The Unexpected Guest

As the sports meet drew closer, Shi Sui went to the track every day to train with Wang Cheng and the others.

Even though he had no events signed up, Shi Sui ran more vigorously than anyone. Had he not just recovered from a fever, his training volume likely would have doubled that of Wang Cheng’s.

Lu Huaizhi, on the other hand, came only occasionally, sitting on the bleachers as a quiet observer.

While the others stopped to drink water, Lu Huaizhi was busy writing his speech for the sports meet’s opening ceremony.

Wang Cheng leaned over to sneak a peek, feeling that Lu Huaizhi’s handwriting was more exquisite than a top-scoring essay. “Top Student, your writing is really something else.”

In such a noisy environment, he could still focus entirely on crafting such perfectly aligned sentences.

If it were Wang Cheng, he’d probably rack his brains for a whole day and come up with nothing.

Lu Huaizhi didn’t stop his pen, replying simply, “I got used to it after writing so many.”

If anyone else had said that, Wang Cheng would have thought they were posing, but he knew Lu Huaizhi was telling the truth.

Since transferring to Ancheng No. 1 High, Lu Huaizhi was the spokesperson for almost every flag-raising ceremony. The Dean had handed him this speech without even caring if he was actually participating in the events.

Shi Sui overheard their conversation and glanced at the speech, which was nearly finished. He turned away with a look of disinterest. A guy who could only squeeze three words out for a love letter and needs a rough draft for a second one probably only knows how to write empty platitudes.

He picked up his thermos and took a sip. The warm water hit his dry throat, making it feel instantly better.

“Shi Sui, you’re still using the Top Student’s bottle!” Wang Cheng said with a grin. “Look at that steam; the insulation is pretty good.”

Shi Sui wiped a droplet from his lip. “Yeah.”

If he didn’t use it, it would only confirm the idea that he thought they were “couple’s thermoses.” Besides, there was no need to be stupid and neglect his own health out of spite.

Noticing the nasal quality of Shi Sui’s voice, Wang Cheng asked, “Still sick?”

“No,” Shi Sui sniffled. “Just a cold.” His temperature was back to normal, but he had an occasional stuffy nose and a raspy throat.

“Small world. The Top Student has a cold too. I saw him taking 999 Cold Remedy at noon,” Wang Cheng looked at Lu Huaizhi. “Right?”

Lu Huaizhi nodded. “Yeah.” However, his voice sounded normal, lacking the obvious symptoms Shi Sui displayed.

Wang Cheng understood; they sat so close that Shi Sui had likely passed it to him.

Yesterday, Shi Sui had even drank from Lu Huaizhi’s cup. But Wang Cheng didn’t dare mention that, or Shi Sui would blow a fuse.

Shi Sui hadn’t expected Lu Huaizhi to be sick too. He stole a glance; the other boy’s face did look a bit paler than usual.

The wind was still blowing across the track today, and the bleachers offered no shelter. The evening breeze felt chilly as it hit them head-on.

Shi Sui stared at Lu Huaizhi’s short-sleeved school shirt.

The daytime temperatures were high, but Lu Huaizhi hadn’t brought a jacket for the evening drop.

Shi Sui found it strange, then remembered something and looked at his bulging backpack.

Whose school jacket had been sitting in his bag this whole time? He had worn Lu Huaizhi’s jacket the day he had the fever. After recovering, he’d habitually stuffed it into his bag and forgotten to return it.

Shi Sui stared at his bag with a stiff expression for a while. Catching a glimpse of Lu Huaizhi’s pale face in his peripheral vision, he bit his lip in annoyance, unzipped the bag, and shoved the jacket into Lu Huaizhi’s arms.

“Returning it,” Shi Sui said. “Put it on.”

Does Lu Huaizhi only own one jacket? Can’t he speak up if he’s cold? Who is he trying to impress by freezing in the wind!

Lu Huaizhi looked at the jacket in his arms, somewhat surprised. He looked up at Shi Sui, who awkwardly turned his face away.

