Chapter 91 Graduation Ceremony: To the Special You

Chapter 91: Graduation Ceremony – To the Special You

Something seemed to lodge in Lu Guifan’s throat, that familiar ache in his chest surging again. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Ruotang rolled over to face the wall, making room—and that tempting glimpse vanished in an instant.

“Hahaha, the class group chat is hilarious! So many people are saying they want Bai Yingchuan’s second button from his uniform as a keepsake. These guys must’ve read one too many shoujo manga! If it were me, I’d rather have yours—blessed by the Star of Literature, guaranteed to ace every exam!”

“Why the second button?” Lu Guifan asked.

Jiang Ruotang crossed his legs, lazily swinging his foot in the air. “Because the second button is closest to the heart.”

“Then Bai Yingchuan could give away six buttons—he has two uniform jackets, two long-sleeved shirts, and two short-sleeved shirts.”

Jiang Ruotang broke into laughter at Lu Guifan’s matter-of-fact analysis. “Class President, who are you giving your buttons to?”

“No one.” With that, Lu Guifan sat on the edge of the bed, pulled up the thin blanket, and lay down.

“Wow, stingy much? They’re just buttons, it's not like they're your brain cells.”

After lying still for a while, Jiang Ruotang poked Lu Guifan’s shoulder again.

“What?”

“How about you give me your buttons? I’ll preserve them, lock them in a bank vault. Then, someday when you win the Nobel Prize, I can auction them off.”

“Why auction them?”

“What if my investments fail and I end up broke?” Jiang Ruotang was completely serious.

In his past life, he had known poverty.

Lu Guifan let out a helpless sigh. “I’ll leave all my uniforms to you. You can cut them off whenever you want.”

“If you’re giving me all of them, why would I cut them? I’d sell them as full sets—that’d sell for more.”

Jiang Ruotang didn’t just speak; he leaned in close to Lu Guifan’s ear, his warm breath making him both yearn and ache. Lu Guifan finally raised a hand, pulling Jiang Ruotang’s head against his chest.

“Sleep.”

He practically growled the word.

But Jiang Ruotang, always stirring up trouble, kept wriggling and poking him all over. For the first time, Lu Guifan felt irritation and impatience. “If you don’t sleep now—”

Before he could finish, a sharp pain flared on his chest, making his blood boil. He nearly lost it.

Lu Guifan shoved Jiang Ruotang away and sat up abruptly. “You bit me?”

Jiang Ruotang also sat up, gasping for air. “You almost suffocated me—was I not allowed to bite back?”

“Are you going to sleep or not?”

“Fine!”

With that, Jiang Ruotang flopped back down, grabbing the blanket and turning toward the wall, making it clear he was ignoring him.

Then, he licked his front teeth and gasped. Oh crap… Did I just bite Lu Guifan’s…?

No wonder he looked ready to kill me.

Is this gonna ruin our friendship?

Jiang Ruotang started worrying.

He was about to turn and apologize when Lu Guifan suddenly kicked off the blanket and left!

The other slipped on his slippers and strode out, walking with unusual haste. Only after the bathroom door next door clicked shut did Jiang Ruotang slowly sit up.

“Did I bite that hard?”

He thought back for a long while, even testing it on his own arm, but he couldn’t convince himself it had been that forceful.

Still, no matter what, he’d have to apologize when Lu Guifan returned.

He fidgeted in bed for a while, but Lu Guifan didn’t come back.

Oh no, was he planning to stay in the bathroom till morning?

“Is he grossed out by my saliva and washing his pajamas in there?”

After a while longer, the first light of dawn appeared over the horizon outside. Was he seriously planning to live in the bathroom now?

Or worse—was Lu Guifan so angry he didn’t even want to talk, just hailed a cab in his PJs and went home?

Jiang Ruotang hastily slipped on his slippers and hurried to the bathroom door. He tried the knob—locked. He took a deep breath, realizing Lu Guifan was still inside.

He rapped softly and whispered, “Lu Guifan… are you still in there?”

At that moment, Lu Guifan tilted his head back sharply, his handsome face tight with tension. Something raged inside him like a flood with no outlet. The moment Jiang Ruotang’s voice came through the door, all barriers crumbled, and a ray of light broke through—finally releasing the breath trapped in Lu Guifan’s chest.

Then came his heart pounding like thunder.

“What?”

Only when he spoke did Lu Guifan realize how hoarse his voice was.

But Jiang Ruotang on the other side didn't pick up on it.

