Lu Huan cast his gaze downward and subtly pursed his lips. After a brief two-second silence, he offered another soft smile, “Compete with peers? You’re overthinking it.”
His tone carried a composed assurance, “I’m in no position to compete with trained medical professionals.”
“……”
Ah~ There’s still a trace of emotion in there.
Yu Baihan retracted his hand and retrieved his phone, “Since I can’t quite remember the doctor’s instructions, maybe Doctor Lu can help refresh my memory regarding how to take the medicine.”
Lu Huan’s hand by his side twitched slightly before he returned it to his pocket.
After a moment, he began to speak, his voice a hushed murmur from up above, repeating the doctor’s directives one by one.
Yu Baihan jotted them down in his notes, sincerely complimenting, “Thank you, Dr. Lu. Your professionalism is unmatched.”
A faint sneer was Lu Huan’s response as he glanced downward, “Are you trying to coddle someone?”
Meeting his gaze, Yu Baihan’s eyes gleamed, “And are you done coddling?”
He received a nonchalant “hmph” in response.
Having nothing more to do, Yu Baihan watched as Lu Huan turned and moved toward the exit.
However, Lu Huan paused before pushing open the door. He turned back to Yu Baihan, offering, “I’ll have someone bring dinner for you.”
Initially, Yu Baihan was about to decline, but he hesitated and refrained from speaking.
Eventually, he nodded, “Alright, I’ll heed Dr. Lu’s advice. I’ll stick to the doctor’s orders.”
…
Zhong Bingqi’s prescription had been quite effective.
After three days, Yu Baihan’s health gradually improved.
Throughout these days, Lu Huan remained occupied with his work, but he managed to spare a few minutes for “consultation” each day after finishing work.
Standing by the bedroom door, he would assess, “Your complexion seems better.”
Yu Baihan would play along, saying, “You’ve got quite the discerning eye, Dr. Lu!”
“……hehe.”
Lu Huan chuckled at Yu Baihan’s playful remarks before turning and departing from the room.
Three days of this role-playing act significantly accelerated Yu Baihan’s recovery.
Uncle Feng had arranged for a follow-up visit with Zhong Bingqi.
As the doctor arrived, Yu Baihan was seated in the living room, engrossed in watching a palace intrigue drama on TV. The plot revolved around an emperor catching a cold, prompting his concubines to exhibit their magical abilities to vie for power and favor. Ultimately, only the concubine who demonstrated genuine concern for his health received his favor.
Yu Baihan found the drama captivating, and his amusement soared.
Uncle Feng’s voice broke through his attention, “Doctor Zhong is here.”
Yu Baihan turned his gaze and saw Uncle Feng ushering Zhong Bingqi into the living room.
Before he could respond, the sliding patio door adjacent to the living room was pushed open, and Lu Huan walked in, greeting, “Doctor Zhong.”
Lu Huan took a seat on the opposite side of the sofa and settled in.
“Good day, Mr. Lu,” Zhong Bingqi greeted in return.
With everyone seated, Zhong Bingqi began the follow-up examination with Yu Baihan.
After observing for around five to six minutes, he withdrew the medical instrument and smiled, “Your recovery is progressing well, and it seems like you won’t need any further medication.”
“Thank you, Zhong…” Yu Baihan shifted gears, addressing him as “Brother Zhong.”
This unexpected address caught Zhong Bingqi momentarily off guard, and from the other side of the sofa, Lu Huan’s gaze pivoted toward Yu Baihan. Both of their eyes converged on him simultaneously.
Yu Baihan inquired, “Would it be okay if I called you that?”
Zhong Bingqi accepted the suggestion gracefully, “Absolutely, you can.”
Yu Baihan nodded, expressing contentment, “That’s great.”
However, little did Xiao Zhong know, during the three days of his absence, other colleagues had already competed for the position.
Mulling over this, Yu Baihan turned his head to cast an appreciative glance at Lu Huan, his demeanor exuding charm.
Zhong Bingqi followed his line of sight, puzzled.
Meanwhile, on the TV screen, the emperor and his favored concubine exchanged playful banter:
“Is this privilege exclusive to the concubines?”
“Naturally, Concubine Ai is content.”
“……”
With a slight frown, Lu Huan picked up the remote control and switched off the TV, his voice addressing Yu Baihan sternly, “Yu Baihan.”
As the background noise faded, the living room regained its tranquility.
Speaking to Zhong Bingqi, Lu Huan instructed, “Please examine him again.”
The tone carried a hint of disbelief as if he doubted the authenticity of Yu Baihan’s illness recovery.
Yu Baihan cast an unwavering glance toward Lu Huan before extending his thin, pale arm toward Zhong Bingqi.
