RED Chapter 96

Rong Jin felt that this wasn’t him having an episode; it was him striving to improve himself.

Chang Haoqing asked him, “Haven’t you always thought of yourself as super awesome?”

Although Rong Jin didn’t say it out loud, he always considered himself to be the king of awesomeness, whether it was genuinely being impressive or just acting like it.

Faced with this question, Rong Jin sighed and said, “Reality has taught me a lesson.”

Chang Haoqing’s curiosity was instantly piqued. He was desperate to know the details! A phone call wasn’t enough; he needed to hear it in person!

Rong Jin initially didn’t want to bother with him, but seeing Chang Haoqing’s persistence—especially since it was rare for him to see Rong Jin being humbled by reality—he would feel incredibly frustrated if he couldn’t find out the answer!

Seeing how determined Chang Haoqing was, Rong Jin decided to take him to the training room, grabbed a board, and demonstrated a move similar to what Chi Feiran had done to him, breaking the solid wooden board.

Afterward, Rong Jin pointed to the broken board and asked, “See that?”

Chang Haoqing looked at the board, then at Rong Jin: “…”

What the heck? Wasn’t this just him showing off again in front of him? Or was it a threat, implying that if he kept pestering, he’d end up like the board?

Chang Haoqing wondered if he hadn’t suffered enough losses at Rong Jin’s hands, for him to believe this nonsense.

But the next second, Rong Jin said, “Just now, Feiran did the same to me.”

Chang Haoqing thought about Rong Jin’s swift and fierce kick earlier and then thought about Chi Feiran’s usual well-behaved appearance. He was suddenly a bit horrified.

However, Chang Haoqing wasn’t completely unfamiliar with Chi Feiran. After Chi Feiran became Rong Jin’s heartthrob, Chang Haoqing had always been on edge, worrying that Rong Jin might be heartbroken if things didn’t work out.

So after a moment of horror, Chang Haoqing calmed down. “So…”

He hadn’t finished his sentence when Rong Jin said, “And it was after the fact.”

Chang Haoqing froze, thinking, after what? After… After a while, he tremulously asked, “Do you mean what I think you mean?”

Rong Jin nodded, indicating that it was exactly what he meant.

Chang Haoqing shivered, not knowing if he was trembling because Rong Jin finally succeeded in sleeping with Chi Feiran or because Chi Feiran was still so fierce afterward.

Chang Haoqing, struggling for survival, thought of another possibility: “Are you maybe… not up to the task?”

The difference between a few minutes and half an hour after was huge!

Rong Jin flexed his wrist, indicating for Chang Haoqing to get ready so he could demonstrate if he was up to the task or not.

Chang Haoqing immediately cowered. Though he had mocked Rong Jin, he couldn’t actually beat him: “No, I was just saying, gentlemen use words, not fists…”

Chang Haoqing had more or less calmed down by now. He realized why Rong Jin was so serious about training. Clicking his tongue twice, he said, “This is probably the age difference showing. Youngsters in their teens have more energy than someone who’s almost thirty. Be careful, Rong Jin…”

Rong Jin said, “By your logic, you’re almost forty.”

Chang Haoqing: “…”

Unfortunately, he was indeed a few years older than Rong Jin, which really…

Seeing that he was quiet, Rong Jin got back into the zone: “I’ve suffered my whole life because I’m too excellent.”

After hearing this, Chang Haoqing felt that a lightning bolt should strike Rong Jin from the heavens to end it; he was spouting nonsense!

Rong Jin continued his self-reflection: “The main issue is that I learn too quickly, so I’m never serious enough…”

He used to think that just knowing how to do something was enough, but now his perspective had changed. He felt that he should master everything!

Otherwise, if he compared himself to his boyfriend and got beaten, where would his dignity as a senior and an idol be? Although he had already succeeded in establishing the relationship, Rong Jin felt that since he was older than Chi Feiran, he should be better at everything!

Especially in terms of physical fitness, which was a matter of dignity!

Chang Haoqing was already a bit numb inside. He casually suggested, “Why don’t you ask the little prince for a training schedule to see what he’s learned? You could train accordingly.”

Rong Jin thought what he said made sense and decided to act on it immediately.

Chi Feiran was busy preparing for military training, with Chen Mengyang handling most of it and adjusting according to his specific needs.

When Chi Feiran heard Rong Jin ask what he had learned, he was a bit puzzled: “Why are you suddenly asking this?”

