IWHBDR Chapter 17

The black alley on the north side of the Federal No. 1 Middle School is an abandoned old street. On both sides of the road, the old houses have big characters written on their white walls: “to be demolished”. The people who used to live here have all moved away and no one has repaired the streetlights. As night falls, the entire street becomes pitch black. With the setting sun and the alley being secluded, it has already become somewhat dim.

As one approaches this street, the bustling sounds from the outside seem to fade considerably.

A black cat, with light and nimble steps, leaps onto the roof eaves and gracefully tiptoes deeper into the alley.

At the end of the alley stands a person wearing a mask and hat, sneaking around.

Cao Weiyu feels quite anxious. There’s an old saying that “bold people die of gluttony, while timid people die of starvation”. Moreover, as an Alpha, he is heavily armed and should have some self-protection ability if things go wrong.

What if the other party really has evidence to take down Shen Huaixiu?

The pests of the lower district should stay in the lower district; coming to the upper district is just pollution. Besides, such people are not worthy of Rong Shu!

Thinking of Rong Shu, Cao Weiyu feels a surge of unwillingness in his heart.

Although it is difficult for an Alpha to admit feelings for another Alpha, he is deeply attracted to this person and cannot control himself.

And it’s not just him. Thinking of that person, Cao Weiyu feels that one day he might lose control and become even crazier than that person!

His shoulder is tapped lightly, snapping Cao Weiyu out of his reverie. He jerked away, realizing he hadn’t even noticed the other person’s approach. He turns around with a mix of alertness and panic, and exclaims, “How come it’s you?”

Rong Shu’s lips curl up as if he was born with smile lines, always wearing a smiling face for everyone. He winks at Cao Weiyu and swiftly pulls off the mask, revealing a very familiar face.

The brown stubble around his jawline makes his already unattractive features look even uglier: “Cao Weiyu.”

“No, let me explain!” Hearing his name, Cao Weiyu’s already shocked and flustered state became even more complicated. He hadn’t expected Rong Shu to be the one appearing here. He couldn’t even think clearly about what to do next. His mind was blank.

Anyone would lose their composure if caught doing something bad by someone they liked.

Rong Shu looked at Cao Weiyu, whose face alternated between pale and green: “What are you going to explain? That you’re not here to make a deal with me? That would be quite a shame.”

His words were ambiguous, leaving Cao Weiyu confused about his meaning and even more distressed.

Seeing Cao Weiyu remain silent, Rong Shu sneered, “If it’s not you, then I’m leaving. What a waste of effort. I thought I finally found an ally to pull off a big scheme with.”

With a sigh, Rong Shu placed one hand in his pocket, leaning against the wall, and prepared to leave.

“Wait a minute.” Cao Weiyu hurriedly spoke up. “Xu—Xu Shu, aren’t you on good terms with him? Why the sudden…”

“Heh, have you gone crazy from studying too much?” Rong Shu stopped and tilted his head to look at him. His usually gentle peach blossom eyes had turned cold and distant, making his gaze feel unfamiliar and unsettling.

Cao Weiyu had never seen Rong Shu like this before and suddenly felt a pang of fear in his heart.

“Do you think it’s appropriate to discuss such matters in public?”

“But why are you still sitting with him?”

Rong Shu curled his lips into a smile that was obviously malicious: “Don’t you think it’s more painful and severe to stab someone in the back like this?”

Cao Weiyu was stunned by the malice in his tone and didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing Cao Weiyu’s expression, Rong Shu frowned slightly in irritation: “After all this, are you the one who posted in the forum as 2234?”

“I am. I was just too shocked to see you here. I didn’t realize it was all deliberate. Do you really have evidence?”

“Cao Weiyu, tell me, why do you hate him so much?”

“The trash from the lower district doesn’t deserve to study with us!” The words almost came out instinctively. Cao Weiyu’s face showed disgust as if he deeply loathed the people from the lower city.

“That’s your reason?” Rong Shu genuinely hadn’t expected such a simple explanation, but Cao Weiyu’s hatred was so direct.

“Yes, that’s the reason.”

“Heh…”

“Xu Shu!” A deep voice suddenly called from outside the alley, interrupting whatever Rong Shu was about to say.

Hearing the voice, Cao Weiyu’s expression changed immediately. He instinctively reached out to grab Rong Shu: “It’s Shen Huaixiu! We need to leave quickly!”

Rong Shu hadn’t expected the person to arrive so soon and certainly wasn’t going to let Cao Weiyu leave so easily. Before Cao Weiyu could reach him, Rong Shu swiftly twisted his arm and forcefully slammed him against the wall.

