Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Lou Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t the ones in front of your seat a boy and a girl?”

He and Wei Jiayu were in the same class. Although he was only in class for a short time, he still knew the general situation.

Wei Jiayu said quietly, “Xiao Ge, Li Qing might be a bit shorter, but he’s a guy through and through.”

Lou Xiao: “Oh, I didn’t see clearly.” He had always been frank about his blindness, but no one dared to ask.

For a while, Wei Jiayu didn’t know what else to say. They’ve been in the same class for more than half a year, but Lou Xiao actually mistook such a big guy for a girl? He suddenly felt sorry for Li “thin man” Qing.

Eh? If that’s the case, then maybe… For Wei Jiayu, when good fortune comes, the mind works well. He finally understood why Lou Xiao liked Qiao Shao! It must be because he also mistook the little poor ghost to be a girl!

Wei Jiayu quickly said, “Xiao Ge! Qiao Shao is also a boy!”

Lou Xiao looked at him like he was an idiot. “No kidding.”

Wei Jiayu: “?”

“If he were a girl, how could he be rooming with you?” Lou Xiao might be nearly blind as a bat, but his brain worked just fine.

Wei Jiayu: “………” Then it looks like Xiao Ge truly was in love with the little poor ghost.

Lou Xiao thought for a while and then asked him, “Do you really think their relationship is normal?”

Could it be the he was just overthinking this?

Wei Jiayu thought they were very much not normal! But in order to avoid the school tyrant’s violent rage, he decided to play dumb. “It’s very normal. They’re seatmates that simply couldn’t be any more normal!”

Lou Xiao looked at him. “You and your seatmate act all sticky day after day? Do you hold hands, ruffle each other’s hair and sleep on the same bed?”

Wei Jiayu brought to mind his own seatmate, visualized it and almost threw up.

Lou Xiao understood. “They’re different, right?”

Wei Jiayu stubbornly said, “Shen Ge just likes taking care of people, that little … I mean, Qiao Shao looks like a child.”

Lou Xiao sneered. “He Shen? Take care of others?”

Wei Jiayu: “…”

He really doesn’t understand much about the god of learning!

However, according to rumors, the god of learning was a man who was self-centered and made no allowances for his family, more cold-hearted and unfeeling than even the school tyrant!

Lou Xiao laughed softly. “I have known him for so many years, and I have never seen him so fond of people.”

His wording was very subtle. Lou Xiao didn’t use ‘anyone’, but rather the more broad-meaning word ‘people’.

Wei Jiayu could no longer keep up the act.

What was the relationship between Lou Xiao and He Shen like? Was it possible for two people so familiar with each other to not understand each other’s minds?

So … they both liked Qiao Shao, and they both knew that the other liked Qiao Shao?

That’s horrible……

Lou Xiao snubbed out his cigarette and said, “Okay, you know, but don’t go spreading it around.”

Those two weren’t making any effort to hide it either. Even a blind person could see that there was something fishy.

Wei Jiayu tried to probe. “Have you known for long, Xiao Ge?”

Lou Xiao sneered.

Wei Jiayu was startled, thinking that he had plucked the hair off a tiger’s butt. Terrified, he said, “I didn’t see it coming! They’re both guys, how…”

Lou Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Why isn’t it possible for two guys?”

Wei Jiayu really wanted to sew his mouth shut. “They can! Of course, they can!”

Lou Xiao looked at him. “Are you prejudiced against this?”

Wei Jiayu promptly expressed his loyalty. “No, there is absolutely no prejudice. Love is love regardless of national borders, race or gender!”

It was thanks to his sisters’ good teaching that he was able to explain it so swiftly.

Lou Xiao’s expression eased and he patted him on the shoulder. “It’s good that you’re not prejudiced, but don’t go telling this to anyone. It’s enough that we all respect each other.”

Wei Jiayu nodded repeatedly, expressing his 100,000% approval.

This conversation made Blue Hair worship the school tyrant even more.

Now, this was a real man&#k2013;

Magnanimous, clear-minded, with a strong sense of right and wrong!

Even in the face of this kind of thing, he displayed an ocean’s breadth of broad-mindedness.

Xiao Ge was a real man. Wei Jiayu was completely won over!

…… Which is precisely why he felt a bit sorry for him…

In the private room

He Shen noticed that Qiao Shao hasn’t stopped being nervous. “You don’t like it here?”