Rong Jin couldn’t exactly say it was for his dignity as a man, so he said, “To understand you better.”

Chen Mengyang was packing nearby, so Chi Feiran didn’t ask further. He started listing everything he had learned, and Rong Jin took notes, deciding to strengthen his weak areas and reinforce his strong ones.

Chi Feiran intended to ask for details that evening, but they were so busy that they had no time for anything else.

Then Chi Feiran was packed off for military training, with Rong Jin even personally seeing him off, looking like he wanted to join the training himself.

Chi Feiran bid his boyfriend farewell in the car but left decisively upon getting off, not wanting to attract too much attention, as many people recognized Rong Jin’s face. If they were photographed together, it would stir up quite a fuss.

Their acting class had about two classes, each with around thirty students, with a fairly balanced gender ratio.

Chi Feiran went to the designated gathering point as instructed, where many students were already present. Most of them were unfamiliar faces, with only a few he vaguely recognized but had never spoken to.

He wasn’t particularly outgoing, which is why even after a year in the industry, he hadn’t made many friends. The only one he could have considered a good friend had now become his boyfriend.

Chi Feiran felt a bit embarrassed by this thought but pulled himself together and smiled at the classmates looking his way, then found a spot to sit quietly.

He was currently very popular, having just had a successful livestream a few days ago, so he drew a lot of attention from those present.

However, no one dared to approach him outright. Some were afraid of appearing to latch onto a star, some were indifferent or proud, some girls were shy, and others were just waiting for drama.

Well, the first one had arrived, and the second one was nearby!

People might not care in general, but with them being in the same year and potentially the same class, how could they not notice these details?

Soon, those waiting for drama saw one of the people they were watching make a move!

Was he going to make friends or provoke him? How exciting!

Chi Feiran was looking at his phone when he sensed someone standing in front of him. He looked up to see a boy around his height, with a sturdier build and a very handsome, sunny face, quite different from Chi Feiran’s delicate beauty.

Chi Feiran’s features were not feminine, but because of their softer contours, people rarely thought “handsome” when they saw him, usually opting for “pretty” or “beautiful.”

But the boy in front of him was unmistakably handsome at first glance.

The boy seemed a bit shy and hesitated before extending his hand, “Hi, I’m Xia Wen.”

Chi Feiran noticed that almost everyone around was watching them, probably eager to see how the two of them, who had already sparked online fan debates, would interact.

Chi Feiran wasn’t petty. Since Xia Wen was being friendly, he wouldn’t hold a grudge. He shook Xia Wen’s hand and smiled, “Hi, I’m Chi Feiran.”

The handshake was a bit awkward, but Xia Wen couldn’t think of a better way to greet him. Seeing that Chi Feiran didn’t seem to hold a grudge over online matters, he was relieved.

They’d be classmates for four years, and starting off on the wrong foot would make things difficult.

Xia Wen, feeling relieved, smiled even brighter. Wanting to build a good relationship with Chi Feiran, he didn’t leave but stayed by his side.

Xia Wen was quite outgoing and whispered to Chi Feiran, “Good thing you got your hair cut to the required length. Our year has stricter rules, and two guys with non-compliant hair had to go get it cut.”

As he spoke, the two unfortunate guys returned, and he nudged Chi Feiran to look.

Chi Feiran glanced over and saw that their haircuts were quite clean.

The two newly-shorn comrades, now bonding over their similar fates, were patting each other’s heads and muttering, “Wow, you’re prickly!”

“You too!”

Chi Feiran imagined the texture and felt an urge to touch it.

Xia Wen whispered, “Man, I kind of want to touch it.”

Chi Feiran couldn’t help but look at him, watching Xia Wen run his own hand over his head and mutter, “I bet theirs is pricklier.”

Chi Feiran: “…Yeah.”

They didn’t wait long before an instructor came to lead them to their dorms.

The dorms were arranged with eight people per room, and since Xia Wen’s student number was close to Chi Feiran’s, they ended up in the same room, even sharing a bunk bed. The two guys with the fresh haircuts were also in their room, making Chi Feiran constantly glance at their heads while unpacking.

In just the short time it took to unpack, Xia Wen had taken on a big brother role, though he and Chi Feiran were the same age, just born in different months, which made him feel very responsible.

And then, Chi Feiran received a pack of good stuff from his new “big brother” Xia Wen…