Found Him! My 'Glass-Hearted' Ex is a Pop-Up Star - Chapter 25

Ying Ruo obtained his book and walked out of the library, only to find Duan Zhuyan with his arms crossed over his chest. His expression had darkened considerably.

Ying Ruo looked around and realized only Duan Zhuyan remained. “Is Pei Yuan gone?”

Upon hearing that name, the corners of Duan Zhuyan’s mouth pressed downward uncontrollably. A frustrated crease formed between his brows, and he gritted his teeth, saying fiercely, “Is that nerd bastard’s name Pei Yuan?”

Ying Ruo’s brow furrowed slightly with a serious expression. He tugged at the man’s sleeve as if to lecture him. “How can you call someone a bastard the first time you meet them? It is so impolite.”

Duan Zhuyan looked at Ying Ruo’s beautiful face and turned his head away, struggling to suppress his temper. Even though he was very reluctant, he still asked with forced patience, “What is the deal with that guy Pei Yuan?”

Ying Ruo answered honestly. “Oh, I met him in the library today. He is a Chinese student in our major. He was kind enough to explain a few cases to me since my moot court is coming up soon.”

Duan Zhuyan’s gaze was obscure and his eyes were lowered. He thought to himself that the nerd must have fallen in love in such a short amount of time. An incubus; Ying Ruo was definitely an incubus.

The natural incubus was unaware of his own effect. He stood there obediently with his small backpack. From this angle, Duan Zhuyan could see Ying Ruo’s long, thick eyelashes. His pale yellow jacket and white inner shirt made him look especially clean and fresh, like a soft, white steamed bun. He looked very easy to bully.

Duan Zhuyan’s brow furrowed even tighter. He felt a sudden surge of displeasure and looked at him with dark, deep eyes. “Who told you to wear such good looking clothes when you go out?”

Ying Ruo looked down at his outfit. He was wearing a common base layer, an ordinary jacket, and ordinary pants. What about this was good looking? Was there something wrong with Duan Zhuyan’s eyes?

Duan Zhuyan did not wait for an answer. He said gloomily, “Do not meet with him again in the future.”

“Why?” Ying Ruo asked, puzzled.

“That kind of person looks dishonest at a glance,” Duan Zhuyan lied without hesitation. “He is just pretending to be honest by wearing glasses and a shirt. Who knows if he smokes or drinks in private or what he is planning in his heart.”

Ying Ruo looked up and down at the man in front of him. This man was as aggressive as a hoodlum and had so many ear piercings that it would give a fashionista anxiety. Heavens, how did he have the nerve to say those words?

“Actually, Pei Yuan is a very nice person,” Ying Ruo reflexively defended him. “His thinking is very clear, and he is very steady. He is also quite handsome with sharp features. He is even mixed race.”

The surroundings suddenly became quiet. Ying Ruo did not know which sentence had upset Duan Zhuyan, but halfway through his explanation, the light above seemed to be blocked out as a massive shadow pressed down. A close warmth followed, as the scent of pine after rain slowly washed over his nerves.

Duan Zhuyan stood before him with his eyes lowered. The distance between them was much closer than before. He seemed indifferent and distant, but Ying Ruo could clearly see his prominent Adam’s apple rolling up and down. His well-trained chest muscles were right in front of Ying Ruo’s eyes. His broad shoulders and narrow waist made Ying Ruo think of some unpleasant things.

Ying Ruo took a step back timidly. His eyes were clear as he blushed and whispered with trembling eyelashes, “What is it?”

Duan Zhuyan spoke calmly. “I am also mixed race. My great-grandfather was British.”

Ying Ruo was even more confused by this nonsensical statement. He pushed him away and played along. “Ah, yes. Your features are also very sharp. You are very handsome, and your eyes are very beautiful.”

“Then what? Is he more handsome than me? Is that why you are speaking up for him?” Duan Zhuyan saw Ying Ruo dodging him and grabbed the hand that was pushing him. He pulled Ying Ruo toward himself and said unhappily, “Do you like that type of guy? Being classmates is great, is it? Is it closer than being an ex-boyfriend?”

It felt like Duan Zhuyan was specifically here to pick a fight today. The man’s hand was very hot, and his gaze was scorching as he stared at the person beneath him. Why was he being so fierce? He had not provoked him.

“It is not like that.” The distance was too cramped, and his hand was being restrained. It was not a static grip; the thumb of the large hand pressed into his palm, feeling hot and itchy. Ying Ruo could feel Duan Zhuyan’s tense muscles and powerful strength.

Ying Ruo’s voice softened as he spoke in a coaxing tone. “Can you let me go first?”

He wondered if it was really okay to be seen pulling and pushing like this with an ex-boyfriend on the street.

