Chapter 8

Chapter 8

It took some time before their friends found out about the breakup.

Neither Pei Ran nor Luo Qingshan was the one to divulge the news. Pei Ran had never been one to discuss his personal life with others, and to Luo Qingshan, this was merely a bump in their relationship journey – a hurdle they could overcome.

One day, Pei Ran encountered Lin Kang on a path within the school.

"Recently, Luo Qingshan hasn't been bringing you along to our gatherings. Clearly, something's up, and we've noticed it," Lin Kang said. "Someone made a casual remark last night, just joking around, but Luo Qingshan immediately got upset. If we hadn't intervened, there would have been an argument."

Pei Ran struggled to find an appropriate response and settled for a stiff, "Is that so..."

Curious, Lin Kang looked at him. "But why did you two break up in the first place?"

Pei Ran had prepared an answer beforehand. "We're just not compatible."

"After being together for three years, you're saying it's not suitable?" Lin Kang chuckled. "Alright, I won't push you if you don't want to talk about it. By the way, how are you getting home this afternoon? Want to catch the bus together?"

Starting from tomorrow, the school would be on a seven-day holiday. Lin Kang and Pei Ran lived near each other, and they could alight at the same bus stop.

"Family's here to pick me up," Pei Ran said. "Shall I give you a ride on the way?"

Lin Kang was more than happy with the offer; the bus rides always made him nauseous. "What time should we leave? I'll make sure to be on time... I'll even skip class if I have to. It seems like my lesson ends ten minutes after yours."

"Don't worry about it, just come at the regular dismissal time. I'll wait for you."

Lin Kang expressed his gratitude and felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He instinctively took it out to check and saw that the group chat was buzzing, tagging him repeatedly.

"Mental bunch, not going home during the break but planning gatherings instead," Lin Kang mumbled. "They've got nothing better to do. Su Nian even suggested going on a trip. What can you even do in just seven days... Are you going?"

Pei Ran looked at him quizzically. "Where to?"

"On a trip, didn't you see the discussion in the group?"

Pei Ran replied, "I'm not in the group."

Lin Kang was taken aback and subconsciously checked the group members to verify.

Sure enough, Pei Ran wasn't part of the group.

This small group was created by Su Nian last week. Su Nian had always enjoyed organizing such activities. There were over thirty people in the group, and at that time, Lin Kang wasn't aware that Pei Ran and Luo Qingshan had broken up. Thus, he subconsciously included Pei Ran in the count.

He shared several groups with Pei Ran, who rarely spoke and usually only popped up when tagged. Hence, Lin Kang didn't find it odd that Pei Ran hadn't been around in the past few days.

"I thought you were... well, Su Nian said he was going to travel to Dali," Lin Kang said awkwardly.

How careless of Su Nian! Pei Ran had been hanging out with everyone for so long, yet he was left out of this group?

Given the current situation, Lin Kang didn't think it appropriate to invite him into the group, especially since Luo Qingshan was quite active in it.

"It's alright," Pei Ran smiled.

Lin Kang quickly tried to change the subject, wanting to avoid further discussion on the matter. Before he could think of what to say, he encountered another familiar face.

Yan Zhun wore a simple black T-shirt, holding a basketball against his hip with his wrist while his fingers dangled in the air. He strolled along, chatting with someone beside him.

Lin Kang hurriedly called out, "Yan Zhun!"

Yan Zhun glanced over with a casual expression. His chest rose and fell slightly, and beads of sweat glistened on his chin.

Lin Kang merely wanted to break the awkwardness, so he chuckled lightly and asked a meaningless question, "Just finished playing ball?"

Yan Zhun didn't respond, instead turning back to continue his conversation with the person beside him. Lin Kang felt even more awkward.

He forced a laugh and was just about to scold Yan Zhun when he saw Yan Zhun nod at his friend before turning around and walking towards them.

"You," Yan Zhun paused, "why are you two here?"

"We just finished class," Lin Kang said. "Did I come here for a stroll?"

Yan Zhun glanced at Pei Ran, causing Lin Kang to pause as well, following his gaze.

Pei Ran's tone remained casual, "I came over to help a teacher carry art supplies."

