CH 35

There’s too much vinegar in the sweet and sour spareribs

Song Yan sat at the very back of the classroom, and couldn’t hear their conversation clearly. He could only see that when Xia Zhiye returned, he was holding a pink gift box in his hand.

He coldly glanced at it, then quickly lowered his eyes: “Which class was your suitor from this time.”

“A suitor from Class 13.” Xia Zhiye pushed the gift box over to Song Yan, “But this time they sent it to you.”

“?”

Song Yan raised his head.

Xia Zhiye casually pushed aside the chair and sat down, then lazily said: “Your suitor wanted me to hand it over to you. Does our classmate Song Daxi want to say something about this situation?”

“Yeah.” Classmate Song Daxi opened his mouth, “Which floor is Class 13 on.”

“The third floor.”

“Ok.”

Song Yan replied to show he understood, then stuffed the gift box into the storage in his desk, then picked up his chopsticks again.

Xia Zhiye: “……That’s it?”

Song Yan raised his eyes: “Otherwise?”

“……”

Otherwise shouldn’t you take the initiative to return the gift, then show that you have no relationship with that girl so as to avoid making your future boyfriend jealous? How could you even accept the gift?

Xia Zhiye felt that a certain little classmate was lacking in self awareness.

But Song Yan had no idea what was going on in the other’s head, and only planned to return the gift after evening self study, when there were fewer people in the classroom so as not to hurt the girl’s self esteem in front of too many people.

Xia Zhiye was also unaware of all this, glanced at Song Yan who was eating as if nothing happened, then glanced at that pink gift box in the storage pocket of the desk, pondered for a moment, then opened up his WeChat conversation with Zhou Ziqiu.

[Wild]: What’s up with that girl from your class?

[Autumn]: Which girl?

[Wild]: The one who asked you about my shoe size

[Autumn]: Oh, that one. What about her, she confessed to you?

[Wild]: Nope

[Autumn]: Then what?

[Wild]: She gave Song Yan a gift

[Autumn]: Then?

Then did she want to steal his boyfriend.

Xia Zhiye wanted to directly ask this, but was scared this would shock Zhou Ziqiu, so he switched to a more roundabout way of asking.

[Wild]: So does she have that kind of idea towards Song Yan?

[Autumn]: What kind of nonsense is that?

[Wild]: ?

[Autumn]: In our class, at least two thirds of the girls have that kind of idea for Song Yan, and the remaining third are your CP fans

[Wild]: ……

Zhou Ziqiu’s ‘that kind of idea’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘like’. No.3 Middle High is open-minded, and Class 13 was a liberal arts class. Schoolgirls occupied the peak of the food chain, and taking advantage of good-looking boys was an extremely normal matter.

But since Song Yan transferred, he had always lived a life of seclusion, where could he have attracted so many peach blossoms.

[Wild]: Song Yan is so lowkey, even the girls in your class won’t let him off?

[Autumn]: ?

[Wild]: ??

[Autumn]: Bro, do you have some misconception about the word lowkey?

Some misconception?

Could it be that Song Yan isn’t lowkey?

Xia Zhiye just thought this when Zhou Ziqiu sent a series of rhetorical questions over with a hint of a sneer.

[Autumn]: Do you think he was being lowkey when he fought and got injured on the first day he transferred here, or was he being lowkey when he wrote a self-reflection that made Luo Wei faint with anger?

[Autumn]: Or do you think he was being lowkey when he made a bet with Liu Yue that the entire school was aware of, or was he being super lowkey when he returned to school after buying 1000 roses in order to anger Zhao Yu during the Arts Festival?

[Autumn]: More directly, do you also think he was being quite lowkey when he wore girl’s clothing and embraced you in a public place with numerous people watching?

[Wild]: ……

It seems he really wasn’t that lowkey.

Turns out that in the two months since Song Yan transferred here, he lived freely with various ups and downs. If Zhou Ziqiu didn’t mention it, he wouldn’t have discovered this.

