Chapter 77 - Qin Xu X Jiang Yang (University) (1/2)
Chapter 77: Qin Xu X Jiang Yang (University)
“Have you ordered?”
“Of course!”
Before the end of class, several boys sat together and sneakily placed their orders on their phones. It is currently their last class of the day and they would normally be placing food orders at this moment but, on a hot summer day like today, it wasn’t just for food. They sent a request into the umbrella group chat asking for a partner to accompany them.
Why is there something as strange as the umbrella group? It actually isn’t anything major, it just happened to be in hot demand. On a hot day like today, not many would be able to stand directly under the sun and be exposed to its burning heat. But men are proud creatures. Despite wanting to hold an umbrella to shade them from the sun, they were worried about others calling them a sissy _(:з」∠)_.
At the beginning, a boy sent a message into the group chat —– Looking for an umbrella partner. Female. Should have an umbrella but I’ll buy one if you don’t. Every day before and after school I will help you hold the umbrella. Recently the sun has been too hot and I’m too embarrassed to hold an umbrella as a man. I’m doing this because I have no other options.
Those pitiful words made the other boys reading it nod their heads in understanding. And so, this led to the creation of the umbrella group. The boys would submit requests and their locations, and the girls would accept their requests and come over to pick them up and get paid for it.
However, Jiang Yang has not made a single order for that. He wanted to bask in the sun. With the change in weather, the sun is warm and comfortable, and he could even tan his skin into a masculine bronze colour. Why wouldn’t he like that? But this year, summer was very strange. They were already wearing short sleeves in April, May was already hot, and June was extremely hot. As they walked outside, their sweat would pour down like it was raining. Clearly the next few months would be like hell!
Even the manly Jiang Yang couldn’t stand it anymore and wanted to hold an umbrella. But……he didn’t want others calling him a sissy.
But he didn’t need to find an umbrella partner. He already has one. A particularly annoying and cute one at that.
When the class bell rang, the teacher on the podium announced the end of class. The students all tacitly got up and walked out the door.
During peak hours, it is very easy for crowding to happen. After he had experienced it a few times, Jiang Yang gained some experience. Instead of going to the nearest staircase, he went against the flow of the crowd and went to the staircase on the other end. After just going down one floor, he saw a slender and tall figure coming over with a handsome and bright smile.
Of course, it’s Qin Xu,
Their personalities were similar, and they also had similar hobbies. During the period when they studied frantically for the college entrance examination in third year, they were almost always stuck together so even their results were only seven marks apart. They applied to go to the same university and, despite studying different majors, they were in the same faculty. When they had the same subjects, they were even able to attend it together.
Like now, they could go to the cafeteria together. Of course, Qin Xu insisted on holding the umbrella. It not only blocks the sun, it also allows him to deliberately walk closer to Jiang Yang. Jiang Yang initially didn’t like it, but he eventually accepted the slightly sissy behaviour of holding up an umbrella.
On their way to the cafeteria, they chatted and discussed what they should eat. Very soon, they arrived at the first cafeteria.
Jiang Yang said that he wanted to eat chicken clay pot.
Qin Xu heard this and immediately acted pitiful, “You want to throw me away and eat something nice by yourself?”
“That’s right.” Jiang Yang didn’t hesitate.
Recently, Qin Xu had gotten sick and he didn’t dare eat hot things. The chicken clay pot was naturally something that he couldn’t eat but it was extremely delicious. He felt distressed for himself.
Jiang Yang looked at his expression and couldn’t help but feel the corners of his lips rise.
And so, when they entered the cafeteria, the two lined up at separate windows. Of course, they weren’t too far apart, and they could easily see the other person if they turned their heads.
Jiang Yang ordered a chicken clay pot, swiped his card and waited on one side for the chef to make it.
The chef skilfully threw in the ingredients; chicken, onions, enoki mushrooms, bell peppers etc. He then poured pre-prepared sauce and, not long afterwards, the pot started sizzling and boiling sending the fragrant smell over. After attending a whole morning filled with classes, Jiang Yang was especially hungry.
Jiang Yang’s expression appeared calm, but he was already swallowing his saliva in anticipation.
He watched the chef use a long ladle to mix the ingredients inside the pot from time to time before seeing that it was about time and throwing in some shallots and parsley. The chef replaced the lid and poured some cooking wine on the side. It instantly caught on fire and the chef then proceeded to take it out and place it onto Jiang Yang’s tray. Jiang Yang held his tray and looked around finding an empty seat when he saw Qin Xu standing not far a way pointing at some seats with his chopsticks telling him to grab the seats first.
As he sat down and waited, Jiang Yang looked over at Qin Xu and saw him talking to an unfamiliar boy. Jiang Yang thought for a moment and felt that Qin Xu’s personality is different to his. Qin Xu may look cold, but he is actually quite extroverted. He participated in clubs and community events and could easily get along with strangers. Whenever he walked with Qin Xu, he would often find Qin Xu sending out greetings the other college students.
As he thought this, he somehow felt a little upset.
“Classmate.”
Jiang Yang suddenly noticed someone calling out to him. He followed the source of the sound and looked over. Standing there was an unfamiliar girl who was smiling with slight embarrassment. She tentatively asked: “What is that you have there? Where did you order it?”
She pointed at the steaming chicken clay pot sitting in front of him.
It was just a simple question, so Jiang Yang naturally answered. He didn’t find anything wrong with it, but for the sake of food the girl responded very excitedly. After knowing the answer, her eyes brightened up. It was as if Jiang Yang’s answer helped her out a lot. The girl smiled and revealed cute dimples next to her lips. She gave Jiang Yang her thanks and even gifted him a piece of chocolate.
Jiang Yang didn’t think that he did much and was preparing to decline when he felt a weight fall onto his shoulder. Someone stood behind him with his arms around his shoulder and said: “Chocolates huh? This kind of thing can have different meanings, so you can’t just casually accept them. If you don’t like, you should refuse directly.”
Qin Xu’s obviously dissatisfied low voice could be heard above his head.
The girl was a little stunned. She stood there in daze for a moment as her eyes flitted between the two boys. When she finally realised that it wasn’t good gifting chocolates to boys she wasn’t familiar with, she blushed in embarrassment and quickly walked away.
Only then did Qin Xu reveal a satisfied expression like he had just won a battle. He sat down next to Jiang Yang and handed him chopsticks while deliberately saying sadly: “Xiao Yang Yang, with you being so popular, I feel very insecure. Why don’t you show me your love more?”
Jiang Yang received the chopsticks and started eating. He looked over at him and said faintly: “Actually it’s you.”