Once Chen Yu and Ding Bo had each signed the ceremonial death waiver for an arena fight, a public announcement rang out, informing everyone on the academy campus of the upcoming duel.
Since Jin Yongguang was famous as the friendly battle maniac, a great mass of students rushed over to see in person who had dared to challenge him, their enthusiasm was so intense that about half an hour later, the physical stadium locked down from overcapacity. The stragglers could only enter virtually.
Chen Yu didn't mind waiting for the crowd, he was having a fun time with beauties on both arms: on his left side, Murong Wen continued to insist that he wouldn't risk his friend, he could resolve this by meeting with Ding Bo privately, while on his right, Hou Yi generously consented to being his sparring partner if he performed well in this exchange.
Chen Yu curled his lips. Was this the famed battle between the concubine and main wife? Ah, wait, something about that seemed off...
But he had to admit trying Hou Yi out would not be bad. So Jin Yongguang, who had been staring eagerly at the raised stage where he'd be fighting, turned to Murong Wen, reassuringly patted him off, then jumped up to throw his arm around Hou Yi's neck, excitedly swinging him back and forth. "Ah Yi, Ah Yi, you promised, you can't go back on your words ah!"
Hou Yi smiled and nodded, ignoring the jostling.
It wouldn't be bad to spend time with someone like Jin Yongguang. He could sense that while this boy wasn't as dull as he appeared, there was also no hint of malice in him, he wouldn't scheme like everyone else around him did. Of course, if, in the end, he turned out to be a traitor, then...he'd certainly take action.
Finally, it was time for the match to start. Ding Bo swaggered ahead, glaring menacingly, while Jin Yongguang blithely stepped forward as well.
When the two faced each other, the contrast between their physiques was highlighted, making many of the audience members criticize Ding Bo for bullying a boy half his size. Although Hou Yi was also about a head taller than Jin Yongguang, because they were both lean, they hadn't given off the same impression of disparity when they stood together.
In fact, seeing Senior Jin embrace Senior Hou, those people with rotten tastes seemed to have collectively been injected with chicken blood, whispering about a new ship to board. Of course, Senior Murong was also included in their discussions, just as a love rival for Senior Hou, or perhaps as a harem member...
Chen Yu simply regarded this match as a way to measure his newfound abilities, so he didn't move after the starting tone rang out, patiently waiting for the other to attack first. Enraged at Jin Yongguang's relaxed stance, Ding Bo didn't hesitate, he promptly sprang forward, one arm heading toward his head and the other toward his stomach. Worthy of being in their grade's top ten, his punches were so swift that many of the lower level students could barely follow what had happened. But to Chen Yu's enhanced eyes, Ding Bo's hands were approaching in slow motion, his openings were obvious.
Somewhat disappointed at the lack of excitement, Chen Yu, who had achieved his objective of verifying that his body was far superior to the average standard, decided not to drag things on, he raised a foot and lightly kicked it against Ding Bo's unprotected side. Despite being hit by a seemingly gentle tap, the boy flew across the arena then collapsed against the floor, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Pushing himself up with trembling arms, Ding Bo was shocked and, worse, frightened. He was nominally two levels below Jin Yongguang, but he'd never put him in his eyes, assuming that if they legitimately fought, he could crush him. That one encounter, however, had been enough to demonstrate how delusional he'd been. He had absolutely no chance of winning.
But how could he give up so soon? So he gritted his teeth, charging again.
Unfortunately, Chen Yu felt that there was no thrill in playing anymore, nor did he feel like allowing Ding Bo to save face by passing out, thereby escaping the humiliation of admitting defeat. Thus, the audience was forced to watch a show of you-run-I-chase, but...Senior Jin was the person running?
On the sidelines, Hou Yi rubbed his forehead. Probably only he could understand that the fool had lost interest in confronting a weak opponent yet, being a kind child, didn't want to drive him mercilessly toward surrender. If Chen Yu ever discovered what interpretation Hou Yi had come up with for his actions, he would truly admire the hole in his brain.