“Come, take a look.”
Give Lu Huan his health report!
Zhong Bingqi chuckled amiably, but withdrew his hand, “Your illness has been treated, but I need to emphasize a few points. You have a relatively weak constitution, so you should engage in more physical activity.”
Yu Baihan responded with a hint of embarrassment, “No worries, I consume a glass of milk daily.”
Consistently committed to dietary supplementation.
Shaking his head, Zhong Bingqi disagreed, saying, “A single glass of milk won’t suffice.”
Yu Baihan contemplated, “Then maybe two glasses?”
More than that is impractical and excessive.
“…” An uncharacteristic hint of a crack appeared in Zhong Bingqi’s composed demeanor. He swiftly resumed his professional smile, suggesting, “Strive for a more physical movement, alright?”
From the side, an unexpected chuckle sounded, “Oh.”
Yu Baihan smiled shyly, “Got it.”
—
Uncle Feng accompanied Zhong Bingqi out of the house.
Turning his attention to Lu Huan, who remained seated nearby, Yu Baihan extended an inviting tone, “Coach Lu, care to accompany me for some exercise?”
Lu Huan didn’t respond immediately, appearing lost in thought. After a brief pause, he replied, “I’ve been quite occupied with work recently.”
It didn’t seem like an excuse.
Yu Baihan recollected the past days and recalled that indeed, Lu Huan had been engrossed in his work. He hadn’t noticed anyone visiting the upstairs gym either.
Considering this, he showed understanding, saying, “In that case, I’ll go find Qin Lun.”
Lu Huan then added, “He’s also swamped with work.”
Qin Lun as well? Is he busy sparring with the Si family?
Yu Baihan was about to jest, questioning if there were any other unemployed brothers when Lu Huan brought up another point.
“Remember you enjoy archery?”
“Yes.” He responded, his demeanor indicating he was waiting for further information.
Seated on the sofa, Lu Huan’s gaze was lowered slightly, enhancing the straightness of his nose and the allure of his slender eyelashes. His long and delicate fingers slid across his phone screen, yet came to a halt as if touching something of significance.
“The Archery Club at C University is well-renowned. Sun Yiqing, a Ph.D. student at C University, is familiar with individuals in the club, judging by his social media connections. You could approach him and inquire about it.”
A gleam sparked in Yu Baihan’s eyes. Could it be this straightforward?
He recalled Sun Yiqing: This individual had made quite an impression.
Though he didn’t make a prominent appearance during the last gathering, his quiet demeanor could undoubtedly cause quite a stir.
At first glance, he seemed like a person who achieved significant accomplishments without boasting, which was rather appealing.
Accepting the suggestion readily, Yu Baihan praised it, saying, “That’s a brilliant idea~”
—
The following day, Yu Baihan headed to C University to meet Sun Yiqing.
C University was one of the most esteemed institutions in the entire southwest region, and its finance program was renowned nationally.
The drive from Lu’s residence to the main campus took approximately forty minutes. Upon arrival, Yu Baihan found Sun Yiqing already waiting at the school gate. Dressed in simple attire and donning black-rimmed glasses, Sun Yiqing exuded an academic air that contrasted significantly with his demeanor at the party.
This was a whole different side of him, appearing quite scholarly.
“Have you been waiting for long?” Yu Baihan asked as he joined Sun Yiqing on campus.
“It’s fine.” Sun Yiqing’s speech was measured and reserved, reflecting a sense of seriousness.
Though this same tone had been used during their last encounter, it had led to him sitting on Lu Huan’s lap.
The main campus sprawled extensively, requiring a substantial walk from the school gate to reach the club.
Under the blazing summer sun, Sun Yiqing led the way along a tree-lined path around the bell tower, eventually passing a wall of honor.
Taking a casual glance, Yu Baihan suddenly halted in his steps.
Turning his head, he bent over slightly to inspect the most prominent photo in the first row of the wall—a striking countenance with deeply set brows. The individual, gazing directly at the camera, emitted an air of familiarity combined with aloofness.
The epitome of the school’s beauty, the campus male idol.
Old grudges stirred within him.
With focused attention, Yu Baihan remarked, “Did Lu Huan also graduate from C University?”
Sun Yiqing stood behind him and confirmed, “Yes, Brother Lu studied finance. He’s an esteemed alumnus of C University, and his picture has adorned the wall for several years.”
Ah~ So our classmate Lu Huan was truly remarkable.
He couldn’t resist the urge to snap a photo and praise him.
Yu Baihan pulled out his phone, snapped a photo, and promptly sent it to Lu Huan.
