Chapter 3: Youth Campus Romance (II)

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter

Chapter 3: Youth Campus Romance (II)

Miao Lichen left with the roses as soon as the class bell rang. Song Qingxin wanted to say something, but merely bit her lip and watched him leave.

The school’s scenery and architecture were unbelievably luxurious. It was hard to believe this was actually a school. This was a setting that could only appear in novels. An endless flower garden was truly a perfect place for falling in love.

The scent of lavender slowly spread around as Miao Lichen stood under a cherry tree outside the flower sea, holding a bouquet of roses. The slightly raised flower bed gave him a better view of the surrounding gardens. He lifted the roses out of the tree’s shadow, allowing the sunlight to wash over them, softening their brilliant red.

A faint smile curved his lips as he gently brushed the petals, not letting a single one fall from his careful touch.

∇ Capture Target Dongfang Yi Favorability: 10. Please continue working hard, Challenger.

Dongfang Yi had planned to follow his usual routine of sleeping by the cherry trees, but found a stranger in his territory. People often wandered into his usual spot, but they always left once he approached. He didn’t do so this time. He had initially felt irritated when he saw the roses in Miao Lichen’s hands, but that irritation gradually gave way to appreciation.

The boy’s careful appreciation of the roses demonstrated his deep care for them. Something Song Qingxin had discarded without a second thought was being treasured by someone else. Moreover, roses truly suited this boy; his meticulous selection was not in vain. He had personally chosen every flower and decoration for the bouquet.

Miao Lichen continued to admire his roses, while Dongfang Yi watched him from a distance. Both were preoccupied with their own thoughts, creating a scene no one wanted to disturb. Dongfang Yi watched the faint, warm smile on the boy’s face and admitted he looked quite gorgeous when he smiled.

∇ Capture Target Dongfang Yi Favorability: 15. Please continue working hard, Challenger.

Eventually, Miao Lichen looked away from the flowers, and under Dongfang Yi’s expectant gaze, looked in another direction. A well-made-up girl, accompanied by a group of girls who looked like troublemakers, walked over.

“Big Sis, he’s the one who took Young Master Yi’s flowers,” one of the girls said, pointing at the flowers in Miao Lichen’s hands, her tone flattering.

“Boy, hand over those roses. A boy like you can’t be re-gifting those roses to another girl, right?” the one they called Big Sis tilted her head and gave him a commanding look.

“A poor bastard from Class G might actually do that. The flowers chosen by Young Master Yi are top-quality; they aren’t something a normal person can buy.” Another girl joined in on the fun, with hardly hidden contempt when talking about Class G.

“Boy, did you hear me? Hand over those roses like a good boy, or taste my fist!” Big Sis walked over somewhat impatiently.

Miao Lichen took a step back to avoid her, but found himself surrounded by the other girls. They were clearly planning to take things by force. Miao Lichen, who had remained silent from the beginning, looked at Big Sis with cold eyes and said, “Make way.” His rarely used voice carried a slight huskiness that sounded surprisingly mature for someone his age and was pleasing to the ear.

“Hand over the flowers and I will let you go.” Big Sis said, unfazed by his attitude. How strong could a Class G student be? One punch could end him.

Miao Lichen pursed his thin lips, displaying his impatience. Despite his slender frame appearing somewhat fragile in the breeze, he believed that no matter how slim a boy might be, he should still be stronger than a girl.

As if he didn’t notice the girl in front of him, he walked straight ahead and pushed her aside. But those girls were clearly not going to let him go. Punches immediately rained down on him from every direction.

Miao Lichen dodged where he could and covered the roses with his body. Protecting the roses meant taking every blow himself, and bruises gradually spread across his body, yet no pain showed on his face.

Big Sis finally had enough and pulled out a fruit knife, adopting a threatening stance as she warned him to comply, “Brat, don’t push your luck while I’m still being nice!”

“When did our school start allowing students to carry knives? Why didn’t I know? Looks like I haven’t been doing a very good job as Student President.” Lin Moxi said with his usual smile, though the gang of girls could sense his coldness. They exchanged glances and quickly dispersed.

Lin Moxi did not chase after them. Instead, he stepped over to check Miao Lichen’s injuries, only for Miao Lichen to dodge his touch. He frowned and looked at him disapprovingly. Among all the boys in this school, Miao Lichen was probably the only one who would let himself be beaten by a group of girls. If it weren’t for Qingxin being the main cause, he wouldn’t have bothered.

After dodging his touch, Miao Lichen planned to leave with the roses still in hand. His silence left Lin Moxi at a loss.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 10.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 20.

Miao Lichen’s grip tightened slightly, then slowly relaxed. As expected of a youth campus novel, it wouldn’t be complete without the trope of girls bullying out of jealousy. Whenever something involving the male lead arises, it summons the Big Boss and her gang, and stirs up feelings with the supporting male lead. Girls like these, who treated everything connected to the person they loved as important, were oddly endearing. The anticipated drama had played out and now the curtain had fallen. He had obtained everything he desired.

