Chapter 57

In June, after finishing her last exam, Lu Yan walked out of the classroom.

She gazed at the setting sun, which was burning the remaining clouds and dyeing the sky a faint blood-red as dusk descended.

Having experienced the college entrance exam twice, her mindset was completely different this time.

She still remembered the day her exams ended in her past life. She and a few wild friends drove luxury cars, cruising around with the top down, shouting and screaming as if no one else existed, so high that they could almost touch the sky.

Back then, Lu Yan didn’t care about the results, nor did she care about the future. She felt that she could do whatever she wanted, and it didn’t matter.

Because Lu Zhen was always there behind her as her strongest support, she didn’t need to worry about the future at all.

At that time, she never imagined that one day, Lu Zhen would go bankrupt.

At this moment, her mindset was completely different.

Having been reborn, she no longer blindly relied on Lu Zhen, but rather they were growing together, facing whatever challenges the future might hold.

Lu Yan had to make herself stronger in order to protect the people she loved.

When it came time to fill out her college application, Lu Yan didn’t hesitate. She and Jian Yao applied to the same university—Nancheng Media University.

Her choice shocked everyone, including Ye Jiaqi, Lu Zhen, and Liang Ting. All three of them had been eagerly hoping that Lu Yan would apply to Q University. After checking the scores, the three men gathered every day in front of Lu Zhen’s computer, helping Lu Yan look up all the majors offered by Q University.

When they saw that Lu Yan had received her acceptance letter from Nancheng Media University, they were all stunned.

There was no doubt that their purpose in applying to Q University was the same—because Lu Yan had once firmly promised to go to Q University.

But in the end, she had let them down.

Lu Zhen was fine with it, but Ye Jiaqi and Liang Ting both felt bitter. On the surface, they pretended it didn’t bother them.

Fortunately, Nancheng Media University was right across from Q University, just separated by a wall. The two universities were so close that they might as well have been one if the wall were torn down.

Lu Yan didn’t apply to Q University because it was a science and engineering university that focused on electronics and technology, an area she knew nothing about.

Meng Zhining had warned her that she should never lose herself for the sake of love.

Lu Yan always kept Meng Zhining’s words in mind. She couldn’t rely on clinging to the person she liked to keep him by her side for life. Only by making herself better could she truly deserve the boy who was always striving.

After careful consideration, Lu Yan chose Nancheng Media University. She wanted to follow the path of an art student and fulfill the wish she hadn’t been able to accomplish in her past life.

Shen Kuo wasn’t particularly surprised.

On the night of New Year’s Eve, he had asked Lu Yan if she was confident about getting into Q University. Lu Yan hesitated for a moment before changing the subject.

At that point, Shen Kuo already had a sense of what was going on.

Lu Yan probably wouldn’t attend the same school as him.

Shen Kuo was quicker than anyone else to accept Lu Yan’s decision, and he supported her without hesitation.

Of course, there was another important reason why Lu Yan applied to Nancheng Media University: Jian Yao.

Jian Yao’s death had been a long-standing, unresolved sorrow in Lu Yan’s heart. She didn’t even dare mention it to Lu Zhen… In the near future, Jian Yao would have an accident.

Lu Yan wanted to stay by Jian Yao’s side, and no matter what, she had to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and help her through the crisis.

At the end of August, Lu Yan and Jian Yao traveled south together to the long-awaited Nancheng.

The camphor trees lining the streets of Nancheng shaded the sun, lush and green, and even in the height of summer, the air felt cool.

Nancheng Media University and Q University were just separated by a wall, and the difference between the two could already be seen at the start of the school year.

At the entrance of Q University, nearly all the students coming and going wore glasses, while at the entrance of Media University, the scene was lively with good-looking young men and women. Even a few casual girls walking by together made for a stunning sight.

The atmosphere of the welcome event was also completely different. At Q University, the boys were quiet and reserved, not very talkative, politely carrying their luggage into the school.

