After the Fake Young Master Betrayed the Australian Farmer - Chapter 27

Fang Jianan spotted Han Yan from a distance, head down and focused on his food.

As he drew closer and saw the lunch box packed with meat, he looked down at the dry sandwich in his own hand. Tears practically threatened to leak from the corners of his mouth.

“Han Yan, what kind of delicious food did you bring? It smells amazing.”

Han Yan looked up at him. Seeing Fang Jianan’s Adam’s apple bobbing incessantly from intense craving, Han Yan thought about inviting him to sit down and share. However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a gaze that felt almost physical.

Well, never mind then.

If he actually did that, a certain big puppy would likely start whining again.

“Adams made braised pork and chicken drumsticks. Your sandwich looks quite… healthy.”

Fang Jianan felt as though he were being mocked.

He flopped into the empty seat beside Han Yan and took a large, resentful bite of his sandwich. The aroma of meat continued to drift into his nostrils, making the bread in his mouth taste utterly bland.

At this moment, Fang Jianan looked exactly like a pitiful little cabbage. Remembering that the guy’s wallet still had not been recovered, Han Yan couldn’t help but cast a sympathetic glance at him. He used the back of his chopsticks to pick up a chicken drumstick, nearly the size of a palm, and gave it to him.

“Eat up. The group assignment depends on you.”

Fang Jianan’s eyes welled with tears as he took the drumstick, patting his chest with his other hand.

“Do not worry. Leave this course to me. I will definitely lead the two of you to a direct pass!”

Han Yan nodded with satisfaction. Good, this course was secured. This way, he could focus more energy on the old man’s class.

He looked over at Adams and, as expected, saw the man’s lips pressed into a tight line. He reached out to pinch Adams’ thigh and said in a low voice, “Do not be unhappy. One drumstick in exchange for a course; it is not a bad deal.”

Adams did not speak. Instead, he took the drumstick from his own lunch box and gave it to Han Yan.

“I am afraid you will not have enough to eat.”

He leaned in close to Han Yan’s ear and whispered at a volume only they could hear, “If you want to help him, I can make more to share with him in the future.”

Han Yan had not expected Adams to read his mind and gave him a look of approval.

Quite clever.

Time flew by, and it was soon March, nearly the fourth week of the semester. Currently, Han Yan and the others were sitting in the library, staring at their computers in silence.

Han Yan rubbed his aching eyes and asked, “Do you have any ideas yet?”

Han Jue shook his head, and Adams shook his head. Seeing this, Han Yan just wanted to close his eyes and faint.

“The deadline is before midnight this Friday. It is Monday now. We at least need to submit something to get by.”

Han Yan pinched the bridge of his nose, staring at the assignment requirements on the screen and reading them word by word.

Clearly, he recognized every single word, so why could he not understand them when they were put together?

“Why don’t we use a nursery rhyme to pick? I used to rely on this trick during exams when I didn’t know the answers,” Han Jue suggested with a blink of his eyes.

“What does that mean?”

Adams turned his head toward Han Yan in confusion. The latter patiently explained, “Eeny meeny miny moe. Have you heard that nursery rhyme?”

Adams nodded, and Han Yan reached out to ruffle his hair.

“That is what it means.”

Thus, the three struggling students actually used a nursery rhyme to randomly select a topic and began searching for materials based on that direction.

The search lasted until sunset. Han Yan’s work time was approaching, so he saved the document and stood up.

“I have to go to work. What about you two?”

Han Jue closed his laptop and rubbed his throbbing temples.

“I will go home and continue looking for information. I will share the document in the group chat later.”

Adams packed his things and stood up, giving the same answer as Han Jue.

Han Yan had assumed the man would follow him to work as usual. The words of rejection were already at the tip of his tongue, but hearing this unexpected response left him stunned for a moment.

“Oh, alright then. If you two have any questions or ideas, just post them in the group. I will reply when I see them.”

Taking advantage of a bathroom break, Han Yan pulled out his phone to check the group chat. He found that both of them were incredibly quiet; there was not a single new message. He had no idea how the research was going.

If they had to retake this course, it would cost another few thousand dollars. It was a stressful thought.

At this moment, Han Yan wanted to close his eyes in peace, but reality would not allow it.

The evening customers came in one wave after another. He was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground, and he did not even have time for dinner.

Fortunately, he had eaten enough at lunch, otherwise, he likely would have suffered from low blood sugar again.

He never had this issue when he had money, but now that he was poor, every possible ailment seemed to find its way to him.

He dragged his tired body out of the restaurant and pulled out his phone to check the train schedule. A horn suddenly honked in front of him. He looked up and immediately saw that familiar SUV.

He was surprised for a second, then walked over, opened the door, and sat in the passenger seat.

“Why are you here?”

As he closed the door and turned his head, a large bouquet of bright, delicate roses suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Hmm? Why did this routine feel so familiar?

“These are for you. You worked hard.”

The deep voice echoed within the enclosed space, causing Han Yan’s heart to contract uncontrollably for a moment.

He reached out to take the bouquet and held it in his arms, his fingertips stroking the tender petals. He asked casually, “Why did you suddenly think of giving me flowers?”

