Chapter 11

On Gu Wang's shoulder. "Let your big sister lean on you. My feet hurt."

Gu Wang glanced at her shoes. "You're the one who chose heels that high..."

"You don't understand. The higher the heels, the more stylish you look." Meng Ou was already 168 centimeters tall. In heels seven or eight centimeters high, she looked almost as tall as Gu Wang.

Gu Wang was speechless, but he still did his best to support Meng Ou as they went upstairs.

Meng Ou blinked. She quite liked Gu Wang, though of course not romantically. It was the way an older sister liked a younger brother. In so many little ways, Gu Wang didn't act like a high school student at all. He was thoughtful toward others in every respect and sometimes a perfect gentleman. Several of Meng Ou's girlfriends had already been fishing around to find out what type Gu Wang liked.

Meng Ou had thought about it and said Gu Wang liked He Qinghuan's type. Instantly, no one had anything more to say.

Meng Ou felt Gu Wang probably didn't like He Qinghuan anymore. Girls had very accurate instincts about these things.

The two walked into the classroom side by side. The moment they stepped inside, a chorus of teasing erupted loud enough to lift the ceiling. All of this had been brought on by Meng Ou's Moments post.

Meng Ou cleared her throat and chided, "What are you all doing?"

But it was Gu Wang who truly stunned everyone. He had been keeping a low profile lately, staying out of trouble and wearing his school uniform every day. Today's outfit was a refreshing sight. Just as that person had said, Gu Wang's eyes were clear, without a trace of impurity. With Meng Ou's deliberate touches, they had gained a hint of allure.

When he looked at you, your heartbeat would involuntarily quicken. His eyes were like a clear ocean, deep and captivating.

The back door suddenly opened. Gu Wang looked over. It was He Qinghuan.

He Qinghuan was hosting tonight and had to wear formal attire. With everyone normally in school uniforms, the difference wasn't especially noticeable, but in a suit, He Qinghuan seemed entirely out of place among his still-youthful classmates.

He Qinghuan's features were cool, his presence imposing. Perhaps because of the heat, he had undone two buttons on his shirt and left his suit jacket unbuttoned as well. He lazily swept his gaze over the classroom, pausing when he saw Gu Wang up front.

Gu Wang didn't give it much thought. He looked toward his seat and estimated the distance. He should be able to get back before He Qinghuan. God knew he had to get close to He Qinghuan every time he went out, and his hair practically stood on end each time.

But He Qinghuan reacted faster, had longer legs, and had seen through Gu Wang's intentions. Gu Wang was one step too late. He Qinghuan had already sat down.

Gu Wang: "..."

He leaned back in his chair, his fringe damp, probably from running his fingers through it after washing his hands in the restroom. He Qinghuan rested one hand on the desk, his eyes lowered, looking as though he wouldn't let Gu Wang through unless he spoke.

Author's note: He Qinghuan: Beg me.

Chapter 18

Gu Wang curled his fingers into his palm, where a thin sheen of sweat had formed. He looked down at He Qinghuan, his long eyelashes trembling slightly, bewilderment and confusion in his eyes.

He opened his mouth and was just about to speak when the wall-mounted speaker crackled twice, followed by a teacher's voice.

"Students, please proceed to the auditorium in an orderly manner. The evening show will begin on time in half an hour." The announcement repeated three times, and the school building erupted into noise.

Gu Wang breathed a sigh of relief, turned, and left. He didn't want anything to do with He Qinghuan, though he didn't understand why He Qinghuan was doing this.

Song Zhiyan and Shen Zhao were waving frantically at Gu Wang from the corridor.

After barely two steps, Gu Wang stopped and turned back. He Qinghuan had already stood up. Gu Wang was nearly half a head shorter and could only look up at him as he said stiffly, "Mr. Li said not to forget your hosting script."

He Qinghuan's eyes were calm as he gave an indifferent acknowledgment.

Gu Wang had no idea what he looked like-a cat on the verge of bristling but not daring to. Especially with his eyes accentuated by eyeliner, one look could melt someone's heart.

"He Qinghuan, let's go!" called a girl in a little white dress at the back door.

He Qinghuan answered.

He was still thinking about Gu Wang.

