Hello, Jie Fen – CH2

Chapter 2: That Boy is Handsome

The back of the classroom lacked air conditioning, making it unbearably hot.

Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu were drenched in sweat. Even Chi Wang wasn’t spared—his hair was slick with perspiration, strands sticking to his forehead and cheeks as beads of sweat slid down his face and dripped off his chin.

Yet Chi Wang remained composed and unruffled, his demeanor calm as still water, listening to the lecture as if the heat didn’t exist.

It was… genuinely admirable.

After class, they moved to another classroom. On the way downstairs, Luo Lianyun nudged Chi Wang and pointed in a direction. “Look, that’s Xie Siheng—the senior who beat you for the campus king title.”

Chi Wang followed Luo Lianyun’s gesture and saw a tall figure with broad shoulders and long legs dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. He was speaking with a middle-aged man, presumably a professor, so his face was turned away. Still, even from his back, it was evident that he was a strikingly handsome guy. His straight posture and well-proportioned frame gave him an aura of elegance.

“Stop,” Chi Wang said. “He’s been the campus king all along. Let’s not twist the timeline—I’m the usurper here.”

Luo Lianyun countered, “You carry the hopes of every STEM major—electrical engineering, computer science, energy systems, applied mathematics—all of them. I even rallied friends and family to vote for you, but you still lost to Xie Siheng. If you were the campus king, mixers would’ve been so much easier for us!”

Chi Wang chuckled. “So I have the potential to be the poster boy of STEM?”

Luo Lianyun nodded emphatically. “With that face of yours,” he gave a thumbs-up, “you’ve got a ‘soft life physique.’”

Chi Wang laughed. “Thanks. Why don’t you introduce me to a rich woman, then? Let me live the soft life.”

Luo Lianyun pondered for a moment. “If there were a rich woman, I’d be the first to volunteer. It wouldn’t even be your turn.”

Shu Tingyu chimed in, “We don’t want our brothers to struggle, but we also don’t want them driving a Range Rover.”

Chi Wang: “…”

Too real.

—

After class, Chi Wang went to his tutoring job.

This job came through a connection and involved a rebellious senior high school student. Initially, it was tough going, but after a month, Chi Wang managed to get through to him. The student now listened attentively during lessons.

The parents were pleased and even gave Chi Wang a sizable red envelope.

Chi Wang was satisfied with the job and planned to stick with it for the year without needing to switch part-time gigs.

After the lesson, Chi Wang took out his phone to play games with the student.

Despite his studious appearance, Chi Wang had been a gamer since childhood, with solid skills. It was through gaming that he had managed to win over this rebellious teenager.

Chi Wang would reward the student with higher rankings in their game sessions if he paid attention in class. The teenager bought it.

Chi Wang carried the team with a jungle hero while the student played a support character, giving him a thrill. Only after indulging him thoroughly did Chi Wang pack up to leave.

Before he left, the student handed him a large apple and a bottle of fortified milk with a look of reverence.

Chi Wang, hungry by now, polished off the apple and milk before heading to his next gig.

—

The bar Chi Wang worked at wasn’t rowdy; it was a quiet, relaxed place.

The in-house band wasn’t famous, but after Chi Wang joined as a backup guitarist, their fan base grew noticeably. Many patrons came specifically to see him.

The band and the bar owner were well aware of this. As a result, even though Chi Wang was technically a substitute, his appearances were becoming more frequent.

This didn’t sit well with Kong Tianxi, the original guitarist. Initially, he had deliberately skipped a performance, requiring a substitute. But as Chi Wang’s popularity grew, he found himself sidelined even when present. He’d tried to stir up trouble, but the lead singer and band manager quashed it before it reached Chi Wang.

Still, Chi Wang could feel the hostility in Kong Tianxi’s gaze and had begun considering quitting.

Not out of fear—Chi Wang wasn’t timid and could handle himself in a fight. He simply didn’t want unnecessary conflict.

Since this month was nearly over, Chi Wang decided tonight would be his last performance.

—

At the bar, Chi Wang noticed Kong Tianxi was there but acted as if nothing was amiss. He joked with the band, picked up his guitar, and went on stage.

