YMW CH 43

Spoiled Darling

Xie Guilan wasn’t sleeping deeply. The moment Guan Xingxue approached, he sensed it. Cen Wu’s hand was incredibly soft in his grasp—so soft he didn’t want to let go. But if he moved, Guan Xingxue would notice, so he kept his eyes shut.

It was only because the hand was too soft, like it had no bones, that he didn’t want to let go. It had nothing to do with Cen Wu.

He hadn’t intended to hold Cen Wu’s hand.

Xie Guilan assumed Guan Xingxue would leave after a few minutes. The backstage was chaotic, with rehearsals still ongoing. Even as someone from the Cen family, he couldn’t linger too long.

But to his surprise, Guan Xingxue didn’t leave. Instead, he leaned down and started pinching Cen Wu’s cheeks, brushing his long, curled lashes, playing with his wavy hair—he even took out his phone and started snapping photos nonstop.

Xie Guilan: “…”

Why isn’t he leaving?

Guan Xingxue took hundreds of pictures before finally leaving, still reluctant. Just before he left, he gave Cen Wu’s fair cheek another squeeze.

Xie Guilan: “…”

Finally.

The moment Guan Xingxue was gone, Xie Guilan opened his eyes. His gaze was dark as he pulled Cen Wu into his arms, tightening his grip slightly. Then, lowering his eyes to Cen Wu’s face, he reached out and gave his cheek a squeeze as well.

Guan Xingxue had soft palms, so no matter how much he played with Cen Wu’s face, Cen Wu barely felt anything. But Xie Guilan’s fingertips were rough with calluses. With just one pinch, a faint red mark bloomed on Cen Wu’s cheek.

Xie Guilan pressed his lips together. Holding Cen Wu like this, it felt like he was holding a doll that belonged only to him. He hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and aimed it at Cen Wu’s face.

Click.

A bright flash lit up the dim backstage.

Xie Guilan: “…”

Cen Wu’s brows furrowed instantly. Xie Guilan put away his phone. Cen Wu was exhausted but could no longer fall back asleep. He opened his eyes and found himself staring into Xie Guilan’s cold expression.

What’s wrong, big bro?

Such a strong sense of revenge—was he planning to keep him up all night?

From outside, Zhou Wenqing was calling for everyone. The entire second-year group had to rehearse for the school anthem performance. Cen Wu sighed, dragging himself up to join the practice. Xie Guilan followed behind him, face still dark.

Xie Guilan hadn’t meant to hurt Cen Wu, nor had he intended to wake him. He glanced at his phone—the pictures had come out blurry. But even blurred, Cen Wu still looked stunning.

His thumb hovered over the delete button.

One minute passed.

Cen Wu watched from the side, heart pounding. He had no idea what Xie Guilan was doing, staring at his phone with such an intense and brooding expression, his thumb pressing so hard it looked like the screen might crack. Cen Wu wanted to sneak a peek but hesitated—it wasn’t right to invade someone’s privacy.

Just then, Xie Guilan looked up and caught Cen Wu staring. His hand trembled.

The screen suddenly flashed—screen saver set.

Xie Guilan: “…”

After rehearsals, they could finally go home. The school’s anniversary gala was scheduled for the next evening, officially starting at five, with guests arriving around four. Parents had also received invitations.

Cen Xiao, a former top graduate of Huaijing No. 1 High, had been first in his class back in the day. But despite his achievements, the Cen family had donated heavily to the school, even establishing a scholarship.

Over the past decade, excluding the donation for this particular building, the Cen family had contributed over ten million yuan to the school.

The invitation was delivered personally by the principal to Cen Junshan.

The second-year, Class Three’s play was chosen as the closing act. After changing into his costume backstage, Cen Wu still had over three hours to wait before his turn. Xie Guilan was doing practice tests, so Cen Wu sat beside him, working on his assignments.

Then he looked up—and suddenly found himself face-to-face with a chubby little kid.

“You,” the child said, no older than four or five, dressed in a miniature suit that did little to hide his round cheeks. He furrowed his brows and stared at Cen Wu. “Are you the one who borrowed money from my brother?”

Cen Wu: “…”

Cen Wu: !!!

Why was Lu Wang’s little brother here too?!

The original host of this body had scammed Lu Wang out of over a million yuan in total. But it had been taken in small amounts over several years—just a few thousand or ten thousand at a time. To the Lu family, it was nothing more than pocket change.

