HTC 11

Lu Yi’s voice was very low, only Yuan Tao could hear it.

As he finished his last sentence, Yuan Tao was completely dumbfounded. His eyes widened, and he appeared like a ghostly henchman with an open mouth.

Seeing Yuan Tao’s bewildered expression, Lu Yi pushed him away and sneered coldly, “Heh.”

Coward.

Soon, the vice principal arrived, followed by several teachers.

“Where are the troublemakers?”

“You guys have grown up, huh? If anything happens to our school’s students, what are you going to compensate with?”

The vice principal grew angrier as he spoke, and wrinkles appeared on his forehead. “All of you from 24th High School, come with me to the office! I’ve already notified your teachers, and they’ll be here soon.”

Then he turned to Lu Yi and said in a softer tone, “You guys, come along too.”

Lu Yi and his friends nodded and followed the vice principal to the office.

After they left, the other students on the basketball court dispersed. The news of Xie Huai being intentionally injured by students from 24th High School spread quickly throughout the school.

Although Xie Huai had a poor reputation at school, mainly because of his academic performance, the incident was different. Xie Huai had never fought with students from their school, and his recent improvement in his studies had started to change people’s opinions of him.

Most students were outraged upon hearing the news.

A thread titled “What’s Your Take on the Incident Between Xie Huai and 24th High School?” on a rarely used school forum quickly gained traction. The comments section was filled with people criticizing the students from 24th High School, and someone even revealed Yuan Tao’s class and school.

Outraged User: That guy Yuan Tao infuriates me! I was sitting on the bleachers near the basketball court when this happened. I hadn’t even finished my water when I saw Yuan Tao deliberately tripping Xie Huai. I’m so angry! Jiang Xu probably got angry too, and he kicked Yuan Tao. I hope they’re alright.

Sq: Jiang Xu’s kick was clearly powerful. We’ve been classmates for so many years, and I’ve never seen him lose his temper. His relationship with Xie Huai is genuinely good; this might be what they call “offering to the heavens” for one’s spouse, with boundless power.

Pear Barley Wheat: If you want to scold, scold properly. Don’t curse Xie Huai upstairs.

Cute Sweetie: I’m willing to use thirty years of Yuan Tao’s lifespan to pray for something to happen to Yuan Tao.

God of Mathematics: Breaking news, I heard that the person Xie Huai fights outside of school is Yuan Tao! But it wasn’t Xie Huai picking a fight; he acted bravely when he saw Yuan Tao bullying younger students from our school.

Mathematics My Thunder: What? Is what the user above said true? Is that Yuan Tao really crazy? This is a case of school bullying, right? He has gone through nine years of compulsory education for nothing. How did we raise someone like this? Go home and get some rest; aim to be reborn soon.

I’m a top student: I just bumped into Xie Huai. Jiang Xu was carrying him to the school infirmary. I accidentally saw Xie Huai’s swollen ankle; it looks like he’s injured quite badly.

This comment stirred up another wave of anger among the students.

Jiang Xu and Xie Huai were unaware of these discussions. Xie Huai was in immense pain as Jiang Xu carried him, his ankle hurting so much that he was sweating coldly. However, he didn’t want Jiang Xu to worry too much, so he pretended not to be in too much discomfort.

Jiang Xu walked very fast. It was a long distance from the basketball court to the school infirmary, and he wanted to run but was afraid of causing more pain to Xie Huai.

Jiang Xu’s face remained cold, and Xie Huai, sweating from the pain, said, “Jiang Xu, it’s just a sprain; there’s nothing to worry about.”

Jiang Xu remained silent. He glanced down at Xie Huai and then looked straight ahead.

They walked in silence until Jiang Xu placed Xie Huai on a bed in a partitioned area of the infirmary.

“Could you please check him? His foot is injured,” Jiang Xu’s tone was cold, but Dr. Qin could still detect the concern and anxiety in his eyes.

Dr. Qin raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. With a glance at Jiang Xu, he walked over to examine Xie Huai.

Dr. Qin frowned slightly when he saw Xie Huai’s ankle, and was about to touch it.

Just as he made contact, Xie Huai suddenly pulled his foot back and looked at Dr. Qin in astonishment.

With the sudden movement, Xie Huai winced in pain. After a few seconds, he apologetically said, “Sorry, I’m not used to others touching that area.”

Dr. Qin smiled helplessly: “Your ankle seems to be quite seriously injured. I need to examine it to prescribe medication based on your condition. Can I proceed gently?”

Xie Huai hesitated for a moment before extending his foot again.

Dr. Qin rolled up Xie Huai’s pants and observed the injury. It appeared to be more severe than a typical sprain or twist. Dr. Qin couldn’t help but feel that something was off. Such extensive swelling shouldn’t occur from a simple sprain.

Dr. Qin lightly pressed Xie Huai’s lower leg with his fingers and asked, “Does it hurt here?”

Xie Huai nodded hesitantly: “A little bit.”

Dr. Qin stood up, walked over to the desk to prepare the medicine, and while doing so, he said, “Student, I think you should go to a big hospital for another checkup, I have a feeling…”

Dr. Qin hesitated about whether to share his concerns with Xie Huai.

Just as he was about to decide, Xie Huai spoke, “Please, go on.”

