Chapter 79

The nickname ‘Young Master Yan’ only existed during Yan Mu’s elementary and junior high school years.

Back then, everyone around him was a second-generation rich kid from a similar background. They were still young, trapped in their childish fantasies. Calling him that felt domineering, so the name stuck. No one ever bothered to change it.

After he entered high school, Yan Mu slowly distanced himself from that circle. Aside from Qu Xiao and Wen Da, almost no one still called him that.

The boy who ran over was clearly thrilled to see Yan Mu. He dropped his luggage and pointed at himself frantically. “It really is Young Master Yan! It’s me, it’s me! Do you still remember me? I’m Du Zhe!”

Yan Mu recognized him and said, “Long time no see.”

“It really has been a long time! We haven’t seen each other since I went abroad, right? Three or four years, yeah? Isn’t that right?”

Du Zhe was trembling with excitement. Just as he was about to shake Yan Mu’s hand, Jiang Zhihuo suddenly reached out first, seizing the chance to grab his hand and shake it up and down. “Hello, hello! First time meeting. Are you Yan-ge‘s classmate?”

“Yeah, I was his classmate in junior school.” 

Jiang Zhihuo’s handshake was so enthusiastic that Du Zhe didn’t even realize he wasn’t holding Young Master Yan’s hand. He just followed along, shaking up and down. Only after replying did he suddenly sense something was wrong. This face looked unfamiliar. He asked, “And you are?”

Jiang Zhihuo gave a bright smile. “I’m Yan-ge’s boyfriend. Jiang Zhihuo.”

?

Boyfriend?

Du Zhe froze on the spot, stunned for a full three seconds before his expression returned to normal. Then he suddenly reacted. “Oh, oh, oh! Boyfriend! Nice to meet you, nice to meet you!”

After saying that, he turned to look at Yan Mu again, his eyes wide with surprise. “I totally didn’t expect Young Master Yan to actually like the same sex?”

“……”

It was hard to tell what that sentence meant. It didn’t sound like mockery, didn’t feel like congratulations, and didn’t come off as casual small talk either.

For a moment, Jiang Zhihuo had no idea how to respond.

He turned to look at Yan Mu, his eyes silently asking: Is this classmate of yours being sarcastic, or is he just socially clueless?

Yan Mu gave a slight shake of his head, meaning: He’s just a bit slow. He’s always been like that.

The two in front exchanged glances, silently communicating with their eyes, while Du Zhe looked left and right. Then he squeezed himself between Yan Mu and Jiang Zhihuo and asked, “What are you guys here for?”

“Seeing someone off,” Yan Mu replied.

Du Zhe glanced around. The airport was packed with people. He asked, “Who are you seeing off?”

“A friend,” Yan Mu said.

“Already through security?”

“Mhm.”

“Then…”

Yan-ge wasn’t the type to start a conversation on his own, and if Du Zhe kept trying to force small talk, the atmosphere would freeze. So Jiang Zhihuo stepped in and picked it up. “You were studying abroad?”

“Yeah.” Du Zhe pushed his luggage and walked with them toward the exit, letting out a sigh. “Sigh, my dad’s been sick lately, so the family called me back.”

Jiang Zhihuo asked, “What happened?”

“It was a project he was involved in recently. Something went wrong and caused a lot of panic.” Du Zhe paused midway, then added, “By the way, didn’t your dad also take part in that project, Young Master Yan? How’s your family doing?”

Yan Mu replied in a flat tone, “I don’t know.”

Those few words were emotionless, almost sounding cold.

It was obvious that Yan Mu didn’t want to continue the conversation.

But Du Zhe didn’t notice at all and kept talking nonstop beside him.

“If even you don’t know, Young Master Yan, then that must mean nothing serious happened, right?”

“Uncle Yan really is impressive after all.”

“I heard from my mom that there was a shortfall in the project funds, but the project was divided into sectors. I think my dad’s side was more affected. I’m not too sure though, I’ll have to ask more when I get home.”

Yan Mu: “………”

Du Zhe turned to Jiang Zhihuo again. “Hey, Zhihuo, have you heard of Young Master Yan’s dad? Yan Buwei, President Yan! I even call him Uncle Yan. He’s amazing, a real idol to all of us in the circle!”

“When the Qin family had their crisis back in the day, everyone told President Yan to stay out of it, but he wasn’t afraid at all. He lent them money to fill the hole, went into debt, and still managed to make a comeback.”

“My dad still nags me all the time, saying my grades are bad and I don’t study, and that I should learn from Uncle Yan.”

Off to the side, Yan Mu took a deep breath.

Jiang Zhihuo noticed that Yan Mu’s mood dropped several degrees the moment Yan Buwei was mentioned.

He quickly shifted the topic and brought up something at random. “It’s not a vacation yet, right? What about your classes abroad?”

Du Zhe said, “As long as I’ve earned enough credits, it’s fine. I don’t have to attend regular classes, just fly back once for final exams.”

Jiang Zhihuo casually edged Du Zhe to the outermost side and continued with the awkward small talk. “The college entrance system abroad is different from ours, right?”

