Yan Xun was startled awake by Fu Siheng’s words. Seeing that the medicine had already been applied, he withdrew his hand.
“Is it there?” he asked, wrinkling his nose. He could only smell the scent of Fu Siheng’s room.
He couldn’t quite describe the smell, but he figured it was Fu Siheng’s own scent.
Clean, abstinent, and slightly cold.
Fu Siheng didn’t pay much attention and began tidying the medicine on the coffee table.
Yan Xun steadied his breathing. As he watched Fu Siheng put the items away, he suddenly said, “Can I discuss something with you?”
Fu Siheng looked at him. “Hmm?”
Yan Xun thought for a moment, then said as gently as possible, “You’ve just taken this post and don’t fully understand the ‘Excellence Plan’ yet. There are many interests involved. As a friend, I want to give you a piece of advice: don’t get involved.”
The air fell silent for a moment.
Yan Xun looked at Fu Siheng, feeling inexplicably nervous. It was as if he had been transported back to the past, about to do something that might upset the other man, and was stealing glances to gauge his reaction.
Fu Siheng actually laughed, but the words he spoke held no trace of amusement. “What makes you think we can even be considered friends? And what makes you think I’d just drop out of the ‘Excellence Plan’ because of a casual remark from you?”
Yan Xun froze. He clearly hadn’t expected Fu Siheng to turn on him so abruptly after just tending to his wound a moment ago.
Fu Siheng’s expression darkened. “Yan Xun, you’re being far too arrogant.”
The moment Yan Xun saw that look in his eyes, his heart screamed in alarm. Crap, I’ve stepped on his tail again.
“Get out,” Fu Siheng said, standing up.
Yan Xun tried to explain. “I didn’t mean it like that. Please don’t be angry.”
“You’ve never changed from then until now,” Fu Siheng said coldly. “You can’t even give me a proper reason. Do you really think I’d just agree to this?”
Yan Xun fell silent, suddenly understanding why Fu Siheng was so furious.
Fu Siheng pointed to the door. “Do I have to ask you to leave?”
After a moment of silence, Yan Xun immediately admitted his mistake. “I’m sorry. I said the wrong thing.”
This was the one thing about him that was still somewhat endearing: whenever he truly felt he was in the wrong, he would admit it instantly and with utmost sincerity. He looked at Fu Siheng earnestly, as if pleading for his forgiveness.
But Fu Siheng didn’t want to waste any more words on him; he didn’t even care to hear his reasons anymore. He walked straight to the door, pulled it open, and said, “I don’t want to say this a third time.”
Yan Xun’s shoulders slumped. He could only slowly walk to the doorway.
As Fu Siheng gradually closed the door, Yan Xun felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy fist. It was the same feeling he’d had years ago when, driven by circumstances beyond his control, he’d been forced to break up with Fu Siheng. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed the doorframe.
Fu Siheng looked at him.
Yan Xun stared blankly. “Don’t ignore me.”
Perhaps his gaze was so heavy with sorrow that Fu Siheng’s heart softened, just a little.
“Think about how many times you’ve tried to fool me with this kind of routine,” he said reluctantly.
Yan Xun blinked, unable to grasp his meaning.
Fu Siheng asked, “Do you still remember the reason you gave me for the breakup back then?”
Yan Xun was still immersed in the sorrow of the moment, his brain short-circuiting. But his intuition told him that Fu Siheng was extremely, extremely unhappy about that reason.
The problem was, he had completely forgotten what it was. It had just been some nonsense he’d made up in his youthful ignorance!
“Because you were underdeveloped and never presented?” he guessed, trying the most likely excuse.
Fu Siheng’s gaze turned icy. “No.”
“Because you… have silver hair?” Yan Xun sized him up. Other than the silver hair, he couldn’t find anything that set him apart from ordinary people.
Fu Siheng’s gaze grew even colder. “No.”
Yan Xun thought seriously, recalling a long-forgotten incident. “Is it because you used to wear wide-leg pants that dragged on the floor when you went to the bathroom, which didn’t fit your aloof persona?”
Fu Siheng exploded instantly. “Go die!” He slammed the door shut with a resounding bang.
Yan Xun covered his nose, which had almost been hit, in disbelief. Fuck, no way, he was just about to get forgiven, and he fucked it up at the last second?
He scratched his head and ears in frustration at the door, thinking for a long time but still unable to remember the reason.
Did I get my head caught in a door back then?!
The next day, the news that Fu Siheng and Yan Xun had teamed up to destroy a mecha quickly spread through the Imperial Army Grand Nightclub group chat.
Miao Xian Duo Duo Duo: [Image][Image] Waaaah, Chairman Yan is so badass!
Senior Yan is so handsome: Holy shit, holy shit! I hate being so uncultured that I could only stand on the side and scream!
Xiao Hai-Taking inhibitor orders (DM me): @Senior Yan is so handsome, you went too? You’re not even from the Command Academy!
Senior Yan is So Handsome: qaq I didn’t go! But my soul did!
Li Xiao-On Guard Duty: Holy shit, Instructor Fu looks so hot in this picture. Does he need a boyfriend? Could you consider me?
Ababa: Hahaha, he hasn’t even presented yet. Why are you so eager?
Yuezi-Lemon Sparkling Alpha: To be fair, I think Instructor Fu is probably an S-class Alpha or higher. It’s only a matter of time.
Early Spring Wants Peach Soda: How do you know he’s definitely not an Omega?
Yuezi-Lemon Sparkling Alpha: What kind of Omega could take down a troublemaker like Zhao Zhifan? He probably hasn’t been born yet…
Today is also Chongyang’s Simp Cat: Hahaha, true. I even saw a video in another group of Zhao the Troublemaker pissing his pants.