Even he didn't understand why he wanted to provoke Gu Wang. That face surfaced in his mind. He Qinghuan had never considered himself someone who judged by appearances, but Gu Wang's face, expressions, movements, and even his tone of voice appealed to him in every way.

Let's wait and see.

"Holy shit, Wangwang, you look so good today!" Shen Zhao tugged at Gu Wang's sleeve, gazing at him eagerly.

Gu Wang touched his face. "Meng Ou did it."

Shen Zhao glanced at Song Zhiyan and sighed. "Someone had better hurry up instead of making our Wangwang hold her for you. Real impressive. Ptooey!"

Song Zhiyan ignored him and looked at Gu Wang with complete seriousness. "I'll work hard, Wangwang."

He had seen Meng Ou's Moments post today and hadn't even dared to like it. During this time studying under Gu Wang's guidance, he had become increasingly aware of the distance between himself and Meng Ou.

He didn't want people to keep saying he wasn't good enough for her, and he wanted even less for people to someday say he and Shen Zhao would be a bad influence on Gu Wang.

Song Zhiyan turned to look at Gu Wang. He was dazzling, and many people no longer disliked him as much as before. He wanted to become someone worthy of being Gu Wang's buddy too.

"Shit, shit, shit! Seriously, Yan Gouzi? Why are you crying? I was just saying! Don't cry!" Shen Zhao had poked at Gu Wang's eyelashes a few times, then turned to find Song Zhiyan's eyes red and brimming with tears.

He was scared out of his wits.

That mutt Song Zhiyan had been tough as nails since childhood, impossible to break even with a beating. Making him cry was harder than reaching the heavens.

Shen Zhao clung to his arm. "I was wrong, buddy. I didn't know you loved Meng Ou so deeply. I won't say it again."

Song Zhiyan came back to himself and scrubbed hard at his eyes. "This has nothing to do with Meng Ou!"

Gu Wang frowned. "Then what is it?"

Song Zhiyan hesitated. Shen Zhao bumped him. "What's with you? Don't tell me you're jealous of Gu Wang? That's not cool, Song Zhiyan."

"Bullshit." Successfully goaded by Shen Zhao, Song Zhiyan said in a muffled voice, "I'm just scared. What if Wangwang keeps getting better and better, and people say we aren't good enough to hang out with him?"

Shen Zhao hadn't expected that reason. It had genuinely never occurred to him. He opened his mouth and stammered, "You've reached a higher plane, Yan Gouzi."

Song Zhiyan rolled his eyes at him. He hadn't expected Shen Zhao to think of this either. Shen Zhao was a complete blank slate. He didn't even know what he was working hard for. Because Wangwang did it, he did it too.

Gu Wang's feelings were a little complicated. He was actually only three years older than Song Zhiyan and Shen Zhao. After spending this time together, he genuinely considered them his brothers. He hadn't known Song Zhiyan felt so insecure.

Gu Wang thought for a moment, then patted Song Zhiyan's shoulder. "Song Zhiyan, don't live by other people's opinions. Between us, there's no such thing as being good enough."

Gu Wang knew better than anyone how much they cared about the Original Host.

Song Zhiyan nodded. "I know, but I still don't want to fall too far behind you. If you run into trouble someday and I can't help at all, I..."

He didn't finish, but Gu Wang understood what he meant.

Gu Wang felt a little heartened. He had thought Song Zhiyan was much the same as Shen Zhao, but he hadn't expected Song Zhiyan to be more mature, much less that he himself would be the catalyst for Song Zhiyan's realization.

Shen Zhao leaned closer and chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Wangwang, Yan Gouzi and I will work hard not to hold you back!"

Song Zhiyan said, "Move aside, dumbass."

Gu Wang smiled. "Sure. Let's work hard together."

This time, I'll make sure you have bright prospects and a clear road ahead.

Shen Zhao wasn't in the same class as Gu Wang and Song Zhiyan. His class's seats were by the aisle, while theirs were farthest inside and closest to the front, with the best view.

A name was stuck to the back of every chair. The League Branch Secretary was taking attendance. Seeing Gu Wang, she waved. "Wangwang, over here!"

Song Zhiyan bumped his shoulder and grinned. "Wangwang, go on."

At first, only Shen Zhao, Song Zhiyan, and Gu Wang's family had called him Wangwang. It was only recently that everyone who knew him had started calling him that.

