The Thick Skin Protocol

Qiyu finished speaking, and the air fell silent for a moment. He wasn’t embarrassed; instead, he stared at Lu Xingye with an exaggerated expression, as if trying to discern a flaw, a crack, on his face.

“Shameless.”

This indifferent tone only piqued Qiyu’s interest further. He hummed in acknowledgment.

“Such a rare opportunity, and you truly won’t kiss me?” Qiyu rose, patting non-existent dust from his clothes. He had only spoken to tease Lu Xingye.

Of course, he already knew Lu Xingye’s answer.

“What incredible self-control. With a face like this right before you, you can still resist.”

“Such willpower…”

Though they were born on the same day, Qiyu was half a head shorter than Lu Xingye. This height difference began in middle school; Qiyu wondered if Lu Xingye had secretly taken some growth hormones, as he had shot up dramatically, leading to their current noticeable disparity.

Lu Xingye, unsure what Qiyu was spacing out about, crossed his arms. When it came to sharp retorts, he refused to concede.

“I think your thick skin could use some advanced training at a professional institute.”

Qiyu furrowed his brows, awaiting the rest of his statement.

“If your skin were any thicker, it could be a nuclear weapon,” Lu Xingye whispered, deliberately leaning in close to Qiyu’s ear.

Qiyu: ‘…’

“Right, baby?”

Lu Xingye’s fingertips formed a loose fist, resting against his lips as a few low chuckles escaped his throat.

Qiyu stood rooted, unmoving, a world war raging in his mind. ‘How could this person be like this? So venomous? Does someone like this truly deserve a partner?’

Upon hearing Lu Xingye’s words, he could already picture the scene unfolding in his head.

The Third World War was underway.

Missiles streaked across the sky, buildings collapsed, and the ground was littered with shattered glass and charred debris.

Superiors watched the sudden war, consumed by anxiety, cold sweat pouring down their faces. Finally, one sighed, “It’s time to use that move.”

Another person nodded solemnly. “Activate the Thick Skin Protocol.”

Qiyu was thus controlled and brought to the front lines. All the bullets and rain of fire that struck Qiyu’s face were completely repelled.

The entire nation seemed to be protected by a barrier. Seeing this sight, the people erupted in nationwide celebration, shouting.

“Wonderful! Truly wonderful! We are saved! This thick skin is so impenetrable, it can block anything!”

“Thank you, Skin-Hero!”

Qiyu: ‘…’ ‘What on earth am I thinking?’

He couldn’t smile at all.

Qiyu snapped back to reality, noticing Lu Xingye’s faintly reddened ear tips. He scoffed.

“Then why are *you* blushing?” Qiyu was speechless, his mind still replaying the imagined scene. He was almost amused by his own frustration. Now that he had a piece of leverage against Lu Xingye, he intended to use it to the fullest.

“Then why are you blushing?”

“Then why are you blushing?” Qiyu repeated twice, seeing Lu Xingye offer no reply.

Lu Xingye was rendered speechless. If the clock’s hands weren’t ticking, he might have thought he was a chosen superhero, trapped in a loop, destined to save the world.

“Come on, tell me, hmph. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.” In truth, he had no idea, but saying so added more force to his words.

Annoyed by the relentless questioning, Lu Xingye didn’t respond. He simply turned and walked towards the dining table, with Qiyu following him unhesitantly.

It was like a flashback to childhood, to a clingy, shadow-like Qiyu.

Their family had a rule: no matter how busy they were, they had to gather for a reunion dinner once a week.

This was what Qi Zhixia referred to as: ‘the children need companionship.’

The main family also had a similar rule: no matter how busy, they had to gather at home once a month.

Today happened to be their small family’s reunion day, and Qiyu planned to announce his significant academic improvement during dinner.

The dining table was laden with over a dozen home-cooked dishes, most of them favorites of Lu Xingye and Qiyu.

