After Yu Baihan regained consciousness, he reached for the bed and realized that his phone was still untouched.
Extracting the phone from the bedside table, he sent a voice message to Lu Huan on WeChat: “You’re heartless!”
In the lingering heat of the moment, he reclined on the bed with limp limbs after sending the message, expressing his dissatisfaction through the recorded voice: “Lu Huan, this is too much…”
The voice carried a damp quality, mingling with slightly erratic breaths.
After Yu Baihan’s hair cascaded onto the pillow, his eyelashes drooped, and the residual warmth gradually dissipated.
After about ten seconds, the phone vibrated.
Raising it slightly, he saw Lu Huan’s response.
[Fish]: Don’t let yourself get carried away.
[Fish]: Otherwise, we’ll have to extend it another week.
Yu Baihan: !!!
He pushed the phone aside, rubbed against the quilt, closed his eyes with a tinge of grievance, and drifted off to sleep.
Refrain from Lu Huan’s advances, and abstain from intimate activities.
…
Early the next morning.
Yu Baihan awoke to a surge of passion throughout his body.
Steaming, he returned to the master bedroom, but upon opening the door, he found the bed empty. Lu Huan had already risen, leaving behind a disheveled quilt, with Lu Huan’s phone still on and its screen resting beside the pillow.
Yu Baihan walked over and glanced.
The screen displayed their WeChat conversation, frozen on the voice message he sent last night and Lu Huan’s subsequent reply.
As he was perusing, he caught a faint sound of running water from the bathroom.
Yu Baihan turned his head: Huh?
He approached tentatively and called out, “Lu Huan.”
Shortly afterward, the sound of splashing water accompanied Lu Huan’s hoarse voice, mixed with the running water, echoing from inside, “Yes.”
Yu Baihan pushed the door open and entered.
The bathroom door creaked open, revealing Lu Huan standing by the sink, his face flushed from the neck up. When he turned to look at Yu Baihan, his slightly damp forehead brushed against his tousled eyebrows.
The lingering scent still lingered in the air.
Lu Huan was just…!
Yu Baihan’s face flushed momentarily. He pointed out teasingly, “You told me not to mess around, yet you’re the one getting carried away.”
Lu Huan stood before him, gazing down, and responded as if contemplating his words, “I… have no issues.”
“……”?
Yu Baihan observed him silently.
On Lu Huan’s flushed neck, Adam’s apple moved, and he couldn’t resist reaching out to cup Yu Baihan’s cheek.
As soon as he covered his cheeks, Yu Baihan inquired, “Did you wash your hands?”
Lu Huan curled his fingertips, his face turning even redder, “I did…”
Before he could finish responding, Yu Baihan interjected, “It doesn’t matter if you didn’t.” Tipping his head, he kissed Lu Huan’s palm, his soft eyelashes brushing against the warm skin.
Lu Huan took a quick breath and pinched Yu Baihan’s cheek, accusing, “You’re tormenting me again.”
Yu Baihan retorted, “Aren’t you tormenting yourself?”
Recalling the glimpse of the phone screen, he pulled at Lu Huan’s clothes, leaned in, and asked in a low voice, “Did you secretly listen to Baihan’s voice this morning?”
Lu Huan’s lips were tinted red, and his eyes exudes warmth, but he remained silent.
…He really did.
Yu Baihan’s heart raced a bit faster, warmth spreading through his entire body. Taking advantage of the moment, he shifted the conversation to, “Did you also think about me just now?”
A few seconds of silence filled the small bathroom.
Lu Huan gazed at him deeply and then, as if restraining his embarrassment, replied with a firm voice. “It’s not what you think.”
Having said that, he tightly pursed his lips, striding out of the bathroom, leaving a heated atmosphere behind.
Yu Baihan stood rooted to the spot: Badump.
Lu Huan’s words had ignited a warmth in his heart, and it took him a moment to turn around and head to the sink. As he picked up the wash cup once more, he raised his eyes to look in the mirror, only to cast them down again.
Hiss…
Had he been wearing that expression the entire time?
The rosy clouds seemed on the verge of bursting into the sky.
—
However, in the ensuing days, no matter how Master Yu Baihan cast his fishing rod, Little Fish Lu refused to take the bait.
On a weekend morning, Yu Baihan sat on Lu Huan’s lap, holding his face in dissatisfaction. “I’m bored; I don’t love it anymore. Can love just disappear?”
“…” Lu Huan replied, “No.”
“But you’re not showing any interest in me at all.”
Lu Huan let out a sigh, pinched his waist, and gazed at him steadily. “Do you know how terrifying it was when you suddenly fainted?”
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.
Meeting Lu Huan’s eyes, Yu Baihan lowered his head knowingly.
Cmaejiis, tf qgbyjyis xcfk.