Chi Wang’s appearance was scheduled in advance, so the usually quiet bar had a larger crowd than usual, most of them his fans.

Luo Lianyun wasn’t wrong—Chi Wang did have the makings of a sugar baby. Among his fans were a few affluent women who had openly expressed their interest in “sponsoring” him.

Though Chi Wang needed money, he wasn’t desperate enough to accept such offers and had declined them all.

When Chi Wang walked on stage, the crowd erupted in cheers.

As the soothing melody began, the bar fell silent, captivated by the performance.

—

In a secluded booth, Zuo Qianxing turned to Xie Siheng. “What a coincidence. Tonight’s a change of guitarists, so it’s a bit livelier than usual. Should we find another spot?”

Xie Siheng, who didn’t like crowds, nodded in agreement.

Zuo Qianxing paid the bill and stood to leave with Xie Siheng. But after a few steps, he realized Xie Siheng had stopped, his gaze fixed on the stage. Following his line of sight, Zuo Qianxing chuckled. “You’re looking at the guitarist? He’s a substitute—only performs once a week. The bar’s usually quieter on other days, except for when he’s here.”

Xie Siheng said nothing, his cold, dark eyes reflecting Chi Wang’s figure on the stage.

Chi Wang had a strikingly beautiful and captivating face. His slightly long hair was tied back into a small ponytail, adding an androgynous charm.

He wore a loose T-shirt paired with a thin black denim jacket despite the air-conditioned room. The neckline of the T-shirt had lost its elasticity, exposing a large swath of snow-white skin. Two layered silver chains hung around his neck, and his wrist was adorned with a red cord bracelet strung with a safety talisman alongside a silver bracelet. His long, slender fingers were well-defined, completing an impressive overall aesthetic.

But these were merely surface details. What truly captured attention was his presence on stage. As he played the guitar, his body swayed slightly, and his eyes shimmered with a cool and captivating light. Contrastingly, his lips curved in a charming smile, and the faint flash of his sharp canine teeth beneath his red lips added a hint of mischief.

It was an alluring and mesmerizing sight of someone entirely immersed in their element.

The ambient stage lighting cast a hazy glow over him, gilding his sharp and handsome face with a delicate sheen, accentuating both his beauty and edge.

It wasn’t surprising that he had garnered so many fans in just a few months. His looks were one thing, but the enchanting aura he exuded on stage was another—enough to draw countless gazes.

Xie Siheng averted his gaze and said coolly, “Let’s go.”

Zuo Qianxing reluctantly looked away and nodded before following Xie Siheng out of the bar.

—

After finishing his set, Chi Wang received his pay for the night—200 yuan in cash, settled on the spot.

As he stepped off stage, some fans approached him for autographs, joking that they would be his first loyal fans once he entered the entertainment industry.

Chi Wang laughed, pure and easy. “Me, join the entertainment industry? If I do, I’ll have to exit another circle.”

The fan was puzzled. “What circle?”

“The biosphere,” Chi Wang replied with a grin. “If I enter showbiz, I’ll probably die—and die in the most tragic way possible.”

His down-to-earth demeanor was refreshing. Even the band’s lead singer had no airs, so it wouldn’t make sense for a substitute guitarist like him to act superior.

His comment made the fans laugh. They all joked about how the entertainment industry was a cesspool, but they hadn’t thought of it as the underworld. Despite Chi Wang’s words, they still asked for his autograph—just in case. With his looks, he truly wouldn’t need much more than an opportunity to succeed in that field.

After the fans left, the band’s drummer, Wang Wenmao, remarked sarcastically, “Wow, a rising star, already signing autographs.”

Chi Wang smiled. “If I really do enter showbiz, I’ll take you all with me. Share the wealth and never forget my roots.”

That line instantly disarmed Wang Wenmao.

Though Chi Wang’s lighthearted promises were often dismissed as empty, his attitude made people feel at ease. Some wouldn’t even bother to draw such “pies” for others, yet Chi Wang did it in a way that left no room for animosity.

It made Wang Wenmao reluctant to target him further.

Chi Wang then casually announced his decision to quit. With a job like this, all it took was a word to leave—no big deal. Most of the band members, however, tried hard to persuade him to stay, even hinting at the possibility of making him a permanent member.