[Autumn]: Therefore, not all people with facial nerve paralysis and are untalkative are also lowkey. Your Song Yan is at most a cold-faced, arrogant king. It just so happens that this is the kind that girls are into these days, so you’re on your own. If you don’t believe me, look on Tieba

Other than that situation with Liu Yue, Xia Zhiye almost never browses Tieba, because he felt that there was no point entering a place filled with a group of anonymous gossip mongers.

But after seeing Zhou Ziqiu’s words, he still chose to open a link he hadn’t visited in a long time.

Upon opening it, the first thing he saw was a huge post on the homepage: [Reporting!!! Song Yan has temporarily joined the basketball team!!!]

[1L]: First-hand reliable information, Song Yan is temporarily replacing Shang Huai and has joined the basketball team. I heard they’re going to start practicing tonight, are there any iYan girls who want to go check it out

[2L]: Who wouldn’t go? Just look at Song Yan’s waist, his legs, his fingers. He would definitely look amazing playing basketball!

[3L]: You’re right, I’m going to buy drinks and a towel before I go

[5L]: Fuck, Song Yan really entered the basketball team? So does that mean that the basketball team’s double grass can be changed into the basketball team’s handsome trio?

[6L]: Can this sister weakly ask, which handsome trio are you talking about?

[7L]: Who else can it be, Xia Zhiye, Song Yan, Zhou Ziqiu

[8L]: Fuck, wait, Xia Zhiye’s there? YeYan girls rejoice! Bodies touching are yyds1!

[9L]: ^This post prohibits shipping CPs, all the handsome ges belong to everyone, put an end to this internal desire

[10L]: Seconded

……

Apart from this, there was post after post praising Song Yan for being good-looking, being classy, having pale skin and long legs, and looking amazing in women’s clothing. There were even plenty of girls readily calling him Yanyan baby.

You could even say baby so easily?

Xia Zhiye felt that NanWu’s No.3 Middle High’s school atmosphere was simply excessively open-minded and the girls were simply too excessive in coveting beauty. As a second year student in the student union, he needed to purge the atmosphere, and establish his prestige as Song Yan’s deskmate.

So he put away his phone, then stood up: “Let’s go to the basketball court.”

Song Yan just finished eating, and had been wiping his hands. He glanced at the food in front of Xia Zhiye that looked like it hadn’t been touched at all, then looked away: “You’re not eating anymore?”

“Mm, there’s too much vinegar in the sweet and sour spareribs today, it’s a bit sour2.”

Song Yan: “?”

Was it sour?

.

Song Yan didn’t taste exactly which dish was sour, but was also too lazy to care. Anyway, someone like Xia Zhiye definitely wouldn’t starve to death.

At night, the basketball court was dark and gloomy. In the faint yellow halo from the streetlights on either side of the boulevard, one could see gray fragments of dust floating in the air.

Xia Zhiye laid his arm across Song Yan’s shoulder, and when he walked over from under the light, Zhou Ziqiu simply felt he couldn’t look on any longer: “Can you guys stop acting so gay?”

“Who the fuck is acting gay with him.” Song Yan very proficiently smacked away Xia Zhiye’s rarely well-behaved claws.

Xia Zhiye seized the opportunity to stand up straight while the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile, then feigned inattention as he warmed up and loosened his wrists.

Zhou Ziqiu had good eyes, added to the fact that he had cultivated a tacit understanding with Xia Zhiye from colluding together to commit trouble after many years, glanced at the other, then very casually asked: “Why do your bracelets look like couple’s bracelets?”

“Oh, they’re originally couple’s bracelets.”

Xia Zhiye’s voice wasn’t too loud or quiet, it was just loud enough for the girls, who had been pretending to take a walk around the basketball court in an attempt to covet Song Yan and Xia Zhiye’s beauty, to hear. As a result, they began to look over one after another.

