Early the next day, Lin Shiyu took the bus to the school gate, got off, and instead of going to school, he went to the stationery store.

He spent a long time picking out a neutral pen that looked similar to Zhong Qi’s that was broken, then took it to the counter to pay.

On his way to school, he met Gao Jie, who excitedly slapped his shoulder. “Hey, Shiyu, what’s the plan for today?”

Lin Shiyu didn’t understand. “What plan?”

Gao Jie stared at him wide-eyed. “Bro, seriously? You don’t know?”

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

“It’s Valentine’s Day today, Shiyu! February 14th, don’t you care at all?” Gao Jie looked at him as if he were an alien. “Are you really a high school student full of youthful vigor?”

Lin Shiyu thought he was going to mention some important holiday, but then he heard this. Unable to respond, he just muttered, “Boring,” and continued walking towards the classroom.

“Hey, Shiyu, with that handsome face of yours, don’t you even have a crush? Well, it seems likely…” Gao Jie turned to leave, anticipating Lin Shiyu’s reaction.

Lin Shiyu was about to hit him when Gao Jie quickly dodged and said, “Don’t be angry. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a crush. I guarantee there must be girls who have a crush on you. Maybe today a girl will confess her feelings and give you chocolates. Hehehe.”

“You’re really idle.”

“How can you call this idle? Besides studying, we should also have fun and relax. If you’re in love, talk about love, if you’re not, gossip. Eat, drink, and have fun. Let’s enjoy life.”

Gao Jie was almost ready to sing on stage with an erhu. Lin Shiyu was driven crazy by his chatter and just wanted to go back to the stationery store to buy some tape to shut this guy up.

Lin Shiyu had been thinking of taking the new pen to Zhong Qi and asking him if there was anything bothering him. He thought this was a normal idea since Zhong Qi had helped him with many problems. If he didn’t react at all, then he was too indifferent.

However, during the breaks, he was either called to the office to get homework or dragged to the restroom by Mao Silu, and he never found an opportunity.

At lunchtime, Lin Shiyu returned to the classroom after eating, and most of the classmates had already returned, but Zhong Qi’s seat was still empty.

He wandered around and ran into Shen Ziyi, who was erasing the blackboard. “Shen Ziyi, have you seen Zhong Qi?”

Shen Ziyi was busy picking up chalk from the chalk tray. “He should be downstairs now.”

Lin Shiyu nodded and turned to leave.

Shen Ziyi, with a surprised look, threw the cloth and ran to the corridor, but she didn’t see Lin Shiyu’s figure anywhere.

“Why did he run so fast?” Shen Ziyi was stunned. “Oh no, this is bad.”

Lin Shiyu went downstairs with the pen in his pocket. Just as he reached the staircase, he saw Zhong Qi standing under the shade of the trees near the playground, with his back to him, doing something.

Lin Shiyu thought he was alone because he was in a bad mood, so he walked over.

After taking a few steps, Lin Shiyu noticed that Zhong Qi was not alone. His tall figure blocked the view of Tao Chen in front of him. As Lin Shiyu approached, he realized they were standing face to face, and appeared to be talking.

Lin Shiyu was stunned.

Tao Chen still looked very beautiful, wearing a warm knitted sweater, a light-colored long skirt, and a pair of deep red boots. When she looked up at Zhong Qi, her eyes lit up as if she had fallen into a starry sky.

Lin Shiyu finally reacted and stopped in his tracks. His first reaction was embarrassment, as if he had stumbled upon someone’s secret place and didn’t know what to do as an outsider.

The second feeling was unfamiliarity. It was as if his territory had suddenly been invaded by an external enemy, and the wolf cub at the center of the territory was awakened from a deep sleep. He exploded in anger without careful consideration.

He felt unreasonably annoyed.

Lin Shiyu didn’t know why he suddenly felt this way. He stood still with a furrowed brow, forcing himself to turn around and leave before the inexplicable anger made him hot all over.

Even so, Tao Chen had already seen him, and then Zhong Qi also turned to look at him.

Lin Shiyu froze, not knowing whether to stay or leave. It would be awkward to stay, but leaving at this moment would be even stranger since both of them had already seen him. It would seem like he was throwing a tantrum.

Lin Shiyu clenched his fingers around the pen in his pocket, remembering that he had come to deliver the pen.

He had to give the new pen to Zhong Qi and then leave. Lin Shiyu found a simple and clear idea in his chaotic mind, turned around, and continued to walk towards the two of them.

He didn’t know what his expression was like at that moment, but he saw Tao Chen looking at him as he approached, showing a hint of fear for some reason, and then taking a small step back.

Before Lin Shiyu could be puzzled, he saw Zhong Qi stepping sideways, blocking Tao Chen in front of him.

“What are you doing?” Zhong Qi asked, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, his tall figure like a wall suddenly erected between them.

Lin Shiyu stayed completely still this time, not taking another step forward.

After a brief moment of confusion, Lin Shiyu began to ponder Zhong Qi’s words. What did he want to do? I bought a new pen to compensate you, and also wanted to ask why you were in a bad mood. If you want to talk, I’ll listen.

