Chapter 16

Chapter 16

【Host, hurry up.】

'Do I really have to do this? This is my first kiss!' Hui Jiang resisted strongly.

【The Host doesn't have to admit it's a first kiss. Anyway, you only need to stick it on for three seconds.】 The system comforted him.

'Uh... can I kiss his cheek instead?' Hui Jiang hesitated for a long time before finally setting his sights on Hao Tu's face.

【Yes, but the reward will be reduced.】

'That's fine. I can kiss a few more people!' Hui Jiang clenched his fist in his heart.

Hmm?

In his grogginess, Hao Tu saw a dark figure standing beside the bed, but his body had not fully awakened yet, and he did not even have the strength to move.

But at that moment, the shadow moved.

It bent down, getting closer and closer to him, until it was completely pressed against him.

Hao Tu's body instantly stiffened.

His eyes widened in shock.

Warm and soft, carrying a familiar scent.

This was...

The gentle moonlight spilled in from outside, and the faint light allowed him to see that person's face clearly.

Tightly shut eyes.

Long eyelashes.

That person looked even more nervous than he was.

Hui Jiang?

Why...

Time seemed to stand still.

He closed his eyes and carefully savored the softness of that person's lips.

Hao Tu thought it was an illusion, yet it felt so real.

He froze.

His mind went blank.

He forgot to breathe.

He forgot to push him away.

In the silent night, within the darkness, it seemed that only the sound of a beating heart remained.

It was so fast.

So fierce.

Not knowing what to do, Hao Tu's heart felt like an overturned bottle containing every flavor, yet his cheeks gradually became flushed red.

【Successfully stole a kiss on Hao Tu's cheek. Reward: Gentleman Points ×2, ¥20,000】

It was over.

Hui Jiang immediately raised his head and hurriedly climbed down the ladder in a panic, completely failing to notice that the person on the bed was already awake.

Covering his heart, he climbed back onto his bed.

For the first time, he realized that a heart could beat this fast.

Calm down.

He really was not suited for doing bad things.

It was simply too nerve-racking.

Hui Jiang bit his lip and secretly glanced sideways at Hao Tu, only to discover that the other person had turned over.

The person on the bed stared blankly at the wall with dark eyes wide open.

He had finally reacted.

Everything that had just happened was not a dream.

Hui Jiang had secretly kissed him.

But...

Why didn't he find it disgusting?

Hao Tu raised a hand and placed it against his chest, feeling the heartbeat beneath flesh and bone that refused to calm down.

What exactly was happening?

The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday ended, and the other two roommates gradually returned.

Hui Jiang resumed his day-after-day routine of attending classes.

If there was any change at all, it was probably his relationship with Hao Tu.

Ever since that holiday, his relationship with Hao Tu had mysteriously become harmonious, causing the dormitory leader to sigh in amazement repeatedly.

Hui Jiang believed it was because he had helped take care of Hao Tu when he was sick.

Otherwise, with Hao Tu's personality, how could he have let things go so easily?

On this day, the moment he submitted his interior design assignment, Hui Jiang immediately felt relieved all over.

Ling Yudong leaned over.

“You wrote the assignment yourself?”

Hui Jiang answered honestly.

“No way. I borrowed Hao Tu's for reference.”

Ling Yudong looked puzzled.

“Huh? You two made peace?”

“Hao Tu and I never really had any conflict. You and the dormitory leader just misunderstood.”

“Hui Jiang.”

Suddenly, Hao Tu walked over.

Hui Jiang turned his head.

“What is it?”

Smack.

Hao Tu slapped a promotional poster onto the table in front of them.

“Next Monday is National Day. After the Golden Week holiday ends, the design competition begins. I want to use those seven days to create our competition project.”

“So?”

Hui Jiang's face fell.

“You're not planning to take over my National Day holiday too, are you?”

Hao Tu raised an eyebrow, looking extremely punchable.

“If we want to win this competition, that's absolutely necessary.”

Ling Yudong pushed between the two of them.

“Hey, hey, when did you two arrange this?”

He picked up the poster on the table and sucked in a breath.

“It's actually a bridge-building competition. I've heard upperclassmen talk about it before. It's a provincial-level competition. The prestige seems pretty high. But we haven't even studied bridge construction yet.”

Hao Tu snatched the poster back.

“You can learn it yourself. The library has plenty of books, and the internet is so advanced nowadays. What information can't you find?”

He turned toward Hui Jiang.

