OL CH33

Seeing Bai Su like this, Chen Tian felt as though the thundering beat of his own heart would drown out his eardrums. His heart pounded fiercely, and his legs carried him forward involuntarily.

Without him even realizing when it had happened, his treasure had blossomed into such a captivating young man.

Snapping back to his senses, Chen Tian quickly opened the umbrella and held it over Bai Su’s head to shield him from the scorching sun.

“Uncle Qin, didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t wait outside the whole time? It’s so hot out; you’re pushing yourself too hard!”

Noticing the sweat beading on the man’s temples, Bai Su’s eyes filled with heartache. He tugged disapprovingly at Chen Tian’s arm, pulling him straight into the car.

“But I wanted to wait outside for you so I could see you the very second you walked out.”

Basking in his lover’s concern, Chen Tian clearly felt deeply gratified. Casting aside thoughts of his own comfort, he noticed that Bai Su’s cheeks were flushed from the heat. He hurriedly pulled out a beige handkerchief and gently dabbed at the faint, almost nonexistent sweat on the boy’s forehead, murmuring tenderly, “Xiao Bai, you’re the one who worked hard.”

Hearing those words, Bai Su’s heart trembled. Unable to hold back any longer, the moment Chen Tian finished speaking, Chen Tian suddenly found a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Chen Tian went completely rigid for a split second. But recovering quickly, he reminded himself that his beloved had only just come of age and was still very young.

He had just undergone the most crucial gauntlet of his life—the Gaokao—and perhaps had not yet decompressed from the emotional whirlwind. Or maybe something unexpected had happened in the exam hall, leaving him shaken and anxious.

Chen Tian immediately patted the boy’s back, consoling him softly: “It’s all right, Xiao Bai. Even if you didn’t do well, it doesn’t matter. The Gaokao results don’t define everything; I have full confidence in your abilities. And of course, if it really bothers you, we can just retake it next year!”

Anxiously fretting over his lover, Chen Tian had no idea that the youth in his embrace, listening to his stream of gentle reassurances, was entirely preoccupied with burying his face deep into Chen Tian’s chest.

Greedily clutching him close, Bai Su secretly inhaled the scent of the man’s body, his downcast eyes brimming with raw obsession.

Only after a long while did Bai Su finally look up, flashing Chen Tian a sweet smile. “Uncle Qin, I’m totally fine. I just… suddenly really wanted to hug you.”

A soft blush dusted Bai Su’s cheeks, tinged with youthful shyness.

Chen Tian’s heart melted into mush. Reaching out, he ruffled the boy’s hair and said tenderly, “All right. You can hug Uncle Qin whenever you want.”

“Really?” A flash of delighted surprise crossed Bai Su’s face, his eyes shining brilliantly.

“Of course it’s true. When has Uncle Qin ever lied to you?”

Chen Tian affectionately pinched Bai Su’s nose. Seeing his lover express such natural intimacy and trust filled him with utter satisfaction, and he made the promise without a second thought.

Sure enough, the very next second, Bai Su dove right back into his arms.

Holding him tight, the youth whispered softly, “Then let me hold you a little longer, Uncle Qin! You’re the closest person to me in this entire world; being in your arms gives me so much peace of mind!”

Having found the perfect pretext, Bai Su thoroughly savored the moment. It suddenly dawned on him that taking the Gaokao had its perks—because Uncle Qin was worried sick about him, the man indulged him far more than usual.

Tilted his head slightly, Bai Su gazed at the man’s soft profile and thought silently to himself: Uncle Qin is so good to me… it only makes it harder and harder for me to ever let him go…

All the way back, the two of them remained tangled in that cloyingly sweet embrace.

In the driver’s seat, Xiao Liu glanced in the rearview mirror and continued driving impassively. He seemed long accustomed to the sticky, inseparable dynamic between his boss and Young Master Bai.

Young Master Bai was usually aloof and distant toward everyone else, yet somehow, the moment he saw their CEO, he transformed into a completely different person—turning into a pampered, affectionate kitten.

