Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 32

The atmosphere in the room was tense.

Jiang Yan was still processing the situation while Lu Yicheng, realizing what he had said, pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Could Jiang Yan be blamed? He knew nothing. But could Siyan be blamed? That seemed too harsh on a child. Children have a possessive nature, especially towards their parents. There was once a popular set of images online: for children, they are the universe, and their mother is the center of that universe.

Siyan may have accepted that his mother now had another boyfriend, but that didn’t mean he could accept that man marrying his mom.

Young as he was, Siyan understood the significance of marriage.

That’s precisely why he was so angry.

Could Lu Yicheng and Jiang Ruoqiao be blamed for this? No. Both had always maintained appropriate boundaries, never wanting things to turn out this way.

Lu Yicheng sighed inwardly, restraining his outburst and resuming his usual gentle demeanor. He sincerely apologized to Jiang Yan, “Sorry, I was a bit harsh.”

Jiang Yan was confused but didn’t take it to heart.

He just found the child odd, though upon reflection, the kid really liked Ruoqiao… So hearing him talk like that probably upset him. He shouldn’t have teased a child that way. Jiang Yan quickly said, “No worries, I really shouldn’t have said those things in front of a kid.”

Lu Yicheng lowered his gaze, “He’s very fond of Jiang Ruoqiao.”

Jiang Yan understood.

Little boys often crush on older girls, even harboring cute thoughts of marrying them when they grow up.

It made sense. Once, when he and Ruoqiao went out to eat, a child came over, and after Ruoqiao played with him for a bit, the kid vowed, “Sister, wait for me to grow up, I’ll chase you then…”

In the end, it was all about affection for Ruoqiao.

He smiled, “She really is popular with kids.”

Lu Yicheng didn’t know how to respond.

Jiang Yan thought for a moment. He didn’t have the habit of taking afternoon naps, but there was a child in the room who needed to sleep. Would he disturb the kid if he stayed? So he got up, grabbing his phone and charger, and said with a smile, “I’ll go hang out in Du Yu’s room. I don’t want to play games and wake the kid.”

Lu Yicheng: “Thanks.”

Jiang Yan bumped his shoulder, “Don’t mention it.”

Though strange, Jiang Yan wasn’t one to get angry over such a small matter. Besides, Lu Yicheng had apologized, and upon reflection, it was understandable. Caring for a child was exhausting—feeding, putting them to sleep—just thinking about it gave him a headache.

Lu Yicheng’s outburst was puzzling, but Jiang Yan didn’t know what he had been dealing with recently or why he suddenly had to care for a child… Maybe Lu Yicheng had been bottling up frustrations and Jiang Yan happened to set him off.

But they were friends!

Jiang Yan added, “If you ever need help, just say the word. If you keep being so polite, it’s like you don’t consider me a friend.”

Lu Yicheng grew even more silent.

Only after Jiang Yan left did Lu Yicheng check on Siyan.

Siyan had stopped crying.

He hadn’t been crying from sadness, but anger. Just as Jiang Yan had never seen Lu Yicheng lose his temper, neither had Siyan. In Siyan’s memory, even when his dad got angry, he was always gentle. He had never seen him like this… For a moment, Siyan was a bit scared his dad might scold him too.

But he couldn’t bring himself to apologize!

Why did that guy keep talking about marrying his mom!

If he really did, his parents wouldn’t be together in the future, and he wouldn’t even exist!

Since it hadn’t happened, why keep talking about it?

Lu Yicheng sat by the bed, silent, lost in thought.

After a while, he reached out and patted Siyan’s back, coaxing, “It’s late, go to sleep.”

Siyan asked, “Daddy, aren’t you going to scold me?”

Lu Yicheng smiled, “It’s hard for me to judge if what you did was right or wrong, so I won’t say anything.”

“Then…” Siyan asked cautiously, “Are you mad at me?”

“I wouldn’t get mad at a child,” Lu Yicheng said, “Especially my own.”

Hearing this, Siyan quietly breathed a sigh of relief but didn’t bring up Jiang Yan’s “outrageous claims” again.

