Chapter 72
In the evening, after Zhuang Yuan finished washing up and returned, he ran straight into Chi Aibei at the door. Chi Aibei stared at him blankly for a while and asked, “Who are you?”
Zhuang Yuan: “Don’t be excessive.” After saying that, he walked past him.
“This voice…” Chi Aibei suddenly turned his head. “Youāre Zhuang Yuan?”
Zhuang Yuan made a ‘V’ sign with his fingers under his chin. “Exactly. It is indeed this deity!” Saying that, Zhuang Yuan sat down to tinker with his various bottles and jars.
Chi Aibei walked back and forth behind him to observe. After a while, he let out a surprised “Wow.” “The difference between you with makeup and without is way too big.”
While patting various liquids onto his face, Zhuang Yuan said, “Take those words back and I can pretend I didn’t hear them.”
Chi Aibei smiled. “Iām not taking them back. What is all this youāre rubbing on? How can there be so much?”
Zhuang Yuan: “You call this much? This isn’t even a third of what I have at home. Living at school is only bad in this one aspectāthe space is too small.”
Chi Aibei pointed at the table full of cosmetics and skincare products. “This is still not much?”
Zhuang Yuan turned to look at him. “Do you usually not do skincare?”
Chi Aibei didn’t understand what skincare was. He said, “I rub some cream on when my face is dry in the winter.”
“How can you be so rough?” Zhuang Yuan reached out and pinched Chi Aibeiās face, letting out a ‘tsk.’ “Your skin is still so good without rubbing anything on it. Itās truly enviable and hateful.”
During the day, Chi Aibei had only seen that Zhuang Yuan wore eyeliner. Now that the makeup was removed and his true form was revealed, Chi Aibei realized that what he drew was a massive construction project.
The clean and clear pretty boy from the day had a face that was not only red but also had some acne marks after removing his makeup. Although his features were still good-looking, with poor skin condition, he didn’t look as spirited as he did during the day.
Wu Yue returned from outside and was stunned for a moment upon seeing Zhuang Yuan. He probably hadn’t recognized him just like Chi Aibei, but after realizing, he let out a laugh.
Chi Aibei greeted him, “Wu Yue, youāre back.”
Wu Yue ignored him and walked past him.
Chi Aibei looked on with a bewildered expression. His arm was pulled by Zhuang Yuan. He looked at Zhuang Yuan, who seemed as if he hadn’t seen Wu Yue mocking him, and asked Chi Aibei, “Have you washed your face? Want me to help you apply a face mask?”
Looking at Zhuang Yuan opening a jar full of something that looked like gray mud, Chi Aibei quickly backed away. “I don’t want it.”
After the lights were turned off at night, Chi Aibei sent a message to Lin Xiu: [Gege, did Zhuang Yuan and Wu Yue have a fight?]
This was Chi Aibeiās first time living in a shared dormitory, and he was quite looking forward to it. But on the very first day, he felt that Wu Yue was a bit unsociable. Yet, during the day, he had proactively spoken to them, even if what he said was awkward.
Just as Lin Xiu was about to reply, Chi Aibei sent another one: [I feel like Wu Yue doesn’t seem to like Zhuang Yuan very much, but I think Zhuang Yuan is quite a nice person. Gege, what do you think?]
Lin Xiu: […]
Chi Aibei suddenly poked his head down and whispered, “Gege, what do the ellipsis mean?”
Lin Xiu looked at the head hanging down from the top bunk. He had wanted to tell Chi Aibei not to get too close to Zhuang Yuan, but it seemed it was already too late.
Lin Xiu typed a few words on his phone and held it up for him to seeā”Coming down?”
Chi Aibei didn’t understand: “Gege, do you want to sleep on the top?”
“…” Seeing his unawakened state, Lin Xiu sighed in exhaustion. “Forget it, go to sleep.”
A light chuckle came from the opposite top bunk. Chi Aibei looked over. “Zhuang Yuan, youāre not asleep yet?”
Zhuang Yuan turned his head and gave a meaningful look at the two people whose phones were lit up at the same time. “In the dead of night, of course one should be messaging their partner. Only those without partners go to sleep.”
Chi Aibei: “…” I don’t have a partner, but Iām messaging. Am I not very impressive?
The night before military training, Lin Xiu returned to find Chi Aibei and Zhuang Yuan squatting on the floor, researching a suitcase full of sunscreen.
