… Si Tan, a rare visitor.
Yu Baihan examined the photo again, a slight frown forming. “Darn it, why does it look better than my selfie?”
“If I had known earlier, I would’ve checked my old account yesterday and used this one for my Moments post,” he mused.
He swiftly saved the image with a flick of his fingers, then switched back to his new account and shared it with Lu Huan.
[Yu Er]: “Does it look good?” [picture]
[Fish]: “Who took the picture?”
[Yu Er]: “The photographer hired by my second sister.”
“…”
After five or six seconds, a voice call came through.
As the call connected, Lu Huan’s voice came through from the other end, “What does she want from you?”
Yu Baihan responded, “She arranged to meet me. By the way, what’s going on with my older brother?”
Lu Huan explained, “Si Yanting returned to the Si household this morning and is searching for a scapegoat to justify himself.” Pausing, he added, “What’s your take on the meeting?”
Yu Baihan was taken aback.
He had expected Lu Huan to assertively “confine” him.
After pondering for a couple of seconds, he responded, “Then I’ll be going to meet her.”
A character like Si Tan, who was usually immovable, approaching him willingly was a rare occurrence. It was best to cherish the opportunity.
“Alright,” Lu Huan said after a brief silence, his voice softening, “Put on the bracelet, and let Hua Wu and the others accompany you. Don’t go alone…”
Yu Baihan chuckled, “You’re such a worrier~”
“……”
The call hangs up.
Yu Baihan switched back to the old account, thought for a while and replied.
[Yu Baihan]: Alright, see you here.
[Yu Baihan]: [Link—Small Touring Hot Pot]
After he finished sending, he turned to Uncle Feng and asked for motion sickness medicine.
…
Yu Baihan and Si Tan arranged to meet on Wednesday night.
Accompanying Yu Baihan were Hua Wu and the two bodyguard brothers who had previously come to fetch him.
The four of them sat in their respective cars. Hua Wu took the wheel in the lead car and dropped a subtle hint, “Master, we’ll be there every step of the way.”
Yu Baihan, not entirely sure of their intent, replied, “I understand.”
Otherwise, were they there to enjoy the breeze at the doorstep?
After speaking, he offered a reminder, “Oh, and you might have a little workout later, so be prepared.”
The brothers looked puzzled, “Huh?”
They arrived at the familiar alley from yesterday.
Yu Baihan and Hua Wu waited at the store’s entrance for a while, spotting a figure approaching down the alley.
Si Tan was dressed in a simple white cheongsam, emphasizing her delicate and slender frame. She was accompanied by three bodyguards.
As they drew near, Si Tan greeted Yu Baihan with a smile. “It’s good to see you again.”
The other party’s demeanor was nonchalant, as if nothing had happened a few days ago when a photo of him had been sneakily taken.
Yu Baihan reciprocated the smile, “Second Sister, have a seat and let’s have a chat.”
They entered through the small door and faced the waiter again.
Observing Yu Baihan, the waiter couldn’t quite believe it: repeat customers in this establishment?
With a casual air, Yu Baihan ordered the Eight-Pronged Pot, which rotated like a hot wheel, and gestured to Si Tan, “Second Sister, please, go ahead.”
Si Tan had no suspicions. “Of course.”
—
After placing their order for the pot base, Si Tan walked ahead.
Yu Baihan followed, and after a few steps, he was unsurprised to find himself suddenly astonished by the view of the other party’s back!
He gently stepped forward and said, “Second Sister, let’s take a seat.”
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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Ktf akb rfaaifv vbkc. Ktf mbcnfsbg yfia’r klvat kjr ilwlafv jcv mbeivc’a jmmbwwbvjaf rb wjcs qfbqif rajcvlcu. Ktf ybvsuejgvr bc flatfg rlvf tjv ab xffq qjmf klat atf mbcnfsbg yfia, kjixlcu rtbeivfg ab rtbeivfg.
Lej Qe raewyifv j yla, gfjilhlcu, “Rb kbcvfg sbe wfcalbcfv atf cffv obg fzfgmlrf.”
