Eleven years later.
Lu Mansion had been full of activity since morning. The gardeners were pruning the trees, professional chefs toiled away in the kitchen and servants walked back and forth to decorate the house for Young Master's upcoming sixteenth birthday. Even though it was still a few months away, the Master of the house had ordered them to start preparing.
This was special because it's Ren Zexi's coming of age birthday party. He would finally shed his childhood away and become an official adult. This was also the party in which Lu Yizhou would legally appoint Ren Zexi as his successor.
The lavish scent of food wafted through the air and amidst the hustle and bustle, Lu Yizhou sat on the sofa with a tablet in his hands, scrolling through the stock market. Eleven years hadn't managed to imprint its mark on him. He still looked the same; charming, beautiful and exquisite. With a dark blue three piece suit encasing his tall, proportional body, he was akin to Adonis, his presence was almost otherworldly.
No, maybe even more, Ren Zexi thought as he stood at the top of the stairs, staring at Lu Yizhou with a scorching gaze. He looked even better, like the wine that tasted finer with age, oozing with the allure of a mature, successful man. No matter who laid eyes on him, they would definitely be mesmerized. At least, that was what happened to him all those years ago.
He inhaled deeply and tried to calm his furiously beating heart. Putting on a smile to hide how head over heels he was toward the man, he descended the stairs, humming a random tune.
"Good morning, Uncle Lu!" He dashed toward the man, hugged his shoulders from behind then planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
Lu Yizhou hummed without taking his eyes off the tablet. "Come here and sit."
It was rare for him to be so serious. Ren Zexi's heart skipped a beat. No way...could it be that Butler An had found out that he recently washed his underwear on his own and reported it to Lu Yizhou? But...But he couldn't help it either. Who asked him to like Lu Yizhou so much to the point where the man appeared in his dream every single night?
"What's wrong, Uncle Lu?" Ren Zexi sat down nervously, gulping.
Lu Yizhou pondered deeply. He had no idea where to start.
Today was the first day of Ren Zexi's third year in high school. This meant that a new program would be implemented in his school. The students who had high social status would be mixed with ordinary students who got in through scholarships and they would only be separated through grades.
Today, Ren Zexi would finally meet this world's protagonist, Jing Xuehao.
Lu Yizhou had tried all kinds of ways to postpone the program, at least until Ren Zexi graduated but it seemed like the world was adamant to let them meet in the end. No matter what he did, there would always be obstacles standing in his way, preventing him from changing the status quo.
[666: Give up ah… it's no use. They are destined to meet.]
[Destined, huh?]
Lu Yizhou looked at the teenager in front of him. Ren Zexi had grown up to be a very attractive teenager. He had round, luminous almond shaped eyes, long eyelashes, high bridge nose and reddish plump lips. Coupled with soft fluffy dark hair and a thin, slender frame, he was a figure that would make heads turn.
Ren Zexi was even more exquisite than anyone Lu Yizhou had ever seen. He had a different aura that subconsciously attracted people to him, it was mystifying. It was no wonder that he would always be scouted as a model everytime he walked on the street.
Eleven years. Lu Yizhou had raised the timid, bashful child to be a confident, refined and charismatic boy. He was no longer the scarred, depressing and gloomy villain. Having him lose to the protagonist just like this would be a pity.
This was, after all, the child he had nurtured for more than a decade. Of course he would take Ren Zexi's side and help him as best as he could. His heart wasn't made of rock and eleven years wasn't a short time either. Affection was an exaggeration but let's just say that he had grown fond of the boy.
In spite of that, everything was just a simulator in the end so he had to remain cool-headed.
[666: You can't tell him anything about the protagonist, Host. You can only do everything behind the scenes.]
[Shut up. You have told me countless times.]
Lu Yizhou tapped his fingers on his arms. "You are already in your third year, huh? Time flies by so fast."
Ren Zexi nodded in bewilderment, not understanding what he meant. "It is. In a while, I will be an adult already…" He murmured, a faint pink hue spread across his cheeks.
Unfortunately, Lu Yizhou was too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice Ren Zexi's meaningful glance. Disappointed, the teenager's shoulders slumped down.
"Good. Listen to me properly." Lu Yizhou finally managed to decide what he was going to say. He looked into Ren Zexi's eyes with all seriousness, unaware that the intent stare was making the adolescent's heart palpitate. "You're my, Lu Yizhou's person. No matter what happens, remember that I will always have your back so you don't have to feel... inferior to some people. Also, if you have someone you like, tell me and I will see what I can do."
The last sentence was added after some consideration. Afterall, the start of Ren Zexi's demise was when he fell in love with the world's female lead, Meng Yun. A few ideas started to form in Lu Yizhou's mind. What if...he let Ren Zexi meet Meng Yun before Jing Xuehao did? The one who started first would always have the most advantage, right?
He was so deep in thoughts that he didn't realize how Ren Zexi's body stiffened and shock flashed through his eyes. Why...did Lu Yizhou suddenly bring this up? Had the man caught wind of his inappropriate feelings? No...it shouldn't be. He had always made sure to hide it properly. He didn't want Lu Yizhou to hate him or even worse, abandon him as soon as he knew that the child he took under his wings started to develop improper thoughts for him...
Ren Zexi forced himself to say in a stiff tone. "I don't like anyone…"
Lu Yizhou finally looked up at him and took notice of how nervous he was. A thin smile formed on the man's lips. "I'm just saying."
Oh. My. God. Ren Zexi's heart skipped a beat. How could someone be so sexy when he smiled?!
"What's wrong? Are you unwell?" Lu Yizhou pressed his palm onto Ren Zexi's forehead. "Hmm, a bit too warm. Did you catch a cold?"
