Can't Shake Off My Arch-rival After Falling in Love Online - Chapter 7

Xi Yang seemed taken aback that Shu Xing would greet him. He stared at Shu Xing for a long time before snapping back to reality, nodding and letting out a slightly muffled “Mn.”

As Xi Yang approached, Shu Xing caught a strong scent of tobacco. It suddenly clicked that the smell he had noticed earlier was from Xi Yang smoking. This person actually smokes? Shu Xing had always assumed their room was a smoke-free zone. It turned out Xi Yang simply never smoked in the dormitory.

Thinking about it, the guy actually had decent manners. He knew not to subject his roommates to secondhand smoke, which was why he had come out here. Shu Xing’s gaze followed Xi Yang’s movements warily. Because he was so guilty and nervous, his Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily. As Xi Yang passed him to reach the sink, Shu Xing finally could not help but test the waters, asking cautiously, “Did you… hear any strange noises just now?”

Unexpectedly, Xi Yang shot him an alert look and asked forcefully, “What did you hear?”

Shu Xing felt even guiltier under that gaze. He could practically feel his heart leaping out of his chest. His stiff back pressed against the wall, and he straightened his neck, saying, “No, nothing. I was just asking.”

“Oh. I did not hear anything.”

Shu Xing noticed Xi Yang’s expression relax, and his own heart finally began to settle. As long as he had not heard anything, it was fine; otherwise, Shu Xing really would not have known what lie to tell to cover up those embarrassing gasps. The intense tension quickly dissipated the post-release flush. The lingering, suggestive crimson faded from his delicate face, returning his skin to its usual fair, rosy state.

Shu Xing and Xi Yang returned to the dormitory one after the other. He Wennan and Cheng Xinyu had already showered and were lying in bed, back at the game they had played that afternoon. They were acting like blood brothers now. Cheng Xinyu, in a great mood, was taking He Wennan through a dungeon to farm gear, seemingly intent on helping He Wennan ascend to “godhood” in the game.

Noticing the two of them returning at the same time, Cheng Xinyu asked while maneuvering his character, “It is so late. Where did you two go?”

Shu Xing remained silent, exchanging a glance with Xi Yang. It was Xi Yang who spoke first, “Restroom.”

Shu Xing quickly chimed in, “Me too.”

Cheng Xinyu gave a casual “Oh” and started grumbling about the dormitory’s layout. “I am telling you, this bathroom design is flawed. If someone is showering, no one else can use the toilet. I do not know why the school does not fix it!”

He Wennan added, “They probably cannot change it. We just have to deal with it. Anyway, finals are almost here. We will likely switch rooms next semester.”

Speaking of switching rooms, Shu Xing looked up at his bed. When he first moved into this dorm, Shu Xing never imagined the bedboards would be so hard. Lying on them felt like sleeping in a coffin; it was uncomfortable no matter how he positioned himself. He only managed to sleep after adding a soft mattress.

However, with finals approaching, the school would close the campus. If they had to switch rooms next semester, all these things would have to be moved home. The thought of lugging heavy bags back during the break gave Shu Xing a massive headache. His family no longer had a driver to pick him up. His father was busy trying to stage a comeback with business dinners, and his mother did not have a license and could not drive. Moreover, since the family went bankrupt, his parents had no energy left to focus on him. It was quite possible they did not even know where his school was located.

Therefore, during long breaks, Shu Xing either had to take a taxi or squeeze onto the subway. Carrying luggage made it even more of a hassle. He frowned at the thick mattress, worrying about the future. “What am I going to do about my mattress? Moving it home seems unrealistic.”

He Wennan replied, “Just get rid of it. Leave it for the future freshmen?”

“Ah…” Shu Xing felt dejected. He had spent 3,800 yuan having that mattress custom-made to fit. It would be such a waste to just throw it away. He did not just pity the mattress; he pitied his wallet. Having another one custom-made for a new room would be another significant expense.

Shu Xing thought for a bit. “Do you think I could leave it here and come back for it next semester? Is that feasible?”

Having finished the boss fight, Cheng Xinyu put down his phone and sat up. He glanced at Shu Xing’s bed and said, “Hard to say. It rains a lot in the summer. If no one is living in the dorm, it might get damp and moldy. Unless you pay the dorm auntie to air it out for you like last year!”

Shu Xing felt even more depressed. His brow furrowed on his pretty face, and he bit his lip, looking thoroughly unhappy. Beside him, Xi Yang watched the miserable expression on Shu Xing’s face. He was a bit puzzled. It was just a mattress; buying a new one did not seem like that much of a hassle. Was it worth looking so bitter?

Was it because buying a mattress takes time, and he would not be able to sleep until the new one arrived? Surely he could endure it for a few days? In the spirit of the “restroom camaraderie” they had shared, Xi Yang spoke to Shu Xing with a rare sense of calm, “Is it really impossible to sleep without it?”

Shu Xing replied gloomily, “It is uncomfortable without it.”

Xi Yang nodded as if understanding, then casually remarked, “You are quite delicate.”

The moment Shu Xing heard the word “delicate,” he was displeased. He and Xi Yang were not close enough to critique each other like that. What was that supposed to mean? Was he calling him high-maintenance? Shu Xing already disliked Xi Yang, and now his grievance grew. “What do you mean by that?”