The suggestion startled Chi Wang, and he immediately declined.

After all, Kong Tianxi was still around, and his face was already dark as coal.

Chi Wang managed to extract himself from the situation, but as he left the bar, he kept glancing back, worried that Kong Tianxi might follow and confront him.

His caution wasn’t unfounded. Chi Wang had grown up attracting trouble—some people liked him, and others just couldn’t stand him.

He’d been in his fair share of fights, accumulating at least two or three disciplinary warnings. Thanks to his excellent grades, major infractions were often reduced to minor ones, so they didn’t have a significant impact on him, though they didn’t look great on his academic record.

Chi Wang wasn’t afraid of fights but dreaded the aftermath. An injury could hinder his ability to work.

Thankfully, Kong Tianxi didn’t seem inclined to pursue him. Chi Wang had just sighed in relief when his foot slipped, and he fell flat on the ground.

Chi Wang, however, was a veteran of such mishaps. Reacting quickly, he braced himself with his hands, seamlessly turning the fall into a series of breakdance moves, effortlessly dispelling the awkwardness of a faceplant.

Just then, Zuo Qianxing and Xie Siheng exited another bar nearby and witnessed the entire scene.

Zuo Qianxing: “…”

Xie Siheng: “…”

Zuo Qianxing chuckled and turned to Xie Siheng. “That guy’s hilarious.”

Xie Siheng made no comment.

Chi Wang, unbothered, stood up and dusted off his hands. Without so much as a glance around, he walked off with the same natural ease, as if the whole thing had been a spontaneous dance routine.

As he approached the bus stop, a voice called out from behind, “Chi Wang!”

Chi Wang’s heart skipped a beat as he turned around. Sure enough, he hadn’t dodged it.

Kong Tianxi had brought two other guys along. Chi Wang couldn’t help but laugh and feign innocence. “What’s up?”

Kong Tianxi crooked his finger at him. “Come here. I’ve got something to say.”

Chi Wang wasn’t an idiot. “You’re not planning to hit me, are you?”

Kong Tianxi sneered. “Just come here.”

Chi Wang replied, “Nope.”

Kong Tianxi started walking toward him, his face full of malice. “Feels good stealing my spot, doesn’t it?”

Chi Wang glanced around. A few passersby were already watching, and it wouldn’t look good if things escalated. He suggested, “Let’s go over there and talk.”

The heat had prompted Chi Wang to remove his black denim jacket and silver chains. He had also untied his hair, shedding the wild and carefree image from the stage. Now, he looked once more like a fresh-faced college student.

After all, he was only eighteen.

But despite his youth, he exuded a calm and steady demeanor born of experience.

Chi Wang followed them into a secluded alley, which Zuo Qianxing and Xie Siheng happened to notice.

It wasn’t that they were following Chi Wang. This was simply the route back to their school. Their car was parked near the same area, so the encounter was purely coincidental.

Zuo Qianxing turned to Xie Siheng. “Looks like that guy’s about to get into trouble. Should we step in?”

Xie Siheng responded, “No need.”

Such composure meant he had the situation under control. There was no need to intervene.

Zuo Qianxing protested, “…How can you be so cold-blooded? Those three guys are huge—what if they beat him half to death?”

“…” Xie Siheng remained as indifferent as ever, his entire demeanor radiating a “none of my business” vibe. “You could call the police for him.”

Seeing that Xie Siheng was truly unmoved, Zuo Qianxing decided to step in himself. He had just stepped into the alley, preparing to yell to diffuse the situation, when he saw Chi Wang stepping on one guy, gripping Kong Tianxi by the collar with one hand, and raising his fist to land a punch.

Kong Tianxi, already beaten into submission, quickly pleaded, “Stop! Let’s talk this out!”

Chi Wang, smiling brightly, said, “But you don’t seem to like talking.”

With a loud “bang,” his fist connected with Kong Tianxi’s face, eliciting a pained howl.

Zuo Qianxing: “…”

He quietly retreated. Who would have thought that this seemingly delicate and handsome guy had fists that hit like a sledgehammer?