Chapter 50: Why don’t you just drop dead?!

Chapter 50: Why don't you just drop dead?!

Absolute nonsense.

Ying Li muttered resentfully in his mind.

The lengthy message he sent to Qi Xie was blatantly ignored. Darkness clouded Ying Li's vision, and he almost passed out from anger.

Had he not explained himself? Had Qi Xie not understood? Was a simple response too much to ask for?!

Absolutely no manners at all!

I'm done with him.

Ying Li concluded in silence.

He switched off his phone, sinking heavily into his chair, his expression as bitter as if he had swallowed a gourd, all furrowed and unpleasant.

The Capital Stadium's basketball court was spacious and opulent. The stands were densely packed with people, including not just staff but also fans, cheering passionately, electrifying the atmosphere.

Left idle, his mind would wander. Ying Li tried to keep himself occupied, volunteering for every task. Had the staff not intervened, he might have even cleaned the chairs in the venue himself.

At 4:45 pm, only fifteen minutes remained before the end of the live broadcast. As the heated match approached its climax, Ying Li, having no tasks left, took a seat in the stands.

Ying Li wasn't skilled at basketball, but having been roped into a few campus matches, he was familiar with the basic rules. The teams on the court played fiercely. In their twenties, they were competitive and didn't hold back, regardless of seniority on either side. The score was neck and neck, each side closely matching the other.

As the countdown reached five minutes, the fans' cheers grew louder and more intense. Ying Li bent down, preparing to gather his things.

Just as the final shot grazed past the whistle and into the hoop, a shattering sound echoed through the court.

It was immediately followed by collective gasps of shock from the crowd.

"Holy crap!"

"The backboard's broken!"

The sudden surge in noise numbed Ying Li's ears. Turning towards the commotion, he saw the basketball stand had collapsed, leaving shards of glass scattered everywhere.

Qi Xie had shattered the backboard.

He stood next to the fallen hoop, his face flushed, chest heaving with rapid breaths. Pushing his hair back, his sharp features became more pronounced.

The live comments surged like a tidal wave.

[What the heck!!!]

[What did I just witness? Captain's on fire! Breaking the backboard? That’s legendary!]

[Even in death, I'd engrave a QR code on my tombstone for a quick scan.]

[Number's wealth -99, reputation +999999]

[Oh my, the captain looks so good! I'll have this video on loop!]

[Victory, Number has won!]

[Fun fact: To shatter a backboard, you need at least 200kg of force.]

Shen Yao was taken aback, "Is this guy even human? As much as I dislike Qi Xie, I have to give him a thumbs up."

Everyone on the court was out of breath, all eyes on Qi Xie.

The staff member next to Ying Li gasped, "Damn, he's strong."

"Did a screw come loose up there or something?"

"All this equipment is new. The director personally oversaw the tightening of every screw."

"That's insane! This is the first time I've seen someone shatter a backboard!"

Ying Li couldn't help but get goosebumps. If that slap had landed on him, his internal organs would probably have shattered. Good thing he didn't follow the terrible advice from -20.

With the whistle's end, the tied score was broken by Qi Xie's final three-pointer. The tables were turned, and Number won.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Zhang Shaoling rushed over, stepping on shattered glass, and looked closely at Qi Xie's face.

"I'm fine."

Zhang Shaoling said, "I told you to hold back a bit! How did you manage to break the basketball stand?"

Qi Xie raised an eyebrow, "Couldn't hold back."

Zhang Shaoling sighed, "Stubborn as a bull, and stronger than one too."

The director asked the guests to take a break and called the staff to clean up the mess.

Shen Yao lifted his shirt to wipe his sweat, causing another round of screams. Ying Li stared blankly at them. When the camera panned over, Shen Yao didn't wave to Ying Li.

After the game, Shen Yao chugged a bottle of water, his Adam's apple bobbing prominently.

Ying Li handed him a towel from his bag, "You're sweating a lot. Wipe it off."

Shen Yao's jersey was soaked. He wiped his sweaty neck and said, "It's too hot. I'll take a shower before heading back to the hotel."