Duan Zhuyan frowned in silence. As his Adam’s apple rolled, a tight line appeared on the side of his neck. His nose was straight and cold. He let out a very unhappy snort. After a long standoff, he reluctantly let go of Ying Ruo’s hand.

Duan Zhuyan was extremely annoyed. He ran a hand through his hair. His eyelashes lowered, casting fine shadows that hid the darkness swirling in his eyes. This was ridiculous. They had only known each other for a few minutes, yet Ying Ruo was already taking his side.

Duan Zhuyan closed his eyes and took a heavy breath, barely managing to stay calm. However, his mind was already a mess. He could not help but think of what the witch had said this morning. That was absolutely impossible. Ying Ruo was definitely trying to provoke him on purpose.

A faint red blush appeared on his ears beneath his hair. Duan Zhuyan’s expression remained cold. After a moment of silence, he looked up and his eyelashes trembled imperceptibly. He finally managed to ask, “Are you still angry?”

Ying Ruo looked at him.

Duan Zhuyan’s thin lips were pressed tightly together. His eyes showed restraint, and his jawline was tense. His slightly red ear tips made him look a bit more obedient. “About what I said yesterday, I did not mean it like that. I was not saying you were not good. Of course, I am.”

Seeing that he was stammering, Ying Ruo thought for a moment and seemed to realize what he meant. “Ah, are you talking about that kiss?”

Duan Zhuyan’s nerves became sensitive instantly. He was like a big dog that looks up the moment it hears a keyword. Unexpectedly, after thinking for a moment, Ying Ruo said, “I think I am not angry.”

“What?” Duan Zhuyan took another step forward. “Why are you not angry?” He looked down at Ying Ruo with a stern face and asked in disbelief, “I said I did not want to kiss you. Why are you not angry?”

To be honest, the moment he heard those words, Ying Ruo was indeed a bit unhappy. It seemed like a natural subconscious reaction. Otherwise, Ying Ruo would not have left on the spot. But after he walked outside and felt the wind, the emotion faded.

He was a bit confused as to why he had ignored Duan Zhuyan earlier. Was he angry because the words were too harsh, or was he angry because he did not kiss him? It was a strange feeling, as if during their relationship, if Duan Zhuyan did not kiss him, he would throw a tantrum.

But they were broken up now.

Ying Ruo carefully explained his thoughts to Duan Zhuyan. “Oh, I was just a bit startled because you were fierce with me. But if you said you wanted to kiss me, that would be even stranger, right? We have already broken up. I thought about it, and I really should not have asked that kind of question. Besides, it was my fault for getting drunk and forgetting what happened that night.”

He lowered his head, his fair skin showing a healthy pink. He seemed to be reflecting on himself. After a while, he looked up at Duan Zhuyan with a gentle and bright expression. He asked kindly, “You are not unhappy, are you?”

Duan Zhuyan felt terrible. What did that mean? So Ying Ruo had not been ignoring him because he was throwing a tantrum, but because he simply did not care?

That sense of unease rose again, accompanied by an indescribable emotion swirling in his heart. Duan Zhuyan stood there with a dark face. He pressed his lips together and turned his head away with a cold and arrogant posture. He said gloomily, “I am unhappy. I am very unhappy!”

Ying Ruo blinked his round eyes and asked, “You do not still like me, do you?”

Duan Zhuyan was not listening clearly and blurted out, “I do not! I do not like you at all!”

A frightening silence filled the air once more. Duan Zhuyan shuddered and quickly looked at Ying Ruo. The young man’s skin was fair, his lips were soft, and his eyes seemed to speak. But the ends of his eyebrows drooped slightly, and he said with some confusion, “So you came all the way here today just to tell me that you do not like me?”

Duan Zhuyan was speechless.

Ying Ruo frowned in distress. After thinking seriously for a moment, he said, “Ah, but I do not want you to hate me either. After all, I promised to help you find your memories. If you are always fierce with me, I will be a little afraid.”

Duan Zhuyan did not know what to say. Ying Ruo scratched his cheek. Seeing that the other man was silent, the atmosphere felt quite awkward.

“I have a moot court in a while. After it is over, I should be less busy. At that time, we can think about how to get your memories back,” Ying Ruo suggested. “Do not worry, I will definitely take the matter of finding your memories to heart.”

Duan Zhuyan really wished he could buy himself a new mouth. After all that circling around, what came out of his mouth was, “As long as you know that.” He felt like he wanted to die as soon as he said it. He really wanted to slap himself.

Ying Ruo took another look at Duan Zhuyan’s earrings. He had changed the style again. There was a silver stud on his right ear and a dangling silver bar on the left. The man radiated an aggressive coldness, caught in a state of suppressed irritability. But Ying Ruo had to admit, he really suited those earrings.