“Xu Shu, what do you think you’re doing!” Pressed against the wall, Cao Weiyu turned his head painfully to look at the person behind him, unable to believe that Rong Shu would actually lay hands on him.

But Rong Shu’s attention was entirely focused on Shen Huaixiu as he leaned in closer to Cao Weiyu with a light laugh. “Classmate Cao, sorry, but I need to sacrifice you for a bit. I’m not ready to be exposed in front of him.”

Cao Weiyu stared at him in a daze, suddenly unsure whether Rong Shu was a friend or foe.

In that moment of distraction, Shen Huaixiu had already walked up to them. The sunset was nearly gone, and the alley was growing darker.

But the dimness didn’t hinder vision. Shen Huaixiu looked Rong Shu up and down. Seeing that he wasn’t hurt, he then glanced coldly at Cao Weiyu, who was pressed against the wall. “Let go.”

Rong Shu released him. “How did you know I was here?”

“Chen Jing told me,” Shen Huaixiu replied, looking at Cao Weiyu. “I don’t recall ever offending you.”

“Because coming from the lower district is a sin in itself,” Rong Shu said with a light laugh. “Class representative, now that the main person is here, why don’t you apologize? If Shen Huaixiu forgives you, we can consider this matter settled.”

Cao Weiyu looked up at Rong Shu, whose expression was natural, showing no sign of guilt. In fact, when their eyes met, Rong Shu’s gaze even carried a hint of amusement.

Cao Weiyu felt uneasy. One moment he thought Rong Shu was deceiving him, and the next, he believed that Rong Shu was merely putting on a show in front of Shen Huaixiu. After all, Rong Shu had mentioned last night that he had a plan. Maybe this was part of it!

If he helped Rong Shu carry out his plan, would he become someone special in Rong Shu’s eyes?

Noticing the way Cao Weiyu looked at Rong Shu, Shen Huaixiu frowned. “I don’t accept apologies. Go to Mr. Zhang and admit your mistake.”

Cao Weiyu’s face turned pale. Just as he was about to speak, Rong Shu clicked his tongue. “Well, there’s no other way. Class representative, you’d better go admit your mistake yourself. I’m sure Mr. Zhang will just have you write a self-reflection, it’s no big deal!”

“Xu Shu, are you serious? If I go to Mr. Zhang, I’m finished!” Not only would he lose his position as a class representative, but he’d also become a laughingstock at No. 1 Middle School. Moreover, with the recent merger of the North and South campuses, the school leaders were particularly concerned about the harmony between the two schools. If he got involved now, he’d definitely be severely punished!

“What should we do then? It seems like Shen Huaixiu isn’t willing to forgive you. Maybe you should try begging a little more sincerely?” Rong Shu frowned slightly as if he was genuinely concerned about the other person.

Shen Huaixiu looked at him, feeling as if a feather was lightly brushing against his heart, causing a ticklish sensation, like wanting to reach out and ruffle someone’s hair.

“No need to trouble yourself. I won’t accept your apology. Either admit your mistake or disappear. The choice is yours!”

Shen Huaixiu’s deep voice carried no warmth, as cold and unyielding as ancient ice that couldn’t be melted.

Cao Weiyu never expected him to be so merciless. His expression darkened. “What evidence do you have to say it was me?”

Shen Huaixiu turned his gaze to Rong Shu.

Seeing this, Cao Weiyu’s heart sank.

Rong Shu pursed his lips, pulled out his phone from his pocket, and while saving a recording, he said, “Sorry, class representative, my hands were tied. Maybe you should just choose one of his two options?”

Even though Cao Weiyu had already sensed this might happen, hearing it with his own ears and seeing it with his own eyes, he still couldn’t accept the reality. “Xu Shu, you actually tricked me?”

Rong Shu shrugged, slipped his phone back into his pocket, and didn’t look at Cao Weiyu again. Instead, he said to Shen Huaixiu, “I’m hungry. I want to eat takoyaki from the night market street.”

“My treat,” Shen Huaixiu replied, grabbing Rong Shu’s arm and leading him out of the dark alley.

By now, the sky had completely darkened. Rong Shu looked at the brightly lit night market street not far away, a smile tugging at his lips as he felt in a good mood.

Shen Huaixiu let go of his arm, his voice slightly hoarse. “Don’t do that again. It’s dangerous.”

Hearing this, Rong Shu tilted his head to look at him, his beautiful peach blossom eyes illuminated by the lights, sparkling like the stars in the sky, reflecting the image of a person within them. “No way. If you’re so worried, why don’t you follow me every day?”

 

Author’s note:

Rong Shu: Do you dare?

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