Chapter 6: Can’t Handle the Pain of Love

Chapter 6: The Bitterness of Love Is Too Much to Bear

Jian Ruochen sat in Butler Luo's Porsche, the echo of Guan Yingjun’s "No" still ringing in his ears as they pulled up to the hilltop villa in Lijin International Garden.

Would a normal person really say "No" at a moment like that?

Lost in thought, Jian Ruochen stepped through the villa's grand entrance. The lights flickered on, and the opulent crystal chandelier cast a dazzling, interwoven cascade of light. He kicked off his sneakers, and a pair of perfectly sized slippers appeared before him.

Luo Binwen stood smiling in the hallway. "Welcome home, young master."

The butler enthusiastically outlined the villa’s layout: "The bathroom is upstairs—the last door on the right after you turn left. The bathwater has already been drawn. You can go straight to bed after your bath; the housekeeper will take care of cleaning up."

Swiftly, Luo Binwen picked up a tray. "Here is a change of clothes. There’s still an hour until dawn. You’re too exhausted to attend school today, so I’ve arranged a day off for you."

Jian Ruochen took the tray and wandered upstairs in a daze. Sinking into the hot water scented with sandalwood essential oil, he stared blankly at the white petals scattered by the ripples in the tub.

He caught one petal, crushed it in his palm, and murmured, "See? We can’t endure the bitterness of love, but we can certainly bear the weight of wealth."

Jian Ruochen scrubbed his wrists meticulously, then rubbed his body down using Liaoning bathhouse techniques before leaning against the edge of the oversized bathtub—large enough to swim in—and zoning out.

The bathroom was fully equipped, including a handheld mirror.

Jian Ruochen picked it up and looked, surprised.

This body looked exactly like his.

Except for the white hair, which was longer than before, even the tiny red mole on the ear cartilage was identical.

He had a clear, certain premonition.

There was no turning back.

Jian Ruochen swam to the edge of the tub, used nail clippers to trim his neatly kept nails, then stood under the shower to wash his hair.

As he clumsily scrubbed his scalp, he thought: Lu Qian returned defeated.

Jiang Yongyan had been arrested—with no way back.

Jiang Hanyu hadn’t received his blood...

What was happening to the Jiang family now?

At Jiangting Mansion, the ancestral home of the Jiangs.

Jiang Hanyu curled up on the sofa, tears welling in his eyes, trembling with fear. "Lu Qian... you said my big brother inherited his mother’s estate... is... is that true?"

Though slender, the boy had been delicately raised by privilege, his fingertips resting lightly on the edge of the sofa.

Lu Qian crouched beside the sofa, grasping the dangling hand, weariness etched on his face. "It’s true."

Jiang Hanyu bit his lip hard.

Lu Qian reached up, wiping the tears from Jiang Hanyu’s cheeks. "Don’t call him big brother. He never treated you like a brother! Even if he did inherit the estate, it means nothing. Don’t be afraid—you’ll still have a blood supply."

Jiang Hanyu gently pulled his hand away. "I’m not afraid. Brother Lu Qian, please don’t hold my hand. Ruochen will be angry."

Lu Qian sneered. "Why would he be angry? He broke off the engagement just to inherit the estate!"

Thinking of the Jian Ruochen who once chased after him, Lu Qian’s expression darkened. "From now on, he can’t take anything from you ever again."

Jiang Hanyu’s tears fell softly. "Then… does that mean I don’t have a big brother anymore?"

He sniffled. "It’s okay… as long as Ruochen is happy, I’ll be fine no matter what."

Just as Lu Qian was about to comfort him, his phone rang abruptly.

Phones in the '90s didn’t have vibrate mode. The sudden ring startled Jiang Hanyu into a hiccupping sob.

Lu Qian meant to comfort Jiang Hanyu first, but his eyes caught the caller ID—Sham Shui Po Police Station. He had to answer, still holding Jiang Hanyu’s hand. "Hello?"

...

"Jiang Yongyan is suspected of hiring a hitman?" Lu Qian shot to his feet.

Jiang Hanyu bit his lip and tightly gripped the leather cover of the sofa.

