Chapter 4: Kissing Him Directly in Front of Everyone

Chen Ruxiu’s eyelid twitched. “Are you gay?”

Fang Yiran joked with a carefree attitude, “I don’t mind if you think that way, and I don’t mind if everyone else does either. Because, as you know, I’m someone with no morals or boundaries, and I simply don’t care about anyone’s opinion. Whatever I want to do, I’ll just… mmph.”

At first, Chen Ruxiu didn’t react to the long string of words Fang Yiran was saying, but when he heard the last sentence, he suddenly moved.

He didn’t just move—he made a big scene: he grabbed Fang Yiran by the collar and pressed his lips hard against Fang Yiran’s.

—Chen Ruxiu kissed Fang Yiran directly, right in front of everyone.

There were only five minutes left before class began, and although the professor hadn’t arrived yet, most of the students were already present. Everyone in the room watched, wide-eyed, as Chen Ruxiu suddenly kissed Fang Yiran, and the surroundings fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

Fang Yiran was stunned himself. “You, you, you… why did you suddenly kiss me! Brother, I was joking with you! That was my first kiss! My first kiss!”

That was his first kiss! And just like that, it was gone! Lost to a joke!

…But honestly, Chen Ruxiu’s lips were really soft, like the texture of jelly, with a hint of a sweet soy milk taste.

As if whispering to a lover, Chen Ruxiu looked into Fang Yiran’s eyes as their lips parted and said, “Yes, of course, Young Master Fang can act recklessly, but don’t forget this saying: ‘those who go barefoot don’t fear those wearing shoes.’ This is to remind you that, just like you, I can also disregard anyone’s opinion.”

His expression was serious, like a demon crawling out of hell. Fang Yiran had initially meant his words as a joke, but he realized he might have unintentionally touched a sore spot for Chen Ruxiu. Seeing Chen Ruxiu so earnest, Fang Yiran grew serious as well.

“Sorry, I went too far with the joke. I shouldn’t have said that.” Fang Yiran admitted his mistake decisively; despite being a rich kid, he actually had a sense of responsibility. “From now on, I won’t say things like that to you again. Calm down, don’t hold it against me, and don’t make yourself ill from anger.”

Seeing that Chen Ruxiu remained silent, Fang Yiran gritted his teeth and said, “How about this, I’ll down this entire cup of ‘Saucy Da Hong Pao’ as an apology to you. Will that work?”

After speaking, he resolutely picked up the cup and poured the entire contents into his stomach, truly keeping his word by drinking every last drop.

Only then did Chen Ruxiu pick up his pen again, coolly and calmly drawing a neat horizontal line. “I don’t care; do as you please.”

Fang Yiran understood what he meant: “Alright, then I’ll drink that cup of ‘cough syrup’… soy milk too. Now, will that finally do?”

After saying this, he gulped it down in one go, leaving his throat a bit sore.

“Alright.” Chen Ruxiu’s tone was very calm. “I forgive you.”

Fang Yiran rubbed his nose. “What little follower? Clearly, I’ve found myself an ancestor.”

—

Due to a bet, Chen Ruxiu ended up becoming Fang Yiran’s long-term follower.

“Accompany me to the supermarket at the school gate after class,” Fang Yiran said.

“No way.” Chen Ruxiu was packing up his books, and he refused without even thinking when he heard the request.

Fang Yiran raised his eyebrow. “Why not?”

Chen Ruxiu looked up and sighed helplessly. “Young Master, I’m not someone with free time. I still have to work.”

“Going to that same club as last time?” Fang Yiran clicked his tongue.

“It was just that one time,” Chen Ruxiu recalled the events of that day. “Thank you for what you did that day.”

Fang Yiran laughed. “Hey, Chen Ruxiu, are you a masochist or something? I made you drink and teased you that day, and yet you’re thanking me?”

“You warned me that the club wasn’t legitimate and even helped me get my wages, so thank you,” Chen Ruxiu said seriously. After a moment of hesitation, he added, “…You’re still young, you shouldn’t keep going to places like that to drink. It’s bad for your health, and it would be best if you get a check-up at the hospital.”

