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nEditor: yummers

nOn their way back, they ran into a few students who were going out to eat. Some of them were acquaintanced with Shi Qing and greeted him.

nShi Qing could clearly feel Zhuo Junli purposefully lean closer to him although he had an arm around the youth’s shoulders.

nHe felt like he was going to be smothered by all this affection.

nTong, doesn’t he look like a little puppy protecting his food?

nThe system looked left and right, up and down. It really did see a resemblance.

nHowever, it didn’t understand. The animosity value is still above 50, ah.

nShi Qing, It’s a quirk of his character, a quirk.

nThe school bully seemed happy with how sticky the youth was being, but it would be OOC for him to show that happiness. He could only be happy on the inside while maintaining his arrogant exterior.

nShi Qing bragged about himself to Zhuo Junli, “See how strong I am? Even a whole gang can’t stop me. Even dozens of people are no match for me!”

nThe youth who still looked rather weak, nodded. “You’re amazing.”

nThe smile on Shi Qing’s face grew even wider as he was praised.

nHe hung onto Zhuo Junli’s shoulders the entire way back to school.

nThe youth was still a little worried. He asked, “What if those people really come to the school to complain?”

n“Hah! Like I’m afraid of them!”

nThe school bully was very dismissive. “I’ll beat them up every time they show up.”

nZhuo Junli now understood how Shi Qing’s bad reputation at school came to be.

nApart from their class, all the students knew that there was a second-year student named Shi Qing who was an arrogant little master that always fought and caused trouble.

nEven the teachers didn’t like Shi Qing. They felt like he was a slacker who used his wealth to cause trouble.

nOther than their homeroom teacher, the other teachers all frowned when they saw Shi Qing.

nZhuo Junli also thought that Shi Qing was a typical rich second generation loser, but now he was having second thoughts.

nAlthough Shi Qing had a reputation as a school bully, he hadn’t really done much at school.

nEven when he started targeting Zhuo Junli after Tong Xinyu’s confession, the most he did was start a few small fights and verbally harass him in front of the school and in their dorm.

nHe did pour cold water all over Zhuo Junli’s bedding in winter, only to force him to sleep in his bed afterwards, and he did lock Zhuo Junli in the washroom, only to let him out after a mere twenty minutes.

nZhuo Junli completely forgot about how he aloofly dismissed Shi Qing as human scum before.

nIn his heart, Shi Qing was now a tsundere school bully whose bark was worse than his bite.

nHe cared a lot about Zhuo Junli.

nBut he showed his affection in strange ways.

nZhuo Junli had always been a good-looking boy. Although he came from unfortunate circumstances, other people always had a soft spot for him ever since he was little.

nFor the most part, his neighbours, teachers, and classmates all treated him well.

nIn this world that judged others based on appearance, almost everyone generously offered Zhuo Junli warmth.

nBut he didn’t like their warmth.

nNo matter how well they disguised it, Zhuo Junli could feel that they pitied him.

nHe couldn’t stand being pitied.

nHe loathed himself for being weak.

nBut most of all, he hated having to bare his pain and weakness to the world in order to survive.

nZhuo Junli was also disgusted by how Tong Xinyu chased after him.

nThey were complete opposites.

nHe grew up in a swamp and struggled to escape from his unfortunate circumstances every day.

nTong Xinyu had obviously been spoiled by her family growing up. Her way of demonstrating her affection was to repeat over and over that she liked Zhuo Junli. She thought that this was the way to get into his heart.

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nHow amusingly naive.

nIn the end, “love” was just a product formed by dopamine secreted from the hypothalamus. “Love” came from the way you thought about the other person.

nTheir looks, body, mannerisms, and behaviour.

nZhuo Junli once thought about what he would do if he liked someone.

nIf he liked them, he would chain them up thoroughly.

nThis person could only like him and look at him.

nHe would give them everything they wanted.

nThe person he liked could only like him forever.

nZhuo Junli originally thought he wouldn’t produce much dopamine from his hypothalamus for the rest of his life.

nUntil he sensed Shi Qing’s secret crush.

nThat’s right, a crush.

nShi Qing showed it in the oddest of ways. He threw cold water over Zhuo Junli’s summer blanket to force him to sleep with him under a warmer blanket.

nHe also pretended to like Tong Xinyu to monopolize him so he couldn’t have any contact with her.

nAnd this buddhist pendant.

nShi Qing gave him a buddhist pendant filled with blessings.

