Sponsored chapter (2/5)
It was past nine o’clock in the evening when Yu Baihan returned to Lu’s residence.
Hua Wu assisted him in carrying the shopping bags to his room, and as he left, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: the young master truly resides in the secondary bedroom. Alas… an uninviting, modest arrangement.
Unaware of Hua Wu’s fondness for him, Yu Baihan continued with his tasks, arranging his belongings. Then, he ventured to the study, noticing that the light inside was still on, and thought of greeting Lu Huan.
Pushing the door slightly, he poked his head into the study and said, “I’m back.”
Lu Huan remained seated at the desk, his gaze focused on his work. He spoke without lifting his head, his voice carrying a hint of detachment. “Did you have a good time out?”
Yu Baihan sensed an undercurrent in his words, “Yes, I enjoyed it.”
Lu Huan finally looked up from his work. His glasses remained perched on the bridge of his nose, masking his eye expression, making it challenging to decipher his thoughts.
Yu Baihan contemplated for a moment: Could it be envy?
Offering reassuring words, he said, “Don’t worry. Once your work is done, you can do the same thing.”
Lu Huan fell silent for a moment, his tone unwavering as he replied, “Indeed, just thinking about it brings me joy.”
Seizing the opportunity while Lu Huan was in high spirits, Yu Baihan joined him at the desk and proceeded to discuss an increase in expenses. “I’m broke, Hua Wu had to cover my expenses for now. We should try not to owe anyone.”
Arching an eyebrow, Lu Huan questioned, “Broke?”
Evidently, he found it hard to believe that the Si family hadn’t provided him with any funds.
Yu Baihan clarified, “I spent all my money on food.”
“……”
Lu Huan’s gaze lingered on Yu Baihan for a moment, wondering about the thoughts running through his mind. He then looked away and spoke slowly, “I’ll transfer the money to you through WeChat, and you can repay him directly.”
“Sure.” Yu Baihan agreed cheerfully, but suddenly halted.
Wait…
Had they not added each other on WeChat?
Seated behind the desk, Lu Huan regarded him with an indifferent expression and asked, “Is something the matter?”
Bashfully, Yu Baihan handed over his phone. “Could you scan this for me?”
Lu Huan gazed at him with a hint of amusement, or maybe something else, and then picked up his own phone to scan the code. Ding!
The page changed, displaying the payment code.
Lu Huan lifted his eyes with a deep look, “Am I now your personal ATM?”
Yu Baihan hurriedly corrected himself, “My apologies. I made a mistake. Let’s start again.”
“Hehe.”
After some twists and turns, they managed to add each other on WeChat.
Lu Huan’s contact details appeared on the list, with his profile picture portraying the depths of the sea. The depths were dark and chilly, untouched by light.
Feeling a surge of discomfort, Yu Baihan was momentarily suffocated. He couldn’t change his remarks right away.
As he was about to edit his remarks, Lu Huan’s voice reached his ears, “Hua Wu will help you get a bank card tomorrow.”
Surprised, Yu Baihan attempted to decline, asking, “Is this really necessary… isn’t there a limit?”
Lu Huan responded, “Within eight figures.”
Coincidentally, it’s the same price as the USB flash drive.
Yu Baihan agreed willingly, and in addition, he changed his nickname to a blue tropical fish emoji. He believed it matched Lu Huan’s profile picture quite well—fish roam freely in the sea, which seemed less somber.
After his unexpected wealth revelation, Yu Baihan didn’t linger long and was prepared to leave. Just as he was about to exit, a thought struck him:
If Lu Huan is arranging a card for him, then why is he still transferring money?
Pondering this, Yu Baihan glanced back at Lu Huan. However, Lu Huan was already engrossed in his work, and absorbed in reviewing documents.
Evidently, he had been working tirelessly to the point of exhaustion, evoking sympathy from Yu Baihan.
—
The following day, Hua Wu efficiently provided Yu Baihan with a new card.
The card had a black-gold design.
Hua Wu appeared slightly taken aback as he handed the card to Yu Baihan, “Mister directly gave you a card?”
Yu Baihan clarified, “I sought out Lu Huan last night and managed to get it through my own efforts.”
Attempting to pilfer from the Si family.
“Last night?” Hua Wu repeated, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “Effort?”
