Chapter 13: Don’t Be Unhappy
Pei Xilin’s time was truly limited. Even though he wanted to learn more about his “savior,” he had to force himself to sleep.
Tomorrow would bring tomorrow’s troubles. Even if he was impatient to get to know the person properly, he had to restrain himself. He had so many matters left unaddressed; he couldn’t afford to drag Chu Yang down with him.
Lying in bed, Pei Xilin found himself reluctant to sleep for the first time, yet he looked forward to tomorrow with great anticipation. Even if their next meeting might be a “tomorrow” in the distant future, he vowed he would never be in such a pathetic state again.
Before falling asleep, a muddled thought crossed his mind: if this were ancient times, he would have to “repay the favor of saving his life with his own body” to Chu Yang.
The next day, Chu Yuanzhou drove Chu Yang to class. Yawning, Chu Yang was happy enough not to drive, but…
“I’ll have to take a taxi back after class.” Today was Friday; after four classes, the weekend was free—unless Chu Yuanzhou agreed to let him stay at school.
Sure enough, as soon as he said that, Chu Yuanzhou immediately replied, “I’ll pick you up in the afternoon. We’ll go out for a meal.”
Chu Yang perked up in a second. “What kind of meal? If it’s one of those business ones, forget it. I’m not interested.”
“It’s not the kind you hate. It’s a friend who just returned to the country. We’re meeting for dinner tonight; I’ll introduce you.”
That sounded okay. Chu Yang nodded, then felt something was off. He slowly turned his head to stare at Chu Yuanzhou. “What friend do you have that I don’t know about?”
He was like a wary little kitten.
Chu Yuanzhou couldn’t help but laugh. “You really don’t know this one. He went abroad midway through school. We only recently got back in touch because of a business deal.”
“Fine.”
“Why so bossy? You even want to control what friends your brother makes?” Despite his words, Chu Yuanzhou actually thoroughly enjoyed this side of him.
Chu Yang let out a huff but didn’t speak.
Arriving early at school, Chu Yang went back to the dorm to get his textbooks. As soon as he walked in, he was subjected to the “baptism” of Si Yao’s gaze.
Chu Yang found the look baffling. “What is it?”
Si Yao’s expression was strange. “Seeing if you have someone else’s scent on you.”
“You can ‘see’ a scent?” Chu Yang found it a bit funny. Si Yao’s expression was quite heavy today, but he didn’t seem exactly unhappy. Chu Yang took a couple more looks.
“I can’t see it,” Si Yao said, then immediately leaned in close. His nose twitched a few times before he frowned. “There’s the scent of someone else on you.”
“…Do you have a dog’s nose?” Chu Yang was a bit speechless. “So what if there’s someone else’s scent? What are you going to do? Arrest them? You’d have a lot of people to arrest then.”
The reason Si Yao could keep his cool right now was entirely an act. His temper was normally the type to ignite at a single touch.
Hearing Chu Yang say that, he was about to lose his composure. He hurriedly chased after the other. “What do you mean? You were with that many people? Who were they?”
Chu Yang sat lazily at his desk, pulling out his books and pens before replying, “Many. My brother, the auntie, my dog, and a lot of people on the road just now.”
Si Yao and the other two let out a sigh of relief, though they spoke with a hint of reproach. “You don’t understand what I’m talking about.”
Chu Yang didn’t argue; instead, he agreed, “Mm, I don’t.”
He sounded lazy, with a hint of helplessness. Those who didn’t know better would think he was coaxing a partner, but his tone was casual… a bit like a “player.”
Si Yao’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head away and repeated, “You just don’t understand.”
But he didn’t get a follow-up. Chu Yang had already opened his book to read.
One thing about Chu Yang was that his curiosity was quite low. Even if someone hesitated and tested him repeatedly in front of him, it wouldn’t increase his curiosity; instead, it would only annoy him.
There was still half an hour until class. It was only because Chu Yuanzhou had to go to work and insisted on dropping him off that Chu Yang had arrived so early. After a quick scan of the upcoming lecture material, he closed the book.
Before he could pick up his phone, Xie An handed a bowl to him. “Grapes. Very sweet.”
“Thanks.” Chu Yang picked one up and put it in his mouth. With a bite, the juice burst in his mouth. He narrowed his eyes—it really was sweet.
Xie An remained standing before him, waiting for him to take a second one. Si Yao let out a scoff and sat back at his own desk.
Waiting until the second grape was eaten, Xie An asked, “Is that girl from yesterday okay? Are you dropping her off at class today?”