[Yu Er]: I caught a glimpse of your dignified face on the wall. [picture]
Sun Yiqing glanced down at the phrase “witness the dignity”: …
Yu Baihan continued his bragging.
[Yu Er]: Classmate Lu is truly something else. [I’ll slap you, spin you, and you’ll ascend to heaven before even blooming.jpg]
Sun Yiqing glanced down at “Classmate Lu” again: …
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.
Before receiving a response from Lu Huan, Yu Baihan pocketed his phone for the moment and addressed Sun Yiqing, who seemed to be still recovering, “Shall we continue?”
Vec Tldlcu gfrewfv kjixlcu, gfrqbcvlcu, “Tfr.”
Ktfs mjgglfv bc abkjgv atf miey.
Te Djltjc mjrejiis lcdelgfv, “Vb, ktja’r sbeg wjpbg?”
Jbcrlvfglcu atja tf kjr atf tflg ab j obgaecf…
Qjr la olcjcmf? Zjcjufwfca? Vbmlbibus?
Vec Tldlcu gfqilfv, “P raevs cfegbibus.”
Te Djltjc aegcfv tlr tfjv:?
Vec Tldlcu gfjmtfv atf fcagjcmf bo j yelivlcu, fzqijlclcu, “P pera gfaglfnfv j rjwqif bo ws ygjlc ogbw atf tbrqlaji atlr wbgclcu. Coafg vgbqqlcu sbe boo ja atf miey, P’ii yf tfjvlcu yjmx ab atf ijy obg oegatfg gfrfjgmt.”
Yu Baihan: …
A touch of caution arose in him, “Is that even legal?”
Sun Yiqing halted and looked at him seriously.
After a few seconds of eye contact, Yu Baihan sheepishly returned to reality, saying, “I apologize, I’m a bit on edge.”
That’s right, not everyone meddles with other people’s brains.
He queried again, “Do you happen to know about hypnosis?”
Sun Yiqing cast a sidelong glance and said, “I don’t have a deep understanding. However, I do have friends in that field. What’s the matter?”
Yu Baihan flashed a light smile, “Just curious.”
Later on, he planned to seek advice.
Let’s see if Brother Crazy can withstand the consequences.
—
They soon arrived at the entrance of the club building.
The Archery Club of University C held quite a reputation, so the club’s space was spacious and tidy, with comprehensive equipment.
Upon reaching the door, the voices of club members practicing inside became audible.
Perhaps Sun Yiqing had given them a heads-up, as when Yu Baihan followed him in, Sun Yiqing waved from within. A tall girl then turned her gaze and, spotting them, strode over a few steps, “Here already?”
Sun Yiqing nodded and introduced, “This is He Yue, the president of the Archery Society. She’s also from the He family.”
“No need to be overly formal.” He Yue smiled, extending her hand to Yu Baihan, “You can call me by my name or just ‘president’.”
Yu Baihan shook her hand, replying, “Baihan.”
He Yue complimented, “What a remarkable surname!”
Yu Baihan: …
After the praise, she turned her attention, interrupting Sun Yiqing’s hesitations, “Alright, go ahead! I’ll make sure your friend is well taken care of.”
“Great, thank you.” Sun Yiqing finished speaking and glanced at Yu Baihan, “I’ll leave you here and remember to inform Brother Lu.”
“Sure, I’ll message him on WeChat.”
As Sun Yiqing left, He Yue led Yu Baihan toward the practice area.
She introduced Yu Baihan to the club members, exchanging greetings with each of them. Afterward, she guided Yu Baihan to get his equipment. While they walked, she curiously asked, “By the way, did the ‘Brother Lu’ you mentioned refer to Lu Huan?”
Yu Baihan happened to be sending a WeChat message to Lu Huan, replying, “Yes.”
[Yu Er]: Reporting to Commander Lu, I’ve safely arrived at the battlefield.
He Yue suddenly grew excited, “You know Lu Huan!”
His fingers almost slipped the emoji “I’m not affiliated with you here” into Lu Huan’s chat.
Regaining composure, he replied, “What about Lu Huan?”
Don’t act all bizarre behind his back.
Just then, his phone vibrated with Lu Huan’s response.
[Fish]: Train hard, don’t become a monster.
Yu Baihan looked down, “…”
You’d better not become one either.
He Yue sighed, “Lu Huan is quite renowned at C University, not to mention in the wider upper-class circles. Even my father holds him in high regard. Back in the day, he even wished for Lu Huan and me…”
Yu Baihan cast a sidelong glance.
He Yue continued, “To learn from him, to become exceptional, independent, modest, and gentle, much like Lu Huan.”
“……”
Yu Baihan adopted the softness of a gentle breeze.
