Chapter 7.1: “Didn’t you say you want to hug me?’’

　　Several days later, Lin Yuhe received notice that the engagement was set on a Sunday in November.

　　Lin Yuhe felt greatly relieved, as Sundays were the only days where he was the least encumbered by his studies. Hence for him, the engagement date had been selected exceptionally well.

　　Also, it had been his stepmother who had relayed the information to him. Apart from that, she had informed him of countless backstories behind the date selection.

　　After deciding to set the engagement on a Sunday, Lu Nan got into a dispute with the Lu family over the fact that that particular day was not one of the auspicious days the Lu family had picked out. However, in the end, they were forced to back down after Lu Nan rebutted with “I haven’t got the time.”

　　Lu Nan having a poor relationship with the Lu family was nothing new, otherwise, he would not have traveled to Mainland China alone. But at the end of the day, he was still a member of the Lu family, so they would still want to keep him within their control.

　　In fact, Wu Xin heard that the Lu family had already settled all the procedures for this engagement. Even though they would not arrange for people to travel all the way to Mainland China just to attend an engagement ceremony, all the procedures had already undergone careful divinations. They were measures that would allow the ancestral family to prosper.

　　The only thing they would never have foreseen was that Lu Nan was suddenly promoted.

　　Ever since Lu Nan was promoted to be Tai Ping’s chairman, his resistance against the Lu family’s influence had undergone a subtle change. Originally, he never really complied with the Lu family’s orders. After his promotion, it was all the more difficult for the Lu family to interfere with his movements forcefully.

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　　Those from dorm room 404 agreed to gather at the entrance to the building before heading back to the dorm together. The first to arrive was Shen Huixi, with both arms stretched out, getting his stiff body moving after sitting for long hours. 

　　He could not help but heave a deep sigh. “At last, I have finally survived this!”

　　At the side, Zhu Bo was rifling through his pockets for some tissue, wanting to wipe his glasses.

　　“On such a cold day like this, I am literally perspiring from the exams.”

　　Just as Lin Yuhe was helping him search for some tissue, a sudden pressure of extra weight was placed on his back.

　　“Who am I? Where am I?”

　　A feeble voice came from behind, as Zhen Ling rested himself on Lin Yuhe’s shoulders as if he had collapsed from exhaustion.

　　“Am I still alive?”

　　Shen Huixi, who was next to him, replied, “You have already turned into a crate¹ 成盒: It is a PUBG reference and is also known as a death crate. When a player dies, he turns into a crate, which is lootable as well. and still need to be couriered to the opponent.”

　　Zhen Ling flailed about for a moment, “No! The crate is going to be taken by me!”

　　While Lin Yuhe passed Zhu Bo some tissues, he laughed, “This way, the three of us can then enjoy a four-person meal tonight.”

　　Zhen Ling wailed, “You can’t——!”

　　Previously, they had agreed to head out for a big feast after their exams. Lugging a massive burden on Lin Yuhe’s back, the four of them chatted as they headed towards the dorm.

　　Shen Huixi asked, “So, where shall we have dinner tonight?”

　　Since none of them had any restaurants in mind, Zhu Bo stated, “I guess I will go look through the reviews.” 

　　Before this, they had absolutely no time to work out where exactly they would like to dine in.

　　At this time, Zhen Ling was still draped on Lin Yuhe without a care for his image, as he had yet to recover from the exams, looking very much half-dead.

　　As the others spoke, Zhen Ling sniffed and could not help but pointed out, “Hehe, you smell so good.”

　　Thinking it was rather hilarious, Lin Yuhe questioned, “Are you so hungry that you want to eat humans now?”

　　“No!” Zhen Ling retorted, “Your body gives off a natural medicinal scent.”

　　Lin Yuhe could not argue with that since he had hereditary asthma and grew up soaked with loads of medicinal herbs. Even if his asthma was now fully controllable and could also be considered as healed, his body still continued to give off a faint scent of medicinal herbs whenever one was to get close enough.

