Chapter 49#

World 2: I Want to Be a Fish in Your Pond#

Qin Qing stopped watching the video sent by Jin He, and instead held Tagore’s poetry collection, reading quietly in the night, line by line, his fingertips gently touching the words.

996 jumped onto the armrest of the chair, poked its head out to look, and then followed Qin Qing’s moving fingertips to read two lines of poetry: “When I say I will leave you forever, you must take it seriously, let tears soak the shadows around your eyes. When I come back again, you can smile as slyly as you like.”

As his fingertips slid across, Qin Qing curved his lips slightly, smiling serenely.

996 shook its head and complained: “What is all this? Leaving one moment and coming back the next, might as well spiral up to heaven. Tagore’s poems are really funny.”

Qin Qing shook his head and remained silent. He had given up hope on 996’s intelligence.

As if thinking of something, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Duke D’Orsay, explaining his debt repayment plan. Finally, he took a photo of the handwritten IOU and sent it over.

Nowadays, WeChat screenshots also have legal effect, so there was no need to mail the IOU to the UK.

Duke D’Orsay did not reply, and Qin Qing didn’t mind. Paying back debts is a matter of course. He would naturally clean up the mess left by the original owner.

On the other end, Ye Rongzheng, whose eyes and nose were red from crying, returned to the dormitory in a wretched state. Before going upstairs, he found a public restroom, washed his face thoroughly, and looked in the mirror again and again to make sure he no longer looked like a stray dog, before climbing up step by step with heavy strides.

Inside the dormitory, Yan Boxing held up his phone and said enviously: “Mu Feiyan, you are really awesome! You topped the ‘Hero’ spending chart!”

“Hero” is a very popular online game played by people all over the world. After Mu Feiyan, the second on the list was Ye Rongzheng. The two spent an astonishing amount on the game.

“Tsk tsk tsk, our dormitory is really full of hidden talents! The money you two spent on equipment is enough for others to buy several houses, right?” Yan Boxing said with envy.

Mu Feiyan, sitting on the balcony gently strumming a guitar, hooked the corners of his lips in a faint smile, not speaking.

Just then, his phone vibrated. Seeing the sender’s avatar, his casual gaze couldn’t help but focus.

Yun Siyu’s photo was gone, replaced by half of a fair and round shoulder. On the back of the shoulder, a flower as crystal clear as morning dew and as magnificent as the sunset glow was tattooed with pearlescent ink. Above the shoulder was a half-exposed face, a delicate chin, slightly red thin lips, a perfect silhouette.

At first glance, it was hard to tell whether the flower was more beautiful or the person was more beautiful.

Bubble Snail? Mu Feiyan raised his eyebrows in surprise, then smiled contemptuously. Changing to a better-looking avatar allows one to continue scamming? Moreover, the timing of this person’s reappearance was too coincidental.

Just as he topped the spending chart, the scammer who disappeared for no reason took the initiative to pop up, saying he wanted to pay back the money. Did he see greater benefits? Scamming once wasn’t enough, wanted to scam a second, third, fourth time? One hundred and fifty thousand was too little, wanted to scam one and a half million or even fifteen million?

Mu Feiyan smiled with interest, the tune plucked by his fingertips changing from soothing and melodious to rapid and piercing.

He never had any expectations for human nature. Humans are the filthiest things in this world. The stench of greed, the sourness of selfishness, and the moldy smell of darkness emanate from everyone.

The strings were plucked loudly by his well-defined knuckles. The melody rose and fell rapidly, suddenly flat then turning, the tune somewhat eerie, yet carrying an inexplicable bewitchment, like a demonic sound from another world.

Yan Boxing listened unknowingly, his expression becoming a bit dazed.

Ye Rongzheng pushed the door open at this moment. Without saying a word, he first glared fiercely at Mu Feiyan, his teeth grinding loudly as if he wanted to eat someone.

Yan Boxing came back to his senses and moved his chair uncomfortably, wanting to stay away from this human-shaped beast.

“What’s wrong, ate dynamite?” Mu Feiyan was not afraid of Ye Rongzheng at all, and even had the mood to joke.

“By the way, I just received a text message from Bubble Snail.” He placed the guitar on his knees and said nonchalantly.

Ye Rongzheng’s fierce expression stagnated slightly, and he walked quickly to the balcony, wanting to snatch Mu Feiyan’s phone.

Mu Feiyan extended his long legs, making an attacking motion in the air, a dangerous expression appearing on his handsome face that seemed to be smiling yet not smiling.

Thinking of his quirk, Ye Rongzheng stood still.

“What did Bubble Snail say?” Ye Rongzheng asked in a hoarse voice, speaking somewhat fast.

“He said he would pay back the money within three months and wrote me an IOU. You know, before he contacted me, I just topped the ‘Hero’ spending chart. This person is quite stupid, his greed for money is so obvious.”

