Chapter 53

Shen Kuo allowed her to hold him for a long time. He raised his hand several times, but it fell back to his side.

“Lu Yan, let go.” His voice was a little hoarse.

Lu Yan tightened her embrace, her body trembling slightly, stubbornly refusing to let go.

“No!”

“I’ll count to three.”

He was always like this. When Lu Yan acted stubborn in the past, he would always count to three.

“I’ll count for you.”

Lu Yan still wouldn’t let go. “One, two…”

Before she could get to “three,” Shen Kuo suddenly grabbed her chin, leaned in, and forcefully bit her lower lip.

Lu Yan’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at his face, which was now magnified before her. She couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

What was he doing?!

Indeed, it wasn’t a kiss, but he had bitten her.

The warm sensation was unmistakable, and he had bitten down hard, causing her lip to split open, and her mouth tasted of salt and iron.

Lu Yan pushed him away in panic, retreating a few steps and pressing her back against the wall, completely stunned.

Her cheeks were flushed, and even her earlobes turned red, looking like ripe cherries, bright and tempting.

Shen Kuo’s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as he licked the corner of his lips—

“Three.”

In the past, he had never reached three.

Because Lu Yan had always been obedient and well-behaved, he couldn’t bring himself to do anything harsh to her.

“You… what are you doing?!” Lu Yan was both angry and flustered, covering her lower lip.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

“Who wants this?!”

“So you like me this much, don’t you just want me to kiss you? Or we can change places and ‘talk’ properly?”

Lu Yan looked at him in disbelief. In his gaze, she saw a kind of frivolity she had never seen before—so unfamiliar.

Her breath quickened, and she was furious. “Shen Kuo, what nonsense are you talking about?!”

“Lu Yan, just because I didn’t touch you before doesn’t mean I didn’t want to. And even if I touched you, it doesn’t mean I like you.”

He said each word slowly, “I’m a man, got it?”

Lu Yan’s face turned red with shame, feeling an overwhelming sense of humiliation rising in her chest. She picked up the thermos cup from the ground and hurled it at him with all her might.

“I hate you!”

Shen Kuo raised his hand to catch the cup and walked silently to the sink. He washed it clean and gently placed it back on the counter.

“Lu Yan, stop wallowing in self-pity. It’s stupid.”

Lu Yan glared at him with anger. “I will never do that again! I hate you!”

His dark eyes lazily flickered over to her. “Hate all you want. Next year when you get into Q University, I’ll give you a chance to get revenge.”

Since that day when Shen Kuo “humiliated” her, Lu Yan had changed her previously defeated attitude and focused all her energy on her studies.

As Jian Yao said, what’s the big deal about a breakup? Everyone meets scum at some point in their life.

She was a good girl and had never let anyone down, so the person who would regret and suffer in the future would not be her.

In the summer, Lu Zhen often went to school to pick Lu Yan up.

After all, the new school year was approaching, and he was going to study at Q University in Nancheng. There wouldn’t be much time left for them to be together.

Deep down, he was reluctant to part with his daughter and her mother.

Of course, from the perspective of a hormone-driven young man, his attachment to the latter might be a little stronger.

That afternoon, as usual, Lu Zhen stood under the shade of a camphor tree outside the school gate, holding two cups of watermelon juice, waiting for Lu Yan and her mother.

He didn’t see Lu Yan, but instead saw Shu Mengfei.

Lu Zhen immediately looked up at the sky, pretending not to see her.

Shu Mengfei walked over to Lu Zhen without feeling awkward at all. She greeted him with confidence.

“Hi, long time no see, Lu Zhen.”

Of course, since they used to “have a past,” Lu Zhen couldn’t be as relaxed and natural as her.

“Is something wrong?” he asked stiffly.

“Do you have to be so cold?” Shu Mengfei said. “After all, we can still be friends after breaking up.”

Lu Zhen always thought that those who could be friends after breaking up had never truly loved each other. Just look at how Lu Yan was now, nearly falling apart. Could she still be friends with Shen Kuo? It would be better to just kill her.

He felt a little uncomfortable, thinking that the girl he had once treated sincerely might have never liked him.

