Chapter 45: The Start of School

Chapter 45: The Start of School

During the summer break, Yun He and Gu Jiabei engaged in numerous activities together, accompanying Zhang Xunmei to events organized by the Charity House, where they brought warmth to lonely elders and performed shows. It was evident that Zhang Xunmei's life had become more vibrant than before. She had grown familiar with many kind-hearted individuals from various communities. These compassionate people, mostly retired and restless at home, often organized hiking trips and sports competitions. Zhang Xunmei would participate whenever she had free time, making her days much happier than before. Gu Wei occasionally visited for a couple of days but would then leave due to business matters. Zhang Xunmei had adapted to this situation and didn't show any particular reaction.

Looking around at the abundance of Charity House branded merchandise in Gu Jiabei's home, Yun He couldn't help but remark, "Auntie is on her way to becoming prosperous through the Charity House."

He held a teacup adorned with the words "Charity House."

Zhang Xunmei approached them, carrying freshly baked egg tarts. She wore a white shirt with the Charity House logo emblazoned on it. "Little He, come and have an egg tart. They're still warm from the oven."

"Oh, okay," Yun He promptly set down his large teacup.

"Got Charity House towels, toothbrushes, disposable paper cups, umbrellas, and bed sheets at home too. Want some?" Gu Jiabei asked, munching on an egg tart.

"No, no, no, I don't need any," Yun He shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum.

"Stop joking around, eat your food," Zhang Xunmei said with a smile. "I'm going to play badminton with the Charity House friends this afternoon. Do you two want to join?"

"Pass," Gu Jiabei and Yun He answered in unison.

"Auntie, I'll be helping out at my mom's shop this afternoon," Yun He said, feeling that his rejection earlier might have hurt Zhang Xunmei's feelings, so he added this as an afterthought.

"Then let Bei Bei come too. It's better for him to do some work than just staying at home," Zhang Xunmei suggested.

"Nah, it's too hot and tiring," Yun He replied.

"Go together," Gu Jiabei said, casting a casual glance at Yun He, yet his gaze held a captivating spark.

Sigh, those enchanting phoenix eyes were truly born to captivate, Yun He mused to himself.

"Yes, young men should endure a bit of fatigue. Bei Bei has been living a comfortable life since he was little; it'll do him good to get some exercise," Zhang Xunmei said nonchalantly.

Yun He didn't really listen to what she said but simply nodded absentmindedly in agreement.

When Zhang Xunmei went inside to choose her outfit for the afternoon, Yun He quickly approached Gu Jiabei and planted a fierce kiss on his face.

"Hey, damn," Gu Jiabei exclaimed, caught off guard. "Suddenly in the mood?"

"How many times have I told you not to look at people like that?" Yun He growled.

"What kind of look was that, big brother?" Gu Jiabei chuckled helplessly.

"Flirtatious! Sending secret glances!" Yun He whispered dramatically.

"In that case, I might as well close my eyes," Gu Jiabei said, actually shutting his eyes and refusing to look at Yun He.

"That won't do! If you don't look at me, who else will you look at?!" Yun He protested. "Look at me!"

"Nope."

"Look at me, quickly open your eyes and look at me," Yun He said, tickling Gu Jiabei's armpit. Gu Jiabei was ticklish and squirmed in his chair to avoid Yun He's touch.

"Hey, stop it, it tickles...," Gu Jiabei laughed through his discomfort. "If you keep it up, I'll punch you."

"Enough fooling around, you two young men. Always messing around like this every day," Zhang Xunmei teased as she emerged from the room after picking out her clothes, seeing the pair tangled up in the living room.

Yun He finally relented and got off Gu Jiabei.

After lunch at Gu Jiabei's place, Yun He accompanied Gu Jiabei and the food packed for Cai Mingzhi and his wife to the fruit store.

Cai Mingzhi warmly cut a plate of fruit for Gu Jiabei.

"Little Gu, have more fruit," Cai Mingzhi said warmly.