Then, they saw Xia Zhiye and Song Yan each wearing an obsidian bead bracelet of the same style, only Xia Zhiye’s bracelet had a light pink moonstone, while Song Yan’s bracelet was one with a dark blue moonstone.

Since ancient times, red and blue produced CPs.

So……

The youthful and beautiful hearts of these young girls broke to pieces and shattered onto the ground.

Song Yan was too lazy to say anything, and only gazed at the basketball team members, then concisely said: “What position am I playing.”

The others were used to listening to Xia Zhiye, and used their eyes to inquire.

Xia Zhiye didn’t respond, and only asked: “In the past, which position did you play?”

“Shooting guard.”

After Song Yan replied, Xia Zhiye turned to Zhou Ziqiu, and slightly raised his chin.

Zhou Ziqiu was open to suggestions, then lightly dribbled the basketball in his hand forward. When it bounced upward, Xia Zhiye smoothly reached out and steadily grabbed it, then handed it to Song Yan: “Try a three-pointer?”

After all, the name shooting guard, as the name implies, was an important position in gaining points from farther away. Even if Xia Zhiye was dazed by Song Yan’s beauty and wanted to act as an incapable ruler, he still had to act appropriately in front of his teammates.

Also, other than Xia Zhiye and Zhou Ziqiu, the others were not that familiar with Song Yan, and he even had a bit of a situation with Liu Yue, so they all had a bit of an idea with regards to directly bringing Song Yan into the basketball team.

If he didn’t show off his skills to convince the masses, then it was inevitable that there’d be some friction in their interactions later.

Song Yan understood Xia Zhiye’s intentions, accepted the ball, got a feel for the ball, then used a bit of strength in his legs and lightly jumped. When his feet left the ground, his arms spread as he raised the ball while his wrist naturally dunked. The basketball flew out in a beautiful arc from the three-pointer line, and securely fell into the basketball hoop.

His posture appeared both effortless and beautiful, as if getting three points was just an ordinary occurrence in his daily life. Outside the court, the iYan girls, whose hearts had just been broken and shattered, immediately pieced themselves together, and they erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers: “Song Yan is so handsome! Mom loves you! The basketball team is amazing now that they have you!”

He even said he isn’t charming.

This is called ‘not charming’?

Xia Zhiye suddenly felt a bit regretful asking Song Yan to play basketball.

But it was already too late.

The other members of the team watched as Song Yan revealed his skills, and simply felt as if they gained a precious treasure: “Not bad, pretty accurate.”

“That was just good luck, my accuracy in-game is only average.” Song Yan’s expression didn’t change.

The team member in the center waved his hand, “That’s fine, average accuracy is enough. With the skill you showed just now, you’re definitely not lacking. Liu Yue, what do you think.”

The person who just spoke looked at Liu Yue.

Everyone knew about the previous conflict between Liu Yue and Song Yan. Although they cooperated on a stage play later on, and it seemed that they didn’t have any problems after, they should still ask after all.

Liu Yue also only smacked the ball, and didn’t meet the other’s eyes: “Up to you guys.”

Seems he didn’t quite reject the idea.

“Then Zhou Ziqiu, you’ll be the point-guard to fill Shang Huai’s position. Song Yan will be shooting guard, Liu Yue will remain as the center, and I’ll be the forward. There’s no problem, right.” Xia Zhiye spoke lazily, but the more leisurely he spoke, the more it made people feel as if he were unquestionable.

It was only when gazing at the audience’s obedient reaction did Song Yan realize that Xia Zhiye usually smiled with a good-temper in front of him, to the extent that he had nearly forgotten that this person was said to be No.3 Middle High’s legendary little tyrant.

And as soon as he started to play ball, Xia Zhiye’s aggressive playing style, full of aggressive confrontation and shots from unconventional angles, made Song Yan realize that Xia Zhiye usually didn’t fight back simply because he didn’t want to fight back.

