DHWB Chapter 5

By the time the friendly match ended, the streetlights had already flickered on. Wei Jie’s T-shirt was soaked through with sweat.

Fang Shucheng handed him a towel to wipe off. Wei Jie wiped his face and asked, “Where did this come from?”

The class monitor chimed in, “I bought it from the small shop by the school gate about ten minutes ago. I didn’t want you to catch a cold.”

Zhuang Yi grinned mischievously, “Wei Jie, can you handle it? Looks like Xiao Cheng’s worried you’ll collapse.”

Fang Shucheng shot back, “Zhuang Yi, don’t bother asking to borrow my notes anymore.”

Zhuang Yi defended himself, “What did I do? I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”

Xie Jun suddenly turned around, “Oh right, there’s something we haven’t cleared up.” He looked at Zhuang Yi, whose face immediately tensed up. Xie Jun smiled and tilted his head slightly, “Come with me.”

Zhuang Yi glanced up at the sky, muttering, “It’s so late already. If I don’t head home soon, my mom’s going to chew me out.”

Xie Jun raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”

Feeling the pressure, Zhuang Yi quickly gave in. “Okay, okay, Xie Jun, I was just joking. My mom doesn’t care when I get home. But seriously, nothing’s going on between us! It was all because of Fang Shucheng’s slip of the tongue…”

Despite his attempts to explain, Zhuang Yi was still led away by the basketball team captain.

The others exchanged confused looks for a moment before dispersing, each heading home.

Fang Shucheng felt a pang of guilt. “Do you think Xie Jun’s going to bully Zhuang Yi? It’s my fault for speaking too fast…”

Wei Jie thought for a second. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.”

In fact, Wei Jie suspected Xie Jun had done it on purpose.

Fang Shucheng looked puzzled. “Huh?”

Wei Jie shrugged, his hand in his pocket. “Why are you so concerned about other people? How about focusing on your husband here?”

Fang Shucheng retorted, “Who says you’re the husband? That hasn’t been decided yet.”

Wei Jie puffed out his chest confidently, “With your skinny frame? Still not calling me your husband?”

Fang Shucheng glanced enviously at Wei Jie’s chest muscles and huffed, “Economic power determines who’s on top. Just being strong won’t cut it.”

“So you think you’ll make more money than me in the future?”

“Who told you to slack off in school? If you don’t get into college, I’ll have to work part-time to help you pay for community college.”

Wei Jie was momentarily speechless.

Fang Shucheng continued, “Do you even know how expensive community college is? You’re already grown. Are you really going to keep asking your parents for money?”

Wei Jie retorted, “Then I won’t go to school. I’ll get a job to pay for your education.”

“That’s not going to work. You’ll only be eighteen with no qualifications, and you’ll end up working as a waiter in some small restaurant!”

Wei Jie groaned in frustration. “We’re only in our first year of high school! How do you know I won’t get into college? I’m aiming to go to the same school as you. I’m still going to be the husband.”

Fang Shucheng beamed, “You said it yourself. Then you’d better start taking things seriously because you won’t make it at this rate.”

Wei Jie squinted at him suspiciously, “You’ve really learned how to set me up, huh?”

Sensing trouble, Fang Shucheng immediately took a step back but accidentally stepped on a small rock. With a quick thought, he let out an exaggerated “Ouch! I twisted my ankle!”

Wei Jie came over to help, scolding, “Watch where you’re going.”

Fang Shucheng couldn’t help but smile slyly. Wei Jie frowned. “Why are you grinning? Hop on, I’ll carry you.”

Fang Shucheng climbed onto Wei Jie’s back, wrapping his arms around his neck and, without realizing it, resting his chin on Wei Jie’s shoulder.

Even though they were the same age, Wei Jie’s back felt broader, and Fang Shucheng found a comforting sense of security there.

As Wei Jie adjusted him, he muttered, “You’re way too skinny, like you’ll float away. Don’t you love sweets? Where do they all go?”

“They all went to you, that’s why you’re so buff.”

Wei Jie laughed, “It’s called tall and muscular. But honestly, being small suits you… smaller is better.”

Wei Jie suddenly pictured Fang Shucheng as a Popeye-like figure, and the image made him shiver.

Fang Shucheng asked suspiciously, “What are you thinking about?”

Without missing a beat, Wei Jie replied, “You.”

Fang Shucheng: “…”

Wei Jie asked, “Do you ever think about me?”

“You’re right here. Why would I need to think about you?”

“That’s not the same.” Wei Jie said, glancing back at him. “Oh, I almost forgot. You still haven’t told me you like me. I feel cheated.”

Fang Shucheng huffed, “You haven’t told me you like me either. Shouldn’t I feel cheated too?”

Wei Jie cursed under his breath. “Damn, you didn’t remind me.” He looked around, noticing the busy street and lack of attention from passersby. “Come closer, I’ll tell you.”

Fang Shucheng, feeling a little excited, leaned closer, his ear near Wei Jie’s mouth. But instead of whispering, Wei Jie quickly turned and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Fang Shucheng: “!”

“You tricked me!”

Wei Jie chuckled, looking proud of himself.

Fang Shucheng, now irritated, accidentally brushed his hand against the stubble on Wei Jie’s chin. Something clicked in his mind, and he reached out to tug on it.

Wei Jie yelped, “Ow! Stop pulling my hair!”

Passersby all paused, startled by the outburst, giving them odd looks.

Fang Shucheng, “…….”

Frustrated, he bit down on Wei Jie’s shoulder hard, refusing to say another word.

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