Chapter Fifteen: I’d Rather See You Eat It Raw!

Chapter Fifteen: I'd Rather See You Eat It Raw!

Everything happened so quickly that the bespectacled man had no time to react; he could only watch helplessly as the 'boss's' son crashed to the floor along with the collapsing bedboard. With no warning whatsoever, Liang Tao's head struck the iron frame that supported the wooden mattress; stars exploded before his eyes, and his mind went blank. Instinctively, he reached up to touch his head—thankfully, there was no blood.

Secretary Zhao was terrified, his voice quivering as he asked, "Liang Tao, are you alright? Should we go to the hospital?" He had been ordered to escort the 'boss's' son to Nanda for his studies, and on the very first day, this accident occurred. Even if he wasn't directly at fault, would the boss really blame his own son? Ultimately, it would be seen as professional incompetence.

Liang Tao finally regained his composure and glared fiercely at Tang Zhong. "You knew about this beforehand, didn't you?"

Tang Zhong nodded. "Yes. While cleaning the bedboard, I noticed two screws missing underneath. I was planning to buy replacements after finishing up—never expected you'd insist on swapping beds with me."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Liang Tao wished he could smash Tang Zhong's oversized black-rimmed glasses with a punch. He realized he'd been played by this seemingly honest fellow.

"You never asked," Tang Zhong replied.

"Kid, you're sly," Liang Tao pointed at Tang Zhong. "I'll remember this."

Having lost all dignity, he couldn't very well fix the bed himself or ask his secretary to help. He made no mention of swapping beds again; the sight of that broken bed irritated him. He tossed his luggage onto the upper bunk near the door and stormed out.

Secretary Zhao shot Tang Zhong a venomous look before quickly following.

Hua Ming, the bystander, had watched the entire episode unfold. He gave Tang Zhong a thumbs-up. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. As high as a whole building!"

Tang Zhong chuckled. "I noticed the bed was broken and never sat on it. Who knew he'd be so impatient—"

He didn't want to create conflict with a roommate on the first day, especially since they'd be living together for years, seeing each other daily. He had simply neglected to mention the missing screws—not exactly provoking trouble.

"Heh, some people think they're the king of the world just because they have a bit of money—LV clothes, bags, belts, wallets, the guy's practically a walking LV showroom. Isn't he a bit of a bumpkin?"

"Bumpkins need the means, though," Tang Zhong smiled. "I'm going out to buy some things. Want to come?"

Hua Ming glanced at his rabbit munching carrot shreds. "Of course! I only packed stuff for Little Darling this time, just a few changes of clothes for myself. I'll need to buy everything else—basins, toothbrushes, kettles, you name it."

"Let's go together," Tang Zhong said. He looked up at Li Yu, who was sitting in the upper bunk. "Li Yu, want to join us?"

"No," Li Yu answered, headphones in his ears, engrossed in a book, not even raising his head.

Tang Zhong just smiled, unconcerned. He left with Hua Wuqie, who was carrying a rabbit, to find the campus supermarket.

Tang Zhong underestimated the allure of the little rabbit. As he and Hua Wuqie walked, countless girls exclaimed, "Wow, what a cute rabbit—"

"Rabbit? You're the rabbit," Tang Zhong thought irritably. He regretted bringing Hua Wuqie along. Next time, he'd never go out with him again; otherwise, people would think they were 'rabbits' themselves.

"See? We're getting plenty of attention," Hua Wuqie said smugly. "Isn't it a great feeling being with me?"

"Sure," Tang Zhong nodded with a smile. "It would be better without the rabbit."

The rabbit hogged all the spotlight. Where was the sense of accomplishment? The two of them weren't even as popular as a rabbit—every girl's first glance was, "Wow, what a cute rabbit."

Was that supposed to be a compliment?

Tang Zhong couldn't fathom where Hua Wuqie's sense of achievement came from.

"Heh, between the two of us, without Little Darling, which girl would give us a second look?" Hua Wuqie grinned. "We've got to add value to ourselves. Take that LV guy—even if he's a bit tacky and not as refined as us playing with rabbits, plenty of women love his style. He's my rival."

Tang Zhong felt a pang of sorrow—he'd been dragged down to Hua Wuqie's level. He'd always thought he was much better looking. Was that cross-dressing stylist, Ah Ken, really so skilled? A few tweaks and he was a bona fide loser?

Worse still, Hua Wuqie considered Liang Tao his rival, meaning Tang Zhong didn't even qualify.

Tang Zhong was angry.

Very angry.

He wanted to point at his own nose and say, Look at my face, look at my face—don't I look just like Tang Xin from Butterfly? Yes, I'm her real brother.