Ying Li cautioned, "Rest for a bit first. You shouldn't shower immediately after exercising."

Shen Yao smiled, "Alright."

Shen Yao wanted to move closer to Ying Li, but after their intense game, they were both sweaty and probably smelled a bit. Fearing Ying Li might be repulsed, he kept a seat between them, clutching a bottle of mineral water, and asked, "Where did you go earlier? I didn't see you."

Ying Li replied honestly, "I don't really know much about basketball, so I went over there to help out."

Shen Yao responded with a hint of disappointment, "Did I play well?"

Without hesitation, Ying Li said, "Yes, you were great and looked really cool."

Although he arrived late, it was during the most intense part of the match. The opposing team was formidable; every time a gap in the score appeared, they caught up swiftly. The last five minutes were particularly fierce.

Ying Li's eyes shone brightly, always making direct eye contact when giving compliments, radiating sincerity.

A fluttering sensation seized Shen Yao, realizing that the warmth which had just left his face was returning.

"And what about me, huh?" Xie Wen Shi squeezed in between them, pulling at his collar to cool down, and shamelessly asked, "Ying Li, was I awesome too? I made two three-pointers!"

Unfortunately, Ying Li had been so busy he missed those shots, prompting Xie Wen Shi's eagerness to tout his own achievements.

"You were also impressive," Ying Li said neutrally, "Everyone played well."

From a short distance away, Bian Qiao chuckled. He had worn an arm guard that afternoon, appearing even hotter than Shen Yao. The sweat had dampened the hair on his forehead, sticking to his face—a stark contrast to his usual look.

After only a few minutes of rest, a crew member approached, saying, "The broadcast is about to end; the director wants the guests to say goodbye to the audience."

Shen Yao said, "Let's go over there."

Ying Li nodded, "Alright, I'll pack up our things."

The live broadcast's ratings skyrocketed in the final moments. Had it not been for time constraints, the director would've loved to have them play another match immediately.

Ying Li thanked the crew for their hard work before retrieving their bags.

A large hand reached out as Qi Xie picked up his bag and left, leaving Ying Li with a view of his defiant silhouette. His basketball jersey was soaked in several places, with dark patches evident on his back. His lean and muscular legs, especially long, carried him out of Ying Li's sight within a few strides.

Ying Li was so engrossed that he didn't notice someone approaching until Shen Yao waved a hand in front of him, asking, "What are you looking at?"

Regaining his focus, Ying Li replied, "Nothing in particular."

Ying Li was staring at the team captain. That dunk just now was undeniably impressive. Shen Yao jealously wondered if Ying Li might have fallen for the captain's charm.

His eyebrows arched playfully, "We're going to shower; you hang around here for a bit."

"Alright."

The venue had mostly emptied out. Ying Li was engrossed in playing a simple mobile game, breezing through its levels. Just as he started feeling bored, a notification popped up at the top of his phone screen.

Shen Yao sent him a WeChat message: "Ying Li, I left my clothes in the bag. Could you get them for me?"

"And my underwear."

"Sure."

Finding Shen Yao's change of clothes in the bag, Ying Li messaged him as he walked, "Which stall are you in?"

"Stall 6."

The venue had several large bathing areas, resembling bathhouses in the North, but all with individual stalls.

Ying Li located the stall, glanced at the number plate on the door, knocked, and called out, "Shen Yao?"

"Come in."

The sound of water was loud inside, muffling voices. Ying Li could barely make out Shen Yao urging him to enter.

Pushing the door open, Ying Li was met with a haze of steam, making it hard to discern even shadows.

Of the neatly lined stalls, only one was in use. Hot water continuously flowed onto the floor, draining away.

Without approaching too closely, Ying Li stood by the door and asked, "I've got your clothes. Where should I place them?"

Only the sound of cascading water responded, probably drowning out his voice.

Looking around, Ying Li moved to a nearby locker, "Can I put them in this locker for you?"

As he opened the locker door with a slight creak, the water noise from the stall behind him abruptly stopped.

Someone was approaching him. The barefoot steps, slightly muffled by the damp floor, were barely audible.

