However, Shao Ming was right. Even if the plotline changed, it wouldn’t be because of him.
He did what he thought was right, and he wanted to coexist peacefully with Xia Yang. It would be best if they stayed out of each other’s way, but Xia Yang refuses to do so.
If the plotline truly changed because of him, it would only prove that this world’s logic wasn’t distorted to an absurd extent.
At least not everyone was brainlessly living for the sake of a heartthrob; most people still have their principles and their intelligence intact, right?
Zhu Tong quickly stopped worrying about it and asked the system, ‘As a system, are you sure all abilities can only affect the host?’
The system replied, ‘Yes.’
Zhu Tong breathed a sigh of relief.
Then there’s no problem.
He never intended to interfere with whom Xia Yang got entangled or flirtatious with; or how others view Xia Yang; or how many people are devoted to him. All of those had nothing to do with him.
He still maintained that as long as they don’t jump in front of him or mess with the people he cares about, he wouldn’t do anything.
Otherwise, he would face the challenges head-on; and if necessary, fight to the bitter end.
With these thoughts, Zhu Tong refocused and planned to continue working on his mock exam questions, when he suddenly noticed something odd in his hand… Where was his pen?
Turning his head, he saw a pen rapidly spinning between Shao Ming’s long fingers.
The pen spun so quickly that its design couldn’t be seen clearly. But judging by the color distribution, it was definitely the pen he had just been using.
Zhu Tong didn’t rush to take it back and instead stared at it for a while, finding it somewhat fascinating.
Shao Ming sensed his intense gaze, turned his head, and smiled, “Want to learn this?”
Zhu Tong’s eyes brightened, “Can I learn it?”
Shao Ming replied, “Of course, it’s not hard. I’ll teach you.”
Zhu Tong immediately became interested.
The issue with the system quickly faded from his mind.
Shao Ming looked up at him, noticing how focused he was on his hand, and couldn’t help but chuckle.
He could always concentrate so quickly, and as long as he’s interested in something, he became more serious than anyone else.
He’s also quite… carefree.
Returning Zhu Tong’s pen, Shao Ming took another of his own and skillfully placed it between his fingers. He then began to instruct, “Step one, hold the pen between your index and middle fingers like this, and use the knuckle to spin the pen…”
Zhu Tong watched Shao Ming’s pen-holding position and clumsily imitated the first step. Despite being simple, his movements were stiff, making the spin look awkward. He kept glancing at Shao Ming’s hand for guidance.
Shao Ming’s fingers were long and slender, with distinct joints and great flexibility. The pure black pen rotated rhythmically between them, making even the simplest step appear elegant and beautiful.
As Zhu Tong watched, he became somewhat lost in thought. Unpleasant images he wanted to forget suddenly surfaced more vividly in his mind. His fingers tightened, his hand trembled, and the pen, already unstable, flew out of his hand…
Zhu Tong was startled and couldn’t react in time. He watched as his pen flew through the air and hit the back of the head of the person sitting in front of him with a “smack.”
Tang Nuan: “…”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Tang Nuan slowly turned her head, glanced at Zhu Tong, and then very decisively turned to look at another person. “Shao Ming!”
Before Shao Ming could say anything, Zhu Tong, feeling ashamed, said, “I’m sorry, Class Monitor. It was me.”
Tang Nuan paused, her angry expression instantly changing, “…Are you learning to spin a pen?”
Zhu Tong stiffly nodded.
Tang Nuan hesitated for a moment and then said, “It’s okay, you can continue… Just, if it’s your first time learning, you can go a bit slower. You’ll get it eventually, no need to rush.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He felt there was definitely a difference in how the class monitor treated him and Shao Ming.
Even though Tang Nuan appeared magnanimous, Zhu Tong still apologized once more.
Shao Ming, standing beside him, suppressed a laugh and leaned in, “Want to keep trying?”
He was still spinning the pen effortlessly.
Zhu Tong still wanted to learn, but once certain thoughts entered his mind, it was hard to push them out. Now, whenever he looked at Shao Ming’s hands, he felt uneasy, especially seeing his nimble fingers spinning the pen.
With reddened ears, Zhu Tong shook his head, “No, I need to work on my mock exams.”
Shao Ming said, “Really? I can help you, and I won’t let the pen fly off again.”
“…”
It’s not just because the pen flew off that he didn’t want to continue.
