CH 22

Yang Qu stood in the office of the Literature Department’s sophomore year and said to the balding counselor, who was still relatively young: “It’ll be a while longer.”

“If there’s no proof of absence for more than three days, it will be considered truancy. Excluding weekends, strictly speaking, Ye Yixing has been absent from class for nine days. This will result in a serious offense,” the counselor said with concern, tapping his desk.

Yang Qu forced a smile and said, “Mr. Xu, I just found out yesterday that he had some small issues abroad that caused him to be delayed. His family’s business is very busy, and I can’t even contact his parents.”

The counselor sighed and pondered, “I’m only contacting you because I can’t reach his parents. You and Ye Yixing are always together, and you have good grades, a good reputation, and are reliable. You’re well-known among teachers and students. I don’t need to say more about that. But Ye Yixing… although I’ve been his counselor for over a year, I always feel like he’s a bit of a lone wolf. I don’t know him very well. If it wasn’t for you speaking up in the first place, I would have reported him already.”

Yang Qu said, “Thank you for your trust, Mr. Xu. Ye Yixing’s participation in the virtual city cultural design competition overseas was indeed quite secretive. Normally, this kind of competition isn’t too high-profile, but he was representing our city in the competition… What do you think about this? I’ll contact the City Cultural Bureau to get a certificate, so that if there are any questions from above, you’ll have something to show.”

The counselor smiled, “That’s great! I’m just worried about his safety…”

Yang Qu thought to himself: You’re not worried about him, you’re just worried about your own position.

“Oh, and a few days ago, Teacher Ke asked me for the file of He Yanlu, a student in your grade, to make a copy,” the counselor picked up the teacup on the desk, took a sip, and continued, “He said it was for some knowledge competition. I even thought, why didn’t they ask Yang Qu for the competition? Haha, do you know anything about that?”

“A knowledge competition?” Yang Qu’s heart sank. It seemed like another fraud. “Why would they need a file for a knowledge competition?”

The counselor was taken aback, “Huh? They don’t need it?”

Yang Qu sneered, “Mr. Xu, our students’ private files cannot be shown or copied to others without their consent or proper documentation. As the manager of these files, if there are any problems that arise from this, you will bear a heavy responsibility.”

The counselor’s face changed, and his hand holding the teacup trembled, “What kind of problems?”

“For example, if the files leak out and become templates for fake files, F University is, after all, a prestigious school…” Yang Qu paused and said, “Also, as far as I know, some of our students are not enrolled through regular admissions. If these private files were to become known to the outside world, and an investigation was carried out… I hope He Yanlu doesn’t end up being caught in the crossfire.”

The counselor’s face turned pale as he reached for the key and opened the file cabinet behind him, searching for He Yanlu’s files. He was trembling, but he remembered that He Yanlu had been recommended for admission.

Yang Qu saw the counselor’s expression and reassured him, “Teacher Xu, I will consult with Teacher Ke about the knowledge competition and try to participate. In terms of ability, I don’t think I am inferior to He Yanlu.”

Who would participate in such a boring children’s game if there really was a knowledge competition? His tone changed and he said sternly, “In addition, please be cautious with the files in the future.”

The counselor’s tone fluctuated between soothing and threatening, leaving the poor counselor unsure of what to do. He nodded repeatedly at Yang Qu and said, “Yes, you’re right. We should be cautious.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now. Once I have the competition certificate from Ye Yixing, I will come back and give it to you.” Yang Qu once again showed his humble smile as a good student.

“Okay, no problem. You can go now.” The counselor waved his hand, feeling relieved. He thought to himself, a good student is always reliable!

A confused counselor meets a wise and cunning elite student, and he had no chance of winning.

After leaving the school gate, Yang Qu took out his phone and dialed a number from his contact list.

“Hello, Uncle Li? This is Yang Qu.” Yang Qu changed his tone to be humble and polite.

“Oh, Yang Qu!? What brings you to call me on this day? Are you busier than your Uncle, the Chief?” “What are you laughing at! I have another favor to ask you.”

“Young man, don’t underestimate me! Your parents entrusted me to take care of you, and I have never worried about you since you were young! I even think that I, as your Uncle, have been completely useless! What’s the matter, tell me, and I will do anything for you!” “Uncle, you’re kidding! It’s just a small matter… My friend wants to travel abroad for a few days, but he doesn’t have any leave certificates. Can you issue one for me?”

“Well, this matter is not small, nor is it big. The certificate is not a problem at all. If it were you going abroad, I would be very reassured, but which family does your little brother come from? Can you guarantee that he won’t cause any trouble for me?” “His name is Ye Yixing…” Yang Qu was about to explain, but was interrupted by the other party.

“Oh, Yexing from the Ye family! I know this boy! The good kids all hang out together! You two have a future! Hey, why didn’t he come to me himself? I have a good relationship with his father! I’m getting old… He doesn’t even care about me as his uncle anymore.”

