Chapter 34

When Lu Yan was doing her homework, she was always distracted, sometimes gazing at the dark night through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and sometimes sighing silently.

Lu Zhen lifted his head and poked her forehead with the tip of his pen. “Why are you spacing out? Focus on your homework.”

The girl rubbed her head, furrowing her brows, and complained, “You do your homework first, why are you bothering me?”

Lu Zhen confidently replied, “If you don’t do it, how am I supposed to copy?”

“…”

Are you really going to copy your daughter’s exercises? How shameless!

Lu Yan hugged her book and turned her back to him, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, ignoring him.

Lu Zhen, like a big dog, leaned over and patiently asked, “Are you in a bad mood?”

“No.”

“Can’t fool me.”

It was rare to see his usually optimistic and cheerful daughter troubled. She was acting unusually today.

“Tell your dad, is someone bullying you?”

“Stop asking.”

Lu Yan impatiently stood up, slid on her slippers, and went back to her room.

Lu Zhen rubbed his chin, feeling that something was off. He watched Lu Yan for several days with his keen eyes, then sought the advice of his trusted strategist. Liang Ting casually mentioned:

“Your daughter’s behavior looks like that of a girl secretly in love.”

Lu Zhen was so startled that he fell off his chair, his face turning pale, and his hand instinctively reached for the pencil sharpener on the table.

What the hell… Who would dare to flirt with his daughter?

Liang Ting grabbed his hand. “Brother, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll… deal with him!”

Qin Hao, the righteous and straightforward man, suddenly slapped Lu Zhen on the shoulder, almost injuring him.

“Who dares to have a crush on my goddaughter? I’ll take care of them!”

“Let’s go!”

“Go where?” Liang Ting gave each of them a hard knock on the head. “Do you even know who it is before you start planning?”

“Uh.” Qin Hao turned to Lu Zhen. “Who does our daughter like?”

Lu Zhen snarled, “If I knew, would I be here talking nonsense with you idiots?”

—

Later, Lu Zhen used both soft and hard tactics, trying to pry out a clue from Lu Yan, but the little girl was tight-lipped and didn’t reveal a single word.

“Well, if I tell you, you’ll go cause trouble for him.”

“I… could I do such a thing?” Lu Zhen waved his hand, trying to act casual and smiled, “I’m a man of reason.”

When Lu Yan ignored him, he stubbornly leaned closer, suppressing his overwhelming curiosity and said, “It’s fine if you don’t want to tell me his name. Just tell me what grade he’s in. Is he from your class?”

“No, I won’t tell you. Stop asking!”

Knowing that his precious daughter had secretly fallen for someone, Lu Zhen felt like there were a thousand cats scratching his heart. How could he let it go so easily?

That evening, he came to Lu Yan’s room again, gently knocking on the door: “Little Yanyan?”

“Are you asleep?”

“Dad’s coming in now?”

He turned the handle and entered the room. Lu Yan was sitting on the bed wrapped in her blanket, looking helplessly at him. “Can you just leave me alone!”

Lu Zhen put his hand on his chest, feigning sadness. He couldn’t believe that aside from him, Lu Yan could be like another male being.

“Unless you tell me who this little brat is that you like.”

Lu Yan gave him an exasperated look. “If I tell you, would you just do like you always do, throw a check in his face and tell him to stay away from me?”

Lu Zhen chuckled awkwardly. “Would I do that? I’m a dad with class. I never throw checks.”

He only throws bricks.

“Do you really have to know?”

“Mm.”

“What if I refuse to tell you?”

“Then I’ll ask Liang Ting. There’s no information in the school he can’t dig up.”

Liang Ting was sharp-minded, and if Lu Zhen asked him, Lu Yan guessed that nine times out of ten… he would figure out the right answer.

“You don’t have to ask. I’ll tell you now. It’s Liang Ting! I admire him so much, like the endless river flowing on and on. I absolutely love him!”

After saying that, Lu Yan jumped off the bed and unceremoniously pushed the stunned Lu Zhen out of her room.

With Lu Zhen’s brain, he would never be able to guess what was on Lu Yan’s mind. She suspected it was more likely Liang Ting who had helped him analyze things in the background.