So no one had ever realized Lu Wang was being played.

The Lu family hadn’t planned on making a fuss about it.

That was until Lu Wang’s younger brother, Lu Zhaozhao, learned how to do five-digit addition and subtraction a year later. The moment he did the math, he realized Cen Wu had never paid back a single cent. That was when the Lu family finally figured out that Lu Wang had been an absolute pushover.

Lu Zhaozhao planted his hands on his hips, glaring fiercely. “Why aren’t you spitting it out?!”

Cen Wu was drenched in cold sweat. Just as he opened his mouth, lips trembling, ready to explain, Lu Wang rushed over. He pulled Lu Zhaozhao away with an annoyed expression. “What are you doing? Stop bullying him!”

Lu Zhaozhao pouted but didn’t say another word.

Lu Wang didn’t get along with his little brother. To be precise, it was a one-sided dislike—Lu Wang had always resented Lu Zhaozhao. He knew he wasn’t very bright, and the moment Lu Zhaozhao was born, it became clear his parents had given up on him. His future held no prospects. As long as he stayed alive, that was enough for the Lu family.

Besides, Cen Wu had already paid him back. Why was everyone so mean, always picking on Cen Wu?

“W-Wait!” Cen Wu grabbed the two troublesome kids. “Stop arguing.”

Let him think for a moment.

Lu Wang’s parents were also here, along with his grandfather, who had come specifically to watch his performance. When Lu Zhaozhao suddenly disappeared, the Lu family panicked and started searching backstage. That was the only reason things didn’t escalate further.

Cen Wu took the opportunity to pull Xie Guilan aside, intending to slip away.

He was wearing heels, and his toes were aching, so he simply kicked them off and carried them in one hand. Lifting the hem of his skirt slightly, he grabbed Xie Guilan’s wrist with the other and started running.

The backstage hallway was long and dimly lit. His emerald-green velvet dress trailed behind him, shimmering in the low light, while his cool, pale skin glowed faintly.

Xie Guilan let himself be pulled along, their fingers intertwined, as they gradually left the noise and chaos behind.

There was a fleeting illusion of eloping under the cover of night.

Xie Guilan’s gaze lingered on the tiny red mole on Cen Wu’s pale earlobe, then shifted to his upturned eyes as he turned to look at him. His expression was tense as he carefully whispered, warning him not to get caught by the class monitor.

His heartbeat suddenly thundered in his chest, his palms slightly damp with sweat, yet he still held Cen Wu’s hand tightly. The noise of the auditorium and the ongoing performances faded into the background, leaving only the relentless pounding of his own heart.

Would he always take him away like this in the future?

Would he ever hold someone else’s hand like this?

The class monitor was about to take attendance, telling them not to leave backstage just yet. Cen Wu was worried about getting caught. Fortunately, the auditorium lights were off, with only the stage illuminated—no one had noticed them.

He tugged on Xie Guilan’s hand and bent down slightly, scanning the audience for his parents.

The school had assigned seats for Cen Wu’s parents, but they had chosen to sit with the second-year, Class Three parents instead.

Every year, different grade levels took turns sitting in the front rows for the gala. This year, the second years were further back, so it took Cen Wu and Xie Guilan a while to find them.

“Xiao Bao?” Guan Xingxue was the first to spot him, waving him over. Cen Wu’s father and Cen Xiao were also there.

Cen Wu pulled Xie Guilan forward. Tonight, Xie Guilan was playing Rhett Butler, already dressed in a sleek black suit. His tall, lean frame made him stand out, and in the dim lighting, his deep-set features appeared strikingly handsome.

He just wanted him to meet his parents—after all, this was Xie Guilan’s first time participating in a school event.

Guan Xingxue held Cen Wu’s hand, sensing immediately that Cen Wu wanted her to acknowledge Xie Guilan. She wasn’t particularly interested in the Xie family’s illegitimate son, but if it was what Cen Wu wanted, there was nothing she couldn’t do.

Besides, Cen Junshan had been quite good-looking in his youth. She had a soft spot for attractive people, so it was hard not to have a little bit of goodwill toward Xie Guilan.

Xie Guilan lowered his cold gaze, pressing his thin lips together. He hadn’t expected Cen Wu to want him to meet his family so badly.

