Chapter 5

Proofreader: Akimi

Zhen Yuanbai knew very well that if Shi Bufan hadn’t told the three that they were good friends, they would definitely talk bad about him to Shi Bufan. The moment Shi Bufan rebelled and left his side, he didn’t just have to worry about being beaten up.

Now, he hoped that no one would ever find out. That way, as long as Shi Bufan didn’t recover his memory, he wouldn’t realize that he was being lied to.

But would Shi Bufan really agree to keep this a secret?

Zhen Yuanbai wasn’t sure.

Shi Bufan stared at him for a while before saying slowly, “I know.”

He suddenly laid back down and his relaxed posture placed Zhen Yuanbai in panic mode. “Aren’t you having them come and pick you up?”

“But you won’t let me send your location to them. I’m too lazy to move right now.” Shi Bufan knitted his eyebrows and said, “My head hurts.”

Zhen Yuanbai frequently glanced at the clock on the wall. Shi Bufan laid on his stomach and he looked at Zhen Yuanbai. An idea formed in his mind and he purposefully asked, “Why are you so nervous?”

“I, no-nothing.” Zhen Yuanbai sat down again and asked, “How long are you planning to lay there?”

“When I’m done resting, I’ll go.” Shi Bufan closed his eyes, about to fall back asleep.

The clock slowly ticked towards six and Zhen Yuanbai’s head was about to explode. Layers of goosebumps appeared on his body and he couldn’t help but go over and tug on Shi Bufan, “How about I take you out?”

Shi Bufan opened one eye to look at him. “Why are you so anxious to make me leave?”

Obviously because of your bad reputation!!

Zhen Yuanbai was speechless. “I was just thinking for you. You already made plans with your other friends but you haven’t replied to them. Wouldn’t you be making them wait a long time for you?”

Shi Bufan said faintly, “It’s fine. My head hurts. They’ll understand once I explain to them later on.”

“How long are you planning to stay here then?” Zhen Yuanbai’s gaze landed on the clock once more. He was so anxious that he was about to cry.

Shi Bufan pondered in his heart. Why exactly was Zhen Yuanbai so nervous? Would he be nervous that his parents found out he had made friends in school? Unless they found out it was puppy love!

That was funny. Shi Bufan wanted to laugh.

When Zhen Yuanbai’s eyes began to moisten, Shi Bufan finally took pity on him and got out of bed. “You’re right. I can’t let them wait too long.”

Zhen Yuanbai hurriedly followed him and rushed to push his electric bicycle out. They walked out the neighborhood and his heart finally calmed down. He tiredly brought Shi Bufan to a certain landmark building in the city and said, “You can send them your location now. I’ll be going back.”

Shi Bufan glanced at him again.

Zhen Yuanbai was good-looking. He had white and smooth skin, with an exquisite and delicate face. He had the type of appearance that made him likable. Shi Bufan thought of “confirming relationship” when he stared at him. He suddenly licked his lips and slowly said, “Ok, be careful on your way.”

Zhen Yuanbai sat on his electric bicycle and before leaving, he took a few glances at him as if he couldn’t bear to leave him. “Um, can you not tell anyone about us, please?”

“Ok.” Shi Bufan waved his hands at him.

Zhen Yuanbai was still felt uneasy. Shi Bufan didn’t seem like someone who would follow his words. He didn’t know whether to believe his words or not.

Shi Bufan was tall and just by casually standing there, he acted as a 3D billboard and attracted attention. Kids his age, especially wealthy second generation, felt the impulse to challenge rules. Qiu Jing ignored the no parking sign and immediately parked the car in front of Shi Bufan. Three guys came out of the car and stared at the gauze wrapped around Shi Bufan’s head.

Qiu Jing said, “Oh my, you really hurt your head.”

Ming Mai said, “My Uncle is your doctor-in-charge. At first, I couldn’t believe that you lost your memory. Now that I took a look for myself, it seems like the truth.”

Ye Lian said, “Come on. Someone’s going to come and give us a violation ticket. Let’s get in the car first.”

Qiu Jing didn’t care at all. “So what if they give us a ticket? I find it unreasonable how they don’t give minors tickets for driving.”

Ye Lian kicked him and said, “Lately, the police has been strict about this. My brother is warning us to follow the rules. Quickly get in the car.”

Although Shi Bufan didn’t remember them, he was familiar with this casual atmosphere around them. He got in the car and sat shotgun, saying not a word. The guys around him already started to chat.

