“I will.” Shen Huaixiu responded crisply as if he had finally resigned himself.
“Boss, Boss!” A voice suddenly called from the back door, catching Rong Shu’s attention. He saw a boy with dark circles under his eyes poking his head in, his round eyes fixed intently and eagerly on Shen Huaixiu.
Shen Huaixiu stood up and walked out. Jiang Huan immediately grinned and said, “Boss, is it true you’re sitting with the school heartthrob?”
“Who?” Shen Huaixiu frowned slightly, unfamiliar with the term “school heartthrob”.
“Your deskmate, of course! The heartthrob of the South Campus, the most popular male Alpha at Federal No. 1 Middle School for two years running, Xu Shu! An Alpha who turned genetic defects into advantages!” Jiang Huan eagerly explained Rong Shu’s accolades, then couldn’t wait to ask, “So, Boss, how are you feeling now?”
“Are you that free?” Shen Huaixiu’s expression remained unchanged, still as cold and unapproachable as ever. He showed no emotional response to the fact that his deskmate was the most popular male Alpha at Federal No. 1 Middle School for two consecutive years, maintaining his usual icy demeanor as if it had nothing to do with him. “Since you’re here to study, focus on your studies. Don’t waste time on these unnecessary things.”
For Jiang Huan, who had been trailing Shen Huaixiu since he enrolled, the Boss might appear cold and intimidating, as if anyone who approached him would face dire consequences. But in reality, he had the rigid and serious personality of a strict old-school official. Just look at how he was already giving him a lecture after just one comment.
“Boss, I’ll definitely study hard. Don’t worry, I won’t let down your earnest teachings. It’s just that everyone’s talking about you sitting with the school heartthrob, and I got curious. Plus, I heard the school heartthrob chose to sit with you because you’re good-looking. Heh, gotta say, the South Campus heartthrob has an eye for beauty!” Jiang Huan couldn’t help but laugh as if he was the one being complimented on his looks.
“What?” Shen Huaixiu wasn’t sure if he heard that correctly, so he asked again. Jiang Huan, eager to prove his point, quickly pulled out his phone, like he had been prepared for this moment, and shoved the screen in Shen Huaixiu’s face. “Boss, I’m not making this up. Look for yourself. See what they’re saying in the alumni groups—all about you two. Look here, someone at the bubble tea shop even heard the school heartthrob admit that you’re good-looking!”
Shen Huaixiu frowned slightly, his cold black eyes sweeping over the text on the screen—
⌈It’s such a pity! By the time I got there, the school heartthrob was already out of the classroom!⌋
⌈Did you guys forget? The school heartthrob always goes to the bubble tea shop after the first class, so you won’t find him in the classroom!⌋
⌈Raising my hand quietly. I think I know why the heartthrob chose to sit with Tyrant Shen. It’s because Tyrant Shen is good-looking! I heard it with my own ears—the heartthrob said so himself!⌋
⌈Tyrant Shen is good-looking, but is he as good-looking as our heartthrob? If the heartthrob likes good looks, can’t he just look in the mirror?⌋
⌈Beauty is indeed justice. I totally understand the heartthrob’s feelings. Honestly, my reason for wanting to sit with the heartthrob is just as straightforward, haha!⌋
⌈But have you all forgotten? Our heartthrob is also an Alpha. An Alpha-Alpha pairing won’t lead to anything but tragic romance. Heartthrob, please stay rational!⌋
⌈I was just about to ship them, but the moment I remembered it was an Alpha-Alpha, the sweetness turned bitter instantly!⌋
Seeing that Shen Huaixiu hadn’t said anything for a while, Jiang Huan glanced at the screen and was momentarily blinded by the phrase “tragic romance”. He quickly put his phone away and cautiously observed Shen Huaixiu’s expression. “Boss, in any case, since you’re deskmates with the heartthrob now, just try to get along. I’ve heard that his grades are pretty good too. Ahem, I’ll head back now. If you need anything, just call me. I’ll keep an eye on our people and make sure they don’t do anything embarrassing!”
Watching Jiang Huan run off after leaving those words, Shen Huaixiu let out a soft sigh. He could tell that Jiang Huan had come over to share all this out of concern for him.
Good-looking, huh?
Unconsciously, Shen Huaixiu reached up to touch his cheek. Realizing what he was doing, he quickly turned it into a light cough, lowered his gaze, and returned to the classroom.
“Was that your friend who came looking for you just now?”
Shen Huaixiu had just sat down when he heard this question. He looked up to find Rong Shu’s straightforward gaze fixed on him. For some reason, Jiang Huan’s earlier comments about the heartthrob being the most popular male Alpha at Federal No. 1 Middle School for two years running and having turned genetic flaws into strengths flashed through his mind. The boy’s skin was fair and delicate, and his bright peach blossom eyes sparkled like stars. When he looked at someone this way, it inexplicably gave off an impression of deep affection.
“Mm.”
“Then you two must be really close.” Rong Shu’s tone carried a hint of inexplicable jealousy, but he quickly changed the subject and smiled, “Why don’t we be friends too?”
