Chapter 67: Darkly Coiled
In just a few minutes, a fiery red bar appeared in the voting interface. “Agree” had completely overwhelmed “Disagree.”
Shi Ye fumbled for his phone and tapped the lonely “Disagree” button. Yet, the count for “Agree” continued to climb relentlessly.
He tossed the phone back. “Everyone vote ‘Disagree.’ If anyone votes ‘Agree,’ don’t bother coming to the Tennis Club anymore.”
With Shi Ye laying down the law, even those who had been clamoring to kill the culprit swallowed their anger, opened Black Pigeon, and voted “Disagree” against their will, their expressions sour.
However, when the “Agree” votes skyrocketed to 1,200 within minutes, they felt a sense of relief.
Floriman Academy enrolled 300 students annually. With seven grades, the total student body was around 2,100. regardless of how many abstained, 1,200 was an absolute majority.
“He’s used to the penalty by now anyway,” someone muttered quietly. The group collectively felt a wave of disappointment.
What’s the use of a Red Card penalty? With Shi Ye protecting him, who dares to actually touch Wen Rong?
Shi Ye wouldn’t even let them vote “Agree.”
Bzzzt—
A cacophony of notification sounds rang out simultaneously.
Black Pigeon System Notification: [By a school-wide vote, Wen Rong is hereby issued a Red Card Penalty.]
Black Pigeon System Notification: [Given the general disregard for the penalty system, a new regulation is now in effect: Anyone found enabling a student under a Red Card penalty to continue their errors will also receive a Red Card.]
As the messages finished transmitting, the villa fell into a terrifying deathly silence. Everyone held their breath, stealing glances toward Shi Ye.
Bang—
A fist slammed onto the table, causing the plates to jump three times.
The security guard, who had just entered and was gathering his coat to slip away, froze as Shi Ye’s eyes darted toward him. “What is it?”
Knowing Shi Ye’s explosive temper, the guard quickly pulled out a human shield. “That little boy asked me to ask you how to warm up before playing. But, Young Master, you seem quite busy, so I—I’ll go tell him to head back first.”
“Wait.” Shi Ye’s chest heaved as he forcibly suppressed his emotions. “I’m fine.”
“But you look…”
“I’m not angry.”
“…”
Shi Ye added, sounding almost neurotic, “You are not allowed to tell Wen Rong I was angry.”
The guard wisely played along. “Okay, okay.”
Shi Ye turned his head to glare at the Tennis Club members. They nodded vigorously in unison. “We won’t say a word.”
Relieved, Shi Ye calmed down and issued orders. “Keep eating. Training starts when you’re done.”
He wiped his face and forced the corners of his mouth upward.
Security Room
Wen Rong sat obediently on the sofa, holding his phone horizontally. A video was playing, the audio drifting out: “Tennis beginners should…”
Shi Ye grit his teeth. He’s been slapped with a Red Card, yet he’s in the mood to watch this? Does Wen Rong have any concept of the disaster he’s caused?
The resentment in Shi Ye’s gaze was too sharp to ignore. Wen Rong seemed to sense it; he paused the video and looked up blankly, his light-colored eyes trembling slightly behind his glasses. “What’s wrong?”
Shi Ye took a deep breath before speaking. “Don’t watch other people’s videos. I’ll teach you how to play tennis.”
“I just wanted to prepare a little in advance.”
“Not necessary.” As soon as the words left his mouth, a thought unrelated to changing the subject popped into Shi Ye’s head. He hinted, “I’m more professional than anyone else.”
…
Morning sunlight unexpectedly broke through, casting a shallow layer of orange over them, warming every cell in their bodies.
On the tennis court, Shi Ye placed a ball on Wen Rong’s racket. Watching him bounce the ball, he spoke patiently, “It’s okay, take your time. Keep the force steady…”
The racket swiped at empty air once again. Wen Rong watched the ball roll away across the ground and let his arm drop.
“What’s wrong?”
“My arm is a little sore.”
Sore after just a few bounces?!
