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nEditor: SimoB

nShi Qing was obviously ecstatic because of Tong Xinyu’s gesture of affection.

nThe school bully, who had always acted like he was the best, quirked his lips and smirked generously at Tong Xinyu.

nHe took the small, exquisitely wrapped box. As if he was still in disbelief, he asked repeatedly: “You’re not messing with me right? It’s really for me and not for Zhuo Junli?”

n“It’s really for you. Why would I lie about that?”

nTong Xinyu’s eyes were shining brightly, and there was still an embarrassed and shy smile on her face. When her hands were free, she fumbled with her hands nervously and mustered up the courage to say: “I made them last night with milk from my uncle, who’s a cattle farmer. It’s very creamy and 100% organic.”

nShi Qing’s mouth might say “How can a man like me eat butter cookies!”, but his hands betrayed his excitement as he quickly unwrapped the delicate package to reveal the tin inside.

nWhen opened, there were bunny-shaped cookies neatly placed inside. The sweet scent of milk could be smelt even from far away.

nAs the school bully picked up a bunny biscuit, he seemed more and more eager to try it out: “A rabbit?”

n“Yeah.”

nTong Xinyu saw his appreciation and blushed with excitement. She didn’t forget to explain: “This bunny mold is my favorite. The cookies made with it look especially cute, just like real bunnies.”

nThen she squirmed again before peeking at Shi Qing covertly. She whispered: “Do you like it?”

n“Yeah!”

nShi Qing replied with absolute certainty.

nTong Xinyu resisted the urge to squeal, but she couldn’t help but stomp her feet a little with joy. She tried her best to maintain a normal expression.

n“I-It’s good that you like it! It’s almost time for class, so I’ll go back first!”

nThe young girl, who was full of enthusiasm for her new male god, skipped back to her seat with a heart filled with happiness and tender feelings.

nZhuo Junli had been frozen stiff in his seat the entire time. He clutched the buddhist pendant around his neck.

nHis eyes were dark and his long eyelashes were lowered. He was deep in thought.

nIf it had been before, the school bully would have been the first to notice his abnormal state and then coaxed him with his ‘I cant help it, I’m like the Mother Mary’ face.

nBut now, Shi Qing’s attention was completely occupied by the little cookie in his hand.

nHe held it gingerly like it was a precious treasure he couldn’t even bear to eat. He turned it this way and that, savouring each and every detail.

nIt seemed like he really liked Tong Xinyu’s gift.

nThe rise and fall of Zhuo Junli’s chest became more pronounced. The hand that held the buddhist pendant tightened.

nThe school bully didn’t notice anything wrong with him. He even carefully used a finger to gently poke at the little rabbit’s ears.

nShi Qing always acted rambunctious and unrestrained. He even felt compelled to slam doors on the way out of every room. This was the first time he was so gentle with something. As he watched, Zhuo Junli’s eyes became overcast.

nIf Shi Qing hadn’t started treating him differently these days, the youth wouldn’t feel like this.

nBut Shi Qing’s recent actions aligned perfectly with his inferences.

n“Zhuo Junli, look at this rabbit.” The school bully next to him still hadn’t noticed his deskmate’s strange state. He grinned widely as he threw an arm over Zhuo Junli’s shoulders and handed over the bunny biscuit in his hand.

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n“Look, isn’t it cute.”

nZhuo Junli looked down at the rabbit indifferently.

nThe tiny thing rested on Shi Qing’s palm. It looked like it could easily be crushed.

nDespite its fragility, the tiny thing was cherished like this by Shi Qing.

nThe words spoken by the usually gentle and amicable youth were sharper than ever before: “It’s ugly.”

n“That’s too harsh.”

nThe school bully wasn’t affected at all. He continued poking at the bunny’s ears happily.

nHe praised: “I think it’s pretty. Who would’ve thought that Tong Xinyu was so good at making cookies? They look so life-like too.”

nZhuo Junli’s breathing became even more erratic. The buddhist pendant in his hand dug into his flesh.

nShi Qing could hear the System’s tense report.

nZhuo Junli’s animosity value: 88

nZhuo Junli’s animosity value: 90

nZhuo Junli’s animosity value: 99

nZhuo Junli’s animosity value: 120

nAaaaahhhhh!!!

nThe system was about to go insane.

nIt muttered incoherently to itself: Why why why did it turn out like this?!!?! The animosity value was only a hundred before, ah!

nShi Qing was unmoved. His voice remained as light and quick as ever: It’s because he’s jealous.

nJealous that Tong Xinyu distracted Shi Qing.

