TECSBRO-(58)
Lu Xu saw Cai You losing the match, wiping off sweat as he walked towards the academic committee member.
Cheers from classmates echoed around them. Although they didn't know whom Cai You was looking for, judging by the academic committee member's reaction, they could all guess.
Later, Cai You sat next to the academic committee member, pitifully extending his hand with a hint of the typical charm of a young boy, "Didn't you bring water for the loser?"
The academic committee member blushed a bit, handing him the water, "You did great already."
Cai You held the water, behaving like a puppy wagging its tail if it had one.
Everyone tacitly dispersed, leaving the two naturally sitting together, engaging in casual conversation. Unintentional clothing friction or physical contact could make them blush and shy.
Lu Xu couldn't help but feel a bit distracted.
He could be close to Rong Que, but they never had such an ambiguous atmosphere.
In the end, Rong Que always treated him like a child, and Lu Xu didn't like that feeling. He couldn't help but want to cross that boundary.
During the lunch break, Lu Xu hooked his arm around Rong Que's, swaying back and forth. Rong Que was already used to Lu Xu's various childish actions and didn't say anything.
Unexpectedly, Lu Xu suddenly asked in a gossip-like manner, "What kind of person does Rong Que gege like?"
He didn't even specify the type of girl Rong Que might like.
Rong Que didn't immediately answer because he had never thought about this question himself, neither in his past life nor in this one. It was challenging for him to respond, "I can't think of anyone at the moment."
"Well, think about it then." Lu Xu added a bit of a spoiled tone. It seemed that Rong Que didn't have someone he liked, which was a good thing.
In any case, he must be Rong Que's favorite.
Rong Que pondered seriously and realized he didn't have any specific requirements for a future partner. "Maybe just someone with a good connection."
The term was too vague, and Lu Xu wanted more details. Curiously, he asked what "good connection" meant.
"It doesn't have to be very beautiful or outstanding. It's just good to be happy and comfortable together," Rong Que explained. After finishing, he playfully patted Lu Xu's head and said, "Why worry about these things every day?"
Almost without thinking, Lu Xu asked, "So, are Rong Que gege and Xiao Lu happy and comfortable together?"
Rong Que wanted to say "of course," but as the words were about to come out, he suddenly realized the logic behind Lu Xu asking this question.
Lu Xu was clearly asking about his partner, but he was trying to pull himself into the conversation.
Sure enough, Rong Que's worst fear happened, even though they were no longer in the same class. Even though Lu Xu saw his childhood friend Cai You already having a girlfriend, he was still thinking about him.
He did spoil Lu Xu a lot, thinking of him as his own little treasure. How could he possibly have any other feelings for Lu Xu?
"Lu Xu."
Being called by his full name made Lu Xu's heart tighten for a moment. Rong Que had never addressed him like that before. Then, Lu Xu squeezed Rong Que's arm even tighter, seemingly unaware of the seriousness of the situation, and asked innocently, "What's wrong, Rong Que ge?"
Rong Que wasn't fooled by Lu Xu's attempt to play dumb. He decided that he had to clarify things and not let Lu Xu hold any illusions. "You're too young. You might mistake some other feelings for liking someone. So, can we wait until you're in college to discuss this kind of thing?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Xu's expression instantly darkened. The slightly revealed crimson pupils seemed to be brewing something.
A few seconds later, Lu Xu lifted his head again, and his face had transformed into a sweet, playful smile. "So, Rong Que gege means that we can be together once I'm in college?"
Seeing Lu Xu's persistent attitude and realizing the seriousness of the situation was beyond his imagination, Rong Que rubbed his forehead. "That's not what I meant."
Feeling somewhat at a loss for words, he continued, "I hope you can interact with more people and figure out what you really want. If you still feel the same way when you're in college, we can talk about it then, okay?"
"Okay!" Lu Xu grinned, "Little Lu will work hard."
Seeing Lu Xu's demeanor, it was evident that he was determined about this matter. However, such things couldn't be forced, and Rong Que could only wait for Lu Xu to grow up a bit more and encounter someone he genuinely liked.
Afterward, Rong Que didn't initiate any more conversations. However, Lu Xu behaved as if nothing had happened, discussing today's events with Rong Que casually.