But that feeling passed quickly, and Lu Zhen had already gotten over it, so he didn’t really care whether she ever liked him or not.

He looked up towards the school gate. The senior high students from the prep class were rushing out. Looking at the time, Lu Yan should be coming out soon.

He turned to Shu Mengfei and said, “If you’re fine, I’ll be leaving now.”

Before he could finish, Shu Mengfei suddenly spoke up, “Lu Zhen, congratulations.”

“Congratulations for what?” Lu Zhen asked, puzzled.

“Congratulations on getting into Q University.”

Shu Mengfei’s expression was slightly excited. “I didn’t expect you and Shen Kuo to get into the same university. Well done.”

A hint of pride finally appeared on Lu Zhen’s face.

In the past, Shu Mengfei had always compared him with Shen Kuo, thinking Shen Kuo was better in every way and that Lu Zhen was always inferior. But now, both he and Shen Kuo had been accepted into the same university, and into the same top department—Q University’s best computer science program.

It was finally time to hold his head high.

“I didn’t expect it either,” Lu Zhen scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. He humbly added, “Just lucky.”

–

Lu Yan walked out of the school gate and saw Jian Yao leaning against the red wall by the gate, arms crossed, watching the scene with interest.

She walked up behind her and patted her on the shoulder. “What are you looking at so intently?”

“Hey, come here.”

Jian Yao pulled her over. “Look over there.”

Jian Yao was the typical tall and leggy beauty, and when Lu Yan stood next to her, their height difference was noticeable. Jian Yao, like a mother, pulled Lu Yan in front of her. “Look.”

Lu Yan looked up and followed Jian Yao’s pointing finger.

Not far away, near the intersection, Shu Mengfei and Lu Zhen were chatting, and they seemed to be getting along quite well!

Lu Zhen had a faint blush on his cheeks, his eyes sparkling, and his mouth curled up in a smile.

In general, when Lu Zhen wore this kind of goofy expression, it usually meant someone had been flattering him excessively.

Lu Yan murmured, “What could they be talking about?”

Since their breakup, Shu Mengfei had never spoken to Lu Zhen again. Even if they bumped into each other on the street, she completely ignored him.

Fortunately, Lu Zhen was an easy-going, open-minded person who didn’t care much about these little details, so he didn’t hold it against Shu Mengfei.

“Really, Lu Zhen, I never expected you to be such a ^[1]“dark horse” refers to someone or something that was previously unknown or underestimated, but unexpectedly becomes successful or achieves something impressive. It often describes a … Continue readingdark horse. Our female classmates have been talking about you lately. No one was surprised when Shen Kuo became the provincial top scorer, but you getting into Q University, that was such a surprise,” Shu Mengfei said.

“Right? I was surprised too. Maybe it was just luck,” Lu Zhen replied modestly.

“No, Lu Zhen, it’s not luck,” Shu Mengfei said firmly. “It’s your ability. It’s the result of your hard work, and I really admire you for that.”

Lu Zhen felt even more embarrassed now. “Thanks.”

When Lu Yan heard Shu Mengfei say that, her sixth sense as a girl immediately picked up on what was going on in her mind.

This person, seeing that Lu Zhen had gotten into Q University, now wanted to get back together.

And Lu Zhen, that fool, was still grinning away, completely unaware that he was being played by Shu Mengfei.

Sure enough, Shu Mengfei stepped closer to Lu Zhen and said, “Lu Zhen, it’s my fault. Let’s put the past behind us, okay? Please don’t blame me.”

Lu Zhen, of course, didn’t care about the past. He casually responded, “I’m not blaming you.”

Shu Mengfei took another step closer and asked, “Lu Zhen, have you forgiven me?”

“Uh…”

Lu Zhen wasn’t comfortable with such close proximity. Instinctively, he took a step back. “There’s nothing to forgive. It’s all in the past.”

He had already moved on.

“Lu Zhen, this year I’m going to work hard and get into Q University!” Shu Mengfei said.

Lu Zhen replied, “Q University is a science and engineering school. You’re in the humanities, it might not be the right fit for you.”

“But it’s where someone is,” Shu Mengfei blushed slightly and said softly. “I want to attend the same university as that person.”

