TL: Moonlit
The homeroom teacher was completely unaware of the undercurrents among the students. After reminding Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang about the exam tomorrow, she returned to her office, leaving the two of them to face the imposing group led by Zhou Yuntang.
Zhou Yuntang was very popular, and wherever he went, he was surrounded by a crowd of people. This time was no exception. He stopped his friends and walked up to Lin Hanchuan, asking in a low voice, âJiang, did I do something wrong that makes you dislike me? Do you not like the gifts I gave youâ¦â
As he spoke, Zhou Yuntangâs eyes started to well up with tears, âWhat is it that you donât like about me? Iâm willing to change for you.â
Zhou Yuntangâs charming appearance, with his eyes slightly red, didnât make him look disheveled. On the contrary, it made him appear even more alluring. He lowered his head just enough for Lin Hanchuan to see his facial expressions without distorting his face.
From Lin Hanchuanâs perspective, he saw Zhou Yuntangâs long and curly eyelashes trembling slightly, his petite nose cute and well-defined, and his lips moist with a hint of red. When he spoke, he licked his lips with his crimson tongue, which looked both cute and sexy.
Zhou Yuntang rarely used this trick, but only when he made a major mistake and was about to be punished by his elder brother. He would use this tactic to please his elder brother, who would always soften his stance, making it quite effective.
If it hadnât been for Wan Li Shuangâs provocation, he wouldnât have had to act so pitifully. In his heart, Zhou Yuntang made a mental note to pay Wan Li Shuang back for this.
Lin Hanchuan carefully scrutinized Zhou Yuntang from head to toe, then reevaluated him from bottom to top.
Zhou Yuntang felt secretly pleased, as he didnât expect this tactic to work so well. If he had known earlier, he would have used this killer move sooner.
Wan Li Shuang, on the other side, became anxious, afraid that his only ally would also be influenced by the White Lotus. âWhat are you looking at?â
âIâm lookingâ¦â Lin Hanchuan slowly spoke, âto see where he resembles a man at all.â
Lin Hanchuan was genuinely puzzled. Not to mention men who cried at the drop of a hat, he hadnât even seen many women shedding tears.
Wan Li Shuang chuckled as he was relieved, but at the same time, he couldnât resist stabbing Zhou Yuntang again, âThe only thing masculine about him is whatâs between his legs.â
Zhou Yuntangâs expression changed abruptly. His appearance was too delicate, and his personality was also gentle and tender. He hated being called feminine and would become furious whenever someone said that to him. Over time, few dared to say such things to him.
Before he could react in anger, Lin Hanchuan said indifferently, âAfter the age of ten, there are not many girls who cry so much. He doesnât even deserve to be compared to women.â
In the business world, women who strive for success are strong-willed, decisive, and exude a commanding presence and elegance that rival any man. Seeing Zhou Yuntangâs affected appearance, calling him feminine, Lin Hanchuan felt insulted on behalf of other normal women.
âNot a man, not a woman, then what is he?â muttered one of Zhou Yuntangâs less agile-minded followers, following Lin Hanchuanâs train of thought. However, his words were clear enough for everyone around, and someone couldnât help but burst into laughter, soon followed by others, creating a cheerful atmosphere.
Zhou Yuntang seethed with anger. If looks could kill, Lin Hanchuan would have been dead a thousand times over. His followers laughed heartily, completely oblivious to the change in Zhou Yuntangâs eyes. If they had noticed, they would have been astounded to see such a venomous gaze from someone they thought was soft and cute like a marshmallow.
Knowing Zhou Yuntang for so long, people around him always pampered and adored him. However, this was the first time Wan Li Shuang saw someone around him making him unhappy.
Zhou Yuntangâs unhappiness brought joy to Wan Li Shuang. He laughed so hard that he leaned weakly against Lin Hanchuanâs side.
Lin Hanchuan glanced at Wan Li Shuang, who was using him as support, and slightly adjusted his position to make Wan Li Shuang more comfortable. Then, he seriously said to Zhou Yuntang, âI donât like that you donât resemble a human. Can you change that?â
Even after Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang returned to the classroom, Zhou Yuntangâs face remained dark and unchanged.