He napped every day, and as Lu Yicheng gently patted him, his eyelids grew heavy until he fell asleep.

Lu Yicheng watched Siyan’s sleeping face for a while before getting up and quietly going to the bathroom. After closing the door, he splashed cold water on his face. Leaning on the sink, he looked up at his reflection, his expression solemn, eyes filled with indifference.

He didn’t know how long this situation would last.

He had never imagined he could be like this.

People had praised him so often that even he had started to believe he was gentle and kind. But the person in the mirror—was there anything gentle or kind about him?

Lu Yicheng grabbed a towel and wiped his face.

Feeling somewhat refreshed, he left the bathroom.

Lying on the makeshift bed, he checked his phone. A few minutes ago, Jiang Ruoqiao had messaged: 「Siyan said he needed to talk to me. What’s going on?」

He stared at the screen for a while, then closed his eyes, locked the phone, and put it under his pillow. He wanted to sleep, but after trying for a while to no avail, he gave up, opened his eyes, and pulled out his phone. Patiently, he replied to the text message: 「He’s asleep」

On the other side, Yun Jia was watching a show with headphones while Jiang Ruoqiao lay on the bed, bored. She scrolled through Weibo and Taobao but found nothing interesting. She started memorizing vocabulary, but after about ten words, Lu Yicheng’s reply came. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but as she was about to return to her vocabulary app, she noticed something off—Wait, something’s not right.

Lu Yicheng, he’s acting strange.

Jiang Ruoqiao paid extreme attention to details.

She casually flipped through their message history.

They still hadn’t added each other on WeChat.

But it wasn’t necessary. They could contact each other via text or call if needed.

Their exchanges were sparse, mostly about Siyan.

A person’s habits could be observed in many ways. For example… Lu Yicheng always used punctuation. He would end every sentence with a period, never leaving them incomplete. It was his texting habit.

But the problem was, today’s message didn’t have a period!

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say Jiang Ruoqiao paid close attention to Lu Yicheng.

After all, he was her risk-sharing partner.

So she couldn’t ignore this. After some thought, she replied: 「What’s wrong?」

Receiving this, Lu Yicheng felt a mix of emotions.

On one hand, he admired her attentiveness.

On the other, he really didn’t know how to explain.

Lu Yicheng suddenly sat up, glancing at Siyan sleeping soundly on the bed.

Was there any need to hide this? Shouldn’t she know?

Of course not.

Gathering his courage, Lu Yicheng typed out what had happened and sent it.

Lu Yicheng: 「We’re rooming with Jiang Yan. Today, he joked with Siyan about marrying you after graduation and invited Siyan to be the ring bearer. Siyan got really angry. I interrupted Jiang Yan, apologized later, and explained the situation.」

Jiang Ruoqiao fell into deep thought after reading this.

In truth, her procrastination was partly to blame.

Lu Yicheng didn’t know they were living in a novel or its plot, but she did. In the novel, almost every character had a happy ending—except her. She didn’t know the plot’s power, if it would change now that she was aware, or if those changes would be for better or worse.

So she waited.

To verify one thing.

She wasn’t surprised Lin Kexing would come to the farmhouse. In the original story, an important event happened during this trip.

She wasn’t sure if it would still occur or if the plot had already deviated.

Because now there was an extra person who shouldn’t be here—Lu Siyan.

Jiang Ruoqiao thought for a long time before replying: 「Give me a little more time.」

After sending it, she felt her words seemed a bit inappropriate.

Though her intention was indeed to ask Lu Yicheng for more time…

Wait, saying it this way seemed even stranger. What was going on?

She fell into deep thought.

On the other side, Lu Yicheng found the message equally odd…

He thought for a moment, then typed: 「I’m not pressuring you into breaking up with him…」

No, that wasn’t right.

Deleting the words one by one, he rephrased: 「That’s between you two, it has nothing to do with me…」

That wasn’t quite right either.

It did have a little to do with him.

Lu Yicheng: “…”

Forget it.

