The Unloved Fake Young Master Is Pregnant with the Real Heir's Child - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Checking In  Four lips pressed closely together

When it came to feelings, Lu Yunchuan was a blank slate. Despite the many girls who had pursued him, he had never tried dating out of curiosity. While rich heirs like Du Yunrui and Huo Yanxiu changed girlfriends as often as they changed clothes, he remained solitary, often scolding those “inhumane” young masters for treating girls’ emotions like a game.

He held the belief that it was better to be single than to mess around; thus, he stayed far away from the girls who sent him love letters. Naturally, this meant he had zero romantic experience.

Of course, he didn’t think Fu Xici’s kiss had any particular significance. When he was little and clung to his brother’s arms, his brother would often affectionately kiss his cheek simply because he was cute. Since Big Brother was eight years older, the fact that he was a “child” in Fu Xici’s eyes would never change; therefore, the kiss was likely just Big Brother treating him like the toddler he once was.

After thinking it over, Lu Yunchuan moved a bit further away in bed, leaving a gap between them. He whispered a reminder: “I’m grown up now. I turned eighteen today. Big Brother, did you think I was still a three-year-old you could just kiss whenever you wanted?”

Fu Xici didn’t answer. He turned his back to the boy, knowing better than anyone that his feelings for Lu Yunchuan had shifted from familial love into something else entirely. Lu Yunchuan was no longer a member of the Fu family by blood, but Fu Xici would do everything in his power to keep him there.

Lu Yunchuan didn’t dwell on the kiss. It was just a brush against the corner of his mouth, after all. Though he had felt the warmth of his brother’s lips, it wasn’t enough to disturb his heart. In his mind, Fu Xici would always be the most respected and beloved Big Brother.

He could ignore anyone’s advice, but he had to listen to Fu Xici. His brother was the only person left in this world who truly cared for him. Even if Big Brother was marginalized in the Fu household, he was still the eldest son; those with ill intentions would still have to consider his reaction before trying to throw Lu Yunchuan out.

In truth, Lu Yunchuan had been wrong; he had assumed Big Brother had no voice in the family, but Fu Xici’s influence was actually quite significant. Moving into his brother’s room upon his rebirth had been the right move. Because of his brother’s presence, the “monsters and demons” of the household only dared to badmouth him behind his back, never daring to suggest kicking him out to his brother’s face.

His brother was his great tree, his safe harbor. He thought he was protecting Fu Xici, but it was actually Fu Xici protecting him.

This unshakeable sense of security made him instinctively reach out and hug Fu Xici again. Burying his face in his brother’s broad, solid back, Lu Yunchuan felt profoundly safe.

He had no idea what kind of impact his proximity had on Fu Xici. Once feelings have “spoiled,” even a light touch is more potent than the strongest aphrodisiac.

The College Entrance Examination Gaokao arrived quickly. During the break before the exams, Lu Yunchuan studied tirelessly. His transformation was obvious to everyone.

Fu Kaijiang and Jiang Wanyue still harbored some affection for Lu Yunchuan. Seeing his newfound diligence, they felt conflicted, often discussing his future late at night—whether to keep him or send him back to his biological parents.

Fu Kaijiang sighed over a cigarette. “Yunchuan was raised in luxury; he can’t handle the hardships of the countryside. He’s afraid of being kicked out and has become very sensible, but Lingchuan can’t tolerate him…”

Jiang Wanyue replied, “Yes, even back in this house, Lingchuan is still so cautious and timid. It breaks my heart. He’s always afraid Yunchuan will steal everything from him; he cries all the time. My child suffered for eighteen years; why should the child of that disgusting couple enjoy luxury in my home? The more I think about it, the angrier I get.”

