The time until the school anniversary celebration was getting shorter and shorter, and the time left for the students of Lancheng Academy to practice was running out.
Because of an accident in the Music Club, not only were the club activities affected, but some of the originally scheduled performances had to be withdrawn due to injuries among the members.
This made Lu Yunze practice even harder. At home, aside from eating and drinking, he was always in the Shan Room, even turning down Xiao Lin’s invitations to play games.
He pushed away all distractions, throwing himself completely into practicing, playing every day until his fingers were covered in blisters, his arms numb, his shoulders stiff and sore.
After exhausting himself at the academy, he’d collapse into bed. Normally he would lie there for a bit, browsing on his phone, but now his head would barely touch the pillow before his eyelids started to droop, sometimes even falling asleep still holding his phone.
There were even a couple times he caught a cold from being too careless and could only face others the next day with an awkward posture.
“Brother, did you get conjunctivitis?”
“It’s just from being too tired, that’s all.”
During meals, Lu Yunze maintained the same slouched posture as he shoveled food into his mouth.
Facing Luo Yao’s concern, he only rolled his eyes rather than turning his neck, because as soon as he moved his neck even a little, an indescribable pain would flare up.
“Brother, I really don’t think you need to push yourself this hard.” Luo Yao was sweating just watching him.
“It’s fine, I’m alright. As long as I get a good night’s sleep tonight, I’ll be back to normal.” Lu Yunze smiled cheerfully, “But Luo Yao, you better work harder, too! Weren’t you drafted to fill in for the Dance Program?”
“That… actually…”
Originally, Luo Yao wasn’t interested in the school anniversary at all. But a student scheduled to perform in the dance program was injured in a car accident and couldn’t participate, so someone else had to fill in.
Coincidentally, that student knew Lu Yunze, and Lu Yunze also knew someone perfectly suited for the role—Luo Yao.
Unlike Lu Yunze, who could freely choose what he liked, Luo Yao had been required to cultivate many hobbies from a young age—proficient in Qin Gui Shushan, and exceptional in dancing since childhood.
“If you really don’t want to go, there’s no need to force yourself.”
“No, since it’s your request, Brother, I’ll do it.” Luo Yao sighed, “But honestly, I wish Brother Lu Yunze would care a bit more about himself.”
“Got it, Luo Yao, today you’re really like a nagging wife…”
Lu Yunze quickly shut his mouth, but Luo Yao’s expression still shifted noticeably.
She didn’t explode immediately, just sighed again and silently continued eating. After the meal, they bid each other farewell and returned to their own rooms to rest.
Luo Yao knew that Lu Yunze was definitely going back to sleep, and maybe even sneak in some extra practice before class.
If he’s still tired, why push himself so hard?
Luo Yao thought she was just reasonably concerned about Lu Yunze, but he still brushed her off, even calling her a nag.
For someone who always cared about her figure and skin, being called that really stung.
“Maybe I really am meddling too much.”
Unable to relax, Luo Yao could only complain to the Maid beside her in her own room.
“Do you think I’m managing Brother Lu Yunze’s affairs too strictly? There shouldn’t be a problem, right, Jiang Sui?”
Jiang Sui maintained a slight smile.
“I’m just worried about him, that’s all.”
“I think, Miss, you really are going a bit overboard.”
“You think so too?” Luo Yao widened her eyes.
Jiang Sui continued,
“No matter what, Young Master is an adult now. He certainly doesn’t like being disciplined by others. And Young Master’s situation at home… I’m sure you’re more aware than anyone, right?”
“That’s true.”
When he was younger, many people couldn’t stand Lu Yunze and often spoke to him sarcastically, which over time made him develop a stubborn, defensive personality. With age, he’d mellowed a bit, but those habits were deeply ingrained.
“So, Miss, I still recommend you not to overstep. Just let Young Master do what he wants.”
“But what if he’s led astray by someone else?”
Originally, Luo Yao was at ease, but ever since the incident in Ankang Town and after Jin Huan became involved, she wasn’t so sure Lu Yunze could handle every crisis alone anymore.
At least when facing mysterious women, he had behaved with some restraint.
“Maybe I should properly keep Lu Yunze in check, limit his socializing, and drive away every woman around him.”
When Jiang Sui heard this, her expression didn’t change as she softly replied,
“If you do that, Young Master will definitely resent you, Miss. Isn’t he the one who trusts you the most?”
