My Romance With The Cold-Blooded Heartthrob - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Inside Zuimeng, Chang Xu raised his glass and snapped his fingers, addressing the approaching waiter, Tonight, all tabs are on me.”

Someone nearby took a curious sip of their drink and asked, Xu-zi, what’s up? Why so happy?

At this, Chang Xu couldn’t suppress his grin. Did you know? Old Pei went dancing today street dancing, no less!

“What?” The person took a moment to process this before asking tentatively. Don’t I recall Brother Pei being uncoordinated?

Exactly! Chang Xu took a happy gulp of his drink, not even getting angry when he choked on it. Between coughs, he wheezed, “Exactly! I can’t imagine how hilarious that scene must have been, hahahaha!”

Inside the dance studio, Wen Shu maintained a polite smile while saying through gritted teeth, Jiang Jue, stop laughing.

Jiang Jue had turned his back, his face flushed red from holding it in. His whole body was shaking as he struggled to say steadily, I can’t handle the critique. I’ll leave it to you.

Wen Shu looked despairingly at Pei Xian, who was in the middle of the studio performing something akin to a shamanic ritual. Despite the high-energy music, his movements looked like radio calisthenics, and because the dancing was so eerie, it actually gave Wen Shu a slight sense of horror.

Suddenly, with a loud thud, Pei Xian tripped over his own feet and fell. His massive frame made the floor vibrate, and the surrounding crowd finally lost control, erupting into thunderous laughter.

Pei Xian stood up silently and moved to the side. His face was calm, but his earlobes were so red they looked like they might bleed. His hand hung by his side, instinctively rubbing the cigarette in his pocket. He knew he couldn’t dance, but he just wanted to try. He thought that if he succeeded, he might have more chances to interact with Wen Shu—to figure out why he wanted to be near him and clear his mind.

Wen Shu glanced over. Pei Xian was standing pitifully in the corner. Earlier, he had seemed like such an aggressive presence, but now he looked like a wolf cub who had failed his first hunt and was hiding in the dark, covering his ears from the mockery. Wen Shu actually felt a bit sorry for him.

Alright! Wen Shu clapped his eyes, scanning the room until it fell silent. Everyone, get ready. Next student, please.

After a few words with Jiang Jue, he pulled Pei Xian out, whispering as he turned his head, Let’s head out first.

Pei Xian only felt a light tug on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw only Wen Shu’s pinky finger was free. He couldn’t help but reach out to loosely hold Wen Shu’s hand. Unfortunately, the distance was short; after a few steps, Wen Shu let go. Pei Xian regretfully clenched his fist, trying to preserve the sensation.

Seeing him like this, Wen Shu couldn’t help but say, Don’t be embarrassed. You’ve never learned to dance; it’s perfectly normal not to be good at it.

Seeing that Pei Xian still wasn’t speaking, Wen Shu thought for a moment and added, I remember you wanted to join the debate team as well. Prepare well. Debate isn’t like street dance; we look at your attitude and preparation. I look forward to your performance that day.

Pei Xian looked up, his eyes shining. I will prepare well. He then gave Wen Shu’s hand a brief, light squeeze a soft, fleeting touch before quickly letting go.

Wen Shu returned to the studio. Jiang Jue tilted his head and asked, How is he? Is the big dummy feeling better?

“I guess so.” Wen Shu picked up Pei Xian’s registration form and tossed it aside. Quit the name-calling. Don’t give people nicknames; we aren’t that close.

Oho, so you say. But you went out of your way to take him out just now. You were so proactive I thought you wanted to be his friend, Jiang Jue said, turning to look at him.

Was that proactive? Wen Shu asked, puzzled. I was just doing what a vice-captain should do.

Wen Shu didn’t consider it reaching out. To him, it was merely an obligation of his position. If he weren’t the captain today, he wouldn’t even have looked twice regardless of how many times Pei Xian fell or how much people laughed. After all, it would have nothing to do with him.

But Wen Shu didn’t say that aloud; he knew it would sound cold. So he just waved it off. Continue the interviews.

As the interview date approached, Pei Xian sat in a private booth at a lively bar, looking completely out of place as he scribbled furiously on a scrap of paper. From time to time, he’d look up and mutter to himself, even awkwardly adjusting a pair of silver-rimmed glasses he was wearing.

Chang Xu crouched beside him and asked cautiously, Old Pei, it’s fine if you can’t dance. Don’t drive yourself crazy over this.

Argh! Pei Xian irritably snatched the glasses off and threw them aside. It was hard to even play the part. He took a heavy swig of alcohol, slumped into the sofa, lit a cigarette, and said with a deep expression, Xu-zi, do you think the ending of a story is important?