"Thank you, Auntie," Gu Jiabei replied, looking genuinely polite and well-behaved.

"What are you being so polite to me for, child?" Cai Mingzhi responded.

"Your mom's cooking is really something," Yun Qingtian, Yun He's father, commented after finishing his meal. He then carried a box of apples into the store. "It tastes much better than what your aunt makes."

"Mm, Mom's just at home anyway, and she loves experimenting with recipes and baking," Gu Jiabei explained as he walked over to Yun Qingtian. "Uncle, let me help you carry that."

"Oh no, how could I let you do that? You're in a white shirt; don't get it dirty. This sort of work isn't suitable for a young boy," Yun Qingtian chuckled, using his arm to block Gu Jiabei's hand.

"Seventeen isn't that young!" Yun He interjected from the side.

"It would be great if I had a daughter like you," Cai Mingzhi said, looking fondly at Gu Jiabei. "It feels like our two families have become one. It would be even better if we had a daughter to strengthen that bond."

"Who says you need a daughter to strengthen bonds..." Yun He whispered, spearing some fruit from the plate with his fork.

"Well, what else? Are you going to be Little Gu's wife?" Cai Mingzhi teased.

"If you're okay with it, I wouldn't mind..." Yun He said guiltily.

"Nonsense! Get up and stop eating. You've finished the fruit plate I cut for Little Gu!" Cai Mingzhi playfully smacked Yun He on the back of his head.

"I won't eat then. I'll go cut some fruits." Yun He tossed aside his fork and beckoned at Gu Jiabei. "You, come here and help me cut fruits. We'll sell fruit plates later."

"Sure thing, boss." Gu Jiabei smiled warmly at Yun He.

The holiday passed uneventfully day by day, and before they knew it, the start of the school year was upon them.

"Freshman, Gu Jiabei," Yun He observed from downstairs, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "Looking quite handsome."

Gu Jiabei was dressed in sportswear, his hair freshly trimmed, exuding energy that caught Yun He's attention for a prolonged inspection.

"Just your everyday handsome," Gu Jiabei said, balancing on one foot as he straddled his bicycle. "Hop on."

Yun He swung his leg over the backseat, wrapping his arms around Gu Jiabei's waist and burying his face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the familiar scent. "We won't be able to walk home together after school anymore."

"You've been repeating that phrase all vacation," Gu Jiabei's voice came from ahead. The air grew increasingly warm, and even the breeze offered no relief.

"I'll keep saying it for a year!" Yun He punched Gu Jiabei's back.

Gu Jiabei let out a muffled groan in pain.

"First, we'll pass by our school. Then I'll give you the bike, and you can ride it to school. After school, just ride straight home. Since high school has evening study sessions, I'll take the bus home after class, got it?" Gu Jiabei explained.

Yun He remained silent.

"If you heard me, respond," Gu Jiabei said.

"I can't hear you!" Yun He irritably covered his ears with both hands.

Gu Jiabei made a sudden turn, and Yun He promptly grabbed his waist for support.

"Ride properly," Yun He growled.

"Then answer properly," Gu Jiabei replied calmly.

"Understood, understood, from now on, let's part ways and tread our own paths!"

"Is that what I meant?" Gu Jiabei found the situation amusing and couldn't help turning his head to look at the pouting Yun He.

"I don't care about your hidden implications, I take it to mean exactly what I hear."

"Are you really that attached to me?" Gu Jiabei's voice was laced with amusement.

Yun He gazed at the solid back of the young man before him, the fluid lines beneath the loose sportswear discernible even through the fabric. Coupled with Gu Jiabei's voice, tinged with amusement—it might have been the heat, but Yun He felt his mind go blank for a moment. So when Gu Jiabei pulled over, planted one foot on the ground, and turned to look at him, Yun He found himself still in a state of mental emptiness.

"I'm asking you something, why aren't you listening again?" Gu Jiabei raised his eyebrows at Yun He, his gaze filled with indulgent tenderness.