At Media University, the welcome event was a lively affair, with various clubs setting up booths, singing and dancing at the school entrance, creating a vibrant, youthful atmosphere filled with cheers and excitement.

The contrast between the flamboyance of the arts and the seriousness of engineering was evident in the two neighboring universities.

Lu Yan and Jian Yao, carrying their large and small bags of luggage, stood at the entrance of Media University. After just two minutes, Lu Zhen ran out from Q University’s entrance, hurriedly crossed the street, and came up to them.

“Sorry for the wait. Let me help you with your luggage. Where’s the dormitory building?”

Lu Yan was about to speak, but Lu Zhen directly took Jian Yao’s suitcase and said, “Let’s go, Yaoyao. I’ll take you to the dorm.”

Jian Yao turned around and glanced at the pitiful Lu Yan. “What about Little Yan?”

“Don’t worry about her. The student council will send someone to help with the luggage.”

After saying this, Lu Zhen turned to give Lu Yan a glance and, without hesitation, snatched the umbrella from her hand and opened it for Jian Yao. “Don’t get sunburned in this heat.”

Jian Yao smiled helplessly. “Little Yan, we’ll head over first.”

Lu Yan: ……….

She deeply felt that she might not be her biological child.

She stood in place for a few minutes, and soon, a senior volunteer came over, offering to help carry Lu Yan’s suitcase.

Even in a place like Media University, where handsome guys and beautiful girls gathered, Lu Yan’s appearance definitely stood out and could catch anyone’s attention in a crowd.

Lu Yan glanced around, thinking that Lu Zhen might not return so soon. His mind and eyes were completely focused on Jian Yao. He had already carried her luggage back, and he would probably end up cleaning the dorm, mopping the floor, making the bed, and folding the blankets.

“Well, thank you, I’m in Dormitory 3 for girls.”

The helpful senior appeared tall and slim, with a good figure, handsome looks, and a great sense of style.

After all, Nancheng Media University was known as “the cradle of half the entertainment industry,” and it wouldn’t be surprising if any random passerby had a background in child stardom. It was definitely not a place to underestimate anyone.

Lu Yan’s black suitcase was the largest size, so the tall senior couldn’t pick it up with just one hand. This time, he failed to lift it.

After all, the suitcase was packed with the spring, summer, autumn, and winter clothes that Meng Zhining had prepared for her, along with various skincare products in bottles and jars.

The senior probably felt embarrassed, so he grabbed the suitcase’s handles with both hands and struggled to move it for two steps…

But after only two steps, he put the suitcase down, his face turning bright red.

“It’s so heavy, I… I’ll find you a cart.”

“Hmm…”

Lu Yan also felt a bit embarrassed.

As a pampered and refined girl, she had packed way too many things. It had taken her two whole days just to organize everything she might need. Besides this large suitcase, Lu Jian also sent her two packages of items by express mail.

While the senior was looking for a cart, a familiar figure walked over.

Before Lu Yan could react, Shen Kuo picked up her suitcase and also grabbed a few bags from the ground, along with her backpack from her shoulders.

Lu Yan and the tall senior exchanged a glance, both stunned.

Shen Kuo walked briskly. When he noticed Lu Yan hadn’t caught up, he turned back to glance at her, “Let’s go.”

Lu Yan quickly thanked the senior and then took a few quick steps to catch up with Shen Kuo.

“Where’s the dorm?” he asked calmly.

“Dorm 3 for girls. I’m not really sure. Wait, I’ll go ask.”

After asking a classmate nearby, Lu Yan came back and said, “Just keep walking straight down this road, and you’ll reach the end.”

Shen Kuo gave a soft “mm” and continued walking forward with the luggage.

Lu Yan walked beside him, occasionally stealing glances at him.

He was wearing a crisp white shirt paired with black pants. The collar of the shirt was unbuttoned by two buttons, revealing his long and graceful neck.

