53

In the new semester of the third year of high school, all S-rank Alpha students were concentrated into the first and second classes. Xu Ze and He Wei were in Class 1, while Lu Heyang and Yun Chi were in Class 2.

On the first morning of school, Xu Ze did not show up, and neither did Yun Chi. Yun Chi always attended school at random, so his absence was normal; Xu Ze was absent because of his rut. He had originally intended to come to school, but Lu Heyang told him to rest for another day.

It was already nine-thirty when he woke up. Thanks to Lu Heyang taking care of him the day before, Xu Ze had slept soundly for over ten hours that night without having a single dream.

It was just that his entire body ached now.

On his phone, there were messages from the Preparatory School, congratulating students on entering their third year and notifying them that their scholarships from the previous semester had been deposited. The Preparatory School’s scholarships were funded directly by the Alliance Government and were always quite generous—to other students, it might have been a small sum, but to Xu Ze, it was already a lot.

After transferring the entire scholarship into the Sanatorium account, Xu Ze got out of bed. On his desk lay a pile of antipyretics and suppressant patches that Lu Heyang had sent over later; there were no suppressants, however, because they carried the most severe side effects.

After washing up, Xu Ze stood in front of the rice cooker, staring blankly at the bubbling porridge. Once summer vacation ended, there were many things to consider. Early admissions for S-rank students would begin one after another during the first semester of the third year, involving a succession of preliminary tests, secondary tests, and interviews. This meant he would not be able to balance his studies and his part-time work.

Even if he were to continue working, there was no job more lucrative for him than fighting, but in order to break away from the Club and stop risking this body that was about to face various important exams, it was impossible for Xu Ze to go back.

After briefly weighing these things for a few minutes, Xu Ze turned off the rice cooker and scooped himself a bowl of porridge. He planned to go to school after finishing breakfast—it was the first day of school, so there would likely be some important notices, and it was best to go and listen.

The first piece of bad news for the new semester was that He Wei had become his deskmate.

Of course, this was not Xu Ze’s thought; it was Lu Heyang’s assessment.

Xu Ze was carrying his schoolbag upstairs during the break between the third and fourth periods. Lu Heyang and He Wei were standing in the corridor outside the entrance to Class 1, talking. Xu Ze had barely stepped onto the final stair when he locked eyes with Lu Heyang, who happened to look up.

Not having decided how he should face Lu Heyang at school, and not knowing what kind of attitude Lu Heyang expected of him, Xu Ze subconsciously chose the simplest reaction—avoiding his gaze, just as he had when they were still complete strangers the previous semester.

But Lu Heyang looked at him and said, 'Xu Ze.'

The two words easily pierced through Xu Ze’s stiff acting. He looked at Lu Heyang, and then, as if pulled by something, he walked toward him.

'Some bad news,' Lu Heyang said. 'He Wei is your deskmate.'

He Wei leaned against the railing and threw a playful, air-blown kiss toward Xu Ze: 'Xiao Ze, give us a smile.'

'Chi Jiahán,' Lu Heyang said, looking past He Wei’s shoulder to the person behind him. 'Go upstairs.'

'Xiao Chi!' He Wei spun around in a flash, though he hadn't even clearly seen Chi Jiahán’s figure. 'Where are you going?'

'Back to class.' Chi Jiahán glanced at Xu Ze in passing and noticed that Xu Ze was completely focused on Lu Heyang without even realizing it. Chi Jiahán turned his head back, speechless.

He Wei followed him like a persistent shadow: 'What class could you possibly have? Let me see your book.'

'I thought you were still sleeping, so I just sent you a message.' Lu Heyang raised his hand and touched Xu Ze’s forehead, pulling it back quickly. 'Are you still feeling uncomfortable?'

'No,' Xu Ze shook his head.

'Did you take the antipyretic?'

'I did,' Xu Ze nodded.

'Why is your voice hoarse?' Lu Heyang asked. 'Is your throat sore?'

He hadn't thought much of it, assuming it was throat inflammation caused by the rut, but seeing Xu Ze’s slightly choked expression, Lu Heyang realized what had happened. He smiled and said, 'I understand. Remember to protect your voice next time.'

Xu Ze looked elsewhere, and after a moment, he asked Lu Heyang in a low voice, 'Did I leave marks on your neck?'

Because he had noticed that the top button of Lu Heyang’s school uniform collar was fastened.

'Mm,' Lu Heyang said, looking quite composed.

