The infirmary in S High was akin to a private clinic. There were rows of single rooms for sick students with high quality beds to lay on. Ren Zexi took over an empty room furthest away from the main door and closed the door behind him before entering.
Only when he laid down on the infirmary bed did he realize that his stomach indeed felt a little unwell. He had been tense all day in anticipation and Lu Yizhou's late arrival caused his stomach to twist even more.
A sigh of relief escaped his lips. Finally, there were no ravenous gazes eyeing his Uncle Lu anymore. Finally, he could have that man all to himself.
"Where do you feel unwell?" Lu Yizhou sat on his bedside. "Medicine?"
Ren Zexi shook his head. "My stomach just feels a bit uncomfortable. There's no need for medicine." He had only wanted to reach for Lu Yizhou's hands and seized the opportunity to let the man spoil him further when the sound of footsteps approached. Huang Zhihe knocked on the door and showed up with a glass of warm water and medicine in his hand.
"Here," The tall teenager handed them over. "I've got some prescriptions for stomachache. Take one pill twice a day. The doctor is in his office outside. If you need him, just ring the bell."
Ren Zexi nodded and said his thanks, still couldn't bring himself to look into Huang Zhihe's eyes in fear to see the teasing in them. All these times, although he had almost told Huang Zhihe everything about his unrequited love, it was only by mouth. This was the first time that Huang Zhihe had seen Ren Zexi and Lu Yizhou's interaction directly. Ren Zexi could swear that he must be having the time of his life right now, waiting for the right time to tease him about it!
"You're Chairman Huang's grandson, Huang Zhihe?" Lu Yizhou suddenly asked.
"That's right, CEO Lu." Huang Zhihe grinned and nodded politely. "You might have already forgotten it but actually, we have met once a few years ago."
Lu Yizhou nodded. "I remember." Otherwise, how could he let Ren Zexi mingle with him without any worry? He already had a good impression on Huang Zhihe from the start. Even in the original plot, when everyone bullied the scarred and depressed Ren Zexi, only Huang Zhihe stood up for him and didn't involve himself in any of the mischief. "Thank you for taking care of our family's Zexi all this time."
"It's nothing at all!" Huang Zhihe waved his hands and stole a discreet glance toward Ren Zexi who was hanging his head low yet from Huang Zhihe's perspective, he could see the teenager's crimson earlobes poking out between his hair. Grinning to himself, he said, "I'm worried about leaving my dad all alone behind. Is it okay if I go back first?"
Lu Yizhou nodded. "Thank you. You may go."
Huang Zhihe bowed and closed the door behind him, even giving Ren Zexi another teasing wink when their eyes met at the last second.
"Your face is hot." Lu Yizhou brushed his bangs away gently. "Stomachache pills? He should have gotten you fever medicine instead. Wait here for a while—"
"No!" Ren Zexi grabbed onto Lu Yizhou's retracting hand and put it back on his head. "It's okay. Let me lie down like this for a while and I will be fine."
"Really?" Lu Yizhou looked unconvinced.
"En." He smiled and nuzzled his cheek on the man's palm. "As long as Uncle Lu is here, I will be okay."
Lu Yizhou scoffed and pinched his cheek in exasperation. Nonetheless, he still let the teenager hold onto his hand tightly.
Ren Zexi stared at his face for a moment then suddenly said, "You talked to Jing Xuehao."
"Who?" Lu Yizhou pretended not to know.
"That student you talked to before. The second ranker." There was silence and he added begrudgingly. "...He's quite a looker, huh?"
As far as Ren Zexi had known him, Lu Yizhou had never given unnecessary attention to anyone. If he could stay silent, then he wouldn't talk. It was hard enough for Ren Zexi to get recognition from him but in the end, Jing Xuehao this fellow popped out of nowhere and received Lu Yizhou's comfort on their first meeting?! For what? For being the second ranker? Should he be the second next time so that he could also have Uncle Lu to comfort him?
Alarm blared out in Lu Yizhou's mind from 666.
[666: Warning, Host! Look at him! He has gotten unconfident! What were you doing?! You can't let him feel inferior to the world's protagonist!]
[Shut up.] Lu Yizhou gritted his teeth. [I know.]
"What are you saying now?" He sighed and messed up the teenager's hair. "In my eyes, you are the best. I don't even know who he is. Just casually talking."
"Really?"
"En."
"Then am I more good-looking than him?"
"Yes, you are."
Giddiness coursed through Ren Zexi's veins and he harrumphed, his cheeks turning pink. "Won't believe you!"
Fortunately, Lu Yizhou had gotten used to Ren Zexi's random temper tantrums so as not to lose his patience. If this was any other person, he would have kicked them away. Helplessly, he asked, "Then what do you want?"
Ren Zexi pretended to think for a moment then beckoned for Lu Yizhou to come closer. The man complied and leaned forward. Then he was caught off guard when Ren Zexi's arms suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him down. Lu Yizhou propped his body up in reflex and ended up caging both sides of the teenager, their faces merely a few inches from each other.
The man frowned. "This is dangerous, you know. What if I fall on you?"
[666: "silent scream* !!!!!!!!!]
[666: Oh my Admin God, my imaginary heart almost stopped *hiccup*]
Ren Zexi stared up at Lu Yizhou's silvery eyes, bewitched. The man's faint cologne wafted into his nose and he gulped, his Adam's Apple bobbing. He tugged Lu Yizhou closer and craned his neck up, his lips slowly trailed to the man's cheek for a smooch; gentle and affectionate. His eyelashes fluttered from nervousness.
"You have kissed me this morning." Lu Yizhou reminded him.
So what? Did it mean that Ren Zexi couldn't kiss him anymore? With a harrumph, he peppered kisses on Lu Yizhou's cheek, earning him a flick on the forehead. Laughing softly, Ren Zexi slowly pulled away and deliberately brushed his lips on the corner of Lu Yizhou's mouth, so light and faint that the man didn't notice it at all. "Fine, I will forgive you with this!"
Lu Yizhou straightened up and shook his head helplessly. "I have really pampered you too much."
.
.
.
Mini theater
How the leather whip appeared in the house.
Ren Zexi realized his inappropriate feelings for Lu Yizhou in middle school when he had his first wet dream. Consumed by guilt and self loathing, he often didn't come home and chose to rampage on the street instead, almost joining those so-called street gangsters.
Butler An: *sweat* W—What should we do, Master Lu? If we let him be, Young Master might go down the wrong path.
Lu Yizhou: What do you usually do when your child doesn't behave?
Butler An: Ah, me? Of course I hit them, especially my rascal son. But can we—
Lu Yizhou: Go out and buy something I can hit him with. Make sure it makes me look fierce.
Thus, after considering many aspects that's better not be said, Butler An chose a leather horse whip with the softest material.
That very night, when Ren Zexi crept in at 2 am in the morning, the living room's light suddenly switched on, showing Lu Yizhou who sat on the sofa with his leg crossed atop of the other, only dressed in loose black, satin robe with the black whip in his hand.
Lu Yizhou: Come here
Ren Zexi: *gulp*
Since then, Young Master Ren came home everyday on time.