He wanted to delete Jiang Ruoqiao’s message but ultimately didn’t. Instead, he replied: 「Okay.」

Jiang Ruoqiao received it and noticed he had used punctuation this time, including a period.

It seemed everything was fine now.

Jiang Yan went to Du Yu and Wang Jianfeng’s room.

Guys their age rarely napped. With the AC on and snacks and drinks on the nightstand, it was only natural to play some games to make the most of summer.

When Jiang Yan arrived, the two had just finished a round.

Du Yu was cursing, “Summer vacation really is full of kids playing games. I’ve been losing nonstop!”

He tossed his phone aside and seeing Jiang Yan, patted his bed, “Come here, Boss Jiang. Teacher Du is going to give you a lesson in ethics.”

Jiang Yan was speechless, “You’re no teacher.”

But he still sat on the edge of Du Yu’s bed, “Go on.”

Du Yu, the youngest in the dorm, was always joking around, but now his expression turned serious, “Boss Jiang, I’m telling you, what you’re doing isn’t okay. It’s suicidal. Understand? Forget everything else, just be honest—what’s your relationship with that Kexing girl?”

Jiang Yan was annoyed.

Why did everyone think there was something between him and Kexing?

Ruoqiao’s concern was one thing, but why was Du Yu saying this too?

“What relationship could there be?” Jiang Yan said impatiently, “I’ve told you, her mom and my mom are good friends. My mom works for their family. That’s it.”

Du Yu rolled his eyes, “Let me extract the key info: you’re childhood sweethearts.”

Jiang Yan: “?”

What the hell? Since when were he and Kexing childhood sweethearts?

He snapped, “Stop talking nonsense. She’s just a kid!”

Du Yu wasn’t afraid of him and retorted, “Gross. Do you know what a kid is? Lu Yicheng’s Siyan is a kid. An 18-year-old is an adult. She’s not a kid. How can you say that?”

Wang Jianfeng, playing on his phone, burst out laughing.

Jiang Yan: “…What are you implying?”

“Nothing,” Du Yu said earnestly, “I’m just worried you’ll drag down our dorm’s moral score.”

Jiang Yan: “?”

Wang Jianfeng couldn’t hold back and laughed heartily, giving Du Yu a thumbs-up, “Well said. That sums it up perfectly.”

Seeing Jiang Yan about to lose his temper, Du Yu put on a serious face, “Boss Jiang, seriously, this isn’t okay. Childhood sweethearts or not, she’s 18 now, an adult. You have a girlfriend. Shouldn’t you be more careful about boundaries? If Jiang Ruoqiao had a guy like that around her, playing games and bringing him on trips, would you be okay with it?”

Jiang Yan stayed silent.

Du Yu sighed, “I’m not trying to scare you, but if you keep this up, sooner or later Jiang Ruoqiao will dump you because of this ‘sister’ of yours.”

Jiang Yan cursed, “Stop jinxing it!”

Wang Jianfeng, who had stayed quiet, spoke up, “Outsiders see more clearly. Du Yu may be unreliable, but he’s right this time. Keep your distance. Don’t blur the lines.”

Du Yu added, “See? Even he agrees!”

Jiang Yan ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, “It’s not what you think.”

His relationship with Lin Kexing wasn’t what they imagined.

He was grateful to the Lin family. Thanks to Mrs. Lin’s help, he and his mother hadn’t struggled these past ten years. Since age ten, he had experienced life’s harsh realities, and the Lins had become a safe haven.

Mrs. Lin didn’t lack capable assistants. Most assistants around wealthy ladies were young and competent. But she had kept his mother and him for ten years, always paying more than others…

Jiang Ruoqiao was incredibly important to him. He was willing to do a lot for her, to sacrifice a lot. But now, his girlfriend was on one side and Lin Kexing on the other. Leaning either way felt wrong. If he really distanced himself from Kexing for Ruoqiao, would he still be the man she loved?

Du Yu and Wang Jianfeng exchanged a glance. Seeing Jiang Yan like this, they decided not to push further.

Jiang Yan no longer felt like gaming.