Lu Yan had to warn Liang Ting a little, to prevent this clever uncle from always helping Lu Zhen “deal with” her.

So when Liang Ting learned that Lu Yan had said, “My admiration for him is like the endless river flowing on and on,” he was so terrified he almost lost his mind. He nearly kneeled and begged Lu Zhen for forgiveness.

“Brother Lu, you know my character. In my eyes, that little girl Yanyan is like my own daughter! Would I do something that ridiculous?”

Lu Zhen adopted a serious tone, like he was about to conduct an interrogation, and slapped Liang Ting’s face lightly, a cold smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Hmm, I believe you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Hao appeared from behind a tree, one hand holding a noose and the other two sets of math papers. “Since we’re brothers, here, pick one.”

Liang Ting: …

During that time, Liang Ting was terribly caught up in Lu Yan’s schemes. Every night, he had to help both Lu Zhen and Qin Hao with their homework. Lu Zhen, under the pretext of “helping him calm down,” made him stop being so clever around his daughter.

Liang Ting really had a hard time, until one evening when he saw Lu Yan grinning at him with a mischievous smile.

As expected, he had been tricked.

Of course, this was partly his fault. Who told him to casually guess what a young girl’s secret feelings were? He guessed, and then foolishly told Lu Zhen…

So, being retaliated against by the little girl wasn’t unfair.

During the afternoon school-wide cleaning break, Lu Yan walked to the door of Shen Kuo’s classroom with a math workbook in hand.

The classroom was sparsely filled with a few students seriously reviewing their textbooks, and Shen Kuo was sitting in the third-to-last row in the middle, working on homework.

Lu Yan clenched her workbook and approached him. “I don’t understand one question. Can you help me with it?”

Shen Kuo turned his head slightly and gave a faint “hm.”

Lu Yan quickly opened the practice question she had already prepared, one of moderate difficulty, and held it out in front of Shen Kuo.

Shen Kuo glanced at the problem and immediately began writing the solution on a piece of scrap paper. His handwriting was smooth and detailed, including the thought process, clear enough that even a beginner could understand.

Lu Yan’s gaze fell on his hand.

The back of his hand was very pale, and the faint blue veins were visible, slightly raised, extending up to his arm. His fingers were long and strong, slender and beautiful…

For some reason, after her feelings were exposed, Lu Yan began paying close attention to every detail about Shen Kuo’s body.

When she pulled her gaze away, she realized Shen Kuo had raised his head and was looking at her.

“Where are you looking?”

“Uh!”

Caught off guard, Lu Yan’s cheeks turned bright red, and she felt like her breath was almost stuck. “That… your hand is nice.”

As soon as she said it, she wanted to bang her head against a wall. What kind of ridiculous thing was that to say?

Shen Kuo lowered his head and continued writing the steps. Although he tried to suppress his emotions, his lips still curled into a faint smile.

Two minutes later, he finished writing out the entire solution, including three methods, all very detailed, almost no explanation needed— even a fool could understand it.

Every word was strong and powerful, like sturdy grass in the wind.

Lu Yan’s slender arm rested on the edge of the table as she lowered her head to look at the problem. “Aren’t you going to explain it to me?”

Her jet-black hair brushed against Shen Kuo’s hand, the soft, smooth touch making his heart itch.

Lu Yan intentionally leaned closer, her long hair cascading down, nearly covering the draft paper.

Shen Kuo caught a faint scent of jasmine from her, subtle and delicate.

“Aren’t you going to explain it, Shen Kuo?”

Shen Kuo’s Adam’s apple moved, and he swallowed hard. Although he had been prepared for this, he still couldn’t resist the way the little girl teased him.

“Let’s start with the first solution…”

His throat felt dry and scratchy, and his voice sounded unnatural.

While he was explaining the problem, Lu Yan took the opportunity to sit in the chair beside him, leaning in close, her gaze focused intently on his face.

He was really handsome, but not in the delicate way—his features were cold and hard, yet there was a distinct masculinity to him.

“Lu Yan…”

Shen Kuo couldn’t stand her blazing eyes fixed on him any longer. “Am I that good-looking?”

Lu Yan’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of red, and with a hint of shyness, she answered, “Yes, you’re handsome.”

Shen Kuo twirled the pen in his fingers, not sure of how to respond.