nJealous that Shi Qing liked the bunny biscuit so much.

nEven more jealous that Shi Qing was complimenting Tong Xinyu.

nShi Qing had already figured it out in the past few days.

nZhuo Junli was a very open minded person. After all, his rejection value could be lowered to 85 in just two weeks, despite all the bullying from before.

nHe also complied with the various ways Shi Qing took advantage of him.

nThe reason he was like this was because he knew firsthand that Shi Qing was fiercely impatient with everyone else.

nIt was only towards Zhuo Junli, that his fierce appearance was just a front to disguise how much Shi Qing helped him, albeit in his own way.

nZhuo Junli was a top student who liked to analyze situations.

nIt was impossible for him not to see through Shi Qing’s intentions, but he didn’t feel disgust or a need to run away. In fact, he enjoyed it all.

nOf course, his enjoyment was contingent on the fact that Shi Qing would only act that way towards him alone.

nHis upbringing made him cherish warmth, but the warmth had to belong only to him.

nThe System was panicking so much that it might self-destruct, but Shi Qing still looked like he wasn’t in a hurry.

nHe casually wrapped his arm around Zhuo Junli’s neck like he didn’t notice how stiff and uncooperative he was now. He brought the little rabbit before the youth’s eyes again: “Don’t you think this rabbit looks like you?”

nZhuo Junli paused slightly.

nHe watched the school bully poke the rabbit’s tiny ears repeatedly with a pleased look on his face: “It’s small and weak, just like you.”

nShi Qing clearly felt the youth’s body soften gradually.

nThat slender and beautiful neck also took the initiative to lean against him slightly. Zhuo Junli spoke in his usual warm voice: “Does it look like me?”

nWhether it was his countenance or his voice, the youth now appeared to be 100% harmless. His clear eyes, that had flecks of light brown inside, looked up. He allowed Shi Qing to continue holding his neck as he tilted his head.

n“Am I a rabbit to you?”

nThe school bully laughed. Even his eyebrows displayed his amusement.

nHe was proud and rampant. He obviously thought Zhuo Junli would be displeased to be compared with a rabbit.

n“Do you not think so? It’s timid and wimpy like you. One good scare is enough to make you freeze.”

nThose adjectives were simply humiliating for any high school boy, whose self-esteems were at an all-time high, to hear.

nZhuo Junli’s face, however, remained unchanged as he asked softly: “Do you like me like this?”

n“Of course I…”

nThe school bully almost spilled the beans, but he managed to stop himself in time and coughed twice.

n“Of course I don’t. What kind of man acts all weak and wimpy? That kind of person pisses me off the most.”

nShi Qing looked a bit regretful after his words. He felt like he might’ve gone too far this time. He peeked at Zhuo Junli carefully.

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n“Ahem!” He coughed and looked serious again: “It’s actually not that bad. As long as you stop thinking about dating early and fighting with me over the girls in our class, I can look after you.”

nZhuo Junli narrowed his eyes, but didn’t reveal his inner thoughts. He lowered his head as if he was a little lost.

nThe school bully next to him was anxious seeing him like this. He awkwardly tried to comfort him: “Alright alright. I actually like rabbits a lot. I mean how could anyone resist how weak and small they are? They’re also really resilient to bullying, right?”

nOnly then did Zhuo Junli raise his head and smile at him sweetly.

nShi Qing thumped his chest as he made a promise: “It’s like this. You’re one of my people now. If someone gives you trouble from now on, you come to me and I’ll take revenge for you!”

nThe youth’s smile deepened. He nodded with clear and innocent eyes: “Alright.”

nDing! Zhuo Junli’s animosity value: 100

nDing! Zhuo Junli’s animosity value: 80

nDing! Zhuo Junli’s animosity value: 68

nThe System was going to go crazy again.

nShi Qing didn’t bother with it.

nThe school bully was busy sharing the small cookies with Zhuo Junli.

nMaybe it was because of the promise he made earlier, but the youth actually voluntarily asked a request of Shi Qing. He wanted to try a cookie.

nDespite saying he wanted some, the youth’s downcast eyes were filled with distaste as they stared at the rabbit cookies in the tin.

nEven if Shi Qing liked rabbits.

nThere was only one rabbit he could like.

nThe school bully didn’t notice this and very generously shared one with him.

nCrack–

nZhuo Junli bit the rabbit’s head off.

nCrack–

nZhuo Junli tore into the rabbit’s lower body.

nCrack–

nThe entire rabbit cookie went into his mouth. He looked down expressionlessly as he chewed on it.

nHe made sure to grind his teeth extra hard with each bite.