“There are some differences. We have to take A-LEVEL exams in our second year of high school, and complete a two-year curriculum before entering university,” Du Zhe said. “But personally, I feel the pressure is a bit lighter than in China.”

“I remember when I was getting ready to go abroad, Uncle Yan was also planning to send Young Master Yan, right?” Du Zhe pushed his luggage and ran back over to Yan Mu’s side. He wasn’t very tall and had to tilt his head up to meet Yan Mu’s eyes. “Why didn’t you go, Young Master Yan? Uncle Yan’s decisions are never wrong. Going abroad for some polish and then coming back would’ve been great too.”

Jiang Zhihuo: “……”

Uncle Yan, Uncle Yan, Uncle Yan…

Jiang Zhihuo started to panic just hearing that. He had finally managed to change the topic—how did it circle back again?

This guy was beyond saving. Completely clueless.

Yan Mu didn’t show anything on his face, but Jiang Zhihuo could clearly feel that Yan-ge‘s emotions were already boiling underneath. Even when he was cold, he would at least give a ‘mhm’ in response—but this time, he didn’t say a single word, and his pace just kept getting faster.

Jiang Zhihuo grabbed Yan Mu’s hand and pulled him close, deliberately steering away from the main exit in another direction. “Friend, I’m going to the restroom. You go ahead, travel safe.”

Before Du Zhe could say another word, he dragged Yan Mu away on the spot and left through a different exit.

After getting in the car, Yan Mu rubbed his brow tiredly, then leaned against the window without saying anything.

Jiang Zhihuo didn’t ask why Yan Mu was upset.

It was clear that Yan Mu had gone cold the moment Yan Buwei was mentioned.

Their father-son relationship had never been good, not even since childhood.

They didn’t talk back then, much less now. There had never been any contact between them.

Having lived with Yan Mu since August, almost half a year now, Jiang Zhihuo had already figured out his temperament. Yan Mu rarely got truly angry or visibly upset, but this time it was apparent.

Yan Mu was never the type to take things out on others. When he was in a bad mood, he preferred to stay silent and calm down on his own. There was no need to ask anything—once he had sorted himself out, he would speak up on his own.

Just like now.

Even though Yan Mu kept silently staring out the window, he never let go of Jiang Zhihuo’s hand the entire time.

There were still classes in the afternoon.

To see Li Muhe off, the two of them had rushed to the airport right after class. They skipped lunch and didn’t even have time to rest. Jiang Zhihuo could only take a short nap in the car.

When Yan Mu turned his head, Jiang Zhihuo had already closed his eyes. He was resting quietly against the seat, his body leaning toward Yan Mu’s shoulder.

Yan Mu gently tightened his grip on their already interlocked fingers, then lifted their hands and placed a kiss on the back of Jiang Zhihuo’s.

Soft and reverent.

*

There were ten minutes left until school ended.

Wen Da and Qu Xiao, secretly playing on their phones under the desk, both received a message from Du Zhe, someone they hadn’t seen in a long time.

Du Zhe had always been a bit slow, silly but good-natured, and got along well with them. Back when he went abroad, it was the two of them who saw him off.

Du Zhe: Guys, I’m back!!

Du Zhe: I heard that Second Young Master Qu opened a bar. Got time to hang out?

Wen Da: Yo! You’re back? When did that happen?

Du Zhe: Just this afternoon.

Qu Xiao: [Location.]

Qu Xiao: Long time no see!

Qu Xiao: Come over tonight!

Du Zhe: This location’s nice! Second Young Master Qu is remarkable!

Qu Xiao and Wen Da’s school was a bit far from Xiang Yao, so by the time the two of them arrived at the bar, Du Zhe was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as he saw them, he didn’t say a word—just gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Qu Xiao gave Du Zhe a complete tour around Xiang Yao.

The bar was impressively decorated. From the counter to the furniture to the wall accents, everything followed the trendiest style. Du Zhe praised it as he walked around, and eventually, the three of them sat down at the bar counter. They ordered a snack platter and some drinks.

Du Zhe shared stories from his time abroad, and the three, who were all outsiders when it came to the business world, chatted about the things they’d heard from their families.

Du Zhe let out a sigh. “The environment in China is indeed nice. Staying here doesn’t sound so bad, ah?”

“Right? Come back after finishing your studies.” Qu Xiao and Wen Da clinked glasses with him.

The three hadn’t seen each other in ages, and they talked about everything. They ended up drinking quite a bit. Ultimately, the alcohol kicked in, and their cheeks turned red.

The bar, now in its after-work hours, was bathed in colorful lights and filled with a lively crowd. A live singer on stage had started singing a slow song.

Feeling dizzy, Du Zhe slumped over the bar counter, struggling to lift half his face. “By the way, I ran into Young Master Yan and his boyfriend at the airport today!”

Qu Xiao’s hand froze mid-pour, his eyes lighting up instantly. “Hmm? They’re really together?”

Du Zhe blinked. “You guys knew?”

“Of course we knew!” Wen Da downed the rest of his drink in one go. “We watched the whole thing happen. His boyfriend used to work here as a bartender. Back then, they even chased the same girl.”