Murong Wen, on the other hand, looked on with a complicated feeling. He'd always believed that he and Yongguang were equally matched, trading second place back and forth between them. But, with proof in front of him that his friend was so confident as to play out this farce, he had to acknowledge that he was far below the other boy. Was this the difference a commoner and a young master? Had Yongguang secretly disdained him, mocked him behind his back?
On the platform, Ding Bo was almost at the end of his rope, he doggedly huffed, "Jin Yongguang, are you a man? If you dare, stand still and fight!"
Jin Yongguang stopped a few steps away with a stern face. "Ding Bo, you know what will happen if I stop. Why must I hurt you when neither of us will learn anything from it? Also, whether I am a man or a woman doesn't matter in a duel!"
At Senior Jin's last sentence, the female students who were watching all cheered. Although the academy was co-ed, the vast majority of the students were male. Furthermore, the Federation as a whole looked down on women, who generally needed much more training before they could match the physical strength of men. So to hear one of the academy's top students support them was very moving, many of them even cried and became die-hard fans of Senior Jin.
The observing teachers similarly nodded in approval. This was a good seed, seeking to improve, unwilling to pointlessly hurt others, advocating equality.
Chen Yu, however, who had actually said such righteous words, felt a bit like throwing up. Who could have guessed that one day he'd perform one of those noble, heroic roles? Well, what could he do, the original owner sincerely believed in the power of fists and goodness above all, he had to stay in character. In any case, it wouldn't be a disadvantage to have some defenders.
Ding Bo shook with anger at Jin Yongguang's assumption that he'd be the one hurt if they clashed. Thus, despite being aware of the fact that Jin Yongguang was right, he launched another attack against the stationary boy, hoping to at least land one hit to alleviate his shame and frustration.
Looking at this stupidly stubborn boy, Chen Yu sighed. All right, he wouldn't be harsh, this was clearly a mentally challenged child. So he didn't counter with any fatal moves, simply swept those pesky fists away and flung the huge body away with one hand.
This merciful action, however, was thoroughly transformed in Ding Bo's eyes. Skidding to a halt on his back, the boy realized how trivial he was in Jin Yongguang's eyes, not even deserving more than the use of one limb at a time. As a last resort, he peeked at Young Master Hou Yi, hoping that he'd step forward, only to find that his eyes were entirely focused on Jin Yongguang. There would clearly be no help from that corner.
At last, he gave up on his revenge, he directly tapped out.
The class instructor wasn't too displeased with his students, one had struggled persistently against a far more dominant opponent, the other had humanely spared his peer. Therefore, he granted an early end to the class, sending Ding Bo to the infirmary.
The rest of the audience wasn't as satisfied, this was a rare arena fight but it wasn't even that bloody. Still, the knowledge that they had such an impressive senior was quite heartening, so they left without a fuss.
As soon as Chen Yu stepped out of the arena, Murong Wen gratefully shook Jin Yongguang's hand. Regardless of their different backgrounds or strength, Yongguang was a good friend. Look at how he'd risked his reputation to defend him, he couldn't be ungrateful and envy him. Chen Yu was slightly surprised by Murong Wen's resolution, but he didn't put much faith in it. Once a weak relationship like this had a crack, it would be almost impossible to recover.
Hou Yi also congratulated him, warmly praising, "That was well done of you, Yongguang."
Chen Yu laughed, "Ah Yi, then you have to keep your promise, you have to!"
Hou Yi smiled, agreeing to meet in the exercise room after dinner. As if suddenly remembering, Chen Yu turned around toward Murong Wen, asking, "Ah Wen, why don't you come as well?"
Murong Wen jerked the corners of his lips up at this invitation. What would he even do there, marvel at their talent? A pang of resentment flashed through his heart at how clueless Jin Yongguang was, at how he could afford to be so naïve. But all he said was, "No, you go ahead, I'll train on my own for a while and catch up, okay?"