Qtfc tf ojlcafv atja wbgclcu, Oe Lejc tegglfvis mjeuta tlw. Ktf olgra alwf tf iloafv tlw, tf kjr ralii ecrafjvs, jcv lc tlr njuef mbcrmlbercfrr, tf bcis ofia atf batfg qjgas’r gjqlv jcv tfjns tfjgayfja.
Cr lo oliifv klat ofjg.
Te Djltjc ibkfgfv tlr tfjv jcv absfv klat atf yeaabc bc Oe Lejc’r qjpjwjr. “Dea wjsyf la kjr tsqbuismfwlj.”
A couple of playful sounds echoed.
“……”
Raising his head again, Yu Baihan stared at Lu Huan for a few seconds, then suddenly reached out, hugged Lu Huan’s head, rubbed it, and nibbled on Lu Huan’s ear.
Lu Huan was startled. “What are you doing?”
“Eating some deer antler to make amends.”
“……”
Lu Huan pulled him down and said, “Stop fooling around; just go and eat the stewed tonic later.” He paused and added, “I have to go to the company in the afternoon.”
Yu Baihan released him, “How is the situation with the Si family? Did you find anything in the directions I told you to investigate last time?”
“I’ve checked.” Lu Huan’s expression became slightly somber, and his gaze grew intense. “But I haven’t found any clues yet. The two old foxes of the Si family didn’t use their identities to adopt children, and the photos used for publicity only show children. They’ve covered their tracks too well; their identity information is missing, making the investigation difficult.”
“Being secretive even in ‘charitable’ activities is indeed suspicious.”
Yu Baihan commented while holding Lu Huan’s tense face with both hands, gently rubbing his cheeks like a sea otter. “Look at you~ Why do you start to hate again while talking? Step by step, you’ll eventually uncover the clues.”
Lu Huan’s facial features wavered under his touch. “…”
He removed the man’s hands and said, “Got it. Let’s go downstairs and eat.”
“Okay.”
After lunch, the two returned home.
Lu Huan changed into different clothes and prepared to go out.
Yu Baihan also began to rummage through the closet. Lu Huan turned to look at him, “What’s wrong.”
“I’ll be out in the afternoon, and you won’t be at home.” Yu Baihan sighed softly, looking around with a calm tone, “To avoid getting sentimental.”
“…” Lu Huan replied, “Is that the right use of that word?”
After a moment, he asked again, “Where are you going?”
Yu Baihan pulled out a set of clothes and changed, “I’m heading to the furniture store. I made an appointment with He Yue. She has better taste than me. I’ll let her assist with the decoration of our new home.”
“Sounds good.” Lu Huan’s expression softened a little. “Let’s go together when I finish this task.”
Yu Baihan was momentarily content, “Sure~”
Little Deer Lu, doing his part.
I’ll forgive your temporary uselessness for now~
—
In the afternoon, it was still Hua Wu behind the wheel, driving Yu Baihan to his destination.
Sitting in the back seat, Yu Baihan instructed, “Head to the furniture city,” and received a puzzled yet affectionate glance through the rearview mirror.
Hua Wu gripped the steering wheel, took a deep breath, and responded, “Sure!”
Yu Baihan, engrossed in his conversation with Lu Huan on WeChat, raised his eyes:?
Wasn’t Hua Wu supposed to be his chauffeur for the day?
Why such a profound “sure”?
Upon arriving at the Furniture City, He Yue awaited Yu Baihan at the entrance.
The two entered the mall together, and He Yue cast a sideways glance at Yu Baihan’s expression. “Are you okay?”
Yu Baihan, looking around happily, replied, “I’m doing well.”
He Yue sighed in relief. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Having previously focused on targeting the Si family, she likely knew a thing or two about them. With Lu Huan now suppressing the Si family, it might not necessarily displease Yu Baihan.
Addressing him, He Yue said, “I mentioned earlier that those rumors are baseless. You may not be aware, but the rumors outside are highly exaggerated.”
Thinking about the gossip he heard from Qi Jue and the comments under financial news articles, Yu Baihan said, “I’ve come across some of them.”
“Oh, not those.” He Yue clarified, “It’s on our website forum, and it’s spreading like wildfire.”
As they walked into the doll pillow area, Yu Baihan casually grabbed a tropical fish pillow, squeezed it affectionately, and turned to He Yue with curiosity. “Which forum is this?”
“It’s a website forum where our community gathers to gossip and enjoy gossip. Mostly frequented by young women.” Waving her hand dismissively, He Yue added, “You probably wouldn’t be interested. It’s normal if you haven’t heard of it.”
A sudden pallor appeared on Yu Baihan’s face. “Am I outdated?”
He Yue, “…”
She shared the forum’s URL with Yu Baihan.
Yu Baihan immediately pulled out his phone to check.
Upon entering the forum, it was evident that posts about the Lu family and the Si family dominated discussions.