　　But the dorm’s big talker was too accustomed to getting beaten up. So hearing what he had said, Shen Huixi ridiculed relentlessly, “Medicinal scent? Last time, when you went to the traditional medicine faculty to pursue someone, did you not say the bitter medicinal scent of their dispensary made your stomach almost turn over?”

　　“That is different,” Zhen Ling insisted, “The medicinal scent from Hehe smells much better.”

　　He still could not help but continue to babble, “This constitution of yours is the same as that of the protagonist in a novel. How fashionable it is for you to be giving off a medicinal scent.”

　　Lin Yuhe broke into a laugh. “Don’t think that I have not seen those short novel video clips that you binge-watch regularly. Is the next thing you are going to say ‘This constitution of yours is usually that of the miserable second male lead?”

　　Zhen Ling said laughingly, “There are also ones with the male leads. If you want to watch, I could always share……”  

　　Suddenly, he trailed off in the middle of a sentence as if something was strangling his throat. Since both Lin Yuhe and he were the closest to him, they immediately became aware that Zhen Ling’s body became rigid unexpectedly and could not help asking, “What’s the matter?” 

　　“I am also not sure……” Subconsciously, Zhen Ling huddled up close to Lin Yuhe and muttered quietly, “That’s strange. Why do I feel a sudden chill on my back? It is so cold……”

　　Lin Yuhe asked, “Have you caught a cold?”

　　Zhen Ling did not answer, but instead, he raised his hand to point in a direction and began stammering, “W-Who is that person?”

　　Feeling perplexed, they began to, one after another, turn towards the direction in which Zhen Ling had pointed out to them.

　　Under a lofty Acacia tree, there stood a tall man in a dark green trench coat.

　　Now, it was already late autumn. The robust Acacia tree was wilfully discharging the strength it had accumulated over the year, displaying its spectacular golden-yellow foliage as if someone had splashed barrels of oil paints wantonly. 

　　No matter how one looked at it, it was blooming brightly and magnificently.

　　Even standing under that tree of such gloriousness, the man’s physique was not even tinged by a hint of warmth. He was like an unsheathed blade, shining frostily and his body was entirely encased with an undisguised sharp aura.

　　Even the notorious cold autumn winds in Yong’an could not compete with the cold man.

　　For some unknown reason, fear was instilled within Zhen Ling, who had been clinging onto Lin Yuhe’s back, causing him to loosen his arms unconsciously.

　　It was just that at this moment, Lin Yuhe was too distracted to even pay attention to Zhen Ling’s actions. The sight of Lu Nan filled him with astonishment——Why is Mr. Lu here?

　　He was rendered so stunned that he did not notice the reactions of the others. That was also why he did not see Shen Huixi’s expression.

　　When he first gazed upon Lu Nan, Shen Huixi’s heart skipped a beat. The expression on his face changed slightly as his brows began to draw together.

　　Could this be that person…… But why would he come here personally?

　　Before Shen Huixi had the chance to ask anything, Lin Yuhe had already stated hurriedly, “He is someone I know, so please wait a moment. I will be going over and say hello.”

　　So, he sprinted over to Lu Nan, who was still under the tree. This time, Lin Yuhe finally remembered to use the right term to address him.

　　“Big Brother, why are you here?”

　　Like before, Lu Nan’s face remained impassive, so it was hard to tell how long he had been standing here. Silently, he cast a glance at that dazzling whiteness exposed by Lin Yuhe’s rumpled collar, which was messed up by his roommate.

　　Lu Nan answered, “I was just in the neighborhood.” 

　　“You have worked hard.” Lin Yuhe questioned, “What can I do for you?”

　　Finally, Lu Nan shifted his gaze from the other’s fair neck and answered lightly, “I remember today is your last day of exams.”

　　Lin Yuhe nodded his head. “That is correct. I have already finished them.”

　　He also took the initiative to say, “If you have made any arrangements, I can do it now.”