Chapter 83: Side Story 2 (2/2)
Lu Yichuan declined Jiang Heng’s offer to draw him a bath and, as they were getting ready for bed, asked, “Now, tell me about the trouble you caused.”
Jiang Heng rolled around in bed, his hair bun coming undone, his silver-gray hair a mess.
He pulled the covers over himself, only his head peeking out, his large, watery eyes watching the man working on his laptop.
“So, that day…”
Jiang Heng cleared his throat, setting the stage for his dramatic retelling.
“After a full day of classes, I returned to the dormitory and engaged in a stimulating intellectual discussion with my two roommates about the day’s lessons.”
Lu Yichuan didn’t even look up.
“We discussed everything from modern history to elective courses, then delved into the common people’s…rustic research on chemical reactions.”
“But just as our discussion reached its climax, suddenly, a cold sneer came from the corner of the room. The rich second-generation, that young master, launched a verbal attack on us, essentially saying we were uncultured bumpkins, eating hot pot like…like ravenous pigs.”
“He dared to insult hot pot!”
Lu Yichuan, his fingers toying with the corner of a document, immediately grasped the key point. “Hot pot?”
“Uh…” Jiang Heng said guiltily, “Doesn’t a fiery intellectual discussion deserve a fiery hot pot?”
Lu Yichuan: “…”
“Anyway, the hot pot isn’t the point. The point is, Second-Generation Brat mocked us and even tried to provoke us into a fight.”
Lu Yichuan looked at him. “Did you fight?”
“No, there were three of us, he wouldn’t dare. But I also launched a verbal counterattack. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! I pierced him with my words, leaving him wounded and defeated. He must be holding a grudge against me now.”
“So you’re here because…?”
Did he think he would help him deal with Li Hao?
Having spent so much time with his two pure and innocent roommates, Jiang Heng had become more…innocent himself. “Oh, nothing, just wanted to…whisper sweet nothings to you… In case he tries to retaliate, I’ll use your name to scare him.”
Speaking of his roommate, Jiang Heng became indignant. “What kind of person looks down on poor people and wears fake shoes? He thinks I don’t know? There were only five pairs of those limited-edition shoes, and Song Chengan bought them all! He even gave me a pair! I’m wearing them to class on Monday, just to spite him!”
Lu Yichuan circled a few errors on the document, put it down, and walked towards the bed. “We’ll talk about your revenge later. First, tell me about the hot pot.”
Jiang Heng immediately burrowed under the covers. “It’s late, I want to sleep.”
Lu Yichuan tugged at the blanket, but the lump under it didn’t budge.
He chuckled. “Weren’t you going to whisper sweet nothings to me? Is this how you do it?”
Jiang Heng’s muffled voice came from under the blanket. “I already did.”
“Little Jiang Heng, your sweet nothings were…lacking. After careful consideration, I’ve decided to reject your request.”
Now Jiang Heng wouldn’t stand for this. He poked his head out. “Hey, I already whispered, and you’re rejecting me?”
Lu Yichuan got into bed.
Jiang Heng had hogged all the blankets, so he just lay there in his pajamas, propped up on his elbows. He looked at Jiang Heng. “If you’re not whispering sweet nothings by my pillow, then what’s the point? Now that I’m here, whisper again.”
Jiang Heng refused to budge.
So Lu Yichuan continued, his voice laced with mock sorrow, “I work hard every day, come home exhausted, no blanket to cover myself with, and not even a single sweet nothing whispered in my ear…”
The little mushroom by the wall was silent for a few seconds, then a corner of the blanket was lifted and placed over Lu Yichuan, Jiang Heng’s silver-gray head emerging.
“Here…”
Lu Yichuan reached out and pulled him closer.
The blanket draped loosely over them, the man lying on his side, Jiang Heng’s face hidden in the shadows.
“Rongrong, where are my sweet nothings?”
Jiang Heng grumbled, but seeing that Lu Yichuan was genuinely waiting, he could only endure the embarrassment and leaned closer, gently blowing on his ear.
“There…happy now…?”
Lu Yichuan raised an eyebrow. “Just blowing air, no words?”
This time, Jiang Heng had truly run out of patience. He kicked Lu Yichuan’s leg under the covers. “Lu Yichuan, you’re so annoying! Take it or leave it!”
