YMW CH 15

A Hug

Xie Guilan didn’t speak to him again. Meanwhile, Cen Wu muttered a few words to himself. As soon as the bell rang for the end of class, he immediately dashed downstairs to the cafeteria to buy breakfast for Xie Guilan.

Although his persistence was unwavering, Xie Guilan never bothered arguing with him. Instead, he simply accepted the food without actually eating it.

Xie Guilan’s icy demeanor, however, had a sharpness that could easily wound others.

In fact, most of the class, apart from the few close to the original host, didn’t hold any ill will toward Xie Guilan. Nevertheless, his cold expressions and aloof rejection kept everyone at bay.

For a moment, Cen Wu stared at him eagerly but soon gave up and turned back to focus on his exercises.

What a cold and unapproachable guy.

“Second Young Master, Lu Wang,” the boy sitting in front of Cen Wu turned around after the first class ended. With a mischievous grin and a low voice, he asked, “Are you going to Whale Sea tonight?”

The boy’s name was Zhang Yuanzhou. Whale Sea, as it turned out, was an internet café near the school, popular with students who went there after class to play games.

Cen Wu quickly shook his head.

After all, internet cafés were no place for someone with social anxiety.

“Come on, just go with me,” Lu Wang pleaded, shaking Cen Wu’s arm. “We’ll stay for just half an hour, I promise.”

Initially, Cen Wu was adamant about not going. However, after much persistence from Lu Wang, he hesitated and whispered, “Are… are there a lot of people? I really can only… stay for half an hour.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not crowded,” Zhang Yuanzhou assured him confidently. “The busiest time is Friday nights.”

By 7:30 PM, with a blank, expressionless face, Cen Wu found himself sitting in the internet café, surrounded by a packed sea of people.

Cen Wu: “…”

He could barely breathe. Thankfully, Lu Wang noticed his discomfort and quickly found him a spot in the innermost corner.

Meanwhile, Lu Wang and Zhang Yuanzhou played PUBG together. The original host, apparently, had an account, but Cen Wu didn’t know the password. Therefore, he created a new one and quietly trailed behind them in the game.

Cen Wu clutched his sniper rifle, only to get headshotted again. Zhang Yuanzhou finally lost it, leaning back in his chair with a dazed expression. “Is this English exam sacrificing game ranks now?” he muttered.

He’d been counting on Cen Wu to help him rank up—after all, Cen Wu was supposed to be a national server legend. Instead, they’d dropped two ranks in a row.

Cen Wu: “…”

He’d already told them he didn’t know how to play.

“Do you guys want to grab something to eat?” Zhang Yuanzhou rubbed his face, deciding to escape from the bitter reality for a moment. “The instant noodles here are pretty good.”

Cen Wu: “I… I’m good with anything.”

Lu Wang: “Same.”

Zhang Yuanzhou headed to the counter to buy snacks, but just a few minutes later, he came sprinting back like a whirlwind. His face was full of shock. “Holy crap, do you know who I just saw?!”

“Who?” Lu Wang asked, confused.

Following Zhang Yuanzhou’s gaze, Cen Wu looked over and froze for a moment. Xie Guilan was here too. The cold glow of the screen reflected on his pale face, his eyes dark and unfathomable like the night.

Wearing the school uniform with his sleeves rolled up, Xie Guilan’s forearm looked slim and ghostly pale. One hand rested lightly over his stomach, his knuckles sharp. Perhaps because of his frosty demeanor, no one had taken the seats at the machines around him.

“Tsk, tsk,” Zhang Yuanzhou clicked his tongue. “What’s this top student doing here? I thought he went straight home after school to pull all-nighters studying, like he was trying to outcompete the entire school.”

He probably hadn’t even eaten dinner.

“I… I’ll step out for a bit,” Cen Wu murmured, mustering his courage to face the sea of people. He leaned close to Lu Wang to whisper.

“Huh?” Lu Wang scratched his head. “Alright, but hurry back, or your noodles will get cold.”

Cen Wu nodded quickly, responding with a few “mm-hm”s before sneaking past Xie Guilan from behind. On the screen in front of him, a game interface was displayed. Of course, there was no rule against Xie Guilan playing games, but it still felt a bit surprising.

Cen Wu went to the counter and bought a bowl of instant noodles, adding sausage and an egg. He also grabbed a bottle of lychee soda before slipping out quietly.

Xie Guilan gripped the mouse, his deep, narrow almond eyes glinting coldly under the screen’s glow. The café owner walked over, tapped the back of his chair, and placed a steaming bowl of instant noodles on the desk. “Hey, someone bought this for you,” he said.

“…Who?” Xie Guilan frowned slightly, suspicion flickering across his face.