Yu Baihan’s response was laden with hidden meaning. His glance seemed to say, “Yesterday night, through my initiative?”
Hua Wu’s eyes contracted subtly, and he looked at Yu Baihan in astonishment. After a brief moment, he pressed his lips together and gently patted the slight frame of Yu Baihan’s shoulder. Pat.
“Don’t worry, I… won’t harbor any misconceptions.”
Yu Baihan:?
What kind of misconception? That working harder results in greater riches?
—
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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This time, Lu Huan aimed to secure an additional 1%, hoping to tip the balance further in his favor. With dedication and diligence, he might be able to capitalize on this opportunity.
While contemplating, Yu Baihan’s attention shifted to the game interface: a new fashion was about to be released.
Come on, Lu Huan, earn money for us.
On the third day of Lu Huan’s departure, as he was busy refueling his efforts to earn money, Yu Baihan visited Qing Yu Yuan to share a meal and engage in archery with Qi Jue.
The pair sat by the archery field, taking a break. Qi Jue broached the topic of Yu Baihan’s recent social media activity again, “I thought you had blocked Brother Lu. You should post more about him next time.”
Yu Baihan fell silent, his thoughts churning.
Wait, did Lu Huan specifically send him money on that day to add him?
He cast a significant glance at Qi Jue: Could you be the undercover agent?
“Alright, I’ll do that next time.”
“That’s the spirit. Brother Lu will surely find it heartwarming~”
As they conversed, Yu Baihan’s phone rang.
Retrieving his phone, he saw that it was actually Lu Huan calling. Qi Jue, who was seated beside him, peeked and sported a playful grin, “Pick up quickly!”
Yu Baihan accepted the call, and Lu Huan’s voice emanated from the other end, “Hua Wu mentioned that you’re at Qing Yu Yuan. I’m on my way there. I’ll come to pick you up.”
Taken aback, Yu Baihan queried, “Why are you picking me up?”
“We can discuss it when we meet.”
The call ended.
Surprised by the sudden development, Yu Baihan turned to Qi Jue, “Lu Huan is returning, and he should be here in about five minutes. Let’s go and greet him.”
“Um…?”
Exiting Qing Yu Yuan, Lu Huan’s car came into view as they reached the entrance.
The rear door swung open, revealing a dusty Lu Huan.
After three days of separation, his gaze first fell upon Yu Baihan before he uttered, “I’m taking you somewhere. Get in the car.”
Qi Jue’s expression turned sentimental, and he turned to Yu Baihan, chattering, “Look at Brother Lu, he’s worn out from his business trip… What’s going on? He rushed here just to see you as soon as he could.”
Yu Baihan: …
Did he just catch a fleeting mention of the word “dog” that he was about to say multiple times?
Unperturbed by Qi Jue’s playful commentary, Yu Baihan warily directed his gaze at Lu Huan, inquiring, “Where are we headed?”
Lu Huan’s incessant urgency bore a striking resemblance to the first episode of the show “Chasing Pigs” that he had watched on the Agricultural Channel.
“Get in the car,” Lu Huan responded, his hand extending to usher Yu Baihan inside.
As the car door clicked shut, Qi Jue’s curious stare was effectively thwarted.
…
The private vehicle embarked on its journey in swift strides, with Fan Lin in front.
Relaxing in the back seat, Lu Huan revealed, “I’ll be meeting ‘Old Huo’ shortly. He holds 12% of the shares in the Qiongshan Project. Originally, we were scheduled to meet tomorrow, but he moved it to this afternoon due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Listening intently, Yu Baihan inquired, “And then?”
Where does he fit into this narrative?
“Mr. Huo is aware of my recent marriage, so he wants to meet you as well,” Lu Huan explained.
“…” Everything began to make sense.
It was no wonder Lu Huan had hurriedly returned and fetched him.
Recalling from the original story that this “Old Huo” was a highly esteemed figure in high society, renowned for his influence and power rivaling even the Si family, Yu Baihan mentally acknowledged the gravity of this meeting.
The Huo family, however, had kept a low profile in the original plot and had, in fact, sided with the Si family in the “Qiongshan” project, thus avoiding harsh suppression.