“You’re not even going to thank me?” Lin Moxi was immediately annoyed with himself. He had intended to say some comforting words, but all his gentlemanly aura disappeared with that question. He somehow sounded like Dongfang Yi?

“Thank you.” Miao Lichen replied as he raised his head to look at him, pursed his lips and left. Sometimes, getting hurt to earn someone’s concern was the most effective tactic. Although there was a price to be paid, the results spoke for themselves. Even as he thought that, the faint pain from his body caused him to frown. This body was far too weak.

He had just taken two steps when his arm was grabbed. Without regard for his resistance, Lin Moxi forcefully pulled him in another direction. “Don’t run around when you’re injured like this, I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

Lin Moxi looked at the injuries on his arm and remembered how he didn’t resist the beating. He felt his heart ache for him. “Don’t get yourself hurt over a bouquet of roses next time, no matter who gave them to you.”

It was just some roses that would wilt one day, and even the original owner didn’t want them and tossed them to someone else like trash. Do you have to care about them so much? If he liked her so much, why didn’t he say anything? She might never know about this kind of silent, one-sided love, even after you die. That Qingxin girl had quite the charm. She could make the prideful Dongfang Yi fall in love, and make this boy endure pain.

At present, Lin Moxi only saw Song Qingxin as a sister, but her feelings for him weren’t so pure. Stories like this always followed the same formula. The heroine gradually fell for someone else, only for the devoted supporting male lead to realize his feelings had changed long ago. Caught between the Prince Charming she had once admired and the man who had truly captured her heart, she finds herself torn. She doesn’t want to hurt either man, but someone will inevitably get hurt. There isn’t a more classic love story than this.

But with Miao Lichen’s interference, it was hard to say if Lin Moxi’s feelings would turn out the same as the story.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 30.

Miao Lichen stared at his roses and said nothing. His silent refusal left Lin Moxi even more at a loss for words.

Lin Moxi said nothing more and observed him. Perhaps he wasn’t getting enough nutrients, as his body appeared extremely weak and his skin abnormally pale. Despite being in high school, he still looked small. He made a mental note to pack some more food, and watch him eat it.

Without realizing it, he’d already started his own “Raising Miao Lichen” project.

“Why did we stop?” At some point, the situation had shifted from him leading to Miao Lichen leading. When he finally came to his senses, he found himself standing in front of the infirmary, much to his embarrassment. For an elegant Student President like him, how long had it been since he felt embarrassment? “Go in, your injuries need to be taken care of.”

Miao Lichen nodded as if he didn’t hear Lin Moxi’s first question, saving him from further embarrassment.

Watching Miao Lichen walk into the infirmary, Lin Moxi found himself smiling. Although he appeared reluctant to talk, interacting with him was rather relaxing.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 35.

“Young men like you are always fighting over girls. Just look at how injured you are! Have you considered how your parents and friends would feel? Kids these days are all too precocious. Puppy love and the like are unacceptable,” scolded the doctor of the infirmary. Although the infirmary doctor was only in his fifties, calling him Grandpa probably suited him better. He stripped Miao Lichen of his clothes and left him in just his underwear. He examined the bruises and muttered to himself.

Lin Moxi saw the skin that was fairer than girls and blushed. Despite their early maturity, they were still youths. But after most of the clothes were stripped, the injuries he saw filled him with anger. He had assumed the girls wouldn’t leave any big injuries, but they hadn’t held back at all. He had intended to let them go, but now… he’d send every one of them to Class F. Hadn’t they looked down on those in lower classes? They can have a taste of being looked down upon too.

After applying ointment on all the bruises, the doctor gazed at the young man who was still clutching the roses and sighed.

Lin Moxi sat next to Miao Lichen, who continued his silence. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. He was usually a good conversationalist, but he did not know what subject to talk about this time, leaving the atmosphere somewhat stifled. A look at his watch had him quickly getting up. As Student President, he had responsibilities to attend to. “Rest here. I have something to do, so I will leave first. When school is over, I will come get you.”

“No need, I’ve already troubled you. I can go home myself.” Miao Lichen said. This was the longest sentence he had uttered since arriving in this world.

“I am too worried to let you go by yourself. Those girls might try to find you again. I am the Student President, and I naturally can’t let things go like this.” Lin Moxi said as he reached out to pat Miao Lichen’s head, but was dodged again. He smiled a little and dropped his arm. “Rest up, I’m leaving now.”

“Mhm, thank you, senior.” Miao Lichen obediently closed his eyes.

Glancing at the roses he was still holding, Lin Moxi turned around and left. He mentally complained about Song Qingxin. She clearly liked Dongfang Yi, so why was she still rejecting him? And if she was rejecting him, why didn’t she just throw the roses in the trash? She just had to give them to this idiot. If someone loved him this devotedly, he’d treasure them with all his heart… provided that person was a girl.

∇ Capture Target Lin Moxi Favorability: 40.

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter