The night had grown deep. The wind swept through the campus, rustling the thick canopy of the old banyan tree, its leaves whispering against the dark sky.
Bai Zhou and Fu Linyi walked side by side along the narrow path back to school. Neither spoke. The silence between them stretched, dense and uneasy, like fog settling over water.
In the end, Chi Shuyi turned away just as Bai Zhou had predicted. Fu Linchen had also turned his head and seen Chi Shuyi standing there, realizing at that moment that Bai Zhou had used him.
Everything unfolded exactly as Bai Zhou had planned, except for one thing: Fu Linyi’s sour face beside him.
Still, that was a minor detail. All in all, Bai Zhou considered the mission a success. He lowered his head, quietly reviewing everything in his mind, but Fu Linyi took the gesture as a sign of guilt. His irritation deepened, teeth grinding in silence.
Without warning, he grabbed Bai Zhou’s wrist and pulled him forcefully toward the park.
That park was famous in A University, known as the lovers’ sanctuary. Especially at night, it was full of couples who kept to themselves, too busy with whispered laughter and soft touches to notice anyone else.
Fu Linyi dragged Bai Zhou to a quiet corner. Then, after pulling him there, he simply stood in front of him, refusing to speak, his expression dark and stubborn, like a child sulking after losing an argument but unwilling to admit defeat.
He didn’t speak, and Bai Zhou didn’t either.
The air was thick with the hum of summer insects. Mosquitoes gathered in the dim light under the trees. Bai Zhou didn’t want to linger in the sticky heat. He turned to leave, but the moment he moved, Fu Linyi yanked him back hard.
His back hit the rough bark of a tree, pain bursting through him. Bai Zhou gasped softly.
Fu Linyi hadn’t meant to hurt him. He froze, startled, and immediately reached out, wanting to lift Bai Zhou’s shirt to see if he’d scraped his skin, but Bai Zhou dodged him.
Already simmering with frustration, Fu Linyi’s temper flared higher at Bai Zhou’s resistance. The space between them felt like a spark waiting for a drop of oil.
And then, cutting through the tension, came the sharp and sudden ping of a message notification.
Bai Zhou glanced down, just about to check his phone, when Fu Linyi snatched it away.
“Who’s that?” His voice was low, eyes blazing. “Bai Zhou, how many people are you planning to string along?”
His tone was fierce, his words bitten out between clenched teeth.
“I used to think you liked my brother,” Fu Linyi said bitterly. “But now you use him just to make Chi Shuyi jealous?”
He gave a hollow laugh. “So what is it now? You like Chi Shuyi? No, if you really liked him, neither of us would even have a chance, would we?”
His expression twisted. “No, Bai Zhou, you don’t like anyone, do you? Not my brother. Not Chi Shuyi. No one at all.”
He took a step closer, voice trembling with anger. “You just like this, don’t you? Being chased, being adored. Watching everyone revolve around you, fighting over you, does that make you happy? Does it make you feel powerful?”
He hadn’t meant to start a fight. He had dragged Bai Zhou here wanting to reconcile, to talk it out. But once he opened his mouth, the words refused to stop, pouring out sharp and poisonous.
“Does it make you proud, watching us fight because of you? Do you enjoy it? How much attention is enough for you?”
And then,
A sharp, resounding slap cracked through the night.
Bai Zhou had struck him.
His entire body trembled with anger, his usually gentle eyes shimmering with unshed tears. His lips were pressed tight, soft pink bitten pale, and a flush crept up his cheeks, half fury, half heartbreak.
“Are you finished?” His voice shook, but his words were steady, every syllable clear. “Who I like or don’t like is my business. If they feel used by me, maybe they should think about why they came to me in the first place.”
He looked straight at Fu Linyi, eyes glinting like glass in the dark. “What does any of that have to do with you?”
Yes, what did it have to do with him?
Jealousy. That was all it was.
It burned so fiercely in his chest that it hurt to breathe. Fu Linyi’s heart ached, an ache so sharp it made him dizzy. He hadn’t wanted to fight. He hadn’t wanted to make Bai Zhou angry. He just couldn’t stand it anymore.
Even his brother and Chi Shuyi were at least rivals in love. At least Bai Zhou thought of them.
But him? He was just there, forgettable, replaceable, someone who could disappear without anyone noticing.
A single drop fell.
Fu Linyi instinctively raised his hand, catching something warm that landed in his palm. It was Bai Zhou’s tear, hot, fragile, and heartbreakingly real. It extinguished every last bit of fire in his chest, leaving behind only a wet, empty ache.
“Bai Zhou,” he whispered, voice breaking. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was just jealous. I didn’t mean it.”
