Chapter 42 - Afraid of the dark? (2/2)

They triggered each other enthusiastically to the point that it made Xiao Yuxin, the ‘person in the know’, worry that they must’ve gotten into a big argument. He creased his brows and asked worriedly: “With them like this……Should we try to placate them?” It was good that they’re working so hard and enjoying studying. If necessary, he is happy to help.

Huang Shao didn’t care, “Placate what? This is called beating is a sign of affection, cursing is a sign of love. A love-hate relationship.”

Xiao Yuxin pondered over this for a while and then nodded his head hesitantly in agreement.

The two had been like this since the first year of high school and the relationship between the two is known by almost everyone. There were traces of their quarrels scattered throughout the school. Even the owner of the school store remembered them. Every time he saw them, his expression would change and try to persuade them not to fight before they even started. He would even ask them to go somewhere else to fight if they really wanted to and couldn’t hold back.

They are famous for being enemies. Even if Xiao Yuxin knew about their “secret”, and knows that their relationship is good, if others saw them acting lovey-dovey, always smiling while looking at each other with a love-sick gaze, look at the stars together, recite poetry and sing songs to each other……like this, even Xiao Yuxin would be shocked. It would be as shocking as seeing dinosaurs come back to life.

Therefore, with them currently in this love-hate kind of relationship, Xiao Yuxin found it very normal. After all, everyone approaches love differently.

Jiang Yang and Qin Xu were still immersed in the joy of learning and didn’t notice that the others around them where discussing their situation.

Because they were so passionately studying and were also very competitive, when the bell signalling the end of class rand, Jiang Yang and Qin Xu didn’t immediately head off. Instead, they continued to madly solve problems, as if they would only leave once they’ve finished solving the remaining questions.

They persisted with this until they were eventually kicked out of the classroom by the patrolling security guard.

When the security guard saw the lights still on, he even took a step back to double check the class number. He said with surprise: “They’re not even in their final year and they’re already studying so hard?”

The security guard moved the flashlight and then knocked on the door, “Go back to your dormitory and sleep. We’re going to lock up.”

Only now, the two got up reluctantly. They had completely fallen into a state of study madness. They walked out of the classroom and turned off the lights and the security guard continued with his patrol. They walked in the opposite direction and headed for the stairs.

It has been half an hour since the end of class and the teaching building was already empty. Dark and quiet, there weren’t even lights illuminating the corridor.

Jiang Yang walked down the stairs and couldn’t see very well in the darkness. His imagination had also already gone wild imagining someone hiding within the darkness before him. He could feel his scalp go numb and he subconsciously wanted to take out his phone to light up the path. He only remembered now that both he and Qin Xu had left their phones back in their rooms to show the other person their determination.

He couldn’t help but swear: “Fuck!”

“Who are you cursing?”

“I’m cursing at whoever responds to my curses.”

Qin Xu smiled darkly: “What are you angry for? Isn’t it just a few questions unfinished?”

Jiang Yang scoffed coldly: “I just had one more left.”

In the darkness, Qin Xu’s face looked very unclear. You could make out the faint outline and would not be able to tell whether or not he is handsome. Like this, it was easy for him to imagine all kinds of things. When he smiles, his white teeth shone eerily in the darkness.

Jiang Yang saw this and could only say in irritation: “Turn your face over. Don’t face me.”

“Why?”

“Ugly.”

“……….”

Qin Xu was speechless. He didn’t want to deal with his unreasonable demands and just proceeded to walk down the stairs at a faster pace. At this moment he realised that the distance between himself and Jiang Yang had grown further and further. He looked back and saw Jiang Yang stepping down cautiously, as if he was testing out the steps hence his slower pace.

Qin Xu was amazed. He went up a few steps and moved next to Jiang Yang. A smile formed on his lips, “Xiao Yang Yang, are you afraid of the dark?”

Jiang Yang immediately denied: “How is that possible!”

Qin Xu rubbed his chin, “Then do you have night blindness? You can’t see the steps clearly?”

This time Jiang Yang didn’t immediately deny it. He only scoffed coldly, “You’re overthinking it.”

Qin Xu however could hear a hint of arrogance in his words. His lips curled up, and he subconsciously said: “If you can’t see, just say it. It’s not like I won’t help you out. What’s wrong with me being your eyes?”

I’ll be your eyes.

As soon as he heard those words, goose-bumps formed on Jiang Yang’s arms and his body shivered in response. He rolled his eyes, “Are you crazy?”

Qin Xu rubbed his nose. Now that he mentioned it, those words may have sounded a little strange, but he didn’t find anything wrong with it when he said it.

Jiang Yang chatted with him and didn’t pay attention to where he was walking. In addition to originally having difficulty with seeing in the dark, his momentary state of distraction caused him to miss the step and fall forward.

Qin Xu’s reaction was fast and without a thought he reached out to pull the other person into his embrace. Jiang Yang was surprised but luckily, he didn’t fall. Otherwise he would’ve falling more than a few steps down.

Jiang Yang returned to his senses and, to cover up the awkwardness, he quickly threw out a word of thanks and stepped back from his hold.

Qin Xu however did not take back his hands. He couldn’t help but leave his arms looped around Jiang Yang’s waist and mock: “What are you acting so proud for?”

He then moved Jiang Yang’s hand onto his arm, “I don’t mind being your support.”

Jiang Yang: “…………”

Is this called being proud? This is issue of dignity!