Lately, Lu Jiu has indeed been quite busy. It wasn’t his studies that were keeping him occupied, but rather a certain internship opportunity.
In this world, his major was the same as in his previous life, Computer Science and he was now in his third year.
A professor in the department had recently needed a student to assist at a company he co-owned with someone else.
Ordinarily, this wouldn’t have been a problem. There were plenty of graduate students to choose from, and picking one at random would have sufficed.
But the professor had a particular interest in giving younger students a chance, so he carefully screened candidates.
Incidentally, this professor had once been very fond of Lu Jiu.
Though Lu Jiu had been a bit of a mess since freshman year, digging through the fragmented, blurry memories in his mind revealed that he had actually performed extremely well when he first enrolled. Perhaps it was innate talent.
Most of the time, however, he had been chaotic and unpredictable, and that initial admiration the professor had held for him quickly turned into disappointment.
By the time the internship selection came around, Lu Jiu hadn’t even been considered.
Now, he was determined to try and recover the professor’s opinion of him.
After all, being idle at school wasn’t particularly enjoyable, and earning a bit of money on the side wouldn’t hurt either.
He meticulously filled out the application form, then redid the assignment the professor had given before the National Day holiday, the one he had botched due to his previous scatterbrained self and sent both to the professor’s assistant via email.
Three days later, the professor called him over after class.
“Did you complete that assignment yourself?” the professor asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
“Of course,” Lu Jiu replied with a smile. “You could tell, right, Professor?”
The professor let out a soft chuckle, tinged with irritation. “I could tell, of course. But why couldn’t you manage it before?”
“Just a moment of confusion before. Won’t happen again,” Lu Jiu said, adopting a more composed expression.
The professor organized his things, then gave him a serious look. “This internship won’t require you to tackle anything too technically demanding, but it is a job. You need to take it seriously. You can’t just quit halfway because you don’t feel like it, or throw a tantrum when you’re in a bad mood. Do you understand?”
“I understand, Professor,” Lu Jiu replied earnestly.
“Good. Then from tomorrow, after class, report there. I’ll have someone send you the address on your phone.”
Lu Jiu smiled. “Understood.”
Lu Quning learned about this five days later.
He, too, was a Computer Science student, studying in the neighboring class. Half a month prior, he had been eyeing this very internship, attempting multiple times to make an impression on the professor and yet his efforts had been fruitless.
The professor already had someone in mind. And now, five days later, he discovered that the person selected was… Lu Jiu.
He couldn’t believe it. How could it be Lu Jiu? He was perfectly capable of this work! Sure, Lu Jiu appeared normal now, but who knew when he might suddenly lose control again? The professor had been completely deceived!
Panicking, Lu Quning rushed to the professor and delicately suggested that his brother might have some mental issues. The professor’s frown deepened sharply.
“Your brother has health problems, and your family didn’t realize it? Where’s the medical record? The diagnosis? What did the doctor say? What does the school say? Will this affect his studies or work? Is he considered disabled?”
Only then did Lu Quning realize how foolish he’d been. He stammered, unable to explain.
The professor, observing his reaction, couldn’t help but laugh.
“I remember you. You applied for this position before, right? And the first thing you did was rush over to say your brother might have brain problems, all just to snag an internship?!!”
Lu Quning’s face turned pale instantly.
He glanced toward another professor walking by, who whispered, half curious and half gossiping, “Seems like they aren’t even really brothers.”
From the other professor’s mumbling, Lu Quning faintly caught, “No wonder… I was wondering why Lu Jiu’s temper was like that before… must be a family thing…”
Feeling all eyes subtly on him, Lu Quning wished he could sink into the floor. He couldn’t understand how his life, which had been going fairly smoothly, could turn completely upside down over the National Day holiday.
Returning home, still sulking, Yang Yu asked what was wrong. He reluctantly recounted the whole incident.
Lu Mingyang, unimpressed, scoffed, “You want me to say something about studying Computer Science? My son is going to graduate and become a coder? Ridiculous! I told you from the start not to follow that kid into this major, but you didn’t listen!”
Lu Quning flushed red.