"Shit... I'm done for..." Yun He muttered to himself, dazed.

"Realized you're too attached to me?"

"No... It's just when I look at your back... I can get... a reaction..." Yun He roughly rubbed his face, trying to regain his composure.

Gu Jiabei's eyes moved from Yun He's face down to the spot where he held the umbrella, then he turned around, presenting his back to Yun He. Yun He could sense Gu Jiabei's back trembling slightly.

"Laugh out loud if you want to! Don't hold back!" Yun He frowned at Gu Jiabei's increasingly trembling back, his embarrassment turning into anger.

"Phew... Hahahaha..." Gu Jiabei finally couldn't contain himself, leaning on the handlebars and laughing until his waist ached.

Yun He sat quietly on the back seat, watching Gu Jiabei's uncontrollable laughter. He waited until Gu Jiabei was done and had recomposed himself, using this time to calm down his own heightened emotions.

"I'm sorry," Gu Jiabei said through tears of laughter. "I apologize on behalf of my back; it seems to have offended you."

"Get going, would you? Do you want us both to be late on the first day of school?" Yun He said with a cold expression.

"Maybe I should skip evening study tonight," Gu Jiabei suggested more seriously.

"Not attend evening study?" Yun He was surprised. "Skipping class on the very first day?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Why skip class?"

Gu Jiabei leaned closer to Yun He, a playful glint in his eye. "To do you, of course. I can't let you bottle up your feelings, can I?"

"Damn it! How shameless can you be?" Yun He pushed Gu Jiabei's face away. "Hurry up and ride."

"Who was the shameless one just now? Then you better behave in class and don't daydream," Gu Jiabei instructed earnestly.

"I'm not daydreaming about your father! Do you think I'm some reincarnated lecher?" Yun He rolled his eyes but tightened his arms around Gu Jiabei's waist. "Come on, we'll really be late if we don't leave now."

Only then did Gu Jiabei start pedaling, continuing their journey to school. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of No. 3 High School, Gu Jiabei's new school. Many students were coming and going. As a freshman, Gu Jiabei shouldn't have been well-known, but quite a few students still cast glances at them as he stood at the gate talking to Yun He. Yun He noticed that most of the girls were stealing looks at them, intentionally or unintentionally.

"You're always the center of attention, it seems," Yun He said helplessly, taking the bicycle from Gu Jiabei's hand and swinging a leg over the seat.

Gu Jiabei carried a single-shoulder bag, and he had grown even taller, towering at nearly six feet. He was quite noticeable standing at the high school gate.

"Alright, let's go. Take it easy on the way," Gu Jiabei squeezed Yun He's shoulder.

"Send me a picture of your timetable when you get it," Yun He grumbled. He had seen two girls staring at Gu Jiabei as they passed by earlier. Yun He glared fiercely at them, but to his surprise, the girls giggled and covered their mouths before walking away.

"Hmm?"

"I need to know your daily schedule to make sure you're within my surveillance," Yun He looked back at Gu Jiabei, having given up on glaring at every passerby who sneaked peeks at them. There were simply too many.

"Alright."

"Also, a photo of the person sitting next to you, front and back, your homeroom teacher, and you—"

"Do you want me to be labeled as a paparazzi on the first day of school?" Gu Jiabei chuckled at Yun He's antics, ruffling his hair playfully. "Alright, I'll show them to you gradually over time."

Yun He glanced at the watch Gu Jiabei had given him and reluctantly began pedaling, realizing that time was indeed running short. "Well, I'll be off then."

"Okay, take it easy, ride slowly. Text me when you reach school."

"Alright, Baby Gu," Yun He blinked at Gu Jiabei affectionately.

"Alright, goodbye, my dear." Gu Jiabei curved his lips into a smile.

Under Gu Jiabei's watchful gaze, Yun He cycled away, leaving the scene. Gu Jiabei then turned around and entered the No. 3 High School campus, embarking on his high school journey.

