My Romance With The Cold-Blooded Heartthrob - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

But Wen Shu didn’t say a word. He simply jotted something down while nodding toward Lin Fei.

Lin Fei spoke up with practiced ease, Alright, next we’ll ask you a few routine questions. Can you accept the morning and evening training sessions for the debate team?

Pei Xian nodded, answering casually, I accept. His entire focus was anchored on Wen Shu, wondering what he was writing. He leaned forward, his head tilting toward him, only now noticing that Wen Shu was wearing glasses today. The silver frames partially obscured his clear pupils, giving him an exceptionally serious air. However, the soft pink hair on his head pulled him back from that stern atmosphere. His white shirt and suit pants outlined his graceful figure perfectly; though he was wearing a white shirt similar to the one from the dance, the vibe today was entirely different.

Pei Xian’s body leaned further as his eyes wandered. He couldn’t help but wonder: If I don’t focus during future training, will Wen Shu tap my head with his pen? The thought made him increasingly happy, and he couldn’t resist letting out a smile.

Lin Fei noticed Pei Xian’s bizarre grin and tapped the table. Pei Xian? Snap out of it!

Only then did Wen Shu notice the gaze glued to him. He adjusted his glasses, thinking the boy was quite anxious about the result. What is it? Is there a problem, Pei Xian?

Pei Xian answered reflexively, No problem, Captain Wen.” He immediately cursed himself inwardly. He was so used to chatting with Chang Xu and the guys, having mentally repeated the title “Captain Wen” countless times, that it had slipped out as a habit.

Wen Shu was amused. Alright then I’ll ask the final question. Why do you want to join the debate team?” Though it seemed like a mundane question, it was actually the one he cared about most.

“For you,” Pei Xian answered without a second thought. If it weren’t for Wen Shu, he wouldn’t have bothered preparing a draft so diligently. To put it simply, wherever Wen Shu was, he would go.

Wen Shu frowned, his thoughts hidden behind his eyes. Fine. We will notify everyone of the interview results collectively in the group chat.

Once the day of interviews ended, Xia Yang slumped over the table, wailing weakly, I’m done, I’m done. How could there be so many people today?

Lin Fei replied while organizing the name list, Alright stop yelling. How about I treat everyone to dinner?

Long live Sister Fei!

Xia Yang noticed Wen Shu staring at a piece of paper in silence and leaned over curiously. Pei Xian?

“Yeah.” Wen Shu said, sounding conflicted. “He’s the one I’m most stuck on. It was obvious at a glance that he forgot his draft, but his ability to go from panicked to fluent shows his adaptability is outstanding. But…”

Lin Fei picked up the thread, But his reason for joining the team made you unhappy, didn’t it?

Wen Shu nodded frankly. Yes. He laughed self-mockingly. “The reason for joining is actually for me.

He never thought his influence was that great; instead, he felt Pei Xian’s answer was dismissive. If he were to leave the team one day, would Pei Xian follow? He had always believed that while one didn’t need a grand sense of mission to join something, it shouldn’t be for a reason like this. In terms of strength, hard work could make up for lack of talent, but if someone only joined to mess around, there was no point in them being there.

But his ability is indeed excellent. He could answer all the follow-up questions we threw at him regarding his draft. Xia Yang picked up Pei Xian’s interview form and stared at the photo. And he looks so fierce; he could intimidate the opposing debaters at a glance.

That was true. Wen Shu shifted his gaze to the photo on the form. Pei Xian was looking directly into the camera; his cold, rebellious gaze made one feel instinctively nervous. With his sharp contours and a buzz cut, he looked like someone you didn’t want to mess with.

Lin Fei looked at it from another angle. But he might be hard to manage. Even if he promises to attend morning and evening drills, he’ll probably find excuses to skip later.

Hearing this, Wen Shu felt even more conflicted. He decided to wash his hands of it. You two decide. I don’t know what to do.

Xia Yang slowly raised his hand. Then I vote yes. Lin Fei hesitated for a long time before saying, Taking everything into account, I think we can give him a chance to see. They both turned to Wen Shu.

Sensing their eyes, Wen Shu pointed a finger at himself exaggeratedly. It’s down to me again?

Of course. Don’t you happen to love this topic? It’s most fitting for you to choose. Xia Yang patted his shoulder and said with feigned solemnity, Great responsibility falls upon those chosen by Heaven.

On the other side of campus, Pei Xian, who was feeding the cat, felt his eyelid twitch several times. He couldn’t help but stop his movements.

Xiao Hei, sensing his “benefactor” slowing down with the dried fish, meowed loudly. He even impatiently reached out a paw to bat at Pei Xian, as if urging him to hand over the rest of the treats.

Pei Xian was amused by the attitude. “Oh? Getting arrogant with me, are you?” Seeing Xiao Hei’s soft fur, he couldn’t resist reaching out to pet him.

The moment he touched him, Xiao Hei bolted into the shadows. His fur stood on end, and his tail lashed back and forth irritably.

“Hey.” Pei Xian teasingly reached out to grab him. With a sharp Meow!, Xiao Hei swiped at him with unsheathed claws. Pei Xian dodged nimbly, but seeing its attack miss, Xiao Hei grew angrier, letting out a low hiss.

Looking at the cat, Pei Xian felt a strange sense of familiarity. He muttered to himself, This bristly look is actually a bit like Wen Shu.

Xiao Hei? Speak of the devil; Wen Shu’s voice drifted from a distance.

Pei Xian’s grip tightened instinctively, and Xiao Hei’s claw swiped across his skin.