“Enough sulking,” Yang Yu continued. “If he wants to be a programmer, then you can inherit the family business. By the way, I’m going out to dinner with a friend tonight. Quning, you’re coming along.”
Her eyes lit up as she patted him on the back, “Go change your clothes quickly.”
Lu Quning straightened up, finally relaxing his expression a little.
Meanwhile, Lu Jiu was working late. That week, as soon as classes ended, he would head straight to the professor’s company. In his original world, he had written code professionally, so he adapted quickly to the work.
The senior colleagues were impressed at how proficient he was, even more capable than employees with a year or two of experience. They couldn’t help but comment that the professor had indeed found a capable helper.
Because his life felt so fulfilling, he even missed a few messages from Bai Yun during this time.
One day, the office was nearly empty, with only him remaining. He yawned in front of his computer when his phone rang. It was a senior colleague calling.
Tonight, the seniors were having dinner with the investors, and they urgently needed a laptop delivered. Could Lu Jiu bring it for them?
Seeing that the hotel was just three kilometers away, he agreed.
Carrying the laptop, he arrived at the hotel and knocked on the door of the private room. Inside, a group of people looked up at him. His eyes immediately landed on the one seated at the head of the table, and he arched a brow.
Even 111 reacted in surprise, “Whoa!”
What are the odds? How could it just happen to be Ding Jiaye?
Ding Jiaye had been slightly tipsy, and upon seeing Lu Jiu, he startled and began coughing.
The two men seated beside him, both apparently in the “senior” category, quickly patted his back to help him recover, then with a quick glance, invited Lu Jiu, “Come, come, sit and have some food. You must be starving after working late!”
The senior colleagues hesitated, unsure how to handle such a cunningly sharp older man.
Lu Jiu smiled, taking a chair with good humor, “Thank you, seniors.”
“Ah, that’s better!”
One senior leaned over, whispering into his ear, “Xiao Lu, just have a little, then find an excuse to leave. That Ding… he’s tricky.”
Lu Jiu beamed, “Understood, senior.”
And then, the real interaction began.
“Here, young man, you can drink a little, right? Let me pour it out for you!”
“Sorry, I don’t drink alcohol,” Lu Jiu said with a smile.
“How can a guy not even be able to drink? Is he trying to disrespect our Ding?”
Ding Jiaye staggered, reaching out to stop him. “No, no, no, Lao Zhao! Don’t pour, don’t pour!”
Mr. Zhao shot Ding Jiaye with a surprised glance.
This boy fit his taste perfectly, yet his reaction had been so intense just a moment ago. Now that the glass was at his lips, he suddenly started talking about manners?
Lu Jiu watched the two of them with mild amusement and began picking at his food.
His good behavior only irritated another senior, who insisted, “If you don’t want to drink, then have something else. Come, a toast to Ding!”
Ding Jiaye waved him off anxiously. “No, no, really, don’t! Just sit, eat, eat until you’re full!”
No one dared look directly at Lu Jiu. The more Lu Jiu smiled, the brighter his mood seemed to get.
Perhaps Ding Jiaye was just too nervous. The two senior colleagues had tried and failed to get him drunk, but somehow, he had managed to get Ding Jiaye drunk instead. His cheeks were flushed, and he wobbled as he tried to stand.
“Uh, young Lu… you help Ding… take him upstairs. Here’s the room card.”
One of the senior colleagues’ faces paled. He rose with a forced smile. “Mr. Zhao, Xiao Lu has been working all day and is tired. Let me help take Ding upstairs.”
Zhao’s eyebrows shot up. “Your company’s people are strange. Even helping someone requires push and shove? Can you even eat properly like this?”
“Wait, I was supposed to help Ding!” the senior said hastily, elbowing Lu Jiu. “Come on, let’s go!”
Lu Jiu set down his chopsticks, smiling lightly. “Alright, thank you, senior. Thank you, Ding, and Mr. Zhao.”
Having eaten his fill, he left the private room.
Turning the corridor corner, Lu Quning had just stepped out when he caught sight of Lu Jiu’s back. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pressed himself against the wall.
Lu Jiu… here?
He felt a surge of suspicion. Moments later, three people emerged from the private room. One of them… was Ding Jiaye?
Lu Jiu and Ding Jiaye… were having dinner here?
