The art form of origami was initially intended for religious and ceremonial purposes but at this moment a certain someone was using it to entertain a group of boys. Wen Qinxi had arrived at the shelter only to find a group of boys sitting around the dining table drooling over sweet appetising cakes Madam Lin had just sent over for the boys to enjoy. He joined them at the table but couldn't indulge in the delectable treats because of a certain protruding pouch he was working hard to get rid off. Wen Qinxi decided to fold origami while conversing with the boys as a form of distraction from the sweet-smelling temptation.
During his college days, he had joined an origami enthusiast club all in the name of impressing a girl but ended up disappointed as she preferred an athlete running a marathon with her name written at the back of his vest than a cute elephant paper fold with a secret message in the centre. At least he ended learning how to fold various things other than an elephant. He could fold a dragon, fish, fox, frog, panda, turtle, bird and whale all medium level in terms of difficulty.
The boys observed him skillfully fold the piece of paper while guessing what the final result would be wagering the last yam cake on it. They eagerly guessed while cheerfully mocking each other's suggestions. The room was instantly filled playful taunts coming from a group of rowdy boys. "I think it's a cat," said Shufen making his guess while pointing at the fold Lin Jingxie was currently working on, "Look that's clearly a tail and whiskers."
The rest of the group laughed at his guess with Machu gently knocking on his head saying, "l don't think your eyes are functioning well that can't be whiskers. It's obviously a frog." The boys didn't spare Machu either poking fun at his him and his horrible choice. Wen Qinxi couldn't help but smile, he had a feeling that none of them would guess it right that is until Xie Ruen spoke up.
The boy was still vigilant whenever Lin Jingxie was around which was understandable considering Lin Jingxie had bullied him to the point of forcing him to jump into the waterfall an obvious plunge to one's death. While other boys enjoyed Lin Jingxie's company, he usually kept silent not uttering a single word but today he suddenly spoke.
"If l guess it right will you eat the yam cake?" asked a hesitant Xie Ruen in an undertone. He had noticed Lin Jingxie wasn't eating anything though he constantly took a gander at the sweet cakes craving for after them yet restrained himself with great difficulty. It was obvious he wanted to eat but couldn't.
Wen Qinxi raised his head pausing his folding action giving Xie Ruen the once over but quickly retracted his gaze when he saw the boy was about to retreat back into his shell. Wen Qinxi hurriedly agreed, "Mn, l will as long as you can guess the right answer," in a gentle tone trying extremely hard not to scare him.
"Its a turtle," said Xie Ruen in a small voice but once the words came out the rest of the boys broke out into unrestrained laughter thinking how could that fold look anything like a turtle. In a few more folds they all fell silent faced with that cute little turtle.
Wen Qinxi smiled saying, "Here, it's all yours," placing the turtle right in front of Xie Ruen before gaily grabbing the last yam cake, he could almost feel the sweet taste tingling his senses. Machu and the others praised a bashful Xie Ruen for having such a sharp eye as the sweet smiling boy carefully held the turtle in the palm of his hand. He was so cautious holding it like glass afraid it would break with the slightest movement. He didn't even let the others touch it which prompted the rest to ask for one.
Wen Qinxi naturally agreed languidly taking a nibble out of the yam cake with no care in the world. Qie Ranzhe leisurely strolled into the shelter with the pendants carefully stashed away in his pocket when he walked into such a scene. The boys immediately acknowledged his presence while talking over each other excitedly showing off Lin Jingxie's masterpiece but Qie Ranzhe had his sights set on the half-eaten yam cake in Lin Jingxie's hand. He knitted his brows remembering how he got accused of fattening Lin Jingxie up. Without any hesitation, he paced over and confiscated the cake with a roguish expression written all over his face.
Wen Qinxi who had just been robbed of his delicious cake couldn't take this lying down and tried his best to take it back. He pounced at the thief like a frazzled tiger but the height difference really screwed him over. The tall guy had the cake hovering above his own head about to touch the roof while Wen Qinxi leapt up in the air trying to grab it from him.
The boys were unfortunately forced to watch Qie Ranzhe taunt Lin Jingxie with a beaming smile on his face. Qie Ranzhe especially enjoyed it when Lin Jingxie stepped on his toes while leaning on him trying to reach. It was both funny and satisfying urging him to bully him even more but the recipient wasn't laughing as he gradually wore a taut expression.
"You can't eat this," said Qie Ranzhe before shoving the entire cake into his mouth. Wen Qinxi froze with a blank expression looking at Qie Ranzhe's stuffed face with puffed up cheeks like a handsome hamster that is if you can call hamsters handsome. He stood there aghast when he realized Qie Ranzhe had eaten something he had already taken a bite out off asking himself just what was wrong with Qie Ranzhe. Was his mysophobia cured before he entered the game?
'Jolie l think l am going to kill your fuckin boss. He ate my fuckin cake and doesn't look remorseful in slightest,' said Wen Qinxi in his mind before quietly sitting back down.
'Little tubby why are so angry? He's obviously doing this for your own good otherwise you will blame that little pouch of yours on him again,' replied the system in a mocking tone.
'Scram you trashy system!' said Wen Qinxi while folding something new. Seeing he had angered Lin Jingxie, Qie Ranzhe couldn't stand the pain that came along with it. It felt like a sizzling iron bar was seared through the pit of his stomach each time Lin Jingxie got mad at him. To appease Lin Jingxie, he hurriedly left for the kitchen and carefully assembled a fruit salad with all sorts of aromatic and delicious fruit pieces.
When he got back Lin Jingxie had already folded a fish, fox and panda for three other boys and was folding another one that looked like a tiny bird but he couldn't be certain. He sat shoulder to shoulder with Lin Jingxie but the guy didn't even spare him a glance happily chatting it up with the boys while folding. Being ignored like this he couldn't help but feel anxious, Qie Ranzhe pursed his lips before whispering in Lin Jingxie's ear with his stray hand rubbing Lin Jingxie's back saying, "I am sorry. I took it too far just now," with a wan expression.