He had blown himself into a fit of pique.
Lu Yichuan caught his foot, his fingers gently stroking his ankle. “You know, we capitalists don’t do charity work. You’re using my money, eating my food, and now you want me to fight your battles for you? Shouldn’t you…offer something in return?”
Jiang Heng punched his chest weakly. “I’ve already served you tea and water, what more do you want?”
Hearing this, Lu Yichuan chuckled, the vibration against Jiang Heng’s hand.
“I don’t need someone to serve me tea and water.”
He pulled on Jiang Heng’s leg, their bodies touching, and after a few moments, Jiang Heng felt it.
“But I do need a…bed warmer.”
He paused for two seconds, then continued,
“Baby, want to give me…’the sun’?” (TN: A euphemism for sex)
“…”
Ahhh!
Jiang Heng’s mind exploded, his face instantly turning crimson. “No! You…I…Fuck!”
Although his language was crude, his logic was sound.
He was easily embarrassed, and even his neck was flushed now.
“Shy? Okay, then let me rephrase…”
“It’s been a whole week.”
“…”
Even though they were alone under the covers, Jiang Heng still wanted to cover Lu Yichuan’s mouth.
Weren’t they supposed to be fighting?
He might be thinking that, but under the cover of the blanket, his hands had already started moving.
The man’s eyes were half-closed, his voice husky, “A little lower…it misses you.”
He didn’t need to tell him; Jiang Heng could feel it too.
No matter how many times it happened, he was still amazed by the size, the soft moans mingling with the sounds of friction, his ears burning.
“Lu Yichuan, about that Li Hao…”
Lu Yichuan’s lips found his, silencing him. “Are you sure you want to mention someone else’s name…in bed…with me?”
Jiang Heng closed his mouth.
The man kissed the corner of his lips, his voice a low murmur. “Rongrong, stick out your tongue.”
Jiang Heng’s grip tightened, and Lu Yichuan’s breathing grew heavier, his tongue tracing his, a deep, lingering kiss.
The lights were still on, and Jiang Heng clearly saw the desire in Lu Yichuan’s eyes, the usually cold gaze now clouded with lust, a look of pleasure on his handsome face.
He took pleasure in his pleasure.
Jiang Heng closed his eyes, and he heard the man’s chuckle.
“I can feel it, Rongrong, you…”
Unable to silence his mouth, Jiang Heng covered his eyes instead.
“Ah…”
As expected, a muffled moan came.
After that, he was like a salted fish, flipped over and grilled on both sides.
It was the middle of the night when the grilling was finally done.
And early the next morning, Jiang Heng was rudely awakened by his ringing phone.
He fumbled for the phone, his eyes still closed, his voice thick with sleep. “What?”
If it wasn’t a life-or-death situation, he would murder the caller.
Qian Zhen’s frantic voice boomed through the phone. “Jiang Heng, emergency! We’re doomed!”
Jiang Heng: “Huh??”
He had only been joking last night.
Qian Zhen continued, “You left last night, right? Song Yang and I went to the internet café to play games, and when we came back to the dorm this morning, Li Hao said something was missing.”
Just woken up, Jiang Heng’s mind was still foggy. “Missing? Missing what?”
“A watch, supposedly worth over a hundred thousand yuan. He called the police! That bastard brought them into the dorm and searched our things! They found the watch in your drawer! And it was broken!”
“He said you broke it and that you have to pay him, or he’ll have you arrested!”
Qian Zhen’s voice cracked, and Jiang Heng could hear him crying. “Bro, I failed you! I let you be wronged!”
Jiang Heng closed his eyes with a sigh. “So, what’s the situation now?”
Song Yang took the phone. “Li Hao is at the counselor’s office with the police, waiting for you. He said if you don’t show up, he’ll have the police come and arrest you.”
Seriously…
Jiang Heng tossed the phone aside and got up to get dressed.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he looked like a scholar who had been…ravaged by a ghost, which wasn’t far from the truth.
He rubbed his face, put on a hat, adjusted his posture, and marched out, ready to face the music.
As he reached for the doorknob, he paused. Wait, where was Lu Yichuan?
Never mind, dealing with this was more important.
