After Becoming Arch-Enemies with My Best Bro - Chapter 5

Wen Huihan found a spot in the mall and sat there for a while, soaking in the air conditioning until his “rescuer,” He Chenshuang, finally arrived.

At first, he didn’t even notice him. He was looking down, completely absorbed in clearing a level in his mobile game. It wasn’t until a shadow fell over him that he felt a cold object press against his cheek, accompanied by the crisp clinking of ice cubes.

He gasped, nearly falling backward in shock. He Chenshuang reached out and gripped his back, preventing him from making a fool of himself in public.

He Chenshuang quickly withdrew his hand as Wen Huihan glared up at him. “What did you just attack me with?”

His gaze shifted downward to the two iced milk teas in He Chenshuang’s other hand—evidently the murder weapons.

He Chenshuang’s lips curved slightly. “Mine. I thought a statue was sitting here.”

Wen Huihan:

Typical. Not a single nice word ever comes out of that mouth.

He snatched the tea from He Chenshuang’s hand one for him and one for He Chenshuang before suddenly remembering something. “Wait, didn’t we agree it was my treat?”

“Next time.”

“Oh!”

Wen Huihan didn’t press the issue. At worst, he’d just treat him to a big meal later. They were in a mall, after all; He Chenshuang could pick whatever he wanted.

He unwrapped the plastic straw and took a deep sip. After having only a few gulps of water at the gym, he finally felt like he was coming back to life.

He Chenshuang sat down beside him.

Wen Huihan glanced sideways at him. He couldn’t figure out how this guy did it—it was scorching outside, yet he hadn’t broken a single drop of sweat. People always said He Chenshuang was “cold and aloof,” and apparently, he was literally cold.

In contrast, Wen Huihan’s hair wasn’t nearly as neat as when he’d first left the dorm.

He Chenshuang noticed this, too. His casual gaze swept over him. “Have you been doing farm work?”

Wen Huihan sighed heavily. “Close enough.”

Sweating buckets was sweating buckets, regardless of the activity.

Speaking of which, Wen Huihan added, “Hey, smell me. Do I smell like sweat?”

He’d realized at the gym that most people wore skin-tight athletic gear that absorbed moisture. No one else was working out in a baggy, oversized T-shirt like he was. Being a bit of a germaphobe, he hated the idea of smelling, but since he couldn’t shower immediately, he asked He Chenshuang to do a quick check.

He Chenshuang didn’t refuse. He leaned in, bringing his head close to Wen Huihan’s neck.

At this distance, Wen Huihan could catch the faint, pleasant scent of the other man—a clean fragrance that seemed to wrap around him. He wondered what body wash He Chenshuang used to stay smelling that fresh for so long.

As Wen Huihan’s mind wandered, his neck started to itch. A few strands of He Chenshuang’s hair had brushed against his skin as he leaned in.

He instinctively tried to pull away, but He Chenshuang held him steady. “Don’t move.”

Wen Huihan felt a bit restless. “Does it really take this long to smell someone?”

If he had just showered, it would be fine, but he’d just finished exercising. Being sniffed like this felt strange. He was starting to regret asking.

Just as he was about to call it off, He Chenshuang backed away. That slightly suffocating presence retreated behind a safe line, sealed back within its shell.

“Yes,” He Chenshuang said. “You smell like someone else.”

Wen Huihan recoiled in shock, covering his neck. “What? No way!”

He’d only had brief contact with Vincent at the gym when the trainer was correcting his form. The total physical contact hadn’t even lasted ten seconds. Was He Chenshuang a bloodhound? How could he possibly tell?

Where did it come from?

Wen Huihan instinctively explained, It must be my personal trainer. My form was off, so he was helping me correct it.

Only after saying it did he realize: Why am I explaining myself to him? It’s my business what I do.

Wen Huihan stood up abruptly, ready to reclaim his dignity, but the words died in his throat the moment he met He Chenshuang’s calm, unreadable eyes.

“A personal trainer?” He Chenshuang repeated slowly. “What did you pay him with? Our travel fund?”

Wen Huihan wasn’t exactly a saver. The “travel fund” He Chenshuang mentioned was for a trip they’d planned to a snowy northern country. Wen Huihan had been captivated by a travel vlog and made He Chenshuang promise to go with him. They’d set up a savings plan where they both contributed monthly until they had enough for flights.