“Top Student Chen, what do you mean by that? Are you subtly implying that I have kidney issues? Or that I might be sick?” Fang Yiran was exasperated but still chose to defend himself. “…It was also my first time at that club; it was that illegitimate child who picked the place. I don’t have a habit of messing around, and I regularly get health check-ups, so don’t overthink it.”

“Mm, oh, that’s good then.” Chen Ruxiu’s response was very indifferent, as if he wasn’t particularly concerned about the matter.

Fang Yiran felt that Chen Ruxiu was brushing him off and gritted his teeth angrily. “I’m perfectly healthy. Don’t believe me? If you don’t, let’s test it out!”

Chen Ruxiu glanced at him, his gaze lingering on a particular area for two or three seconds before looking away. He spoke slowly, “I don’t doubt it. You’re doing just fine.”

The cool and aloof beauty lowered his head, his gaze subtly suggestive, offering praise as casually as a breeze.

Fang Yiran found himself suddenly deflated in the face of Chen Ruxiu’s agreeable attitude, but a tickle rose in his throat, and for some reason, the irritation inside him burned even hotter.

“If it’s not there, then where are you working?” He swallowed and changed the subject.

“I’m doing tutoring,” Chen Ruxiu replied earnestly. “Teaching high school mathematics.”

“Do you enjoy being a teacher?” Fang Yiran couldn’t help but put himself in Chen Ruxiu’s shoes. “It can actually be quite dangerous going to other people’s homes.”

Chen Ruxiu said something that didn’t match his calm demeanor at all: “It’s okay. I just like the salary the employers give.”

“Stop going then, I’ll give you money,” Fang Yiran blurted out impulsively. “I’ll give you a lot of money, and you can just focus on keeping me company.”

Just when Fang Yiran thought Chen Ruxiu would reject him with high-minded pride, Chen Ruxiu smiled and said, “Sure.”

Fang Yiran was caught off guard by his response; something about this attitude felt a little off.

He thought to himself: Chen Ruxiu, are you really that short on money?

—But he didn’t ask, fearing it might hurt Chen Ruxiu’s pride.

—

Fang Yiran transferred the money to Chen Ruxiu on the spot, and Chen Ruxiu followed him to the supermarket.

When they reached the entrance, Chen Ruxiu volunteered, “I’ll push the shopping cart since I took the money.”

“Don’t bring up the money,” Fang Yiran said, feeling irritated by the mention of it. He glanced at Chen Ruxiu’s slender wrist and added, “You’re too skinny, what could you possibly push? I’d be better off doing it myself. Just keep up with me; that way, we’ll move faster.”

“Okay.” Since Fang Yiran wanted to keep himself busy, Chen Ruxiu had no objections.

Fang Yiran grabbed a shopping cart and pushed it into the supermarket, with Chen Ruxiu standing beside him. Somehow, the distance between them grew inexplicably closer.

“Well, my younger cousin, who’s in elementary school, is staying at my place these days, so I need to pick out some snacks for him,” Fang Yiran coughed, his throat clearly a bit uncomfortable. “Help me think of something healthy that’s suitable for kids.”

Fang Yiran did have a younger cousin, but in the past, whenever the kid came over, Fang Yiran never really prepared anything special for him. Throwing him a game console was about as considerate as he got.

But this evening, he wanted to ask Chen Ruxiu out, so he needed an excuse. Seeing how thin and frail Chen Ruxiu looked, he figured it was probably because the guy didn’t eat enough.

Since Chen Ruxiu was so short on money, he probably wouldn’t be too willing to spend on himself. Taking him to the supermarket and buying him some snacks seemed like a nice gesture.

That’s how Fang Yiran saw it, after all, Chen Ruxiu was his little follower now, so wasn’t it only right for the boss to look out for him?

“Alright, I’ll help pick some,” Chen Ruxiu replied. Since he had accepted the money, he naturally had no objections to Fang Yiran’s requests. He began selecting items with confidence, squatting in front of a shelf and picking up a tin of candies. “This brand is pretty good, especially the pineapple flavor.”