Jin Yongguang reluctantly nodded, then proposed to meet at dinner, only for Murong Wen to refuse that as well, claiming that he needed to study and would eat in his room.
Walking away, Hou Yi studied Jin Yongguang's expression. Besides some confusion, there wasn't any sadness or disappointment, so he probed, "Ah Guang, are you alright?"
Chen Yu hummed at the abruptly affectionate form of address, wondering what Hou Yi was planning to do by pretending to be so friendly. Nevertheless, he dutifully responded, "I wasn't hit during the fight."
Chucking, Hou Yi clarified, "No, I mean, about Murong Wen."
"Ah Wen? What about him?"
Although Hou Yi was skeptical that the other boy's alienation had escaped Guang's notice, examining that puzzled face, he explained, "You guys are usually close friends, aren't you hurt that he distanced himself a bit just now?"
Chen Yu combed his hand through his hair, which had been disturbed when he was running around, absentmindedly replying, "En...Ah Wen and I like to spar together, but I've recently advanced a lot after getting some tips from an expert. He must have become motivated to improve as well. It'll be fine, he'll tell me when he's ready to train with me again."
Hou Yi paused. Had he overthought their relationship? Since he'd decided to be close to Ah Guang, he'd intended to learn more about the people around him, but apparently Murong Wen wasn't an important figure anyway, if he posed a threat, he could get rid of him at any time.
Aware that the boy truly believed it was so simple, he didn't question further. Instead, he grasped his shoulder, pulled him to a stop, and naturally sorted out the unruly strands of hair. Chen Yu didn't mind, only thinking that the action felt oddly familiar to him.
When Hou Yi pronounced that he was done, the two resumed their walk silently, each with their own speculations, while behind his back, Hou Yi unconsciously rubbed his fingers against his thumb, savoring the soft feeling.
Since Chen Yu hadn't sweated from the fight at all, he joined Hou Yi for an early lunch then separated, one heading early to his afternoon class and the other to his dorm room.
As the best student of the academy, Hou Yi's schedule was largely kept obscure, he could drop in to attend any class he chose or receive private tutoring from any of the teachers. Of course, Chen Yu could have hacked into the academy mainframe to find out what he was up to, but there was no reason to bother. So when he entered his login pod, he forgot about the boy, focused on confirming that Jin Zhong planned to contact Murong Wen this afternoon. Satisfied that his parents had managed to arrange matters, he turned to practicing mecha control again.
The day passed as usual, except that this time, Chen Yu ate dinner with Hou Yi instead of Murong Wen. Looking at that even more refined dining style, he sighed silently, lamenting the original owner's lack of elegance, then resumed stuffing himself. What could he do? This body was a growing boy, alright? It really required a lot of energy, alright?
While the students around the two gaped at the black hole of a stomach Jin Yongguang had, Hou Yi took it in stride, giving him his dessert once he'd discerned that Ah Guang seemed to like sweets. When he noticed that Ah Guang had finished his drink, he was about to push over his cup of water, but instinctively paused, getting up to fetch a cup of hot chocolate instead. After finishing his meal, he good-naturedly waited, tapping his fingers and occasionally wiping off the stains around Ah Guang's mouth. Naturally, this was faithfully recorded by those rotten admirers of theirs.
These indulgent actions, however, finally allowed Chen Yu to grasp what he'd been reminded of after the arena fight. The tapping fingers, hands-on maintenance, showering him with sweets, everything brought to mind how Lu Guanting had treated him during his little shows of doting.
No, Chen Yu thought, Lu Guanting, Feng Kuo, Zhao Cui, they all shared these quirks. Were they...Chen Yu narrowed his eyes, scanning Hou Yi up and down. Probably the only distinct trait was that neck fetish of his, but it was a bit awkward to just roll in bed as a verification test, moreover he didn't tend to eat minors. Besides, how could his lover have followed him, he wasn't like Chen Yu, who could transfer between worlds...
Still, he mused, this was worth considering, he'd keep an eye on Hou Yi.