Chapter 7 An Unremarkable Special Admit

Chapter 7 An Unremarkable Special Admit

Qin Yi should have been oblivious to the posts on the forum, as his reaction clearly indicated that this was the first time he had seen Ning Song's appearance. Someone whispered something in his ear, and Qin Yi tilted his head to listen, his eyes fixed on Ning Song. The way he looked at people was different from others; he didn't focus much on faces but rather on their bodies.

Understood, this guy might be a body enthusiast. The boy next to him looked delicate but had an excellent physique.

The person beside him gently clapped his hands.

The music in the room stopped.

Someone also closed the door.

With the door shut, Ning Song felt like a pack of werewolves was about to transform.

A chubby, jovial-looking boy with a black badge stepped forward to host, first explaining the old tradition of their school and then welcoming Ning Song. He seemed somewhat disappointed by Ning Song's appearance, his tone lacking enthusiasm: "New student, introduce yourself."

Ning Song steadied himself and gave a brief self-introduction, occasionally answering questions from the crowd. Some questions were filled with malice, but he answered them with a smile, rolling his eyes inwardly.

He wasn't overly humble or nervous, nor too arrogant, maintaining a balanced demeanor, just like his personality.

Amidst the disappointed or disdainful gazes, he felt a sense of security.

Just as everyone's attention was still focused on him, someone pushed the door open. The student holding the door turned around and pulled it open, revealing Li You and a couple of other boys entering.

Seeing him, Qin Yi and his group visibly changed their expressions.

"Hey, isn't that Brother You? What wind blew you here?"

Li You wasn't wearing the school uniform; instead, he wore a windbreaker, making him look more rugged and wild, like a street youth among a bunch of aristocratic students, exuding a strong sense of intimidation. With a half-smile, he asked, "Not welcome?"

"How could it be?"

It felt like the two groups were about to clash, and several of Qin Yi's companions stood up.

Li You kept his hands in his pockets, scanning the crowd before finally settling his gaze on Ning Song. He smirked, "I came to see the new student."

His arrival changed the atmosphere in the room, and no one paid much attention to Ning Song anymore.

Soon another person arrived, the beautiful boy they had seen earlier, who resembled a white cat. He seemed to have rushed over, panting slightly, but his face looked made-up, stunningly attractive. Many people's gazes followed him, including those of the black-badge young masters next to Qin Yi.

However, his eyes seemed to focus only on Li You, as if he had come specifically for him, constantly hovering around Li You. He leaned in, trying to get a kiss from Li You, looking somewhat fawning, but Li You turned his head away.

But he wasn't the only one looking at Li You with intense desire.

The dimly lit room amplified desires, and many people's gazes toward Li You were filled with naked hunger.

Generally, campus stories differ from other novels in that the love and desire of young boys are pure, vigorous, and clean, even when they stand close together, exuding a pleasant scent.

But the campus Ning Song found himself in was clearly an exception.

Immersed in this atmosphere, he felt a dark desire stirring within him.

He should go back and write immediately; he was brimming with inspiration!

Someone handed him a drink, which he took and sipped, instantly choking.

"It's alcohol!" Qiao Qiao hurriedly said.

Ning Song heard everyone laughing around him, coughing until his face turned red, shaking his head.

Qiao Qiao quickly offered him a snack, "Forgot to tell you, there's only alcohol here."

"Don't break the rules, new student."

Everyone seemed to suddenly remember him again, determined to give him a hard time: "Down it in one go, as per the old rule."

Ning Song remained silent and downed the drink in one gulp.

He knew he couldn't appear too weak at this moment.

Adapting to the local customs is the survival rule for the weak.

The alcohol burned his eyes, and he didn't know what kind of liquor it was, only feeling a burning sensation in his lungs and face, almost bringing tears to his eyes. Qiao Qiao quickly brought over the entire tray of snacks, and he grabbed a piece of chocolate.

But the chocolate was also filled with alcohol, the slightly bitter sweetness colliding with the alcohol.

His eyes were filled with tears, and he saw Li You smirking at him with a hint of mischief.

His eyes still lacked emotion.