Wen Huihan blinked. He’d used his own pocket money.

But under He Chenshuang’s piercing gaze, he checked his phone. Oh, crap. When he’d paid for the sessions, his main balance was too low, and the app had automatically pulled the difference from his savings goal.

What a terrible app! It had completely thrown him under the bus.

Even though it was technically his own money he’d spent, it still felt wrong. He felt a twinge of guilt but only a small one.

“I’ll top it back up in a bit,” he explained defensively. “It’s not like I don’t want to go on the trip anymore. Besides, the trainer has it pretty rough. He’s paying for his sisters’ tuition and has his own student loans to pay off.”

He Chenshuang remained expressionless. That’s just a sales pitch to get you to buy more classes.

It was the same story as when Wen Huihan was talked into the Go Club the seniors told him the club would disband if he didn’t join, and Wen Huihan, ever the soft-hearted “Saint,” signed up immediately.

Wen Huihan: “It didn’t seem like a lie. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

He Chenshuang’s lips parted as if to say more, but a man’s cheerful voice interrupted from a distance: “No way! Xiao Wen, you’re still here? Great!”

The conversation was cut short as they both looked over. Wen Huihan recognized Vincent, now in casual clothes. “Brother Wen? What’s up?”

“Here, you left your student ID in the locker. I messaged you on WeChat but you didn’t reply, so I brought it out just in case it got lost at the gym.”

Vincent handed the ID back. “I didn’t realize you were an A-University student! A top-tier scholar, huh? No wonder you look so well-behaved.”

Wen Huihan took it and thanked him. “I’m not that well-behaved. Thanks, Brother Wen.”

Beside him, He Chenshuang let out a scoff, earning a sharp warning glare from Wen Huihan.

Vincent smiled. “Vincent is just a stage name, but you can call me Brother Wen… Is this your friend?”

He’d noticed the guy next to Wen Huihan from a distance. He looked young, but there was an intimidating, icy aura about him.

Wen Huihan remembered the introductions. “Oh, yeah. This is my bro, He Chenshuang.”

He nudged He Chenshuang’s shoulder. Only then did the latter give a cold, curt “Mm.”

This was He Chenshuang’s default setting with strangers looking like the whole world owed him millions. Wen Huihan was used to it, but to avoid a misunderstanding, he added, “My friend isn’t much of a talker.”

He Chenshuang cut a sideways glance at him, his presence heavy and intense, but Wen Huihan ignored it.

“No worries, no worries!” Vincent’s professional instincts kicked in. He looked over He Chenshuang’s physique with admiration. “Your friend has a great build, too! Why not sign up at TT Fitness? Xiao Wen bought quite a few of my sessions; you could even come sit in on one.”

“Oh, no thanks. He’s usually too busy.”

Wen Huihan quickly declined for him. Are you kidding? He wanted to be the one to secretly get buff. He couldn’t let He Chenshuang train even more if he did, the guy would be able to bend steel bars with his bare hands. Besides, he knew He Chenshuang wouldn’t be interested.

Sure.

To Wen Huihan’s utter shock, He Chenshuang agreed. Despite his indifferent tone, he sounded serious.

Wen Huihan froze. This was the first time He Chenshuang had flat-out contradicted him like this. Something was very wrong. He tried to wink and signal to him, but He Chenshuang acted like he didn’t see a thing, keeping his cold profile turned toward him.

The tables had turned; now He Chenshuang was the one being stubborn.

Vincent was thrilled. “Fantastic! Let’s head back to the gym now. If you sign up, I’ll throw in a free session personally.”

Seeing Vincent about to lead He Chenshuang away, Wen Huihan jumped between them.

“Wait, wait, wait! Brother Wen, aren’t you off the clock? We shouldn’t bother you. Plus, we have things to take care of.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

Wen Huihan grabbed He Chenshuang by the shoulder in a half-hug and forcibly hauled him away under Vincent’s disappointed gaze.

He didn’t let go until they were far from the mall.

When he turned around, He Chenshuang was watching him with an amused look. Not a single hair was out of place. Those cool eyes felt heavy on him.

Wen Huihan grit his teeth. “Weren’t you the one saying trainers just use lines to trick people into buying classes? What happened to being afraid of getting scammed?”

He Chenshuang replied, “Maybe it’s because I’m not that ‘well-behaved’ either.”

