HCILH Ch. 98

Chapter 98: Speed-Limited First Kiss

Hou Mo, holding his phone, chased Sui Houyu down the entire corridor.

At the end of the hallway, with nowhere left to run, Sui Houyu finally turned around and stood at the windowsill, pretending to stay calm as he looked at Hou Mo.

Hou Mo held up his phone to show Sui Houyu: “I rejected all the appointments for next year’s notes. I explained everything to the customers whose highlight sessions ended and blocked them afterward. Look, I’m deleting everything right in front of you.”

At first, Sui Houyu didn’t look, but his eyes couldn’t help but glance at Hou Mo’s phone from time to time. When Hou Mo was showing him for inspection, he caught a glimpse and asked: “Who’s ‘Stinky-Mouth Little Monster’?”

He thought Hou Mo had used a special nickname for someone else, but when Hou Mo clicked on the profile, it showed that this was indeed their actual username.

Hou Mo opened their friend circle, and Sui Houyu recognized the person as the captain of the competitive sports team who often came to their class to find Ouyang Ge.

He simply took Hou Mo’s phone and scrolled through it, finding that Hou Mo’s contact list was quite short and could be scrolled through in a moment.

It made sense—Hou Mo had cut ties with his relatives, and even the restaurant owner’s wife was an exception among the few, with the rest being friends from the sports department.

After checking, he returned the phone and explained: “I’m not trying to restrict your freedom.”

Hou Mo nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, you’re worried I’ll make bad friends and go astray.”

“I saw it. There’s a girl who added you on WeChat and got super excited. She must have some feelings…”

“That’s not necessarily true.” Hou Mo shook his head. “You see me through a filter, but others don’t think much of me. Plus, I only changed my attitude toward you after my impression of you improved. To others, I’m still my usual aggravating self. So, only you would be interested in me.”

“Pfft, wasn’t Ai Mengtian interested in me at first? Just based on looks, you do have some redeeming qualities.”

“Alright, fine, I’m popular. I’ll pay more attention from now on.”

Hou Mo turned his head and saw that Sui Houyu was pursing his lips, face serious as he pretended to stay stern.

However, the slightly red tips of his ears betrayed him.

Hou Mo couldn’t help but chuckle softly, then leaned closer and whispered: “Don’t bottle things up in the future. Tell me, okay?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be aware?” Sui Houyu retorted, annoyed.

Hou Mo quickly admitted his mistake: “Alright, I was wrong.”

*

The final exams took place in the same exam hall as last time.

Shortly after Hou Mo entered, Xu Youyi arrived, and he greeted her proactively: “Hey, sister, your ‘Little Swans’ performance at the Double party was really good.”

Xu Youyi was startled by Hou Mo’s greeting, then gave an awkward smile: “I performed Latin dance.”

Hou Mo was flustered: “Did I get the performance wrong? Uh… our class was sitting pretty far away…”

He indeed hadn’t watched closely.

At that time, he was focused on holding hands with Sui Houyu, who was pinching him. He only heard the emcee’s announcement, and the performance featured four continuous dance styles.

He glanced quickly and mistook a slender, fair girl for Xu Youyi.

Ran Shu happened to walk by and couldn’t help but scold Hou Mo: “You have the nerve to strike up a conversation when you couldn’t even see clearly. And who’s your ‘sister’? How shameless.”

Hou Mo glanced at Ran Shu but didn’t argue, instead proudly saying to Sui Houyu: “See? I’ve trained Ran Shu so well that he doesn’t stutter anymore.”

Sui Houyu walked in and replied: “Then keep annoying him; it’ll help him improve.”

“Do I need to provoke him?” Hou Mo laughed. “He’s unhappy as long as I’m around.”

Xu Youyi looked at Hou Mo, eyes filled with disbelief.

It seemed Hou Mo got along well with Ran Shu and the others—at least well enough to joke around.

Despite being Sui Houyu’s sister for years, she never managed to get close to him. Even Ran Shu’s concern for her was more about Sui Houyu. Their relationship was polite on the surface but not particularly close.

As for Su Anyi… she had barely spoken a few words to her.

She looked at Hou Mo with a touch of envy.

How did he do it?

Sui Houyu glanced at Xu Youyi and asked: “Has he been giving you trouble?”

Xu Youyi immediately knew who “he” referred to and answered softly: “No, he even apologized…”

“Oh, that’s good.”

