At the sound of that voice, Xie Yun furrowed his brows in displeasure. Looking up, Cui Yiyang’s punchable face appeared before him once again.
“Young Master Xie.”
A hint of a frivolous lilt blended into his low voice as that annoying face began to speak: “Your hand is injured, so you can’t write, right? I specifically listened well during class and took these notes for you. Here, take a look.”
As he spoke, he gestured with his eyes toward the open textbook.
A cool breeze ruffled the illustrated pages, where “ugly” handwriting was scrawled densely in black ink.
Within moments, Xie Yun’s desk was surrounded by classmates clutching their own books.
Xie Yun: “?”
The smile that had been hanging on Lu Yibing’s face vanished instantly.
Xie Yun ignored the irritating Cui Yiyang. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the blushing classmates holding their books. A faint, gentle smile tugged at his lips as he said softly, “I’ve already memorized everything the teacher said during the lecture. I don’t need notes, but thank you for the thought.”
After all, it wasn’t that much to remember.
The students present felt their breath hitch.
While Xie Yun’s pale knuckles remained propped calmly on the desk as he smiled composedly, it was Cui Yiyang who was left in an awkward position.
In the next second, Xie Yun’s displeased expression shifted to a frown.
“Why so much nonsense? I wrote this specifically for you; you’re going to read it whether you want to or not!” Cui Yiyang snapped, turning a deaf ear to Xie Yun’s words.
Xie Yun lifted his eyelids to meet his gaze coldly.
The air grew thick with awkwardness as an invisible tension sparked between their locked eyes. Xie Yun arched an eyebrow and continued dispassionately, “So, do you study for my sake now, too?”
As those flat words landed, Cui Yiyang froze for a moment before immediately retortng, “That’s right! I made a special effort to study seriously for you just this once. You dare to reject my kindness?”
“Am I your father? Why are you studying for me?” Xie Yun shot back instantly.
The atmosphere froze; the surroundings fell into a dead silence.
Cui Yiyang’s brows knitted tighter and tighter. He hadn’t gained any favor and had instead been insulted. Perhaps feeling the embarrassment of being watched by so many, he snatched his textbook back and hissed venomously, “Fine, don’t read it then!”
With that, he shoved through the crowd, leaving Xie Yun with a cold, resentful back.
As the bell for class rang, the rejected students dispersed one after another, surreptitiously pulling out their phones…
『Fellod Forum』
[OP: Just now, beautiful Yunyun rejected all of our notes and even shut down F1. His face is so dark right now… Oh my god.]
[2L: Master… scold me… I want to be shut down too…]
[3L: Did he say thank you?]
[4L: Who told him to have such a bad attitude? Our Yunyun was bound to get angry.]
[5L: But to be honest, a beautiful man’s restrained anger is so enticing… that snowy, cold, expressionless face saying something so calmly is much prettier than a direct outburst of rage… (Of course, it’s fine if the beauty loses his temper at me directly, but only if he’s kneeling between my legs crying while he does it). Beauty, you are a cold succubus…]
[6L: I want that too. If it really comes down to it, I can kneel between XY’s legs instead. I’m an Alpha anyway; I’ll be ‘inside’ no matter what position I’m in.]
[7L: Did 5L and 6L get their fill? Your fantasies are going to be the death of you.]
[8L: Can you all be quiet for once? All day long it’s either fantasizing about Xie Yun or Alphas snapping at each other. What is a normal person who just wants to look at Yun supposed to do?]
[Reply to 8L: Then go stalk XY after school. Don’t let me catch you fantasizing about him in other threads.]
[10L: Off-topic, but don’t you think beautiful Xie Yun is amazing? The teacher covered so many points this lesson, but even with an injured hand, he memorized it all just by listening. That’s why he rejected everyone’s notes…]
[11L: That’s the eldest Young Master Xie, who was ranked first in his year abroad. He’s beautiful and smart; no wonder Teacher Xiaoyu ‘opened the back door’ to save a seat for him. Memorization is effortless for him.]
[12L: Baby, you are such a clever little beauty…]
[13L: Does the Elite Class allow students from other classes to drop in? Nothing weird, I’m just bad at studying, and I heard top students love helping others, right?]
[14L: If he’s helpful, can he help me? Thinking about him has me tossing and turning all night.]
[15L: Anyway, I’m jealous of F1. I just wish XY would say one word to me.]
Meanwhile, the “envied” F1, Cui Yiyang, was resting his chin on his hand, staring resentfully at Xie Yun’s long, fair neck.
He stared fixedly from the start of the next class until the very last period. He had no heart for distractions; the more he gazed at that beautiful neck, the more restless and hot he felt. Xie Yun’s emotionless voice echoed continuously in his mind.
With the scent of cold cedar still lingering at the tip of his nose, he stared at the boy for the entire afternoon.
Damn it, is Xie Yun crazy?
Why did he talk to me like that?
The more Cui Yiyang stared and thought about it, the angrier he became.
This Xie Yun was like an arrogant, beautiful canary, made fearless by the love he was showered with. Furthermore, their family statuses were equal; what did Xie Yun have to be afraid of?
If one day this canary flew into a exquisite cage designed specifically for him, Cui Yiyang would certainly…
He would personally brush aside those golden, showy feathers, using his fingertips to tease and stroke his fragile spots. Then, he would personally break through that stubborn facade and watch him panic, weep, and beg for mercy.
Scorched breath and these intrusive thoughts combined to flush his cheeks. Cui Yiyang froze.
He was truly going crazy this time.
Cui Yiyang kept his eyes on him.
