Chapter 34: Date…
Ji Zhenyi let out a sigh. She started typing in the chat box, deleted it, and then started again. Finally, she gritted her teeth and sent what she had originally intended: [Since you also think they look good, I wanted to ask you…]
[Our faculty is holding a competition. Can I use these two pieces to enter?]
These two paintings had been completed before the competition was even announced. In fact, she had painted them while her leg was still injured. Perhaps because her mobility was restricted, her artistic intuition had been at an all-time high. Because the memories of that day were so deeply etched into her mind, these were the best paintings she had ever produced.
From the initial sketches to the layering of colors, everything had gone perfectly.
The moment the professor mentioned that students could use past works for the competition, these two paintings flashed through Ji Zhenyi’s mind. She truly wanted others to see them, though she also harbored a few private motives.
She had tried painting a few new pieces for the competition, but she wasn’t satisfied with any of them. No matter how she looked at it, her gaze always returned to the two paintings of Chu Yang. After some deliberation, she decided to ask him for permission.
She was prepared to be rejected. If he said no, she would simply submit her most recent work.
Chu Yang agreed, but it was clear he hadn’t picked up on any underlying meaning.
Chu Yang: [Sure, I have no problem with that.]
Ji Zhenyi’s style wasn’t strictly realistic; it was more akin to a refined manhua style. Chu Yang didn’t think anyone would immediately recognize him from the drawings.
That was just how he was—forever oblivious to how much attention he actually drew.
Ji Zhenyi bit her lip. From Chu Yang’s nonchalant attitude, she could tell he didn’t feel anything. She could sense it to some extent… well, never mind…
Ji Zhenyi: [Great. As a thank you, I’ll treat you to dinner. Don’t refuse this time. That mushroom chicken soup place is really delicious.]
Chu Yang: [Alright. When?]
Ji Zhenyi: [How about tomorrow night? The day after is the weekend, so you can head home right after eating.]
Chu Yang: [Okay.]
Ji Zhenyi: [That’s settled then. I’ll bring my roommate, Yuyuan. You can bring a friend too.]
Chu Yang: [OK]
If Ji Zhenyi was bringing a friend, Chu Yang knew he had to bring someone as well. Otherwise, it would be incredibly awkward if he ran out of things to say to two girls.
He locked his screen and looked up, only to meet Pei Xilin’s dark, brooding gaze. Chu Yang stared back at him for a moment. “…”
Pei Xilin’s jaw was clenched so tight that the words seemed to be squeezed through his teeth. “I’ll go with you.”
Chu Yang’s brow furrowed instantly. He leaned back to put some distance between them. “What would you be going for?”
Aside from anything else, Chu Yang felt that the danger surrounding Pei Xilin hadn’t been fully resolved. Wouldn’t bringing him along just be putting others in harm’s way?
Pei Xilin: “You want someone to accompany you.”
He couldn’t do much, but if Chu Yang needed a companion, why couldn’t it be him? He desperately wanted to know what Chu Yang would talk about with that girl and how things would develop.
Paintings. Paintings of him moving freely on the court. Paintings of him riding a bicycle through the campus with someone on the back.
So many girls, in their youthful longing, fantasized about sitting on the back of the bike of the boy they liked, or going to the court to watch him play and handing him a bottle of water.
All of that had actually happened to someone else.
At the thought that these scenes were real, Pei Xilin almost bit his gums until they bled.
He lowered his eyes. “Aren’t we friends?”
He was trying to play the pity card.
Chu Yang burst out laughing and gave Pei Xilin a playful shove. “Why are you also so possessive of your friends? Don’t you have any other friends?”
Pei Xilin wasn’t the first person like this that he had encountered.
The other prime example was Yin Lianchuan. During a certain period, Chu Yang hadn’t really liked interacting with people, yet he had always remained quite popular.
Once they got a bit older, Yin Lianchuan had forbidden him from making other friends. They had argued for about a week, with Yin Lianchuan nearly losing his mind. Chu Yang had almost given him another beating but restrained himself, opting instead to ignore him as if he didn’t exist.
Yin Lianchuan naturally understood what was happening—Chu Yang was giving him the cold shoulder, exactly like a couple having a fight.
By then, Yin Lianchuan had more or less realized his true feelings for Chu Yang. In any case, he couldn’t stand the thought of Chu Yang being closer to anyone else, with the exception of Chu Yuanzhou.
At the time, Chu Yang had called him a psycho and told him to go get help.
Fearing that Chu Yang wouldn’t accept a “psycho” friend, Yin Lianchuan had searched for evidence online. Fortunately, he found several posts from people—mostly girls—stating that they had experienced periods of inexplicable possessiveness over their friends. That was enough to make Chu Yang believe him.
Chu Yang had reluctantly accepted this possessiveness, on the condition that he wouldn’t resort to the silent treatment as long as Yin Lianchuan’s possessiveness didn’t flare up.
[…Is that something I can even control?] Yin Lianchuan had looked at Chu Yang reproachfully.
Chu Yang hadn’t cared. If Yin Lianchuan wanted to make a fuss, he would play along until one of them couldn’t take it anymore.
Now, years later, he had met another one. Chu Yang pressed his palm against the sofa and looked at Pei Xilin with a half-smile.
Sensing the slight shift in his mood, Pei Xilin gave a soft “mm.” “I don’t have any friends.”
That part was true, but Chu Yang had heard that answer before too.
Back then, Yin Lianchuan had said: “I don’t have any friends. Those lackeys of mine are only after my money. You’re the only one who actually hits me.”
The words were true, but so what?
Chu Yang straightened Pei Xilin’s cufflink. His movements were gentle, as was his voice, yet his words were heartless. “Make a few more friends when you have the time… and you’ll be cured.”