“I thought they suited you, so I bought them.”

Adams pursed his lips and added, “Do not feel burdened. I do not have any other intentions.”

Tch, a poor cover-up.

Adams’ little thoughts were completely transparent to Han Yan, but since the man had put it that way, he did not bother to expose him.

“Thanks. The flowers are very beautiful.”

Seeing that Han Yan did not reject the flowers, Adams’ eyes lit up, and his metaphorical tail wagged happily.

“Alright, hurry up and drive. I haven’t had dinner yet; I am starving.”

Hearing this, Adams immediately stopped smiling. He reached over to open the glove compartment in front of Han Yan and pulled out a bag of biscuits.

“Eat some biscuits first to tide you over. I have already prepared dinner at home.”

Han Yan took them and glanced at the production date; they were quite fresh.

“When did you buy these?”

“I bought them today, fearing you would be too busy to have dinner.”

Before, Adams would follow him every time he went to work. At mealtime, he would watch Han Yan like a hawk to make sure he ate, while taking over Han Yan’s tasks himself.

Since the man did not ask for wages and worked quickly, the boss turned a blind eye.

Free labor; it would be a waste not to use it.

Today, seeing that Adams had not come, the boss even teased him, saying they were usually like Siamese twins and today they finally managed to separate.

On the way back, Han Yan finished the bag of biscuits. With something in his empty stomach, he finally felt a bit better.

Standing at the front door, Adams mysteriously told him to close his eyes.

Han Yan knew the man was likely up to something again, but he followed along and closed his eyes anyway.

With a click of the lock, Adams took him by the wrist and led him into the house. He let go, and a rustling sound followed.

“Do not open your eyes!”

“I. Know.”

Han Yan felt amused and grew increasingly curious about what the man was doing.

After another long moment, Adams’ voice spoke again.

“Okay.”

“Can I open my eyes now?”

“Yes.”

Han Yan opened his eyes, and a loud bang sounded by his ear. Colorful ribbons filled the air, instantly burying him.

Through the flying colors, he saw Adams hurriedly dropping the party popper and picking up a cake with a flickering candle.

A small cluster of light was reflected in the man’s eyes.

“Han Yan, happy birthday!”

Han Yan was speechless for a moment, staring at Adams for a long time. Seeing no reaction, Adams immediately became anxious.

“I saw your student ID before and wanted to give you a surprise.”

“I searched online; it said people usually do this.”

“Do you… not like it?”

At this moment, Han Yan’s heart felt very full, as if something were about to overflow.

It was not as if no one had ever thrown him a birthday party before, but those were always mixed with complex interests; he would have to return the favor on their next birthday.

However, this time was different.

The corners of his lips curved upward, and he reached out to pinch Adams’ chin.

“No, I like it very much. Thank you.”

Although it was quite cliché, it was not bad.

Adams breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Han Yan’s eyes full of laughter, his Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he said huskily, “I am glad you like it.”

After blowing out the candle, Adams reheated the dishes and served a bowl of longevity noodles in front of Han Yan.

“You even know that one should eat longevity noodles on a birthday?”

“I asked Grandma.”

Han Yan slurped some noodles, then looked up to find Adams staring at him. Resting his cheek in his palm, he asked, “Did you not eat longevity noodles on your birthdays before?”

Adams pulled a tissue and reached out to wipe the soup from the corner of Han Yan’s mouth.

“I do not celebrate my birthday.”

“Why?”

Han Yan looked puzzled. Adams remained silent for a moment before explaining quietly, “My parents had an accident on my birthday. They were on a plane, rushing back to celebrate with me.”

Han Yan’s hand holding the chopsticks paused. While feeling regretful, his heart felt as if it had been pricked by a needle.

Even though the feeling was fleeting, it was exceptionally real.

He sighed almost inaudibly, set down his chopsticks, and beckoned the man with his finger.

“Come here.”

Adams looked confused but obediently stood up and walked to him.

“Lean down a bit.”

Adams leaned down without knowing why. Two arms suddenly wrapped around his neck, and a hand pressed against the back of his head, rubbing gently.

“It is all in the past. Do not blame yourself; it was not your fault.”

Adams raised his arms to hug Han Yan back, burying his face in Han Yan’s neck and giving a soft “mm” in response.

Han Yan’s fingers ran through the man’s hair. He tilted his head and kissed the stray hairs near Adams’ ear.

“Thank you for the surprise you prepared for me. What would you like as a return gift?”

“I do not need anything.”

Han Yan gave a short laugh. “Truly nothing?”

The hands around his waist tightened. A faint voice fell into his ear, making the corners of his lips curl.

“Then… could you kiss me?”

Han Yan pulled the man’s face up and kissed his lips.

“Do you want more?”

Adams froze for a moment, then instinctively nodded.

Han Yan covered the man’s lips again, and the sound of an intimate kiss filled the space between them.

Fingertips with thin calluses rubbed against the corner of the man’s mouth. Han Yan pressed against his wet lips and rubbed gently.

“Shall we go to the bed, puppy?”