Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Proofreader: Akimi

After a while, Zhen Yuanbai finally managed to say, “I… obviously like him. He’s my good friend.”

He pushed Zhen Youxiu out of the door and said as a matter of fact, “Do you not like your good friend?”

Zhen Youxiu knitted his eyebrows as Zhen Yuanbai closed the door. He touched his warm ears and threw himself on his bed, glancing at the phone ill at ease.

Zhen Youxiu returned to his phone and glanced at the ceiling with a taut face before suddenly rolling over, placing his head under the pillow. He pressed the pillow against his head, facing down, silently angry.

Shi Bufan cushioned his arms behind his head and leaned against the headboard of the bed, quietly disliking Zhen Youxiu.

This wasn’t the first time Zhen Youxiu had targeted him.

At the time, Zhen Youxiu occasionally picked Zhen Yuanbai up from school, but during those two days, he felt like Zhen Yuanbai wasn’t in a good mood, so he asked, “Did someone bully you?”

Zhen Yuanbai flushed easily and wanted to keep his face, so he immediately stood up tall and said, “No, don’t blabber nonsense to mother and father.”

He refused to say anything, so Zhen Youxiu asked around.

The first thing Shi Bufan did after transferring over to the elite class from Class 10, he tattle-taled on the genius Zhen Yuanbai to the principal. The news of this was buzzing around in school and everyone could tell that Shi Bufan purposefully targeted Zhen Yuanbai, but they didn’t know how the latter offended him.

Without any twist and turns, the news spread to Zhen Youxiu’s ears. After observing for a few days, he confirmed Shi Bufan’s path to school and he had a few friends lying in wait for him. Zhen Youxiu was quite an influential person in school. He had good and ‘bad’ friends. Even more, those rascals copied off his homework, so they followed along without thinking much.

The middle-schoolers skipped classes in order to lie in wait at the high school, and this was a bit exciting for them. While waiting, they were bluffing and boasting, saying that they’ll definitely beat the other party up into a pulp.

Zhen Youxiu leaned against the wall and indifferently glanced ahead, waiting for Shi Bufan to come over. Then, they’ll surround him before doing anything.

After that, Shi Bufan and Ye Lian and the others slowly walked over. He wasn’t wearing his school uniform that day and his backpack was hanging loose on one side of his shoulder. His expression terrified the others.

Zhen Youxiu and the other classmates were shocked, “He’s the leader of Shengyi High School and I heard he got warned by the principal during the first day of school. He fought with the previous leader and they ended up transferring.”

Zhen Youxiu threw his backpack against the wall and said, “Let’s go.”

“Go?” His classmate was confused and asked, “Go where?”

Someone cleverly understood the situation and said, “Don’t tell me that you wanted us to beat him!”

“That’s Shi Bufan!” Zhen Youxiu’s classmate tugged on his arm and said, “He’s the infamous ‘Unoffendable’ from Shengyi High School. Don’t mention the guys behind him. I can barely handle one on one with any of them!”

Zhen Youxiu didn’t think that his classmates were just show-offs. Even more, they bluffed, saying that they’ll garner respect by skipping grades. Yet the moment they saw Shi Bufan, they became cowards. Zhen Youxiu walked out and some of his classmates were a bit loyal, so they also summoned the courage to walk over and stayed alongside Zhen Youxiu.

When the high schoolers and middle schoolers stood together, it felt like a brat was standing next to an adult. Just look at their height differences. Shi Bufan stopped and glanced up, slightly knitting his eyebrows after seeing Zhen Youxiu.

Ye Lian asked curiously, “Hey, kid, what are you doing?

Zhen Youxiu said nothing, but trained his gaze on Shi Bufan. When Shi Bufan swept his gazes over Zhen Youxiu’s classmates, their legs weakened when they made eye contact, unable to stand still. They heard of Shi Bufan’s notorious reputation and he was nearly 6 feet tall; he was more than a head taller than them. Additionally, he had a gloomy aura around him. His dark and fierce gaze made it seem like he was about to eat someone.

Shi Bufan finally gazed at Zhen Youxiu, asking, “Something wrong?”

“I came to warn you.”

Shi Bufan wasn’t in a very good mood. He clicked his tongue and slowly walked towards Zhen Youxiu. As he slowly walked forward, the brats behind Zhen Youxiu couldn’t keep up with the intensity, all running off. While running, they called, “Youxiu, don’t be afraid. We’ll go call the teacher for you!”

Qiu Jing chuckled at this, asking, “Are these brats clowns?”

Shi Bufan didn’t laugh. As Zhen Yuanbai had said, before losing his memory, he had a very bad temper. One could feel the surging gloomy aura around him just by a casual glance. Besides those who feared nothing, anyone with a brain wouldn’t take the initiative to offend him.

