Xia Yu swore to the heavens that he didn’t mean to eavesdrop on his new deskmate’s conversation with the girls, nor was he interested in it.
He just thought it was too hot and, feeling thirsty, took a can of cola out of his drawer.
His mind was still preoccupied with the origin of Mo Yidong’s Shou Sheng when he happened to overhear something and accidentally sprayed his drink out.
“Sorry! I’ll clean it up for you.”
Xia Yu quickly searched his drawer and pockets but found no tissues, so he hurried to think of another way.
“I’ll take you to the bathroom to wash it off.”
He hurriedly stood up, but as soon as he moved his stool, the sharp glares from around him stopped him in his tracks.
He didn’t dare make a sound.
The next moment, the girls surrounding Mo Yidong passed over tissues to him.
“I have tissues here, you can use mine.”
“I also have wet wipes, if you don’t mind using those.”
This was really bad…
Xia Yu stood frozen, unsure whether to stay or leave.
“Why do you bully the new kid as soon as you get here? That’s really mean.”
“I really didn’t mean to.”
Even if he told the truth, no one believed him now.
“If you’re jealous that someone else has a girlfriend, just say so. You even sprayed it all over someone’s face. If you don’t want the new kid sitting next to you, go ask Teacher Qiu to change the seat!”
You’re really just using this chance to say everything you’ve been thinking inside, huh?!
Xia Yu felt utterly helpless and already gave up inside.
Fine, fine, say whatever you want.
He looked down and saw Mo Yidong wiping the water stains off his face with the tissues.
From the bottom of his heart, Xia Yu apologized once again to his new deskmate.
“Sorry, I really didn’t mean to.”
“I’ll wash my face first. Where’s the bathroom? Take me there.”
Mo Yidong knew Xia Yu wasn’t doing it on purpose.
Leaving him alone would only make the surrounding students criticize him, and more and more nosy classmates had gathered to watch the drama unfold.
It was better to leave together, and he might as well ask about some other things along the way.
“Really sorry, I’m really sorry. If you need help with anything next time, just ask. I’ll help if I can.”
Xia Yu kept apologizing to Mo Yidong all the way there.
He had never apologized so many times to anyone before.
If Teacher Qiu found out about this, Xia Yu wouldn’t just be sent back to the office twice in one day; he’d also face a severe scolding.
Besides, Teacher Qiu had already warned Xia Yu that if he offended the new student and made him leave, the Mu Laohu would probably skin him alive.
The two attracted quite a bit of attention from passing students in the hallway.
Some were curious about the new face, while others, watching their interaction, thought Mo Yidong looked like Xia Yu’s new big brother — his cold and refined appearance gave off a hidden strength only a true powerhouse could possess.
“Then do me a favor. Let’s just forget about what happened today. I won’t let the homeroom teacher know about it either.”
Few boys ever paid attention to what Mo Yidong wore or the Shou Sheng on his wrist.
Xia Yu was the first to ask about the Shou Sheng, and also the first to show a subtle reaction when it was mentioned.
Mo Yidong deduced and confirmed one answer — Xia Yu must know something about “her.”
The day before enrolling, Mo Yidong had already done some research on this school.
His purpose was twofold: to ensure his own safety and to look for someone.
Ten years ago, a sudden fire at a Liaoyangyuan in this city burned it to the ground.
No casualties were reported, and the culprit was caught.
Unfortunately, Mo Yidong and his first love had parted ways there, and she had been missing ever since.
There were students in this school who had stayed at that Liaoyangyuan.
Maybe Xia Yu was one of them, or perhaps he knew something about “her” whereabouts.
After freshening up in the bathroom, Mo Yidong and Xia Yu headed back to the classroom.
“Here’s the thing: this weekend, my parents are inviting many new and old friends over for dinner. You should come with me.”
One meal would wipe the slate clean.
That was way too easy…
“I haven’t asked—”
Xia Yu was about to agree readily when Mo Yidong added:
“You’ll need to dress up a bit.”
“Do I need to wear a suit? Or can I just dress casually?”
“No, you have to dress as a girl and come with me.”
“Huh? Why?”
Xia Yu stood frozen, a thousand question marks spinning in his head and a thousand reasons to refuse.
He felt extremely uneasy.
He’d never pretended to be a girl before, but he had once actually become a girl.
Could this guy have figured something out?
But they’d only just met today, so they hardly knew anything about each other.
Xia Yu furrowed his brows and secretly glanced at Mo Yidong’s usual calm expression, which didn’t seem like he was joking or trying to mess with him.
He wasn’t sure…
Just as Xia Yu suspected Mo Yidong might have some hidden agenda, he noticed Mo Yidong was carefully appraising him from head to toe, looking at him with focused admiration.
Panicked and annoyed, Xia Yu hurriedly covered his body with both hands.
“Stop looking… I don’t have anything.”
Mo Yidong, half a head taller than Xia Yu, looked down at him, subtly examining his figure.
Not muscular, paler than other boys, a few parts wrapped with bandages — with a wig and some makeup, he could easily pass as a girl.
“Besides, why do we have to dress as girls just to go to a dinner? Can’t we just go like this?”
“No.”
Mo Yidong saw Xia Yu’s face turn slightly red — a normal reaction for a boy.
He wasn’t interested in crossdressers, nor had he ever gone to dinner with one before.
He didn’t know what madness had possessed him to make such a request, nor had he ever tried bringing a boy disguised as a girl home for a meal.
It was like when his strange power had inadvertently revealed itself at the language department’s entrance.
From the moment he met Xia Yu, there was a subtle feeling about him.
“Consider it explaining things to my family.”
After transferring to this school and joining an ordinary class, Mo Yidong’s parents were strongly opposed.
After all, letting the city’s top student attend a mediocre high school and be placed in an average class was hard for anyone to accept.
Since his biological mother passed away and his father remarried, Mo Yidong rarely went home.
He usually lived at the dorm and planned to study abroad after graduation.
Suddenly, he learned his father was being transferred to another city for work.
When the city was mentioned, Mo Yidong was the one who volunteered to go with him.
Mo Yidong needed a good excuse to stay here, and while appraising Xia Yu, he felt this guy was perfect as a cover.
“I transferred to this school because of my parents’ work, that’s true. But the other reason is I’m actually here to look for someone in this city. If I can’t find them, I’ll have to go back.”
“I see… but it must be like looking for a needle in a haystack in such a big place.”
“That’s why I want to buy some time.”
Mo Yidong spoke honestly and didn’t want to offend Teacher Qiu’s favorite student.
Xia Yu clenched his fists and pursed his lips.
How could he back out after agreeing?
He forced himself to reason that it was just one day’s sacrifice.
“Fine, fine, whatever.”
The two walked back to class, one after the other.
Xia Yu’s mind was still restless when he suddenly heard Mo Yidong speak again from behind.
“By the way, I still don’t know your name.”
“Huh…?”
Xia Yu realized he hadn’t introduced himself to his new deskmate properly and said simply,
“My name’s Xia Yu. Summer Rain.”