Chapter 61: Moon Laurel Festival: A Pretty Kitten Wagging Its Tail, Chin Tilted Proudly, Asking, ‘Am I Amazing?’
The Moon Laurel Festival was a celebration for everyone. Coupled with the approaching school anniversary, the campus was exceptionally lively during this time. The glass windows in the corridors were covered with laurel leaf paper-cuts made by students. When the wind blew, the shadows of those leaves swayed back and forth, like so many unspoken thoughts.
The tree-lined avenues were packed with various stalls. Handmade laurel wreaths emitted a faint fragrance, while the sweetness of sugar paintings mixed with the savory smell of grilled sausages. Tang Xingye had rarely participated in school activities; in high school, he had been too busy with part-time jobs to stop and experience them.
Now, with a sense of novelty, Tang Xingye wandered around. Although he didn’t understand those shy, unspoken romantic intentions, the joy in the smiles on everyone’s faces still infected him.
There were too many people coming and going. Tang Xingye inevitably experienced the feeling of staring at the backs of heads and skin pressing against skin.
His snow-white face was flushed a pale red by the heat, looking as if dyed with rouge. After a lap around, Tang Xingye was fed full by enthusiastic classmates. He found his pockets heavy, unexpectedly filled with many small items: badges, gem cufflinks, brooches, and other valuable objects.
Mm, this is trouble.
Those watching in secret were delighted to see Tang Xingye hadn’t casually thrown away the gifts.
Tang Xingye was still pondering a solution when he was blocked by someone unexpected. The person took a bracelet out of an expensive gift box and tapped it lightly, making a crisp sound.
Zhou Lin smiled and asked, “Do you like it?”
Tang Xingye had seen couples giving each other bracelets as tokens of love. He didn’t understand jade, so he asked directly, “This bracelet looks nice. How much can it sell for?”
Zhou Lin showed a hint of helplessness. “Do you not want my gift that much?”
Tang Xingye fiddled with it briefly, then lost interest. No matter how valuable jade was, to him, it was just a pretty stone. He couldn’t eat it or use it; it wasn’t as practical as cash.
He shrugged, replying evasively, “You can convert it to cash for me.”
Zhou Lin sensed his avoidance. “You can’t sell it.”
Tang Xingye curled his lip and sneered, “Oh, broken junk then.”
He knew perfectly well that someone like Zhou Lin would never gift cheap street-stall goods. But the more expensive it was, the more troublesome he found it. After all, Zhou Linâs things were never free.
“The bracelet is a collection piece from the Swedish royal family,” Zhou Lin helped put the bracelet on Tang Xingye, adding unhurriedly, “I’ve already put out the word. No auction house, domestic or foreign, will accept it.”
Tang Xingye: “…”
Bastard.
If Zhou Linâs sweet words could be sold by the kilo, he’d have made a fortune long ago.
Tang Xingye didn’t respond further. He turned to the auditorium to watch the singing performances.
Zhou Lin followed Tang Xingye, observing his expression. “Are you going up to perform?”
Tang Xingye turned his gaze. “Want to see?”
Zhou Lin: “I look forward to it.”
Tang Xingye hooked the corner of his mouth, concluding, “So you want to, huh.”
“Just keep wanting. You can dream as beautifully as you like.”
Zhou Lin: “…”
Zhou Lin saw the colorful stage lights land like fragments on those long eyelashes, light and shadow dancing there, and suddenly laughed softly. “I thought there was nothing you couldn’t do.”
Tang Xingye glanced at him. “Save that trick.”
“I can do it, but I don’t want to perform for you.”
Tang Xingye thought the other would continue with the reverse psychology, so he was a bit surprised by Zhou Linâs silence. “Why aren’t you talking?”
Zhou Lin said faintly, “If I speak, you’ll suspect I have ulterior motives.”
“Don’t you?” Tang Xingye raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming sharper. “Giving a useless broken stone that can’t be cashed out. If it gets bumped and breaks, the money is just thrown into the water. Having too much money and nowhere to spend it, just paying IQ taxes. When you’re old, I’ll specialize in selling you health supplements.”
Zhou Lin endured and endured, finally saying, “That isn’t a broken stone. I bought it at an auction for eight million.”
Tang Xingye: “…”
Eight million for his experiments could produce a splash; eight million for a braceletâwhat was the use? It would only make thieves target him.
Tang Xingyeâs attention was quickly drawn to the excitement on the other side: the Moon Laurel Festival’s special “Heart’s Intent” gambling table. The chips were non-monetary gifts given by others; everyone played just for fun.
Zhou Lin had no interest in such games, but Tang Xingyeâs gaze drifted over there. That was truly interesting. Zhou Lin had never seen Tang Xingye pay attention to gambling before.
Another cheer erupted. Gu Lao won a hand, casually tossed the chips onto the table, took a sip of wine, and leaned back. “Playing with you guys is really boring.”
“Who else wants to come? You two?” Gu Lao was still in high spirits. He turned to ask Lin Mo and Ji Chen, who had been invited but looked out of place.
