“Pfft.”
No one knew who laughed first.
But soon, the laughter spread, louder and louder, rippling through the room.
The man nicknamed Kidney Weak went from green to blue in the face.
Everyone in their circle knew he hated people bringing up his repeat year in high school.
Among all the spoiled second-generation heirs, hardly anyone actually had good grades, most were small-time slackers.
But to be forced by his parents to retake the exam again and again for years, that humiliation was his alone.
An absolute stain in his glorious life!
Normally, since he didn’t provoke anyone, no one would dig up that wound. But Lu Jiu…
Right, that was Lu Jiu.
He never cared if his words hit where it hurt, if you provoked him first, you had to be ready for the casual slap he’d throw right back.
But that was the old Lu Jiu, the Lu Jiu from three years ago!
Lu Jiu now was supposed to just curse incoherently when pushed too far, yelling meaningless insults out of wounded pride…
For a moment, the crowd’s curious gazes all turned toward the beautiful young man standing in front of Kidney Weak.
Lu Quning frowned slightly.
Ye Qin, on the other hand, just stared, faintly dazed, [“I don’t like people who smell… old.”]
What did he mean by that?
Kidney Weak’s face turned iron-blue as he reached toward Lu Jiu. “Lu Jiu, don’t you think you’re being rude?!”
Gasps sounded around them.
Lu Jiu blinked, his dark eyes lowering, cold gaze landing on that outstretched hand.
But before he could move, the man’s wrist was caught, firmly pinned in place.
Lu Jiu froze and turned to the side.
Ye Qin was already beside him, smiling, shoulders shaking with laughter as he said to Kidney Weak, “Hey, what’s this? Throwing a tantrum at a kid?”
Kidney Weak: “?!”
A kid?!
A 21 year old “kid”? One this sharp-tongued and poisonous?
“Ye-ge, this brat! ”
“Eh, what did you call him?” Ye Qin interrupted, still smiling. “He’s my god-brother. Call him by his name.”
Kidney Weak stiffened on the spot.
“All right, that’s enough standing around,” Ye Qin said, raising his voice. “It’s about dinner time. Uncle Zhao heard you were all coming and went out of his way to buy a few free-range chickens.”
So he was just going to brush this whole thing aside?!
Kidney Weak was fuming after being humiliated in public!
He glared viciously at Lu Jiu, but Ye Qin casually pushed him a bit, blocking his line of sight. His body went rigid.
…Ye Qin was still protecting Lu Jiu?
Before coming today, his parents had warned him over and over: make sure to please Ye Qin and that other one, otherwise, their family’s business would keep sinking, and his cushy young-master life might be over.
But with Ye Qin’s attitude so clear, if he made a scene now, he’d be the one suffering for it later.
His expression shifted through a dozen colors before he finally clenched his jaw, swallowed his anger, and slunk away.
Shen Ke exhaled quietly in relief, and the rest of the onlookers dispersed like startled birds, though their subtle glances still lingered on Lu Jiu.
A hand landed lightly on Lu Jiu’s head, ruffling it.
“Jiu-Jiu, haven’t seen you in a while, you’ve gotten cuter.”
Ye Qin’s tone was light, teasing.
That Kidney Weak guy’s real name was Ding Jiaye, and Ye Qin had heard a bit about the history between him and Lu Jiu.
A month ago, his little sister had thrown a party at home. He’d been behind the villa handling business partners and didn’t pay attention to the commotion in front.
Only afterward did he learn what Ding Jiaye had done.
True, Lu Jiu had changed a lot in the past three years, drifted away from Ye Lin and wasn’t close to him anymore but Ye Qin had always treated him like a younger brother.
He wouldn’t retaliate on Lu Jiu’s behalf, their circle was tangled with too many interests for childish grudges but neither would he let anyone bully Lu Jiu right in front of him.
Fortunately, Lu Jiu wasn’t the type who needed protection.
Ye Qin pressed Lu Jiu’s hair again and said, “Heard you were coming, so I had them make your favorite, braised fish. The fish here’s really good. Come on.”
Lu Jiu watched the man’s elegant back as he walked away, eyes flickering.
Because of the mixed-up memories in this world, he still felt a faint sense of detachment but in the fragments that remained clear, this man, Ye Qin, had always been kind to him.
“Ye-ge is so handsome,” Shen Ke whispered.
As soon as the words fell, a tall figure stopped beside them.
The breeze carried a faint, distinct scent.
Lu Jiu instinctively sniffed, orange blossom, winding through his chest, with a soft smoky undertone that soothed the nausea he’d felt all day.
A refined, masculine fragrance.
