Chapter 13: Extremist Homophobia
Mid-October brought unusually hot weather.
Even finding a decent seat in class required arriving early, lest one be relegated to the un-air-conditioned back rows.
With his workload reduced, Chi Wang now had time to compete for good seats. Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu also fared better in class these days; their habit of sleeping through alarms meant they needed all the help they could get.
After school, Chi Wang finished around four in the afternoon. His tutoring session wasn’t until six, or half past five at the earliest. He used the extra time to return to the dorm, shower, and prepare to head out.
Just as he finished his shower, his phone buzzed with a message. To his surprise, it was from Xiao Fu—a straightforward inquiry about his availability.
Chi Wang recalled their last interaction: a brief greeting and an invitation to return to the club, to which Xiao Fu hadn’t responded. It had been nearly a month since then.
Even though Chi Wang knew rich people often acted aloof, and he was prepared for it, he couldn’t suppress his instinct to grumble inwardly.
Still, what he thought and what he showed were two different things. With practiced humility, he replied, “What’s up, Brother Fu?”
Xiao Fu shot back, “What, I need a reason to text you?”
Chi Wang replied with a meme: “Soybean tears clasped hands.jpg.”
He quickly followed up: “Haha, of course not! But I’ve got tutoring later. Pointing soybean.jpg.”
Xiao Fu was unimpressed: “What’s with these weird memes? Don’t send ugly stuff like that.”
Chi Wang internally balked: What’s it to you?
But he responded tactfully: “Got it, won’t send them anymore!”
Xiao Fu didn’t waste time: “Take the night off. I’ll take you out.”
Chi Wang’s guard went up. Left Qianxing’s warning lingered in his mind: Don’t get too close to Xiao Fu. If you can’t avoid him, at least don’t antagonize him.
What’s more, Xiao Fu had once tipped him a significant sum—no way Chi Wang could afford to slight him.
He considered the situation briefly before replying, “Alright.”
Xiao Fu: “Where do you study? I’ll pick you up.”
Chi Wang: “H University.”
Xiao Fu: “Fancy school. Not bad.”
“Good thing I’m nearby. Be there in ten.”
Chi Wang: “Got it!”
Hurriedly, Chi Wang canceled his tutoring appointment, even postponing his dog-walking gig.
Heading out the door, he contemplated potential scenarios.
If Xiao Fu offered food or drinks, he’d decline. If it was some wild party, he’d stay a detached observer.
Based on Xiao Fu’s demeanor—asking him to call him “Brother Fu” right away—Chi Wang surmised he disliked flattery. Xiao Fu’s rank and status meant he was used to being treated with deference. Acting naturally, neither fawning nor servile, would be the safest bet.
After all, Chi Wang wasn’t seeking benefits from Xiao Fu. He just needed to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Having resolved his approach, Chi Wang felt considerably calmer.
When he reached the campus gate, he immediately spotted a flashy red supercar parked brazenly in the center. Its fiery body gleamed like the sun, its luxurious curves screaming opulence.
Such an ostentatious display at the gate had already drawn stares, but the supercar honked continuously after spotting Chi Wang, commanding even more attention.
The security guard hesitated, intimidated by the car’s sheer presence, and dared not intervene.
Chi Wang recognized the sound—it had to be Xiao Fu. He jogged over quickly, and the honking finally ceased. The car window slid down, revealing Xiao Fu’s audacious face. Sporting sunglasses, dyed crimson hair, and several silver studs glinting at the corners of his mouth, Xiao Fu smirked coolly and ordered, “Get in.”
Chi Wang: “Okay.”
Sliding into the passenger seat, Chi Wang couldn’t help but marvel at the car’s luxurious interior. His curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, “This car must be expensive, right?”
Xiao Fu replied nonchalantly, “Not really, just a few million.”
Chi Wang, internally: ‘Not expensive,’ he says. ‘Just a few million,’ he says.
Alright, fine. Let me compete with you rich folks using sheer willpower!
Outwardly, Chi Wang offered a polite smile. “Oh.”
Xiao Fu, generous as ever, said, “Feel free to take a picture and show it off on social media.”
Chi Wang hesitated. “Show it off how?”
Xiao Fu raised an eyebrow. “Post the car. Isn’t that what people like you do?”
Chi Wang was speechless. So, he wants me to flex?
Shaking his head, Chi Wang declined. “It’s not my car. No need for that.”
Besides, what was the point? Chi Wang didn’t need to play that game.
And he definitely wasn’t about to use someone else’s car for a brag post.
Xiao Fu glanced at him with a hint of surprise.
Normally, he would find this sort of behavior irritating. But for some reason, Chi Wang’s refusal stirred something unusual within him. After a moment of thought, Xiao Fu said, “I can lend it to you.”
Chi Wang was momentarily stunned. “Huh? No, I don’t need it.”
He wasn’t the kind to covet what wasn’t his. Everything he owned, he had earned through his own efforts, and he took pride in that. Even though he loved cars, he preferred to buy one himself someday rather than rely on someone else’s generosity.
He refused to pretend that something he didn’t own was his, nor would he boast about it to others.
