Chapter 18: CH 18

Trigger Warning: Homophobia, Bullying

After Lin Xia returned to his dorm, he wasn’t himself at all. It was as if only his body came back, and his soul was still with Yi Shang.

He looked at Yi Shang who was released from his blocked list and the message from Yi Shang: Don’t forget, running together tomorrow morning.

Before he had time to reflect on it, he received a WeChat message from Fang Qi: Will you die if you take the initiative!!

Lin Xia thought twice before he replied: You know?

Fang Qi replied within seconds: Of course, it’s so obvious!!

Lin Xia felt nervous: Is it really that obvious?

Fang Qi: Not really. I just know you well.

Lin Xia calmed down: Thank god.

Fang Qi: Is this what you were hiding from me before?

Lin Xia: Mn.

Fang Qi: Let me tell you that I’m really angry! Don’t tell me you can’t trust me? Do you think I will discriminate against you? How can you think about friends like this?

When Lin Xia saw this series of question marks, he didn’t know how to explain. He typed and deleted until Fang Qi’s message came again: Did you think I would say that? Just teasing you, I know you must have a reason why you didn’t want to tell me. It’s fine as long as you’re alright.

Lin Xia replied: Thank you.

Lin Xia replied again: I transferred from No. 1 High School to No. 2 High School because I once trusted my friend very much. I told him that I liked the same sex, but he thought I liked him and told everyone about me.

Originally posted at nuebibli(dot)com, please do not read elsewhere.

At that time, Lin Xia trusted Qi Shi a lot and once regarded him as his best friend. Because of a chance opportunity, he told him that he liked men.

He never thought that Qi Shi would drift apart from him after that. Qi Shi thought that Lin Xia liked him. He not only told others that Lin Xia liked men, but also said that Lin Xia had special feelings for him.

In the beginning, Lin Xia was still in the dark until he heard Qi Shi’s words in person. At that time, Lin Xia was just about to enter the classroom when he heard Qi Shi say, “I was nearly disgusted to death just by thinking of how close I was with him before.”

Bao Zao replied, “I do think it’s weird now that you mentioned it. He treats you so well that it’s abnormal.”

“Right, even you think so. He’s always clinging to me and I don’t know how to cut him off.” Qi Shi cursed, “I don’t know what he’s been thinking when we were together before. Whenever I think of his abnormal thoughts about me, I feel like I’ll start to fear men.”

“What else can he think? Doesn’t he just want to…” Bao Zao said with an ambiguous tone and laughed obscenely.

“Don’t say it, it’s disgusting.” Qi Shi quickly stopped him.

“He has always been quite abnormal. His clothes are so clean all day, and he even carries a fragrance. Everything’s so neat. He looks so pale, I don’t know why girls like this kind of pretty face. I can beat up ten of them with one punch.” Bao Zao never really liked Lin Xia, even one step is a step.

When Lin Xia heard his best friend Qi Shi say such words, he was stunned for a moment. Then he quickly calmed down and entered the classroom through the back door. When Qi Shi saw Lin Xia come in, he and Bao Zao shut up.

Lin Xia walked up to them with a normal smile on his face. They could not see the slightest anger. Lin Xia said, “Why don’t you continue?”

“Is there anything wrong with what we said?” Qi Shi didn’t say anything, but Bao Zao spoke.

“If you think it’s right in your heart, why didn’t you continue when I came in? Is it in your manhood to slander others behind your back?”

“Shit, at least I’m more like a man than you. You are a pervert who likes men!” Bao Zao kicked the desk, its legs and the floor made a harsh noise.

“I really feel sorry for you for having this kind of thought, but I don’t want to waste my words to educate you for your parents.”Lin Xia doesn’t want to waste time on an insignificant person.

If it weren’t for the strict school rules of No. 1 High School, Bao Zao would have beaten him up with one punch. However, he could only be incompetently furious.

Lin Xia looked at Qi Shi, who hadn’t spoken. His disappointment filled his mind. He didn’t expect Qi Shi to say such a thing.

“If you are worried that I like you, I can tell you with certainty that I don’t like you.” Lin Xia looked at Qi Shi and said, “I treat you well because you are my friend.”

Qi Shi’s eyes fell elsewhere. He didn’t dare to look at Lin Xia and still said nothing. Lin Xia added, “You don’t have to worry about anything, we can just stop being friends, but I hope you don’t say anything unnecessary in the future.”

“Don’t you think that you are different from before?” Hearing Lin Xia’s words, Qi Shi finally spoke and looked into Lin Xia’s eyes, “You think I can’t detect your feelings for me? Bringing me food, studying, tutoring, treating me well in every aspect, and you still say that this isn’t like?”

“I’ve been like this all the time, it’s your thinking that has changed.” Lin Xia wanted to laugh a little. Is it because of his sexual orientation that he can’t even have male friends?

For a moment, Lin Xia even wanted to say, the one he likes is Yi Shang, but that would only bring trouble to Yi Shang.

After that, Qi Shi did not talk about this to his friends again, but gossip in school always spread fast and outrageously, and there were several different versions at that.

Fang Qi replied with countless dots, occupying a whole page, and then said: Why do some boys always feel that gay people have no specific taste? Must they like all men?? When will I get this kind of confidence?

Lin Xia was amused. In fact, Qi Shi is a good person, otherwise they would not be friends. Nobody is perfect. It is often said that the pros outweigh the cons, but if it’s an unacceptable “con”, even if there are many “pros”, Lin Xia would not be able to become friends with him again.

At this time, Yi Shang sent another message: Why aren’t you replying?

Lin Xia replied: Okay.

When Yi Shang saw Lin Xia’s reply, he was finally reassured. He also thought that Lin Xia really knew to leave him hanging. In any case, if the person he has a crush on sends him a message, should he reply right away?

Even if he doesn’t reply right away, how can he be so dry? How does this look anything like having a crush on him!