“You’ve been in there ages… Are you feeling sick? Or… run out of TP?” Jiang Ruotang asked softly.

Lu Guifan quietly got his breathing under control before replying after a few seconds, “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

“N-no. I just noticed you hadn’t come back…” Jiang Ruotang mumbled guiltily.

“I’ll be done soon.”

As he spoke, Lu Guifan turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on his face.

Hearing this, Jiang Ruotang went back to his side of the bed.

When Lu Guifan finally returned, he had this weird vibe—both icy and scorching, a contradiction that made Jiang Ruotang’s heart race.

His face was unreadable as he removed his glasses and set them on the nightstand.

The moment he lay down, Jiang Ruotang shifted closer and gave his shoulder a poke.

“Sorry… I only bit you 'cause you were crushing me. But… it didn’t hurt that bad, did it?”

Hearing Jiang Ruotang’s tone—equal parts guilty and defensive—Lu Guifan was torn between annoyance and amusement.

“How would you know how much it hurt?”

"My fault, my fault. Fine, you can bite me back then."

"You said it."

The next second, Lu Guifan grabbed Jiang Ruotang's shoulders and pinned him down. As the back of his head hit the pillow, Jiang Ruotang was still wondering what happened—until he let out a howl of pain!

Holy shit! That hurt!

Lu Guifan swiftly covered his mouth to muffle the noise, so Zhao Zhangfeng next door wouldn't wake up.

Tears pricking his eyes, Jiang Ruotang let out small whimpers.

When Lu Guifan finally removed his hand, Jiang Ruotang said pitifully, "You definitely retaliated twice as hard! I know I didn't bite you that hard!"

Lu Guifan scoffed lightly. "How can you be sure?"

"I just know! Because I’d feel bad for you—how could I possibly go all out?"

That phrase—"I’d feel bad for you"—struck Lu Guifan’s heart.

He let out a breath and lay back on the pillow. "Are you going to sleep? If not, it’ll be dawn soon."

"I’ll sleep." Jiang Ruotang rubbed the spot where he’d been bitten, half convinced the other had tried to take a chunk out of him.

After a while, Jiang Ruotang’s breathing evened out into a steady rhythm. Lu Guifan had never felt so frustrated by someone before.

This little tormentor of his… he should’ve bitten harder.

It was also the first time Lu Guifan slept in until lunchtime.

A few days later, they returned to Beicheng Guangyao for their graduation ceremony.

In the school auditorium, the principal spoke of sending off class after class of students, tears glistening in his eyes. Even the other teachers sympathetically wiped away tears.

Lu Guifan, as the student representative of their year, took the stage to deliver a speech.

Jiang Ruotang watched him stand under the spotlight, suddenly imagining the version of him from his past life—the one he’d never seen giving speeches on international stages.

Everyone had expected Lu Guifan’s speech to be solemn and dutiful, befitting his role as class president and First in Grade. But instead, he stepped onto the stage, gave a faint smile, and removed his glasses, tucking them into his breast pocket.

At that moment, the entire auditorium erupted in a collective "Wow—!"

Many knew he was handsome, but under the spotlight, he looked like a CGI-perfect face—yet warm and full of vitality.

Hundreds of students from their grade whipped out their phones, capturing what was rumored to be Beicheng Guangyao Middle School’s strongest Academic God’s final speech as a high school student.

"Dear classmates—today may be the last time we gather as high school students. I once thought high school, like the nine years of compulsory education before it, was just mechanical, repetitive, and nothing worth remembering. But now, I realize… we are bidding farewell to our youth."

His words were clear-cut, his face wearing an easy smile no one had ever seen before. Everyone realized—Lu Guifan was actually someone who looked this beautiful when he smiled, whose voice could be this gentle.

"My senior year was like a time capsule, filled with unexpected surprises and anticipation. And no, I don’t mean the first prizes in Math and Science competitions—I’ve long grown numb to winning them."

As his words landed, waves of applause broke out, even from classmates who’d once sneered at him for collecting homework.

When others bragged about being "numb to winning awards," it sounded pretentious.

When Lu Guifan said it, that was honest and real.

"Not just you—we’re numb to hearing about your awards too!"

Someone shouted, sparking another round of laughter.

A girl in the front row called out, "Then what *were* the surprises and anticipation in your senior year? Academic God—don’t tell us you secretly dated someone!"

At this, the principal and teachers exchanged exasperated but amused glances. Wang Fuzi was fuming, but graduation was the students’ day—it wouldn’t do to dampen their spirits with rules now.

