My Arranged Marriage Partner Has Two Faces 50

Chapter 50

“Zhong Yuxiao, someone’s looking for you.”

Zhong Yuxiao looked up. A teenager was standing at the classroom door, holding his school uniform and raising his chin at him from afar.

Xu Linfeng took a look and nudged him, his voice a bit nervous. “Zhong Er, isn’t that Xi Shi who just transferred in from the third year of high school? I heard he got into a fight as soon as he arrived. Does he want to cause trouble for you?”

“A fight?” Zhong Yuxiao frowned slightly. “What happened?”

Xu Linfeng found a post on the school forum and showed it to him. “Look, he got into a fight with our school bully on his first day here. I heard he almost got his head cracked open.”

The top post had a picture of Xi Shi, his expression fierce, a scratch on the corner of his eye, like a red line had been drawn on it. He was holding a stool, his golden hair radiating a defiant aura.

The sunlight seemed to favor him, the golden light dancing on the ends of his hair, solidifying into a dazzling image in Zhong Yuxiao’s vision. A vibrant, passionate teenager had just crashed into his sight.

“Tsk tsk tsk, he’s got guts, daring to provoke the school bully.” Xu Linfeng reminded him, “What does he want from you? Should I tell the teacher for you?”

Zhong Yuxiao shook his head, quickly scrolling through the post. “No need, I know him.”

“You know him?” Xu Linfeng paused, and seeing Zhong Yuxiao’s reaction, it seemed they were quite familiar. He thought for a moment and reminded him, “The school bully definitely won’t let it go. You should stay away from him, in case he tries to get revenge.”

Zhong Yuxiao was noncommittal. He saved the picture and sent it to himself, then reported the post and returned the phone to Xu Linfeng. “I’m leaving.”

“Hey!”

Xu Linfeng wanted to follow, but suddenly felt something. He looked up and saw the teenager at the door glaring at him, a cold feeling rushing over him. Xu Linfeng shuddered for no reason.

Hmm, he felt like he was about to get beaten up.

The Zhong and Xi families were old friends, and the two of them had grown up together. But after Xi Shi’s mother had an accident, the two families’ contact had decreased. It had been a long time since Zhong Yuxiao had seen Xi Shi, and they had only kept in contact through phone calls.

Xi Shi was two years older than him and was about to take the college entrance exam. He had suddenly transferred to their school.

As soon as Zhong Yuxiao approached, Xi Shi immediately reached for his backpack. “Was that your classmate you were talking to?”

“Mm.” Zhong Yuxiao dodged. “I’m not a kid anymore, I can carry my own bag.”

When they were little, Xi Shi would always coax him and play with him. After they started kindergarten, Xi Shi, who was two years older, was taught to be a responsible older brother and take care of his younger brother. Every time, Xi Shi would run to the classroom door and wait for Zhong Yuxiao, like a little adult, carrying his bag for him.

The familiar action made Zhong Yuxiao think of his childhood, and his eyes darkened slightly, then he remembered the years they had spent apart.

Xi Shi was two grades above him. When they graduated from kindergarten, little Zhong Yuxiao cried for a long time. Every birthday, he wished to grow up quickly and go to elementary school with Xi Shi. But by the time he was in first grade, Xi Shi had suddenly transferred to a school in another city.

It had been almost ten years since the last time Xi Shi had carried his bag.

Xi Shi took advantage of his daze and snatched the bag, throwing it over his shoulder. “Even if you’re eighty, you’ll still be younger than me. It’s only natural for an older brother to take care of his younger brother.”

Zhong Yuxiao was used to him saying this. Xi Shi seemed to have a thing for being an older brother.

They walked out side by side. The two years difference in age was very obvious in their height. Zhong Yuxiao was almost half a head shorter than Xi Shi, and Xi Shi was very proud of it. “Xiaoyao, why are you still so short? You were half a head shorter than me before, and you’re still half a head shorter now. Didn’t your aunt and uncle feed you enough?”

Zhong Yuxiao: “…”

Zhong Yuxiao was already over 1.7 meters tall, close to 1.8 meters, and was considered tall in his grade. It was normal for boys in high school to grow taller, and Xi Shi, who had developed two years earlier, was only half a head taller, which was already a small difference.

