IWHBDR Chapter 5

On his way back, Jiang Huan suddenly realized that since Shen Huaixiu was living alone in the dormitory building of the South Campus, and if the dorms were assigned by class, there was a high possibility that his roommate was also from Class 3 of the second year. Could it be that he was sharing a dorm with the school heartthrob?

The thought of this possibility excited Jiang Huan so much that he sprinted back to his dorm. He burst through the door so loudly that he almost scared his roommate, who was in the middle of climbing into bed, right off the ladder.

“Damn it, Huanxiong¹When “xióng” (熊) is added to a name or nickname, it often conveys a sense of endearment or familiarity, much like how someone might use “big guy” or “buddy” in English. It can suggest that the person is strong, dependable, or has a larger-than-life presence. Sometimes, it also implies a sense of playfulness or teasing, especially if the person is known for being tough or protective, much like a bear. Please correct me if I’m wrong >.<, can’t you be quieter? You nearly scared me to death!”

“Old Wu, hurry up and get your computer out! Quick, check the campus network and see which dorms in Class 3 of the second year have open beds!”

Jiang Huan kicked the door shut and yanked Wu Ping off the ladder.

Wu Ping, who had no idea what was going on, was dragged over to the wardrobe. “What are you doing so late? The lights are about to go out. What are you checking online for? Don’t forget that the boss told us to study hard!”

“Screw that! Hurry up! The boss isn’t here; who are you putting on a show for?” Jiang Huan was disgusted by Wu Ping’s pretentiousness. If he really wanted to study, why bring a computer? It was obviously for gaming. They all grew up in the same neighborhood; who didn’t know who?

Wu Ping chuckled. “We can’t slack off, Huanxiong. Just because the boss isn’t here doesn’t mean we can let our standards slip. We need to stay vigilant. But why are you so concerned about the open beds in Class 3? Do you want to move over there? Don’t forget to take me with you if you do!”

After listening to Wu Ping’s rambling, Jiang Huan finally got the computer up and running. He shoved Wu Ping aside, sat down in the chair, and quickly opened the Federal No. 1 Middle School’s website. After logging in with his student ID, he navigated to the dormitory application section and checked the dorm situation for Class 3 of the second year.

“Damn, the boss is living with the school heartthrob?” Wu Ping’s tiny eyes were full of surprise, and the white tuft of hair on his forehead twitched. “Isn’t that exciting?”

“What’s exciting about that? Get your dirty thoughts out of here. What could two Alphas do together? Mutually—”

“What makes you think I’m having dirty thoughts? Just because you’re filthy-minded doesn’t mean everyone else is. Seriously, the South Campus heartthrob and the North Campus boss, sitting together in class, being roommates in the dorm—isn’t that exciting?”

Jiang Huan stared at the computer screen, his brows furrowed in deep concern. “When I was there, the boss was wandering around downstairs.”

“This late at night, if the boss isn’t sleeping, he should be reading. What’s he doing wandering around downstairs?” Wu Ping finally seemed to grasp the key point in Jiang Huan’s words.

Jiang Huan turned to meet his eyes. “So, do you think it’s possible that the school heartthrob doesn’t want to share a dorm with our boss?”

“It’s impossible, right?” As Wu Ping finished his sentence, the dormitory lights suddenly went out, leaving both of them momentarily stunned. Then, Jiang Huan snapped the laptop shut with a smack. “It better not be, or else—”

“Or else what? Do you really think the boss can’t handle that school heartthrob? Come on, don’t overthink it. I heard that being desk mates with our boss was the heartthrob’s idea. He might even be happy about sharing a dorm with him!”

“Then why was our boss wandering around downstairs for no reason?”

“Maybe the boss was just feeling hot or stuffy and wanted to take a walk. Besides, do you really think you can understand what the boss is thinking? We should just mind our own business and make sure we don’t cause him any trouble.”

With that, Wu Ping turned around, grabbed the laptop from the desk, stuffed it back into the cabinet, and shut the door before climbing into bed.

Jiang Huan stood there for a moment before saying, “I better not find out the reason why!”

—

When Rong Shu woke up, Shen Huaixiu was already gone from the dormitory. The bed by the window, where he had slept, was neatly made with the blanket folded into a perfect square as if someone with special training had done it. If Rong Shu hadn’t been so sure that someone had slept there the night before, he might have thought it was all a dream.

He got out of bed, washed up quickly, and headed to the cafeteria. He rarely visited the cafeteria, so when he saw the long lines at each window, he finally chose the one with the fewest people. It wasn’t until he got to the front that he realized they were selling radish cakes.

“Uh… two servings of radish cakes, with pickled cucumbers, please!”

“Do you want pickled cucumbers with both? The spicy pickled radish is also really good!”

Rong Shu stared at the spicy pickled radish but eventually declined.

Carrying the two servings of radish cakes, he turned around without paying attention to the eyes on him. After leaving the cafeteria, he stood outside for a while. It was the first time he had gone to school so early. The breeze carried the scent of fresh grass, bringing an unexpected sense of comfort. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a bad feeling at all.

“Is the post on the forum true? Did the North Campus tyrant really kill someone?”

“I saw that post too. It says it was a fight between two Alphas over an Omega, and it ended with one of them accidentally killing the other. Since they were underage and it was an accidental injury, the family paid compensation and settled it privately.”

“Is that true? I still think the post sounds exaggerated. When can you settle a murder privately? It must have just been an injury, right?”