Chang Xu was so startled the cigarette fell from his mouth. He didn’t even bother to pick it up, grabbing Pei Xian’s shoulders and shaking him. Old Pei, stay calm! Don’t do anything reckless!

Pei Xian jerked his arm away and grabbed Chang Xu. What are you talking about? I’m thinking about the debate topic for the interview.

Chang Xu breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his arm. Your grip is seriously strong. Your future girlfriend is definitely going to complain; girls have such tender skin, you’ll leave red marks for sure.

Pei Xian casually tossed his cigarette into the ashtray. Let her complain if she wants. As if I’d let her restrict me.

Chang Xu silently pulled out his phone. “Come on, say that again. I’m recording this to send to your future partner. I want to see how hard you cry then.”

Get out of here!

Pei Xian had no room in his heart for a partner right now. His mind was entirely focused on writing a perfect debate draft to redeem himself at the interview.

He looked at his friends walking toward him and had an idea. He extinguished his half-finished cigarette and waved his hand. Come here! One sheet each. Write down your thoughts on this.

Three heads are better than one even if these heads didn’t have much brainpower between them, Pei Xian didn’t believe they couldn’t scrape together at least a few decent points.

A waiter knocked and entered the silent booth. Didn’t the boss say these were big-spending playboys? He was supposed to upsell them, but here they were, sitting with white paper like elementary students, peeking at each other’s work to copy, while another childishly covered his paper to hide it.

The guy by the door was especially intimidating. His blonde hair was shrouded in shadows, making him look like a lion sleeping in a dark forest. The waiter said cautiously, Your drinks.

Pei Xian opened a small gap at the door. Fine. Don’t bring more until we call. He didn’t move an inch further, standing there like a great Buddha.

Chang Xu looked miserably at his blank paper. He leaned toward Zhang Xi, his fellow sufferer, and tried to incite a rebellion. “Old Zhang, we can’t just sit here and take this. We’re in college! Are we really being forced to write things?

Zhang Xi was writing furiously, freeing one hand to stub out a cigarette. I’m almost done. Look at the state of Old Pei. Do you think we can leave?

Chang Xu glanced up. Pei Xian was standing straight at the door, his massive frame blocking the way. He felt that if he tried to bolt, Pei Xian would take him out with one punch. He silently crouched back down.

Oho, Zhang Xi mocked. Why aren’t you going? Didn’t you say we can’t sit here and take this?. He waved his finished paper.

Pei Xian took the paper, moved aside, and said, “Good. Next.”

Eventually, a couple passed by the door, kissing passionately. The sound was especially obvious in the quiet booth.

Chang Xu whispered, Look at Old Pei’s ‘innocent’ act. His face is turning red just hearing them kiss.

Zhang Xi couldn’t help but laugh too. Remember the first time we came to a bar? He saw people kissing and was so nervous he downed several glasses. I thought he’d be better by now, but he’s still a pure little boy.

Tsk tsk, I bet Old Pei’s future partner will have to teach him everything step-by-step.

The group tried to ignore the noise, but it grew louder. The wet, sticky sounds of the encounter were torture for Pei Xian at the door. Then, the couple outside grew more intense, even bumping against the door with a loud thud.

Pei Xian’s face went dark. He yanked the door open and said in a low, cold voice, Get lost.

The man outside, feeling emboldened by his girlfriend’s presence, squared his shoulders. You tell me to get lost? Do you own this place?

Pei Xian slammed his fist against the door frame and looked up impatiently. Seeing things were about to go south, Zhang Xi hurried over to pull him back. Chang Xu walked over smoothly, looking the man up and down. “Forget buying this shop if we wanted to, we could own every bar in this city with a snap of our fingers.” He sneered. But you? You don’t even have enough money for a hotel room, so you’re trying to do it against a door?

What did you say? The man raised a fist to swing. Chang Xu felt a gust of wind as Pei Xian rushed forward to shield him, blocking the man while holding a wine bottle. Chang Xu quickly intervened. Old Pei, stay calm! Calm down!

Old Zhang! Zhang Xi rushed over, waving his phone. Security is here.

A few guards arrived and dragged the man out. The owner came running up, bowing and scraping. Brother Chang, I’m so sorry. I don’t know how that guy got up to the second-floor booths.

Chang Xu waved him off. We’re here to spend money, not cause trouble. But that’s provided trouble doesn’t find us, right?

Yes, yes, of course.

If this happens again, we won’t be coming back.

Please don’t, Brother Chang! If you stop coming, then the others. The owner was sweating bullets.

Xu-zi, Pei Xian said, putting down the bottle. Chang Xu turned to listen.

You haven’t written anything yet. Finish it. Pei Xian realized Chang Xu’s paper only had a name on it.

