Chapter 34: The Unreachable Cold God (9)
It wasn’t until Huo Xian returned home that he learned the details of Vice Principal Chou’s situation from his mother.
Vice Principal Chou, whose full name was Chou Qingping, shared the same name and year of admission to Hua University as Huo Xian’s father. Both were top students in their respective provinces in the sciences. The difference was that Huo Xian’s father came from a family with a long academic history, living a life of comfort from a young age. Chou Qingping, however, was a student from a poor family. Due to their disparate backgrounds, Chou Qingping had always harbored a sense of jealousy towards Huo Xian’s father, constantly comparing himself.
Huo Xian’s father, in his youth, was also competitive, so the rivalry between the two “Qingpings” continued. However, Huo Xian’s father always won.
Later, when both Huo Xian’s father and Chou Qingping applied for the same professor’s graduate program, Chou Qingping’s aim wasn’t the professor’s research, but his daughter. In his youth, Chou Qingping was quite handsome. But despite his talents and appearance, he lacked a good family background. He was consumed by feelings of inferiority, envy, and jealousy, and harbored aspirations for sudden elevation in status.
For instance, marrying into a wealthy family.
The professor was a local, and his family were all intellectuals. They didn’t object to their excellent daughter having suitors. Moreover, Chou Qingping, besides his lacking background, was otherwise quite good, and even his jealousy was well-hidden.
Things seemed to be going smoothly, but after seeing more of society and the world, Chou Qingping became increasingly restless and blinded by money.
He leaked the professor’s research materials for profit. If it weren’t for the professor’s daughter’s plea, he would have been imprisoned. However, the professor’s daughter’s devotion and selfless help did not lead to his remorse or reform. He soon broke up with her after getting drunk and assaulting a rich girl who had pursued him for a long time, claiming he had to take responsibility. Huo Xian’s father investigated later; the so-called “drunk assault” was a scene he had orchestrated himself to break up with the professor’s daughter and get together with the rich girl.
Chou Qingping did marry the rich girl, but she died unexpectedly three years later. He then married his current wife, a wealthy and beautiful woman whose uncle was the newly appointed director of the Education Bureau. Chou Qingping’s rise to the position of vice principal at Experimental No. 1 High School was entirely due to that director.
Coincidentally, the recently retired Education Bureau director was Huo Xian’s father’s cousin. Even in retirement, his influence remained.
Huo Xian’s mother told him, “Our family doesn’t bully others, but we won’t let others bully us either. Whether your classmate was joking around or intentionally harming you, unless he apologizes, we will pursue this to the end.”
Huo Xian felt a warmth in his heart and asked about the Mei family.
“The Mei family doesn’t have many children in this generation, and they are all very spoiled.” Huo Xian’s mother clearly knew the Mei family. “But except for your classmate, the other Mei children are quite good.”
From his mother’s tone, the Mei family probably couldn’t threaten the Huo family, so he put that aside.
“Mom, I want to enroll in a Sanda or other martial arts class,” Huo Xian said.
His mother was curious and then slightly frowned. She was a very intelligent woman and immediately connected it to Mei Heng. “That Mei family child doesn’t have a good reputation at school. Did he bully you?”
Huo Xian was surprised by her perceptiveness but didn’t want to worry her. “No, I want to exercise. I mostly sit in school and rarely get to exercise.”
“Just to exercise?” His mother didn’t fully believe him.
Huo Xian nodded and smiled lightly: “Yes.”
His mother looked at his faint smile and teased him, “Son, you should smile more. Ice-cold gods aren’t in fashion these days. What if you can’t find a wife in the future?”
Huo Xian: …
[Ding dong.]
Huo Yuan arrived with his notification sound and asked curiously: [Why aren’t ice-cold gods popular? There are so many works about ice-cold gods online.]
Huo Xian’s eyelids twitched at this: [What kind of works?]
[Many, many. Let me read them to you: The Iceberg’s Tenderness, The Overbearing CEO is a Little Cold, My Poker-Faced Boyfriend, The Peerless Prince…]
[Stop!] Huo Xian hurriedly interrupted him.
Huo Yuan: [What’s wrong?]
Huo Xian’s mouth twitched, [Huo Yuan, what have you been watching?] Things like “Iceberg’s Tenderness” and “Overbearing CEO” were ancient stories from who knows when.
Huo Yuan said excitedly: [I’m learning! Huo Xian, I now understand the meaning of ‘Seme’ and ‘Uke.’ It turns out that not only are men and men divided into Seme and Uke, but women and women are too.]
Huo Xian opened his mouth: […]
[Huo Xian, I can clearly answer your previous question now!] Huo Yuan’s tone became serious.
[…Which question?] Huo Xian had a bad feeling.
Huo Yuan said earnestly, [You don’t look like a Uke, you’re a Seme, a very, very strong Seme… um… should your type be classified as a strong Seme? Or a handsome Seme? A beautiful Seme?]
Huo Xian: […]
Huo Yuan added, [But you seem a little thin now, and your muscles aren’t as big as He Wenqu’s.]
Huo Xian: […]
Before Huo Yuan could continue to tease him, he found his voice: [Huo Yuan.]
[Ah?]
Huo Xian resisted the urge to facepalm, saying, [Send me the novels you’ve read later.] He had to strictly supervise Huo Yuan’s “learning,” and some messy things had to be filtered out.
After Huo Yuan agreed, he added, [I also downloaded many movies, TV shows, and anime. Should I send you those too? But I downloaded a lot, and you spend too much time studying now, you might not be able to watch much.]
Huo Xian: […]
He took a deep breath and said seriously, [Huo Yuan, your studies are suspended until I see your list of works.]
[Eh? Why?] Huo Yuan was puzzled.