Chi Aibei was holding several spray bottles and tubes of sunscreen Zhuang Yuan had given him. Zhuang Yuan said, “This is a spray, and this is for rubbing. Carry the spray with you and spray it during breaks; otherwise, by the time military training ends, youāll turn into a piece of charcoal.”
In just two days, Chi Aibei had been won over by Zhuang Yuan. Aside from the first day when he deliberately said those things in front of Wu Yue to drag Lin Xiu and Chi Aibei into the water, his personality was actually decent. Chi Aibei liked playing with cheerful people, as could be seen from how he could play with Lin Yang.
But Lin Xiu was a bit worried. The little fool had no schemes; there was no telling when he might be used by Zhuang Yuan.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Zhuang Yuan generously pick up two bottles of sunscreen and ask Wu Yue, “Wu Yue, I’ll give these two bottles to you.”
Wu Yue frowned as if he had seen something filthy. “I don’t want them. A grown man being afraid of the sunāhow sissy.”
Zhuang Yuan was as magnanimous as ever. Hearing such words, he didn’t mind and smiled while shrugging at Chi Aibei. He then looked at Lin Xiu. “Lin Xiu, I’ll give this to you.”
Lin Xiu saw that Zhuang Yuan wasn’t truly generous; he knew Wu Yue would say such things and was intentionally poking him.
Lin Xiu didn’t want to follow his lead and let him use them to continue “isolating” Wu Yue. However, just as his “no need” was halfway out, Zhuang Yuan shoved the sunscreen into Chi Aibeiās hands. “Hold it for him. Anyway, you two use it together.”
Watching Wu Yueās look of disgust spread to him and Chi Aibei, Lin Xiu gave Zhuang Yuan a look…
Chi Aibei felt that Wu Yueās words just now were a bit harsh. Although Zhuang Yuan didn’t mind, he felt indignant for him. He accepted it for Lin Xiu and deliberately said loudly, “Thank you. Iāll use it together with Gege.”
Lin Xiu frowned at Chi Aibei, who was being used as a pawn, and reached out to pull him up from the floor.
Zhuang Yuan said to Chi Aibei with a smile, “Tell me when you run out. This bit might not be enough. I bought more online; they should arrive in a couple of days.”
Chi Aibei: “Even this much isn’t enough?”
“How could it be enough? Military training lasts several days. Don’t be stingy.” Zhuang Yuan glanced at Lin Xiu. “Otherwise, if you get tanned into a little charcoal ball, you won’t be likeable anymore.”
Military training was the first collective freshman activity after school started. Although not everyone was together, it was a good opportunity to observe one another.
After just one morning, people started spreading rumors about which class had the prettiest girls and which class had the boy who would inherit the next title of Campus Hunk. There were even people who had passed out twice in less than a morning.
While standing in military posture, Chi Aibei heard the two girls in the back row whispering, “This year’s Campus Hunks are high-yielding. The Finance department alone produced two.”
Hearing ‘Finance department,’ Chi Aibeiās ears perked up. Sure enough, in the next second, he heard them mention Lin Xiuās name.
Just as Chi Aibei was feeling proud, the girl behind said, “Yes, and another one named He Chenjiang is also very handsome.”
Chi Aibei suddenly turned his head. “Who did you say?”
The two girls were startled. Looking at Chi Aibei, who had turned his head so blatantly and asked loudly, their gazes silently moved toward the drill instructor whose face had darkened…
“Third row, third boy from the end, step out!”
Chi Aibei seemed not to hear. He was still asking, “Who did you say is in the Finance department?”
The two girls didn’t dare to speak, afraid of being punished together by the instructor.
Chi Aibeiās mind was full of the name He Chenjiang. How could He Chenjiang be at B University? Why would he come to B University? And in the Finance departmentāisn’t that the same as Lin Xiu…
A shadow fell from the end of the third row toward Chi Aibei. Chi Aibei followed the shadow upward. The instructor asked, “Quite active, aren’t you?”
Chi Aibei: “…” He Chenjiangāyouāre toxic!
…
The Student Union came to deliver water to the freshmen. When it was Chi Aibeiās class’s turn, many classes were already on break.
“Oh, Instructor Xue, long time no see. Still as handsome as ever!”
Instructor Xue glanced at Di Zuo, who was pushing a drink cart over. Di Zuo wasn’t in the Student Union; he was just here specifically to join the fun.
