Chapter 64
Note: not proofreaded
Zhen Yuanbai had heard of dying together and enduring the misfortune together, but he hadn’t heard of getting sick and ugly together.
Why was Shi Bufan that magical?
Zhen Yuanbai asked him confusedly, “What do you want?”
Shi Bufan originally thought that Zhen Yuanbai would be touched, but once he was asked this, his face immediately coldened. He said stiffly, “Since you’re sick, you don’t need to go to class. I don’t want to go to class either.”
“You’re already 7th place, so why do you still dislike learning?”
“I’ll never like learning in my entire life.” Shi Bufan shoved a bean in his mouth and Zhen Yuanbai knitted his eyebrows when he saw that. He reached over and snatched the garbage can by his bed and he said, “Don’t fool around. You’re allergic to beans, so what if something really happens when you eat the beans?”
“You’re concerned for me?”
“Humph.”
Zhen Yunabai turned around and sat back on his head, closing the curtains again.
Shi Bufan said on the other side, “You must be worried for me.”
“Just shut your mouth.” Zhen Yuanbai shoved the earbuds back in his ears and listened to the phrases.
Qin Ying returned home after work and got a change of clothes for Zhen Yuanbai. When she saw Shi Bufan in the ward, she hurriedly persuaded, “You can’t be here. You need to go out, otherwise you might get infected.”
“Don’t worry. I got chickenpox in the past before.”
Qin Ying was worried and even called Ling Xuan. The latter didn’t know anything about this, so she asked the seniors at home before realizing that Shi Bufan had lied. Regardless of Shi Bufan’s protest, Qin Ying kicked him off. Because they were unable to stop this young master from having his way, they even arranged a ward for him.
When she returned, she poured a cup of water for Zhen Yuanbai and said, “Since when did you guys have such a great relationship?”
“Hm…because I helped him improve his grades and he admires me now.”
Qin Jing detected the lies, but he was usually honest, so she didn’t know why he was lying. She thought that it was because of his vanity, so she said, “Even so, you shouldn’t allow him to have his way. What if you infect him?”
Zhen Yuanbai nodded obediently. He thought that Shi Bufan was stirring up trouble as well.
In the end, Shi Bufan paid the price of stirring up trouble. That night, he had a high fever. Thankfully, Ling Xuan came over in time after hearing about the news and went to take care of him. When hearing that he was also diagnosed with chickenpox by the doctor, Shi Bufan suddenly lifted his heavy head and said, “I want to move in with Zhen Yuanbai.”
Qin Ying was woken up in the middle of the night and speechless stared at the feverish Shi Bufan who took over the bed in which she was resting. “Child, you…”
She chuckled and then suddenly felt a bit comforted.
Seeing that Zhen Yuanbai was able to get a great friend like Shi Bufan, she didn’t need to worry about him being bullied in the future. The two mothers who weren’t able to sleep in the middle of the night walked to the hallway to chat. Meanwhile, Zhen Yuanbai reached over and gently pulled the curtains over as Shi Bufan leaned against the bed and looked over, curling his lips up. “I also need to stop going to class for a week.”
Zhen Yunabai tugged the curtains over and then suddenly tugged it back again after a minute. He pursed his lips and gazed into Shi Bufan’s eyes. Seeing Shi Bufan’s tugging smile, he said, “There’s really something wrong with you.”
“That’s right.” Shi Bufan said, “I have the same illness as you.”
Zhen Yuanbai went under the covers and only revealed his head, staring at Shi Bufan with his widened eyes for a moment. Then he suddenly couldn’t help but curl his lips up, touching his face. His smile grew wider and he couldn’t help but laugh.
Shi Bufan’s eyes flickered and he couldn’t help but laugh too.
The two laughed like fools for a while before Shi Bufan first said, “Fool, quickly go sleep.”
“Are you starting to feel the itch?”
“Yea, but I can hold it in.” Shi Bufan stared at his IV drip and said, “I probably need another hour or so. You can sleep first.”
Zhen Yuanbai was silent for a second before he said, “I can’t fall asleep. Why don’t we play a game?”
Shi Bufan raised his eyebrows and suddenly reached over and said, “Come over. We can play together.”