Lu Huaizhi’s lips curled into a very slight smile. “Thanks.”

Lu Huaizhi was naturally handsome, but his usual silent demeanor made him seem cold. When he smiled, that coldness vanished like melting ice, turning into a warm, silent stream.

Shi Sui’s cold facade almost crumbled under that smile. He wanted to snap that it was Lu’s own jacket anyway, so there was nothing to thank him for. But seeing that curve at the corner of the other’s mouth, the harsh words died in his throat.

“You guys keep resting, I’m going down for another lap.” Shi Sui headed down the steps. Out of sight, out of mind.

But Wang Cheng grabbed him. “Wait, brother, aren’t you going to take a break?” He was exhausted from the “involution” of their training.

If there weren’t so many people on the track, he’d have sprawled out right there on the bleachers.

Shi Sui, wooden-faced: “I’m not tired.”

Wang Cheng: “…”

Beside them, even Chi Qing couldn’t help but comment, “Shi Sui, is your energy a bit too boundless lately?”

While Shi Sui was always a good runner, his recent level of exertion was abnormal. Every time, he ran until he literally couldn’t continue, sitting on the track drenched in sweat and gasping for air before he’d quit.

Wang Cheng froze for a moment. Thinking back carefully, his heart sank.

“Dad, you’re okay lately, right?” Wang Cheng asked.

Shi Sui paused his steps, his back toward them. “What could be wrong?”

He just felt a bit restless.

Recently, no one had challenged him to a fight. Even Chen Niu and his group were useless, running away after a few empty threats yesterday.

It was a suffocating feeling, like a certain emotion had reached a boiling point but couldn’t break through the surface.

He could only vent that excess energy by running on the track after school.

Wang Cheng saw right through Shi Sui’s avoidance and sensed trouble. He didn’t show it on his face, though, smiling as he patted Shi Sui’s shoulder. “Aren’t you and the Top Student both still dealing with colds? Why don’t you two study in the classroom? Chi Qing and I will practice; it’s not like you guys have events anyway.”

“Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to break into the top five hundred for this monthly exam?”

Growing up with Shi Sui, Wang Cheng could vaguely sense his state of mind—accumulated emotions being forcibly suppressed.

It was most obvious when Shi Sui was spacing out or silent. It was like the silence before a volcanic eruption.

There had been a period like this before. Back then, Shi Sui had gotten into a brutal fight, acting like he didn’t care for his own life, nearly landing himself in the hospital. This was a very bad omen.

However, one thing was different now. Whenever Lu Huaizhi spoke to him, Shi Sui’s attention was easily diverted.

Just like now—even though he wanted to run, after speaking with Lu Huaizhi, that suffocating feeling lightened significantly. He was still a prickly hedgehog, but he wasn’t pointing those quills at himself.

Wang Cheng’s eyes twinkled as he looked at Lu Huaizhi. “Right, Top Student? Studying with a cool breeze in the classroom is much better than being out here.”

Lu Huaizhi said, “Mm. Everyone is busy with the sports meet, so the classroom will be empty soon. It’s a good place to study.”

Empty classroom = alone time. Shi Sui immediately realized the implication.

He quickly jumped down the steps before Wang Cheng could try to convince him further.

Wang Cheng reached out to catch him, but couldn’t even touch the corner of his shirt.

Wang Cheng: “?”

Chi Qing burst out laughing. Watching the retreating Shi Sui, he patted Lu Huaizhi’s shoulder. “How much does he hate being alone with you? I’m starting to wonder if you secretly did something to piss him off so much that he’s holding a grudge.”

To him and Wang Cheng, Lu Huaizhi had integrated perfectly into their group, but Shi Sui didn’t seem to think so, always wearing a sour face around him.

It really wasn’t Shi Sui’s usual style.

Lu Huaizhi looked down at the speech on his lap. “Maybe.”

Shi Sui had just taken an extra look at his draft. That look was full of disdain.

