With Lu Qing cooking all the meals, carrying him through games when needed, cleaners coming by regularly, and the occasional trip back to the old home for a family dinner—Yu Li had been living the dream during the days before school started.

Half a month under the same roof, and somehow, he and Lu Qing had gotten real close, real fast. So close that Yu Li could now tolerate Lu Qing walking into his room every day without knocking just to drag him out of bed for meals.

Click.

The sound of the door handle turning was so familiar by now that Yu Li, still nestled in bed, instinctively ducked his head under the covers and curled into a ball—clearly refusing to acknowledge the cruel concept of waking up.

Lu Qing wasn’t fazed at all. He flicked on the little lamp beside the bed and strode into the bathroom like clockwork. While squeezing toothpaste onto the brush, he called out, “Young Master, lunch is ready. You’ve gotta go check in at Jiang University after you eat.”

No reply. Just sleepy, groggy silence.

He’d been dragging Lu Qing into late-night gaming sessions lately, and the addiction was real. Last night, he couldn’t sleep and ended up playing a few more rounds, finally going to bed at like 3 or 4 AM. Now? He was a miserable mess of sleepy whimpers.

Lu Qing finished prepping the toothbrush and glanced over—still no movement from the bed lump. With a sigh that was half amused, half resigned, he made his way over.

Yu Li had claimed he wanted to fix his sleep schedule. He’d even started a week early for practice. But every morning since, Lu Qing had to stand beside the bed and coax him up like a professional toddler wrangler.

Waking the Little Young Master usually meant getting to see that adorably sleepy face, sometimes even earning a few light slaps on the leg when he pushed too hard.

As he sat on the edge of the bed, Lu Qing subtly scooted his thigh forward—just enough to be within reach in case Yu Li decided to start swatting again. Holding back a grin, he gently reminded, “You said you’d get up at ten. It’s already eleven-thirty.”

“If you’re really tired, you can nap after check-in. I’ve already got your clothes and toothbrush ready.”

“…”

The blanket bump was silent for a while, then muttered grumpily, “That was my second personality talking. Doesn’t count.”

Honestly, Yu Li could say anything if it meant more sleep.

Lu Qing pretended not to hear and leaned down, chanting softly like a spell, “Time to get up… time to get up… time to get up…”

It was like a cursed loop, spiraling right into Yu Li’s ears.

And then—fwomp! The blanket was flung off, and there he was, hair a complete mess and face full of fury. He looked just like a cat whose tail had been yanked. Without hesitation, he swatted hard at Lu Qing’s leg.

Smack! The crisp sound echoed in the room.

Yu Li glared murderously at Lu Qing, then stormed off in his slippers to the bathroom, slamming the door so loud it shook the walls.

Once he was gone, Lu Qing stood up, rubbed his freshly smacked thigh, and started humming cheerfully. He casually grabbed the blanket corners and gave it a practiced shake.

Moments later, a neat little tofu-block bed appeared in perfect pastel blue.

Yu Li eventually shuffled out in fresh clothes. One glance at the perfectly made bed and the man waiting dutifully nearby, and most of his wake-up grumpiness disappeared.

When he came out, Lu Qing stepped up to meet him. Seeing the man’s perfectly calm face—no sign of resentment at all—Yu Li suddenly asked as they headed downstairs, “Why don’t you ever get mad when I hit you?”

He knew he was kind of a brat sometimes. He told Lu Qing to wake him, and when Lu Qing actually did, he got yelled at and smacked in return. Any normal person would be at least a little salty. Maybe curse him in their head. Complain about him to someone.

But Lu Qing? Nothing. If anything, he looked weirdly fine with it. Like… a little too fine with it.

Was this tall, 6’3” guy secretly a masochist??

He waited for a reply. Lu Qing, walking behind him, only made a confused little “Huh?”

Yu Li stopped and turned around. “Huh what?”

Lu Qing looked blank. “When did you hit me?”

Yu Li opened his mouth, then paused. “Just now? When you came to wake me up—?”

“Oh, that,” Lu Qing said casually, like it was nothing. “Nah, not mad.”

Yu Li perked up. “Why not?”

Something flickered in Lu Qing’s eyes—like he was replaying the scene in his head. His dark eyes reflected the young master’s curious expression, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “That wasn’t a hit…”

It was more like a kitten pawing at a scratching post.

Not that he could say that out loud. The little master would definitely explode.

Under Yu Li’s gaze, Lu Qing’s brows softened, a smile tugging at his lips, voice filled with that mellow confidence of his: “If the Young Master wants to hit me, it’s my honor. You can go harder next time if you want. A few more hits won’t hurt.”

It was just supposed to be a polite way to ease his doubts, but he hadn’t quite reined in his expression—and now it sounded more like a suggestion.

Yu Li: “……”

Yu Li: “……You?”

Lu Qing: “Hm?”

Yu Li swallowed the line “You’re seriously a masochist, aren’t you?” and instead said, “Never mind…”

Lu Qing: “???”

Did I… say something wrong again?

⸻

Lunch was the usual four dishes and a soup. The cleanup was left to the dishwasher.