[Lu Huan, a formidable figure in the southern city, shows no mercy.]
[Wiping out in-laws? Can such a handsome man be so ruthless?]
[The Si family still engages in charity, displaying a certain aristocratic quality.]
“…” Interesting.
He wanted to see what other peculiarities were circulating.
Yu Baihan casually clicked into a post and found the discussions in full swing:
[No wonder Mrs. Lu rose so swiftly; she truly is ruthless.]
[A marriage of convenience. I just didn’t expect Lu Huan to sever ties with his in-laws in less than a year. Whoever married him will probably be discarded when he tires of them.]
[Those adopted children are also pitiful. If Lu Huan destroys the Si family, won’t the adopted children have no home again?]
[So, Lu Huan is ruthless.]
[And I heard from my brother that this business war cost over a billion yuan, so he probably won’t care about these things.]
Amid the discussions, there were sporadic voices expressing doubt:
[Didn’t the Si family have two scandals in a row before? It doesn’t feel clean.]
A reply quickly followed:
[That’s the younger generation of the Si family. The second elder of the Si family has never had any scandals in most of his life, and I’ve also seen photos of the adopted children. I feel that he is quite kind… [picture]]
…Kind? ? ?
For a moment, Yu Baihan found himself in the midst of Chinese internet netizens’ self-doubt.
He casually tapped on the image below and found it to be a staged photograph of a child adopted by a feudal remnant. The photo only captured the child’s back, while Mrs. Si faced the camera, exhibiting a demeanor entirely different from their last encounter.
Squinting his eyes, Yu Baihan remarked, “You were smiling so broadly that it seemed like your skin would stretch…”
“Tsk.” He Yue approached to have a look, her tone filled with righteous indignation. “It’s just baseless rumors circulating. I know Senior Lu is definitely not that type of person. Just wait for them to be proven wrong!”
Yu Baihan pocketed his phone, clutching the plush tropical fish pillow in his arms. “Of course~ our Senior Lu is compassionate.”
“Exactly!”
He Yue said, tugging him in another direction. “Don’t bother with these for now. Didn’t you mention wanting to buy a large mirror?”
Yu Baihan perked up immediately, “Huh?”
Perfect! Let him see for himself~
…
Yu Baihan didn’t return home until after dinner.
Upon reaching home, he took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and then lounged on the bed with the recently purchased “Lu Huan Substitute Fish” while scrolling through his phone.
He accessed the forum that He Yue had shared with him earlier in the day.
The forum featured a variety of news from high society gossip. Yu Baihan scrolled through the posts until he stumbled upon one that caught his attention:
[The child I saw at the orphanage last time seems to be adopted~]
Huh? Intrigued, he clicked on it right away.
The post was made by the daughter of the Xu family, a member of the upper class known for their charitable endeavors. The Xu family’s daughter had visited an orphanage, made a donation, and shared a group photo.
Yu Baihan clicked on the group photo to get a closer look.
One of the children in the photo was wearing the same clothes as the child in the Si family’s picture.
Yu Baihan:!
Immediately, he shot up from the bed like a startled fish, grabbed his phone, and hurried to the study, calling out, “Lu Huan—”
In the study, Lu Huan was seated in front of the computer, deep in thought.
He looked up at the sound, and his furrowed brows eased a bit. “What’s the matter?”
In his serene eyes, the words [Forbidden Move] were prominently displayed.
Yu Baihan paused, squinted, and peered at the screen. “Why are you looking at me like that? In your mind, I came to you just for gossip?”
Lu Huan didn’t respond, but a subtle affirmation lingered in his eyes.
“……”
Don’t let me move, and now you still have to slander me!
Yu Baihan cast a deep glance at Lu Huan and approached with tolerance. Forget it, he doesn’t mind reining in for Lu Huan~
He handed the phone to Lu Huan. “Take a look at this.”
Lu Huan shifted his gaze to the image on the screen, and his expression darkened suddenly. “Where did you find this?”
“There’s a private forum in the upper circles. The daughter of the Xu family posted a photo with the orphanage earlier.”
After a brief silence, Lu Huan exhaled. “Send it to me.” He turned back to the computer, saying, “I’ll ask Qin Lun to compare it. It’s best to follow through from this point of entry.”
Yu Baihan swiftly sent it. “Hmm~”
He pondered quietly: When Baihan helps achieve great things, can he ask for a small reward then?
—
Lu Huan acted swiftly.
Previously, the Si family had cleverly concealed all information regarding the “adopted” child, making it virtually impossible to unearth any details. However, with the presence of photos and corresponding details about the orphanages, a clear starting point emerged.
Qin Lun efficiently traced the so-called “adopter” using the orphanage information. Following the bank transactions, he meticulously navigated through several rounds of investigation until he finally unearthed the Si family’s exposed “fox tail.”