Shi Bufan stood in front of Zhen Youxiu while Ye Lian, Qiu Jing, and Ming Mai all walked forward. The four almost 6 feet all young men surrounded the eighth grader brat. They looked down at Zhen Youxiu, making him feel extremely pressured. Shi Bufan slowly said, “How do you want to warn me?”

“Zhen Yuanbai, you know him right?”

When Zhen Yuanbai was mentioned, Shi Bufan finally became sort of interested. “I know him.”

“You bullied him, right?”

Shi Bufan raised his eyebrows and asked, “Who said I bullied him?”

“I know you did.” Zhen Youxiu was surrounded by four people and he needed to raise his head up at Shi Bufan. He wasn’t even afraid, saying, “If you bully my elder brother again, I won’t let you off easily.”

Ming Mai chuckled out loud and said, “‘True fool’ actually has such a tough younger brother. Why do I feel like I’m dreaming?”

Shi Bufan suddenly harshly glared at him and Ming Mai touched his nose, not knowing what he had said wrong, shutting his mouth. Zhen Youxiu glanced over at Ming Mai, saying, “You, a stupid fool who is all brawn and no brain, dares to call someone else ‘true fool’?”

Ming Mai was confused and in exchange, Qiu Jing mocked him. He flew into a rage of humiliation and reached over to push Zhen Youxiu, but Ye Lian tugged him and said, “Brother Shi won’t even be able to have enough fun with this dude. Why are you butting in?”

Shi Bufan curled his lips up, a rare sight. It was unclear whether he was mocking at Zhen Youxiu’s bravery or complimenting his insults. “I didn’t bully him before. If you’re here to get revenge for your elder brother, you got the wrong person.”

He seemed to be very calm, making Zhen Youxiu question himself and wonder if he had gotten the wrong person. Shi Bufan wasn’t angry and he didn’t do anything either, walking straight over and saying, “Get home soon. Don’t let your elder brother worry.”

Zhen Youxiu suddenly turned around and looked at them in doubt.

Qiu Jing was considerably shocked as well. He walked for a while before asking, “Wait, you’re not beating him up?”

Ming Mai had been holding in his anger and he finally said, “That boy is clearly looking for a beating. If you don’t beat him up, even I’d feel sullen for you!”

Shi Bufan didn’t feel sullen, considering Zhen Youxiu’s words over and over. He was confused and asked, “Why did he say that I bullied Zhen Yuanbai?”

Qiu Jing said as if looking at a retard. “Isn’t he saying the truth?”

Shi Bufan immediately turned cold, asking, “When did I bully him?”

Ye Lian said, “Sigh, you didn’t really bully him, but your actions were a bit too extreme and it must’ve scared him.”

Shi Bufan believed him quite well, not saying anything else. Only Ming Mai and Qiu Jing were still conflicted. “If that’s not bullying, then what was it? Brother Shi clearly doesn’t like ‘true fool.’ Ouch. My god!”

Shi Bufan suddenly kicked him and Qiu Jing ducked behind Ye Lian. Shi Bufan really wanted to say, “Don’t you call him ‘true fool.’” Yet the words became, “When did I find him displeasing? If you keep spreading rumors, I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

Qiu Jing was speechless.

If you don’t find him displeasing, why did you transfer to the elite class and cause him trouble?

Ye Lian covered his mouth and laughed for a while, glancing at the two, confused.

Zhen Youxiu, likewise, also felt confused.

When he came, he was already prepared to be beaten up by Shi Bufan, therefore he swore at Shi Bufan as an attempt to win by words. Who knew that Shi Bufan had let him go so easily, not doing anything about it. Even more, he said “don’t let your elder brother worry’ as if they were good brothers.

Is he mental?

In order to make sure whether Zhen Yuanbai was bullied or not, Zhen Youxiu listened in on the gossips of the school. Every time he appeared, he would ask about Zhen Yuanbai’s matters, beating around the bush. He heard that Zhen Yuanbai and Shi Bufan didn’t have a good relationship. Shi Bufan didn’t really like Zhen Yuanbai, but because Zhen Yuanbai was a coward, he wasn’t fit to be his match. Therefore, he never did anything to Zhen Yuanbai.

Zhen Youxiu thought that even empty threats is a type of bullying too.

He observed for a while until he accidentally encountered something one day when he suddenly noticed what was wrong.

That was a Wednesday and the junior high student only had two classes in the afternoon, so they got out of school early. Rain poured and the trees were blowing as if announcing the approach of the end of the world. Zhen Youxiu draped his raincoat around him and then rode the electronic bicycle, preparing to bring an umbrella over for Zhen Yuanbai. Shengyi High School’s doors were still closed since school wasn’t over. He wasn’t able to go in, so he was wondering if he could find someone to bring it in for him, or to pass it on to the guards.

Because it was raining, Zhen Youxiu left a bit late and didn’t dare to ride too quickly. Before reaching the school door, he suddenly saw someone climbing over the wall.

