My Romance With The Cold-Blooded Heartthrob - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The training room had been rearranged to mimic a real competition setting, with nameplates already placed on the tables. Wen Shu and the other leaders were discussing which teams would face off.

Let’s go with this, Lin Fei decided, then addressed the group. For this internal match, the teams will be Affirmative Team 1 and Negative Team 2.

Pei Xian let out a breath and placed his nameplate at the Negative third speaker’s spot. He looked at Wen Shu in the center; this time, he was going to give it his all to stand by Wen Shu’s side and compete together.

First speaker for the affirmative, Lin Yi. Second speaker, Pei Xian Third speaker, Chen Chen. Fourth speaker, Su Wuting. Good evening, everyone.

First speaker for the negative, Zhou Yi. Second speaker, Xiao Lin. Third speaker, Su Yang. Fourth speaker, Song Shiyu. Good evening, everyone.

Wen Shu took over the role of the moderator. Affirmative side, you have three minutes for your opening statement.

Alright. Our position is that moral judgment outside of legal judgment is justified. First, to clarify our terms: moral judgment is the process by which the public applies its own understanding of public order and good customs to evaluate disputes. Our reasoning for its justification lies in its foundation. First, a legal system lacking moral judgment means that outside the elite-controlled courtroom, all is silent; the public would have no right to express views on morally controversial events. Second, moral judgment serves an indispensable social function…

Alright, the floor is now given to the negative side.

Everyone, our position is that moral judgment outside of legal judgment is unjustified. First, we must define ‘judgment.’ A judgment is a verdict of crime and punishment where a superior authority presides over a subordinate. It must, at minimum, achieve clear conviction and appropriate sentencing. Conviction relies on truth, yet in this era, truth is blurred. In this age of information, we have neither the time nor the energy to trace facts to their source  On social media, where moral judgment occurs most frequently, rumors are 70% more likely to be forwarded than factual information.

Alright, the floor is now given to the negative side for the cross-examination.

Thank you, Chair. The opposing side has actually committed a straw man fallacy. They are conflating moral discussion with moral judgment. Right now, we are discussing whether moral judgment is moral—are we currently passing a moral judgment on our opponents? Please clarify the distinction between discussion and judgment.

Next is the free debate session. Each side has three minutes. Negative side, please begin.

Su Yang stood up. First, I pose three questions. In today’s fragmented life, what is the basis for our determination of whether an act is justified? How do we extract this information? Second, when we apply moral judgment, how long must it persist to remain ‘justified’? Or is it justified indefinitely? Third, if someone refuses to join your judgment, do they then become ‘immoral’? If the opposition cannot answer these, it means their grasp of the entire topic is blurred.

Wen Shu nodded approvingly. Su Yang’s points were tightly latched onto the negative side’s opening statement. In this situation, an immediate rebuttal was necessary.

The affirmative side seemed stunned by these three consecutive questions. Pei Xian started to stand, then remembered what Wen Shu had said previously. After waiting a moment and seeing no reaction from his teammates, he stood up quickly. The opposition is confusing several concepts. They have been applying the rigorous requirements of legal judgment to moral judgment. They are trying to force the procedures of a court onto moral evaluation. Everyone, moral judgment does not require such stringent legal standards.

Wen Shu noticed Pei Xian’s hesitation. Checking the time, he saw that the delay had already cost them, even causing whispers among the junior members watching. He furrowed his brows.

Song Shiyu nodded to Su Yang across the table. The opposing side seems to have overlooked online public opinion. We are not against morality; we are against individuals carrying out their own versions of ‘judgment’ through their own means.

It seemed these two had already developed a bit of chemistry. Not only did Wen Shu notice this, but Lin Fei and Xia Yang also made notes in their journals.

Alright, that concludes tonight’s internal match. Thank you for your speeches. Wen Shu pressed the timer and chuckled softly. Okay everyone, no need for the smell of gunpowder anymore. Relax.

Hearing this, Pei Xian immediately shifted his gaze to Wen Shu, leaning back in his chair with a look of satisfied exhaustion—the feeling of being able to enjoy oneself after a hard-fought battle. Because the second speaker’s seat was quite far, he looked like he wanted to lean all the way over to the first speaker’s spot; he was so obvious that even Xia Yang, sitting at the end, looked over. Wen Shu felt Pei Xian’s gaze the moment he spoke. He had to turn to look at him—Pei Xian was twisted so far that Xia Yang might as well have given up his seat.

Pei Xian caught the warning in Wen Shu’s eyes and silently scooted back, obediently shifting his gaze from Wen Shu to the opposite side. The resentment in his eyes was so thick that the negative team members shrunk into a huddle.

Su Yang said in what he thought was a whisper, Little Song, do you think Pei Xian is gonna come over and hit us later? He scanned Pei Xian from head to toe before concluding, I definitely can’t take him.

Song Shiyu slammed the table and stood up, unable to control his volume. What?! You’re going to fight Pei Xian?! He grabbed Su Yang’s shoulders and shook him wildly. Stay calm, Su Yang! You can’t win!

Fight me? Pei Xian, already annoyed, leaned back and raised an eyebrow. He asked in a deep voice, All at once, or one by one?

