Chapter 48

Lu Yan reluctantly stepped out of the room, enduring the scorching gaze of over twenty girls in the room, feeling as if a thorn was stuck in her back.

Jian Yao dragged her words, exclaiming, “Whatthefuk…”

After a strange silence of five seconds, the girls instantly erupted, rushing to Lu Yan’s side and bombarding her with questions:

“Why is Shen Kuo in there while you’re changing?”

“Did you change clothes together?”

“Are you two hiding in there, kissing?”

“No, no!”

Lu Yan was on the verge of tears. “We didn’t kiss…”

“So, are you and Shen Kuo dating?”

Lu Yan covered her face, wearing a crying expression, but she didn’t deny it.

One girl collapsed in despair, exclaiming, “Ahhhh, Lu Yan, you stole my future boyfriend! How could you do this after I buy you green tea every day?!”

Lu Yan: “……”

Sorry?

You never said you had any ambitions, or a “future boyfriend.”

With a long face, Lu Yan looked at the restless girls around her. “Can we keep it a secret?”

“Keep it a secret? Impossible.”

“Absolutely impossible.”

“Never in this lifetime, hmph!”

“……”

Fine then.

Just then, the instructor entered and urged them on. “What’s going on, choir? Why haven’t you started preparing? After the next performance, it’s your turn to go on stage! Move, stop chatting!”

The girls quickly scattered and lined up in two neat rows, following the instructor toward the waiting area.

Jian Yao stood beside Lu Yan and whispered, “Is it true, Shen Kuo?”

Lu Yan blushed and nodded. “Mm.”

Jian Yao’s beautiful phoenix eyes widened, and she casually threw an arm around Lu Yan’s shoulder, laughing, “Wow, you’re something else. The bad boy that all the girls avoid, and you quietly snatched him up. I admire your courage.”

Lu Yan explained, “He… he’s not bad.”

He just seems a bit hard to approach.

Jian Yao leaned in close to her ear, her breath warm and fragrant, whispering curiously, “Come on, be honest, what naughty things were you two doing in the dressing room?”

Lu Yan thought back to the way the man’s hand had pressed against her back, almost like a caress…

A shiver ran down her spine, as if she had been electrocuted. Her earlobe turned bright red, and her face flushed deeply. “N-no, we didn’t do anything bad!”

“Did you kiss him?”

“Of course not! No!”

Lu Yan denied it repeatedly.

But Jian Yao didn’t mind. She casually said, “What’s there to be shy about? If I liked someone, I’d kiss him every day.”

Lu Yan looked at Jian Yao in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah, of course. It’s perfectly normal. If you like someone, how can you stop yourself from kissing them?”

So when she was dating Lu Zhen, she kissed him every day!

Oh, Mom…

Lu Yan couldn’t even begin to imagine how her parents dated. It was too shocking.

On the darkened stage, a spotlight suddenly shone down, enveloping Lu Yan and the pure white piano in a halo of light. Floating dust particles hung in the air, her jet-black hair falling to her shoulders, accentuating her fair skin, which gleamed like fresh snow—so beautiful it was breathtaking.

Shen Kuo sat among the crowd in the back, his full attention focused on the girl on stage, his eyes filled with turbulence.

She deserved the best the world had to offer.

As the girl’s slender fingers landed on the piano keys, several other spotlights followed suit, illuminating the central choir as they emerged from the shadows.

“The Night at the Naval Port” was a very beautiful and captivating female vocal piece, with a gentle and melodious tone.

The choir performed well, with the lead singer guiding them, creating a harmonious balance between high and low notes.

The school leaders in the front rows showed expressions of satisfaction.

Lu Yan let out a sigh of relief and continued playing the second part of the chorus, but just then, the female voices of the choir suddenly fell silent.

Lu Yan stopped her fingers, surprised, and looked at them.

Jian Yao winked at her, the meaning clear: she should change the song.

Lu Yan had anticipated this, so she wasn’t too panicked.

Her mother was… forcing her into a corner, wasn’t she? Pressuring her to change the song!

Lu Yan wasn’t someone who easily compromised. She locked eyes with Jian Yao, their gazes sparking with intense energy.

The message was clear—she wouldn’t change the song, and she was asking her not to cause trouble.

But Jian Yao acted nonchalant. With a snap of her fingers, the choir girls picked up the ending of the song and began singing a cappella!

A cappella meant singing without accompaniment, and the choir girls had worked in sync, with some of them humming the melody so the others could sing without needing a piano.

Lu Yan felt like she could die. She didn’t dare look at the expressions of the leaders below. What was supposed to be a beautiful choir performance had suddenly turned into a pop song, and a love song at that, which was particularly sensitive at this time. One could imagine how displeased the leaders’ faces must look.