The first sign that something was amiss was a reflection on the wall. The silhouette wasn't Shen Yao's – it was too slender.

Without uttering a word, the figure drew closer, causing Ying Li's heart rate to spike. He turned around.

Ying Li struggled to see his face, given his towering height. The bright incandescent light overhead cast large shadows across the floor. Qi Xie's eyes were half-lidded, his face cloaked in darkness. His already sinister features seemed even more menacing now.

Ying Li stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

A hand reached out, pulling him upright, leaving damp streaks on his shoulder.

Qi Xie's palm was scorching, feeling like vines tightly wrapping around him or a snake with its flickering tongue licking his shoulder.

Qi Xie was not wearing any clothes. Not a thing.

He hadn't even dried the water droplets on his body; they trickled down, following the contours of his muscular physique, gliding across his robust and powerful chest, and moving further down.

A droplet from Qi Xie's raven hair landed on Ying Li's face, feeling cold and icy. Ying Li dared not look directly, his pupils dilating and then contracting, his slender neck heaving with each breath.

Qi Xie stood incredibly close, his intense masculine aura feeling hot and thick, penetrating every pore, causing Ying Li's heart to race.

Ying Li had imagined feeling angry upon seeing Qi Xie, but in that moment of eye contact, all he felt was awkwardness.

Qi Xie glanced at the coat and underwear Ying Li was holding, and volunteered, "You're here to bring Shen Yao his clothes, right? He's in Stall 9. You're at the wrong place."

"I'm sorry, I'll leave immediately," Ying Li responded, his voice taut with tension. "Please move aside."

"What if I don't?" Qi Xie responded calmly, his dark eyes resembling a rippling lake, concealing the undercurrents beneath.

Ying Li's hair seemed to stand on end, his intense gaze signaling his rising anger.

Qi Xie looked at Ying Li's clenched fist and remarked unexpectedly, "You want to hit me."

"Where would you like me to?"

The hands on Ying Li's shoulder gave a slight shake.

Ying Li's face paled, and he reflexively jerked away, shouting, "Don't touch me!"

Even as Qi Xie continued to close in on him, Ying Li, in a mix of anger and desperation, shoved him, but Qi Xie didn't budge.

Qi Xie felt burning hot. The moment Ying Li touched his skin, he was scorched and immediately pulled back, his palm moist with warmth.

To Qi Xie, Ying Li's best efforts to push him away felt as inconsequential as a kitten playfully scratching.

"You're so weak, your hits don't even hurt."

Surprisingly, Ying Li detected a hint of complaint in his tone.

Qi Xie pondered for a moment and said, “A kick below hurts quite a bit, enough to immobilize an adult man instantly.”

Ying Li listened to him in bafflement, finding it utterly absurd.

Seeing that he hadn't made a move, Qi Xie urged, “Hit me. I won't dodge or retaliate.”

Having never seen someone willingly ask to be hit, Ying Li exclaimed incredulously, “Have you gone mad?”

Qi Xie is sick, truly sick.

Ying Li's voice was so melodious that even when he was angry and scolding, it sounded pleasant. Paired with his delicate face, even his anger seemed harmless.

His alabaster cheeks were flushed a deep pink due to the warmth, and his ears glowed an abnormal red. Qi Xie wanted to pinch his cheek but resisted the urge.

Ying Li was frightened. His heart raced uncontrollably. He had mentally prepared himself the moment he saw the shadow on the wall, but when he actually turned around, the fear was still undeniable.

“Move aside, I need to leave.” Ying Li's eyes were tearful as he defiantly met his gaze.

Qi Xie's voice was even and devoid of emotion as he remarked, “About to cry again, and I haven’t done anything.”

Qi Xie indeed did nothing but touch Ying Li's shoulder. If not for that supporting hand, Ying Li would have collapsed.

Holding back tears that pooled in his eyes, Ying Li said with effort, “You're so odd…”

He had been avoiding Qi Xie earlier, refusing to listen or reply to messages, and now he was blocking his way, even forcing him to hit someone. None of this made any logical sense.

“Hmm.” Ying Li wasn't the only one who found him strange. Freak, oddball, brute, lunatic — Qi Xie had been called all sorts and was well accustomed to it.