Lu Guifan smiled and spoke in a calm, even tone: "Someone understood me, respected me, encouraged me—even helped me grow. I was no longer alone, because my classmates wove countless threads connecting me to the world, showing me horizons broader than Einstein or Newton could fathom, a reality no law could summarize. I found fulfillment in teaching a problem, understood the meaning of companionship through someone's persistent efforts to reach me. I stopped observing others’ joys and sorrows from a distance—because of him, even the smallest progress made everything feel meaningful."

Almost instantly, many turned to look at Jiang Ruotang.

The "him" in Lu Guifan’s speech could only be Jiang Ruotang.

Everyone knew Jiang Ruotang had taken root in Lu Guifan’s heart like a seed, drawing him down from the clouds into the mortal world. So Lu Guifan’s favoritism toward him seemed only natural.

The crowd smiled warmly at Jiang Ruotang, whose ears burned red—but he didn’t lower his gaze, keeping his eyes fixed on Lu Guifan on stage.

"Dear classmates, we are about to leave this campus and scatter like stars across the world. But distance won’t change the resonance of our souls. Years from now, when we reunite, I believe we’ll look at each other and think—*How wonderful to see you. You, who once lit up my youth.* To the most special people in my lives!"

The entire room was moved to tears. No one had expected Lu Guifan’s graduation speech to be so natural and heartfelt.

Amid thunderous applause, Lu Guifan returned to his seat beside Jiang Ruotang.

"I'm about to cry! Everyone thought you were going to give a Nobel Physics Prize speech, but you hit us with a farewell to youth instead!"

Lu Guifan leaned close to Jiang Ruotang’s ear, whispering just for him: "Mm. It was for you."

In that moment, a wave of emotion overwhelmed Jiang Ruotang, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Tears spilled over instantly—because right then, he felt his rebirth had been worth it.

Zhao Zhangfeng, oblivious to what had happened, panicked at the sight of Jiang Ruotang’s sudden tears. Flustered, he borrowed tissues from Jian Sha beside him and clumsily pressed them to Jiang Ruotang’s face.

Lu Guifan took the tissues with a smile, wiping Jiang Ruotang’s tears away. "Don’t cry. If you keep going, you’ll start sniffling. You’re the artsy heartthrob in many classmates’ eyes—snot would ruin the image."

The students left the auditorium and returned to their classroom, where Song Qinghe had final instructions about college applications. Just as everyone was about to tear up their textbooks for a celebratory paper shower, he sternly warned, "No one is allowed to throw books or papers out the window! Violators will stay behind to clean the entire campus!"

Though they’d spent three years dreaming of that dramatic TV moment, cleaning the whole school… would take forever. They resigned themselves to sitting quietly.

Once formalities were over, the students mingled freely.

As Jiang Ruotang had predicted, the button-giving tradition came true.

Zhao Zhangfeng found himself surrounded by several girls asking for his buttons as keepsakes.

"Wait—why do you want my buttons?" Zhao Zhangfeng stammered, unused to such attention.

"Because you look so cool playing basketball! We’re all fans!"

"Yeah, your Little Sweet Fruit account is super popular! Everyone says you’ll at least make it to the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) as a pro!"

"We’ve got to collect your buttons before you become famous!"

Zhao Zhangfeng shot a glance at Jiang Ruotang—that account was entirely his doing.

It wasn’t just girls. Even boys from other classes who loved basketball, and underclassmen from grades below, came asking for Zhao Zhangfeng’s autographs and graduation wishes.

Jian Sha and Cai Ji exchanged a look, sighing in unison: "Turns out the celebrity was right beside us all along!"

Meanwhile, Lu Guifan was packing his desk—most of the contents weren’t his books, but scraps of draft paper covered in Jiang Ruotang’s handwriting.

He didn't throw them away but patiently smoothed out page by page and organized them.

"Aren’t you going to toss them?" Jiang Ruotang cocked his head.

"No. When I’m tired or bored in the future, I’ll take out these drafts of yours to look at. I’ll probably get a good laugh out of them."

"What? You’re treating me as a joke!"

Jiang Ruotang made a show of grabbing for Lu Guifan’s neck, but Lu Guifan remained perfectly still, not even attempting to dodge.

Just then, someone approached Lu Guifan’s desk—none other than their class beauty, Li Minzhen.

"Hey, Class Monitor, can I have the second button from your uniform?"

Lu Guifan froze. He wasn’t some school idol—why would anyone ask him for a button?