Xi Yang had no idea his innocent comment would instantly set Shu Xing off. He raised an eyebrow and explained calmly, “Exactly what I said. Have you ever read fairy tales as a kid? You are a lot like the Princess and the Pea.”

Xi Yang’s intention was likely to say that Shu Xing and the princess were similar in that they could immediately feel if a bed was uncomfortable. Usually, this was because the skin had been raised to be too delicate. Shu Xing, however, only caught the end of the sentence. His elegant eyebrows twitched, and he glared, saying, “Are you calling me a princess?”

Xi Yang: “…”

Xi Yang was speechless for a moment. Seeing Shu Xing’s sharp glare, he knew the other party had misunderstood. He was about to explain that he did not mean it that way, but then he remembered they might not even be in the same room next semester. Their relationship was not good to begin with, so why should he lower himself to coax him? Besides, even if he explained, Shu Xing might not listen. With that thought, Xi Yang shrugged, not bothering to explain further.

Shu Xing pursed his lips. Seeing Xi Yang’s unapologetic attitude, he gave him a huffy glare and climbed into bed.

The “Princess and the Pea” comment rankled in Shu Xing’s heart the more he thought about it. Several days passed, and seeing that Xi Yang still had no intention of apologizing, Shu Xing’s anger boiled over. During a filler class, he vented to Cheng Xinyu.

At the time, Cheng Xinyu had been too focused on his game to pay attention to what Shu Xing and Xi Yang were talking about. He only knew that the two had entered another intense cold war. After hearing Shu Xing describe the situation, he scratched his head awkwardly. Trying to be fair to both sides, he said, “Brother Xi probably did not mean it that way?”

Shu Xing was not having it. “Who knows! Maybe he said it just to annoy me!”

Seeing Shu Xing was still angry, Cheng Xinyu could only nod and comfort him. “Do not think too much about it. We might not even be together when we switch rooms. We should cherish the time we have left. It is fate that brought us together, right?”

Shu Xing could not wait to switch rooms and get rid of this pretentious roommate. He gave a soft “Hmph,” turned his face away, and muttered, “Who has fate with him!”

Since he did not get the satisfaction of bashing Xi Yang from Cheng Xinyu, Shu Xing spent his free time finding his online boyfriend. He put on a huge act of being pitiful with Yu Hui, exaggerating the facts to make himself seem even more weak and helpless. However, as soon as Shu Xing sent the message about his roommate calling him high-maintenance, Yu Hui seemed to catch onto a key point. He suddenly replied, “Babe, you still have roommates?”

Shu Xing’s internal alarm bells went off instantly. His persona with Yu Hui was that of a working person, not a student. He had been so focused on complaining that he forgot to hide his cover.

Shu Xing quickly fabricated a lie: “Yes, babe. The pet hospital provides a dormitory. I was assigned to a room with that annoying colleague! TVT” To make the lie more believable, Shu Xing added: “The photos I sent you before were taken in the dorm!”

Yu Hui: “So that is how it is.” Shu Xing: “Mm-hmm.”

Shu Xing got back to the point: “Babe, I am just not used to sleeping on such a hard bed. Does that really count as being high-maintenance?” Shu Xing: “Babe, why would he say that about me?”

Seeing that Yu Hui had not replied, Shu Xing sent a spoiled message: “Yu Hui, you be the judge!!”

A few minutes later, Yu Hui finally replied. Yu Hui: “I was just looking for a real estate agent.” Yu Hui: “Does this person even know the meaning of ‘delicate and precious’? Babe, move out. Do not live with someone like that anymore.” Yu Hui: “I have an appointment to see an apartment today. I will tell you once I have rented it! Hang in there for a few more days in the dorm!”

Seeing Yu Hui’s message, Shu Xing felt unconditionally pampered by his online partner once again. He really was well-suited to seeking emotional value from Yu Hui. If Yu Hui really rented a place for him, Shu Xing would not even have to go home for the summer. His family had moved to the suburbs, and it took two hours by subway to get there. During the summer, Shu Xing had already promised Pei Chun he would work part-time at the pet hospital. Commuting would have been a nightmare.

Thinking of this, Shu Xing felt delighted. He even pushed the “Princess and the Pea” incident to the back of his mind.

After class, He Wennan asked if everyone wanted to go to lunch together, but Xi Yang said he had something to do and needed to leave the campus. Shu Xing naturally did not care what Xi Yang was doing, but Cheng Xinyu and He Wennan were extremely curious. They were both afraid Xi Yang was going on a secret date behind their backs.

He Wennan asked with bright eyes, “Brother Xi, what are you going out for?” Cheng Xinyu also leaned in gossipingly. “What is up? Can the brothers come along?” He Wennan asked again, “It is not a date, is it?” Cheng Xinyu echoed, “Ah, really? Are you treating a girl to lunch?”

The two of them stared at Xi Yang with probing gazes, their eyes burning with enough intensity to bore a hole in him. Xi Yang glanced at them and revealed in a lazy, helpless tone, “I have an appointment to look at an apartment. Do you want to come?”

He Wennan: “…” Cheng Xinyu: “…”

The two who failed to get any gossip said in unison, “Forget it, no thanks.”

Beside them, Shu Xing, who was still immersed in the joy of Yu Hui renting a place for him, heard Xi Yang suddenly say he was going to look at an apartment. His sensitive ears twitched, and he looked up in surprise. “???”

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