Zhen Yuanbai climbed over to Shi Bufan’s bed and the latter held Zhen Yuanbai in his arms. He leaned his chin on Zhen Yuanbai’s shoulder and said, “Like this, right. I’ll use this hand to move the camera around. Use that hand. Shoot when I tell you to.”
When Ling Xuan and Qin Ying came back midway to check on Shi Bufan’s IV drip status, they coincidentally saw this scene. The two kids were sitting next to one another, one in front and one in back. One was using their right hand and the other was using their left hand. They were enjoying themselves and playing games. Ling Xuan instinctively went to check on Qin Ying’s reaction, but the latter didn’t even detect how close the two children were. Even more, she nodded in comfort. “They sure have a great relationship.”
Ling Xuan smiled and said, “Fanfan really likes Congming.”
“Congming too.” Qin Ying didn’t realize how shocking her words were and she continued, “Shi Bufan was probably his first best friend since growing up.”
The first two days of having chickenpox was the worst since it tickled the most. If Zhen Yuanbai wasn’t dating Shi Bufan, he probably would’ve done everything he could to scratch it. The same goes for Shi Bufan. Thankfully, they were put on IV drips and took their medicines in the hospital, so the chickenpox went away quickly. Zhen Yuanbai went to the bathroom early in the morning and touched his face, looking at the mirror. He happily came to the realization that the marks on his face were gone. He pulled the door open and rushed out, but bumped into Shi Bufan. The latter narrowed his eyes and asked, “What made you so happy?”
“Look. I’m all well now!”
“Mhm.” Shi Bufan touched his face and said, “I think I’m better now too.”
He glanced at Zhen Yuanbai and purposely blocked the door, refusing to let him out. “You’re that happy to have recovered?”
“Of course. I can go to class next week now!”
“We can live in the same room now that you recovered.”
“So what?” Zhen Yuanbai brightened his eyes and said, “We recovered! This is such a fortunate event!”
Shi Bufan was unhappy and said, “You’re the one who got me infected. How come you don’t have a sense of responsibility?”
Zhen Yuanbai placed his smile away and said, “You deserved it. How come you’re blaming it on me now?”
“Aren’t you going to think about compensating me?”
“How do you want me to?”
“For example, turn in some… homework that college students do?”
Although Zhen Yuanbai didn’t understand, his instinct was that Shi Bufan had a malicious intention. “When we are discharged from the hospital tomorrow, I’ll let my parents treat you out for food.”
“I can order?”
“Sure. You can order whatever you want. You can choose the time and place.”
Shi Bufan narrowed his eyes and his handsome face immediately scrunched up. Zhen Yuanbai subconsciously took a step back and saw him smiling sinisterly, “How about tonight in this room… I’ll eat you up!”
“…” Zhen Yuanbai pulled Shi Bufan off of him and walked around him.
Shi Bufan obviously won’t get his way because that afternoon, the doctor said that they didn’t need to be put on the IV drip anymore. Therefore, they don’t need to stay in the hospital either. The doctor called the parents over and had them bring the kids home while covering them up head to toe.
Although Shi Bufan deserved it, Zhen Yuanbai did indeed infect him. Therefore, Qin Ying wanted the two families to get together and ‘comfort’ Shi Bufan.
Once Zhen Yuanbai returned back to school, Song Mo welcomed him excitedly and hugged him hard. While tugging Zhen Yuanbai’s sleeves, he walked towards the class and said, “You’re my best friend forever. I originally was thinking about what to do if Shi Bufan caught up to me during this monthly exam, but I didn’t think… you actually infected him! He didn’t come to class the entire week, so he definitely wouldn’t be able to surpass me during this monthly exam!”
Zhen Yuanbai didn’t know how to respond to Song Mo’s gratitude, so he smiled but felt a little gloomy in his heart.
He didn’t purposely infect Shi Bufan.
When they were in class, some classmates were laughing and joking, “Our class monitor hasn’t been in class for the past week or so, so maybe someone’s going to take the first place.”
“Who do you think can take the first place?”
“Who else could it be? Obviously the top student within elite class 2….” Their gazes all landed on Song Mo’s face and the latter’s face flushed, saying properly, “Don’t spew nonsense. The class monitor will definitely still be first.”
