You Like The Smart Ones? You Should Have Said So Sooner! - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Whew Glad I Said Yes

Holding the test paper, Qin Mian stood up excitedly, wanting to sit next to Song Ying. However, he tripped over a stool and nearly fell.

Song Ying: ? What’s the situation? A crappy test paper makes him this excited?

Qin Mian maintained his “cool and reserved” persona and gave a subtle self-recommendation: “Song Ying, me—this year’s Gaokao—top 100 in the province.”

Song Ying didn’t quite follow, so he gave a tentative compliment: “Then… you’re actually pretty amazing?”

“Yeah, I’m alright.” Qin Mian acted poised and nodded. “So… what do you think of me?”

“How about I teach you math, and when you have time, you come to my place and cook some meals?”

To someone like him who hadn’t eaten a home-cooked meal in forever, having a chef was too precious. As for the school cafeteria food—it was a total disaster. Judging by where they had met earlier, Qin Mian guessed they lived in the same residential complex.

Beside him, Song Ying fell silent.

What did he just hear? Someone wanted to teach him math? He hadn’t heard those words in a very long time. As Song Ying’s gaze drifted over that disastrous test paper, he suddenly understood.

“That’s not—”

The explanation was right on the tip of his tongue when Qin Mian spoke again, promising him solemnly:

“I’m a man of my word. I guarantee you’ll get a 120 in math. How about it?”

Song Ying: “……”

What should he do? How was he supposed to explain to the guy across from him that he could actually score a 140?

The look in Qin Mian’s eyes was so clear and earnest that Song Ying didn’t have the heart to refuse. The heroic, cool posture Qin Mian had while driving off the thugs earlier formed a sharp contrast with his current “cute” behavior, leaving a deep impression on Song Ying’s mind.

Facing Qin Mian’s “starry eyes,” Song Ying nodded his head on a ghostly whim. The moment he realized what he’d done, he wanted to punch himself. He had seen many people who “pretended to know when they didn’t,” but someone who “pretended to be clueless when they actually knew”… was either sick in the head or a total “green tea” (manipulative) type.

“Great, then it’s a deal!” Qin Mian said. “If you have any problems right now, I’ll teach you.”

Song Ying: ! Starting this fast?! This was progressing way too quickly; he wasn’t prepared yet.

“Um… it’s too late today,” Song Ying stayed calm. “You eat first. We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

In an instant, a filter of “understanding and considerate” was draped over Song Ying in Qin Mian’s mind.

By the time Qin Mian finished eating and they locked the door to leave, it was already 11:30 PM. The old street was dead quiet. Qin Mian and Song Ying walked home side by side.

He suddenly felt this scene was quite miraculous. Two days ago, they were at each other’s throats, yet now they were showing signs of becoming “good bros.” Thinking about how he’d be able to eat delicious food regularly in the future put Qin Mian in a great mood, and when he was in a good mood, he started talking more.

He started a conversation: “You’re… not from Dong’an?”

Song Ying replied, “No, from Linjiang. Failed the Gaokao and came here to repeat.”

“Are you from Dong’an? Lived here your whole life?”

Qin Mian’s eyes flickered slightly. “Coincidentally, not exactly, but close enough. My parents are from Sichuan-Chongqing; they came here for work. I grew up here.”

“Then what about your parents? Very busy?” Song Ying was truly curious about how Qin Mian managed to live off instant noodles every single day.

Qin Mian went quiet. Song Ying keenly sensed that something was off and was about to take back the question, but in the next second, Qin Mian had adjusted. He nodded solemnly: “Yeah, busy. Extremely busy.”

Song Ying knew Qin Mian wasn’t telling the truth, but he didn’t push it. After all, they weren’t that close yet.

Before they knew it, they had entered the residential complex. Halfway through, Qin Mian glanced at the person beside him with a strange expression. “…Why are you following me?”

Song Ying was also silent for a moment. “…I’m not following you.”

Qin Mian: “…No way.”