Luo Yao was at a loss for words.
“Then what should I do?”
“It’s still the same thing, Miss.” Jiang Sui’s smile grew a little. “Don’t manage Young Master.”
“But…”
“Young Master isn’t stupid. If he really encounters something he can’t handle, he’ll definitely seek help from someone he trusts. And who does he trust the most? Isn’t it you, Miss?”
Luo Yao pondered this seriously.
“People all appear strong on the outside but are soft inside. When Young Master finally shows his vulnerability, that’s when you should step in. Wouldn’t that make him rely on you even more?”
Suddenly, Luo Yao’s horizons widened.
“Why didn’t I think of that? Jiang Sui, you really understand men’s hearts!”
“It’s just a bit of life experience, that’s all.”
The more Luo Yao thought about it, the more reasonable Jiang Sui’s words seemed.
If she followed this advice, not only could she help her beloved Lu Yunze, but she wouldn’t be nagged by him either—a win-win.
So Luo Yao settled down and waited for the moment Jiang Sui mentioned.
One day passed, and Lu Yunze didn’t come to her.
Two days passed, and Lu Yunze still didn’t seek her out.
Three days, four days, five days…
Luo Yao’s patience was slowly wearing thin.
Lu Yunze still looked very busy and very tired. Every day was either class or piano practice, and the dark circles under his eyes had deepened.
But he kept going, never showing any weakness, even encouraging Luo Yao instead.
How could Brother Lu Yunze still be standing?
Something felt off, and Luo Yao couldn’t sit still any longer, so she went straight to find Lu Yunze.
As expected, he was in the Piano Room. The moment Luo Yao pushed the door open, the sound of the piano stopped.
“Luo Yao?” Lu Yunze didn’t seem at all surprised by her arrival.
“Brother, I came to check on you.”
“Hm? What’s there to see?”
Luo Yao sat beside him. There was only one person, but she pulled up two chairs.
“Brother, don’t you feel tired lately?”
“Yeah, I’m really tired.” Lu Yunze scratched his head. “I feel like I could die every day, and I haven’t played games in ages.”
Luo Yao’s heart skipped a beat—was this the moment she’d been waiting for?
“Brother, if you’re really so tired, you could…”
“But I can still keep going.”
“Huh?” Luo Yao was stunned.
“If I can’t even persevere through this, how could I call myself a real man? How could I earn others’ respect?”
Lu Yunze said to himself.
“So, what did you want to say?”
“Brother, I think you should rest a bit…”
“I told you, I’m fine. I can keep going.”
I can still keep going.
Upon hearing these words, Luo Yao’s breath caught in her throat.
He—he could still keep going?!
Lu Yunze was tired, but in front of Luo Yao he never showed a trace of weakness, let alone sought comfort from her.
For a moment, Luo Yao’s mind went blank—she couldn’t even process what Lu Yunze was saying.
“Um, Brother, I’m going to practice dancing.”
“Alright, be careful on the way.”
Leaving the Piano Room, Luo Yao’s steps were a bit unsteady, nearly bumping into a servant.
“I’m fine.”
After calming down, Luo Yao didn’t feel so sad anymore.
If Brother Lu Yunze could still keep going, that had to be a good thing, right? If he gave up as easily as other people, what would be the point?
“As expected of the man both my father and I admire.”
Luo Yao smiled softly.
“Since Brother Lu Yunze can keep it up, I’ll just have to keep waiting.”
She continued to wait, waiting for the day when Lu Yunze could no longer keep going and would come to her on his own.
Back in the Shan Room, no sooner had the young Miss left than another visitor arrived.
“Young Master, I’ve brought you some iced lemon water—^”
“Just in time! I’m dying of thirst!”
Seeing Lu Yunze’s eager expression, Jiang Sui almost couldn’t hold back the storm of feelings in her heart.
She really wanted to pour the lemon water on the floor and make Lu Yunze lick it up.
No, hold it in, hold it in.
Although she had given Luo Yao a workable solution, Jiang Sui never said there was only one person waiting for Lu Yunze to collapse.
If you really want to capture a man’s heart at this time, you should be prepared in advance—give him just the right amount of warmth and comfort, without crossing any lines.
Not just foolishly wait.
Watching Lu Yunze gulp down the water, Jiang Sui glanced back at the tightly shut door.
No one understands men better than men themselves. Compared to me, you’re still far too inferior, Luo Yao.
Home field advantage bruh