"Here, these are specially for you." Jiang Ruotang placed a pair of pink *My Little Pony* slippers in front of Jian Sha.

"Oh my, these are so childish!"

"Sister Sha, you’ll always be a girl in our hearts," Jiang Ruotang piled on the charm.

Stepping inside, Jian Sha couldn’t help but exclaim, "This place is huge! It’s like a film set!"

Lin Lu kept an eye on Lu Guifan, knowing that among them, Lu Guifan came from the most modest background.

Would he feel the wealth gap now that they were at Jiang Ruotang's home?

A boy like Lu Guifan—with academic excellence, modest means, attending private school on scholarship support—no matter how brilliant his future, his pride and inferiority would always follow him, the so-called "phoenix man."

He might be drawn to Jiang Ruotang's wealth, enjoy his admiration, but ultimately, envy would keep him from ever truly fitting in.

Lin Lu really wanted to see how Lu Guifan would handle the gap between himself and Jiang Ruotang.

"Ruo Tang, Zhang Feng, your classmates are here!" Zhao Yunshu, hearing the commotion at the entrance, descended the stairs gracefully in a long dress, her hair styled elegantly.

Zhao Zhangfeng nodded. "Mom, did you dress to impress just because my friends were coming?"

Zhao Yunshu tapped his forehead. "You’re celebrating New Year's here—your dad and I won’t stay to get in your way."

Jiang Huaiyuan, dressed to the nines in a suit as if heading to a film festival, came down with a smile and draped an arm over Zhao Yunshu's shoulder. "We’re off for some alone time."

Cai Ji grinned broadly at Zhao Yunshu. "Hello, Auntie Zhao! Hello, Uncle Lu!"

"Cai Cai, let us see—you’ve filled out a bit! How are your grandparents?"

"They’re great! They said they’d come personally to thank you for your help."

"Oh, we should be visiting them—they’re the elders." Zhao Yunshu playfully tousled Cai Ji’s curly hair, likely finding it as delightful as Jiang Ruotang did.

"Director Jiang, Auntie Zhao, Happy New Year," Bai Yingchuan greeted politely.

Jiang Huaiyuan patted his shoulder. "No need for formalities here—just call me Uncle Jiang. I heard you’ve taken the role in *The Boiling Years*?"

"Yes, I’m playing the protagonist’s younger self again." Bai Yingchuan maintained perfect decorum—polite but not distant.

"I have high hopes for this series, and for you." Jiang Huaiyuan looked past him. "Ah, Xiao Lu’s here too, and this lovely lady must be Jian Sha, Ruo Tang’s badminton teammate, right?"

Jian Sha was starstruck to hear her name spoken by the famous director, almost tongue-tied with joy.

"And this must be... Lu Guifan?" Jiang Huaiyuan asked.

"Hello, Uncle Jiang. I’m Lu Guifan," he replied courteously.

Noticing Lu Guifan hadn’t changed shoes yet, Jiang Huaiyuan personally went to open the shoe cabinet and handed him a pair.

Lu Guifan, overwhelmed, quickly bent to receive them. "Uncle Lu, you’re too kind! I could’ve gotten them myself."

"No kindness! You’re Ruo Tang’s idol—idols deserve royal treatment," Jiang Huaiyuan joked.

Lin Lu did a double take, glancing at Bai Yingchuan. Just three months ago, Jiang Ruotang’s idol had been Bai Yingchuan—head over heels for him, smitten, would move mountains for him.

Yet Bai Yingchuan remained unperturbed, as if he’d expected this.

Jian Sha, surprised by how approachable the famous director and his wife were, played along.

"Haha, Jiang Ruotang—did our class president become your idol for his looks or his brains?"

Zhao Zhangfeng cut in, "Like you even need to ask? Definitely his looks!"

The next second, he got a light knock on the head from his mom. "Don't be silly, it's pure brilliance. Ruo Tang always talks about how amazing the class monitor is, saying you can solve a problem in eighteen different ways, and there’s always one he can understand."

"Exactly! He says you’ll build spaceships to reach the stars and submarines to explore the ocean depths. He admires you so much that his grades in regular school subjects have improved. As his father, I can’t thank you enough. We're truly blessed that Ruo Tang gets to be friends with you! Thank you for making Ruo Tang better and more confident!" Jiang Huaiyuan also spoke highly of Lu Guifan.

Lu Guifan lowered his head, his ears turning slightly red.

This was a scene Lin Lu hadn’t anticipated at all—Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu praising Lu Guifan so lavishly.

Mutual respect and admiration made social status differences seem insignificant.

"Go enjoy yourselves, everyone! If you set off fireworks on the balcony, be careful not to burn your down jackets!"