Lu Zhen asked, “You still like Shen Kuo?”

“Ha!”

Lu Yan almost burst out laughing. Even an idiot could tell that the “someone” she was talking about was him! Shu Mengfei was indirectly expressing her desire to get back together with him!

This fool.

Shu Mengfei’s face changed slightly but she quickly corrected herself, “No, it’s not Shen Kuo. It was just that I couldn’t see clearly before. Now I see, he’s… he’s not really the right one for me.”

“As long as you see it clearly,” Lu Zhen said kindly. “Let me tell you, that guy is a liar. He…”

“Tricked my daughter so badly,” the words almost escaped his mouth, but he swallowed them back.

Shu Mengfei didn’t want to continue discussing Shen Kuo, and seeing how slow-witted Lu Zhen was, she finally said, “Lu Zhen, I want to talk to you. What I want to say is…”

She quickened her speech and blurted out all at once—

“Can we get back together?!”

Lu Zhen froze. “Huh?”

“It’s been so long, and I still have feelings for you. I want to get back together.”

Lu Yan anxiously glanced at Lu Zhen, fearing that in a moment of impulsiveness, he might agree. After all, Lu Zhen, that big fool, had no resistance to someone like Shu Mengfei, who played the innocent, fragile flower.

But fortunately, Lu Zhen had brains and wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.

He said, “Sorry, I already like someone else.”

Shu Mengfei’s face shifted slightly. “You already…”

When Lu Zhen saw her shocked expression, he knew she had never considered the possibility that he might like someone else.

Lu Yan couldn’t help but glance back at Jian Yao—

She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, fully enjoying the drama, smiling as she watched them.

This can’t go on.

Lu Yan quickly gave Jian Yao a shove.

Jian Yao was startled. “What are you doing?!”

“Go get your man back!” Lu Yan pushed her forward with force.

“What?! No way! Hey!”

Before Jian Yao could react, she was pushed forward by Lu Yan.

Both Lu Zhen and Shu Mengfei were taken aback.

Jian Yao awkwardly waved her hand at them. “Sorry, sorry.”

When Lu Zhen saw Jian Yao, his face changed slightly, and he instinctively chased after her, grabbing her arm.

“Let me explain.”

“Hey, hey, hey!”

Jian Yao quickly swatted away Lu Zhen’s hand that was pulling at her. “What are you explaining? It has nothing to do with me.”

“It’s not what you think!”

“I didn’t think anything! Don’t say things that could be misunderstood!”

It felt like something straight out of a TV drama, and she got goosebumps all over.

Jian Yao didn’t want to get involved in other people’s relationships. She knew just how strong girls’ jealousy could be.

Lu Zhen would be leaving in a few days, and Shu Mengfei would still be around. Jian Yao didn’t want to have a new, looming rival in her life, especially someone who she had to face regularly.

“Let go, let go.”

She pulled Lu Zhen’s hand away and lowered her voice. “If you like her, just agree to it. If you don’t, reject her decisively. But either way, don’t drag me into this!”

Sure enough, Shu Mengfei’s gaze toward Jian Yao turned resentful.

She hadn’t forgotten the last time when Jian Yao brought Lu Yan into the choir, causing her to miss her chance to play the piano on stage.

Now, with both old and new grievances, Shu Mengfei had clearly marked Jian Yao as her number one enemy.

Seeing that Jian Yao didn’t want to be involved, Lu Zhen let go of her. “Sorry.”

Jian Yao finally felt free and turned to leave.

But at that moment, Shu Mengfei suddenly said, “Lu Zhen, so you know Jian Yao? What a coincidence, she’s also one of my good friends.”

Jian Yao’s steps faltered slightly.

Shu Mengfei continued, “We used to live in the same building when we were little, even longer than you’ve known her.”

Jian Yao suddenly turned around and shot a sharp, cold glance at Shu Mengfei.

Shu Mengfei revealed a smug smile, glancing at Jian Yao’s tall, long legs.

She knew that Lu Zhen was a huge leg fan. Obviously, it was Jian Yao’s tall, slender figure and well-proportioned long legs that had caught his attention.

Jian Yao’s expression darkened, and even Lu Yan, who had been watching the scene, sensed the subtle shift in the atmosphere.