It seemed his first love letter really hadn’t been his best work.

The group ran several laps. By the time they finished, everyone was drenched in sweat. Shi Sui in particular looked like he had been fished out of a river, sitting on the grass in the middle of the field, panting heavily.

His heart felt like it couldn’t take the high-intensity load, thumping violently against his chest.

Shi Sui’s vision blurred, yet it still didn’t feel like enough. It wasn’t cathartic enough.

He let out a heavy breath and used his hands to push himself up, but he had overestimated his current physical condition. His legs went weak. A split second before he hit the ground, an arm reached out and caught him by the waist.

“Take it slow.” Lu Huaizhi quickly let go of the waist, moving to support Shi Sui by the shoulder instead.

Shi Sui didn’t like the feeling of being propped up. After a moment of recovery, he stood up straight on his own.

Wang Cheng and Chi Qing were still on the ground, their faces flushed red. A simple wipe of their foreheads resulted in a handful of sweat.

“Shi Sui, the Top Student definitely loves you for real,” Wang Cheng panted, teasing them.

Any guy would normally recoil from someone covered in stinky sweat right after a workout.

But when Lu Huaizhi caught him, Wang Cheng could swear there wasn’t a hint of disgust on the Top Student’s face.

Shi Sui beckoned to him. “Come here, I’ll let you experience my ‘love’ for you too.”

Wang Cheng immediately shut up.

He was covered in sweat; if he got within three centimeters of Shi Sui right now, Shi Sui would likely slap him into next week. Even years of friendship wouldn’t save him.

As they caught their breath, the phone in Wang Cheng’s pocket vibrated. He checked it, his expression turning annoyed.

Chi Qing asked, “What is it?”

“Our class monitor has been tutoring me lately. He just said he’s not waiting for me and left first,” Wang Cheng shook the sweat from his face. “Fine, go then, but he left me a mountain of homework to finish and hand in tomorrow.”

Lately, even the teachers knew about the sports meet and had assigned less homework, but Qi Sizheng acted as if he didn’t know Wang Cheng had signed up for so many events—his tasks were as heavy as ever.

“Just don’t do it!” Chi Qing encouraged.

“I wish I could,” Wang Cheng stood up, brushing off the rubber particles stuck to his clothes. “My dad somehow heard I was being tutored and ordered me to follow along properly.”

“I need to get home.”

Chi Qing also got up. “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”

They walked toward the bleachers. Grabbing his bag, Wang Cheng asked Shi Sui, “Hey, what about you guys? Not studying?”

Logically, since Shi Sui had promised his grandmother he’d get good grades, his schedule should be tighter than Wang Cheng’s.

Lu Huaizhi’s hand paused on his bag. He looked at Shi Sui. “Studying? I’ll wait for you.”

“Damn,” Wang Cheng laughed. “You’re making me feel neglected here!” Lu Huaizhi really did follow Shi Sui’s lead unconditionally.

“Must be nice having the rank one student as a tutor,” Chi Qing looked at Shi Sui enviously. “So, you guys heading to the classroom?”

“No,” Shi Sui lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. “I’m going home to shower.”

As for tutoring, he felt an inexplicable resistance to being alone with Lu Huaizhi.

This guy had too many tricks; he was impossible to guard against.

Several times, Lu Huaizhi had tried to slip pink love letters into his bag while he was dozing off. He had caught him twice, and a few times after school, he had specifically checked his bag inside and out to ensure he didn’t accidentally take a letter home.

Just as he was about to unzip his bag for the routine check, Lu Huaizhi spoke.

“Yeah. You’re covered in sweat; a shower would be more comfortable.” Lu Huaizhi agreed with him.

Shi Sui’s first thought was— No tricks this time?

He breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Lu Huaizhi change his tune. “Then we’ll study somewhere else.”

Shi Sui: “?”

Lu Huaizhi considerately zipped up the bag Shi Sui had just opened. “I’ll go home with you.”