When Lu Guifan turned back to look at that painting again, an unprecedented feeling of warmth and beauty surged over him like a tide, wrapping him completely.

For a moment, he felt as if Jiang Ruotang had comforted him.

No… this wasn’t comfort. It was a feeling of being carefully cared for, of being gently coaxed.

That night, Lu Guifan surprisingly had no heart to study. He stared at his astrophysics textbook for a long time, feeling somewhat envious of Jiang Ruotang’s way of thinking—everything seemed to become especially soft and romantic in his hands.

After this monthly exam ended, when Jiang Ruotang came to class and turned around, he immediately saw Zhao Changfeng looking utterly miserable—sighing long and short, frowning tightly—his expressions could make an entire set of memes.

“You’re still worried about your exam results?” Jiang Ruotang leaned against his desk. Though he didn’t want to admit it, Zhao Changfeng’s eyes were indeed bigger than his; he could never win in a staring contest… so annoying.

“It’s all your dad’s fault for introducing me to that trainer… kept saying I had talent—total scam—teamed up with that fitness coach to work me like a dog every day…”

“Huh? Blaming my dad? Should I tell him to fire the trainer then?”

“No way! Teacher Pei is important…” Zhao Changfeng instantly sat up straight, but when he saw Jiang Ruotang smiling with squinting eyes, he knew he’d been tricked again. Too lazy to argue, Zhao Changfeng flopped back onto the desk. “Teacher Pei made my mom think I could get into college on my talents… but my math, physics, and chemistry… even sports students have to take the college entrance exam… this monthly exam made me feel like my college hopes are doomed…”

Jiang Ruotang poked his ear. “Little brother, I heard this monthly exam was three levels harder than the actual entrance exam. Except for our class monitor in Exam Hall 1, everyone else was complaining. Even the top students were stressed. You, as a struggling student, shouldn’t let just one test shake you!”

“I don’t feel comforted at all…” Zhao Changfeng muttered weakly.

Jiang Ruotang raised an eyebrow. He just called him “little brother” and Zhao Changfeng didn’t even react?

Had this guy accepted reality?

Just as Jiang Ruotang turned his head back, he suddenly got poked hard in the back.

“Who did you just call little brother?”

Oh—so it wasn’t “acceptance” but “slow reaction.” That delay was way too long.

“You, of course,” Jiang Ruotang said without looking back. “My dad even found you a trainer. If I can’t call you little brother, then who can? So petty.”

“You… you…” Zhao Changfeng choked, holding it in for five or six seconds before blurting, “What month are you even born to call me little brother?”

“Me? March! Aren’t you August?” Jiang Ruotang asked.

Zhao Changfeng pressed on: “Which year?”

Oh? This kid wasn’t giving up yet?

“Same year as you! Don’t forget—I still have that Lakers trading card of yours!”

“You’re purposely not giving it back… you’re shameless…”

“Shameless, so what? Shameless isn’t illegal.”

At this moment, Lin Lu walked into the classroom with Bai Yingchuan following behind.

“Ruotang, you’re here early today. Worried about the monthly exam rankings? You worked hard—you’ll definitely improve your rank,” Lin Lu said with a smile.

“Slack off too much, and you gotta pay for it sooner or later.” Jiang Ruotang shrugged, not caring much.

Bai Yingchuan glanced at Jiang Ruotang, but Jiang Ruotang didn’t spare him much of a look.

To him, the dejected Zhao Changfeng in the back row was much more interesting. Jiang Ruotang even turned around now and then to tease him.

“What goal did Aunt Zhao set for you? Break out of the last exam hall?”

“None of your business!” Zhao Changfeng grumbled.

“Actually, if you move up three places, you’ll make it to the second-to-last hall!” Jiang Ruotang said happily, sounding totally like he was mocking him.

“None of your business! You’re in the third-to-last hall yourself, and you’ve got the nerve to mock me! The turtle laughs at the soft-shelled turtle for not having a tail!”

“You should say ‘A crow sitting on a pig’s back only sees others as black but not itself.’ You’re that little pig!”

“Then you’re the smelly crow! Turn your head away, you’re annoying!”

