How could his child possibly be in puppy love?
Liu Qingzhang, who had always seen his little snake as nothing more than a child, felt like the sky had fallen.
He instinctively thought Zhong Peide was talking nonsense. His little snake was still so young—what did he know about romance? Yet once the idea that “the little snake might be in puppy love” took root in his mind, everything started to seem off.
That morning, as he shared breakfast with Bai Ying, Liu Qingzhang carefully scrutinized the child he had raised for fourteen years. People grew gradually, day by day, and those who lived with them often failed to notice the changes until one sudden moment when it felt like the child had grown up in the blink of an eye.
The toddler who once needed to be held in his arms and fed mushy rice bite by bite had become a strikingly handsome youth.
Liu Qingzhang had never imposed any demands on Bai Ying, spoiling him endlessly, yet Bai Ying hadn’t turned into a lazy playboy. Instead, he had become a well-mannered little pearl. He sat up straight, his autumn school uniform shirt tucked neatly into his pants, faintly revealing a slender, delicate waist. Bai Ying had learned to chew slowly and eat quietly, his cheeks puffing out rhythmically, with a glimpse of pale skin beneath his jet-black sideburns.
The more Liu Qingzhang looked, the more he adored him—and the colder his heart grew. His little snake was so beautiful; he didn’t even dare imagine how many people had set their sights on Bai Ying. Liu Qingzhang knew his little snake was soft-hearted and easily swayed. What if there really was someone Bai Ying reciprocated feelings for?
Testing the waters, Liu Qingzhang asked, “Little snake, is there anyone at school you’re particularly close to?”
Bai Ying answered without hesitation, “Brother Zhong Qian!”
Zhong Qian attended the same school, though one was in his first year of high school and the other in his third. By the time Bai Ying was eating breakfast, Zhong Qian was already at school. Having been recommended to a prestigious overseas university, Zhong Qian’s studies weren’t too demanding; instead, he was gradually taking on Zhong family business responsibilities, which was far more taxing. Yet amid his busy schedule, he still made time to look after Bai Ying.
Liu Qingzhang frowned slightly and glanced at Zhong Peide, who stood attending nearby.
Zhong Peide’s heart tightened. Others might not know Bai Ying’s background, but could his own son really be clueless? Zhong Qian wouldn’t dare!
Fortunately, Liu Qingzhang’s suspicion passed in an instant. He continued questioning Bai Ying, “Besides Zhong Qian?”
Bai Ying thought for a moment. “Um… my deskmate?”
“I remember that’s a girl?” Liu Qingzhang said. He knew everyone in Bai Ying’s class.
“Yeah.” Bai Ying nodded.
A girl was somewhat more acceptable… Back when kids recklessly declared they wanted to marry Bai Ying, Liu Qingzhang always felt like some punk was trying to steal his little snake. But no sooner had that thought crossed his mind than his brows furrowed deeply again.
No, girls weren’t okay either!
Liu Qingzhang cut straight to the chase. “Little snake, do you like anyone?”
Bai Ying glanced at him, his cheeks flushing faintly. He quickly lowered his head and focused on his meal to dodge the question. Liu Qingzhang knew his little snake wasn’t good at talking. When faced with a question he didn’t want to answer truthfully, he wouldn’t lie—he simply evaded.
Liu Qingzhang’s heart turned utterly cold.
It was over—completely over. His little snake was probably really in puppy love. But who was it? The deskmate? The bold Zhong Qian? Or some other punk at school he didn’t know about?
Even after dropping Bai Ying off at the school gate, Liu Qingzhang still hadn’t figured out how to break up the lovebirds. Suddenly, he recalled those melodramatic idol dramas he’d watched with his little snake—scenes like “Here’s ten million; leave my son” and “Daddy, he’s not just some poor kid” flashed through his mind.
Before Bai Ying got out of the car, he solemnly instructed, “Little snake, focus on your studies right now. Don’t let your thoughts wander to other things… or people.”
He had never pressured Bai Ying about schoolwork before.