Lu Qian said, "I’ll be right there. Tell him not to say another word. Get money from the safe and send away the paparazzi waiting at the door."

Back at Lijin International.

Jian Ruochen had just climbed into bed when Luo Binwen pulled him out from under the covers.

Butler Luo fussed over his damp hair. "Young master, let’s dry your hair before sleeping."

Jian Ruochen mumbled drowsily, "There’s no hair dryer."

It was the '90s—were hair dryers even a thing?

"Yes, we have one." Luo Binwen combed through Jian Ruochen’s hair.

It occurred to him that the rent for the young master’s previous residence might not even cover the cost of a hair dryer—he couldn’t have afforded one. His heart ached. "We have everything here."

As Luo Binwen noisily blow-dried Jian Ruochen’s hair, he added, "I received news that the media waiting outside Sham Shui Po Police Station were paid off by Lu Qian."

Jian Ruochen was puzzled. "Where did this information come from?"

So well-informed?

Luo Binwen waved the hair dryer skillfully. "You didn’t read the inheritance contract carefully, did you? Condé Nast Era Media Co., Ltd. is one of your assets. You own the world’s largest media company."

Jian Ruochen had no idea about the name. "...Where is its headquarters?"

"Right next to Hollywood. Oh, and our branch here in Hong Kong is called Polar Star Media."

Jian Ruochen: ...What exactly did I inherit?

He paused in thought. "You just said... Lu Qian paid off the media?"

"Yes."

Jian Ruochen said meaningfully, "Then let’s leak some information and have Polar Star Media staff conduct surveillance."

Luo Binwen understood. "Photograph the Jiang family and Lu Qian in disgrace, then print ten thousand copies to spread the news?"

Jian Ruochen shook his head amid the whirring of the hair dryer. "No, we’ll just make a show of it. After the first group takes Lu Qian’s money, immediately send another group. Have them carry fake logos from rival outlets. The money they receive will be their bonus—how much they earn is entirely up to them."

Luo Binwen: ...

Huh?

The Young Master can win over the employees without even showing up.

The employees of Star Network got bonuses, and the money didn't even come out of the Young Master's pocket.

Even if Lu Qian wants to cause trouble for those involved afterward, he won't be able to find the right person or might even target the wrong one due to the chaotic media labeling.

What an absolutely brilliant plan!

The Young Master is truly clever!

Luo Binwen smothered a laugh, "Alright, let's do it just like that."

After setting a trap for the scumbag, Jian Ruochen contentedly snuggled into the blankets.

The down quilt was fluffy and soft, carrying a fresh, slightly sweet scent. As soon as he closed his eyes, he sank into it, as if nestled in sun-warmed cotton batting.

He slept dreamlessly through the night and woke up feeling utterly relaxed, his bones almost melting.

Jian Ruochen glanced at the silent clock on the bedside table.

Two in the afternoon.

It was the first time in his life he had slept past 8 a.m. It felt indulgent, but undeniably amazing.

Jian Ruochen finished washing up and went downstairs.

The entire villa sprang to life as its owner awoke from his slumber. The dining table downstairs had already been set. Luo Binwen pulled out a chair, "Young Master, this morning, Chai Jinwu and his father came by."

Jian Ruochen sat down, puzzled, "What did they come for?"

"Mr. Chai came specifically to thank you for helping Chai Jinwu clear his name. I told him you were still asleep, so he didn’t ask me to wake you." Luo Binwen placed a thick kraft paper envelope beside Jian Ruochen. "This is the thank-you gift Mr. Chai prepared."

Jian Ruochen opened it.

Inside were stacks of brand-new Hong Kong dollars, a gesture full of sincerity.

Jian Ruochen: ...

Well, consider it a case commission fee.

He pulled out half and handed it to Luo Binwen, "Thank you for persuading me to inherit the estate and for staying up with me all night, Butler Luo. This is your overtime pay for yesterday."

Luo Binwen accepted the bonus, thinking: What a thoughtful child!

Who wouldn’t like someone like him?

Ah... Lu Qian, such a classless individual!