Although he said that, he didn’t entirely think about that in his heart. Who didn’t want to get first place? How cool would that be? If he really got first place because Zhen Yuanbai was sick… it would be worth it!
Song Mo began to work harder and study more often, as if this was the only chance in his life to surpass Zhen Yuanbai. He needed to take this chance seriously.
However, Zhen Yuanbai didn’t really react. He still studied normally and wasn’t that anxious either, or calm. He noticed that lately, he had gotten more peaceful and wasn’t eager to prove himself through his grades. Maybe it was because he noticed that he had other strengths besides learning…like being liked by Shi Bufan. Therefore, he wasn’t scared of someone stealing his spot.
When the grades came out, Ji Yanping walked into elite class 1 with the exams and held a heavy face. Shi Bufan propped his chin up and looked lazily at Zhen Yuanbai. Song Mo held in his breath and glanced at Ji Yanping with visible bags under his eyes. This time, the teacher in charge didn’t name the person with the lowest score or the students whose scores weren’t as good first.
Her gaze swept across the classroom and she said, “I have quite shocking news that I want to tell anyone.”
Everyone held in their breaths and waited.
Jin Yanping took out the report card and glanced at it for a moment before her lips visibly twitched. She said firmly, “This time, we have three students with full marks in our class!”
After a moment of silence, the entire class stood up and erupted.
The elite classes were most concerned with their grades, so normally they were proud of having someone with full marks in the class already. Who knew that there would be three students with full marks this time?
“The three students are…Zhen Yuanbai, who we’re most familiar with, Shi Bufan, the most incredulous one…” She sighed with feeling and then said, “And one more. During this period of time, he has been studying hard and he’s a very outstanding student in our class…Song Mo!”
Enthusiastic applause erupted in the entire class. Zhen Yuanbai had been clapping so happily that his hands were red. Meanwhile, Song Mo covered his face and tears flowed down his cheeks from the cracks.
Zhen Yuanbai hurriedly fetched a napkin and delivered it to Song Mo, saying, “You’re terrific!”
Teacher Ji personally came over to comfort him, but Song Mo was unable to contain his excitement. After a while, he kept his head down and smiled, embarrassed.
Song Mo propped his chin and thought meaningfully.
Meanwhile, Song Mo secretly glanced at Shi Bufan. When their gazes met, he covered his face with his exam and said, “Do you know why I want to keep sitting next to you?”
Zhen Yuanbai didn’t understand.”
“Because I don’t want to be second forever. I want to stand next to you.” Song Mo said a bit bitterly and then sighed with feelings. “I really didn’t think that you could maintain your grades. You’re really…talented.”
Zhen Yuanbai also covered his face with the exam and spoke secretively, “Because ever since I was in elementary school, besides eating and sleeping, I spent the rest of the time learning.”
Song Mo stared at him incredulously for a while. He felt as if he had studied hard enough during this period of time, but now he realized that what he treated as “studying hard” was already a habit for Zhen Yuanbai. He opened his mouth and said, “I probably won’t study as hard next month.”
He worked really hard this month and it might’ve been because he was provoked by Shi Bufan or that he got the hope of obtaining first place when Zhen Yuanbai got sick for the entire week. But whenever he thought about studying without any distractions just like Zhen Yuanbai had done so, he found it to be very difficult.
It was very difficult to self-discipline yourself in the first place. If everyone was able to do that, there wouldn’t be someone doing the work for them.
The majority of the people were only passionate for a while and they weren’t able to persist. This was the main reason why most people had failed.
“Don’t worry.” Zhen Yuanbai smiled and said, “Everyone has their own hobbies and interests. I just happen to like studying. As for you, you have proven to yourself that you can do it within a month. This is probably enough.”
Song Mo nodded and placed his hand on Zhen Yuanbai’s shoulder. He was about to continue when a hand reached over and twisted his wrist, making him groan and scrunch his face up. Then, he heard Shi Bufan said gloomily, “I think that you’ve been in this seat for a while. Shouldn’t you give this seat to me now?”
Song Mo suddenly said stubbornly, “Why should I? I also got first place this time.”
“Since we both got first place in liberal arts, why don’t we go and spar in the sports field? The winner can sit here.”