Lin Mo was quietly playing chess with himself. Ji Chen was building an exquisite pyramid with playing cards, already stacked to the sixth level.
Suddenly, the chair opposite Gu Lao was pulled out, and Tang Xingye sat down naturally.
The surroundings abruptly fell silent.
Tang Xingyeâs movements were overly calm, causing Gu Lao to give him a second look.
The Beta, born with a cold and stunningly beautiful face, wore a faint smile. Slender fingers pressed down on a chip and pushed it forward. Every gesture was pleasing to the eye.
Light poured down from above his head, forming a halo; his every move became the focal point of the entire venue.
“Xing-Xing is so beautiful, I can’t handle it. Sob, forgot to bring my telephoto lens.”
“If he looks at me, I’ll give him all the chips on this table.”
“I’m so jealous of Zhou Lin and the others. If I had that luck to be his roommate, waiting on him every day, being his footrest would be fine…”
“Your calculations are bouncing right into my face. If you want to be stepped on, just say it. I’m lowly, I’m honest; I don’t just want to be stepped on, I want to lick…”
“We only play big here,” Gu Lao laughed. “Can you afford to play?”
The smile in Zhou Linâs eyes faded slightly as he stared at Tang Xingyeâs actions. Tang Xingye couldn’t be thinking of losing the bracelet he gave him right here and now?
Gu Laoâs gaze went past Tang Xingye to Zhou Lin behind him, raising an eyebrow: You paying?
Thud-thudâ
Tang Xingye tapped the table, pulling Gu Laoâs attention back. With complete indifference, he placed the gem cufflinks he had received onto the table. The blue sapphire rolled half a turn on the velvet cloth.
He smiled slightly. “Let’s begin.”
His jacket pocket revealed a bulging outline as he moved; Gu Lao guessed there were quite a few valuable gifts inside.
His interest was piqued by Tang Xingyeâs composed attitude. “Alright, let’s see how much I can win from your pocket.”
Tang Xingye shuffled the cards once, his movements flowing like moving clouds and flowing water. Ji Chen couldn’t help but be curious that someone like Tang Xingye knew how to play cards.
The dealer felt troubled. He was proficient in card techniques, but the card table was all about worldly wisdom. How many cards to keep to let the young masters win money, winning without making it look like he was throwing the game, yet giving them a sense of accomplishmentâhe knew it all like the back of his hand.
But in this current situation, he couldn’t please either side. He was being held over the fire, caught in a dilemma. He looked pleadingly toward the gentle Zhou Lin.
Zhou Lin looked toward the two in the corner: “Aren’t you coming to play?”
Lin Mo got up to deal for them. Tang Xingyeâs snow-white face held no expression, just quietly staring at the cards.
Tang Xingye lowered his eyes to look at the three cards dealt in front of him. His fingertips gently rubbed the card face, leaving a few tiny wrinkles on the velvet cloth.
“Raise,” Gu Lao pushed a stack of chips forward. “Call or fold?”
Tang Xingye took the bracelet off his wrist. “Call.”
In this circle, everyone knew exactly who bought what at auction and for how much. Gu Lao glanced at Zhou Lin; the other’s smile had dimmed. Zhou Lin was also losing his head, willing to spend capital just to coax someone…
The third card was dealt. Tang Xingyeâs hand wasn’t very good.
The onlookers couldn’t help but glare at Lin Mo and the cards. Why so insensitive! Not helping the wife win from the start!
What if the wife doesn’t win and gets unhappy, or even cries?!
Lin Mo was already dealing the fourth card. Ji Chen had leaned in at some point. “Going to win.”
Gu Lao heard this auspicious remark and grinned. He had pushed all his cards forward; Tang Xingye had no good cards in hand at all!
He flipped his hole cards. “Straight.”
Tang Xingye looked up at Gu Lao, revealing a faint smile, then suddenly flipped his hole cardâAce of Spades. With a turn of his wrist, the five cards fanned out perfectly. A pristine Royal Flush.
Gu Laoâs words stuck in his throat. He stared at that hand, his face turning from red to green, finally settling on an ugly shade of ash-gray.
Tang Xingye asked politely, “These chipsâI’ll be taking them then.”
Gu Lao looked terrible but nodded anyway.
Tang Xingye tilted his head slightly, his hair glowing under the light, carving a silvery arc. The look he gave Ji Chen carried the unique pride of a feline, a barely-there smile on his lips.
Tang Xingye knew that remark (“Going to win”) was meant for him.
Ji Chen admired Tang Xingye, the most dazzling existence in the room.
His heart moved slightly. It seemed the healed wound on his shoulder blade was tearing open again. Since the issue with his pain nerves appeared, he couldn’t find a way to perceive the world. Only the tremors of violence could penetrate that thick frosted glass, allowing him to briefly touch reality.
His heart became restless again. Ji Chen subconsciously thought his violent instincts were being awakened.