Reading from the class roster, Wen Ting said, "Sit according to your classroom seating arrangements. Don't switch seats without permission."

Gu Wang: "..."

Luckily, He Qinghuan was hosting. Otherwise, he would have to sit next to him again.

Gu Wang's group had drawn their performance slot through Meng Ou: third from last. She had been dejected for a while after drawing it. By the end of the show, everyone would be tired of watching, and the audience's response certainly wouldn't be as good as for the earlier acts.

Gu Wang didn't want to go backstage, so he stayed in his seat as part of the audience.

Gu Wang and He Qinghuan were in their class's last row, with another class behind them. He was leaning back against his chair when someone behind him suddenly tapped his shoulder.

"Um, excuse me, could I..." The girl blushed and stammered. The girl beside her shot her an exasperated look and spoke for her.

"Gu Wang, she wants your WeChat!" The girl's voice was loud, drawing looks from everyone nearby and making the shy girl even more embarrassed.

Gu Wang raised an eyebrow, took his phone out of his pocket, and said softly to the girl, "Let me scan yours."

The girl looked up in surprise. Gu Wang smiled at her, and a chorus of sharp intakes of breath immediately rose around them.

Only after sending the friend request did Gu Wang put away his phone. Behind him, the girl covered her mouth excitedly at the sight of his profile picture popping up, then pinned his chat with trembling fingers.

The girl beside her sighed. "Is that all you've got?"

"Wangwang is so gentle."

"..."

Gu Wang heard all the whispers behind him. He wasn't someone who flirted with everyone; he simply didn't want to embarrass anyone. Girls were sensitive about these things, and being rejected in public was humiliating.

Besides, he needed these rumors to wash away the mark He Qinghuan had left on him. Almost whenever anyone mentioned him, they thought of his crazed pursuit of He Qinghuan.

No wonder He Qinghuan had been so disgusted with him. The old Gu Wang had clung to him like a plaster and even shamelessly declared that He Qinghuan would belong to him sooner or later. Otherwise, with so many people openly or secretly liking He Qinghuan, why would Jiang Chi have singled Gu Wang out?

Backstage, Meng Ou lifted a corner of the curtain and watched the whole scene. "Wangwang really is popular now," she murmured to herself.

After saying that, she spotted He Qinghuan sitting on a sofa nearby, reading his hosting script. She tossed her long hair back and raised her voice to ask a girl beside her, "What do you think of Wangwang?"

Many girls at school called him Wangwang now, so the girl immediately knew whom Meng Ou meant.

She pulled the curtain aside, glanced toward Gu Wang, and answered, "He's handsome. Several girls in our class have said they're going to pursue him."

Then she frowned and lowered her voice. "But wasn't Wangwang still chasing that guy not long ago?"

Meng Ou's smile was full of charm. In a voice He Qinghuan was certain to hear, she said, "That was before. Our Wangwang is thriving on his own now."

The girl didn't know Meng Ou had deliberately steered her into saying those things. She was still feeling glad that Gu Wang no longer liked He Qinghuan. "That's good, then."

Sitting beside He Qinghuan was her cohost, Lu Mengmeng, a girl with very gentle features. She also had Meng Ou on WeChat, and when she saw Gu Wang's photo, she let out a surprised "Wow."

"How did I never notice how good-looking Gu Wang was?" Lu Mengmeng murmured to herself, casually liking the Moments post.

He Qinghuan handed her the script. "I'm ready. Look it over some more."

Lu Mengmeng's phone screen was completely blocked by the script that was suddenly thrust toward her. She took it and, seeing He Qinghuan about to head outside, asked in surprise, "Have you memorized it all?"

"More or less," He Qinghuan replied succinctly.

Watching He Qinghuan's retreating figure, Lu Mengmeng thought, Impressive.

The moment He Qinghuan stood up, most of the girls backstage followed him with their eyes. Lu Mengmeng teased them. "Weren't you all going on about Gu Wang just a few days ago?"

Because of rehearsals, Gu Wang had been interacting with performers from every class lately. Whenever he was there, they put more effort into their dancing.

"That's different. Wangwang is a boy you feel really comfortable being with, but He Qinghuan makes you blush and your heart race and makes you want to have his babies."

"They aren't the same ty-"