“Xiao Xie,” Guan Xingxue glanced at his suit before reaching for Cen Junshan’s wrist. She slid his watch off and handed it to Xie Guilan. “Wear this.”

Cen Junshan’s watch was an understated antique piece, inlaid with emeralds—low-profile yet elegant, matching the color of Cen Wu’s dress.

Xie Guilan didn’t want to accept it. Anything Cen Junshan wore, no matter how discreet, had to be worth at least tens of millions. But Cen Wu refused to let him avoid it, forcibly putting it on his wrist.

Xie Guilan tried to take it off, but Cen Wu, making sure his parents couldn’t see, clutched the back of Xie Guilan’s suit and gave it a small, pleading tug. His dewy eyes gazed up at him.

Little vixen.

Xie Guilan had no choice but to raise his wrist, allowing Cen Wu to fasten it on him. “Thank you, Ms. Guan.”

Guan Xingxue smiled and pulled them both to sit beside her to watch the performances.

Cen Junshan clutched his wrist in agony and whispered to Guan Xingxue, “My watch…”

He had just spent 18 million dollars on it at an auction in France last week. Tonight was the first time he had even worn it.

Guan Xingxue remained expressionless. Beneath the table, she kicked him sharply with her high heel. The pain shot up his leg, making Cen Junshan wince as he silently covered his face, not daring to say another word.

Cen Wu didn’t stay long. As soon as the class monitor sent a message in the group chat, he grabbed Xie Guilan’s hand and headed back backstage.

The auditorium was massive, accommodating all the students, teachers, and parents. At first, Cen Wu felt fine, but as the performances went on, he looked at the sea of people beyond the stage and felt his stomach churn. His lips turned pale, his vision blurred, and waves of nausea hit him.

His eyes were slightly red.

Xie Guilan tightened his grip on Cen Wu’s cold hand. He had noticed before—Cen Wu seemed to have a deep fear of crowds, almost like social anxiety, though it wasn’t quite the same. He took off his coat and draped it over Cen Wu’s shoulders, lowering his head to whisper, “Young master, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”

Cen Wu swallowed with difficulty but shook his head.

Backing out now would affect the entire class’s performance. Besides, this might be the only time Xie Guilan ever participated in a school event. Maybe Xie Guilan didn’t care—but he did.

More than anything, he wished Xie Guilan didn’t have to grow up into the ruthless business mogul from the original story, ruling Huaijing’s corporate world. He didn’t want him to become an untouchable figure, distant as the moon in the sky.

All he wanted was for him to go home and be an ordinary high school student.

Cen Wu’s pale cheeks scrunched up slightly, and Xie Guilan had a feeling he was about to cry. Xu Lingling had already come over to call them to the stage. Cen Wu trembled all over, looking pitifully flustered.

Xie Guilan cupped his chin, his deep, dark peach blossom eyes pressing down on him with an authoritative weight. Looking down from above, he ordered, “Young master, just look at me when you’re up there.”

“…Mm.” Cen Wu’s eyelashes fluttered as he nodded.

Who was really the young master here? Xie Guilan was getting bolder—he actually dared to pinch his chin now.

Xie Guilan’s thumb brushed against Cen Wu’s lips, smudging his lipstick slightly.

As they walked out, they ran straight into He Yao. He Yao froze, his eyes locking onto Cen Wu’s lips.

Then, his gaze darted to Xie Guilan.

Xie Guilan wasn’t wearing any makeup—no one had dared to force him. The stage lighting already deepened facial shadows, and his features were striking enough on their own. Cen Wu hadn’t insisted either.

He Yao checked Xie Guilan’s lips and, seeing no traces of lipstick, finally let out a small breath of relief.

Scared him to death.

For a second, he had thought the two of them had been making out backstage.

But before he could fully relax, Xie Guilan’s dark eyes glanced at him with deliberate provocation. He walked over to the makeup table, pulled out a tissue, and, right in front of He Yao, slowly wiped the lipstick off his fingertip. Then, without hesitation, he crumpled the tissue and stuffed it into He Yao’s hand.

He Yao: “…”

Xie Guilan turned to leave with Cen Wu but suddenly paused, as if the thought of leaving that tissue behind was intolerable. His face darkened, and he snatched it back from He Yao’s grip.

He Yao: “…”

Are you even human?