His hair seemed to have grown a bit longer, with a few strands of bangs hanging over his forehead. Sweat beads had formed on his forehead, and his cheeks were slightly flushed.

“Aren’t you tired?” she asked with concern. “Let me carry the bag. I’ll take it.”

Shen Kuo breathed evenly and said, “It’s nothing.”

Thinking about the tall senior who could barely walk two steps before giving up, Lu Yan felt like Shen Kuo was just showing off.

“My suitcase is really heavy, you know. It’s packed with so many things, at least thirty kilograms.”

Shen Kuo lowered his gaze and glanced at her, saying, “It’s nothing. I’ve carried things heavier than this.”

Seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, Lu Yan sincerely complimented him, “Uncle Shen, you’re amazing.”

Shen Kuo smiled faintly. Men like hearing women say they’re impressive, especially from the woman they love.

“Uncle Shen, you’re so strong. I guess I shouldn’t try to fight you in the future.”

“Hmm?”

“Would you hit me?”

Shen Kuo didn’t hesitate to answer, “I don’t hit my own woman.”

“Eh?” Lu Yan had only been joking and flirting with him, but she didn’t expect him to respond so seriously.

Her face suddenly flushed.

His woman…

She found a loophole in his words and asked, “So, Uncle Shen, does that mean if I’m not your woman, it wouldn’t matter?”

Shen Kuo casually replied, “There’s also a premise.”

“What premise?”

“If someone bullies my woman, I won’t be polite, regardless of whether they’re a man or a woman.”

“Mm…”

Lu Yan’s ears turned red.

She had never noticed before that this guy was so good at throwing out sweet talk.

The two of them had almost crossed half of the campus and finally found the building for the girls’ dormitory on the third floor. Shen Kuo set the suitcase down and stretched his arms a little.

Lu Yan suddenly remembered something. She took out the handle of the suitcase and said to Shen Kuo, “Why didn’t you just pull the suitcase?”

Shen Kuo looked at her with a resentful expression. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Then why didn’t you know the suitcase could be pulled?”

Shen Kuo: …

After a couple of exchanges, he didn’t continue the banter. Lu Yan was the type to get more energized the more she argued, and he was sure she could keep going for hours, especially on something like “Why didn’t you know the suitcase could be pulled?”

He reached out and ruffled her head, as a sort of punishment, and hung her backpack on her shoulders.

Lu Yan’s dorm was on the fifth floor. Shen Kuo carried the suitcase straight up without pausing for a breath, and many girls passing by couldn’t help but glance at him.

Even at a school like Media University, with so many handsome guys and beautiful girls, a man like Shen Kuo, with both looks and charisma, was still eye-catching.

The dorm was empty, and it seemed like her roommates hadn’t moved in yet. Shen Kuo put the suitcase down, walked around the room, and then went out to the balcony to wash the mop, preparing to clean.

Lu Yan found it a little strange. Since she was sharing the room with Jian Yao, Jian Yao should have arrived before her.

Could it be that Lu Zhen, that idiot, got lost on campus?

Lu Yan called Jian Yao, but after two seconds, the call ended.

Huh?

She then tried calling Lu Zhen. This time, the call was disconnected after just one second, and his phone was turned off.

“Ugh… What are those two doing?”

Lu Yan’s mind was filled with unsettling thoughts, and the more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

Shen Kuo had already started mopping the floor.

“Lu Yan, pick a bed.”

Seeing her dazed, Shen Kuo waved his hand in front of her eyes, “Lu Yan…”

Lu Yan grabbed Shen Kuo’s hand and mysteriously said, “Kuokuo, I think Lu Zhen and Jian Yao are up to no good.”

Shen Kuo was taken aback for a moment. “What did you say?”

“I said…” She wrapped her arms around his and leaned closer to his ear. “They might… be secretly up to something.”

“No, the first part,” he clarified.

“What part?”

“You called me… Kuokuo.”

By some strange force, Shen Kuo’s earlobes turned red.