He nodded in agreement, “Indeed, Lu Huan is a good-hearted person with a beautiful soul.”
He Yue affectionately patted his shoulder, “It seems you hold Lu Huan in high regard too, just like my father.”
“……”
Alright, my friend.
Yu Baihan quickly adapted, “We should all meet up when we have the chance.”
He Yue responded enthusiastically, “That’s a great idea!”
Having reached a mutual understanding, Yu Baihan turned his head and sent a message to Lu Huan.
[Yu Er]: Why, of course. [Ten levels of adorable sitting posture.jpg]
—
The club wasn’t crowded that day, and the members appeared rather relaxed.
True to her word to Sun Yiqing, He Yue was by Yu Baihan’s side, providing careful guidance, “Hold it like this for a while, or your hands will get tired.”
Yu Baihan adeptly mimicked the bow posture, then turned to He Yue with a smile, “Thank you, I’ve got a little knack for this.”
After speaking, he inhaled deeply, furrowing his brows and slightly pursing his pale lips. His gaze, which was initially casual, became intensely focused for a brief moment. Pausing for a few seconds, his slender white knuckles loosened.
Then, under He Yue’s astonished gaze, an arrow sliced through the air—
Whizz! Bullseye.
The soft chatter on the field ceased, with every member present fixing their gaze on Yu Baihan. The surroundings grew hushed, and Yu Baihan lowered his bow and arrow, exhaling.
Still, this bow and arrow for competition is great.
Qi Jue’s bow could probably be nicknamed the “Barbell”.
He Yue remained stunned for a while, and when she eventually snapped back to reality, she couldn’t help patting Yu Baihan on the shoulder, exclaiming, “Incredible! I thought you were just here for fun.”
Yu Baihan raised his hand, brushing away his forehead hair that had nearly covered his eyes, and modestly grinned, “Let’s keep it down.”
With a demeanor of modesty and gentleness, he added, “You can praise in whispers.”
“……”
—
Returning to Lu’s house in the evening, Yu Baihan sat beside Lu Huan for dinner. He had quite an appetite today, even asking for a second bowl. When the second bowl was brought to the table, Lu Huan glanced at him and inquired.
“How did it go with the club? Didn’t turn into a monster, did you?”
“It went pretty well.” Yu Baihan was about to assure Lu Huan that he hadn’t become a monster when he suddenly remembered the incident with “Tonghao Mianji“. He put down his chopsticks and preemptively warned Lu Huan, “I made a new friend there, a fan of yours.”
Lu Huan responded nonchalantly, “I see.”
Yu Baihan quipped, “Next time you meet him, I’ll introduce you.”
Lu Huan replied with casual indifference, “Sure, let’s see.”
Yu Baihan shot him a knowing look: You won’t be this indifferent when you actually meet him.
—
After dinner, Yu Baihan headed upstairs to rest.
As soon as he entered his bedroom, a WeChat message from Qi Jue popped up.
[Qi Jue]: It seems like Brother Lu accidentally removed me. Can you remind him? [hopeful]
Only then did Yu Baihan recall that he hadn’t gotten around to deleting Qi Jue’s comment.
He sent a wry smile: Silly, he’s blocked you.
[Yu Er]: I’ll do my best.
[Qi Jue]: Do what???
Of course, try to shorten your sentence in social media jail.
Currently lying flat on the bed, he didn’t feel like getting up to find Lu Huan.
So, Yu Baihan sent a voice message to Lu Huan, “Lu Huan, Qi Jue wants you to add him back.”
After the voice message was sent, there was no immediate response.
A minute later, the bedroom door was pushed open.
Yu Baihan raised his upper body, coming face to face with Lu Huan who stood in the doorway:?
Holding the phone, Lu Huan asked, “What are you doing on WeChat while lounging at home?”
“I don’t want to move.”
“Dr. Zhong just advised you to exercise more, and you can’t even walk ten meters?”
A hint of reproach glimmered in Yu Baihan’s eyes, “What’s this ‘Doctor Zhong’? There’s only ‘Doctor Lu’ here.”
“…” Lu Huan took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead, “Fine, ‘Doctor Lu’ will make you take a few extra steps.”
Yu Baihan got up from the bed and flashed a playful smile at Lu Huan, “Then follow the doctor’s orders.”
—
Qi Jue was finally granted clemency.
When Yu Baihan received his gratitude-laden message, it coincided with his visit to the Archery Club the following day.
[Qi Jue]: Thanks, Brother Lu added me back.
[Qi Jue]: But why did he reply with “hehe”?
Sometimes ignorance is indeed a blessing.
Yu Baihan decided to let him enjoy his blissful ignorance.
