Chapter 8
The consequences of encountering a “straight guy” were something Xi Qin experienced firsthand.
After starting university, Jiang Zhong became much more low-key compared to high school. The arrogance of “I’m better than all of you” had subsided, and he now seemed much more approachable.
The Shiyan High School had always been a day school, but this didn’t affect Jiang Zhong’s ability to adapt to collective living. During the military training in his freshman year, he quickly bonded with his classmates.
On the other hand, Xi Qin, who was used to going solo and had maintained his high school style, found it difficult to adjust.
Initially, Jiang Zhong paid extra attention to Xi Qin, fearing that he might feel lonely and actively suggested they hang out together.
Xi Qin thought Jiang Zhong was just that kind of person who liked making friends.
It was only after spending time together that Xi Qin realized that under Jiang Zhong’s dazzling aura, his sincerity and understanding towards friends were the most remarkable aspects of his personality.
If Xi Qin’s feelings for Jiang Zhong in high school were merely superficial attraction.
Then after spending time eating and living together, Xi Qin truly became attached to the feeling of being “together” with Jiang Zhong.
However, seeing Xu Shanshan also at the school was a hard blow to Xi Qin.
At that time, the ¹military training was already halfway through, and Xi Qin was selected for the college formation. Jiang Zhong was originally selected as well, but he found it too exhausting, so he pretended to have a poor sense of direction and deliberately marched the wrong way. After half a day, he was sent back to his original group.
The training intensity of the college formation was higher than that of the original group, and the assembly and dismissal times were different, as well as the training location, so Xi Qin lost the opportunity to walk with Jiang Zhong.
One day, when the instructor praised them for their diligent practice and rewarded them with an early dismissal, Xi Qin saw that the dismissal time was similar to his original squad’s. He wanted to find Jiang Zhong but instead saw Xu Shanshan walking beside Jiang Zhong towards the cafeteria.
Xi Qin suddenly remembered that Jiang Zhong was a “straight guy” and the worst thing is, he had a girlfriend. How could he have forgotten that?
Perhaps he hadn’t really forgotten but was just holding out hope, wondering if Jiang Zhong might not be so resolutely straight or if Jiang Zhong had already “broken up,” giving him a chance to “turn him into gay.”
After seeing Xu Shanshan, Xi Qin had to once again suppress his feelings.
In order to avoid getting deeper, he happened to start live-streaming games online. With a lot of equipment and not enough space in the dorm, Xi Qin moved out shortly after military training, only returning occasionally for a day or two.
The relationship between him and Jiang Zhong, which had never been very deep, naturally faded to a mere roommate relationship, not even close friends.
What Xi Qin didn’t expect was that moving out for a year didn’t help him get over Jiang Zhong completely, rather, the ambivalent attitude made his obsession with Jiang Zhong even stronger.
During the few class activities or dorm gatherings, Xi Qin would subconsciously pay attention to Jiang Zhong’s likes and try to cater to them whenever possible.
The end-of-term “relaxation” in the first semester felt like an opportunity for Xi Qin to finally “show” himself in his area of expertise.
Watching Jiang Zhong follow him around, picking up equipment and running away from the poison, Xi Qin felt joy all evening, with a few moments where he almost couldn’t control his lips rising into a smile.
Xi Qin originally intended to consider it just a stolen happiness, but unexpectedly, during a live stream over the vacation, he happened to see Jiang Zhong online and quickly sent an invite with reflexes faster than his brain.
Jiang Zhong’s avatar appeared in his team the next second. Although it was just a virtual character, Xi Qin felt his chest warm up and unconsciously spoke in a much gentler tone than usual.
Sensitive viewers in the chat quickly noticed the change, and Xi Qin, ignoring the chat, focused on having a “sweet ²duo queue” with Jiang Zhong.
After school started, Xi Qin couldn’t resist getting closer to Jiang Zhong.
He had tried once before, and since he couldn’t avoid it, he might as well let things develop naturally.
—
Ever since learning that Xi Qin and he were high school alumni, Jiang Zhong felt a strange sense of closeness whenever he saw Xi Qin.