Mu Feiyan raised his eyebrows and asked: “Didn’t you say you were going to fish him out tonight? Why are you back?”

Ye Rongzheng looked at Mu Feiyan with mocking eyes and didn’t speak.

“You didn’t meet him? Fine, if you don’t go, I will. Anyway, I’m quite bored recently, looking for some fun.” Mu Feiyan picked up the guitar again, plucking the strings casually, the smile at the corner of his mouth elegant and cruel.

Those few thin strings seemed to be Qin Qing’s fate, which could be gently rubbed and twisted by him, played with wantonly.

Ye Rongzheng wanted to stop him, but the words stopped inexplicably at his lips. According to the plan, Mu Feiyan would take Qin Qing to the most luxurious mall for shopping, take many expensive things, pretend his phone and wallet were stolen, and ask Qin Qing to pay.

At that time, he could follow them secretly, appear when Qin Qing was most embarrassed, and buy everything generously.

This is called a hero saving a beauty!

If Qin Qing wasn’t moved enough, he could expose Mu Feiyan’s true colors to his face and drag Mu Feiyan down. Anyway, he was already hated by Qin Qing, so finding someone to be a scapegoat was good. Mu Feiyan was so vicious, he could make him look kinder by comparison.

Thinking about it, Ye Rongzheng’s look at Mu Feiyan changed a bit. He was fierce when he first entered, but now he had a bit of softness and expectation.

Mu Feiyan glanced at him lightly and said indifferently: “Don’t look at me with such disgusting eyes, I won’t be able to resist gouging out your eyeballs.”

Ye Rongzheng immediately withdrew his gaze and rubbed his hands excitedly.

“I have a special reason for dealing with Bubble Snail, what about you? Isn’t it just because he knows about you being gay? It should be very common in your UK, right?” Ye Rongzheng asked curiously.

Mu Feiyan gently plucked the strings with his well-defined fingertips, and slowly said with a slightly sharp tune: “When I was a child, I raised a cat. That cat was very quiet and well-behaved, and would rub against me with its furry head. I thought I could like it forever, until one day it scratched my hand.”

Speaking of this, he paused, and his hand lightly brushing the strings struck heavily, creating a strange tremolo.

Ye Rongzheng frowned at him, his teeth itching. Damn it, this person actually compared Qin Qing to a cat!

Yan Boxing asked curiously: “What happened later?”

Mu Feiyan raised his eyes to glance at him, a layer of warmthless smile in his amber pupils, “Later I threw it into the forest behind the castle. There are packs of wolves in the forest. If it’s lucky enough, maybe it’s still alive. I have spiritual mysophobia and cannot tolerate betrayal and deception.”

How could a kitten born in an incubator and raised in a luxurious castle have good luck in a savage land full of murderous intent? Mu Feiyan could play with a cat’s fate, so naturally, he could also play with people.

Damn, so vicious! What did Qin Qing do to you? Can one hundred and fifty thousand make you go bankrupt? Ye Rongzheng’s fists hardened, but for his “hero saving beauty” plan, he had to endure it.

Yan Boxing looked at the extraordinarily handsome but seemingly inhuman Mu Feiyan with wary eyes, then looked at the fierce and arrogant Ye Rongzheng, feeling that he was somewhat out of place because he wasn’t perverted enough.

He laughed dryly twice and found an excuse to leave: “My buddy is coming to the dorm, I’ll go down and see if he’s arrived.”

“Which buddy of yours?” Ye Rongzheng’s gloomy gaze immediately swept over.

“It’s Yun Siyu, whom I took you to see last time. He doesn’t know about Bubble Snail using his photo to scam money everywhere, don’t let it slip. He is too kind. Knowing that Bubble Snail does this behind his back, he will definitely be sad.” Yan Boxing instructed worriedly.

Ye Rongzheng grinned and laughed mockingly.

Yun Siyu kind? This must be the funniest joke of the year! Knowing clearly that Qin Qing’s family was ruined, desperate, and suffering from depression, he could still ask Qin Qing for money time and again to buy various luxury goods and artworks, and damn well scatter money everywhere for charity.

Doesn’t he know that Qin Qing is the one who truly needs help? Why doesn’t he use his charity on Qin Qing?

If kindness is defined like this, then kindness is damn disgusting! Ye Rongzheng’s fists hardened again and again, but for that hero saving beauty plan, he could only grit his teeth and endure.

A moment later, Yan Boxing walked into the dormitory with a pure and beautiful-looking boy.

Seeing Ye Rongzheng sitting by the desk and Mu Feiyan sitting on the balcony, he widened his round eyes, showing an expression of amazement. Finally, his cheeks flushed, his ears warmed, and he shyly looked away.

He looked very young, and making this undisguised expression of admiration was also very touching.