Tugging at the loose-fitting sweater he wore, Yu Baihan questioned, “Is this how I’m expected to present myself when meeting Mr. Huo?”
Lu Huan reassured him, “It’s fine. Mr. Huo prefers a casual setting.”
With a nod of reassurance, Yu Baihan affirmed, “Alright.”
Then he will stay casual.
—
Nestled on a mountainside, the Huo Family estate exudes a tranquil ambiance. Winding up from the Panshan Highway, the hilltop residence is ensconced within a lush blanket of green foliage. The gentle melodies of chirping birds waft through the air, lending an air of serenity far removed from the hustle and bustle.
Stepping out of the car, the steward of the Huo family guided Yu Baihan and Lu Huan through the entrance.
Inside the estate, the scenery maintains an elegant and picturesque allure. Wandering through wooden corridors and turning a few corners leads to a vast backyard. The door of an adjacent room stands ajar, revealing a game of chess in progress. Seated by the chessboard, a man in a relaxed posture greets them.
“Mr. Huo, Mr. Lu, and Master Si have arrived,” the steward announces by the door.
Huo Ming, the figure at the door, turns his gaze. With a face that betrays his sixties, his eyes exude a sharp and vibrant intensity. Offering a slight smile, he rises to greet them, “I haven’t had the chance to congratulate Mr. Lu on his marriage.”
“Thank you, Mr. Huo,” Lu Huan acknowledges with a nod. He then introduces Yu Baihan, “This is Baihan.”
Yu Baihan also nods cordially and says, “Hello, Mr. Huo.”
Huo Ming regards him momentarily before smiling, “A fine young man you are. Please, have a seat. My wife is currently preparing tea and pastries in the back. She will join us shortly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Huo.”
Yu Baihan joins Lu Huan in taking their seats across from Huo Ming.
Without delving into project discussions, Huo Ming turns his attention to Lu Huan, “Are you familiar with Xiangqi?”
Lu Huan responds, “I have some knowledge.”
Huo Ming chuckles softly, “How about a game against this old man?”
The Xiangqi board swiftly comes to life before them.
It’s Yu Baihan’s first time witnessing Lu Huan playing Xiangqi . Although he had seen a Weiqi board in Lu Huan’s study, he hadn’t anticipated his skill in Xiangqi. Contrasted with Weiqi, Xiangqi appears to be more tailored to Lu Huan’s style—meticulously orchestrating movements, maintaining a concealed strategy, and biding time until the opportune moment to reveal his tactical prowess.
After observing for a while, Yu Baihan detects movement at the entrance of the house.
Huo Ming looks up from the chessboard, his gaze landing on the gentle figure by the door. A smile graces the wrinkles around his eyes, “With so many cookies baked, can you manage to devour them all?”
Qiao Yun enters with tea and pastries, placing them on the table. She then addresses Yu Baihan and Lu Huan, saying, “This is Mr. Lu, indeed an outstanding talent. And…”
Turning to Yu Baihan, Qiao Yun inquires, “And what shall I call you?”
Yu Baihan responds with a smile, “Baihan.”
Qiao Yun’s lips curled into a smile, “Would you care to step outside for a chat?”
Yu Baihan seizes the opportunity, rising to his feet and following Qiao Yun to the entrance of the house. Beyond the threshold, a small courtyard unfolds, adorned with flowing water, weathered boulders, and the comforting shade of beautiful trees.
With a playful glint in her eye, Qiao Yun playfully nudged him, “Watching them play chess can be quite dull, don’t you think?”
Yu Baihan was about to offer some polite response, but then he recalled Lu Huan’s words about doing as he pleases. So, he lowered his gaze and smiled, “You’re right.”
His voice had the mellowness of jade.
Both chess players inside the room turned their heads in unison: …
Lu Huan’s brows furrowed, “Si Baihan.”
Yu Baihan shifted his attention from the doorway and locked eyes with Lu Huan. For a span of three seconds, he and Qiao Yun exchanged an “excuse me” and settled back beside Lu Huan.
Yu Baihan affectionately remarked, “You really can’t bear to be apart from me even for a moment.”
Lu Huan, “…”
On the other side, Huo Ming couldn’t help but break into a hearty chuckle, and Qiao Yun covered her lips with a light smile.