Lin Lu quietly watched as Jiang Ruotang teased Zhao Changfeng. The two of them bickered like little kids, and even though Zhao Changfeng knew he was being teased, he still fell for it every time.

In short—it was like Zhou Yu striking Huang Gai: one willing to hit, one willing to take it.

It really seemed like these frenemies got along way too well.

In the back row, Cai Ji lay on his desk, watching them squabble, eyes faintly showing envy.

When Lu Guifan brought the exam rankings from the homeroom teacher, the whole class crowded around.

“Let me see!”

“Oh no, I’m scared… but I have to look…”

Lin Lu didn’t squeeze in. With his good relations, someone would surely tell him the results.

Bai Yingchuan also leaned back in his chair, acting unconcerned.

Jiang Ruotang felt a strange, possibly self-indulgent feeling—as if Bai Yingchuan kept glancing at him.

But why?

Did Bai Yingchuan think he was good-looking? But in terms of looks, Lin Lu was clearly better.

When Jiang Ruotang glanced over, their eyes met.

Bai Yingchuan gave a faint smile. Jiang Ruotang nodded slightly, then quickly turned away to focus on the crowd checking rankings.

Bai Yingchuan’s smile faded instantly. His gaze darkened as he stared at Jiang Ruotang’s profile, but Jiang Ruotang never turned back.

“Lin Lu! 9th in class, 28th in the grade!”

Hearing this, Lin Lu exhaled—same as last term.

“Wow, Bai Yingchuan’s amazing! 7th in class, 22nd in the grade! Not only a pretty face but also top of the class!”

“Ugh, how are the rest of us supposed to survive?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Bai Yingchuan, who smiled calmly and said, “Thanks.”

Jiang Ruotang remembered how Bai Yingchuan’s old management had branded him as a top student. Turns out they weren’t lying to the fans after all.

Lu Guifan turned sideways, squeezed out from the crowd, and walked past Jiang Ruotang on the way to his seat.

“You improved a bit—but not much.”

“Huh? You checked for me?” Jiang Ruotang looked up.

“Yeah. 41st in class, 393rd in grade.”

“So… I moved from the third-to-last seat in the third-to-last hall to the third seat counting from the front in the third-to-last hall?”

“Something like that.”

As he passed by, Lu Guifan lightly brushed Jiang Ruotang’s forehead.

Just that casual touch made Jiang Ruotang’s heart feel sweeter than if he’d ranked in the top three of the class.

Too bad he was still stuck in the third-to-last hall. Jiang Ruotang—are you destined to be a permanent resident there?

Lin Lu watched, dumbfounded. Jiang Ruotang hated anyone touching his head—but when cold, expressionless Lu Guifan did it, he was actually happy?

A strange unease rose in Lin Lu’s chest. Jiang Ruotang, who always did things exactly as he expected, was steadily going off-script.

At lunch, Jiang Ruotang, as usual, pressed Sister Juan’s nutritious meal onto Zhao Changfeng’s desk and went out to pick up takeout.

“I really don’t get you. Sister Juan’s food is great—why insist on eating out? Is it because wildflowers smell better than home ones?” Zhao Changfeng grumbled as he opened the lunchbox.

Ugh, this dumb kid—if you don’t know how to use metaphors, don’t use them. No wonder you only get 50 out of 150 on Chinese tests!

“Sister Juan doesn’t put chili in your food. I want something spicy!”

As Jiang Ruotang went to fetch his food, Lin Lu followed him.

“Ruotang, did you know? The Jinshang MALL in the city center just opened! It’s full of luxury and trendy brands, and there’s an arcade on the basement floor! When are we going to check it out?”

Only then did Jiang Ruotang remember the mall—they’d hired lots of celebrities for the opening.

“Oh right, didn’t Bai Yingchuan endorse that sports fashion brand, MARS, that moved in there?” Jiang Ruotang asked casually.

Lin Lu’s eyes lit up. MARS was just announced as Bai Yingchuan’s endorsement recently—Jiang Ruotang actually remembered? And knew the brand was in Golden Twin? Clearly, he was still paying attention to Bai Yingchuan!