Rong Que faintly felt a trace of uneasiness.
Lu Xu was only in the first year of junior high, so why could he hide his hidden emotions so well?
He used to be an innocent and cute little angel.
Could it be that directly telling him the truth was a mistake?
During the nap, Lu Xu, as usual, clung to Rong Que. However, he could sense that Rong Que's body seemed a bit tense today, as if he felt uncomfortable.
Lu Xu's gaze darkened. He lowered his eyelashes, not knowing what he was thinking. He pursed his lips, then released Rong Que and turned away.
Even with closed eyes, Rong Que could feel Lu Xu's disappointed movements. After all, Lu Xu was his most beloved younger brother, and Rong Que couldn't help but feel a twinge of heartache. But he couldn't bring himself to comfort him.
Lu Xu might be considering giving up, or perhaps he was trying to make Rong Que console him by throwing a tantrum.
However, if Rong Que did console him, what would be the difference between that and indulging Lu Xu? Right now, Rong Que couldn't accept Lu Xu's feelings.
In the afternoon, when it was time to go to school, Lu Xu woke up and didn't wait for Rong Que as usual. Instead, he quickly dressed, tied a simple ponytail, and walked out.
Rong Que, pretending that nothing had happened, finished getting ready and waited at the door for Lu Xu.
When Lu Xu approached, he didn't reach out to hold Rong Que's hand as usual. Rong Que felt a slight sense of unease.
This situation seemed like they were ending the silent conflict caused by today's topic.
Rong Que still remembered the time when they had a silent conflict in kindergarten, but Lu Xu never refused Rong Que's care back then.
This time seemed different.
Rong Que asked Lu Xu what was wrong, but Lu Xu was unwilling to say anything.
Well, Lu Xu's heart was now set on being with Rong Que, and no consolation could compare to Rong Que agreeing to be with him.
During the afternoon break, Rong Que couldn't help but glance out the window.
Before, Lu Xu used to enjoy passing by their classroom when classes ended.
But today, it seemed like he didn't.
Rong Que rubbed his head. Well, that was good. He hoped Lu Xu would interact more with others and figure out whether he truly liked him or not.
Because Rong Que couldn't easily transition his feelings for Lu Xu into romantic love.
If he had to consider it, it would have to wait until Lu Xu was at least of age.
In the afternoon, when school ended, Rong Que finished getting ready and didn't find Lu Xu waiting at the door. Thinking the class might be delayed, he went to the door of another class to wait for Lu Xu.
However, when he reached the door of the other class, he didn't see Lu Xu.
He stood there, and coincidentally, he ran into Cai You just coming out.
Cai You greeted him, "Are you looking for Xiao Lu? He just left."
"Thank you," Rong Que nodded and turned to go downstairs.
Cai You followed him, curious, "Did you guys have another argument?"
Although Lu Xu and Rong Que rarely argued, the silent conflict they had in kindergarten left a deep impression on Cai You. Hence, he subconsciously used the word "again."
Rong Que shook his head, "Not really."
Cai You looked at Rong Que's expression. Somehow, even though Rong Que said it wasn't an argument, he could sense that this situation seemed much more serious than the one in kindergarten.
Could it be that they were on the verge of ending their friendship?
Usually, Lu Xu would go directly to find Rong Que after class, but today he went on his own.
At the school gate, Rong Que found the car driven by Qi Sui, who usually picked them up. When Rong Que got on the car, he saw Lu Xu already sitting inside, playing with his phone, which relieved him.
Compared to Lu Xu wandering off on his own after school, Rong Que would be more concerned.
After getting on the car, neither of them spoke.
The car started, and the silence inside was almost eerie.
After a while, Lu Xu was the first to break the silence, "Qi Sui ge, I want to stay in the dormitory."
Qi Sui had already sensed that something was wrong when he saw Lu Xu getting on the car alone. He initially thought something happened to Rong Que and asked about him, to which Lu Xu replied that he didn't know.
That made things even more ominous.
Qi Sui dared not speak. He was afraid that anything he said might provoke Rong Que.