Lu Qing took the already-packed large suitcase, stuffed it into the backseat of the Maybach, held Yu Li’s enrollment documents in one hand, and slung a black backpack over his shoulder. Once everything was ready, he climbed into the car.

Yu Li didn’t bring anything. He just curled up in the passenger seat and waited for Lu Qing to start driving.

The Maybach glided out of the villa gates, and the iron gate automatically closed behind them.

Yu Xiangguo had specifically bought Epiphyllum Mansion for Yu Li so he could live close to Jiang University. The drive was barely five minutes before the university’s main gate came into view.

Today was freshman registration day. The school entrance was packed with students and parents. Outside vehicles weren’t allowed on campus, so Lu Qing parked by a flowerbed and grabbed the suitcase and document folder.

Even walking through the crowd, the two of them stood out immediately. People were sneaking glances left and right—some amazed, some curious.

But the two at the center of it all didn’t even blink at the attention, chatting casually as they walked.

“I’ll hold this, you hold the umbrella,” Yu Li said, taking the file folder from Lu Qing and scooting a little closer to him—partially to stick near the shade.

Lu Qing paused, then pulled a large umbrella from his backpack.

The thing was huge—definitely bigger than a regular umbrella, and probably heavy too. But Lu Qing held it effortlessly, shielding Yu Li completely from the blazing sun.

The heat eased instantly. Yu Li felt so much better. He’d applied sunscreen before leaving, but if he had to walk to the dorms in full sun, it would’ve been for nothing.

He walked comfortably under the umbrella, head down, texting Pei Yu (who was already inside waiting), completely trusting Lu Qing to lead the way. But after a while, he noticed Lu Qing had stopped walking.

He was just about to ask what was wrong when—

“Xiao Li! You’re finally here! Why didn’t you reply to my messages?!”

Ugh. That voice.

He glanced at the still-lit screen, deliberately ignored the unread messages, and locked his phone before looking up.

It was Xu Baicheng. They hadn’t seen each other since his coming-of-age ceremony. Xu Baicheng had clearly been waiting here, hoping to greet him. Since his messages were all ignored, he must’ve just camped out here, figuring he’d show up eventually.

And of course, the first thing he noticed was Lu Qing, tall and striking, holding an umbrella like a walking ad.

Then he saw Yu Li.

“Xiao Li, which dorm are you in? I’ll walk you there—it’s easy to get lost on campus.”

Xu Baicheng was all smiles, chatty as ever. “I was gonna go to your house and help you carry your bags, but you didn’t answer me, and I didn’t know your address, so I figured I’d wait here.”

Yu Li ignored most of that and gave a half-hearted reply, “Message didn’t come through. Didn’t see it.”

“It’s fine, no worries.” Xu Baicheng waved it off. Then, turning to the walking fridge that was Lu Qing, he reached out. “Here, I’ll take the suitcase for Xiao Li—”

Lu Qing calmly shifted the suitcase out of reach, giving Xu Baicheng’s fake gym body a look that screamed you’ll pull a muscle. “No need. Don’t throw your back out.”

“…”

Rejected, Xu Baicheng tried again—this time reaching for the umbrella.

As expected, Lu Qing avoided it without missing a beat.

Xu Baicheng clicked his tongue. “You’ve got your hands full. I’m just trying to help—why are you dodging?”

Lu Qing’s grip tightened. His knuckles whitened, veins popping.

If this weren’t a public place, if Yu Li weren’t standing right here, Xu Baicheng might’ve already been picking up his teeth.

He took a deep breath, said nothing, and looked at Yu Li.

It was hot. The crowd made it worse. And now this guy was blocking his path and making a scene. Yu Li was already annoyed.

And this time, he didn’t bother hiding it.

“Go back to your dorm.”

Xu Baicheng froze. “Xiao Li?”

“I’ve got Lu Qing. I don’t need you.” Yu Li gave Lu Qing’s arm a tap, signaling him to go around. As they walked, he muttered under his breath, “So annoying…”

He didn’t bother lowering his voice. Xu Baicheng heard everything.

Being told he was annoying by someone he liked? It hit like a truck.

Desperate, Xu Baicheng called out, “Xiao Li—”

The one being called didn’t look back.

But the tall man at his side did—just for a second. No expression, just a silent message mouthed without sound:

“He’s got me.”

“You better f* off.”**

Xu Baicheng: “…”

Xu Baicheng: “You motherfu—”

He never finished.

Because Yu Li turned around.

And the look on his face was pure disdain. “You were about to say what? Don’t think just ’cause Lu Qing doesn’t have status or power you can bully him. He’s my bodyguard.”

Xu Baicheng was stunned. “No—I mean, he just mouthed off at me!”

He looked back at Lu Qing, hoping to prove it.

But all he saw was the big guy suddenly looking… afraid. Head lowered, that massive 6’3” frame leaning into Yu Li, all quiet and pitiful.

Xu Baicheng: “What the f—”

Yu Li, face icy, marched into campus with Lu Qing. Not once did he look back.

Two chances—both ruined by that stupid bodyguard.

Xu Baicheng stood frozen, watching them walk off, stuck together like glue, rage bubbling in his chest.

“F***!!!!”