“Lu Zhen, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Jian Yao never wears shorts or skirts! Do you know why?”

“You dare say that?” Jian Yao suddenly exploded. “Say one more word, and see what happens!”

“Aiya, why are you so fierce? It’s not a secret, everyone in the neighborhood knows.”

Shu Mengfei feigned innocence. “Hey, Lu Zhen, such a big thing, you didn’t know?”

Lu Zhen blinked, surprised. “What?”

“Her legs…”

Jian Yao angrily picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at Shu Mengfei’s feet.

“Don’t say it!”

Shu Mengfei jumped in shock. “Why are you being so violent! It’s not a secret, everyone knows.”

Everyone knew, but Lu Zhen didn’t. Jian Yao had never told him.

Lu Yan looked at Jian Yao’s legs and suddenly remembered. She had never seen Jian Yao wear shorts. Such beautiful legs, but she never wore them.

Moreover, no matter the season, she always wore long pants and small leather shoes. She didn’t even wear sandals.

Shu Mengfei saw she had hit a sore spot and a satisfied glint appeared in her eyes.

“Lu Zhen, her legs…”

“Shut up.”

It was Lu Zhen who spoke.

For the first time, his gaze toward Shu Mengfei shifted, growing cold, even filled with disgust.

“Don’t you know? You’re really getting annoying.”

Lu Zhen had never looked at her with such a gaze or spoken to her in such a harsh tone.

Although his personality was a bit impulsive, he had always been polite and gentle toward girls. Even when they broke up in the past, he never spoke to her with such distaste.

Shu Mengfei’s eyes immediately reddened.

She still didn’t want to give up and said, “Lu Zhen, she actually…”

“Get lost!”

Lu Zhen finally snapped, his anger fully unleashed, his eyes shooting cold, murderous glares. “I don’t want to see you.”

At that moment, Shu Mengfei finally realized that everything she was doing was nothing but self-humiliation.

Lu Zhen had completely stopped liking her.

She glared at Jian Yao resentfully, her eyes red, unwillingly leaving.

In that instant, Lu Yan’s heart nearly exploded.

Seeing her dad standing up for her mom like that? It was seriously so cool!

After Shu Mengfei left, the surroundings finally quieted down.

Lu Zhen handed the lemon tea to Jian Yao, saying, “You still have evening self-study, right?”

“Mm.”

“Alright, you and Little Yan should go eat now, don’t delay.”

He turned to leave, but Jian Yao suddenly asked, “Aren’t you curious about what Shu Mengfei just said? Aren’t you going to ask me?”

Lu Zhen stopped in his tracks, then turned back, giving her a playful look with his peach blossom eyes and a bright smile. “Curious, of course. I’m curious about everything about you, but…”

He tilted his head slightly and said, “When you’re ready to tell me, you’ll naturally tell me.”

“What if I never tell you?”

“Then that’s fine. If we have a lifetime together, that would still be beautiful.”

Jian Yao lowered her head, staring at her white shoes, gripping the hem of her pants tightly.

“Lu Zhen, if one day you find out that I’m not the person you think I am, will you be disappointed?”

She bit her lip. “You’re all the same.”

Just like her ex-boyfriend—

A boy who was very gentle with people, who had a sweet dimple when he smiled, warm and caring. They were in that kind of relationship where they promised to always be together.

Jian Yao could never forget that when she thought she had found her one true love, and nervously showed him her secrets, the fear that appeared in his eyes, and the disgust he tried so hard to hide.

Since then, Jian Yao never trusted anyone again. She wrapped up her true self, hiding it away.

No boy would like her like that. Boys liked beautiful girls, with perfect figures, with no flaws.

“If I tell you, you’ll hate me too.”

No one was an exception. Lu Zhen was no exception.

She turned to leave, but Lu Zhen, hands in his pockets, casually said, “How would you know if you don’t try?”

“No need to try, I just know. You’re all the same.”

At that moment, her delicate wrist was suddenly gripped tightly by a large hand. She turned in surprise, meeting the determined black eyes of the boy.

“I’m not like anyone else. I’m Lu Zhen.”