Yun He arrived at school just in time to discover that the classes for the fourth year of junior high had been reorganized. He found out that he and Lin Yong were no longer in the same class, but Zheng Han, who had been in the same class as him before, was now in the same class as him in the first year of senior high.

"As we're just assigned to our new class, you can sit wherever you like for now. How about we become deskmates?" Before entering the classroom, Yun He was pulled aside by Zheng Han, who asked in a hushed voice.

"Alright." Yun He did not hesitate, as he had a good impression of Zheng Han. The quiet and unobtrusive young man was not annoying at all.

As a result, the two of them naturally became desk mates. However, neither of them managed to secure the window seats this time, so they ended up sitting in the center of the classroom.

"Actually, this seat is quite good too, it's the most suitable for seeing the blackboard." Zheng Han smiled shyly, speaking in a leisurely and unhurried manner.

"Mm, either is fine," Yun He said indifferently as he lazily sprawled across the table, figuring that since Gu Jiabei wouldn't be standing by the window to talk to him anymore, it hardly mattered where he sat.

During the break, Lin Yong made a special trip to Yun He's class, looking dejected as he expressed his reluctance to part with Yun He. He also said, "Zheng Han, you're so lucky to be able to sit next to my Yun Ge, unlike me who's so unlucky. Even after being reassigned to different classes, I still ended up in the same class as Wang Xiaomi."

"Absolutely clingy!" Lin Yong described Wang Xiaomi in such terms.

"Shouldn't she be the one saying that to you?" Yun He shot a disapproving glance at Lin Yong.

"Sigh, Brother Yun, if you're not in my class, who will I copy homework from in the future?" Lin Yong wore an expression of profound woe.

"Just copy from Wang Xiaomi; her grades are way better than yours," suggested Yun He.

"Damn it, that's worse than killing me," Lin Yong replied.

Zheng Han, finding it amusing to listen to Lin Yong's complaints, couldn't help but let out a subtle smile.

"Then we'll kill you to add excitement for our little Han Han," Yun He said nonchalantly.

"Damn! Your little Han Han? Don't you love me anymore, Yun Ge?" Lin Yong widened his eyes in disbelief, looking at Yun He and then at Zheng Han: "Zheng Han, what tricks did you use on my Yun Ge?"

"I... I didn't..." Zheng Han, who is naturally introverted, was even more at a loss when Lin Yong questioned him with a flushed face. Although he knew it was a joke, he couldn't help but blush. However, in Lin Yong's eyes, it presented a different picture.

"Damn it, why are you being shy? Did you really use the beauty trap? But compared to me, Gu Shuai, you're not exactly a heartthrob either..." Lin Yong said casually.

Zheng Han's face turned even redder, and he opened and closed his mouth for a long time without being able to say anything.

"Alright, think before you speak," Yun He felt that Zheng Han was just a very obedient young man. Seeing him being teased by Lin Yong until he was speechless, he felt a sense of protecting a younger brother: "Don't bully my little Han Han, do you think everyone has a face as thick as a wall like you do?"

"Brother Yun! I'm really angry now! I could tolerate it when you were close to Gu Shuai before, because he's so charming. But you've only been deskmates with Zheng Han for a day, and you've already said that I have a thick face for him. What's the difference between you and an ungrateful, fickle man?" Lin Yong's face showed an expression of being hurt.

"Are you getting more and more excited with each word? Should I drag you up to the podium and let the whole class watch your performance?" Yun He said helplessly.

Although Zheng Han's shy expression hadn't completely faded from his face, he found the playful banter between Lin Yong and Yun He quite amusing.

"Watch your mouth!" Lin Yong snapped at Zheng Han, but Zheng Han couldn't help but let out a sly, suppressed giggle.

"Scram!" Yun He exclaimed to Lin Yong.

Thus, with a blend of love and hatred for Yun He, and amidst the melancholic tolling of the class bell, Lin Yong gave the pair a resentful glance before departure.