With that, Jiang Huaiyuan and Zhao Yunshu left.

Jian Sha asked excitedly, "Can I check out your house? I’ve read about mansions in novels, but they always seemed exaggerated. Now that I’m seeing a real one, this is a rare opportunity!"

"Sure thing!" Zhao Zhangfeng agreed without hesitation and led everyone on a tour.

Lin Lu glanced at Jiang Ruotang, who was smiling cheerfully, showing no discomfort at Zhao Zhangfeng taking charge like he owned the place.

But to the others, Zhao Zhangfeng’s easy confidence, without any hint of acting like a guest, only proved how well Jiang Ruotang treated him.

As they walked, Zhao Zhangfeng explained, "The basement has a storage room for Dad—Director Jiang’s—favorite fishing gear, plus a small gym with basic workout gear like treadmills. I work out there sometimes. There’s also a pool table in the middle of the gym. We can play after hotpot."

The first floor had a living room and three guest rooms. Two belonged to Sister Juan and Xiao Gao, while the third was originally Jiang Ruotang’s toy room. After he grew up, the toys were cleared out, and it became a guest room. In the past life, this had been Zhao Zhangfeng’s room, which he never liked due to the poor lighting. In this life, Jiang Huaiyuan had transformed it into a fairytale princess room.

With a Rococo-style wardrobe and vanity, a European princess bed, and fluffy cushions on the windowsill.

"This room is adorable—it’s my dream room!" Jian Sha exclaimed.

"Wow… you're into this style…" Zhao Zhangfeng was surprised.

Jiang Ruotang laughed. "Guess you're sleeping here tonight!"

Jian Sha was thrilled.

They then went to the second floor to see Jiang Huaiyuan’s study, filled with classic and contemporary literature, even popular novels and books on filmmaking.

In the past life, Bai Yingchuan had never visited the Jiang residence or truly understood Jiang Huaiyuan, the man who had made him famous.

This time, he also got to experience Jiang Huaiyuan’s study atmosphere, with a pot of crabapple flowers on the windowsill and many photos on the desk.

Bai Yingchuan and Jian Sha looked up at the bookshelves, while Lu Guifan stood by the desk, studying the photos—most of which were of Jiang Ruotang.

Jiang Ruotang at a hundred days old, plump and adorable.

Jiang Ruotang at one year old, held by his birth mother He Yun on the balcony, smiling like a little kitten.

Jiang Ruotang in kindergarten, dressed as a bumblebee in a round costume, with three painted stripes on his cheeks, looking utterly ridiculous. Lu Guifan absentmindedly reached out to poke the photo.

…

These were all versions of Jiang Ruotang Lu Guifan had never seen before.

"You’ve seen me as a kid. Now I want to see you," Jiang Ruotang’s voice murmured in Lu Guifan’s ear.

"I wasn’t as cute as you. They say I looked like a shriveled old man."

"But you’re better-looking than me now, aren’t you?" Jiang Ruotang said.

Lu Guifan lowered his eyes and smiled. From Jiang Ruotang’s angle, looking through the gap between his glasses and his eye socket, he could see the graceful curve of his eyelid—truly beautiful.

Next, they visited Zhao Zhangfeng and Jiang Ruotang’s bedrooms, leaving Jian Sha completely jealous.

"Both your rooms are huge. Zhang Feng, your bed is enormous! With a bed this big, you’d better grow to two meters tall!"

"It’s alright… my brother picked it for me," Zhao Zhangfeng said, rubbing the back of his head.

Cai Ji jumped in, "Zhang Feng, your brother really spoils you. Don’t you realize it?"

"Do… do I?" Zhao Zhangfeng’s face turned red.

Cai Ji was envious. "Of course! At the start of the semester, Ruo Tang brought you nutritious lunches every day. He kept an eye out for merchandise of your favorite athletes. You even said your trainer was arranged by Director Jiang after Ruo Tang reminded him. He watches replays of all your matches. And now you say even your bed and wardrobe were chosen by him. Isn’t he good to you? I wish I had a brother like that."

Zhao Zhangfeng, finally realizing, scratched his head. "I guess so. He even makes me late-night snacks… he really is good to me."

"Of course, because you’re good to me too," Jiang Ruotang said with a smile.

Lin Lu was astonished. This thoughtful, considerate Jiang Ruotang—especially toward Zhao Zhangfeng, his stepmother’s son—was this the same person he knew?

Bai Yingchuan asked with a smile, "Jiang Ruotang can cook? What does he make?"

"Nothing special, just egg sandwiches," Jiang Ruotang replied.

