Chapter 19
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Seeing his silence, Xue Heng felt a pang of discomfort. He was not a cruel man by nature, but unfortunately, Xi Wan’s father often caused trouble at the school, and Xi Wan himself was a sullen type who always kept to himself in the corner, refusing to interact with anyone.
As a teacher, Xue Heng naturally disliked such a student. Moreover, no one ever spoke up for him. Over time, neglecting his situation and treating him coldly became the norm.
That day, when Zhu Shiyan came to help Xi Wan get leave, he spoke at length about Xi Wan and even returned the extra scholarship money. Only then did Xue Heng realize how negligent he had been in the past.
Though Zhu Shiyan did not utter a single reproach, Xue Heng felt a burning shame as if he had been slapped invisibly.
Later, the more he thought about it, the more regretful he became, and the next time he saw Xi Wan, he couldn’t help but feel guilty.
With his grades, Xi Wan could have already participated in such competitions long ago, but Xue Heng had always overlooked him, as if he didn’t exist in the class.
This competition was a rare opportunity; winning the gold medal might even secure him a special admission. Xue Heng’s suggestion was an attempt to make amends for his previous wrongs.
The stark change in attitude from Xue Heng and the other classmates was not lost on Xi Wan.
Yet, his heart remained unmoved.
Harm done was harm done; mending it couldn’t erase the cracks.
If not for having severed ties with his parents, no one would come to the school to cause trouble; if not for the young master constantly protecting and caring for him, would these people change their minds?
He doubted it.
Their current kindness wasn’t truly for him—it was merely to ease their own consciences.
Xi Wan expressionlessly took the registration form and said, “I’ll think about it. Thank you, teacher.”
Xue Heng hadn’t expected such a response and was stunned for two seconds. He wanted to persuade him further, but Xi Wan, unwilling to listen, nodded slightly and turned to leave.
He said he would think about it, but after seeing that the exam was in S City, he had already decided not to go.
S City was far away, and the round trip plus the competition would take at least a week.
A week was too long, and he did not want to be apart from the young master even for a moment.
He had never participated in a competition before and saw no need to start now; he could get into B University on his own merit.
Xi Wan casually folded the registration form and tossed it into the trash bin.
He returned to his seat with his usual expression. Zhu Shiyan, seeing him back, asked, “Finished?”
“Mm.”
“Is there anything left in the dorm? If so, we can pick it up after school.”
Xi Wan thought for a moment and said, “No.”
Zhu Shiyan nodded and slid a workbook towards him. “I’ve tried this problem several times but can’t figure it out. Can you explain it to me?”
Just as Xi Wan was about to take it, Chu Junyuan ran in from outside the door, shouting loudly, “Xi Wan, you’re going to participate in the national physics competition, right?”
Xi Wan’s expression stiffened.
“Really?” Zhu Shiyan’s eyes lit up at the news. “You’re going to the physics competition?”
“Yeah,” Chu Junyuan said, spinning a basketball as he sat at the front desk, speaking confidently, “I just passed by the office and overheard Old Xue talking about it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
Looking up, he saw Xi Wan glaring coldly at him.
He awkwardly rubbed his neck and continued, “Old Xue hasn’t told you yet? I heard the exam is in S City.”
Zhu Shiyan glanced at Xi Wan suspiciously. “The homeroom teacher hasn’t told you?”
Xi Wan: “...He has.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Xi Wan tightened his grip and said, “I don’t want to go.”
Zhu Shiyan widened his eyes. “Such a good opportunity, why not go? Worried about the travel expenses?”
Chu Junyuan looked between them, puzzled, and added fuel to the fire: “But Old Xue said the school covers all expenses.”
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Zhu Shiyan stared at Xi Wan, emphasizing once more, “Did you hear that? All expenses covered.”
Xi Wan remained silent.
Zhu Shiyan took a deep breath and gently asked, “What are you worried about? Can you tell me?”
Xi Wan glanced at him, then quickly looked away, fumbling for an excuse: “I’ve never traveled far.”
“That’s okay. The teacher will lead the team; you just follow. Besides, you’re there to take the exam—you only need to focus on that and nothing else.”
Still, Xi Wan said nothing.
Zhu Shiyan wasn’t one to indulge him on such matters, stretching out his hand: “Where’s the registration form? Give it to me.”
Xi Wan hesitated a moment: “I threw it away.”
Zhu Shiyan: “...”
He closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, and forced a smile: “Good boy, then go ask the homeroom teacher for another one.”
Xi Wan suddenly stood up and hurried out.
Chu Junyuan was stunned and realized he had caused trouble. He hunched his shoulders and silently turned away.
The decision to take the exam in S City was thus settled.
Before leaving, Zhu Shiyan bought a phone for Xi Wan.
