How can Lu Bai's character setting digress completely from the novel's? Why was he acting nervously and wanting to bring him home? Even if Lu Bai wanted to be a protector, he should be doing that for Chu Hua!
Chu Hua!
Zhan Yu who forgot about Chu Hua's existence due to how busy he was, suddenly remembered her. 'It's not right.' It was now September. According to the original novel's development, Chu Hua should've already returned to the country in brilliance in June! Zhan Yu suddenly realized that this world was no longer following the path of the original novel. The timeline was in disorder and the character settings had collapsed as well. 'What will happen next? The ending? Will it change as well?'
Zhan Yu couldn't help but blink his eyes at these thoughts. Could it be because he had barged into this world and broke the original path of this world? He believed in this possibility the more he thought about it. He thought of another question. Now that the world wasn't developing based on the original book's plot, wouldn't his ability to predict the future no longer be useful? He couldn't help but facepalm himself. Why did it become like this?
"Are you that annoyed at seeing me?"
"Huh?" Zhan Yu couldn't help but look up at Lu Bai when he heard his voice.
Lu Bai looked at him curiously.
Zhan Yu didn't want to be bothered by Lu Bai. He was about to walk around him and leave when Lu Bai pulled on his wrist. "I'm bringing you to eat."
"It's not even five yet!" Zhan Yu looked up at him in disbelief. Why are they eating right now? It's too early.
"I'll bring you for a stroll on the way." Lu Bai.
Zhan Yu snorted. "President Lu, you want to experience the feeling of traffic jam during the rush hour after work?"
Lu Bai then realized that his suggestion indeed wasn't sensible enough.
Zhan Yu looked at Lu Bai in alarm. He was about to leave when he heard someone say in a surprised tone, "Oh, my goodness! Lu Bai! Oh my god! Senior Lu came to school!"
"He's so handsome!"
"I didn't think I can see him in person!" …
Zhan Yu listened to the group of girls' discussion and thought in disdain: He is quite handsome but appearance isn't everything, right? He pursed his lips and watched Lu Bai standing there motionlessly. Zhan Yu thought: He wasn't interested in standing here and watching the girls fawn over him. Zhan Yu turned around and left. Who knew that Lu Bai had followed him and caught up with his long legs. He sped up his pace, but Lu Bai still leisurely followed him.
Zhan Yu was indignant. "Lu Bai, what do you want? Why are you following me?!"
"I'm beginning to doubt your IQ if you still don't understand it, despite how obvious it is." Lu Bai.
Zhan Yu was speechless. It doesn't make sense. He can't communicate properly with Lu Bai!
Zhan Yu calmed down and called Zhong Qin, inviting him out for food. He hung up after telling him the time and place. Zhan Yu said, "I'm going out to eat with my best friend. Are you going to follow me still?"
Lu Bai pondered deeply about it before he said, "Call me once you're done. I'll come and pick you up."
Zhan Yu was speechless.
Did his soul travel through time as well?
He wasn't the Lu Bai from the book at all!
"Who are you?!" Zhan Yu asked sternly.
Lu Bai thought this question was strange but he asked in reply, "How about you? Then who are you?"
Zhan Yu stared at his eyes and felt the brilliant eyes flickering, full of playfulness. He suddenly shivered and felt like he had noticed something.
Zhan Yu pondered about it before he replied vaguely, "Who do you think I am?"
Lu Bai directly responded, "You should ask yourself that question."
"Am I not Zhan Yu?"
"Names can just be code names sometimes. There have been many people with the same name and surname since the ancient times. Some looked even identical with each other. Though, it's rare for someone to have the same voice as another." Lu Bai observed Zhan Yu sudden pale face and continued to say, " — but just because it is rare doesn't mean the possibility doesn't exist."
Zhan Yu was stunned. His whole mind was thinking: He found out? He found out! When did he find out?!
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Zhan Yu avoided Lu Bai's eyes and rushed off.
Lu Bai calmly walked behind Zhan Yu and continued to say to himself, "Plastic surgery? It doesn't look like it."
"Who'd you say had plastic surgery?!" Zhan Yu retorted without hesitation.
"Not plastic surgery? Do you have a twin then?" Lu Bai.