Du Zhe blinked. “Ah? So, Young Master Yan was straight before? How’d he suddenly bend?”

“Not sure, maybe they just clicked.” Wen Da slid his glass over to Qu Xiao, motioning for a refill. “One day, Young Master Yan came up to us and said he was going to pursue Shin. That’s the boyfriend’s name.”

Du Zhe: “So why wasn’t he here today?”

Qu Xiao said, “They all have exams coming up lately. Shin hasn’t been showing up, and Young Master Yan’s been missing too. You saw them today? How were they?”

Du Zhe squinted, dizzy, his eyelids growing heavy. “We only exchanged a few words, but Zhihuo’s so warm and enthusiastic. Super chatty, super cheerful. I used to wonder what kind of person could end up with Young Master Yan. He’s so quiet. He couldn’t possibly find someone just like himself, right?”

Qu Xiao, half-drunk and slow to react, muttered, “Didn’t he find someone like himself… wait, what? Who did you say was warm and enthusiastic? Shin?!”

Shin and the ‘warm and enthusiastic’ didn’t seem to have the slightest connection???

Qu Xiao sobered up instantly, and Wen Da sat up straight too.

“His boyfriend, of course,” Du Zhe said, completely unaware of their shock. He closed his eyes, his tone loose and drowsy. “Tall and handsome, always smiling, can pick up any conversation. They held hands the whole way.”

Always smiling? Can pick up any conversation?

Qu Xiao and Wen Da exchanged a look.

—No, impossible!

There’s no way that was Shin!!

Something’s definitely wrong!

No wonder Young Master Yan hadn’t been reaching out lately! Even after getting together, he never once posted anything lovey-dovey on his social media!

Wen Da reopened the forum. Sure enough, the CP post was still pinned at the top of the homepage, and the comment section had exploded.

The post referred to ‘God of Learning’ and ‘School Bully’ throughout, occasionally dropping a surname. The ‘God of Learning Yan’ could only be Yan Mu. There were plenty of top students at No.1 High, but only one was ever called the ‘God of Learning.’

But the ‘School Bully Jiang’… that one wasn’t so certain!

The surname Jiang wasn’t exactly rare!

There hadn’t been any names or photos in the post. After all, shipping CPs without dragging in real people was basic etiquette. Using full names or posting pictures was considered disrespectful. The few images that were initially uploaded were later deleted by the original poster themselves.

The last time Wen Da and Qu Xiao had checked the No.1 High School forum was back during the sports meet, when Young Master Yan’s public confession had caused a huge stir. Everyone knew about it.

After that, since they could see everything unfold in person, they no longer bothered to follow the forum.

Currently, they were checking again. Wen Da and Qu Xiao were hit with a realization. They hadn’t noticed it before, but now it was clear—the ‘School Bully’ everyone was talking about on the forum was nothing like the Shin they knew!!

—School bully was playing basketball today! P.E. class! Oh my god, he was so handsome! That three-pointer and that smile—it was like the sun was shining!!!

—Report! The school bully was walking down the hallway with the God of Learning again! Not sure what they were looking at, but I’m so happy! I want to screen-share what I saw!!

—The school bully Jiang is sooo good-looking!! I’m obsessed with this kind of sunny boy, waaahhh, sunny boy! And the CP with the God of Learning is just too good to resist!!

—Please be even sweeter!! School bully!! Please smile a bit sweeter!!!

Wen Da and Qu Xiao looked at each other and exchanged a glance.

No matter how they looked at it—sideways, upside down—the person being described on the forum was definitely not Shin!

Who is Shin! They call him the boy who walked out of the snowy plains, a flower on a distant peak—aloof and untouchable. He ignores everyone, stays focused on his work, and is determined to complete every task. So many people have shown interest in him, but he remains completely unmoved, indifferent to them all!

What the hell does that have to do with being cheerful, bright, full of energy?!

Wen Da and Qu Xiao locked eyes again and saw the exact same thought in each other’s eyes.

—Young Master Yan either cheated… or broke up with Shin!

And just as that thought sprang into their minds, Qu Xiao’s phone buzzed. He tapped the screen, and a message from Jiang Zhihuo appeared.

Qu Xiao’s expression changed instantly. He nudged Wen Da with his elbow, and Wen Da leaned over to take a look.

Shin: Boss, I’m not planning to continue the part-time job at the bar.

Shin: Let’s have a meal sometime soon. There’s something I want to talk to you about.

Shin: I hope you’re mentally prepared.

Wen Da’s heart gave a heavy thump as he read those two lines.

This was bad.

Something really had gone wrong between Shin and Young Master Yan!

“Du Zhe, Du Zhe!” Qu Xiao slapped the drowsy Du Zhe awake.

“What’s going on?” Du Zhe rubbed his eyes, completely confused.

Without giving him a chance to ask, Wen Da lifted him. Together with Qu Xiao, they dragged him straight toward the door.

“Don’t ask yet. Something huge happened! We need to find Young Master Yan right now!!”

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On the surface, it’s all daily life, but in reality, the plot is quietly unfolding.