“It’s nothing! I just didn’t want to trouble you. Ye Yixing didn’t want to worry his family either, so…”

“Do you understand? Don’t explain it to me again! I’m not that clueless about your little tricks.” “Yes, yes! Please, uncle! The proof document represents S City participating in the Virtual City Cultural Performance Design Competition, which lasted for a month from April 5th and was held in Italy.”

“Virtual City Cultural… Slow down! I didn’t catch that, say it again…” Yang Qu repeated it slowly.

“Virtual City Cultural Performance Design? That’s quite a grand name! I don’t even know what it means!” “It’s a type of culture where you design a city using computer software and express it in virtual 2D or 3D…”

“Ah! Youth is so good!… No matter how impressive our individual achievements may be, they can never compare to the silly moments we had together!… Yang Qu, remember what uncle said, cherish the present and have fun while you can!” “Thank you, uncle. I will,” Yang Qu smiled.

While all of that was happening, did you happen to notice the issue of trust?

The counselor’s trust in Yang Qu, Director Li’s trust in Ye Yixing. No matter how absurd the situation was, no matter what lies you told or what kind of capital you had, it allowed others to trust you to this extent.

Was it because of your own personal charm? A 21-year-old boy could only say he had a little bit.

Because of the other person’s parents and family background? It’s a little bit of a reason, this is a reflection of “parenting” and cultural literacy, not a capital to show off.

Being humble and treating others well with excellent grades? Sometimes this is necessary to demonstrate your own value.

So, wanting others to trust you unconditionally is not something that can be achieved overnight, is it?

In short, perhaps it’s because of the steadfastness that convinces adults from childhood to adulthood, and the accumulation of reputation bit by bit. Don’t always say “I’ve grown up” and other stupid things, especially before doing foolish things. In the eyes of the elders, you will always be a child, and the things children do are always foolish, no matter how serious your attitude is.

When you can truly stand on your own, you may be close to the end of your life.

What you may want to achieve in your twenties is simply to have every adult evaluate you as “this child does things I can trust and not worry about.”

After hanging up the phone, Yang Qu looked up at the blue sky, a cloudless and beautiful spring day.

Life is actually a bit interesting with some ups and downs, isn’t it? Especially when you’re young.

Yang Qu walked alone and met Chu Wenxing at the corner.

When he saw that guy, he was eating a meat bun on the main road, with oil all over his mouth, and even a few drops sliding down his small palm.

Yes, Chu Wenxing’s hands were super small, and Yang Qu didn’t know how many times he had made fun of him before, saying that his hands were smaller than a girl’s. As he grew older, apart from his height increasing slightly, everything else about Chu Wenxing in Yang Qu’s eyes was still small.

Until now, it’s still the same. The hand holding the meat bun feels as soft as the flour on the outside of the bun.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows in advance, as if he knew he would be eating himself greasy.

Yang Qu looked at him from a distance, with a smile on his lips. He wondered if Chu Wenxing still had the habit of only eating meat and not skin when he was a child.

Sure enough, after the first bite where he had bitten off the skin and revealed the big meat filling inside, he no longer touched the white flour around it. He only used both hands to squeeze out the meat from the inside of the bun, and the pig oil flowed all over his hand…

Chu Wenxing walked slowly, nibbling on the meat bun and frantically wiping the oil off his hands with tissues.

Until he felt the familiar figure and the hot gaze of the other person.

Carrying his shoulder bag and rolling up his sleeves, he was eating meat buns on the street like a warrior. He looked up and saw Yang Quyuan, who was laughing at him with a red and shiny mouth full of oil. He felt so embarrassed and foolish that he wished a hole would open up and swallow him!

“Cough, cough, cough…” He was so excited that the meat got stuck in his throat, and Chu Wenxing choked and turned red, still holding the half-eaten meat bun in his hand.

It wasn’t easy for him! He was just eating a meat bun and got caught by Yang Quyuan looking like a loser!

And that guy had a look of glee on his face! Damn it, he wanted to throw all the oil left in the bun on his face!

“Cough, cough, cough…” Laugh your ass off!

Yang Qu tried to suppress his laughter, but it made his stomach ache. Chu Wenxing was a typical person who looked different on the inside and outside, never daring to be ugly in front of others, but always ended up in the most embarrassing situations when he was around. Was this what they called… fate?

His hands were covered in oil, and he couldn’t pat his chest to catch his breath. He couldn’t find water for a while either. Yang Qu stepped forward, and Chu Wenxing coughed while stepping back.

Looking at him with amusement, Yang Qu said, “Are you so afraid of me?”

Chu Wenxing turned red all over his face, but was left speechless by his question. How could he say he wasn’t afraid of him? How could he explain his instinctive reaction to step back just now? Fear him? Damn it, even if he was choked to death by the meat bun, he wouldn’t admit it!