His voice was hoarse, thick with tears. Regret twisted inside him like a knife. He had wanted to make up with Bai Zhou, not make him cry.
Bai Zhou turned away. His nose was red, his voice muffled. “It’s raining. Let’s go back.”
But that night, there was no rain.
Fu Linyi knew it too, but he didn’t say anything. Eyes rimmed with red, he followed Bai Zhou back to the dormitory in silence.
………
When they arrived, Bai Zhou took back his phone, ignored the pitiful look Fu Linyi gave him, climbed into bed, and drew the curtain shut.
He unlocked his phone. The messages were from the two “victims” Fu Linyi had mentioned.
Fu Linchen’s texts were simple, ordinary, almost gentle.
9:00 p.m.
Fu Linchen: Are you back at the dorm?
10:20 p.m.
Fu Linchen: Good night.
Chi Shuyi had only sent one.
Chi Shuyi: I’ll come pick you up on Saturday.
He used to add “Is that okay?” or “Would you like to?” But not this time. This time, it wasn’t a question, it was a statement.
It didn’t sound like, “I’ll come pick you up.” It sounded like, “I’ll come get you.”
Bai Zhou’s heart skipped. The thought startled him. Then he shook his head. He was overthinking. Chi Shuyi was gentle by nature. Even if disappointed, he’d simply drift away quietly, not do anything extreme.
He shut off his phone. Maybe because of the wind earlier, his head felt heavy, his cheeks flushed unnaturally red, his lips almost fever-bright.
System: You are sick.
Bai Zhou curled into himself, pulling the blanket up to his chin, murmuring sleepily, “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest a little.”
System: Bai Zhou, you have a fever. You need medicine.
Bai Zhou replied softly, half-asleep, “I’ll be okay. My body’s strong. I’ll just sweat it out.”
He had learned that as a child. No one had cared for him back then. When he was sick, he’d stay quiet, afraid his parents would get annoyed. So he’d wrap himself tight, wait it out. Half the time, he’d recover.
The other half, when it got serious and they finally took him to the hospital, he’d get two or three days of attention. To that lonely child, it had almost felt worth it.
Even now, grown up, he didn’t like bothering anyone. He just wanted to curl up in his small, quiet space and sleep in peace.
System: Bai Zhou, let that fool come take care of you. He’s the one who messed up anyway.
But Bai Zhou didn’t reply. He was already slipping into sleep.
The system tried to manifest a physical form, wanting to lift him, but its deep-blue arm passed right through the boy’s body. It couldn’t touch him.
The boy lay there, curled small under the blanket, only his flushed face visible. His breath was hot, his lips too red, his skin damp with fever.
For the first time, the system felt helpless. No matter how much it wanted to matter in Bai Zhou’s world, it was nothing more than a spectator.
It turned into a white cat, padded over to the bedside table, and pushed the small night lamp to the floor with a clatter. When it saw Fu Linyi’s shadow hurrying over, it slowly faded away.
Fu Linyi picked up the lamp and moved closer to the bed, hesitating. He didn’t dare lift the curtain. He stood there for a long time.
“Bai Zhou,” he whispered, voice trembling, “can I talk to you?”
No response.
His eyes stung. He held the lamp like it could give him courage.
“Bai Zhou, I really know I was wrong. Please… don’t hate me. Don’t push me away.”
He stood there like a man awaiting judgment.
Chen Feng snorted from his own bed. “What happened to your cold war skills? Playing the pitiful card now, huh?”
Fu Linyi ignored him. He waited, but there was still no sound behind the curtain. Gradually, unease crept in. Something felt wrong. But after what had happened earlier, he didn’t dare act rashly.
Finally, he tugged at the corner of the curtain, just barely, ready to let go if Bai Zhou resisted. But Bai Zhou didn’t move.
Fu Linyi pulled it open a sliver, and froze.
Bai Zhou’s face was flushed, burning hot even under the dim light. Startled, Fu Linyi leaned in and pressed his forehead against Bai Zhou’s. The heat was searing. His breath caught.
There was no medicine in the dorm. The infirmary would be closed at this hour.
He quickly tucked the blanket around Bai Zhou, drew the curtain, and dashed out.
When he returned, his arms were full, warm water, medicine, and a towel.
“Zhou Zhou,” he whispered in his ear, “wake up. You need to take your medicine.”
Bai Zhou stirred weakly, frowning. He just wanted to sleep, head throbbing, but Fu Linyi gently shook his shoulder.
“Please? Just take it, then you can sleep. I promise I won’t bother you anymore.”
Reluctantly, Bai Zhou sat up, drank the medicine with Fu Linyi’s help, then opened his hand, palm up, to show he’d swallowed it all. Then he sank back into bed.