"Hah, President Lu. You have a creative imagination." Zhan Yu.
"Then what about your voice? Why is it exactly the same? No, it's not exactly the same. The person talking before had a very unpleasant voice. Your tone and expressions are different from his as well." Lu Bai.
Zhan Yu secretly thought: 'If the original host knew that Lu Bai had actually paid attention to him in the past unlike his belief that he hadn't, would he feel slightly comforted?…' Zhan Yu believed that he was overthinking this. He was unwilling to answer but Lu Bai continued to close in on him. "What? Is there an unspeakable secret?"
Zhan Yu didn't even look at Lu Bai and said, "You can think whatever you want."
"Then you just need to answer one question. You're not him, right?"
"Is it important to know whether I'm him or not?" Zhan Yu reminded, "Lu Bai, don't waste your time on me and don't waste my time either."
"Life is so boring. If I don't waste time, how will time pass by?" Lu Bai.
Zhan Yu glared harshly at Lu Bai. He felt like there wasn't enough time to use everyday. Yet, Lu Bai was managing two big companies and he dared to say that he wanted to kill time because he was bored. Zhan Yu sighed. Lu Bai was indeed the male lead. He was probably the son of the author which is why the villain is looked upon worthlessly. He finally got rid of Lu Bai and went to meet up with Zhong Qin.
Zhong Qin's first sentence was, "I saw you coming out from the black car for a second. If I remember correctly, the car was a bit familiar."
Zhan Yu pulled out a seat and sat down. He said weakly and without strength, "What do you want to say? Cut straight to the chase."
Zhong Qin stretched his body halfway over the table and smiled flatteringly. "Did Senior Lu bring you over?"
Zhan Yu stared at him, not blinking at all.
Zhong Qin automatically received the answer. He excitedly said, "Oh! You've grown up! Zhan Yu, explain honestly. What's your relationship with Lu Bai? When did this happen?"
Zhan Yu felt helpless. "On the contrary, I want to know if Lu Bai had been provoked in the past two years in any way. He's acting so abnormal, completely unlike himself!"
Zhan Yu clearly didn't place Lu Bai's words in his heart after seeing Zhong Qin. When he returned to Zhan Family, he couldn't help but be touched by how Bai Ning prepared the table of gourmet food in high spirits for him.
Aunt Chen helped carry the cooked dishes over to the table as she smiled splendidly at Zhan Yu. She said, "Madam knows that you will be home tonight and had been pondering over what dishes she should prepare for you since earlier this afternoon. She had been trying out different things in the kitchen since a long time ago. Young master, all these dishes are personally cooked by Madam."
(Aunt Chen is maybe there maid or caretaker I don't know who this character is so I kept Aunt Chen and not changing to Aunt Lu)
When Bai Ning heard that his son was back, she wiped her hands and walked out from the kitchen. She smiled then said, "Are you tired? If you are, you can go up and rest for a while."
Zhan Yy couldn't help but hug Bai Ning after seeing her. He grinned then responded, "Mom, how can we finish all the food you cooked later on?"
"It's ok, it's ok. It's because you seldom come home!"
Zhan Yu felt even more ashamed after hearing this. Because of his studies and work, he rarely came home. Zhan Yu smiled sweetly and grabbed onto Bai Ning's arms. He said, "Mom, how about I find time to come home frequently in the future?"
"Silly child! That would be great!"
Zhan Yu looked at her smiling face and believed he definitely needed to return home more often.
At night, when the whole family was happily eating, Zhan Yu's phone rang. He hurriedly ran over to the sofa where he had left his phone, and answered it after a couple rings. "Hello."
"Where are you?"
"At home." Zhan Yu answered subconsciously. Then, he realized that who else would the deep voice belong to if it wasn't Lu Bai? He hurriedly moved the phone away from his ears to look at the screen. It was a bunch of unfamiliar digits.
Zhan Yu recalled Lu Bai taking his own phone to call himself. Hee looked serious and asked, "Is there a matter?"
"It's good that you arrived home safely."
"You…" Zhan Yu didn't even get to continue his words when Lu Bai said, "Rest well." He hung up right after.