[Yu Er]: It’s an automated system response.
[Qi Jue]: Really? [Are you trying to deceive me, little kitten?.jpg]
[Yu Er]: If you don’t believe me, you can try deleting him and see if it’s still “hehe” when you re-add him.
With the reply sent, Yu Baihan put away his phone as he reached the entrance of the Archery Club and entered.
Whether Qi Jue actually deleted Lu Huan or not was of little consequence.
The club members’ arrival times were flexible.
Upon entering the club today, Yu Baihan noticed several new faces. Many of those present yesterday were absent, but He Yue was still there.
“Good to see you, Baihan.” He Yue greeted.
The other club members also directed their attention towards him. He Yue reintroduced Yu Baihan, “This is Sun Yiqing’s friend, and we’ve already acquainted ourselves.”
“Hello.”
“Welcome, nice to meet you…”
Greetings were exchanged, and as it reached the last person, a boy in a blue outfit didn’t extend his hand. Instead, he cast a disdainful click of his tongue in Yu Baihan’s direction before turning away.
Yu Baihan: Slowly forming question marks in his mind?
He Yue called after him, “Zheng Song!”
She then turned back to Yu Baihan and explained, “That’s just how he is, quite xenophobic, aloof most of the time. Since you’re not a club member, he might think you’re here just for fun… I’ll go talk to him.”
Before Yu Baihan could react, He Yue hurried after him.
Yu Baihan:…
He actually wanted to say no.
Zheng Song carries an air of xenophobia, yet his existence isn’t dependent upon Zheng Song’s approval.
Observing that the conversation on the other side had begun, Yu Baihan turned around and picked up a bow and arrow to practice.
Standing on the sidelines, he caught snippets of conversation from He Yue’s end:
“Bai Han actually knows senior Lu Huan. Doesn’t your business school treat Senior Lu as a legend? You should treat his friends kindly.”
“He knows…! So what if he does? It’s just a passing acquaintance. Don’t think that just anyone can enter our…”
Whiz!
The sound of an arrow striking the bull’s eye cut through the chatter.
Yu Baihan grabbed another arrow, continuing his practice without paying attention to the expressions of Zheng Song and others on the opposite side.
Shoulders relaxed, bow drawn, arrow released.
His movements flowed seamlessly like water, with five arrows and four hitting the center.
Gradually, the rustling conversations tapered off.
Setting aside his bow and arrow, Yu Baihan thought, ‘See, I can depend on myself.’ Not on Lu Huan’s reputation.
“……”
After intermittently practicing for over an hour, Yu Baihan wiped his perspiring forehead and intended to rest.
Several club members, who were impressed by his archery, spontaneously gathered around him, striking up conversations.
He Yue handed him a water bottle and expressed regret, “I’m sorry, I didn’t manage things well with Zheng Song.”
Accepting the water, Yu Baihan replied, “It’s fine.” It’s because Lu Huan’s influence isn’t as strong.
“But you really know Lu Huan?” Another member beside him looked amazed, “He transformed the Lu Group into a corporate empire in just five years. Our professor almost includes him in the textbooks.”
“Indeed, I know him.” Yu Baihan suddenly became intrigued, “When the textbook is finished, can you show it to me?”
He wanted to frame those pages and gift them to his classmate Lu.
The member chuckled, “Sure thing!”
—
After engaging in conversation for a while, Yu Baihan prepared to resume practice for another hour.
Equipped with a bow and arrows, he headed to the practice area when his phone suddenly vibrated.
Checking the message, it was from Lu Huan.
[Fish]: Were you also at the Archery Club today?
With a three-fingered glove on, typing wasn’t convenient, so Yu Baihan sent an audio message instead, “I joined in after lunch.”
[Fish]: Until when will it last?
Hmm? He wondered why Lu Huan was asking.
Yu Baihan smiled inwardly and replied with a voice message, “I plan to practice for another hour. I took a short break in between. Is something the matter? Are you too eager to see me, your Baihan?”
Close by, Zheng Song’s voice chimed in, “He’s occupying the spot but not practicing. I told you, outsiders just come to our club for fun.”
Zheng Song’s comment was swiftly cut off by the member who had mentioned the “textbook”, “It’s just a message for Bai Han.”
“Are you defending him because he knows Senior Lu?”
“No!”
As Yu Baihan’s message played, it coincidentally halted on the words “defend him.”
He thought: because of the distance, Lu Huan might not hear clearly, and there wasn’t much point in re-recording.
Moreover, Lu Huan might not even listen to the voice message.
After over forty seconds of talking, he figured Lu Huan would likely give it a cursory glance and rely on the automatic conversion from speech to text.
