Chapter 66: Brother Chong’s Wife

“Auditing?” Lin Hexi thought for a moment, looking somewhat hesitant.

You Chong said, “I’ve asked about transferring majors as well. The admission batches for the International College and the main campus are different, so transferring directly across batches is unlikely.”

“I know that too. If it were really that easy,” he said with a slightly mocking expression, “Lin Yuanwei would have just shoved me directly into A University’s main campus instead of the so-called International College under the school’s name.”

At the sudden mention of Lin Yuanwei, You Chong’s expression darkened as well. “Xia Chengfeng has a wide network of connections at the Fine Arts College and access to resources directly from the professors there. Following him won’t bring any disadvantages.”

Lin Hexi nodded, resting his chin on one hand. “It’s not Xia Chengfeng’s matter that I’m hesitating about. I’m just thinking,” he furrowed his brows slightly, looking troubled, “Xia Chengfeng is already in his third year. I might not be able to understand the courses they’re taking.”

Although he felt some regret in his heart, what You Chong had brought up indeed tempted him greatly.

Rather than wasting time on a major he dislikes and sees no job prospects in, it would be better to use the remaining limited time to do something he enjoys.

He even vaguely started to regret in his heart why he put down his paintbrush during the years he spent in the Lin family.

Lin Hexi thought carefully. Although he might not be able to keep up with the third-year courses, it had only been less than three months since the first-year classes began, so he should still be able to keep up with the first-year curriculum.

A plan gradually formed in his mind.

You Chong only had two classes in the morning. After class, You Chong and Zhou Xuan arranged to play basketball with some sophomores, while Yang Juan and Zhao Du planned to go to the library to study.

As Lin Hexi watched them pack up their books and clear the table, he noticed Yang Juan’s backpack was bulging, and couldn’t help but lean over and tease with a light laugh, “What do you have in your backpack? It’s so full.”

Yang Juan honestly opened his backpack to show him, “Sixth-level exam papers and grammar books.”

Lin Hexi sat on the desk, leaned over, and casually wrapped his arm around Yang Juan’s shoulder, deliberately tempting him, “Studying and doing exercises is so boring. Why not come play basketball with us instead?”

Yang Juan’s face flushed, and he stuttered, “You Chong and Zhou Xuan are good at English, but my English is terrible.”

Lin Hexi was about to continue speaking when You Chong interrupted him, with a subtle hint of displeasure in his tone, “Lin Hexi.”

Only then did Lin Hexi let go of Yang Juan, jumping down from the desk. In front of the others, he casually put his arm around You Chong’s shoulder, his actions appearing no different from those between ordinary friends. He raised his tone slightly and asked, “What? Are you afraid I’ll bully him?”

You Chong glanced at him, then suddenly reached out, wrapped his arm around Lin Hexi’s waist, and pulled him tightly into his embrace. His voice was low as he countered, “Lin Hexi, speak with your conscience—am I worried about you bullying him?”

It’s still somewhat acceptable for ordinary friends to have their arms around each other’s shoulders, but holding each other’s waists crosses a line. Lin Hexi cautiously turned his head to look at the others.

The three of them happened to have their backs turned, talking amongst themselves, so they didn’t notice You Chong’s actions.

Lin Hexi raised his hand to pry off You Chong’s arm from his waist, his voice soft as he asked, “Aren’t you afraid they’ll see? Or have you already told them?”

Seeing that the three in front were about to turn around, You Chong calmly released his grip and shook his head, saying, “I haven’t told them yet. Let’s have lunch together at noon, and then I’ll tell them.”

Lin Hexi replied, “Alright.”

Zhou Xuan had already turned around, urging them to hurry up. Lin Hexi took a couple of steps forward but then seemed to think of something and turned his face to ask, “Do you think your roommates will end up believing that I led you astray?”

You Chong chuckled softly, “Isn’t that the case?”

“Of course not.” Lin Hexi retorted firmly without changing his expression, “Do you know how slim the chances are of a straight guy being turned gay?”

You Chong remained unfazed, “How slim?”

Lin Hexi lifted his chin slightly, confidently stating, “According to scientific statistics, the probability of a straight guy being turned gay is zero.”