Wait, no! Why was CEO Qin secretly kissing Young Master Bai’s hair?! What on earth was with that besotted, simping expression?! It was practically blinding!

Xiao Liu: Dear lord! I think I just stumbled upon an earth-shattering secret!

Before long, a cold-sweat-drenched Xiao Liu finally pulled the car into the driveway of the Qin family’s ancestral residence.

Only then were the two who had been embracing all the way home forced to separate, each silently lamenting why the drive couldn’t have been longer—they hadn’t held each other nearly enough!

Stepping inside, Butler Qin had already laid out an extravagant lunch. Qin Fei happened to have the day off today. Seeing Bai Su return, he dashed over with a beaming grin: “Brother Bai, Uncle, you’re finally back!”

As he spoke, he took the initiative to relieve Chen Tian of Bai Su’s backpack, hung it on the coat rack, and bounded over to Bai Su’s side, chattering eagerly, “Brother Bai, how did the exam go?”

Before Bai Su could even answer, Qin Fei suddenly realized how foolish his question sounded.

He slapped his own forehead and chuckled helplessly. “I must be an idiot. How could Brother Bai possibly do poorly?”

In truth, over the past two years, Qin Fei’s perception of Bai Su had been flipped on its head over and over again.

At first, his admiration was confined to Bai Su’s character and terrifying combat prowess. As for academics, Bai Su’s foundation prior to arriving at the Qin household had been dreadfully weak, having rarely attended formal school, so he often had to consult Qin Fei for answers.

Aside from daily lessons with private tutors, Qin Fei had frequently tutored Bai Su after returning home.

Yet, within roughly half a year, Bai Su had mastered all foundational knowledge. After another six months, Qin Fei couldn’t teach him a single thing anymore. Instead, whenever Qin Fei hit a brick wall with difficult problems, he was the one scurrying over to ask Bai Su for guidance.

Bai Su’s intellect had left Qin Fei utterly floored. Qin Fei had once secretly brought home exam papers from his own school for Bai Su to solve; tallying up the score, if Bai Su had taken their exam, he would have placed in the top three.

Shenglin Academy, where Qin Fei studied, boasted elite faculty, and its exam papers were notoriously tougher than standard schools.

From then on, whenever Qin Fei brought back tests, Bai Su’s ranking never dipped out of the top five, leaving Qin Fei in awe.

One had to know: any student placing in the top twenty at Shenglin Academy practically had their pick of top domestic universities.

Given Bai Su’s steady mental fortitude, the possibility of him doing poorly on the Gaokao had never even crossed Qin Fei’s mind.

“Now the only thing to figure out is which university to attend! Brother Bai, are you thinking H University or C University? Or are you going abroad altogether?” Qin Fei rubbed his hands together with a cheeky grin.

Qin Fei’s words sent a sudden jolt through Chen Tian’s chest. It hit him all at once: his lover had just finished the Gaokao, which meant university was next.

Unlike before, when Bai Su could study everything at home, university was a bridge to society—a place meant to be experienced in person.

Did that mean his Xiao Bai would have to leave home and live on campus?!

What kind of university would Bai Su choose? Where would it be?

Thinking of the schools Qin Fei had just reeled off, not a single one was in City B, and he had even tossed out the possibility of going overseas. At the thought of his little treasure leaving home for somewhere thousands of miles away, where he couldn’t see him every day, Chen Tian’s chest tightened painfully.

Yet he had no right to stop him. If Bai Su truly wished to study in another city or even abroad, Chen Tian could never bring himself to clip his wings!

Chen Tian looked at Bai Su, his lips parting and closing. Afraid to hear the answer, he avoided asking outright and instead began seriously calculating the feasibility of relocating his own office to whichever city Bai Su ended up in.

Remote management from another city wasn’t out of the question anyway; the Qin Corporation held considerable influence across the country. Relocating might even serve as a convenient excuse to expand their local business footprint.

Just as Chen Tian was convincing himself that this plan was entirely viable, Bai Su suddenly spoke up: “Neither. I plan to go to B University.”