Through his sunglasses, Xiao Fu observed Chi Wang’s calm and sincere expression, his eyes clear and unguarded. It dawned on him that he had misunderstood Chi Wang’s genuine words, interpreting them as the veiled ambitions of a sycophant.
He couldn’t help but smirk inwardly at himself. What was I thinking? Someone I instinctively like wouldn’t be the type to cling to others for personal gain.
Xiao Fu’s smile softened, turning genuinely warm. Raising his voice slightly, he announced, “Let’s go for a spin.”
The engine roared to life, and the vibrant red supercar sped off.
Inside the car, the subtle fragrance of high-end perfume filled the air—a cool, clean scent that was almost refreshing.
But Chi Wang got carsick easily. It didn’t take long before his stomach began to churn. Determined not to embarrass himself, he clenched his jaw and kept a tight rein on his discomfort.
Noticing his discomfort, Xiao Fu rolled down the window and started a conversation. “Still working at Milky Way?”
Chi Wang nodded. “Yeah.”
Xiao Fu shot him a glance. So cold? Interesting. “Anyone giving you trouble? Tell me if they are. I’ll take care of it for you.”
Chi Wang replied earnestly, “No, everything’s fine. Work comes with its challenges. That’s just normal.”
Xiao Fu chuckled. “That’s not an easy job. Want me to arrange something better for you? A cushy position with benefits, no work required, no strings attached.”
Chi Wang declined immediately. “No, thanks. I appreciate the offer, Brother Fu.”
Xiao Fu tilted his head, curious. “Why not? Most people beg me for favors like that, but you’re turning me down. You better give me a good reason, or I’ll get mad.”
His lips curved into a grin, and he seemed genuinely amused.
Chi Wang couldn’t quite figure out Xiao Fu’s temperament. Unwilling to lie or risk offending him, he chose honesty. “I don’t need that kind of job. Easy money feels undeserved. I’d rather work four jobs a day than accept a handout.”
He prided himself on his independence and hard work. He wasn’t a charity case.
At the golf course, Xiao Fu had tipped him 20,000 yuan. That, Chi Wang could accept—it was earned through his efforts, with no mistakes or shortcuts. If a client chose to reward him, it was fair compensation.
But for Xiao Fu to give him a no-show job? That made no sense to Chi Wang. Did he look so pitiful?
Chi Wang didn’t think so. The golf course job was high-paying, catering to wealthy club members whose annual dues alone were in the millions. Tips of several thousand yuan per round were common. It was a lucrative gig, despite the occasional humiliation.
To Chi Wang, it was just part of the deal. He’d experienced enough low-paying jobs to know the grind, and earning money was nothing to be ashamed of.
His response left Xiao Fu a bit stunned, though it only made him like Chi Wang more. Feeling a strange resonance with him, Xiao Fu asked with a grin, “What if a rich lady offered you ten million to be her sugar baby? Would you do it?”
Chi Wang stared at him, bewildered. “Of course not. It’s not about the money—”
Before he could finish, his stomach lurched violently, and he couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Blegh!” He vomited.
Xiao Fu: “!!”
He slammed the brakes, grabbed a pack of tissues, and started wiping the car. “Seriously? I’m such a good driver, and you get carsick?”
Chi Wang, still retching, managed a weak, “Blegh.”
Xiao Fu: “…”
He handed Chi Wang a paper bag.
After Chi Wang finished throwing up, he muttered, “Whoever told you you’re a good driver, I’m gonna punch them.”
To be fair, Chi Wang had never gotten sick on public buses. Yet here he was, puking in a supercar.
Instead of getting angry, Xiao Fu found the situation oddly endearing. Smiling, he handed Chi Wang another tissue and even pinched his cheek as he helped clean his face.
Their faces were close—too close.
Chi Wang’s skin crawled as his eyelashes fluttered nervously. He spoke faintly, “Brother Fu, I’m straight.”
Xiao Fu froze, his amused smile fading. His playful demeanor shifted to a cold, shadowed intensity, his teeth gleaming. “Do I look gay to you?”
Chi Wang hesitated. “Uh… kinda.”
Who else but a straight guy would pinch cheeks and get this up-close and personal?
Realizing what he was doing, Xiao Fu retracted his hand with a scowl. “Relax. I’m straight too. In fact, I can’t stand gays. Filthy idiots, the lot of them.”
Chi Wang’s brow twitched. Whoa. There’s a story here.
But he didn’t ask. They weren’t close enough for that.
However, Xiao Fu offered an explanation unprompted. “My biological dad’s one of them—a gay scumbag who tricked my mom into marrying him. One day, I’ll kill him, chop him into pieces, and feed him to the sharks.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Dude, that’s… intense.
Also, why share such a personal detail with him?
Qianxing had some loose lips, but this guy? He was in a league of his own.
For a moment, Chi Wang couldn’t quite make sense of Xiao Fu. He seems so… earnest.
Xiao Fu continued, “If some gay dude ever bothers you, let me know. I’ll take care of him—slice off his ‘extra two ounces.’”
Chi Wang: “…Haha, thanks in advance, Brother Fu.”
Yeah, right. This isn’t helping me; he’s just venting his own frustrations.
Chi Wang concluded that Xiao Fu wasn’t just a homophobe—he was an extremist.