Yang Qu quickly grabbed Chu Wenxing’s wrist and said, “Come with me.”

Being held by the hand is one thing, but being held by the wrist is another!

People who have experienced it seem to have this feeling that when their wrist is held, they feel quite passive. Women like to be grabbed by their wrist and run around with the man they love, no matter where he takes them…

However, for a proud man, such a move would only make him uneasy.

“Hey! Cough cough, where are you taking me, cough cough… let go… cough cough…”

“My home is nearby,” Yang Qu said. “It’ll only take three minutes.”

“Cough… I’m not going!!” Chu Wenxing struggled fiercely, wishing he could wipe all the oil on Yang Qu’s body, but the damn thing holding him was his wrist! His fingers couldn’t touch anything except the air! “The Social Science Institute is nearby, cough cough… there’s a restroom!”

“Cold water can’t wash off the oil,” Yang Qu glanced at him. “And there’s no hot water to drink and stop the cough… It’s already 5:30, don’t you have any more classes?”

“You… cough cough…” The other’s logical argument left Chu Wenxing defenseless, and for a while, he couldn’t think of anything to refute. But… but… damn it, he would never eat meat buns again in his life!!

Dragged and pulled by the other person, Chu Wenxing was taken to Yang Qu’s house. When he heard the door closing, Chu Wenxing’s heart also “clanged” for a moment. He was like a little lamb wandering into a wolf’s den, uneasy, frightened, and nervous…

Yang Qu let go of Chu Wenxing and took a cup from the water dispenser to pour hot water.

In fact, being choked or something would only cause a cough for a few minutes, and it would pass. Why did he have to be brought here!

Instinctively resisting and avoiding, the sound of his heartbeat was like the rumbling of thunder.

Every time he met Yang Qu, he would have this uncontrollable excitement, losing his rational emotions. He was afraid of all of this…

Chu Wenxing stared at the cup in Yang Qu’s hand, like a panicked cat with all its hair standing on end.

Yang Qu said, “I haven’t used it before, it’s a new cup.”

The frequency of his coughing had already decreased quite a bit. Chu Wenxing had just reached out to take the cup, but seeing his own greasy fingers, he retracted them.

Yang Qu smiled and said, “Drink it first, wash your hands later.”

Chu Wenxing finally took the cup and gulped down half of it. The water was sweet, and it tasted like… Yang Qu’s flavor.

Yang Qu stared at the red lips pressed against the glass, still with the pig fat.

Pure and transparent water flowed into the other’s mouth, flowed into the other’s throat, and the shallow Adam’s apple slid up and down.

Just like eating a meat bun, this guy couldn’t even drink water cleanly. A droplet of water spilled from the corner of his mouth and slid down, passing his delicate chin, neck, and disappearing into his light-colored clothes. He casually wiped it away with the back of his hand, put down the cup, and coughed lightly twice.

Chu Wenxing felt extremely uneasy and sneakily glanced at Yang Qu, who was looking at him strangely. He angrily said, “Can’t you stop looking at me like that!”

The person he liked was so close to him, with vivid expressions and movements, and he watched as the other person drank water from his cup. His whole body was boiling with excitement! At this moment, the other person was adding fuel to the fire, pretending to be calm and giving him a glimpse. Damn it, why did it feel like there was teasing in that gaze!

In that instant, Yang Qu knew he was done for…

Reason and logic, they can both go far away!

Unceremoniously approaching, it was not enough to just grab his wrist this time.

The little guy didn’t even have time to react and was pressed against the wall in the living room by the other person.

Their eyes met for only a second, and Yang Qu lowered his head to nibble on the other person’s greasy lips. Mmm…the taste of a meat bun.

Chu Wenxing widened his round almond-shaped eyes and panicked as soon as the other person came closer.

Yang Qu pressed down on him with astonishing strength, not allowing him to struggle.

Inevitable eye contact, movements, breath…sucking and biting.

“Ah…” as he was about to change his breath and dodge the other person’s aggressive advance, his head was forcefully held in place by a hand gripping the back of his head. Thus, the intimate contact became even deeper, exchanging each other’s breath…

Shame, fear, anger? No matter what emotions, in a situation where a man is pressed against a wall and forcefully kissed, there is no way to express them.

However, Chu Wenxing’s free hand finally had the opportunity to randomly wipe the oil on the other person’s back, wiping away all the oil to vent his grievances!

But little did he know that in Yang Qu’s perception, this action was more like an interactive touch and encouragement, making this kiss even longer and more intense…

It was as if they were trying to vent all their six or seven years of longing and hunger.

So, it should have been resisted with all one’s might from the beginning to be taken home like this.

According to Murphy’s Law, bad things that you think are unlikely to happen often do happen.