Rong Que asked, "Why do you want to stay in the dormitory? Dorm life is tough, and you won't be used to it."
Lu Xu looked at Rong Que and unexpectedly revealed a somewhat provocative smile. With Lu Xu's already striking features, it had a bewitching effect. "Rong Que gege, can't bear to part with me?"
As soon as this statement was made, the entire car fell into complete silence.
Qi Sui cautiously tried to sneak a glance at Rong Que's expression through the rearview mirror. As expected, Rong Que's face, like a storm approaching, was covered in gloom.
Rong Que realized that Lu Xu was teasing and provoking him. He looked at Lu Xu and said seriously, "I just hope you have some valid reasons."
Lu Xu averted his gaze, disliking the look in Rong Que's eyes. It was as if Rong Que regarded himself as a parent, adopting a parental posture.
"You're not my mom either," Lu Xu turned his face away. He seemed to realize that his words might sound harsh. Lu Xu, fundamentally, didn't want to hurt Rong Que, and his words came off a bit casually.
Qi Sui silently recited prayers, hoping this storm wouldn't engulf him.
Every child goes through a rebellious phase, and even Lu Xu, who seemed like an innocent little angel, had such a terrifying rebellious period.
"Qi Sui, you ask him," Rong Que sighed in helplessness and shifted the challenging task to Qi Sui.
Qi Sui swallowed nervously, trying to smile. "Xiao Lu, dorm life is tough, with early mornings and evening self-study. Why do you want to stay in the dormitory?"
"I grew up in an orphanage, so I'm not afraid of hardship. I just want to spend more time in the art studio," Lu Xu replied obediently. "I want to go to the best art university."
After saying this, Lu Xu even mentioned the name of the school.
Hearing this, Qi Sui, who wasn't well-versed in academics, did a quick search. Surprisingly, the school was one of the best art universities globally.
Everyone inside the car was a genius, coupled with diligence.
Lu Xu was also a genius, so it was normal for him to aspire to go there.
Lu Xu's reasons were reasonable, and with the previous statement, he effectively shut down any counterarguments. Moreover, he spoke calmly, not seeming impulsive.
Instead, he appeared determined. Qi Sui even felt that at that moment, Lu Xu's demeanor was comparable to Rong Que's from a past life.
It seemed that children often inherited the reasoning of those who raised them.
Thus, Qi Sui agreed with his mouth faster than his brain.
Rong Que remained silent throughout, perhaps feeling tired and unwilling to deal with Lu Xu's demeanor.
In the back seat, both of them looked out of their respective windows, their heads turned away from each other.
During the weekend, Lu Xu didn't ask Rong Que for help with his studies. Apart from meals, he didn't come out of his room.
Rong Que did the same.
For the first time in ten years, the two slept separately.
Lu Xu lay in bed, holding the teddy bear that Rong Que had given him before, burying his face in it just as he used to bury his face in Rong Que.
He had already decided that if they continued sticking together as they always did, Rong Que would only see him as a younger brother. Only by separating, becoming strangers, and then growing familiar again, could he make Rong Que accept him as more.
So, Lu Xu was very clear about what he was doing, his purpose, and he knew that Rong Que couldn't easily let him go.
Nevertheless, despite his clarity, the habit of being together day and night for ten years made the sudden solitude unavoidable, and he occasionally felt lonely.
The house had become much quieter these past two days, and the caretakers were concerned about the children.
By Sunday noon, Qi Sui had already arranged Lu Xu's dormitory accommodations.
Since Lu Xu was a new addition, the dormitories in his class were full, but fortunately, there was a student in another class who had a single room available.
Qi Sui happily shared this news with Lu Xu, who politely said thank you.
As Rong Que passed by, he coldly glanced at Qi Sui.
Clearly, he still didn't support Lu Xu staying in the dormitory.
Qi Sui didn't know why, but he felt a bit of schadenfreude.
And there was nothing Rong Que could do about it.
Lu Xu was indeed remarkable, truly a child Rong Que had brought up.
On Sunday, Lu Xu took his packed belongings and went to school.
The caretakers packed many things with care, reluctant to let Lu Xu go, and accompanied him to the school gate.
Lu Xu was like their little treasure. They worried that he might not eat well or sleep well when they only saw him once a week in the future.