Why was he looking at him with such a guarded expression? As if he were some kind of ferocious beast, approaching others only to tear them apart, with no innocent intentions.

Then Lin Shiyu’s brain, which wasn’t turning particularly fast, unexpectedly reached a conclusion. He was always this kind of person, but recently, everything had been calm, making him seem normal.

Actually, he hadn’t changed at all. Otherwise, Tao Chen wouldn’t be afraid of him, and Zhong Qi wouldn’t instinctively stand in front of her.

For a moment, Lin Shiyu’s mind became completely calm. He didn’t approach them anymore, just took out the pen from his pocket and tossed it over.

“I’m not doing anything, just returning your stuff,” Lin Shiyu said, then turned and left.

The new pen looked quite similar to the one that was broken, and it probably took a long time to find something similar. Zhong Qi looked at the pen in his hand, thinking he could have just bought any pen, he didn’t have many requirements for pens.

Then he suddenly snapped back to reality and looked at Lin Shiyu’s retreating figure.

“He scared me.” Tao Chen walked up to him, relieved. “Shiyu looked so fierce; I thought he was here to fight you.”

Zhong Qi, however, didn’t pay much attention to what she was saying. In his mind, he couldn’t resist repeatedly recalling the look in Lin Shiyu’s eyes before he left, as if a jumping flame was suddenly extinguished, leaving only cold ash that dispersed with the wind.

He felt a slight sweat in his palms, realizing that he might have made a significant mistake.

Shen Ziyi leaned on the stair railing, peering around, and when she saw Lin Shiyu coming up from downstairs, she waved. “Shiyu! Finally, you’re back.”

Lin Shiyu walked up the stairs, and Shen Ziyi caught up, asking, “Did you see Zhong Qi and Tao Chen? Oh my, today is a crucial day for Tao Chen. You didn’t disturb them, did you?”

Seeing Lin Shiyu’s expression, Shen Ziyi subconsciously shut her mouth. Lin Shiyu didn’t say anything, just walked past her and into the classroom.

Shen Ziyi stood in place, watching his figure disappear through the classroom door, feeling dazed for a long time.

In the classroom, Mao Silu was sitting in Zhong Qi’s seat chatting with Ruan Zhikai about basketball. When Lin Shiyu walked in, Mao Silu greeted him. “Shiyu, where are you going?”

Lin Shiyu didn’t even look at him, just went back to his seat and sat down alone.

Mao Silu couldn’t figure out what was going on, scratching his head in confusion. Ruan Zhikai said, “Well, I wonder who made this young master angry again?”

Mao Silu, puzzled, left Zhong Qi’s seat and returned to his own, cautiously asking, “Shiyu, why are you upset?”

Lin Shiyu leaned against his forehead, staring at the open textbook, his tone relatively calm. “Don’t talk to me.”

Mao Silu immediately closed his mouth, not daring to ask anything further.

After a while, Zhong Qi and Tao Chen returned to the classroom one after the other.

Tao Chen slowly returned to her seat, and Shen Ziyi leaned over to ask her, “How did it go, Tao Chen?”

Tao Chen shook her head slightly, took out the chocolate box in her hand, and put it on her lap to show Shen Ziyi. She looked a little aggrieved.

“He didn’t agree?”

Tao Chen said softly, disappointed, “No, and he didn’t even accept the chocolates.”

Shen Ziyi could only comfort her by patting her hand, but her eyes couldn’t help but glance in Lin Shiyu’s direction.

Ruan Zhikai watched Tao Chen and Zhong Qi return together, feeling uncomfortable in his chair. He waited until Zhong Qi sat down before casually asking, “So, did Tao Chen confess to you?”

Zhong Qi twirled the pen in his hand and said absentmindedly, “Why do you ask so many questions?”

Ruan Zhikai also felt that he was being too gossipy, so he suppressed his restless curiosity. After a while, he remembered something and asked, “Is Lin Shiyu upset again? Did you tease him?”

The pen slipped from his fingers, falling onto the book with a snap.

Zhong Qi was silent for a moment, then stood up.

Mao Silu was scratching his head, wondering what to say to cheer up his deskmate, and suddenly found someone approaching him.

“You go sit in my seat.” Zhong Qi stood in front of Mao Silu and said to him, “I need to talk to Lin Shiyu for a moment.”

Mao Silu was stunned for a moment. He was about to get up when he heard Lin Shiyu say, “Mao Silu, you sit here.”

Mao Silu suddenly felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, as if there were thorns sticking to his bottom. He looked left and right. “Should I… stay or go?”

Lin Shiyu didn’t say anything, just kept his face low, staring at the textbook in front of him, his profile looking fierce and icy.

Zhong Qi didn’t say anything either, just stood there silently, expressionless.

Just as Mao Silu was about to run away under this invisible pressure, Zhong Qi finally turned around and left without saying a word.