Xu Ze opened his mouth, and seeing his expression, Lu Heyang knew what he was going to say. Lu Heyang helplessly cut him off in time: 'You aren't going to apologize for this, are you? Talk less these next two days and let your throat recover.'—though he knew Xu Ze didn't talk much to begin with.

Receiving this instruction, Xu Ze obediently pressed his lips together and nodded again.

'Class is about to start.' Lu Heyang patted the back of Xu Ze’s hand gently to remind him. 'He Wei talks a lot of nonsense; don't believe a single word he says. Don't let him affect your studies.'

Xu Ze’s fingertips twitched, wanting to touch the spot Lu Heyang had just brushed, but he held back. He looked at Lu Heyang, then truly said nothing more, nodded, and walked toward the back door of the classroom.

Finding his seat, Xu Ze took out his phone and saw the message Lu Heyang had sent ten minutes ago: Remember to take the antipyretic when you wake up. If the teacher hands out any materials, I will bring them to you after school.

Xu Ze felt a bit of regret.

If he hadn't come to school today, Lu Heyang might have come to his home to deliver the materials.

Xu Ze spent the last period of the morning unexpectedly peacefully, because He Wei knew his rut hadn't passed yet and didn't bother him much.

At lunchtime, He Wei patted Xu Ze’s shoulder: 'Let’s go out to eat together, at the hotel owned by Yun Chi’s family.'

Xu Ze looked up, feeling dizzy and lacking strength. He said, 'I’m not hungry, you guys go ahead.' He really wasn't hungry; he had eaten breakfast very late and had no appetite now.

'Alright, then get some rest. If you aren't feeling well, just ask for leave and go home.'

Xu Ze said 'mm,' then slumped onto the desk, burying his face in his arms and closing his eyes.

After a few minutes, Xu Ze heard footsteps, and then he felt a hand press against the back of his head, moving down to cover his gland. The palm of the person’s hand was a bit cooler than his feverish gland, and Xu Ze shivered.

'Are you feeling very uncomfortable?' Lu Heyang asked him.

Xu Ze looked up, a red mark pressed into his forehead. He licked his lips in a daze and said, 'A little sleepy.'

'I ordered some snacks and soup for you. The soup is good for your throat; you need to finish it.' Lu Heyang looked away from Xu Ze’s face, sat in He Wei’s seat, and opened the food container. 'Take a nap during the lunch break.'

It was a small portion of snacks, suitable for Xu Ze, who had no appetite. He smelled the faint fruity aroma in the soup, and his throat strangely began to feel dry; he wanted to take a sip.

'Okay,' Xu Ze nodded.

'I’m going out to eat with He Wei now.' Lu Heyang stood up. Seeing Xu Ze tilt his head to look up at him, Lu Heyang ruffled Xu Ze’s hair.

Xu Ze was left alone in the classroom. Most others had gone back to eat or rest, with only a few students eating in the cafeteria before returning to the classroom for a nap. Xu Ze drank the soup while lost in thought. He was wearing the wristband Lu Heyang had given him; compared to his old one, it felt much more comfortable, especially during his rut.

He Wei’s seat was lively today because Chi Jiahán had come over to sit down again.

He glanced at He Wei’s signature on the workbook and said something complimentary with a look of disdain: 'Your handwriting is actually quite good.' Then he asked Xu Ze, 'Is your rut not over yet?'

'Mm.'

The tableware was stamped with the logo of a hotel under the Gu Family—but of course, it couldn't have been snacks and soup sent by Yun Chi. Chi Jiahán asked, 'Did Lu Heyang have someone send this to you?'

'...' Xu Ze belatedly went to check the packaging, wanting to find a delivery slip.

'This place doesn't do delivery,' Chi Jiahán said, his expression indescribable. 'And the kind of snacks you’re eating are all specially prepared by the head chef…'

'Never mind,' Chi Jiahán said. 'Just eat.'

Xu Ze, however, seemed unable to continue eating: 'Is it very expensive?'

'It doesn't matter; Yun Chi wouldn't charge him anyway.' Chi Jiahán held back, but couldn't help asking, 'What is the situation between you and Lu Heyang right now?'

Last semester, he had only heard that Xu Ze and Lu Heyang occasionally walked together. How did it evolve over a summer vacation into a relationship where one would specially order special meals for a rut? Chi Jiahán didn't know Lu Heyang very well, but he knew that Lu Heyang wouldn't bother with such things. To a certain extent, Lu Heyang’s attitude toward interpersonal relationships was not much different from Xu Ze’s.

