HCILH Ch. 23

Chapter 23: Rejection

The rain continued to fall.

Raindrops landed on the umbrella, making a rhythmic “puh puh” sound that wasn’t quite regular.

The rain curtain in front was lifted by the wind, presenting a slanted bead curtain in front of the umbrella, as members of the tennis team began their formal practice in the rain.

Sui Houyu looked at Hou Mo, whose tall figure and clothes clung to his body, giving even his casual movements a sense of sexual tension, bursting forth in an instant.

His movements were incredibly coordinated; the slippery ground and the rain didn’t pose much of a hindrance to him.

Another hit.

As he swung his racket, raindrops splashed off the racket, creating a spray of water that formed a visible arc before falling with spin.

His actions displayed a carefree and exhilarating sense, like a dragon diving into water.

After winning two sets, Hou Mo came over, holding his racket, and crouched under Sui Houyu’s umbrella.

Sui Houyu looked down at him and asked: “Is hiding from the rain for a bit really that helpful?”

“It’s still quite uncomfortable to have rain on my head; I’ll take whatever shelter I can,” Hou Mo replied, looking up at him. “If you get caught in the rain, won’t it add a lot of weight?”

“How so?”

“Your hair will absorb the water.”

“…”

Sui Houyu didn’t want to respond to Hou Mo anymore, but Hou Mo continued, “It’s like your head is heavy while your feet are light, your body becomes unbalanced, or the water runs down your hair and splashes all over your face?”

Sui Houyu, annoyed, pushed Hou Mo away with his knee.

Hou Mo quickly dodged: “Don’t mess around; I’m wet.”

At this point, Sui Houyu was still wearing the formal school trousers.

Sui Houyu had heard from Deng Yiheng.

When school started in the first year, Hou Mo was particularly popular, but as time went on, the girls gradually lost interest. One reason was that Hou Mo had said he liked boys, and another was that Hou Mo had a big mouth.

Huo Mo was a good guy, too bad he had a big mouth.

After crouching for a while, Hou Mo pointed at Sang Xian and asked Sui Houyu: “Have you figured out his movement patterns?”

“Yeah, I’ve been watching closely.”

“When it rains, the track team members change their spike shoes; the spikes for rainy weather are different from regular ones—they grip the ground better. But they still hate rainy days because they usually worry about their feet getting wet and adding weight. They often bring several pairs of socks, and if it rains, it’s even more troublesome. We also have special sneakers for rainy days, but it requires more skill.”

As Hou Mo stood up, he had to bend slightly to stay under the umbrella.

He demonstrated how to control his body to stop: “If you can’t stop when sliding, your feet will look like mine. Like this, generally, it will increase friction and help you stop.”

Sui Houyu leaned down to watch, lowering the umbrella, which made it especially uncomfortable for Hou Mo, who then reached out to take the umbrella away.

Facing Sui Houyu again, Hou Mo stood properly. The umbrella tilted slightly; Sui Houyu’s side was lower while his side was higher, ensuring Sui Houyu wouldn’t get wet, and then he held the umbrella again to demonstrate.

While looking down, he noticed Sui Houyu’s shoes and tapped the tip of his shoe against Sui Houyu’s, saying, “Those aren’t tennis shoes.”

Sui Houyu had recently been training with the athletes, so he wore suitable AJPE shoes, feeling a bit more comfortable.

“Are these shoes not okay?” he lifted his foot to show Hou Mo.

“Hmm, running shoes are easy to slip in, and basketball shoes can hinder your ankles. Our tennis shoes are specially designed with toe guards and cushioning; otherwise, long-term training can harm your body.”

As Hou Mo spoke, he stretched his foot next to Sui Houyu’s, comparing shoe sizes: “What size are you?”

“Size 43.”

“I’m size 44. I can lend you a pair; with an insole, you should be able to wear them. Your pair can be used for running or other basic training.”

