Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 25

Jiang Yan knew his girlfriend and best friend well.

Sensing they were likely busy, he didn’t persist in calling. Instead, he sent them both WeChat messages.

Soon, Jiang Ruoqiao and Lu Yicheng received nearly identical texts from Jiang Yan. He informed them he had changed his flight to return early, expecting to arrive that afternoon. He proposed they have a meal together and discuss plans for the farmhouse trip.

Jiang Ruoqiao and Lu Yicheng exchanged a glance before hastily averting their eyes.

Unfortunately, they genuinely didn’t have time for a meal.

The new semester was fast approaching. Today, they needed to finalize kindergarten arrangements and had an evening appointment with the landlord to view an apartment. There was simply no room to squeeze in a meal—landlords weren’t always available, and kindergarten enrollment would close soon.

Weighing this, Jiang Ruoqiao replied to Jiang Yan: 「Busy today, no time for dinner.」

If Jiang Yan reviewed their recent chat history, he would notice Jiang Ruoqiao’s messages had turned distinctly colder these past few days.

She was gradually establishing clear boundaries with him.

Her original plan had been to break up with Jiang Yan once he returned.

She wasn’t one to end a relationship over WeChat.

Especially with someone like Jiang Yan—the shining male protagonist. A breakup would require careful handling. A peaceful parting would be ideal, but even if they couldn’t separate on good terms, she hoped the situation would favor her.

Jiang Yan’s response came almost instantly: 「Alright then. I miss you so much. Don’t overwork yourself.」

Jiang Ruoqiao didn’t reply.

Lu Yicheng also messaged Jiang Yan back: 「Sorry, really swamped today. No time for dinner.」

Jiang Yan: 「…Okay, everyone’s busy.」

Lu Yicheng didn’t respond further.

As the restaurant server brought out the dishes, Lu Siyan’s eyes sparkled as he stared at them, completely unaware of the undercurrents between his parents.

Both of them felt awkward.

Jiang Ruoqiao thought this whole scenario was ridiculously dramatic.

But there was no other choice.

If Jiang Yan weren’t Lu Yicheng’s best friend… if she hadn’t dreamed about the novel’s storyline… she would certainly tell her boyfriend about Lu Siyan.

Whether he accepted it or not, whether they stayed together or broke up, that would be his choice.

She wanted to be as honest as possible about her feelings.

But with Jiang Yan… she truly didn’t want to say anything. She had no desire to make things more complicated, especially when she already intended to end things with him.

Lu Yicheng also didn’t want to tell him.

They were of the same mind.

Keeping it a secret from everyone forever was unrealistic. But could they say anything now? They already faced a mountain of problems to solve, causing more than enough frustration and annoyance. Why create additional trouble?

Besides, if they were to tell anyone, it should only be someone they completely trusted.

With relationships already so tangled, could Jiang Yan be trusted?

More importantly, what good would telling him do?

Would Jiang Yan help raise the child together? Offer advice? Provide financial support to the two of them who were already stretched thin?

Obviously not.

He would only bring more complications. In that case, there was no need to let him know. At least not now.

On this matter, Lu Yicheng and Jiang Ruoqiao were both very pragmatic.

Unless disclosing the truth could benefit them, what was the point?

In just a few short days, they had reached a mutual understanding regarding the child. Their goals and pace were in sync, so neither took the initiative to mention coming clean.

Lu Yicheng washed the dishes and utensils for himself and his son.

Once again, he had purchased a group meal deal—two meat dishes, one vegetable, and a cold appetizer.

All three of them were exhausted.

No one spoke during the meal. They ate in silence, polishing off every last morsel. Lu Yicheng’s meal deal was excellent—no leftovers, but no one left hungry either. It was just right.

After eating, the two adults resumed discussing kindergarten matters.

Although they were already leaning towards Windmill Kindergarten, since they were out anyway, they decided to visit two more schools that afternoon.

Jiang Ruoqiao covered herself from head to toe.

Unfazed by the blazing sun, Lu Yicheng walked ahead alone.

Jiang Ruoqiao held Lu Siyan’s hand, shading them both with an umbrella. The boy’s gaze was beginning to wander, his eyelids heavy.

“Lu Yicheng,” she suddenly called out.

Lu Yicheng turned around.

Pointing to the drowsy Lu Siyan, she said, “He looks like he’s about to fall asleep. Should we find a place for him to rest?”

Lu Yicheng shook his head. “No need.”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “…”

Lu Yicheng strode over and scooped up Lu Siyan. “I’ll carry him. Let him sleep like this. Let’s go, we can’t waste time.”

Jiang Ruoqiao: Mad respect.

Lu Siyan was a plump five-year-old darling. She definitely couldn’t carry him.

But Lu Yicheng showed no sign of strain as he effortlessly carried the round little boy under the sweltering sun.

Jiang Ruoqiao hurried ahead, raising the umbrella high to shield Lu Yicheng from the sun’s rays.

He glanced at her.

After spending more time together, Jiang Ruoqiao discovered that Lu Yicheng wasn’t as gentle and harmless as rumored. On the contrary, he had an intense presence when he wasn’t smiling—deeply serious and focused, making others unconsciously hold their breath and tense up.

“I’m worried he’ll overheat,” she explained.

Lu Yicheng looked away and continued walking, but he subconsciously slowed his pace to match hers.

Lu Siyan was indeed exhausted.

Nestled against his father’s shoulder, the boy soon fell into a deep, tranquil sleep.

Lu Yicheng may have been young, but to Lu Siyan, his dad’s shoulders were strong and reassuring.

Jiang Ruoqiao studied Lu Yicheng’s profile.

He was clearly hot as well, but his hands supporting Lu Siyan were perfectly steady, not even a slight tremble. Her gaze shifted down to his arms.

He appeared lean, but exuded an unmistakable aura of reliability.

Those hands seemed capable of shouldering so much.

It was rare to see this in a twenty-year-old.

*

Jiang Yan had changed his flight to return early just to have dinner with his friends and Jiang Ruoqiao.

Now that his girlfriend and Lu Yicheng were both unavailable, there was no point in arranging the get-together.

He felt disappointed but didn’t voice any complaints.

He knew Jiang Ruoqiao had returned to the city early for filming, and that Lu Yicheng was tutoring. They were busy. He couldn’t demand they drop everything for a meal.

With no more plans to go out, Jiang Yan remained at the Lin family’s side residence.

The Lin family owned the largest estate in the upscale Noble Mansion neighborhood.

The property contained a main house and an adjoining side residence.

The Lin parents and their daughter Lin Kexing lived in the main building. The family’s two older sons were already married and rarely stayed over, but kept rooms there.

The side residence housed the family’s housekeepers and chefs.

Jiang Yan’s mother had been with the Lin family for a decade and was close with Madam Lin. She enjoyed special privileges in this household, at least in the side residence. Jiang Yan’s mother had her own suite, and Jiang Yan also had a room there.

On paper, Jiang Yan’s life circumstances had drastically changed after age ten, but thanks to his mother’s arrangements, he still lived more comfortably than many middle-class children. As a mother, she had done her utmost.

Lin Kexing loved visiting the side residence.

Today, using the excuse of fetching something, she appeared there again.

Spotting Jiang Yan sitting idly in the living room, her heart leapt with joy. She nimbly skipped over to him and asked, “You didn’t go out?”

Jiang Yan had changed his flight to return early, so Lin Kexing, claiming she also had something to attend to, came back with him. She had assumed he was hurrying back to see Jiang Ruoqiao. But even at this hour, he still hadn’t gone out?

Fiddling with his keychain, Jiang Yan listlessly replied, “They’re both busy.”

Lin Kexing understood but couldn’t help blurting out, “You two haven’t seen each other for so long, I thought as soon as you returned, you’d stick together and make others jealous.”

She was also very surprised.

By her count, it had been a while since Jiang Ruoqiao and Jiang Yan last saw each other. Weren’t they supposed to be in the passionate phase of their relationship? Now that Jiang Yan was back, wasn’t Jiang Ruoqiao happy? Shouldn’t she have immediately sought him out?

Jiang Yan laughed, “You don’t get it. Ruoqiao is very busy. I always have to work around her schedule.”

He truly appreciated Jiang Ruoqiao’s hardworking, vibrant approach to life.

He had his own ambitions, and so did she. They were both striving for the sake of a better life.

This was a feeling those who had everything could never fully understand.

Jiang Yan genuinely saw Lin Kexing as a little sister. He cared for her and looked out for her, but wouldn’t discuss too much about “Jiang Yan’s” life with her.

Firstly, she was young. The two year age gap seemed small but encompassed a world of difference. For example, when she was still in high school, he was already in university. By the time she entered her second year of university, he would have already started working. Their life stages were never in sync, making it difficult to see eye-to-eye on many things.

Secondly, Lin Kexing had everything. Her parents provided anything she wanted. Her life was smooth sailing, carefree and unburdened by setbacks. Jiang Yan felt he would just be prattling on if he talked to such a little princess about ideals and life’s hardships.

Lin Kexing nodded, “Oh, I see. Is her family in a difficult situation then?”

This question gave Jiang Yan pause.

Because he suddenly realized he didn’t know much about Ruoqiao’s family circumstances.

They had been together for several months now. He avoided mentioning his own family because he didn’t want to bring up his late father. But what about Ruoqiao’s family? He seemed to have never heard her speak of them.

He only knew she was from Xi City.

He also knew her maternal grandparents would occasionally send her local specialties, like shredded radish or the crisp apples readily found everywhere.

But what about her parents?

Seeing Jiang Yan fall silent, Lin Kexing thought she had said something wrong. She hurriedly apologized, “Sorry, I have a bad habit of making random guesses. Your girlfriend must be the hardworking type. I really admire diligent older sisters like her. Sigh, I want to go out and experience life for myself this time, but my mom won’t let me.”

Jiang Yan chuckled, “You? Forget about it.”

A little princess like her wanting to go out and work part-time to experience life?

It sounded incongruous no matter how he thought about it.

With Lin Kexing’s personality, it was no wonder her mother and Madam Lin constantly worried about her. She was too naive and simple-minded. If someone took advantage of her, she’d have to count her money for them afterwards.

“You’re looking down on me.” Lin Kexing said, a hint of indignation in her voice. “When I go to university, I’m going to be self-reliant too. If your girlfriend can do it, so can I.”

“You’re different.” Jiang Yan replied.

Lin Kexing held back the urge to ask “How are we different?”

How were they different?

Jiang Yan clicked on his phone, lighting up the screen. His lock screen wallpaper was a photo of Jiang Ruoqiao, smiling brightly. The sight dispelled much of his earlier disappointment.

How were they different?

Ruoqiao was different from every other girl in the world.