He glanced sideways, a tall, striking man stood next to him, one hand in his trouser pocket, the other lifted slightly.
The man sniffed his own wrist, looking thoughtful, “Old-man scent?”
His voice was low and magnetic.
After a moment of silence, he turned and walked away.
“……”
Lu Jiu stared blankly at the man’s back. Beside him, Shen Ke looked baffled.
“…Did you just hurt Bo Yun-ge’s feelings?” He whispered. “He’s twenty-nine this year!”
Lu Jiu couldn’t help but laugh.
Hurt his feelings? He’d just remembered what the original Lu Jiu in this world had to do with that man.
The Bo family’s status was sky-high. Even though the Lus were part of high society too, for Lu Jiu to become close with Ye Lin was already reaching up, the Bo family was on a whole different level.
Too distant in every way, age, power, and position.
To him, Bo Yun had always been a figure glimpsed from afar, a legend, never someone he’d interacted with.
They had brushed shoulders countless times at social gatherings, especially at the Ye household.
Sometimes, when the man happened to turn or lower his gaze, their eyes would meet for a fleeting moment.
And from those countless moments of eye contact, Lu Jiu knew, this man was nothing like the gentle, easygoing persona he projected.
That night… his actions had been far from gentle or polite.
“Do you think he recognized you?” 111 asked, puzzled.
That night, with the dim lights and his hazy head, Lu Jiu hadn’t seen the man’s face clearly.
And the other party…?
Lu Jiu said nothing.
By the time he returned to the dining hall, night had fully fallen.
Dinner was lively, noisy but as soon as the meal ended, the restless young crowd began to scatter.
Lu Jiu wandered outside for a while. There wasn’t much light pollution near the winery, and the sky glittered with stars.
He strolled under the night breeze, organizing his thoughts, and before long, he found himself near the bar Ding Jiaye had mentioned earlier.
He couldn’t possibly blacklist a whole bar just because of one kidney-weak loser, right?
Leisurely, Lu Jiu headed toward it.
“You just love bars,” 111 exposed him bluntly.
The bar wasn’t small. There were tables and chairs in the open area, a pool table, and a few steps up, a lounge with sofa booths.
Right across from the entrance stood a bar counter, and beside it, an outdoor terrace extended into the night.
Lu Jiu sat down by the bar and ordered a cocktail.
For now, he was the only one there. Soft music flowed through the dimly lit space, and the atmosphere was perfect, mellow and intimate.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go bond with your hubby?” 111 nagged. “All those little brats are chasing after him right now! At the very least, you could go check on that runaway player! Host, you’re way too chill!”
Lu Jiu propped his chin on his hand, tone lazy and unhurried, “So, you want me to help you ‘force out’ that runaway player’s soul code. Tell me, what exactly do you mean by force?”
111 froze, “Ah. well, I… I’ll have to check with the higher-ups on that…”
Lu Jiu arched his brow. “So you guys don’t even know, huh?”
He sounded almost curious now. “Tell me, why can a single human player slip out of your control like that? What makes you think I can do something you can’t?”
He paused, voice turning quieter. “And fine, maybe it’s a coincidence that the worlds he enters are all the ones I’m in. But why is it always me that gets affected every time?”
“Because you’re the one closest to him!”
“Then why not Lu Mingyang? Aren’t those two even closer, father and son?”
“……”
This time even 111 sounded confused.
Lu Jiu sighed. This little system really was like one of those call center recruits who’d been scammed, brainwashed for two days, and shoved straight into work.
He fell silent, lost in thought. The bartender slid a freshly mixed cocktail across the counter.
Lu Jiu loved drinking. Back in his old world, when work got boring, he’d hang around bars and sometimes drink himself into oblivion.
But the moment the smell of alcohol hit him tonight, his stomach churned.
The next second, an angry voice rang out behind him, “You’re drinking again?”
Lu Jiu’s eyelid twitched. He turned around.
Standing behind him was Ye Lin.
At the door were Lu Quning, Ye Qin, and Bo Yun.
Heh! what a coincidence.
Ye Lin’s brows drew together tightly. “Did you forget you started that fight with Ding Jiaye last month because you were drunk?”
Lu Jiu listened lazily, turned his wrist, and lifted the cocktail to his lips.
It smelled good but no, the nausea came back. His gastritis really must be acting up.
Ye Lin’s disappointment showed plainly in his eyes, “I really thought you’d changed. Why are you still.. ”
“First of all,” Lu Jiu interrupted calmly, “that drink last month wasn’t enough to make me lose my mind.”
He and Ding Jiaye had fought not because of alcohol but because his body, back then, still held corrupted code fragments.
Corrupted data had no reason, no patience. The tiniest spark could set it off.