By afternoon, everyone had rested and started coming out.

Since it was a farmhouse trip, they wanted to experience rural life. The division of labor was clear: the guys went to catch fish in the river while the girls picked vegetables in the garden. Siyan clung to Jiang Ruoqiao, so Yun Jia and the others let her watch the child as they handled chores.

Thus, Siyan and Jiang Ruoqiao became the most relaxed pair.

She held his hand as they strolled the area.

The place was truly beautiful, almost a secluded paradise. There were no asphalt roads or bustling traffic, just trees and grass everywhere. Wisps of smoke rose in the distance from chimneys. No wonder people loved coming to mountain farmhouses—it let them temporarily shed anxieties and pressures to re-experience life’s simple joys.

Siyan’s mind was still occupied. Before long, he spilled about what happened at noon, “When we got here, that Jiang Yan wanted Dad to move luggage for his sister. I said my stomach hurt and I needed the bathroom, but that was a lie,” he felt a bit guilty, “I lied to Dad. I just didn’t want him helping her.”

Jiang Ruoqiao had been there too.

She looked at Siyan in surprise. She thought the kid really needed the bathroom. She didn’t expect it to be an act.

Wow! Were 5-year-olds’ acting skills this good nowadays?

“Lu Siyan,” she said, “You’re quite something, aren’t you?”

He had actually fooled her.

Siyan lowered his head, “I was just afraid you’d be angry, Mom! It’d be bad if you got mad!”

“Who said I’d be angry?” Jiang Ruoqiao asked.

Siyan looked up, eyes wide, “You won’t? I bet Dad you would. He said you wouldn’t. If I win, he buys me Legos. If I lose, I have to eat carrots for a week.”

Jiang Ruoqiao asked with interest, “What else did you say?”

Siyan had a good memory. He recounted his conversation with Lu Yicheng to her bit by bit.

Jiang Ruoqiao couldn’t help but laugh, “You know your dad tricked you, right?”

Siyan tilted his head, “Mom, you really won’t be mad? But before when a lady from Dad’s work called him at night, you were super angry. Dad coaxed you for days!”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “…”

Her interest was piqued, “Then what?”

“Then?” Siyan tried hard to recall, “Then Dad took me to his office. He put a bunch of your photos on his desk.”

Jiang Ruoqiao sighed, “He’s quite something too.”

That future Lu Yicheng even knew to take his son to the office.

And to put “her” photos on his desk to show his married status.

“What about after?”

“After that, Dad never got calls from that lady at night again,” Siyan said, “And then you weren’t mad anymore.”

Jiang Ruoqiao thought for a moment and suddenly realized she needed to toss aside any inappropriate curiosity.

No, she shouldn’t be interested in these things.

That wouldn’t be her future.

“You almost managed to digress successfully,” she said, “Let’s go back to the main topic. What now? Kid, I really want you to win, but you’re destined to lose. Enjoy your carrots this week~”

Siyan couldn’t believe it, “If Dad helped her with luggage, you really wouldn’t be angry??”

How could that be??

Jiang Ruoqiao nodded, “Sorry, but I wouldn’t.”

Besides, moving bags and calling at night were completely different matters that couldn’t be conflated. Unfortunately, the child was young and couldn’t grasp the nuances yet. He was probably confused why she’d be angry about calls but not luggage.

“Why?!”

Jiang Ruoqiao explained, “Because he’s not my anything—not my boyfriend. Of course, even if he was, I still wouldn’t be mad. There’s nothing to this. Lin Kexing has no designs on your dad. She’s just an ordinary girl, like a random passenger on a train. If she needs help with bags, it’s no big deal. And it wasn’t even her asking your dad, but your dad’s friend asking him…”

She paused, “Siyan, this really isn’t a big deal. It’s different from calls at night. If your dad’s coworker called at night for work, I don’t think I’d be angry then either. If I got mad, it’d mean I found out she wasn’t calling for work. Siyan, you seem to think I’ll get upset over little things.”