“I can buy them…”

“No need. If you join the tennis team, there are sponsors who can provide shoes and sportswear for free, but it will take some time to get them in your size.”

“I won’t join the tennis team.”

Hou Mo paused for a moment, looking at Sui Houyu.

Sui Houyu raised his head to meet Hou Mo’s gaze.

Hou Mo suddenly smiled with a hint of sarcasm, his eyes teasing, “Not joining? But I’m here to play with you?”

Helping to choose rackets and teaching him skills—was that just for fun?

Sui Houyu asked, feeling justified, “Aren’t you against doubles?”

“I do oppose doubles, but that doesn’t stop you from joining the tennis team. But honestly, I’m more opposed to people like you who come just to play and waste others’ time.”

After finishing, Hou Mo threw the umbrella back to Sui Houyu and turned to step back into the rain.

Sui Houyu held the umbrella, watching Hou Mo leave, feeling a mix of emotions that left him uneasy, unable to articulate why.

But he really hadn’t considered fully committing to playing tennis.

He had learned a lot, mostly as a pastime, to pass his idle time and cultivate hobbies.

He just didn’t want to feel restless.

But Hou Mo and the others were different; they were athletes with clear goals, unlike Sui Houyu, who was free-spirited.

He was afraid that if he agreed, he would take on responsibilities and find it harder to leave.

He hadn’t figured it out yet.

In the latter half, Hou Mo didn’t pay any more attention to Sui Houyu.

Deng Yiheng and Shen Junqing talked with Sui Houyu for a while, taking shelter from the rain before continuing their practice.

*

As the monthly exam approached, Sui Houyu finally started to resemble a top student, at least beginning to read.

He sat in class during self-study, reading, chewing gum to ease his restlessness.

He looked at the textbook, then at his notes, twirling a pen in his hand.

Su Anyi stood up to get water, needing to walk past Ran Shu.

After taking just a couple of steps, Ran Shu grabbed her wrist, pulling her back down into her seat.

Su Anyi looked at Ran Shu, confused.

Ran Shu looked at her seriously and asked: “Don’t you feel any discomfort in your stomach?”

She shook her head: “No.”

Ran Shu took out his phone and gestured to her: “Do you recognize this date?”

She finally understood: “I had it early?”

Ran Shu nodded heavily: “A size of a coin^[1].”

Su Anyi usually didn’t feel any pain when her period came, and she had no premenstrual symptoms.

Her cycle was quite regular, but this time it had come early; perhaps it was because she had been feeling too hot lately and went swimming after self-study.

She felt a bit panicked, sitting in her chair unsure of what to do.

She hadn’t prepared, and she wasn’t familiar with the other girls in the class. Did she have to wait until after the evening self-study period?

Ran Shu waved his hand: “It’s okay; I’ll help you and Brother Yu go buy what you need, just wait.”

Sui Houyu looked at Ran Shu, hesitating for a moment before standing up and escaping evening self-study with Ran Shu.

There was also a teacher supervising during evening self-study, walking in the hallway, not fixed in a certain classroom.

Their class was special, with many athletes, so by the afternoon, half the class was empty, and even if two more people were absent, it wouldn’t be noticed.

After the two escaped, they headed straight to the campus supermarket, grabbed what Su Anyi needed, and also picked up some snacks like chips.

Just as they were checking out, a noisy group of people rushed in.

After entering, they greeted Sui Houyu and Ran Shu, then saw the clerk scan the “big band-aid” and put it in a bag.

Deng Yiheng turned to look at Hou Mo.

Hou Mo had obviously seen it too.

Deng Yiheng, shocked, stuttered: “Isn’t this… Isn’t this solid evidence of Sui Houyu dressing as a boy?”

Then he felt a slap on his arm from Sui Houyu: “Screw you!”

Deng Yiheng pointed at the bag, asking: “Are you guys buying this to mop the floor? Because it absorbs water well?”