Pei Xilin looked up and met that indifferent gaze. He knew there was no room for negotiation. He stood up abruptly. “Fine, I’ll listen to you… I’ll go make dinner now. Wait for me.”
With that, he practically fled. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, Chu Yang wouldn’t even want to stay for dinner.
Just then, Si Yao’s messages started chiming non-stop.
Chu Yang had sent him a few messages the previous night to “calm him down,” but when Si Yao noticed Chu Yang still hadn’t shown up for class today, his mind began to wander.
When Chu Yang claimed Pei Xilin was a friend last night, Si Yao hadn’t believed him for a second. Pei Xilin clearly looked like someone “from the streets”; how could Chu Yang have a friend like that?
Chu Yang had been forced to pivot and say the man was his brother’s friend, and that he had only taken him to the hotel at his brother’s request.
Si Yao had remained skeptical. The whole dorm had met Chu Yuanzhou and eaten with him; it was obvious the man was wary of them.
Given that, how could he possibly let Chu Yang rescue another man? It wasn’t safe at all! What if that giant brute crushed him!
However, between Chu Yang’s explanation and the fact that he was “straight,” Si Yao had been easily fooled.
It wasn’t until Chu Yang skipped class today that he began to feel something was wrong again. Had something happened last night that prevented him from coming to class? He had called several times but Chu Yang hadn’t answered. Now, he had even run all the way to the hotel from the night before.
[Missed Call] [The party did not answer] [I’m at the hotel now. Don’t be scared, I’m here to save you.] [You didn’t actually get a room with someone, did you??]
After failing to reach Chu Yang by phone, Si Yao had gone to the front desk. Fortunately, the staff valued privacy and hadn’t given him Chu Yang’s room number—they hadn’t even told him that Chu Yang had already checked out.
After several minutes of fruitlessly pestering the staff, Si Yao pulled out his phone, intending to have his father’s secretary look into it. Before he could dial, Chu Yang finally replied.
Chu Yang: [You won’t find me at the hotel.]
Si Yao: [!!! Where did you go!]
Chu Yang: [Home. Why are you at the hotel looking for me?]
Si Yao: [I was afraid you really got a room with someone!]
Chu Yang frowned and sent him an “Are you sick?” emoji.
Si Yao stood in front of the hotel grinning like a fool as he tapped the emoji. The idiot replied: [As long as you weren’t getting a room with someone, it’s fine.]
Chu Yang hadn’t intended to continue this conversation, but then again—
[…Are you free tomorrow night? My treat for dinner?]
Si Yao had been prepared for Chu Yang not to reply at all. He never expected another sentence, let alone an invitation to dinner.
[Of course I’m free! What time? Why the sudden desire to treat me to dinner?]
Chu Yang: [I wanted to thank you.]
He believed Si Yao’s claim that he had followed him out of concern about a conflict with Lin Zhiheng.
Si Yao continued to grin like a fool. He wanted to say there was no need for thanks, but he also wanted to eat with Chu Yang. After a long pause, he replied: [Alright. What time?]
He was desperate to confirm, fearing the opportunity might slip away.
Chu Yang: [Tomorrow after class.]
Si Yao: [Okay, I’ll head back and wait for you. Get back to school early. Lin Zhiheng isn’t here right now either.]
Chu Yang: [Mm, thanks.]
After finishing dinner at Pei Xilin’s, Chu Yang stayed a while longer before heading back to school. He didn’t let Pei Xilin drive him; he drove himself.
Before he left, Pei Xilin had tried to put the safe full of cash into the passenger seat. Chu Yang stopped him. “Don’t. I won’t be able to explain it if I take a whole safe of money back with me.”
Pei Xilin: “…Then I’ll give it to you next time.”
Chu Yang buckled his seatbelt and rested his elbow on the window, raising an eyebrow. “Didn’t you already transfer it to me? Any more, and it really would be an improper relationship.”
“Close my door.”
He signaled to the silent Pei Xilin, who had no choice but to comply. “Then I’ll give it to you once our relationship is proper.”
Chu Yang was puzzled for a second before saying, “You say the funniest things.”
His response made it sound like Pei Xilin was just playing with words.
Pei Xilin: “…”
The next day, classes proceeded as usual. The atmosphere in the dorm remained the same—neither awkward nor comfortable, but no one felt it was out of place. That was simply how they had always interacted.
Si Yao had been up early, selecting clothes from his wardrobe. He couldn’t find anything he liked; maybe he should just go out and buy a new outfit.
This was the first time Chu Yang had invited him out for a solo dinner. He should dress well. Maybe if Chu Yang saw him looking good, he’d be willing to hold hands. Perhaps he’d even turn gay all of a sudden.
But he wasn’t crazy enough to run out right then. He waited until the lunch break before heading straight to the mall, where he bought five new outfits in one go. By the time he hurried back, class had already resumed. He sat next to Chu Yang in his new clothes, grinning like a fool.
He even noticed that he was wearing a trench coat, which made them look a bit like a couple in their matching outerwear.
Today, Chu Yang was wearing a black turtleneck sweater, black trousers, and a white trench coat. He had accessorized with a necklace shaped like an exquisite silver whistle.
He had even used silver chains to cinch his waist, which made his proportions look even more insane and his legs even longer.
Not to mention how eye-catching his face was. The black turtleneck hugged his slender neck, and the small patch of white skin revealed above it was enough to make anyone want to look closer. Yet, because so little was visible, it felt incredibly stoic and restrained.
Indeed, such clothes only looked sexier on exceptionally beautiful people.
Si Yao swallowed hard with difficulty. He leaned in and whispered against Chu Yang’s ear, “Are you… are you wearing this… for our date? It’s…”
He must really matter to him then….
“What did you say?” Chu Yang pulled out his earphone and turned to look at him.
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