After that day, Lu Jiu’s life became strangely quiet.
Bai Yun never contacted him again.
The sickness and nausea that had been bothering him finally eased. The constant drowsiness faded, and his body slowly found a strange kind of calm.
If not for 111 still talking in the back of his mind, he might have almost forgotten that he was a man carrying a child.
That Thursday, he did not go to the company. His professor had called him in to help with something.
The professor was moving to a new teaching building that had been donated by a wealthy benefactor.
The other teachers chatted while packing up, saying with a laugh that if the rich man donated another building or two, they could all have bigger offices and cleaner air.
While they were talking, a familiar word suddenly came up.
“Bai.”
Lu Jiu stopped for a short moment. He shifted the pile of papers in his arms and walked downstairs ahead of the others.
When he reached the last few steps, lost in his thoughts, his foot slipped. His body tilted sharply to the side.
Not far away, in a parked Maybach, Bai Yun’s hand suddenly closed around the door handle.
In the next second, Lu Jiu steadied himself, his face flashing with alarm.
Bai Yun froze in place.
In the back seat, Ye Qin was sitting lazily with one leg crossed over the other.
“I really don’t get what’s going on between you two,” Ye Qin said, half annoyed and half amused. “I heard Jiu Jiu showed up last Saturday too. Didn’t you two already talk things out?”
Bai Yun sat quietly in the driver’s seat without answering.
When Lu Jiu had stumbled, a few sheets of paper had slipped from his arms and scattered on the ground. He bent down to pick them up, unaware of the sharp eyes watching him through the tinted window.
“A person who has gone insane,” Bai Yun said suddenly in a calm voice, “would they forget everything that happened before?”
Ye Qin blinked, caught off guard. That came out of nowhere.
But it was clear who Bai Yun was talking about.
“That’s called amnesia,” Ye Qin muttered. “Not insanity. Why? You care about that now? Jiu Jiu looks fine to me. Don’t tell me you’re starting to regret that one night.”
Bai Yun still did not reply.
Yes, if someone forgot everything, that was not madness.
Someone who had truly lost their mind would not still be studying, going to class, or living normally.
His eyes stayed on the thin figure in the distance.
Then what was that state called, he wondered? What kind of person falls into such a strange and broken state, then suddenly wakes up one day as if nothing ever happened?
Ye Qin studied him quietly from the back seat.
He had known Bai Yun for years, long enough to understand how deep his thoughts ran and how much he liked to hide them. But lately, something was different. Bai Yun spent more time thinking about Lu Jiu than about business or money.
That thought made something twist uncomfortably in Ye Qin’s chest.
A memory came to him, from three years ago. Back then, Lu Jiu had clear eyes and an easy smile, before everything became so messy. He had come to their home as a guest.
Even then, Bai Yun had looked at him with that same unreadable, searching gaze.
“Wait,” Ye Qin said suddenly, his eyes going wide. “Hold on. Be honest, how long have you liked that kid?”
Bai Yun turned his head and raised an eyebrow slightly.
Ye Qin swore. “Don’t tell me it’s been that long! Jiu Jiu was only eighteen three years ago. And you were twenty six. You beast!”
Bai Yun touched his chin thoughtfully, looking back toward Lu Jiu. His tone was calm. “That’s not against the law, is it?”
Ye Qin almost choked.
Not against the law? Maybe not. But still shameless beyond belief.
That kid had been young and bright like new grass in spring, and this man had already set his eyes on him.
So that was why he had suddenly come back from overseas. It had all been planned, careful and deliberate. The moment he returned, he had swallowed the boy whole.
Ye Qin glared at him, angry. “And another thing. Back in Jiu Jiu’s last year of high school, he went missing for a month. Everyone said he ran away, but I heard he went abroad. When he came back, he had a huge fight with Lu Mingyang. I always wondered how someone that young managed to go overseas alone. Don’t tell me, ”
“What is your brother doing?” Bai Yun cut in sharply, his brows drawing together.
Ye Qin blinked, confused by the sudden change. He followed Bai Yun’s gaze.
Outside, Ye Lin, his younger brother, had walked up to Lu Jiu. He looked like he wanted to help carry the papers, but Lu Jiu refused. The two of them walked side by side, Ye Lin following a step behind like a guilty puppy.
“As you can see,” Ye Qin said dryly, “he’s bonding.”
Bai Yun narrowed his eyes. “Is your brother always this free?”
“What?”
“I thought college seniors were supposed to be busy with internships.”
Ye Qin stared at him, speechless.
Did this man even know the difference between ‘almost a senior’ and ‘a senior’?
Still, he had to admit, it was a good question. Why wasn’t Ye Lin interning like Lu Jiu?