“In two years, I’ll definitely be taller than you.”

Xi Shi smiled. “Even if you grow taller in two years, you’ll still be half a head shorter than me.”

“…You’ll eventually stop growing, and I’ll keep growing.” Zhong Yuxiao pursed his lips, his youthful expression showing his dissatisfaction with his temporary height disadvantage.

Xi Shi chuckled and patted his head. “Pat pat, you won’t grow taller.”

Zhong Yuxiao: “…”

Fuck.

Zhong Yuxiao gave Xi Shi a punch as a long-overdue greeting.

Xi Shi rubbed his stomach, his face still smiling. “By the way, why did you come to No. 1 High School?”

No. 1 High School was a public high school. Those from their social class usually sent their kids to private schools, then they would go to college and study abroad, just like Zhong Zhili.

Zhong Yuxiao paused. Why was he here?

“I thought you hated public schools the most.”

Zhong Yuxiao said casually, “I don’t like boarding schools.”

To be honest, public schools were more relaxed, and even fighting wouldn’t get you…

His voice trailed off as he glanced at Zhong Yuxiao cautiously.

Zhong Yuxiao’s expression was calm. “Get what?”

Xi Shi quickly shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Oh, I thought it was about not getting demerits or having your parents called.”

Zhong Yuxiao turned his head and looked at him, his eyes lingering around his eyes. In that picture, Xi Shi had been injured, and there was a thin scratch on the corner of his eye, tinged with red.

“What are you looking at?” Xi Shi tilted his head back.

“Don’t move.” Zhong Yuxiao held his shoulder and wiped his eye, his fingertip removing a layer of powder, revealing the red skin underneath.

“When did you learn to wear makeup?”

“…”

Xi Shi slapped his hand away, and Zhong Yuxiao twirled his finger and took a step back. He stood at the edge of the hallway, the sunlight outlining a blurred background, and his expression was unclear.

“Xi Shi, why did you fight?”

That one sentence successfully stopped Xi Shi’s questions.

Zhong Yuxiao waited for a while. Seeing that he wasn’t going to be honest, he asked again patiently, “What did he do to you?”

“Why do you assume that he provoked me first? Maybe I just didn’t like him and deliberately picked a fight.” Xi Shi shrugged.

“You’re not that kind of person.”

“You trust me that much?” Xi Shi curled his lips, bumping his arm against his. “What kind of image do I have in your eyes? Someone who never causes trouble, and a handsome, reliable childhood friend?”

Zhong Yuxiao looked at him with disdain and clicked his tongue. “You’re really good at flattering yourself.”

“Where did I go wrong? I think I’m very reliable.” Xi Shi touched his face, pretending to be surprised. “It can’t be because I’m not handsome, right? I was the school hunk at my old school, and the number of people who chased me was countless. They could line up from here to your house.”

Zhong Yuxiao glanced at him. Xi Shi had been very handsome since he was young, with a round face, delicate features, and a pair of big, bright eyes. He was the prettiest kid in kindergarten.

Children liked beautiful things, and Xi Shi was the most popular kid in kindergarten. This was one of the reasons why he liked playing with Xi Shi.

Men changed as they grew up. Xi Shi hadn’t become ugly, but his personality had warped.

Zhong Yuxiao inwardly reminisced about the time when his childhood friend was sweet and well-behaved and asked, “Have you ever been in a relationship?”

“What?”

“With so many people chasing after you, did you agree to any of them?”

Teenage boys were usually easily infatuated.

There were couples in his class who were dating, and Zhong Yuxiao had seen them hugging and kissing secretly in the corners. Would Xi Shi have also held a girl and kissed her passionately?

Thinking of that image, Zhong Yuxiao’s expression immediately darkened.

“Of course not, I was busy with my studies, I didn’t have time for a relationship.” Xi Shi’s eyes darted around, and he asked back, “What about you? Have you ever been in a relationship with a girl?”

“No.”

“What about with a boy?”

Zhong Yuxiao stopped walking, turned around, and looked at him. Xi Shi laughed, “Haha, I was just kidding.”