"But Ruo Tang, where’s your art studio? Last time I came, it was still in the basement where the fishing gear is stored," Lin Lu asked curiously.

"How long ago was that? My brother’s studio got moved to the attic ages ago," Zhao Zhangfeng said.

Hearing this, Lin Lu suddenly realized he hadn’t been to the Jiang residence in over four months.

The changes here were more than Lin Lu expected.

Zhao Yunshu had become the mistress of the house. The room once filled with Bai Yingchuan merchandise was now Zhao Zhangfeng’s bedroom. Even the art studio had been relocated.

And whether it was Bai Yingchuan, Cai Ji, or the other classmates, they were all accepting this version of Jiang Ruotang.

"Follow me. My studio… Jian Sha, you're gonna say it's romantic again."

Everyone followed Jiang Ruotang upstairs. The moment they entered, Jian Sha let out a gasp, "Ah—"

A row of windows lined the slanted triangular ceiling, with the sunset’s glow spilling in, painting the whole room orange.

Against one wall stood wooden shelves filled with Jiang Ruotang’s daily practice supplies—plaster models, paints, tools.

Another wall held a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf stacked with Jiang Ruotang’s sketchbooks and piled-up artworks.

Several oil paintings leaned against the wall in layers.

"Oh great artist, may we admire your works?" Bai Yingchuan asked.

"Sure, knock yourselves out. Just be careful not to drop anything on yourselves," Jiang Ruotang replied.

Zhao Zhangfeng, being the tallest, helped grab a sketchbook from the top shelf.

Bai Yingchuan took it and leafed through, smiling at the drawings of kittens, puppies, morning glory flowers—the same ones he’d seen on Jiang Ruotang’s online posts.

As he turned the pages, he found sketches of crickets in the grass, ladybugs on leaf tips, dragonflies hovering over the water’s surface…

Every tiny detail of life had been quickly sketched by Jiang Ruotang’s pen.

Lin Lu looked at Bai Yingchuan's expression at that moment: gentle and admiring, an emotion he'd desperately tried but failed to evoke. Yet Jiang Ruotang managed it with just a sketch.

"Cai Cai, look! It's you! Jiang Ruotang, when did you draw Cai Cai?" Jian Sha held up a sketchbook, drawing everyone over.

The sketches showed Cai Ji in various moments—dozing at his desk, soft curls spilling over his arms; chatting with classmates, eyes shining with a sweet smile; or swinging a paddle during a ping-pong match.

"These are all me... Why do I suddenly feel so handsome?" Cai Ji rubbed the back of his head.

Lu Guifan, who had been quietly standing nearby, spoke up, "Because in Jiang Ruotang's eyes, Cai Ji is handsome. The strokes are free and unrestrained, capturing both his dynamic and static traits perfectly."

"Haha, no wonder Zhao Zhangfeng looks even more dashing in the sketches than in real life! So it's all thanks to Jiang Ruotang's artistic lens!" Jian Sha held up a sketchbook filled with Zhao Zhangfeng playing basketball.

Everyone crowded around to look.

"Oh my god, even cooler than sneaker ads!"

"Zhao Zhangfeng, you could debut right now!"

Bai Yingchuan walked over to the shelves and took down a few more sketchbooks.

Before coming to this school, Lin Lu had always told him how obsessively Jiang Ruotang had adored him. But in Jiang Ruotang's studio, there were sketches of Zhao Zhangfeng, Cai Ji, Director Jiang, Zhao Yunshu, Sister Juan, even Xiao Gao, the driver—all quickly captured by Jiang Ruotang's hand.

Yet, among all these portraits, Bai Yingchuan couldn't find a single trace of himself.

So, he had no idea how Jiang Ruotang truly saw him.

Jiang Ruotang, even as a fan, did you ever really like me?

Jian Sha suddenly spoke up, "Jiang Ruotang, people are so lucky to be drawn by you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because you make them beautiful with your lines. I don’t care, I want you to draw me too!" Jian Sha said earnestly.

"Sure! I’d love to have someone willing to pose! Last time I asked Zhao Zhangfeng to sit still for a bit, but he ran off before I could even outline him!"

"That wasn’t a sketch, it was a full-on portrait! Two hours of sitting still would’ve killed me!"

Meanwhile, Bai Yingchuan froze, because the sketchbook in his hands was filled with images of the same person.

Even with minimal strokes, the delicate emotions were palpable.

The person in the sketches had seemingly aloof eyes, yet the corners carried a hint of gentleness. His handsome features—whether gazing at the sky, smiling faintly, or glancing back expressionlessly—all inspired an irresistible fondness.

Jiang Ruotang's drawings were an extension of his emotions.