Wen Huihan:

“That trainer looks familiar,” He Chenshuang said thoughtfully, glancing at him. “Isn’t he that fitness blogger you shared with me?”

Busted.

Wen Huihan decided to double down. “Yeah, that’s Vincent. He’s my ‘Master’ now.”

He Chenshuang hummed. No wonder you rushed out today. You were meeting your favorite streamer in person.

Wen Huihan: Damn you.

He’s doing this on purpose, Wen Huihan thought. He’s definitely doing this on purpose.

Who on earth started the rumor that He Chenshuang was a “cold god”? The guy was a menace. A “low-heat villain” was more like it. If he bit his own tongue, he’d probably die of his own venom. He probably used arsenic as lip balm. No wonder he was single who would want to date a professional toxicologist?

Wen Huihan refused to back down. He snapped back immediately, determined not to lose this verbal sparring match. In this moment, he fully embraced his identity as a villain. He was a natural; no matter what He Chenshuang said, he could find a way to argue back.

They bickered all the way back. At one point, passing a beef noodle shop, He Chenshuang managed to slip in a “want to eat” amidst the arguing. Wen Huihan, while grumbling and cursing, went ahead and paid for the food.

Not only that, he intentionally added a lethal amount of chili sauce to He Chenshuang’s bowl.

He Chenshuang ate the whole thing without blinking, still able to find loopholes in Wen Huihan’s logic to strike back with perfect clarity.

The truce only came when they reached the dorm.

“I’m done arguing. I don’t want to give you the satisfaction. I’m going to shower.”

Wen Huihan felt sticky and gross; he didn’t want to wait another second. He grabbed his clothes and ducked into the bathroom. He’d intended to take a quick “combat shower,” but He Chenshuang’s words kept echoing in his head, so he ended up scrubbing himself extra thoroughly.

Only when he felt completely refreshed and clean did he step out, surrounded by a cloud of steam.

He’d been in there for over twenty minutes. He Chenshuang was still on his phone. The dorm was quiet; their other two roommates were at the library, grinding for their postgraduate entrance exams.

Seeing how hard his roommates worked compared to He Chenshuang’s relaxed leisure, the contrast was staggering.

He Chenshuang was the undisputed top student in the Math Department, yet Wen Huihan had rarely seen him “try.” It had been that way since high school he’d breeze through everything and take the top spot. He’d even been fast-tracked for admission to A-University.

If Wen Huihan hadn’t nearly been driven crazy by studying during his senior year of high school, he’d have believed that education was the easiest thing in the world.

Can someone really be that much of a genius? Wen Huihan doubted it, especially when that person was the same guy who had spent the entire afternoon bickering like a child.

It just didn’t add up.

As Wen Huihan dried his wet hair, a bold theory formed in his mind.

He didn’t have a “System,” but who was to say that He Chenshuang, the protagonist, didn’t?

In “overpowered hero” novels, the protagonists always had systems that put them above everyone else, allowing them to achieve things normal people couldn’t even dream of.

Wen Huihan felt like he was touching the truth of the world again.

If he has a system, what kind is it?

Recalling the novels he’d skimmed, Wen Huihan figured it was likely a “God-tier Scholar” system or a “Richest Man” system. Systems usually gave the host tasks; if they failed, there was a punishment like an electric shock.

The mere thought of He Chenshuang getting zapped made Wen Huihan feel giddy with joy.

But given how smart He Chenshuang was, he probably rarely failed. What a waste not to be able to see it, he thought.

He decided he needed to cause a little trouble and trip him up.

With a head full of mischievous ideas, he watched He Chenshuang pick up his clothes to head to the bathroom. An “evil” plan struck him.

“Going for a shower?” He tried to sound casual.

He Chenshuang glanced at him. “Want to watch?”

Wen Huihan declined politely. “Sorry, not my thing.”

He Chenshuang stared at him for two seconds before walking away as if nothing was wrong.

Wen Huihan smiled as he watched him enter the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water started.

He sat at his desk and waited, counting the minutes. Once he felt enough time had passed, he crept toward the door.

Through the bathroom door, the sounds inside were clear. He didn’t know exactly what stage of the shower He Chenshuang was at, but it didn’t matter.

His hand reached for the light switch outside the door.

Then, he flipped it.

The bathroom was plunged into total darkness, and the sound of the water stopped abruptly.

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