Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Jiang Songen was walking You Nan home when they were stopped at the school entrance.

Zhang Chun stared at Jiang Songen’s hand resting on You Nan’s waist, steadying him, his expression contorted—as if he'd swallowed something foul—filled with utter disdain and disgust.

Jiang Songen’s gaze sharpened, fixing on Zhang Chun and his cohorts.

“Zhang Chun, what do you want?”

Zhang Chun gritted his teeth. “Come with me. I need to talk to you.”

Jiang Songen wasn't about to humor him. “Say whatever you have to say right here.”

Zhang Chun couldn't bring himself to do that.

He and Jiang Songen had been at odds for so long that everyone in school knew their relationship was hostile. How could he possibly confess his feelings to Jiang Songen in front of his own crew?

Wouldn't that be a complete humiliation?

Zhang Chun insisted, “No, come with me to that pavilion. We’ll talk, and then it’s over.”

The pavilion Zhang Chun pointed to was less than fifty meters away.

You Nan nervously clutched Jiang Songen’s arm; he didn't want him to go.

Something had happened between Jiang Songen and Zhang Chun during self-study, and the tension hadn't dissipated.

Zhang Chun had brought so many people this time—he might very well be looking to pick another fight with Jiang Songen to vent his anger.

You Nan remembered how last semester, Jiang Songen had challenged Zhang Chun to a basketball match for his sake. Jiang Songen had indeed won, but You Nan later witnessed several instances of Zhang Chun’s crew secretly trying to trip Jiang Songen up.

Fortunately, Jiang Songen saw through every one of their tricks and retaliated, never letting them gain the upper hand.

Jiang Songen patted You Nan’s hand, his attitude firm. “Either speak now or leave. Not everyone is as obnoxious as you.”

Zhang Chun was insulted by the person he liked, furious and gritting his teeth, but he couldn't utter a word—his chest burned with suppressed rage.

“Let’s get him, boss!”

“Yeah, boss! He’s insulting you!”

“Do you think I didn’t hear? Do I need you to remind me?” Zhang Chun glared at the talkative subordinate.

Times had changed. If this were before, he would’ve charged in, fists flying, and started a fight.

But not now.

Zhang Chun marched up to Jiang Songen with a dark expression. Even though he was here to confess, his entire demeanor was aggressive.

His face was as dark as charcoal, as if he were seeking revenge.

Jiang Songen stepped in front of You Nan, shielding him, whispering, “If he makes a move, run fast. Go find a teacher.”

You Nan bit his lip, nervous and uneasy.

Zhang Chun was a sports scholarship student—his fists were as big as sandbags. It was obvious that his punches would really hurt.

You Nan had never been hit by him, and he didn't want Jiang Songen to suffer.

Zhang Chun stopped in front of Jiang Songen, his gaze darting toward You Nan, who was being protected behind Jiang Songen.

“Make him step back. I don’t want him to hear our conversation.”

Jiang Songen gently patted You Nan’s waist. You Nan’s clear eyes watched Zhang Chun warily.

If Zhang Chun dared to make a move, he’d immediately run to find a teacher.

Jiang Songen waited until You Nan had moved back to a safe distance before his expression turned cold. “Say what you have to say.”

“I like you.”

Four words slammed fiercely into Jiang Songen.

Jiang Songen was stunned for a moment, his eyes widening. Once it sank in, he felt a wave of nausea, physically revolted and disgusted to the point of wanting to vomit.

Zhang Chun, having mustered the courage to start, found it easier to continue.

“I was wrong before. I’ve actually liked you for a long time, but I didn’t realize it myself. I just wanted to get your attention, so I kept picking on you.”

“Jiang Songen, let’s date. After we’re together, I’ll make my crew apologize to you and have them steer clear of you whenever they see you.”

And call you “sister-in-law.”

After finishing, Zhang Chun imagined the scene of his crew greeting Jiang Songen with “Hello, sister-in-law,” and it made his heart pound excitedly.

Jiang Songen was so angry he laughed in disbelief.

Zhang Chun, however, mistook it as a sign of agreement, his eyes lighting up.

He was about to continue, but Jiang Songen responded with two punches.

And while hitting him, he was also gagging.

“Are you out of your mind?”—Urp—

“Who wants your affection? You’re like a lunatic, on my case every day. Even if I were blind, I could never like you!”

Urp—

Zhang Chun had kept his voice low while speaking, afraid his crew would hear and make him lose face in front of them.

But Jiang Songen didn't care about that.

He was utterly disgusted by Zhang Chun.

How dare Zhang Chun mess with him every day, then come over with a cocky attitude and say “I like you”?

No normal person would ever do something like that!

Right now, Jiang Songen wanted everyone to hear Zhang Chun’s idiotic confession.

“Do you think you’re still in kindergarten or elementary school? Still playing that outdated ‘I like you so I’ll bully you’ routine? Huh? Even elementary school kids think that’s cheesy and out of style now!”

The more Zhang Chun didn't want others to know, the more Jiang Songen wanted to call him out.

The more people who knew about Zhang Chun’s creepy feelings, the more would naturally keep an eye on him, making Zhang Chun too ashamed to have the energy to mess with him.

Jiang Songen’s voice was so loud that Zhang Chun’s crew, not far away, couldn't help but hear everything.

They were all dumbfounded.

What?!

No way! Their boss actually likes Jiang Songen?

How is that possible! Their boss always told them to give Jiang Songen a hard time and show him what he’s made of.

He seethed with hatred, always looking for Jiang Songen’s slip-ups—how could that possibly mean he likes him!