“I heard that the “fool” called an ambulance and sent you to the hospital? Do you know how you got in the accident?”

“Brother Shi already lost his memory! He obviously wouldn’t be able to remember it. Do you think it’s those bastards from the neighboring schools who did this to Brother Shi after finding him by himself?”

“Well, we’re going to have to ask the “fool” about this.” Qiu Jing analyzed. “After all, he was the only one present.”

Ye Lian’s eyes landed on the back of Shi Bufan’s head. He asked, “Where’s your good friend? How come I didn’t see him?”

“I had him go back.” Shi Bufan said slowly and asked, “Who is the “fool” you guys are talking about?”

“You don’t even remember the “fool”…Oh right, you lost your memory.” Ming Mai hurriedly explained, “He’s the model student in the grade and Sheng Yi High School’s pride. I heard that he was accepted to the school with full marks on his entrance exam. There’s no one as good as Wise Zhen, Zhen Yuanbai.”

Shi Bufan looked up. “He’s that smart?”

“He’s just smart in academics.” Qiu Jing continued, “Besides academics, he can’t do anything. He doesn’t know how to play basketball or even football. During gym, the chances of him hitting the birdie in badminton is equal to the chances of the birdie finding him. Do you understand now?”

Ye Lian continued, “He has a smart brain but no brawn.”

“Right, right, that’s what I mean.”

Ming Mai said, “Plus, you were quite annoyed at him. He doesn’t like you either. After all, the principal always compared you to him. However, you’re the type of person that students should avoid.”

Shi Bufan said, “I don’t have a good relationship with him?”

“Of course not.” Qiu Jing laughed. “You’re quite funny when you lose your memory. You often call him a “fool.” It’s bizarre that you guys would even have a good relationship.”

Shi Bufan raised his eyebrows as Ming Mai continued, “Frankly speaking if it wasn’t that he didn’t have the power to, I think that he would’ve fought with you already. But he has no way. After all, he’s a coward. The moment he sees you, he probably would’ve peed his pants. Hahaha!”

Zhen Yuanbai sneezed a few times in a row.

In the afternoon, Shi Bufan had occupied his bed so he was unable to take his nap. After he sent Shi Bufan away, he went back home and eagerly climbed on the bed. He tugged the blankets over him and suddenly smelled the liquid medicine scent on it. He forced himself to get out of bed and changed the covers, throwing them into the washing machine. Then he asked Zhen Youxiu on the way, “Do you need to change your covers as well?”

Zhen Youxiu took his headphones off and looked up. “He left?”

Zhen Yuanbai took the time to take his covers from his blanket and said, “He did.”

“How did you become friends with him?”

Zhen Yuanbai rolled his eyes. “Kids shouldn’t be too curious.”

Zhen Youxiu placed his headphones back on and said, “If he hits you…”

Zhen Yuanbai originally looked forward to him saying that he would protect you or something of the sort.

“Remember to run quickly.”

Zhen Yuanbai said nothing. He threw the blanket back on his bed after he took the covers out. Then he turned around and walked out of his room.

Zhen Yuanbai finally tidied up the sheets in his room and lay exhausted on the bed. He was about to sleep when his phone suddenly dinged. Someone had sent him a message.

He rolled over and brought his phone over to see a profile picture of a scary mask. On top of the white and flowery mask were three pitch-black holes, looking extremely like Death.

Shi Bufan’s WeChat name was just a simple bar. Under the chat box that said they were friends, he asked Zhen Yuanbai, “What exactly is our relationship?”

Zhen Yuanbai sat up straight immediately. He forced himself to calm down and typed, “If you keep on asking this, I’m going to ignore you.”

Shi Bufan leaned against the sofa in the private room and sipped juice. He looked down to stare at his message. He felt like his words were a bit “appealing to the eyes.”

Zhen Yuanbai sent another message. “I already told you so many times. If you don’t believe me, let’s end our relationship.”

Ending their relationship was good too. They could act like nothing ever happened between the two. Zhen Yuanbai held a beautiful fantasy until he saw Shi Bufan’s response. “Take that back.”

Zhen Yuanbai was speechless.

He grinded his teeth and thought: So what if I choose not to take my words back? Could you possibly beat me up across the internet?

You took back a message.

He laid down and glared at the words on the screen as if looking at his shattered dignity.

He waited for a while but Shi Bufan still hadn’t responded. He unwillingly asked, “Did someone say something to you?”