It was indeed something that hypocrite would do—maintaining a semblance of peace was better than nothing.

“Brother, will you be coming home for the Spring Festival?” Xu Youyi still hoped Sui Houyu would return home; it had been a long time since they were close. Even during her visit, he preferred to stay with Hou Mo, leaving her alone at the guesthouse.

After thinking for a moment, Sui Houyu said: “I’m going to the training camp, so I won’t be coming back for the New Year.”

Everyone present knew that the training camp would end on New Year’s Eve. However, since Sui Houyu said that, it was deliberate, and they didn’t point it out.

“Oh…” Xu Youyi felt a pang of disappointment, then said, “I’ve been planning to knit you a scarf. What color do you like? Blue and white?”

Sui Houyu replied casually: “I don’t really need one.”

“It’s a New Year’s gift! It’s my way of showing my thoughts. Brother Ran Shu, would you like one?”

After a moment’s thought, Sui Houyu asked: “Can you make a pair?”

“Huh?” Xu Youyi was surprised.

Then, Sui Houyu turned and asked Hou Mo: “What color do you like?”

Hou Mo, rummaging through his bag for a pen, answered offhandedly: “For the New Year? Red might be best.”

Sui Houyu nodded and told Xu Youyi: “Then red it is. Match it with any color you think fits.”

Xu Youyi’s eyes widened as she looked at Hou Mo, a sudden wave of jealousy washing over her.

All of her jealousy stemmed from her relentless efforts that couldn’t change her situation. In her most cherished hope, she was beaten by someone else who seemed to do it effortlessly.

She didn’t want to lose to Hou Mo, yet she couldn’t compare to him. The unwillingness mixed with an almost humble acceptance filled her with jealousy.

Before she could say anything, Hou Mo suddenly raised a felt toy and said to Xu Youyi: “While you’re at it, make a small one out of the leftover yarn for this little guy. A perfect set for the ‘family of three.’”

Xu Youyi stared at the felt toy and recognized it as something made by Sui Houyu. It took her a moment to nod and say: “Okay, no problem.”

Then she forced a smile.

She looked at the tall boy standing in front of her, with his fair hair and light-colored eyes, who smiled brightly at her—pure and dazzlingly handsome.

Then he stood upright, his gaze shifting to Sui Houyu, and never looked away again.

She sat back in her chair, hands clenched together, feeling a wave of discomfort…

Final exams usually ended within two days, but for the first-year students taking the “3+3” exams, it took three days. The second-year students would start their break one day earlier.

After the exams, Sui Houyu and Hou Mo asked their teacher for an extra set of exam papers and reviewed their answers together.

They found that most of their remembered answers were consistent, and they figured any score difference would come down to their performance in Chinese and English.

The semester break began after the final exams.

Ordinary sports students stayed behind for in-school training, while those going to an out-of-town training camp would take the high-speed train to the training city the day after tomorrow, giving them a day to rest tomorrow.

While Sui Houyu and Hou Mo were absorbed in checking their answers, Sang Xian, Deng Yiheng, and Shen Junjing headed to the tennis court locker room to grab their belongings.

As Sang Xian organized his things, the doubles partners, feeling competitive, played a singles match at the tennis court.

Sang Xian was left alone in the locker room, retrieving his items, when the door opened and someone else walked in.

Ran Shu saw him throwing things into his bag and followed by tossing a pair of wristbands into his bag. The wristbands were still in their box, clearly new: “I noticed yours were pretty old, so I bought you a new pair. Black, to match your ‘domineering CEO’ vibe.”

Sang Xian glanced at the wristbands, accepted them, but felt it was strange: “Domineering CEO?”

“Yeah, just look at you. You practically scream ‘domineering CEO’ with the way you carry yourself.”

Sang Xian didn’t respond further and continued packing his things, replying: “Thanks.”

“I-I’m just worried you’ll rush me. I’m afraid I haven’t been able to go to school recently. I’m not sure where I’ll spend the winter break yet…” Ran Shu leaned against the cabinet, looking dejected.

“Aren’t you staying for the training?” Normally, Ran Shu should be training with the sports team.

“Brother Yu’s not around, and I don’t want to stay. It’s boring.”

“Oh.” Sang Xian finished packing and said again, “I’m not in a rush for the money, you don’t need to worry about it.”