"He's just that kind of person, always joking around. Don't take it to heart." Yun He said softly to Zheng Han, his gaze following the math teacher as they entered the classroom.

"I know, I don't mind. I find it quite amusing, and I really like both of your personalities, Lin Yong and Zheng Han," Zheng Han said softly.

Yun He smiled but didn't respond. His phone vibrated, and Gu Jiabei had sent him a class schedule. Yun He glanced at the time for the end of evening self-study.

Nine-thirty... Yun He almost spat out his blood in disbelief.

"So late to finish school?" Glancing at the math teacher who had already taken their place at the lectern, Yun He discreetly replied under the desk.

"Big Brother Jiabei" Hmm.

"Crybaby" Where's the picture of your deskmate?

"Big Brother Jiabei," a girl said.

"Is the crybaby handsome?"

This time, Yun He waited a bit longer before receiving a response from Gu Jiabei.

"Brother Jiabei, you don't look as handsome as him."

"Crybaby" I've been reassigned to a new class, and many of my classmates are unfamiliar to me. However, my deskmate is Zheng Han, the one I met at the ski resort before, who used to be in the same class as me.

"Big Brother Jiabei's Picture"

Yun He's lips curled up to the sky. Just as he was about to reply to Gu Jiabei, a chalk missile struck his head.

"In class, what are you sneaking around for with your head down?" The math teacher's voice echoed throughout the classroom. Everyone turned to look at Yun He, who promptly stuffed his phone into his desk and lifted his head to face the teacher.

"On the first day of school, and you're not taking your studies seriously? It's already the fourth year of junior high, do you still think you're a child?" The math teacher was a burly man with a fiery temper and a loud voice, "In my class, everyone needs to be fully focused. If anyone is caught daydreaming, it'll be detention and three extra sets of exercises!"

"Oh, that's harsh…"

"Goodness... He must be the devil."

Amidst the students' grumbling, the math teacher let Yun He off the hook, having made an example of him to deter others from misbehaving. The class resumed as the teacher continued with the lesson.

Seizing the opportunity when the math teacher wasn't looking, Yun He stealthily picked up his phone and quickly replied, "The math teacher is too crazy, I can't chat with you now." He added a crying emoji for emphasis.

"Brother Jiabei, focus on your class, behave yourself."

Despite being publicly reprimanded, Yun He was comforted by Gu Jiabei's affectionate term, 'behave yourself.' He looked at the math teacher on the podium with a relatively good mood and soon found himself genuinely absorbed in the lesson, listening intently to the teacher's excellent instruction.

After school in the afternoon, Yun He, Lin Yong, and Zheng Han walked together towards the school gate. Upon reaching the entrance, they noticed a group of people who seemed like small-time gangsters, loudly chatting and smoking. Yun He glanced at the group and recognized a familiar face among them.

"Zhao Ming?" Yun He asked, frowning as he pushed the bicycle.

Lin Yong also noticed them. "I heard that after the high school entrance exam, Zhao Ming didn't do well and decided not to continue his studies. It seems like he's been hanging out with these delinquents every day."

Yun He recollected the scene where Zhao Ming had fiercely dragged a box cutter across his arm, and he also recalled encountering Zhao Ming outside the restroom later on, when he had spat out those words: "I know you're close to Gu Jiabei. Give him a message for me – I'll make him pay for the humiliation he caused me sooner or later."

Yun He's brows knitted even tighter. He felt that Zhao Ming, having previously restrained himself due to his student status, might now, given his association with this gang of ruffians, suddenly feel the urge to retaliate against Gu Jiabei on a whim.

"Let's hurry up and keep our distance from that group," Zheng Han said, a bit timid. After all, as a well-behaved student who has never been in a fight since childhood, it's only natural to avoid bullies and troublemakers.

"Alright, let's go," Yun He nodded, casting one more glance at the group of foul-mouthed, smoking hooligans.

Many students chose to detour when they saw them.