Lin Kang sighed in relief that the uncomfortable topic had passed, "Yan Zhun, did you see the group chat? They're planning a trip to Dali, are you going?"

Yan Zhun replied, "No group, not going."

Lin Kang nodded, he had expected as much, "Why are you standing so far away?"

Yan Zhun: "Just finished playing basketball. I must smell awful."

Lin Kang chuckled. "That picky?"

Pei Ran wasn't paying much attention to their conversation. He lowered his gaze and caught sight of Yan Zhun's hand.

Yan Zhun had slender fingers with neatly trimmed nails. His skin bore the stains from the game. Pei Ran recalled how beautiful the protruding bones on the back of Yan Zhun's hand looked when he held a mouse.

"Are you coming tonight?"

Pei Ran stared unblinkingly, thinking that Yan Zhun could even be a hand model.

Then, he saw Yan Zhun bend his index finger and tap the basketball lightly twice.

"Are you coming tonight?" Yan Zhun repeated, calling out Pei Ran's name.

Hearing his own name, Pei Ran looked up in a daze, taking a while to comprehend the underlying meaning in Yan Zhun's words.

Yan Zhun was asking if he could start "working" tonight.

Recalling Yan Zhun's words about owing someone making him uncomfortable, Pei Ran didn't hesitate much. "Sure."

Yan Zhun nodded, and the strands of hair clinging to his forehead from sweat trembled slightly. "Then I'll wait for you."

After Yan Zhun left with his friend, Lin Kang gazed at his departing figure for a few seconds before turning to look at the person beside him.

?

"Are you coming tonight?"

Didn't he usually say this to his girlfriend?

Lin Kang slapped himself mentally. What was he thinking in broad daylight?

"Didn't expect that," Lin Kang retracted those messy associations. "You're quite close with Yan Zhun."

Pei Ran replied, "Not particularly close."

"Then why would he have you wait for him tonight if he's not familiar with you?" Lin Kang chuckled. "But what are you two up to?"

"Playing video games."

"…" Lin Kang was speechless. "Alright then. But it's still cool to play with him. Don't tell anyone this, but he was once offered a large sum of money by Team TZG during high school. That team has been dominating the domestic championships in recent years, and they even won the national title last year. However, he turned them down back then."

"So you see, Luo Qingshan has been living with him for so long, yet it took him ages to finally play a game with him. Haha."

Pei Ran was slightly surprised. "Is he that good?"

Then... did he underpay him?

After doing some research, Pei Ran found out that twenty yuan per hour was much cheaper than what most rookie high-ranking players would charge.

Pei Ran suddenly felt like he had gotten a bargain.

"Relax, I was just joking. He is very skilled, but not to that extent," Lin Kang patted his shoulder and chuckled. "Maybe he just finds Luo Qingshan too noisy and doesn't enjoy playing with him."

In the afternoon, Lin Kang still left early, and he stood with Pei Ran at the school gate waiting for a ride.

A two-tone Maybach pulled up in front of them, leaving Lin Kang's eyes wide open.

He turned his head and whispered while making a gesture, "Bloody hell, bloody hell, this car is amazing, it must cost at least this much!"

The driver's door opened, and a middle-aged man in a white shirt and black pants stepped out. "Ran, did Uncle come too late? Where's your luggage? I'll help you put it in the trunk."

Pei Ran replied, "No need, I only have a few days off, so I didn't bring much luggage."

Lin Kang: "…."

Lin Kang's expression was complicated, but he no longer felt awkward. "No wonder my dad beat me up when I said I wanted to learn painting back then. We just didn't have the means."

Pei Ran chuckled. "It wasn't that exaggerated."

Just as Lin Kang was about to get into the car, someone suddenly yanked on his clothes so hard that he almost fell to the ground.

Lin Kang jumped in fright and turned around to swear. "What the hell...?"

Luo Qingshan pressed his lips together, still holding tightly onto Lin Kang's jacket, his eyes darting between Lin Kang and Pei Ran.

Seeing it was him, Lin Kang was even more puzzled. He slapped Luo Qingshan's hand away. "Are you crazy? Is this how you greet people?"

Luo Qingshan's gaze ultimately fell upon Pei Ran.

