Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 28

Jiang Ruoqiao didn’t respond to Jiang Yan’s words at all.

Inside the car, Jiang Yan was driving while Lin Kexing sat uneasily in the passenger seat.

From the backseat, Jiang Ruoqiao could only see the backs of their heads, yet she could keenly sense Lin Kexing’s emotions. Having a crush really does affect a person.

Logically speaking, Lin Kexing, the young lady of the Lin family’s jewelry empire, was born with every advantage. With such a privileged life, she should be proud and confident. But when facing Jiang Yan, she seemed to perfectly embody the phrase—less than dust.

And Jiang Yan? From Jiang Ruoqiao’s perspective, he wasn’t even a rich second-generation anymore. So what did he have?

Her gaze inadvertently swept past Lu Yicheng. If not for the protagonist’s aura, Lu Yicheng could easily outshine Jiang Yan in every aspect.

She truly couldn’t understand why Lin Kexing humbled herself so much before Jiang Yan. Maybe, as her best friend once said, she simply didn’t understand this thing called love. She had never truly liked someone.

Precisely because of this, she could see things more objectively. Jiang Yan wasn’t anything special. Yes, he got into A University. But wasn’t everyone in this car also a student at A University? Lu Yicheng, sitting next to her, had been a top science student in his province and was now considered a genius in their department.

Jiang Yan’s family background? Nothing impressive. They didn’t even own a house right now—they were living with the Lin family!

As for his looks and demeanor, sure, he was decent. But not to the point where people couldn’t take their eyes off him.

To Jiang Ruoqiao, Jiang Yan had completely lost his protagonist halo. If she hadn’t known the original plot, he would be just another ordinary college student.

In the novel, no matter how much the author glorified Jiang Yan, there was one undeniable truth—his success was inseparable from Lin Kexing and the Lin family’s support.

Thinking about all that Lin Kexing had sacrificed in the story, Jiang Ruoqiao wanted to sigh at the sky. Why couldn’t such good fortune ever fall upon her?

The female supporting character has no rights!

The backseat had three spots. Jiang Ruoqiao and Lu Yicheng sat at opposite ends, with Lu Siyan between them.

Lu Siyan was thrilled. He was going out with his mom and dad.

Too happy to contain himself, he reached out and hooked his pinky around Jiang Ruoqiao’s.

Jiang Ruoqiao looked down, lips curving into a smile. After spending so much time together, this little boy had secured a place in her heart. Among all the guys she knew, Lu Siyan ranked first.

Noticing his reddening ears, she teased, “Are you hot?”

It was indeed a hot day. Even with the car’s air conditioning on, the blazing sun outside was heating up the interior.

This car was an old model, with the AC vents all in the front, so the backseat was noticeably warmer.

Lu Siyan shook his head. “Not very.” He really wanted to sit on his mom’s lap.

Jiang Ruoqiao saw through his thoughts and shook her head, making a pitiful expression.

Lu Siyan sighed.

Jiang Ruoqiao unzipped her small backpack, which was filled with snacks. She rarely ate them herself—she had packed them just for Lu Siyan before leaving.

Lu Siyan peeked inside. “Pocky!!”

“Mm.” Jiang Ruoqiao pulled out a box. “Strawberry flavored.”

Lu Yicheng shook his head and reminded, “Just one pack.” Each box contained two packs.

Jiang Yan was too dense to notice the details, but Lu Yicheng? He was the kind of person who was polite to men and even more so to women.

Normally, if someone gave his kid snacks, he would either politely decline or express gratitude. But right now, his reaction was perfectly natural—he didn’t show any intention of saying thank you at all.

Jiang Yan didn’t pick up on this. But Lin Kexing did.

She was slightly surprised. Were Jiang Ruoqiao and Jiang Yan’s friend that close?

Thinking about it, she felt a bit disheartened. She could sense that Jiang Yan’s friends weren’t particularly warm toward her.

To close the distance, she turned to the backseat and was momentarily stunned. The three people sitting there were all strikingly good-looking.

Jiang Ruoqiao went without saying—she had been voted A University’s campus belle.

Lu Yicheng, though low-key, was widely considered one of the top male students in terms of looks.

And the little boy in the middle was also adorably handsome.

For some reason, seeing them sitting together gave her a strange feeling—they looked so harmonious, so well-matched.

Lin Kexing shook her head.

How could that be possible?

Shaking off the absurd thought, she smiled and spoke to Lu Siyan. “Hey there, little one. What’s your name? How old are you?”

Lu Siyan was very polite. Though he had snapped at her earlier to protect his mom, he still responded seriously, “My name is Lu Siyan. I’m five.”

“What a nice name.” Lin Kexing praised. “Do you know how to write it?”

Lu Siyan puffed out his chest. “Of course! My parents picked it for me!”

Lu Yicheng & Jiang Ruoqiao: “…”

Don’t be so proud. That said, it really was a nice name.

“Impressive,” Lin Kexing said, now genuinely liking this little boy. “Want some snacks? I have some here.”

Lu Siyan had been quite happy, but as soon as he heard this, he immediately shook his head. “No, my parents said I can’t take food from strangers.”

Jiang Yan, still driving, found this amusing. “But you ate what Ruoqiao gave you.”

Jiang Ruoqiao looked at Lu Siyan. This kid had dug himself a hole.