The topic of dating in school had ended there, and the atmosphere seemed to become strange. Neither of them spoke as they walked to the school gate. Xi Shi then followed Zhong Yuxiao into the car that Zhong’s parents had sent to pick them up.

On the way, Zhong Yuxiao looked at the forum, the post about Xi Shi’s fight had already been deleted, but many people were still discussing him, because of his face.

Zhong Yuxiao glanced at him. Tsk, he did have a face that could cause trouble.

Xi Shi was leaning against his seat, looking lazy. He nudged Zhong Yuxiao’s leg.

Zhong Yuxiao was confused. “?”

“Don’t just glance at me, look at me carefully, closely.”

“…”

Zhong Yuxiao looked at him like he was a fool. “Have you had some kind of mental breakdown lately?”

Xi Shi choked and glared at him. “I just wanted you to know that I’m back. I noticed that you’re a little distant, you don’t even call me ‘gege’ like you used to.”

Saying so, Xi Shi sighed sadly.

When Zhong Yuxiao was younger, he had a weak constitution and was often sick. He was afraid of pain and medicine, and he would cry every time he had to take medicine or get a shot, holding onto his sleeve and calling him “gege” with a whimper in his voice, making him want to protect him.

He was like a sweet and soft glutinous rice ball, cute and lovable.

In the blink of an eye, the little rice ball had grown up. The baby fat on his face had disappeared, his features becoming sharp and defined. Wearing a school uniform, he looked like the male lead in a campus drama, full of youth and vitality.

Xi Shi missed the old Zhong Yuxiao. He couldn’t understand how that sweet and soft little rice ball had turned into this. He no longer called him “gege,” and he no longer clung to him.

“Little rice ball, you’ve changed.” Xi Shi said with a heavy heart, his tone like he was accusing a cheating boyfriend.

Zhong Yuxiao’s forehead twitched. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why?”

“Just why.”

Xi Shi pretended to be stupid. “Why, why? Little rice ball, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Zhong Yuxiao sighed. He decided not to argue with this idiot who couldn’t understand human language.

Seeing his defeat, Xi Shi was as happy as a cat who had stolen a fish. He kept calling him over and over again, “Little rice ball, little rice ball, little rice ball…”

“Will you stop it!”

“Nope.”

Xi Shi revealed his white teeth. “If you call me ‘gege’, then I’ll stop.”

He was itching to hear Zhong Yuxiao call him “gege”. It had been almost ten years since he had last heard it, a scene he had missed the most in his dreams.

“I won’t. We’re not related.” Zhong Yuxiao was firm.

“You don’t need to be related by blood to call me ‘gege’. I’m older than you, it’s only natural for you to call me ‘gege’.” Xi Shi said righteously.

The car drove into the villa. Zhong Yuxiao and Xi Shi got out one after the other.

Zhong Yuxiao suddenly glanced at his legs. “You’re older than me, I don’t see it.”

Xi Shi: “?”

Zhong Yuxiao turned and left. It took a few seconds for Xi Shi to react, his face filled with disbelief.

What did he just hear?

He was talking about age, but what was Zhong Yuxiao talking about?

Xi Shi had an expression as if he had been struck by lightning. Had he been teased by his two-years-younger childhood friend?

Back at home, lunch was already prepared. Besides Zhong Zhili, who was away at college, the Zhong family was all there.

Xi Shi sat next to Zhong Yuxiao, and across from him was Zhong Mu, who enthusiastically put food on his plate. “Xiao Shi, eat more. It’s been so many years since we last saw you, you’re thinner than you were when you were little.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“I almost didn’t recognize you when I saw you carrying Xiaoyao’s bag just now. It was just like when you were little. Do you remember? You always took care of Xiaoyao and waited for him every day after school.”

Xi Shi smiled obediently. “Of course I remember. Xiaoyao liked to call me ‘gege’ back then.”

Zhong Yuxiao paused, glancing at him.

“That’s right, Xiaoyao liked you the most. Once, you had to take a day off, and Xiaoyao cried in class when you didn’t show up. He wouldn’t leave with anyone else. In the end, it was Yueyue who took you to him that made him agree to leave kindergarten.”