nWhile walking with the school bully back to school, Zhuo Junli’s hand was still under his collar, holding the pendant that was now warm from being pressed against his skin for so long.

nThere were many people who had liked him ever since he was a child.

nThere were also many people who confessed to him and gave him gifts.

nBut this was the first time that his heart felt something different in response.

nShi Qing’s feelings for him held no trace of pity, only domination and tyranny.

nZhuo Junli liked that.

nHe liked the kind of fondness that seemed like he was being protectively wrapped up in a ball by a python that refused to let him touch others.

nIt was probably because he would like someone in the same way.

nNext to him, Shi Qing was still muttering on.

n“If you ask me, you shouldn’t work part-time in places like that. There’s all sorts of people there. With your face, they’ll eat someone as weak and timid as you alive. What will you do if they take a fancy to you and rob you?”

nOnly Shi Qing knew if he was worried about Zhuo Junli being robbed of his money or his chastity.

nThe school bully liked to be protective, and Zhuo Junli didn’t mind indulging him.

nHe lowered his eyes helplessly like always.

n“I’m a student. I’m not old enough, and I don’t have a lot of spare time. Only these places are willing to let me work.”

n“Ahem.”

nShi Qing coughed awkwardly. “Actually, you should’ve gotten a scholarship before, but, um, there was a bit of a mix up.”

nThe youth looked up. A pair of clear eyes stared at him quietly.

nThe school bully became increasingly embarrassed, and finally waved his hand around uncomfortably.

n“Okay, okay. To tell you the truth, I told my mom not to choose you because I couldn’t stand the way you were getting cozy with Tong Xinyu.”

n“My mom’s the one who set up this scholarship. Every quarter a list of good students with excellent character and teacher recommendations are sent to her. I made her not choose you.”

nZhuo Junli already had a hunch.

nBut it was only now he realized that Shi Qing, who acted domineering and arrogant on the outside, was actually like a little kid who threw tantrums when he was upset.

nHe smiled gently. “It’s okay. The scholarship was originally sponsored by your family anyway.”

nShi Qing came closer and closer to him.

n“Don’t worry, I’m not the type to hold grudges. I’ll definitely make it up to you.”

nDue to their close proximity, Zhuo Junli could clearly see Shi Qing’s handsome face leaning over.

nThe school bully’s narrow eyes were curved up with a smile. He appeared extraordinarily charming.

nZhuo Junli was in a trance for a moment.

nAs if he was under a spell, he also slowly, slowly leaned over.

n“Shi-ge!!”

nA shout of surprise dispelled this intoxicating atmosphere.

nThe school bully who was smiling at Zhuo Junli straightened up violently. The tips of his ears flushed red, and the hand originally placed on Zhuo Junli’s shoulder was quickly and uncomfortably taken down.

nLu Tao who ran over from a distance was completely unaware of what the two were doing immediately before. He was gleeful.

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n“Shi-ge, there’s still half an hour before we have to go to evening self study. Why don’t we go out and play some games?”

nZhuo Junli was silent.

nHe looked up lightly and stared at Lu Tao with a gloomy look.

nThe school bully was probably looking for a way out of this awkward situation. He quickly agreed.

n“Sounds good!”

n“Um.” He stretched out his hand like he wanted to pat Zhuo Junli on the shoulder, but he awkwardly put it down again.

n“Zhuo Junli, you should go back to school first. I’m going to play games with Lu Tao.”

nSeeing that Shi Qing had agreed so readily, Zhuo Junli’s eyes shifted to him, his tone still gentle.

n“You guys go ahead then. I’ll go find Tong Xinyu and ask her how she made the cookies.”

nShi Qing, “!!!”

n“Who the hell is going! I’m not going!”

nLu Tao was full of questions. “But Shi-ge, we haven’t played together in a long time…”

n“Games, games, games! All you know how to do is play games all day! No wonder your grades are so bad! How are you going to get into college in the future?!”

nLu Tao dumbfounded after being scolded. “But I wasn’t planning on going to college.”

n“Besides, you didn’t either, right? Before you said that you would take us to an internet cafe because laptops couldn’t compare, right?”

nThe school bully was exposed, and his tone became angrier and angrier. “Okay, so you’ll listen to whatever I say. Right, okay, I’ll say it now then. No one is allowed to go out and play games anymore. You’re all coming to study with me.”

nLu Tao was surprised. “…Study?”

n“That’s right, study! Learn!”

nShi Qing became more and more righteous. He turned to Zhuo Junli.