Having laughed, Zhou Yuntangâs friends finally noticed something amiss. âTangtang, we were just teasing you. Donât be angry.â
Seeing the surprised expressions of his friends, Zhou Yuntang realized from their eyes that his expression was fierce and far from his usual gentle and cute demeanor. His heart skipped a beat as he reluctantly forced out a smile, âEven though I treat him so well, give him many gifts, and even give him the breakfast my mom personally made, he actually said such things about me, Iâ¦â
Zhou Yuntangâs eyes welled up with tears. This time, he was genuinely upset, and these tears were the most sincere ones he had ever shed.
âOh, I see.â As soon as his friends realized he wasnât angry, they let out a sigh of relief. One of them immediately became indignant on Zhou Yuntangâs behalf, âThat scumbag Jiang took advantage of you and is still pretending to be pure. Heâs so shameless!â
âExactly! Shameless!â
âTangtang, what if we teach him a lesson? Give him a taste of his own medicine.â
âWell, thatâs not a good idea.â Zhou Yuntang hesitated, âHis family background is already bad, and his father even abuses him. He had to hide in the schoolâs dormitory⦠If you affect his studies, what will happen to his future?â
His friendâs eyes lit up, âYouâre right! Jiang is only pretending to be arrogant because of his good grades. Letâs make him a poor student and see if heâs still so arrogant!â
Zhou Yuntang quickly shook his head, âYuan Yuan, donât do that. Tomorrow is the exam, you canât disturb him during the test!â
His friend ruffled Zhou Yuntangâs hair and spoke earnestly, âHe bullied you like that; you canât let him get away with it. Donât be too soft.â
Zhou Yuntang fell silent. He seemed to have finally been convinced.
In a hidden corner where no one else could see, Zhou Yuntang pouted, his eyes filled with indignation. If Jiang Tiang dared to say that about him, he would take away the most important thing from Jiang Tiang. As for those people who laughed at him, he would make his elder brother teach them a lesson too! Zhou Yuntang made up his mind secretly.
His friends had no idea that the adorable and soft âTangtangâ had also started to hold grudges against them.
Back in the classroom, Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang sat by each otherâs side.
Before the class bell rang, Wan Li Shuang scooted his chair closer to Lin Hanchuan and whispered, âWhat did Zhou Yuntang give you?â
Lin Hanchuan was taken aback, thinking for a moment before realizing that Wan Li Shuang was referring to Zhou Yuntangâs earlier words, âDo you not like the things I gave you?â
After recalling for a moment, Lin Hanchuan felt quite speechless. âA necklace, a jigsaw puzzle, a figurine of himself⦠and sandwiches made by his mom.â
âThese gifts sound surprisingly normal,â Wan Li Shuang was astonished.
If they were just regular friends, these gifts would be perfectly suitable. He almost thought that Zhou Yuntang had given him something extraordinary, like gold jewelry, checks, or cash.
ââ¦A diamond necklace worth several million, a massive ten-meter jigsaw puzzle, a 1.6-meter-tall figurine of a sixteen-year-old, and his momâs sandwiches, delivered to me every Monday,â Lin Hanchuan said with a deadpan expression.
â⦠⦠â¦â
â⦠⦠â¦â
This was very much in line with Zhou Yuntangâs whimsical personality. Wan Li Shuang patted Lin Hanchuanâs shoulder with pity.
âI didnât accept any of those things,â Lin Hanchuan finally said, under Wan Li Shuangâs struggling to suppress laughter.
Wan Li Shuang couldnât hold back and burst into laughter again.
Zhou Yuntang, who had just entered the classroom, paused in his steps. He was absolutely certain that Wan Li Shuang was mocking him!
In an instant, blood rushed to his cheeks, and Zhou Yuntang glared at Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang.
No matter how hard he tried to be friendly, Jiang Tiang completely ignored him. Instead, Wan Li Shuang, who had no prior interaction with Jiang Tiang, just one meeting, seemed to have won Jiang Tiangâs favor.
In the past, he was the one liked by everyone, while Wan Li Shuang was isolated and disliked. This was the first time their positions had reversed. Zhou Yuntang couldnât accept this sudden change.
âHeâs looking at us,â Wan Li Shuang reminded Lin Hanchuan.
Lin Hanchuan didnât even lift his head. âLet him look.â
Wan Li Shuang once again burst into laughter, relishing the jealousy in Zhou Yuntangâs eyes. He felt utterly relaxed, as if years of pent-up frustration had vanished.