Huo Xian: [No reason, just listen to me, be good.]
[…Okay.] Although Huo Yuan had just discovered the joy of learning, he obeyed Huo Xian’s order. Huo Xian was a native, and he knew more.
…
Sunday.
Huo Xian’s parents were out of town, leaving him alone at home. He went for a run in the morning and had breakfast outside.
Standing in front of the extensive breakfast menu, Huo Xian experienced a rare bout of decision paralysis. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he called out to Huo Yuan, [Huo Yuan, help me choose two breakfast items.]
[Okay!] Huo Yuan responded enthusiastically. After quickly scanning the menu, he analyzed seriously: [Based on my studies, “breakfast” is the most important meal for the brain, and its energy comes from carbohydrates. You need to eat some starchy foods, and protein is indispensable. To achieve acid-base balance, you also need to consume a certain amount of fruits and vegetables. Based on your weight and stomach capacity, and the types of food available at this store, I recommend chrysanthemum leaf soup buns, beef noodles, and eggs. You can supplement with some nuts and fruit at home.]
Huo Xian: […]
He only had decision paralysis and wanted to choose two things to eat; he didn’t ask for a nutritional analysis report.
But since Huo Yuan had recommended them, he naturally accepted.
Soon, the steaming hot breakfast was served.
[Is it delicious?] Huo Yuan asked curiously.
Huo Xian paused, a faint smile on his lips. [Work hard to earn enough points. When you have a physical form, I’ll take you to try some.]
[I don’t know how many points completing a world’s mission will give,] Huo Yuan said regretfully, [Anyway, I definitely won’t be able to try it in this world.]
[Then I’ll try more for you?] Huo Xian asked mischievously.
[Okay, okay.] Huo Yuan happily agreed.
Huo Xian: […]
[Huo Xian, when I have enough points to materialize, I’ll cook for you.] Huo Yuan said excitedly.
[Cook? You can?] Huo Xian was surprised.
Huo Yuan answered confidently: [No!]
Huo Xian: […]
[But I can learn! In the novels I read yesterday, many Ukes were very good at cooking. I’ve recorded all the recipes. When I materialize, I’ll cook for you according to the recipes!] Huo Yuan said confidently.
Huo Xian’s expression became somewhat subtle. He wanted to ask, “Do you know who Ukes cook for?”, but he guessed Huo Yuan wouldn’t understand, so he didn’t ask.
Midway through the meal, Huo Yuan reminded him that He Wenqu and Yu Zi’an had also entered the shop.
Emmmm…
Well, although it’s not the previous world, the encounter of the main characters on a normal timeline is still destined.
Huo Xian looked up and met He Wenqu’s gaze. He Wenqu, who had been chattering to Yu Zi’an, was caught off guard by Huo Xian’s eyes, stopping mid-sentence. His eyes were particularly bright at that moment.
Yu Zi’an seemed to sense something and looked towards Huo Xian, his already pursed lips tightening further.
Soon, Yu Zi’an shifted his gaze back to the electronic menu, as if he hadn’t seen Huo Xian. He casually asked He Wenqu, “Wenqu, what are you eating?”
He Wenqu had taken a step, but after hearing Yu Zi’an’s voice, he retracted it. Obviously, his mind wasn’t on breakfast. He casually ordered two things and didn’t notice Yu Zi’an’s strange look… He hated cilantro, but he ordered a cilantro bun. Yu Zi’an didn’t say anything; after ordering, he found an empty seat and went to sit next to Huo Xian.
Interestingly, He Wenqu’s eyes were glued to Huo Xian, yet he pretended to be unconcerned and sat down at the next table, greeting him with a smirk, looking indifferent.
Huo Yuan silently logged on to complain: [Isn’t this what novels call tsundere?]
Huo Xian continued to eat breakfast, replying in his mind, [Read fewer novels, be good.]
[Then I’ll watch dramas.] Huo Yuan was a little regretful that hundreds of novels he had collected were banned by Huo Xian, but Huo Xian’s reason was sufficient: novels were created by authors, and collecting them without paying was piracy. Huo Xian had bought memberships on several video websites to let him study; now he could watch many dramas.
[Mm, good.]
From beginning to end, Huo Xian didn’t give He Wenqu a single glance. He Wenqu initially tried to hide his feelings but, seeing that Huo Xian was truly ignoring him, he felt lost, resentful, and a little aggrieved.
When Huo Xian left, He Wenqu felt like his heart had flown away too, his gaze never leaving him.
A “click” snapped him back to his senses. He looked at Yu Zi’an, who had put down his chopsticks. Looking down at his plate, the cilantro bun was already smashed, and the smell of cilantro, which he hated, filled the air. He pinched his nose in disgust and moved the bun away.
“I’m going home.” Yu Zi’an said.
“Ah?” He Wenqu was stunned and quickly said, “Didn’t we say we were going to the arcade? Why are you going home?”
Because your heart has already followed Huo Xian. Yu Zi’an replied in his heart.
He didn’t answer, only saying indifferently, “Order a new breakfast,” before leaving.
Looking at his departing back, He Wenqu’s face gradually turned to bewilderment. Why were they all so dismissive of him?
Author’s Note: Calculation error, this world has 23 chapters. I’ve found my rhythm, it will be slower from now on…
=v=
Thanks to little fairy Ge Shan You Ru Yuan for feeding me a landmine, love you =3=
Thanks to little fairies “Shu” for watering the nutrient solution +1, “Si Wu” +1, “Shang Shan Ruo Shui” +5, “You You Zi Mo” +1, “Ling Xi” +5, “xuelinpei” +10, “flyl” +10, and “Grapefruit Tea” +5. Thank you so much, love you =33333333333=