Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 30
After Lu Yicheng brought Lu Siyan out from the restroom to the lobby, Jiang Yan had already carried Lin Kexing’s suitcase upstairs.
The owner was still busy preparing lunch and told them it would be ready in another half hour.
Tired from the journey, everyone went back to their rooms to rest. Just as Jiang Ruoqiao opened her suitcase, her three roommates returned from outside, faces flushed from the sun but beaming with joy. “This trip was totally worth it! The vegetable garden is just like my grandma’s. The freshly picked tomatoes are so delicious, exactly like the ones from back then. The ones sold in supermarkets nowadays don’t even taste like real tomatoes!”
The four girls had booked two adjacent rooms.
The three girls now gathered in Jiang Ruoqiao’s room. It had been almost a whole summer since they last saw each other, and they were all excited to catch up.
The four of them had a great relationship. Even during the holidays, they would chat endlessly in their WeChat group.
Yun Jia was particularly close to Jiang Ruoqiao.
This time, the two of them were sharing a room. Yun Jia, straightforward by nature, sat on her single bed and looked at Jiang Ruoqiao. “I heard Jiang Yan brought a younger sister along. She just turned eighteen, right?”
Jiang Ruoqiao closed her suitcase and nodded indifferently. “Yeah, that’s right.”
Yun Jia cursed under her breath.
“Today, Du Yu was driving, and the three of us were sitting in the back. We overheard his phone call with Jiang Yan,” Yun Jia said. “Du Yu said Jiang Yan even pulled this younger sister into a game to boost her rank. After some pressure from us, Du Yu basically spilled everything. He said they even went to the island together this time!”
The short-haired girl pushed her glasses up her nose. “Is Jiang Yan trying to break up with you? What kind of person brings a younger sister on a trip like this? Ugh, why are guys so disgusting, always wanting to play the big brother role? Don’t they have any real siblings?”
“You’re right Luo Wen.” Yun Jia replied, “I think Jiang Yan is either unaware or just doesn’t care!”
The girl who had been silent scoffed. “Unaware? If Ruoqiao were to call some guy her ‘big brother,’ do you think Jiang Yan would stay so calm?”
Their conversation gradually veered off track.
They all criticized how disgusting it was for guys to act like big brothers to girls.
Jiang Ruoqiao casually took a hair tie from her bag and tied up her hair.
“Let’s not talk about this,” she said calmly. “Let’s just enjoy these two days.”
The other three exchanged glances.
They had lived together for two years, sharing meals and activities, and knew each other well.
Jiang Ruoqiao’s attitude was unusual.
When it came to relationships, Jiang Ruoqiao was quite picky. If Jiang Yan’s actions still bothered her, she wouldn’t be so calm about this. Perhaps this was how girls were—if they were angry or made a scene, it meant they cared. If they were calm, they were probably planning to leave.
It was obvious that Jiang Ruoqiao wanted to break up.
This was normal. Jiang Ruoqiao wasn’t the type to tolerate being wronged. She wouldn’t let herself be mistreated, nor would she let others mistreat her.
Jiang Yan’s behavior had completely crossed a line.
Not just Jiang Ruoqiao, but any girl would find it hard to accept their boyfriend having a “younger sister” like this.
Since Jiang Ruoqiao had already made up her mind, the other three didn’t need to bring up Jiang Yan’s behavior again. They had originally planned to confront him during this trip…
The four guys were also split into two rooms.
Jiang Yan and Lu Yicheng shared one.
Du Yu and Wang Jianfeng shared the other.
Everyone had been looking forward to this trip, but Lin Kexing’s arrival made things awkward, not just for the girls but for the guys as well. Du Yu liked Yun Jia—it was an open secret. Since Yun Jia was close to Jiang Ruoqiao, Du Yu naturally felt some resentment toward Jiang Yan’s actions. He thought Jiang Yan was being inconsiderate and didn’t hold back his criticism. “Do you think Jiang Yan is just clueless? Why did he bring that younger sister along? If she were an actual relative, that would be one thing…”
Wang Jianfeng sat on the bed, smiling but saying nothing.
“I was planning to confess to Yun Jia during this trip,” Du Yu said dejectedly. “But with Jiang Yan’s mess, this place is going to turn into a battlefield. How am I supposed to confess now?”
“Jiang Yan is such an idiot. He already has a girlfriend, yet he’s playing the big brother role,” Du Yu continued to complain. “Even I know this is asking for trouble. But he’s so stubborn, bringing his ‘sister’ in front of his girlfriend. I think he’s got a death wish.”
Wang Jianfeng ignored him, absorbed in some calculations.
Since last semester, this guy had gone off the deep end, becoming obsessed with metaphysics.