“No matter what, you're staying with me during National Day.”

“Uh...”

Hui Jiang had a terrible headache.

“How can you be this kind of person...”

“Since you agreed in the first place, then do it.”

Hao Tu rolled his eyes at him before proudly walking away.

“Wow.”

Ling Yudong clicked his tongue.

“As arrogant as ever.”

Then he turned around and noticed Hui Jiang staring blankly into space.

He could not help sighing.

“Hey, don't be so upset. Anyway, you've got a genius leading you into the competition. If you get that certificate, it'll help when you're looking for a job in the future.”

Hui Jiang shook his head despairingly.

“No, that's not it. Last time he clearly said it was a college-level competition. How did it suddenly become a provincial-level one? I know my own abilities. A deadweight like me will only hold everyone back.”

Ling Yudong felt that made sense.

“True...”

The moment he said it, he realized he had spoken incorrectly and immediately corrected himself.

“Come on, just think of it as enriching your campus life. Besides, with Hao Tu leading you, you won't lose anything.”

“But the National Day Golden Week...”

“No more buts. When the boat reaches the bridge, it will naturally go straight. I'm starving to death. Let's go to the cafeteria first.”

Ling Yudong pushed Hui Jiang out of the classroom.

That night, Hui Jiang had no choice but to call his dear mother's phone number.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

About a dozen seconds later, the call connected.

“Hello?”

“Mom, it's me.”

Hui Jiang stared at the night sky beyond the balcony and felt that his future was just as bleak as tonight's darkness.

“Oh, I know it's you, brat. What is it?”

Mother Hui's tone toward her son was as impolite as ever.

Hui Jiang was already used to it.

“I joined a competition, so I can't come home during National Day.”

“What?”

Mother Hui sounded surprised.

“Hui Jiang, didn't you already tell me during Mid-Autumn Festival that you'd be coming home? It's only been a few days, and you've already changed your plans?”

“I'm being forced into it too. I don't have a choice.”

Leaning against the wall, Hui Jiang replied helplessly.

“Who's forcing you?” Mother Hui's tone changed. “Sigh, I even told Zeqing's mother a few days ago that you'd be coming back. How did your plans suddenly change?”

“Huh? Why were you talking to Auntie about that?”

Hui Jiang was completely confused.

“What does me going home or not have to do with them?”

“Isn't my memory bad?”

Mother Hui explained.

“When I talked to you last time, I forgot to tell you. I don't know what happened with Zeqing, but apparently he's going to your university for an exchange program for a year. He just happens to be reporting to your school around this time. Since I thought you'd be coming home for National Day, his mother wanted you to look after him a bit. Seeing how close you two have always been, I agreed without thinking much about it.”

“I see.”

Indeed, up to now, Shi Zeqing could be considered his closest brother.

Their friendship could be traced all the way back to kindergarten, when they were still little kids running around in split-crotch pants.

“That brat didn't even discuss it with me before deciding to come to my school... But I really can't get away from things here.”

“I know. Competitions and studying are important.”

Mother Hui thought for a moment before offering a suggestion.

“How about you come home for two or three days first, then return to school for the competition?”

The moment Hui Jiang imagined Hao Tu's furious expression, his heart trembled.

“I'd like to, but I'm afraid my teammate won't agree. After all, this is a team competition...”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Mother Hui was unhappy.

“What legal holiday doesn't allow people to go home? Even the government wouldn't dare do something like that.”

“Mom.”

Hui Jiang lowered the volume on his phone, afraid someone might overhear.

“It can't be helped. Besides, Shi Zeqing is already grown up. He can take the train here by himself.”

“You little brat. The reason I'm telling you to come home is because we want to see you.”

Mother Hui became even more dissatisfied.

“You only come back twice a semester. You didn't come back for Mid-Autumn Festival, and now you're not coming back for National Day either.”

“Your dad was talking about you the other day. He said nobody was around to play basketball with him.”

Isn't my younger brother still there?

Hui Jiang was speechless.

Just then, he heard another voice.

“Auntie, may I speak with Hui Jiang for a moment?”

“Zeqing, why are you being so polite?”

Mother Hui handed the phone over to him.

“Hello.”

The voice was somewhat low and deep, yet extremely pleasant to listen to.

“Hui Jiang, can you hear my voice?”

“I can. Why did you decide to come to my university?”

“Heh.”

Shi Zeqing let out a soft laugh.

There was something teasingly alluring about it.

“Because of you.”