In the afternoon, Gu Weihao came to pick up Bai Yang. When he saw the brand logo on the gift bag in Bai Yang’s hand, he jokingly said, “Wow, quite the generous gift. Shao Cheng must be moved to tears when he sees this.”
Bai Yang smiled but didn’t say anything.
After driving for over an hour, they arrived at a villa in the outskirts. It was three or four times bigger than Shao Cheng’s place in the city, complete with a large garden and a swimming pool, resembling a small estate.
The weather was great, with warm spring sunlight that made people feel cozy. On the open lawn in front of the villa, there were many exquisite cold dishes and desserts laid out. People chatted casually, and Bai Yang recognized some from school. Zhao Ruotong was there too, but what surprised Bai Yang the most was that Song Chi was also present.
Gu Weihao explained in a low voice, “Song Chi definitely came uninvited. Shao Cheng doesn’t want to deal with him. Stay away from him.”
Bai Yang nodded and took the opportunity to slip out of Song Chi’s line of sight. Gu Weihao was quickly dragged away to play with others, leaving Bai Yang facing Zhao Ruotong.
Zhao Ruotong was happy to see him, and her attitude was more open. Bai Yang exchanged a few words with her, and his mood gradually relaxed. As Gu Weihao had said, it didn’t really matter whether he fit in or not. Despite wearing plainer clothes than others, everyone was engrossed in their own activities, and no one paid any attention to him.
Zhao Ruotong noticed the bag in his hand and curiously asked, “Did you buy something from this place? I remember it’s quite expensive.”
Bai Yang understood the implication behind her words and smiled, saying, “It’s a gift for Shao Cheng. He helped me a lot, so this is just a small gift to show my gratitude . Have you seen him?”
“He should be in the garden,” Zhao Ruotong said. “You can go find him. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Bai Yang thanked her and began to search around the large house for the garden. Along the way, he unexpectedly saw Zheng Hanqin kissing a boy in a quiet corner, probably the boyfriend Shao Cheng had mentioned before.
It’s nice, two people being able to love each other without the constraints of societal biases and restrictions, embracing and kissing.
He had also been passionately kissed by Shao Cheng before. How fortunate he was.
After circling around, he finally found the garden. It was livelier than the lawn near the entrance, likely because Shao Cheng, the main figure, was there.
At first glance, Bai Yang saw Shao Cheng sitting on a chair in the center of the garden. Despite it being his birthday, his expression was as cold as ever, perhaps even gloomier than usual.
A month had passed since they last met, but it felt like a year had gone by. The yearning and fervor he had been holding back surged like rampant vines, entwining his heart.
Several girls were talking to Shao Cheng beside him, but he clearly had no interest in responding. He was lost in thought, staring ahead, his mind elsewhere. Bai Yang slowly approached after circling around the flower bed, step by step, involuntarily lightening his footsteps while his heart raced faster.
Just as he was getting closer, Shao Cheng suddenly turned his head sharply. His icy gaze bore into Bai Yang’s eyes.
Their expressions froze simultaneously. Shao Cheng’s face grew colder, and he didn’t care that the girls around were still talking. He got up and walked briskly toward the villa.
Gritting his teeth, Bai Yang followed after him.
Compared to outside, the inside of the villa was much quieter. No one was around, and their footsteps echoed in the house, urgent and distinct.
Shao Cheng was moving fast, seemingly heading upstairs to a room. Bai Yang was sure he would lock himself in and refuse to see him, so he mustered the courage to rush forward and leapt onto Shao Cheng’s back, hugging his waist tightly.
Shao Cheng’s body stiffened.
“Let go.”
“I need to talk to you. I’ll leave after that!” Bai Yang quickly maneuvered to stand in front of him, grabbing his arm to prevent him from escaping. At the same time, he held the bag in front of him and forced a natural smile, saying, “Happy birthday. This is the gift I bought. I hope you’ll accept it.”
Shao Cheng took the bag, and before Bai Yang could feel relieved, he saw Shao Cheng casually throw the gift box and card onto the ground. The contents scattered all over.
“No need. Go away.”
Shao Cheng’s eyes were devoid of warmth. Each word he spoke was like an icy needle stabbing into Bai Yang’s heart.
His throat tightened, and his hand trembled involuntarily. Still, he held onto Shao Cheng’s sleeve firmly.
“Also, my sister needs surgery—” His phone vibrated in his pocket, but Bai Yang ignored it. He quickly focused on the main point, saying, “The doctor said there’s a 20% chance she’ll wake up. Even if the surgery fails, it won’t be life-threatening, but it might be harder for her to wake up. I want her to undergo the surgery, but it’s expensive, so I need your opinion first.”