n“Isn’t it delicious?”

nShi Qing was also eating them.

nTong Xinyu really was skilled with her hands. The little cookies she made were tasty, chewy and buttery.

nHe was quite fond of them. After eating one, he reached out to take another.

nThen his hand met Zhuo Junli’s.

nThe youth timidly lifted his eyes. His beautiful face was filled with innocence, but his slender fingers forced their way between Shi Qing and the tin of cookies.

nHe asked quietly, as if he was very worried that Shi Qing wouldn’t agree: “I like it a lot. Can you share some with me?”

nThe school bully furrowed his eyebrows in confusion: “I thought you didn’t like dairy?”

nTheir school was famous for its generosity. There was often free milk available during lunchtime. Zhuo Junli’s family wasn’t well off, so this should’ve been an unexpected boon for him.

nBut the youth didn’t seem to like it. His face scrunched up each time he forced himself to drink it.

nZhuo Junli didn’t expect Shi Qing to know this about him. His mood became slightly better.

nBut he still said with conviction: “Maybe it’s because of the quality of the milk used, but I really like eating these cookies.”

n“Alright, I’ll share some with you.”

nThe school bully was always generous with Zhuo Junli. His mouth complained about how troublesome it was, but his hands offered him half.

nHowever, even with half, Zhuo Junli wasn’t satisfied in the least.

nMore specifically, he couldn’t stand the fact that Shi Qing, who was only nice to him, would eat half of the cookies given by Tong Xinyu.

nThe youth spoke softly, like a pitiful little boy: “After I finish these, can I have some of yours?”

nShi Qing waved his hand generously: “Sure, eat all you want.”

nLu Tao saw what was going on from far away. He ran over when Shi Qing was divvying up the cookies.

n“Go away go away! Do you have Heimdall’s eyes or something?! Can’t you see that I don’t have many left already?!!”

nThe school bully batted him away impatiently, holding onto the rest of the cookies like an animal protecting its food.

nIt was apparent how much he liked the taste and the bunny shape.

nLu Tao pouted. He felt this was really unfair: “You shared half with Zhuo Junli, so why can’t you give me a few as well? They smell so good.”

n“Don’t compare yourself to Zhuo Junli!

nAs soon as he said that, the school bully realised it didn’t come out right. He tried to cover it up: “Zhuo Junli doesn’t have money to buy cookies! You don’t either?!”

nThen he realized he was kicking Zhuo Junli where it hurts. His expression grew more and more uncomfortable.

nHe wanted to apologize, but when did Shi Qing ever apologize to someone?

nAfter a few seconds of being awkward, Shi Qing slapped the youth on the shoulder: “Um, I didn’t mean it like that.”

n“I know.”

nZhuo Junli wasn’t angry at all. He even smiled at Shi Qing good-naturedly.

nThen he turned to Lu Tao: “If Lu Tao wants some, I’ll share with you.”

nBefore Lu Tao could react, Zhuo Junli gave him most of his share.

nLu Tao was really touched as he held the cookies: “Damn you’re such a nice guy. But if you give me this much, do you have enough for yourself?”

n“It’s okay.” Zhuo Junli still acted like a mild-mannered pushover: “I’ll just eat Shi Qing’s.”

nLu Tao took the cookies and left happily.

nSince class was about to start, the school bully gathered his materials. He had recently asked Zhuo Junli lots of questions in order to keep Tong Xinyu away from him, and so some of that top student energy rubbed off on him.

nHe glanced over the class schedule before scrambling to find his textbooks and papers.

nWhen he finished, he put his hand in the cookie tin, only to come up empty.

nThe school bully: “En?”

nHe lowered his head and pulled the tin out of his desk.

nSure enough, there were only a few crumbs left.

nBeside him, Zhuo Junli was slowly wiping his mouth with a tissue.

n“You ate it all?” Shi Qing was appalled: “But there were so many.”

n“En.”

nThe adoring way Shi Qing looked at that rabbit cookie flashed through Zhuo Junli’s mind. He ground his teeth: “I couldn’t help myself.”

n“Then I’ll find Tong Xinyu later and ask her to make some more later.”

n“There’s no need for that.” The youth stiffened and tried his best to keep his face natural: “We’re all busy studying right now. It would be inconsiderate to ask her for more.”

n“Hey, this can’t be that time consuming. Fine, don’t girls like cute dresses or something? I’ll trade her some for cookies.” The school bully waved his hand generously: “If you like them, I’ll get an entire tin for you every day. You’re one of my people after all.”

nZhuo Junli: “……..”

nHe felt like the scent of milk had invaded his lungs.

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