Sui Houyu couldn’t say it was for Su Anyi since girls cared about their image, so he gritted his teeth and couldn’t answer.

In the end, it was Hou Mo who helped Sui Houyu clarify: “It’s a guy.”

Deng Yiheng still looked unconvinced: “I’m not so sure anymore.”

“I’ve seen it; he’s a guy,” Hou Mo said before walking inside.

After a moment of confusion, Deng Yiheng chased after him, scolding: “You stinky pervert! Shameless!”

Sui Houyu and the others had bought too many things, and when Hou Mo came out with his items, the two were still packing.

Hou Mo bought just three pens: one 2B pencil and two black water-based pens, clearly for an exam.

Deng Yiheng’s purchases were basically the same as Hou Mo’s, but he also bought an eraser.

Ran Shu turned back to them and asked: “Hou..Hou..Hou Mo, why didn’t you buy an eraser?”

Being called “monkey” three times made Hou Mo’s forehead vein bulge.

Deng Yiheng lazily replied, “Brother Hou doesn’t need one.”

Realizing he had misspoken, he quickly corrected himself: “I mean, Senior Brother.”

Ran Shu continued to joke with them, “But… aren’t you two both monkeys^[2]? Even if you call him Great Sage, he’s still a monkey; isn’t that just changing the soup but not the medicine?”

Sui Houyu couldn’t help but laugh.

Hou Mo shot Sui Houyu an annoyed glance and left after paying the bill.

They returned to the classroom together, casually greeting a teacher on patrol as if a group of athletes had just come back from training.

No need to hide anymore.

Once back in the classroom, Deng Yiheng saw Ran Shu rummaging through the bag, giving Su Anyi several bags of snacks, then handing her a “big band-aid.”

Sui Houyu took off his jacket and gave it to Su Anyi, who tied it around her waist, running out of the classroom with a small package in his pocket.

Deng Yiheng finally sighed in relief and whispered to Hou Mo: “I was so scared; I thought we had a girl disguised as a boy in our dorm…”

Hou Mo smiled but didn’t reply, and just flipped open his book to read.

After a while, he turned to someone in the front row and asked, “Brother, where did we leave off in class?”

Hou Mo—the god of sleep in class.

He sometimes even skipped afternoon classes for training, completely oblivious to what was covered in each subject.

Sui Houyu glanced at Hou Mo, puzzled. Was this guy really a good student?

As he continued reading, he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Hou Mo was reading intently.

Now, just cramming before an exam… will it work?

Sui Houyu’s curiosity was piqued; he found himself repeatedly observing Hou Mo. Being easily distracted, he kept looking back at him.

Hou Mo clearly noticed but chose to ignore him.

After evening self-study, as Sui Houyu was packing his bag, Hou Mo suddenly walked over and asked: “Can we talk?”

Sui Houyu was a bit surprised but nodded.

Ran Shu turned around and asked: “W-why? Are you looking for trouble?”

Hou Mo answered first: “No fighting; you can head back first.”

When most of the class was almost empty, someone turned off the lights in the front of the classroom, leaving only the back lights on.

The projection screen in the classroom was slowly retracting, making a rolling sound until it finally clicked into place.

In the silent classroom, all the equipment was brand new, with many desks still piled with books, looking a bit disorganized.

This was the classroom they were most familiar with.

Hou Mo sat at his desk, his back facing the light, still in his sportswear.

Sui Houyu didn’t get up, staying in his seat, with his long legs stretched out into the aisle.

“Is something up?” Sui Houyu asked.

“Yeah.” Hou Mo’s expression was serious. “Let me say it again: when I say I like guys, it’s just because I don’t want to date; it’s a rejection of girls.”

Sui Houyu felt puzzled, propping his face with one hand and softly replying, “Hmm.”

And then?

Hou Mo continued, “So, you don’t need to follow along with the tennis team during training and don’t plan to join. The coach cares about you; he was really happy when you went to buy a racket. I don’t want him to be disappointed.”

