The Pampered Young Master Is Adored at Art School - Chapter 6

“I… I can’t guarantee it will be effective,” Su Zhan hesitated, but his eyes shamelessly followed the check.

He couldn’t see exactly how much was written on it, but he caught sight of at least one comma, meaning it was at least a few thousand dollars.

Dylan continued to raise the stakes. “The first step should be learning Chinese, right? When he speaks Chinese with others, I don’t understand a single word. Do you think it’s possible for me to learn Chinese in three months?”

His eyes were bright, showing immense confidence in his own learning abilities. “It only took me three months to learn Spanish. Chinese should be doable too, right? Can I pay you to be my Chinese teacher? How about five hundred dollars per lesson?”

The check was finally spread out in front of Su Zhan. He saw the figure clearly, twenty thousand dollars. Hearing Dylan’s words, Su Zhan opened his mouth to speak, stopped, and then hesitated again.

Naive, simply too naive. This foreigner clearly hadn’t experienced the power of pictograms yet. Chinese was a magical language where “sun” and “say” looked almost identical, and a single word like “convenient” could have several completely different meanings.

Even with all the money in the world, Su Zhan knew he wasn’t a magician. There was no way to teach a foreigner Chinese in two months.

Seeing that Su Zhan hadn’t taken the check and remained silent, Dylan’s voice turned deeper, no longer sounding like he was joking. “This twenty thousand is just the consultation fee. The tuition for Chinese lessons will be separate.”

When Dylan spoke, it was like he possessed a certain magnetic charm. Su Zhan’s gaze was pulled away from the check, meeting Dylan’s sea-blue, slightly curved eyes. Dylan looked serious, genuinely willing to spend such a large sum of money to learn Chinese.

The situation shifted instantly. For Su Zhan, the fact that Chinese was difficult had now become a good thing, it meant he could teach for a long time.

Su Zhan realized he might be able to earn his tuition for the next few semesters this way. If he played his cards right as a strategist and helped the romance blossom, Dylan might even give him another bonus.

It was common knowledge that once a couple made things official, it was only right to treat all their “wingmen” to dinner. His unnamed Chinese compatriot should know this tradition too. Since Dylan was so wealthy, converting that “thank you dinner” into a red envelope would surely be a significant amount.

At the thought of money, Su Zhan cheered up and took a large gulp of hot cocoa.

His stomach warmed up, and he was enveloped by a sudden sense of happiness. It felt as if the path ahead was finally solid ground rather than a cliff edge.

In just a few short hours, he had moved from the brink of dropping out back to a safe zone. His watch was still safely on his wrist, and everything had even improved, the professor had promised him an internship with an official production.

However, looking into Dylan’s smiling eyes, Su Zhan suddenly felt a strange sense of hollowness.

This happiness was merely trickling down from someone else’s fingers. The person Dylan loved knew nothing of any of this.

“With your determination, you’ll definitely succeed,” Su Zhan said softly.

He remembered that Xu Chenjian was still waiting at his apartment and should be cooking by now.

Su Zhan took the coat out of the paper bag and draped it over his shoulders.

Dylan looked at the paper bag, finding it an eyesore. The cut of the coat was indeed excellent and the style suited Su Zhan, but Southern California winters didn’t really call for wool coats. It was obvious that the person who bought it didn’t live in California.

Dylan felt that Su Zhan needed clothes that were more appropriate.

Dylan extended his hand to Su Zhan. “A successful partnership? I also want to buy a gift for the person I like. Would you come with me to pick out some clothes tomorrow? He’s about your height.”

Su Zhan nodded and shook Dylan’s hand. They moved closer as they shook, and Su Zhan caught the scent of Dylan’s cologne, instinctively looking at him again.

Dylan’s smile was incredibly sweet, gentle and harmless, but his cologne gave off a different impression, a modern chypre, authoritative and steady, as if every victory was already in the palm of his hand.

Such a man, successful in his career, yet unable to get what he wanted in love.