Throughout the day, Zhou Yuntangâs eyes occasionally drifted over the crowd surrounding him, landing on Lin Hanchuan and Wan Li Shuang. The two of them seemed unaffected and even happier.
After school, still fuming with anger, Zhou Yuntang got into the car that belonged to his family and returned home.
For the sake of his convenience in attending school, the Zhou family had purchased a villa near the campus. It only took a twenty-minute drive to get there. As the car slowly entered the community, it was already dinner time.
As soon as Zhou Yuntang entered the house, the chefs received their instructions and began cooking. With several chefs working together, it only took half an hour for more than thirty dishes to be laid out on the dining table.
The Zhou family villa was clean, spacious, and bright, surprisingly large with three floors. The corridors were adorned with exquisite and valuable artworks and ancient paintings. Even the toilets here were bigger than Jiang Tianâs entire house.
Especially Zhou Yuntangâs room, with excellent lighting. Every morning, he would be gently awakened by the sunlight, just like a prince in a fairy tale.
Unaware that the real young master of the Zhou family was living in a cramped and narrow living room, waking up to the sound of Father Jiangâs fists and kicks. Perhaps Zhou Yuntang knew, but it had nothing to do with him.
Zhou Yuntang casually tossed his school bag onto the sofa and then plunged into the arms of his elder brother, who was reading a book on the sofa. He started to cry, âBig brother~â
âWhatâs wrong?â Zhou Yuntangâs elder brother frowned. He lifted Zhou Yuntang onto his lap and treated him like a small child, softening his voice to comfort him, âHas our Tangtang been bullied? Tell big brother, Iâll help you take revenge.â
If their business rivals saw him like this, they would probably have a heart attack.
People who didnât know them well would never think that they were brothers. They would assume they were a couple based on their gestures and the expression in elder brother Zhouâs eyes.
âIâ¦,â Zhou Yuntang was about to speak when he suddenly froze.
Jiang Tian was the true young master of the Zhou family. Zhou Yuntang couldnât forget this fact. He absolutely did not want anyone in the Zhou family to notice Jiang Tianâs existence.
Changing his tone, Zhou Yuntang cried out, âWan Li Shuang insulted me, saying Iâm neither a man nor a woman!â
Elder Brother Zhou pondered for a few seconds. He kissed Zhou Yuntangâs forehead and advised patiently, âWe canât act against the Wan family just yet. Tangtang, be patient for a little longer. In a while, big brother will help you get revenge.â
After being hugged, kissed, and coaxed for a while by his elder brother, Zhou Yuntangâs tears turned into smiles.
According to his brother, the Wan family would fall soon. Tomorrow, Li Yuan would deal with Jiang Tian⦠Zhou Yuntangâs mood became entirely sunny and cheerful. A sweet arc appeared at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes seemed to ooze a honey-like sweetness, captivating and intoxicating.
Elder Brother Zhouâs eyes darkened, and he gently, yet restrainedly, planted a kiss on Zhou Yuntangâs forehead.
Authorâs note:
In my personal opinion, this kind of soft and teary protagonist is neither like a man nor like most normal women⦠so letâs consider them as a third gender, without any intention to insult women.
I donât dislike soft and teary protagonists; who wouldnât like a cute and affectionate protagonist full of CP (couple pairing) vibes? I just donât particularly likeâ¦
Those who take advantage of others and act cute after taking advantage.
The fake young master occupies the first half of the true young masterâs life, yet still wants the true young master to dote on and love him in the second half.
The one who bullied the CP in their youth but enjoys their partnerâs affection without any remorse.
The one who ruins their partnerâs college entrance exam or some important opportunity and still claims to be the victim.
The one who has no sense of boundaries with others, gets touchy-feely, and then blames their boyfriend for being too possessive, leading to the boyfriendâs character turning darkâ¦
Some protagonists in certain stories are even more exaggerated than the original suffering protagonist I wrote, making it difficult for people to like them.
But when I read the comments, they all say how cute the âwifeâ is and how the abusive partner should be sent to the crematorium⦠Sometimes, I canât help but wonder if Iâm the one whoâs wrong, or if they are?
I accidentally said too much. Kisses to all of you little angels, and thank you for supporting the original work~ There will be two more updates tonight~