Compared to these pampered young masters, Li You wasn't pale-skinned, had short hair, and was probably about the same height as Pu Yu but more muscular. Like the others, he sat cross-legged on the carpet, but his legs seemed too long, giving off a rough and honest sense of desire, making him hard to pin down.

He felt that both Qin Yi and Lin Li had ambiguous attitudes toward Li You—neither entirely hostile nor purely affectionate.

Fortunately, they soon left him alone.

Perhaps he wasn't outstanding enough, but he wasn't weak enough either, making him neither likable nor easy to bully, like a bland glass of water.

But no one in this room liked plain water.

Feeling dizzy, Ning Song leaned against Qiao Qiao and listened to their idle chatter.

But it wasn't entirely fruitless.

For instance, he learned that the pretty boy always clinging to Li You was named Lin Li.

Who would name themselves that?

Lin Li had a common tear mole near his eye, typical of the protagonists in BL novels.

Indeed, he looks like a fox.

He's very handsome, and he knows it. His eyebrows and eyes exude charm, and when boys stare at him, he can't help but feel a bit smug, lifting his chin higher.

At this moment, he picked up the lighter in front of Li You to play with.

The lighter is special, black, with a pattern of roses surrounding a skull.

It's a S.T. Dupont lighter.

He has some impression of this brand because when he was in college, a roommate received a birthday gift from his girlfriend—a lighter of this brand. It's said that one lighter costs over ten thousand yuan.

The cigarette in Li You's hand is also special, pure black, resembling a pen, much longer than ordinary cigarettes, with Russian text on the box.

Since it's rare to see Qin Yi and Li You visit each other's territories, the atmosphere at the welcoming party became very subtle. Qin Yi dismissed all the boys around him and invited Li You to chat in an adjacent room. Li You went directly without giving Ning Song another glance.

Everyone watched their backs, no longer paying attention to him, the plain newcomer.

Unable to withstand the heat and fatigue, Ning Song saw that there were fewer people on the balcony and pulled Qiao Qiao over to sit there.

Sitting on the balcony, lost in thought, occasionally classmates would come over to talk to him, asking about his relationship with Li You.

What kind of relationship could he have with Li You?

They just met.

They probably believed he wasn't lying and left after a few words.

He was very sleepy, almost dozing off. When he regained consciousness, it was because someone nearby was disturbing him.

It was two familiar faces.

Lin Li always tried to get close to Li You whenever he had the chance.

There are countless handsome guys in school, for example, Pu Yu, the untouchable prince, the best stock; or Sheng Yan, so handsome that people dare not look closely, the grandson of the richest man in Shangdong Province; or Shen Lingsi from the student council, who is always the heartthrob at school events. They are rich, handsome, and cultured, today's darlings of heaven, with a bright future ahead.

But he just likes Li You.

A thug who came out of boxing, not particularly handsome, with a wolf's back and a dog's waist, not knowing how to love, and likely treating people as objects in bed.

Yet he loves this type.

Li You looks tough and capable, easy to seduce, and everyone seems to treat him as such. He appears to be indiscriminate, playing wild, carefree, and surrounded by followers.

But strangely, no one has ever seen him with anyone.

He doesn't date or sleep around, rejecting advances in any chaotic environment, maintaining a murky yet clear and cold demeanor. He seems to have many friends in this noble school, yet none are truly close.

Li You looks heartless.

This makes people itch even more, making them abandon their dignity for his affection.

But he never had much dignity to begin with.

Life is short, enjoy it while you can, lest you waste your youth.

Li You dodged his kiss: "Why are you so provocative?"

Not giving him even a crumb.

He's so bad, making him grind his teeth.

"That suits you; the others don't. Not fitting."

Li You ignored him. He probably dislikes such occasions, lighting a cigarette impatiently.

The fire illuminated his brows and eyes, his high nose.

His face is uncontrollable, easily making people lose their minds, especially his slightly upturned lips, always seeming indifferent. Lin Li flattered him by grabbing his arm, but Li You's expression was indifferent, unreadable whether he enjoyed the rich boy's infatuation. The light from the cigarette flickered, the red glow swaying slightly with each puff, as if he was biting the filter, the tattoo on his neck spreading in the darkness.