Su Zhan realized Dylan’s mention of buying clothes was triggered by seeing his own coat. He noted that Dylan’s behavior was exactly like anyone else who had fallen in love. Love means thinking of the other person every second, wanting to share delicious food when you taste it, and wanting the other person to have the good things you see.

The person Dylan liked was truly lucky.

Su Zhan’s mind wandered too far, and he only snapped back when his hand was lightly squeezed.

How did a handshake end up with a squeeze of the fingertips? Su Zhan didn’t know, but their hands were already apart.

Dylan said casually, “Your hands are so cold, is it because it’s late and you haven’t eaten? I’d like to treat my Chinese teacher to dinner, if that’s alright?”

Dylan’s smile was genuine.

His progress today was indeed gratifying, things were developing even better than he had imagined.

Most of what he said was the truth, he really didn’t know how to pursue someone like Su Zhan.

The American style of “picking up” people his friends taught him usually started with a compliment, followed by an invitation. If it failed at any step, they would make a polite retreat, and neither side would take it seriously.

But Dylan didn’t like failure, and he didn’t allow it. Anything he set his sights on, he had to have, and that included people.

So, he wanted Su Zhan to teach him the “correct” way to pursue someone, leaving him no room for error.

Best of all, there was an unexpected surprise, Su Zhan wasn’t entirely straight.

Su Zhan might not know it himself, but to Dylan, it was glaringly obvious. Su Zhan kept looking at him, his eyes never wavering. An eight-second gaze is often the omen of love starting, and they had already shared countless eight-second gazes without even realizing it.

Thinking about how he would see Su Zhan tomorrow, the day after, and every day following, and how many more gazes they would share, Dylan’s smile became even more sincere.

Hearing about dinner, Su Zhan took a sharp breath. He had stayed at school far too long without realizing it, Xu Chenjian must have been waiting at the apartment for ages.

“No, no, I have to get back quickly. My friend made dinner and is waiting for me,” Su Zhan smiled apologetically. “How about I treat you tomorrow? I have to go today.”

“…Then let me drive you back? My car is nearby.”

Su Zhan glanced at his watch again and agreed without much hesitation.

Hearing Su Zhan’s answer, Dylan’s joy dipped slightly. He didn’t yet have the standing to stop Su Zhan from having dinner with that “friend.”

That friend could even cook for Su Zhan, it was impossible not to feel jealous.

Dylan drove Su Zhan back to the luxury apartment he rented near the school.

Dylan didn’t just learn Su Zhan’s address, he even found out the specific floor. As they approached, Su Zhan began peeking out the window, looking up at the fourth floor, specifically the unit on the corner.

That was the kitchen. A silhouette was standing inside, it was Elias, the one with hidden motives he had met earlier.

Dylan said a polite goodbye, watching Su Zhan walk toward the apartment entrance as the jealousy in his chest continued to flare.

**

Xu Chenjian looked down from the window and saw a white McLaren GT approaching from a distance, its slender headlights looking like narrowed eyes.

Su Zhan got out, leaning down slightly to say goodbye to the person in the driver’s seat. Their posture was quite intimate.

Xu Chenjian had a bad feeling. Seeing his treasure get too close to someone else always caused worry, but he was too far away to intervene.

By the time Su Zhan returned to the apartment, all the dishes were set.

The dining table had been carefully covered with a new ivy-patterned tablecloth. The green fabric complemented the Hangzhou cuisine, making everything look light and fresh. On the table were sautéed shrimp, sweet and sour pork ribs, and the tofu soup Su Zhan had specifically requested, a simple yet quick meal, but all of Su Zhan’s favorites.

There were many Chinese restaurants in California, but most were Sichuanese, with a few Cantonese and Shanghainese spots. However, Su Zhan and Xu Chenjian were from Hangzhou, and they had yet to find a place that made Hangzhou food to their liking.

“Smells so good.” Su Zhan washed his hands and sat down.

Xu Chenjian served him a bowl of soup before sitting in his own seat across the table. “Did someone just drop you off?”