Shredded potatoes, sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed crab, pineapple pork, pan-fried crispy tofu…

The enticing aroma emanating from these dishes was so potent that Qiyu immediately forgot his earlier pursuit of Lu Xingye.

He glanced at the busy servants in the kitchen, understanding that not all the dishes had been served yet. He then pulled out a chair and sat down obediently.

Lu Fu and Qi Zhixia hadn’t returned yet, likely still about half an hour away.

Lu Xingye watched Qiyu, who seemed to have completely forgotten his earlier pressing questions, and felt a pang of bewilderment.

From this, he drew a conclusion: some people’s brains truly seemed capable of focusing on only one thought at a time, unable to multitask.

Qiyu sat upright at the dining table, occasionally slipping into the kitchen to help carry dishes. Just as the last dish was served, Lu Fu and Qi Zhixia returned.

Qi Zhixia had just returned from a trip to a nearby city. Although their city was called Hai City, it had no actual sea, which often led her to visit the neighboring city.

The adjacent city was Xing City, a popular tourist destination bustling with visitors year-round, and it even boasted the sea that Qi Zhixia adored.

Lu Fu, ever the devoted husband, had specially bought several sea-view properties in Xing City for Qi Zhixia to rotate living in, just to keep her happy.

If she grew tired of one, she would simply move to another.

They were considered a model couple in Hai City’s upper circles, having fallen in love during their student days and getting engaged right after graduation.

Qi Zhixia disliked mundane work and simply wanted to be a wealthy housewife. Upon hearing this, Lu Fu didn’t utter a single word of objection.

Although the Qi family didn’t possess the same renown or power as the four major families, they were certainly worthy of being called a “wealthy household.”

The first thing Qi Zhixia saw upon returning home was Lu Xingye and Qiyu. Her eyes lit up as she called out to them, “My darlings, did you miss Mama?”

Even though they had only been apart for a few days.

Qiyu loudly replied, “Yes!”

Qi Zhixia was pleased with the answer, but one thing still bothered her.

Both of them turned to look at Lu Xingye, who hadn’t answered, their intense gazes making him feel as if he were being roasted over a fire.

Lu Xingye: ‘…’

The stares continued.

Lu Xingye: “…Yes.”

Strictly speaking, Qi Zhixia and Qiyu seemed quite genuinely related, especially with their assertive demeanor.

Why did Qiyu take his mother’s surname? It wasn’t because the Lu family favored their biological son more. Rather, Qiyu had constantly argued as a child, brazenly declaring with his limited knowledge, “How can a husband and wife have the same surname?!”

From then on, Lu Yu was renamed Qiyu.

****

At the dining table, Qiyu and Lu Xingye sat facing each other.

Qiyu served Lu Fu and Qi Zhixia each a piece of sweet and sour pork rib. Across from him, Lu Xingye’s bowl remained empty, despite waiting for a long time.

He felt a little displeased.

Only after both Lu Fu and Qi Zhixia had taken a bite of the meat did Qiyu finally speak up. “I have some good news to announce.”

“Guess what it is,” Qiyu said, his eyes narrowing in a smile. He was already imagining their inability to guess the answer.

“What reward do you want?” Lu Fu asked, his tone flat.

Qi Zhixia shot him a glance, tutted, her eyes silently scolding Lu Fu: ‘Where’s the emotional support?’

Lu Fu’s personality was remarkably similar to Lu Xingye’s; indeed, they were truly father and son.

Qi Zhixia interjected again, though her words sounded as if she were humoring a child. “Oh wow, I can’t guess at all! What is it?”

Qiyu: ‘…’

Qiyu seemed to have forgotten that he had just announced this news in the family chat group not long ago. It was no surprise that they already knew.

Since Lu Xingye was largely responsible for Qiyu’s improved grades, Qi Zhixia not only congratulated Qiyu but also gave Lu Xingye an encouraging look.