Zhan Yu glanced at his phone which displayed 'call ended'. He was unable to comprehend what happened. What was Lu Bai doing? Did he call just to confirm his safety?
Zhan Yu felt that this was becoming more and more unrealistic.
Zhan Qiancheng watched as Zhan Yu stared blankly at his phone and asked, "Who called? Is there an urgent matter? The food is getting cold."
Zhan Yu hurriedly answered, "Nothing. I'll be coming." He decided to just stop thinking about Lu Bai.
It was rare for Zhan Yu was on vacation. After his nap, he woke up to shop a bit with Bai Ning. When that ended, he went straight to school. The school was bustling with people during the anniversary of the founding of the school. Besides the students who passed by and forth, there were numerous senior brothers and sisters returning back to the alma mater. The atmosphere around school was pretty good. After Zhan Yu strolled for a bit, he was nagged by a few junior sisters and brothers. They said that they recognized him as A City's TV Station's host. They had a lively discussion talking about how much they liked and admired him. After that, they wanted to take pictures and get his signatures.
Zhan Yu was amiable and approachable so he satisfied each one of them. When he signed his name for the last person, he got ready to leave. A girl with round glasses asked shyly, "Senior Brother Zhan, I am from the Reporter's Department in school. I really enjoyed your hosting in various programs so I want to interview and write a report on you. Senior Brother Zhan, is it ok?"
Zhan Yu pondered over it and replied, "It's not like you can't."
The group of girls and boys were slightly excited and the girl wearing round glasses was in high spirits. "So Senior brother Zhan agrees?"
"It's not really a problem. The main point is that I'm short on time. I have something else later on and after I'm done, I will be flying straight back to A City tonight. How about this? Give me your number and when I have time, I will set an appointment with you."
"Sure, sure, sure! Thanks Senior Brother!"
After Zhan Yu bid them farewell, he headed straight for the assembly hall. He confirmed the entire program's workflow with the hosts again before he began to change clothes and applied slight makeup. The evening suit was prepared by the school in advance. When Zhan Yu saw the sapphire blue evening Suit, he was a bit shocked. When did the school's suit become so high quality? The high-waisted design made him seem even more slimmer and tall. When Zhan Yu saw he couldn't help but think: the school is really spending quite a bit. However, as expected, the outfit looked really good on him. Zhan Yu tried on the white shoes which were embedded with diamonds. It made the outfit look good with the shoes.
Not bad.
Zhan's outfit took many people's breaths away. When the evening party began, the audience was in complete silence when the four hosts just appeared. After a few minutes, shrieks and cheers rang from everywhere.
The different media that Principal Zhao had invited aimed their cameras at Zhan Yu from time to time and took some close up photos. The whole time, Zhan Yu maintained a sweet slight smile. He automatically ignored Lu Bai who sat under the stage by the first row to the left utmost seat. He wore a black suit and held a quiet but deep gaze at him.
When the programs successful hit its half-way point, the hosts were requested to add two more programs.
Zhan Yu looked at the names of the programs that the person in charge handed him.
Special guest: Xia Qiao. Performance: singing. There was also another grand finale mysterious guest.
The person in charge of announcing the programs was conveniently Zhan Yu as well. When she introduced Xia Qiao's program, she said, "The next guest appearing is someone who means a lot to me. He used to be my Senior Brother and the person who guided me into hosting, this career. You could even say that we have been fighting bravely through obstacles side by side up until now. I am thankful for him and thankful that he had blessed my alma mater, Sheng Jin College. Now, let's welcome Xia Qiao!"
Xia Qiao wore simple black pants with a white t-shirt. He wasn't lacking in handsomeness either. He smiled and waved towards the audience under stage. He said, "I'm very happy that I am able to make it on time to Sheng Jin College's grand annual anniversary. Sheng Jin College is a place that brings people warmth and positive energy. I wish for a better and more beautiful tomorrow for Sheng Jin College! Now, I will share my favorite song with you guys. Hopefully, everyone who is sitting here right now will have a brighter and splendid future."
Xia Qiao's voice was pleasant to the ears. When he wholeheartedly devoted himself to singing the song, he was unable to stop himself.