Ding Jiaye, thoroughly drunk, had been helped out of the room but was now wrenched free from the two men beside him. He flailed dramatically, “I… I’m going to the bathroom! Don’t follow me! I can walk! I’ll go straight!”
Then he staggered in the direction Lu Jiu had just taken.
Lu Quning’s mind raced.
He returned to the small private room, where Lu Mingyang and two business partners were drinking and discussing matters. Seeing Lu Quning hesitate, Lu Mingyang calmly asked, “What’s wrong?”
Lu Quning parted his lips. “I just saw… my brother with Ding Jiaye…”
Lu Mingyang’s face darkened, almost iron-blue, as he set down his chopsticks.
Lu Jiu was washing his hands in the restroom when the thoroughly drunk Ding Jiaye stumbled in, nearly toppling over at the sight of him.
“Y-you… you’re still here?!”
“I’m just leaving now, Mr. Ding,” Lu Jiu said with a gentle smile.
Ding Jiaye immediately sobered slightly, looking around frantically. “The wine, they forced it on me, I tried to stop them! You.. you can’t go and tattle to Bai Yun on me!”
Lu Jiu lathered his hands with soap, then placed them under the tap. “Why would I tattle to Bai Yun?”
“Don’t play dumb! You and Bai Yun… that kind of relationship…”
“What kind of relationship?”
“Lu Jiu, can you speak plainly? Is teasing me fun for you?”
“Very fun,” Lu Jiu replied nonchalantly.
“….”
Finishing washing, Lu Jiu shook his hands dry and said leisurely, “Mr. Ding, as long as you live your life by being a good person, what is there to fear? Besides, I have no interest in tattling. Bai Yun isn’t my daddy. If someone messes with me outside, I’m not going to ask him to back me up.”
Ding Jiaye let out a small laugh. “Ha! Not daddy, but better than daddy!”
111 chimed in with a laugh, “Ha! Daddy, indeed. The host sure knows how to play!”
From the men’s restroom nearby, a low chuckle drifted over.
Lu Jiu and Ding Jiaye stiffened, turning their heads in confusion.
The “other main character” they’d been discussing was standing by the sink, washing his hands.
Ding Jiaye nearly wet himself. This drunken nightmare was absolutely terrifying.
“Bai… Bai Ge, I… I didn’t do anything! I didn’t encourage the drinking, I didn’t hand over the room card! None of this is my fault!”
Lu Jiu’s lips twitched.
One after another, today’s coincidences were a bit too much.
His well-defined hands moved under the running water, calm and precise. Bo Yun’s voice remained gentle as he didn’t even look back. “Let’s go.”
Ding Jiaye immediately bolted like a cannonball, the sound of rushing water echoing behind him.
Lu Jiu glanced at the tall man beside him.
He leaned back slightly against the sink, hands resting on the edge, fingers tapping rhythmically in the air.
“You were eating here too? What a coincidence,” he said casually.
Bai Yun withdrew his hands from the tap. The automatic sensor shut off the water. He grabbed a hotel-supplied towel and elegantly dried his hands.
Ignoring him?
Lu Jiu raised a brow.
“I’ve just finished eating. I’m about to leave, so I won’t wait for you.”
As he said it, he pressed his back lightly against the sink and straightened.
The next second
Two strong arms slid around him from either side, resting lightly on the sink behind him.
His path was blocked. The gentle scent of orange blossom drifted in, shadows fell across him.
