Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 38

Although Lu Yicheng felt helpless, he still respected his son’s wishes. Holding his phone, he stepped out of the room, giving mother and son some privacy for their call.

 

At this hour, he didn’t want to go to Du Yu or Wang Jianfeng’s room either. Even though this farmhouse was safe, he couldn’t leave the child alone in the room for too long. After some thought, he sat down on the stairs at the end of the hallway. So much had happened today—so much that even he was struggling to process it all. But just sitting here doing nothing felt like a waste of time, so he unlocked his phone and continued reviewing vocabulary.

 

It was a long-standing habit of his.

 

Unlike many boys who disliked English, he neither liked nor hated it—he simply wanted to expand his vocabulary. That way, when researching foreign materials, he could read more fluently. But today was unlike any other. No matter what had happened before, it never interfered with his studies. Today, though… he had zoned out several times.

 

Frustrated, Lu Yicheng pinched the bridge of his nose.

 

Inside the room, Lu Siyan operated his smartwatch and dialed Jiang Ruoqiao’s number.

 

At that moment, Jiang Ruoqiao was sitting at a small desk, revising her personal resume.

 

Seeing the caller ID, the corners of her lips lifted in a soft smile, her eyes already showing a faint happiness. She tapped to answer and turned on the speaker. She placed the phone next to her tablet, with a glass of warm milk beside her.

 

The night had started in chaos, but it was ending in peace.

 

And now, her son’s call added a tender note to that calm.

 

Propping her chin on one hand, she spoke while still looking at the computer screen. “Siyan, why are you still up so late?”

 

Lu Siyan’s clear voice came through from the other end. “It’s not bedtime yet, Mom.” He hesitated for a moment, uncertain, but still bit the bullet and asked, “Mom, did they bully you?”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao chuckled. “How am I supposed to answer that?”

 

“Just tell me the truth,” Lu Siyan said seriously. “You always said, even if you lie to the whole world, you’d never lie to me.”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao froze, then thought for a moment before deciding to be honest. “I don’t know if it counts as bullying. To others, it probably looks like I was, but I don’t really feel that way myself.”

 

Because Jiang Yan was no longer someone she had feelings for.

 

She had a strong sense of self-preservation. The moment someone hurt her—or even showed signs of doing so—she would immediately withdraw her emotions.

 

Once those feelings were gone, his actions no longer mattered. They became irrelevant.

 

So her best friend had a point—she’d never truly loved anyone wholeheartedly. Maybe she was just born this way. Even toward her dearest grandparents, she couldn’t give herself fully.

 

She’d grown used to being like this, used to this way of feeling, and had no plans to change. But deep down, she didn’t want Siyan to grow up the same way. Maybe that was just what being a parent was—hoping your child could experience life more fully than you did.

 

Lu Siyan seemed to half-understand. “So… you’re not upset, Mom?”

 

“I still am, a little.” After all, she’d witnessed it directly—and confirmed that things were still progressing along the same path. That wasn’t a pleasant realization. “But it’s not as serious as you might think. Give it a few days and I’ll be fine. Look—I can still chat with you.”

 

“Oh!” Lu Siyan was reassured, but still indignant on her behalf. “Still, they’re awful—how could they bully you!”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao smiled faintly. “Alright, enough about them. They’re just a buzzkill. Where’s your dad?”

 

Lu Siyan perked up. “So, that means Dad’s not a buzzkill, right?”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao: “…”

 

This kid sure knows how to twist things around!

 

She couldn’t refute him… but if she didn’t, something about that just felt off.

 

“Okay, I take back that last comment,” Jiang Ruoqiao said.

 

Lu Siyan pouted, “Too late. My ears already heard it. Anyway, Mommy—why did you leave today?”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao thought for a moment. “There were several reasons. Want to hear one that no one else knows?”

 

“Whoa! Yes!”

 

“I have a really important interview tomorrow,” she said. “I got the email during the blackout. The HR from that company rescheduled my time slot.”

 

The boss that the restaurant owner introduced her to really did run several companies.

 

She had already spoken to the boss’s secretary, who made an exception to allow her to interview.

 

Originally, the interview was scheduled for the day after tomorrow, but then they sent another email asking if she could come earlier. She replied right away.

 

So, returning home had several motivations—this was one of them.

