HSS CH38

Chapter 38: Apologize to Him

When Lin Miao returned to the dormitory, the other roommates had already come back, even Zhou Zhuo, who had finished playing basketball and was sweating profusely as he headed to take a shower.

As soon as Jiang Leming saw Lin Miao walk in, he immediately stood up nervously, took two deep breaths, and then spoke loudly as if he had been rehearsing for a long time: “Lin Miao, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault. I was blinded by money and didn’t consider your feelings. I disclosed your whereabouts to others without your consent. I’ve wronged my good friend and brother! I’ve already reflected deeply on my actions and criticized myself. I’ve returned all the money. I truly know I was wrong! Lin Miao, please forgive me!”

Then he bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.

He Yu, who was standing nearby, thought Jiang Leming had taken the wrong medication. “What’s going on with you guys?”

He turned to Jiang Leming, “What did you do wrong? What money?”

Jiang Leming, feeling utterly ashamed, muttered, “I took money from Lin Miao’s old classmate and promised to help him keep an eye on where Lin Miao went and who he met…”

He Yu paused for a moment, then said, “So the part-time job you mentioned earlier was this?”

Jiang Leming nodded shamefully.

Lin Miao silently sat down at his desk without saying a word.

Jiang Leming, embarrassed, scratched his head and said, “I was out of my mind. I thought, since you guys have a good relationship…”

He Yu said sternly, “Even so, you can’t just sell out Lin Miao like that. How could you live with yourself?”

Jiang Leming felt like he wanted to disappear into the ground. “I’m sorry!”

He stammered, “I didn’t tell him everything. Just occasionally when he asked where Lin Miao was or what he was doing…”

“It’s not like it was a big secret. He’s your friend, an old classmate. Even if he hadn’t paid me, I probably wouldn’t have thought much of it and would have told him…”

“But today, seeing you so angry, I realized I was really wrong. I’m truly sorry!”

He said recklessly, “If you still feel wronged, I… I’ll call you ‘daddy’ for a month!”

Zhou Zhuo, who had just come out of the bathroom, said, “…Did I walk into the wrong room?”

Lin Miao didn’t say anything; he just mumbled, “I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”

Jiang Leming didn’t dare to bother him anymore and quickly said, “Alright, alright, you go ahead and rest.”

Huo Yuchuan stood alone downstairs in the dormitory building, looking up at the bright light shining through the window, which seemed so far away.

The evening wind was cold, brushing against his face and seeping into his collar.

When he left the company, he had already received a message from Jiang Leming, saying that Lin Miao had discovered their secret contact and had returned the money.

He knew it was wrong.

But the person he liked was so wonderful that many others would be attracted to him. The campus was full of vibrant youth, with people coming and going, yet he didn’t belong there.

He was just afraid that Lin Miao would fall for someone else in a place where he couldn’t see him.

So he couldn’t help but want to know what Lin Miao did at school, where he went, who he met, and if anyone had confessed to him…

He acted like a peeping tom, despicably and selfishly bribing the people around Lin Miao to learn about his every move, yet he didn’t dare to confess to him.

He had been away for too long, so long that he wasn’t even sure if two years would be enough to secure a place in Lin Miao’s heart.

When Huo Yuchuan got home, it was already very late.

Aunt Chen, who rarely left so late, had prepared a soup for him, which was still warming in the pot.

Huo Yuchuan didn’t feel like eating. He took off his coat and slumped into the sofa, exhausted.

Seeing him come back alone again, Aunt Chen wanted to say something but held back. Finally, she asked, “When will Lin Miao come back?”

Huo Yuchuan ate little by himself and was rather quiet. No matter how much delicious food she prepared, there was no one to eat it or praise it. Lin Miao was different; he would bounce around happily when he tasted something good, warming her heart.

Huo Yuchuan closed his eyes, his voice filled with fatigue, “He probably… won’t come back.”

Why wouldn’t he come back? Aunt Chen was worried. If they had a quarrel, couldn’t he just coax Lin Miao a bit? If that didn’t work, they could get married and he could give himself to Lin Miao.

“Mr. Huo,” Little Zheng walked in from outside and said to Huo Yuchuan, “That guy has been sent to the police station.”

He pushed his glasses up and added, “Also, we found out that Little Lin had a conflict with someone before leaving the school gate yesterday.”

Huo Yuchuan looked up, “What happened?”

Little Zheng replied, “We’re not sure yet.”

Huo Yuchuan paused for a moment, then asked, “Who was it?”

Little Zheng said, “Their class monitor from next door, named Li Wenyao.”

At noon the next day, on his way back to the dormitory building, Li Wenyao was suddenly stopped by someone.

He recognized this person as the driver who often came with Huo Yuchuan to pick up Lin Miao.

His expression immediately soured, “What do you want?”

Little Zheng said, “Mr. Huo would like to see you.”

“Like I’m going just because he says so,” Li Wenyao spat, “No way.”

Little Zheng nodded, then took out a wooden board from behind him and kicked it, shattering it with a loud “bang.”

He repeated, “Mr. Huo would like to see you.”

Li Wenyao: “……”

Huo Yuchuan leaned against his car, tall trees blocking the sunlight. The leaves rustled in the wind.

Before long, Little Zheng arrived with Li Wenyao.

Seeing Huo Yuchuan’s car, Li Wenyao seemed even more resentful, “What do you want?”

Huo Yuchuan looked at him without a word.

Li Wenyao guessed it was about Lin Miao and sneered, “So, did Lin Miao tattle on me to you?”

He “huffed” and said indignantly, “I just spoke the truth. What’s wrong with that? Afraid to admit what you did? Hypocrite.”

Huo Yuchuan asked, “Admit what?”

“Admit what you don’t know?” Li Wenyao mocked, “You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Huo Yuchuan’s face was expressionless, “What relationship?”

Li Wenyao raised his chin, “Pretending to be clueless? You’re just here to stick up for your lover, right?”

He looked Huo Yuchuan up and down, “I didn’t expect you to care so much about him… After all, as long as he hasn’t grown tired of you in bed, you should coddle him a bit.”

Huo Yuchuan’s face darkened, and his gaze turned cold as he walked toward Li Wenyao.

Li Wenyao felt a bit intimidated by his stare but tried to stay composed and defended himself, “What, am I wrong? He’s just a… “

Before he could finish, he took a solid punch to the face.

Huo Yuchuan grabbed his collar, his voice devoid of warmth, “Apologize to him.”

Li Wenyao’s face was swollen, but he still refused to admit his mistake, “Why should I…?”

Then he took another punch.

Huo Yuchuan’s veins bulged on the back of his hand, completely devoid of his usual calm demeanor, “Apologize to him!”