Chu Yang usually arrived just in time, so his early arrival today sparked confusion and other suspicions.
Chu Yang shook his head. “No, she doesn’t have class today.”
Xie An: “Oh, you came so early, I thought…”
“My brother dropped me off on his way to work,” Chu Yang said casually.
Xie An smiled. “So that’s how it is.”
While Xie An was asking, both Si Yao and Lin Zhiheng were listening intently. Both felt relieved. They also somewhat admired Xie An’s ability to probe for information so smoothly. If it were them, they definitely wouldn’t be able to remain so composed.
Lunch was at the cafeteria. The professor let them out early for the last class. It had been very hot lately, and Chu Yang often had no appetite. Just walking to the cafeteria made him feel greasy; he didn’t really want to go.
Xie An coaxed him, saying they were out early and the cafeteria wouldn’t be crowded. He mentioned they could go to a small private booth on the third floor where the AC was cool, and they could have some sour plum juice to whet his appetite, along with some cold side dishes.
Lin Zhiheng gave an “mm” in agreement. “If we go back to the dorm now, it’ll take a while for the AC to cool the room down.”
Si Yao: “Yeah. Plus, after eating, it’s quite satisfying to look down from the balcony and watch everyone else scrambling for food.”
Chu Yang gave him a speechless look. “….”
Eventually, they decided to eat at the cafeteria. Chu Yang walked out of the teaching building with his mini-fan. He kept his eyes lowered to avoid the stinging sunlight, his brow furrowed slightly from the heat, giving him a cold expression.
His thin lips were pressed together, as if he were very unhappy.
It was all the weather’s fault, but his cold, weary appearance only made people want to bother him more. Like a stinky little kitten at home with a bad temper who ignored everyone—he needed to be coaxed properly.
But the three “Door Gods” beside him were quite an eyesore.
As soon as they left the teaching building, Lin Zhiheng opened an umbrella to shield Chu Yang. He was much taller than Chu Yang, so he could indeed block the sun, but it was still hot.
The mini-fan hummed, blowing his bangs back. His lips and cheeks were flushed red, yet there wasn’t a drop of sweat to be seen.
Si Yao also had a temper like a furnace. His face was sour, and after being avoided twice by Chu Yang, it became even more obvious. His stubborn streak kicked in as he stared at Chu Yang’s flushed lips. “Is it really that hot? You’re still unhappy even with all this.”
Chu Yang didn’t plan to respond, but the other kept leaning in closer. Chu Yang frowned and dodged to the other side of Lin Zhiheng.
Lin Zhiheng, who had been paying close attention to him, quickly tilted the umbrella and draped an arm loosely around Chu Yang’s shoulder.
After dodging, Chu Yang said to Si Yao, “You’re too hot. Don’t get too close to me.”
Si Yao stared at Lin Zhiheng’s arm draped behind Chu Yang. That “bastard” had scored again. Gritting his teeth, he said, “It’s because I’m in good health!”
Chu Yang didn’t care if his health was good or not; he just wanted him to stay away. He gave a few “mm-hmms” and “ohs,” which was incredibly irritating.
Lin Zhiheng gave a light chuckle at his perfunctory response and circled back to Chu Yang’s right side to block the sun for him.
Xie An carried Chu Yang’s textbooks and pens, following behind them without a word.
For many years in the past, he had followed Chu Yang like this. Even though he had wanted to be friends with him very early on, he hadn’t taken that step forward due to his low self-esteem.
And Chu Yang was forgetful. Even though he had helped him time and again, he hadn’t recognized him after they met again in university.
Xie An felt some regret, but he also didn’t want Chu Yang to remember that pathetic, weak version of himself.
The three of them looked like Chu Yang’s bodyguards, tall and broad as they surrounded him and escorted him all the way to the cafeteria.
Since there weren’t many people yet, the three of them chose a small private booth on the third floor and quickly ordered.
Xie An was the first to order a cold dish and a tin of sour plum juice.
Si Yao immediately let out a huff and ordered dishes Chu Yang usually liked. Lin Zhiheng ordered a soup.
The sour plum juice and cold dish arrived first. Chu Yang sipped through a straw with his eyes lowered, still looking listless.
Si Yao stared at him for a long while before frowning and asking, “Are you feeling unwell?”
Chu Yang lifted his eyelids, gave him a glance, and then looked back down. “No, just tired. And thirsty.”