“Tsk.” Pei Xian looked at the medium-sized bloody scratch on his hand. The culprit had already scampered off toward the source of the voice, meowing with cloying affection, completely losing the wary stance it had just shown him.

Wen Shu knelt down, stroking Xiao Hei from head to tail, his voice doting. Why are you being such a flirt today?

Xiao Hei meowed, his black tail finding an opening to hook into Wen Shu’s white shirt, brushing back and forth inside.

It tickled. Alright!. Before Wen Shu could finish, a large shadow loomed over him and the cat. Both man and cat looked up simultaneously.

Pei Xian had intended to show off his wound to get some sympathy from Wen Shu, but looking down at the pair staring at him with the same innocent, wide-eyed expression, the words of accusation died in his throat.

Wen Shu squinted at Pei Xian, who was standing exceptionally close and staring blankly. He couldn’t help but think: Why does he look so dim-witted? Shifting his gaze, he noticed the wound on Pei Xian’s hand, which was still beading with blood. Wen Shu quickly grabbed Pei Xian’s hand, asking, What happened?

Pei Xian’s brain completely filtered out the question. He looked down; the touch on his hand was soft. As their fingers parted, he wanted to wrap his own around those slender, elegant hands.

Seeing no response, Wen Shu gave the back of Pei Xian’s hand a sharp smack. Are you stupid? If he could go back to when Lin Fei said he was hard to manage, Wen Shu would be the first to object. With this dazed look, he probably wouldn’t even react if someone sold him off.

Wen Shu saw Pei Xian staring down at something. Following his gaze, he realized he hadn’t controlled his strength well the area around the bloody scratch was now bright red from the smack. He hurriedly picked up Xiao Hei to block Pei Xian’s view. “Alright, stop looking. Why is it still bleeding? Which cat did you try to touch to get scratched like this?”

Pei Xian went quiet for a moment, then reached out and pointed a finger at the black cat. “Him.”

No way! Wen Shu interrupted immediately. He was now like a mother protecting a rowdy child, convinced everyone else was lying. How could my well-behaved baby scratch someone?

Xiao Hei meowed in agreement with Wen Shu, but the moment Pei Xian stepped closer to explain, the cat instinctively hissed and swiped a paw. If Pei Xian hadn’t dodged quickly, he’d have another scratch.

Wen Shu went silent at the sight. He pulled the rowdy cat back into his arms. Seeing Pei Xian pitifully rubbing his own wound, Wen Shu caught him looking, and Pei Xian quickly hid his hands behind his back. Wen Shu couldn’t stand the scene; it was giving him a headache.

It felt like being a bully—his cat scratched someone, and yet he was the one acting righteous.

Wen Shu sighed deeply. Fine, stop hiding it. Let’s go. I’ll take you to see a doctor.

Though campus cats were mandated to be vaccinated, Xiao Hei was a loner who rarely went near the clinics. Wen Shu wasn’t sure if he’d had his shots, so a trip to the hospital was the safer bet.

I’m not going. Pei Xian covered the wound, intending to leave.

“Why so stubborn?” Wen Shu reached out and grabbed him. Without even much force, Pei Xian stopped in his tracks.

This isn’t a normal cut. What if Xiao Hei really hasn’t had his shots?” Wen Shu’s tone carried a hint of a scolding. After a moment, he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. It was too late, and he truly didn’t have the energy to deal with this unexpected accident politely.

Fine, I’ll go. To Wen Shu’s surprise, Pei Xian agreed obediently.

Inside the hospital, Wen Shu had just finished replying to a message when he felt a small tug on his clothes. Looking down, he saw Pei Xian cautiously holding a tiny corner of his shirt, looking nervously at the needle approaching him.

Wen Shu couldn’t help but ask, “Are you afraid of needles?” He noticed the hand gripping his shirt was white-knuckled.

Pei Xian insisted stubbornly, “Who’s afraid of needles?” He turned his face away, hardening his heart. He clenched his fists, thinking: I cannot lose face in front of Wen Shu. Who is still afraid of needles at this age? But the thought of that sharp point piercing him, followed by cold liquid entering his body.

The moment the nurse wiped the spot with an alcohol swab, Pei Xian shuddered. Just as the needle was about to prick him, he was pulled into a warm embrace. He realized Wen Shu had pulled him into his arms. A muffled voice came from above his head, “You won’t be scared if you don’t look.”

By the time Wen Shu realized what he’d done, he was already holding Pei Xian. He didn’t know why his hands had moved so fast perhaps he couldn’t stand the sight of Pei Xian’s tightly shut eyes, or perhaps it was guilt, but he had pulled him in. He felt a slight vibration from his abdomen; Pei Xian had let out a soft “Mm.”

Since it was summer, their clothes were thin. Every time Pei Xian breathed out, Wen Shu could feel the heat, making him shiver slightly. Fortunately, the nurse was skilled. Alright, you can leave after thirty minutes of observation.

Wen Shu immediately let go, feeling a strange awkwardness. But seeing Pei Xian’s face flushed red like a steamed shrimp the awkwardness vanished.

Because the short sleeve had been pulled up, Wen Shu noticed Pei Xian’s tattoos. They weren’t large or exaggerated pieces, but various small marks. Even his fingers were covered with English letters, though some words were tucked into the crevices between his fingers. He regretfully looked away.

Alright, thirty minutes are up, Wen Shu said. “Any other questions?

Yes! Pei Xian had been holding it in the whole way. Senior, are the interview results out? Can you tell me in advance?