TSIBAMS Chapter 40

The day students were experiencing their first evening self-study session. Watching the sky gradually darken while they were still in the classroom learning, they felt a strange, secret excitement. Of course, this did not include Qi Guang. The thought that he would have to go home every evening to face an empty house made the feeling of loneliness all the more real.

As soon as the school bell rang, he, who had already packed his bag, disappeared out the back door.

He probably only heard the first three words of the self-study teacher’s “be careful on the way home,” and the rest of the message was drowned out by the cheers coming from the other classrooms he passed.

Ye Xing automatically categorized this behavior as “because he doesn’t want to spend another minute with me.”

He looked dejected even after Zhou Tian pulled him onto the tricycle.

“You’ve been half-dead since you got off Bai Shu’s car yesterday,” Zhou Tian complained, sitting next to Ye Xing with his bag.

The tricycle was designed to only allow two people to sit side by side. Fortunately, both were relatively thin, and they were able to survive in the cramped space. However, Ye Xing still hadn’t gotten used to the numb sensation the electric tricycle gave his butt. Besides being unpleasant, the feeling was also a little… subtle.

Seeing that Ye Xing was ignoring him, Zhou Tian asked again, “You’re not actually seeing Bai Shu, are you?”

“Bullshit!” Ye Xing glared at him.

“He even drove you back specially. I couldn’t figure it out all night. How did you two suddenly get so close?” Zhou Tian said.

“Is that something worth thinking about all night? It should be terrifying for me if you’re thinking about me all night!” Ye Xing said, exasperated.

“If I were a girl, I would definitely think about you day and night.” Zhou Tian looked him up and down, then added, “But sorry, I’m a straight guy.”

Ye Xing was too lazy to bother with him. He supported himself with one hand on the seat, and hugged his bag with the other, absentmindedly watching the people and cars passing by. He suddenly remembered that Qi Guang also took this road home, and since he usually didn’t ride a bike to school, he wondered how he would get home so late today.

Just as he was thinking this, a familiar figure suddenly flashed before his eyes. Of course, it wasn’t a quick flash, since the speed of the tricycle was limited. In that limited time, Ye Xing saw clearly: a slender body, a light-colored knit shirt, holding his school uniform, walking slowly. He knew without thinking who it was. He turned his head and looked back through the gap behind the seat.

Qi Guang was carrying his bag, walking alone on the deserted street, looking somewhat lonely.

Ye Xing suddenly wanted to get off the tricycle.

After their “thank you” and “you’re welcome” during the day, they hadn’t had any further conversation. He hadn’t found an opportunity to talk, but now he suddenly felt courageous.

But he couldn’t come up with a proper reason, so he just said to Zhou Tian, “Um… I forgot my homework in the classroom, you go home first, I’ll get off and go get it.”

Zhou Tian grabbed him, “Oh, it’s so late, just copy it tomorrow.”

That was right, he had never been such a hardworking student. If he insisted on going back to get it, it would be so fake that even he couldn’t convince himself.

He said nothing more and sat absentmindedly until he reached his house. After the tricycle stopped, Zhou Tian jumped off and bargained with the driver. He suddenly jumped into the adjacent tricycle and waved to Zhou Tian, “I remembered it’s my math homework, I really have to go back and get it!”

He gave the driver the address and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Who knew Zhou Tian would jump in again, “I’ll go with you!”

Damn it?

Who needed you to go with me?!!!!

Ye Xing felt somewhat hopeless, but he had no reason to persuade this enthusiastic citizen to get off the tricycle, so he could only keep up the act.

On the way back to school, he saw Qi Guang walking towards them, as expected. He was wearing headphones, and looked expressionless and indifferent. Although his back view had seemed lonely earlier, at this moment, Ye Xing just felt that Qi Guang seemed to have a very rich inner world.

He couldn’t explain why, but he felt that Qi Guang seemed capable of living well without anyone.

That’s right, he didn’t care what happened to the world around him, because no matter what, he could remain detached and watch coldly, as if nothing could hurt him. That’s why he had always been so rational and mindful of the big picture, which wasn’t normal for a high school student.

It was hard to say if it was good or bad. Avoiding risks was probably a good thing. Sharp blades passed by without leaving a trace.

Ye Xing felt a little unwilling. He had taken all the hurt he had caused him, and it wasn’t actually tolerance, but detachment. Because he was insignificant to him, he didn’t even bother to offer an explanation.

But he had his own principles, like refusing to go home and threatening his father with his life.

The things that hurt him had made him strong, but he had to trade a normal high school student’s impulsiveness and passion for restraint and maturity. Ye Xing didn’t know how many times he had felt a pang of heartache for him, except this time, there was also a hint of disappointment—disappointment that he was insignificant to Qi Guang.

