Moving Back

Although the old residential complex was uncomfortable to live in, fortunately the landlord was reasonable.

The landlord was a local from B City.

He had bought this apartment a long time ago, but it had been sitting vacant.

Because the location wasn’t very good, he had never managed to rent it out for long.

When he received Xu Shuche’s call, he hurried over that same afternoon.

“I’m really sorry. Truly sorry,” the slightly chubby middle-aged man said as he wiped sweat from his forehead.

“I didn’t expect the security here to be this bad.”

“I’ve caused you trouble.”

Jian Yixun accompanied Xu Shuche to meet the landlord.

He had originally prepared to defend Xu Shuche if the landlord’s attitude was poor.

But seeing the landlord apologize first, most of his anger faded away.

“I should be the one apologizing,” Xu Shuche said.

He already had a strong sense of responsibility.

Seeing the landlord apologize made him feel even more uncomfortable.

“This is my problem.”

“And I’m the one breaking the contract first.”

“I won’t ask for a refund on the rent.”

“It’s already troublesome enough that you have to find another tenant.”

The landlord waved his hand dismissively.

“You’re not leaving to make things difficult for me.”

“I’ll refund one month’s rent.”

“Is that acceptable?”

Xu Shuche tried to refuse several times.

But in the end he still accepted the one-month refund.

This time he didn’t have to move everything back to the dorm alone.

Young Master Jian couldn’t stand the idea of carrying everything by hand.

He simply called a moving company.

The movers worked quickly.

In less than an hour, all of Xu Shuche’s belongings were transported to the university gate.

Jian Yixun had been resting for half the day and was full of energy.

He stretched briefly and then hoisted Xu Shuche’s luggage onto his shoulder before heading upstairs.

Xu Shuche followed behind him carrying only two books.

He looked very relaxed.

“Jian Yixun, aren’t you tired?”

“Tired? What’s there to be tired about?”

Jian Yixun placed the luggage outside his dorm room door.

His expression was full of pride.

“Feng Zhou isn’t staying in the dorm next semester.”

“I’m moving back to live with you.”

“Maybe not…”

Xu Shuche avoided his gaze.

“You know…”

“I’m… not suitable to share a dorm with you.”

“What do you mean ‘not suitable’?”

Jian Yixun wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him closer.

“I don’t mind at all.”

“So why are you worrying on my behalf?”

Xu Shuche’s nose suddenly brushed against the familiar yet unfamiliar scent of Jian Yixun’s aftershave.

His breath caught for a moment.

He missed the best chance to refuse.

“Then it’s settled.”

Jian Yixun decided his roommate for next semester on the spot.

“There are plenty of advantages to living with me.”

“If that idiot comes to bother you again, I’ll beat him up again.”

When he said this, his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Xu Shuche.

Like a puppy begging its owner for praise.

Xu Shuche almost felt as if he could see an invisible tail wagging behind him.

He couldn’t help but smile.

“Why are you laughing at me?”

Jian Yixun didn’t realize that in Xu Shuche’s eyes he already resembled a puppy.

He leaned closer again.

“Senior, when are you going home?”

“Did you buy your ticket?”

“When the time comes, should I take you to the station?”

“I just got my driver’s license this summer.”

Xu Shuche’s movements suddenly paused.

His face turned slightly pale.

“I…”

He wanted to make up an excuse to brush off the question.

But he wasn’t good at lying.

After hesitating for a long time, he could only produce an awkward response.

“I haven’t bought it yet.”

“Why not?”

Jian Yixun sat casually on the desk and began counting on his fingers.

“It’s already early January.”

“You’re from the south, right?”

“You might need a plane ticket.”

“My aunt works at an airline.”

“She said the earlier you buy, the cheaper it is.”

Xu Shuche stood with his back to him.

The expression on his face was unclear.

After a long moment he replied softly.

“I know.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll remember to buy the ticket.”

“That’s better.”

Jian Yixun patted his shoulder.

“Tell me when you buy it.”

“I’ll take you to the airport.”

“Safe and convenient.”

Xu Shuche thought Jian Yixun meant he would move back to the dorm next semester.

But he never expected Jian Yixun to move so quickly.

Almost the very next day, Jian Yixun brought his things from home.

After Xu Shuche removed him from the blacklist, Jian Yixun’s mood visibly improved.

He no longer walked around with a gloomy expression every day.

Previously, the basketball team’s training sessions had been brutal.

Jian Yixun kept a cold face and pushed them mercilessly.

Everyone suffered but didn’t dare complain.

They were afraid of angering him further.

But recently Jian Yixun seemed to have changed personality.

He suddenly became much easier to talk to.

During a break in practice, several team members sat on a bench drinking water.

Chen Xiang wiped sweat with a towel and coughed loudly.

“Brother Lin, what’s going on with Brother Xun lately?”