“I was just joking; he’s like this.” Yu Baihan gestured towards the two of them, then gently prodded Lu Huan, “Focus on the game, don’t let distractions get to you.”
Lu Huan’s slightly parted lips sealed shut again, his gaze fixed on Yu Baihan for a couple of seconds before he responded, “Alright.”
It indeed appears quite spontaneous.
—
As the afternoon sun began to cast a westward slant, a game of chess came to an end.
In the match, Lu Huan was marginally defeated. Yu Baihan had been engrossed in the chessboard when he heard a voice from the other side saying, “Shall we play another round?”
Huo Ming responded, “Don’t go easy on me, old man.”
Yu Baihan raised his gaze. Huo Ming was calmly arranging the chess pieces.
Lu Huan paused for a moment and agreed, “Sure.”
The chess pieces were set up on the board again. Huo Ming turned to Qiao Yun and commented, “If you’re feeling tired, go and sit outside. There’s no need for you to accompany us.”
Qiao Yun stood up and directed her gaze at Yu Baihan once again.
Lu Huan turned to Yu Baihan and suggested, “You should go as well.”
“But…”
“Go.” Lu Huan coaxed in a gentle tone, “Thank you for keeping me company.”
Yu Baihan slightly pursed his lips and smiled, “Alright, then I’ll go.”
Leaving Lu Huan and Huo Ming to their chess match, Yu Baihan walked out of the room with Qiao Yun, who couldn’t remain seated for long.
Once outside the door, Qiao Yun gave Yu Baihan a sly wink, “Baihan, would you like to meet our other ‘family members’?”
Yu Baihan: Huh?
Are there hidden family assets?
Through a small gate on one side of the courtyard, there lay another tranquil yard.
Qiao Yun led Yu Baihan to a mini amusement area and gestured towards the scattered tufts of fur, “Take a look.”
Yu Baihan’s attention was fixed on the hamsters within, and he inquired politely, “Who are these family members?”
Qiao Yun’s eyes gleamed with delight, “Me and Lao Huo’s ‘children’~”
“…”
Several minutes later, the two found themselves outside the house.
As Qiao Yun introduced her “children,” Yu Baihan listened attentively.
She mentioned that due to her health, she and Huo Ming never had biological children. As they grew older, they found the house too quiet, so they decided to adopt a few little hamsters.
Qiao Yun introduced each one to Yu Baihan, “This is the eldest, this is the second, and this is the youngest.”
As she conversed, she brought out the “eldest son” and allowed Yu Baihan to cradle him, explaining, “The eldest one has a small floral pattern on his head. He’s the quietest among the three cubs. You can hold him like this, and he’ll even doze off.”
Yu Baihan handled the hamster delicately and softly commented, “He’s really handsome.”
Qiao Yun beamed with pride, “Exactly!”
Meanwhile, in the adjacent yard, Huo Ming and Lu Huan had met up, while Yu Baihan and Qiao Yun were engrossed in the hamster encounter.
When Yu Baihan grew a little weary from playing, he stretched out on a lounge chair, enjoying the warmth of the sun.
Coincidentally, the sweater he had donned that day was remarkably elastic and smooth. Taking advantage of this, Qiao Yun orchestrated a playful scene where the hamsters took turns sliding on Yu Baihan’s clothing.
All in all, everyone was quite relaxed.
As Huo Ming and Lu Huan approached together, this is what they came upon.
At the same moment, silence enveloped both of them: …
In the end, it was Huo Ming who broke the silence, sounding somewhat resigned, “Ah Yun.”
Qiao Yun extracted herself from amidst the pile of furry creatures, standing up in a slightly embarrassed manner.
Observing that Yu Baihan seemed on the verge of drifting off to sleep under the sun’s rays, Lu Huan took a deep breath, massaged his temples, and walked over, “Si Baihan.”
Yu Bai stirred, blinking his eyes with sleepy lashes. His fair complexion held a mild flush from the sun, rendering him slightly rosier than usual.
Lu Huan extended his hand to lift him up, inquiring at a leisurely pace, “Did you have a peaceful nap?”
Yu Baihan shook off his drowsiness, lowered his gaze, and smiled, “Yes.”
“…”
“Hahahahaha!” Huo Ming laughed heartily, then led them to the dining area without hesitation, saying, “No worries, truly making guests feel at home is the best compliment to a host.”