Zhan Yu stood by the corner of a side on stage. He concentrated on him and listened to him sing the entire song. From time to time, he could feel that Xia Qiao shifted his body to look at him on stage. When Zhan Yu made eye contact with him, he would slightly smile.
Xia Qiao would respond with a slight smile as well.
In the course of time, Lu Bai seemed to have noticed this. He emitted cold aura in his surroundings.
When the music was about to end, Xia Qiao seamlessly looked at Lu Bai's darkened face. Right after, the moment the last note of the song landed, he said, "Thank you everyone! Also, thank you Principal Zhao and Zhan Yu."
The way he said Zhan Yu's name made them feel so intimate and close with each other! Everyone who was immersed in the song didn't really care for the address. Yet, a certain someone took this to heart. The evening party was approaching its end. The second to last program was about to end in almost two minutes. Zhan Yu was about to head back on stage when he heard his partner, a slim and female host ask the two other male hosts, "Do you guys have any clue who the mysterious guest is? I didn't hear of any influential figures in the student union arriving!"
"Do you guys have any clue who the mysterious guest is? I didn't hear of any influential figures in the student union arriving!"
"I didn't either. Won't we find out later on?"
Zhan Yu checked his outfit if it was okay or not after confirming it was all good then He walked gracefully and gently to the center of the stage. After he announced the next program and was about to head down from a corner of the stage, he noticed the lights around the stage all dimmed down. Right after, the graceful figure walking out from the other side of the stage became clearer and clearer.
She wore a white strapless slit dress and the length of her hair reached her shoulder. The woman naturally and gracefully walked to the center of the stage as the lights brightened.
Zhan Yu who stood by a corner was blinded by the diamond bracelet and the woman's necklace in the shape of a water drop.
She slightly squinted her eyes to hear the woman introducing herself after slightly smiling at everyone. "Hello everyone, I am Chu Hua!"
The audience was shocked! She was the famous Chu Hua from the jewelry industry?! She actually appeared during Sheng Jin College's anniversary!
The lights flashed non stop.
Yet, Zhan Yu was stunned and remained unmoved. Chu Hua? She is the Chu Hua, the original female lead from the book? She's back? She actually returned at this time!
Zhan Yu watched as he smiled brightly and acted generously, properly introducing the set of jewelry Chu Hua had designed specially for the alma mater. She even donated a total fund of ten million as an investment for the school. When she slightly bowed to express her gratitude of the alma mater for educating her, everyone clapped thunderously.
It was time for the hosts to head on stage and thank Chu Hua. When the entire evening party ended, the three hosts just noticed Zhan Yu miraculously still standing his original spot.
"Brother Zhan, are you ok?" The other female host reached over to hold on Zhan Yu's wrist.
Zhan Yu then snapped out of his trance. He shook his head and said, "It's our turn to head back out. Are you guys ready?"
That woman looked worriedly at him before she said, "Brother Zhan, your face is a bit pale. Is something wrong?"
"Nothing." Zhan Yu rapidly adjusted his state of mind and walked under the spotlight.
Why did he have such an intense reaction to Chu Hua when he saw her? Hadn't he been looking forward to Chu Hua returning? As long as she returned, no one will continue to pay attention to him and Lu Bai's past. Lu Bai won't go find him from time to time anymore.
But why did he feel so uneasy now that his wish is granted?
When the evening party ended, Zhan Yu immediately headed down the stage and subconsciously looked over at Lu Bai's seat. What was his expression when he saw Chu Hua? What a pity that the seat was empty.
Zhan Yu suddenly laughed. Why is he thinking so much because of Chu Hua? So what if she returned? After all, his flight was at midnight and he will be returning back to A City. What could happen?
Zhan Yu went backstage and took pictures with everyone for memory. Then, he went to the changing room to change out of her evening outfit. When he came out, Zhong Qin had been waiting for him outside the door. "Your flight is at midnight, right? I'll take you over."
Zhan Yu said, "It's too late. It's dangerous for you to come back alone. My brother will bring me over."
Zhong Qin glanced at his face and asked, "Are you not feeling well? Why is your face so pale?"
Zhan Yu waved his hands, gesturing that he was ok.
Zhong Qin stared at him, not believing him. He guessed, "Is it because Senior Sister Chu Hua came back?"