Right now, Shi Bufan was debating over Zhen Yuanbai’s nickname. At first, he changed it to “fool.” But after considering their relationship, it wasn’t suitable. Therefore, he changed it to “wise one.” After he changed it, he took a look at Zhen Yuanbai’s Spongebob profile picture. He still thought it wasn’t suitable for him. In the end, he changed it to “stupid one.”

Shi Bufan was very pleased.

He went back to the chatbox and replied, “No.”

Zhen Yuanbai laid in bed and knitted his eyebrows. Then he changed Shi Bufan’s nickname to “Annoying Shi.” He then passed out.

The next day was Sunday. In order to prevent Shi Bufan from suddenly looking for his “good friend,” Zhen Yuanbai woke up and sent him a message. “Are you going to the hospital today?”

“Annoying Shi” didn’t respond until about eleven in the morning. He responded with a “yes,” short and concise.

Zhen Yuanbai was concerned with him. “Do you feel better today?”

Annoying Shi: “Pretty good.”

Zhen Yuanbai continued to type, “Do you need me to accompany you to the hospital?”

Shi Bufan who was drinking milk paused and looked at the concerned words. He licked his lips and responded after a while. “There’s no need.”

Zhen Yuanbai felt free and excitedly jumped. That’s great. He probably would be able to avoid Shi Bufan for the entire day.

Who knew that in the afternoon, Shi Bufan’s parents arrived in his house. His father didn’t have work today so he was stunned by the sudden visitors. He hurriedly grabbed the items over. The couple seemed amicable and easy to get along. Meanwhile, Zhen Yuanbai sat there and allowed them to thank him for saving their son and they casually chatted with his father. He thought it was a bit strange.

He imagined Shi Bufan’s parents to be arrogant and overbearing people. But although his parents wore luxurious clothes, their attitudes were similar to that of ordinary parents. They shouldn’t have raised Shi Bufan into an arrogant and prideful guy at all. Could it be that they excessively spoiled him? That’s why he had the attitude of an Emperor?

They hadn’t stayed for lunch. After they greeted them, they left in a great mood. Before they left, they complimented Zhen Yuanbai and this caused him to blush.

After he brought Shi Bufan’s parents out the door, Zhen Yuanbai met Zhen Pingjin’s gaze. As expected, he had a gloomy and serious gaze. “It’s good to save someone, but stay away from Shi Bufan.”

“Didn’t you want me to get into fights with people?”

“You dare to make it on the local news?” His father raised his hand and Zhen Yuanbai immediately took a few steps back. Zhen Pingjin placed his hand down, in a bad mood. “We’re going out for lunch. Go ask what Youxiu wants to eat.”

“He had chosen last week and the week before. It should be my turn this week. I even stood up for a just cause.”

Zhen Pingjin stared at him and said, “How is that even standing up for a just cause? Whatever. I’m going to change my clothes and you guys can choose between yourselves.”

He closed the door and walked into his room. Zhen Yuanbai peeked in Zhen Youxiu’s room and called out, “Father said we’re going out to eat. What do you want to eat?”

“Isn’t it your turn to choose this week?” Zhen Youxiu’s fingers slammed against the keyboard quickly. The screen contained special effects of a game that Zhen Yuanbai didn’t understand at all. “You choose whatever we’re going to eat.”

“Father said for you to choose. I don’t care.”

Zhen Pingjin didn’t like to cook. Whenever Qin Ying placed the kids in his care, they would always go out to eat. After coming home, they would have to lie to Qin Ying, saying that they cooked lunch. This is because Qin Ying was frugal while Zhen Pingjin was relatively extravagant.

If possible, Zhen Yuanbai hoped that Sunday will extend forever. That way, he didn’t need to face Shi Bufan. He wouldn’t need to keep lying either. One would need to thread numerous lies in order to make up for the one lie they made. Because as long as it was a lie, there would be a loophole.

But the more he thought about this, the quicker Monday came. Zhen Yuanbai looked in the mirror while putting on the school badge. He sighed miserably.

Today was Monday and they had to raise the national flag. Everyone gathered together at the sports field. They lined up according to height and Zhen Yuanbai wasn’t considerably short. He searched for his class and silently stood behind.

The Student Committee member, Song Mo, squeezed through and stood by his side. He excitedly gossiped, “I heard that Shi Bufan crashed and injured his head? And that you called an ambulance for him?”