He quite favored Yu Baihan, finding his candid and unaffected demeanor naturally endearing.
Lu Huan gently extricated himself from the barely conscious Yu Baihan, proceeding forward and responding.
Yet, he didn’t tell Huo Ming that Yu Baihan felt at home wherever he was.
—
Following a pleasant afternoon of companionship, dinner proved to be another enjoyable time for both the hosts and the guests.
As Lu Huan and Yu Baihan departed, Huo Ming affectionately addressed Lu Huan as “Little Lu.”
“I will give the Qiongshan Project due consideration.”
Qiao Yun bowed respectfully to Yu Baihan before them.
Lu Huan appeared slightly relieved, thanked Huo Ming, and joined Yu Baihan in their car for the return journey.
Yu Baihan, fatigued from the day’s activities, succumbed to sleep in the car. Now, he rested against the back seat, eyes shut.
As the car descended a slope and negotiated a corner, his head bumped into Lu Huan’s shoulder with a soft “thud,” causing Lu Huan to swiftly adjust his posture.
Not long after, as the vehicle navigated another turn on the Panshan Highway, another “thud” echoed in the car.
“…”
On the fifth occasion, Yu Baihan’s head lolled against him, and a faint sigh escaped Lu Huan’s lips.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he reclined in his seat, leaving Yu Baihan’s slumber undisturbed.
By the time they returned to Lu’s residence, it was already ten o’clock at night.
The car ride provided Yu Baihan with some much-needed restorative sleep.
Wishing Lu Huan a “good night” in the corridor, Yu Baihan playfully added a “Makabaka” before retreating to his bedroom for a shower and sleep.
Inside his room, the door shut, and he began to undress when an abrupt halt occurred in his movements.
His hands, mid-motion, dropped by his sides, and he stood still in the middle of the room, deep in thought…
Five minutes later, a soft knock resounded at the master bedroom door.
Lu Huan, who was preparing to change his clothes, placed the garments down and walked over to open the door.
Today had been particularly taxing; rushing back from various engagements, ferrying Yu Baihan to the Huo residence, and dedicating the afternoon to intense chess with Huo Ming had left him mentally drained.
Fortunately, Huo Ming’s support resolved the last shareholder’s matter regarding the Qiongshan Project, finally granting him some respite.
The bedroom door swung open.
Yu Baihan stood outside, his attire unchanged.
Lu Huan, who was relatively relaxed at the moment, found himself uncharacteristically unworried by the late-night disturbance. His tone conveyed this unusual nonchalance as he asked, “What’s the matter?”
In response, Yu Baihan met his gaze with those vibrant black eyes, his pallid lips curving awkwardly as he spoke, “Lu Huan, could you arrange for someone to drive me back to the Huo residence right away?”
Perplexed, Lu Huan’s brow furrowed, “What do you intend to do?”
Yu Baihan averted his gaze, retrieving a sleeping hamster from his roomy pocket.
Cradling the fuzzy creature in his palm, he exhibited a hint of shyness, “I seem to have accidentally brought back Mr. Huo’s ‘eldest son’.”
The small creature, adorned with markings atop its head, nestled in his hand.
“…………”
Author’s note:
Lu Huan: You are more than just a home away from home, you have brought back other family members.
Yu Baihan: I accidentally went too far. [shy]
Uwaaaa, so cute! These little hamster sons are cute. I wonder if they’ll get their own one day. Thank you for your hard work.
Aww how cute~ my hamster can’t stand still more than 2 secs
Tsk tsk lu huan, you’re wrong about yu baihan feeling at home whenever he is. Whenever he is except for at the insufferable Si Family house. And the hamster actually slept soundly in his pocket, soooo cuteee!
HAHAHAHAAHA I always assume hamsters are timid creatures unlike this “eldest young master”
It probably depends on the temperament and how they are socialized? I don’t remember where, but I once held a hamster who was very cuddly and not afraid of strangers. He nibbled on my finger, turned a few circles and went to sleep in my palm. I nearly died of cute.
Thank you so much for your wonderful translation 🙏👏❤️
Aww, so cute 🐹
Thanks for the chapter 💞
How cute is that!!! 🥹