In his heart, Cai Ji was adorable and handsome, Zhao Zhangfeng on the court was dynamic and intense, Zhao Yunshu was dignified and gentle—Jiang Ruotang replicated these traits with his brush.

But the man in this sketchbook was too refined, seemingly distant yet irresistibly magnetic.

...It was Lu Guifan.

The Lu Guifan who was perfection in Jiang Ruotang's eyes.

Chapter 61: I Could Be the One

For Bai Yingchuan, both his vision and thoughts seemed to stall.

Because he realized the one who truly captivated Jiang Ruotang was Lu Guifan.

It wasn’t just admiration or trust—Lu Guifan was the core of his being.

Why?

What had Lu Guifan even done? Was it patiently solving problems for him? Or feeding him easy shots during games? Or that time when Wang Fuzi misunderstood him, and Lu Guifan stepped in to clarify?

Bai Yingchuan couldn’t figure it out.

Surely it wasn’t just about looks?

Bai Yingchuan admitted that, glasses off, Lu Guifan’s features and presence could easily make him a top star in the entertainment industry. But there were countless handsome men in the world—Jiang Ruotang’s devotion to Lu Guifan was too specific to be just about his face.

While Bai Yingchuan was lost in thought, Lu Guifan slowly observed and absorbed everything about Jiang Ruotang—like how he placed ceramic cats in pairs, black and white, noses touching, intimate yet childlike.

While everyone was looking at sketches, Lu Guifan noticed the watercolors and oils. He picked up one tucked in the back—a moonlit sea, stars shimmering on the waves, a weathered wooden boat with its mast standing tall, tattered sails billowing in the wind, the moon visible through the holes.

It was beautiful, filling his heart with an indescribable sense of belonging.

This painting... Jiang Ruotang had once sent him a photo of it, and it even served as his phone’s wallpaper.

But seeing the original, with its textures and hues, Lu Guifan could almost trace every stroke Jiang Ruotang had made.

His throat tightened. He couldn’t describe the feeling—like his soul had been gently nudged by the boat in the painting.

Less like awe, more like an enduring tremor.

Jiang Ruotang had once said this painting... was his name.

"Wow, who is this in the sketch? So handsome!" Jian Sha exclaimed, drawing Cai Ji’s attention.

"He looks familiar—who is it?"

Every stroke seemed to transcend time, etching itself into the viewer’s heart.

Lu Guifan glanced over at their voices and immediately recognized that the entire sketchbook was filled with himself.

But it was himself ten years later.

"Hey, he looks like the class monitor! Monitor, take off your glasses, let’s compare!" Lin Lu joked.

Jiang Ruotang grew nervous. While he’d only drawn others in one or two sketchbooks, he had hundreds of sketches of Lu Guifan—both the 28-year-old from his memories and the 18-year-old now—at least a dozen sketchbooks. If others kept looking, they might ask why he’d drawn Lu Guifan so much. What made him so special?

Bai Yingchuan looked at Lu Guifan, a cold glint in his eyes.

For the first time in his life, he felt envy—no, to be honest, jealousy—toward someone.

Lu Guifan didn’t remove his glasses. Calmly, he explained, "This isn’t me now. It’s Jiang Ruotang’s practice—drawing what I might look like ten years from now."

"If you really look like this in ten years, your admirers will circle the Earth three times!" Jian Sha praised generously. "A manga protagonist come to life..."

Jiang Ruotang exhaled softly. While having multiple sketchbooks of the class monitor wasn’t unexplainable, he was glad Lu Guifan had spoken up for him.

Sister Juan’s voice called from downstairs.

"Handsome guys and pretty girls, come down for hot pot!"

This instantly diverted everyone’s attention. Zhao Zhangfeng, declaring he was starving, led the charge downstairs.

Bai Yingchuan and Lin Lu trailed behind.

Lin Lu hadn't expected that there wouldn’t be a single drawing of Bai Yingchuan in the studio. It seemed Jiang Ruotang’s love was all-or-nothing—once he stopped loving someone, he would wipe away every trace.

"Lin Lu," Bai Yingchuan’s voice called out.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"You and Jiang Ruotang sat together for so long. How come there isn’t a single sketch of you?"

The question nearly made Lin Lu trip over his own feet.

The absence of Bai Yingchuan’s sketches could be explained by Jiang Ruotang moving on from his crush.

But there weren’t even sketches of Lin Lu… Lin Lu realized with painful clarity that Jiang Ruotang had removed him too.

If that was the case, did that mean he had no value to Bai Yingchuan anymore?

Dread washed over Lin Lu’s heart again.