Fang Yiran glanced at it and casually asked, “Will kids really like this?”

Mentioning “childhood,” Chen Ruxiu’s eyes curved with a smile. “Well, I liked eating it when I was a kid.”

Fang Yiran, caught off guard by his smile, felt his ears redden a bit. “Then let’s get the pineapple flavor… let’s grab four tins.”

“Wouldn’t four be a bit too much?” Chen Ruxiu kindly reminded him.

The two of them began picking out items in the supermarket—

“This brand of cola is pretty good, it’s got a lot of fizz.”

“Let’s get four cans.”

“These cookies are savory; I used to eat them during the New Year when I was a kid.”

“Let’s get two boxes.”

“These chips, the lime flavor, are the best.”

“Lime flavor, let’s get four bags.”

Seeing that the shopping cart was about to overflow, Chen Ruxiu couldn’t help but confirm again, “…And this big gift pack, should we get two of those as well?”

“Yeah, why, is there a problem?” Fang Yiran didn’t see anything wrong with it.

Chen Ruxiu tried to persuade him, “Isn’t this a bit much? If it’s just for one child, there’s no need to get so much, and it won’t be convenient to carry it all back.”

“I’ve already called the family car to pick us up,” Fang Yiran replied, well-prepared. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve got it under control.”

“Oh, alright then.” Chen Ruxiu relaxed and walked a few steps before suddenly stopping.

“What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?” Fang Yiran also stopped and turned back to look at him.

Chen Ruxiu raised his hand to wipe his slightly reddened eyes and smiled, shaking his head. “…It’s nothing, I just suddenly felt a bit emotional. It must be really nice to be part of your family.”

Fang Yiran assumed that Chen Ruxiu’s family wasn’t good to him and thought for a moment. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do; it’s not something you need to envy. If your family isn’t good to you, don’t be sad. You’re my little brother now, and as the saying goes, ‘An elder sister is like a mother, and a little brother is like a brother.’ You can consider yourself half a family member to me, and I can look out for you.”

Little brother is like a brother, what an absurd saying. Chen Ruxiu couldn’t help but smile.

“No, not at all.” Chen Ruxiu shook his head with a smile. “My family treats me very well, better than I could ask for.”

“Alright, then don’t think about anything unhappy anymore. Let’s go check out.” Fang Yiran, not good at comforting others, could only bluntly cut off any further thoughts. He then turned to the cashier and said, “Please give me two large bags and split the items into two.”

Chen Ruxiu glanced at him with some surprise. He understood the need for two bags; after all, Young Master Fang had bought so much that one bag wouldn’t be enough.

But if he was specifically having them split into two, was he planning to give one to someone else?

Chen Ruxiu, not considering himself at all, curiously asked, “Who’s the other portion for? Are you planning to eat it yourself?”

“Don’t ask.” Fang Yiran evaded the question quite fiercely. “Do you live off-campus? Give me your address, and I’ll drop you off later.”

“Okay.” Chen Ruxiu wisely didn’t press further.

“If you’re so short on money, why are you still living off-campus?” Fang Yiran suddenly felt the urge to meddle. “…I’m not trying to interfere with where you live, but with that money, wouldn’t it be better to stay in the dorm and improve your meals?”

“Everyone has different needs, I guess.” Chen Ruxiu replied simply, clearly not intending to elaborate.

“Hah, I really just asked one more question.” Fang Yiran felt he was being nosy and that he’d brought it on himself since Chen Ruxiu clearly had no intention of sharing more.

Chen Ruxiu continued with his earlier topic, “Then please drop me off at the First People’s Hospital.”

“What?” Fang Yiran thought he must have heard wrong. “Are you saying you live at the First People’s Hospital?”

“Yeah.” Chen Ruxiu responded, “My mom has kidney failure, and I’m staying with her.”

In that moment, a fitting thought suddenly popped into Fang Yiran’s mind: I’m such an idiot.