Jiang Heng rushed back to the dormitory, then went to the counselor’s office with Qian Zhen and Song Yang.
Li Hao was sitting there smugly, drinking tea, two police officers standing behind him, the counselor sitting beside him.
Jiang Heng entered, his back straight, and glanced at Li Hao coldly. “I heard you’ve been spreading rumors, saying I stole from you.”
Li Hao choked. “Who’s spreading rumors? I’m stating facts! My watch was found in your drawer! Are you saying I put it there myself?”
“So, if I put a million yuan in your drawer, can I also say you stole it?”
“You!” Li Hao, unable to argue with him, changed tactics. “I’ve already called the police. If you have any questions, talk to them. I’m sure the police will handle this fairly.”
Jiang Heng turned to the two police officers behind him.
The officer said, “We did find this student’s watch in your drawer. Although there are no security cameras in the dormitory, his friend said your behavior was…suspicious that day.”
“Evidence? Surveillance footage? His friend saying I was ‘suspicious’ means I stole it? What if my friends say I’m innocent? What then?”
Qian Zhen and Song Yang: “Exactly!”
Seeing his sharp retort, the two officers’ expressions changed. The taller one said sternly, “Student, please don’t be disruptive. Li Hao said you come from a…difficult background and were tempted to steal his watch, and you even damaged it while it was in your possession. He’s being generous, only asking you to compensate him for the cost of the watch. If you continue to be disruptive, we’ll have to take you to the police station.”
Jiang Heng crossed his arms, his voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, so my words are ‘disruptive’? You have no evidence, yet you’re accusing me without hesitation? Do you think I’m easy to bully?”
Qian Zhen and Song Yang: “Exactly!”
The counselor couldn’t help but speak up. “Officers, shouldn’t you have some…evidence before accusing someone? This is a bit…”
Li Hao looked at him. “Counselor, that’s not what you said this morning.”
The young counselor opened his mouth, then closed it.
Li Hao looked at Jiang Heng smugly. The two police officers were clearly on his side; there was nothing they could do.
The shorter officer said, “Since you refuse to cooperate, we’ll have to take you to the station. Stealing valuable items is a serious offense.”
Qian Zhen stepped in front of Jiang Heng protectively.
Jiang Heng patted his shoulder and sat down calmly.
The once pampered young master, who had only experienced hardship during his week as a stray cat, lifted his chin slightly. “You want me to compensate you? Let’s settle the score then.”
His demeanor was calm and composed, his simple clothes unable to conceal his innate aura of refinement.
A flicker of unease crossed Li Hao’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
An orphan from a rural village, what backing could he possibly have?
Thinking of this, Li Hao scoffed. “Settle the score? What score is there to settle between us?”
Jiang Heng said, “Whether I stole it or not is irrelevant. You think I broke your watch and want me to compensate you. Then shouldn’t you also compensate me for the things you broke?”
“Those worthless junk of yours, how much could they possibly be worth?”
“Just answer the question, will you compensate me or not?”
“Why should I…”
“Look.” Jiang Heng gestured at Qian Zhen and Song Yang. “He doesn’t want to compensate me. Tsk, tsk, tsk…and I thought he was so rich.”
Qian Zhen and Song Yang: “Tsk, tsk…”
Li Hao’s face darkened instantly. “I’ll pay! I’d like to see how you can use those worthless junk of yours to offset the cost of my hundred-thousand-yuan watch.”
Jiang Heng held up three fingers. “Since the semester started, you have damaged three of my belongings. A pen, a water bottle, and a bottle of perfume.”
He smiled sweetly. “Am I right? My two roommates were there when you knocked them over.”
Li Hao didn’t deny it. “So what? How much can a poor person’s things be worth?”
“Then let’s calculate the cost.”
Jiang Heng, imitating Lu Yichuan’s mannerisms, said slowly, “That pen was a limited-edition auction item. I bought it for one and a half million yuan, and its market value has now tripled. I’ll be generous and only ask for two million. The water bottle was custom-made; you can check the price online, fifty thousand yuan. The perfume, seven hundred thousand yuan. I didn’t like the scent and only used it once or twice, so I’ll let you off with fifty thousand.”
“Of course, I’m not just making up numbers. I have proof of purchase and authenticity, which I can provide at any time.”