Jian Ruochen wiped his hands and ate his fill. After satisfying his appetite, he picked up the newspaper lying nearby. It turned out to be the Hong Kong University school newspaper.

Luo Binwen was truly considerate.

In the 1990s, computers were not yet widespread, and there were no efficient search engines. The general public relied on newspapers and television for information.

Jian Ruochen skimmed through the pages.

Aside from news commending the staff of the Communist Youth League, one particularly eye-catching report stood out.

【Former FBI officer and elite agent of the BSU Behavioral Science Unit, Professor Li Changyu, will establish a "Criminal Behavior and Psychology" department at our university.

The department falls under the School of Social Sciences and is currently open to first-year students for a one-time transfer. As the first university in Hong Kong to introduce this subject, Hong Kong University will hold a three-day trial lecture series starting Sunday. Those interested in transferring may consult their academic advisors...】

Jian Ruochen turned the page and saw a photo of the professor taken behind his desk.

Li Changyu was a small, elderly man wearing a striped polo shirt. In the photo, his eyes were hidden behind large glasses, crinkled into slits as he smiled.

On his desk sat a tea set.

He looked approachable and instantly likable.

Jian Ruochen closed the newspaper and turned to Luo Binwen, "How did things go yesterday? Did our employees get the money?"

Lu Qian must have paid through the nose, right?

Luo Binwen thought of the employees' cheerful smiles and chuckled, "Nearly 50 people went in shifts, and each got 5,000 Hong Kong dollars."

Five thousand Hong Kong dollars in the 1990s was quite a sum.

But Jian Ruochen still thought it was too little, "Lu Qian is so stingy."

He snorted, "Tell the employees who got the money to publish reports. Have them talk about how paparazzi were paid off, with an envious tone—make it obvious how jealous we are."

Luo Binwen looked at him.

Jian Ruochen leaned back in his chair, his nearly silver-white hair flowing loosely. He crossed his legs, resting his ankles to the side, looking so beautifully soft it made one's heart tremble.

Yet his words carried no trace of gentleness.

"Don’t say the money came from Lu Qian. Let’s write... Jiang Mingshan is suspected of bribing the media to protect the suspect."

Lu Qian’s intention was to divert public attention away from the Jiang and Lu families. But now, with the false story of Jiang Mingshan bribing the media being sensationalized, the public’s focus would inevitably return to the incident itself.

Jiang Yongyan was destined to become the first crack between the Jiang and Lu families.

The Hong Kong University grove murder case was solved.

Jiang Yongyan was imprisoned.

As long as he changed his major, life could get back on track.

It was the end of the semester. Jian Ruochen had never studied medicine in his previous life, nor had he inherited the original host’s memories. Returning to the medical school for final exams would surely drop him from first place to last.

The very thought was unacceptable!

Tomorrow, he would visit Li Changyu and see if he could transfer majors through the professor!

After a day of rest, Jian Ruochen woke up early the next morning. In a walk-in closet as large as a ZARA store, he picked out an outfit he thought would most appeal to elders, wrapped a pale yellow scarf around his neck, and headed out.

He first went to a high-end tea shop in the mall and picked a moderately priced handmade tea pet in the shape of a small persimmon. Carrying the gift bag, he walked toward Hong Kong University, asking for directions along the way.

Finally, at 9 a.m., he found the office assigned to Professor Li Changyu in the School of Social Sciences.

Jian Ruochen was feeling warmed up from walking and loosened the scarf around his neck. Then he knocked on Li Changyu’s office door.

Three knocks later, the door swung open.

Jian Ruochen looked up, his smile not yet fully formed, and met a pair of cold, piercing eyes. "...Detective Guan?"

What's he doing here?

Guan Yingjun gave a noncommittal grunt, glanced at his frost-bitten nose, and stepped aside a bit. "Come in."

Warmth from the room instantly wafted out through the doorway.

Jian Ruochen stepped inside, took off his scarf, and looked toward the desk, greeted, "Hello, Teacher Li."

Before he could clearly see the person behind the desk,

Jian Ruochen first caught sight of the image on the white screen to the side—

It was the footage of him interrogating Huo Jinze!