Luo Yingbai smiled and handed the half chocolate back to Xia Xianning’s mouth: “Half each.”
“Xia Xianning looked at him, took the half chocolate in his mouth, and casually took the suitcase from Luo Yingbai’s hand, carrying it inside. Inside, Luo Zhan pointed at Luo Yingbai’s nose and scolded him, and he listened with a smile, not arguing. Although Luo Zhan was angry that this kid had been away from home for so long, he had missed him more than he was annoyed. Luo Zhan said, ‘Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. Last year’s incident, the library being broken into wasn’t your fault. Your mother protecting you was only natural. None of us would blame you. When something happens, you should try to solve it. Why are you hiding? Haven’t I taught you since childhood not to avoid problems? You’re going backward!’ Luo Yingbai didn’t explain: ‘Dad, I’m sorry.’ Luo Zhan continued, ‘As long as you weren’t killed at the time, live each day with your chest out, like a man! Understood?’ Luo Yingbai said, ‘Yes.’ After being scolded by his father, he felt much better. Just as he was about to speak, he caught a glimpse of Luo Zhan’s right hand rising and immediately shouted, ‘Xianning, dodge!’ As he shouted, two streams of light had already flown out from Luo Zhan’s side, one to the left and one to the right, targeting Xia Xianning and Luo Yingbai. The master and disciple, who had been trained together since childhood, both knew Luo Zhan’s habit of testing people at any time, but their reactions to the attack were completely different.”
Xia Xianning didn’t hesitate, sweeping his right palm, the palm wind swift, instantly colliding with the light. The surrounding air slightly exploded, the light falling to the ground and turning into a talisman. Xia Xianning stepped back half a step and then steadied himself.
Unlike Xia Xianning’s straightforward approach, Luo Yingbai’s response was more complex. Seeing the light approaching, he quickly dodged, the talisman grazing his waist and almost missing, but Luo Yingbai quickly tapped the mid-section, reducing its momentum by a third. The talisman slightly paused, then drew an arc, circling back to hit him from behind.
Luo Yingbai didn’t turn, didn’t move, but reached back and caught the talisman between two fingers. He smiled and waved it at Luo Zhan. Luo Zhan said, “One of you is unyielding, the other cunning and opportunistic…”
Luo Yingbai: “Why does Xianning’s description sound better?”
Luo Zhan waved his hand, and the talisman burned in Luo Yingbai’s fingers, scaring him into dropping it. Luo Zhan continued, “You two brats, just balance each other out.”
Luo Yingbai said proudly, “Too bad Xianning isn’t a junior sister, or our kids would definitely be impressive.” Xia Xianning’s face inexplicably heated up, but his mouth was quick: “If anyone’s giving birth, it’ll be you.”
Luo Zhan didn’t pay attention to the two’s banter, saying to himself, “Your kung fu hasn’t fallen behind. The test just now was considered passed.”
Luo Yingbai took a seat on the sofa, slumping back with a heavy sigh. “Why do I have to write such a long report anyway? It’s not like talking back is that serious.”
Xia Xianning looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Maybe because you never know when to stop pushing their buttons?”
Luo Yingbai shot him a glare. “You think you’re so perfect? You’ve talked back before too!”
Xia Xianning chuckled lightly, shaking his head. “That’s different. I have my reasons. You just do it for fun.”
“Fine! But this is the last time. Next time, I’ll just run away for real!” Luo Yingbai crossed his arms defiantly.
Xia Xianning laughed, “Good luck with that. You’ll miss your video games too much.”
They both shared a moment of camaraderie before Xia Xianning gathered his belongings to leave.
Luo Yingbai called after him, “Seriously, be careful!”
Xia Xianning waved without turning back, stepping outside into the sunlight. Luo Yingbai watched him go, feeling a mix of envy and appreciation for his friend’s strength.
With a resigned sigh, he picked up a notebook and began to jot down thoughts for the report, realizing that despite his reluctance, there might be something valuable in reflecting on his actions.
Luo Yingbai sat down obediently.
He saw Xia Xianning take out a deep blue small box from his pocket. After opening it, he found a platinum earring with a black diamond embedded in it.
Xia Xianning half-bent his body, carefully putting the earring on Luo Yingbai.
Luo Yingbai remembered what Yue Ling had said about wiping with alcohol before wearing an earring. He had dramatically cried out in pain in front of Xia Xianning and then forgot about it. He didn’t expect that Xia Xianning would actually buy him an earring.
Luo Yingbai thought that if he told him to let the ear piercing heal, he would probably be beaten. But if his father saw him wearing this, he would also be in trouble.
Forget it. He would have Mona Li’s class tomorrow and would have to return to school anyway. He would just placate him for now and remove it when he got home.
Xia Xianning’s movements were a bit clumsy but gentle. Luo Yingbai didn’t dare to move, sitting patiently and letting him work. They were very close, with Xia Xianning’s breath softly brushing against his neck, feeling both hot and ticklish.
They had been close since childhood, but this atmosphere felt a bit strange, especially after watching that BL drama.
Unlike Luo Yingbai, who was idle and lost in thought, Xia Xianning was highly focused. Although he knew what his senior was like, remembering how he had been in pain last time, Xia Xianning was still nervous, treating him like a precious object, careful not to use too much force.
After much effort, he imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief and looked up. Luo Yingbai turned his head and asked, “Done?”
Xia Xianning cleared his throat, his heartbeat skipping a beat. He quickly stood up straight and said, “Done.”
Luo Yingbai smiled, “The earring looks good. Your taste is not bad, Xianning.”
Xia Xianning hummed, picking up the items Luo Jiao had brought back from abroad for him and Old Master Xia. Luo Yingbai accompanied him to the car, leaning into the window and giving a high-five: “Be careful on the road.”
Xia Xianning said, “Okay, go back quickly.”
Luo Yingbai admonished, “Hurry home, don’t play around or look at girls halfway. Two inspections will take a lot of time, you need to hurry.”
Xia Xianning: “…”
He started the car expressionlessly and stepped on the gas. Luo Yingbai quickly and reflexively pulled his body out of the window, shouting at the car’s rear, “Are you trying to kill me?”
After returning home, it was still quiet. Luo Yingbai’s smile faded, and he sighed softly, covering his eyes with his hand for a moment.
Luo Yingbai said: “Then next time, just tell them I like men, and say we’re a couple. That’ll probably stop anyone from bothering you.”
Deng Wanlin: “… Thank you, I really can’t afford to keep you like this.”
Luo Yingbai shyly picked up a piece of ginger and placed it on his plate: “Then I can support you…”
“Wait a moment,” Fang Wei looked at his two sweet roommates, “Although I really don’t want to be a third wheel, I still have to interject. Someone is looking over here with a meaningful gaze, but it’s not a girl…”
He made an expression that was hard to describe and said: “It’s Zou Ying.”
Luo Yingbai turned back and saw the woman standing not far away was the same instructor who had previously helped Zhao Qi set him up. This time, however, her face no longer showed arrogance or contempt, but instead looked hesitant and worried.
Luo Yingbai swept his gaze over her child palace position and almost guessed her intention.