Two years ago, Instructor Xue had been quite stressed while leading Di Zuoās class. Seeing him now, he didn’t have a good expression. “What are you doing here?”
Di Zuo said with a grin, “Iām here to bring warmth to the junior brothers and sisters, and to see my future partner while Iām at it.”
Instructor Xue thought to himself, Who is so unlucky to be targeted by him again? “Who is your future partner?”
Di Zuo pointed. “There, the one you made stand as punishment.”
Instructor Xue turned to look at Chi Aibei. The others couldn’t care about the instructorās strictness and let out a collective jeer.
Meng Huaiqing came to deliver water with Di Zuo. Hearing him talk nonsense, he raised a leg and kicked the back of Di Zuoās knee, nearly making him kneel. Di Zuo looked back. “Why did you kick me?”
Meng Huaiqing: “Are you sick?”
Instructor Xue also thought he was sick. He asked Chi Aibei, “Are you his partner?”
Chi Aibei frowned and denied, “Iām not.”
Instructor Xue looked at Di Zuo. Di Zuo patted his pant leg. “Instructor Xue, didn’t I say it? Future partner. Iām currently pursuing him. Be a good person and give me some faceālet him go. Itās a hot day; don’t let the kid get heatstroke.”
Instructor Xue didn’t want to give him face, but it was true that he found Di Zuo annoying. However, the pardoned Chi Aibei wasn’t grateful to him at all.
Seeing Chi Aibei about to leave without even taking water, Di Zuo picked up a bottle of water and chased after him. “Where are you going?”
Chi Aibei glared at him. “Why are you talking nonsense?”
Di Zuo: “Where did I talk nonsense? Itās a fact that Iām pursuing you. How do you know you won’t be my partner in the future?”
Meng Huaiqing handed the task of distributing water to the boy who came along. He was about to walk over when he saw He Chenjiang rush over and pull Di Zuo away.
He Chenjiang: “He won’t be your partner.”
Di Zuo looked at this ‘Cheng Yaojin’ who had appeared out of nowhere. “If heās not my partner, then heās your partner?”
Meng Huaiqing pressed Di Zuoās shoulder. “Youāre here to deliver water, not to fight. Pay attention to your image.”
Provoked by Di Zuo, He Chenjiang spoke without thinking. “Does a betrothal count as being a partner?”
However, the person most affected by seeing He Chenjiang was Chi Aibei. Hearing those words, Chi Aibei nearly exploded.
Since He Chenjiang had said it, he might as well finish. He looked at Chi Aibei. “When we were little, you said you wanted to marry me. Have you forgotten? It was my fault before. I already know I was wrong. In the future, I willā”
“Itās broad daylight; don’t dream here.” Lin Xiuās appearance cut off He Chenjiangās unfinished promise. He pulled Chi Aibei behind him and looked at Di Zuo. “You too. The sun hasn’t set yet. Wake up, okay?”
The atmosphere instantly entered a fever pitch. A second ago, people were still jeering, but now everyone around was so quiet that not a sound could be heard.
Meng Huaiqing handed water to Chi Aibei, who was staring at the back of Lin Xiuās head. “Ignore them. Go rest.”
Chi Aibei: “Thank you, Wheelchair Gege.”
Calling him “Gege” surprised everyone even more. Although they didn’t know what the ‘Wheelchair Gege’ inside joke was, this person was the Student Union President! A famous playboy of B University plus a Student Union President, plus two candidate Campus Hunksāhis connections were just too broad!
Chi Aibei was led to the shade by Lin Xiu. Seeing he had no drink in his hand, Chi Aibei handed him his bottle. “Gege, did you not get water? You drink this; Iāll go find Wheelchair Gege for another bottle.”
Lin Xiu grabbed him. “Iām not drinking. Stay here.”
Chi Aibei sat on the ground beside Lin Xiu. He opened and closed the cap of his drink several times, as if he were holding back some incredible words.
Lin Xiu: “What do you want to say?”
Chi Aibei looked at the top of his head. “Gege, I found that you seem to have grown taller.”
Lin Xiu was already displeased. Seeing him brew for so long only to say such a sentence, he nearly fumed with anger. “You have nothing else to say?”
There originally was, but when he discovered that Lin Xiu and He Chenjiang were almost the same height when standing together, that was the only thing left in Chi Aibeiās mind.
Chi Aibei had an expression of having discovered something extraordinary. “When did you grow taller? I didn’t even notice.”
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