Fu Linyi carefully covered him again, tucking the blanket close. He poured another cup of hot water and placed it on the table, then followed an online guide, wringing a towel until half dry, laying it gently across Bai Zhou’s burning forehead, changing it again and again through the night.
By the time dawn approached, he checked Bai Zhou’s temperature once more. The fever had broken. Only then did his heart finally ease.
When Bai Zhou woke the next day, it was already late morning. The dorm was quiet.
On his bedside table was a sticky note in Fu Linyi’s familiar handwriting:
【I asked for leave on your behalf. Rest well. I’ll bring lunch when I get back.】
Below that was a doodle of a small dog with tears in its eyes, and beside it, two simple words:
【I’m sorry.】
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Statistically speaking, coffee would be appreciated.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Green Tea Bun (1)Chapter 2 · Green Tea Bun (2)Chapter 3 · Green Tea Bun (3)Chapter 4 · Green Tea Bun (4)Chapter 5 · Green Tea Bun (5)Chapter 6 · Green Tea Bun (6)Chapter 7 · Green Tea Bun (7)Chapter 8 · Green Tea Bun (8)Chapter 9 · Green Tea Bun (9)Chapter 10 · Green Tea Bun (10)Chapter 11 · Green Tea Bun (11)Chapter 12 · Green Tea Bun (12)Chapter 13 · Green Tea Bun (13)Chapter 14 · Green Tea Bun (14)Chapter 15 · Green Tea Bun (15)Chapter 16 · Green Tea Bun (16)Chapter 17 · Green Tea Bun (17)Chapter 18 · Green Tea Bun (18)Chapter 19 · Green Tea Bun (19)Chapter 20 · Green Tea Bun (20)Chapter 21 · Green Tea Bun (21)Chapter 22 · Green Tea Bun (22)Chapter 23 · Green Tea Bun (23)Chapter 24 Part 1 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 24 Part 2 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 25 · Green Tea Bun (25)Chapter 26 · Green Tea Bun (26)Chapter 27 · Green Tea Bun (27)Chapter 28 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (1)Chapter 29 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (2)Chapter 30 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (3)Chapter 32 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (5)Chapter 33 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (6)Chapter 34 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (7)Chapter 35 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (8)Chapter 36 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (9)Chapter 37 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (10)Chapter 38 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (11)Chapter 39 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (12)Chapter 40 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (13)Chapter 41 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (14)Chapter 42 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (15)Chapter 43 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (16)Chapter 44 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (17)Chapter 45 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (18)Chapter 46 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (19)Chapter 47 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (20)Chapter 48 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (21)Chapter 49 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (22)Chapter 50 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (23)Chapter 51 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (24)Chapter 52 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (25)Chapter 53 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (26)Chapter 54 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (1)Chapter 55 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (2)Chapter 56 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (3)Chapter 57 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (4)Chapter 58 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (5)Chapter 59 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (6)Chapter 60 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (7)Chapter 61 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (8)Chapter 62 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (9)Chapter 63 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (10)Chapter 64 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (11)Chapter 65 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (12)Chapter 66 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (13)Chapter 67 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (14)Chapter 68 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (15)Chapter 69 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (16)Chapter 70 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (17)Chapter 71 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (18)Chapter 72 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (19)Chapter 73 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (20)Chapter 74 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (21)Chapter 75 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (22)Chapter 76 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (23)Chapter 77 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (24)Chapter 78 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (25)Chapter 79 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (26)Chapter 80 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (27)Chapter 81 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (28)Chapter 82 · Apocalyptic Lord (1)Chapter 83 · Apocalyptic Lord (2)Chapter 84 · Apocalyptic Lord (3)Chapter 85 · Apocalyptic Lord (4)Chapter 86 · Apocalyptic Lord (5)Chapter 87 · Apocalyptic Lord (6)Chapter 88 · Apocalyptic Lord (7)Chapter 89 · Apocalyptic Lord (8)Chapter 90 · Apocalyptic Lord (9)Chapter 91 · Apocalyptic Lord (10)Chapter 92 · Apocalyptic Lord (11)Chapter 93 · Apocalyptic Lord (12)Chapter 94 · Apocalyptic Lord (13)Chapter 96 · Apocalyptic Lord (15)Chapter 97 · Apocalyptic Lord (16)Chapter 98 · Apocalyptic Lord (17)Chapter 99 · Apocalyptic Lord (18)Chapter 100 · Apocalyptic Lord (19)Chapter 101 · Apocalyptic Lord (20)Chapter 102 · Apocalyptic Lord (21)Chapter 103 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 104 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 105 · Apocalyptic Lord (24)Chapter 106 · The Real World (1)Chapter 107 · The Real World (2)Chapter 108 · Extra 1