“…” Do you think I’m a fool?!
Who can win against you within the school?
Ji Yanping said, “Shi Bufan, be polite to your classmates.”
Zhen Yuanbai also reached over to pat Shi Bufan’s hand, saying, “Don’t do that to him. He might get injured later on.”
Shi Bufan loosened his grip and said with a murderous gaze, “I want your seat.”
“…” Song Mo originally didn’t want to let Zhen Yuanbai go because he had always been in second place and he admired Zhen Yuanbai. But now, he noticed that he didn’t enjoy the seat next to Zhen Yuanbai as much anymore. He smiled and said straightforwardly, “Ok, you can have it.”
Shi Bufan was tall, so when he carried his things and walked over, he looked quite domineering. He turned around and looked at Zhen Yuanbai, tugging his lips, saying, “Pretty good. You’re first again.”
Zhen Yuanbai widened his eyes slightly and glanced at Shi Bufan who miraculously became his deskmate. He pinched Shi Bufan’s face and asked, “You really scored first place too?”
“As true as it could be it.” Shi Bufan placed his exam in front of Zhen Yuanbai and said proudly, “Full marks.”
Fulls marks sounded unbelievable, but this happened to three students within the elite class. Zhen Yuanbai flipped through the exam and said confusedly, “You really didn’t cheat?”
He improved too quickly.
“Do you want to know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I have a lot of talent.” Shi Bufan moved closer to him and said, “Because I am smart and extraordinary.”
Zhen Yuanbai smiled right then and he pushed Shi Bufan’s face away and said, “Just go ahead and act proud.”
Although he said this, Zhen Yuanbai knew that Shi Bufan was able to improve from the last place to first place in such a short time because he really worked hard, but it also had to do with his talent. He was a bit jealous of him in his heart. After all, Shi Bufan had spent quite a bit of time playing games, and he didn’t even spend half the time he did on studying. However, his grades were still the same as him. He couldn’t help but feel bitter.
Shi Bufan suddenly poked his face and said, “What’s the matter? You’re jealous of me?”
Zhen Yuanbai ducked and said, “No.”
“Are you thinking about having a son with me as soon as possible now?”
They were walking right now and when Zhen Yuanbai heard this, he kicked Shi Bufan. Then he looked around, feeling guilty. “Can you not make me startled with your words?”
“What’s there to be scared about?” Shi Bufan reached for Zhen Yuanbai and said, “I’m fine with a daughter as well.”
“You have quite the imagination. Can you bear a child?”
“We’ll obviously resort to science.” Shi Bufan said, “It’s the trend to breed babies from petri dishes. Let me convince you. If you want to have a child that’s as talented as me, you better bear a child with me. That way, we can pass this IQ onto the next generation.”
“But what if… the baby didn’t get any of the good traits, and only the bad ones?”
Shi Bufan knitted his eyebrows and asked, “Do I have any bad genes?”
“Yes.” Zhen Yuanbai said, “You smoke, drink, fight, and you are aggressive.”
“That doesn’t mean I have bad genes. Those are just my bad habits. Plus, if you listened to me, would I need to be fierce?”
“You also know that you have bad habits.” Zhen Yuanbai pushed Shi Bufan who was attempting to sneak a kiss in. He said, “You have to listen to me in the future. If I don’t allow you to do something, you can’t.”
“Then you need to be more hardworking and hand in your homework more often.”
“No.” Zhen Yuanbai purposely said, “We’re going to be a senior in the next half year. When the time comes, the atmosphere in school will be more tense and serious. Don’t always think about that.”
Shi Bufan placed an arm around Zhen Yuanbai’s shoulders and said, “If you don’t hand in your homework, I won’t take the college entrance exam.”
“You…” Zhen Yuanbai squished Shi Bufan’s nose hard and the latter scrunched his nose unhappily. He continued to provoke, “Not only am I not going to take the exam, but I’m also going to hit someone in the exam room. I’ll make sure no one can take it!”
“You’ll be sent to the youth detention center for causing a ruckus in the college entrance exam room!”
Shi Bufan liked how Zhen Yuanbai cared for him and so he softened his tone and said, “If you pamper and spoil me more often, I’ll listen to you!”