“I have a feeling that something isn’t right with your leg, to be more precise, with your bone,” Dr. Qin said, “I don’t have the necessary equipment here to conduct a thorough examination. Maybe I’m mistaken, but I still recommend you visit a hospital. It’s always better to be safe.”

Xie Huai felt a slight shift in his thoughts and nodded, “Thank you, I’ll go.”

“Alright, these are external use medications. Take them. Inside this bag are oral medications. Remember to take them on time every day. Also, until the swelling goes down, it’s best not to walk,” Dr. Qin handed the items to Xie Huai.

When Xie Huai heard the last sentence, he thought he had misheard. Not walk until the swelling goes down? How was he supposed to go home or come to school? Not walking meant he needed assistance going up and down stairs and even using the restroom.

His mouth twitched, and he brought up a pressing question, “What about going to the restroom and showering?”

“The restroom?” Dr. Qin glanced outside at another male figure with broad shoulders, then smiled knowingly, “You two have a good relationship, right? He should be able to help you with that.”

Xie Huai followed Qin Xiao’s gaze, and at this moment, Jiang Xu seemed to have noticed something, turned his head this way, and met Xie Huai’s gaze.

Xie Huai, stimulated by the encounter, immediately turned his head away, feeling his face flush. He muttered, “Who wants him to help.”

Letting Jiang Xu help him use the restroom was impossible, absolutely out of the question!

Dr. Qin merely smiled, saying nothing.

Seeing that they were done with their work, Jiang Xu pushed open the glass door and walked in.

Dr. Qin handed him an ice pack and nodded toward Xie Huai, saying, “Apply this on him. It will help ease the pain in his ankle.”

Xie Huai blinked pitifully, thinking to himself that he could have done it himself.

“Thank you,” Jiang Xu replied, taking the ice pack.

“Is his foot in serious trouble?” he asked.

“I advised him to go to the hospital for a check-up. Right now, it seems like there’s nothing major, but it’s better to be safe. It’s best to visit the hospital just in case,” Dr. Qin said, not adding anything more before leaving.

Jiang Xu took the ice pack and sat down beside Xie Huai, bent down and gently pressed the ice pack on Xie Huai’s feet.

The pain eased a bit, and Xie Huai didn’t feel as uncomfortable as before.

He didn’t resist Jiang Xu’s touch on his ankle; in fact, he rather enjoyed the feeling.

In his mind, Xie Huai sighed and thought, ‘I must be a pervert.’

Both of them remained silent, and the atmosphere grew eerily quiet. Xie Huai couldn’t help but think about that jerk, Yuan Tao.

“Damn, I got played again,” Xie Huai cursed.

Jiang Xu pressed Xie Huai’s foot that was about to move, and said, “Don’t move.”

“I hope this doesn’t get back to the principal’s office, or I’ll be in big trouble,” Xie Huai said, looking distressed.

Jiang Xu fell silent for a moment before speaking, “This isn’t your fault.”

Xie Huai thought in his heart, need I say that? But the problem was…

“I know, but the principal is my uncle, and he’ll tell my parents.”

Jiang Xu: “…”

“The principal is your uncle?”

It wasn’t surprising that Jiang Xu didn’t know about this. In fact, most of the school’s students and teachers were likely unaware of this background detail because Xie Huai hadn’t publicized it. He only revealed it to Lu Yi during a bet they had. They had been playing rock-paper-scissors, and Xie Huai had lost, agreeing to share a secret.

Since Xie Huai didn’t have many secrets, he told Lu Yi about this.

Lu Yi had been flabbergasted after hearing it: “Damn, I had no idea, Brother Huai, tYou have quite a strong background.”

“I am over-flattered.”-

“Well, my mother’s brother,” Xie Huai said indifferently, “But, whatever, now you know.”

Jiang Xu was about to say something but then heard Xie Huai add,

“Anyway, Yuan Tao won’t be able to escape this time. Their school’s principal is also my uncle, and my father’s brother.”

Jiang Xu: “…”

After applying the ice for less than half an hour, Jiang Xu stood up, tossing the ice pack into the trash bin.

Compared to the initial swelling, Xie Huai’s ankle had clearly improved significantly.

“Is it still hurting?” Jiang Xu didn’t dare touch the area; instead, he lightly squeezed Xie Huai’s heel.

A wave of tingling sensations washed over Xie Huai’s body. He was stunned for a few seconds and forgot to withdraw his foot.

It was false to say it didn’t hurt, but he shook his head and replied, “It’s okay.”

“Liar,” Jiang Xu suddenly said, “It’s clearly still hurting.”

Xie Huai hadn’t expected this reaction from Jiang Xu. He pondered for a moment and then said, “Well, it does hurt a bit.”

The medical room had only one bed, and it wasn’t convenient for Xie Huai to lie down, so he had to sit like this.

By this time, it was already time for the evening self-study sessions to begin. Xie Huai and Jiang Xu didn’t need to go back to class. Jiang Xu would take Xie Huai home after self-study ended.

Half a class had passed, and Xie Huai had fallen asleep, leaning on Jiang Xu’s shoulder.

It wasn’t until the end of self-study that Xie Huai woke up.

He reached out drowsily and felt Jiang Xu’s slightly cold palm. Xie Huai opened his eyes and looked. It was Jiang Xu’s left hand, which still had a faint residual purplish color.

Xie Huai suddenly remembered that Jiang Xu had been using his hand to hold the ice pack against his foot for nearly half an hour.