The Delicate and Frail One Everyone Hates - Chapter 3

Hearing Lu Beihuai speak in such a tone felt like a lump in Song Qie’s throat; he wanted to explain but didn’t know how.

After all, he was a Harvard undergraduate graduate. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t handle a high school senior’s test paper. But if he said that out loud, people would just think he had brain damage from the accident.

He could only silently withdraw his hand and whisper, “I know how to do it, okay?”

They say a flashy social life ruins your studies, and Lu Beihuai’s accuracy on the multiple-choice questions really wasn’t great. It seemed Song Qie could start by helping him study, but the question was whether Lu Beihuai would believe him.

Just as he finished speaking, he saw Lu Beihuai pull out a graded Calculus BC exam and hand it to him.

Calculus BC is one of the most difficult math courses in the AP curriculum. It was highly likely that “Song Qie” had taken this course because his parents were paving the way for him to attend university abroad.

He looked at the two words “Song Qie” written in a messy, scrawling hand. He picked up the paper and looked at it seriously, only to see that the entire test had only the multiple-choice section filled out and every single one was wrong. He had managed to get a zero in math.

In the AP 5-point grading system, “Song Qie’s” zero meant he only got a 1 because that’s the lowest possible score.

“…” Not only was his head empty, but his luck was so bad that he couldn’t even guess a single multiple-choice question correctly.

“The teacher will go over these questions on Monday.” Lu Beihuai saw Song Qie staring silently at the paper. “Do you want me to explain them to you one by one?”

Even though he knew explaining was useless, this guy never listened in class and usually skipped school with those useless rich playboys.

Song Qie looked up at Lu Beihuai. “You know how to do all of them?”

The Chinese language is profound; those words could be interpreted in different ways. Song Qie was just asking simply, especially since he noticed Lu Beihuai’s own accuracy wasn’t that high earlier.

Lu Beihuai thought Song Qie was mocking him. He looked down and smiled. “Not all of them, but I thought it would be good to help the Young Master improve his score. It’s okay if you don’t understand; I can keep explaining.”

“What was your score?” Song Qie leaned over to look at Lu Beihuai’s grade.

Lu Beihuai: “…” He pushed his paper toward Song Qie.

Song Qie looked at the neatly written “3” in the score box. “Oh, a passing grade.”

Just as he thought, the accuracy wasn’t that high.

The AP scoring system goes from 1 to 5. To get into a top 10 global university, a student usually needs at least three scores of 5 to be competitive. Schools like MIT, for example, are extremely strict and often only accept 5s.

Lu Beihuai: “…”

“Can I go to school tomorrow?” Song Qie had been lying here for two or three days and was eager to go to high school. His next task was to get rid of the bad influences around him and study hard alongside Lu Beihuai.

If his family arranged for them to go abroad next semester, that would be for the best.

He wouldn’t try to outshine Lu Beihuai anymore. He also had to figure out how to let the Song family know that Lu Beihuai was their real child. This had to be planned carefully, but it had to happen before Lu Beihuai fully “blackened” and killed him.

Until then, he would support Lu Beihuai, help him reclaim his rightful place, and ensure he didn’t end up with a tragic fate himself.

“Young Master wants to go to school?” Lu Beihuai thought he had heard wrong.

“Yes.” Song Qie nodded. “I want to study hard.”

If he could successfully change Lu Beihuai’s heart, maybe he could even work as Lu Beihuai’s accountant in the future. At least that gave him something to look forward to certainly better than dying in a bed.

Lu Beihuai was silent for two seconds at this answer. “The lady said you need to rest at home for two more days. The doctor is coming for a follow-up tomorrow.”

“Oh…” Song Qie sounded disappointed. “Fine then.”

Lu Beihuai: “?” Why the disappointed tone?

“Remember to take notes tomorrow and bring them back for me to see. Thank you.” After saying this, Song Qie began looking seriously at the zero-point exam in front of him and started correcting the answers.

Lu Beihuai suddenly went quiet.

Song Qie noticed Lu Beihuai staring at him and wondered if the guy was already thinking about how to strangle him tonight. Was he not being friendly enough?