The little girl came to him for help, but it was obvious that her intentions weren’t purely academic.

Lu Yan stared at him for a few seconds, then took two movie tickets from the book and slowly extended them toward him without saying a word, nervously watching him.

Shen Kuo’s gaze lowered, and he glanced at the tickets. It was a movie by Stephen Chow—King of Comedy.

Her fair fingers hovered over the two tickets before she moved them a few more inches toward him, her voice soft, “I got these two movie tickets with a cake purchase… do you… have time?”

She stared at him with a pitiful expression.

Shen Kuo was moved, but… what did that mean?

He wasn’t ready. He wasn’t prepared to have a girl come to him, to care for her, and protect her. He couldn’t even take care of himself right now—his life was a mess.

Falling in love was a beautiful thing, and at this perfect age, the most beautiful love is the kind that can be remembered for a lifetime.

But Shen Kuo didn’t want her future memories to be filled with the image of his worn-out sneakers and faded T-shirt…

If that was the case, he would rather keep this beautiful moment locked in his heart.

She deserved a love that was better suited for her, and the male lead shouldn’t be someone like him.

“I don’t have time.”

Shen Kuo packed his books into his bag and stood up, leaving the room.

Watching him leave, Lu Yan felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her burning heart, and an unprecedented sourness surged up her throat.

She had… been rejected.

Liking someone, and being rejected—it’s such an uncomfortable feeling. She really wanted to cry.

The girl rubbed her aching nose and put the two movie tickets back into her bag.

Looking at the page full of solution steps in her draft book… she felt like a joke.

Shen Kuo reached the door of the classroom but couldn’t resist glancing back at her. The little girl was looking down, wiping away her tears gently, like a wounded little animal, not wanting to attract any attention.

In the end, he had made her cry.

Shen Kuo stiffened his resolve and took a few more steps, feeling like his feet were weighed down with lead, each step more difficult than the last.

Finally, just as Lu Yan was putting the ticket stubs back in her bag, preparing to leave, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed her delicate wrist.

She looked up in surprise and saw Shen Kuo’s cold face, looking down at her from above.

“W-what are you doing?” she asked, her voice thick with a stuffy nose.

“When’s the movie?”

Lu Yan blinked in surprise, dazedly letting out a small “ah.”

Shen Kuo took the tickets, checked the time, and said, “Saturday night at 8. I’m free.”

The little girl didn’t immediately react. “You mean… we can…”

“Yes, we can go watch the movie,” he finished her sentence, helplessly adding, “Together.”

“Just… just the two of us?” she asked, uncertain of his intentions. “No one else, okay?”

A movie for two was a date—one that was different from the usual friendship… a date.

Shen Kuo understood what she meant and said in a faint tone, “Like friends.”

“Okay, okay!” Lu Yan immediately perked up, afraid he might change his mind. She emphasized, “Just like friends… going to the movie.”

He gave a low “hmm” and picked up the draft paper. “So, did you figure out this problem or not?”

Lu Yan’s eyes sparkled with a smile, and she said playfully, “Such an easy question, I already knew how to do it.”

“Then why did you ask me?”

“You know why I asked.”

Seeing that Shen Kuo didn’t mind, she became bolder and leaned in closer to him, whispering, “You’ve been ignoring me these past few days.”

Shen Kuo couldn’t stand the little girl’s coquettish behavior up close. He put the draft book against her face and gently pressed her head down, then stood up and left the classroom.

Lu Yan called out to his back, “Shen Kuo, Saturday night, it’s a deal!”

Shen Kuo turned his back to her and made an “OK” gesture with his hand.

Lu Yan was so happy she felt like she was about to fly. She grabbed the draft book and hugged it to her chest, rubbing it fiercely, then held it under her nose and sniffed. The draft book smelled of ink, and it smelled so good.

Anyway, everything about him was perfect.

Lu Yan was eagerly looking forward to the movie date on Saturday, feeling excited every day. Meanwhile, Lu Zhen, like a widow, was extremely sensitive and immediately noticed any changes in his daughter’s mood.

So every day, Liang Ting could feel a cold, sharp gaze aimed at him from behind.