Jian Yao smiled bitterly. “You’re Lu Zhen, so what?”

“Whether you believe it or not, Lu Zhen and Jian Yao are destined to have their names on a marriage certificate.”

Jian Yao’s expression finally changed slightly. Even Lu Yan, watching from the side, was moved by Lu Zhen’s words.

Her dad was really good with sweet talk!

However, before Lu Yan could applaud for Lu Zhen, her dad added something that completely killed the mood. “Not just the marriage certificate, but also the property deed, the only child certificate, and…”

Finally, Jian Yao couldn’t help but smile lightly. “You’re not going to say our names are on the divorce certificate too, are you?”

“That’s not possible,” Lu Zhen immediately rejected. “Divorce? That’s never going to happen in this lifetime.”

“Don’t speak too quickly. Be careful, or you’ll bite your tongue.”

“I’m not afraid of biting my tongue. If I, Lu Zhen, marry, it’s for life. Besides, if we divorce, I’d have to split half of my assets.”

Lu Yan walked over, holding her forehead, and dragged Jian Yao away. “Let’s eat. Don’t listen to him.”

It was hard enough for the sister to show any interest in him, and Lu Yan was really afraid this fool would ruin everything by talking too much.

In the evening, Lu Zhen and Liang Ting were at a riverside food stall, giving Qin Hao, who was about to start school, a send-off. Qin Hao had been accepted into a police academy, so he would report there soon, even before the summer vacation was over.

Lu Zhen and Liang Ting raised their glasses at the same time and toasted him. “Sir Qin, you’ve entered the police academy. Train hard, and in the future, throw your head and blood into protecting the country!”

“Cheers!”

Qin Hao raised his glass. “Then I wish you both the best, work hard, and make big money in the future!”

“Cheers!”

People at the neighboring table turned around, sneaking glances at them, thinking they were just a bunch of poor losers dreaming of getting rich.

Indeed, who would have guessed that a few rich second-generation kids were actually thinking about how to break away from their families and make their first bucket of gold on their own.

It was mainly because of Shen Kuo’s influence.

They had been competing with Shen Kuo for so many years. In a way, it was fate.

If they hadn’t had such a competitor, pushing them at all times, they might have turned out like those silly rich second-generation kids, only thinking about partying and wasting money.

So now, when Lu Zhen looked back on this journey, he couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental. Of course, everything Shen Kuo had done was for revenge, but in a way, Shen Kuo had also helped him.

The three brothers had drunk a bit, supporting each other as they walked out of the food stall, still not fully satisfied with the meal. Lu Zhen said he’d treat them to barbecue.

They arrived at a barbecue stand.

“Pick something to eat, anything you like.”
Lu Zhen looked up and saw the person grilling the barbecue—it was Zhong Kai.

Zhong Kai, wearing a white apron, was busy grilling, and his business seemed to be going quite well.

“What would you like to eat?”

When he saw Lu Zhen, his face changed, and he immediately put down the skewers and started running. Lu Zhen saw him running and quickly gave chase.

Liang Ting and Qin Hao also immediately followed, and the group of young men started a “cat-and-mouse” chase on the street.

Lu Zhen was faster and caught up to Zhong Kai, grabbing his shoulder, nearly throwing him to the ground.

“Why the hell are you running from me?”

Lu Zhen gripped the back of his collar, panting heavily, and asked, “Why the hell are you running?”

“Of course, I’m running because you’re chasing me!”

“Stop talking nonsense, you were the one who started running first!”

Zhong Kai slapped Lu Zhen’s hand away, bent over to catch his breath for a moment, and then said, “You three, and me alone, I can’t win.”

Liang Ting caught up and said, “Who said anything about fighting?”

Lu Zhen hadn’t actually planned to pick a fight with Zhong Kai, but since they had run into each other, he couldn’t let it go so easily.

He glanced at Liang Ting, who gave him a look in return.

Lu Zhen had a plan in mind, released his grip on Zhong Kai, and then threw his arm around Zhong Kai’s shoulders, saying, “Fate brought us together, brother, let’s go to the river and have a drink.”

“I—I can’t drink, I still need to run my stall.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. We’ll have Brother Hao help keep an eye on your stall.”