Mu Feiyan looked at Yun Siyu and smiled with interest. He had never met such a strange person. His soul faintly emitted a clear and mellow fragrance, but it was mixed with a trace of foul smell, like a semi-rotten Buddha statue.

The explicit gaze attracted Yun Siyu’s attention. Seeing Mu Feiyan’s gentle and affectionate smile, Yun Siyu’s fair face almost burned up.

“You guys are so good-looking, can you be my models?” He blinked his big eyes and asked straightforwardly.

Ye Rongzheng snorted coldly, his face full of dark ferocity.

Yun Siyu looked at him timidly, then looked at Mu Feiyan with expectation.

Mu Feiyan laughed softly and said as if teasing: “You can’t afford my appearance fee.”

“How much do you want? How do you know I can’t afford it if you don’t say?” Yun Siyu asked relentlessly.

“Why, are you very rich?” Ye Rongzheng took out a cigarette and held it in his mouth, mocking while lighting it.

Yun Siyu opened his mouth, about to quote a high amount, when he suddenly remembered that he no longer had a source of income. He looked at Mu Feiyan with a flushed face and whispered: “I’m going to work in a few days, I’ll have money then.”

Juniors in college all go out for internships, and the school doesn’t interfere.

Mu Feiyan laughed softly and didn’t reply.

Yan Boxing asked worriedly: “Why are you going to work? Your body is so weak, can you handle it? Didn’t we agree before, I stay at school for training, you stay in the studio to paint, we go nowhere.”

“But I have no money.” Yun Siyu murmured.

“Sell paintings if you have no money. Didn’t you say one of your paintings can sell for tens of thousands?” Yan Boxing asked in confusion.

Ye Rongzheng suddenly sneered, frowning more and more annoyedly. Fuck, is this how Yun Siyu explains his source of income? Qin Qing’s dedication to him was just erased like this?

Kind? Kind my ass! Really want to twist this person’s head off right now!

The more Ye Rongzheng thought about it, the angrier he got, and having nowhere to vent, he had to take out the arm strength bar from the cabinet and bend it hard again and again. The elastic arm strength bar made an overwhelmed creaking sound between his arms, and then was crumpled into a ball of scrap iron bit by bit.

Yan Boxing stared blankly.

Mu Feiyan, gently strumming the guitar, raised his eyes to glance, the smile at the corner of his mouth somewhat contemptuous.

Everyone else smelled of filth, only Ye Rongzheng smelled of iron and blood, smoke and sulfur, a collection of all coldness and sharpness. Getting closer, one could also smell the stench of male hormones.

A beast with only strength and no brain…

Mu Feiyan lowered his eyes, thinking indifferently.

Yan Boxing looked at the completely destroyed arm strength bar and swallowed a mouthful of saliva in horror. He would absolutely never provoke Ye Rongzheng in the future, especially not get into a physical conflict, otherwise, the guy could destroy him with a flick of a finger.

Yun Siyu looked at Ye Rongzheng eagerly with admiring eyes.

Ye Rongzheng threw the lump of iron into the trash can and borrowed a sentence from Mu Feiyan: “Don’t look at me with such disgusting eyes, I won’t be able to resist gouging out your eyeballs.”

Yun Siyu was stunned, and asked aggrievedly with red eyes: “Did I do something wrong? You seem to hate me very much?”

Mu Feiyan glanced at Ye Rongzheng in surprise. If he remembered correctly, when peeking at Yun Siyu outside the studio last time, Ye Rongzheng’s eyes hid huge surprise and deep attachment. His feelings for Yun Siyu must be extremely special.

However, only a few days later, his attitude had completely changed. Why?

This doubt flashed by but did not attract Mu Feiyan’s attention.

Ye Rongzheng took out his phone and irritably looked through the messages in the group. Except for him, that group of bad friends were all chatting with Qin Qing, and seemed very happy. He asked in the group if Qin Qing had calmed down, but Qin Qing didn’t reply.

Ye Rongzheng, feeling more and more aggrieved, cursed without raising his head: “I hate seeing you, no reason needed. Get lost, don’t dirty my place.”

It was all because of this waste Yun Siyu that he misunderstood Qin Qing. Damn, how can there be such a shameless person in the world!

Yun Siyu’s eyes reddened even more with grievance, and then he looked pitifully at Yan Boxing.

Yan Boxing really wanted to fight Ye Rongzheng, but glancing at the lump of iron in the trash can, he had to admit defeat.

He pulled Yun Siyu to his seat and whispered: “He has a bad temper, ignore him. Who told you to go to work? Don’t tell me it’s a pyramid scheme?”

“Not a pyramid scheme, it’s an advertising studio. No one bought my paintings recently, I don’t have much money left. By the way, do you have money? Can you lend me three hundred thousand?” Yun Siyu asked eagerly.

The frequently appearing number of three hundred thousand made Mu Feiyan raise his eyes nonchalantly.

