The Clingy Coquette and His Straight Roommate - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Coax Me

The moment Yu Lan entered the classroom, he caught sight of a certain girl.

She was sitting in a corner in the middle-back row—a prime “feng shui” spot for slacking off, the kind you couldn’t get if you arrived late.

The girl had a delicate, oval face and ear-length hair, with one side tucked behind her ear to reveal an exquisite earring. She carried a cold, frosty aura, but as soon as she saw Yu Lan, she stood up and waved, shouting with high spirits, “Lanlan, over here!”

Yu Lan jogged over clutching his textbooks, his small face still looking wilted after he sat down.

Niu Tiantian pushed a cup of milk tea toward him and rested her chin on her hand, observing him. “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”

He was the type who couldn’t hide his feelings; whenever he felt wronged, it showed right on his face.

As he settled in, the class bell rang. The professor stepped onto the podium, but since this was an elective “easy A” course, everyone was basically doing their own thing.

Yu Lan took a huge gulp of milk tea and began venting his grievances with a dejected expression. After hearing the whole story, Niu Tiantian immediately looked furious.

“That’s way too much!”

“Exactly, exactly!”

As a best friend, her job was to side with him unconditionally, and besides, Niu Tiantian truly felt Bo Jingshi was in the wrong.

“Don’t be angry, Lanlan. He’s just like that—weird temper, bad personality. I heard he doesn’t have many friends and always keeps to himself. Plus, he has severe mysophobia (fear of germs), hates trouble, and is anti-social. While everyone else joins all sorts of activities for their comprehensive evaluation scores, he never goes.”

“But in the final rankings, he’s still number one because he’s won way too many awards.”

If a person is antisocial, people call them a freak; if a person is antisocial but brilliant, people call them a genius. Geniuses are often associated with being oddballs, so in that light, Bo Jingshi’s eccentric behavior seemed almost normal.

Yu Lan’s cheeks puffed up with anger. Was being number one such a big deal? Did being number one give him the right to be mean!

Niu Tiantian continued, “But he probably wasn’t targeting you specifically. He seems to have a very serious germaphobia; his face turns sour if someone gets too close. That’s why he didn’t live in the dorms before. He only started living on campus this semester, but his previous roommate was gay, and he couldn’t stand it, so he switched rooms.”

“Homophobic, mysophobic, reclusive, bad-tempered, a total ‘straight steel man’…”

There were many rumors about Bo Jingshi. Niu Tiantian’s throat felt dry from talking. “Someone even summarized it: he hates ‘spoiled’ people the most because they are troublesome.”

Yu Lan was about to say that he wasn’t gay and that he was very clean. But hearing the last part, his defiant little face suddenly tensed up, followed by a wave of panic.

Spoiled. Troublesome.

Isn’t that exactly him?!

Niu Tiantian believed there was no need to explain much to Bo Jingshi, let alone go out of the way to please him for the sake of a “roommate relationship.”

Bo Jingshi was indeed a prominent figure on campus, a talent that major corporations were scrambling to hire. He had turned down those offers to start his own studio, which was already quite famous, and he was the “genius” that professors couldn’t stop praising.

But what did that have to do with them?

Niu Tiantian smoothed Yu Lan’s fluffy hair, which had become a bit messy. She took a small comb out of her bag. As Yu Lan took the comb, she said, “Don’t wrong yourself for his sake. If he thinks you’re gay and is mean to you, explaining won’t help; he might even think you have ulterior motives for explaining. To put it nicely, men like that are conceited; to put it bluntly, they’re just spoiled.”

“Does he really think everyone has to like him? Our Lanlan is very popular too, he wouldn’t even look at him!”

With Niu Tiantian’s comfort, Yu Lan felt much better. Tiantian was right. He wouldn’t pay any attention to Bo Jingshi from now on; they would just be strangers in the dorm. He didn’t want to be friends with someone who had been mean to him.

Yu Lan’s current dorm was a mixed-major room. The roommate who moved out had gotten lucky and found a low-rent apartment, so he stopped living on campus. The others were Liao You, a gaming addict, and Sun Yiwen, who was obsessed with online dating.

A new net café had opened near the University Town, so the gaming youth Liao You naturally went to check out the vibe. Meanwhile, Sun Yiwen was out meeting his online girlfriend today, so neither was in the room.

Yu Lan was leaning back in a beanbag chair alone, messaging Liao You.

Little Bear: “A new dessert shop opened near the mall. I really want to eat there! (Little Bear spinning emoji)”

Bo Jingshi had just opened the door when he heard a male voice from inside, mixed with the click-clacking of a keyboard.

“I know, I know. Yu Lan, you’re not a kid anymore, thinking that eating sweets will make you happy… fine, the cheese croissant from AD’s, right? But I can’t guarantee the shop will still be open when I get back… maybe tomorrow. I might be back very late tonight.”

As long as there was food, Yu Lan was happy. He sent back a voice message cheerfully: “Okay!”