“Dylan, the one you saw at the theater today. He’s a really nice guy.” Su Zhan took a bite of food and suddenly stuck out his tongue. “The ginger and the ribs look way too similar.”

Xu Chenjian said flatly, “I put it there specifically for you to eat, it’s warming. I’m leaving soon, I have to go to LA tomorrow, I’m only staying in S-City for one night.”

“Wait, what? You’re that busy?” Su Zhan put down his chopsticks, surprised, though it actually worked out for him.

If Xu Chenjian’s stay was short, it would be even harder for his financial troubles to be discovered. He just truly missed Xu Chenjian’s cooking, it was delicious and economical, and could be frozen to last several meals.

Su Zhan acted a bit coy. “Could you make me another pot of ribs? Nothing they sell outside is as good as yours.”

“Don’t eat leftovers… I’ll find someone to cook for you, okay?”

As soon as Xu Chenjian said it, he realized this was something he should be doing himself.

The Xu family had originally been subordinates to the Su family. He had grown up with Su Zhan, a playmate in name, but in reality, he was also a male nanny. When Su Zhan went abroad, he was supposed to continue looking after him, much like a crown prince’s study partner. He should have taken a two-year gap, chosen the same major as the young master, cooked for him, ironed his clothes, and managed his daily life.

But Xu Chenjian knew Su Zhan was different from other wealthy young masters. Su Zhan never actually treated him like a servant. Otherwise, Su Zhan wouldn’t have called him “Brother” since childhood, nor would he have realized he had no interest in art and helped him apply for a finance major at a prestigious East Coast school instead. He had even fought with his own family to let Xu Chenjian study what he truly wanted.

His Xiao Su was the best, so he would listen to whatever Xiao Su said. Moreover, it was just a pot of ribs. Even if he had to drive several hours to LA early tomorrow morning for a 9:00 AM meeting, cooking meant he would have to wake up in the small hours of the morning.

Xu Chenjian put down his chopsticks. “Fine, I’ll make it for you tomorrow morning before I leave.”

“Thanks, Brother! Brother Jian, why don’t you stay tonight? Let’s watch a movie, you pick.”

Xu Chenjian’s chopsticks hung in mid-air before he finally picked up a slice of ginger. “I’ve already booked a hotel, it’s near your school. Do you want me to bring you breakfast tomorrow morning, or should we go out to eat?”

Su Zhan pouted. “Then why did you even come over? I want to watch Licorice Pizza. I’m the only Chinese person in my major, I barely get to speak any Chinese every day. If I don’t talk to someone, I’m going to go crazy.”

“Little master, you have an 8:00 AM class tomorrow.” Whenever Xu Chenjian couldn’t handle Su Zhan, he would start calling him “master.” He always hoped Su Zhan would realize his “young master” temper, but every time, it sounded like he was giving Su Zhan permission to be willful.

But this time, Su Zhan paused. “Never mind then. It takes several hours to drive from S-City to LA, you must have things to do tomorrow morning too, right? Next time you have a meeting in LA, just fly straight there.”

Su Zhan felt the ribs in his mouth lose their flavor.

The title “Master” felt like a needle prick, reminding him once again of his financial situation.

The way Xu Chenjian pampered him now had nothing to do with his status, it was mostly because of their childhood friendship. But one day, when Xu Chenjian looked back, he would find the person he called “Master” was far beneath him, having fallen so very far.

Perhaps the rest of his life was just a downhill slide. After all, it was hard for an arts student to live the kind of luxury life a wealthy young master once had.

Xu Chenjian picked out the ginger slices from the ribs one by one and let out a long sigh. “How come I’m not allowed to come next time? You’re getting older, and your temper is growing too. Fine, let’s watch it. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Xu Chenjian picked up his phone and glanced at the time. It was too late to cancel the hotel, he would just have to waste the money at the Hilton. He would huddle on the small sofa in Su Zhan’s apartment for the night, just to make the little master happy.

Su Zhan sipped his tofu soup. “We’re brothers, what are you afraid of? Just squeeze in, the bed is big enough for both of us.”

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