 

Lu Siyan was puzzled. “But aren’t you still in school?”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao laughed. “Can’t help it. I’ve got to provide for my little money-eater.”

 

Lu Siyan looked thoughtful. “Am I really that expensive to raise?”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao suddenly realized she had made a common parenting mistake. How could she say something like that to her child? She used to hate hearing her own mom say things like “I did it all for you” or “If not for raising you, I wouldn’t be like this.” And yet, now that she was a mom herself, she’d said something almost identical without realizing.

 

She quickly explained, “Not really—you don’t spend nearly as much as I do. If you’re a little money-eater, I’m a big one.”

 

Which, honestly, was true…

 

She spent way more each month.

 

“I work not just for you, but more for myself,” she added, unusually talkative. “This job experience will go on my resume, and the money I spend on you is also money I spend on myself. Because… I really know how to spend money. See, every morning’s coffee and croissant costs over thirty yuan, every season I buy tons of new clothes, and there’s skincare and makeup too—it all adds up.”

 

Thinking about it, damn—she really was a walking money shredder.

 

Lu Siyan burst out laughing. “Mom, I know that already!”

 

“You do?” Jiang Ruoqiao asked.

 

“Of course,” he replied. “Dad used to say, ‘Mom needs yummy food, pretty clothes, stylish bags. I need lots of Lego, healthy food, and a good school. That’s why he works hard to make money.'”

 

Jiang Ruoqiao: “?”

 

“No, no thank you,” she said. “Kid, don’t try to sell your dad to me. I don’t want to date anyone right now. You get that?”

 

Heart locked. Off the market.

 

At least for the next three months.

 

Lu Siyan: “Yes, Madam!”

 

Mother and son played off each other perfectly—one tossing out lines, the other catching them effortlessly. After chatting for over ten minutes, Jiang Ruoqiao’s mood had lifted completely.

 

Meanwhile, when Mrs. Jiang returned to the city with Lin Kexing, they didn’t go back to Mingmen Huafu but checked into a luxury hotel instead.

 

Lin Kexing looked completely dazed.

 

Mrs. Jiang held her hand as they entered the room. Once the door closed, she spoke gently, “Kexing, I didn’t take you home because I was worried your mother might be frightened by your condition. She’s been really busy lately—you know that. Every day is packed. There’s a charity gala next month, and she’s so meticulous she insists on handling everything herself. When I left, she was still working—looked absolutely exhausted.”

 

Lin Kexing lifted her head, her eyes dull, a trace of guilt flickering through them. At a loss, she choked out, “I don’t want her to know either.”

 

Something this humiliating—if her mom found out, both her parents would surely be disappointed. They’d probably think she was disgraceful.

 

Mrs. Jiang sighed softly. “If your mom weren’t so busy, I really would’ve told her. Kexing, your mom loves you very much—cares deeply about you. But she has her own burdens too. You should care more about her as well. You’re the closest one to her at home. Life in wealthy families is complicated—she can’t meddle too much in your brothers’ affairs, but she can’t ignore them either. That’s a tough balance. Plus, she has to deal with social events with other society ladies. Your mom used to be carefree. Now… she’s just tired all the time. Sometimes she tells me, if she’d married an ordinary man, someone without a powerful family, her life might’ve been easier.”

 

Lin Kexing felt even more ashamed.

 

Yes, her mother was already under so much stress. Everyone only saw the glamour of being “Madam Lin,” but she knew that mother wasn’t really happy at home.

 

People always said it was hard being a stepmother. Her mom only maintained a surface-level peace with her two stepbrothers. If she didn’t intervene, her dad would resent her. But if she did, the brothers would say she was meddling.

 

If her mom found out what happened today, she’d be overwhelmed.

 

She lowered her head and said, “Auntie, please—I beg you. Don’t tell my mom. She’s already working so hard. I don’t want to upset her over me, especially when I’ve never done anything to make her life easier.”

 

Mrs. Jiang hesitated, torn. But after Kexing pleaded over and over, she finally gave in. “Alright, I won’t say anything.”

 

Once Kexing had calmed down a little, Mrs. Jiang asked, “So, what exactly happened?”

 

Lin Kexing bit her lower lip and stayed silent.

 

Mrs. Jiang had no choice but to ask casually, “Did Ah Yan argue with his girlfriend? Did that scare you?”