“It’s like you think future me is unreasonable, but I believe I’m not like that now, and I won’t be in the future either,” Jiang Ruoqiao said, “If I get angry, there must be a justifiable reason. Otherwise, who could stand it?”

Siyan pondered this.

Jiang Ruoqiao reached out and tapped his nose, “Understand?”

Siyan shook his head, “Not really.”

Jiang Ruoqiao mimicked Lu Yicheng’s manner, “Alright then. When you’re a bit older, we can discuss this again. Sounds good? Let’s put a pin in it for now.”

Siyan nodded vigorously, “Okay!”

“But I can tell you don’t like her,” he mumbled.

Jiang Ruoqiao laughed softly. He was indeed perceptive.

But Siyan was still young and could only see one side.

She indeed didn’t like Lin Kexing. Who could like someone that would bring hidden dangers to their future?

But disliking was one thing. To say she loathed her wasn’t accurate.

Siyan whispered again, “I don’t like your boyfriend either.”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “?”

She was at a loss for words. Ruffling his curly hair, she asked, “Oh? Then what kind do you like?”

Siyan thought hard for a moment and said, counting on his fingers, “Taller and thinner, can cook sweet and sour ribs and cola wings, goes to the market, cleans the house spotless, makes me toys from cardboard…”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “Might as well just give me your dad’s ID number.”

Siyan pursed his lips, showing adorable dimples, “Hehe.”

Jiang Ruoqiao said mercilessly, “Your hints are too obvious, so I can’t accept your suggestions for now. The important thing is that I like who I date. But don’t worry, I’ll consider your opinion in the future.”

Siyan puffed out his cheeks.

Jiang Ruoqiao patted him, “Alright, you lost, but I promise I’ll still buy you Legos, okay?”

Siyan forgot about Dad in a second.

Who’s Dad? Don’t remember!

He was thrilled, “Yay!! Love Mom the most!”

Siyan was very satisfied.

The group gradually returned one by one.

The four guys were capable. Under the owner’s guidance, they caught several fish, big and small. The small ones were made into braised mixed fish, the big into grilled fish in tin foil. The girls were amazing too. They picked lots of fruits and veggies and even grabbed a huge ripe watermelon from the field. The owner’s wife put the melon in the well water to chill. The mountain well water was icy cold. Soaking it for a few hours was even better than taking it from the fridge.

Before the meal, Lu Yicheng took Siyan to wash up.

In the washroom, it was just the two of them.

Siyan leaned on Lu Yicheng’s shoulder, whispering, “I asked Mom. She said if you helped that sister with luggage, she really wouldn’t be mad!”

Lu Yicheng smiled, “Then you lost, but you’re still happy. Don’t forget your promise. Carrots for a week. No picky eating.”

“Of course I’m happy!” Siyan grinned mysteriously, “I’ll tell you—Mom said she’d buy me Legos~”

He seemed to have lost, but not completely.

Whether Dad or Mom bought it, he’d get new Legos in the end. That was something to celebrate!

“Congrats then,” Lu Yicheng said.

Siyan was very proud, “Mom’s the best~”

Lu Yicheng shook his head helplessly. The boy obviously didn’t know he had already ordered that Lego set… Since Mom was the best and Dad was chopped liver, he’d just go ahead and cancel the order.

“It’s so amazing,” Siyan marveled, “Mom actually won’t get mad.” Recalling something, he looked up at Lu Yicheng again, “Mom said you’re not her anything—not her boyfriend, nothing at all, so she won’t be angry.”

Lu Yicheng: “…”

He ruffled Siyan’s curls, his tone tinged with resignation, “Little messenger, can you take a break for now?”

Don’t repeat what Jiang Ruoqiao said.

Siyan stood at attention, “Yes, Sir!”

Okay, he’d rest. No more relaying messages.

*

「Translator’s note」👀 Hi readers.. sorry for going mia, I had a very busy week. I’ve already released all 4 chapters I owe y’all for the 20, 23, 26 and 29. 

NB: Release schedule change from one chapter every three days to one chapter every saturday and sunday.

So, chapter 33 will be released this coming saturday.

See you then💞