Flirt First, Run Later [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

Jing Wenwu, carrying his backpack, sat down next to Liang Chu and asked, “Do you still need the backpack?”

Since Xie Shenxing was willing to stay, there was no need to go out anymore. Liang Chu shook his head, wanting to say it wasn’t necessary, but the motion made him dizzy. Instead, he waved his hand and said, “No need.”

Jing Wenwu diligently took out his textbooks and said cheerfully, “Then let’s do our homework together!”

Without hesitation, Liang Chu replied, “No!”

Not only did he refuse, but he also stuffed all the books Jing Wenwu had taken out back into his backpack. Pointing toward the door, he shooed his guest away, saying, “Don’t hover over me while I write. If you want to do homework, go back to your own house. I have a headache.”

The Jing family was a large household that still adhered to the tradition of not dividing the family estate. Apart from the two married daughters, all the Jing descendants lived together in one large compound.

The eldest son’s family resided in the north courtyard, while the second and third sons lived together in the south courtyard. Liang Chu lived with Jing’s parents in the east courtyard. The first floor was used for receiving guests and housed several nannies, while the master bedrooms were on the second floor.

Hearing Liang Chu complain of a headache, Jing Wenwu cooperatively zipped up his backpack and said, “Alright, alright, no homework then.”

With that settled, Liang Chu didn’t feel like talking anymore. Unlike Jing Wenwu, who seemed to have boundless energy, Liang Chu’s stamina was limited. He wished he could sleep for half of every 24-hour day. This body had retained the habits of the original Liang Chu; even a ten-minute nap could leave him refreshed in the afternoon. Of course, Liang Chu was prone to exaggeration, as his naps usually lasted over half an hour.

Now that the effects of the anesthesia were wearing off, his wound began to ache faintly, and he had lost so much blood. He just wanted to sleep.

Xie Shenxing stood to the side, watching Liang Chu’s eyelids flutter open and closed. The trembling lashes seemed to tickle his heart, and he couldn’t help but feel the urge to hold him.

Jing Wenwu, meanwhile, was still thinking about inviting Liang Chu to test whether the big dog, Chengcheng, would eat vegetables—something they had previously discussed. Before he could speak, Xie Shenxing moved, stepping in front of Liang Chu and blocking his view.

Xie Shenxing looked down and asked, “Which room is yours?”

Liang Chu glanced up at the ceiling.

Xie Shenxing’s expression remained unchanged as he asked again, “Do you feel like moving?”

Liang Chu was comfortably settled on the sofa. He hadn’t planned on ordering Xie Shenxing around. If he didn’t want to move, he could just sleep right there on the sofa. It was no trouble at all. But now that he was being asked, he found it strange that Xie Shenxing was being so proactive. After thinking for a moment, he said seriously, “Then carry me upstairs.”

Without another word, Xie Shenxing leaned over and picked him up, casually hooking his backpack strap with one hand. The feeling of having his arms full again made him narrow his eyes slightly, clearly enjoying it immensely.

As the two headed upstairs, Jing Wenwu set down his backpack and trailed behind them wistfully. Xie Shenxing stopped at the staircase and stared at him, neither stepping aside nor speaking. After nearly a full minute, Jing Wenwu rubbed his nose and said, “I guess I’ll go do my homework. I’ll come find Jing Ke to play tomorrow.”

Jing Wenwu left with a heart full of sorrow. Why did he need someone else’s permission to play with his own uncle? What kind of logic was that? It felt like he had gained another parent. Had they really brought back another authority figure?

The bedroom was located in the southeast corner of the second floor, with large windows on both the east and south sides, allowing sunlight to stream in every day.

Xie Shenxing laid Liang Chu on the bed and knelt on one knee in front of him, naturally helping him take off his shoes. With one leg resting on Xie Shenxing’s knee, Liang Chu reached into his pocket and touched the large egg inside. He sighed with emotion and said, “See? I don’t even have to take off my own shoes. Even though my happiness is built on someone else’s hardship, it feels so good. Ah, how fortunate I am.”

The large egg shifted, and Beaver Bear’s voice came through: “How do you know Xie Shenxing is suffering? Maybe he’s enjoying it.”

The host and system could communicate like normal people, or they could talk directly in their minds, with no one else hearing.