Perhaps because Lu Guifan didn’t respond, Li Minzhen quickly explained, "My younger sister will be taking the college entrance exam in two years. Though the results aren’t out yet, the whole school believes you’ll definitely get into Capital Science and Technology University! You’re all but guaranteed to be the Provincial Zhuangyuan... So I wanted to ask for a button as a good-luck charm for her."

Hearing this, others immediately crowded around.

"Class Monitor, give me one too! I’ll probably have to retake the exam—let me get some of your smarts by osmosis!"

"Me too! My cousin’s taking the exam next year. Lighting incense to Buddha is nothing compared to getting a button from you!"

Lu Guifan was so overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that he ended up pinned against the back desk.

Jiang Ruotang, forget he'd lived two lives, suddenly felt like someone was trying to poach his territory. He swiftly turned and shielded Lu Guifan like a preschooler guarding his snacks, almost encircling him completely.

"Sorry, everyone! The Class Monitor’s entire uniform must remain intact! I’m already his official uniform curator!"

"Huh?"

"What does ‘collection agent’ mean?"

Jiang Ruotang began spouting nonsense with a straight face: "What you don’t know is that our Class Monitor is destined to become an academic luminary. In the future, countless people will want to collect his uniform to absorb its good vibes. His uniform will be incredibly valuable—losing even one button would drastically reduce its worth!"

Lu Guifan looked at Jiang Ruotang, lowered his eyes, and chuckled.

He gently patted Jiang Ruotang’s shoulder, reassuring him while keeping him close, then patiently addressed the others: "I’m not a deity—I can’t bless anyone. But whether you’re retaking the exam or have family members preparing for it, you can check out Xiaotianguo. There’s a video of me explaining problems that might help. If you ever have questions, let me know—I’ll upload more content to that account for everyone."

Li Minzhen’s eyes lit up. "I’ve seen that study tips creator on Xiaotianguo! His voice is so pleasant, and his explanations are super easy to follow! He has hundreds of thousands of subs! I always thought he sounded like you, Class Monitor... but he seemed too gentle and patient, so I wasn’t sure. Who knew it was actually you?"

Lu Guifan nodded slightly. "I’m the one explaining, but Ruo Tang manages the account. He’s killed it, hasn’t he?"

Li Minzhen paused, as if suddenly understanding something, then smiled knowingly.

So Lu Guifan’s gentle teaching voice had been directed at Jiang Ruotang all along.

The other students who had come for buttons dispersed, eager to check out Lu Guifan’s Xiaotianguo account.

As the crowd thinned, Lu Guifan lowered his head again to pack his things, his smile plain as day.

"You’re still laughing?" Jiang Ruotang gave his chest a light thump. "One moment of not watching you, and my collection almost tanked in value!"

Just then, Jian Sha suddenly cheered.

"Amazing! This is truly amazing! The verdict for Zhang Chun and Wang Hui’s infringement case is out! One got two years, the other two and a half... This is so satisfying!"

Jiang Ruotang walked over and high-fived her. "Today really is a twofer of good news! We’re graduating, and the infringement case is settled! You can get back to serializing!"

Jian Sha grinned. "I have so many ideas for that novel! Forget three books—I could write thirty!"

"And once Zhang Chun’s verdict goes public, that industry leech will draw even more readers to your work," Cai Ji added with a laugh. "Queen, you’re about to go viral!"

Jian Sha smiled shyly. "Honestly, when I first started writing, I never thought about fame. I just loved the story and the setting... But what writer doesn’t dream of publishing?"

"So now you can focus on writing the rest," Jiang Ruotang said, tilting his head. "And you can even submit the outline you gave Zhang Chun to publishers. Maybe someone will make an offer."

Jian Sha lit up. "Exactly! With the case settled, I can finally seek publication!"

Cai Ji chimed in, "I’ve read your novel—it’s addictive! But you update so slowly, your readers suffer. But why suffer alone? I’ll create some character designs from your book and post them on Xiaotianguo. Let others join me in waiting for updates!"

"Thanks, Cai Cai! You’re the best!" Jian Sha hugged his head and mussed up his curls affectionately.

With the graduation ceremony over, all that remained was the nail-biting wait for college admission results.

But Teacher Liang from the art studio wouldn’t let Jiang Ruotang slack off, announcing that he wanted to recommend him for an exhibition featuring up-and-coming Asian artists.

Jiang Ruotang did a double take. "Teacher Liang... me? In an Asian exhibition?"

And was he even considered an "artist" yet?

"What’s the matter? You’re the Fu Chunshi-endorsed winner. Several critics and curators have seen your work and specifically requested you."