“Yeah! And did you know the mall’s light show can be booked as a confession screen? It’s officially opening this weekend—if someone books the lights to confess to Bai Yingchuan, that’d be such a flex for him!”

Seeing how excited Lin Lu was, Jiang Ruotang immediately understood. Ever since he had withdrawn from Bai Yingchuan’s fan support group, Lin Lu had become the leader of the group. He was busy everywhere promoting Bai Yingchuan and pulling in sponsorships. Moreover, Lin Chengdong himself was a person in the entertainment industry, so much of the information Lin Lu released was accurate. In just one month, Lin Lu’s prestige in the fan club had grown significantly.

The reason Lin Lu came to remind Jiang Ruotang at this time was nothing more than treating Jiang Ruotang as a money bag.

In his past life, Jiang Ruotang had also listened to Lin Lu’s suggestion, rented a confession screen, and burned tens of thousands of yuan on it!

And Lin Lu had already announced the upcoming confession screen in the fan group, so everyone credited him for this effort. They all praised him for his wide connections and great ability, saying he could bring in promotional sponsorships without asking fans for crowdfunding. The rainbow flattery in the group practically reached the heavens.

It was Jiang Ruotang who had spent the money and effort to raise Lin Lu’s leadership position in the fan group and even made Bai Yingchuan’s team look at Lin Lu in a new light, praising him as young and promising. Meanwhile, Jiang Ruotang was nothing more than a foolish money-burner from beginning to end.

When his younger, naive self confronted Lin Lu, the latter easily brushed him off with a few words, saying things like Jiang Ruotang could regard him as a “news spokesman” and then even thanked him in the fan group for his sponsorship. The fans all expressed their gratitude, but thanks to Lin Lu’s clever wording, everyone saw the sponsorship as a resource Lin Lu had pulled in— the credit was still all his.

Sigh… Lin Lu, if you keep doing things like this, one day you’re going to get into big trouble.

“This confession screen… it could be put to use.” Jiang Ruotang said thoughtfully.

“You think so too?” Lin Lu didn’t realize that Jiang Ruotang had seen right through his intentions. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

“I’ll talk to my dad about it.”

Lin Lu showed an envious expression. “Uncle Jiang really spoils you. He never stops you from doing anything.”

Jiang Ruotang silently rolled his eyes to the heavens. This is called ‘spoiling’?

His dad just had low standards. As long as he didn’t kill or set fires, Jiang Huaiyuan thought even his son scratching his feet was adorable.

As soon as he got home and changed into slippers, his father—who unconditionally doted on his son—rushed over and hugged him happily.

“Tangtang! Dad heard that you made great progress in this month’s exams! You moved up more than twenty spots in the whole grade!”

Expressionless, Jiang Ruotang replied, “I was already at the bottom. Of course my room for improvement is bigger than others…”

Like Lu Guifan—he didn’t have any room left to improve.

“That’s okay, take it slow. Rome wasn’t built in a day!”

“Yeah, and some people are just born in Rome.” Jiang Ruotang casually put down his schoolbag. “By the way, it’s been a month already. How’s Aunt Zhao’s transfer going?”

“Today the announcement was made. Your Aunt Zhao is officially the General Manager of the Audit Department!”

When Zhao Yunshu was mentioned, Jiang Huaiyuan’s eyes lit up. Like an old house catching fire—burning fiercely.

“Nice. When does she start checking the books?”

Jiang Ruotang couldn’t wait to find out what shady tricks Lin Chengdong had been up to all these years in the company.

“She needs to get her own people first. After taking office, she’ll reorganize the audit department.”

“Oh.” Jiang Ruotang asked again, “And when are you going to propose?”

Jiang Huaiyuan froze for a moment, then showed a shy smile. “Well… I’ve got the ring ready, but I haven’t thought of what to say yet.”

“Hah, you’ve shot so many romance movies, and you still can’t come up with something romantic?” Jiang Ruotang sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and had the aura of a domineering CEO—more like the head of the household than his father.

“So what should I do?” Jiang Huaiyuan asked.

