HCILH Ch. 71

Chapter 71: Escape Room (Part 1)

While they cleaned the training room together, Hou Mo realized just how competitive Sui Houyu was. 

Even something as simple as cleaning faster would spark Sui Houyu’s competitive spirit.

Leaning on his mop, Hou Mo watched as Sui Houyu raced around the room with another mop, hesitating whether he should slack off a bit. His partner obviously had more energy and could finish the task in no time.

Just as Hou Mo was debating, Sui Houyu suddenly stopped, pointing at him in warning: “Don’t think you can leave and make me clean up alone. Try any tricks, and I’ll beat you.”

He felt wronged.

If Hou Mo continued cleaning, Sui Houyu would compete with him. 

If he stopped, Sui Houyu would feel it wasn’t fair. 

If they both raced, the two of them would practically whip up a mini tornado in the room.

This partner of his was truly hard to please.

Feigning fear, Hou Mo patted his chest dramatically and said: “Ahh, I’m so scared!”

“Cut the nonsense and get to work!” Sui Houyu ordered, continuing to mop the floor.

Hou Mo could only keep cleaning. Once they finished, he tidied up the training equipment and put everything back in place. 

Before leaving, he even double-checked the doors and windows and then walked out with Sui Houyu.

Sui Houyu walked in front of him, his steps a bit wobbly, likely still sore from the adjustment. Despite his current state, he had just been so intense earlier—what a character.

Smiling, Hou Mo reminded him: “You’ll feel sore tomorrow, but it’ll be fine after a couple of days.”

Sui Houyu nodded dismissively, using the wall to steady himself as he walked. Going down the stairs, his steps became even shakier, and he asked: “When do we resume training?”

“We usually rest for about two weeks, then gradually get back into regular training. In winter, we have intensive training, and we might come back during winter break for a special session, though we’ll have a few days off for the Spring Festival. It depends on what competitions Coach Wang wants us to enter next year.”

“Oh. Let’s go train ourselves for a bit. What should I work on?”

“Ha? You mean now? Can you even handle it? What about evening self-study?”

“I’m skipping. I’m fine; I’ve been through shoulder and leg stretching. This is nothing.”

Hou Mo didn’t argue and agreed: “Fine, Coach Wang didn’t come today, so I’ll train you myself.”

Hou Mo was familiar with the place. Instead of going back to the teaching building, they went straight to the tennis court. He led Sui Houyu to the indoor court, turned on the big lights, and gathered the training equipment.

Normally, this place was buzzing with people, but with just the two of them, any small noise felt magnified in the quiet.

The overhead lamps flickered and buzzed a bit before fully lighting up, casting a strong glow that made the hard court gleam. The scuffed floor bore the marks of rigorous training.

Hou Mo set a few empty water bottles at different spots, then went to the opposite side with his racket. He served, sending a ball smashing into one of the bottles. The impact was so strong that the bottle went flying and bounced off a barrier with a loud sound.

Hou Mo spun his racket single-handedly, then tucked it under his arm and stood on the side then said: “Target practice. Start with serving. Once you’ve got that down, move on to hitting the bottles mid-movement.”

Sui Houyu picked up his racket and a ball, bouncing it a few times. He initially intended to knock the bottles down one by one, but just as he tossed the ball, Hou Mo suddenly called out: “Inside corner serve, left-four.”

Quickly adjusting his aim, Sui Houyu followed Hou Mo’s instructions.

The ball sailed over the net and landed within five centimeters of the bottle before bouncing away.

Hou Mo leisurely retrieved the ball and then returned it with his racket to Sui Houyu.

After catching the ball, Sui Houyu tossed it up again.

This time, he was prepared as Hou Mo instructed: “Outside corner serve, left-five.”

Sui Houyu glanced at the bottle before serving. This time, his aim was spot-on, and though the impact from the bottle altered the ball’s path, Hou Mo still managed to return it with ease.

Watching for a moment, Hou Mo walked over and said: “You were trying to return with a backhand topspin, but your stance was a bit awkward. For this shot, remember to rotate your shoulders; your shoulders should be like this…”

He reached out to adjust Sui Houyu’s shoulders, holding them to demonstrate the proper form.