Ning Song felt that Lin Li had little chance.

Guys like Li You usually go for innocent girls.

A face made for chaos, suited for pure love, a scoundrel tormented by pure love.

Ning Song wondered whether to continue pretending to sleep or get up and leave.

While hesitating, he saw Li You sitting down beside him.

Now he couldn't pretend to sleep anymore. As he was about to get up, Li You pulled him: "Wanna chat?"

He turned to look at Li You, moving his lips, then called him "Brother You."

Hearing him call him brother, the agitation on Li You's face dissipated somewhat.

Lin Li didn't leave, standing there with his arms crossed.

After Qiao Qiao finished his urgent phone call and returned, seeing Li You and Lin Li there, he stopped, worriedly glancing at Ning Song.

Li You looked at him in the dim candlelight.

The alcohol had brought some color to Ning Song's pale face, though it still looked too thin, his dark eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, seeming wet from the alcohol's warmth.

He looked genuinely pitiful.

Seeing him, one could imagine the life he led in Lower Harbor.

"How did you get into this school?"

"Participated in the special spring recruitment," he said.

"What special skills?" Li You asked, then added, "Good at studying?"

Ning Song hummed in agreement.

"Where did you live in Lower Harbor?"

"Shallow Water Lane."

"How coincidental." Li You's eyes flickered, "I know that place well."

He leaned in a bit too close, warm and perhaps it was because Ning Song had had some wine and felt hot himself. But he caught a whiff of Li You's scent, different from the various perfumes around, distinctly the fragrance of shower gel or soap. Ning Song leaned back slightly but remembered that Li You was also a specially recruited student. His heart stirred as he asked, "Do you know that place?"

Can't be that he lived there too?

Li You's lips curled up. He was quite charming, a mere glance seemed to lick one's face with a seductive gaze, "I often went there to help collect debts."

Ning Song: "…"

Yesterday, when he went out for wontons in Lower Harbor, he saw debt collectors, fierce young men chasing people down.

Seeing the change in Ning Song's expression, Li You's eyes narrowed into a soft laugh.

As if teasing him again.

But his eyes remained devoid of warmth.

Ning Song wasn't good at dealing with people like Li You. Spotting Qiao Qiao, he stood up immediately, "Did you need me?"

Qiao Qiao nodded quickly, "I'm leaving. Are you going too?"

"Sure, sure, sure." Ning Song hurriedly said.

Seeing no sign of Li You stopping him, he quickly opened the balcony glass door and stepped out. The hall was much emptier now, many having moved to the adjacent rooms.

What kind of welcome party is this.

It's just a place for these rich boys to have fun and add some fresh atmosphere.

Following Qiao Qiao out, passing by a suite, through the half-open door, he saw someone sitting on another person. A naked back moving under the light, glistening like an oil painting.

The person underneath suddenly turned their head.

It was Qin Yi.

Sweat covered his forehead, drunk and wild-eyed.

He felt as if he were dreaming.

A chaotic dream.

Qiao Qiao raised an eyebrow at him, seemingly wanting to complain or inform him of something but pulled him away, fearing others might hear.

Approaching the fire exit, suddenly an arm reached out.

Startled, Ning Song saw Qiao Qiao being pulled away.

Qiao Qiao exclaimed, "Hey, hey!" Ning Song immediately grabbed his arm, turned to see a stern face in the dim light.

"What are you doing?" he shouted.

Even in an all-boys school, shouldn't there be mutual consent?!

Could they openly snatch someone here?!

He reached out to pull, hearing Qiao Qiao say hastily, "It's okay, it's a friend."

Hearing this, Ning Song let go instantly.

A friend, huh.

The other looked to be in his late twenties, dressed formally, tall and mature.

"You've grown some guts, ignoring everything I say, Qiao Qiao." The man spoke with a biting tone, "And drinking? Getting more capable, aren't you?"

Qiao Qiao shook off his arm, "Let go of me. I only had a little."

To no avail, he was dragged away.

Ning Song took a few steps forward, unsure if he should get involved in their dispute. Qiao Qiao turned back, "I'm going first. See you tomorrow. Remember the way to your dorm, right?"