If he had known earlier, he would have changed the venue. Was this kind of place too unfamiliar for the little shorty?

Actually, it was because it was too familiar…

Qiao Shao shook his head and said, “It’s really nice.”

He Shen lowered his chopsticks and said, “Then why do you look like you want to run?”

This was purely a residual effect on Qiao Shao. In fact, he knew in his heart that the chance of running into one of his former classmates was so small that it was negligible. But he had been scared by that situation with his father and he was scared of the possibility of any other accident.

In case … Just in case, it really…

Qiao Shao was started. He knew why he was so flustered. He didn’t want his identity to be exposed, didn’t want to transfer to schools, and he didn’t want to leave these people.

An indescribable warmth bubbled up in his heart. Qiao Shao suddenly understood.

Since I like them, I shouldn’t waste any time that I get to be with them.

Every minute and every second should be cherished.

Qiao Shao finally relaxed. He asked He Shen, “Is this expensive?”

He Shen said, “I … En, it’s Lou Xiao’s treat and he’s never short on cash.”

Qiao Shao said, “No, that won’t do. It won’t do to always mooch off on other people.”

He Shen said, “Then I’ll settle the bill.”

Qiao Shao: “I can’t mooch off on you all the time either.”

He Shen felt helplessness in his heart. It was just like in the past; so long as he tried to get close to others that barrier would rise.

“Do you think things are good as they are?” Qiao Shao asked.

He Shen: “What?”

Qiao Shao was a little embarrassed and said, “Don’t think I’m being shameless. I’m being very serious.”

He Shen didn’t know why, but a threat of anticipation rose in his heart. “What?”

He asked again, and Qiao Shao cleared his throat, “Consider all these as money that I owe you. Also, there’s no need for your a-dime-a-day payment scheme. Wait until I’m able to and I’ll return double all that I owe you.”

He Shen stared blankly.

Qiao Shao looked up at him. “I really can pay you back. Maybe one day I'll build up a family fortune!”

There was not a single bit of falsehood in Qiao Shao’s words.

Of course, He Shen didn’t mind. What he cared more about was: “I can understand why …”

“Right!” Qiao Shao looked into his eyes and said, “I want to eat in the cafeteria with you, and I want to eat out with you, but I don’t want to cause you any grievance.”

He couldn’t stop it. The corner of He Shen’s mouth ticked up. His throat seemed like it had been smeared with honey. With a low and hoarse voice, he said, “But I don’t mind these things.”

He’s never cared about things like these. Not just with Qiao Shao, he’s never bothered about these things with anyone.

Qiao Shao solemnly said, “You don’t care about it now but what about later?”

He Shen said, “Even in the future, I …”

Before he could finish speaking, Qiao Shao rushed in, “Don’t leave behind any hidden dangers.”

He Shen couldn’t speak because he felt just how much Qiao Shao valued him.

Qiao Shao continued, “I know things like these don’t matter between friends, but we really have too many differing points. I don’t want there to be any barriers between us, so …”

“Qiao Shao.” He Shen suddenly called him.

Qiao Shao looked at him. “Huh?”

He Shen picked up a sashimi and fed it to him: “You’re so cute.”

Qiao Shao: “………………”

He almost choked!

(Translator’s note)

When Wei Jiayu came in, he thought he’d seen pink bubbles in the room.

Xiao Ge…

You’re suffering so much…

After eating, it was still early so He Shen suggested, “Let’s go next door?”

Next door was a large commercial building with various entertainment facilities on the top floor.

Lou Xiao said, “What will we do?”

He Shen turned to Qiao Shao. “Do you have anything you want to do?”

Qiao Shao has no idea what there was to do next door.

He Shen suddenly remembered something and said, “Right, do you want to skate?” They had talked about it when Qiao Shao had injured his leg before.

Qiao Shao said, “I can’t …”

“I’ll teach you.”

Lou Xiao didn’t look on. He asked Wei Jiayu, “Can you skate?”

Wei Jiayu honestly said, “I can!”

At the time, there was a hit anime about figure skating that his sisters watched like mad and they dragged him to a training class.

Later, his sisters fell in love with some other anime, but he, like a well-behaved student, went on to finish the one year class.

Lou Xiao said, “Oh, then you go with them.”

