Only for Shi Sui

The place where Lu Huaizhi lived was very close to the school, less than an eight-minute walk.

Just as he stepped out of the school gates, his phone rang again. Persistent.

Lu Huaizhi paused for a moment before finding a quiet street corner and pressing answer. “Mom.”

The voice on the other end sounded slightly tired, likely having just finished work. “Why didn’t you pick up just now?”

“I didn’t notice.”

“Didn’t school end a long time ago? Wait…” His mother’s voice stalled. “Where exactly are you right now? Why do I hear street vendors shouting in the background?”

The apartment she had bought for Lu Huaizhi was not only close to the school but also well-insulated. Logically, there shouldn’t be such obvious noise if he were at home.

“You’re still outside?” Her voice rose sharply.

Lu Huaizhi looked at the street not far away. People were coming and going in the slightly sultry dusk; it was bustling with life.

He turned his back, leaning against a tree trunk to submerge himself in the shadows before replying: “There was something at school. I stayed a bit longer.”

“What could possibly keep you there until now?” His mother’s voice was aggressive. “Is it because of that person again? What on earth are you thinking? Insisting on going to a tiny, broken place like Ancheng…”

“Mom.” Lu Huaizhi interrupted her. “I’m fine here.” The noticeably cold tone caused the atmosphere between them to freeze for a moment.

They faced off in silence for a long time. Finally, Lu Huaizhi’s mother spoke first: “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just wanted to show concern.” Her voice was significantly softer.

Ever since she divorced Lu Huaizhi’s father, Lu Huaizhi had become increasingly distant from her.

She sighed and lowered her voice: “I know the thing between me and Uncle Zhao was sudden. If you think he’s not good, I won’t stay with him.”

Lu Huaizhi said: “I don’t think that way.”

His parents had divorced when he was in the third year of junior high. His father had started a new family, and his mother had begun dating a man named Zhao.

He didn’t actually care about those things.

“I’ve said it before: it’s your freedom to be with whoever you want. I won’t interfere.” Lu Huaizhi said. “Mom, I’ve always wished you well.”

He looked down at the hazy shadow of the tree under the streetlight. “I also hope you respect my wishes.”

Shi Sui had just reached the bottom of his apartment building. During the few minutes it took to walk upstairs, the phone in his pocket had been vibrating non-stop.

– Wangwang: @ss, you home yet? – Wangwang: That game today was way too cool. I recorded the whole thing. Especially that kick where you got revenge for me—it was so satisfying! – Wangwang: Red Hair’s scream while clutching his leg sounded like a dying pig. – Wangwang: Brother Shi, no, Dad! You are my eternal God! (Kneels on both knees)

– ss: I don’t have a son who loses face like you.

Back in the infirmary, Wang Cheng’s howling had been heard throughout the school.

The scrape on Wang Cheng’s calf only looked gruesome on the surface; it wasn’t actually that serious. However, the kid had shrieked like a banshee during disinfection, wailing while clutching Shi Sui’s arm. “How am I so unlucky! Not only did I not finish the game, but I’m also wounded.”

“If I had been there, that final crucial shot would have definitely been mine…” “Mmph…”

Shi Sui had simply stuffed Wang Cheng’s mouth with a popsicle.

He hadn’t expected the kid to still be at it after going home. Shi Sui muted his phone, placed it on the coffee table, and went to take a shower. He had broken a sweat playing ball; he was starting to stink.

In the shower, Shi Sui turned the water temperature very low. To be honest, he had been prepared to get into a real fight with Yellow Hair and the others today. The basketball game was just a facade; if they didn’t like each other, they should have spoken with their fists.

However, he hadn’t expected Lu Huaizhi to suddenly join the game, nor that he would call the Dean over and expose the extortion, nearly bringing in the police.

Now, Yellow Hair and his group would definitely stay quiet for a long time. He couldn’t even find an opening.

Ever since the time he took care of those scumbags from No. 3 High who were bullying girls in the alley, he hadn’t made a move. Shi Sui clicked his tongue in frustration. He felt unsatisfied.

He had no father or mother, lived with his grandmother, and had no one to back him up. There were always blind fools looking for trouble. But if others bullied him, he would pay them back tenfold.

Ancheng wasn’t exactly a place with great public security. Shi Sui had practically grown up fighting, leading to a combat style that was ruthless and vicious. He actually enjoyed the physical struggle and collision of bodies.

The exhaustion after reaching his limit, and even the burning sting of a wound, would bring him a sense of pleasure. Shi Sui knew this tendency was problematic, but he couldn’t control it.

Now, after finally finding a group of people who weren’t afraid to die…

Shi Sui felt a cluster of fire in his heart, burning so hot he could hardly breathe. He closed his eyes and let the water run for a long time before the feeling was finally suppressed by the cold.

After his shower, Shi Sui got dressed and casually rubbed his hair with a towel a few times. He sat on the living room sofa, leaned back, and covered his face with the towel. He let his mind go blank, trying to relax.

When you close your eyes, your other senses become sharper.

This house was the only thing his parents had left him. Because it was so old, it had a stiflingly hot and damp smell in the summer that seeped out from the walls; he could smell it even through the towel.

