Chapter 62
Lin Huaixi knew very clearly what kind of role he played in the book. At most, he was just an insignificant extra with very little screen time. It was only because his ending had been so miserable that he had managed to leave behind even a slight impression.
Whenever the two scum gongs met the protagonist, a full-on battlefield was inevitable. After hearing their sharp verbal sparring just now and seeing that Qi Wang could handle it, Lin Huaixi had obediently hidden behind him and played mute, not stepping in and making the situation even messier.
But he had not expected this battlefield to drag in an unimportant extra like him too.
Why were they asking him that kind of question? He was not important at all!
Lin Huaixi’s gaze moved over the three of them, and then he suddenly understood.
So they thought he, this outsider, was too much of an eyesore and wanted to kick him out.
Not a chance!
Lin Huaixi stepped forward and pressed himself tightly against Qi Wang’s back, poking his head out over Qi Wang’s shoulder as he glared fiercely at the two of them. “Stop asking me. I’m staying with Qi Wang no matter what!”
“…”
“…”
A wounded look appeared on Zhong Chongqiu’s face, and he lowered his eyes slightly. Zong Nanze, however, lifted one brow thoughtfully, as if he had seen something extremely interesting, and his whole expression turned fascinated.
“Well then, since that’s the case, let’s all camp together,” Zong Nanze said, clapping his hands once and somehow arriving at a completely baffling conclusion.
Without giving Qi Wang or Zhong Chongqiu any chance to refuse, he turned around and walked back to his companions.
Lin Huaixi pursed his lips and looked at Qi Wang with a complicated expression.
Of course he trusted Qi Wang’s ability. Qi Wang could definitely deal with the two scum gongs. But as his best friend, Lin Huaixi still could not help worrying for him.
Qi Wang did not let go of the wrist he was holding. Instead, he loosened his grip and soothingly patted the back of Lin Huaixi’s hand, his brows and eyes turning gentle again. “Let’s go back and get our things ready too.”
Then he turned to Zhong Chongqiu. “Which campsite are you at?”
Zhong Chongqiu’s gaze moved between the two of them. His face was tense, as though he were trying hard to suppress his emotions. “We’re at campsite number five in the southwest corner. You can come over anytime.”
And so it was decided. The four of them split up there.
On the way back, Lin Huaixi kept secretly watching Qi Wang’s expression. Qi Wang pretended not to notice at first, but after being stared at too many times, he finally turned around helplessly. “What is it?”
“You’re angry,” Lin Huaixi said decisively.
Qi Wang, who had thought he was hiding it well: “…”
“Why do you say that?” he asked softly.
Lin Huaixi gave a little snort. “Do you think I don’t know you? When you look like this, it means you’re angry.”
“Then do you know why I’m angry?” Qi Wang looked at Lin Huaixi deeply, both hoping for and fearing the answer.
Lin Huaixi folded his arms, tipped up his chin, and said with absolute confidence, “Because those two are annoying you.”
Qi Wang pressed on, “Then why do you think they annoy me?”
Lin Huaixi blinked. “Because you don’t like them, and they keep coming over to bother you and insist on talking to you. Of course you’d be annoyed.”
Qi Wang closed his eyes hard once, and did not ask any further why he disliked them, because he had already guessed the answer.
Lin Huaixi still did not know.
Qi Wang did not know whether he should feel relieved that Lin Huaixi had not noticed those two men’s true intentions, or feel miserable that Lin Huaixi did not like him either.
He had realized his own feelings far too early, while Lin Huaixi had remained oblivious this whole time. Over the years, he had been through scenes like this countless times, and by now he had built up some resistance. The corner of his lips finally lifted again. “Xixi, promise me that later you’ll stay farther away from them.”
Lin Huaixi suddenly felt like his own line had been stolen and muttered under his breath, “That’s what I was supposed to say.”
Sensing Lin Huaixi’s protective instinct toward him, Qi Wang felt a twisted sort of satisfaction. He reached out and helped smooth down the hair the wind had mussed up. “Come on. Let’s not keep them waiting too long.”
By the time Lin Huaixi and Qi Wang returned, Zong Nanze and the others were already there, chatting away with the Astronomy Club members as if they had known each other forever.
Zong Nanze’s looks were striking enough on their own, and with that artistic, romantic air of his, he instantly won everyone’s favor. Several people blushed slightly after shaking hands with him.
