Chapter 12: Happy Lantern Festival

The next morning, Jiang Ruotang sat at his desk, waiting. Even when Lin Lu arrived and greeted him, Jiang Ruotang only offered a perfunctory smile. Beside him, Lin Lu was chatting about organizing a small gathering, inviting mostly children of top executives from Huanyu Entertainment. The guest of honor? Bai Yingchuan.

On the surface, it was a welcome party for Bai Yingchuan. In reality, Lin Lu was using the attendees as social capital to curry favor with him.

Jiang Ruotang listened absentmindedly, nodding here and there, until a thought struck him. He asked, “When do you plan to have this welcome party?”

“How about Sunday?” Lin Lu’s eyes widened, as if to say: See? You say you’re over Bai Yingchuan, but you’re still paying attention to his party.

“Sunday? I have art class. You guys go have fun,” Jiang Ruotang replied.

“Huh? Art class…” Lin Lu’s smile froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal. “Skipping one session isn’t a big deal. Even a mule needs rest, and you go to the studio five times a week. Missing one won’t kill you.”

Jiang Ruotang thought to himself: Funny how you never said “even a mule needs rest” back when I was dying of lung cancer in my last life.

“No, the provincial joint entrance exam is coming up soon.”

Lin Lu was about to say more when Lu Guifan walked into the classroom. Jiang Ruotang’s eyes lit up. He grabbed his math worksheet and rushed over to Lu Guifan’s desk.

“Class rep! Help me! I don’t get this question!”

Like someone trying to reserve a seat, Jiang Ruotang slammed his worksheet down on Lu Guifan’s desk.

The classmates who had been scrambling to finish copying homework looked up, gratitude shining in their eyes.

—Good bro, taking one for the team! You’re buying us time by distracting Lu Guifan from collecting homework!

Lu Guifan leaned back in his chair slightly, a faint furrow between his brows.

Jiang Ruotang suddenly felt nervous. Was he being too eager? Had he crossed a line?

Everyone has personal boundaries… Did I just annoy him?

Sigh… When’s the next monthly exam? Lin Lu, hurry up and step on Lu Guifan’s pen or something so I can jump in and earn some brownie points!

Just as Jiang Ruotang was about to apologize, Lu Guifan picked up the worksheet and scanned it.

“Rather than that big question… you got these ones wrong too. Focus on the basics first.”

“Huh? I did?” Jiang Ruotang blinked, watching Lu Guifan tap on several of the multiple-choice questions.

His fingers were long, with neatly trimmed nails that curved slightly—clean and elegant.

Jiang Ruotang suddenly recalled how, in his past life, Lu Guifan would always wash his hands before peeling fruit for him, carefully patting them dry with tissue. That restrained grace… Jiang Ruotang could never get enough of it.

“You got them wrong,” Lu Guifan confirmed.

“Then… what’s the right way to solve them?”

Lu Guifan uncapped his pen. Jiang Ruotang, like a good little student, immediately offered a sheet of scratch paper. Lu Guifan began explaining each question to him, one by one.

Time was short. By the third question, the morning self-study bell had rung. Jiang Ruotang had to carry his worksheet back to his seat.

He didn’t even notice Bai Yingchuan entering the room, surrounded by a crowd of classmates.

As soon as he sat down, Lin Lu started whining.

“You didn’t see it at all—poor Yingchuan didn’t even get a second of peace. You, his number-one fan, didn’t help him out!”

“Huh?” Jiang Ruotang blinked, instinctively glancing past Lin Lu to Bai Yingchuan.

In high school, everyone wore uniforms, and their facial features hadn’t fully matured. Most boys had boring or messy haircuts, no makeup, no grooming. Yet Bai Yingchuan, even barefaced, was undeniably handsome.

Sensing Jiang Ruotang’s gaze, Bai Yingchuan turned his head slightly and looked over. Just that upward glance alone echoed a producer’s comment: Bai Yingchuan was born to make hearts flutter.

He smiled faintly, seemingly waiting for Jiang Ruotang to speak.

Ever since Lin Lu mentioned that Jiang Ruotang was a die-hard fan, Bai Yingchuan had found Jiang’s fan club ID, even asked his team about him. Surprisingly, his own assistant had heard of Jiang Ruotang—said he was so loaded he’d pay fan-site photographers to shoot exclusive pics. If anyone badmouthed Bai Yingchuan, Jiang would fight tooth and nail, like ten haters couldn’t match his energy.

A fan that obsessed… acting this indifferent in person? Had to be that classic “playing hard to get,” right?

Jiang Ruotang thought for a moment, then said, “They’re just curious. Once they get to know you, the crowd will die down. If we chase them off now, it could hurt your social standing. Worst case, tonight some gossip post says you’re being a diva.”

Lin Lu stared at Jiang Ruotang, clearly wondering, What the hell are you saying?

Jiang Ruotang patted Lin Lu on the shoulder, speaking solemnly. “I know this is hardest on you. You could talk to Mr. Wang, tell him the class’s curiosity is disturbing you. He’ll set some rules. That way, you and Bai Yingchuan can have peace.”

“Huh?”