The Lu family practiced an encouraging style of education. Earlier, upon seeing the news, Qi Zhixia had sent Lu Xingye a message.

[My dearest Xingxing, since you’ve achieved this, I will also fulfill my promise to you.]

[What reward would you like?]

Lu Xingye hesitated for a moment before replying.

–Mom, I want to save this reward.

Fearing Qi Zhixia might not agree, he typed rapidly on his keyboard.

–I can’t think of anything I want right now, is that okay?

–Of course.

“Darling, do you want a few sports cars? Or a few houses?” Qi Zhixia’s beautiful eyes curved into crescents, her voice gentle.

“Oh my, both of our sons are so accomplished! For a moment, I don’t even know who to brag to,” Qi Zhixia rambled, her topic drifting off again.

Upon hearing this, Qiyu felt nine parts guilty. After all, his excellent score was entirely thanks to Lu Xingye correctly predicting seventy percent of the exam questions.

“Brother, what… what was your rank?” He had a bad feeling.

Lu Xingye had remained silent throughout the conversation. Now, being prompted, he reluctantly lifted his head, meeting Qiyu’s amber eyes directly.

“Outside the top hundred.”

****

After he spoke, the air seemed to stand still.

‘How could that be? No matter how much Lu Xingye’s grades might drop, he couldn’t possibly be that far down.’

Qiyu was so shocked that his chopsticks nearly slipped from his grasp. Even Lu Fu, usually so composed, couldn’t help but look at him.

Only Qi Zhixia broke the silence. “It’s fine, it’s not like you’ll die if you don’t do well on a test.”

Although Qi Zhixia also found it a bit strange, in her heart, Lu Xingye had a strong sense of self. Whatever he did, it surely had his own underlying intention.

Qiyu, consumed by shock, completely forgot one crucial detail: Lu Xingye had promised him a reward if he surpassed his scores.

This was the only legitimate way Lu Xingye could think of to reward him, and it could also serve to encourage Qiyu.

Qiyu: “Hahahahaha, Lu Xingye, so you’ve met your match today.”

Qiyu: “Do you need your good big brother to tutor you?”

Everyone: ‘…’ ‘Some people should never be given an inch; give them an inch, and they’ll sprout a tail to wag boastfully.’

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qi Zhixia slapped Qiyu on the head, giving him a ‘death smile.’

“Just say what reward you want, quickly,” Qi Zhixia said.

“Alright, I want to cancel…” He deliberately dragged out the end of his sentence, creating an effect of hesitant disclosure.

Throughout this, he kept observing Lu Xingye’s expression.

Lu Xingye seemed somewhat distracted, slowly spooning rice into his mouth, barely even touching the other dishes.

“I want to cancel…”

“I’m not eating anymore.” Lu Xingye slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “I’m full; I’m going upstairs first.”

Qiyu was nearly startled by the sound, watching Lu Xingye’s retreating back with a sense of unease.

‘No way, no way, Lu Xingye couldn’t possibly think I was going to say cancel the ‘child husband’ arrangement, could he? Our parents would never agree to that, so I wouldn’t even bother bringing it up.’

He had deliberately acted this way to test Lu Xingye’s reaction. Now, the answer was clear.

‘Lu Xingye must have suffered a huge blow to his pride, thinking only he had the right to dump me. He’s probably crying under his covers now, lamenting that he was played by a mere nobody.’

‘This is an immense humiliation!’

“I want to cancel the restrictions on my allowance,” Qiyu finished, smiling.

Anything their parents promised, they would deliver, and this request wasn’t excessive.

“Alright.”

Before Qiyu could fully revel in the joy of unlimited allowance, he heard Qi Zhixia sighing to herself.

“How much they used to adore each other as children,” she mused. “Now, why do they bicker at the slightest provocation?”

Hearing this, Qiyu pouted and replied, “Lu Xingye hated me when we were little too.”

“Darling, it’s just a difference in perspective,” Qi Zhixia said, resting her chin on her hand, a worried expression on her face. “What will happen after you two get married?”