The scene seemed a bit crowded compared to the video feed.
Si Tan steadied himself, pressing a hand to his chest and taking a deep breath.
Yu Baihan effortlessly placed ingredients into the pot, saying, “Second sister, do have something to eat.”
Si Tan’s face paled, “It’s okay.”
Yu Baihan didn’t insist, saying, “Alright, suit yourself. But remember, an empty stomach might make you faint faster.”
The combined aromas of the eight soup bases mingled in the air. Si Tan suppressed his discomfort and shifted the conversation, “There have been significant changes at home lately.”
Yu Baihan chewed on some vegetables, nodding, “Indeed.”
Si Tan’s gaze lingered for a few seconds on the vegetables being swiftly sucked into the whirlpool of soup, and he continued softly, “Xiao Han has changed a lot. I heard from my third brother that he introduced you to a psychiatrist.”
Yu Bai paused, “…”
Shan San’er elaborated on all of this, suggesting that Si Tan might have cornered him.
Yu Baihan took a sip of lemon tea and pretended to faint:
However, it would be unfair to call Si Wei unintelligent. Si Tan appeared neither calculated nor aggressive, making it easy for people to drop their guard.
Yu Baihan acknowledged, “It’s an introduction.”
Si Tan smiled lightly, “The psychiatrist my third brother recommended is really skilled. It feels like a complete transformation in personality.”
Yu Baihan glanced up at Si Tan.
After a brief pause, he suddenly broke into a genuine, radiant smile. “Absolutely. But it wasn’t my third brother; it was the psychiatrist my husband connected me with.”
Si Tan was slightly taken aback, “Mr. Lu?”
“Yeah, I sense a significant change in myself, and it’s kind of strange. But I believe… it’s a good kind of strange.”
Yu Baihan’s eyes expressed complete reliance.
To Si Tan, it was reminiscent of the expression he had seen when Yu Baihan was being manipulated by Si Yanding.
Suddenly, the conveyor belt made a sharp turn, causing their seats to jolt.
“Hmm…” Si Tan furrowed his brow, placing a hand over his mouth. A trace of contemplation and suspicion marked his pale face.
Yu Baihan took another sip of tea and continued with his act.
Come on, Second Sister.
While she’s momentarily distracted, utilize this time to think. After all, the more detailed and elaborate my responses, the more convincing they’ll be.
After a few seconds of quiet at the table, Si Tan’s smile returned. “It’s okay if Xiao Han thinks it’s fine.”
Yu Baihan echoed with a slight smile, “Exactly.”
The wrong answers now rest in your hands. Hurry up and concoct your wicked plans.
…
Having consumed less than half of the meal, Si Tan rose from her seat, her complexion pallid. “Xiao Han, I’ll head back now.”
As she stood up, her footing slipped, nearly causing her to tumble off the conveyor belt. A nearby bodyguard quickly assisted her, the situation slightly awkward. “Ma’am, please be careful!”
Yu Baihan also left his seat, stating, “I’ll accompany Second Sister out.”
Both parties exited the hot pot restaurant, and Si Tan’s car was parked in the alley.
Si Tan made her way toward the alley entrance, her steps unsteady. Suddenly, Yu Baihan called out to her, “Second Sister.”
She turned back to face him.
Yu Baihan, shedding his previous weak facade, stood under a streetlamp, offering a genuine smile. “The photos turned out beautifully. Remember to send me more.”
Si Tan gazed at him for a few moments before chuckling, “Of course.”
The night breeze swept through the alley, carrying with it the scent of car exhaust and street food. Si Tan’s smile froze for a moment, a frown marring her face. She swiftly turned and hurried away.
Once she was out of sight, Yu Baihan lowered his gaze and rephrased the comment,
[Punching in for the second time; skipping a meal makes for an uncomfortable day.]
He stored away his phone after posting the comment, then dialed Hua Wu and the others. “Let’s head back too.”
He felt a sense of relief; it was liberating not having to maintain a façade.