He looked up and the young man’s figure was extremely eye-catching within this pouring rain. He was completely soaked, but he climbed over the wall agilely.

He was wondering which fool dared to climb over the wall under the pouring rain.

This should be the last class?

That huge fool jumped down from the wall and suddenly turned around. Because Zhen Youxiu’s face was covered by the raincoat and hat, Shi Bufan only took a quick glance and was unable to recognize him. Therefore, he gave up and ran towards a supermarket in the far distance.

Zhen Youxiu found that fool to be familiar as well, so he pedaled the bicycle over and got under the supermarket’s roof to hide from the rain.

That fool bought an umbrella and walked to the cashier to pay. It was a yellow-ish green umbrella with some white flower designs on it. It looked to be pretty refreshing and cute. After he paid the money, he wrapped the plastic over the umbrella and then ran back.

Zhen Youxiu sat on his bicycle and blinked his eyes, seeing that the fool wasn’t anyone else, but Shi Bufan.

He was thinking that there must be something wrong with Shi Bufan’s head, otherwise, who would risk buying an umbrella under the pouring rain during their last class? Not to mention how the school bell had rung just moments after he climbed over the wall.

He patiently waited for a while and then saw the person walking out of the school holding that yellow-ish green with white flowers umbrella. They carefully avoided the puddles on the floor and then walked over. Zhen Youxiu tilted his head and made out the design of the bookbag with difficulty before realizing that it was his elder brother.

His brain felt fried right then.

Zhen Yuanbai smiled and greeted, “It’s raining. I won’t take your bicycle. I’ll take the bus home.”

Zhen Youxiu glanced at the umbrella and asked, “I came to bring you an umbrella… you brought a new one?”

“No.” Zhen Yuanbai’s eyes brightened and said, “A classmate who copied off my homework said he coincidentally got two umbrellas, so he gave one to me.”

Zhen Youxiu nodded and watched as his elder brother walked towards the bus station platform. Then he suddenly looked around and saw the soaked Shi Bufan standing by the guard at gate, training his sight expressionlessly at a certain place.

Zhen Youxiu walked home, feeling ill. After taking a shower, he glanced at the umbrella against the balcony. He looked at the tag on the umbrella. It was already very wet, but he could tell that the tag was very new.

Zhen Yuanbai peeked his head out and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Who gave this umbrella to you?”

“Someone from our class. You don’t know.”

“Is it Shi Bufan?”

Zhen Yuanbai glanced at him as if looking at a fool, saying, “Without thinking, it’s obvious that he wouldn’t lend an umbrella to me. Plus, he never handed in his homework, so there’s no need for him to copy from me.”

Zhen Youxiu was confused.

He asked for help on the internet. If someone secretly delivers an umbrella to another person, what does that mean?

Someone quickly responded. Love.

Zhen Youxiu was speechless.

He patiently replied. It’s between two guys.

That person replied. It’s undoubtedly true love.

Zhen Youxiu spent an entire month or so before he finally accepted this with difficulty. After that, he started to worry about his elder brother, wondering if he will be badly influenced. Later on, the things that happened later proved that he had overthought this.

This is because Shi Bufan is truly a fool and the elder brother will only hate him, never following Shi Bufan’s demands.

He wasn’t worried in the least bit that his elder brother and Shi Bufan would be together or that Shi Bufan would bully his elder brother. Therefore, when Zhen Yuanbai brought Shi Bufan home for the first time, he threatened Zhen Yuanbai with no care. If he hits you… just run quickly.

Shi Bufan threw his pillow off the bed.

After long consideration, he rolled over and sent a message to Zhen Yuanbai, asking, “Does your younger brother hate me?”

The absent-minded Zhen Yuanbai raised his face and reached for the phone, immediately explaining, “No, he’s just childish. Don’t place this in your heart.”

Then, he recalled Zhen Youxiu’s words.

Zhen Yuanbai believed that he didn’t like Shi Bufan. Although he kissed Shi Bufan many times, it was because they were dating. They were fake dating, so the kiss naturally didn’t count too.

While taking on this job for a day, he needed to perform the job well. He was just being dedicated.

He touched his burning face and pursed his lips, glancing at the phone screen.

Annoying Shi: That’s what my rationality says too. But one couldn’t help but be hurt within a relationship.

Zhen Yuanbai’s heart tightened, not knowing what to do.

Annoying Shi continued. My heart feels empty after knowing that your family hates me.

Zhen Yuanbai wanted to type something, but he didn’t know what to say. Therefore, he dryly replied: you don’t need to mind that.

Annoying Shi was upset. How can I not mind it? In the future, we need his blessing when we get married.

Zhen Yuanbai’s face became redder. He had the intention of avoiding this topic, but he felt the need to comfort Shi Bufan. He had spent a while typing when a message popped up. Maybe we’ll break up tomorrow, so don’t be influenced by him.