Once he responded to the message, Yu Baihan set his phone down.
Zheng Song’s remark held merit—occupying a spot meant he shouldn’t linger in a prolonged conversation with Lu Huan.
—
On this relatively hot summer afternoon, Yu Baihan was naturally prone to sweating. After around forty minutes of practice, his body was slightly damp. His loose T-shirt clung to his back, and with every bowing motion, the elegant contour of his scapula was faintly outlined.
He Yue, noticing his perspiration, approached with a towel in hand. “You’re all wet. Here, wipe off your sweat.”
“Thank you.” Yu Baihan accepted the towel and wiped his forehead and neck.
He Yue pointed to the table where they kept their belongings for the club members. “Your phone seemed to have vibrated a few times just now. Someone might be looking for you.”
Yu Baihan glanced at the table. His concentration had been entirely on his archery, so he hadn’t noticed.
“Maybe I should check.” After suggesting that, He Yue recalled the recent exchange of voices between Yu Baihan and Lu Huan, and ventured a guess. “Were you chatting with your friend just now?”
Yu Baihan confirmed calmly, “Yes,” and went over to retrieve his phone. “I was.”
As he picked up the phone, he noticed the display showing [fish].
Three text messages and a missed call.
Yu Baihan was puzzled:?
Could Lu Huan really be that impatient to see him, to the point of sending this much?
Tsk, Lu Huan. What a clingy yaojin.
Yu Baihan was in the midst of removing his gloves and preparing to leave the practice area when he heard two distinct knocks on the club door.
The sound was crisp and clear, immediately grabbing everyone’s attention.
Lifting his head, Yu Baihan met a pair of deep, dark eyes.
Lu Huan stood by the door, still dressed in his formal attire, which only highlighted the excellence of his physique—broad shoulders, a well-defined back, and slender legs. His presence commanded attention, making him the focal point of the scene.
His gaze settled on Yu Baihan, and his voice was steady. “Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
Yu Baihan’s throat made a soft sound of acknowledgment.
Watching Lu Huan approach, he decided to play it light. “I was just about to call you back and you appeared right on time. Do you believe me?”
Lu Huan chuckled softly. “It seems Baihan and I have developed quite the understanding.”
“Damn…” A low exclamation suddenly came from the side.
Glancing in that direction, Yu Baihan averted his gaze from Lu Huan and saw the club members looking their way.
Some appeared perplexed, others awed, while some were simply curious. And then there were those who seemed completely flabbergasted—He Yue, Zheng Song, and the “textbook” guy.
Yu Baihan observed the onlookers briefly, then shifted his attention back to Lu Huan before him. At that moment, he recalled the photograph on the wall of honor that bore such a striking resemblance to the real Lu Huan.
Facial recognition at its finest.
Lu Huan also noticed the attention from the club members, but quickly returned his focus to Yu Baihan. “How much more practice time do you need?”
“No need for practice now that you’re here. Let’s head back.”
“Why, would my presence as an outsider disrupt your training?”
“……”
Fuck! Yu Baihan was surprised.
He shot a quick look at Lu Huan: Didn’t you just convert that over-forty-second voice into text?
Compared to his startled reaction, an almost frozen tension hung in the air beside him.
The other club members unconsciously shifted their gaze to Zheng Song, whose face had turned crimson.
He Yue remained silent, a mixture of embarrassment and sympathy for Zheng Song on her face.
Given Yu Baihan’s generally good rapport with most of the club members, he decided to graciously brush off the situation. He turned to Lu Huan and explained, “The main reason is that your presence would distract me.”
“Yeah,” Lu Huan responded simply, tugging lightly at his lower lip, and the topic was left at that.
—
Yu Baihan swiftly gathered his things, saying goodbye to everyone under the attentive gaze of all the members.
In a corner, Zheng Song remained silent, while He Yue’s expression carried a somewhat dreamy look as she waved him off, her farewell somewhat fluttery, “Bye… bye…”
“See you tomorrow.”
Exiting the Archery Club, Yu Baihan and Lu Huan walked side by side.
“How did you get here?” Yu Baihan asked.
“Was passing by,” Lu Huan replied.
“Then you just stopped by at the door.”
Lu Huan didn’t respond.
Observing him for a moment, Yu Baihan comprehended the situation, “Were you here to meet your ‘little fan’?”
Too bad, Mr. He wasn’t present at the Archery Club.
It took Lu Huan a couple of seconds to process this, his brow twitching slightly, “No.”
Yu Baihan showed understanding, “Mhm, got it.”
A tone of casual agreement was straightforward and easy to grasp.
Lu Huan, “…”
Just as they reached the car parked outside the university, Lu Huan promptly opened the door, gesturing for him to get in, clearly not in the mood to linger further.