Shi Ye controlled his shocked expression, his gaze drifting to Wen Rong’s arm. The fabric outlined a limb so thin it seemed to be made only of bone.
An idea that would solve two problems at once sprang to mind. “Tennis requires physical stamina. Why don’t you come here every morning and evening from now on? I’ll take you to the gym with me, and you can eat here, too.”
“Huh?”
“My chef is better than the cafeteria’s. And since I’m subject to random checks by the Athletes’ Association at any time, all the ingredients here are hormone-free and incredibly healthy. Also… also, he can make whatever you want to eat… You can even stay here. Our class schedules are similar anyway, so we can go to class together…”
Wen Rong looked dazed. “Is playing tennis this much trouble?”
“Tennis isn’t the trouble, it’s just that you’ve been—you’ve been—” Shi Ye’s voice cut off abruptly, and he changed tack. “A lot of people in school are acting crazy lately. It’s dangerous for you to be alone outside.”
Wen Rong finally grasped the concept. “Because of the Red Card penalty?”
“You—you… you know?”
“I got the message too.”
“I’m sorry.” Shi Ye finished speaking and turned away, hands on his hips. He was annoyed that he wasn’t the Student Council President, and annoyed that even if he beat up Zhou Xie, Wen Rong would still be hated by so many people.
“Um… this time, could you please not get involved?”
Shi Ye froze. “You’re asking me not to get involved?!”
Wen Rong nodded calmly. “Yes.”
“Do you know how many people you’ve offended this time? The current students of Floriman, the alumni, the principal, the leadership…”
“I know.”
“You really know?”
Wen Rong tilted his face up, his gaze firm. “I really know.”
“You know, and you still refuse my help.”
The warm breeze brushed Wen Rong’s bangs, revealing a pale forehead and handsome brows.
“It took me a long time to understand what kind of power you all hold. I’m very grateful you used your power to protect me, but I’m curious—what should people without power do?”
“What power?” Shi Ye looked confused.
“I will try to solve the problem myself.”
Blue sky, green earth. The tennis court fell silent. Wen Rong picked up all the balls from the ground and returned them to the basket. He told Shi Ye, “I’m going back first,” and his figure vanished into the pale sunlight.
For a long time, Shi Ye stood sideways, recalling the scene.
Was that Wen Rong?
Fragments floated in the void—the loser with the thick black frames, dull and awkward… Wen Rong had shifted through so many images that Shi Ye was beginning to doubt if he had ever truly known him.
[Beep—Mission Complete.]
[Beep—Mission Complete.]
[Beep—Mission Complete.]
“So many missions! Brother, I won’t die!”
[…Don’t make it too obvious!]
On the first day of the Red Card penalty, Wen Rong was shoved at the cafeteria entrance, ostracized in class, and barred from using the restroom during breaks. He harvested a massive 3 points. He couldn’t help but share his joy with the System at the entrance of the teaching building.
“I thought I was going to get beaten up.”
[You have fans on Bluebook, you’re on good terms with Shi Ye, and you caused Zhao Zeyang to drop out. No one dares to have a major physical conflict with you directly.]
“Turns out I’m pretty amazing.”
[…]
Wen Rong walked down the steps. The sunlight hit his face, making him feel like spring had arrived early. He narrowed his eyes in pleasure.
That same sunlight was cut off by the shadow of a corner. A gray head was hidden behind a camera lens. Click, click, click. Wen Rong’s back was frozen in the DSLR.
Shi Ye flipped through the photos. The profile was beautiful, the long, curled eyelashes catching points of light, creating a halo of white that complemented the pale pink, upturned corners of his mouth.
He thought gloomily, Why is he so happy about being bullied? When I bullied him before, he loved to cry.
Wen Rong had changed.
Shi Ye concluded: Perhaps he has masochistic tendencies.
Wait, no. Did I bully him so much before that he became psychologically twisted?
For the first time since being forgiven, Shi Ye felt guilt. He deeply realized how much damage he had inflicted on Wen Rong at the start of the school year.
