Ji He’s antics successfully left Zhou Zhuoyuan mentally and physically drained. After returning to the dorm and washing up, he collapsed into bed and fell straight asleep.
He had forgotten to blow-dry his hair again.
Guan Qi tapped out a few messages on his phone, then glanced at Pei He, who was sitting at the head of the bed scrolling on his own device.
Pei He noticed his gaze and lifted his eyelids. “I haven’t gone to sleep yet. Do what you want.”
Guan Qi quietly got out of bed, plugged in the hairdryer, and dragged it over to the bedside. Luckily, the extension cord was long enough. He gently pulled away the hand Zhou Zhuoyuan had draped over his forehead and switched on the medium hot-air setting.
“Don’t make any noise. I’m sleeping—keep it down,” Zhou Zhuoyuan mumbled, half-asleep as he covered his ears. “Why’s the wind so strong? The windows are closed.”
“Got it.” Guan Qi found it a little funny and turned the fan down another notch.
~~~
The next day, when Zhou Zhuoyuan saw Ji He at school acting as if nothing had happened, he was a bit surprised. He’d figured a pampered young master like him, after losing so much blood, would have to recuperate at home for at least ten days or half a month before recovering his energy.
The wound on Ji He’s forehead wasn’t huge, but it had required two stitches and looked rather pitiful.
Spotting Zhou Zhuoyuan approaching, Ji He’s eyes suddenly lit up. He mysteriously pulled a bottle of milk from under his desk and handed it over. “Here, for you. Thanks for saving me.”
It was a pretty cheap gesture. Zhou Zhuoyuan couldn’t help but pull a face of disdain.
Ji He wasn’t having it. “You jerk! Can you stop being so materialistic?!”
Zhou Zhuoyuan’s hand, which had been halfway extended, withdrew. “That’s exactly how materialistic I am. If you can’t bring anything decent, don’t bother embarrassing yourself.”
Ji He had seen his earlier motion, though, and knew he was just talking tough. He quickly grabbed Zhou Zhuoyuan’s hand and shoved the still-warm bottle of milk into it. “How is this not decent? You have no taste. This one’s filled with my gratitude—it’s priceless. What kind of good stuff do you want? If I can afford it, I’ll buy it for you.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan let out a “hmph” but didn’t hand the milk back.
“You two didn’t actually fall out, did you?” Ji He leaned in close and whispered. “I saw Guan Qi used to bring you breakfast all the time. I can do that from now on.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan’s lips curved slightly. “Suit yourself.”
~~~
He Qinglan returned to school that afternoon, looking relaxed. Clearly, he’d done well on his exam.
He’d brought gifts for everyone in the dorm—ornaments modeled after famous local buildings. Zhou Zhuoyuan’s was a little academy; through its open front doors, you could see rows of exquisitely detailed figurines seated inside.
He Qinglan took hold of his hand and guided it to the switch on the base.
The little figures began nodding and shaking their heads as they recited classical Chinese texts that every high schooler had to memorize by heart. Only… the voice…
Zhou Zhuoyuan burst out laughing. “Did you record that?”
He Qinglan’s pale eyes reflected his smiling face, his voice soft and gentle. “Yeah. Do you like it?”
Zhou Zhuoyuan hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. “I love it! Thank you!”
Over on the other side, Guan Qi had been fiddling with his own ornament for a while. He feigned outrage. “Hey, wait a minute, He Qinglan—you’re playing favorites! Why doesn’t mine move?”
He Qinglan expressed his regret. “I couldn’t find one that did for yours.”
Pei He’s expression was even gloomier than usual. “Mine doesn’t move either.”
He Qinglan’s apology sounded a touch more sincere this time. “Couldn’t find one for yours, either.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan said nothing. He simply pressed the switch again, letting the little figures recite another classical text.
~~~
That cheerful mood lasted all the way until Sunday afternoon.