It was the first time Lu Jiu had seen Ye Lin since the National Day holidays.
Even though they were at the same university, the campus was big and their departments were far apart. It was not easy to meet by chance.
Ye Lin had sent him a few messages, but Lu Jiu never replied to any of them.
Now, walking side by side, Ye Lin’s face was tight with nerves. “Last Saturday, when my brother and I arrived, you had already left,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I heard you and Brother Yun had a fight?”
“No.”
They had not even raised their voices. What fight?
“Then…”
“I’m done with him,” Lu Jiu said flatly, “but that doesn’t mean there’s anything between you and me.”
He did not look back as he spoke. “Ye Lin, whatever we had ended the day you turned your back and walked away. Even if we are still brothers, I don’t like your type.”
Ye Lin froze.
He wanted to ask, Then what type do you like? Someone like Bai Yun?
But after a long silence, he only gave a small, bitter smile.
Lu Jiu could feel his mood sinking again.
The next day, Friday, he went to see Dr. Gao for another round of tests.
“Your condition is stable,” the doctor said after reading the scans. “But for the next three months, avoid heavy activity. Don’t work too hard.”
She paused for a moment, then asked softly, “Have you told the child’s other parent yet?”
Lu Jiu sat up from the bed and pulled his shirt back down. “No. There’s no need. It has nothing to do with him.”
Dr. Gao sighed. “Lu Jiu, pregnancy has never been something one person handles alone.”
He lowered his head, his voice calm and distant. “See you next month, Dr. Gao.”
When he got back to the dorm that afternoon, a text from an unknown number appeared on his phone.
“Come home tomorrow. Need to talk about your mother’s share of the money.”
So Lu Mingyang had finally been forced to get a new number after being blocked.
Lu Jiu laughed softly. The next day, he went home.
It was noon. The house was quiet.
He went straight upstairs to the study. Lu Mingyang motioned for him to sit on the sofa, then spoke in a direct voice.
“Your mother’s share can be transferred to you,” he said. “But first, answer me this. Have you been in contact with Bai Yun lately?”
Lu Jiu raised an eyebrow.
Before he could speak, Lu Mingyang’s calm slipped a little. He cleared his throat. “Don’t think I don’t see what’s happening between you two. I won’t interfere. You’re grown, you can make your own choices. Just… don’t regret them later. You need to understand that Bai Yun isn’t someone you can provoke easily. If you do, you better be ready to…”
“What exactly are you trying to say?” Lu Jiu cut him off coolly.
“I just want to know if you’ve talked to him,” Lu Mingyang said through gritted teeth. “He’s been ignoring me for days. Did you upset him somehow?”
Lu Jiu smiled lazily. “What if I did? What if I didn’t?”
Lu Mingyang almost swore out loud. Talking to this boy always drained his patience.
“I’m going to see him soon,” he said, forcing his voice steady. “You’re coming with me. Just remember, our family still needs his help. If you can make peace with him, that will help both of us.”
“Alright,” Lu Jiu said lightly.
Lu Mingyang froze. “What?” So easy this time?
Lu Jiu stood up. “I’ll go with you. But maybe you should transfer part of that money first, don’t you think?”
“Fine!” Lu Mingyang said through his teeth.
An hour later, a new tailored suit arrived at the villa.
When Lu Quning came home, he saw Lu Jiu walking down the stairs in it and stopped in shock.
It was the first time he had ever seen Lu Jiu in a fitted suit.
Normally, suits bought from stores did not fit perfectly, but this one did. Whether it was the work of a skilled tailor or simply Lu Jiu’s natural posture, it fit him like it had been made just for him.
The deep black cloth made his pale skin glow. His messy dark hair fell loosely across his forehead, unstyled yet sharp, and the two small moles beside his lips stood out more clearly than ever, making his face look young, cold, and strangely captivating.
One hand in his pocket, he walked down step by step, glancing up just long enough to give a small, mocking smile.
There was no warmth in that smile, yet it pierced straight through Lu Quning’s chest.
A strange jealousy rose quietly inside him.
“Dad,” he asked as calmly as he could while Lu Mingyang hurried after Lu Jiu, “where are you two going?”
“Nowhere,” Lu Mingyang said vaguely. “You and your mother have dinner at home tonight. Don’t wait for me.”
Lu Quning clenched his fists.
Later, as the car stopped beneath the tall glass building of Bai Yun’s company, Lu Jiu still looked completely calm, as if none of it mattered.
Even when they reached the top floor and the tall man pushed open the office door, sunlight shining across his shoulders, Lu Jiu sat at the glass table, resting his chin on his hand, staring out the window quietly.
It was as if nothing in this world could ever disturb him again.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ COFFEE OFFERING
☕ 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)