“Give me money. I’ll do it for you. You just bring Aunt Zhao to the spot when the time comes.” Jiang Ruotang stretched out his hand without hesitation.

What surprised Jiang Ruotang was that his dad transferred five figures without even blinking.

“Hey, aren’t you going to ask what I’m going to do with it?”

“Sigh, what could you possibly do? At most, you’d go support Bai Yingchuan. As long as you’re happy.” Jiang Huaiyuan’s reply was so natural.

Jiang Ruotang sighed. So, Dad, in your heart, that’s all I am, huh? A rich fool who burns money for Bai Yingchuan at most.

“Just wait. We’re going to celebrate nationwide.”

Director Jiang: “Son… don’t make this too big…”

After school on Friday, Lin Lu even came up to Jiang Ruotang and asked, “That confession screen… did you get it?”

“Got it. My family’s using it.” Jiang Ruotang answered seriously.

“For what?” Lin Lu smiled and nudged him lightly.

“Secret,” Jiang Ruotang said. “You’ll know when the day comes.”

“Uncle Jiang is so nice.” Lin Lu’s eyes lit up as he smiled. When he called the staff at Jinshang Twin Star MALL to confirm, they only told him that the confession screen had been rented, but they couldn’t disclose who rented it or what content would be displayed.

So Lin Lu could only come and confirm with Jiang Ruotang. If Jiang Ruotang had rented it, what else could it be for besides confessing to and supporting Bai Yingchuan?

And saying it was a “secret” was just an excuse not to let him tell Bai Yingchuan in advance.

This confession screen was already 80% certain to be his. Anyway, if it was to make Jiang Ruotang spend money for Bai Yingchuan, this guy would definitely burn it like crazy.

A love-struck brain is a love-struck brain. No way could he be cured after just one summer of treatment.

Lin Lu felt like he could boast about his abilities again in the Bai Yingchuan fan group.

“On Sunday, Yingchuan will attend a brand event he endorses. Are you going? There’ll be lots of activities!”

“Sunday… I have art class… if I go, it’ll be in the evening.”

“Great, there’s also an event at eight in the evening. See you then!”

Lin Lu smiled triumphantly. If not for the confession screen, would Jiang Ruotang have agreed to run to the mall at eight? This guy was never interested in malls.

Once again, Lin Lu was certain that Jiang Ruotang had rented the confession screen for Bai Yingchuan.

He posted the news in the fan group and was immediately surrounded by cheers. The fans all said the electronic screen for the entire Twin Star MALL was especially expensive, and Lin Lu had managed to get it without crowdfunding—amazing.

Even the admin of the fan site personally promoted Lin Lu’s ID, “In the Depths, Seeing a Deer,” to site manager, making Lin Lu feel delighted.

So this is what it feels like to be admired by fans? Lin Lu was even tempted to become an actor—maybe he could act alongside Bai Yingchuan someday!

Jiang Ruotang and Lin Lu parted ways at the school gate. Just as Jiang Ruotang was about to get in the car, someone grabbed him by the back collar.

Zhao Changfeng’s irritated voice came from behind his head.

“Hey, Jiang Ruotang, I thought you were cured, but you’ve gone from brain-dead fan to full-blown aircraft carrier? Can’t you spend money on yourself?”

On tiptoe, Jiang Ruotang thought is this guy even taller again? How did he lift him like a little chick so easily?

“Let go—I’m about to suffocate!”

“Don’t care!” Zhao Changfeng let go and turned to leave, only to be pulled back by Jiang Ruotang.

“Little brother, don’t go. I have something to tell you.”

“I’m not talking to a brain-dead fan! And stop randomly calling me ‘little brother’!”

“Changfeng… Changfeng, don’t be like this. Your brother really has something to tell you!”

“I don’t have a brain-dead brother like you! Stop pretending we’re related! Move!”

Despite his harsh words, Zhao Changfeng didn’t actually push Jiang Ruotang away—after all, with his strength, he could’ve thrown Jiang Ruotang onto the car roof if he wanted to.

“Changfeng, you have to go on Sunday. Both of us have to go!”

“What? You obsess over Bai Yingchuan all you want. Why are you dragging me along? I’m not going—” Zhao Changfeng’s face turned red with frustration.