Seated in the computer room of the Lu residence, Qin Lun reclined in his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
Gazing at the information displayed on the computer screen, he sneered and dialed Lu Huan’s number.
“Sir, I’ve got it.”
In the CEO’s office atop the Lu Group, Lu Huan listened to the phone call, his eyes focused on the table as he placed his fingertips on it. “Understood.”
He ended the call and directed his attention to the evidence sent by Qin Lun on the computer.
The cold glint in Lu Huan’s dark eyes reflected a steely determination.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, a vast night spread out, the lights of Wanjia twinkling in the distance. The business empire beneath his feet stood as a testament to his own endeavors.
After a brief contemplation, Lu Huan furrowed his brow and dialed a number.
…
Five days later, another piece of news surfaced from the Si family.
The police’s announcement sent shockwaves throughout society, including the upper echelons that had been embroiled in controversy during this period.
[“Witchcraft”? “Change of luck”? The so-called “philanthropist” actually subjected a dozen children to this in the guise of adoption!]
[Chairman Si arrested on suspicion of child abuse!]
The headlines alone were horrifying.
Upon delving into the content, the revelations were even more staggering: acting on tips from concerned individuals, the police discovered the adopted children in a villa owned by the Si family in the deep mountains, accompanied by a “master.” The scene was laden with various “feudal superstition” paraphernalia, and the children had suffered varying degrees of injuries.
All stolen items had been recovered, and two influential figures within the Si family had been apprehended and were undergoing interrogation.
…
Overnight, the philanthropic façade of the Si family was ruthlessly dismantled.
Surprisingly, it was Lu Huan, who had been accused of cruelty not long ago, that exposed it all.
Notably, when reporters rushed to the scene after hearing the news, they were initially stopped by Lu’s bodyguards. Only after the children were safely taken away under protective custody were reporters allowed to gather information.
The truth had been unveiled.
The images of the Lu family and the Si family underwent an abrupt reversal.
The earlier criticisms and accolades were now rendered mute.
Weibo accounts and various platforms that the Si family had utilized to manipulate public opinion promptly deleted previously posted information. However, right after the deletions, they received a comprehensive indictment from Lu’s legal counsel.
The external scenario shifted abruptly.
In the midst of these changes, the atmosphere at the Lu residence remained as calm and serene as usual.
After reading the report, Yu Bai nestled on the beanbag sofa and logged into the forum. The tide within had completely turned:
[Oh my god, what happened at the Si family is terrible…]
[Even without seeing pictures of those children, just looking at the reporter’s shots suggests how dreadful the villa is—a veritable hell on earth.]
[I heard Mr. Lu sent someone to prevent the reporter from exposing the children’s information.]
[It seems the Lu family is taking responsibility for these children.]
[I always said Mr. Lu isn’t so heartless. Business conflicts are normal. Even if he defeats the Si family, they deserve it!]
Yu Baihan skipped over those reversed messages, continued scrolling, and then came across a familiar ID—
It was the daughter of the Xu family who had silently contributed, posting a new message:
[It’s horrific. I want my dad to help the Lu family and send these old beasts on their way!]
Yu Baihan, “…”
If only you would remember your original intent.
He gently nodded in approval and exited.
—
Overnight, the Si family found itself without a leader.
The entire upper-class circle, motivated either by “morality” or the desire to “grab a share,” seized the opportunity to bring down the Si family.
Lu Huan, well-prepared in advance, swiftly launched a powerful offensive, aligning forces with the Huo and He families to swiftly erode the remnants of the Si family’s foundation.
However, in a matter of days, before the entire upper class could fully comprehend the situation—
This formidable entity, rooted for three generations,
ultimately crumbled.
……
Yu Baihan received the news of the “complete collapse of the Si family” directly from Lu Huan. Although the information had not yet been made public, Lu Huan shared it with him through a WeChat message.
Considering the other party might be occupied, he sent a brief WeChat message upon hearing the news.
[Fish]: The Si family has collapsed.
In just four words, there seemed to be a palpable sense of relief, as if the burdens on Lu Huan’s shoulders had been gradually lifted.
Holding the phone, Yu Baihan felt a surge of optimism. It was as though the heavy burden on Lu Huan’s heart had been dismantled, stone by stone.
[Yu Er]: Waiting for your triumphant return. [radish squat.jpg]
After sending the message, he set his phone aside, leaned against the bed in the second bedroom, and embraced the “Lu Huan Substitute Fish.”
Yu Baihan pursed his lips and gently squeezed the fish’s head in his arms:
Half a month had passed.
With the collapse of the Si family, Lu Huan was now free to indulge in his desires.
It was about time to bring him back to their haven~
Baihan… please stop endangering your body
at least condition yourself more
I was kind of hoping someone made the connection to Si Baihan and how he was also adopted but then again I don’t know if Lu Huan would allow that to spread