The owner gave a knowing smile, waving his hand dismissively. “They told me not to say. Just enjoy it, alright?”

Ah, these young people and their romantic gestures, the owner mused.

Xie Guilan’s striking looks—sharp features, tall frame, and long legs—drew plenty of attention outside the insular environment of Class 2-3. At the internet café, while nobody recognized him, quite a few girls stole glances in his direction. Still, none dared approach.

With his packed schedule of hospital visits and late-night shifts at the bar, it wasn’t unusual for Xie Guilan to skip meals.

The noodles before him were still steaming, the rich aroma wafting up. Nestled on top was a soft-boiled egg, its golden yolk half-runny and perfectly cooked. Next to it, a grilled sausage glistened with oil. Just the sight and smell of the food seemed to soothe the gnawing pain in his stomach.

Beside the bowl sat a bottle of lychee soda, slightly warm but sweet-smelling, its sugary scent mingling with the cramped air of the café.

Meanwhile, Cen Wu had hurried back to his seat and immediately collapsed onto the desk. A few minutes later, he glanced up, catching sight of Xie Guilan turning his head. Luckily, the computer screen blocked his view, and Xie Guilan didn’t notice him. Only then did Cen Wu finally relax.

He didn’t want Xie Guilan to know. Since Xie Guilan refused to eat anything he gave him, not telling him it was from him should be fine, right?

Checking the time, Cen Wu realized it was about time to head home. He was just about to tell Lu Wang when a boy suddenly burst into the café, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Run for it! Bald Strong is here!”

Cen Wu froze for a moment, confused. Zhang Yuanzhou, however, reacted immediately. He clutched his backpack in panic and scrambled to his feet. “Hurry, hurry, hurry! Let’s get out of here! If we get caught, we’re dead. What’s going on—”

“Didn’t they stop checking this place ages ago?!”

The internet café, a popular spot for students from several nearby schools, quickly descended into chaos as everyone scattered. Most of the crowd was from Huaijing No. 1 High School. Amid the commotion, Cen Wu finally spotted the gleaming bald head at the entrance.

The discipline director!

He’d last seen him when he and Xie Guilan had been punished together.

The man’s name was Wang Qiang, and thanks to his shaved head and his relentless patrols of internet cafés, students had secretly nicknamed him “Bald Strong.”

Zhang Yuanzhou grabbed Cen Wu and Lu Wang, one in each hand, and bolted toward the back exit. However, they nearly collided with a group of boys rushing in the opposite direction.

“Don’t go this way!” one of them warned, panting heavily. “Old Meng is blocking the back!”

Cen Wu froze in place, his mind racing. Why is our homeroom teacher here too?!

The internet café spanned three floors, with private rooms on the top floor that cost extra to access. Unfortunately, there was no time to get to one now, especially since the discipline director was stationed at the front desk.

On the first and second floors, there were only a few bathrooms available for hiding. By the time Cen Wu and his friends reached them, however, they were already packed with panicked students.

Hiding under a table seemed like a ridiculous idea—or was it?

Cen Wu glanced under the nearest desk but was promptly yanked back upright by Zhang Yuanzhou. “No way. Bald Strong will spot you with a flashlight in no time. Follow me instead!”

Dazed and stumbling, Cen Wu ran after him. It wasn’t until halfway through the escape that he realized Xie Guilan hadn’t moved.

Meanwhile, the entire café descended into chaos, resembling a scene from a zombie movie. Students darted in every direction, while a few unbothered adults continued their games—and Xie Guilan, who remained seated with his usual calm, indifferent expression.

“You… you guys go ahead!” Cen Wu stammered, his legs trembling. Gritting his teeth, he pulled his hand free from Zhang Yuanzhou’s grip and made a beeline for Xie Guilan.

Zhang Yuanzhou, though frantic, feared Cen Wu was walking straight into trouble. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to drag Lu Wang and keep running.

As they searched for another hiding spot, someone unexpectedly tapped Zhang Yuanzhou on the shoulder.

“Relax, we’re almost at a bathroom,” Zhang Yuanzhou said, trying to calm whoever was behind him.

Yet the tapping persisted.

Annoyed, Zhang Yuanzhou spun around, ready to snap. To his surprise, he found himself face-to-face with a burly man sporting a gold chain that might—or might not—be real.

“Hey, kid,” the man growled, his fleshy face twitching and his eyes sharp as knives. “Let go.”

Zhang Yuanzhou froze, his mind reeling. Wasn’t I holding onto Lu Wang? How did I end up with a gang leader?!

Meanwhile, Xie Guilan was still typing away when Cen Wu suddenly grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward safety.