The news had spread too quickly.

However, Zhen Yuanbai was quite unhappy with “Annoying Shi.” He nodded and asked, “What’s the matter?”

“Then are you Shi Bufan’s benefactor?”

Zhen Yuanbai was moved by this phrase but then he started to regret it. Right. How come he hadn’t thought of saying that he was his benefactor? Why must he say that he is his best friend, this difficult role that he was now forced to play?

“I think you can restrain him in the future and stop him from giving you nicknames.” Song Mo suggested, “After all, you’re his benefactor right now. Although Shi Bufan is a bit of a bastard, he should understand rules of Jianghu” right?”

Zhen Yuanbai’s eyes brightened. Wasn’t he thinking about this?

The national flag ceremony hadn’t started yet and it was a mess on the sports field. The rascals from the neighboring class whistled at Zhen Yuanbai. “Hey, you fool! You dropped your student ID!”

He was Zhen Yuanbai’s middle school classmate, Lin Kun. He was also the one who started spreading his nickname. Originally, Zhen Yuanbai thought that there shouldn’t be too many mental cases in an elite school. He was proven wrong, however. There were these abominable people in all sorts of places.

Song Mo was scared of trouble so he quietly kept his mouth shut.

He knew why Zhen Yuanbai was always bullied by these people. It was because he had great grades and teachers would tell them to look at him as a model for how homework should be done. He would appear on the school’s newspapers every week. The teachers would regard him as a role model. Not only did he attract enemies, but Zhen Yuanbai had a soft temperament. Had he been even a bit rough with others and beat people until they called him “father” when they called him by a nickname, no one would have dared to call him “fool” anymore.

Zhen Yuanbai’s silence made the people across even more aggravated. “I heard that you saved Shi Bufan? To speak the truth, you didn’t pee at the sight of blood?”

Everyone burst into laughter.

The surrounding students all looked towards them. Many students liked Zhen Yuanbai and those who bullied him were usually wealthy second generation with poor grades that were forced into the school by their parents. Not only would they be compared by the teacher to Zhen Yuanbai, they might even possibly be belittled by their parents. Thus, they treated him full of malice.

Even the students acted as if this wasn’t their concern and no one dared to stand up for him.

Zhen Yuanbai concealed his feelings and treated them like dogs who barked rudely.

A few people wearing armbands from the Discipline Department walked over. The leading girl heard the conversation and knitted her eyebrows. “Hey, the class over there, be quiet.”

“Psh, Discipline Department, it’s not like we didn’t wear our uniforms or the school badges. The national flag ceremony hasn’t even started yet. Can we not joke around? Or do you want to tape my mouth shut?”

The guys watched as the girls huddled together and said something. They had hooligan-like smiles. Zhen Yuanbai couldn’t help but turn around and he bluffed, “You guys all know that I saved Shi Bufan. Yet, you guys dare to blabber nonsense. When he comes over and finds out you guys are bullying his benefactor, see how he’s going to teach you guys a lesson.”

The guys hesitated momentarily. They were all a bit scared of Shi Bufan and his group. After all, they made it on the local news in the past. Towards Shi Bufan, the rascals in school revered him a bit.

The girls looked gratefully at Zhen Yuanbai and then the latter looked down. He was the type of person who avoided trouble whenever he could because he was scared of getting into a fight. After all, he wouldn’t be able to win in a fight.

The guys murmured and then one of them laughed. “We never saw Shi Bufan at the national flag ceremony. Plus, he’s injured right now. It’s obvious that he wouldn’t be here.”

“You dare to use his name to act superior to us. That’s such a great joke. Fool. You’re really a fool!”

“Well try and tell Shi Bufan to stand up for you because you saved him. See if he’ll beat you up or not. And you even dare to threaten him…Damn! Who the f**k threw the ball?!”

A basketball hit Lin Kun’s face and then bounced on the ground. He angrily raised his head to see Shi Bufan whose head was covered in gauze slowly walking forward. He knitted his eyebrows and said, “Who’d you say you never saw at the national flag ceremony?”

Qiu Jing who was forcibly brought over here suddenly excitedly said, “Brother Shi, he’s hinting that you don’t love our nation.”

Ming Mai who was forcibly brought over to attend the national flag ceremony rubbed his hands together. “He’s also accusing you of disobeying school rules.”

Ye Lian who pulled all-nighter playing games was unsuccessful at making up his sleep. “He also called you a f**ker.”