“It’s not my stall, the city inspectors will be here soon.”

“Don’t worry, ^[2]“sir” is used as a form of respectful address, likely referring to a position of authority. Brother Hao’s a sir. He’s got your back.”

Qin Hao, slightly speechless, said, “Hey, what are you guys up to? Are you really going to have me watch the stall?”

Liang Ting shot him a look, signaling him to just stay there.

The two boys successfully coaxed Zhong Kai into the food stall. After three drinks, Zhong Kai, who couldn’t handle alcohol well, drunkenly patted Lu Zhen’s shoulder, saying, “Brother, actually, we don’t have any deep grudges, right? But Shen Kuo is my brother too, we grew up together. You and him have unresolved issues, so of course, our relationship is a bit awkward.”

“And this brother, Liang Ting, I’ve heard a lot about you. I know you’re a talent. Brother Shen has said that if you hadn’t helped Lu Zhen all these years, he would’ve been dead by now.”

Lu Zhen’s lips twitched, and Liang Ting nodded with a smile. “Yeah, drink some more.”

Saying that, he poured another drink into Zhong Kai’s glass.

When it seemed like the time was right, Lu Zhen and Liang Ting exchanged glances, and Lu Zhen said, “Zhong Kai, our Little Yan has mentioned you. She says you’ve been taking good care of her.”

“Of course, she’s a good girl. Burp~“

Zhong Kai let out a burp, and Liang Ting quickly turned his head, waving his hand to dismiss the smell.

Lu Zhen, no longer bothered by Zhong Kai’s state, focused entirely on his plan. “Lately, my girl’s been very upset, you know why, right?”

Zhong Kai sighed. “This is one of those things that can’t really be blamed on Shen Kuo.”

Lu Zhen and Liang Ting both perked up, and Lu Zhen casually poured another drink for Zhong Kai. “I understand, after all, Shen Kuo’s father… Anyway, let’s not talk about that, let’s drink!”

Zhong Kai sighed. “You know, actually, he really cares about Little Yan. He was originally going to hide this matter about his father from everyone, including you, Lu Zhen.”

Lu Zhen immediately asked, “What do you mean?”

“Fate plays tricks, and Little Yan ends up finding out. Shen Kuo is a proud person, always wanting to be strong. He wouldn’t want Little Yan to spend her life feeling guilty about his father’s death.”

Lu Zhen and Liang Ting were both stunned, completely not expecting to hear such a backstory from their casual questioning.

“If Shen Kuo’s father hadn’t passed away, this wouldn’t have happened. But fate… sigh…”

Lu Zhen could understand Shen Kuo’s feelings. His daughter was a loyal and caring person. If she thought she had caused the death of Shen Kuo’s father, she would carry that guilt for her entire life.

Lu Zhen stood up, his face serious, and walked out of the food stall.

Raindrops began to fall from the sky as Liang Ting immediately ran out after him. “What are you going to do?”

Lu Zhen rushed into the rain, striding toward the end of the street. “Did you not see? Our girl has been losing weight these past few days.”

If others didn’t care, as her father, he did.

Liang Ting grabbed his shoulder. “Think carefully. Are you really going to tell Lu Yan about this? Shen Kuo has been working so hard to protect her. Do you really want Lu Yan to carry this burden of guilt for the rest of her life?”

Lu Zhen’s hand, which was hanging by his side, suddenly clenched into a fist.

He lowered his head, biting his tongue tightly.

It shouldn’t be her. This burden, it should be him.
His daughter, the most cherished treasure of his life, should always live under the bright sun, beautiful and free.

Liang Ting grabbed Lu Zhen’s arm and advised, “She’s a strong girl. She’ll get through this. After the storm, there will be a vast, open sky waiting for her.”

“Vast, open sky…”

Lu Zhen muttered the words “vast, open sky” to himself, then said, “Little Yan once told me that I was too authoritarian and ruined her dreams.”

Liang Ting looked at Lu Zhen, and at that moment, the deep light in his eyes made him seem somewhat unfamiliar.

Raindrops fell into his hair, and he said, “I promised her that I’d give her the freedom to choose. I would never be that kind of father who says, ‘I’m doing this for your own good.’“