The hotpot was carefully prepared by Sister Juan, with a broth she had personally seasoned—savory, delicious, and perfectly spicy. Everyone except the distracted Lin Lu dug in enthusiastically.

"These shrimp balls were hand-made by Sister Juan with fresh shrimp. They taste just like the filling in the shrimp wontons your mom makes," Jiang Ruotang scooped two shrimp balls into Lu Guifan’s bowl.

"Huh? Ruotang, you’ve eaten the wontons made by the class monitor’s mom?" Cai Ji asked.

"Of course! I’ve also had his mom’s chive and egg pancakes, *fugeng*, pork and water chestnut buns, handmade fish noodles…" As he spoke, Jiang Ruotang closed his eyes dreamily and licked the corner of his lips.

"So you go to the class monitor’s house often…" Lin Lu said in surprise.

Lu Guifan’s home must be small and simple—how could a rich kid like Jiang Ruotang stand it?

"He definitely went for tutoring, begging the class monitor to teach him, and then playing nice to get his mom to make him midnight snacks," Zhao Zhangfeng said.

"Hey, as expected of my little brother. You know me so well."

Jian Sha sighed, "I want to go to the class monitor’s house for tutoring too!"

Jiang Ruotang immediately slung an arm over Lu Guifan’s shoulder. "No way. The tutoring spot at the class monitor’s house belongs to me alone."

"Or maybe it’s just that the midnight snacks at his house can only feed you?" Jian Sha nailed it.

Lu Guifan raised a hand and lightly pressed it against the back of Jiang Ruotang’s head. "Teaching you is harder than scoring 720 on the college entrance exam. So one tutoring student like you has already used up all my brainpower."

No one had expected Lu Guifan to crack a joke one day, and everyone played along with laughter.

After dinner, they gathered in the living room to sing karaoke. Jiang Ruotang knelt by the TV, adjusting the KTV mode, while Zhao Zhangfeng rummaged through the cabinets and actually found the microphones. After replacing the batteries, he tested them with a couple of "check, check," the echo effect bouncing around the room.

While tinkering with the settings, the ending theme of the movie directed by Jiang Huaiyuan suddenly played—the scene where Bai Yingchuan, as the young general, drew his sword, the cold glint flashing across his sharp, handsome features, displayed vividly on the large LCD screen.

"So handsome… that sword slash hit me right in the feels!" Jian Sha clasped her hands over her chest.

Lin Lu shot a look at Jiang Ruotang, because the system showed this theme song had been played 672 times.

Cai Ji also clapped. "This is amazing! The person on the big screen is actually sitting right beside us!"

Bai Yingchuan rested his chin on his hand, staring at the play count—this could be considered evidence that Jiang Ruotang had had feelings for him.

"Yingchuan, why don’t you sing the ending song for us?" Lin Lu suggested.

Jian Sha and Cai Ji joined in, clapping and chanting, "Do it!"

Bai Yingchuan leaned forward slightly, giving a sidelong look at Jiang Ruotang. "Shouldn’t the host sing for us first?"

"Me? You sure?" Jiang Ruotang pointed at himself.

"Mn. You promised—*Ai Piao Cai Hui Ying* (Striving Leads to Victory)."

Jiang Ruotang’s mouth twisted. "I’m afraid my singing will murder your ears on New Year’s Eve."

"Is that so? Then I’ll gladly accept it." Bai Yingchuan tilted his chin up, his eyes warm with amusement.

This was the first time Jiang Ruotang had seen Bai Yingchuan smile like this—gentle and indulgent.

If this had happened in his past life, or even four months ago, Jiang Ruotang would have been completely smitten, ready to throw himself into fire for him, unable to extricate himself.

But now, Jiang Ruotang’s heart remained calm.

It seemed timing was key when it came to loving someone.

"Fine, I’ll do it." Jiang Ruotang took the microphone and cleared his throat. "Fair warning—cover your ears!"

Zhao Zhangfeng immediately slapped his hands over his ears without hesitation. Jiang Ruotang pointed at him indignantly. "Hey, you’re my little brother! Everyone else can cover their ears, but not you!"

"At a time like this, forget brotherhood—self-preservation comes first!"

Jiang Ruotang took a deep breath and sang the first line, *"Yi shi shi zhi bu mian yuan tan"*—not only was it off-key, but his Taiwanese accent was horribly off. Jian Sha was the first to lose it laughing.

Every line Jiang Ruotang sang after that was met with laughter, but he kept going undeterred, performing as if he were in a bar, singing from start to finish.

He could do this because, in his past life, he had used this song to entertain bigwigs in KTVs while schmoozing for deals.

The more seriously he sang, the more off-key he went, and the harder the bosses laughed—meaning he could drink less.