 

Lin Kexing’s hands fidgeted nervously.

 

Mrs. Jiang had watched this girl grow up—she could read her every little movement. She had a pretty good idea of what had happened. “When I went over earlier, I didn’t see Ah Yan’s girlfriend. I assume she’s upset—otherwise, she’d have at least come to say hello.”

 

Lin Kexing quickly explained, “No, she left. She went home. She didn’t know you were coming.”

 

“She left?” Mrs. Jiang was surprised. Things were worse than she thought.

 

Lin Kexing nodded. “So please don’t blame her. She didn’t know. And everything that happened today—it was all my fault.”

 

After repeated questioning, she finally revealed some details.

 

Only then did Mrs. Jiang piece the story together.

 

She was deeply shocked.

 

This incident was serious. There were pros and cons. On the plus side, Jiang Ruoqiao might break up with him. But on the downside, if Ah Yan realized Kexing’s feelings…

 

“It’s all my fault,” Lin Kexing murmured. “It’s because I—toward Brother Jiang Yan…”

 

Mrs. Jiang jolted, quickly cutting her off. “Kexing, don’t say that. This isn’t your fault.”

 

It wasn’t time yet.

 

She couldn’t let Kexing’s feelings come to light. Ah Yan couldn’t know. Once the truth came out, things would spiral out of her control.

 

Lin Kexing looked at her, “Auntie…”

 

But Mrs. Jiang now wore a face full of fury. “I’m so disappointed in Ah Yan. How could he treat you like this? He shouldn’t have drunk that much. And mistaking someone—unforgivable. Kexing, don’t say another word. He’s stronger than you—it’s not your fault!”

 

Lin Kexing hesitated, “Auntie, that’s not…”

 

“Are you trying to take all the blame yourself?” she said, distressed. “Don’t worry. I’ll get justice for you. You’ve always treated him like a big brother—you two were so close. And now this. Tell me, Kexing—aren’t you angry? If you are, I’ll make sure he moves out. He won’t come back for vacations. If you don’t want to see him, I’ll make sure he disappears from your life.”

 

She continued, “That’s what I’ll do. Tomorrow, I’ll make him pack his things. He can fend for himself. You won’t have to see him again. How about that?”

 

Lin Kexing froze.

 

Never see Brother Jiang Yan again?

 

No. That wasn’t okay.

 

She wanted to see him—wanted to see him happy. That was exactly why she hated herself for ruining his relationship.

 

If he found out how she felt, he’d probably never want to see her again. He’d look at her with disgust.

 

And if Auntie knew… wouldn’t she think she was a terrible person too? After all the kindness she’d shown her—treating her like her own daughter.

 

They couldn’t know.

 

No one could ever know.

 

Lin Kexing’s gaze slowly steadied. She shook her head. “I don’t blame Brother Jiang Yan. He was just drunk. I don’t blame him.”

 

A flicker of satisfaction passed through Mrs. Jiang’s eyes.

 

Good.

 

She would handle the rest.

 

Elsewhere—

 

Lu Yicheng was still sitting on the stairs, reviewing vocabulary, when Jiang Yan returned, looking disheveled and defeated.

 

He was holding a glowing bag. Lu Yicheng glanced over and recognized it—fireflies, a common sight in summer.

 

Jiang Yan hadn’t expected to see him there. His voice was hoarse. “Why are you out here?”

 

Lu Yicheng answered calmly, “Siyan’s on the phone with his mom. I came out for some air.”

 

“Oh.” Jiang Yan looked down at the bag in his hand, bitterness on his face. “I was thinking… I’d bring Ruoqiao here, make her this kind of ‘light.’ She would’ve liked it.”

 

He didn’t know what else to do.

 

He couldn’t go back to the city.

 

He tried calling her—she’d blocked him.

 

Lu Yicheng just looked at him quietly. He didn’t even realize he had instinctively tightened his grip on his phone.

 

Lu Yicheng wasn’t one for many words. Back in the dorms, when the three of them discussed this kind of thing, he rarely participated.

 

So… a long moment of silence passed.

 

Jiang Yan lowered his head. The back of his hand was scratched by the grass while catching fireflies. Suddenly, he asked, “Boss Lu… do you think I really messed up?”