The campus supermarket was clever in attracting business; there were signs at every dorm building entrance, making it easy for freshmen to find. When Tang Zhong and Hua Wuqie arrived, the supermarket was packed. Students and parents queued with basins, toothbrushes, towels, toilet paper—everyday necessities. Both cash registers were open, yet the lines moved sluggishly.

"Too crowded. Let's come back this afternoon," Tang Zhong suggested.

"No way," Hua Wuqie said, carrying his rabbit in one hand and tugging Tang Zhong's arm with the other. "The crowd is good—it makes us stand out."

He dragged Tang Zhong inside.

Sure enough, the girls shopping inside cast amazed and curious glances at the rabbit in Hua Wuqie's arms—though all directed at the rabbit.

Hua Wuqie winked at Tang Zhong, as if to say, See how fabulous I am?

Tang Zhong was embarrassed to look at him directly. He kept his head down, shopping with a basket.

After leaving Hengshan Prison, he'd only brought a few changes of clothes. But, after unanimous judgment from Bai Su and Ah Ken—they threw all his clothes out.

Who goes to university in high school uniforms?

Every piece he wore now was bought by Bai Su—simple, comfortable, and most importantly, low-key.

Tang Zhong ignored Hua Wuqie, but Hua Wuqie sidled up, saying, "Tang Zhong, whatever you buy, get one for me, too."

He was carrying the rabbit and couldn't manage a basket.

Tang Zhong had no choice but to grab double of everything he needed.

"Hmph." Someone blocked Tang Zhong's path.

He moved left; she moved left. He moved right; she moved right.

Tang Zhong looked up to see a pair of enchanting—no, radiant—eyes.

Double eyelids, long lashes, pupils black as ink, whites pure as snow—clear and flawless.

Tang Zhong drew several conclusions.

First, the girl's eyes were beautiful. Extremely so.

Second, she was healthy. At least her liver was.

Third, she was a bit silly.

How did he tell the third? Not from observation, but from intuition.

Tang Zhong recognized her as the girl with the doll who had shown off at the campus gate. He smiled and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Why do I keep running into you?" she frowned, her chin tilted, proud as a little princess.

"You were blocking my way," Tang Zhong replied.

"At the school gate, I didn't block you, but you appeared. At registration, Uncle Wang said he saw you. Now I'm shopping, and you show up again," she said, face flushed with anger. "Are you stalking me?"

Tang Zhong wondered if her self-confidence was a bit excessive.

"Alright," Tang Zhong's smile faded. He took a deep breath, his expression solemn. "Since you've noticed, I must tell you the truth—"

"Don't say it," she interrupted, her face turning even redder. Her skin was delicate, like a layer of rosy clouds. Sunlight poured through the glass windows, illuminating her forehead and making her face glow with an almost sacred radiance.

"It won't matter. I won't listen even if you say it."

"Why not?" Tang Zhong asked, surprised.

"Just because," she said, stomping her foot in anger.

"I must say it."

"No."

"I'll say it anyway, or I'll suffocate."

"Then suffocate. If you die, you won't have to say it."

Tang Zhong thought, this little girl was fiercer than she looked.

"I want to say—"

"I said no."

"I want to say—you’re overthinking it," Tang Zhong declared. "It’s just a coincidence I ran into you. Where did you get these ideas?"

The girl's face shifted from pale to livid, her eyes emitting fierce sparks. She clutched her doll so tightly that its hair fell out.

Then, her eyes reddened and tears began to fall. Like Lin Daiyu, she cried without warning, and her tears were as big as pearls from the South Sea.

"Hey, classmate, which department are you in? Are you a freshman? How can you bully a female student like this? Isn't this too much?" A hero stepped in to save the damsel.

To Tang Zhong's horror, it was—Hua Wuqie.

Tang Zhong looked at him speechlessly; Hua Wuqie secretly gestured, then turned to the doll-hugging girl and flashed what he believed was his 'sweetest, cutest' smile. "Little sister, don't cry. I've already scolded the bad guy; he won’t dare bully you again. If he does, your brother will teach him a lesson. You’re such a lovely little sister, just like my rabbit, Little Darling. But crying isn't cute—"

"You look like a rabbit yourself. You're nothing but a dead rabbit!" To their surprise, the young beauty didn’t appreciate his gesture and vented all her anger on Hua Wuqie. "A grown man lugging a white rabbit everywhere—isn't that disgusting? Just trying to attract girls, aren't you? How tacky! I'd rather see you eat it raw—"

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(P.S.: I've wanted to write about college life for a long time. Since Old Liu has graduated for more than half a year, I'm afraid if I don't start now, I'll lose the feeling and mindset. These stories are partly fiction, partly Old Liu's own experiences. As for which are true, you’ll have to figure that out yourselves.

I really like this story, and I hope you will too!)