Shao Cheng sneered, “So you’ve come to ask me for money?”
“No…” Bai Yang wanted to explain, but his phone suddenly rang loudly, resonating in the spacious villa. He had no choice but to take out his phone and saw that it was Zhao Ruotong calling. Hesitating for a moment, he decided to hang up the call. However, immediately after, a message appeared on the screen from Zhao Ruotong, sent just seconds ago:
[I’m cornered by Song Chi at the back of the villa. Help me.]
Bai Yang’s heart clenched. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to Zhao Ruotong, So he decided to tell Shao Cheng, “I need to go out for a moment! Wait for me!” Without waiting for Shao Cheng’s response, he rushed out of the villa.
When Bai Yang sprinted to the back of the villa with all his might, he saw Song Chi gripping Zhao Ruotong’s hand, preventing her from leaving. It seemed like he was trying to forcefully hug her.
“Let her go!” Bai Yang rushed forward and pushed Song Chi to the ground, almost stumbling in the process. His keys and phone fell out of his pocket and scattered on the ground. Ignoring them, he pulled Zhao Ruotong behind him like a shield, positioning himself between the two.
Song Chi got up angrily from the ground, grinding his teeth and saying, “You again! I let you go last time because Shao Cheng begged for you. You dare to mess with me again?! Do you really think I won’t ……..?”
Bai Yang paused, “What did Shao Cheng beg for?”
Then he remembered the conversation he overheard between Song Chi and Shao Cheng back in the teaching building. Shao Cheng had spoken up for him?
Before he could sort out his thoughts, Song Chi angrily continued, “Crazy guy, you climbed into Cheng’s bed from my place, and now you’re trying to seduce her? Have you taken a look at yourself? Do you think you’re worthy? Maybe someone’s sponsoring you, considering the kind of phone you’re using. Who knows, maybe some sugar daddy bought it for you!”
Song Chi pointed at the broken phone on the ground and cursed, “He’s not even worth it!” He then raised his foot—
Bai Yang’s pupils contracted, and in panic, he shouted, “No!”
“Agh!” The screen shattered with a loud crack, splintering into countless pieces of glass.
Before Song Chi could stomp again, darkness engulfed his vision, and the next moment, his nose bridge throbbed in pain. A pungent smell wafted into his nostrils. The world spun around him as he was forcefully knocked to the ground!
Bai Yang’s eyes turned red, his anger reaching its peak. He clenched his fists, and his arm’s veins popped as he raised his trembling hand. He delivered a fierce kick to Song Chi’s abdomen, causing him to curl up like a shrimp, shivering in agony.
At this moment, Bai Yang’s mind was clouded by rage. He wasn’t considering the consequences, only focusing on beating this scum to a pulp!
He was about to land another kick when a powerful force suddenly pulled him back. He collided with a sturdy chest, his back straightening against the impact.
“Have you had enough?”
Shao Cheng’s voice was like a bucket of icy water pouring over him, freezing all of his actions.
Bai Yang slowly turned around, his gaze hollow as he looked at Shao Cheng.
“Just for a phone? Don’t go too far,” Shao Cheng’s eyes were dark, his gaze a mix of complexity and disdain, which stabbed Bai Yang’s heart like needles.
Gradually, his anger froze, and the fire within him was extinguished. He was overwhelmed by a sense of darkness, replaced by a surge of bitterness.
Shao Cheng despised him, looked down on him.
Even though he had been prepared to be treated like this from the beginning, when it really happened, it hurt more than he had anticipated.
Because he had experienced tenderness and passionate kisses, having all that taken away hurt more than when he had nothing.
The scene before him began to blur. Bai Yang knew he was losing control, but he lacked the strength to leave. He could only stand still, lips pursed, eyelids heavy, silently letting tears overflow from his eyes, sliding down his cheeks one by one.
He thought he had shed all his tears during that summer three years ago… Apparently, he could still cry.
His expression wasn’t that of someone crying; his back remained straight, but the hand hanging by his side trembled uncontrollably.
“What’s wrong Bai Yang?” Zhao Ruotong was taken aback by his sudden change. She wanted to come over and comfort him but was stopped by Shao Cheng.
“Find someone to take Song Chi to the hospital. Keep it quiet.”
Zhao Ruotong nodded, still looking concerned for Bai Yang.
Shao Cheng’s brows furrowed deeply. His gaze was a turbulent mixture of emotions, but he finally let out a sigh and hugged the tear-streaked figure standing before him:
“Let me take him inside. We need to talk.”
