Chapter 17 made him cry. "You won't turn back until you hit a brick wall, you little puppy."...
"Ahhh, you're prettier than the painting! You're the most beautiful!"
How could Fu not be tempted? If I wasn't, I'd cut off my head and give it to the national football team to play with.
[Removing glasses → getting closer → smiling – this whole process makes even a eunuch aroused.]
[This fishing technique is amazing!]
"Yan Quan, you should start a class. I'll pay and learn on my knees."
Fu Duannian seemed to snap out of a daze, his pupils still slightly unfocused as he stared at Yan Quan: "You..."
“You…you are definitely prettier than the painting.” Fu Duannian hurriedly tried to adjust his glasses, only to find that they were still with Yan Quan.
So Fu Duannian shifted his gaze to Yan Quan's fingers, which were hooking around his glasses—
Yan Quan's skin was very fair, the kind of translucent, warm white like pearls and jade. Under the dazzling lights, it also had a slightly cool tone.
Fu Duannian inexplicably recalled a story: "Bian He held the jade and wept bitterly at the foot of Jing Mountain"... If the He Shi Bi really existed in this world, Bian He should have been weeping over Yan Quan's fingers.
“Since I look better than a painter,” Yan Quan smiled, her nimble fingers deftly slipping around the nose bridge and gently putting it back on Fu Duannian.
"Then stop looking at the painting and look at me."
"Okay, okay, I'll watch you." Fu Duannian's tone was a little urgent, his infatuated gaze the same as when he was looking at the painting.
"From the moment I saw you again on this show, you were the only one I could see."
Professor Fu, you're becoming a bit of a pervert.
[I ordered it, it's absolutely insane]
Are all artists this passionate?
"Master Qing Tang, you're innocent! Who could withstand Yan Quan's silky-smooth combo of attacks?"
[You've turned a once dignified and self-possessed professor into such a perverted freak; Yan Haiwang, you're utterly wicked (facepalm)]
Not to mention the netizens in the live chat, Yan Quan himself was also helpless.
He originally only wanted to divert Fu Duannian's attention from the painting, but now it seems... he went too far?
Fu Duannian stopped staring at the painting; now he was staring intently at himself, his eyes unblinking. It felt like a fire was burning inside him… a little creepy.
At the same time, such fervent gazes inevitably reminded Yan Quan of the magnetic, persistent stares that always seemed to follow him from behind during his school days…
Tsk, that mad dog... Yan Quan still feels lingering fear.
"What time is it?" Yan Quan raised his hand to check his watch. He was eager to slip away.
Having seemingly seen through Yan Quan's thoughts, the production team graciously announced over the loudspeaker:
"The secret space will close in 10 minutes. Please make the most of your time, everyone!"
"Especially for Alpha guests who take up too much time, please give other Alphas a little more time~ Tolerance is one of the traditional virtues that the Republic actively promotes."
[Haha, Professor Fu, the production team requested you!]
[The production team, you're really good at being sarcastic and sarcastic. What the hell is this about traditional Chinese virtues?]
[The episode I support the most]
Look at our banana puppy! He's been waiting outside the secret space for ages! (crying)
"There are only ten minutes left, can't the puppy and Yan Quan even exchange a few words?"
[The puppy, alas, still strayed onto the wrong path of the heartbreaker (helplessly)]
The night wind was bleak, its chill seeping through the air. Shan Haotian's legs went numb from standing outside the secret space.
Yan Quan and Fu Duannian remained inside the "secret space" for a long time, causing Shan Haotian to increasingly wonder—
"What are Yan Quan and Fu Duan Nian doing here?" "The secret space is so small, will their hands even touch?" "Fu Duan Nian seems very cunning, will he try anything with Yan Quan?"...
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became. Shan Haotian was so nervous that he couldn't stand it anymore and finally mustered up the courage to knock on the door.
"Yan Quan, can I talk to you?"
"The announcement just said we only have ten minutes left... Yan Quan, I won't take up too much of your time."
"Three... oh, no, five minutes... five minutes will do." Shan Haotian took a deep breath, trying to calm his agitated heart.
“I just asked the production team, and they said every Alpha should have time for private chats. I'm already the last one…”
"Fu Duannian, you've exceeded your time limit." With the change of subject, Shan Haotian's tone suddenly became harsh: "How long do you intend to occupy Yan Quan? Fu Duannian, come out now."
The puppy's grievances and accusations
"Hey dog, strictly speaking, you haven't even been here for ten minutes."
Let the puppy in! (Tears welling up)
How about you guys have a threesome? (Excited)
"Fu Duannian, did you hear what Shan Haotian said?"
With a perfectly valid reason for leaving, Yan Quan effortlessly rose from the sofa: "I also have an appointment with Shan Haotian."
“I want to talk to him in the last few minutes.”
Fu Duannian let out a long sigh. Then he suddenly grabbed Yan Quan's wrist as she was leaving, "Wait..."
"Will you choose me for our date tomorrow?"
"..." Yan Quan hesitated for a moment, but quickly smiled with amusement: "Do you want me to ask you out?"
"I want to." Fu Duannian's eyes, reflecting the light through his glasses, looked straight at me with unwavering determination: "I will definitely give you a very romantic date experience."
"Oh." Yan Quan smiled faintly, his eyes darkening for a moment.
Fu Duannian's "secret crush" on her was something Yan Quan hadn't anticipated. Moreover, Fu Duannian could involve far too many things... he was a ticking time bomb.
Yan Quan had to make sure he held the fuse firmly in his hand.
So Yan Quan adjusted Fu Duan Nian's glasses again: "Okay. I promise you."
So Fu Duannian left happily.
