HCILH Ch. 112

Chapter 112: The Start of School

After buying the car, Sui Houyu planned to get a Gucci scarf for Hou Mo’s mom.

Gucci had only a few classic designs that were unlikely to go wrong, making them a good fit for someone like her.

As they reached the store entrance, Hou Mo pulled him back again: “Widows tend to attract gossip, and my mom still looks pretty good. People might think someone’s after her. Besides, we’re still in debt. If she wears such a scarf, others might think we’re rich but refusing to pay our dues.”

“So many rules?” A crease formed between Sui Houyu’s brows.

“Yeah, the poorer you are, the more particular you become. That’s why it’s called ‘poor people’s pride.’ When you have money, you’ll find that everyone around you is suddenly very kind.” Hou Mo reached out to smooth out the crease between his brows.

After thinking for a while, Sui Houyu went to another store and picked out a plain scarf. He asked Hou Mo: “Does this match her skin tone?”

“I’d suggest getting this floral one. With my mom’s taste, she’ll think it’s gorgeous.”

Sui Houyu examined the floral scarf, glanced at Hou Mo, and asked: “You’re not joking, are you?”

“I’m serious.”

With some hesitation, Sui Houyu bought both scarves and then headed to a jewelry store.

He browsed the display cases for a long time before settling on a pair of jade earrings that looked very elegant.

Hou Mo, observing, shook his head and pulled Sui Houyu aside: “If you buy these bunny earrings, my mom will really like them.”

“Isn’t that too childish? Isn’t she… mature?”

“No, women never truly grow up.”

“Maybe I should buy both pairs.”

“Don’t even think about it. The cost of those jade earrings could buy another Beetle. If my mom finds out how expensive they are, she won’t wear them, and they’ll just sit at home for generations as a family heirloom.”

In the end, Sui Houyu went back to the training school for his afternoon classes, feeling unsure about his gift choices.

However, when he gave the gifts to Hou Mo’s mom, the reaction was surprisingly positive.

Hou Mo’s mom was thrilled when she saw the floral scarf: “Oh my, this floral pattern is beautiful!” She even wrapped it around her neck immediately.

Then, looking at the plain scarf, she asked: “Is this one for Hou Mo?”

Hou Mo quickly nodded. “Yes, yes, that one’s mine.”

Sui Houyu also nodded, but he coughed to cover up the lie.

When she took out the bunny earrings, she exclaimed again: “These little bunnies are just too cute!”

Sui Houyu was stunned. Hou Mo shot him a knowing look that said: See? I was right.

Hou Mo’s mom put on the earrings and turned to show them. The little bunnies swayed as she moved, as if they were hopping: “Do they look good?”

Hou Mo nodded eagerly: “They suit you perfectly.”

Sui Houyu smiled as he looked at her gentle and elegant face adorned with the playful earrings: “They look great.”

Clearly delighted, she said: “I love them! Thank you, Little Yu.”

“No problem.” Sui Houyu quickly replied. “By the way, I’ll need your help picking up the car in a few days.”

“I don’t have a job anyway, so I can help with that. I’ll ask Auntie Wang downstairs to find a good parking spot for it, one that won’t be exposed to the sun or rain.”

Sui Houyu added: “Until I get my driver’s license, you can just drive it.”

“It’ll get worn out if I use it.”

“New cars need to be broken in. You’ll need to take it on the highway too.”

After considering it, she agreed: “True.”

Carefully folding the floral scarf, she asked: “Are you boys ready for school? Is your luggage packed?”

Hou Mo tried on the plain scarf and said: “There’s not much to bring, just my racket. It’s mostly training anyway.”

“Don’t forget your autumn pants.” she reminded.

“Yes, yes!” Hou Mo replied. He led Sui Houyu downstairs and brought out a large suitcase, packing their belongings into one shared case.

Standing nearby, Sui Houyu asked: “Did she really like them?”

“Yeah, she genuinely likes those things. She hasn’t changed over the years. Also, never tell her a piece of clothing makes her look fairer. She’s most afraid of people saying she’s pale; she thinks it makes her look sickly and scary.”

“Oh…”

“She also thinks I’m too thin. If it weren’t for being too polite around you, she’d be making you eat eight meals a day because you’re too skinny.”

Sui Houyu pulled up his shirt in front of the full-length mirror: “I think I’ve gained a little weight lately.”

Hou Mo glanced at him, resumed packing, and then suddenly scooped Sui Houyu up from behind and carried him to the bathroom: “Come on, I want a taste of my good brother.”

“Stop messing around!” Sui Houyu struggled hard.

“I’m serious!” Hou Mo was exceptionally good at holding someone in place. Though not as strong as Sui Houyu, he could still control him.

Forty minutes later, Hou Mo was being held by Sui Houyu as he rinsed his mouth, occasionally bumping into the sink.

Sui Houyu, not even properly dressed, anxiously searched on his phone.

Hou Mo, with a resigned expression, said while holding a cup of water: “My good brother, swallowing won’t kill anyone!”

“You’re insane! Why would you swallow that?! What if you get diarrhea?” Sui Houyu yelled, his face flushed, ears and cheeks tinged with an adorable redness as he scolded, phone in hand.

Hou Mo, unfazed, fetched a hairdryer to dry his hair.

Still grumbling, Sui Houyu put his phone down and continued to reprimand Hou Mo: “You’re such a freak!”

“Mm-hmm.” Hou Mo replied nonchalantly.

“Don’t do it again!”

“You don’t like it?” Hou Mo turned off the hairdryer and looked at him.

“I don’t!”

“Then why were your legs trembling with pleasure earlier?”

“I was almost falling asleep!” he yelled, trying to deny it.

“Oh…” Hou Mo continued to dry his hair, knowing if he teased any more, this little bunny would probably come after him for real.