Lin Huaixi could not help clicking his tongue. Watching this man strut around like a peacock again, charming people and playing with their feelings, he shot him a cold glare.
When Zong Nanze noticed, the curve of his lips only deepened. Instead of greeting the others, he walked straight over to Lin Huaixi. “I really have changed. Even criminals get the chance to turn over a new leaf. You can’t just sentence me to death outright, can you?”
Lin Huaixi crossed his arms and coldly declared, “Behave yourself. I’ll be watching you.”
Zong Nanze looked almost excited by that, like some kind of masochist. The gleam in his eyes grew even brighter. “Really? Just like in high school, with the little disciplinary prefect chasing after me all day?”
“…” Lin Huaixi could not be bothered to respond.
Right now, Qi Wang was beside him, and there was also Youyou, who might run into trouble at any moment. He did not have the energy to waste on Zong Nanze.
The two of them had only exchanged a few lines when Qi Wang, who had just finished setting down their things, strode over and silently clasped Lin Huaixi’s wrist, leading him away.
In ordinary times, Qi Wang always observed the proper boundaries of a childhood friend and avoided too much physical contact with Lin Huaixi. But faced with the twin threats of Zong Nanze and Zhong Chongqiu, he could no longer care about that and unconsciously began staking his claim at every moment.
Unfortunately, that claim carried very little deterrent force.
Zong Nanze had just started to come over again when a pink cannonball slammed straight into Lin Huaixi’s arms.
Today, Youyou was wearing a pink jacket and matching pink pants. Her hair was tied into two little buns, each decorated with a pink bow clip, making her fair little face look even rosier and softer.
She blinked her round eyes at Lin Huaixi and asked happily, “Xixi, why haven’t you played with me lately?”
Lin Huaixi pinched her soft cheek and asked with a smile, “How did you end up coming camping too?”
Youyou huffed and puffed out her bun-like cheeks. “Brother didn’t want to bring me and even lied, saying it was no fun here at all. Like I’d fall for that! This morning I secretly climbed into the back seat and slept there. I only crawled out after the car stopped. I scared brother so badly!”
The more she talked, the more smug she became. She narrowed her eyes into tiny slits and looked at Lin Huaixi as if urging him, Hurry up and praise me for being smart.
Lin Huaixi kept smiling, but inside he quietly sighed.
It looked like Zhong Chongqiu really had done his best. This tragedy could not be blamed on him.
Lin Huaixi did not continue that topic. Instead, he reached up to fix the bow in Youyou’s hair and casually asked, “Who did your hair? It’s so cute.”
“Brother did it!” Youyou counted on her chubby little fingers. “Brother can braid my hair, tie my little buns, and even weave flower crowns for me. Brother is super amazing!”
Lin Huaixi turned to look at Zhong Chongqiu and was so shocked he could not say anything for a moment.
Zhong Chongqiu was tall and broad-shouldered, with darker skin, and looked like the sort of person who would never care about delicate little things. Who would have thought his hands could be this skilled?
“Then Youyou must feel really happy to have a brother like that, right?”
Youyou opened her mouth to say yes, but then her gaze suddenly shifted behind him and stuck there.
Lin Huaixi turned too and saw Zong Nanze walking over with a smile. He crouched down very naturally beside Youyou and handed her a bunch of flowers. “I just picked these. They’re as pretty as Youyou.”
Youyou accepted the flowers while trying to act reserved, but her ears betrayed her by turning red. Embarrassed, she buried her hot little face in Lin Huaixi’s arms.
Lin Huaixi froze for a moment, then glared at Zong Nanze.
Do not take this too far. Are you really not sparing even a child this young?
For once, Zong Nanze looked genuinely innocent. He spread his hands helplessly, clearly trying to say this was not his fault.
Youyou was a complete face lover. Unable to resist such a pretty face, she rubbed against Lin Huaixi and then turned to the other side, only to spot Qi Wang.
This older brother was handsome too.
Youyou let out a tiny gasp. Suddenly two eyes were not enough for her anymore. She looked left at Zong Nanze, then right at Qi Wang, nearly bouncing with delight, her whole face blooming into a smile.
Lin Huaixi had never expected someone as steady as Zhong Chongqiu to have such a lively little sister, and he could not help laughing. Deliberately pretending to be jealous, he asked, “Didn’t Youyou say I was handsome too? Why aren’t you looking at me now?”
Youyou struggled with that for a few seconds, then suddenly threw her short arms around Lin Huaixi’s neck. “Those two are handsome too, but I like Xixi best.”