Sui Houyu gave a vague nod, then looked up at Hou Mo.

In that moment, their eyes met at close range, and Hou Mo instinctively took a step back, quickly turning and saying: “Keep going.”

They practiced until late in the evening, finally stopping when Ran Shu and the others entered, bringing a gust of wind that knocked over one of the empty water bottles.

Ran Shu, astonished, exclaimed: “Y-You guys really are here! So dedicated! You didn’t even reply to our messages.”

Deng Yiheng echoed his sentiment: “I thought Gege was drilling you to this hour, but it turns out you were sneaking in extra practice.”

Sui Houyu paused and explained: “I didn’t bring my phone to practice. Are evening classes over?”

“Yep, class is dismissed.” Ran Shu, with his hands stuffed in his pockets to stay warm, sat down nearby and said: “I-It’s getting colder these days; I don’t even want to shower. After showering, it’s a five-minute walk back to Building 11, and it’s freezing.”

Sui Houyu walked to the side, picked up a bottle of water, took a sip, and said: “Just endure it. We’ll be back at our campus next year.”

“Back? Don’t you have to keep training for tennis?”

“Oh… How’s that going to work?” Sui Houyu turned to Hou Mo for the answer.

Hou Mo took Sui Houyu’s water bottle from him, not bothering to wipe the mouthpiece before downing a few gulps until it was empty.

Stunned, Sui Houyu glanced at the bottle. Sure enough, it was Hou Mo’s, with a torn-off label… 

He’d drunk from the wrong bottle again.

After finishing, Hou Mo replied: “The school’s still deciding. They’re considering sending the new freshmen, while we stay. It’s too much of a hassle to move everyone around. Last time, the military training complaints were huge. If we go to the other campus, we might rent a tennis court nearby. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Oh.”

“But are you sure you’ll play tennis in your final year? Won’t you focus seriously on the college entrance exams?” Hou Mo asked, looking at Sui Houyu.

“I don’t know…” Sui Houyu hadn’t thought about it.

He was different from Hou Mo.

Hou Mo could get a recommendation for Tsinghua or Peking University through his sports credits, but Sui Houyu needed to take the exams.

Hou Mo didn’t press further. After packing up, they left together.

On the way back, Deng Yiheng said: “Senior Brother and Brother Yu, let’s hang out this weekend. Lu Yanxin invited me, but she doesn’t want it to be just the two of us.”

Hou Mo obviously didn’t want to go: “Why don’t you bring Shen Junjing?”

Deng Yiheng looked embarrassed “It’d be better with more people. Besides, we’re planning to visit Uncle Gu’s new store as one of the first customers. I don’t want it to just be me and Shen Junjing. Our combined IQ wouldn’t impress anyone.”

After some thought, Hou Mo asked in surprise: “A new escape room? You’re inviting me? I’d surrender as soon as I walked in!”

Solving puzzles was fine, but he’d need lights on and a normal environment. Otherwise, he’d be crying on the spot.

Ever since he was young, he’d avoided haunted houses, and he couldn’t handle these new escape rooms either. He’d be screaming and possibly causing trouble for others. His teammates would likely end up carrying him—a 188 cm guy—out of there.

But Sui Houyu looked interested: “There’s an escape room in Xiangjia Alley?”

Deng Yiheng confirmed: “Yep. Since we’re trying to promote tourism, Uncle Gu’s family had an old building near the scenic area that they turned into a full escape room. It was abandoned before, but they had the idea to renovate it into a large escape room, perfect for an eerie vibe! They’re planning a soft opening and want us to be testers, free of charge.”

After thinking about it, Sui Houyu nodded: “I’m in.”

Hou Mo stopped, staring at Sui Houyu in disbelief: “You’re going?”

Sui Houyu answered casually: “I enjoy stuff like this.”

Of course. Knowing Sui Houyu’s personality, he would love anything that brought a thrill and challenge.