You Chong neither agreed nor disagreed.

Lin Hexi put on a mock serious expression, his gaze lingering on You Chong’s face, half suspicious and half teasing, “Given your qualities, there must have been plenty of people chasing after you over the years. But since your first love is still intact, I’m starting to doubt whether you’re really straight.”

The question that Lin Hexi posed was one that You Chong had also wondered about himself. However, what the truth was no longer seemed worth pursuing or exploring.

Moreover, the answer to this question no longer mattered.

You Chong raised his eyebrow and looked at him, “Which scientist are you talking about? A scientist with the last name Lin?”

Lin Hexi smiled but didn’t respond.

You Chong’s eyebrow arched even higher as he naturally took hold of Lin Hexi’s left hand hanging by his side and said calmly, “This scientist named Lin, your data needs an update.”

Since the three people ahead were still unaware, Lin Hexi didn’t hold You Chong’s hand for too long before letting go. He redirected the conversation back to the original topic, clicking his tongue lightly, “If they insist it’s me who led you astray, I can’t argue against the three of them.”

You Chong smirked nonchalantly, “Then bring Fang Qingning over.”

Lin Hexi replied, “Once Xia Chengfeng wins her over, won’t she still be on your side?”

You Chong glanced at him thoughtfully, “According to what you’re saying, everyone’s on my side, and no one’s on your team.”

Lin Hexi immediately countered, “Isn’t that the case?”

You Chong said, “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Lin Hexi didn’t immediately catch on and reflexively repeated, “What?”

You Chong chuckled softly.

His tone was light and breezy as he said, “Everyone may be on my side, but I’m on your side.”

The use of the gymnasium had already been reported in advance to the supervising teacher, so when the three of them arrived, a few sophomores from the basketball team were already on the court playing.

You Chong and Zhou Xuan went over to sub out two players, while Lin Hexi, who no longer stayed in the school dormitory, had no spare clothes or pants to change into after sweating from playing basketball, so he dismissed the idea of playing.

He sat on the bench by the court, watching You Chong and the others play.

The two sophomores who had been subbed out ran to the resting area off the court, quickly grabbing water bottles from their backpacks and paying little attention to Lin Hexi, who was sitting at the other end of the bench.

The backpack with the water bottles was leaning against the bench’s leg. As one of the boys stood up, he didn’t hold it steady, and a water bottle fell heavily to the ground, quickly rolling forward.

He bent down and reached out to pick it up, but his movement was still a step too slow, and he watched helplessly as the bottle rolled under the bench near Lin Hexi’s feet.

The boy furrowed his brows, bending over beside Lin Hexi’s legs, and said in a not-so-friendly tone, “Move your feet, I need to grab something.”

Recognizing him as the boy who had knocked off his hat in the gym last time, Lin Hexi raised his brows silently, said nothing, and stepped aside.

The boy knelt in front of the bench to retrieve the water bottle, and his expression easing slightly. He stood up, twisted the cap open, and took big gulps of water, his peripheral vision casually drifting toward Lin Hexi, who was sitting on the bench.

The next second, his eyes suddenly widened, and he spat out a mouthful of water, spraying it all over the face of the person next to him.

The other person, recovering from the shock, immediately looked furious, glaring at him and cursing, “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

The boy who was cursed didn’t spare him even a glance. He hurriedly lifted his shirt to wipe the water from his chin, his face flushed red, and stammered out toward Lin Hexi, “Hello, sister-in-law.”

Lin Hexi looked up upon hearing this, but before he could say anything, the boy’s companion, utterly confused, asked, “What sister-in-law?”

The boy stretched out his arm, wrapped it around his companion’s neck, and quickly dragged him closer, whispering angrily, thinking his voice was quiet, “Idiot, that’s Brother Chong’s wife.”

The companion suddenly understood, his posture instantly straightening, and he shouted loudly, his voice echoing throughout the vast gymnasium, “Hello, sister-in-law!”

The player on the basketball court fumbled with the ball, which bounced twice on the floor before quickly rolling away.

Yet, not a single person moved to retrieve the ball.

Everyone’s gaze simultaneously shifted, all turning toward where Lin Hexi was sitting off the court.