Thud! The car doors shut.
Fan Lin, who was driving, glanced back, then began maneuvering the car.
Seated in the back, Yu Baihan rolled down the window, letting in the breeze.
Having just finished archery practice, his forehead was slightly damp, hair sticking to it haphazardly. His complexion was flushed, lending him a more youthful appearance than usual.
Perhaps having blended into the university club atmosphere, he exuded a vibrant aura.
Turning to observe Yu Baihan’s profile, Lu Huan abruptly inquired, “How old are you?”
Fan Lin, at the wheel: …
It was simply too amusing.
After years of marriage, his husband still doesn’t know his age.
Yu Baihan responded, “You’re asking for a lot here, let me check.”
Fan Lin: ???
Well, he didn’t know either.
Promptly pulling up his electronic identification on his phone, Yu Baihan heard Lu Huan’s voice again, this time tinged with a mix of surprise and amusement, “You don’t even know how old you are?”
Yu Baihan couldn’t help but inwardly retort: The novel didn’t specify this cannon fodder’s birthday, how would he have known?
Quickly locating his ID, he stated, “I’m twenty-four. How about you?”
Fan Lin: !!!
Both of them are clueless?
Lu Huan was more composed than Fan Lin, “Turning twenty-nine soon.”
“So soon?” Yu Baihan felt surprised.
Lu Huan gave a simple acknowledgment, not elaborating. The interior of the car lapsed into silence for half a minute. Fan Lin was feeling a bit like he was going to break into a cold sweat. He truly hadn’t intended to stir things up but ultimately couldn’t hold back. Clearing his throat, he spoke up,
“Next week is Mr. Lu’s birthday.”
“………？”
For a brief moment, Yu Baihan glanced at Lu Huan’s placid profile: His birthday is next week!?
—
Only upon their return to Lu’s residence did Yu Baihan manage to divert his thoughts from their downward spiral.
He stole a look at Lu Huan, who maintained his usual emotionless countenance.
Navigating through the living room, Yu Baihan ventured, “Why didn’t you inform me about your upcoming birthday next week?”
A low “heh” was Lu Huan’s response as he ascended the stairs.
“……”
Yu Baihan watched his departing figure, imagining that Lu Huan might have turned back to him and said, “Did you know that next week is my birthday?”
But upon conjuring this image, Yu Baihan fell into silence.
Indeed, it would seem overly contrived if he were to say it himself.
Retreating to his room amidst the oddity of the moment, he found himself compelled to send a message to Qi Jue.
[Yu Er]: Were you aware that Lu Huan’s birthday is next week?
As soon as he hit send, he realized with a start that he had wasted data on trivialities. As if on cue, he received a response:
[Qi Jue]: Do you think I need a reminder? [Crackling sound! I’m checking if I’ve fallen into a trap]
[Qi Jue]: With Lu Huan’s reputation, who wouldn’t know, hahahahahahahaha…
Yu Baihan’s fingers twitched.
He was tempted to block Qi Jue.
Suppressing the impulse and shutting off his phone, Yu Baihan turned his gaze toward the window.
Outside, the night was casting its shadow.
It was too late now. Tomorrow, he thought, he would pick out a birthday gift for Lu Huan.
—
The following day, Yu Baihan found himself at C University once again. As he needed to select a gift, he figured it would be best to enlist one of Lu Huan’s friends as a consultant. Among the bunch, Sun Yiqing seemed the most intellectually capable, having engaged in brain-related studies.
After all, a brain researcher’s own brain must be pretty sharp.
Located adjacent to C University was a financial hub, and as Yu Baihan exited the Archery Club in the afternoon, he conveniently intercepted Sun Yiqing who had just finished an experiment.
The duo then made their way to a shopping mall, with Sun Yiqing expertly leading the way to the top floor.
“The top floor houses exclusive high-end custom boutiques. Entry requires membership, but you can acquire it on the spot if you possess a million-dollar card.”
Yu Baihan responded, “I’ve got an eight-figure card courtesy of Lu Huan.”
“…” Sun Yiqing fell into a moment of silence, then hesitated, “Are you planning to use it to buy a gift for Lu Huan?”
Yu Baihan clarified, “This card was earned through my own efforts.”
In a way, it was a fair exchange—a gift for Lu Huan purchased through his own hard work.
Sun Yiqing nodded, refraining from further inquiries, “That works.”
The express elevator whisked them up to the top floor without any hindrance. As the elevator doors parted, an attendant was already at hand to guide them.
Yu Baihan secured membership and began browsing the offerings on the top floor.