The ceiling fan above turned slowly, making a creaking noise as if it might quit at any moment. The couple upstairs was fighting again, the sound of smashing plates sharp and noisy.

Shi Sui remained expressionless. The soundproofing in this place was truly pathetic. Amidst these annoying noises, he suddenly caught a sound that was completely different from before.

“Snow White accidentally ate the Queen’s poisoned apple and fell to the ground. The seven dwarfs had no way to save her and were very sad, so they made a beautiful crystal coffin for her.”

The person speaking had a gentle tone. It was the woman living across from Shi Sui. It looked like she was coaxing her little girl to sleep.

“Mama, does that coffin have a soft blanket like Xin’er’s underneath? Is she sleeping comfortably?” The little girl’s voice was crisp; she was clearly listening with great interest.

“What are you saying, silly child? How could a coffin be comfortable?” The woman’s voice was helpless yet amused.

“Oh. What happened next?”

“A prince passed by accidentally. He thought the princess was beautiful and wanted to take her away. The seven dwarfs were moved by his sincerity and agreed. While moving the crystal coffin, they accidentally bumped it, and the poisoned apple fell out of the princess’s mouth. She came back to life and lived happily ever after with the prince.”

The little girl sounded overjoyed: “That’s great!”

On the other side, Shi Sui couldn’t help but pull the towel off his face and said wordlessly: “That’s such b*llshit…” Do kids really grow up listening to stories like this?

He stopped listening and picked up his phone. Once he opened it, there was a pile of red dots.

– Wangwang: @ss, where are you? Why haven’t you said anything for so long? – Chi Qing: Probably went to shower? – Wangwang: He should be back by now. Is this kid doing something bad in the bathroom? He still has so much energy after playing ball. – Wangwang: (Thumbs up)

– ss: Itching for a beating?

A second after Shi Sui sent the message: – Wangwang: Retracted a message. – Wangwang: Dad, you’re back? The speed of his face-changing was top-tier.

– ss: Next time you make a group, don’t add me.

When Wang Cheng had nothing to do, he would drag them into discussion groups like some mathematical permutation. Shi Sui could no longer remember how many similar group chats he had in his list.

The names were also varied and bizarre: [A Pile of Sht], [A Nest of Sht]. Wang Cheng had been ganged up on several times because of it and vowed to pick a better name next time.

Shi Sui looked up at the group name— [A Nest of Dogs].

– Shi Sui: Leaving.

– Wangwang: Wait! This is a revolutionary squad! The boat of friendship has just set sail; give me some face! – Wangwang: @Lu, Top Student, weren’t you looking for him just now? Come quickly, or he’ll run away.

Shi Sui’s finger, which was about to leave the group, paused. He looked up at the group name [A Nest of Dogs], followed by a distinct number “4”. This was a four-person group chat.

Wang Cheng actually added Lu Huaizhi?!

Wang Cheng had no idea of the severity of the problem, as messages continued to pop out one by one.

– Wangwang: By the way, Shi Sui, how’s that confession you mentioned going?

Wang Cheng looked at the tablet in front of him. The melodramatic school drama had reached a new development, and he immediately shared his discovery. – Wangwang: I’m telling you, that kid’s heart is wicked. Once he gets the person, he’ll dump them without a second thought.

Right on cue, the female lead in the drama was crying her eyes out. – Chi Qing: One of you really dares to say it, and the other really dares to believe it…

At this moment, the lurking Lu Huaizhi suddenly appeared.

– Lu: What confession? – Wangwang: Shi Sui said a person he didn’t get along with suddenly confessed—what should he do? He was so troubled at the time, but after I guided him, he saw the light.

Lu Huaizhi looked at Wang Cheng’s message, his eyes flickering. Was this the reason Shi Sui blacklisted him?

– Lu: @ss, I won’t dump you. I promise.

Shi Sui’s face went wooden. Lu Huaizhi truly didn’t know the meaning of the word “restraint.”

– Wangwang: Huh? Top Student, I don’t understand what you’re saying. – Wangwang: Anyway, Top Student, can you let me have a peek at that math worksheet the teacher gave out today? – Wangwang: Puppy acting cute.jpg

– Lu: No. Do your own homework.

This time Lu Huaizhi replied very quickly, leaving Wang Cheng confused. He hadn’t offended Lu Huaizhi, had he? But before he could follow up, another message appeared.

– Lu: @ss, you didn’t hand in your homework this morning. Was there something wrong with the answers I sent you yesterday?

– Wangwang: Wait, I don’t understand this conversation. Top Student, I’m the one asking you for answers!

– Lu Huaizhi: My homework is only for Shi Sui to copy.

As soon as these words came out, even the talkative Wang Cheng fell silent for a second.

– Chi Qing: ? – Wangwang: ?? – Wangwang: ??????

– Wangwang: No, Shi Sui, this isn’t right. You’re running a monopoly? – Wangwang: The Top Student doesn’t belong to you alone!

– Lu: He can.

Shi Sui had reached his limit. – ss: Try saying one more word. His hands were itching for a fight.

– Lu: You can see my messages? That proves there’s nothing wrong with my WeChat. – Lu: Add me back?

The next second, a line of white text appeared at the very bottom of the group. [ss has left the group chat.]