He had hurt many people. A natural urge to destroy had taught him to be dignified while using “dog-eat-dog” methods to dissolve it. Occasionally, even he was surprised by his own cruel means.
So he tired of violence and wanted to perceive things differently.
Now, the culprit making his emotions go awryâthe arrogant little cat gloating after a victory, wagging its tail, chin tilted proudly, saying, Am I amazing?
“A brilliant win,” he laughed softly. “You know how to do this?”
Tang Xingye blinked: “Beginner’s luck.”
The pretty cat, having been praised after his triumph, actually became shy, saying somewhat embarrassedly: “I’m not that amazing.”
Tang Xingye didn’t leave the table immediately. Copying Gu Laoâs tone, he asked, “Who else wants to come?”
This time Zhou Lin sat opposite. Tang Xingye didn’t notice the other slightly regretful gazes; instead, he looked at Zhou Lin, a hint of amusement appearing in his eyes.
Before dealing, Zhou Lin asked, “Is this your performance?”
Tang Xingyeâs lips hooked, not giving a direct answer: “If you think it is, then it is.”
The second round began.
Zhou Linâs habitual gentle smile faded. Tang Xingye once again used his bracelet as a chip.
“Is that not allowed?” Tang Xingye tilted his head, bangs falling before his eyelashes. “Or do you think I’ll lose?”
Zhou Linâs gaze fell on that exposed wrist bone. “Of course not. I believe in your strength.”
The first card was dealt to Tang XingyeâAce of Spades. The crowd let out a low gasp.
Tang Xingyeâs luck seemed to have run out. He lost this round; Zhou Lin won.
Tang Xingye sighed, “Your luck is very good.”
Zhou Lin, having won the hand, wasn’t in a good mood. Tang Xingye was essentially returning the gift to him.
Starting from winning against Gu Lao, it seemed the Goddess of Fate had withdrawn her favor. Tang Xingye lost more than he won, and the chips he did win weren’t valuable.
The concerned onlookers couldn’t help but get anxious, secretly cursing the cards for being insensitive, even suspecting Lin Mo was making Tang Xingye lose on purpose so he wouldn’t accept other people’s gifts. Looking left and right, they couldn’t see this indifferent dealer pulling any tricks.
Tang Xingye didn’t seem to mind this act of losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed.
Lin Mo calculated the cards. He frowned slightly in his heart and glanced at Tang Xingye. Tang Xingye looked up, gazing into his eyes.
As the game progressed, more and more people gathered to watch. They became increasingly disappointed as Tang Xingyeâs chips dwindled to almost nothing.
Until the last round, Tang Xingyeâs luck returned, winning handmade cookies from an opponent.
The opposing Alpha immediately flushed red, turning helplessly to his lover. “Senior, I lost all the cookies you baked.”
The Omega standing behind him looked at Tang Xingye, eyes shining, fingers unconsciously twisting his clothes: “It’s okay!” His voice suddenly pitched high, then he hurriedly lowered it, “If… if the classmate likes them… I can also make chocolate hazelnut and matcha white chocolate ones…”
Tang Xingye: “…”
He eventually returned all the gifts. Tired of playing, he sat in the corner drinking water. Gu Lao was unwilling to accept his loss. Across the crowd, he kept staring at Tang Xingye, unable to understand how Tang Xingye played so well in the first round, only to…
As if sensing his gaze, Tang Xingye suddenly smiled faintly at him and pulled several cards out from his cuff.
Ace of Spades, King of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds… exactly the winning hand.
Gu Laoâs pupils constricted.
So that was it. Tang Xingye had been swapping cards from the very first shuffle.
Tang Xingye casually toyed with the cards. With a flip of his fingertips, the card faces changed back into the Straight Flush Gu Lao had lost earlier.
“Youâ” Gu Lao stood up abruptly, his chair scraping a harsh sound against the floor.
Tang Xingye shook his wrist, and those cards disappeared like magic.
He imitated their habit of raising a glass, nodding to Gu Lao. “Many thanks.”
Zhou Linâs gaze swept over the messy table, the disappointed expressions of the Alphas, and the unaccepted Moon Laurel Festival gifts.
Ji Chen watched this panorama of humanity, finally realizing the meaning of the Moon Laurel Festivalâa day to express one’s feelings. The festival used to be just an ordinary symbol on the calendar to him, but now it revealed a different significance.
Giving gifts… Ji Chen couldn’t think of a suitable item for the moment. He naturally realized the shift in his thoughtsâdid caring about something really make it different?
Zhou Lin looked at Ji Chen, who remained outside the gambling game observing calmly, and suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a deliberate disappointment. “I thought you were special.”
Ji Chen didn’t get angry at the provocation. His fingertips toyed with a dart, the cold metallic light flowing between his long fingers, gently brushing the feathers.
He laughed softly at the words, but the moment he raised his eyes, silver light sliced past Zhou Linâs cheek, drawing a thread of blood before slammingâthudâinto the bullseye.
He looked up, curling his lips, yet radiating endless coldness.
“Wasn’t the lesson last time enough?”
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