Lu Xu comforted them with a smile, appearing as cute and sensible as ever.
When he reached the gate, Lu Xu turned around to glance at Rong Que's room on the second floor.
The door to Rong Que's room remained closed, and he never appeared.
Lu Xu felt a bit disappointed, but he didn't show it. He turned around calmly and left.
The bellboy helped him with his luggage, and as they were about to get on the car, Qi Sui wanted to give him a ride as well, but Lu Xu refused.
Meanwhile, Rong Que was in the study on the second floor, staring at Lu Xu until the car disappeared from sight.
Qi Sui, who had come up specifically to find Rong Que, saw someone coming out of the study and instantly understood what Rong Que had been doing.
He said with some confusion, "Can't you two talk properly? Why does it have to end up like this when you clearly care about each other?"
Frowning, Rong Que looked at Qi Sui, seemingly a bit lost. "I did talk properly, but he didn't listen. What should I do?"
Qi Sui recalled Lu Xu's teasing remark in the car. Lu Xu had never spoken like that before. "Is he imitating something he saw in an anime, or is it the rebellious phase? But I think he's not wrong. For him, you're just a peer. It's not a problem if he likes you. Even if you see yourself as a brother figure, you can't control his feelings."
Rong Que shook his head. "I don't know. He can like anyone, man or woman, but it can't be me. I can't reciprocate."
Qi Sui rubbed his chin. "Actually, I think he's still too young to distinguish between dependency and love. It might be good for him to live in the dorms and interact with more people. It depends on whether you can bear to let him go."
However, finding a guy more outstanding and versatile than Rong Que seemed even more challenging.
In Lu Xu's eyes, Rong Que was not a brother figure at all but a close childhood friend. Many childhood friends end up liking each other after growing up together in middle and high school, so it's quite reasonable.
But the phrase "bear to let him go" made Rong Que uncomfortable. He recalled Lu Xu's teasing demeanor in the car and felt a pang in his heart. He understood very well that Lu Xu hadn't learned such things from anywhere.
...It's his nature.
Rong Que still remembers when Lu Xu intentionally created a wound to gain attention when they first met. It was something only Rong Que knew.
Afterward, under their unconditional indulgence, Lu Xu never revealed that side again, and Rong Que even thought Lu Xu had completely transformed into an upright and adorable person.
However, now, due to matters of the heart, Lu Xu seems to be falling back into a state of obsession.
Rong Que always feels somewhat uneasy.
He had Qu Sui arrange for him to complete the boarding procedures as well.
He'll move in next weekend.
Otherwise, who knows what impulsive actions Lu Xu might take.
The aunties nearby felt even sadder upon hearing that Rong Que would also be living at the boarding school.
The house became lively and warm with the presence of the two kids, but now it feels empty.
On Sunday afternoon, Lu Xu packed up his bed in advance. The school dormitory is a four-person room, and since another student occupies the upper bunk, Lu Xu's bed was placed under it, making it more convenient.
The dorm assistant wanted to help Lu Xu organize his things into the cabinet, but Lu Xu refused. He wants to start getting used to living independently.
Seeing the assistant looking somewhat hurt, Lu Xu couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. He knew everyone was reluctant to see him go, but right now, he doesn't want to interact with Rong Que.
Lu Xu understands that his thoughts are a bit childish, and he is deliberately provoking Rong Que. He wants to change Rong Que's perception of him as a little brother using this approach.
After seeing off the assistant, Lu Xu began stuffing his belongings into the cabinet.
After stuffing everything, he stared at the messy cabinet in a daze. Because his mind was as chaotic as the cabinet, Lu Xu felt mentally exhausted for the first time in his life.
Even though he knew very well what he was doing and what his goal was, the process was still something he couldn't get used to. It seemed like it would continue for a long time, perhaps several years or even more than a decade.
Lu Xu had already decided that Rong Que was the one who saved him when he was in the most painful situation. Why would Rong Que think he could still like someone else?
No one could replace the importance of Rong Que by his side.
Perhaps because he was too absorbed in his thoughts, Lu Xu didn't even notice when the dormitory door opened.