Liu Qingzhang felt Bai Ying had caught the implication, as the boy’s mood visibly sank, making him look unhappy.
“Got it,” he replied curtly, stepping out of the open car door without even saying goodbye to Liu Qingzhang.
Liu Qingzhang’s heart was shrouded in gloom, but moments later, it cleared like a storm passing. After walking a few steps, the little snake came running back with quick patters of his feet. Through the lowered window, he whispered softly to Liu Qingzhang, “Goodbye, Mr. Liu.”
His little snake was still his sweet, caring jacket.
Liu Qingzhang felt a warm comfort even as his anger toward the unidentified punk intensified. After Bai Ying left, Zhong Peide, driving up front, cautiously asked, “Sir, should I look into who’s been close to the Little Young Master lately?”
Liu Qingzhang fell silent for a long time.
“Not yet,” he finally said.
When it came to respecting a child’s privacy, Liu Qingzhang was undoubtedly a good parent. He planned to find the right moment for an open, honest talk with his little snake.
There was no way he’d support it—only breakup advice, no reconciliation.
His heart felt restless.
That was his treasure of fourteen years—no one in the world was worthy of his little snake.
Bai Ying arrived at school neither early nor late that day. Plenty of cars were parked outside, and when Liu Qingzhang dropped him off, many others were arriving too.
It was the school’s club activity day, so they didn’t have to follow the usual schedule.
Private aristocratic schools had all sorts of quirky extracurriculars, and a poor student like Bai Ying usually loved these days. Today, however, he was glum. A thread of grievance welled up in his heart. Mr. Liu must have noticed something, but he was the one who called him a child bride and the one telling him not to think about it and focus on studies. How unfair! Bai Ying couldn’t help but grumble inwardly about Mr. Liu.
His deskmate noticed his low spirits and urged him to go out and have fun.
“Wu Ming is holding a signing event at the nearby mall today, Little Bai. Let’s go check it out!” she said excitedly.
Club activity days allowed leaving campus. Though they were both in clubs, theirs didn’t start until the afternoon. Bai Ying nodded, texted Zhong Qian, and went out with his deskmate.
He loved Wu Ming’s novels too!
Though after reading that doujinshi last night, he felt he could no longer view Wu Ming’s books with his former innocent eyes…
They took the subway to the mall where Wu Ming was signing. Being a weekday morning, it wasn’t crowded. Bai Ying and his deskmate bought physical copies of that supernatural novel on-site and lined up for signatures. Soon, it was their turn.
Bai Ying couldn’t help stealing several glances at his favorite author. Wu Ming had a tall, upright figure and impeccable posture. He wore a black mask, but his exposed brows and eyes were sharp and starry, suggesting the face beneath was likely equally handsome and refined.
Wu Ming was so young… Bai Ying thought to himself. As Wu Ming’s eyes turned toward him, just before their gazes met, he shyly lowered his.
He wasn’t an outgoing sort to begin with, and facing his favorite author left him tongue-tied.
Wu Ming asked warmly, “Besides a signature, is there anything else you’d like me to write?”
Bai Ying recalled Mr. Liu’s earnest hopes that morning and murmured, “…Academic… progress?”
Wu Ming’s voice carried a smile. “What’s your name?”
Bai Ying’s earlobes reddened. “Just call me Little Bai.”
A line of sharp, bold handwriting appeared on the title page: [To Little Bai: Wishing you academic progress and happiness every day!]
Finally, Wu Ming signed his pen name. Bai Ying clutched the book to his chest, his eyes curving into smiles. “Thank you!”
Wu Ming finally saw his eyes again—beautiful, just like that fleeting glimpse before.
Bai Ying didn’t leave right away; he waited nearby for his deskmate behind him. As Wu Ming signed for her, she couldn’t resist asking, “Teacher Wu Ming, is there something more than friendship between the protagonist and the Taoist priest?”
Wu Ming’s novel was no-CP, but the male lead and second male had gone through life-and-death trials for each other. Their one-civil-one-martial, one-strong-one-weak dynamic was strikingly intense, fueling endless shipping among fans.