n“Weren’t we talking about compensation before? I’ll make it up to you by hiring you part-time. My boys aren’t doing so well in the grades department. Tutor them and I’ll pay you.”

nLu Tao from the side, “???”

n“Wait, Shi-ge, I don’t want to be tutored…”

nZhuo Junli didn’t look at Lu Tao. He didn’t say yes or no, or even ask how much he would be paid. He only looked at Shi Qing gently and whispered, “Are you coming?”

n“Me?” Shi Qing laughed disdainfully. “Even if I don’t go to college, I’ll still be set for life.”

nThe youth hung his head in disappointment. “But if you don’t go to college, we can’t be deskmates anymore after graduation.”

nLu Tao, “Right, Shi-ge, if you’re not going to tutoring, then why make us go? You know me, I’ve already decided to get a job after graduation.”

nShi Qing ignored Lu Tao. It was as if he just realized that “not going to college’ was the same as “not being able to be with Zhuo Junli after graduation”.

nHe suddenly changed his mind again.

n“Fine, I’ll study too then. Tutor me so I can get into the university you’re going to!”

nZhuo Junli’s gaze towards him became more and more gentle.

nThe good-tempered top student smiled and nodded. “Alright.”

nLu Tao from the side wondered “…Am I invisible or something?”

n“Shi-ge, I don’t want to be tutored.”

nShi Qing turned around and slapped the back of his head. He lowered his voice and glared fiercely. “You’re going to be tutored even if I have to drag you there myself!”

nLu Tao held his head. “But that doesn’t make sense ah. Shi-ge if you want to go to college you can just go by yourself. What’s the point of pulling me in?”

nThe school bully turned towards Zhuo Junli. “Wait for me. I’m going to teach this punk a lesson.”

nHe waited until the handsome youth nodded before dragging Lu Tao away. He made sure Zhuo Junli couldn’t hear him.

n“Are you stupid?! Tutoring is paid based on the number of pupils present. If I was the only one going, then how can I pay Zhuo Junli?!”

nLu Tao grimaced, completely unable to follow his logic.

n“Shi-ge, you…”

nHe received another blow to the head.

nShi Qing glared at him, “Keep your voice down!”

nPoor Lu Tao could only lower his voice and pout. “Shi-ge, aren’t you loaded? Why don’t you just give him the money? Or you can go by yourself and just pay more later. Why do you have to drag me along? You know me, I want to sleep through normal classes, let alone tutoring.”

nThe school bully was unmoved. “I’m going to suffer, so you guys are going to be right there with me. If you don’t come, I’ll beat you up!”

nLu Tao, “……”

nHe thought there was still a chance out of this.

n“How about this Shi-ge. Look, there’s quite a few people following you. There’s almost ten in our class alone, fifteen if you include the other classes. Can’t you just pick one of them to replace me?”

n“En…you’re right.”

nThere was a thoughtful look on Shi Qing’s face.

nLu Tao’s eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands together. “Right? Isn’t this a good idea?”

nAs for the unlucky guy who was going to stand in for him, all he could say was sorry. The show must go on, after all.

n“It’s good, really good.”

nShi Qing stroked his chin and nodded. “Fifteen people, sixteen counting you, and seventeen counting me. That should be enough for Zhuo Junli to make a living.”

n“……”

nLu Tao was starting to have a bad feeling about this.

nThe poor little lackey asked cautiously, “Shi-ge, what do you mean by that…?”

nWith a rather smug smile, Shi Qing used his right hand to pat Lu Tao’s shoulder encouragingly.

n“You have a bright future ahead of you, kid. That’s a great idea. If all of us come to Zhuo Junli for tutoring, won’t he make a lot of money?”

n“That’s settled then. Go and tell the others. All of my people need to come for tutoring during lunch break and before evening self-study. Don’t worry, you won’t need to pay a cent. I’ll cover the cost. Aren’t I a generous fellow?”

n“You need chalkboards, right? Don’t you go home a lot? Smuggle me some chalkboards tonight.”

nThe school bully finished with a rather self-indulgent quip, “I really am a good boss.”

n“……”

n“…………”

nIn Lu Tao’s head, he recalled the boys who followed Shi Qing.

nSome were good at fighting, some were experts at pissing off their parents, some were smooth talkers, some were skilled at leading their teachers around in circles, and others were just general delinquents with dyed hair and tattoos that skipped school regularly.

nThe only thing that they all had in common was their lack of love for learning.

nHe really wanted to cry.

nWhy do you have to study even if you follow a boss these days?

nWhy?!!

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