Zhong Mu covered her mouth and laughed, and even Zhong Fu was smiling.

At the table, Zhong Yuxiao felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, listening to them discuss his embarrassing childhood moments.

“I remember that time. My mom let you stay over, and Xiaoyao secretly crawled into your bed at night.”

Zhong Yuxiao felt suffocated and kicked Xi Shi under the table, his eyes warning him, “Don’t say anything more.”

Xi Shi was not done and pretended to sigh. “It’s a pity that everything has changed after all these years.”

His tone immediately made Zhong Fu and Zhong Mu take notice. Zhong Mu asked worriedly, “What’s wrong?”

Zhong Yuxiao was about to speak, but Xi Shi had already targeted him, accusing him. “Xiaoyao doesn’t see me as his older brother anymore.”

Zhong Yuxiao: “…”

He knew it.

“He must hate me, that’s why he doesn’t want to call me ‘gege’.”

Zhong Mu quickly said, “How can that be? Xiaoyao often asked about you after you moved to another city. He definitely doesn’t hate you…Xiaoyao, say something!”

Zhong Yuxiao wanted to ask him what he was supposed to say. Xi Shi was clearly trying to mess with him, and whatever he said now would be wrong.

Zhong Yuxiao gritted his teeth, picked up some carrots, and put them in Xi Shi’s bowl. “Gege, how can I hate you? Eat more.”

Hearing the words he wanted to hear, Xi Shi was satisfied. Hmph, he was still trying to compete with him? He hadn’t wasted those two years.

“Thank you, little Xiaoyao.”

Xi Shi glanced at the carrots in his bowl, unable to bring himself to eat them. He was a picky eater and never ate carrots.

No one knew this better than Zhong Yuxiao.

Zhong Yuxiao smiled slyly and picked up another piece of carrot for him. “Gege, eat more. Carrots are good for your eyes. After you eat them, your eyes will definitely improve, and you won’t mistake me for someone who hates you.”

Xi Shi: “…”

This was revenge, blatant revenge!

The meal was extremely painful. Xi Shi felt like he was being pickled with carrots. Later, Zhong Yuxiao put even more food on his plate, wanting to dump the entire plate of carrots into his bowl.

The sweet and soft glutinous rice ball had turned into a black sesame one, dark and very vengeful.

After dinner, Zhong Mu pulled Xi Shi aside to chat, looking at old photos. They chatted until it got late, and Zhong Mu invited Xi Shi to stay.

Xi Shi didn’t agree immediately, first looking at Zhong Yuxiao. “Wouldn’t it be too much trouble? Is little Xiaoyao willing to take me in?”

Zhong Mu wanted to say they had guest rooms, and they had plenty of empty rooms in their villa, and it wouldn’t be a problem to have one cleaned.

But before she could speak, Zhong Yuxiao had already agreed. “I usually go to sleep before nine-thirty. If you don’t have anything to do, you can go up and take a shower first.”

Xi Shi couldn’t wait to brush his teeth and wash up, and he immediately agreed.

As soon as he left, Zhong Mu pulled Zhong Yuxiao aside. “Xiaoyao, are you and Xiao Shi arguing?”

At the table, even a blind person could see that Zhong Yuxiao and Xi Shi were competing. Xi Shi clearly didn’t like carrots, but Zhong Yuxiao kept putting them on his plate. It was no coincidence.

“We’re not arguing.” Zhong Yuxiao was amused. “Mom, don’t worry, we’re just joking.”

“You’re really not angry?”

“No.”

It was just a “gege.” He had said it countless times before. As Xi Shi had said, he had been Zhong Yuxiao’s follower when they were little.

He didn’t want to say it now, just for personal reasons.

“That’s good. Xiao Shi had a hard life. After your Aunt Xi Yue passed away, he was with Shi Fengsheng. Shi Fengsheng was not a good person, Xiao Shi must have suffered a lot these years.”