*

The next morning, Hou Mo woke up to see Sui Houyu propped up beside him, just pulling his hand back.

His nose had felt ticklish earlier; Sui Houyu had probably been checking his breathing again.

With a resigned sigh, he sat up, intending to freshen up, but was pulled back down by Sui Houyu, who made him lie down again.

Obediently, he lay back and watched as Sui Houyu rested his head on his stomach, listening intently to any sounds.

Unable to hold back, Hou Mo asked: “Did you not sleep well last night, good brother?”

“Shh!” Sui Houyu immediately hushed him.

Propping himself up, Hou Mo observed Sui Houyu, who looked as focused as a new father listening for a baby’s movements and couldn’t help but burst out laughing, his body shaking with mirth. Sui Houyu shot him a disapproving look.

Hou Mo managed to calm down.

After listening for a while and finding nothing unusual, Sui Houyu stood up and went to the bathroom.

Yawning, Hou Mo got up and glanced around the room before continuing to pack their things.

As student-athletes, their school term started early, and they were due back to resume training the next day.

That evening, they planned to move back into their dormitory a day ahead, ensuring they’d be ready for the morning drills.

While packing, Hou Mo looked at their identical sportswear folded together and felt a sense of wonder.

He really was dating Sui Houyu…

Two people who seemed so mismatched had ended up together, their belongings now mingled, sharing food, sleeping under the same blanket.

People in love were like two-colored clay.

When mixed, they became one, and separating them would only result in painful tearing. Over time, they had both taken on each other’s colors, leaving traces on each other.

He had started integrating into Sui Houyu’s life, even adopting some of his habits.

Many of their belongings had become shared items, indistinguishable between them.

Just as he finished packing, Sui Houyu returned from washing up and checked the wardrobe for his clothes.

Hou Mo leaned against Sui Houyu’s back, reaching past him to grab their matching outfits—the ones Hou Mo had bought with a flourish.

Dating as two boys had its perks: matching outfits that were undeniably couple wear.

“Isn’t this too showy?” Sui Houyu hesitated and hung the clothes back up.

“Why? It’s already on our social media; there’s no denying it now. Put it on!” Hou Mo insisted, pulling the clothes out again. Seeing Sui Houyu’s reluctance, he took it a step further and helped him change into it.

They playfully wrestled for a while before they both ended up wearing the clothes.

Sui Houyu walked to the mirror and said: “The shirt’s wrinkled.”

“We’re wearing down jackets over them anyway; there’ll be wrinkles regardless. If it’s really a problem, I’ll bring the portable steamer.” Hou Mo said as he went to wash up.

When both were ready to leave, Hou Mo leaned in, cupping Sui Houyu’s face to kiss him, but was pushed away. “I have a psychological trauma with your mouth now.”

“I just brushed my teeth, plus you need to get used to it!” Hou Mo leaned in again. “I’m going to do it often in the future.”

Pinned against the door by Hou Mo’s kiss, Sui Houyu wrapped his arms around Hou Mo’s shoulders, opening his mouth to reciprocate.

A gentle kiss, with the shared taste of minty toothpaste.

The freshness of mint with a touch of sweet warmth.

*

They thought they were early returning to school, but someone had beaten them to it.

Pushing their suitcases into the dorm, they saw Deng Yiheng and Shen Junjing already there, tidying up and mopping the floor.

When the two turned and saw Sui Houyu and Hou Mo in matching outfits, they immediately started exaggeratedly acting out a skit, clearly planned in advance.

Deng Yiheng: “I can’t take it! They’re even wearing couple outfits now. You two should just move into a double room; living with us is just awkward.”

Shen Junjing: “Exactly, we’re just getting in the way of their love life.”

Deng Yiheng: “People sure change fast. Before break, everything was normal, but after the holidays, it’s all lovey-dovey.”

Shen Junjing: “Can’t keep up with this level of affection.”

Deng Yiheng: “Even though we’ve technically paired up, it feels no different from being single. We’re still here watching our dorm mates show off their romance and suffering in silence.”

Hou Mo pulled out his phone, saying to Deng Yiheng: “Repeat what you just said, and I’ll send it to Lu Yanxin.”

Deng Yiheng panicked immediately: “You even have her on WeChat?”

“Of course, she’s my future daughter-in-law.”

“No, don’t send it! I’m happy, I swear!”

Dragging his suitcase in, Sui Houyu sat on his bed: “We’re a fully paired-up dorm now; everyone’s got someone.”

Deng Yiheng frowned: “Fully paired-up? Brother Sang’s ironclad single. He wakes up, goes to class, sleeps, trains, returns to the dorm, and sleeps again. Could he really be dating?”

Sui Houyu nodded: “Yes.”

Deng Yiheng was still confused: “With who? Does he have a childhood fiancée he met over the break? Without that, I don’t see how it’s possible.”

Hou Mo chimed in while organizing: “Didn’t someone else in the dorm get into a relationship?”

Deng Yiheng and Shen Junjing exchanged shocked looks.

Deng Yiheng: “No way?! Them two? Did they gamble and lose, staking themselves in the process?”

Shen Junjing: “It’s amazing they don’t fight, let alone date. Did Brother Sang fall for Brother Ran’s sharp-tongued scolding?”

Sui Houyu answered: “Ran Shu likes Sang Xian’s money.”

Deng Yiheng asked: “What does Sang Xian see in Ran Shu?”

Hou Mo turned, grinning: “Sang Xian says he doesn’t know how to spend money, but Ran Shu does, and he likes that.”

Shen Junjing & Deng Yiheng: “What the…?”

Before the break, everyone was single.

After the break, everyone was paired up.

Their six-person dorm now had two couples, leaving Deng Yiheng and Shen Junjing, the only straight guys, feeling awkward.