"Is this the young master from some wealthy family here to experience life?" A nonchalant voice came from behind him.
At the same time, Lu Xu felt the warm breath and the scent of tobacco as the person spoke next to his ear. His heart tightened; this roommate seemed to be difficult to get along with.
He turned around and saw a trendy guy adorned with ear piercings. The guy had a tall and slender figure, a wolf-tail hairstyle, and his narrow eyes seemed unfriendly.
"Hello, I'm your new roommate. My name is Lu Xu," Lu Xu said, trying to maintain a friendly demeanor. Anyway, he wasn't afraid of fights; although nothing had happened in the past few years, Lu Xu had acquired more and more abilities.
However, the guy stared at Lu Xu's face without saying anything, his eyes showing an unreadable intent.
"What's with the act, little goody-two-shoes?" the guy sneered. "Naturally born troublemaker."
Lu Xu's pupils suddenly constricted. It had been a very long time since someone had used such words to insult him.
Despite having maintained a good image for himself, why would someone still speak of him this way?
"Why are you so nervous? Been pretending to be a good guy for too long, forgot who you are?" The guy, named Gu Xue, pulled out a nearby chair and sat down, casually draping his arm over Lu Xu's shoulder. "It's okay; I'm the same."
Lu Xu looked at him, gently furrowing his brow. "I'm not like that, and I don't like the smell of smoke on you. Can you stay away from me a bit?"
"I'm Gu Xue. It's not the smell of smoke; it's the fragrance of an internet café," Gu Xue said, seemingly amused by Lu Xu's response, his tone slightly mocking but not hostile.
However, his demeanor still made it hard for people to feel comfortable around him.
Leaning back in his chair, Gu Xue stared at Lu Xu, scrutinizing him. "Had a fight with Rong Que and came to live in the dorms? So, is it a breakup?"
Upon hearing Rong Que's name spoken by someone else, Lu Xu felt unexpectedly uncomfortable. "You know Rong Que?"
"Why aren't you calling him Brother Rong Que anymore?" Gu Xue chuckled again, the laughter still carrying that unsettling edge. "I've seen you two inseparable since childhood, always sleeping together. If you can come to live in the dorms alone, what else could it be besides a fight? Breaking up, perhaps?"
Lu Xu couldn't recall this person from primary school. However, considering his own changed appearance, it was normal for people not to remember him.
"Let me guess why you guys fought," Gu Xue took out his phone, seemingly intending to make some random guesses.
Lu Xu was curious about how Gu Xue would guess, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. If Gu Xue guessed correctly, it seemed like there would be an outlet for him to vent.
Gu Xue put down his phone, leaned in closer to Lu Xu, and whispered, "Because he discovered your dirty fantasies?"
Staring at Gu Xue, Lu Xu, who moments ago seemed soft and easy to bully, suddenly changed. His expression became resolute, and he spoke word by word, "It's not a fantasy."
He was confident that he could win Rong Que over, no matter how many years it took.
"Look at you, your dirty desires are about to overflow from your eyes. How come those righteous gentlemen can't see it?" Gu Xue seemed excited, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Do you think they'll like your true nature?"
Lu Xu frowned, not understanding why this person kept emphasizing his true nature. Gu Xue responded to Lu Xu, "You possess a destructive power that normal people don't have. You can destroy anything, obtain anything, and even use this world as a hostage to force your brother Rong Que to become yours."
"Why not do it?"
Lu Xu didn't know how the other person learned about his abilities, but he wouldn't use them in that way. Having figured out what kind of person Gu Xue was, Lu Xu flashed a compliant smile, "Thank you for your suggestion, but I don't need it."
He closed the cabinet door, as if shutting out the cluttered thoughts in his mind. "It seems we are not the same kind of people."
This statement abruptly shattered Gu Xue's previously nonchalant demeanor. He put away his frivolous attitude and looked at Lu Xu seriously. "Are you interested in learning about the adult world?"
Lu Xu turned around. Although Gu Xue had been emphasizing that they were the same kind of people while looking down on him, in this moment, it felt like he was finally being seen as a person.
Even though he didn't understand why Gu Xue acted this way, he felt an urgent desire to grow up.
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