After playing a bit of ball with his disciple, a stranger from the neighboring court suddenly called out to him. “Zhou Zhuoyuan! Your family’s here looking for you.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan looked up and saw Zhou Zhuoyi standing at the entrance to the court, waving at him from afar.
Zhu Wan wore a smile on her face as she gazed gently at Zhou Zhuoyi, while Zhou Zhuoli stood protectively behind them both, his eyes fixed on Zhou Zhuoyuan with a veiled warning.
Sun Yuqing wiped the sweat from his brow, full of envy. “Wow, Master, your family is so good to you!”
Zhou Zhuoyuan forced a smile. “You keep practicing on your own for now.”
He crossed the court and hurried over to Zhu Wan. “What are you all doing here?”
Zhu Wan’s gaze finally shifted away from Zhou Zhuoyi, her smile unwavering. “You haven’t come home in weeks. Little Yi’s been missing you.”
It was the answer he’d expected.
What a load of nonsense about his family being good to him.
It was all fake.
Just Zhou Zhuoyi’s gracious charity, born of his kindness.
“Bro, I brought you some snacks. Aunt Shen taught me how to make them.” Zhou Zhuoyi seemed oblivious to his mood and happily pulled an insulated box out of the bag Zhou Zhuoli was carrying. “Try some quick.”
Aunt Shen—Zhou Zhuoyuan remembered her. She’d once asked how he was feeling when he was sick.
His eyelashes fluttered. “I’m not hungry right now.”
Zhou Zhuoyi looked a little disappointed. “Okay, then. Take it back to the dorm and share it with your roommates.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan gave a noncommittal shrug. “When are you leaving? My friend is still waiting for me.”
Zhu Wan disapproved. “Then just tell your friend. Little Yi rarely comes to visit. Are you really that impatient?”
Zhou Zhuoyuan hated how they kept calling out “Little Yi, Little Yi” all day long. “Then go enjoy yourselves. I’m heading back first.”
Zhou Zhuoli grabbed his arm. “What’s with that attitude?”
What attitude? From Zhou Zhuoyuan’s perspective, he and the Zhou family were already mortal enemies—there was no chance of them getting along.
He shook off Zhou Zhuoli’s hand.
Zhu Wan’s pretty brows furrowed. “Zhuoyuan, your temper’s gotten worse and worse lately. If you’re always like this, people are going to start hating you.”
He let out a scoff. “Even when my temper was good, not many people liked me anyway.”
Anger crept into Zhu Wan’s tone. “Do you have to speak with such barbs?”
Zhou Zhuoyuan was like a hedgehog, but in his previous life, he had never once pricked at Zhu Wan. Now that he had finally armored himself up completely, though, he didn’t feel the satisfaction he had imagined.
Zhou Zhuoyi noticed the tense atmosphere and quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “Mom, Big Brother, I’m a bit thirsty. Could you go buy me a bottle of water?”
Zhu Wan and Zhou Zhuoli knew full well that Little Yi was trying to get rid of them, but they didn’t want to waste his good intentions. Their expressions softened, and Zhou Zhuoli agreed. “Alright. Don’t wander off—just wait right here for us.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan watched them leave before turning toward the basketball court.
Zhou Zhuoyi followed after him, still clutching that blue insulated box. “Bro, have you lost weight? Maybe you shouldn’t live on campus after all.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan stopped in his tracks.
He truly couldn’t understand why Zhou Zhuoyi kept showing up in front of him like this. He’d already surrendered, already moved into the dorms, and yet here Zhou Zhuoyi was, bringing people to school just to disgust him.
“What exactly do you want?”
Zhou Zhuoyi stared at him blankly, as if only now realizing he wasn’t welcome. His face paled, and a sheen of moisture gathered in his pretty eyes. “I… I just wanted to see you…”
The fragile, innocent protagonist was about to get hurt by him again. Zhou Zhuoyuan took a deep breath and forced himself to change tack. “What snacks did you make?”