However, she also understood. Jian Yao was a free spirit, and the teachers of the student union had been pushing the choir girls relentlessly for the school anniversary, almost taking up all their after-school leisure time. The girls had already been complaining about it.

Where there’s oppression, there’s resistance—and here it was…

The choir had rebelled as a group.

The hundreds of students in the audience went wild. The entire school anniversary had been catered to the middle-aged leaders’ aesthetic tastes, with performances in clashing bright red and green colors, which had already put them to sleep.

The last performance, which everyone thought would be just another boring choir song, unexpectedly took a sharp turn and started singing pop songs instead.

And not just any pop song, but one that everyone knew and loved… “The Sea.”

The choir girls’ singing gradually transformed into a school-wide chorus, and soon, all the students joined in, raising the energy and excitement of the atmosphere to new heights.

Jian Yao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. To her, this performance wasn’t just to please the leaders—it was more important that the students weren’t just passive spectators. The school anniversary arts performance should have been for them.

This was their era, their fiery youth.

Lu Yan stood out awkwardly by the piano, sticking to her original decision.

The teacher had entrusted her with the task of playing the piano, which was a sign of trust, and she couldn’t let it down.

Lu Yan pursed her lips, ignoring the girls around her who were signaling for her to play along. She wouldn’t budge.

She stuck to her choice and wouldn’t be swayed by anyone.

At that moment, she suddenly understood Shen Kuo’s loneliness.

Yes, not being accepted by others was such a lonely thing.

Lu Yan raised her gaze toward Shen Kuo in the crowd.

Unlike the other students who had stood up and excitedly joined in singing, he remained silently seated, his long legs crossed, his face wearing a smile as he watched her.

Looking into his deep, dark eyes, Lu Yan’s heart gradually calmed down.

Although their paths might be different, she knew that Shen Kuo’s path was one that ran parallel to hers.

At the end of the school anniversary performance, during the grand school-wide chorus, the leaders from the education bureau watched the students, full of youthful energy, and wore helpless yet tolerant smiles.

After all, they were just kids, having some fun and causing a little trouble—it wasn’t a big deal.

Even after it ended, some leaders took the lead in applauding.

However, the school teachers, especially the ones from the cultural and entertainment department, looked absolutely pale.

Although the leaders and alumni all assured everyone that it was fine, that they understood, because everyone had been young once, everyone knew deep down that the school would definitely hold them accountable later.

Sure enough, as soon as the bureau leaders left, the principal and the director of the academic affairs office called Jian Yao, Lu Yan, and a few others into the office for a good scolding. In addition to being criticized, they were also tasked with cleaning the campus.

In front of the corridor of the teaching building, Lu Yan held a short-handled broom, bent down, and carefully swept the floor. As the dust was kicked up by the broom, she covered her mouth with her sleeve.

Jian Yao walked over and tried to grab the broom from Lu Yan, but Lu Yan didn’t hand it over.

“This has nothing to do with you.”

She straightened up and said to Lu Yan, “I started this. You weren’t involved, so you don’t need to be punished. I’ll take your share for you.”

Lu Yan said nothing, continuing to sweep the floor without looking at her.

Jian Yao came up in front of her, hands behind her back, and leaned down, asking, “What, are you mad at me?”

“No.”

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“No.”

“Lu Yan, stop talking to me like that.” Jian Yao seemed a bit annoyed, “Don’t think my temper is that good.”

Lu Yan knew Jian Yao’s temper—she wasn’t someone easy to deal with. Of course, she was usually very patient with her.

Lu Yan, unwilling to back down, threw the broom onto the ground, furrowed her brow, and said to Jian Yao, “It’s you, don’t talk to me like that.”

“Oh, the little kitten’s throwing a tantrum.”

Seeing the way the girl puffed up in anger, looking both cute and fierce, Jian Yao’s heart softened.

It was really strange. She always felt a desire to protect and cherish her. This feeling seemed to come from both flesh and soul.

“Alright, let’s not argue.”

Jian Yao waved her hand and said, “It was just a joke. Everyone had fun. Why are you getting mad? And I don’t think I did anything wrong. After all, we’ve been working hard for this school anniversary for so long. Why should we have to please those leaders? Can’t we perform for our classmates? Why do you have to side with the teachers’ group?”

“I didn’t side with anyone.” Lu Yan said firmly, “I just think that if I promised to do something well, I can’t go back on my word.”

Jian Yao spoke sarcastically, “So, you’re blaming me for making you break your promise?”

“I won’t blame you.” Lu Yan shook her head, “No matter what you did, I’ll forgive you…”

You are my mother.

