HCILH Ch. 97

Chapter 97: Overwhelming Jealousy

Sui Houyu and Hou Mo’s colds completely cleared up in about three days.

To be precise, the first day they had runny noses, the second day their throats were a bit uncomfortable, and by the third day, there were no symptoms left.

After all, they were seventeen-year-old boys with a strong physical foundation from long-term training.

However, Hou Mo kept claiming it was because of effective “detoxing,” even suggesting that regular “detoxing” might lead to a long life and prevent cancer.

It wasn’t until Sui Houyu gave him a beating that he quieted down.

After the New Year’s holiday ended, Fengyu High School’s schedule went straight into final exam mode. Minor subjects had their exams first, followed by major subjects conducted over the last few days.

During this period, the training for student athletes was relatively reduced. After all, they would continue training during the winter break, so there was no rush. In regular high school, academics were still the main focus.

During a self-study period, Ouyang Ge specifically came to the classroom and stood in front of Hou Mo, saying: “I’ve spoken to all the teachers; there won’t be many extra points given for the papers this time.”

Hou Mo glanced up at Ouyang Ge and then continued studying.

Ouyang Ge then pretended to be concerned and asked Sui Houyu: “Sui Houyu, if you can improve your essay score a bit, do you think you can place first in the exam this time?”

Sui Houyu looked up at Ouyang Ge and responded: “I think so.”

“There’s quite a difference between the first and second-place scholarships, so make an effort.”

“The scholarship doesn’t matter.” Sui Houyu said while flipping through his notes. “I just don’t want to lose.”

Especially losing to the fool sitting beside him, who barely paid attention in class—it would be utterly unacceptable.

Ouyang Ge was very pleased with Sui Houyu’s reaction and nodded encouragingly: “Keep it up, I have high hopes for you.”

“Okay.”

Hou Mo watched Ouyang Ge leave the classroom and felt a surge of irritation, knowing that he had come to reprimand him.

It bothered Hou Mo even more because he knew that seeing him not studying seriously had triggered Ouyang Ge to provoke him deliberately.

He actually started to feel worried.

Would Sui Houyu’s competitive nature lead him to study to the point of forgetting to eat and sleep?

Hou Mo himself had a strange competitive spirit now. If he wasn’t on par with Sui Houyu in everything, he felt he might never be able to catch up, given Sui Houyu’s excellence in other areas.

Hou Mo had only two strengths to rely on: academics and sports.

With some reluctance, he could add one more: good handwriting.

Sui Houyu competed with him in those first two areas, successfully capturing his attention. Without those, Sui Houyu might not have even given him a second glance.

Sui Houyu, on the other hand, could dance, sing beautifully, was said to be proficient in eight or nine instruments, and was excellent at drawing.

A true all-rounder.

Failure was not an option for the exams.

Hou Mo made a silent resolution.

He didn’t have the habit of taking notes and thus had no notes to review. So, he went over and borrowed Sang Xian’s notes.

As he flipped through them, he was amazed at how meticulous they were, with neat handwriting. Suddenly, he had a cunning idea and said to Sang Xian: “I’m going to make a few copies of your notes!”

Sang Xian didn’t mind and responded nonchalantly, continuing to read his book.

After school that evening, Hou Mo took Sang Xian’s notes to the school’s copy center, made twenty copies of each subject’s notes, and bound them into booklets. Then, he set up a table at the entrance of the cafeteria and displayed them, along with a sign that read: “Top Student’s Class Notes for Sale.”

At first, no one paid attention to him, but Hou Mo wasn’t in a hurry. He sat on a chair, reviewing the notes alone. When someone came to inquire, he responded briefly.

Gradually, people began to show interest: “Did you compile these notes?”

“Yep! I made copies!” Hou Mo answered vaguely.

“How much are they?”

“Ten yuan per subject, fair and honest pricing. You can even use them for review in your senior year,” Hou Mo said, patting the booklets on the table.

The school’s copy center was reasonably priced, so copying notes for one subject cost only two to three yuan.

By selling them at ten yuan per set, Hou Mo was making a profit of seven to eight yuan per copy.