Zhou Zhuoyi’s eyes lit up again. He eagerly opened the insulated box and held it out to him. “Begonia crisps.”
Zhou Zhuoyuan inhaled deeply. Under Zhou Zhuoyi’s expectant gaze, he picked up a fork.
The begonia crisps were still warm and cut easily. He took a bite. To be fair, Zhou Zhuoyi’s skills were pretty good—the crisps were sweet and fragrant without being greasy, and they looked decent too.
He slowly finished one piece, waiting until enough time had passed before setting the fork down. Honestly, he said, “Not bad.”
Zhou Zhuoyi’s smile grew even brighter. He was just about to say something when a basketball came flying out of nowhere and thumped him right on the forehead.
He cried out in pain and doubled over, clutching his head.
Zhou Zhuoyuan’s heart skipped a beat.
The sight of Zhou Zhuoyi sweating coldly and groaning in agony blurred with memories from that year.
His breathing grew erratic. He grabbed Zhou Zhuoyi’s hand—pressed tightly against his head—and tried to check what was wrong.
Whether from the pain or something else, Zhou Zhuoyi was gripping his head with surprising force. Zhou Zhuoyuan tugged for a good while but couldn’t pry it loose.
The culprit hurried over to apologize. Zhou Zhuoyuan ignored him, commanding Zhou Zhuoyi, “Take your hand away so I can see.”
Everyone on the court had stopped playing to watch, crowding around them.
From the edge of the crowd came an angry shout. “What are you doing!”
Zhou Zhuoli, who had rushed back, bounded over in two strides and shoved Zhou Zhuoyuan away hard.
Under everyone’s stares, Zhou Zhuoyuan stumbled back two steps and nearly fell. Luckily, Sun Yuqing caught him from behind.
Zhu Wan arrived half a step later. Seeing Little Yi looking miserable in Zhou Zhuoli’s arms tightened her chest. And with Zhou Zhuoli angrily questioning Zhou Zhuoyuan, how could she not guess what had happened?
Irritated, she pointed an accusing finger at him. “How many times have I told you? Little Yi’s condition can’t take any stress! It’s one thing to lose your temper at others, but now you’re laying hands on Little Yi too?!”
It was utterly humiliating.
Zhou Zhuoyuan felt Sun Yuqing’s hand stiffen for a moment where it steadied him.
The air seemed to freeze. The boy who had thrown the ball looked even more flustered than before. “Sorry, sorry! It wasn’t on purpose. I’ll cover the medical bills—really, I’m so sorry!”
Only then did Zhou Zhuoli realize he’d misunderstood. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came.
Zhou Zhuoyi’s gaze had already grown a little unfocused. What might be a minor mishap for others could have serious consequences for him.
Zhou Zhuoli said nothing in the end. He scooped up the person in his arms and bolted toward the parking area.
Zhu Wan was mortified. She took a couple of steps toward Zhou Zhuoyuan and reached out to touch his face. But just as her fingers were about to make contact, he stepped back, dodging her hand.
Her arm froze in midair.
Zhou Zhuoyuan let out a cold sneer. “If you don’t go with them right now, Zhou Zhuoyi might not last. You won’t even get to see him one last time.”
The words cut deep—vicious and cruel. Zhu Wan’s heart ached with a mix of fury and pain, but her worry for Zhou Zhuoyi overpowered everything else. She hurried to the roadside, where Zhou Zhuoli had pulled up in the car.
Once the car sped away, the crowd began to disperse. The only one left was the boy who had thrown the ball, still mumbling apologies to Zhou Zhuoyuan.
Zhou Zhuoyuan waved him off irritably. “They won’t miss your pocket change. Just pray that guy doesn’t croak.”
【Warning: Malice toward the protagonist is excessive】
Ha, getting malicious with the protagonist again!
Zhou Zhuoyuan shot back in his mind, knowing the System would pick it up: If you’ve got the balls, just kill me already. Hell, I’ve been dead for ages!
