With a heart full of anxiety, Hua Sheng sneaked back home.
The villa was pitch black. He crept upstairs to the second floor and gently closed his bedroom door.
He immediately found several study materials, opened them, and made some marks on them as if he were checking answers. He scribbled a few problems with a feigned effort, then quickly rushed to the bathroom for a shower. After changing into his pajamas, he looked like a student who had just finished studying and was about to go to sleep.
Zuo Xingyun’s phone was the same model as his, the latest Apple release that had only hit the market two weeks ago.
He checked it repeatedly. Judging by the model, color, and lack of wear, it was definitely not second-hand.
This thing was not cheap. Who exactly was Zuo Xingyun? He lived in an old internet cafe and did not look like someone from a wealthy family, so how could he afford such expensive items?
If he were doing it just to show off, then this person was truly vain.
So, could that watch be real too?
Impossible. That thing could not be faked. A hundred run-down internet cafes would not equal the price of that watch; only a fortune like the Hua family’s could afford such extravagance.
It was not that Hua Sheng was being snobbish. He might not recognize many vegetables at the wet market, but having lived a life of luxury since childhood, he was well-versed in all major luxury brands.
The fact that Zuo Xingyun transferred schools was also very strange. The Third Middle School was a century-old institution. Although the teaching environment was relatively poor, the teaching staff was top-notch.
His class was the elite class of the grade. To get in, both grades and connections were indispensable. Hua Sheng’s grades were terrible; it took a lot of effort from his big brother to get him in.
Therefore, Hua Sheng had been at the bottom of the class since the first year of high school, the kind of student who was two hundred points behind the second-to-last person.
Zuo Xingyun’s grades were good, but he had absolutely no connections. How did he get in?
Hua Sheng sat before the practice book spread out on his desk. It still looked exactly as it had before his shower, with the marks of his feigned homework looking incredibly realistic.
He twirled his pen with his right hand, contemplating the expression he should wear when facing his big brother.
As long as he could bluff his way through, this matter would be over. Tutoring? He did not need it at all.
In the end, there was no need for him to study hard anyway. He did not need to look for a job in the future. The Hua family’s assets could support him comfortably for this lifetime, the next, and even the one after that.
The family business was being held up by his big brother. All he had to do was be a spoiled little rich boy who did nothing but eat and sleep, skip classes whenever he wanted, and play to his heart’s content, free and unfettered.
Only people like Zuo Xingyun needed to study.
His thoughts began to wander, and remembering everything that had happened with Zuo Xingyun a few hours ago, he felt a wave of nausea.
Damn pervert. Disgusting. Acting like a dog, actually liking to lick.
Hua Sheng spat silently, cursing a few times. He felt puzzled and frustrated that Zuo Xingyun knew his secret.
How did he find out about this? He had never told anyone.
He had always hidden his pheromones well. Even when he was with Dazhi and the others, he had never been discovered.
Where did he find out?
The blocker patch was custom-made for Hua Sheng, designed with a simulated skin texture that was completely invisible from a social distance and lasted for eight hours.
Hua Sheng touched the newly replaced patch, pondering.
He would not be stalking me, would he?
Damn, what a pervert.
No, I cannot get close to a person like this. Forget about Dazhi’s business; I cannot help my brother and end up dragging myself down. Someone like Zuo Xingyun is incredibly repressed and full of malice.
Furthermore, his pheromones were also very strange, sometimes powerful and sometimes completely absent.
Could it be that, like me, he is an inferior Alpha who cannot control his pheromones?
It does not seem like it, though.
No, I cannot go to school anymore. I should take a few days off first.
Thinking this, Hua Sheng picked up his phone, but only after lighting the screen did he realize this was not his own phone.
He propped up his chin, depressed, and stared blankly at the phone.
Suddenly, the screen lit up, and a message popped up.
Dad: The lock screen password is 4827.
Hua Sheng froze and sat up straight.
It was a WeChat message, which could be viewed even while the screen was locked.
What does this mean?
This dad must be Zuo Xingyun’s father, so the person sending the message was his father?
No, the lock screen password should only be known to himself, so Zuo Xingyun must be using his father’s WeChat to send it.