“Why? Because I’m good-looking?” Shen Huaixiu met his gaze, not flinching or retreating. His sharp features were precise and cold, like icicles hanging from a winter eave—crystal clear but with a dangerous edge.
Rong Shu’s smile suddenly widened, and the cat ears on his head twitched slightly. His voice was clean and decisive: “Yes, because you’re good-looking.”
Shen Huaixiu’s eyes darkened as he looked away.
Rong Shu could clearly sense the chill that spread around him following his answer. It seemed that Shen Huaixiu didn’t like being complimented on his looks!
Sensing this, Rong Shu didn’t push further and showed no signs of frustration or displeasure from being rebuffed. Instead, he turned away, his eyes full of eager anticipation.
Chen Jing, who was sitting in front and had overheard the entire conversation, wished he could disappear on the spot.
Would knowing too much get him silenced?
On the first day of the merger between the two campuses of Federal No. 1 Middle School, the news that the South Campus heartthrob and the North Campus tyrant were deskmates spread to every corner of the school, becoming the talk of the day.
As school was about to end, Chen Jing turned to Rong Shu and asked, “Where are we eating tonight?”
“The usual place.” Rong Shu’s “usual place” referred to the night market street not far from Federal No. 1 Middle School. By five in the afternoon, the street would start filling up with small vendors, becoming lively and bustling with activity.
The market sold everything from clothes, bedsheets, and small accessories to a variety of street foods, barbecues, and other delicacies. The excitement would last well into the night.
Chen Jing wasn’t surprised by Rong Shu’s suggestion and nodded. “Alright, we’ll head straight there.”
After Rong Shu acknowledged Chen Jing, he turned to Shen Huaixiu and asked, “Where do you usually have dinner?”
Shen Huaixiu, who was focused on his work, paused for a moment but didn’t look up. “The cafeteria.”
“Then…” Rong Shu raised his tone slightly, making both Shen Huaixiu and Chen Jing tense up. Just as Chen Jing was preparing himself for Rong Shu to suggest eating at the cafeteria, he heard Rong Shu say, “Never mind. Let’s plan to eat at the cafeteria together some other time.”
Chen Jing instinctively glanced at Shen Huaixiu. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but it seemed like Shen Huaixiu’s brow furrowed slightly after Rong Shu finished speaking.
Noticing his gaze, Shen Huaixiu looked up at Chen Jing with a cold stare. Chen Jing shivered and quickly turned away.
Can’t afford to provoke either of them, really.
As soon as the bell rang for dismissal, the once-quiet classroom became noisy. Rong Shu watched as the person beside him stood up, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and casually took the lemon tea from the desk before leaving the classroom.
A hint of regret flashed in his dark eyes, which Chen Jing, who happened to turn around, caught sight of. Chen Jing sighed lightly, “I mean, you…”
Rong Shu looked at him when he heard this. “What about me? Have I not made it obvious enough? Why is he still so cold to me?”
Chen Jing was startled by this comment and took a moment to find his voice. He swallowed and asked, “What exactly do you want?”
“I just want to be friends with him!” Rong Shu answered straightforwardly, not thinking there was anything wrong with his intention.
Chen Jing, carrying his backpack and following behind, felt a surge of complex emotions. “Is it really just because he’s good-looking?”
It wasn’t just Shen Huaixiu who was puzzled by Rong Shu’s motives; Chen Jing was too. Rong Shu’s behavior that day had been unusually out of character, almost like a peacock trying to show off in front of the object of his affection.
This thought startled Chen Jing.
No wonder Rong Shu had always been indifferent to the confessions from Omegas and female Betas. Could it be that what Rong Shu really likes is this type of cold, aloof, and fierce Alpha?
Let’s not even get into the heavy taste… but two Alphas…
“Of course, that’s not all,” Rong Shu interrupted, his words sending a shiver through Chen Jing. “What else is there?”
They had only been together for a day—don’t tell him that Rong Shu already discovered some inner beauty in the other person.
Rong Shu’s lips curled into a smile. “I can’t tell you.”
Chen Jing was left speechless.
The evening self-study session for the second year has been rescheduled from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. By the time Rong Shu and Chen Jing finally made their way out of the school and arrived at the busy street, it was nearly 7:00 PM.
The setting sun painted the sky a warm orange-red. In the early spring of the Upper District, the evening temperature was still a bit chilly, and the cool breeze carried a refreshing, crisp feeling.
Rong Shu and Chen Jing headed to their usual noodle stall. The owner, seeing them approach, greeted them with a smile, “Finished school? The usual—minced meat noodles, fried chicken strips, and sour plum juice?”
“Yes, with less spice and more vinegar!” Chen Jing replied. Noticing Rong Shu eyeing the takoyaki stall not far away, he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you feel like having takoyaki?”
Rong Shu recalled the night when he saw Shen Huaixiu hesitating in front of the takoyaki stall—he must have wanted to buy some, but all his money had been given to some unknown kid.
“Is their takoyaki good?”
“I don’t know. You could give it a try.”
As soon as Chen Jing finished speaking, he saw Rong Shu stand up and walk over. “Boss, two orders of takoyaki—one to go and one to eat here!”