Zhou Tian was playing on his phone, oblivious to everything. Qi Guang gradually became a tiny dot behind the tricycle as they passed by. They soon arrived at school, and Ye Xing had to complete his act. He ran back to the classroom and grabbed a random math workbook.

It was quite late when he got home. Ye Xing plugged his phone in to charge and took clean clothes and a towel from the balcony to go shower. Suddenly, his phone rang with a Weibo private message. He swiped it open, it was from Sanmu.

– Big Ye, your birthday is in a few days. I and a few fans want to send you some gifts, can you send me your address!

He also sent a cute, innocent cat emoticon.

This Sanmu, whose gender was unknown, had been in frequent contact with him since he had introduced him to the illustration job. But they weren’t so close that they could just casually exchange addresses.

Besides, his scattered fans shouldn’t be so enthusiastic as to send him gifts.

– Thank you, but there’s no need to spend money, I appreciate your thoughts.

After sending the message, Ye Xing went into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, wanting to quickly wash and crawl into bed. Only his bed could solve all his needs right now, even the pleasant scent of the shower gel in the air couldn’t soothe him.

A layer of mist soon covered the mirror. Ye Xing wrapped himself in a towel and brushed his teeth, using his left hand to wipe a clean spot on the mirror. Soon, his face appeared in the mirror: wet bangs, damp eyebrows, with water droplets on his nose and forehead.

It was just like Qi Guang in the KTV that day.

Damn it? Why did he think of him again?

Ye Xing brushed his teeth more vigorously. He looked at himself in the mirror again.

Not sexy at all!

His inner drama was really too much. Ye Xing changed into his pajamas and came out, finding his phone screen still lit. He swiped it open to find a series of messages from Sanmu.

– Okay! Can’t send Big Ye letters and books! Sad!

– Can we send you our homemade blessing videos??

– Also, I’ve added a few people from publishing houses on WeChat, they’re all my teacher’s classmates, I can introduce them to you!

– So Big Ye, are you willing to add me on WeChat…

– That way it’s convenient to send you the videos and business cards…

– I promise not to reveal it to anyone!!!

Honestly, from when Ye Xing first started posting his works on Weibo until now, he had never properly managed it. Seeing his followers increase day by day, he was only happy that his work was liked by everyone, but he had never thought about establishing a closer relationship with his fans.

They were all just ordinary netizens, there was no need for sending gifts or making videos.

But he had become quite familiar with this Sanmu because he had recommended work for him. It wasn’t like he had never added any like-minded friends on the internet, so adding this person on WeChat wasn’t too difficult.

Besides, with his current living situation, he didn’t have the right to refuse any opportunities to make money!

Ye Xing had just pressed a few keys on his keyboard when the other party sent a WeChat QR code. He smiled, pressed save, then opened WeChat, scanned the QR code, and added a friend.

He saw a pink silhouette next to the person’s WeChat name; so it was a girl. However, the WeChat name was enough to identify her. He checked the name again: Huang Shanshan.

It was rare to use a real name on WeChat these days.

He fell asleep not long after lying in bed. When he went out the next morning, it was still early. Zhou Tian hadn’t woken up yet, as usual. Ye Xing decided to walk to school, get some fresh air, and see if he would be lucky enough to run into Qi Guang, if Qi Guang didn’t happen to be late.

When he reached the school gate, Ye Xing saw Qi Guang not only not late, but also squatting beside a steamed bun shop, munching on a bun. His eyes almost popped out.

And it was the steamed bun shop he frequented every day.

“Boss, the usual!” Ye Xing scanned the QR code and entered the amount.

“Coming right up!” The boss grabbed four steamed buns, divided them into two bags, and handed him two sealed cups of soy milk.

As Ye Xing put his breakfast into his bag, he couldn’t help but glance in the direction where Qi Guang was squatting. The other party didn’t seem to notice him. He was holding a bun in one hand and holding his phone to his ear with the other…

Making a call?

Sure enough, Ye Xing immediately recognized Qi Guang’s voice in the bustling crowd of students going to school.

“No need,” it sounded a bit cold.

“Impossible,” very impatient.

Then he didn’t speak for a long time. Ye Xing looked over again and saw him holding the phone, listening with a grim expression.

After a while, he closed his eyes and opened his mouth slightly to say a single word. Ye Xing couldn’t hear what he said, but from the shape of his mouth, it should be “okay.”

Ye Xing, who was originally in a good mood, instantly felt down. He was deterred by the “do not approach” aura that had once again enveloped Qi Guang, just like the feeling he had when they weren’t familiar with each other.

It seemed like today was not a good day for reconciliation.