Chapter 19 (1/2)

Chapter 19

He Nuo felt all the hairs on his back stand. The surrounding air suddenly felt terribly oppressive and suffocating; the only sound He Nuo could hear was that of his violent heartbeat. He was locked in place by the pair of eyes that looked like it was spewing fire, and his heart felt like jumping out of his chest. After this whole event, He Nuo reflected upon it and realised that the only reason he heard Shi Yan’s breathing was because Shi Yan did it on purpose. In the darkness, the He Nuo who stood as straight as a pencil and the Shi Yan who continued leaning against the world continued their standstill; but He Nuo was actually very nervous.

The sound of applause came from Shi Yan, his lazy tone was the same as usual, “Not bad, that was a pretty good crosstalk. I didn’t even know you had the skills, I love it. Also, I guarantee that my ears and heart would be able to withstand it, so why not you continue your crosstalk for me?

He Nuo remained silent.

“You won’t do me this favour?” Shi Yan sneered, “Or do you think that I’m not a worthy spectator?”

“I’m sorry.” He Nuo lowered his head. His calmed heart knew that making fun of Shi Yan behind his back was his fault, plus Shi Yan wasn’t someone he could afford to anger.

Shi yan walked over and looked at He Nuo. He stood very close to He Nuo, and his face was even closer, so He Nuo couldn’t help but take a step back. Shi Yan intended to oppress him in this manner, so of course he would take a step forward as well.

“I’m sorry, I apologise.” Shi Yan’s approach made He Nuo panic.

Shi Yan pinched He Nuo’s chin, “It’ll be too much of a waste to use this clever mouth to apologise, it’s much better suited for engaging in excellent crosstalks.”

He Nuo couldn’t help b.u.t.t try to pull Shi Yan’s hand away; for a man to have his chin be pinched by another man, of course he wouldn’t feel comfortable. But his resistance triggered Shi Yan’s anger, so Shi Yan grabbed both of He Nuo’s hands and wrenched them towards the back. After an arduous year of living in the village, the thinness and fragility of He Nuo’s body was suddenly made obvious in their dispute. He Nuo could only feel the strength of Shi Yan’s steel-like arms lock his own behind his back. The overwhelmingly strong Shi Yan only needed one hand to pin both of He Nuo’s skinny wrists down, and his other hand was used squeeze He Nuo’s sunken cheeks, “Say it, aren’t you very good at crosstalks? Say one for me to hear then!”

He Nuo’s mouth was squeezed open, and Shi Yan pinched so hard that the top of He Nuo’s teeth was hurting – how could He Nuo talk in this kind of situation?

“You won’t say it?” Shi Yan ruthlessly used his finger to grab He Nuo’s tongue and pulled it out. He Nuo struggled in pain, but he couldn’t struggle out of Shi Yan’s iron grasp. He couldn’t even convey his m.u.f.fled apologies properly. But He Nuo really didn’t dare to kick Shi Yan again, He Nuo had always felt guilty about harming Shi Yan before.

The conflict here didn’t seem like it was ending anytime soon, but the sound of footsteps walking up the staircase saved He Nuo. It’s the guard who was responsible for locking up the school. Shi Yan released He Nuo, and He Nuo bent over panting to try and catch his breath.