With this heavy heart, Shi Ye stealthily followed Wen Rong to the library.
The stalking plan lasted for nearly two days. Shi Ye became increasingly convinced of Wen Rong’s masochism—it seemed the more trouble he faced, the happier he was!
He also discovered that Wen Rong’s life could be described in one word: Boring.
Library, classroom, cafeteria—a three-point line. He always sat in the middle of the first row in class, always in the same window seat in the library, and even ate the exact same dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Clutching his DSLR, Shi Ye thought silently, No wonder Wen Rong said he’d solve it himself. The petty harassment from these people really is nothing to him; it doesn’t affect his routine at all.
However, the situation changed drastically on the third day of the penalty.
Inspectors from the Athletes’ Association parachuted into Floriman Academy. Shi Ye had to temporarily abandon his stalking mission to cooperate with blood tests.
While waiting in the villa, a member of the Tennis Club sent him a message on Black Pigeon.
[Brother Shi! Wang Allen gathered a bunch of people and dragged Wen Rong to the cafeteria.]
Shi Ye shot up. Behind him, Wang Xijie was chattering about something, but he heard none of it.
Who the hell does Wang Allen think he is, daring to “drag” Wen Rong to the cafeteria?
Wen Rong’s words about solving it himself and not needing help were thrown to the back of his mind. The veins on Shi Ye’s arms bulged, nearly crushing the steering wheel.
“Speak! Why did you smear the school?”
“Did you instigate Zhang Jincheng to frame me for stealing design drafts?”
“Hit him! Hit him!”
…
The boiling noise penetrated the heavy curtains of the cafeteria, exploding like grenades in Shi Ye’s ears.
He jumped out of the car and violently threw open the curtain.
There were too many people inside. It wasn’t mealtime, yet the crowd rivaled the afternoon rush.
Shi Ye’s entrance garnered no attention. He shoved aside the people blocking his way.
“Rumor has it you hate being treated like a woman.”
Shi Ye froze.
—It was Zhou Xie.
“Calling you ‘Wife’ on the forum isn’t allowed, ‘Goddess’ isn’t allowed, and you hate homosexuality.”
The air went quiet.
Shi Ye stopped moving.
“Li Ao, give him the skirt from the girls’ school.”
“What… what are you going to do?”
In contrast to Zhou Xie, Wen Rong’s voice carried a distinct tremor.
“From now on, you will attend school wearing women’s clothing.”
“I won’t—”
Zhou Xie interrupted him coldly, “Or perhaps you’d prefer the entire Journalism Club gets a Red Card.”
Wen Rong’s voice choked with tears. “If I wear women’s clothing, you won’t give the seniors a Red Card?”
Fuck!
Zhou Xie, that insidious villain, only knew how to use coercion and bribery.
“Move.”
Shi Ye shoved the people in front of him with both hands. Before he could shout his complaints, the sound of sharp intakes of breath reached his ears one after another.
A group surrounded Wen Rong in the center. His backpack had been unzipped, its contents spilled everywhere. The school-issued laptop had been stepped on by someone, snapped in half, lying quietly on the cold floor.
Wen Rong bent down to pick up the skirt. His face was buried almost in his chest, making it impossible to tell if he was sad or angry. He quickly pulled it up to his waist.
Click—
His belt, like a snake, was pulled open and slid out from the loops, falling to the ground where it coiled into a circle.
Left toe stepped on right heel to pry off the leather shoes. Two white-socked feet stepped onto the equally dead-white floor.
Black trousers dropped suddenly. A pair of legs, snow-white and straight, were revealed. Because he was so thin, there was a gap between his pressed knees.
Shi Ye felt like he had been clubbed over the head. His anger dissipated instantly, replaced by a heartbeat like a war drum—thump, thump, thump—pounding in his ears.
He realized with clarity that everyone had seen it. Undercurrents surged in the air; someone swallowed loudly. But their souls were like that belt on the floor—darkly coiled, snake-like.
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