B University!

Chen Tian was instantly jolted back to life. That meant staying right here in City B!

Perhaps Xiao Bai could even commute as a day student, coming straight home after classes every afternoon, preserving their current domestic life completely intact.

The corners of Chen Tian’s mouth tugged upward involuntarily, his mood instantly cured. But right after, Qin Fei’s reaction stirred up doubts again.

“What? B University?!”

Qin Fei blinked, wondering if his ears were playing tricks on him. While B University was undeniably excellent—the premier institution in City B—on a national scale, it still couldn’t quite rival giants like H University or C University.

“What? Is there something wrong with B University?”

Bai Su lifted his eyes to look at him. Qin Fei shook his head vigorously: “Of course not! B University is great; I was actually planning to apply there myself once I graduate. But Brother Bai, with your grades, wouldn’t it be a waste not to go to the very best schools?”

Qin Fei’s words served as a cold reminder to Chen Tian. With Bai Su’s marks, every elite institution was his for the picking; settling for B University did seem like a compromise.

For Bai Su’s own good, he ought to persuade him, yet Chen Tian’s selfish desires resisted fiercely, keeping the words locked behind his teeth.

“I don’t think it’s a waste,” Bai Su said calmly. “B University has the specific major I’m interested in, and it’s close to home. I have no intention of pursuing academic research, so there’s no need to force myself into H University or C University. Staying in this city suits me perfectly. Besides, once you graduate and enter college, I’ll be your senior and can look out for you. Isn’t that great?”

Hearing this, Qin Fei broke into a wide grin: “That’s true! Brother Bai always knows what he’s doing; you’d never shortchange yourself. If you picked B University, you must have your reasons!”

Furthermore, the thought of attending the same university as Bai Su thrilled Qin Fei. And if Bai Su went to B University, wouldn’t Zhaozhao apply there too?!

Then he could be at the same school as Zhaozhao! Hehehe!

Wiping at the nonexistent drool at the corner of his mouth, a faint blush crept onto Qin Fei’s cheeks.

Watching their exchange from the side, Chen Tian felt the weight lift entirely from his chest.

However, catching the sight of his nephew blushing like a maiden, Chen Tian raised an eyebrow. What absurd nonsense was running through that kid’s head now?

Why on earth did he blush the moment Xiao Bai mentioned going to the same school as him?

That bashful, coy expression was an absolute eyesore!

Even though he had watched Qin Fei and Bai Su interact for two full years and knew without a doubt that it was pure brotherhood, Chen Tian still found the sight utterly grating.

A dark glint flickered across his eyes: Maybe once this brat finishes high school, I should just pack him off overseas!

Sitting at the dining table happily stuffing his face, Qin Fei suddenly shivered. He scratched the back of his head, feeling an ominous chill crawl down his spine.

Knowing Bai Su was likely drained from days of intense exams and needed rest, the household kept things quiet aside from the lavish meal. Qin Fei didn’t invite friends over to make a racket, quickly finishing his lunch before scurrying off.

Chen Tian waited until Bai Su had finished eating, personally walking him to his bedroom door and reminding him gently to get plenty of rest.

Hearing the man’s tender words, Bai Su nodded obediently. Yet the moment the door clicked shut, every trace of meekness vanished from his face.

Pulling a beige handkerchief from his pocket, a closer look revealed it was the very cloth Chen Tian had used to wipe his forehead in the car earlier.

Carrying the handkerchief to the bedside, Bai Su retrieved a locked black box from beneath the bed. Unlocking it, over a dozen folded handkerchiefs lay quietly inside.

Bai Su tipped them all onto the bed, shed his jacket, and threw himself onto the pile. Only then did he lift the freshly acquired handkerchief, closing his eyes and inhaling its scent deeply against his nose.

‘Uncle Qin!’

Bai Su cried out silently in his heart, unable to resist biting down on a corner of the fabric with his sharp canines, an unnatural, feverish flush spreading across his cheeks.

Just when… would his Uncle Qin truly belong to him?