Hou Mo stared at him for a long while, then, as if making a big decision, asked Deng Yiheng: “What time?”

Seeing Hou Mo’s interest, Deng Yiheng grinned: “Saturday morning at ten.”

Hou Mo still seemed hesitant.

If he didn’t go, he’d feel left out, as if he were being excluded. 

But if he did go… Sui Houyu would probably see him scared out of his wits.

After walking a bit longer, he glanced at Sui Houyu again. Gritting his teeth, he ultimately decided to follow along. Sui Houyu already knew he was a coward.

*

Saturday morning, Sui Houyu got up and washed up.

Yesterday, Hou Mo had stayed with him at the guesthouse and even helped tidy up the whole place.

As he stepped into the bathroom, he noticed an extra set of Hou Mo’s toiletries on the sink. He peeked out to look at Hou Mo, who was still lounging in bed, then retreated to the bathroom and shut the door.

The two of them had gotten used to sleeping together.

Hou Mo didn’t show any resistance and even knew about his awkward nature, often being the more proactive one between them.

This made him feel at ease.

Unconsciously, Hou Mo had already integrated into his life.

This week, Sui Houyu was very attentive during classes, without any usual fidgeting, thanks to sitting beside Ouyang Ge. Instantly, all his little habits vanished.

After the public display from before, several classmates would occasionally turn to see if Hou Mo was staring at Sui Houyu, to the point where Hou Mo no longer even looked his way.

In the evenings, they would skip evening self-study to train at the tennis court, which even Ouyang Ge had come to accept.

Time filled up, and a week went by without notice.

When Sui Houyu finished washing up and stepped out, it was already nine o’clock. He kicked Hou Mo to wake him: “Get up.”

Hou Mo stuck his hand out from under the blanket, checked his phone, and then put it back, “Let me sleep for another half hour. I can get ready and bring you to the place within thirty minutes. Xiangjia Alley is small.”

“No breakfast?”

“Just eat something…” 

“I’ve lost weight.”

This particular line worked wonders. Hou Mo immediately got up and hurried into the bathroom to freshen up.

Sui Houyu walked to the wardrobe, opened the door, and looked inside. He debated between a blue-and-white striped shirt and a sky-blue swater, finally settling on the sweater.

After a bit more thought, he took out a white shirt for layering.

When Hou Mo came out, he noticed Sui Houyu layering multiple items and asked: “Afraid of the cold?”

“Wearing a shirt under the hoodie is called styling.”

“What about the vest?”

“That’s also for styling!”

“And the coat you’re carrying?”

“Uh… in case it gets cold?”

Hou Mo reached over and gave Sui Houyu a pat on the head: “Being self-sufficient with warmth is good; saves me the worry.”

Then he stood in front of Sui Houyu’s closet and asked: “Do you have anything I can borrow? I don’t feel like going upstairs.”

Sui Houyu came over to pick something out. He liked oversized clothes and would even buy a size up on purpose, so many of his clothes fit Hou Mo.

After looking at Hou Mo, he pulled out a piece for him.

Hou Mo stared at the pastel pink hoodie, hesitated, and lifted it, noticing two cartoon hands inside the sleeves: “What’s this?”

“The Simpsons’ hands.” It was something he bought while in South Korea. Although it was an old design, he found it comfortable and had kept it.

“…” Hou Mo inspected it a few more times before accepting it: “Do I need a base layer?”

“No need. Your Adam’s apple is prominent; layering would be uncomfortable.”

“You remembered all this time?”

“Mhm!” Sui Houyu responded happily.

Hou Mo usually wore sportswear and rarely anything else, so he even shook out the hoodie sleeves to adjust, feeling a bit unfamiliar with the outfit.

Sui Houyu thought this side of Hou Mo looked refreshingly different, as the pink color suited Hou Mo’s playful nature.

After shaking it twice, Hou Mo stopped and went to the kitchen. “I’ll make porridge for you. I soaked the rice last night.”

After breakfast, the two of them rode bikes to Uncle Gu’s old apartment.

They now had experience riding together and kept a safe distance, with Sui Houyu on the back seat as far from Hou Mo as possible.