And who was Hou Mo? The top student in his grade. His notes were bound to be well-regarded. Gradually, people started buying, and the physics notes sold out almost immediately.

Their school still separated students into science and arts tracks, whereas the incoming first-years had switched to a 3+3 system. Reportedly, physics was the most dreaded subject, with very few students choosing it.

This showed just how much students at their school feared physics.

Sui Houyu came to the cafeteria and initially didn’t think much of it, looking at an app on his phone for studying. But when he glanced over and saw what was happening, a wave of irritation surged through him.

Students were paying either in cash or via QR code, which was fine.

But then he saw several girls pre-ordering notes for the next semester and even discussing key points with Hou Mo while adding him on WeChat. At that moment, he felt a surge of anger and wanted nothing more than to flip Hou Mo’s table over!

After watching for a while, he picked up the bottle of mineral water beside him and walked out.

Hou Mo noticed and called out: “Brother Yu, where are you going?”

“Back to the classroom to study.”

“Oh, I’ll go back after I sell these.”

Sui Houyu returned to the classroom and studied late into the night. It was only after ten o’clock when Hou Mo finally wandered back in, likely because the cafeteria had closed.

Hou Mo sat down and continued sending WeChat messages, seemingly contacting classmates about his service of marking key points.

It was clear that Hou Mo had just showered; his hair was still slightly damp and carried a hint of fragrance.

Sui Houyu glanced at him casually before continuing to read. He reached into his desk drawer impatiently and finally found a pack of gum, popping two pieces into his mouth.

Hou Mo glanced at him and asked: “You haven’t had any in a while, why are you eating it again?”

Sui Houyu shot him a glare without answering.

Thinking he had disturbed Sui Houyu’s studying, Hou Mo put down his phone and took out his notes to study seriously.

Hou Mo read faster than most people and had an incredible memory. Just a glance over the key points before exams was enough for him to remember everything. Now, he was in a highly focused state, making his study efficiency exceptional.

What took others days of diligent study, Hou Mo could master in just ten minutes.

On top of that, his mind was quick, able to apply what he learned flexibly to complex problems without issue.

There are some people who are simply naturally gifted; it’s the kind of thing that inspires envy.

The two of them studied in the classroom until late at night. Around midnight, Sui Houyu finally packed up his bag to return to the dorm.

When he started packing up, Hou Mo did the same and quickly followed him out.

Hou Mo wanted to walk side by side with him, but Sui Houyu kept speeding up, unwilling to let Hou Mo catch up.

In the end, the two of them almost raced back to the dormitory. Anyone who saw them might think they were running to escape the cold night wind.

As soon as they entered the dorm, Hou Mo hooked Sui Houyu’s collar with a finger and said: “Give me your dirty clothes. I’ll wash them before bed.”

“No need.”

Hou Mo ignored him and reached into Sui Houyu’s bag, taking out the clothes wrapped in a plastic bag and heading to the washroom.

Sui Houyu went into the dormitory annoyed, changed into his pajamas, and lay on the bed, tossing and turning restlessly.

After about fifteen minutes, Hou Mo returned. He hung the clothes to dry, then lifted the curtain of Sui Houyu’s bed and climbed up. Sui Houyu immediately kicked him out.

Hou Mo barely made it onto the bed before being flipped out again. He stood awkwardly in the center of the room, clearly a bit embarrassed.

Realizing Sui Houyu was genuinely upset, Hou Mo thought for a moment before lifting the bed curtain and climbing up again.

As expected, Sui Houyu started pushing him, using both hands and feet to keep him off the bed. Hou Mo refused to give up, squeezing his way onto the bed and pressing down on Sui Houyu, trying to subdue him so he could ask what was wrong.

The two of them wrestled for a while before Ran Shu, who was on the top bunk, couldn’t take it anymore and said quie:ly, “Brother Yu, I-I feel like I’m seasick up here…”

After Ran Shu’s comment, the other dorm mates burst into laughter, clearly awake.

Sui Houyu’s face turned bright red. He stopped struggling, turned over, and lay facing away from Hou Mo.