Wu Ming was a straight guy through and through. His old self would have flatly denied it.
But today…
He glanced at the quiet, obedient boy nearby and blurted without thinking, “It… it could be?”
Deskmate: “?” What did “it could be” even mean?
Bai Ying and his deskmate grabbed lunch at the mall before heading back to school.
Upon returning, he went personally to tell Zhong Qian he’d arrived. As student council president—not yet relieved of duties—Zhong Qian was in the school auditorium helping the drama club with equipment issues.
Most of the drama club members bustling about were second-year seniors Bai Ying didn’t know, but the one who felt most unfamiliar was the man beside Zhong Qian. He too wore a black mask, with sharp brows, no school uniform, and an aura that screamed he wasn’t a high schooler.
He was sensitive to others’ gazes, like some occupational habit. When Bai Ying looked his way, a cold stare shot back—only to soften instantly upon realizing it was a clean, gentle-looking, sixteen-year-old pretty boy.
“Little Ying, you’re back?” Zhong Qian pulled him close. “Had lunch? The cafeteria should still be open if not—I’ll take you.”
Bai Ying’s voice was clear. “Brother Zhong Qian, I ate already.”
His “brother” sounded so nice. The young man beside Zhong Qian thought to himself.
He waited for Zhong Qian to introduce him, and it didn’t take long. “Little Ying, this is my predecessor as student council president, Xie Jin.”
So he was a graduated senior. Bai Ying murmured hazily, “I think I’ve heard that name…”
Zhong Qian ruffled his hair. “The movie we watched together over New Year—you forgot?”
Bai Ying remembered at once, his eyes lighting up!
It was the male lead!
Though young, Xie Jin was a former child star, immersed in showbiz for over a decade. He was long past being fazed by fans, able to face his audience with perfect calm. Yet the boy’s gaze stirred an unfamiliar flutter, making his heart itch.
“Hello.” Xie Jin extended a hand to the boy. “You’re… Little Ying?”
“Senior, hello! I’m Bai Ying!” Bai Ying looked up, his smile soft and clear.
His hand was so soft—Xie Jin didn’t dare grip too hard.
Drama club members crowded around. Xie Jin had been in the club too, even as president, and had returned to visit and help his juniors.
Hearing the pretty underclassman had joined another club, they were disappointed, but the president quickly rallied. “No problem! You can join two clubs. Little Ying, want to try acting in our play? Sis recommends you for the lead!”
“I can’t!” Bai Ying waved his hands frantically. A little snake with emotions all over his face—how could he act?
But everyone urged him on, even Xie Jin joining in. Somehow, Bai Ying ended up with the script.
Only then did he realize the president had recommended him for the lead—without specifying male or female!
“I’m playing… the princess?” Bai Ying held the script adapted from the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty, pointing at himself in disbelief.
The others nodded eagerly like pecking chicks.
“Come on, come on,” the president coaxed.
Bai Ying, never good at refusing, nearly agreed—until he saw the final kissing scene, snapping him back to reality.
He was Mr. Liu’s child bride… He couldn’t kiss anyone else…
No matter how they wheedled, Bai Ying refused.
That evening, Liu Qingzhang picked him up from school. Still wanting to talk about the puppy love issue, he didn’t take him home for dinner but went to a Western restaurant Bai Ying had mentioned before.
With the place cleared out, servers brought the dishes and retreated. Liu Qingzhang hadn’t figured out how to convince Bai Ying to break up with his little boyfriend or girlfriend when Bai Ying brought up what happened in drama club that afternoon.
“Mr. Liu, the drama club seniors invited me to play Sleeping Beauty today. There’s a kissing scene at the end…”
Liu Qingzhang’s expression changed instantly. Seeing it, Bai Ying pursed his lips and smiled.
“I didn’t agree.”
Under the soft candlelight, Bai Ying’s eyes shimmered as he cast a shy, timid glance at Liu Qingzhang.
The gradually maturing youth was beginning to show hints of allure in his features.
That one look made Liu Qingzhang’s heart skip a beat.