By the time they arrived, the other three were already there.

Lu Yanxin waved when she saw them: “Morning! Cheap Monkey, you look quite flashy today!”

“This is called being stylish!” Hou Mo hopped off his bike, parked it to the side, and answered.

Hou Mo wore a jacket, but it was open, revealing the pink hoodie underneath, and two small hands peeked out from the jacket sleeves, making him look irresistibly cute.

Lu Yanxin glanced at Sui Houyu and asked: “Are doubles partners supposed to wear matching outfits?”

“Not at all.” Sui Houyu denied it. Their hoodies each had a small design on the chest, which looked minimalist and gave off a matching vibe, but they weren’t even from the same brand.

“You two do match quite well,” Lu Yanxin noted, then turned to look at two others dressed in all-black, whose style was also well-matched as doubles partners.

After greeting Uncle Gu, the group was led to the first challenge room.

Once inside, Hou Mo immediately became uneasy, standing stiffly in the corner and picking up a suitable object as a makeshift weapon: “I heard there are staff actors here?”

“There are, but don’t hit anyone, or we’ll have to pay for damages,” Deng Yiheng said as he looked around the room for clues.

Mentioning money got Hou Mo to restrain himself.

Sui Houyu read through the story introduction on the table and commented: “It has a theme.”

Deng Yiheng followed up: “Brother Yu, you take the lead and handle the brainwork. I’ll obey and follow instructions.”

Sui Houyu looked at the paper, then at the grid on the table: “I think the password has something to do with the grid. Let me try to calculate it.”

While Sui Houyu was working, a clock suddenly started chiming.

The clock was an old standing model with a bronze casing, and its outer glass was shattered—not fragmented, but rather with a single point spreading into web-like cracks.

The pendulum swung and produced a loud chime that echoed in the small room.

Startled, Hou Mo ran over to grab Sui Houyu from behind, muttering: “Brother Yu, Brother Yu, the clock is chiming.”

Unperturbed, Sui Houyu continued studying the grid, responding: “Shush, I need to count the chimes.”

“Scary…” Hou Mo murmured softly, clinging to Sui Houyu without letting go.

The other three scattered to search for clues.

Sui Houyu stood by the table, focused on the grid puzzle, while Hou Mo clung to him like a large backpack.

Deng Yiheng found a clue and eagerly called out: “Brother Yu, I found a sheet with song lyrics—it might be helpful…”

He looked up, only to see Hou Mo sitting on a chair with Sui Houyu sitting on his lap…asleep.

Brother Yu was asleep in Hou Mo’s arms!

And he looked quite soundly asleep!

Deng Yiheng was instantly in shock: “Senior Brother, why are you hugging Brother Yu? Look, he’s fallen asleep!”

“Keep your voice down.” Hou Mo buried his face in Sui Houyu’s neck and whispered: “Didn’t you notice that I didn’t scream?”

“Let go of Brother Yu, stop hugging him!” Deng Yiheng walked over to pull Hou Mo’s arms off.

“No!” Hou Mo tightened his hold, making Sui Houyu in his arms look like a peacefully sleeping child, unfazed by the ruckus around him.

In this eerie setting, Sui Houyu slept on like a serene sleeping beauty. Deng Yiheng was yelling in his ears and Hou Mo held him so tightly, yet he still slept so soundly.

Shen Junjing and Lu Yanxin also came over to watch.

Lu Yanxin pointed at Sui Houyu: “Being able to sleep like this…he’s got talent!”

Deng Yiheng explained Sui Houyu’s condition, which Lu Yanxin found delightful, letting out an “Oh!” followed by uncontrollable giggling.

Her laughter sent shivers down Hou Mo’s spine, and he asked nervously: “Why is she laughing like that? It’s creepy!”

Seeing Hou Mo’s frightened expression only made her laugh harder, her chuckles growing bolder and lasting longer.

Hou Mo was even more reluctant to let go of Sui Houyu.

Omake:

Hou Mo: “I have to hold my precious baby, wuwuwuwu~~~~~~~”