“What do you mean ‘hmm’?!” Ying Li's temper always seemed to flare uncontrollably in Qi Xie's presence.

Going along with Ying Li's statement, Qi Xie responded, “I am strange.”

……

As Ying Li neatly slipped past Qi Xie, he found it hard to believe that Qi Xie didn't stop him. His heart continued to race, pounding against his chest.

Fearing Qi Xie might change his mind any moment, Ying Li hurriedly approached the door, eager to escape.

Yet Qi Xie remained rooted to the spot, showing no intention of pursuing him.

Grasping the doorknob, Ying Li suddenly halted, turned, and said curtly, “I returned the medicine to you. I never tampered with it, nor had any intention of harming you. Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”

He assumed Qi Xie must have missed the WeChat message and, deceiving himself, explained it all over again.

Qi Xie paused, his expression slightly softening, seemingly puzzled as he asked, “Why didn’t you switch it?”

“Why would I?” Ying Li was confounded by his unexpected question, retorting exasperatedly, “What would I gain from doing so?”

“People who despise me wish for my death.” Pain welled up in Qi Xie’s chest, his voice trembling slightly, “You're no different, are you?”

That morning, the fear of hearing an affirmative answer from Ying Li had made him flee in haste.

Once again bewildered by Qi Xie's train of thought, Ying Li raised his voice and said, “I never thought that way! Yes, I dislike you. I don’t want to see or hear you, but I would never wish for your death. I’m not that malicious!”

Qi Xie approached and looked deep into Ying Li’s eyes, as if trying to imprint his current expression in his memory.

A flicker in Ying Li's gaze.

Moments later, Qi Xie concluded, “You’re lying.”

Wrongly accused repeatedly, Ying Li finally broke down, choking out, “Why would I lie? Replace the medicine and get you killed, only to end up in prison?”

Suddenly, Qi Xie leaned in, placing his hand beside Ying Li's face, saying, “Your eyes... they look just like theirs.”

Theirs?

Ying Li froze. In the few seconds of his daze, he noticed something changing in Qi Xie’s eyes – they morphed into a deep, ink-like blackness.

Fragmented memories slowly pieced together, flashing before Qi Xie like a spinning carousel.

He watched, detached, as a disheveled woman went berserk.

Everything throwable in the room was strewn about. Bed linens torn to shreds, clothes in the wardrobe sliced apart, furniture overturned, even the window panes shattered.

The room was in utter chaos.

Splinters from a broken vase flew towards him, cutting a gash across his face, from which bright beads of blood welled up.

The woman lunged at him, bruising his arm with her fierce grip.

He looked up to find her face already awash with tears, her haggard countenance streaked with their trails. Her eyes were wide with fury as she raved at him.

"You beast! Why don't you just die?"

"Mommy loves you..."

"I wish I’d never given birth to you. Why don't you just die? Would you?"

"Xiao Xie, mommy will join you in death."

The woman clung to him, alternately professing love and hurling the vilest curses. His immature mind couldn’t discern truth from falsehood, leaving his young thoughts in a muddle.

All he could think, with an impassive face, was that the woman was holding him — albeit in a rigid embrace, her hands on his shoulders squeezing as if wanting to crush him.

Since he could remember, she had never held him like this. Instead, she'd pointed at him, berating him again and again for not just dying.

He reached out, gently wrapping his arms around her, cherishing the fleeting warmth.

The scene shifted abruptly. A man, furious, thundered at him, "You killed your mother with your behavior."

"Your mother dies and you don’t shed a single tear?"

Ying Li noticed that bloodshot veins had appeared in Qi Xie's pitch-black eyes. The hand he braced against the wall began to clench, and his normally composed stance started to waver.

Qi Xie was trembling.

His labored breaths misted over his face.

Likewise, Ying Li would not fall for it a second time.

He slid open the bathroom door, glanced back at Qi Xie, and said icily, "Stop the act!"

Author's Note:

I'll only put them through hardship for a maximum of three chapters. If I go back on my word, you can take my head and use it as a football~