Li Hongfang could see the figure perched on the redwood-carved railing over the fish pond. His anger flared up once again, and the overgrown hands gripping the chair arm shattered it with a crack.
This annoying Jiang Luoluo needed to know that he would not tolerate anyone messing with the boy he cherished. Bai Tang wasn’t someone you could bully so easily!
With a punch, he’d send this fragile-looking kid flying into the pond. He wouldn’t even be able to crawl out!
It would be even better if Jiang Luoluo cried, begging for mercy and promising never to bother Little Tang again!
Li Hongfang approached, boiling with anger. “Are you Jiang Luoluo?” he roared.
Jiang Luoluo turned slightly, the smile still playing on his lips as he curiously glanced at the man behind him. Li Hongfang froze, momentarily stunned by the boy’s beauty.
The figure in white leaned casually against the redwood railing. In one hand was a small porcelain bowl intricately patterned with golden filigree, its delicate wrist resting along the edge, hinting at slender, jade-like fingers.
His exquisite face retained a trace of childish innocence. Arced almond eyes curved upward, set against a backdrop of soft pink blush. The corners of his eyes and eyebrows carried a subtle charm, already showing hints of future beauty.
Standing amidst the rose garden at dusk, bathed in the gentle evening breeze, he was framed by the melody that filled the air. All this beauty was mere backdrop to his presence.
He looked like the real Prince from a fairy tale.
A flash of shame crossed Li Hongfang’s mind, silently cursing his earlier rudeness.
He had thought Jiang Luoluo was some overly made-up, ugly character. How… how come no one told him that the guy looked like this…
Even Bai Tang, dressed in his best, would pale in comparison.
Realizing what he was thinking, Li Hongfang quickly pinched his palms, snapping back to reality. He couldn’t let lust cloud his judgment now.
“Are you looking for me?” Jiang Luoluo asked. His voice was clear and soft, strangely pleasing to the ear.
Li Hongfang watched him open his mouth. Before any words could come out, his face reddened. He stammered, all the viciousness drained from him. “I-I just wanted to ask…”
Jiang Luoluo replied with a simple “oh” and turned back to feeding his goldfish.
Watching him at the fish pond, Li Hongfang scratched his head and walked over, finding a spot not too close but not too far from Jiang Luoluo.
Under Jiang Luoluo’s intense gaze, Li Hongfang’s scalp prickled. He tossed the fish food in his hand aside and looked up at the other boy.
But the moment their eyes met, as if burned by the contact, Li Hongfang hastily averted his gaze to the fish in the pond again. It was those eyes—a twinkle of mischief despite their serious veneer—those eyes that weren’t quite right…
His face was flushed red, extending down to his neck covered in tattoos.
Jiang Luoluo studied him silently.
The other man said nothing, and Jiang Luoluo didn’t bother to ask. As he turned to leave, Li Hongfang, who seemed so sophisticated, finally spoke up: “Wait!”
Jiang Luoluo looked back at him.
“You… you shouldn’t go out alone. Fu Tingchuan isn’t here, and those people will take advantage of any situation. They’ll pick on you and bully you!”
Jiang Luoluo retorted, “So you’re here to pick on me and bully me too?” [footnote] BINGO! Who said my Loulou is dumb? Come out for me![/FOOTNOTE]
The man’s face flushed even deeper as if he couldn’t even lie. After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out: “My name is Li Hongfang.”
Jiang Luoluo made an understanding sound and repeated his name: “Li Hongfang.”
His voice was naturally soft, and with each word he pondered over carefully, to Li Hongfang’s ears, his tone grew even more gentle and affectionate.
Li Hongfang’s face turned redder.
He even sounded good when he spoke.
How could this man possibly upset Bai Tao? Li Hongfang thought. Bai Tao must have been in a bad mood today, and the servants at home misunderstood, taking it out on him instead.
I heard he was Fu Tingchuan’s boyfriend, Li Hongfang thought to himself.
He couldn’t help but feel regretful.
If only I’d known him sooner…
“You can wait until Fu Tingchuan comes out before going back so that he will protect you.” Li Hongfang suggested gently, as if afraid to startle him.
Jiang Luoluo frowned slightly, puzzled.
The system had told Jiang Luoluo about Li Hongfang a few days ago before it lost connection.
