When Shen Mu returned to Class E, Fei Xinglan was already there, sitting in his seat.
“Shen Mu, where did you just go?” Fei Xinglan, being in that position, could see the scene outside the window and knew what had just happened.
Shen Mu was about to explain but only mentioned his interaction with Jin Yixiu.
“I went to find Jin Yixiu, hoping for some study guidance. He agreed, and the reward is breakfast every day,” Shen Mu calmly said, but the corner of his mouth revealed a smile.
???
Fei Xinglan asked, “Did I go deaf just now? What did you say? Say it again.”
Fei Xinglan doubted if he had hallucinated. Did Shen Mu mention someone? That was the school’s cold-hearted prince, Jin Yixiu! Shen Mu’s mention of him was shocking.
“Hmph!” Shen Mu gave an affirmative look.
“Well done, Shen Mu, 666! You’re efficient,” Fei Xinglan genuinely admired Shen Mu.
At this moment, Shen Mu modestly replied, “It’s nothing.”
Anyway, now there was progress with Jin Yixiu, taking the first step. Shen Mu felt that everything was possible.
Because his mood was uplifted, Shen Mu’s afternoon classes went well, and even seeing Zhang Wen felt more amicable.
After school, Shen Mu took out his phone and opened the chat with Jin Yixiu.
Jin Yixiu’s profile picture was simple, just a black image, and his name was in bold font. Shen Mu glanced at his moments and found that Jin Yixiu hadn’t posted anything.
Shen Mu looked at Fei Xinglan beside him and asked, “Do you mind if I invite Jin Yixiu to have dinner together?” Shen Mu felt it was necessary to ask Fei Xinglan’s opinion, but deep down, he was eager to know what he thought.
“Why would I mind? I’m actually curious to see what it’s like between you and Jin Yixiu,” Fei Xinglan was genuinely intrigued. After all, Jin Yixiu was quite a mystery. He transferred to the school not long ago, and despite receiving letters, gifts, and gestures from both genders in both grades, he never paid attention to anyone. With his handsome, striking appearance, it was hard to imagine what kind of expression Jin Yixiu would have if the sky fell.
It was hard to imagine Shen Mu actually pursuing Jin Yixiu and having close contact with him.
Shen Mu knew that Fei Xinglan had already started speculating about various things in his mind. He pulled Fei Xinglan to Class A but didn’t see Jin Yixiu. Instead, he saw Xi Xiangyang leaving. Shen Mu had initially planned to message Jin Yixiu, but since he ran into Xi Xiangyang, he decided to ask him directly.
“Xi Xiangyang,” Shen Mu stopped Xi Xiangyang.
“Shen Mu? What’s up?” Xi Xiangyang looked at Shen Mu and asked.
“Did Jin Yixiu leave with you? Where did he go?”
“Oh, Yixiu. He said he wanted to have dinner and went back to the dormitory.”
“Okay, got it. Thanks.”
Shen Mu looked at Fei Xinglan beside him and said, “Hehe, Xinglan~…”
“Stop right there, got it? Go find him if you want, it’s fine to have dinner with him. You’re one to forget his friends,” Fei Xinglan interrupted, knowing exactly what Shen Mu meant.
“Hehe, you understand me well, then let’s meet during self-study!” Shen Mu said and ran off.
Chapter 21: Memories
…
Fei Xinglan watched Shen Mu happily leaving and couldn’t help but feel helpless.
“Fei Xinglan, since Shen Mu followed him to have dinner, coincidentally, you’re also free. How about joining me?” Xi Xiangyang, who had been standing nearby, suggested.
“Well…” Fei Xinglan was willing to go. He had interacted with Xi Xiangyang a few times, but he always enjoyed teasing and making fun of him.
“What’s with the hesitation? Let’s go. It’s almost time for dinner, and if we’re late, there might not be any food left in the cafeteria.” Xi Xiangyang insisted, placing his hand on Fei Xinglan’s thin shoulder. From a half-step distance, it looked as if Xi Xiangyang was half-dragging the petite Fei Xinglan along.
“Let go, and don’t lean on me. You’re quite heavy, you know,” Fei Xinglan tried to push Xi Xiangyang’s hand away, but it didn’t budge.
Fei Xinglan could be considered well-proportioned among the boys, but just average at best. Xi Xiangyang, on the other hand, had a strong physique with well-defined muscles, standing at over 1.9 meters tall. Leaning against Fei Xinglan, taking advantage of the difference in their builds, it seemed as if Fei Xinglan was leaning against Xi Xiangyang’s embrace.
Some onlookers noticed, but most of them didn’t think much of it. After all, they were good friends, and physical contact between friends was normal. However, occasionally, a few girls would huddle together, whispering and giving lewd smiles.
Fei Xinglan felt a bit uncomfortable being stared at like that but couldn’t push away this foolish guy.
Fei Xinglan was half-pushed and half-dragged by Xi Xiangyang to the cafeteria and was finally released.
As it was getting late, Xi Xiangyang spotted a table with vacant seats in the distance and hurriedly pulled Fei Xinglan to occupy it.