Zhong Yuxiao’s smile faded. He didn’t know much about the older generation’s affairs, and he had only heard his parents mention them. After Xi Shi’s mother’s suicide, Shi Fengsheng had quickly married another woman, and that woman was actually Xi Shi’s aunt, his mother’s cousin.

That was an unpleasant matter, and Shi Fengsheng had quickly left Lincheng with his pregnant wife, going to another city to work.

Xi Shi had gone with him.

But it wasn’t because Shi Fengsheng wanted him to go. It was Xi Shi who had insisted on going. At the time, Xi Shi’s grandfather, Xi Chongyang, had wanted to take him back to the old residence, but Xi Shi refused, insisting on going with Shi Fengsheng.

Zhong Yuxiao lowered his head, seeing an old photo in the album. He and Xi Shi were standing together, and Xi Shi was smiling brightly.

This was the last photo they had taken together. What followed were decades of emptiness.

Zhong Yuxiao closed the album. “Mom, do you know why Xi Shi suddenly transferred schools?”

He was in his last year of high school, and the college entrance exam was coming up soon. Xi Shi transferring schools at this crucial time must have been because something had happened.

Zhong Mu hesitated.

Zhong Yuxiao’s heart skipped a beat. “Is it related to when he left Lincheng?”

Xi Shi had left with Shi Fengsheng, and it definitely wasn’t because he wanted to live with his father, like he had said.

Zhong Yuxiao was sure of this.

Because Xi Shi hated Shi Fengsheng, he always thought that Shi Fengsheng had killed his mother.

Zhong Mu sighed. “I don’t know the full story either. I just heard that Xi Shi had gotten into a fight at his old school, and the other person was…”

“Who was it?”

“Shi Chengze, his half-brother.”

When Zhong Yuxiao returned to his room, Xi Shi had already finished his shower, wearing only a towel.

The hot water had washed away the concealer, and Zhong Yuxiao saw the injuries on Xi Shi’s face. It wasn’t just his eye, but there was a red mark on his forehead as well.

Zhong Yuxiao frowned. “If you can’t win, why didn’t you run away?”

“Huh?” Xi Shi paused before reacting to what he was saying, then chuckled. “Who said I couldn’t win? I beat that guy up so badly, his nose was swollen, and he even lost a tooth. He was so miserable.”

He touched his eye. “This happened by accident. I bumped into a window.”

Zhong Yuxiao was noncommittal. He took out the first aid kit from the cabinet.

Seeing him skillfully take out cotton swabs and iodine, Xi Shi joked, “I thought you were going to find me some clothes first.”

“No need.”

“Why?”

“Your skin is thick, you won’t get cold without clothes.”

“…”

Zhong Yuxiao took a stool and motioned to Xi Shi. “Sit.”

“It’s just a scratch, it’ll be fine in a few days.” Xi Shi said unwillingly, but he still sat down obediently.

Zhong Yuxiao held his chin and turned his head to observe carefully. There were no open wounds, just a bit swollen. He didn’t need iodine.

He took out a repair cream and squeezed some onto his fingertip, applying it gently to the red, swollen area.

The cream was cold, and when he put it on, it relieved the heat and pain. Xi Shi closed his eyes comfortably. “Why do you have a first aid kit in your room?”

Usually, one first aid kit was enough for a house. He hadn’t expected Zhong Yuxiao to take a kit from his room. He glanced at it, and the kit was filled with medicine for bruises.

“Because I’m clairvoyant. I knew you would need it.” Zhong Yuxiao put away the first aid kit and took out pajamas and underwear from the closet, throwing them at him. “Try the clothes, see if they fit. The underwear is new.”

He was half a head shorter than Xi Shi, but they had similar builds. His clothes should fit Xi Shi well.

Xi Shi took the pajamas and walked towards the bathroom. Zhong Yuxiao raised an eyebrow. “We’re both men, why are you shy?”

“Shy?” Xi Shi chuckled meaningfully. “What do I have to be shy about? I’m afraid you’ll feel inferior.”

Zhong Yuxiao tilted his head. “Inferior?”

Xi Shi smiled and held up the underwear, measuring it against himself, then shrugged as if he was helpless. “This size is too small, it definitely won’t fit me, it’s going to be too tight.”