Lu Jiu set the cocktail down.
“Second,” he drawled, sounding bored, “When Ding Jiaye was provoking me, you stayed quiet. But now you care whether I drink? Ye Lin, don’t you think you’re a bit funny?”
Ye Lin stiffened.
Lu Quning stepped forward disapprovingly. “Ge, Ye Lin’s just worried about you. Alcohol’s never good.”
Then he turned to the bartender. “How many has he had?”
The bartender looked awkward. “This is the first one. Young Master Lu hasn’t started drinking yet.”
Lu Quning froze.
Ye Qin walked over then, smiling easily. “Come on, you’re both adults. What’s wrong with one drink? Don’t tell me you two don’t drink when you go to a bar. Just don’t overdo it, Jiu-Jiu knows his limits.”
Lu Jiu shot him a playful wink.
Ye Qin’s smile warmed a little, though his tone softened, his gaze grew probing. “Still, Jiu-Jiu, you don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?”
Ye Lin blinked and looked closer.
The black-haired youth’s lips were pale, his eyes a little tired. From a distance earlier he hadn’t noticed, but up close, it was obvious.
“You’re sick? And you’re still… ” Ye Lin stopped himself before finishing that unpleasant sentence. He exhaled sharply. “The infirmary’s nearby. The doctor might still be around. Go get checked.”
“No need,” Lu Jiu lowered his gaze, tone detached. “None of your business. Go enjoy yourself.”
Ye Lin fell silent, words catching in his throat.
“Ge…” Lu Quning started, only for Ye Qin to shoot him a look.
One glance and Lu Quning shut up instantly.
…Just like Bo Yun, Ye Qin was one of those people who seemed easygoing on the surface.
But in truth, he wasn’t.
At least Lu Quning knew perfectly well, no matter how much Ye Qin smiled, he wasn’t as gentle with him as Ye Lin was.
At that moment, another figure approached, calm, steady footsteps, “You even stocked the sparkling water your niece insists every store must have?”
Reminded by Bo Yun’s low voice, Ye Qin smacked his forehead. “Ah, right! Of course! The fruit blend one’s pretty good! Jiu-Jiu, you should try that instead. Skip the alcohol if you’re not feeling well.”
He motioned for the bartender to make one immediately.
Lu Jiu lifted his eyes again.
The man stood beside Ye Qin. His gaze traveled slowly up those long legs, then to his face and their eyes met.
Those smoke-gray irises curved faintly as the man smiled.
Fruit-flavored sparkling water. What did he take him for, a kid?
Lu Jiu narrowed his eyes.
“Are you really not going over to sit with them?” 111 asked. “Your hubby and the runaway player are both right there! Two targets in one place and you’re just gonna sit here like a statue?!”
The four of them had moved to the lounge area. Ye Qin had invited Lu Jiu to join, but he declined.
Ye Lin had hesitated, clearly wanting to say something, but left in silence.
Lu Quning glanced between him and Bo Yun and that man, maybe because he’d showered after sweating earlier, he’d changed into a deep gray shirt that made him look even more restrained, a touch ascetic.
A slim silver chain rested low at his collarbone, glinting faintly where it peeked from his open collar.
That necklace caught Lu Jiu off guard, in his original world, the “school director” hadn’t exactly struck him as the type to wear something… that suggestive.
But who knew.
After all, in both worlds, he and this man had only ever shared one night. Nothing more.
He took the glass of sparkling water the bartender handed over, sipping through the straw. The fresh, fruity tang spread instantly through his mouth.
More people drifted into the bar; silhouettes crossed and blurred in the low light.
Lu Jiu’s gaze lingered briefly on the man’s long legs beneath those tailored pants, then wandered upward, slowly.
The man turned and sat down, relaxed, half-shadowed by the dim light.
His figure was almost too perfect, no matter where he was, or how dark it got, he drew eyes without trying.
Lu Jiu’s gaze traced the line of his waist, rising higher, over the chest, the firm arms where muscle and bone balanced perfectly, the broad shoulders, the graceful curve of his neck.
He remembered, vaguely, the feeling of Adam’s apple sliding under his teeth, the warmth of skin against his lips.
That sharp jawline, those elegant lips, smiling, speaking softly.
And then, higher…
Those eyes. Deep, unreadable, piercing through the crowd as if by accident, yet locking right on him, making his heart lurch painfully in his chest.
Lu Jiu bit lightly on the straw.
“…Shit.”
111 had officially mastered the art of human profanity.
Yeah, no need to go sit with them.
“You two are flirting with your eyes! You dog couple!” 111 muttered, scandalized.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The chapter is finished. The chaos is not.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
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)