Liang Chu took out the egg. Beaver Bear pushed open a crack, and Liang Chu said, “Isn’t it obvious? When he was walking upstairs just now, he was so slow, each step so heavy. He must feel deeply humiliated but can’t resist me, this scoundrel.”

Beaver Bear said, “I noticed he was walking slowly, but I didn’t sense any heaviness in his steps. Was there?”

Liang Chu said, “Look at his expression now—not a trace of a smile. It took him forever just to take off his shoes. He must be thinking, ‘Why do I have to take off someone else’s shoes and socks?’ He probably wants to hit me.”

Beaver Bear took a closer look and nodded, “Seems like there might be a little of that.”

Liang Chu considerately gave Xie Shenxing time to adjust, pretending to fiddle with the egg in his hand and not noticing his slow movements. There was no helping it—he was just that good of a person. Xie Shenxing slowly removed Liang Chu’s socks. The child was somewhat girlish, with a small frame but plump, his feet fair, tender, and adorable, held in Xie Shenxing’s hand. The toes, suddenly exposed to the cold air, instinctively curled slightly, as if inviting a playful bite.

Xie Shenxing’s fingers brushed the sole of his foot, making the toes twitch even more. He couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he held onto the foot and kept tickling the sole—would Liang Chu be very ticklish?

After stroking it a couple more times, he let go. Liang Chu sat cross-legged on the bed, his drowsiness gone, and now he wasn’t particularly sleepy anymore.

Xie Shenxing was still wearing those pitiful, tattered clothes. The cotton jacket he had on outside was clearly picked up from somewhere, ill-fitting, like a bamboo pole draped in a large sack—loose and oversized.

“Take off your clothes and sleep,” Xie Shenxing said.

“Don’t come near me,” Liang Chu said. “You smell awful. Go take a bath, or don’t talk to me.” As if anyone was begging to talk to him.

But there was indeed someone who wanted to talk to him. Xie Shenxing froze for a moment, pursing his lips.

Liang Chu continued, “I need to change clothes too. You’ve made me stink. The wardrobe is over there. Go get me something.”

Xie Shenxing picked out a light-colored outfit. Liang Chu said dejectedly, “Why? Why did he pick this one? This is my favorite set.”

Then, putting on an act for Xie Shenxing, he said, “Why did you pick this one? I don’t like it. It’s too ugly. You wear it!” Otherwise, Xie Shenxing might come out of the bath later stark naked.

Xie Shenxing turned back and brought another set. Liang Chu scrutinized it critically, then nodded, “This one will do.”

Xie Shenxing smiled, “Shall I help you change?”

Liang Chu refused, “No, you stink.”

Xie Shenxing took the clothes to the bathroom, and soon the sound of water could be heard. Liang Chu yawned and said, “I’m so bored.”

Beaver Bear, sitting in its eggshell, said, “Yeah.”

Liang Chu said, “Let’s go watch Xie Shenxing take a bath then!”

Beaver Bear replied, exasperated, “Why would you watch someone bathe out of boredom?”

Driven by some unspeakable little secrets, Liang Chu grabbed the large egg and jumped off the bed, tiptoeing over quietly. Though Xie Shenxing wasn’t much older than him and was even shorter, how could he possibly have such monstrous strength as if he had cheats enabled? At this moment, Liang Chu wasn’t acting out of jealousy but rather wanted to investigate what exactly made Xie Shenxing so different.

The bucktoothed bear, curled up inside the egg, protested, “I’m not a pervert. I don’t want to look.”

Liang Chu had already decided to drag it down with him, clutching the egg as he peered through the crack in the door.

Xie Shenxing was rinsing himself off, the water flowing at his feet dark in color. His naked body, turned slightly away, was alarmingly thin—almost skin and bones. It made sense; if he wasn’t growing taller, how could he possibly gain weight? Yet this starkness made the contrast even more striking. Xie Shenxing’s frame was noticeably larger than average, covered with a thin layer of muscle. His hands and feet were big, his legs and arms long—such a build suggested he would grow into a tall man someday.

Liang Chu trudged back to the bed dejectedly and said to the bucktoothed bear, “People with overly developed limbs like that are usually not very smart.”

The bucktoothed bear agreed, “Exactly! Good things come in small packages!”

Thus, the compact and clever Liang Chu and the equally compact and clever bucktoothed bear climbed onto the bed and lay down. Liang Chu asked, “Do you think I can grow to 180 centimeters?”