“Say something,” Du Yu urged.
Wang Jianfeng muttered mysteriously, “Put your confession on hold. I just did a reading, and it’s not a good sign.”
Du Yu: “…”
“Ugh, stop being such a downer!” Du Yu said. “Do you realize how much your words sound like the opening scene of a horror movie?”
Wang Jianfeng looked serious. “It’s really not a good sign. It says something big is going to happen.”
Du Yu: “…”
This is so unlucky, really unlucky.
“Get lost, stop spreading feudal superstitious!”
The owner came up to inform them that lunch was ready.
Jiang Yan dutifully knocked on each door to notify everyone. Lin Kexing had changed clothes and opened the door. Jiang Yan stood at the doorway. “Let’s go down for lunch.”
Lin Kexing nodded. As Jiang Yan turned to head to the third floor, she called out to him hesitantly. “Jiang Yan, there’s something I need to tell you. When we got out of the car earlier to get the blanket, I think Sister Jiang might have seen the tag on my suitcase. Did you tell her that we were on the island before?”
Jiang Yan looked at her in surprise, then slapped his forehead.
His reaction made it clear that he hadn’t told Jiang Ruoqiao.
Lin Kexing’s feelings were mixed. She pursed her lips. “I think it’s better if you explain it to her, to avoid any misunderstandings. Also…”
She paused, seeming hesitant.
“What?” Jiang Yan asked.
“Also, I feel like your friends aren’t very welcoming toward me,” Lin Kexing said, her voice tinged with hurt. Her nose tingled with unshed tears, but she held them back. “Jiang Yan, I’ve been thinking. Since I’m not really close with them, and I suddenly joined this trip you all planned, they might find it strange. I don’t want to ruin the mood. Maybe I should ask Uncle Yang to come pick me up and take me back?”
Lin Kexing had never thought about destroying Jiang Yan and Jiang Ruoqiao’s relationship.
She didn’t even know why she had come.
Jiang Yan noticed Lin Kexing unconsciously picking at the doorframe, looking pitiful and upset. He sighed. “What are you thinking? You’re overcomplicating things. My friends are easy to get along with; they’re just not familiar with you, so they’re being reserved. After a couple of days, they’ll warm up. Besides, you’re already here. If you leave now, they’ll feel bad. My mom and Auntie Lin know you came here to relax. If you arrive in the morning and leave in the afternoon, won’t they worry even more?”
Lin Kexing remained silent.
Jiang Yan reached out and patted her shoulder, comforting her. “Why are you always so gloomy? You’re only eighteen. Don’t overthink things.”
Lin Kexing held back her tears and nodded. “Okay.”
“Alright,” Jiang Yan said. “Whether it’s my friends or Ruoqiao and the others, they’re all good people. Don’t misunderstand them. I’ll go call them for lunch. Once we eat together, everything will be fine.”
Jiang Yan cared a lot about Kexing’s feelings.
He felt that since he had brought her along, and she was younger than the rest, it was natural to give her extra care and attention.
During lunch, he intentionally came down together with her and had her sit next to him.
Jiang Ruoqiao, on the other hand, remained calm. She knew the original story and the deep connection between the male and female lead. They had known each other for over a decade, and their bond was strong. How long had she known Jiang Yan? In her opinion, even without the original plot, Jiang Yan and Lin Kexing were destined to be together.
The Jiang family had received much help from the Lin family, and Jiang Yan wasn’t one to forget favors. Whenever Lin Kexing needed him, he would be there.
As for Lin Kexing, her feelings for Jiang Yan bordered on obsession.
It made sense. She had had a crush on him for so many years. Such feelings weren’t easy to let go of. Her love for Jiang Yan was deep, unwavering, and profound.
In this context, Jiang Ruoqiao felt like the unnecessary female supporting role.
Now, she could gracefully exit the stage.
Jiang Ruoqiao’s phone vibrated.
She opened it to see a message in their dorm group chat.
Luo Wen: 「Men who don’t respect boundaries don’t deserve our dorm’s flower!!!」
Yun Jia: 「I second that!! If this place weren’t so beautiful, I’d really want to leave.」
Gao Jingjing: 「Don’t, we paid for this. We’re already here.」
Jiang Ruoqiao couldn’t help but laugh.
Lu Siyan, sitting to her left, leaned over to look.
Jiang Ruoqiao locked her phone. “Adult matters. Don’t look.”
Lu Siyan pouted, then remembered something and whispered, “I have something super important to tell you later. The most important thing ever.”
Jiang Ruoqiao: “I’m already looking forward to it.”
As Lu Yicheng had guessed, no one suspected anything about their interactions, including Jiang Yan.
In fact, who would believe Jiang Ruoqiao had such a big son?