Just two words, but they were full of youthful vitality. Paired with that bright, exquisite face and the glimpse of his little canine teeth, he looked incredibly high-energy.

This burgeoning vitality vanished the instant he saw Bo Jingshi. Yu Lan, who originally had both feet resting on his chair, immediately sat up straight and lowered his head like a schoolboy who had made a mistake.

His soft hair fell against the side of his face, and his eyelashes were long and curled, making him look like a delicate doll. He seemed very uneasy, his slender white fingers trembling slightly as they tugged at the hem of his shirt, his red, plump lips pursed together.

Is he feeling wronged?

Wronged about what?

Bo Jingshi was not someone who enjoyed social interaction. Unlike those who liked making friends to expand their circle, he believed most social interaction in life was useless. As long as one was capable enough, people would naturally offer resources.

If it were the old him, he would have acted as if he hadn’t seen anything. Whether the other person felt wronged had nothing to do with him.

But perhaps it was because Yu Lan looked too pitiful, making one want to go over and… coax him.

As Bo Jingshi thought this, his steps had already brought him closer. He tried to communicate with Yu Lan, but Yu Lan looked startled. The tips of his ears turned a pale pink, and his face lifted uneasily. Fortunately, his phone rang. Yu Lan grabbed it hurriedly: “Oh, oh, the delivery is here? Just put it in the locker, I’ll come down to get it.”

Having said that, he threw on his slippers and bolted out like a streak of lightning. He still remembered Bo Jingshi’s germaphobia, keeping a distance for fear of touching him, looking as if he couldn’t wait to be far away.

In his rush, Yu Lan forgot his room key. It lay lonely on the table, the small desk lamp casting a long shadow behind it. Bo Jingshi looked at the keys, then shifted his gaze toward the mirror on the desk, seeing an irritable face.

He rarely showed obvious emotions, and combined with his deep, cold features, this trace of irritation made him look even more heartless—and even more like someone people wanted to avoid.

To prevent food theft, University A had set up a row of delivery lockers under surveillance cameras. Next to the lockers was a vending machine; many people would grab a few bottles of water or cola after picking up their food.

Yu Lan only realized he didn’t have his keys after picking up his delivery. He wasn’t sure if Bo Jingshi would open the door for him. Just as he was hesitating whether to find a place to eat his food outside, a figure suddenly appeared.

His instinct was to run, but his shoulder was caught and he was pressed against the vending machine.

Feeling the cold against his back, Yu Lan let out a small cry. Before he could wonder why the germaphobic Bo Jingshi was touching him, he was too busy indignantly glaring at the man.

“What are you doing!”

The cold light of the vending machine made his skin look snowy and fair, his lips full and lush. His sapphire-like eyes were incredibly moist, and his voice was soft and sweet, like sticky rice cake.

… What’s with the acting spoiled?

“Your keys.”

Bo Jingshi took out the keys Yu Lan had left in the dorm. After Yu Lan took them, he glared at him again: “If you want to give me the keys, just give them. Why grab me?”

The Yu Lan who had been incredibly cowardly suddenly found his temper. He had been so wronged today and desperately needed an outlet for his anger.

He was just getting into his “mean” groove when Bo Jingshi’s eyelashes flickered. His straight, dark lashes were like sharp, cold blades, instantly rendering Yu Lan speechless.

Yu Lan shrank his neck. Bo Jingshi, seemingly ignoring the obvious fear he was showing, said calmly, “If I didn’t grab you, you would have already run away.”

The cowardly yet angry little face froze. Yu Lan knitted his brows, seriously thinking it over. His attempt to flee just now had been an instinctive reaction, not a conscious thought. If Bo Jingshi hadn’t caught him, he really would have vanished.

But he couldn’t be blamed; Bo Jingshi looked too aggressive. He was naturally afraid of such forceful people. It was like seeing a street performer with a sword; even if he knew the other person wouldn’t hurt him, he would still feel afraid. He just didn’t have much courage.

Bo Jingshi looked at him. “You’re very afraid of me.”

“…” Yu Lan tilted his head up, stubbornly talking tough. “Who’s afraid of you!”

Yu Lan held a grudge. He had made up his mind today not to associate with Bo Jingshi. His eyes darted around silently, looking for a chance to slip away. But as soon as he tried to bolt, Bo Jingshi leaned in.

Bo Jingshi had broad shoulders and was very tall; leaning in gave off a sense of overbearing pressure. The shadow closed in along with an aggressive aura, scaring Yu Lan into immobility.

Fearing Bo Jingshi would get any closer, Yu Lan reached out to block him. But then he remembered Bo Jingshi’s dislike for physical contact, so he only used one index finger to press against the man’s chest.

Bo Jingshi looked down at that finger—slender, white, and delicate—trembling as it poked his chest.

The cold gaze made Yu Lan’s knees knock together. This movement tugged at the wound on the side of his knee, causing his face to twist instantly, exuding an air of pitiful weakness. The finger on the chest slid down a bit, landing on the lower abdomen, poking it slightly.

