My Romance With The Cold-Blooded Heartthrob - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The two stared at each other for a long while before Wen Shu stepped back and spoke first. Pei Xian? This is a dance studio. How did you wander in here?

As he spoke, he covered his nose and pointed at the cigarette on the floor. Pick it up, quickly.

The guy really never let a cigarette leave his hand; he had to smoke everywhere he went. Recalling the scent from that morning, Wen Shu wrinkled his nose in annoyance.

Pei Xian was stunned, staring blankly at the person in front of him who was radiating heat. The 1.9-meter-tall giant looked like a motionless doll. His gaze followed a bead of sweat from Wen Shu’s forehead, tracing its path down to his collarbone. It wasn’t until Wen Shu spoke that he scrambled to pick up the cigarette in a panic.

Wen Shu noticed that although Pei Xian had picked it up, he didn’t react further. His eyes were glued to the floor with a look of longing that Wen Shu couldn’t quite decipher. He glanced at the ground it was covered in sweat. Is he so thirsty from walking that he’s staring at sweat?

Pei Xian clenched his fist behind his back, lowered his head, and said somewhat pitifully, I’m sorry, Senior. I got lost.

Wen Shu truly couldn’t stand this look. The guy looked like he could take him out with one punch, yet with his head bowed and that hair, he looked like a pathetic Golden Retriever. But Wen Shu wasn’t falling for it. “Weren’t there plenty of people on the road? You didn’t ask them?”

Pei Xian remained motionless. I have social anxiety.

Wen Shu almost laughed out of anger. Social anxiety? Fine, I’ll explain it one more time. With his massive stature, it should be other people who felt anxious around him.

Wen Shu repeated the directions. Understand now?

If this weren’t a freshman, he would have bolted long ago. He was drenched in sweat and couldn’t help but tug up the hem of his shirt to wipe his face.

Looking up, he saw that Pei Xian, who had been staring at the floor, was now staring directly at him. That gaze made Wen Shu instinctively take a few steps back.

Seeing him retreat, Pei Xian finally snapped out of it. However, his mind replayed the scene: a vision of white tinged with pink, and sweat droplets sliding across a firm abdomen. He struggled to control his expression. Okay, I understand. Thank you, Senior. I’ll be going now.

Hey! Wen Shu watched him run out of the studio without looking back. “Suddenly in a hurry, are we?” He tidied up, gave the floor a quick wipe, and headed out.

A long while later, the studio door was twisted open again.

Pei Xian walked quickly to the patch of floor that hadn’t dried yet and lay down. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and started smoking.

One after another, until he felt the empty pack. He crushed it violently before finally cleaning up after himself.

He opened the window, letting the cool evening breeze disperse the smell of smoke. Pei Xian stared outside with an unreadable expression.

Something was wrong. Even smoking wasn’t working anymore. Pei Xian gave a self-mocking laugh. Had he never seen a man sweat before? How could he be this pathetic?

But he could clearly feel that something was different.

Ding-dong. A message arrived on his phone.

Chang Xu: Old Pei! There’s a gathering at Zuimeng tonight. Coming?

Outside Zuimeng, several men over 1.8 meters tall were crouching in a corner smoking. Zhang Xi patted Chang Xu. Ri Jiu, is Old Pei actually coming? How many have we smoked already? He muttered under his breath. People passing by are looking at us like we’re street thugs.

Chang Xu irritably dodged him and crushed a cigarette butt with his foot. “How should I know? He said he was coming.

Roar. The thunderous sound of a heavy motorcycle engine approached. Everyone’s eyes turned toward the source.

A massive black motorcycle, gleaming like a shooting star cutting through the dark night, skidded to a stop in front of them.

The group stood up quickly. Chang Xu looked at the man in the black motorcycle jacket; his shoulders looked twice as wide as his own. Even though Chang Xu worked out often, he couldn’t help but stand slightly on his tiptoes. “What’s up, brother?”

Old Pei? Zhang Xi asked tentatively.

Pei Xian nodded, lifted his helmet, and casually pushed back his hair. He tossed the helmet into Chang Xu’s arms. Let’s go.

Inside Zuimeng, Chang Xu danced for a long time before running back drenched in sweat. He took a huge gulp of alcohol and sat next to the silent Pei Xian. Yo, what’s up? Old Pei, going for the brooding style today? Why aren’t you drinking tonight?

Pei Xian had various cigarette packs by his hand; he picked one at random. Nothing. I rode my bike, so I can’t drink.

Hearing this obvious excuse, Chang Xu raised an eyebrow and shared a subtle look with Zhang Xi.

Pei Xian felt a sweaty arm near him and moved away unnoticed. A bartender placed a glass next to him. “Sir, this is from the gentleman over there. An Aperol Sunrise.”

Pei Xian looked up. A boy in a pink knit sweater at the bar was winking at him. He picked up his bike keys and pushed them toward Chang Xu. Leaving first. Put it on my tab.

He grabbed his helmet and walked out with long strides, leaving a bewildered Chang Xu behind.

Chang Xu crossed his arms. Old Pei is acting weird. I’ve never seen him like this.

Pei Xian rode his bike through winding mountain roads, the black machine slicing through the night like an arrow.

At the mountain peak, Pei Xian tossed his helmet aside, opened his jacket, and sat leaning against the bike. His forehead was covered in sweat.

He couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “Something’s wrong.”

The next morning, while practicing in the studio, Wen Shu heard rumors about a famous troublemaker on the first day of military training.

A girl described it vividly: Who shows up to the first day of training smelling like alcohol and riding a motorcycle?

That’s so arrogant.

More than that! The instructor had to put him in his place. He made him do four sets of fifty push-ups.

That’s two hundred?! The girl’s voice rose in surprise. The instructor is ruthless.

