A World Asunder - Chapter 9

Zhao Yexi’s grudge notebook was kept on his phone, synced across his computer and tablet so it would never be lost. Since its inception, he had recorded over eighty entries. The very first one was written a year ago after he lost to Lu Huangzhi in a debate competition; the lines were dripping with fury.

[I had no idea Lu Huangzhi was this kind of person. I must have been blind!!! He actually had the nerve to say “thanks for letting me win.” Is there no justice left? Is there no law!]

Zhao Yexi still got heated thinking about that debate. That entry stayed; it was the root of their feud. After careful deliberation, he deleted a more recent one: [Lu Huangzhi asked if I was an idiot. Even though I bounced it back at him, I’m still very angry.]

The following Monday, Zhao Yexi was due to report to the ABO Research Institute. Over the weekend, he spent hours packing and tricked Tao Qiaosheng into acting as free labor to help him move into the staff apartments.

Because Tao Qiaosheng was an “unrelated person,” he had to register, be inspected, and endure a pat-down by a burly security guard before being allowed into the building.

“I get it,” Tao Qiaosheng said, wheeling Zhao Yexi’s suitcase out of the elevator with the grace of a flight attendant. “The people living here are top-tier talents; security must be tight. But making me take off my boots was a bit much.”

“Who told you to wear boots?” Zhao Yexi followed behind, struggling to carry a large cardboard box with a pink trash can perched on top. “Help me take the trash can,” he panted. “I can’t see the road.”

Tao Qiaosheng wagged a finger, grinning. “No can do, Xi-zai. A trash can would lower my charm points.”

“There’s no one here! Who are you showing your charm to?”

Suddenly, Tao Qiaosheng started tapping Zhao Yexi’s arm frantically. Zhao Yexi snapped, “If you tap me one more time, I’m putting this trash can over your head.”

Tao Qiaosheng lowered his voice: “It’s Lu Huangzhi.”

As they spoke, Lu Huangzhi had already walked up to them. “The Senior lives on this floor too?”

What a useless question. If he didn’t live on this floor, what would he be doing here? Going for a stroll? “No,” Zhao Yexi said sarcastically, “I live on the roof.”

The box contained his computer tower, and his arms were trembling from the weight, but he had to stay steady. He couldn’t let Lu Huangzhi see him struggle.

Tao Qiaosheng smiled. “Where is the Campus Heartthrob heading?”

Lu Huangzhi lifted the bag in his hand. “Taking out the trash.”

Zhao Yexi blurted out, “You dressed up that much just to take out the trash?!”

“I just finished a shower and threw on the first thing I saw,” Lu Huangzhi said. “Does it look good?”

Zhao Yexi: “…” Tao Qiaosheng: “Well…”

Upon closer inspection, Lu Huangzhi was quite disheveled. His hair was still wet and unstyled; he wore a plain, loose lounge set and a pair of letter-print slippers, holding a trash bag. On anyone else, this “skin” would be worth a dollar, but on Lu Huangzhi, it looked like a legendary limited edition.

Lu Huangzhi glanced at the pink trash can. “Need a hand?”

“No,” Zhao Yexi said coldly. “Go take out your trash.”

The staff apartments were small but were loft-style duplexes. Downstairs held the kitchen, living room, and balcony; upstairs was the bedroom and bathroom. Standing in the living room, you could see the bed just by looking up. It was perfect for a couple and more than enough for one person.

Tao Qiaosheng was envious. “Does your institute need more people?”

Zhao Yexi set the box down and massaged his arms. “I heard the hours are 9 AM to midnight.”

Tao Qiaosheng shrugged. “That’s basically the same as the programmers at my company.”

The cleaning crew had already prepared the apartment, so the first thing Zhao Yexi did was set up his computer. Tao Qiaosheng didn’t help; he stood on the balcony staring into the distance as if contemplating the future of humanity.

After a while, he came back in. “Xi-zai, let’s have hotpot later. To warm up your new home.”

“Granted.”

“By the way, did Lu Huangzhi differentiate?”

Zhao Yexi nodded. “Alpha.”

Tao Qiaosheng looked surprised. “Is the internet rumor true? That handsome guys have a higher chance of becoming Alphas?”

“The internet also says eating crap is healthy. Are you going to try that too?”

When Lu Huangzhi returned from the trash bins, the door to the opposite apartment was open. Zhao Yexi was standing on his tiptoes in front of the wardrobe, trying desperately to reach the top shelf with a set of bedding.

The motion pulled his hoodie up, revealing a sliver of fair, lean waist.

Lu Huangzhi couldn’t help but look twice.

“Darn, why is this wardrobe so high?” Zhao Yexi complained. “Xiao Qiao, help me get a stool…”

Zhao Yexi felt someone approach. That familiar scent, now tinged with a hint of post-shower dampness, hit him again.

The bedding was taken from his hands. The person standing behind him easily placed the items on the shelf he couldn’t reach. “You’re welcome.”

Because of their positions, even though Zhao Yexi’s glands weren’t fully developed, he could clearly capture Lu Huangzhi’s scent. It was fruity, refreshing, and comfortable. His waist felt like it was going soft.