The light hitting his face died down, and he lit the screen again.
Lock screen password 4827, Hua Sheng.
By name, he was really talking to him. Hua Sheng immediately perked up, rubbing his hands in excitement, swiped the screen, and entered 4827.
The screen opened with a swoosh.
Humph, he really dared to tell me the password. Is he not afraid I will do something bad with his phone?
Zuo Xingyun’s wallpaper was the default Apple one. Just like the man himself, it was stiff, boring, and lacked any creativity.
Hua Sheng swiped left and right, finding that the software on his phone was pitifully scarce, only a few search apps and WeChat. No games, no video apps, and no music player.
Cut, how boring. Does not he have any leisure activities?
Although the password was unlocked, Hua Sheng did not want to click into WeChat, his photo gallery, or his memos to check his private information.
It was unethical, and he was not interested.
At this moment, another message from Zuo Xingyun arrived.
Did you unlock it?
Lock screen password 4827, Hua Sheng.
Hua Sheng frowned. How annoying.
He did not intend to respond and closed the phone, but the next second, messages flooded in like a tide, repeating the same sentence over and over again.
Lock screen password 4827.
Lock screen password 4827.
Lock screen password 4827.
Is he sick? Hua Sheng could not bear it anymore and clicked into WeChat. I do not want to see your private information, you forced me.
He typed angrily:
I got it. What do you want?
On the other side of WeChat.
Dad: Hmm.
Hmm, what hmm? Besides, chatting under this note is very uncomfortable, as if I am chatting with an elder, and my tone is full of impoliteness.
Dad: Are you home? It is a bit cold, wear more clothes.
Thinking you are my dad just because you put a note there? Still acting, huh?
Hua Sheng raised his hand and wanted to type none of your business, but then he thought, what if the phone were returned and Zuo Xingyun’s father saw it? Although they had never met and only heard voices, he did not want to lose face in front of an elder. If they were to meet later, how awkward would that be?
Stay calm and adapt to changes. Hua Sheng deleted the words in the dialog box.
Dad: I am very happy that you are willing to reply to my message. Today is the second happiest day of my life so far. I have finally had an intersection with you.
Hua Sheng was baffled. What first, what second? Nonsense.
Dad: I cannot bear to change the sheets, cannot bear to shower, and even the wardrobe you messed up, I cannot bear to tidy up. I am afraid your scent will dissipate. I am lying where you lay; the sheets are still damp.
Hua Sheng’s face flushed red instantly, and he cursed under his breath, “Fuck!”
Using a middle-aged man’s WeChat avatar with the note dad, and using this tone to send him messages. Anyone who did not know would think it was some twisted literature, a perverted father pursuing love and resorting to verbal harassment.
Hua Sheng replied angrily, Get lost!
Dad: I can already imagine your expression. Hua Sheng, if I were in front of you, you would probably step on my face with your foot. Hmm, I like that.
I am stepping on your dick!
Dad:
Dad: Thank you, I am hard now.
Hua Sheng’s pupils shook, and his hair stood on end. He threw the phone into the drawer like a hot potato.
He could not understand the thought process of a pervert. In his shock, his mind conjured an image of Zuo Xingyun holding his feet, obsessively sucking and kissing them.
He suddenly felt that he could not keep his feet anymore. Everywhere Zuo Xingyun had touched him felt dirty: his cheeks, lips, waist, chest, and even…
No, this pervert is just looking for a beating. I cannot let him go. I will not feel better until I fix him.
Coveting my body, he is truly outrageous and daring.
While in a rage, Hua Sheng heard knocking on the door behind him.
The flames of his anger were suddenly splashed with a basin of ice water, extinguishing it without a trace, not even a wisp of smoke left behind.
What rushed up instead was guilt and terror.
“Hua Sheng.” Hua Xu’s voice carried a chill, drilling into his ears through the narrow crack in the door, directly striking his soul. “Open the door.”
In an instant, Hua Sheng was flustered like a panicked rabbit. It was here, the thing he was afraid of was finally here!
“Big brother has been looking for you all night. Open the door. I know you are not asleep yet; the light is still on.”
Snap. The room light went out.
