Not long after Xia Yu recovered, he noticed Mo Yidong drenched in sweat, his complexion still far from normal.
He stood like a wooden post under the blazing sun, clearly unsuited for running events.
Without overthinking, Xia Yu dragged his heavy body to the convenience store and bought two bottles of water before heading back.
Xia Yu disliked owing favors and was even less likely to say thank you to Mo Yidong.
Mo Yidong seemed to sense Xia Yu’s poor condition and deliberately blocked Mo Yaofei, suggesting alternative competition methods and even delaying the remaining two matches.
This debt had to be repaid somehow.
As they neared, the cheerful chatter from ahead grew louder.
The girls in the class surrounded Mo Yidong, handing him water or damp towels to wipe his sweat.
“It’s nice to be handsome; that’s why you’re so popular.”
Xia Yu’s appearance was plain, his build and height inferior to Mo Yidong’s, and with a bad temper that nobody dared provoke.
Known for fighting outside school, few dared approach him.
Mu Yiqiu, observing Mo Yidong being surrounded, came over to Xia Yu, muttering to himself and casually mentioning the two bottles of water in Xia Yu’s hands.
“If you’d said you needed water, I would’ve brought some. You’re still steaming like a kettle—are you okay…?”
Not paying much attention to Mu Yiqiu’s words, Xia Yu silently stared at Mo Yidong.
Holding the bottles filled with water, Xia Yu wished he could pour all of it over his head to calm down.
He seemed to be reading too much into things again.
Mo Yidong didn’t need Xia Yu’s worry at all given the attention from the girls.
“Are you thirsty? Here, take one. I’m going to shower; just bring me some food to the classroom.”
Before Xia Yu could respond, Mu Yiqiu, clutching the water bottles with a worried expression, looked at Xia Yu’s unhealthy state.
“Are you really okay…? I don’t get why you insist on running in such an unfavorable environment.”
“I don’t want to owe Mo Yidong anything, and I definitely don’t want to lose to Mo Yaofei.”
“Those two Mo brothers are really annoying. You smell like cured meat all over now; even sitting in class, it’s like a meat fragrance. It’s unbearable.”
“I’m off to shower. If there’s anything, we’ll talk back in the classroom.”
Just as Mu Yiqiu was about to leave, they saw Mo Yidong sidestep the girls and approach them.
“Congratulations.”
Mo Yidong said, handing one of the water bottles over.
The one truly exhausted was Xia Yu.
Right after the competition, Mu Yiqiu hurried over with wet wipes and a jacket—it certainly wasn’t easy.
“No need, these were given to you by them. Passing them on isn’t right.”
Xia Yu lowered his head, sweat-damp bangs hiding his deep blue eyes, which looked a little dull.
They maintained a one-meter distance between them.
“There are still two matches left; let’s talk after winning them all…”
When that happened, Xia Yu would never see Mo Yidong again.
The noisy days were finally ending, and Xia Yu was returning to his usual routine.
A faint, bitter smile tugged at Xia Yu’s lips as he quietly thought:
Very good…
The school offered swimming lessons, equipped with showers and changing rooms, making the lunch break Xia Yu’s best time.
He took off his short-sleeved uniform, staring at the white, firm arms with some peeled skin patches. Washing later would surely hurt like crazy.
Looking at the wounds, Xia Yu felt sorry for himself, unsure how long recovery would take.
He had applied sunscreen and worn protective clothing, but it still couldn’t block the intense ultraviolet rays.
No sooner had he finished undressing than a solid, muscular figure entered the shower room beside him. Blinking, the figure’s physique looked somewhat familiar.
At least from the feel of it, Xia Yu sensed a hint of déjà vu.
Short, neat hair framed a handsome face, black eyes showing slight surprise.
“Too hot from running, feeling unwell, so came to shower.”
Xia Yu immediately raised both hands to cover the scorched scars on his arms, stammering:
“Me too…”
Two guys sharing a room was nothing unusual, but the water dripping on Xia Yu really hurt—he didn’t dare make a sound.
Back in the classroom, Mu Yiqiu pinched his nose, frowned, and stared at Xia Yu with discomfort.
“You’ve showered already, right?”
“No… it’s no use. The smell’s still there after washing.”
Xia Yu even forced himself to scrub several times, but the bubble scent wouldn’t come off.
That Mo Yidong could still stand it—he was a master.
“It must be damage inside your body.”
“Right now you’re in human form; the blood clan’s magic power is blocked, so your body’s natural recovery is very slow.”
“Maybe if you change into another form, the wounds can self-heal?”
Xia Yu leaned in slightly and whispered in Mu Yiqiu’s ear.
“You mean turn into the blood clan form to let the body repair naturally… sounds doable?”
The Transformation Period for this month had ended, so he could only forcibly become blood clan by other means.
Xia Yu recalled the Magic Power Amplifier from the black market, which could temporarily boost body magic power for six hours.
When he went to buy the Inhibitor, he’d seen many people purchase those.
After all, he still had to work at Bishengke Restaurant tonight; he couldn’t enter smelling like cured meat, nor could he take a day off.
After school, Xia Yu went home and took the Magic Power Amplifier.
The effect was obvious—the burns healed faster but still weren’t fully gone.
Besides the Public Subsidy, his living expenses came from part-time jobs; he couldn’t afford to cut off his income.
Opening the wardrobe, looking at his neatly organized clothes, Xia Yu put on a bra and shorts, changed into casual wear, and headed to Bishengke Restaurant.
He introduced himself to the manager in advance as Qin Yixia, Xia Yu’s cousin, with catering experience, and quickly secured the shift.
Successfully sneaking through, Xia Yu changed into light-colored work clothes and came out to the hall, handling water refills, serving dishes, and collecting trays as usual.
After closing, washing some trays, it was time to clock out.
“Hello, welcome.”
During meal hours, guests arrived one after another.
Just as Xia Yu was about to attend to the next table, familiar voices came from ahead.
“Hey, you didn’t even tell us you came to Xuanwu.”
A casually dressed guy in a short shirt walked in with a boy in uniform, laughing as they entered the restaurant.
“I’m also studying at Xuanwu, but I’ve only kept the registration. I’m doing business outside with my dad. Since you’re here, I’ll start attending classes tomorrow. What’s your class?”
“Class 7.”
The two simple words sent a chill down Xia Yu’s spine.
He quickly hid in a corner of the restaurant, clutching a tray and secretly watching the situation outside.
He hadn’t misheard.
Xia Yu just wanted to confirm it was really him.
“Waiter, can we order?”
“We all scan QR codes to order now. The code’s on the table; just scan it.”
“Ah. Been abroad too long, I forgot.”
Following the voices, Xia Yu fixed her gaze on the two guests at table 24, one of whom wore a Jiuzhong school uniform.
“What are you standing there for? Go pour water for that table!”
“Oh…!”
Xia Yu glanced around nervously and hastily poured lemon water.
Seeing everyone busy, she had no choice but to serve table 24.
“Here, have some lemon water first.”
Before the water even reached the table, the two exchanged glances.
Xia Yu’s brow twitched slightly as she locked eyes with Mo Yidong, silently signaling:
“If you dare say we know each other, I’ll kill you on the spot!”