Ran Shu smiled after hearing this, his grin wide: “I’m really nervous, though. What if I can’t pay you back? Am I supposed to sell my body to pay off the debt?”

Sang Xian paused briefly, then suddenly walked up to Ran Shu, lowered his head to look at him, eyes filled with a smile: “Sell your body?”

“Yeah, like… Have you ever heard of a sugar daddy? Or maybe I’d have to cross-dress to please you?”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Huh?”

Ran Shu froze and looked up at Sang Xian.

Sang Xian was tall, standing in front of him like a towering mountain. It was evening, and the locker room lights were off, leaving only enough light to make out Sang Xian’s outline.

 Sang Xian looked at him with his back to the light, his gaze deep as he looked at him.

Ran Shu suddenly felt panicked, his heart racing like a rabbit facing a predator, its instincts kicking in, desperately trying to escape.

“How much do you want to pay?” Sang Xian’s voice was deep and familiar, like a bass, carrying a seductive tone in the still air, making it feel almost sinful to hear.

Ran Shu panicked, his mind blanking as he blurted out: “Well, I could do other things. I can play games with you, chat with you if you’re bored…”

He spoke fluently, not stuttering at all.

Sang Xian replied: “I like quiet.”

“…” Ran Shu immediately fell silent.

“Good boy.” Sang Xian said, turning to leave.

Ran Shu let out a breath, realizing he had overthought things. With the way Sang Xian had looked at him just now, he had thought Sang Xian was really planning to take advantage of him.

Just as he was relaxing, he heard the sound of the locker room door locking, his heart sank.

Sang Xian walked back in front of him. Ran Shu stared at his chest, too afraid to look up at Sang Xian.

Sang Xian reached out, lifting his chin with a single hand, forcing him to look up.

In that instant, their lips met.

From a brief touch to a lingering kiss.

Maybe… a domineering CEO’s kiss should be forceful and overpowering?

But Sang Xian kissed him gently, which made Ran Shu feel strange. What was even stranger was that he didn’t pull away but rather responded unexpectedly.

Sang Xian was indeed interested in him.

If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have shown him so much patience.

When did he want to make a move?

Oh, it must have been when he saw Ran Shu’s ancient costume photos.

At that moment, Sang Xian’s mind was filled with the desire to see how Ran Shu would look in those clothes.

He wanted to dress him up in traditional clothes and mess it up, that would be fun, right?

Hou Mo was right. Sang Xian was a pervert, with a mind full of dirty thoughts.

Since Ran Shu had delivered himself, Sang Xian didn’t plan to let him go.

After a long while, Sang Xian finally pulled away from the kiss.

Ran Shu, still dazed from the kiss, stepped forward a little, then snapped back to reality, staring at Sang Xian with wide eyes.

Sang Xian, seeing his expression, teased: “Not enough?”

“Hah?! No, no way!” Ran Shu immediately denied it.

“Oh, I see, my mistake.”

Ran Shu quickly wiped his mouth, unsure whether to leave or stay.

“How much does it cost?” Sang Xian asked again.

Ran Shu turned to look at Sang Xian, his mind still in a mess, unable to follow his thoughts. “What?”

“How much for a kiss?”

“Uh…” Ran Shu quickly estimated, “This… it’s my first kiss, so it’s at least worth 50,000!”

“Oh.” Sang Xian nodded, “So next time, it won’t be worth as much?”

After all, it wouldn’t be the first kiss anymore.

Ran Shu was caught off guard: “Right… I don’t really know…”

Sang Xian grabbed his bag and walked to the door, opening it: “Think about it. I’m leaving now.”

“Oh.”

“Need a ride?”

Ran Shu suddenly realized he still had to ride with Sang Xian, so he had to follow him out.

Sang Xian, seeing Ran Shu’s conflicted expression, couldn’t help but smirk: “I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Then what?

“You can stay at my place. My villa is empty. The servants can provide you with three meals a day.”

“Really?”

“Mm.”

It was tempting.

Dangerous, almost scheming.

Ran Shu’s heart pounded as he looked at Sang Xian’s back, and without thinking, he agreed: “Okay, I’ll go to your place.”

From an angle Ran Shu couldn’t see, Sang Xian, the pervert, smiled in satisfaction.

Omake:

Seeing Sang Xian not hesitate, Ran Shu thought: “Damn, it’s going to be less.”