As Fu Duannian brushed past Shan Haotian, who was walking in through the door, he deliberately gave him a knowing look.
This look immediately ignited Shan Haotian's competitive spirit, and he looked at Yan Quan with a mixture of grievance and cunning.
Did you talk a lot with Fu Duannian just now?
When you look at the stars and the moon, do you ever talk about life philosophy, from poetry and songs?
"..." Yan Quan couldn't stand those pitiful puppy eyes: "He and I didn't talk about anything."
They didn't really talk about anything, because Fu Duannian kept staring at him...
"I breathed a sigh of relief after you came in," Yan Quan continued, speaking truthfully.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Yan Quan saw Shan Haotian's dim eyes instantly brighten: "Are you looking forward to chatting with me?"
Yan Quan: Uh... sort of.
The atmosphere gradually became more ambiguous.
The program team, eager to stir things up and enjoy the spectacle, continued to broadcast electronic audio announcements.
"Five minutes until the secret space closes~ Alphas, don't be afraid, bravely convey your true thoughts!"
[I'm impressed, production team, you really know how to stir things up.]
Go, little puppy! I support you!
"Why don't you ask Yan Quan out too? Just looking at their faces, I'm currently rooting for you and Yan the Sea King (nods)."
[Let's go! A visually appealing couple!]
[Sisters, you're so meticulous! It's dog-faced (correction)]
No way! I'm rooting for Professor Fu! Fu Yan is the one! They're a perfect match!
"Ah... I've only said a few words, and there are only five minutes left?" Shan Haotian's eyes widened. "Then... then I'll get straight to the point!"
In a moment of urgency, Shan Haotian immediately took a few steps closer to Yan Quan. He suddenly grabbed Yan Quan's wrist, "Yan Quan, I came here today just to get an answer from you!"
"I'll only send you the text message that makes my heart flutter tonight. Really, I promise."
Shan Haotian stared intently at Yan Quan: "I know other Alphas must have asked you out too..."
"But...you'll choose me, right?"
"..." Yan Quan stared blankly at Shan Haotian's eyes—his single eyelids stretched open to reveal a faint crease.
His bright, moist pupils made him look more like a protective dog.
"..." Yan Quan remained silent, offering no reply.
"Choose me." Seeing Yan Quan's hesitation, Shan Haotian repeated himself, this time with a slight tremor in his eyes: "Choose me."
"You're really... persistent." This time, a shadow fell over Yan Quan's eyes.
Murong Yuan, Fu Duan Nian... Yan Quan knew they had ulterior motives towards him, so he deceived them without any guilt, using their own methods against them.
But, Shan Haotian.
Seven years ago, Yan Quan would have been quite happy to play with this kind of obedient puppy that "comes when called and goes when summoned." But now...
A moment's misstep can lead to eternal regret. The deep scab on the back of his neck torments Yan Quan day and night, reminding him of the price of toying with someone's sincerity.
"Shan Haotian, I can agree to your request."
This was arranged by the production team to follow Yan Quan's usual "fishing for scumbags" script—accepting all comers.
But... when Shan Haotian excitedly looked up, he realized what kind of eyes he was facing—no longer with a warm smile, they were now frozen and cold.
"But I don't like you. Shan Haotian."
Yan Quan said calmly, "I'm just playing with you right now."
Dan Haotian's heart sank: "I know."
“I’ve already said, it’s okay to play around.” Shan Haotian’s grip on Yan Quan’s wrist tightened. “Just give me a chance… give me more time.”
The adulation and popularity she received from childhood allowed Shan Hantian to still harbor a glimmer of hope for herself, even as she fell into a "lower position".
If Yan Quan continues to spend time with me... and gradually discovers my good qualities, will he gradually come to like me, or even...?
Yan Quan caught every subtle change in Shan Haotian's facial expression, and in an instant, he understood what Shan Haotian was expecting:
How can feelings develop over time, and how can a prodigal son be gradually influenced and then return to the right path?
An Alpha once thought the same thing.
S-class individuals, who make up only 0.01% of the Republic's population, are privileged individuals from wealthy families, possessing both money and power. The capital that Alpha has is far greater than that of Shan Haotian.
But even if you gamble everything, in the end it will only result in mutual destruction and a lose-lose situation—because Yan Quan will never fall in love with anyone.
"Shan Haotian, you can try. Send me a date invitation. As long as you send it, I will accept."
Yan Quan's knuckles rested lazily on Shan Haotian's shoulder, a gesture that appeared quite intimate...
Only Shan Haotian, who was standing right next to him, knew how coldly Yan Quan spoke those words: "But what if—"
"If I make you cry at the end of the date..."
Yan Quan curled his lips into a cold dimpled smile: "Shan Haotian, you will have to bear the consequences yourself."
"Yan Quan, I..." Shan Haotian's fist loosened and then clenched again, the atmosphere in the room becoming quiet and tense...
The digital clock on the wall ticked away, the time starting to count down in seconds—"five," "four," "three," "two"...
"Yes, I will take responsibility for the consequences."
Shan Haotian finally decided to compromise with his heart, and solemnly and bitterly raised his head: "Yan Quan, let me give it a try."
"Ha..." Yan Quan's voice drifted through the room, a soft sound tinged with amusement and melancholy.
For a moment, Shan Haotian felt that the laughter wasn't directed at him, but at someone far away; Yan Quan's words weren't directed at him either, but at someone else far away.
"You won't turn back until you hit a brick wall, you little dog. This is your own choice."
As the countdown ended with the electronic note "one," the secret space door began to slowly descend.
Yan Quan waved to Shan Haotian, then strode away, leaving only a tall, graceful figure in the sparsely lit night.
"Shan Haotian, see you at our meeting place tomorrow."
A note from the author:
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