"Is there a theme?"

"Open theme. But... you seem especially skilled at portraits? Like that boy you painted last time. Why not try him again? Different angles, different moods—maybe new effects. You have plenty of time to find inspiration, all the way until the end of summer, before university starts in September."

Jiang Ruotang was both nervous about his abilities and secretly thrilled—this was the perfect excuse to invite Lu Guifan to his studio.

Portrait painting meant hours together, adjusting angles and poses. Jiang Ruotang was so excited he could do a little happy dance.

He immediately called Lu Guifan, explaining Teacher Liang’s suggestion and even sending him the exhibition invitation to prove this wasn’t just some scheme.

An exhibition was legit opportunity.

Lu Guifan sounded apologetic. "Ruo Tang, I’m checking out properties with my parents right now. If I come to you, it’ll have to be this evening."

"House-hunting? Are you renting a bigger place... or buying a new one?"

"Buying."

Only then did Jiang Ruotang remember—Lu Guifan had raked in enough from patent fees to pay cash for a place.

Sheng City was a first-tier city, its economy always booming. Prime locations already cost 10,000 to 20,000 per square meter now, but in ten years, that would skyrocket to 100K to 200K.

And prices could jump drastically just between this year and next.

Lu Guifan’s patent income had already surpassed what many people earned in a lifetime. Affording a new, well-located apartment with elevators and good amenities wouldn’t be an issue.

Not to mention the dividends he’d receive by year’s end—financial pressure was basically zero.

"Which areas have you looked at? Any favorites?"

"We’ve seen places in Huaijiang District, Xinyun District, and Heping District. I like a 120-square-meter resale in Huaijiang—about three years old, minimalist decor. But it’s over 2.2 million, and my parents are hesitant."

Jiang Ruotang perked up instantly. Huaijiang District would become one of Sheng City’s most developed areas, second only to Chengjiang.

Over the next decade, its property prices would go through the roof.

"Which neighborhood is that house in Huaijiang District?"

"After Rain Spring Blossoms."

Hearing the name of the neighborhood, Jiang Ruotang's heart gave a little tug. Could it be because the name contained the character "Tang" that Lu Guifan liked it so much?

Ah... Jiang Ruotang, you're being unbelievably presumptuous.

Jiang Ruotang immediately opened his computer to check—this neighborhood was a goldmine!

Five years later, a branch of Shengshi First People's Hospital would be just over a thousand meters away. Right now, all you could see was an elementary school, but if Jiang Ruotang remembered correctly, Shengshi University's First Affiliated High School would eventually be just one subway stop behind this neighborhood—a prime school district property!

Not to mention, the large grassy passenger parking lot to the east would break ground next year and be transformed into a massive mixed-use retail and entertainment center.

Even the extended Metro Line 12 would pass right by the entrance...

Now's the time to buy!

Excited, Jiang Ruotang called Lu Guifan back: "Trust me, buy that house in After Rain Spring Blossoms. It has huge appreciation potential. Plus, it's a high-quality neighborhood with good property management. If you're short on money, I can front you the money..."

After saying the last part, Jiang Ruotang wondered if he sounded like he was showing off.

Lu Guifan had worked so hard on calculations and experiments to earn his patent, while Jiang Ruotang had relied on his parents' money.

Just as Jiang Ruotang was thinking about how to take back his words, Lu Guifan's voice came through the phone.

"Okay, don’t worry. I have enough money."

His voice held a trace of laughter, which reassured Jiang Ruotang.

"My parents are calling me, so I’ll go now. I’ll come see you tonight."

Hearing that Lu Guifan would come to see him in person rather than just call back, Jiang Ruotang perked up again.

Before dinner, Lu Guifan really arrived.

Sister Juan specially prepared two extra dishes. Zhao Zhangfeng was out with his basketball teammates, and Jiang Huaiyuan and his wife were busy with the *Drunken Immortal Terrace* project, so Lu Guifan’s timing was perfect—they could talk freely.

"Are you house-hunting with your parents again tomorrow?" Jiang Ruotang asked while eating cool, savory century eggs.

"No. Before coming here, we already signed the contract and put down the deposit."

Jiang Ruotang went still. "That fast? Don't people usually spend days house-hunting? You just looked for one day..."

Lu Guifan edged slightly closer, looking into Jiang Ruotang’s eyes. "Didn’t you call and say the house in After Rain Spring Blossoms has huge appreciation potential?"

"You believed me just like that?"

"Why wouldn't I trust you?" Lu Guifan countered calmly before continuing to eat.