Between family, between parents and children, there are no grudges that last overnight.

Just like in the past when Lu Zhen opposed her singing, literally locking her in a room for several days. She was so angry she wanted to jump out of the window, but in the end, she still forgave Lu Zhen.

Jian Yao looked into the deep emotions reflected in the girl’s eyes and suddenly had a thought: “Little Yan, if you didn’t have a boyfriend, I’d really think you might have some kind of… ^[1]“Yuri” is a Japanese term used to describe a genre of media that focuses on romantic or sexual relationships between female characters. It is often used in manga, anime, or other forms of … Continue readingyuri intentions with me.”

Lu Yan blinked her eyes and looked at her sincerely, “Huh?”

She took a step back, covered her almost nonexistent chest, and looked at her warily. “You’re not… a bisexual, right? Don’t try anything with me, I’m warning you.”

Lu Yan: …

She turned back around and continued sweeping the floor, but then noticed Lu Zhen, that big, silly guy, hiding sneakily by the first-floor corridor, peeking around and looking toward her.

It had been a long time since she saw her dad at school. It felt nice—today, her family was finally reunited.

Lu Yan immediately walked over and patted her dad’s shoulder. “Lu Zhen, what are you doing here?”

“Ah!” Lu Zhen was startled.

“Go back to the classroom and study. Do you think you have plenty of time? The last two months are critical. If you don’t fulfill Grandpa’s expectations, I’ll lose face.”

“I know.” Lu Zhen lowered his voice. “Uh… just one question, when you two are together, does she ever mention me?”

“No, never. She’s completely forgotten about you.”

Lu Yan told the truth. Jian Yao had many friends, was into music, and was involved in a band. Her life was rich and varied, and it seemed like she had really left Lu Zhen behind.

Lu Zhen said, “Daughter, I think this young lady really doesn’t have any feelings for your dad. Whether you can be born successfully in the future is a bit uncertain.”

Lu Yan retorted, “Young master, may I ask, is there anything about you that would make her interested?”

Lu Zhen thought for a moment, then foolishly pulled out his wallet.

Lu Yan: …

She said to him, “Let me tell you, this young lady likes boys with good grades, like Shen Kuo.”

“Damn, again with Shen Kuo! This guy… has he got a problem with me or what?!”

Seeing the situation wasn’t going in the right direction, Lu Yan immediately added, “And someone like Ye Jiaqi… top two in the grade. If you could at least be third in the grade…”

She patted his stiff chest. “You’ll definitely win her over.”

“Is that for real?” Lu Zhen was a little skeptical.

“Yes.” Lu Yan pushed him toward the teaching building. “Go back and study. You’ve got half a month left!”

Lu Zhen kept turning around, reluctant to leave.

Behind them, Jian Yao said lightly, “I never said I liked someone like Shen Kuo…”

Lu Yan shrugged and smiled, “Saving a life is more valuable than building a seven-story pagoda. Whether Lu Zhen can get into a good university depends on this!”

Jian Yao frowned, looking at Lu Zhen’s retreating figure, and said, “He looks a bit dumb. I like smart men.”

“Hey…”

“Shen Kuo is smart.”

Lu Yan quickly responded, saying firmly, “Don’t even think about it!”

He’s mine!

Jian Yao raised an eyebrow and gave her a mischievous smile. “Alright, then you promise me you won’t get mad at me over this. Otherwise… tomorrow, I’ll go to the playground and confess to Shen Kuo while playing the guitar.”

Lu Yan: …

A mother threatening to steal her daughter’s boyfriend—what kind of devilish mom is this?!

In the hot June, on the eve of the college entrance exams, the senior class was having their last study session.

Lu Yan rested her chin on her hand, gazing out of the classroom window. Through the dense layers of camphor tree leaves, she looked toward the senior building.

Beicheng No. 3 High had a tradition: every graduating class moved into the oldest building on campus, the one built when the school was first established.

That building was located a bit farther away, at the edge of the camphor grove. Although the building was old, it had the advantage of being peaceful and quiet, so senior students studying there wouldn’t be disturbed.

There were also rumors that the feng shui of that building was good and could help the seniors get into their ideal universities.

Lu Yan checked the time—it was 5:15 PM, and there were 15 minutes left until school ended. She guessed that the teacher was likely reminding them about the upcoming exam or encouraging them.

Her homeroom teacher was sitting at the podium, tirelessly reminding them: “After this senior class graduates, next semester, you’ll be the ones moving into that building. Time waits for no one, students must realize the urgency and step up their studies!”

Lu Yan yawned lightly.

