Chapter 6: A Mix-Up

Chapter 6: The Big Mix-Up

Yuan Wu walked to the door, shoving his way through the crowd of Chen Shuoan and the others as they jostled and pushed, panting: "Hey, fellas, can you move it? I've still got a meal to eat."

Chen Shuoan, Zheng Yuanzhi, Qin Zhonglian, and the others: "..."

Then, with Zheng Yuanzhi and Qin Zhonglian at the front, everyone snapped into two neat rows, like a professional greeting crew.

"Safe travels, Third Prince!"

Yuan Wu was speechless, gave his sleeve a dismissive flick, and, annoyed, hiked up his robes and stormed off, leaving them with a view of his furious back.

After watching Yuan Wu leave, Zheng Yuanzhi grabbed Chen Shuoan's wrist and headed for the door.

Before Chen Shuoan could even get one foot out the door, a powerful force yanked him back.

"I'm gonna teach you a lesson today!" Qin Zhonglian wasn't having any of it, reached out and grabbed the back of Chen Shuoan's collar, nearly lifting him off the ground like a chicken.

Chen Shuoan struggled violently, speaking through clenched teeth: "I don't wanna see it, let me go!"

This is bullying! I swear to God, I'm calling the cops on you!

"Why do you keep going after Junior Chen? What grudge is so big you can't let it go?" Zheng Yuanzhi saw that Qin Zhonglian really intended to fight, startled, he rushed over and tried to pull Qin Zhonglian's hand away, playing peacemaker.

"Why don't you ask him what he did first?!" Qin Zhonglian's eyes were blazing, shaking off Zheng Yuanzhi's hand and roaring.

Chen Shuoan silently raised a hand to wipe his face—Dude, I know you care about Su Qingwan, but you're spitting on my face.

"Sixth Prince is here." Zheng Yuanzhi spotted Yuan Rang approaching, took a half-step back, and warned the others.

"Ow..." Zhang San, whose foot had been stepped on, groaned weakly, an innocent victim: "I've got an ingrown toenail..."

They quickly fell back into two rows, and Chen Shuoan, freed from the grip on his collar, ducked behind Zheng Yuanzhi.

Before he could even get out the word "Sixth," Yuan Rang waved his hand to cut it off.

Yuan Rang turned to look at Chen Shuoan, who looked utterly wronged. The man's eyes were especially moist, like a baby deer—he didn't seem like someone who would do anything bad, and even if he had, it seemed forgivable.

He meant to help, a flicker of amusement in his dark eyes, and beckoned to Chen Shuoan: "Come here."

Chen Shuoan had been praying for Yuan Rang to come save him. Hearing this, he stopped cowering, straightened his back, and puffed up like he was made of steel.

He pushed through the crowd, flashing a fake smile: "Sorry, folks. See you tomorrow."

With that, he followed Yuan Rang and walked out of this human hellhole without a backward glance.

...

"So what exactly is Qin Zhonglian on about?"

"I dunno, you?"

"I don't know either, you?"

...

————

The spring sun was warm and pleasant, and Chen Shuoan suddenly had a powerful urge to see the rolling mountains.

He figured what he'd see here would be the real deal, with zero modern influence.

So he looked up.

All he could see were the eaves of the towering palace.

He stood on his tiptoes and looked again.

Still just the eaves.

...Great, just great.

"What are you doing?" Yuan Rang had noticed all his little antics and asked.

Chen Shuoan turned to look at Yuan Rang, who was bathed in sunlight. The light and shadow traced Yuan Rang's sharp profile, creating a crisp line of light across his face that made him look especially striking.

"Your Highness, this humble official has been dying for a spring outing lately." Chen Shuoan met Yuan Rang's gaze, cleared his throat, and said loudly.

Yuan Rang raised an eyebrow, surprised, and let out a low chuckle: "As you wish. There's a spring hunt in half a month. Since past hunts have been pretty lackluster, His Majesty has decreed that all nobles and sons of prominent families must attend, no excuses."

He then seemed to deliberately tease Chen Shuoan, pausing for a long while before saying: "Unless you're a kid or a woman, everyone has to walk to the hunting grounds on foot. To show off the vibrant spirit of Great Rong."

"Huh?" Chen Shuoan's eyes were wide and clueless, unable to believe what he'd just heard.

"Hmm? Reader-in-Waiting Chen looks quite eager?"

Seeing that Chen Shuoan's face indeed showed a "what nonsense are you talking about" expression, Yuan Rang couldn't help but chuckle softly, continuing to tease: "Since Reader-in-Waiting Chen has such enthusiasm, I'm sure he won't find it too tiring."

After hearing this, Chen Shuoan turned around wanting to cry.

What's the difference between this and forcing college students to participate in a sports meet?

Oh, there is a difference. It doesn't earn credit.

Chen Shuoan gnashed his teeth.

And so he passed more than ten days peacefully, during which Qin Zhonglian didn't come looking for trouble again.

After all, he'd already been beaten once; it would be impolite to hit him again, Little Qin.

But one thing troubled Chen Shuoan: people kept asking him what kind of wicked deed he'd done to make Qin Zhonglian so angry—whether he'd forced someone to kiss him.

Damn it, I never thought I'd be the subject of dirty rumors with another man one day.

Chen Shuoan thought expressionlessly.

No way he'd tell. The fact that the original body had teamed up with street thugs to bully an underage girl would land him in jail in modern times. Even if his teeth all fell out and one foot was in the grave, he'd never tell. If word got out, where would his Chen Shuoan's face go!

"Nonsense! There's nothing between me and Qin Zhonglian! What chastity is there to take? Who's taking whose chastity? Say one more word and I'll take your head!" Chen Shuoan walked into the study and heard an R-rated story about himself and Qin Zhonglian. Enough was enough—his face flushed red as a steamed bun, and he charged in to passionately speak his mind.

Chen Shuoan was truly furious, completely forgetting the oath he'd sworn yesterday, and blurted out the truth without a filter: "I'm scum! I bullied a young girl together with other scum, but I absolutely did not do anything with Qin Zhonglian!"

"..."

The whole room fell silent.

"Oh, I see." The classmates instantly lost interest. "I was kind of shipping you two."

...

Chen Shuoan gave a death smile. CPs can be niche, but they can't be cursed.

This time he'd pretend he didn't hear it. Next time, it really wouldn't be allowed.