"It’s over two million! Your parents must feel a lot of pressure..." Jiang Ruotang worried he might have caused trouble with his good intentions.

Lu Guifan paused, propping his chopsticks with an amused air. "They did feel pressured at first. But I just said, 'Ruo Tang says this house has great appreciation potential,' and they immediately decided to go for it."

"Wow... Your parents trust me that much?"

"You’re my dad’s silent partner. Who else would they trust?"

Lu Guifan smiled more openly.

"How many years did you take the loan for?" Jiang Ruotang asked with concern.

"I paid cash."

"Huh? Lu Guifan, you’ve changed! You’ve gotten extravagant—over two million, and you didn’t even blink!"

Lu Guifan shook his head in amusement and said unhurriedly, "I helped Professor Yang with a few things. His team collaborates with some big companies, so the money's good. It was just some ideas and calculations, but Professor Yang is a fair man—he put my name on it and paid well."

"Wow... Some people get rich raising pigs, but you? Pure smarts." Jiang Ruotang sighed.

Lu Guifan laughed and mussed his hair.

"Then I think you and Professor Yang should start your own tech company. Instead of working for others, let capitalists come begging for your tech."

Jiang Ruotang said it casually, but Lu Guifan paused and looked at him.

After a long silence, Jiang Ruotang looked up and realized Lu Guifan was still staring at him.

"Did I say something wrong?"

Lu Guifan shook his head lightly. "Everything you say is right."

Jiang Ruotang rubbed his nose, thinking: *No, everything YOU say is right.*

After dinner, Lu Guifan accompanied Jiang Ruotang to the studio. Though it wasn’t his first time there, it was his first time as a model.

Whether giving talks, sitting in competitions, or even during the gaokao, he had always been composed—but now, strangely, he felt nervous.

Jiang Ruotang set up his easel, then dragged a sofa from against the wall to the center of the studio.

"Do I sit here?" Lu Guifan asked.

"Yeah, try it." Jiang Ruotang knelt by the sofa, smiling like a pleased fox.

Lu Guifan sat down and realized how soft the sofa was—it practically enveloped him.

"Comfortable?"

"Mm."

"I bought it just for you." Jiang Ruotang leaned over him.

At those words, Lu Guifan’s heart stuttered.

"Why just for me?"

"You’re always so stiff and proper. I couldn’t bear to make you stay frozen for hours, so I thought it’d be better to paint you lounging on a comfy sofa."

A faint smile curved Lu Guifan’s lips, but it faded before it could spread.

Because Jiang Ruotang added very bluntly, "But I never got the chance to invite you over. So when Zhao Zhangfeng modeled for me, he fell asleep on this sofa. I couldn’t beat him, so I didn’t dare say anything."

"And my dad—he lay here reading scripts and fell asleep, complete with snores."

Lu Guifan lowered his gaze. Whether it was because the overhead light wasn’t on or not, his face looked oddly shadowed in the backlighting.

"Oh, who else has used this sofa?"

"Sister Juan? Xiao Gao... Cai Cai... and Sister Sha."

The curve of Lu Guifan's lips inexplicably reminded Jiang Ruotang of a horror movie he'd seen before—where a darkly elegant serial killer smiled just like that before locking the protagonist in a pitch-black basement.

Lu Guifan reached out and gently tousled Jiang Ruotang's hair. "So, this sofa that was supposedly bought for me—everyone else has slept on it, except me."

"Uh... yeah." Jiang Ruotang scratched his cheek.

Lu Guifan lightly tapped Jiang Ruotang's forehead with his knuckle. "I could just strangle you."

But Jiang Ruotang laughed. That hint of affection made him greedy and bold. He deliberately met Lu Guifan's gaze with a challenging look. "If you want to be unique, that’s fine too. Take it off! I don’t want to sketch another plaster cast of David—show me the real you, haha!"

"Alright."

Those two icy-cool words snapped Jiang Ruotang out of his teasing glee.

What had Lu Guifan just said?

The boy on the sofa stared into Jiang Ruotang's eyes as if some unseen force were dragging out all the hidden, unspoken fervor Jiang Ruotang had buried.

Lu Guifan was wearing a solid-colored T-shirt, the fabric’s creases sharp with light and shadow. His hands gripped the hem, poised to pull it up.

For just a fleeting moment, Jiang Ruotang caught sight of the taut, fluid lines of his muscles—a surge of raw power, light and shadow intertwining, rushing against Jiang Ruotang's gaze with a sleek, coiled intensity.