Ning Song stopped, watching Qiao Qiao being taken away.

…

Such a fierce brother.

Standing by the roadside, he watched white ash flowers fall like snow, blown to his feet by the wind.

Ning Song scratched his wavy long hair.

What a chaotic all-boys school!

Checking the time, he hurried towards the skyway.

He now had a slight fear of walking alone at night, worried someone might jump out to block him.

It was already midnight, no cars on the road below the skyway, waves crashing in the distance. Under the moonlight, the sea shimmered with a deep glow. He heard footsteps approaching and turned to look.

Lin Li stopped, panting, and asked with a smile, "Where’s your buddy?"

"He went back first," Ning Song replied.

Lin Li still smiled. "Then let's walk together."

He really did resemble a sleek red fox, especially his eyes. They were sharp and black, and although he was smiling, there was a hint of cunning and disdain in his gaze, as if everyone in the world was just his plaything.

He looked at Ning Song with a playful expression.

Ning Song met his gaze straight on, his face pale under the streetlight.

Suddenly, Lin Li reached out and touched his face.

Ning Song dodged slightly; it felt too ticklish.

Lin Li laughed and said, "Actually, you have quite good features."

This startled Ning Song.

He smiled and said, "Not as good as yours, not even a tenth of it."

Lin Li raised an eyebrow. "No need to compare with me."

Damn.

Lin Li chuckled lightly. "Li You seems to care about you a lot."

"Huh?"

"Do you like him?"

"It's my first day here." He barely knew anyone, so what was there to like or dislike? Ning Song countered, "Do you like him?"

Ning Song asked with a smile that seemed harmless and almost pleading, but his eyes pierced through, making Lin Li feel that they were eerily similar to Li You's. There was no warmth in them.

He was very thin, yet had an inexplicable resilience, as if it came from his body, like wild grass that never dies even when withered, or perhaps from his soul, where the facade of compliance was merely a shallow fold at the corner of his mouth.

Lin Li didn't continue, instead smiling warmly. "Let's be friends, maybe we'll see each other often in the future."

Ning Song nodded perfunctorily, his gaze uncontrollably drawn to the teardrop mole under Lin Li's right eye. "Sure."

They parted ways at the intersection.

Lin Li, with his gold badge, headed to Building 2.

He returned to Building 4 alone.

What a tiring day, the alcohol still lingered on him.

But thank goodness, his first day was finally over!

Dragging his weary steps, he returned to his dormitory in Building 4, closed the door, turned on the light, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He quickly washed up, lay down on the bed, and browsed the forum.

Almost the entire front page was filled with posts about him.

He casually opened a few and saw some digging into his family background, others into his special admission scores. Of course, most expressed disappointment.

Not because he was terrible—being terrible would be interesting. Instead, he was mediocre, just like his appearance, lacking any distinctive features.

The first special admit from the slums in Upper East School's history should have been a great talking point. If he were extremely beautiful or ugly, it would have brought much-needed excitement to this closed boys' school.

The clichés made his eyelids droop, and he finally picked a post unrelated to him.

"Shocking news: Li You attended the welcome party today!"

... Do your parents know they were shocked in the middle of the night?

Ning Song clicked on the post drowsily, reading about Li You and Qin Yi's past entanglements, starting from the welcome party. After a couple of lines, he felt he couldn’t hold on any longer.

Regardless, this day was finally over.

He felt a serene contentment, for this was the time of day when he felt most at peace, a sense of happiness that no matter what tomorrow might bring, he still had an entire night of undisturbed tranquility ahead. This sense of happiness had sustained him through countless phases of his life.

The dorm room had no curtains, and right outside the window was a light under the corridor. However, there were hooks left by the previous senior on the bed frame. He hung the clothes on them, blocking the light, and the gap revealed just enough to see the moon outside.

He stared at the moon outside for a while, hearing the lazy cries of a cat, carried away by the spring night breeze. The scent of white elderflowers, like moonlight, was more fragrant than during the day, blending into a soft, tranquil sleepiness.

Then he heard rhythmic thumping sounds from above.

Tap, tap, tap-tap, tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

Ning Song: ...

!!

Help!