“Don’t be mean to me. That push you gave me today… it still hurts.” Yu Lan’s eyes looked like they were frosted over, appearing very wilted. “You should apologize to me.”

“Did you apply medicine?”

“…No.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“My knee.”

Bo Jingshi said, “Let me see.”

The surrounding walls were old and dilapidated, and the lightbulb overhead hadn’t been changed in a long time, the light flickering on and off. Bo Jingshi gripped Yu Lan’s ankle and pulled his pant leg up. He revealed a pair of snowy white, straight legs that were quite supple—not skin-and-bones thin, but a healthy, alluring, perfectly balanced thickness.

The man’s palm was very large, his skin tone darker than Yu Lan’s. His well-defined knuckles gripped the ankle and moved up, his thumb sinking into the soft, white flesh. The tactile sensation was visibly excellent.

“Does it still hurt?”

Yu Lan turned his head away and gave a small “hmp,” refusing to speak.

There was indeed a bruise on the side of the knee, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding pale pink skin, making the bruise look even more startling. While Bo Jingshi was looking at the wound, a faint fragrance drifted into his nose. He frowned and leaned in closer to sniff the knee. “Did you put on perfume?”

He had wanted to ask this for a while. But smelling it up close, he realized the scent was different from any perfume on the market; the smell was very unique.

Yu Lan’s mind went blank for a second. His long lashes blinked in confusion as he looked down. “Huh?”

Bo Jingshi then realized this wasn’t perfume; it was coming from Yu Lan’s body.

They held this posture for a long time. Because of the uncertainty, Yu Lan’s skin turned a bit pink, the mix of pink and white looking both innocent and beautiful. Bo Jingshi’s palm cupped the back of the knee and lifted it slightly. Yu Lan couldn’t stand steadily, so he placed one hand on Bo Jingshi’s head.

Yu Lan couldn’t help but be confused. Doesn’t Bo Jingshi have germaphobia? Why was he holding his leg and not letting go, even sniffing his knee…

Then, something even more unbelievable happened: Bo Jingshi took a tube of ointment from his pocket and actually began to apply it to his injury.

“I saw the way you were running earlier was off. I guessed, so I bought it on the way,” Bo Jingshi said nonchalantly.

So Bo Jingshi had seen him. Then why didn’t he help him press the elevator button at first? Why stay so far away and make such a disgusted face?

Before Yu Lan could think further, a numb, swollen feeling came from the bruise, accompanied by a bit of stinging pain. His eyes uncontrollably turned red, and he kicked out.

The snowy white foot brushed against the man’s jaw as he leaned back. The man caught his calf in time and instinctively pressed it onto his shoulder. Bo Jingshi didn’t even need to turn his head; from the corner of his eye, he could see a large expanse of milky-white skin and the soft flesh being pressed outward.

A slipper was kicked over to the vending machine. Yu Lan was wobbling on one leg, his face flushed with shame. He was the one who did the kicking, yet he was the one looking like he’d been wronged.

Spoiled.

Bo Jingshi picked up the slipper and moved the calf from his shoulder. But Yu Lan was being temperamental and uncooperative, so he could only say, “Foot.”

Only then did Yu Lan reluctantly offer his foot, preparing to slide it into the slipper, but unexpectedly, Bo Jingshi grabbed his foot directly.

The originally clean and pretty foot had caught a bit of dust. Bo Jingshi happened to have a pack of wet wipes, so he took one out and gently pressed it against the sole, then wiped the top of the foot, not even missing the gaps between the toes.

Yu Lan was ticklish; his feet were densely packed with nerves and extremely sensitive. He arched his back, taking small, urgent breaths, his hands propped against the vending machine behind him, letting out small whimpers.

“Senior… ah… I, I’m ticklish.”

Their eyes met. Yu Lan felt wronged again, looking at him pitifully with moist, red eyes. His sapphire-like eyes sparkled with light, as if saying: Coax me.

Troublesome.

Without thinking, Bo Jingshi gave his foot a little squeeze. He immediately made an overwhelmed expression, whimpering, his face turning entirely red.

Bo Jingshi said, “Stop acting spoiled.”

The voice was cold, but it didn’t sound accusatory. Yu Lan blinked, muttering softly, “I’m not.”

The white foot being held had rounded toes and snowy, smooth skin—clearly a treasure meticulously raised in a wealthy household. It turned pink if wiped too hard; it had to be treated very carefully. Even though he’d been told not to act spoiled, he still let out soft whimpers.

Bo Jingshi frowned, but his actions were the exact opposite of his impatient expression—meticulous and gentle, for fear of hurting him.

How could there be such a person? Spoiled, and troublesome.

The cold light from the vending machine illuminated the profile of the pink-and-white face from behind. Under the light, the skin had the texture of milky jade. With his back against the glass, his hair—longer than a typical man’s—fell into the deep hollow of his collarbone, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

Bo Jingshi added silently in his heart: And very beautiful.

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