Fu Kaijiang said, “We’ll wait until after the Gaokao. De-Wei International High School’s enrollment is full every year. If his score isn’t high enough to qualify for the ‘repeat’ track, the school won’t take him. Without a school to go to, he’ll naturally have to leave. I’ve already secured a spot for Lingchuan in advance; Yunchuan will definitely be squeezed out…”

Jiang Wanyue agreed. “With Yunchuan’s history of being a do-nothing, it’ll be hard for him to even hit 400 points. The cutoff for repeating is almost higher than the Second-Tier university line.”

Lu Yunchuan spent that month studying as if his life depended on it just for that one “repeat” spot. He stopped playing with his phone in class and spent every minute of his breaks solving problems.

Huo Yanxiu thought he had gone mad. He couldn’t understand how someone could suddenly love studying so much. Lu Yunchuan urged them to study too, but they refused. However, since Lu Yunchuan stopped skipping class, Huo Yanxiu and Du Yunrui stopped skipping as well.

Huo Yanxiu tried every trick in the book to lure Lu Yunchuan to his house. To be honest, without his former “playboy” attitude, Lu Yunchuan looked quite beautiful—refined features, slender limbs, the image of a “good boy.” Huo Yanxiu often found himself dazed while looking at him.

He asked Lu Yunchuan, “What if you don’t make the cutoff score for the repeat year?”

Lu Yunchuan told him, “That’s not an option. If I don’t make it, I’ll find a ‘sugar mommy’ to support me.”

Huo Yanxiu pointed at himself. “Why find a lady? Isn’t there a perfectly good rich young master right here? If you follow me, I guarantee you’ll live the high life.”

Lu Yunchuan spat out one word: “Roll.” Beat it.

On the day of the Gaokao, Fu Xici drove him to the exam center. He had written many comforting words in his phone’s notes app, telling Lu Yunchuan not to be nervous and to just perform as usual. Lu Yunchuan promised he would.

He was actually quite confident. In his last two mock exams, his scores were around the Second-Tier university line. His teachers praised his progress. But Lu Yunchuan’s goal wasn’t just any university—it was the Air Force Aviation University. Applying there required a strict background check of three generations, which was why he was playing nice to stay on the Fu family register. If his name were moved to Lu Changgui’s register, that scumbag’s history would ruin his future.

While the Fu family waited to see him fail and get kicked out, Fu Lingchuan was being clever. After receiving gifts during his coming-of-age ceremony, he had carefully prepared return gifts for everyone, making the family think he was incredibly sensible and kind.

Even though Fu Xici ignored him, Fu Lingchuan prepared a gift for him too. Hearing that his brother liked books and calligraphy, he brought him an “antique” inkstone, claiming it was from the Ming Dynasty.

Because of the exam, Fu Xici took time off work. After dropping Lu Yunchuan off, he returned home, planning to pick him up when the morning session ended.

When he returned, he heard Fu Yunzhou and the others gossiping happily. He ignored them and went to his room. Fu Lingchuan saw him and grabbed the gift. Jiang Wanyue felt consoled: “Lingchuan is too sensible, always thinking of others. My child is truly kind-hearted.”

Fu Lingchuan knocked on the door. Fu Xici looked at him with icy eyes.

Fu Lingchuan smiled and handed over the “gift.” “Big Brother, I heard you like calligraphy. I brought you an inkstone from the Ming Dynasty. It’s very collectible.”

Fu Xici didn’t want to take it and tried to close the door, but Fu Lingchuan blocked it with his leg. “Don’t close the door yet! Let me finish. I obviously couldn’t get a real one, so I got you a fake. It cost a few dozen bucks. I know Big Brother likes fakes, right?”

He was smiling, but every word was a mockery. Fu Xici found it almost funny—someone who just joined the family dared to provoke the Eldest Young Master like this. Fu Xici took the gift, shut the door, and ignored him.

He likes fakes, so he’ll take it. So what?

Fu Lingchuan was actually furious. He had expected Fu Xici to fly into a rage so he could play the victim, but Fu Xici showed no emotion. Failing his goal, the “True Young Master” clenched his fists, his eyes reddening as he ran back to the living room to fake-cry.