Xi Wan didn’t refuse. Having received so many favors from Zhu Shiyan, refusing now would only seem petty. Besides, he did need a phone.
He saved Zhu Shiyan’s number, and seeing him input the digits skillfully, Zhu Shiyan curiously asked, “I forgot to ask, how did you get my number?”
“I heard you say it once to Chu Junyuan.”
Xi Wan had overheard when Chu Junyuan was asking Zhu Shiyan for contact info. Sensitive to numbers, he remembered it after hearing it only once.
He fiddled with the phone, installed WeChat, then held it out to Zhu Shiyan: “I want to add you.”
“Sure.” Zhu Shiyan scanned the code and smiled. “I thought you weren’t interested in things like WeChat.”
“Mm.”
He really wasn’t interested, but seeing how often Zhu Shiyan and Chu Junyuan chatted on it, he wanted to try.
Any way to get closer to the young master, he wanted to try.
Xi Wan agreed and saw a contact with a cat avatar in his list.
“You like cats?”
“Yes,” Zhu Shiyan said with a bright smile, “Cats are so cute.”
“Can I message you?”
“Of course.” Zhu Shiyan sent a waving cat emoji. “But you’re going for the exam this time, don’t get addicted to your phone.”
Though he thought this concern was unnecessary—he had seen how strong Xi Wan’s self-control was—getting a phone for the first time naturally sparked curiosity, which was why he immediately installed WeChat.
“Mm.”
Zhu Shiyan ruffled his hair. “Just do your best, don’t stress too much.”
“Okay.”
At that moment, the usually quiet Chu Junyuan turned around. “What’s this about WeChat? I want to add you too!”
Xi Wan calmly put away his phone. “Class time.”
Chu Junyuan wanted to glare but dared not, grumbling as he turned away.
Xi Wan left.
With one less person beside him, Zhu Shiyan felt a bit unsettled. By the third time he turned to ask something and found Xi Wan gone, he finally admitted he missed him.
Habits are truly a formidable thing.
Before leaving, Xi Wan asked if he could message him. Zhu Shiyan had thought he’d be bombarded with messages, but three days passed with only three messages—about one a day.
The first was a photo of him getting off the train, captioned: “I’ve arrived.”
The second was a photo of the hotel, captioned: “This is the hotel.”
The third was a photo of the university, captioned: “This is A University, the exam location.”
Zhu Shiyan suspected he was some kind of check-in machine, snapping photos at each stop and sending them to him.
The so-called check-in machine sat staring blankly at his phone screen.
“Got a girlfriend?”
A teasing voice came from behind.
Xi Wan immediately darkened his phone screen and coldly looked at the speaker. “I told you not to make such jokes.”
“Tsk, if not, then not. No need to be so fierce.” Mu Jingli reclined on the bed lazily. “Even if she’s not your girlfriend, she must be someone you like. Otherwise, why set her photo as your phone wallpaper?”
Xi Wan ignored him, placed the phone aside, and lowered his head to study.
Mu Jingli didn’t disturb him further but kept stealing glances.
He was curious about this person.
Tall, handsome, taciturn yet intelligent. Even Mu Jingli found the first competition’s questions challenging, but Xi Wan had finished ten minutes early with a perfect score.
Apparently, there was someone he liked, but he rarely contacted them, mostly just staring at his phone screen blankly.
Mu Jingli had once accidentally glanced at the screen...
It seemed to be a boy?
A meaningful smile crept into Mu Jingli’s eyes.
Interesting.
“Xiao Yan! Are you listening to me?”
Chu Junyuan shouted into Zhu Shiyan’s ear.
Zhu Shiyan closed his phone, pulling his thoughts back. “Hmm? What did you say?”
Usually carefree, Chu Junyuan suddenly grew shy talking about this. His voice dropped. “Tell me, should I ask her out to hang out?”
Zhu Shiyan: “...I don’t support early romance.”
Chu Junyuan: “...You Qing dynasty folks are hard to kill.”
Zhu Shiyan: “...”
Chu Junyuan looked at him pitifully. “I don’t care. You have to help me decide. I really, really like her!”
“Have you only met her once?”
Chu Junyuan argued confidently, “Love at first sight, don’t you get it?”
Clearly, infatuation at first glance.
“Do you know which class she’s in and her name?”
“Class Six, Mi Lin.” Chu Junyuan clasped his hands to his chest, looking enchanted. “Her name is so beautiful!”
Zhu Shiyan rubbed his temples. “Does she even know you?”
“Of course she does! I’m famous at school. Who doesn’t know me?”
Zhu Shiyan glanced at him.
Chu Junyuan nervously said, “That’s why she doesn’t know me yet. If I ask her out, we’ll get to know each other while hanging out...”
“Oh.” Zhu Shiyan opened his textbook. “Then ask her out.”
Chu Junyuan hesitated again. “You’ll come with me?”
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