“Uh…” What’s the connection there?

Sui Houyu was even more confused.

“And also, you don’t need to keep staring at me; I’ll get distracted. I know you don’t like others getting close to you; likewise, I don’t like someone suddenly jumping into my bed. Can you stop that? It’s a bother to me.”

Sui Houyu finally understood he was being rejected.

After thinking for a moment, he replied, “Sorry, I admit I was wrong that day; I won’t do it again.”

“Hmm, I hope you can also keep your distance from me; you’re the type I can’t accept the most.” Hou Mo said as he slung his bag over his shoulder and left the classroom.

Sui Houyu sat in his chair, deep in thought for a long time.

Why did he feel something was off?

Was Hou Mo discussing just the matter of him sleeping on Hou Mo’s bed?

What felt strange?

*

Huo Mo walked out of the classroom quite calmly.

After stepping outside, he quickly stood against the wall, peeking into the classroom. He saw Sui Houyu still sitting there, seemingly lost in thought. Suddenly, he began to reflect on whether he had rejected him too harshly.

Seeing Sui Houyu looking so upset made him feel a little guilty.

However, since he didn’t intend to pursue a romantic relationship, he couldn’t maintain the ambiguity any longer; otherwise, it would only complicate things for both of them.

During evening study sessions, he always felt like he was being watched. He thought one side of his face was going numb, and he couldn’t focus on his studies, which really affected his learning.

After taking a deep breath, he rubbed his face and walked towards the dormitory.

Back in the dorm, Huo Mo continued reading his book and even borrowed some notes from Sang Xian.

After finishing his reading, he took out his practice book and attempted a few problems before continuing to read.

After the lights in the dormitory were turned off, he pulled out his small charging lamp and continued to read under the covers.

He had long been accustomed to this mode of studying.

In class, he actually paid attention.

It’s just that he often fell asleep while listening.

When he dozed off, he could still hear the teacher’s lecture and would even dream about the study points.

Now, as he looked through the book, he suddenly recalled what he had listened to earlier, and after understanding it, he was able to grasp it.

Reading until after midnight, he noticed that Sui Houyu still hadn’t returned to the dorm, and Huo Mo began to worry again.

Had Sui Houyu become too sad after being rejected, and did he consider doing something like s*icide?

The more he doubted, the more uneasy he felt. Huo Mo simply got out of bed and walked around to check, only to find that Sui Houyu wasn’t in the dormitory hallway.

Their dormitory in Building 11 felt like lonely wolves, without any duty teachers checking up on them, so entering and exiting was quite convenient.

The school didn’t seem to mind if they skipped curfew; late at night, there weren’t any means of transportation outside, and students were at most sneaking out to steal corn.

Wearing pajamas, Huo Mo wandered around the school and then decided to walk back to the classroom. Standing at the door, he saw Sui Houyu still reading in the classroom.

However, Sui Houyu’s reading position was quite unusual, as he was reading while doing a handstand in the open space at the front of the classroom.

Huo Mo was very puzzled and leaned against the wall to take out his phone to look it up.

People with mania often have difficulty concentrating, which can impact their studies. Sui Houyu probably forced himself to focus by doing this.

It was a rather unique method.

Once he confirmed that Sui Houyu was okay, Huo Mo felt relieved and stood up to head back.

However, just a few steps later, he heard the sound of a door opening, seemingly because Sui Houyu noticed someone was coming.

Startled, Huo Mo quickly looked for a place to hide, darting around a corner but accidentally bumped into the windowsill, causing him pain and tears to stream down his face, but he managed to suppress his cries.

Sui Houyu peeked outside but didn’t see anyone, so he retreated back in.

Once Huo Mo was sure the person had left, he crouched down under the windowsill, covering his groin and wiping away tears.

He had merely rejected someone who had a crush on him, so why did it feel like he had done something wrong?

Omake: 

Sui Houyu: ????