“I’m fine,” he sobbed to his concerned parents. “Big Brother just scolded me a little.”

Jiang Wanyue was skeptical. “Your brother… scolded you?”

Fu Lingchuan nodded. “He called me a ‘money-loser.’ I just wanted to give him a gift…”

Jiang Wanyue didn’t quite believe it. “He can talk now?”

Fu Lingchuan realized his lie was incomplete. “He… he just said three words.”

Jiang Wanyue sighed. She believed Fu Xici could manage three words. “If he’s ungrateful, don’t buy him anything else. I just want you to be happy at home.”

Fu Xici immediately left the house, went to the office, and slammed the “fake” inkstone onto Fu Kaijiang’s desk. He didn’t say a word, completely ignoring the group of high-level shareholders and executives in the room. He had to go pick up Lu Yunchuan.

Fu Kaijiang was stunned. Before he could ask anything, Fu Xici was gone.

He messaged Fu Xici: Have you no respect for your elders?

Fu Xici replied half an hour later: The son you brought back gave me a fake worth a few dozen bucks. Truly hard work on his part. I can’t accept it, so I’m giving it back to you.

Fu Kaijiang:

The executives watched as Fu Kaijiang’s face turned the color of a swallowed fly. He smiled awkwardly, picked up the fake, and tossed it under his desk.

Lu Yunchuan saw Fu Xici immediately upon exiting the exam hall. His brother’s tall, handsome frame was hard to miss right at the front of the police line.

Lu Yunchuan waved. Fu Xici opened his arms, expecting a hug. But Lu Yunchuan didn’t hug him; he just ran over excitedly and said, “I think I did better than expected!”

Fu Xici retracted his arms and patted the boy’s silver hair. “Let’s go home.”

“I don’t want to go back,” Lu Yunchuan said, not wanting the family’s attitude to affect his afternoon performance. “Let’s eat out and get a day-use hotel room so I can take a nap.”

Fu Xici agreed. It was better than going back to a house full of people waiting for him to fail. They had a bowl of noodles nearby and checked into a small hotel. Lu Yunchuan promised his brother he’d get a good score.

Fu Xici looked at him tenderly, his eyes fixed on Lu Yunchuan’s pink, thin lips.

Lu Yunchuan didn’t notice anything unusual and pulled him toward the bed. “Don’t you have work this afternoon?”

Fu Xici lay down beside him, pulling him into his arms and resting his cheek against the boy’s hair. “Leave.” I took leave.

Lu Yunchuan felt a wave of warmth. “It’s so good to have a brother. I hope you don’t ignore me after you get married. Hug me while I sleep, Brother. I feel safe with you around. Wake me up at 1:30.”

Fu Xici’s lips brushed his hair. “Okay.”

Lu Yunchuan fell asleep with zero ulterior motives. Once he was deep in sleep, Fu Xici moved the boy’s head to the pillow and lay on his side, watching him.

Lu Yunchuan’s long lashes cast shadows like crow feathers on his lower lids. His skin had become paler recently from staying indoors to study. His Adam’s apple was shaped perfectly, bobbing slightly with his breath.

Fu Xici swallowed hard. Unable to help himself, he leaned in and kissed Lu Yunchuan’s Adam’s apple.

Lu Yunchuan frowned slightly but didn’t wake. He was clearly exhausted. Seeing that he remained asleep, Fu Xici grew bolder. He lifted his head and pressed his lips against Lu Yunchuan’s.

Four lips pressed closely together. His breathing grew ragged. His eyes, in that moment, were nothing like their usual calm. His heart drummed against his ribs, impossible to quiet.

He didn’t even know when his feelings had changed. Perhaps it was the moment the paternity test arrived, or perhaps it was when Lu Yunchuan moved in and gave him that first hug.

Lu Yunchuan’s lips were soft, the texture of jelly.

He wanted, desperately, to throw all caution away and kiss him deeply.

He was not a “good” brother.