Wait, this isn’t right. It smelled good, sure, but why were his legs giving out?

“Thanks are definitely in order,” Tao Qiaosheng’s voice broke the silence. “Campus Heartthrob, we’re having hotpot later. Want to join?”

Lu Huangzhi agreed immediately. “Sure.”

Zhao Yexi snapped out of it and turned around. “Did you wash your hands before touching my sheets?”

“I did.” Lu Huangzhi brushed the back of his hand against Zhao Yexi’s cheek. “You can check.”

Lu Huangzhi’s hand wasn’t completely dry. The cool touch made Zhao Yexi shiver, his long eyelashes fluttering. He swatted the hand away, his earlobes turning red. “Stay away from me. I’m allergic to dogs.”

Lu Huangzhi arched an eyebrow. “I’m a dog now?”

Tao Qiaosheng, watching from the side, had a subtle expression. These two looked like they were at each other’s throats, but in reality… this is freaking flirting!

“Uh,” Tao Qiaosheng said, “you guys keep at it. I’ll go buy the ingredients for the hotpot.”

“Forget it. If you go, you’ll have to take your boots off for the guard again.” Zhao Yexi grabbed his jacket. “I’ll go. Anything you guys want?”

Tao Qiaosheng listed off: “Beef rolls, shrimp paste, cuttlefish balls, cilantro, bean curd skin…”

Lu Huangzhi said, “A Coke would be nice.”

Zhao Yexi left and pulled up his chat history with Lu Huangzhi. He hadn’t noticed the height entry on the report before because he’d been too depressed.

[Height: 187.8cm]

Heh. Only 15cm taller. If I round it off, it’s basically negligible.

Back at the apartment, Tao Qiaosheng was alone with Lu Huangzhi for the first time. After a few casual words on the balcony, Tao Qiaosheng was more convinced than ever that Lu Huangzhi was flawless. Handsome, athletic, talented enough to enter the institute as a master’s student, and high EQ. Why were he and Xi-zai enemies?

“Lu, can I ask you something?” Tao Qiaosheng said. “Xi-zai says you target him on purpose. Why? Is our Xi-zai not cute?”

Lu Huangzhi thought for a moment. “Do I?”

“Don’t you?”

“Even if I do, the targeting is mutual.” Lu Huangzhi’s lips curved. “Like right now.”

Tao Qiaosheng followed Lu Huangzhi’s gaze downward. Zhao Yexi was coming out of a convenience store, a bag of groceries in one hand and a can of Coke in the other. He was shaking the Coke with all his might, looking like he was having a seizure.

Tao Qiaosheng couldn’t bear to look; he was almost moved to tears by how stupid Zhao Yexi was being.

My child, can’t you be a little more careful when you’re doing something bad? You’re being caught red-handed and you’re still shaking it.

Lu Huangzhi pulled out his phone and recorded the scene. He told Tao Qiaosheng, “You can’t blame me for this.”

Tao Qiaosheng said, “Every cause has an effect. If you hadn’t won that debate against him, he wouldn’t be like this.”

Lu Huangzhi paused. “The debate?”

“The one last year,” Tao Qiaosheng recalled. “Before that, whenever Xi-zai mentioned you, he was praising your looks. After that debate, he started saying he was blind. He’s not usually a sore loser, but for some reason, he took that one really hard.”

Lu Huangzhi knit his brows, then seemed to realize something. He chuckled softly. “He’s a bit cute.”

Tao Qiaosheng thought he misheard. “What?”

Lu Huangzhi said, “Did he ever tell you what the topic of that debate was?”

“No, but I’m sure it was something very serious in your major, right?”

Lu Huangzhi smiled. “You should ask him.”

Zhao Yexi returned with the groceries, showing no sign of guilt. “Xiao Qiao, get the induction cooker ready. Lu Huangzhi, your Coke.”

Tao Qiaosheng winked frantically at Zhao Yexi. Zhao Yexi looked confused. “Is there something wrong with your eye?”

Tao Qiaosheng said, “I suddenly want a Coke too. How about I take this one…”

Zhao Yexi hurried to say, “No!”

“No need,” Lu Huangzhi said meaningfully. “Thank you, Senior Zhao.”

Zhao Yexi remained calm on the surface. “Don’t mention it.”

Tao Qiaosheng silently turned away. The coming scene was too beautiful; he didn’t dare watch.

Zhao Yexi took the ingredients out of the bag one by one, watching Lu Huangzhi from his peripheral vision as he picked up the abused can.

Here it comes!

Lu Huangzhi held the can low. When he popped it open with one hand, bubbles hissed out aggressively. He didn’t panic. He didn’t have the distorted face Zhao Yexi expected, nor was there any clumsy fumbling. He calmly let the Coke spray all over his T-shirt.

Zhao Yexi: “???” How is he still handsome?

“My clothes are dirty,” Lu Huangzhi said slowly. “Will you help me wash them, Senior?”

Zhao Yexi said coldly, “Why don’t you go to sleep? You can find anything you want in your dreams.”