His pride and dignity had taken a beating back then. He had once told himself that once Bai Yingchuan won Best Actor and secured his status, he would never be a laughingstock for those bosses again.

But when he was lying in chemotherapy, Jiang Ruotang suddenly realized—that version of himself had been kind of pathetic all along.

And now, he could perform this song so without a care in front of Bai Yingchuan and Lin Lu. Jiang Ruotang felt that none of the past really mattered anymore.

Everyone was laughing, but Lu Guifan watched Jiang Ruotang quietly, his gaze distant, as if seeing the somewhat pitiable version of him from before.

He hesitated, wanting to tell Jiang Ruotang that he didn’t need to sing to please anyone—but then he thought, given Jiang Ruotang’s current mindset, who would he even be trying to please?

Jiang Ruotang was just being himself, purely enjoying himself.

Lu Guifan lowered his eyes and gave a small smile.

Lin Lu was bent over laughing, clutching his stomach. He turned to see Bai Yingchuan’s reaction—unlike the others, his smile was faint, as if watching a child who needed protection and patience. Even if Jiang Ruotang’s singing veered clear across the world, he would listen appreciatively till the end.

Finally, Jiang Ruotang’s performance—which had completely ruined everyone’s impression of the original song—came to an end.

"So? Don’t I have comedic talent?" Jiang Ruotang pointed the microphone at everyone, striking a pose like a superstar waiting for applause.

"Uncle Jiang should film a comedy with you as the lead!" Lin Lu’s cheeks hurt from laughing.

Jian Sha clapped excitedly. "You’ve changed my whole idea of handsome guys! This is the first time I’ve seen a good-looking guy commit so seriously to being funny!"

Jiang Ruotang pointedly ignored Zhao Zhangfeng with the microphone. "No comments from you."

"Says who?" Zhao Zhangfeng protested.

"Because you'd definitely talk trash about me."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Jiang Ruotang handed the microphone to Bai Yingchuan. In his past life, whenever he started singing this song, if Bai Yingchuan was around, he would excuse himself and leave with a smile—probably because he couldn’t stand seeing Jiang Ruotang pandering to those investors.

"Bai Yingchuan, how was my singing?" Jiang Ruotang asked with a grin.

Bai Yingchuan looked into Jiang Ruotang’s eyes, his expression unexpectedly earnest: "Full of energy, like a ray of sunshine. Makes me wanna pocket you and keep you."

Lin Lu picked up on the affection and implication in Bai Yingchuan’s words. He felt unwilling, but more than that, he didn’t know how to respond.

What he had always been best at was controlling others’ favor, yet now that favor was pouring nonstop toward Jiang Ruotang.

"I’m no ray of sunshine—I’m a snap pop! Anyone who dares stuff me in their pocket will get blown to pieces!"

Bai Yingchuan’s expression didn’t change, but the disappointment in his eyes as he looked at Jiang Ruotang was unmistakable. Anyone caught under such a gaze would feel bad.

Yet Jiang Ruotang remained completely unfazed. He walked over to Lu Guifan with the microphone. "Class President, please rate my performance!"

"Next time, sing something that makes *you* happy," Lu Guifan replied.

"Like what? Class President, do you know what songs make Jiang Ruotang happy?" Cai Ji asked curiously.

"I don’t know the title."

Now even Jiang Ruotang was curious. "No way, Class President, you have to sing it! I don’t even know what songs make me happy!"

Lu Guifan stayed seated, cool as always, and started singing softly:

"I could be your worry partner, I could be your socialite… I could be your tender-hearted child, I could be ordinary, I could be the one."

Suddenly, everyone went quiet.

Because Lu Guifan’s voice was beautiful—unlike his usual speaking tone. It was clear he was imitating Jiang Ruotang’s cheerful singing style, but without the original singer’s sickly sweetness. His enunciation and pitch carried an inexplicable emotional punch.

Jian Sha was the first to recognize the song. "It’s Donna Lewis’ *I Could Be the One*! Class President, you sang it so beautifully—it sounded like a straight-up love song!"

Jiang Ruotang, however, froze in place.

This was the song he had sung one night after art class ended early. He’d discovered the math homework was really hard, so he had Xiao Gao drive him to Lu Guifan’s place.

Lu Guifan had been showering at the time, so Jiang Ruotang waited at his desk. Bored, he’d grabbed Lu Guifan’s school uniform sleeve, pretending it was his dance partner, and spun around the small bedroom while singing this song.

When Lu Guifan walked in with a towel over his head and saw this, Jiang Ruotang—without skipping a beat—had declared, "I’m practicing for square dancing! In sixty years, I’ll be the most popular old man on the plaza!"