“You can,” the bucktoothed bear replied.

Liang Chu felt much better, but the bear said sadly, “Do you think I can grow to ten centimeters?”

Liang Chu replied, “Probably not… Look, you’ve been drinking milk for almost half a year now… and you haven’t grown taller. The bucktoothed bear’s eyes reddened with grievance.

Xie Shenxing finished washing quickly and came out to find Liang Chu still awake, sitting cross-legged on the bed. He pulled his backpack over, unzipped it, and turned it upside down, scattering a cascade of snacks across the bed. Spotting Xie Shenxing, he waved him over and said, “Come here, let me smell you.”

Xie Shenxing approached, and Liang Chu stretched his neck to take a sniff before waving a hand dismissively. “Alright, you smell nice.”

Xie Shenxing’s expression softened, his heart melting. How could this child be so endearing?

Liang Chu sat on the bed, pushing the mountain of snacks forward. He picked out a box of honey-glazed meat jerky and declared, “This one’s delicious,” placing it on his side.

Frowning at the barbecue-flavored jerky, he curled his lip and said, “This one’s terrible. You can have it,” tossing it to Xie Shenxing.

Liang Chu wasn’t one to be kind to others without reason. After painstakingly reading dozens of times about what was tasty and what wasn’t, he had no choice but to resort to this underhanded tactic.

Xie Shenxing rubbed his temple with one hand, looking down at Liang Chu. The boy was meticulously sorting through the snacks he liked, his focused and serious expression utterly adorable. His movements were practiced, clearly something he was used to doing. He pushed all the ones he disliked toward Xie Shenxing, pausing mid-task to take a sip from a milk bottle through a straw before continuing.

Once his task was complete, Liang Chu clapped his hands. The large pile had been divided into two smaller ones. He tossed Xie Shenxing’s share—cakes, bread, dried fruits, and juice, a mix of food and drinks—hoping fervently that Xie Shenxing would be overwhelmed with gratitude and dive right in. His stingy foster parents had never bought him snacks—how pitiful. No child could dislike snacks, and even many adults craved them.

To his surprise, when he looked up, Xie Shenxing was standing motionless. Liang Chu glanced at the food, then back at him, wondering if Xie Shenxing was too afraid to eat, given his own previous hostile behavior.

Liang Chu picked up a box of mango yogurt cake, tore open the packaging, and spun the cake around. With a sly grin, he aimed the torn opening toward Xie Shenxing, trying to tempt him. A pleasant milky aroma wafted through the air. Liang Chu loved dairy products, and his mouth watered uncontrollably.

But Xie Shenxing disappointed him greatly. Not a flicker of desire crossed his face in response to the delicious treat.

Perhaps he had never tried it before and didn’t know how good it tasted.

Liang Chu plucked a slice of mango and popped it into his mouth. The fruit was fresh, carrying a sweet, creamy fragrance. After eating one slice, he tossed the cake to Xie Shenxing and instead stuffed a chocolate cream roll into his mouth. “It’s too sour, not sweet at all. You have it.”

Xie Shenxing stood there, holding the cake without moving. Liang Chu clicked his tongue inwardly, thinking, Just eat it already—can you get full just by looking?

Liang Chu put on a stern face. “Eat it! Why aren’t you eating? Are you disobeying me again?” As he spoke, he dug his finger into the cake, scooping out a large chunk of cream, and held it up to Xie Shenxing’s mouth. “Open up, now!”

Xie Shenxing lifted his gaze to meet Liang Chu’s eyes, then opened his mouth and took the cream.

Satisfied, Liang Chu hummed softly and went back to eating his chocolate cream roll, all the while watching Xie Shenxing eat the cake.

Xie Shenxing wasn’t sitting but stood stiffly by the bed as if at military attention. It was then that Liang Chu noticed Xie Shenxing’s clothes seemed a bit too small. How could that be? He was clearly taller than Xie Shenxing! Taking a closer look, he saw that the sleeves and pant legs were too short, exposing Xie Shenxing’s wrists and ankles.

Liang Chu had been in high spirits earlier, but now his mood soured. He tried to console himself, thinking, It doesn’t matter. I’m still taller than him.

Unfortunately, even that advantage didn’t last long. Before much time had passed, Xie Shenxing had surpassed him.