Hua Xu’s voice was even colder. “It is too late to turn off the light now.”
Hua Sheng wished he could slap himself twice. He originally wanted to open the door, but in his nervousness, his hand hit the switch. Now it just made things look worse.
He hurriedly turned the light back on and turned the handle to open the door.
He was met with Hua Xu’s serious face.
A cold cedar scent rushed toward him.
Hua Sheng swallowed his saliva unconsciously, feeling his legs go weak from his pheromones.
The last time his big brother was this angry was when he accidentally knocked off the dean’s wig and was called in for a parent-teacher meeting.
He could not help but shiver. Was not coming home after 11 o’clock as serious as knocking off a wig?
“Brother, it is so late and you are not asleep yet.” Hua Sheng twitched his mouth stiffly, leaning against the doorframe, saying sheepishly, “Looking for me, do you have any instructions?”
Hua Xu snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and stepped forward. Hua Sheng retreated again and again. His freshly washed hair was not yet dry, and his rebellious curls were softly draped over his forehead.
“Brother, do not move your hands, I was wrong.” Hua Sheng hugged his head, admitting his mistake at high speed. “I was wrong, I was wrong, I should not have come back so late.”
“What time did you get back?”
“Eleven-fifty, twelve o’clock.” He hesitated for a second, looked up at him secretly, “About 12:10.”
“What were you doing?”
“Went to the hospital to see Dazhi, and then we fell asleep while chatting. When I woke up, it was already 11:30.”
“Why did you not send me a message?”
“Took the wrong phone.”
“How did you take the wrong one? Whose did you take?”
“Zuo Xingyun! My classmate, the top student in the grade. The teacher arranged for me to be in a study mutual-aid group with him. He was tutoring me, and then, and then we took the wrong ones. Our phones are the same, and when I left, I did not notice.” Hua Sheng was so nervous he became incoherent. The excuses were recited by heart. “Brother, I am sorry. By the time I realized I took the wrong one, he was gone. I could not find him, and I did not know where he lived. Then I went straight to the hospital and did not use the phone. When I woke up later, I found the time was wrong. I could not remember your number, I had no way, no way to call you, so I just came straight back.”
“What about this study mutual-aid group? Is that really true?” Hua Xu asked suspiciously, “Do not collude with him to lie to me. Zuo Xingyun said you invited him to the house for tutoring, is that also true?”
“Uh, yes.” Hua Sheng answered stiffly. “The teacher said if I get the bottom of the class next time, I will not be allowed to ask for leave anymore.”
“When have you ever asked for leave? Do not you always skip classes?”
“No, you are talking nonsense, who said that? I have not skipped class for a long time.” Hua Sheng cupped his hands together, looking pathetic. “Brother, I was really wrong this time. I am sorry. I will definitely not do it again next time. Please forgive me this one time.”
Hua Xu’s expression had already softened. What his younger brother said was about the same as Zuo Xingyun’s explanation, and Hua Sheng’s attitude toward admitting his mistake was good.
He reached into his pocket, took out his phone, and slapped it onto his chest. “Remember to return the person’s phone to him next time.”
Hua Sheng bowed and scraped like he had been granted an amnesty. “Got it, got it, will return it for sure.”
“I am quite surprised that you could take the initiative to learn. However, Zuo Xingyun is loyal enough to be willing to spend his own time helping you tutor.” Hua Xu said, “Since you say you cannot learn in the classroom, let us invite Zuo to the house. I look forward to your results in the next exam. I believe you will not be the bottom of the class anymore, right, Hua Sheng?”
Hua Sheng’s expression froze. “Bring him home, ah, this is not very good, is it?”
Hua Xu narrowed his eyes.
“Okay, okay, okay! Invite him home, invite him home, hahaha.”
Hua Xu scolded him a few more words before leaving the room.
Hua Sheng was relieved that he did not get beaten this time, which was partly thanks to Zuo Xingyun. However, he was very clear that Zuo Xingyun was the culprit.
Correct attitude, study mutual-aid? Go to hell! It is better not to see a person like Zuo Xingyun.
He opened his phone, went into the address book, and dialed his head teacher’s number.