Perhaps it was because their relationship had an ³extra layer compared to Deng Letian and Xiao Yuan.
As roommates, friends, and high school alumni, Jiang Zhong could even joke about Xu Shanshan’s affairs with Xi Qin for three years.
Or maybe it was just because he wanted to take their relationship a step further.
When this thought crossed Jiang Zhong’s mind, he was a bit shocked but quickly calmed down about it.
In fact, this thought wasn’t entirely sudden. From the beginning of this semester, the direction of their relationship seemed to have predicted today’s situation. Wasn’t it normal for him to have such thoughts?
Afterward, Jiang Zhong “reluctantly” learned a secret about Xi Qin that further solidified his feelings.
That night, Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin went to a public lecture, which was open to all colleges.
This meant that there would be many more girls in this class compared to their Computer Science department.
Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin sat in positions not too far from each other. Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Zhong saw a girl in the diagonal front row pretending to look around every few minutes, glancing their way.
The girl’s actions were rather obvious, and Jiang Zhong could immediately tell she was interested in Xi Qin.
As expected, after class, as soon as Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin walked out of the classroom, the girl, blushing and laughing with her friends, approached Xi Qin and asked if she could add him on WeChat.
The girl had a delicate makeup and looked very shy and cute when she smiled.
This reminded Jiang Zhong of a post he saw a few days ago on the confession wall, where a girl had posted a photo of Xi Qin eating in the cafeteria, along with her own selfie.
It was very direct and bold, and Jiang Zhong envied her courage.
When Jiang Zhong came to his senses, the girl had already walked away disappointed as Xi Qin didn’t add her.
Jiang Zhong tried his best to sound casual and joked, “I think she’s pretty cute. Why didn’t you add her?”
“Does everyone who asks get added, just like you?” Xi Qin asked back.
Jiang Zhong subconsciously understood he was referring to the two girls who asked for his WeChat at the last basketball game, which Xi Qin had witnessed.
But those two girls later asked him too, and they were even more excited than when they asked him!
“If it feels inappropriate, don’t add them,” Xi Qin said.
“What’s the saying?” Jiang Zhong thought for a moment, “Oh right, ‘⁴Started with looks, loyal to talent, fell for character.’ It’s only after getting to know someone that you know if you’re a match. We could start as friends.”
Xi Qin’s tone was firm, “No need to interact to know it’s not suitable.”
“Why?” Jiang Zhong asked, “Are you reading faces or something?”
Xi Qin glanced at Jiang Zhong and said, “It’s a matter of gender.”
Jiang Zhong: “…”
What did he just hear? Xi Qin is saying what? Is he hearing things or hallucinating?
Jiang Zhong: “Uh…”
“I like men,” Xi Qin emphasized again.
Jiang Zhong: “Oh…”
It wasn’t an illusion, he didn’t mishear.
Xi Qin likes men!
Damn, isn’t that just like him?
Did Xi Qin just come out to him? Should he also come out to show sincerity?
Jiang Zhong felt his anxiety almost making him stutter. He should be the one anxious, not Xi Qin.
Jiang Zhong: “Haha, it’s normal. Boys are so cute, who wouldn’t like them?”
What was he saying?!
“Yes,” Xi Qin chuckled, “Very cute.”
Jiang Zhong didn’t dare say more, feeling his face growing warm. Fortunately, the public lecture was scheduled for the evening, so Xi Qin probably didn’t notice.
—
Only making note for those not into this kind of plot:
¹In China, military training is mandatory for college students to promote patriotism, discipline, and physical fitness. It also helps develop teamwork, resilience, and basic military knowledge as part of the country’s national defense education system.
²In gaming, a “duo queue” means that two players are teaming up to play a game together, typically in competitive or multiplayer online games. It implies that the two players are in the same party, working together as a team within a match.
³”Extra layer” means something additional that adds complexity, depth, or protection.
⁴”Started with looks, loyal to talent, fell for character” means initial attraction was based on appearance, but loyalty grew from recognizing someone’s skills or abilities, and deep affection developed due to their personality or character.