Gao Jie, who had just returned from having dinner at home, came back with a large box of fruit and milk made by his mother. As soon as he entered the classroom, he shouted, “Brothers, Fat Brother brought you delicious food again!”

After shouting, he realized that no one paid him any attention. The “Brothers” either sat there ignoring him or frowned, while two of the girls looked unusually melancholic.

Gao Jie felt confused: What’s wrong with this group of people today?

It was Wednesday, and after school Lin Shiyu went to Li Zhong’s office as usual to make up an hour of biology. His foundation was too weak, and the little bit of basic biology knowledge from junior high school wasn’t enough for high school. Li Zhong almost held his hand reviewing the knowledge points for the week, which seemed like a kindergarten teacher chasing after a child to feed them, but unable to get a single bite in.

“The knowledge points about cell proliferation are too messy. Go back and make notes to organize them again. Lin Shiyu, what are you thinking?”

Lin Shiyu was jotting down notes according to the key points circled by Li Zhong, and at the unexpected question, he raised his head. “I’m listening to you.”

Li Zhong glanced at him. “Why do you look so unhappy?”

“I’m not unhappy.”

“Stop pretending. You’re not good at it. Whether you’re happy or not, I can tell at a glance.”

Lin Shiyu had no choice but to stop arguing. He stared at his notebook for a while, then suddenly asked in a low voice, “Teacher Li, am I scary?”

Li Zhong didn’t expect him to ask such a question. After a moment of stunned silence, he quickly regained his composure.

“What nonsense are you thinking about? You’re just a little kid. What’s there to be scared of?”

Lin Shiyu thought of Tao Chen’s timid gaze and Zhong Qi blocking her.

Only then did he slowly feel the pain of his heart being pricked with a long needle and the unreal absurdity.

It turned out that after all this time, he had been standing still. He thought he could finally get close to that group of rabbits, but it turned out that the rabbits never saw him as one of them. No matter how peaceful the surface seemed, the guard in their hearts would never be let down.

Because he was an outsider.

Seeing his expression turn bad, Li Zhong asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Shiyu replied, “Nothing.”

He packed up his books, stood up, said goodbye to Li Zhong, and left the office.

Lin Shiyu didn’t know where to start. He didn’t want to complain in front of Li Zhong, let alone talk about anyone. Speaking wasn’t difficult, but hoping for others to understand him was like a fantasy. Lin Shiyu didn’t want to waste Li Zhong’s time, and he had no mood for expectations.

Lin Shiyu returned to the classroom, and everyone else had already left. Only Zhong Qi was sitting with his back to him, one foot on the chair, and he turned to look when he heard the sound.

Without looking at him, Lin Shiyu went back to his seat, packed up his bag, and just as he was about to turn around and leave, he saw Zhong Qi walk towards him, and stand beside his desk.

Lin Shiyu said, “Move.”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.” Zhong Qi didn’t move, explaining with a deliberate slowing of his voice.

Lin Shiyu took a deep breath, trying to keep himself calm. “Then what did you mean?”

“I thought you were angry.” Zhong Qi paused for a moment before continuing. “So you came to find me.”

Lin Shiyu looked coldly at him. “So you thought I was angry because you threw the pen in front of me, so I deliberately came to find you to make you feel uncomfortable, is that it?”

When those bright amber eyes swept over with cold anger, Zhong Qi was momentarily speechless.

That was indeed what he thought. He even worried that Lin Shiyu might lose his temper and affect Tao Chen, so he instinctively stepped forward.

Later, he realized that this worry was unnecessary. He knew from the beginning that Lin Shiyu was never one to cause trouble. Especially when in front of girls, he was always restraining his temper and never getting angry.

Why did he have such a subconscious, unnecessary action? Zhong Qi didn’t understand, and he didn’t want to think about it. Many inherent understandings and biases in the depths of one’s heart were things no one wanted to admit.

Zhong Qi didn’t either.

After a brief silence, Lin Shiyu knew Zhong Qi’s answer.

He pushed Zhong Qi away and stepped away from his seat to leave. Zhong Qi was pushed aside by him, and his usually calm mind unexpectedly lost its balance. His body reacted first, grabbing Lin Shiyu’s arm.

“It’s not like that.” Zhong Qi replied, feeling like he was probably lying, but before he could think about why, he started thinking about how to cover up this lie. “I–”

There was a loud noise in the empty classroom as desks and chairs were knocked over. Lin Shiyu suddenly shook off Zhong Qi, who was caught off guard, and he crashed into the desk behind him. The desk fell to the ground, and the books in the drawer spilled all over the floor.

“Stop pretending, Zhong Qi! If you don’t want to talk to me, then don’t. Do you think I’m pathetic? Do you need to come and sympathize with me?!” Lin Shiyu erupted completely, roaring at Zhong Qi. “Stop playing this hypocritical game with me! Get lost!”

The classroom was left with only Zhong Qi. His waist hit the desk without any resistance, numbing with pain.

Zhong Qi took a deep breath for a moment, and glanced at the mess on the ground.

It was all messed up.

Just one action, one question, and everything was torn up, turning into a mess.

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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