Lu Huan had disrupted the original storyline, and it appeared he was breaking free from the constraints as well. The seemingly invincible protagonist’s halo was gradually dimming—
He could live without restrictions.
—
Upon returning to Lu’s residence in the evening, the sky was growing dim.
Before Yu Baihan stepped through the main house gate, he heard Lu Huan’s voice in the quiet night, “I’m back.”
He glanced across the courtyard and spotted Lu Huan standing on the terrace. Surprised, Yu Baihan walked over and leaned in front of him, asking, “Why didn’t you go back inside?”
Lu Huan gazed down at him for a moment and replied, “It’s nothing, just taking a breather.”
As he spoke, he gently grasped Yu Baihan’s wrist, playfully flipping the little whale on the bracelet with his fingertips. “Why didn’t you turn on the camera?”
Yu Baihan held his chest, saying, “I had a revolving hot pot for dinner, and I was afraid it might make you queasy.”
Lu Huan’s expression faltered again at those words.
Yu Baihan added, “…See, I knew it.”
In any case, Si Tan had an airtight personality; he couldn’t capture anything with the camera. Moreover, Hua Wu and the others were always present, engaging Lu Huan in conversation.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Lu Huan said, turning to enter the house.
Yu Baihan looked at the now empty terrace, his heart skipping a beat. He followed Lu Huan and asked, “Did Commander Lu purposely wait for me here?”
Lu Huan’s voice carried from ahead, “Not intentionally, just happened to be here.”
“Oh, really?”
Yu Baihan suddenly recalled that the last time he returned from Shan San’er’s place, Lu Huan was also standing on the balcony.
A smile played on the corners of his lips.
He wrapped his arms around Lu Huan’s waist and turned his head, teasing, “Why are you shy? Isn’t it just virtually tending to your radish online~”
Lu Huan halted, as if struck by the remark. He gently held Yu Baihan’s hand at his waist, running his fingertips over it, and said, “I’m going up the stairs.”
Yu Baihan contemplated, “Together, then?”
“You go ahead.”
Considering it, Yu Baihan replied, “Got it.”
Just as he released his hold, his neck was lightly pinched again.
“Get some rest.” Lu Huan pinched him back, then turned and headed upstairs.
Yu Baihan stood by the stairs, touching the back of his neck.
Oh~ Well, that’s a kind of satisfaction, he supposed.
…
Upon returning home and freshening up, Yu Baihan received a set of photos from Si Tan.
All of them were taken in alleys. Some captured the moments he turned to glance at Lu Huan, and others featured Lu Huan silently watching him as he engrossed himself in his phone.
Commander Lu was indeed sneaking peeks at him.
Yu Baihan swiftly saved all the pictures~
Right after saving, Si Tan’s message popped up.
[Si Tan]: Good night, Xiao Han. ^_^
Yu Baihan, “…” Hehe.
[Yu Baihan]: ^_^
After the playful exchange, he clicked into Si Tan’s profile.
Si Tan was using what was known as the “defying fate” plotline.
She started off frail, yet every time she needed an organ transplant, miraculously suitable donors—close friends and confidantes—would appear, seemingly defying the one-in-a-million odds.
In the original story, her treatment process was summarized in a single stroke.
However, Yu Baihan paid close attention and noticed that those supporting characters who were once her close friends were never mentioned again.
He paused, modifying the description to: [Urban Eccentric Tan]
A professional “kill familiarity” expert.
Urban ghost stories—bringing you unusual tales.
After Yu Baihan finished tweaking the profile, he powered down his phone and pulled the quilt over himself to sleep.
Commander Lu had thoroughly dismantled the protagonist halo of the Si family.
I wish you a good morning, good night, and a peaceful time behind bars.
—
After meeting Si Tan on Wednesday, Yu Baihan decided to stay in for a while.
He spent his time at home reading while Lu Huan went to work at the company.
Perhaps it was because their previous social media posts had given Qi Jue and the others some reassurance. On Friday, they eagerly proposed another dinner gathering – a celebration for Lu Huan’s return to the social scene!