He’d thought Lu Guifan had long forgotten. Yet here he was, remembering the lyrics and melody.

Wait… didn’t that mean Lu Guifan had been listening outside the door for a while as he was lost in his own performance?

Jiang Ruotang gasped.

Lu Guifan asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. Just dying inside."

Jiang Ruotang set the microphone on the coffee table and sat back down, his ears turning bright red.

Just then, everyone started egging him on to sing the movie theme song.

Without missing a beat, he stood, took the microphone, and faced the couch—no need to glance at lyrics.

As the music began, Bai Yingchuan’s smooth but world-weary operatic voice instantly had everyone hooked. It was like a string tied around their hearts—every note he sang pulled them deeper.

And it cooled Jiang Ruotang’s red face.

Bai Yingchuan was truly born to do this. His expressions—whether excited or sad—made everyone feel it with him. From his brows to the curve of his lips, every detail showed his acting chops.

When the melody built to its peak, his voice grew powerful and resonant, entirely different from the earlier operatic tone. His eyes even flashed with a cold, deadly look.

This ability to move an audience was why Jiang Ruotang, in his past life, had believed Bai Yingchuan could become a dramatic actor.

But the older he grew, the longer he steeped in the world of fame, the more that brilliance faded—until he became just another face in the crowd.

It made Jiang Ruotang wonder: After his own death, what would the Lin father and son do to Bai Yingchuan’s career?

As the song ended, everyone applauded.

"Finally heard it live! Truly the nation’s male Daji!" Jiang Ruotang, as the host, made sure to praise his guest.

Jian Sha suddenly tilted her head and said, "Jiang Ruotang, you’re two-timing!"

"Me? Two-timing?"

"You just called Class President Bao Si and yourself King You of Zhou, saying even the beacon trick couldn’t make Bao Si smile."

Jian Sha, *who sent you*?

My face was finally cooling down, and now it’s burning up again!

Bai Yingchuan watched Jiang Ruotang with amusement, while Lu Guifan seemed taken aback at being compared to Bao Si.

Cai Ji, always the clueless one, chimed in: "An ice beauty whose smile topples kingdoms? Class President, better not smile—I fear Jiang Ruotang’s empire will fall."

Jian Sha and Zhao Zhangfeng then started singing together ridiculously:

"Let me offer you the land for your delight~"

"All shall sing of this tale for ages bright~"

Jiang Ruotang grabbed them both. "You two are amazing—turning *Can’t Let Go* into *Unity is Strength*!"

Then Lin Lu asked a question that threw Jiang Ruotang straight into a lion's den.

"So… Ruo Tang, would you rather be King Zhou or King You of Zhou?"

The implication was clear: King Zhou loved Daji, King You loved Bao Si.

Lin Lu was asking Jiang Ruotang to choose—Bai Yingchuan or Lu Guifan.

Cai Ji, the oblivious fool, just giggled.

Jian Sha, however, noticed Bai Yingchuan’s gaze on Jiang Ruotang and Lu Guifan’s calm demeanor. She could tell something was up.

She patted Jiang Ruotang’s shoulder. "Our Ruo Tang isn't choosing either! Why be a doomed king when you can have a glorious empire?"

At that moment, Jiang Ruotang wanted to call Jian Sha "Dad" for saving his life.

Bai Yingchuan smiled lightly, set down the microphone, and went back to sitting down.

Next was Jian Sha's moment to dominate the mic. She sang three songs in a row and even pulled Bai Yingchuan up for a lovey-dovey duet—now that was a true social butterfly.

Suddenly, Jian Sha paused and stepped aside just as the MV showed the lead couple in a passionate kiss.

"Ew! Jian Sha, you stopped on purpose to watch this? Aren’t you embarrassed?" Zhao Zhangfeng squirmed so awkwardly his long legs had nowhere to stretch.

Cai Ji also lowered his head, staring at his fluffy slippers.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang propped his chin on his hand, looking rather intrigued. "They kiss so beautifully!"

"Right?! Right?! I love it too! Unlike those fake kisses, you can see their lips move! Their tongues definitely touched!" Jian Sha gushed with a schoolgirl heart. "They must be dating for real!"

"Yeah, they are. This tea is piping hot."

In Jiang Ruotang's memory, the MV’s lead couple not only dated but also ended up together, becoming one of the rare model couples in the entertainment industry.

"But what’s a fake kiss?" Cai Ji asked blankly.

Jiang Ruotang tilted his head, his smile three parts teasing and seven parts mischievous. "You really want to know?"

"Yeah, I do!" Cai Ji nodded.

"Then let me teach you."