Lin Lu had always gotten others to do this sort of thing for him. This was the first time someone told him to complain himself.

“Your rights—you should fight for them yourself. Otherwise, the teacher just thinks someone’s sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Then Jiang Ruotang even nodded, as if to say I believe in you.

Lin Lu’s smile faltered.

Meanwhile, the smile on Bai Yingchuan’s lips deepened. He propped up his chin and asked, “What if I don’t want to be surrounded between classes?”

“Then go sit in a toilet stall and play on your phone.”

Bai Yingchuan laughed with his eyes. “I don’t like the smell of bathrooms.”

“Then do what I do—collapse onto your desk and nap the moment class ends. Nobody’s going to shake you awake just to chat.”

“Hmm. Sounds like a good plan.”

Bai Yingchuan looked at Jiang Ruotang’s profile. His expression was calm. After so many years in the entertainment industry, Bai had seen countless two-faced people. But in Jiang Ruotang’s eyes, there wasn’t even a trace of admiration—if anything, there was a faint don’t come near me vibe.

It made Bai Yingchuan doubt whether this was really the same die-hard fan Lin Lu had described.

But somehow, that cool demeanor was comforting. The annoyance of being constantly surrounded faded. Mimicking Jiang Ruotang, he propped up one arm and rested his cheek on the other—blocking his face from view, and avoiding everyone else’s faces too.

Lin Lu looked around—wait a second, when did those two start talking over him?

The whole morning, Jiang Ruotang paid full attention in class, and collapsed to nap the moment it ended.

After all, brain development needs both knowledge and proper rest.

And Bai Yingchuan, following Jiang Ruotang’s lead, also laid down at the same time.

With two slumped statues on either side of him, Lin Lu watched in dismay as curious classmates came to talk to Bai Yingchuan, saw the scene, sighed, and left.

A silent rejection. Everyone got the hint—crowding around him wasn’t a good look.

North City Guangyao High used to have a cafeteria, but the vendor contract expired at the end of last semester. That kitchen was a juicy opportunity—several big shots were eyeing it. The entire summer passed in negotiations with no result.

The school had to issue an apology, claiming the cafeteria was closed for “fire safety renovations.”

Jiang Ruotang’s reaction: Yeah, right!

If he remembered correctly, it wouldn’t be settled until the end of this semester.

In the meantime, the restaurants and delivery joints near school were booming.

At lunch break, Zhao Changfeng got up from the back row, ready to head out for food, when Jiang Ruotang grabbed his arm.

“What?” Zhao frowned.

“I was rushing to finish my worksheet this morning and forgot—this is for you.” Jiang dug around in his bag and handed over a Peppa Pig lunchbox.

“What’s this? A kids’ meal? I don’t want it!”

“Then I’ll give you Sister Juan’s phone number. You can call her and tell her yourself.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Otherwise, she might think I deliberately withheld it from you. I’m not taking the blame.”

Zhao paused, remembering how Sister Juan had smiled at him last night. “She… made this for me?”

“No idea. Maybe she likes you more than me. I’m picky, but you always finish everything she cooks. Maybe she feels accomplished with you.” Jiang shrugged.

Zhao was the type who couldn’t say no to kindness. He took the pink lunchbox, his neck flushing slightly with embarrassment.

“Then… what are you eating?”

“Me? I’ve got plenty of choices—fried chicken, burgers, a giant Coke. I don’t need to build muscle or watch my body fat.” Jiang smirked and walked out.

In truth, he’d ordered delivery. Time to grab it from the gate.

Lin Lu saw him get up and quickly followed.

Outside the classroom, Lin Lu grabbed his arm. “Are you crazy? Giving Zhao Changfeng a lunchbox? You’re not seriously trying to be friends with him, are you? Don’t forget who Zhao Yunshu is!”

Jiang Ruotang looked at Lin Lu’s concerned eyes and thought of all the sweet-talking he usually did. He patted Lin Lu’s shoulder.

“No matter what Zhao Yunshu’s like, Changfeng is innocent.”

“Changfeng? Innocent?” Lin Lu looked like he just ate a fly.

But Jiang Ruotang swore he was just mimicking Lin Lu’s own tone and words.

“Yeah. Changfeng doesn’t work at Huanyu Entertainment. And Zhao Yunshu’s always working overtime—he probably doesn’t have time to poison Changfeng’s mind. I believe, as long as I treat him with sincerity, he’ll know right from wrong.”

Even he wanted to gag at that line.

“Did you binge-watch some saintly Mary Sue drama recently?” Lin Lu asked, visibly frustrated. That was way too emotional—it didn’t match his usual soft and persuasive style.

“Lu, you’re such a kind person. How can you hold a grudge against Changfeng just because of Zhao Yunshu? You’ll disappoint me.”

Jiang Ruotang once again gave him that heartfelt, earnest look—and patted his shoulder.

For a moment, Lin Lu was speechless. In his whole life, no one had ever said they were disappointed in him.

Then—

A soft chuckle came from behind Jiang Ruotang.

It was fleeting, but it made his heart skip a beat.

He turned around.

A tall figure brushed past him.

It was Lu Guifan.