“I think it might be a bit exaggerated, but the part about two Alphas fighting over one Omega is probably true. After all, most Alphas are pretty hot-blooded, haha!”

“You can still laugh? Typical of the lower city. I really don’t understand why the school puts us with the dangerous elements together. I’d rather they be kept separate!”

“I don’t get it either. What if something happens? I always feel like this is the calm before the storm. Something will eventually happen, and only then will the higher-ups take it seriously. They’re not worried about serious incidents because of that person’s strength!”

“Thinking about it, I actually admire the school heartthrob for daring to sit with that person. Isn’t he afraid of being attacked?”

“The heartthrob might not know about his past. Once he finds out, he’ll probably…”

“I know now, and I’m not worried. Thanks for your concern,” Rong Shu suddenly walked up to them, completely ignoring their shocked expressions. He smiled and added, “But I think it’s not very nice to discuss others behind their backs. Don’t you agree?”

“Well… we were just chatting casually. We won’t do it again, hehe…” The two of them, caught off guard by having their gossip overheard by the person involved, quickly made their exit.

Rong Shu licked his canine tooth, feeling that his good mood for the morning had been completely ruined!

Two Alphas fighting over one Omega—what a big deal!

Chen Jing looked at Rong Shu as he walked in, his eyes widening in surprise. “Why are you here so early today? And did you bring breakfast?”

“What’s wrong with me buying breakfast? Don’t you eat in the morning?” Rong Shu sat down and stretched out his long legs. With some irritation, he tore open the paper on the radish cake and took a bite. The radish flavor wasn’t as strong as he expected. With the crispness of the pickles, it was surprisingly delicious. He chewed with a puffed cheek, finishing the palm-sized radish cake. After drinking half a bottle of water, he kicked Chen Jing’s chair. “What’s the deal with that rumor on the forum?”

Understanding now where Rong Shu’s irritation was coming from, Chen Jing turned to him. “It’s about the post ‘Uncovering the North Campus Tyrant’.”

“Who came up with that name ‘Tyrant’? It sounds so awful and uncultured!”

Ignoring Rong Shu’s criticism, Chen Jing summarized the content of the post. He initially thought Rong Shu would dismiss it with a sneer, but instead, Rong Shu immediately asked, “Who is that Omega? Why hasn’t anyone dug into this Omega?”

“…Why is your focus so…” Chen Jing started to respond, but suddenly realized something and stopped talking. Rong Shu raised an eyebrow and said, almost as if daring to scare him, “I find it interesting that this Omega has such poor judgment. Isn’t it obvious who to choose? And yet, he still managed to bring in a second Alpha!”

Chen Jing: “…”

This perspective on the issue was truly unique!

As Shen Huaixiu entered, he was met with many gazes, so much so that the once noisy classroom fell silent the moment he walked in. Despite this, his expression remained unchanged, showing his strong mental resilience.

As he approached his seat, a paper package was thrown his way: “I bought too much. Help me eat it.”

Shen Huaixiu: “…”

Chen Jing, who was about to turn around: “…”

Shen Huaixiu paused, pulled out his chair, sat down, and calmly unwrapped the packaging of the radish cake Rong Shu had given him. He took a bite with a composed demeanor.

Chen Jing, who was just turning around: “…”

The whole night had passed—had something happened that he didn’t know about?

Why did it feel like things were… a bit unusual?

Shen Huaixiu’s arm was gently poked. He turned to look at Rong Shu, who was cautiously watching him, looking like he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

“If you have something to say, just say it.”

“I just want to tell you, don’t listen to those people’s nonsense. They don’t know anything!”

Shen Huaixiu paused, holding the radish cake in his hand. Though Rong Shu’s words seemed disjointed, considering the rumors Jiang Huan mentioned in the morning, he could understand that Rong Shu was trying to comfort him.

He nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

Hearing the thanks, Rong Shu’s eyes curved into a smile. “I also want to tell you, there are plenty of fish in the sea. You’ll definitely meet an Omega with better taste!”

Shen Huaixiu looked at him in shock: “…”

Chen Jing, who had overheard the conversation: “…”

Rong Shu patted Shen Huaixiu’s shoulder encouragingly.

But… “What Omega?”

“That Omega who was all ambiguous with others even though he had you, and you ended up fighting because of him,” Rong Shu said, glancing at him with a knowing look. But then he suddenly thought of something and his tone became a bit sharp. “Do you have another Omega?”

“… No other Omega. It’s not an Omega from anywhere. That post isn’t true!” Shen Huaixiu instinctively began to explain, only realizing afterward why he felt the need to clarify. But looking into Rong Shu’s smiling eyes, he felt that explaining wasn’t so bad after all.

Biting into the radish cake, Shen Huaixiu’s thoughts wandered. This was too intrusive!

No one had ever entered his life so forcefully and unavoidably.

“Is the radish cake good?”

Shen Huaixiu nodded.

“Hmm, it’s just that if you eat too much radish, you might end up with gas!”

Shen Huaixiu looked at the remaining radish cake in his hand. Suddenly, it didn’t seem so appealing anymore.

Author’s note:

Shen Huaixiu: What should I do if I eat the last bite?

• 1
  When “xióng” (熊) is added to a name or nickname, it often conveys a sense of endearment or familiarity, much like how someone might use “big guy” or “buddy” in English. It can suggest that the person is strong, dependable, or has a larger-than-life presence. Sometimes, it also implies a sense of playfulness or teasing, especially if the person is known for being tough or protective, much like a bear. Please correct me if I’m wrong >.<