At the same time, Lu Wang found a large storage cabinet embedded in the wall. After moving it aside, he discovered enough space to fit two or three people—and it could even be blocked off with the cabinet.

“Cen Wu!” Lu Wang waved frantically. “Over here!”

Cen Wu, breathless and lightheaded, shoved Xie Guilan into the cabinet before clambering in himself. Without hesitation, Lu Wang quickly pushed the cabinet back into place.

Sweat dripped down Cen Wu’s back as he tried to catch his breath. However, before he could relax, the cabinet was suddenly pulled open again, making his heart stop. Looking up, he was shocked to see Zhang Yuanzhou.

“You guys are here too?” Zhang Yuanzhou exclaimed, eyes wide with surprise. Since Bald Strong was already storming their way, Zhang Yuanzhou squeezed inside. “Move over, move over!”

Behind him, a chubby boy also tried to wedge himself in.

“Get out!” Zhang Yuanzhou growled, shoving him aside. “You’re going to crush us to death!”

“I’ve got nowhere else to go! Just make some room!”

Cen Wu could barely breathe now, pressed tightly against Xie Guilan’s chest. His nose hit Xie Guilan’s collarbone, sending tears to the corners of his eyes.

The cabinet wasn’t completely sealed, and a sliver of light illuminated Cen Wu’s flushed, grimy face. His reddened eyes brimmed with unshed tears, looking utterly pitiful.

“F*ck,” Zhang Yuanzhou muttered, grappling with the other boy. Wrapping an arm around his opponent’s neck in a chokehold, he growled, “I told you not to come in! Are you trying to get us caught?!”

The boy fought back, clawing at Zhang Yuanzhou’s throat. “You can hide, but I can’t?!”

Squished between them, Lu Wang felt like he might wet himself, his bladder screaming for relief. The cabinet wobbled under the weight of everyone crammed inside.

“You… don’t worry,” Cen Wu stammered, attempting to reassure Xie Guilan despite the chaos. “We probably won’t be found.”

As he spoke, he looked up. However, from his angle, all he could see was Xie Guilan’s sharp jawline and pronounced Adam’s apple. Gulping, Cen Wu averted his gaze, feeling flustered.

Reaching back awkwardly, he searched for something to stabilize the cabinet. Unfortunately, the cramped space forced him to grip Xie Guilan’s arm for support instead.

Cen Wu’s pale face turned a deep shade of red as panic and embarrassment consumed him. Pressed against Xie Guilan, he could feel the heat radiating from his body, overwhelming him. His breath hitched as his vision darkened.

Just then, Xie Guilan turned his head, his frosty pale complexion taut with visible veins along his neck.

By now, the discipline director and their homeroom teacher, Meng Liangping, were already on the second floor. However, Zhang Yuanzhou and the boy were still bickering and grappling in the cabinet.

Finally, Xie Guilan had enough. Reaching behind Cen Wu, he gripped his shoulders firmly and pressed him closer to his chest. Then, stretching his hand behind him, he secured the cabinet’s hidden latch.

His voice, low and raspy with a hint of menace, cut through the cramped space like a blade. “Shut up.”

Though soft, the words carried an undeniable authority that silenced everyone instantly. Zhang Yuanzhou and the other boy froze, locked in their chokehold positions, their hairs standing on end.

Cen Wu, pressed against Xie Guilan’s chest, shuddered. Why does it feel like he’s scolding me too?

He bit his lip, barely daring to breathe, his tear-rimmed eyes welling up with frustration and fear.

From Xie Guilan’s angle, he noticed the faint scent of lychee lingering on Cen Wu, mingling with the faint sweat on his skin.

Outside, the discipline director grumbled. “First they come here to play games, and now they’re using internet cafés for dating? I caught three couples tonight alone!”

Meng Liangping, trying to appease him, thumped his chest. “Don’t worry, dean, I have never had a student in premature love under my command!”

Zhang Yuanzhou was still talking nonsense with the boy.

“Go over there!”

“Why the hell don’t you go over there!”

“Are you looking for death?!”

“Ha, look who’s talking.”

At that moment, a panicked student stumbled into the cabinet, tipping it over with a deafening crash.

The entire internet café went silent.

When everyone turned, they saw a tangled heap of bodies spilling out of the fallen cabinet.

Zhang Yuanzhou and the chubby boy were still locked in a mutual chokehold, glaring at each other as if they were mortal enemies.

Xie Guilan, looking utterly defeated, had one arm wrapped protectively around Cen Wu’s shoulders, his usually stoic expression cracking under the sheer ridiculousness of the situation.

Lu Wang was weak and helpless in the middle. He was hugged on the left and the right. He had to hug himself tightly.

Dean of Teaching: “…”

Meng Liangping: “…”

We hug one too?