Congo Wolf: …You better be careful, or his lackeys will strip your pants off.
Today is also Chongyang’s Simp Cat: What’s that got to do with me? If he dares to come here, I’ll chop his dick off.
Song Xiaoxiaoxiao: Hahahahahahaha.
In his office, Fu Siheng stared at the chat history, his expression gradually turning grim.
Yesterday, Shi Yuanyang had added him to the group chat, and he had been lurking in it with a smurf account.
When he saw someone mention that a video of Zhao Zhifan had leaked, a bad feeling washed over him.
If this were in the Marine Corps, he wouldn’t have even bothered with a soldier like that; they’d just run fifty laps around the parade ground on their own. But this was a school, after all, and there was no telling what Zhao Zhifan might do if he snapped.
He picked up his communicator and dialed Zhao Zhifan’s dorm. Little Fatty answered, and only after confirming that Zhao Zhifan wasn’t acting strangely did Fu Siheng finally relax.
He set the communicator aside and muted the group chat.
The conversation in the group continued to buzz.
Xiao Hai-Inhibitor Proxy (DM me): …Just went to get some photos developed. You guys better not mock Zhao Zhifan. His backer is coming back soon.
Early Spring Wants Peach Soda: Ah, you mean Senior Gu? Oh my god, time flies so fast! The exchange students are already coming back?
Today’s Also Chongyang’s Licking Cat: Aaaah, yes! I can feel it in my bones; they’re about to return! Wherever Senior Chongyang is, I’ll be there!
Li Xiao-On Guard Duty: Anyone who hangs out with someone like Zhao Zhifan can’t be any good either.
Today’s Also Chongyang’s Licking Cat: How dare you say bad things about Senior Chongyang!
Shishi Doesn’t Talk About Love: = = What weirdo has joined this group chat? The official assessment is about to start. Why are you all chatting here instead of reviewing?
Research Institute Official: I just saw Zhao Zhifan sweeping the area by the perimeter wall. Isn’t that guy supposed to be in solitary confinement?
Shishi Doesn’t Talk About Love: Why is it you again, Yi Fengbei…
Research Institute Official: ovo Axun seems to have forgotten something important and is in distress, so he let me use his computer.
Senior Yan Is So Handsome: What’s wrong with Senior Yan??
Research Institute Official: Uh, it’s a long story. He seems to have entered his heat period recently.
Shishi Doesn’t Talk About Love: ???
Under the perimeter wall by the training ground, Zhao Zhifan and his lackey were sweating as they swept the ground.
The two had been sweeping all morning, yet the guard in the booth next to them wouldn’t even give them a bottle of water.
Zhao Zhifan slammed his broom down and spat, “Damn it! The solitary confinement cells had to be full right now. I’d rather be locked up than work here.”
His lackey said with a miserable expression, “Brother Fan, why did you have to offend the new instructor of all people? What are we going to do now? You owe him so much money that your allowance and discharge pay won’t even be enough to pay him back.”
“Repay him? My ass!” Zhao Zhifan snapped. “I’m graduating. I’ll pack my bags and flee to the next planet over. What are they gonna do, hunt me down there?” He scoffed. “Besides, it’s not like he’s hurting for a couple of credits.”
Just as he was getting worked up, a figure dropped from the sky, landing with a dull thud on the dry leaves before them.
Both men jumped, staring at Yan Xun, who had appeared out of nowhere. They were too stunned to even speak.
Zhao Zhifan looked at him, then up at the nearly four-meter-high wall, unable to believe he’d just leaped down from it.
Yan Xun had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Today, he’d come to this wall to bask in the sun and clear his head, trying desperately to recall that damned reason for the breakup.
He’d spent the entire morning thinking about it but still came up empty. Just as his chest tightened with frustration and anger, he heard someone below chirping away, badmouthing Fu Siheng.
Yesterday, he’d been in the principal’s office and couldn’t have acted.
Now, seeing Zhao Zhifan’s wide-eyed stare, he sneered. Before either man could react, he swung his fist straight at Zhao Zhifan’s face.
Thwack.
The lackey heard the sickening crunch of knuckles hitting bone. Caught completely off guard, Zhao Zhifan clutched his cheek and let out a strangled cry of pain.
Three iron fists that could smash through a mecha’s hull; Zhao Zhifan knew better than anyone what it felt like to take those to the face.
As he stumbled back, Yan Xun grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward, driving two knees into his stomach before slamming him to the ground.
Zhao Zhifan was utterly defenseless. Before he could even try to scramble up, a polished black combat boot came down hard on his chest.
His lackey stood nearby, completely petrified, frozen like a statue and too terrified to even breathe.
Yan Xun looked down at Zhao Zhifan’s agonized face, grinding his boot into his chest. “He’s not the one short on cash. I am. So, do you want to pay him back, or pay me? Your choice.”
Zhao Zhifan felt as if a boulder were crushing his chest, nearly suffocating under the pressure.
“Instructor Fu is a teacher, which is why he was polite when he asked for the money. If it were me, I wouldn’t want your cash, just an arm and a leg,” Yan Xun said, his soft tone sending a chill down Zhao Zhifan’s spine.
Zhao Zhifan gasped for air, wailing like a wounded animal. “I’ll pay! I’ll pay! I’ll go kowtow to Instructor Fu and apologize right now! It’s all my fault… cough, cough…”
Yan Xun took a moment to savor the sight of Zhao Zhifan’s pathetic display before finally lifting his foot. As Zhao Zhifan struggled to his feet, coughing violently, Yan Xun clapped his hands together and said, “Make sure you tell him Yan Xun sent you.”