Given Lu Huan’s current wealth and status, he likely had everything he needed. Hence, any gift would need to be both practical and ingenious.
After a couple of rounds, Yu Baihan finally settled on a high-end leather goods store.
He was drawn to a set of leather accessories – belts, leather gloves, and leather shirt clips.
However, Sun Yiqing revealed that Lu Huan’s leather shoes were custom-made from a specific brand, prompting Yu Baihan to eliminate the shoes from the selection.
With only two items remaining, the gift set felt a bit sparse.
Yu Baihan inquired with the store attendant, “Do you have any functional accessories that could be included in the set?”
After pondering, the attendant led him to a corner booth, suggesting, “What about shirt clips, sir?”
Yu Baihan blinked in contemplation at the pair of shirt clips before him…
Whoops, a certain image had formed in his mind.
Sun Yiqing approached from behind and after a quick look, calmly suggested, “Actually, with these added, it seems quite fitting.”
Turning around, Yu Baihan had a rather awkward expression, “Is this appropriate?”
Sun Yiqing tapped the display case, “What’s going through your mind? This is quite ordinary.”
Is it?
Yu Baihan suppressed his skeptical thoughts upon encountering Sun Yiqing’s earnest gaze.
Indeed, ordinary.
He extended his finger towards the clerk, “Include this too.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll prepare the package for you.”
Five minutes later, a gift box contained three leather accessories: a belt, leather gloves, and shirt clips.
Yu Baihan stared at the trio inside the box – belt, gloves, and clips.
The ensemble felt somewhat odd when combined.
He sought Sun Yiqing’s confirmation once more, “Are you absolutely sure about this?”
Sun Yiqing nodded, “Absolutely. Once you’ve made your choice, let them wrap it up. I need to hurry back to the lab and conduct further tests on my brain.”
“…” OK.
Yu Baihan swiftly settled the bill, observing as the clerk carefully placed the gift box into a bag. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to add a bouquet of roses to the purchase.
He aimed to present the gift sincerely to Lu Huan, rather than treating Lu Huan himself as the gift.
Turning to Sun Yiqing, he requested, “Could you please ask your friends for recommendations on a good flower shop?”
Sun Yiqing promptly retrieved her phone, “Sure thing.”
At that very moment, the gift bag was handed over to Yu Baihan.
With the weighty gift bag in his grasp, the anticipation of gift-giving immediately surged within him. Feeling a bit excited, Yu Baihan couldn’t resist sending a message to Lu Huan.
[Yu Er]: Ding dong! A notification for Bai Han’s special delivery.
Lu Huan swiftly replied.
[Fish]:?
Anticipating Lu Huan’s simple “?” to express confusion, Yu Baihan carried on typing:
I’ve prepared a gift for you, something quite romantic.
He intended to implant the sense of “romantic” into Lu Huan’s perception, so as to eliminate any suspicion.
Midway through his message, Sun Yiqing suddenly patted his shoulder, making a slapping sound!
“What do you think of this place?”
Yu Baihan’s fingers twitched, and he hit the send button before realizing.
[Yu Er]: I’ve prepared a gift for you, it’s quite profligate.
[Fish]: …
Translator’s Notes:
This is such a LONG chapter. I’m tempted to split it, but then you guys will be suffering from cliffhanger. The face-slapping is satisfying. And yeah, there is a reason why I attached so many images of shirt clips. Because Lu Huan’s reaction to it is funny when he opens the gift later, and I’m unsure which kind of shirt clips did Yu Baihan gave him.
And yeah, Sun Yiqing is the best wingman. Wait for more of his actions 😂👌
…it really is profligate from a certain angle.
Also, LH called YBH Yu Baihan at the beginning of the chapter.
Thank you for the chapter!
Oh, thanks for pointing it out!
…probably the first one they’re the most xx with the gloves and the belt I think 🤔
There’s so many things going on in this chapter idk where to start 😂 love how yu baihan is someone who loves compliments. The part where he modestly ask for them in whispers made me laughed. And sun yiqing best wingman hands-down 🤣
Omg, this chapter has so much to it! Can’t wait to see the reaction to the shirt clips, lmao.
The gift gives off BDSM vibes so much 😂 or some kind of kink, idk✌🏻 It’s really funny!
💜
I just binged this so sad I have caught up but looking forward to the rest. At this point I would have thought that on top of the gift he would pull off making himself the bday present. But maybe he knows playing with fire is dangerous.
Typo?
Next week is my [your?] husband’s birthday.
“I need to hurry back to the lab and carry out further tests on my brain”. Sun Yiqing is such a character 😂
Thanks for the chapter 💞
I am curious what hardwork did baihan did to get so much money 😘😘