But what kind of person was Lu Siyan? He was Jiang Ruoqiao’s son. And what kind of person was Jiang Ruoqiao? Someone who never messed up.

So.. Lu Siyan quickly replied, “There are exceptions!”

“It’s okay to eat things given by a fairy.” Lu Siyan said, “I think she’s a fairy. She’s the prettiest and most beautiful, so she’s an exception.”

Jiang Ruoqiao’s heart bloomed with joy.

Now that’s my son!

She reached out and ruffled his curly hair. “Baobei, your mouth is too sweet.”

Hearing Mom call him baobei, Lu Siyan’s ears quietly turned red again. Happy and excited, he insisted, “I’m just telling the truth! If you don’t believe me, ask my—” He paused, “If you don’t believe me, ask Lu Yicheng!”

Caught off guard, Lu Yicheng immediately shut his eyes, pretending to rest, his entire body screaming: Not my problem. Do not disturb.

Jiang Yan laughed heartily. “Lu Yicheng, your kid’s got good taste.”

Lin Kexing, who had been politely refused by Lu Siyan, lowered her head.

She felt terrible.

No one could say Lu Siyan was wrong, nor could they accuse him of being mischievous. Yet, she felt completely out of place.

At this time, she regretted coming along.

Jiang Yan turned his head and saw Lin Kexing with her head down. He knew she felt awkward, so he took the initiative to smooth things over, “Kexing, did you bring any drinks?”

“Yes,” Lin Kexing replied, “I brought your favorite soda. Want it now?”

Jiang Yan nodded.

Then, he turned to the backseat. “Ruoqiao, are you thirsty? I think I saw a café ahead. Do you want me to buy you an Americano?”

Jiang Ruoqiao shook her head. “No, thanks.”

Lin Kexing added, “Would you like something else? I brought fresh orange juice—Auntie made it herself. It’s really good.”

The “Auntie” Lin Kexing referred to was Jiang Yan’s mother.

Jiang Yan realized he hadn’t introduced them yet. “She means my mom.”

Jiang Ruoqiao gave a neutral nod. “Mm.”

“Ruoqiao, this is Kexing.” Jiang Yan didn’t know how to introduce Lin Kexing. This time he didn’t say she was his sister. As for why he didn’t say it, he hadn’t thought too much about it. “She’s my mom’s…”

Lin Kexing thought of Jiang Yan’s mother’s worries.

She thought of her concern that Jiang Ruoqiao would look down on Jiang Yan.

So… She spoke before Jiang Yan, “My mom and Auntie are close friends. They were college classmates and have always been like sisters.”

Jiang Yan paused for a moment and went along with this explanation.

Jiang Ruoqiao wasn’t interested. As someone who had read the entire novel, how could she not be clear about what kind of relationship these two had?

They practically grew up together.

At this time, Jiang Yan indeed only saw Lin Kexing as a little sister. He didn’t have any romantic feelings for her yet. But even so, Lin Kexing still had a place in his heart. The two had practically grown up together. Lin Kexing was well-behaved and understanding. They knew each other’s every like and dislike. In Jiang Yan’s 20 years of life, Lin Kexing knew about and even participated in each of his major life events. Even if such a bond wasn’t love now, it wasn’t much shallower than love.

If she didn’t know the plot, Jiang Ruoqiao would mind very much about her boyfriend having such a selflessly dedicated and silently caring “childhood sweetheart” in his life.

Who wouldn’t mind?

But now Jiang Ruoqiao didn’t care. Or rather, compared to caring about that bit of business between these two people, she was more concerned about whether these two would still affect her like in the original story.

She was a living, breathing person too, and had never done anything wrong. Why should she have to be cannon fodder in someone else’s perfect love?

Lin Kexing seemed to be afraid Jiang Ruoqiao would misunderstand. She added another sentence, “I’m over two years younger than Jiang Yan. When we were little, he always took very good care of me, even better than my own brother. To me, he’s like a brother. Auntie saw that I haven’t been in very good spirits lately, so she had Jiang Yan bring me out to relax.”

Jiang Ruoqiao’s mind flashed with a single thought: Submissive, truly submissive.

She herself calmly gave an “mm” sound, seemingly not minding this matter.

Jiang Yan felt greatly relieved in his heart. He knew Ruoqiao was a very kind and considerate person.

He gripped the steering wheel and glanced at Lin Kexing again, as if saying “I wasn’t wrong, she’s very nice”…

Lin Kexing also forced a smile.

Jiang Ruoqiao couldn’t even be bothered to look at the interaction between these two.

On the other hand, Lu Yicheng regretted agreeing to Jiang Yan’s invitation.

Jiang Ruoqiao knew about the “little sister” situation from the game. Jiang Yan didn’t know, but Lu Yicheng did.

So, Jiang Yan thought Jiang Ruoqiao not speaking up meant she didn’t mind.

Lu Yicheng recalled that day when she leaned against the door, her smile ambiguous, and said, “You guys really do like claiming sisters, huh? You want so badly to be someone’s brother?”

Hearing Lin Kexing say “brother” on the left and “brother” on the right now, it felt very…

Jiang Ruoqiao glanced at Lu Yicheng.

He looked so serious, as if they were heading to war, not a farmhouse.

Why was he so tense? He wasn’t the one with a little sister or being called “big brother.”

Really…

Jiang Ruoqiao shook her head in disapproval.