Qiyu: ‘…Mom, let’s not talk about that.’

****

After showering, Qiyu lay on his bed, scrolling through his phone, appearing utterly carefree.

He had no intention of appeasing the upset Lu Xingye, likely assuming the other person had already successfully recovered on his own.

Sprawled across the bed, he became interested when he saw a message from Wen Nuo.

–Nuo Nuo: Do you think this novel is good?

Soon, his phone rang again.

–Nuo Nuo: Document TXT

–Little Fish: Why are you asking this?

–Nuo Nuo: Don’t worry about it, just read it first.

Qiyu tapped open the document. It downloaded in seconds, and he began to read with full concentration.

This novel… oh no, it wasn’t even a novel. It was clearly the kind of garbage some idiotic rich second-generation heir would write to poison society.

Even the protagonists’ names were incredibly perfunctory: the female lead was named Qian Duoduo, and the male lead, Qian Shaoshao.

Qian Duoduo was a quintessential rich young lady, while the male lead was born in the slums of Beijing’s hutongs…

Upon reading this, Qiyu felt as if a line of crows were spitting periods above his head. ‘Beijing hutong slums? Do these words even have any connection?’

Qian Duoduo and Qian Shaoshao’s encounter stemmed from a beautiful chance meeting. Qian Duoduo was drunk at the time, wrapped in a bathrobe, lying on a two-meter-wide bed in a hotel’s presidential suite.

Qian Shaoshao, in his carelessness, held the key card to the cheapest room but accidentally wandered into Qian Duoduo’s.

Qian Duoduo, seeing him, initially assumed he was another old geezer from work trying to curry favor. But at first glance, Qian Shaoshao’s features captivated her. She then flashed a wicked smile and, disregarding his struggles, initiated a one-night stand.

Qiyu: ‘…’ ‘A 1.58-meter female lead forcing herself on a 1.85-meter male lead? Who is this trying to fool?’

–Little Fish: Isn’t this just an old-school CEO romance, but gender-swapped?

–Little Fish: It’s cliché and ugly, more disgusting than shit itself, with an endless aftertaste (note: a foul stench).

–Little Fish: You are simply wasting my precious time!

–Little Fish: …

–Nuo Nuo: Transfer 66666

–Nuo Nuo: Please calm your anger, my lord.

Qiyu had genuinely read all ten thousand words and was furious about the “shit” that had wasted his time. Without giving Wen Nuo a chance to explain, he unleashed a barrage of messages.

His anger subsided slightly the moment he saw the transfer. Qiyu, the ultimate money-lover.

–Little Fish: Payment received

–Wen Nuo: The author is Su Heng, remember? Didn’t he say he wanted to start a business? This is one of his projects.

–Wen Nuo: And he also said he wanted to see the reaction of ordinary readers before deciding which company to invest in.

–Little Fish: …

Qiyu’s vision went black. He couldn’t imagine Su Heng’s idea of entrepreneurship was to write such garbage. He recalled Su Heng’s words from the dinner party that day.

“Starting a business to replace the Su family’s position among the four great families and defeat those old fogeys.”

To be honest, the only way Qiyu could imagine defeating those old fogeys was if Su Heng threw various types of his self-made ‘shit’ at them.

This method would surely lead to victory.

He looked at the message, hesitated for a moment, then typed another line.

–Little Fish: One of his projects? Are there others?

He suspected the others would also be…

–Wen Nuo: Share Link

This was a live stream link. The moment Qiyu clicked it, he was redirected to another app, and the person on screen was incredibly familiar.

Wasn’t that the streamer he had followed a few days ago, Su Heng?!

Despite setbacks in his entrepreneurial journey, he hadn’t given up. This time, he didn’t use his virtual avatar but boldly revealed his face.

Su Heng had an heroic appearance, with a mole beneath his peach blossom eyes. When he smiled, his eyes would half-close, exuding a captivating allure.