According to the novel his sister described, “Song Qie” treated Lu Beihuai like a literal dog. Logically, being this civilized and polite should have made Lu Beihuai suspicious, yet the guy remained so calm.

Well, he stays calm under pressure; he’s definitely destined for great things, Song Qie thought.

He covered his corrected paper with his arm and glanced at Lu Beihuai. “Don’t peek at my paper. Do your own work.”

Lu Beihuai: “…?” Where did he get the confidence that anyone would want to cheat off a 1-point score?

Actually, the paper didn’t have a single point, but the AP system gave Song Qie a “1” out of respect.

Night fell, and every corner of the luxurious villa lit up.

In the massive dining room, Song Qie sat alone at a table large enough for twenty people to enjoy dinner.

“Young Master, the soup is here.”

Song Qie watched the housekeeper bring the dishes to the table and felt shocked. Why such waste? Can one person eat over a dozen dishes? My mom would hit me if she saw this.

Just then, the housekeeper’s hand accidentally hit the edge of the table. The soup splashed onto Song Qie, and the porcelain bowl shattered on the floor. Expensive ingredients and shards scattered everywhere with a loud crash.

Seeing the soup splash all over Song Qie, and seeing his pale arm turn red from the heat, the housekeeper turned deathly pale as if she had been sentenced to death. She knelt down in terror.

“I’m sorry, Young Master! I was wrong! I really didn’t mean it!”

Before Song Qie could even react, he saw her kneeling on the floor amidst the shards and soup. He immediately pulled her up, frowning. “It’s just a spill. Get up quickly.”

The housekeeper was stunned. “Young… Young Master?”

Song Qie noticed her expression and wondered—was the original “Song Qie” a tyrant? Growing up in such a family, yet being so arrogant and treating people so poorly. Not only did he treat Lu Beihuai like a dog, but even the housekeepers were terrified of him. Just an accidental spill made her kneel.

“It’s fine. I’ll go change and wash up.” Seeing his arm was a bit red, he stood up to go to the bathroom. He added, “Just leave me some Sweet and Sour Pork and some greens. Take the rest away. If no one else in the house is eating, you guys have it.”

He stopped and looked at her. “Where is Lu Beihuai?”

He hadn’t seen him for a while. The guy was like an office worker who vanished the moment it was time to clock out.

“Beihuai went to his part-time job. It seems he found one recently, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM every night. I’m not sure what it is, but the Master and Madam allowed it.”

The housekeeper added the last part just in case. She then turned to get supplies. “Young Master, wait a moment. I’ll get the first-aid kit. We need to treat your arm.”

Song Qie only now felt the sting on his arm. He went to the bathroom to rinse the burn with cold water, looking at himself in the mirror.

This pink hair… I have to change it.

New look, new face.

Become a new person.

The housekeeper rushed back with the kit. Seeing Song Qie coming out of the bathroom, she took out burn cream and cotton swabs. “Young Master, should I call the doctor?”

“It’s not a big deal.” Song Qie sat on a chair and held out his arm.

“I am so sorry, Young Master. I was so careless.” The housekeeper was both frustrated and terrified. She wondered why the eldest young master was so easy to talk to today. Usually, even a tiny burn would be treated like the sky was falling. He would have thrown a tantrum for hours and flipped the whole table.

Did getting hit by that wave actually make him a nice person?

“Just be more careful next time. If this happened to a guest, it would be rude.” Song Qie felt a sting and flinched slightly, knitting his brows.

The housekeeper looked at him, hesitant to speak.

“What is it?” Song Qie asked.

Ah! Don’t keep staring at me! It’s really uncomfortable!

“Young Master, I feel like… since you woke up…” She didn’t quite dare to say it, but couldn’t help herself.

“Like I’ve started acting like a human being?” Song Qie asked.

The housekeeper didn’t expect him to put it that way. She wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, so she just lowered her head to apply the medicine.

“I almost died once; I should know how to cherish things.” Song Qie thought to himself—this was also a reminder for himself. In his past life, he had been too driven—pushing to study, pushing to succeed, carrying the pressure of a sister who refused to inherit the family business.

