Shocking! The Broke Campus Heartthrob Is My Child’s Father - Chapter 83

The topic of height livened up the atmosphere in the private room, allowing Lu Yicheng’s tense nerves to temporarily relax.

He had been so anxious that, once he stepped out of his own mindset, he saw how simple it all was. Given Jiang Ruoqiao’s meticulous nature, wouldn’t she have foreseen that dinner might include this kind of parental interrogation? Even if he and she weren’t a couple, she wouldn’t let him feel awkward or embarrassed.

Sometimes he reflected on the special bond between them—not just because of Siyan, but how similar their upbringings were.

Of course, she was much luckier. Both her maternal grandparents were alive and doted on her to the utmost. Materially, she had never been denied anything. She never had to shoulder adult responsibilities at a young age.

But even so, deep down, she actually also rejected meeting boyfriends’ parents.

Thankfully, at twenty, her three past boyfriends hadn’t been much older, and none had reached the “meet-the-parents” stage before they broke up.

Still, the fear lingered.

Jiang Ruoqiao sometimes laughed at herself for being so afraid. Just imagining those moments—parents asking, “What do your parents do?” or “Have they retired? Where do they live now?”—made her scalp go numb. People from intact, loving families could never taste that bitter pang.

She supported her mother’s search for happiness after her father passed away, and never wished her mother to be bound by her for life. But her father’s death was an ache inside her she could never touch without wincing.

She hated telling others, “My father has passed away.” She loathed their follow-up questions—how it happened, the pity flashing in their eyes, the subtly awkward sympathy they couldn’t hide in time. Even after all these years, she still couldn’t calmly say the words: My father has died.

Knowing Lu Yicheng’s background and how he grew up, she didn’t want him to feel the same pain. On the way over, she had quietly told her grandparents about his family situation, and asked them not to pry no matter what.

Her grandmother had sighed, “That child is quite capable too.”

In the private room, seeing Lu Yicheng sitting so upright he could immediately go on television, Grandma couldn’t help but laugh, “This young man is so tall and so handsome. I can rest assured our Siyan will also be a tall and handsome boy in the future!”

Grandpa grumbled unhappily, “How tacky—is height important? Are looks important?”

Grandma nodded firmly, “Very important.”

Grandpa: “…”

Lu Yicheng’s expression also showed a hint of relief.

Grandma turned serious, “I heard from Qiaoqiao that you were the top scholar of your year?” She shot Grandpa a look. “This question is important, right?”

Lu Yicheng replied, “Yes. I’m a bit imbalanced, with science as my strength.”

Jiang Ruoqiao played along, “You’re imbalanced? Too modest.”

Lu Yicheng wasn’t sure how to react—had Grandpa and Grandma not been there, he most likely would have laughed.

Grandpa immediately said, “Our Qiaoqiao is very impressive too. Xiao Lu, if our Qiaoqiao took the university entrance exam here, she might also be some kind of top scholar!”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “…” Totally unnecessary.

Lu Yicheng nodded quite approvingly. “I’ve heard about it before. In our senior year, our teachers said the exam papers from Xi City were all very difficult.”

Almost every student admitted to A University had fought through a sea of competitors.

“Xiao Lu and Qiaoqiao are from the same university.” Grandma was very satisfied with this point, “Then our Siyan is also a member of an intellectual family now.”

Well… Grandma wasn’t wrong, but it sounded like talk from another era to Lu Yicheng and Jiang Ruoqiao.

Grandpa muttered, “Nowadays if I throw a sweet potato peel on the road, any university student could trip over it.”

Grandma glared at him, “Can’t you interrupt less when I’m talking? This situation is a good thing—it represents that everyone has access to education now. I’m talking about this and you’re talking about that. If you don’t argue with me for a day, will your whole body be uncomfortable?”

Neither Lu Yicheng nor Jiang Ruoqiao said a word.

After their brief spat, Grandma’s tone softened as she addressed Lu Yicheng cordially, “Xiao Lu, are you going to graduate school?”

“Mm.” He nodded, “Most likely will get recommended for admission.”

A University’s internal recommendation rate was already high—let alone for an academic master like him.

Grandma smiled with satisfaction. “Then can you handle taking care of the child by yourself?”

Inadvertently, he glanced at Jiang Ruoqiao. “It’s not just me taking care of him—the two of us are taking care of him together. It’s still manageable.”

In truth, throughout the entire meal, Grandma had only asked about his height, age, and future academic plans. That was enough to allow him to completely relax.

Midway through, Jiang Ruojiao accompanied Grandma to the restroom—down the same hallway as yesterday. Grandma patted the back of her hand and whispered, “Rest assured, your grandpa and I won’t force you two to be together just because you have a child in the future. Asking about these things is mainly to care about the child’s father’s temperament. The child doesn’t belong to just you—parents’ influence on children runs deep. The father will influence the child and the child will influence the mother. If he were an unreliable person who says this and that in front of the child all day, that’d be a bad example. Children, after all, are young.”

Jiang Ruoqiao murmured agreement, “He’s quite good.”

“That’s good then.” Grandma said, “I can tell this Xiao Lu is an upright person.”

*

In the afternoon, Jiang Ruoqiao accompanied Grandma to register at the hospital.

Lu Yicheng accompanied Grandpa, who wanted to personally pick up Siyan from school today.