But he couldn’t explain the real reason.
Zhu Tong found it odd. He never used to pay much attention to his physiological issues. Even when he was lonely, he had no interest in such matters. However, after spending time with Shao Ming, many things seemed to change.
Is this also because his health is improving?
He often felt strange when Shao Ming touched him, becoming weak all over when they kissed. Especially after Shao Ming had helped him, he couldn’t help but think about it, even during class.
He felt like he was losing control.
Why is this happening?
He didn’t know and didn’t dare ask. He couldn’t let anyone know what he was thinking.
He forced himself to change the subject and asked, “Just now… my pen hit the class monitor. Why did she turn and blame you?”
She seemed pretty angry, too.
Shao Ming glanced at the person in front of them and smiled, “Maybe it’s a conditioned reflex.”
Zhu Tong: “?”
Conditioned reflex?
Shao Ming explained, “When I first started learning to spin a pen, I often accidentally threw it at her. Every time, she would get furious, wanting to tear me apart.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
The class monitor getting furious? He couldn’t quite picture it.
But Shao Ming throwing pens at the class monitor?
“Do you make mistakes while spinning a pen too?”
Shao Ming raised an eyebrow, “Why wouldn’t I?”
Zhu Tong was momentarily at a loss for words.
Since he got to know Shao Ming, Zhu Tong kept discovering new skills Shao Ming possessed. He excelled in learning, was all-round in sports, proficient with computers, made great milk tea, and even knew how to ride a horse…
He seemed to be capable of everything.
But now Zhu Tong realized, even Shao Ming made frequent mistakes while learning to spin a pen, what about other things? How much effort did he put in before mastering them?
No one was born knowing everything.
Zhu Tong said, “I wish I had known you earlier.”
“…”
Shao Ming’s pen-spinning movement abruptly stopped, and a pen rested steadily between his middle and ring fingers.
His lips curved upwards. “Why do you say that?”
Zhu Tong thought that by saying that, maybe Shao Ming could be spared from some hardships and wouldn’t have to grow up so fast.
Even if Shao Ming might not be as outstanding as he is now, Zhu Tong would still like him.
But outwardly, he said, “Then I could have worked hard together with you, and perhaps now I could be as good as you.”
Shao Ming: “…”
He couldn’t help but chuckle. “You think I’m good?”
Zhu Tong nodded.
Shao Ming leaned in close to his ear in a suggestive manner, “Where am I good?”
The warm breath teasing his ear, Zhu Tong paused, realizing that whatever Shao Ming would say next wouldn’t be proper. He wisely chose to change the topic, picking up a pen from the desk with a serious expression, “I need to work on my mock exams.”
The topic change was very abrupt.
Shao Ming also didn’t dare to tease him too much in the classroom, knowing when to stop just right.
He said, “Okay,” and backed off a bit, propping his head up with one hand as he watched Zhu Tong’s profile.
Now that Zhu Tong’s health had improved, his face no longer showed signs of illness but was rather quite rosy. His eyes still held a light color, but they no longer exuded the same indifference as before. Now, they sparkled as if touched by starlight.
He was supposed to be such a bright young man.
Shao Ming’s gaze fell on Zhu Tong’s slightly pursed lips, and his eyes darkened slightly.
Already a bit bloodshot, Zhu Tong had just taken a sip of water, his lips now looking moist and inviting, like flower petals soaked in water, tempting for a taste.
His gaze was too intense, and Zhu Tong couldn’t concentrate on his work for long. He turned his head and said, “Stop staring at me. Why aren’t you playing with your phone today?”
Shao Ming replied flirtatiously, “Because my phone does not look better than you.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He thought there was. For example, every time Shao Ming flipped his phone over to use it as a mirror, the young man reflected on it definitely looked better than him.
Zhu Tong couldn’t help but steal a glance at Shao Ming’s face. Just when he was about to get distracted, he quickly pulled his focus back and said sternly, “You… can go back and play later. Don’t disturb me now.”
Shao Ming asked, “Go back and play later?”
Zhu Tong: “Yes.”
“Then write me an IOU, and we’ll calculate the interest from now on. When you go back, you’ll have to pay back the principal and the interest.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
Why was he being watched and becoming the debtor?
In the end, he was forced to write an IOU, and Young Master Zhu finally got some peace and quiet.