“Let’s sit here and save seats. What do you want to eat?” Xi Xiangyang asked.
“It’s fine, you go ahead and get the food. Here’s my meal card,” Fei Xinglan thought it would be more convenient this way and agreed.
Xi Xiangyang didn’t take the card, saying, “It’s just a meal. You can pay me back another time! I’ll go first!”
Xi Xiangyang winked at Fei Xinglan and then coolly walked away.
Fei Xinglan remained in place, feeling a bit bewildered. “What’s going on? Blinking at me out of nowhere.”
It must be said that Xi Xiangyang was quite handsome. Compared to Jin Yixiu’s cold and refined demeanor, Xi Xiangyang had a sunny disposition. Fei Xinglan felt that, compared to Jin Yixiu, Xi Xiangyang made him feel more secure.
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Yes, yes, Fei Xinglan quickly shook his head. What was he thinking? What does it matter to him how Xi Xiangyang is? Besides, this Xi Xiangyang always liked to bully others.
Back in their second year of school, there was a period of time when the basketball team’s manager had some personal matters to attend to and couldn’t take care of the team. So they asked Fei Xinglan to help out for a while, and Fei Xinglan agreed.
Fei Xinglan deeply regretted that decision because that basketball team, led by Xi Xiangyang, loved to bully him. He would often put their arm around his shoulder, mess up his hair, pinch his cheeks, and make flirtatious remarks like, “How come the little manager looks so delicate? It’s really intriguing.” And there were always others around! Angrily, Fei Xinglan would retort, “What’s it to you?” But then he would say he looked like a little submissive wife who got bossed around.
It was truly infuriating, and he never seemed to tone it down. The manager eventually came back, and Fei Xinglan left the basketball team. Seeing Xi Xiangyang behave that way just now reminded him of that period of time. You are reading on NovelPing, the official source.
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Chapter 22: Concern
“Oh, what’s wrong? Little cat… I mean, fellow student Xinglan,” Xi Xiangyang returned with two trays of food and noticed Fei Xinglan’s absent-minded look, feeling angry, melancholic, and a bit more.
Fei Xinglan was brought back to reality by Xi Xiangyang’s call and shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“Here,” Xi Xiangyang put one of the trays down and kept the other for himself, sitting next to Fei Xinglan.
“Both dishes are the same. If there’s something you particularly like, let’s avoid those.” Xi Xiangyang said.
Fei Xinglan shook his head. “No, eat whatever you want. Thank you.”
They chatted while eating, and during dinnertime, they started to get acquainted. At least Xi Xiangyang could directly call Fei Xinglan “Xinglan” now, and Fei Xinglan also felt that Xi Xiangyang wasn’t as annoying as before.
While things were harmonious on one side, Shen Mu’s side was a different story.
After bidding farewell to Fei Xinglan, Shen Mu went to the convenience store and bought two boxed meals. He hid them in his bag, then hurried to the boys’ dormitory. Shen Mu thought for a moment but decided not to message Jin Yixiu about coming over. He wanted to surprise him instead.
Shen Mu arrived at Jin Yixiu’s dormitory door, took a deep breath, and raised his hand to knock.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
There was no immediate response from inside, but a few seconds later, the door opened.
Jin Yixiu opened the door and was somewhat surprised to see Shen Mu, but his reaction was composed. After all, he had a feeling that Shen Mu would come.
“Hehe, Teacher Jin, may I come in?” Shen Mu said with a smile.
“Please,” Jin Yixiu stepped aside and opened the door.
As soon as Shen Mu entered the room, he felt that the dormitory had a stark contrast. With just a glance, he could see the stark difference between the two occupants.
One side was warm, with various items scattered about, the bed sheets in disarray, and belongings scattered around. Fortunately, Shen Mu didn’t smell anything strange, although some things looked dirty, they were probably washed. The books on the nearby table were relatively organized.
On the other side was a cold and orderly atmosphere, with neatly stacked bed sheets and a tidy table. The books and other items were arranged neatly, and there were open scrolls and pens placed on the table, indicating that Jin Yixiu had been studying.
“Why are you here so early? Did we agree to meet after evening self-study?” Jin Yixiu closed the door and asked.
Shen Mu raised an eyebrow at Jin Yixiu, walked to the center table, placed his bag on it, and took out the two boxed meals. “Here, this is the reason.”
As Shen Mu started eating with his chopsticks, he said, “After school, I wanted to find you for dinner, but I didn’t see you. However, I ran into Xi Xiangyang, and he told me you went back to the dormitory, so I came here.”
“Go on. It’s good for the stomach to eat like this…,” Shen Mu restrained himself from rambling on and on, mainly because he appreciated how Jin Yixiu cared for him.
Jin Yixiu quietly listened beside him. Apart from himself, no one else knew how turbulent his heart was at the moment. He hadn’t experienced such care since his childhood, and he never thought he would care about anyone in this world. But now, there was someone, even if it was just a fleeting presence.
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