“So…” he continued, “when are you going to pay me, Li Hao?”
Li Hao: “I’ll fucking…”
Jiang Heng turned to the police officers. “Look, he’s unhappy again.”
The taller officer said, “Student, you’re a student at A University! Stealing and lying! I don’t know how you even got into this university!”
Jiang Heng looked at him. “Officer…where’s your badge?”
He paused for a moment, confused, then continued, “Officer, is that uniform comfortable? Do you think insulting me will make me feel ashamed? It only makes you look ridiculous. You think you’re so high and mighty, looking down on everyone. But in reality, you’re just a maggot in a shithole, groveling and licking boots for personal gain, never able to stand up straight.”
He pointed at the officer. “Today, I’m going to make sure you never wear that uniform again. Mark my words.”
He turned his head, and a man in a suit, standing by the door, was watching him quietly.
The two police officers, clearly offended, stepped towards Jiang Heng, ready to apprehend him, but as they took a step forward, the door suddenly swung open.
The police chief and the university president stood there, their faces grim, staring at them.
The two officers and the counselor instantly paled.
Li Hao, still oblivious to the gravity of the situation, said to Jiang Heng, “Jiang Heng, just you wait! I’ll make your life a living hell!”
A large hand landed on Jiang Heng’s shoulder, and a tall figure stepped in front of him, blocking him from view. “Whose life are you going to make a living hell?”
Li Hao froze, a flicker of fear in his eyes as he met the man’s cold gaze.
The police chief, following behind Lu Yichuan, entered the office, his first words, “Strip them of their uniforms, fire them immediately!”
He turned to Lu Yichuan. “Mr. Lu, these two are newly recruited officers. They succumbed to temptation and committed such a disgraceful act. Our regular officers would never commit such a mistake. Please rest assured, our party discipline is strict.”
The tall man nodded slightly. “I’ve always had faith in our law enforcement. With such impartiality, I’m sure the project collaboration between our company and the government will be very successful.”
The police chief secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The counselor, seeing the university president’s face, knew his own fate as well.
Lu Yichuan turned to Li Hao. “You said…he stole from you?”
Li Hao, finally realizing the situation, stammered, “It…it might have been a misunderstanding.”
“You called the police, it doesn’t seem like a misunderstanding.” He turned to Jiang Heng. “What did he steal?”
Jiang Heng, his posture radiating confidence, pointed at the watch on the table, using Lu Yichuan’s arm as leverage. “That.”
Lu Yichuan glanced at the watch. “I’m not so poor that I would let anyone associated with me pick up trash.”
A hundred-thousand-yuan watch called trash…the burn…Jiang Heng wished he had thought of that.
No one dared to speak. Lu Yichuan asked Li Hao, “I seem to have a connection with the surname ‘Li.’ Which branch of the Li family are you from?”
Li Hao remained silent.
The ever-resourceful Assistant Li stepped forward. “His father is a cousin of the Li family head.”
“I see…” The man adjusted Jiang Heng’s askew hat. “You accuse him of stealing, then show me the evidence. If this is a false accusation, a deliberate attempt to slander…”
He trailed off, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Young Master Li, a lawyer will be contacting you soon. I suggest you think carefully about what you’re going to say.”
“Holy shit, Lu Yichuan, you’re so cool!”
Lu Yichuan: “…”
He said, “I might appreciate it more if you used a different…adjective.”
Jiang Heng punched him lightly in the chest. “That’s the highest praise a man can give you.”
“Damn it! I was going to do that!”
“Rongrong was amazing too.” After a moment of thought, Lu Yichuan said slowly, “I was also…quite impressed.”
“Hee hee!”
“I was so cool!”
Jiang Heng circled him excitedly. “You were cool too! We’re the coolest people in the world!”
“…”
The housekeeper didn’t work on weekends, and Lu Yichuan had ordered takeout. He opened the containers, the aroma of food filling the air.
Jiang Heng was excited. “Where did you go this morning?”
“Met with a client, then came back and the cat was gone.”
“Wow! How did you know I was at the university?”
“Because I have eyes…on you.”
“Hee hee! Lu Yichuan, you’re so amazing! You always find me!”
“Mm-hmm, no matter where Rongrong is, I’ll always find you.”
Always.