“Old Pei!” Chang Xu shouted in frustration. He was out here getting justice, and Pei Xian was backstabbing him. Zhang Xi waved at the nervous owner, who quickly retreated.

Once they all finished, Pei Xian ruthlessly kicked them out to another booth, claiming he needed to “integrate” the content of the three idiots.

Chang Xu was now certain something was up. Old Pei is definitely acting weird! When have we ever seen him like this? Writing a debate draft is one thing, but street dancing? He thought for a long time before spitting out a phrase: He’s so… full of youthful vigor.

Zhang Xi sighed. “It’s better than before. Compared to when he almost killed himself street racing on the mountains and spent months in bed, I’d rather he dance and debate. Besides, except for being naturally uncoordinated at dancing, there’s nothing Old Pei can’t do if he sets his mind to it.

Chang Xu agreed. He rubbed his hands together. We’ve got to find a chance to visit Old Pei’s school and see what’s actually going on.

In the booth, Pei Xian integrated the materials, starting with the definitions. “I don’t believe it. I can’t handle a tiny little interview?”

Finally, in the early hours of the morning, Pei Xian looked at his draft with satisfaction. Seeing it was still early, he decided to squint for a bit before going straight to the interview.

At 8:00 AM, a hungover Chang Xu massaged his head and walked out of the booth. He saw Pei Xian passed out on the sofa in the next room and kicked his leg. Old Pei! Wake up! Didn’t you say your interview was at 9:00?

Pei Xian opened his eyes, radiating morning grumpiness. He looked like he was emitting black smoke as he dark-eyed and stretched his hands. Chang Xu felt that if he didn’t explain quickly, Pei Xian would punch him.

Hey, I’m innocent! You’re the one who said you wanted to be the first to see your captain!

At the word “captain,” Pei Xian’s spirit surged. He could already imagine himself calling Wen Shu Captain Wen. But when he sat up, he smelled himself. He patted Chang Xu. Xu-zi, I remember you have spare clothes here. Give me something to change into.

Ooh, look who cares about that now. Usually you could puke and not care how dirty you are. Chang Xu’s voice slowed under a warning glare. He finally said sycophantically, Right away, sire. This way, please.

In the Chengxue Building, the three organizers had just finished setting up when they heard a knock. Wen Shu cleared his throat. Come in.

He looked up to see Pei Xian in a tight white T-shirt. Likely due to the sizing, his muscles were particularly defined, looking packed with power. Wen Shu felt a pang of regret how is he so uncoordinated? The physique was undeniably good.

Wen Shu couldn’t help but steal another glance. Under his gaze, Pei Xian tensed up, checking his clothes and wondering if he had worn something wrong.

Xia Yang teased, “Alright, you can stop radiating charm at our Captain Wen now.” After being glared at by Wen Shu, he added, Start your debate.

Alright. My topic is: ‘Is the ending of a story important?

Hearing this, Wen Shu straightened his back and listened intently.

At Zuimeng, a waiter cleaning the room found a draft full of writing. But the room was empty. Just as he was wondering what to do Chang Xu yawned and said to Zhang Xi, “I’m exhausted. If Old Pei doesn’t get in, I’ll twist my head off and let you kick it like a ball.”

Before Zhang Xi could react, the waiter ran over frantically. Excuse me! This was left by the guests yesterday. It looks like it has a lot of important things written on it.

The two shared a look and gazed at the paper full of points. Chang Xu’s hand trembled as he picked it up. We’re doomed!

On the second floor of the Chengxue Building, Pei Xian searched every pocket but couldn’t find his draft. Then it hit him he had changed into Chang Xu’s clothes. The draft was in his original clothes.

Wen Shu waited for a moment. Hearing no sound, he asked, What’s wrong? Are you too nervous?

Pei Xian steadied his mind, trying hard to recall last night’s content. He said in a raspy voice, My position is: The ending of a story is important.

Pei Xian felt Wen Shu’s serious gaze. Someone had skillfully braided Wen Shu’s pink hair, revealing his delicate features. He was looking at Pei Xian with total concentration. For the first time, Pei Xian could look Wen Shu directly in the eyes legally.

First, we must clarify that the topic asks if the ending is important. Therefore, the opposing side cannot argue that the ending is more important than the process, as that would be a different topic: Which is more important: the ending or the process?

As he spoke, Pei Xian grew more fluent. Though he stumbled at first, he eventually said everything he wanted to say.

That is all for my content.

He had tried his best to recall everything, but the lack of a draft had still rattled him.

The three organizers shared a look. Pei Xian watched Wen Shu nervously, feeling, somewhat absurdly, that his entire future was held in Wen Shu’s hands.