Hou Mo lay down beside him and reassured Ran Shu: “We’re docked now. You can sleep.”

Once the room quieted down again, Hou Mo wrapped an arm around Sui Houyu from behind and whispered in his ear: “What’s wrong?”

Sui Houyu stayed silent.

Hou Mo asked again: “Afraid you won’t beat me on the exam? I’m worried I won’t beat you, too.”

Still no response from Sui Houyu.

Hou Mo truly had no idea what was wrong, and without knowing what else to do, he just hugged him tighter and said: “Brother Yu, I like you.”

“…”

“I really, really like you. I like you so much it drives me crazy. Don’t be mad at me, please? When you’re mad, I feel anxious.”

“Go to sleep.” Sui Houyu finally said.

“Promise you won’t be mad anymore, okay?”

“Mm.”

Hou Mo, thinking Sui Houyu was no longer angry, happily fell asleep holding him.

Sui Houyu turned around to glance at Hou Mo, who was already asleep faster than he was. In that moment, he was so annoyed his head throbbed.

*

The next day, during morning reading, Hou Mo diligently highlighted key points in photocopied notes and took photos to send to students who had ordered his service.

Hou Mo did this with enthusiasm. Each sent set earned him ten extra yuan, making him feel excited about having extra money for the finals period.

Marking key points was something he often did anyway, so he was able to review while doing it—killing two birds with one stone. So why not do it?

Sui Houyu, sitting next to him, watched for a while before slamming his pen down in frustration and standing up to leave.

“Where are you going?” Hou Mo asked, surprised.

“To the restroom!” Sui Houyu answered irritably.

“Oh, should I come with you?”

“No need! What, are you a girl?”

“Oh…”

Once Sui Houyu left, Hou Mo leaned forward and asked Ran Shu in the front row: “What’s up with Brother Yu lately?”

Ran Shu, not knowing the full story, could only respond: “Finals pressure? But to be honest, if I had to look at you every day, I’d be angry too. My temper’s worse than his.”

“I shouldn’t have asked you.”

“Hehe.” Ran Shu chuckled and turned back around.

During lunch break, Hou Mo was still replying to messages. Sui Houyu couldn’t take it anymore, pressed down on Hou Mo’s phone, and asked: “Is this how you’re trying to win me over?”

At that moment, the room was full of athletes eating lunch, while most other students were in the cafeteria.

The room fell silent at Sui Houyu’s words, and everyone looked up at the two of them.

Hou Mo asked, confused: “What’s wrong?”

“Adding so many people and chatting so happily—you looking for trouble?”

“Oh…” Hou Mo finally realized that Sui Houyu was jealous. He was so amused that he couldn’t stop laughing and didn’t respond for a while, just kept laughing.

The more Hou Mo laughed, the more annoyed Sui Houyu became.

Deng Yiheng was so shocked that he dropped his chopsticks on the table and clumsily got up to leave through the back door, running toward Class Sixteen. “Shen Junjing! Jing—something’s happened!”

Shen Junjing came out of Class Sixteen holding his lunchbox and asked, “What happened?”

“Senior Brother has grown up…”

“Did he get taller?”

“No!”

“Then… matured?”

Deng Yiheng quickly leaned in and whispered to Shen Junjing.

Moments later, Shen Junjing’s flustered voice rang out: “Damn! My egg fell! When did this happen? How come I didn’t know? Am I being isolated just because I transferred to Class Sixteen?”

“No, I just found out too!”

The doubles partners then peeked from the doorway, eyes wide and expressions full of curiosity and mischief as they watched Sui Houyu and Hou Mo.

Sui Houyu suddenly felt unbearably embarrassed. How did he blurt that out in a moment of anger?

Hou Mo could only try to smooth things over: “I haven’t even succeeded yet! Don’t worry.”

Sang Xian just laughed—who wouldn’t see through it? Was there any difference from already having succeeded?

It was clearly mutual.

Knowing that Sui Houyu was jealous, Ran Shu sighed: “I’ve seen it all now…”

So even Brother Yu could be like this?

Just thinking about it made him want to laugh.