That car accident might not have been an accident.

Since he was here now, he might as well make the best of it.

“Young Master, if you’ve really had a change of heart, the Master and Madam will be so happy.” The housekeeper thought to herself—this is crazy. Did the wave hit his head and fix his brain?

Song Qie started to space out. How could I not change? If I don’t change, I’ll die in a bed from drugs. I’d rather be hit by a car again. Dying in such an embarrassing way… it’s terrifying just thinking about it.

“What kind of part-time job does Lu Beihuai have?” he asked curiously. How was this guy so good at making money? He got paid to be Song Qie’s playmate, and now he worked every night. Was he even 18 yet?

“I’m not sure. Have you not asked him, Young Master?”

Song Qie: “…” Was their relationship ever good enough for that?

“Young Master, why don’t you stay in tonight? Before they left, the Master and Madam said you need to rest fully before going back to school. Besides, Beihuai still has your phone.”

Song Qie realized that’s why he hadn’t played with a phone in three days.

“I won’t go out. I’m going to sleep.”

And so, he picked one meat dish and one vegetable dish from the feast, told the housekeeper to take the rest to the staff, and took a slow walk around the estate after eating.

He ended up getting lost and was brought back to the main building by a security guard.

“Goodnight, Young Master.”

“Thank you.”

After closing his door, Song Qie banged his forehead against it twice in embarrassment. His ears were completely red.

So embarrassing! Getting lost is so humiliating!

The guard at the door: “…” Crazy. I actually heard the Young Master say thank you.

After washing up, he lay flat on his bed, replaying all the versions of what would have happened if he hadn’t gotten lost or hadn’t been found by the guard… eventually, he fell into a deep sleep.

He didn’t notice the door opening.

He didn’t even feel his ankle being pinched again.

The next day.

Song Qie woke up and sat blankly on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. He touched his forehead—it was cool, the fever was long gone. He coughed a couple of times; it was just a lingering cough.

Ah, so boring.

He stood up and stretched by the window, twisting left and right.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Young Master, are you up?”

Startled, Song Qie immediately stopped stretching and sat back on the bed. “Yes, I’m awake,” he said calmly.

“Would you like breakfast now or later? The doctor is here.”

Song Qie thought, the doctor is already here; I can’t keep him waiting, that would be rude. He headed toward the bathroom. “I’ll be out in ten minutes. See the doctor first.”

Ten minutes later, he sat in silence looking at a stack of medical records.

With “Song Qie’s” weak physique, what right did he have to be arrogant? Lu Beihuai could easily kill him with one punch.

“Young Master, you must take this heart episode seriously. You absolutely cannot do intense sports or let your emotions get too high. If you keep getting fevers or fainting, it could lead to heart inflammation, and you might need surgery again.”

“Same thing when you go back to school. No intense exercise. Ensure your own safety.”

Song Qie nodded seriously. “Understood.”

Another surgery? So “Song Qie” had already had one. Why would he mess around with his body like that? He might drop dead before Lu Beihuai even did anything.

The doctor glanced at him.

Song Qie felt like there was a story in that look. He knew why—his reaction was too “normal,” which made it seem abnormal. After all, the old “Song Qie” was a crazy, arrogant brat.

“Yes, I really understand. From today on, I will cherish my health. Thank you, doctor.”

The doctor thought, this is insane. This brat is actually speaking like a human and saying thank you.

A black Maybach rolled slowly out of the garage.

“Young Master, are you really going to school now?”

Song Qie sat in the back seat. He had finally convinced the doctor to let him go to school by promising he would only study. Although he only got a skeptical look in return, he was finally able to get some fresh air.

But most importantly, he had to go rescue Lu Beihuai.

After all, “Song Qie” was the leader of the bullies targeting Lu Beihuai at school.

“Yes, I’m going to study.”

The driver’s hand hesitated on the steering wheel. He looked in the rearview mirror and saw Song Qie looking back at him.

Song Qie nodded. “Really.”

The driver quickly looked away and accelerated.