For some reason, Si Yao felt that Chu Yang was impatient with him. After thinking for a bit, he blurted out: “You’re a player.”
Xie An and Lin Zhiheng immediately stared at Chu Yang in unison.
Chu Yang was still drinking his sour plum juice, his eyelids not even moving. It was clear he didn’t think the comment was directed at him.
Lin Zhiheng and Xie An gave Si Yao a warning look.
“….”
The food arrived, but the phone “ate” first.
Chu Yang took a photo and had just put his phone down—
Lin Zhiheng asked, “Reporting to your brother again?”
“It’s sharing.” He and Chu Yuanzhou sent things to each other all the time; how was that reporting?
Xie An: “I’m so envious. I don’t have a brother like that.”
After finishing the meal, Chu Yang and the others prepared to return to the dorm. There were two more classes in the afternoon; they could go back now to shower and have a nap.
Next to the cafeteria was a convenience store. Chu Yang stood in the shade by the cafeteria entrance, looking first at the sun-scorched ground and then at the store.
“I’m going to buy a bottle of water. What do you guys want to drink?” Having said that, he impatiently stepped toward the store.
“The same as you,” the three said in unison.
“….” Chu Yang waved his mini-fan to signal he heard them.
His slender back looked light and quick, the sunlight chasing his hair.
It was strange—for such a radiant person, he really didn’t like summer.
The convenience store was small, but the AC was blasting. His roommates all liked sports, so Chu Yang grabbed a basket and loaded it with three bottles of sports drinks and some mineral water. He also “stocked up” at the freezer with several ice creams and a few bags of grape ice balls.
After paying, he impatiently unscrewed the mineral water and took a sip. Just as he was about to head out with the bag, someone took it from him.
For a split second, Chu Yang thought it was a robbery. He looked up and was stunned—it was Si Yao, drenched in sweat.
“What are you standing at the door for?” Chu Yang pulled his hand back and asked in confusion.
Si Yao: “Waiting for you.”
“…..Oh.” Chu Yang looked at Si Yao’s sweaty forehead but didn’t ask why he didn’t come inside for the AC. Maybe he just didn’t want to.
Just as he was about to step out the door, someone suddenly grabbed Chu Yang’s arm. “…Hello.”
Chu Yang stopped and turned around. Before him was a completely unfamiliar face—it was a girl. Her face was very red. She touched his arm and quickly let go.
She was nervous. Chu Yang’s voice subconsciously dropped a bit as he asked gently, “Is there something I can help you with?”
The girl shook her head, took a deep breath, and looked up at him. “No… I just wanted to ask if you’re planning to get into a relationship?”
When Chu Yang rejected confessions from men, his reason was that he didn’t like men. When he rejected girls, he said he wasn’t ready for a relationship yet.
Everyone was anxious to know when he would be ready, or if it was just a generic excuse he used to reject people.
But what Chu Yang said was true. He really wasn’t ready for a relationship. Perhaps the people confessing to him knew him well, but for him, they were still at the stage of complete strangers. He didn’t want to start a relationship casually.
The others didn’t know this; they only knew his reason for rejection was very common.
Moreover, he had carried a girl to the infirmary yesterday and then driven her home. Those videos set to romantic BGM had been watched repeatedly by many, leading people to think that perhaps he was ready for romance.
And so, the seeds buried in the soil had quietly sprouted—
Chu Yang was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, “Sorry, I’m not ready yet.”
“It’s too hot in the summer. I’m afraid of the heat, so I don’t really want to go out on dates.” He said this in a joking tone, looking a bit troubled and helpless, as if the summer really was making things difficult for him.
The girl gave a soft “mm.” The love letter hidden in her pocket remained there. She had prepared it long ago but hadn’t expected to run into him suddenly at the convenience store. She had plucked up her courage to grab him…
Fortunately, there weren’t many people around, so it wasn’t too awkward.
Chu Yang unconsciously turned the water bottle in his hand. He knew the girl was waiting for him to leave the store first.
He turned, grabbed the bag from Si Yao’s hand, took out some ice cream and ice balls, and handed them to the girl. “Have some ice in the summer. Don’t be unhappy.”
With the light behind him, his smile was brilliant. Anyone would be captivated.
Translator’s Note:
Key Terms:
- Door Gods (門神): Protective deities placed at doors; here, it refers to the three roommates who are always guarding Chu Yang.
- Salted Fish (鹹魚): Earlier context, but Chu Yang’s “lazy” attitude toward everything except money and games fits this well.
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