Professor Huang Hongying looked to be of a certain age but was especially kind. After taking Grandma’s scans, she had Jiang Ruoqiao add her assistant on WeChat to line up and wait for a bed to open up. Once a bed was available, Grandma would be admitted immediately. Before leaving, Grandma whispered to Professor Huang, “Professor, is it serious? My granddaughter is still young—someone must stay by her side.”

Jiang Ruoqiao bowed her head, trying hard to hold back tears.

Professor Huang smiled, “You’re blessed, ma’am, to have such a devoted granddaughter—and the key is, we caught it early!”

She also praised Jiang Ruoqiao’s diligence. If they had delayed a year or two, the treatment plan would have become far more complex.

With the professor’s reassurance, Grandma’s anxiety finally eased.

Jiang Ruoqiao took Grandma back to the bed and breakfast.

Siyan was already there, having bonded with Grandpa. Grandma teased that Grandpa stole every chance to dote on the boy while she was gone, utterly shameless. Oblivious to the less-than-ideal medical report, they joined in playing with Siyan.

He was extremely excited. After all, he had never seen his great-grandma and great-grandpa before! Human cubs just have this ability to sensitively feel who truly likes them and who doesn’t. Great-grandma and great-grandpa treated him so well. Watching Grandma and Grandpa shower him with love, Jiang Ruoqiao felt the last of her gloom lift. She had heard before that grandparents dote on grandchildren. Grandma and Grandpa did indeed cherish her. But now seeing them pamper Siyan…

Jiang Ruojiao: Grandma, Grandpa, look at me too!

On National Day, Jiang Ruoqiao handled Grandma’s hospital admission.

Grandpa, elderly with hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, obviously wasn’t fit to stay overnight. Since it was a holiday, Jiang Ruoqiao insisted on being Grandma’s companion herself. At Lu Yicheng’s suggestion, Jiang Ruojiao checked out of the bed and breakfast. Grandpa then moved into the place Lu Yicheng rented. Regarding this, Lu Yicheng said, “Actually, I’m troubling the elderly to help take care of the child. I also feel bad about it.”

Jiang Ruoqiao knew he only said that to ease her mind. She’d been reluctant, but couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Grandpa alone at the bed and breakfast at night. Elderly people shouldn’t be on their own.

After getting Grandma admitted, she walked Lu Yicheng out of the hospital. Nearby was a crowded little coffee shop. She still ordered herself an Americano as usual. Turning her head, she asked Lu Yicheng, “What do you want to drink?”

He instinctively scanned the menu for the cheapest option. She caught his wandering eyes, covered the list: “Order what you like.”

Don’t look at the price! her eyes warned him.

Lu Yicheng lowered his head, but had a smile on his face. His voice also carried a hint of laughter, “Okay, then…Americano?”

“Okay,” she told the barista, “Two Americanos, please.”

She quickly scanned her phone to pay.

The barista was very fast. The two Americanos were ready in no time.

By the time they got their coffee, a light drizzle had started.

In any case, they were in no rush. At this kind of frantic and tense moment, being able to stand under the eaves watching the rain and drinking coffee was also a kind of content enjoyment.

They stood side by side as the cool breeze and drizzle passed them by, not bothering the flow of pedestrians on the street.

For ease of movement while caretaking, she wore a button-up shirt and jeans today, the shirt casually half-tucked, her wavy hair pulled back in a high ponytail—youthful and fresh.

She held her coffee cup and sipped, the corners of her lips curling upwards.

He wore a simple white tee and black pants, no backpack today. Passersby couldn’t help sneaking appreciative glances at the two of them standing there—truly a sight to behold.

Both twentyish, equal in exceptional looks and poise, they looked like they were posing for a fashion shoot.

“The surgery will probably cost quite a bit, right?” he asked.

Jiang Ruojiao paused for a moment before replying, “I consulted about it. Because it was discovered relatively early, it’s still okay.”

Her grandparents had some savings, but she didn’t want to touch them—that money was for their retirement. Thankfully she had her own savings, and if needed, her aunt could probably make up the difference.

“Medical insurance reimburses cross-region now,” she said.

He nodded, sipped his coffee, “If you need any help, just say the word.”

She laughed, tilting her head to look at him, eyes gleaming playfully, “Mm…then how will the interest be calculated?”

He blinked, “Interest?”

He hadn’t anticipated that. Seeing the mirth in her eyes, he realized she was joking to lighten the mood. Playing along to ease her anxiety, he said: “I don’t know—what do you think?”

She grinned, pulling out her phone, “Let me check current investment rates… No, wait—not those. I hear online loan rates are sky-high these days.”

He nodded, “I’m not a formal institution—no need to charge that much.”

She burst out laughing.

He laughed too.

Freeing one hand, she gave him an OK sign, “No worries—no need to borrow money yet.”

He murmured agreement. She said she didn’t need it, and he trusted her judgement. Having known her long enough, he knew she wouldn’t be unreasonable about such matters.

Seeing him grimace slightly at the coffee’s bitterness, she teased, “Too bitter for your taste?”

He nodded honestly, “A bit.”

“You’ll get used to it,” she assured him with a smile.

And in that gentle moment, under the fine October drizzle, their shared laughter felt like the beginning of something lasting.