“Drive carefully. Stay safe.” Song Qie still had some trauma from his own car accident. After saying that, he silently gripped the handle on the ceiling.

Driver: “?” Crazy. This brat is actually saying stuff like that.

After a twenty-minute drive, they arrived at a very luxurious private school. It was currently the afternoon drop-off time, and many luxury cars were dropping off students.

Song Qie got out, said goodbye to the driver, and walked toward the gate. Seeing so many students with backpacks, he realized he hadn’t brought his own. He also noticed he had become the center of attention.

“…” What are you looking at? So, what if I didn’t bring a bag?

Suddenly, everyone started greeting him.

“Young Master Song, why were you gone for so many days?”

“Are you feeling better, Young Master Song?”

“I made some snacks for you; come by my class later~”

Boys and girls alike were enthusiastic. It was clear “Song Qie” was the “king” of the school, though this attention was likely born out of fear.

But what was there to fear about this weak-bodied “Song Qie”?

He accepted the greetings with a calm, expressionless face and nodded. He didn’t know these people, so he didn’t see the point in talking. He prepared to walk in.

Suddenly, a strong, firm arm wrapped around his shoulders from behind, startling him.

“You’re back, Song-Song.”

Song Qie slowly looked up at the tall high school boy. The boy had blonde hair, a black-gold stud in his right ear, and handsome, sharp features. He was smiling down at him. Because he was so close, Song Qie didn’t speak for a moment.

“What, still mad at me for taking you surfing? We won’t go next time then. Your parents already yelled at me.”

Seeing that this tall boy seemed very close to “Song Qie,” he realized this must be the person who almost got him killed.

“Uh…?”

The tall boy reached out and patted Song Qie’s head. Seeing him acting dazed, he leaned in and whispered in his ear: “The guys are messing with Lu Beihuai. Want to go watch?”

Song Qie’s eyes widened. “Why are they messing with Lu Beihuai?”

What!! Campus bullying!! No, I have to go save Lu Beihuai right now! I need to boost my favorability points!

“Because he didn’t watch you properly and let you go surfing.” The tall boy let go of him, put his hands in his pockets, and stood with his white shirt slightly unbuttoned, looking like a typical delinquent.

Song Qie: “…?”

In the small woods behind the dormitory, three boys stood under a giant tree in a blind spot for the security cameras. All of them were tall and good-looking.

One of them wore a clean white shirt and black pants, but his sneakers were old and worn. The other two wore their uniforms sloppily, were decked out in designer brands, and had contemptuous expressions. It was obvious who was being bullied.

With a thud, a dirty backpack was thrown at Lu Beihuai’s feet.

“Here, pick it up.”

Lu Beihuai looked at the backpack he had washed and mended himself. It was dirty again. He lowered his eyes, his emotions tightly controlled. He knew these rich young masters were not to be trifled with; he couldn’t afford to cross them right now.

His father had told him: keep your head down, don’t cause trouble, and no one will bother you.

Just as he leaned down to pick it up, an elbow slammed hard into his back. At the same time, someone kicked the back of his knees. He dropped to his knees. A second later, his hair was grabbed, and his face was forced upward.

“Lu Beihuai, don’t let us see you touching him again. Get rid of your disgusting thoughts.” The tall, blonde boy with gold-rimmed glasses leaned over. He smirked at Lu Beihuai’s pained expression, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

Lu Beihuai endured the pain of his scalp being pulled. He knit his brows, swallowing his hatred. “Fine.”

These animals in human clothing…

“And stay away from Song Qie. You think you’re worthy of being his dog? You can’t even take care of him properly.” The tall boy standing next to the blonde one looked down arrogantly with his hands in his pockets. He kicked Lu Beihuai’s leg.

“What are you doing?”

Suddenly, a clear, gentle voice called out.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground as a slender figure approached.

Lu Beihuai found the sun blinding as his head was held up, but his view was quickly blocked by the figure walking toward him. The hand gripping his hair was brushed away by a cool hand.

“Even a dog has a master.”

Song Qie pulled Lu Beihuai up and looked at the other two boys. “Don’t touch him again,” he said calmly.