Li Hongfang was one of Bai Tao’s most loyal bodyguards and enforcers. His family had made their fortune in real estate, but they hadn’t been particularly well educated. They had a lot of money, so much they practically dripped with wealth.
That sometimes drew snide comments from others in their social circle who looked down on them.
The system suggested that the Bai family’s good background and cultural refinement might also be what attracted the Li family to them.
Li Hongfang himself was a terrible student when he was young. He didn’t bother with school and spent most of his time hanging out with small-time thugs. Even after his family became rich, he never fit in with the new social circle. So, he formed a basketball team and spent his time playing in various tournaments.
Looking at him today, dressed in a casual suit with a white shirt inside, he didn’t seem much like the rough and tough thug described by the system.
“Hey—watch out!”
Before Jiang Luoluo could react, Li Hongfang suddenly pulled him back.
The garden sprinkler unexpectedly sprang to life and started rotating. It was currently facing east, and at its speed, it would be on them within two seconds, drenching Jiang Luoluo in an instant.
“Don’t move!”
Li Hongfang pushed him back a step, then cleanly and neatly took off his jacket, wrapped it around Jiang Luoluo, and covered him up. Li Hongfang then braced himself, shielding Jiang Luoluo.
At that moment, a fan-shaped jet of water came spraying over, hitting Li Hongfang and the jacket right in the face.
“That’s it!”
As he saw Jiang Luoluo completely safe and dry, Li Hongfang let out a breath of relief. With both hands, he removed the jacket covering Jiang Luoluo—only to unexpectedly come face-to-face with that overly delicate face once again.
Li Hongfang’s face turned red again. Jiang Luoluo glanced at him and couldn’t help but chuckle.
Li Hongfang looked down and instantly understood what had amused Jiang Luoluo. He quickly pulled on his jacket.
Jiang Luoluo, considerate as always, avoided staring at Li Hongfang’s flustered state. “Thanks for the shirt, Li Hongfang.”
He pressed his lips together tightly, fighting back a grin.
This Li Hongfang was truly a character. Who could have imagined that beneath such a formal suit, he’d be wearing a sleeveless shirt?
The shirt ended abruptly at the shoulders, revealing bulging muscles in his upper arms. A small dragon tattoo pitifully exposed half its tail on his sleeveless arm, creating a strangely endearing sight.
Li Hongfang felt both embarrassed and regretful. If he’d known he’d bump into Jiang Luoluo today, he never would have worn this shirt out!
It was one thing to dress casually in his everyday life, but he felt self-conscious around Jiang Luoluo. He… he wanted to project a more serious and dignified image!
Holding back his laughter, Jiang Luoluo observed Li Hongfang, who had turned away, too ashamed to meet his eyes. He repeated, “Thanks, If it wasn’t for you, I’d be the one drenched in water right now.”
“Wait, did you bring a change of clothes? If not, I’ll call the driver to bring an extra set.”
T/N:
💖 Li Hongfang’s Instant Regret Form 💖
🔹 Reason for Filling This Form:
☐ Accused someone of being ugly but got blinded by beauty instead.
☐ Tried to act tough but ended up babysitting a fairy.
☐ Got roasted so badly I need emotional support.
☐ Other (please specify): _____________
🔹 Symptoms Experienced After Meeting Jiang Luoluo:
☐ Face turned red like a ripe tomato.
☐ Lost ability to form coherent sentences.
☐ Sudden urge to protect a delicate-looking yet dangerous being.
☐ Questioning all previous life choices.
🔹 Unintended Side Effects:
☐ Developed a habit of secretly staring.
☐ Got sprayed in the face but somehow feel honored.
☐ Realized my thug aesthetic is no match for a pretty boy’s charm.
☐ Existential crisis over Bai Tang’s supposed superiority.
🔹 Final Thoughts:
Would you like to subscribe to Jiang Luoluo’s beauty cult?
☐ YES (No choice, you’re already in.)
☐ ALSO YES (It was inevitable.)
Signature: ___________ (Don’t worry, your dignity was lost long ago.)
😂✨
As expected, our MC is beautiful…🥰😍
Reviews on NU literally described mc in this novel as an extremely air-headed character, so I thought that’s what I had to prepare for. Meanwhile so what I’m seeing is an actually sweet, funny and reasonable protagonist. I get that he’s not super-intelligent master of fighting green tea, but not every protagonist has to be cunning and strong.
Really. If I can add the translator’s note in NU, I would have done/corrected that!