Everyone just thought she was good with kids.
The owner had prepared a lavish spread.
They were all hungry and focused on the food.
Jiang Ruoqiao, however, was more composed.
From a plate of roasted chicken, she picked up a drumstick to put in Lu Siyan’s bowl.
At the same time, Lu Yicheng also picked up a drumstick. Their movements were oddly synchronized.
Jiang Ruoqiao: “…”
Lu Yicheng: “…”
In the end, both drumsticks ended up in Lu Siyan’s stomach.
After lunch, Lu Siyan didn’t get a chance to tell Jiang Ruoqiao about the “most important thing” because Jiang Yan pulled her aside to come clean.
Jiang Yan knew Jiang Ruoqiao didn’t like the sun, so he intentionally found a shady spot.
Apart from those issues, he usually played the role of the perfect boyfriend.
Fanning her with a palm leaf while shielding her from the sun, he was sweating profusely himself.
Jiang Ruoqiao remained cool and refreshed.
Jiang Yan had missed her. It had been over a month since they last saw each other, and they had grown somewhat distant. He regretted agreeing to the summer break. Before the holiday, he had even kissed her, and their relationship was going well. But after a month apart, it felt like they were back to square one.
He genuinely liked her.
So he didn’t want to rush things or make her uncomfortable.
“Ruoqiao, I want to explain something to you,” Jiang Yan said with a smile. “To be precise, I want to come clean and seek your understanding.”
“Last time, when I went to the island, I went to accompany my mom. She went with Auntie Lin,” Jiang Yan explained. “Auntie Lin is my mom’s longtime friend, and my mom is her assistant. I didn’t want to go to the island initially, but my mom insisted since I was free. It was inconvenient for them to bring a separate driver, so I gave in. Kexing is Auntie Lin’s daughter, so she was also on the island. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this.”
However, Jiang Ruoqiao sensed something unusual.
It was strange.
The overall tone of the novel was sweet, but there were always moments that felt off to her.
She thought for a moment and asked, “What about this time then?”
Jiang Yan, seeing that she seemed calm and not angry, relaxed a little and carefully explained, “My mom knew our two dorms were coming to the mountains for a trip. She asked me to bring Kexing along. Kexing hasn’t been in a good mood lately. My mom watched Kexing grow up and treats her like her own daughter. That’s why I jokingly call her my younger sister.”
This part was true.
In the original story, Jiang Yan’s mother was portrayed as a very positive character, the epitome of the perfect mother-in-law.
She doted on Lin Kexing, always siding with her whenever she had conflicts with Jiang Yan. After they got married, Jiang Yan’s mother never acted overbearing, never interfered in their lives, and never pressured them to have children. Even when Auntie Lin brought it up, Jiang Yan’s mother would sympathetically say Kexing was still young and they could wait a couple years. If any woman tried to seduce Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan’s mother would handle it before Lin Kexing even found out, and sternly warn her son not to mistreat Kexing.
In short, Jiang Yan’s mother was a necessary element in this indulgent love story—a mother-in-law even more caring than one’s own mother.
But why did it all feel so strange to Jiang Ruoqiao?
Jiang Ruoqiao’s expression relaxed, as if Jiang Yan’s explanation had satisfied her. She casually asked, “So your mom knows about us, right?”
Jiang Yan chuckled softly. “Of course. I told her as soon as we got together. She likes you a lot.”
The corners of Jiang Ruoqiao’s mouth curled up.
How interesting.
The discordant part lay with Jiang Yan’s mother.
Jiang Ruoqiao truly felt Jiang Yan’s mother was very out of place.
In the original story, Jiang Yan’s mother as the male lead’s mother and female lead’s mother-in-law was depicted as flawless. She was gentle and kind, never partial to her son, always considerate of the female lead. Comparatively, she seemed more like the female lead’s birth mother.
Jiang Yan’s mother didn’t have many scenes in the original story, so Jiang Ruoqiao hadn’t noticed anything suspicious at first. But now, upon further reflection, everything felt incongruous.
For example, if Jiang Yan’s mother was as described, why would she bring her son along to the island knowing he had a girlfriend? The surface reason was to have Jiang Yan serve as a driver, but would Mrs. Lin, a wealthy socialite, really lack drivers once on the island?
This could still be rationalized by “wanting her son to have a vacation,” but what about this time?
Jiang Yan’s mother must have known this mountain trip was a long-planned outing between the two dorms. Yet she told Jiang Yan to bring Lin Kexing along… No matter how one looked at it, it was just too bizarre. Would any mother really do this? Clearly aware of her son’s girlfriend’s presence, aware it was a dorm activity, yet insisting he bring another girl. Wasn’t she worried her son’s girlfriend would become suspicious? Wasn’t she concerned it would create tension and distance between her son and his girlfriend?