But he finished them all in one go. Apparently, his face was barely flushed when he finished, but the instructor’s face turned green. He ended up on the school’s ‘Confession Wall’ immediately.

As they continued gossiping, one girl remarked. Sounds like a hottie. At least he’s not a skinny dog.

The music stopped. Wen Shu finished another set and sat down beside them, panting.

I remember there were photos on the Confession Wall. Yes, this is it!

The group huddled together, sighing in admiration. He really is handsome.

The phone was passed around until it reached Wen Shu. He glanced at it and immediately saw the striking blonde hair. In the blurry video, he could see a figure rising and falling without pause. At the end, the figure stood up and used the hem of his shirt to wipe his sweat, revealing a tight abdomen and skin with a faint sheen.

Seeing the face, Wen Shu froze. Pei Xian?

Smelling of alcohol… that certainly matched his first encounter with him.

Wen Shu, do you know him? a girl’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

He waved it off. I wouldn’t say I know him. I just know the name.

I bet he has a girlfriend, one girl critiqued sharply. Look, he’s wearing a pink rubber band on his wrist.

That makes sense.

A girlfriend? Wen Shu thought to himself. Who could put up with him? He smelled of smoke, drank, and had tattoos. He was undeniably good-looking, but he looked like the type who had dated a lot of people.

The girls nodded. Let’s go buy food early. Otherwise, if we hit the rush with the freshmen, there’ll be nothing left. Wen Shu, you coming?

Wen Shu shook his head. You guys go ahead.

They shared a knowing look and left.

In the cafeteria, Wen Shu set down his tray and realized the rubber band on his wrist was gone. He sighed. Forgot it again.

Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out. Several pink rubber bands were looped around the wrist. “Does Senior need one?”

The familiar scent of smoke stronger than a few days ago. Wen Shu couldn’t help but cover his nose. He turned to find Pei Xian standing beside him in camouflage fatigues. No, thanks.

Pei Xian didn’t move. Take it.

Wen Shu remained silent but shook his head firmly. Pei Xian stood up straight. Just as Wen Shu thought he was leaving, Pei Xian reached out on his own, gathered Wen Shu’s hair from behind, and tied it into a half-ponytail.

Wen Shu tried to struggle, but Pei Xian used one hand to hold him in place. His fingers brushed through Wen Shu’s hair, accidentally touching the back of his neck. It made Wen Shu shiver, and his earlobes flushed red. Startled by the reaction, Wen Shu quickly broke free.

He turned around to see a pink rubber band still hanging from Pei Xian’s mouth. Wen Shu’s expression cooled. Pei Xian, do you think this is a game?. He reached up, pulled the band out, and dropped it on the floor.

He hated the feeling of being controlled. Wen Shu rubbed the goosebumps on his neck where Pei Xian’s touch still lingered. His hands are so rough. Because of this, he couldn’t even maintain his usual polite demeanor.

Pei Xian froze, taking the band from his mouth. He looked a bit helpless, his gaze glued to Wen Shu’s reddened earlobes. Yet, he stubbornly picked the band up from the floor. Just as he was about to speak.

Hey! Isn’t this the freshman who was drinking? Wen Shu, did you finally get over your habit of never eating with anyone?

Before Wen Shu could object, Pei Xian looked at him urgently. I didn’t drink. Seeing Wen Shu’s stunned face, he realized he had spoken too soon the other person hadn’t even said anything yet.

Pei Xian added, I didn’t drink. I just went to a bar that night, so I smelled like it.

Wen Shu picked up the band from the floor, shoved it into Pei Xian’s hand, and said, Keep it. He picked up his tray and walked out, clearly indifferent.

Pei Xian watched his back, unconsciously gripping the rubber band. He pressed his tongue against his canine tooth and laughed mockingly. Typical. He tossed the band into a nearby trash can.

Two weeks of military training flew by. The performance was scheduled for that evening.

In the afternoon, Wen Shu was dragged to a hair salon by the street dance team.

The lead girl said bossily, Give him pink hair, David! while pushing Wen Shu into a chair.

Wen Shu struggled to get up. Wait, I didn’t know I was dyeing my hair.

Just do it! Look at the person in the video, they did it. It fits the dance better.

The girl clasped her hands in prayer. Look at how many fans are excited for our team under Jiang Jue’s posts. We need someone to hold down the fort.

Wen Shu was talked into it and sat back. Halfway through the bleaching process, he realized something. “Don’t I have you guys for that?”

The girl was impartial. Forget it. It’s already half-bleached. Don’t think so much.

Wen Shu gave up and stayed in the chair. Looking at himself in the mirror, he decided to treat it as a new life experience.

When it was finished, Wen Shu awkwardly tugged at his bangs. Because of the styling, they covered half of one eye. He pouted and blew upward, lifting the fine strands. He turned and asked, How is it?

The girl was stunned. Beautiful, she replied blankly. A moment later, she snapped out of it. You’re deadly handsome. People are going to be obsessed.

She added stubbornly, If I’m lying, I’ll twist my head off and let you kick it like a ball!

Seeing her excitement, Wen Shu took a few steps back. That won’t be necessary.

Evening came. When Pei Xian heard there was some performance, he wasn’t interested. He figured he’d rather go for a few more laps on his bike.

Then he heard some people nearby discussing excitedly, “I heard the street dance team is performing tonight! It’s going to be amazing. We have to hurry and grab a spot, or we won’t be able to see.”

Since it was on the playground, if you arrived late, you’d be stuck in the back. You could see, but the crowd would block the view.

Pei Xian, who was heading away from the playground, froze. He cursed under his breath, turned around, and bolted toward the center.

A group of people being overtaken saw a dark shadow fly past, kicking up a gust of wind.

Is his wife being snatched? Why is he in such a hurry?