If anyone else had deliberately put on that rake's smile, it would’ve looked greasy. But Jiang Ruotang’s eyes sparkled like stars, exuding a kind of mischievous allure that made pulses quicken.

Bai Yingchuan watched his expression, feeling the heavy walls deep inside him crack open, desire seeping through.

"Let me do it instead," Bai Yingchuan stood up.

"Oh my god! Bai Yingchuan, are you gonna act it out for us?" Jian Sha gasped, looking up in surprise.

Lin Lu seemed to realize something and reached out to grab Bai Yingchuan’s sleeve, but he was already up and moving.

He walked up to Jiang Ruotang and dropped to one knee, a hand resting on his leg—his pose was effortlessly handsome.

Even at eighteen, Bai Yingchuan still carried a fresh-faced charm in his features, but his inborn magnetism wasn’t something just anyone could resist.

Especially those eyes—if the person meeting his gaze wasn’t Jiang Ruotang, their heart would probably skip a beat, dragged into desire by Bai Yingchuan’s pull.

But Jiang Ruotang had long since developed resistance.

"Shall we give them a live demonstration?" Bai Yingchuan asked.

"Bai Yingchuan—you heartthrob pyromaniac! Architect of schoolgirl dreams!" Jian Sha was so excited she nearly stomped in place.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward them—Lin Lu’s gaze smoldering with barely concealed jealousy, Cai Ji genuinely curious about how fake kissing scenes were filmed, Zhao Zhangfeng worried Jiang Ruotang might fall back into Bai Yingchuan’s old trap, Jian Sha lost in her romantic fantasies, and Lu Guifan, for once, knitting his brows.

He hesitated, words stuck in his throat.

No matter how difficult a competition question was, he could always find the answer. But right now, his mind was scrambling to find a reason for Jiang Ruotang to refuse—yet he couldn’t find the right solution.

Two seconds later, Jiang Ruotang suddenly tilted his head like a spoiled brat and said, "No way! That’s so boring!"

"Huh? Then what would be interesting?" Jian Sha asked.

"As the son of a director, I’ll show you what A-list chemistry looks like!" Jiang Ruotang turned to Lu Guifan. "I choose the Class Monitor!"

Bai Yingchuan’s expression didn’t change, but inside, it was as if the last dam had been shattered by a tidal wave—utterly defeated yet forced to feign calm.

"Oh? Why him?"

"Because the Class Monitor is ice-prince pure and untouchable—he doesn’t seem like someone who’d be ruled by desire. Choosing him makes it more impactful! Plus, he has a very important prop." Jiang Ruotang’s reasoning sounded logical, but his palms were sweating, his heart lodged in his throat.

Would Lu Guifan agree? Would he feel offended?

Would… he be unhappy because Jiang Ruotang had crossed a line?

"Prop?" Lu Guifan tilted his head slightly.

Jian Sha clapped excitedly. "This is amazing! I totally get Jiang Ruotang’s point! The Class Monitor is the Academic God—a god walking among men! Watching divinity fall from his throne because of a kiss? So thrilling!"

Zhao Zhangfeng scratched the back of his head. "I don’t really get it, but dude… seriously, you really know how to play!"

Lin Lu’s acid jealousy finally settled, and he immediately cheered them on. "This is perfect! Class Monitor, are you scared?"

Lu Guifan could never be afraid. In fact, when Jiang Ruotang mentioned him, he felt an oddly comforting certainty—like a weight had finally lifted.

Even if it was just a fake kiss, he wanted Jiang Ruotang to be cherished, to be treated with sincerity, to feel happiness.

Or perhaps, more than anyone else present, Lu Guifan trusted himself the most.

"I’m not afraid. But I’m not an actor—I don’t know what to do," Lu Guifan replied.

Jiang Ruotang grinned, his smile lighting up the starry sky. "You don’t need to know—I do!"

That one sentence sent everyone into a fresh round of whooping.

Lu Guifan had grown up in a fishing village in Chengtan, raised by old-fashioned grandparents who would cover his eyes whenever intimate scenes appeared on TV.

Later, after moving to the city with his parents, his only focus was studying. Aside from movie trailers on LED billboards, he could hardly remember seeing a proper kissing scene.

Or maybe he just never paid attention.

Agreeing to perform a fake kiss with Jiang Ruotang was probably the most daring thing he’d done in his eighteen years of life.

Jiang Ruotang stood up and walked toward Lu Guifan.

"Class Monitor, here I come!"

His voice was bright, boyish, completely free of ulterior motives—yet it plucked at the heartstrings of Lu Guifan’s heart, sending blood rushing violently into his chambers, his fragile vessels near bursting.