Lu Jiu leaned back against Bai Yun, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Finally, this felt right.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The coffee goblin has awakened. It wants tribute.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (1)Chapter 2 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (2)Chapter 3 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (3)Chapter 4 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (4)Chapter 5 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (5)Chapter 6 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (6)Chapter 7 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (7)Chapter 8 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (8)Chapter 9 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (9)Chapter 10 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (10)Chapter 11 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (11)Chapter 12 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (12)Chapter 13 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (13)Chapter 14 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s room (14)Chapter 15 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (15)Chapter 16 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (16)Chapter 17 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (17)Chapter 18 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (18)Chapter 19 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (19)Chapter 20 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (20)Chapter 21 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (21)Chapter 22 Part 1 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (22)Chapter 22 Part 2 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (22)Chapter 23 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (23)Chapter 24 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (24)Chapter 25 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (25)Chapter 26 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (26)Chapter 27 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (27)Chapter 28 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (28)Chapter 29 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (29)Chapter 30 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (30)Chapter 31 Part 1 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (31)Chapter 31 Part 2 · After Breaking into the Big Boss’s Room (31)Chapter 32 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (1)Chapter 33 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (2)Chapter 34 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (3)Chapter 35 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (4)Chapter 36 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (5)Chapter 37 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (6)Chapter 38 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (7)Chapter 39 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (8)Chapter 40 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (9)Chapter 41 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (10)Chapter 42 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (11)Chapter 43 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (12)Chapter 44 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (13)Chapter 45 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (14)Chapter 46 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (15)Chapter 47 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (16)Chapter 48 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (17)Chapter 49 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (18)Chapter 50 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (19)Chapter 51 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (20)Chapter 52 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (21)Chapter 53 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (22)Chapter 54 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (23)Chapter 55 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (24)Chapter 56 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (25)Chapter 57 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (26)Chapter 58 · The Empire’s Number One Beta Crown Prince (27)Chapter 59 · Hatching Baby Zombies (1)Chapter 60 · Hatching Baby Zombies (2)Chapter 61 · Hatching Baby Zombies (3)Chapter 62 · Hatching Baby Zombies (4)Chapter 63 · Hatching Baby Zombies (5)Chapter 64 · Hatching Baby Zombies (6)Chapter 65 · Hatching Baby Zombies (7)Chapter 66 · Hatching Baby Zombies (8)Chapter 67 · Hatching Baby Zombies (9)Chapter 68 · Hatching Baby Zombies (10)Chapter 69 · Hatching Baby Zombies (11)Chapter 70 · Hatching Baby Zombies (12)Chapter 71 · Hatching Baby Zombies (13)Chapter 72 · Hatching Baby Zombies (14)Chapter 73 · Hatching Baby Zombies (15)Chapter 74 · Hatching Baby Zombies (16)Chapter 75 · Hatching Baby Zombies (17)Chapter 76 · Hatching Baby Zombies (18)Chapter 77 · Hatching Baby Zombies (19)Chapter 78 · Hatching Baby Zombies (20)Chapter 79 · The Mermaid on the Shore (1)Chapter 80 · The Mermaid on the Shore (2)Chapter 81 · The Mermaid on the Shore (3)Chapter 82 · The Mermaid on the Shore (4)Chapter 83 · The Mermaid on the Shore (5)Chapter 84 · The Mermaid on the Shore (6)Chapter 85 · The Mermaid on the Shore (7)Chapter 86 · The Mermaid on the Shore (8)Chapter 87 · The Mermaid on the Shore (9)Chapter 88 · The Mermaid on the Shore (10)Chapter 89 · The Mermaid on the Shore (11)Chapter 90 · The Mermaid on the Shore (12)Chapter 91 · The Mermaid on the Shore (13)Chapter 92 · The Mermaid on the Shore (14)Chapter 93 · The Mermaid on the Shore (15)Chapter 94 · The Mermaid on the Shore (16)Chapter 95 · The Mermaid on the Shore (17)Chapter 96 Part 1 · The Mermaid on the Shore (18)Chapter 96 Part 2 · The Mermaid on the Shore (18)Chapter 97 · The Mermaid on the Shore (19)Chapter 98 · Give me a drop of blood (1)Chapter 99 · Give me a drop of blood (2)Chapter 100 · Give me a drop of blood (3)Chapter 101 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (4)Chapter 102 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (5)Chapter 103 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (6)Chapter 104 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (7)Chapter 105 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (8)Chapter 106 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (9)Chapter 107 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (10)Chapter 108 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (11)Chapter 109 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (12)Chapter 110 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (13)Chapter 111 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (14)Chapter 112 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (15)Chapter 113 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (16)Chapter 114 · Give Me a Drop of Blood (17)Chapter 115 · Extra 1: A Little Conversation After Drinking (1)Chapter 116 · Extra: A Little Conversation After Drinking (2)Chapter 117 · Extra: A Little Conversation After Drinking (3)