Lin Xiu looked up from his phone.

“Yeah, it’s strange.”

“Last week he was going crazy.”

“I only made one mistake and he made me run the whole court twice.”

“My legs still haven’t recovered.”

“And before that he was always angry.”

“If we whispered something he’d glare at us.”

Lin Xiu gave an awkward laugh.

“Haha.”

“Brother Lin, do you know some insider information?”

“Why is he suddenly in such a good mood today?”

Lin Xiu remained silent, looking mysterious.

Of course it was because that senior surnamed Xu had moved back.

And Jian Yixun had happily packed his things and moved back to the dorm to live with him.

After knowing Jian Yixun for five or six years, Lin Xiu was beginning to question the sexuality of this “steel-straight man.”

“Brother Lin, tell us.”

The players were extremely curious.

“Did Brother Xun break up last week and get back together this week?”

“Probably not?”

“I don’t know.”

“Stop asking.”

Lin Xiu avoided answering.

“Go practice.”

Just as he finished speaking, Jian Yixun walked over.

“What are you talking about?”

“About Brother Lin’s three-point shot earlier.”

Chen Xiang reacted quickly and invented an excuse.

“That shot was incredible.”

“Stop flattering him.”

Jian Yixun smiled despite sounding dismissive.

“Otherwise Lin Xiu won’t know how to play in the next tournament.”

“Lin Xiu.”

“Later we’ll meet with the publicity department.”

“We need to discuss sponsorship for the next school tournament.”

Members of the publicity department were already waiting in the indoor activity room.

They greeted Jian Yixun and Lin Xiu when they arrived.

Jian Yixun responded politely.

But his gaze suddenly landed on someone.

His expression darkened.

“Why are you here?”

Qu Chao smiled calmly.

“I’m from the external relations department.”

“But this time I’m also helping the publicity department discuss sponsorship.”

Lin Xiu watched the two silently for a moment.

Then he understood.

The boy in front of them was probably another person Jian Yixun had rejected.

But unlike others, he didn’t understand social cues.

He believed he was special and continued pestering Jian Yixun.

“The next school tournament will start in March.”

“The schedule will be tight.”

The girl leading the group continued speaking.

“Before the holiday we want to confirm the basketball team’s preferred sponsors.”

“So we can begin work immediately next semester.”

“Sponsorship has always been handled by Lin Xiu.”

Jian Yixun spoke coldly.

“You talk.”

“Junior…”

Qu Chao softened his voice.

His gaze lingered on Jian Yixun as if glued there.

“Last time there was a misunderstanding between us.”

“Since we have time now…”

“Let’s talk it out.”

Jian Yixun stared at him for a moment.

Then suddenly smiled.

“Sure.”

Qu Chao didn’t expect him to agree so easily.

He couldn’t hide his excitement.

“Then let’s talk outside.”

Jian Yixun stepped out first.

Qu Chao hurried after him.

When the door closed, Qu Chao realized they were in the locker room.

The locker room had excellent soundproofing.

They could barely hear Lin Xiu and the others outside.

Qu Chao had read too many strange comics before.

His imagination immediately ran wild.

His cheeks flushed red.

“Junior… actually we don’t have to do this…”

“Oh?”

“Then what do you want to do?”

Jian Yixun sneered and looked him up and down.

“Do you know why I chose this place?”

Qu Chao thought he was asking sincerely.

So he shook his head honestly.

“I don’t know.”

“Why did you choose here?”

“Because there are no cameras here,” Jian Yixun said quietly.

“That means if I lose control and beat you up…”

“There won’t be any evidence.”

“Understand?”

“Huh?”

Qu Chao froze.

“Why would you hit me?”

“Did I do something wrong?”

“Did I make you angry?”

“What do you think?”

At first Jian Yixun had been too lazy to respond to rumors.

But when he thought about how Xu Shuche must have suffered from similar rumors in high school, he felt increasingly unable to stay calm.

“Last time you told me,” Jian Yixun said slowly, leaning against a locker.

“You said Xu Shuche’s academic ability was terrible.”

“That he only succeeded because he had an ambiguous relationship with the professor.”

“Do you have any evidence for that?”

Qu Chao’s face immediately lit up with excitement.

He nodded eagerly.

“Yes!”

“I have evidence.”

“Really?”

“That impressive?”

Jian Yixun smiled slightly and walked closer.

“I’ve beaten a lot of idiots recently.”

“But sometimes I just can’t hold back.”

“Please bear with me.”

Qu Chao blinked.

“What are you talking about? Actually I—”

Before he could finish his sentence, a fist slammed into his face.

His vision exploded with stars.

He staggered backward and crashed into a metal locker.

The back of his head hit it with a loud bang.

“Did I ever tell you?”

Jian Yixun said coldly.

“The thing I hate most in this world—”

“—is people who spread rumors.”