Pei Ran's expression was tranquil, meeting his stare unperturbed for a few seconds before looking away.

"Are you hurt?" Pei Ran asked.

"No, just a small collision," Lin Kang said, nervously checking the car. "I didn't scratch your vehicle, did I?"

"It's fine even if it did get scratched," Pei Ran replied. "Get in the car. We can't park here for long."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone tugged on Lin Kang's clothes again.

Confused, Lin Kang said, "Speak up if you have something to say. Why keep pulling at me?"

Luo Qingshan gritted his teeth, finally managing to ask after a long while, "What are you two going to do?"

"We're going home," Lin Kang replied.

"Together?"

Just as Lin Kang was about to respond, he sensed something amiss.

"Hey, wait a minute…" Lin Kang frowned. "Luo Qingshan, what do you mean by that?"

Luo Qingshan replied, "What were you two doing together this morning? Why did you put your hand on his shoulder? Oh, I suppose you had lunch together, right?"

Lin Kang was so amused by the absurdity that he could only laugh through his anger. He lowered his voice and said, "Are you crazy, Luo Qingshan? I have a girlfriend!"

"So you're still walking so closely with him even though you have a girlfriend?"

"Damn it, you really think everyone's gay? What's wrong with Pei Ran and me? We just walked together for a while and headed home," Lin Kang said, unaware of the implications of his words. "We're not even as close as you and Su Nian. Why are you acting so crazy?"

Luo Qingshan's face paled instantly, and his imposing aura dissipated significantly.

He had seen everything from upstairs. Pei Ran didn't reply to his messages or answer his calls, but he was laughing and chatting with Lin Kang, who even hugged Pei Ran's shoulder at the end.

"Let go, Luo Qingshan," Pei Ran finally spoke up.

When Pei Ran returned home, the sky had already turned dark. The row of villas was illuminated except for his own, which was pitch black.

bidding farewell to the driver, he turned and entered the house. The interior was spotless, clearly cleaned daily, though it was unfortunate that few people actually resided here regularly.

After a bath, he changed into a silk pajama set. The light illuminated his body, casting a gentle aura around him.

However, gentleness was the last word one would use to describe Pei Ran at the moment.

He was even somewhat agitated.

Picking up his phone, he found it flooded with messages from Luo Qingshan.

"Luo Qingshan: I'm sorry."

"Luo Qingshan: My love, I apologize, please don't be angry with me."

"Luo Qingshan: I was out of my mind, I didn't really doubt you."

...

Pei Ran didn't wish to continue reading and swiftly cleared the screen.

After blow-drying his hair, he walked straight into the cloakroom to start inventorying the items Luo Qingshan had once given him.

He had mostly used the shoes and backpacks, so it wouldn't be appropriate to return them. Therefore, he went online to check their current market value and converted them all into cash. Some of the sneakers had become rare collectibles over time, fetching a much higher price, so the research process was quite arduous.

By the time he had calculated the total sum, it was already early morning.

He transferred the money to Luo Qingshan's Alipay account, then opened WeChat to send a message: "Money transferred."

Exiting the chat interface, he accidentally caught sight of a certain profile picture.

What drew his attention to this avatar was the rabbit depicted on it.

A rabbit from the logo of Big White Rabbit candy.

Beside the rabbit were two bold characters - Yan Zhun.

Pei Ran stared at the image in a daze for a few seconds before abruptly coming to his senses.

"Pei Ran: Sorry!"

"Pei Ran: I had a sudden matter to attend to and forgot..."

"Pei Ran: My Apologies"

"{Yan Zhun}: It's alright."

"Pei Ran: Go to sleep, I won't disturb you anymore."

Yan Zhun: Not asleep yet.

"Yan Zhun: Still waiting for you."

Pei Ran logged into the game, and Yan Zhun's invitation message promptly popped up.

Pei Ran hastily joined the team and activated his microphone. "I was just sorting my stuff and got carried away. Sorry about that."

Yan Zhun replied, "It's alright, no need to apologize."

Just as Pei Ran was sighing in relief, the small speaker icon preceding the username "111GOD" lit up once again.

There was a moment of silence on the other end. Yan Zhun's voice was soft and low as he said, "I thought you weren't coming."