"No, I've just taken a hot bath, that's why." He pulled Lu Yizhou's hand down and held it tightly. "Uncle Lu, you don't have to worry about that."
Lu Yizhou was taken aback. "Huh…?"
"If...I mean if," He bit his lips and braced himself to continue. "If I stay single for my whole life, what would you do?"
[666, what is running in this child's brain again? Did he watch some TV dramas last night? For example, one with a sad ending?]
[666: Host, sorry but after a decade, 666 still hasn't been equipped with mind reading abilities QAQ I have sent the request countless times to Admin God but I am always rejected! But judging from the comprehensive data of Ren Zexi I have gathered for years, he must be hiding something from you! Gasp, don't tell me… did he meet the female lead already?! Has he fallen in love with her so that's why he's asking this in a roundabout way?!]
[Why do you not know about such an important thing? Isn't it your job to watch over him?]
[666: Hmph, how can 666 possibly monitor him 24/7?! Who knows when and where they had met? Anyway, Host, you absolutely have to support him! Have. To. Support. His. Love! Do you hear me?!]
[En.]
"Do you like someone?" Lu Yizhou threw the straight ball ahead.
"Wha—" Ren Zexi's face instantly reddened like a tomato. "W—What like?! How—How can I like someone?!"
Lu Yizhou shook his head, amused. When would Ren Zexi realize that he was a very bad liar? It seemed like they had indeed met without him knowing. Well, everything would be easier this way.
"Don't lie." He flicked the boy's forehead. "How many years do you think we have known each other?"
Ren Zexi held his forehead and hung his head low, crimson flush traveled down to his neck. This was too embarrassing... Since when did Lu Yizhou realize his feelings? But...But he was also happy. If the man was asking, then it meant he wasn't feeling as disgusted as Ren Zexi had imagined, right?
His heart started to race faster in both glee and thrill. Nervously, he said, "Well, I don't know whether that person likes me back or not. What do you think? Do I have a chance...?"
Lu Yizhou snorted. "Why don't you? Have some more confidence in yourself, Zexi." It was ridiculous, how was the protagonist better than Ren Zexi in any way? He would make sure that Ren Zexi emerged as the victor in the end.
Hearing Lu Yizhou's positive response, Ren Zexi choked on his breath, the rims of his eyes reddened. If he had known that Lu Yizhou would accept him so easily, he wouldn't have stupidly tried to hide his feelings for five years!
The knowledge that Lu Yizhou would give him a chance overwhelmed him so much to the point he couldn't endure anymore and pounced forward to give the man a tight hug. He was beside himself with joy. He buried his head into Lu Yizhou's shoulders, inhaling deeply. "Thank you...Thank you so much…"
Lu Yizhou patted his back. "...Silly child."
[He's so easily moved. Does he like the female lead that much?]
[666: Fufufu, look at him. Isn't he the cutest thing in the world? He's so madly in love. Aaaah, teenage love… 666 also wants to experience it once.]
The system's last sentence was weird in more than one way thus Lu Yizhou opted to ignore it as usual.
"U—Uncle Lu, can I—" call you by your name? He had always wanted to do that but sadly, he could only utter Lu Yizhou's name in his wildest dream or when he was alone and jerking off with the thought of that man.
Patient, Ren Zexi... Don't be too greedy. Baby steps. Yes, he had to take baby steps so that Lu Yizhou wouldn't be scared away by the intense longing Ren Zexi held for him.
"Can you what?" Lu Yizhou asked after not hearing the continuation of his sentence.
Ren Zexi shook his head gingerly. "Can you...take me to school today?"
Of course, Lu Yizhou accepted such a simple request. After having breakfast together, they rode in Lu Yizhou's car with Ah Shen—his loyal bodyguard—as the driver. Lu Yizhou was working as usual, leaving Ren Zexi fidgeting in his seat.
That's really not fair… He had just confessed his feelings so how could Lu Yizhou be so calm and collected? Was this the charm of a mature man?
He didn't even bother to hide the blatant stare he was sending in Lu Yizhou's direction anymore. The fervent love, desire and longing was clear for everyone to see.
"Boss, Young Master, we have arrived."
"En." Lu Yizhou put aside the tablet and turned to Ren Zexi. "Study well. Don't forget what I said earlier."
"I know." Ren Zexi puffed out his cheeks, sulking. He wasn't willing to be the only one who was overly conscious, thus in a fit of anger, he leaned forward to bite the tip of Lu Yizhou's nose and opened the door in the next second, not giving him the time to react. "See you, Ah Shen!"
"Ah, o—okay, see you...Young Master."
The door slammed shut and Ren Zexi dashed away as fast as lightning. Lu Yizhou touched his nose, dumbfounded. Why did that brat bite him out of nowhere?
[666: Wait, let me see if there's something related to this behavior in Admin God's library. Biting the nose...this—]
666 almost choked on his nonexistent breath. "Ten Ways to Calm Your Sulking Lover" "How To Notice That Your Other Half is Playing Coy" "How To Make His Heart Beat Faster" etcetera...
What the heck were these books?! None was accurate! Fortunately, it didn't blurt it out otherwise its Host would get angry again!
[666: There's nothing useful, Host! Wait a moment, 666 will ask the other systems.]
Lu Yizhou massaged his brows. [Forget it then.]
"Ehem, Boss," Ah Shen peeked through the windshield mirror and asked gingerly. "Do you anger him? Should I pretend to see nothing?"
"Shut up." Lu Yizhou snapped and looked out the window to see Ren Zexi's diminishing back. "Let's go now."
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A/N: The very definition of system digging a pit for its Host lol
Let's set a goal to motivate author! With every 50 PS every week, there will be one extra chapter that will be given in the following week. So this week, if we have 100 PS so I will release 3 chapters on Monday. Let's voteee!