The youth’s nimble, short hair was slightly soaked by his forehead sweat, and he removed his school uniform jacket then tossed it to the side. Because he had been jumping, the hem of the loose t-shirt he was wearing rose upwards, exposing a slim and powerful waist, as well his straight and slender legs.

Because of Xia Zhiye’s innate, careless calm and self confidence, the dim, yellow glow of the street lamps became a spotlight.

When Xia Zhiye carried the ball past another person, made a three step lay-up, and completed a very beautiful dunk that won the screams and cheers of the entire audience, Zhou Ziqiu stood at the backcourt, smirked lightly, then looked to Song Yan: “Actually, our Lord Xia is pretty good? Anyway, he’s pretty popular with the girls.”

He could tell.

This person is usually lazy without a proper appearance. Once he comes out, he’s as provocative as a peacock, and it was unknown exactly who he was trying to show off to. Couldn’t he stop attracting girls’ attention.

While thinking, the referee had already blown the whistle to stop the match.

Their team easily won against the training team by 37 points.

The power forward from the training team directly laid down on the ground and gasped: “I can’t go on, Lord Xia, you’re playing too hard today, can you not play like this in the future? Your fake out move was so fast it nearly made me feel like I had a concussion.”

Another teammate that had endured no small amount of trauma also expressed: “Lord Xia, I didn’t say this, but your feint nearly tricked my teammate over here. The last time I saw such an extensive play was when Shang Huai wanted to chase a girl. Don’t tell me, Lord Xia, you also want to chase someone?”

The teammate originally only unintentionally teased the other, but Xia Zhiye standing next to the court while dribbling the basketball unexpectedly ‘Mm’ed in response.

The person who asked stared blankly, and hadn’t quite reacted yet: “Lord Xia, what do you mean by ‘mm’?”

“It means what you think it means.” Xia Zhiye casually tossed the ball towards the other, “If you have time to gossip like this, you ‘re better off thinking about why you continuously weren’t able to guard against me. Also, next time we practice, reserve the indoor basketball court of the Arts and Sports building.”

“Why? Isn’t it pretty nice here?”

“There’s too many people watching here.”

Teammate: “???”

Weren’t they playing basketball in order to let others watch?

If it wasn’t to enjoy the cheers of pretty sisters, who would want to stay here to sweat, bleed, and even cry with a group of gross guys like you?!

The teammate was nearly angered to death.

But Xia Zhiye acted alone, and didn’t leave them any space to rebut at all. After speaking, he faced Song Yan, and handed the other a bottle of mineral spring water that he had already opened: “What do you think about your first time cooperating with us?”

“Not bad.” Song Yan drank a sip, “Other than a certain person’s feint being so flashy it made me feel dizzy, there wasn’t any other problem.”

Xia Zhiye was entirely earnest: “There’s no other way around it, their strength was too much that it carelessly injured their teammate, it’s also not something I can control.”

“……”

How could there be someone so shameless.

“So who’s the person you want to chase? How come I wasn’t aware.” Song Yan resisted the idea of splashing the water on Xia Zhiye’s face, and instead twisted the bottle shut, and pretended to ask casually.

Xia Zhiye chuckled: “Guess.”

“……”

Guess what, he really was trying to take advantage of one’s weaknesses.

Song Yan picked up the school uniform jacket he had taken off, then turned around and left, too lazy to even take another look.

Seeing the two girls next to the court seeing this opening and preparing to come over to talk to Song Yan, Xia Zhiye hurriedly walked over with his long legs and managed to catch up in two strides. He then took the opportunity to grab Song Yan’s shoulder from behind, showcasing an extremely intimate posture.

Song Yan also allowed the other to lean on him, and didn’t even move.

The pair’s seemingly similar bracelets appeared harmonious under the moonlight.

The two girls behind them, who had just glued together their broken hearts stared at the gay scene: “……”

Forget it, they’d rather destroy ten temples than a single marriage.