Jiang Ruotang sighed. “Listen, this has nothing to do with Bai Yingchuan. It’s about our parents!”

“Huh? What? Whose parents?” Zhao Changfeng looked adorably confused.

Jiang Ruotang beckoned him closer. Zhao Changfeng leaned in, and Jiang Ruotang whispered in his ear for a long while. Zhao Changfeng’s expression changed from impatient to shocked.

“You… you’re serious?”

“If I’m lying, I’ll eat sh*t upside down!”

“Ugh, so gross…”

“What’s gross? You say that all the time yourself!”

You don’t think it’s gross when you say it? If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been brainwashed by this phrase!

Meanwhile, Lu Guifan was walking to the bus stop when he overheard some lower-grade girls chatting about the Jinshang MALL event.

“I heard that Jiang Ruotang from Class 1, Grade 3 booked the confession screen to support Bai Yingchuan!”

“Hahaha, as expected of Bai Yingchuan’s number one diehard fan! I’m definitely going on Sunday to see it. I heard the whole building will be flashing ‘I love you’—such a grand and overwhelming display of love!”

“So jealous. If I had the money, I’d rent out a confession screen for Bai Yingchuan too! If you love someone, you have to love them magnificently!”

Lu Guifan paused, turning his head to see Bai Yingchuan’s advertisement poster at the bus stop—those unforgettable features, that gentle and refined smile, the tip of his tongue lightly licking the corner of his lips, long fingers holding a milk-flavored chocolate ball that made one want to take a bite.

Bai Yingchuan… truly did have the kind of charm that could drive people to madness.

That evening, after returning home, Lin Lu posted announcements in the fan group and on various forums, inviting fans to come to Jinshang Twin Star MALL to cheer for Bai Yingchuan.

Amidst all the praise and admiration, he was so pleased with himself that he forgot all about Jiang Ruotang’s words—“our family has use for it”—and couldn’t help but boast that he had personally secured the confession screen and more.

The fans eagerly awaited Sunday, arranging to meet at Jinshang MALL for this grand event.

During the day on Sunday, Jiang Ruotang was in the studio painting. Every few minutes, he received messages from his dad—“Son, does this pair of pants go with this shirt?” “Son, should I get a new haircut?” “Do you think this ring is too flashy, or should I go for something more low-key?”…

Jiang Ruotang sighed and replied:
[Dad, I’m painting. If you keep bothering me, I’m blocking you!]

Only then did Jiang Huaiyuan finally quiet down.

At five in the afternoon, Jiang Ruotang left the studio and Xiao Gao drove him to Building A of Jinshang MALL.

At first, Lin Lu messaged him a few times, asking where he was, but soon there were no more messages.

Jiang Ruotang could imagine that Lin Lu was probably now surrounded by a crowd of fans. Apart from Bai Yingchuan’s manager, Lin Lu was likely acting as his spokesperson, seizing the chance to cement his position. These fans would soon become his personal promotional force, working for him for free.

Every floor was packed with people. The security at the entrances was busy keeping order. This was Bai Yingchuan’s influence—the embodiment of traffic and attention.

Jiang Ruotang went straight from the underground parking lot up to the rooftop terrace by elevator to check the setup.

Flowers, lights, fireworks—everything was ready.

Meanwhile, the entire mall was overflowing with people, all trying to squeeze into Bai Yingchuan’s new brand store.

Jiang Huaiyuan was dining with Zhao Yunshu in the rooftop panoramic restaurant. Romantic lighting, exquisite food, and the perfect atmosphere.

The confession on the terrace was planned for after dinner.

Jiang Ruotang’s phone vibrated in his pocket—it was a message from Zhao Changfeng:
[Where are you? Aren’t you eating? Or are you going to be the third wheel?]

[Is today your cheat day? Can I have fast food? I want pizza.]

[I’ll wait for you at the fast-food place on the B1 floor then.]

So Jiang Ruotang and Zhao Changfeng sat together on the B1 floor, eating an extra-large pizza and drinking cola.

The area was crowded, and all around them, people were discussing Bai Yingchuan.