"It's not because of that." Zhan Yu said. His phone rang and he hurriedly took out her phone to see. "It's Xia Qiao's call. Let me answer him."
Zhong Qin hummed in agreement. When he got off the call, the two went to meet up with Xia Qiao.
There were two more hours before midnight. The three found a place and ordered some drinks. After Zhan Yu and Zhong Qin bid each other farewell, they went back to their respective homes, while Xia Qiao went back to his hotel to grab his luggage. The two decided to meet up at the airport.
After Zhan Yu and Xia Qiao separated, he felt his head ringing and buzzing since the end of the evening party. He didn't want to immediately take a car back home so he walked along the road for a bit, when he suddenly felt someone grab onto his wrist.
Feeling shocked, Zhan Yu subconsciously shifted his body to kick the person. But his slender long legs were immediately blocked by Lu Bai's hands.
Lu Bai didn't expect Zhan Yu to make this move. He said with a gloomy face, "You are actually capable of doing this?"
When Zhan Yu saw that it was Lu Bai, he hurriedly broke free from his grasp. Lu Bai who was still shocked by Zhan Yu's skills didn't pay attention, so Zhan Yu was able to successfully escape.
Zhan Yu moved back a step and asked him in alarm, "Why is it you?!"
"If it's not me, then who else can it be? Xia Qiao?" Lu Bai had been restraining himself the entire night. Zhan Yu had been hosting the programs the whole night while he wasted his time sitting there, watching the boring programs because of Zhan Yu. In the end, Zhan Yu didn't even spare him a glance. He didn't believe that Zhan Yu had no idea he was present when he sat in the first row! Plus, when the hosts were introducing the guests, they mentioned his name as well!
Forget about this! The most despicable part was Zhan Yu and Xia Qiao!
He wanted to hurry over to the backstage when the programs were almost over to confront Zhan Yu when he ended up getting nagged by a classmate in the business field. When he rushed over, he watched as Zhan Yu left with Zhong Qin and Xia Qiao.He grinded his teeth in anger and originally wanted to drive straight home, but he made an U-turn halfway and followed Zhan Yu. He knew that if he let Zhan Yu return to A City and there weren't any major events since, Zhan Yu would definitely not come back until the end of the year.
Zhan Yu listened to Lu Bai's overbearing tone and laughed right then. "Lu Bai, can you not be so boring?"
"I am boring to you, but I think you and Xia Qiao had a good time talking to each other." Lu Bai.
"How about you? You came to pester me just to prove that you're more interesting than Xia Qiao?" Zhan Yu.
"I–!" Lu Bai calmed down and said seriously, "I won't fight with you."
"Humph, who wants to fight with you?" Zhan Yu said this and nimbly turned around, leaving.
Lu Bai stared at Zhan Yu's persistent rear view and he was angry. He reached over to pull him towards the road.
"Let go of me! Lu Bai! Why are you pulling me?! Let go! Lu Bai! Do you hear me?! Let go of me…"
Seeing that Lu Bai was pulling him further and further away, Zhan Yu was about to tiptoe and kick him, when Lu Bai held onto his two shoulders and pressed hin harshly against the wall. Zhan Yu was unable to move at all. He was infuriated and scolded, "Lu Bai, you bastard!"
Lu Bai who was called a bastard lowered his head and looked at Zhan Yu's pink and delicate lips which he was biting right now.
Lu Bai slightly lowered his body and said in Zhan Yu's ears, "Bastard? I can be even more of a bastard. Do you want to see?"
Lu Bai just finished his words when Zhan Yu felt something soft on his lips. Zhan Yu widened his eyes in shock to see Lu Bai's tightly shut eyes and his long and curly pitch-black eyelashes which were slightly trembling.
He was lost in his thoughts when he felt pain on his lips. Bastard! Lu Bai dared to bite him.
Zhan Yu was about to curse him out when he had his way. The moment his nimble tongue made his way in his mouth, Zhan Yu felt himself trembling. He looked at the dim yellow street lights not far from here. He wanted to weep but there were no tears. This wasn't supposed to happen! When did Lu Bai kiss him?! The person he should be kissing is Chu Hua! The plot is completely wrong!
To be continued...
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