At this moment, the school bell rang, and the senior building, which had felt like a quiet graveyard, suddenly erupted with the sounds of hundreds of students pouring out, followed by shouts and cheers.

The repressed natural instincts and youthful restlessness were fully released at this moment, which also stirred up excitement among the students from the first and second years.

Lu Yan, along with other excited classmates who were watching the spectacle, walked out of the classroom and into the camphor grove, looking toward the senior building.

The sky at the end of the building seemed like it was snowing, with countless test papers and book pages fluttering in the air, covered in dense notes.

It truly felt like a chaotic celebration, as if the end of the world had arrived.

Lu Yan looked up and saw her dad standing on the second-floor balcony, casually opening his backpack and dumping the test papers out, as if emptying a trash bin.

Lu Yan muttered a curse under her breath, “Idiot.”

She walked up the stairs to the second-floor hallway and pulled her dad away from the group of excited graduates.

“Stop throwing them away, keep them! You still have three days to go home and rest. If you throw them out now, what will you look at when you get home?”

Lu Zhen’s strong arm immediately wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight hug and saying, “Rest? What’s resting? Of course, it’s to relax, release the stress. Who still reads in the last three days?”

“Relax? I don’t think you’re stressed at all. Do you need to relax?”

“Which eye of yours saw that I’m not stressed? I’m stressed in my heart, okay?”

Nearby, a male student casually called out, “Lu Zhen, don’t leave later, we’re going to eat hotpot to celebrate tonight.”

“Alright, no problem!”

Lu Yan rolled her eyes, thinking that her dad was taking things too far.

“Exams are coming up and you’re going to eat hotpot? What if you get diarrhea? No, you’re not going!”

“Hey, you little girl, you’re even trying to manage me now?” Lu Zhen squeezed her tighter, putting all his strength into holding her. “I’m your dad, okay?”

“Then can you at least act like a dad and stop making me worry?”

This playful bickering and wrestling had become a daily routine for the two, and the classmates were already used to it.

After struggling free from her dad’s grip, Lu Yan turned and saw Shen Kuo standing alone in the shadow at the end of the hallway.

He was wearing a clean white shirt, with a black shoulder bag, his left hand in his pocket. He slightly tilted his body as he stood at the corner, his eyes slightly lowered, his long eyelashes hiding his deep black gaze.

He quietly stood amidst the noise, as though the surrounding commotion was merely a backdrop for him.

When Shen Kuo saw Lu Yan, their eyes met for a moment, and then he turned and started walking downstairs.

Lu Yan understood from his gaze what he meant, so she left her dad behind and, almost without thinking, followed him down the stairs.

The two had a certain unspoken understanding. Sometimes, they didn’t need to say anything for Lu Yan to know what he was thinking.

The classmates around them were all too busy enjoying themselves to notice the two of them. Lu Yan walked in step with Shen Kuo, following him into the camphor grove in front of the teaching building, where no one else was.

The camphor grove was dense and lush, providing shade from the sun.

Shen Kuo silently took off his shoulder bag and unzipped it.

Lu Yan noticed his hands—indeed, they were beautiful. If Shen Kuo’s looks were rated a hundred, his hands would likely score fifty.

His fingers were long and well-defined, with fair skin and faint blue veins running across the back of his hands. His fingers were so long that they could almost be described as sensual.

Shen Kuo took out a few thick notebooks from his bag and then handed her backpack to her, packing the notebooks into it.

From beginning to end, he didn’t say a word.

Lu Yan broke the silence and asked, “The exams are coming up. How do you feel? Are you confident? Will you be able to get into Q University?”

Shen Kuo nodded but remained silent.

“What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

Lu Yan reached out and patted his waist. “Today is your liberation! Cheer up!”

Shen Kuo suddenly grasped her hand, pulling her forcefully toward him, then opened his arms and enveloped her small frame in a tight embrace.

Tightly, tightly holding her…

Lu Yan felt her senses and instincts overwhelmed by the man’s powerful aura—his heated skin, his firm muscles, and his rapid breathing.

Her mind went blank, unable to process what was happening. Her backpack fell to the grass beside them, and several notebooks spilled out, scattering around.

Shen Kuo arched his back, burying his face in her hair at the nape of her neck, greedily inhaling her scent.

His scorching breath against her neck made her itch.

Lu Yan could clearly feel the intense emotions surging inside him, emotions that were relentlessly affecting her as well, making her feel inexplicably… on the verge of tears.

Yes, graduation was here.

And that also meant their time together was running out.

The papers from the tests behind them fluttered down like snowflakes, scattering across the sky.

Lu Yan extended her hand, gently wrapping it around his lean waist—

“I don’t want to let you go either.”