This live stream was relatively harmonious, surprisingly devoid of much malicious commentary. The bullet comments were unanimously praising his handsome face.

Occasionally, a few unfriendly comments would appear but quickly get drowned out.

It truly was a world that judged by appearances.

Perhaps because he showed his face, he seemed to be more restrained this time, quietly sitting in the live stream, refraining from arguing with the comments.

This thought had barely formed when Su Heng, seemingly tired of living, picked up his spare phone, unlocked it, and aimed the screen at the camera.

“Let me show you all my creation. Please give me some suggestions.”

Qiyu couldn’t bear to watch any longer and blanked his phone screen with a poker face.

He could easily imagine the screen being flooded with comments about ‘shit.’

If those people genuinely praised it just to flatter his looks, then congratulations to Su Heng: elegant ‘shit’ had met the dogs who would eat it.

****

The academy had a rule: class changes happened the day after exams.

Qiyu felt a little reluctant to leave Class A, where he had spent so long, but it seemed his classmates weren’t particularly sad to see him go.

Aside from Lu Xingye, who had been sulking since last night.

Qiyu reached into his desk drawer, gathering all the remaining books on his desk into his backpack.

There weren’t many books, so he finished packing quickly. To this day, he still didn’t know which of his words had upset Lu Xingye.

If it was because Lu Xingye thought he was being played, he shouldn’t be upset, right? Wasn’t that quickly proven false?

As Qiyu stood up, his gaze unconsciously fell on Lu Xingye. Having been deskmates for a month, leaving so suddenly felt a little unfamiliar.

“Brother, I’m leaving now,” Qiyu whispered to him.

Lu Xingye’s pen paused, but he still didn’t speak.

Qiyu was puzzled but didn’t ask, turning and walking towards the upper floor.

Their school was incredibly biased. While claiming to treat every student equally, in reality, they often judged based on appearance, grades, and family background.

The elite classes were on the top floor. Fortunately, Qiyu didn’t have many books, otherwise, climbing six flights of stairs would have exhausted him to death.

With such high tuition fees, he wondered where the money went, since they couldn’t even install an elevator.

Only a few elite classes were on the sixth floor. In Qiyu’s eyes, these people were particularly strange; they strutted around with more swagger than ordinary students, simply because of their good grades.

Now, he was one of them.

Of course, Qiyu believed: ‘I can be arrogant because I’m handsome and have good grades, so I have the capital to be arrogant. Others cannot.’

He was just that biased.

He found his classroom on the corridor’s notice board. The moment he walked in, silence instantly fell.

Qiyu almost thought he possessed some superpower, capable of pausing time.

Everyone stopped moving, frozen in place, staring at him unblinkingly. The scene was truly bizarre.

“Do you all have a problem with me?” Qiyu voiced his confusion.

As soon as he spoke, the class seemed to be released from some special prohibition. Everyone immediately resumed their previous actions.

Their behavior clearly showed their opinion of Qiyu: ‘Yes, we not only have a problem with you, but it’s a significant one.’

Qiyu had always maintained an innocent, worldly-unaware demeanor at school, completely oblivious to these intrigues.

Forum threads about these classes had thousands of replies, increasing daily.

The biggest complaint was that they looked down on everyone outside the elite classes. ‘Looked down on’ was an understatement; it was contempt.

So, students from Class A and below, even if they worked hard and managed to get into these classes, still had to spend most of a year trying to curry favor with and integrate into the class.

The conclusion was: these classes had more negative reviews than positive ones. Normal people existed, but they were quite rare.

Qiyu’s words fell perfectly flat; no one responded. He wasn’t annoyed, though. He walked to the very back corner, backpack slung over his shoulder.

‘By the way, this rule of seating arrangements based on grades is so unreasonable. Do those with poor grades only deserve to stay in the corner?’

If he were to ask aloud, the oddballs in this class might just label him as some