Lin Huaixi looked genuinely flattered and asked, “Why?”
Putting on a solemn little face, Youyou declared, “There are lots of good-looking people, but what I like most about you, Xixi, is your soul.”
Lin Huaixi was silent for a full three seconds before sighing in amazement. “Youyou, you’re only four years old and you already know the word soul?”
Youyou giggled proudly. “Youyou has always been very smart. My kindergarten teacher praises me all the time.”
Lin Huaixi burst out laughing.
As Zong Nanze watched Lin Huaixi interacting with the little girl, the image that surfaced in his mind was not this scene, but that of Lin Huaixi in his white shirt, collar buttoned all the way up, the cool, aloof disciplinary prefect from high school.
Back then, Lin Huaixi had only been like that inside school. Outside of school, he would talk to little rabbits and gently escort children home.
At that thought, the smile on Zong Nanze’s face deepened. The shallow frivolity of a playboy slowly faded, and the way he looked at Lin Huaixi changed.
Just then, Qi Wang finished pitching the tent and looked up in time to catch the scene. Alarm bells immediately rang in his mind, and a strong sense of foreboding rose at once.
Almost by reflex, he called out Lin Huaixi’s name.
Lin Huaixi lifted his head immediately.
Qi Wang could not think of anything to say. He simply beckoned him over. Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Huaixi patted Youyou’s head and trotted over obediently like a little tail.
Time passed bit by bit.
They were all the same age. Although they came from different schools, they were all still university students with plenty of common topics. Before long, the group was chatting happily together, gathered around the grill and eating barbecue.
Lin Huaixi knew the tragedy was about to happen, so he stayed on constant alert the whole time. His mind was full of worry, and he hardly noticed what he was eating. Qi Wang was the first to notice that something was off about him, but whenever Qi Wang asked, Lin Huaixi refused to say a word.
In the end, Qi Wang could only pretend not to have noticed.
After taking a sip of his cold drink, Lin Huaixi looked up and searched the crowd for that pink little glutinous-rice dumpling.
To his surprise, Youyou was sitting beside Zong Nanze. Not only was Zong Nanze taking good care of her, he was also strangely good at coaxing children. Youyou’s eyes sparkled with trust, clearly full of dependence on him.
Lin Huaixi narrowed his eyes.
Zong Nanze’s appearance here was too abrupt. He could not stop his mind from racing.
Could Zong Nanze really be the one who pushed Youyou in the original story, and was everything he was doing now just an act to win her trust so he could secretly lure her to some deserted place later?
The more Lin Huaixi thought about it, the deeper his frown became. His attention was fully focused on that, and in his distraction, he accidentally bit his tongue.
He sucked in a sharp breath of pain, and Qi Wang immediately leaned over. “Is it bad? Let me see.”
Lin Huaixi shook his head, took a sip of ice-cold soda, and grinned foolishly. “It’s disinfected now.”
Qi Wang’s brows remained tightly knitted, as though biting one’s tongue were a very serious injury.
With no other choice, Lin Huaixi stuck out his tongue for inspection.
A small dim lamp sat on the table, and Lin Huaixi happened to be facing away from the light. In order to see clearly, Qi Wang had to change his angle. He hooked a finger under Lin Huaixi’s chin and lowered his head slightly so the light slid over Lin Huaixi’s straight jawline and fell across both of their faces.
“It’s fine, not serious,” Qi Wang said, then added, “Don’t keep licking it on purpose. If it turns into an ulcer, tell me right away.”
For some reason, Qi Wang had always been especially nervous about him.
Usually he was gentle, but the moment Lin Huaixi got hurt, he would transform into a stern, merciless dean, completely authoritative and impossible to argue with. Wanting to soothe him, Lin Huaixi obediently nodded and even smiled at him.
Only then did some of the frost melt from Qi Wang’s face.
After dinner, there was still a long while before bed. There was little signal on the mountain, so no one could really play on their phones. Since everyone was bored, they gathered together for a board game.
Lin Huaixi failed the challenge and drew a truth card as punishment.
The winner was a boy sitting across from him, who casually asked, “Huaixi, do you have a partner?”
The moment the question came out, three separate gazes shot toward him. The boy who had asked nearly froze from the chill.
Lin Huaixi remained completely straightforward. “I don’t.”