Su Yang tried to stay cool and patted Song Shiyu. Little Song, he’s mishearing things! Pei Xian, you heard wrong. We’re teammates, why would I hit you? He silently wept in his heart: I can’t win anyway—

Alright, alright— Wen Shu rolled up his notebook and whacked Pei Xian on the head. Sit properly! ‘All at once’? Why are you trying to fight your teammates? This practiced ease really made Wen Shu wonder if Pei Xian had been some legendary school delinquent in high school.

Pei Xian covered his head and sat up straight, placing his hands on the table like an elementary schooler, looking every bit the attentive student.

Xia Yang and Lin Fei each pulled a member aside. Little Song, even though we joke about you being a ‘master of mishearing,’ the debate floor is the last place you want to hear things wrong. It makes the scene awkward and the judges lose interest, so listen carefully. Su Yang, Pei Xian is your teammate. Even though you were opponents during the debate, it’s just a discussion, not a fight to the death over who’s right.

Understood—

After the critiques, Lin Fei looked at the nervous crowd and spoke with a dramatic pause. “Following this match, we have decided on the candidates for the competition. Since that’s the case, let’s each announce one person. Little Song, don’t mishear things when we get to the League.”

“Yes!” Song Shiyu raised his hand excitedly. “I promise to keep my ears sharp!

Xia Yang waved his hand in the air. Su Yang! Prepare well. Don’t get scared just because the opponent looks a bit fierce.

Okay.

Pei Xian was both nervous and expectant. If it was him, Wen Shu would be the one to announce it. He didn’t even dare to breathe as he watched Wen Shu turn toward him. Pei Xian, let’s compete together.

It was really him! Pei Xian lowered his head to hide his excitement. Wen Shu had said it so… cutely. Let’s compete together. He was going to have so much time with Wen Shu now.

Lin Fei nudged Wen Shu and whispered, How about that? Look at Pei Xian, he’s thrilled. If Wen Shu hadn’t suggested they each announce a name, she would have just posted it in the group chat after getting home. Why make it so complicated?

Wen Shu smiled, locking eyes with Pei Xian across the crowd. He saw a teammate give Pei Xian an encouraging pat on the shoulder, and after a moment of dazing, Pei Xian lowered his head to discuss the topic with them. Wen Shu whispere, Let him be happy for a bit.” Pei Xian’s performance today really exceeded his expectations. Seeing how he was getting along with his teammates, Wen Shu wondered if Pei Xian’s”social anxiety” might be improving.

Alright, the three people I just mentioned, please stay behind to discuss competition details. Everyone else is free to go.

Our Youth League team is officially formed. Our coach is Captain Wu; he’ll be here tomorrow to go over the specifics, Wen Shu said while writing on the whiteboard. “This competition has four stages. Currently, the positions are arranged like this: Xia Yang and Su Yang for first speaker; second and third speakers are flexible; and the fourth speaker will be me and Song Shiyu. These are preliminary based on our training. Does everyone have time tomorrow?

The group nodded. Then tomorrow at 3:00 PM, same place. We need to start building our team chemistry. That’s all for today. See you tomorrow. Wen Shu began packing up. When he looked up, he saw Pei Xian hadn’t left. He asked in confusion, Pei Xian?

Pei Xian rushed forward. Seeing that Wen Shu had finally noticed him, he moved even closer, looking down at him. Wen Shu’s pink hair sat obediently against his forehead, slightly obscuring his vision. Pei Xian reached out to brush it aside before saying in a low voice, Wen Shu, I want a reward!

Wen Shu took a few steps back, stuttering slightly. W-what reward? His Adam’s apple moved, and his fingertips curled as he gripped his notebook. He was a bit dazed, involuntarily thinking back to Su Yang’s words earlier. No wonder people misunderstood Pei Xian; right now, he felt like he could barely breathe.

Pei Xian thought for a moment. I want to… cook… with you. The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it. He instinctively felt like he had missed something, but his brain just wouldn’t turn. He gave up thinking. Let’s cook a meal together.

Cooking? Wen Shu had thought Pei Xian was building up to something huge, but it was just cooking. For some reason, he let out a long sigh of relief. Okay. When?

Now.

Now? Wen Shu checked the time and shook his head, backing away further to create space. It’s too late. If we go now, who knows when we’ll finish. Am I supposed to stay at your place again?

Sure. Pei Xian replied instantly, his eyes darting around as he excitedly tried to lead Wen Shu out.

No. Wen Shu was firm. Last time was because of your first match, but not this time. Tomorrow. We’ll meet after training tomorrow.

Inside the dark apartment, Pei Xian sat on the sofa, lost in thought. The table was littered with cigarette butts. In the smoke-filled room, Pei Xian took a deep breath, then walked over to the room where Wen Shu had slept yesterday. He opened the door and lay straight down on the bed, greedily burying his face near the pillow. His well-defined hands gripped the sheets as he let out a sigh.

Pei Xian carefully replayed everything that had happened recently. Especially that night Wen Shu stayed over—his reaction had been clearly off. He had even… had a physical reaction. Maybe he really should ask Chang Xu and the others next time.