They turned left together, walked straight together, and entered the same apartment building together.

Song Ying: “…What a coincidence.”

Finally, they both stopped on the same floor and stared at each other.

Qin Mian: “How on earth did we manage to live across from each other for so many days and never run into each other?”

“I usually wake up late, around 7:00,” Song Ying said. Because of his part-time job, he’d get home at 10:00 and still have to finish schoolwork, so he slept late.

Qin Mian understood. “No wonder. I leave the house at 6:30.” No. 2 High School required commuters to be at school by 7:30. Qin Mian usually arrived early to do some practice problems and wake his brain up. After all, being in the province’s top 100 wasn’t easily achieved.

Song Ying saw that it was late. “Then let’s get some sleep.”

Qin Mian was about to nod when he paused, pointing hesitantly at the fresh injuries on Song Ying’s face. “Are you going to school like that tomorrow? Will Old Ding call you out for another talk?”

“Can’t be helped. I’ll wear a hat to cover it up,” Song Ying touched a bruise, feeling a familiar twinge of pain.

Qin Mian pondered for a moment and gave a cool snap of his fingers. “I have a way. Just watch me.”

With that, he took out his keys, opened his door, and rummaged through his room until he found a medium-sized canvas bag. It looked like it had some years on it.

Song Ying’s curiosity was piqued. “What’s that?”

Qin Mian raised an eyebrow and patted the bag. “Great Handsome Qin’s personal ‘silk pouch’ (secret weapon). I don’t show it to just anyone.”

“Function: beautifying the skin and reshaping the face. You deserve to have it.”

When the bag opened, it was full of cosmetics. Song Ying’s pupils shook. He opened his mouth but couldn’t find words for a while. “…You even have this skill?”

“Naturally. A true master doesn’t show off. Sit.” Qin Mian patted the steps at the doorway. Song Ying obediently sat down next to him.

“Bear with it. It might hurt.”

Qin Mian first used alcohol to disinfect Song Ying’s wounds. Since open wounds shouldn’t touch makeup, he applied band-aids. Luckily, there weren’t many such wounds; the rest was mostly bruising, which he covered with foundation.

In the narrow stairwell, the two were very close. The only light source came from the lamp glowing inside Qin Mian’s room. Song Ying stayed perfectly still, letting Qin Mian work on his face. He silently observed Qin Mian’s movements and features. At this moment, Qin Mian was very focused. His face, backlit by the room, looked serious, but his movements while disinfecting were exceptionally gentle.

For some reason, Song Ying didn’t feel the pain on his face tonight. In the quiet stairwell, he only heard the steady thump-thump of his own heartbeat. He suddenly thought back to Qin Mian’s request during dinner.

Song Ying felt a slight sense of relief: Whew, glad I said yes.

“Holy—!” Qin Mian cried out, snapping Song Ying out of his wandering thoughts.

Song Ying’s face didn’t dare move. “What’s wrong?”

Qin Mian was silent for a moment, looking at his hands with a look of speechlessness. “It’s been a while since I did this; I forgot you can’t wear makeup overnight. It’s bad for the skin.”

“Tell you what—I’ll call you tomorrow. Let’s wake up early and I’ll do it in the morning,” Qin Mian suggested.

Song Ying had no objections. After all that tossing and turning, it was nearly midnight. Qin Mian quickly packed his “secret weapon,” and they each went into their own homes.

Just as Qin Mian was about to close his door, Song Ying suddenly spoke: “Qin Mian.”

The other replied: “Yeah?”

“Goodnight,” Song Ying said, as naturally as possible.

Qin Mian froze. It had been a long time since someone said goodnight to him. The word felt both foreign and familiar as it woke up in his mind. He lowered his eyelashes and replied softly, “Goodnight.”

Both slept very soundly that night.

Which is why, when Song Ying woke up naturally without an alarm, his brain was still in a fog. He vaguely remembered that someone had promised to wake him up.

He checked the time: 7:01 AM.

Song Ying: “……”