During the after-school rush, the six-inch Red Velvet cake in a transparent box—a gift from Zhou Yichao—was still sitting quietly under the desk. Xie Yun only remembered it when he was preparing to go get dinner.
“Are you going to eat, Brother?” Lu Yibing asked, noticing Xie Yun’s movement to stand up.
Xie Yun picked up the cake and gave a small “Mm” in response. “I’ve already told the butler I won’t be home for dinner tonight.”
With a tight schedule and heavy tasks, he planned to buy dinner at a convenience store and then get back to his books.
The person still sitting beside him kept his gaze fixed on the item Xie Yun was carrying. “Is it because you plan to eat the cake Zhou Yichao gave you?”
The atmosphere turned strangely quiet for a second. Xie Yun raised an eyebrow. “You want to eat it?”
This protagonist Shou loved sweets. Besides, according to the original plot, this cake was supposed to belong to Lu Yibing anyway.
Xie Yun abandoned the idea of throwing it away.
But unexpectedly, the protagonist Shou slowly furrowed his brows. “Who wants to eat his stuff?”
Well, great.
Xie Yun had messed up.
Thanks to him, this pair of “lovers” had now been forced into a “hated rivals” phase where they despised one another.
However, according to typical cliché novels, the two would eventually eat their words and become inseparable. This kind of plot was so common that even a straight man like him knew it.
The System, which wholeheartedly wanted the straight man Xie Yun to pursue the protagonist Shou: “…”
Xie Yun sighed softly, deciding to skip the topic. “I’m eating at the convenience store.”
“Then I’ll eat at the convenience store too.”
The dark expression on Lu Yibing’s face instantly vanished, his eyes lighting up.
Knowing the boy would say that, Xie Yun didn’t bother arguing. “Then tell the butler yourself.”
After dropping that line, he took the lead.
Lu Yibing followed happily.
On the wide, white corridor, students walked in pairs or small groups as birds chirped and the sun began to set.
The two of them headed downstairs under the weight of many burning gazes.
The golden-rimmed light of the setting sun scattered down, bathing the school grounds in yellow. Green leaves swayed in the hot wind, rustling incessantly.
As Xie Yun passed the trash bins, he casually tossed the Red Velvet cake inside.
Zhou Yichao had said it himself: if you don’t want to eat it, throw it away. Even his sweet-toothed younger “brother” didn’t want it, let alone Xie Yun.
Since no one was eating it, away it went.
Xie Yun remained expressionless.
His well-defined jawline looked even whiter under the bath of the twilight sun. Lu Yibing stared at his brother’s profile, momentary stunned.
The Red Velvet cake that had annoyed him traced a beautiful arc through the air before landing steadily in the trash pile.
Lu Yibing’s eyes shifted slightly.
An inexplicable sensation filled his chest, like a ball of fire boiling water until it surged into his heart.
Shock, excitement, and the unexpected were blended into a palette, painting a bold stroke across Lu Yibing’s dark pupils.
He was so happy.
Why?
He silently caught up to Xie Yun, who had slowed his pace to wait for him.
A sudden set of footsteps—some light, some heavy—appeared behind them. An Alpha’s gaze drifted toward the Red Velvet cake Xie Yun had just discarded in the trash.
They arrived at the convenience store. The shop wasn’t crowded during dinner time; students at this noble academy either went home or to the cafeteria. It was only during breaks that it became packed.
However, the Fellod convenience store was like the cafeteria; it sold fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and rice dishes flown in daily, specifically catering to students like Student Xie who looked for convenience.
Xie Yun took a box of Japanese-style Eel and Vegetable Rice and put it in the microwave. A bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen for Lu Yibing was placed right next to it.
Why didn’t he copy me and buy the same thing this time? Xie Yun glanced at him indifferently.
After heating the food, Xie Yun grabbed a plastic cup of iced plum water, and the two walked out of the store.
Lu Yibing smiled at him. “Brother, your hand is injured; it might be inconvenient for you to eat.”
Xie Yun knew exactly what he was trying to do. “I still have my left hand.”
“Are you going to the classroom to study then? It’s hard to take notes with your left hand.”
“I’m not writing today; I’m memorizing.”
One asked, the other answered. All of Lu Yibing’s subtle requests were shot down by Xie Yun.
A certain person’s high-wagging tail slumped down.
Lu Yibing frowned slightly, his voice deep. “Alright then. Just call me if you need anything, Brother.”
The slightly disappointed tone drifted into Xie Yun’s ears, sounding listless, as if he had been bullied. But Xie Yun didn’t look at him, simply continuing forward.
Like a puppy.
Back in the teaching building, Xie Yun decided to eat before studying. Lu Yibing sat beside him, following his lead by opening his lunch box and unwrapping the alloy chopsticks to pick up food.
The eel, coated in sauce, gave off an enticing aroma. The tips of the chopsticks sank into the fish; using his left hand, Xie Yun carved out a small piece and scooped it up with some rice.
Eating with the left hand was inevitably a struggle. Seeing this, Lu Yibing put down his own chopsticks and wrapped an arm around Xie Yun’s back, placing his hand over the one Xie Yun was using to hold the chopsticks.
A rough, warm sensation pressed against him. Perhaps due to the lingering shadow of being restrained in the laboratory, Xie Yun’s first instinct was to dodge. However, Lu Yibing leaned in closer, his arm firmly locking him in place.
His breath drifted toward the side of Xie Yun’s face as he lowered his eyelids and said softly:
“Don’t move, Brother. Let me feed you. I’m not Zhou Yichao; I won’t hurt you.”