That afternoon after school, Liang Ting secretly called Lu Yan outside and pleaded, “Little Yan, I beg you, explain to your dad. I’m not a beast, I really don’t have any other thoughts about you.”

Lu Yan laughed and said, “Who told you… well, to speak recklessly.”

Liang Ting’s attitude was surprisingly good: “Yes, yes, I was wrong. I won’t say anything again, I’ll keep my mouth shut, I won’t tell your dad anything. Okay?”

Lu Yan wasn’t the type to hold grudges, so she patted Liang Ting’s shoulder and said cheerfully, “Alright, Uncle Liang, if you help me with one more thing, I’ll explain things to Lu Zhen.”

“Go ahead, whatever you need, I’ll help you, even if it means going through fire and water.”

“^[1]“I don’t need fire and water” is a way of saying, “I’m not asking for anything extreme or difficult.” It implies that the favor being requested is much simpler and less … Continue readingI don’t need fire and water, I just need you to find a way to get Lu Zhen out on Saturday night. It doesn’t matter where, just somewhere.”

Liang Ting looked at Lu Yan in confusion, “What do you want to do?”

“I have something I need to do, I’m going out.”

Right now, Lu Zhen was on high alert. Any little move from Lu Yan would immediately make him suspicious. If she tried to go out on Saturday night, Lu Zhen would definitely follow her secretly.

The little girl’s eyes sparkled with a cheerful, spring-like glow, and Liang Ting immediately guessed the situation.

“You’re meeting Shen Kuo?”

Lu Yan immediately tiptoed and covered his mouth, glancing around cautiously, “Hey, don’t say it out loud! Someone might hear you.”

Liang Ting’s expression became serious as he asked, “Are you really with Shen Kuo?”

Lu Yan’s face suddenly turned red, and she stammered, “W-well, not yet, but… hey, I’m not telling you!”

Liang Ting grabbed her wrist and said, “You can’t be with Shen Kuo.”

“Why?”

“You know your dad and Shen Kuo are enemies. If your dad finds out you’re with him, he’ll be furious.”

“So I can’t let him know.” Lu Yan pulled her hand back, but Liang Ting held it tightly, so she couldn’t break free. “And anyway, there’s nothing between us yet.”

“Lu Yan, listen to me. You can be friends, but that’s as far as it goes. Otherwise, it will be very troublesome in the future.”

Liang Ting hesitated, not finishing his sentence.

Lu Yan looked at him in surprise, “Uncle Liang, do you know something?”

Liang Ting frowned and said, “I’m definitely on your side. I won’t harm you. Just pull back now, don’t get too deep.”

“But I don’t understand, why can’t I?”

“Anyway, it’s not happening. The conflict between your dad and Shen Kuo isn’t just a simple case of bullying and being bullied. Shen Kuo’s hatred for your dad won’t be easily resolved… But that’s their business, not yours. In short, I don’t want you involved.”

Lu Yan shook her head. “No.”

Liang Ting’s eyes sharpened.

“I won’t easily like someone, and I definitely won’t easily give up.”

If you can give up easily, it wasn’t true love.

Just as Lu Yan finished speaking, Lu Zhen and Liang Ting, holding a basketball, were chatting and walking over. They looked up and immediately saw Liang Ting gripping Lu Yan’s wrist. The two were standing very close, and Liang Ting even heard Lu Yan say, “I won’t easily like someone, and I definitely won’t easily give up.”

With a loud “thud,” the basketball hit the ground, rolled a few times, and landed in the grass.

At this moment, even Qin Hao was shocked, pointing at Liang Ting and shouting, “You… beast!”

Liang Ting immediately let go of Lu Yan’s wrist. “Brother Zhen, let me explain!”

Lu Zhen clutched his chest, as if he had been seriously wounded. “You actually… actually did this to my daughter…”

“No, I didn’t!”

Lu Zhen didn’t listen to his explanation, nor did he want to see him anymore. He rushed over, grabbed Lu Yan, and started walking away, bumping Liang Ting’s shoulder hard as they passed. “No more brotherhood.”

Qin Hao, ever the drama king, spat and yelled at Liang Ting, “Beast!”

Liang Ting: …

Lu Yan, embarrassed, turned back and waved at him, but her hand was immediately pressed down by Lu Zhen, showing no mercy.