No. She wasn’t concerned.
Jiang Ruoqiao wasn’t afraid of being seen as petty.
What she feared more was the other party clearly harboring ulterior motives, yet she mistakenly saw them as a good person.
Wasn’t there such a possibility?
Jiang Ruoqiao looked at Jiang Yan, a guess forming in her mind. Perhaps there was this possibility—that Jiang Yan’s mother hoped for Lin Kexing to be with her son.
If operating under this assumption, then all the discordant points had a reasonable explanation.
Some of Jiang Yan’s mother’s actions also started to make sense.
Yes, who was Lin Kexing? She was the eldest daughter of Lin’s Jewelry. Although the company was now controlled by her two older half-brothers, who in the family would mistreat her? From the moment Lin Kexing was born, her future was destined to be smooth sailing. The funds, stocks and real estate under her name were enough for her to live lavishly for several lifetimes. Moreover, Lin’s Jewelry was still an industry leader. Her identity represented connections and resources.
There’s a saying that marrying well can allow one to strive less for twenty years.
Wasn’t it clearly described in the original story what Jiang Yan would gain from being with Lin Kexing?
No one would be more aware than Jiang Yan’s mother of how bright a future her son would have with Lin Kexing.
Jiang Yan noticed Jiang Ruoqiao’s expression was a bit odd.
Sometimes looking at him, sometimes lowering her head to gaze at the bluestone path beneath her feet.
Worried she was upset, he pulled her over and solemnly promised, “It won’t be like this next time. Next time if I bring someone or go out with anyone, I will definitely report it to you first.”
Jiang Ruoqiao discreetly withdrew her hand, pretending to casually ask, “You didn’t mention your mother much before. Your mom and Auntie Lin have been friends for many years?”
Jiang Yan, seeing her interest in this topic, felt relieved. His expression also relaxed. “Yes, they were college classmates, even roommates. Their relationship is indeed very close.”
Jiang Ruoqiao lowered her head. Very interesting.
Good friends, college classmates, and even roommates. In the end, one had to humble herself to work under the other as an assistant…
The two became boss and subordinate. Wouldn’t the sentiment truly be subtle?
She continued to nonchalantly inquire, “They say sons resemble their mothers. Your mother must have been very beautiful when she was young, right?”
Jiang Yan laughed, rubbing his nose. “You’re so clever, but you’re right this time. My mom was the campus belle of their department back then. Good at everything, had excellent grades and looks. The teachers all liked her a lot.”
Jiang Ruoqiao pondered. Jiang Yan’s mother should also be in her forties this year.
Female college students of that era weren’t as common as nowadays.
Jiang Ruoqiao let out an “en” sound. “Then what about Auntie Lin?”
The two were chatting as if making small talk. Jiang Yan also didn’t notice Jiang Ruoqiao probing for information. He recalled for a bit. “My mom doesn’t often mention matters of the past, but Auntie Lin herself said she was quite ordinary and average as a student. Auntie Lin is a very good person. She has taken great care of me and my mom over the years.”
Jiang Ruoqiao lightly pursed her lips in a smile.
Becoming clearer and clearer, right?
The original story also clearly and in detail introduced the male lead’s family background.
When the family encountered a huge upheaval, the male lead was only ten years old, but a ten-year-old is already quite aware. The psychological impact on the male lead was immense, taking him years to emerge from the shadow cast by the family’s drastic change. Then… what about the male lead’s mother?
Moreover, even without knowing the original story, Lin Kexing’s feelings for Jiang Yan were obvious to Jiang Ruoqiao as an outsider with one glance. Could Jiang Yan’s mother really not see it? Why would Jiang Yan’s mother allow it and even find ways to create opportunities for interaction between Jiang Yan and Lin Kexing?
The heart of Sima Zhao is known to all.
Jiang Yan, seeing Jiang Ruoqiao not speaking, hesitantly asked again, “Do you mind a lot that I brought Kexing along to play together this time?”
Jiang Ruoqiao asked in return, “What if I do mind? What if I don’t?”
In the original story and from what she observed in reality, Jiang Yan was unaware of Lin Kexing’s feelings for him.
Was this man too dense?
Even the owner of the farmhouse could tell!
Him asking this question was nothing more than hoping she wouldn’t mind.
Who wouldn’t mind this kind of thing happening to them?
Jiang Yan was indeed stumped by this question. He was silent for over ten seconds, not even noticing a person standing not far away at the corner. Jiang Ruoqiao spotted it—the hem of a light pink dress. Lin Kexing was wearing a light pink dress today.
Jiang Yan finally spoke, his voice low. “If you mind, I won’t bring her next time.”