Lu Huan sat in the living room, his computer connected to a voice call. “It’s been a bit inconvenient to go out lately, so let’s hold off on dinner for a while.”
Yu Baihan leaned over and then heard a resounding “pop” sound through the call! It startled him so much that he nearly slipped off the sofa, but Lu Huan quickly caught him.
Qi Jue reassured him, “Hey, it’s okay!”
Lu Huan raised his hand and adjusted the volume down a bit.
Qi Jue continued to chat with a considerate tone, “If it’s not convenient for you to go out, no worries, we’ll come to your place!”
Yu Baihan pointed at the screen and turned to Lu Huan with a playful tone, “He’s acting so generous now, saying he’ll come to our house for a party.”
Qi Jue responded, “…”
Lu Huan chuckled and tapped his fingers on the table.
He glanced at Yu Baihan, who seemed ready to leap off the sofa again, and then turned to Qi Jue, saying, “As you wish.”
Yu Baihan briefly abandoned his restraint and exclaimed, “Woo~”
Qi Jue echoed, “Woohoo!”
…
The celebration party was set for Sunday afternoon.
To celebrate Lu Huan’s impressive comeback, Yang Xinyuan and Wen Lou flew back from their respective locations.
By two or three o’clock in the afternoon, Qi Jue and Sun Yiqing arrived early at Lu Huan’s residence.
Upon seeing Lu Huan and Yu Baihan, their eyes collectively rested on them, brimming with admiration for how they had weathered the storm.
Qi Jue admitted, somewhat embarrassed, “We were too shallow back then to recognize the love between you two.”
Yu Baihan shook his head, “We’re just too profound.”
“…”
Sun Yiqing placed the accompanying gift on the tea table. “This is a gift for you, congratulations.” After saying that, he faced two neon-like gazes simultaneously—one black and the other yellow.
Yu Baihan’s eyes sparkled with a hopeful yellow light. “What’s in there?” Fingers crossed!
Lu Huan glanced over with his deep eyes.
Sun Yiqing maintained a serious expression. “Very serious.”
Lu Huan seemed to release a soft sigh, and his gaze lingered on the gift bag for a few seconds before he changed the topic. “Where’s Wen Lou and the others?”
Qi Jue answered, “Yang Xinyuan will be here shortly. Wen Lou should also be on his way. He mentioned that the gift he got for you is so large he had to hire a moving company.”
Yu Baihan questioned uncertainty, “A moving company?”
“Is he trying to give us a house?” he added with a grin.
The others, “…”
Lu Huan pursed his lips, showing a hint of skepticism in his tone. “Just tell him to come directly.”
There was a tinge of mistrust in his voice.
“Okay,” Qi Jue replied, lowering his head to message Wen Lou.
The familiar WeChat interface popped up on the screen. Yu Baihan glanced over, and Wen Lou’s recent posts in Moments flashed in his mind.
He leaned closer to Lu Huan and asked softly, “Could it be that the idea of revealing the engagement at that time…”
Lu Huan confirmed, “Yes.”
“…”
The two fell into a brief silence.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Yu Baihan inquired of Qi Jue, “What did he say?”
Qi Jue paused, “He mentioned he’s arriving.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the distant rumbling of trucks grew louder, like a convoy approaching the courtyard. It seemed like more than one truck. Thuds echoed, resembling a truck procession.
…?
A sense of foreboding gripped Yu Baihan’s heart.
An ominous premonition grew stronger.
The Si family is really impressive – two crooked people found each other and raised a bunch of crooked kids.
And I really fear Wen Lou that thing; he’s such an idiot. Idiots are dangerous. Ok, maybe not an idiot, but he really doesn’t have a door on his mouth. And if he does it’s always open.
Thank you for the chapter!
I have an ominous feeling as well eheheheheh
💜
Thanks for the chapters
Idk… 4 sets of water beds or something?? 😂😂
I think water bed too!!
Thanks for the chapter 💞