“If you don’t like it, I can just call you by your name.”

“No…”

He liked it.

At that moment, Shen Kuo really did feel a bit shy. He turned around and continued mopping the floor, muttering, “Don’t overthink it.”

“Really, really, they both ignored the calls. What do you think they’re doing?”

“I don’t know.”

“They’re definitely…” Lu Yan walked up to him, grinning mischievously, raising her eyebrows, and said in a low voice, “They’re definitely doing that!”

“Doing what?”

Lu Yan’s smile widened. She stood on tiptoe, whispering, “They’re definitely… ‘putting on lipstick!’“

Shen Kuo lowered his gaze and saw her lips, so close, pink and smooth like cherry blossoms.

“Oh,” he tossed the mop aside, pressed her head gently, and lifted her chin before kissing her lips passionately.

Lu Yan, caught off guard, was pressed up against the wall…

The kiss was awkward and clumsy, driven more by instinct than skill, and a little frantic.

In the sweltering summer heat, both of them felt their faces flush, their breaths quickening… After a full ten minutes, Shen Kuo finally pulled away. She took two steps back, biting her lip.

“Could you… could you at least give me some warning next time? Don’t just… do that suddenly.”

Shen Kuo looked at her slightly swollen lips and grinned. “You said it yourself, ‘putting on lipstick.‘”

“I said Lu Zhen! I didn’t say we were… we were going to do that,” the little girl’s voice was so faint it was almost a whisper, and she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Shen Kuo walked closer to her, and Lu Yan could clearly feel the pressure of his presence, his body heat radiating intensely…

His hand gently brushed a lock of hair away from her temple, as soft as gauze.

“Lu Yan, you still look so young.”

Lu Yan looked at him in confusion. In his dark eyes, there was an indescribable depth, deep and profound.

Lu Yan weakly retorted, “Who’s young?”

Shen Kuo’s hand threaded through her hair and gently pressed the back of her head. He spoke slowly, “Maybe it’s true. I used to think you were young, afraid to do many things, always waiting for you to grow up, but you never seem to grow up.”

Lu Yan looked up at him, blinking, and asked, “What do you want to do?”

After asking, she immediately wanted to slap herself.

How stupid!

His intentions were so obvious, yet she still asked.

Shen Kuo leaned closer to her, his nose lightly grazing her cheek. “I’ll tell you later.”

–

So smooth.

Lu Yan watched him busy cleaning and honestly thought he was too smooth. Shen Kuo’s way with women was just as crafty as his methods when he sought revenge on Lu Zhen. If anything, it was even more refined.

Otherwise, how could she be so unable to stop thinking about him?

She leaned against the balcony railing, letting the breeze blow through her hair, her gaze following Shen Kuo’s movements, but she didn’t offer to help.

Let him get some exercise and release some of his energy so he wouldn’t use it all on her, his mind full of thoughts about kissing her lips.

Shen Kuo wiped the sweat from his forehead and leaned on the mop, glancing at her. “You really are a young lady.”

Lu Yan raised her chin. “Of course. My dad never makes me do these chores.”

Shen Kuo shrugged, agreeing.

He wasn’t like many men with traditional chauvinistic attitudes, demanding that girls do this or that. He also knew that girls, especially Lu Yan, were slower with their hands, and by the time she’d have spent chatting with him, he would have already finished the work.

“Your dad spoils you.”

“Of course,” Lu Yan said without any embarrassment. “I’m my dad’s little treasure.”

“Then I’m your little treasure too.”

He said this with complete seriousness, and Lu Yan was stunned.

Oh my, is this something Shen Kuo would actually say? Shen Kuo wants to be her… little treasure???

Lu Yan took a moment to process the shock and finally walked over, snatched the mop from his hand, and muttered, “I’ll help you.”

Shen Kuo gave a faint smile. “Why?”

Lu Yan, blushing, replied, “You’re… my little treasure now, how could I just stand by and watch?”