Wei Jiayu heard the voice-over. “Xiao Ge, you’re not going?”

Lou Xiao said, “I might as well go drinking than participate in this kids’ stuff.”

But you’re not yet an adult either!

He Shen exposed him. “He can’t see, he’s afraid he’ll send people flying when he knocks into them.”

Qiao Shao & Wei Jiayu: “………”

So why don’t you wear glasses!

Hearing that Lou Xiao won’t go, Wei Jiayu said, “Then I won’t go either.”

Lou Xiao glanced at him. “Are you going to the bar with me?”

Wei Jiayu wouldn’t dare! But Wei Jiayu didn’t want to be a light bulb …

Lou Xiao said, “Go, didn’t you say you knew how?”

Hearing this, Wei Jiayu suddenly realized. So, that’s it! Xiao Ge can’t skate. Going would just cause him to lose face. But he can’t rest assured with just the two of them together, so he was sending him as a spy!

‘I understand’ was written all across Wei Jiayu’s face. He said, “OK, I’ll go!” He was like a martyr walking to his death. Simply heroic!

Lou Xiao glanced at him again, thinking, ‘Why does this kid look kind of stupid?’

So the school tyrant left, and the remaining three went to the ice rink.

He Shen didn’t like Wei Jiayu, but he wasn’t going to drive people away.

Qiao Shao was very happy. When he heard Wei Jiayu had studied for a year, he asked a lot of questions.

The ice rink here was large and it occupied half the floor area.

They came at just the right time, the Zamboni had just finished its work, and the ice rink had returned to its white, smooth and beautiful appearance.

After He Shen bought the tickets, they could go to change their shoes first after receiving their skates. But since the rink had just been sorted out, they’d have to wait a while before they could go in.

Qiao Shao kind of regretted it when they went to get their skates. If he had known that his shoe size would be exposed, he would rather not skate!

Who knew that the staff would deal him another blow. “This size, wait a minute, I’ll go and look for it.”

Qiao Shao: “………”

He Shen said, “It’s still early. You guys wait here, I’ll buy some drinks.”

Qiao Shao and Wei Jiayu agreed.

Waiting for the skates was boring. Qiao Shao looked up and down at the ice rink.

Seeing a snow-white sheet of ice on a hot summer day was really refreshing. Because it had only just been sprinkled with water, there was a faint layer of mist floating on the icy layer. Looking at it from afar gave a cool and pleasant feeling.

Qiao Shao liked it, although he felt that he would just fall flat on his face.

“Yo, isn’t this Young Master Wei?”

Qiao Shao was watching the ice rink in a daze, when he heard the movement behind him. He turned his head and saw three tall boys surrounding Wei Jiayu.

Wei Jiayu looked strained.

“Eldest Young Master is out playing again? Why don’t you have a little attendant to protect you?”

Wei Jiayu seemed to think of something and he turned to walk away.

One of the boys, with an earring on, pulled back Wei Jiayu and said, “You’ve just met with some old friends, why are you so eager to leave?”

Wei Jiayu whispered, “Let go.”

The earring man laughed. “I’ll let you go, sure. But money has been tight for the brothers recently so, young master …”

“If you’re hard up, then go work and earn some money. What are you looking to other people for?” Qiao Shao came over straight away.

The three boys turned their heads and saw that it was a child. They immediately laughed and said, “Where did this baby come from?”

Wei Jiayu’s expression changed. Surprisingly, he didn’t even look at Qiao Shao.

But the earring man still noticed it. He loosened his hold on Wei Jiayu and said, “Looks like our Young Master Wei has a really short memory. Are you playing the “good friends game” again?”

He walked towards Qiao Shao, Wei Jiayu cried out anxiously, “Don’t touch him!”

It was a pity that by saying this, he had confirmed that they knew each other. The earring man said mockingly, “Since Young Master Wei has forgotten how he was deceived before, then I’ll just have to refresh his memory.”

Saying that, he picked up Qiao Shao and stared at him. “If you don’t want to be beaten, tell Wei Jiayu that you’re only hanging out with him for his money.”

“Let him go!” Wei Jiayu tried to pounce on him, but he was held back by another boy.

The earring man stared at Qiao Shao. “Say it, as long as you admit that you’re only with him for money, I won’t beat you.”

Qiao Shao was lifted up and the angle was just right. He breathed deeply and…”PTOOEY!”

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