You Nan also heard Jiang Songen’s words.

But You Nan was surprised for less than a second before accepting this fact.

In this world, Jiang Songen was naturally a heartthrob to everyone.

Zhang Chun was one of the main love interests, so it was inevitable that he would like Jiang Songen.

He just hadn’t expected Zhang Chun to be so detestable.

An hour earlier, Zhang Chun had almost gotten into a fight with Jiang Songen in the classroom, and now he was professing his feelings to him.

He’s insane!

He’s truly insane!

How could he be so shameless!

After Jiang Songen punched Zhang Chun twice, he immediately recoiled, as if avoiding something filthy.

Jiang Songen quickly walked over to You Nan and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the rising disgust inside him.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

Don’t get contaminated by that filth.

You Nan nodded repeatedly.

Zhang Chun watched as Jiang Songen stuck close to You Nan again, his eyes turning red with jealousy.

He shouted at his crew, “What are you all standing around for? Block them!”

Today, Jiang Songen had made him lose face completely! No matter what, Jiang Songen had to say yes to his confession!

But to his surprise, the crew who usually obeyed him exchanged glances, and not a single one dared to confront Jiang Songen for him.

Instead, they looked at Zhang Chun with weird, curious looks.

They followed Zhang Chun only because he was the eldest son of the Zhang family, and they could snag some perks from him.

They didn't want to follow a weirdo and be laughed at along with him.

Before Zhang Chun could even get angry at them, they took off.

“I’ll go right away!”

“Me too!”

But once they left, they never returned to Zhang Chun’s side.

At the same time, the news that “Zhang Chun likes Jiang Songen” gradually spread throughout the school.

Cheng Mi heard the news the moment it broke. Instead of going to Zhang Chun, he went straight to Yi Jiahe.

Zhang Chun wasn't competition anymore to him.

Not only had Jiang Songen rejected Zhang Chun, but he had also punched him. The things Zhang Chun had done would linger in Jiang Songen’s mind like a bad taste. Surely, every time Jiang Songen saw Zhang Chun after this, he would feel disgusted.

For Cheng Mi, this was a good thing.

But while Zhang Chun was an open book, Yi Jiahe was unpredictable.

Cheng Mi wanted to use this news to feel things out and see what Yi Jiahe’s situation was.

He knew that Yi Jiahe also liked Jiang Songen.

Cheng Mi arrived at just the right time. Yi Jiahe hadn't left school yet and was sitting in the student council room.

As soon as Cheng Mi entered, he cut to the chase and told Yi Jiahe the news.

Just as Cheng Mi had expected.

There was no surprise on Yi Jiahe’s face.

Both of them had seen that idiot Zhang Chun’s crush on Jiang Songen.

They had even watched as Zhang Chun dug his own grave, and neither of them had bothered to warn him.

Cheng Mi sat down on the sofa. “What do you think about this?”

Yi Jiahe crossed his legs, his eyes lowered as he looked at something on the table.

If Cheng Mi had stood up and walked over to Yi Jiahe’s side, he would have recognized the notebook in front of him as the same one he had seen on the sports field that day.

The only difference was that back then, the notebook hadn’t been filled up, but now it was finished.

The notebook’s owner, You Nan, thought he had lost it and had been looking for days in the classroom for it.

He would never have imagined that Yi Jiahe had quietly swiped it.

Yi Jiahe had watched him searching for the notebook in the classroom without saying a word, only to turn around and keep it for himself.

Cheng Mi grew impatient when he didn't get a response from Yi Jiahe, getting annoyed and restless.

“I’m talking to you!” Cheng Mi snapped back, showing his impatience.

Yi Jiahe suddenly asked, “Did you go looking for You Nan today?”

Cheng Mi was stunned. How did Yi Jiahe know?

He admitted it. “Yes, I did.”

“The marks on You Nan’s wrist were also your doing.”

Yi Jiahe stated it matter-of-factly.

Cheng Mi frowned. “So what?”

You Nan was so skinny, a strong breeze could knock him over.

He barely used any force, and just that little bit was enough to make his wrist turn red.

Cheng Mi heard that he even kept pestering Jiang Songen to go with him to the infirmary.

What an annoying guy!

Cheng Mi thought bitterly.

Yi Jiahe stood up, walked behind Cheng Mi, and in a flash, he reached out and gripped Cheng Mi’s wrist. With a “crack” sound of bone dislocation, Cheng Mi yelped in pain.

Cheng Mi gritted his teeth, frowned, and cursed, “Are you crazy? Did I provoke you?”

Yi Jiahe bent down, meeting his gaze with Cheng Mi’s. “Of course,” he said.

Cheng Mi was stunned. Yi Jiahe’s eyes were dark and deep.

He sensed a crazy, unhinged energy emanating from Yi Jiahe.

“I’ve already told Zhang Chun. I didn’t expect him not to mention it to you.”

Yi Jiahe’s tone was flat, betraying no hint of the violence he had just inflicted on his friend’s dislocated wrist. “I’m into You Nan now.”

“If you mess with him again, I’ll know, and I’ll return the favor every time.”

Yi Jiahe’s lips tightened, his expression turning cold. “Understood?” he said coldly.

Cheng Mi looked up at the intimidating figure of Yi Jiahe, feeling as though he had never truly seen him before. He clenched his fist tightly, his usually pretty face twisting momentarily in fury.

Cheng Mi laughed mockingly, “You should really look in the mirror now. You’re turning into Zhang Chun.”

Both of you are just here playing Monday morning quarterback.