With Lin Huaixi’s harmless face, it was hard to imagine him getting angry over almost any topic, so even people who had only just met him dared to joke around. “You said it yourself, okay? I’m posting the news in the group chat later. Just wait, there’ll be a whole bunch of people chasing after you after this.”
Lin Huaixi only treated it like a joke. “That’s too exaggerated.”
A senior girl wagged her finger seriously. “Not exaggerated at all. It just means your understanding of yourself still isn’t accurate enough.”
With his looks and his personality, Lin Huaixi appealed to both men and women. Once people got close to him, they would not want to break up with him, and they would want to give him everything they had.
The senior girl clicked her tongue and sighed. “If I weren’t already old, I’d want to make a move on you too.”
Her friends immediately teased her.
“You’re only two years older than him. What are you pretending to be mature for?”
“Stop pretending you’re nobly stepping back. You just think you can’t compete, right?”
“The junior’s only been here two months and you’re already talking like this. Aren’t you afraid of scaring him?”
At that, everyone turned to look at Lin Huaixi. Lin Huaixi did not look embarrassed or shy in the least. Instead, he smiled, and two sweet dimples appeared.
…Was this what heart-fluttering felt like?
If the teasing went any further, it would only turn awkward for everyone. They exchanged glances and quietly changed the subject.
Unfortunately, Lin Huaixi’s luck was terrible. He lost again in the next round.
Looking at Lin Huaixi’s face, no one could bring themselves to ask anything too sharp, so the senior girl softened and asked, “Then what exactly is your relationship with Qi Wang?”
“We met in kindergarten. We grew up together and have basically never been apart.”
The senior girl looked completely envious. “I wish I had a childhood friend like that too.”
Someone sitting nearby blurted out without thinking, “When Huaixi bit his tongue just now, Qi Wang got so nervous. He had to see the tiny wound. Their relationship is way too good. I couldn’t even do that with my own brother.”
Another person with a brother gasped dramatically and made a disgusted face. “Please. If my brother saw me bite my tongue, he’d drop his bowl and start doing some wild savage dance in excitement.”
No one there thought of anything beyond friendship. They all looked at Lin Huaixi and Qi Wang with envy, wishing they had a close friend like that too.
Only Zhong Chongqiu watched Lin Huaixi with a dark, heavy gaze, then looked at Qi Wang warily, sensing the selfishness hidden beneath the surface.
Qi Wang’s face remained calm, his whole heart fixed only on Lin Huaixi, as though he were not in the middle of the topic at all.
No one dared keep asking him questions, so they turned their attention to the third most popular person there, Zhong Chongqiu.
“Chongqiu, what kind of person do you like?”
Before answering, Zhong Chongqiu cast a subtle glance at Lin Huaixi. The lines of his face tightened as though he had gathered up a great deal of courage, but the moment he opened his mouth, it all fell apart.
Just then, Lin Huaixi happened to get grease on his hand and stood up to wash it, leaving Zhong Chongqiu’s answer as nothing more than background noise.
Qi Wang looked at Zhong Chongqiu once. Perhaps because he thought of himself, he did not look triumphant, only lowered his eyes slightly.
Lin Huaixi knew nothing. He walked away from the campfire to the only faucet nearby and bent over it.
The cool mountain spring flowed over his wrists and gathered in his palms like scattered diamonds. Lin Huaixi played with the water for a little while like a child before finally turning off the tap.
Holding his wet hands up, he had been about to head back when the bushes beside him suddenly rustled.
An alarm instantly went off in his heart. Lin Huaixi turned and caught only the flash of a black hem.
Although he had not seen the face clearly, the image of Zong Nanze’s outfit from today rose instinctively in his mind. He had also been wearing a black outdoor jacket.
A cold certainty struck Lin Huaixi at once. Whoever that was, it had to be Zong Nanze.
Then another thought hit him, and he quickly turned to search the campsite for the pink glutinous-rice dumpling.
Youyou was the only one dressed in such bright colors. She was also so small she should have stood out immediately. But after searching the campsite carefully, Lin Huaixi could not find her anywhere.
Could it be…
His heartbeat skipped. His entire body tensed, and panic spread through his limbs in waves of numbness and pain.
He had stayed vigilant for so long, only to let his guard down at the most critical moment.
As the one person who knew what was coming, he would bear part of the responsibility for Youyou’s death and Qi Wang’s tragedy. Lin Huaixi was so panicked that his hands shook. He seized his own unsteady wrist, took a deep breath, and without sparing another thought for the crowd behind him, plunged straight into the bushes.