Every time Ying Ruo saw Duan Zhuyan, he felt as if the other man had carefully dressed up just to see him. He wondered if it was just an illusion. It was quite cute.

“If you have nothing else to say, then I will leave first,” Ying Ruo said.

Duan Zhuyan reflexively stopped him. “Wait.”

Ying Ruo turned to look at him. For some reason, Duan Zhuyan looked a bit aggrieved. His lowered eyes softened his aggressive features. Ying Ruo asked, “Is there something else you want to say?”

Duan Zhuyan’s ears were red. He looked at Ying Ruo’s slightly red nose and his moist lips. He looked away and said, “Your hands are too cold. Wear more clothes.”

Ying Ruo paused and asked, “Is that it?”

Duan Zhuyan had no other words. Ying Ruo smiled and said, “Okay, I understand. I will go now. I have another class later.”

After waving to Duan Zhuyan, he went to the supermarket to buy a meal deal. After finishing his tutorial today, he could go home and rest. He had to admit that studying law could easily lead to mental instability. Every day felt like a desperate race against a looming disaster. Especially with that white paper book; it was truly a lifesaver.

Ying Ruo sighed. It was indeed very tiring for him. Sometimes he really wanted to get his memories back quickly. Based on his phone messages, he had come to the UK in July. If he could find the knowledge he had learned in those three months, he would not be in so much pain.

There was also the good news that Reading Week was coming up. After that, the first semester would be over. Ying Ruo finally felt like there was something to look forward to. He carefully selected a sandwich, a box of mixed berries, and an expensive fruit drink. Then, he saw Duan Zhuyan’s reflection in the mirror, following him suspiciously.

Ying Ruo thought to himself that the man had said he had nothing left to say, yet he was still following him. Duan Zhuyan was wearing sunglasses even though it was dark outside. He peeked in Ying Ruo’s direction while pretending to pick out bread with a look of disgust. He was far too conspicuous. Ying Ruo decided not to spoil the fun and simply paid for his food.

After checking his card balance and sighing, Ying Ruo headed toward the teaching building. His next class was quite far away. As he walked, he looked down at his phone to check the directions and accidentally bumped into someone.

Ying Ruo quickly said, “Sorry.”

The person he bumped into was Wu Tao, who clicked his tongue. He was going to say it was fine, but when he saw Ying Ruo’s face, he thought he looked familiar and stopped him.

Wu Tao looked him up and down. There was no mistake; this was the boy he had accidentally injured that day. But was he not completely fine? Seeing how angry Duan Zhuyan had been, Wu Tao had thought he had broken the boy’s limbs.

Wu Tao’s attitude was aggressive. “Where are you going?”

Ying Ruo looked at Wu Tao. His brain processed the face, but he had no memory of this person. Ying Ruo did not have time to argue. He held his food and answered politely, “I am going to class.” He continued walking and did not forget to say goodbye.

Wait, what was going on? It felt as if the boy did not recognize him. The man with a buzz cut next to Wu Tao whistled. “Oh, someone new. Your taste has changed. Since when are you into guys?”

“Screw off,” Wu Tao said. “He is that lunatic’s boyfriend.”

Before he could finish, Wu Tao’s shoulder was slammed into. Wu Tao stumbled. Just as he was about to curse, he saw the lunatic he was talking about standing next to him. Duan Zhuyan’s eyes were cold.

Duan Zhuyan’s gaze was indifferent. “Are you blind?” He did not seem to think Wu Tao was worth another word. He mocked him coldly, “Have you prepared the one million pounds? You seem to be in a good mood to shop at the supermarket.”

The man did not give him another look and followed in the direction Ying Ruo had gone. Wu Tao stood there, trembling with anger. The man with the buzz cut watched Duan Zhuyan’s departing figure. “Is that not Duan Zhuyan? What happened? Did you provoke him?”

Wu Tao truly could not express his grievances. The thought of those two together made him angry. He was the one whose card was frozen by his family, yet he had to come up with one million pounds to help Duan Zhuyan make his boyfriend happy.

Wu Tao could not help but curse, “Darn it, those cursed men.” He angrily kicked a discarded can. “What the heck is that guy so arrogant about? Can he stop being such a show-off?”

The man with the buzz cut did not know what had happened, but he loved to stir up trouble. Seeing how angry Wu Tao was, he suddenly said, “Hey, do you want to mess with him?”

Wu Tao looked up and frowned. After a moment, he asked, “What?”

The man smiled and signaled Wu Tao to lean in. He whispered in his ear, “I know a website that can help us.”