Seeing Xu Ze remain silent, Chi Jiahán asked, 'Do you think Lu Heyang would like someone of the same sex?'

Xu Ze frowned slightly and replied, 'I don't know.'

'You two… something happened, right?'

To such a question, Xu Ze’s silence was equivalent to an admission. Chi Jiahán secretly gasped and asked again, 'Are you together?'

'No,' Xu Ze answered quickly and decisively this time, as if there was no need to consider it at all.

He thought Chi Jiahán would be angry, but Chi Jiahán relaxed instead: 'It’s good that you aren't.'

'Just stop here. Don't fall in love with someone from the Lu Family; it will end in misery, and both parties will be miserable,' Chi Jiahán said. 'Lu Heyang’s older sister was once…'

'Never mind,' Chi Jiahán interrupted himself again. He had already said 'never mind' twice today. 'In your heart, you actually know better than I do.'

He did know, especially after learning about Lu Heyang’s background. That was a position Xu Ze could look up at until his neck snapped and he still might not be able to see it. Perhaps some people would be brave, or ambitiously chase and climb upward, but Xu Ze was not one of them. When the time came, he would pack up everything related to Lu Heyang, jump down from that castle in the air that never belonged to him, return to his small room, put his things into the desk drawer, and then lock it. It would be over.

Chi Jiahán nudged Xu Ze’s wrist, signaling him to stop daydreaming and continue eating. Then he changed the subject: 'The documents have been released. Which schools are you planning to apply for early admission to?'

'I haven't looked at them carefully yet,' Xu Ze said.

'You aren't thinking of going to the same university as Lu Heyang, are you?'

'No,' Xu Ze replied. Their futures were clearly in two completely different directions; Lu Heyang would most likely enter politics, and Alliance University was the best choice. Xu Ze leaned toward something more professional and technical—it didn't matter if it was busy or tiring, as long as it wasn't too isolated, and it couldn't be too far from the Capital City, because he needed to visit his grandmother often.

'What about you?' Xu Ze asked Chi Jiahán.

'It doesn't matter,' Chi Jiahán shrugged. 'It’s not like it’s up to me anyway.'

Lu Qingmo hadn't been to the School of Diplomacy at Capital University for several years. From the second year of her master’s degree, she had been arranged by Lu Chengyu to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Alliance Government, and she was the one in the entire school who had reached the top of the industry without any effort. After graduation, the school had invited her more than once to return to give a speech as an outstanding graduate alongside current Alliance diplomats, but despite being surrounded by numerous accolades, Lu Qingmo had always avoided it.

She knew why she was timid; revisiting old haunts could sometimes be a very cruel thing.

The multi-purpose lecture hall had been renovated, and the sense of familiarity was much reduced. More than three hundred students from the School of Diplomacy sat below, each of them watching Lu Qingmo intently. Having grown accustomed to heads of state and serious camera lenses, this kind of occasion was actually relaxing for her.

As the speech neared its end, the door on the right side of the lecture hall was pushed open a crack, and someone walked in quietly—people often entered and exited during speeches. But for some reason, Lu Qingmo glanced toward that side this time, a very unintentional glance that caused her previously fluent delivery to stall for two full seconds.

She suddenly forgot what she was going to say and looked down at her manuscript with some stiffness—this was the first time she had looked at her notes during today’s speech, yet after looking, she realized the content of the manuscript had long since been finished, and now was the time for free-form extension.

'Apologies.' Forcing her thoughts back, Lu Qingmo looked up and smiled, her gaze landing on the audience without focus, and continued her speech.

After it ended, Lu Qingmo stayed in the classroom for over half an hour, answering students’ questions until the dean came over. Lu Qingmo said goodbye to the dean, and before leaving the classroom, she scanned the room, as if looking for someone, but didn't find them. Finally, she pushed the door open and walked out; there were only a few scattered students in the corridor.

Lu Qingmo lowered her eyes, feeling empty—her head and her body both—a feeling of both disappointment and relief.

'Ms. Lu.'

Someone called to her from behind. Lu Qingmo stopped abruptly, repeated that voice in her heart, and then turned around.

Han Jian was holding a lesson plan, slowly walking toward her, his left leg slightly lame. He still wore a faint smile on his face: 'You walk so fast, I couldn't even catch up.'