After three seconds of silence, they wiped the nonexistent tears from their lost love, then sorrowfully discussed where they should go to drink milk tea tonight.

Meanwhile Xia Zhiye continued to hang off of Song Yan, then casually asked: “You really don’t know who I want to chase?”

Song Yan expressionlessly ‘mm’ed in reply.

Xia Zhiye smirked: “What a coincidence, he3 doesn’t know either.”

“……”

Song Yan didn’t think it was a coincidence, and only felt that Zhiye was asking to be beat.

But in the next second, Xia Zhiye lazily tossed out another sentence: “But he’ll know soon.”

Song Yan’s fingertips that had been holding onto his school uniform unconsciously tightened for a moment.

This slight movement wasn’t obvious, but was coincidentally seen out of the corner of Xia Zhiye’s eyes, and the smile on his lips immediately deepened: “So if I confess, what kind of gift do you think would be better to give?”

“Give whatever you want to give, what does it have to do with me.”

“The most important thing is that his family has money, and his insight must be pretty high. He definitely won’t like an ordinary gift. A little master like you probably would understand his tastes, so can you give me some advice?”

Advice my ass.

Song Yan originally wasn’t in the best mood, but once Xia Zhiye mentioned the matter of giving gifts, he immediately grew even more irritated.

Some people wore the shoes that he had spent nearly half his savings on, then went to fight over his business on the Penguin group chat, made money off of him on King’s Glory, all to finally send a gift to a girl he didn’t even know at all.

He really hasn’t ever met such a disloyal bastard.

But that bastard still hung off of his shoulders and asked: “So exactly what kind of gift is he sure to like, one that’s unique and irreplaceable?”

Song Yan was nearly annoyed to death. He ruthlessly slapped away the other’s hand, then unhappily replied: “Just give yourself as a gift.”

“?”

Turns out Song Yan’s actually so wild?

But it wasn’t that good to be so direct the first time you confess.

Xia Zhiye began to seriously consider the feasibility of this suggestion.

Meanwhile, although Song Yan was angry and vexed, he also didn’t know that he gave Xia Zhiye a rotten idea, and only coldly retorted: “If you like her, then just say it directly. If she dates you, it’s definitely because she likes you, not because she likes the gift you gave her. So just tell it as it is and try your best. There’s no reason to play tricks and deceive her.”

Otherwise, even if you manage to buy a gift that she likes, then the two of you get together, later on, when she discovers the disparity between the rich and the poor, you’ll still break up.

Might as well explain your situation clearly from the beginning, and when the other party willingly accepts it, then it’s a happily ever after. But if the other can’t accept it, then there’s no reason to continue interacting with the other party.

Anyway, other than the fact that Xia Zhiye was a bit poor, his looks, grades, and ability were all not bad. If he sent himself over, there was enough to spare.

In his mind, Song Yan had already drawn up a complete value system for Xia Zhiye’s pursuit of rich girls as a destitute learning god.

Meanwhile Xia Zhiye only stared at Song Yan and couldn’t help exposing a smile completely filled with joy.

Sure enough, his Song Daxi was a cute and pure little master.

Only seeking himself, and not his money.

How nice.

Such an easy to satisfy person, later when Song Yan sees the washing machine he specifically bought for the other, then Song Yan would definitely be so happy that he’d wrap Xia Zhiye up in a hug.

Just thinking about it, Xia Zhiye felt it would be quite beautiful.

.

The author has something to say:

Natural couple: refers to a couple that clearly spends everyday together yet aren’t on the same wavelength at all, but are still inexplicably affectionate.

1. yyds stands for 永远的神, lit. forever god. Essentially refers to something amazing/the best

2. In Chinese culture, eating vinegar essentially means being jealous (in love), so adding ‘too much vinegar in the sweet and sour spareribs’ has the connotation that XZY is feeling jealous

3. Reminder: due to the way CN pronouns are, when XZY says ‘he’ here, it can actually mean either he/she in CN.