Ye Rongzheng looked askance at Yun Siyu, frowning fiercely. Yan Boxing was still a student who hadn’t graduated, and an orphan without parents. How could Yun Siyu open his mouth to ask for three hundred thousand from him? Is this a pure and kind angel? This is fucking clearly a selfish and greedy vampire!

Yan Boxing was stunned for a moment before saying awkwardly: “I only saved thirty thousand, do you want it?”

“Weren’t you scouted by the American basketball league? You should be very rich.” Yun Siyu tilted his head, his gaze clear and innocent.

“But I haven’t been selected yet, I can’t cash in. I also need to spend money for the interview in the US. This thirty thousand is not enough at all. I’ll have to borrow over a hundred thousand from the coach then.”

“Then lend the money to me first, I’ll pay you back very soon.”

Yan Boxing clearly said he also needed money, and it was prepared for his future, but Yun Siyu seemed not to understand. He spread his palm, making a “give it to me” gesture.

Yan Boxing sighed helplessly, then willingly transferred all his savings to Yun Siyu.

“What do you need three hundred thousand for?” He asked curiously.

Yun Siyu lowered his eyelids and pursed his lips: “I have a friend who really needs this money to turn around, otherwise he won’t be able to live. I must help him, Brother Yan, do you understand? Seeing only three hundred yuan left in his card, I really feel terrible. Three hundred yuan isn’t even enough for a meal.”

He raised his head and looked at Yan Boxing with pleading eyes.

Ye Rongzheng was stunned listening. Qin Qing only had three hundred yuan left in his card, he didn’t know this at all! So, if he really made Qin Qing pay for the barbecue tonight, Qin Qing would have gone bankrupt directly! Qin Qing’s life had become so difficult!

But what about Yun Siyu! For Yun Siyu, three hundred yuan was actually only enough for one meal!

Fuck his kindness! Fuck his innocence! Ye Rongzheng took a deep drag on his cigarette and exhaled heavily, fearing that if he couldn’t control himself, he would tear Yun Siyu’s head off!

Yan Boxing was also stunned, then instructed naggingly. “Understood, understood, your bleeding heart is acting up again! What friend asks for three hundred thousand right away, could it be a scammer? Just lend him three thousand, no more!”

Yun Siyu didn’t want to reveal Qin Qing’s matter, so he could only perfunctorily say yes.

Ye Rongzheng: “…” Fuck, where is his knife?

After borrowing the money, Yun Siyu asked expectantly: “Brother Yan, last time you said a friend wanted to buy one of my paintings as a birthday gift for his mother. I’ve finished that painting, but it’s too big, so I didn’t bring it. I’ll send you the photo, and you forward it to your friend. If he’s satisfied, I’ll bring the painting over tomorrow.”

Before his voice fell, an oil painting of a little boy holding a long-stemmed sunflower smiling brightly in a flower field was sent to Yan Boxing’s phone.

Yan Boxing hurriedly forwarded the painting to Ye Rongzheng and said proudly: “Siyu, this painting is so beautiful! The tone is very warm and healing. This little boy looks so familiar… isn’t it you when you were little?”

“It is me when I was little. I painted it based on my childhood photo.” Yun Siyu nodded.

Yan Boxing looked at Ye Rongzheng expectantly, while Ye Rongzheng had already shown an expression of extreme disgust.

Yes, he was that blind buyer. When he went to the studio to peek at Yun Siyu last time, the painting this person was casually daubing was this one. The little boy in the painting looked very much like Ye Rongzheng’s younger brother who died early, so he had the idea of buying the painting to give to his mother.

But now, even if paid, he wouldn’t want this kind of trash.

Yan Boxing asked tactlessly: “Brother Ye, how much are you willing to pay?”

Yun Siyu turned to look at Ye Rongzheng, showing a surprised expression: “So you are the buyer! Thank you for liking my painting!”

Ye Rongzheng took a drag on his cigarette and said in a nasty tone: “What broken painting, I’d find it ugly even as a rag! Not buying, keep it for yourself!”

Yun Siyu was stunned for a long time, his eyes slowly turning red. Crystal tears hung on his curled eyelashes, about to fall, looking pitiful and cute.

Yan Boxing’s anger could no longer be suppressed, and he punched the table hard: “Ye Rongzheng, don’t be too excessive!”

Ye Rongzheng also punched the table hard: “I am this excessive, so what?”

With a loud bang, the table under his huge fist actually split into pieces and scattered on the ground. If it were a living person, flesh and blood would have flown, and bones would have been broken.

Yan Boxing’s pupils contracted violently for a moment, realizing that if he really fought with this beast Ye Rongzheng, he would definitely be seriously injured. If his hands or feet were injured, he wouldn’t need to go to the American basketball league!

For his future, he had to endure, but for the person he had a crush on, how could he endure?

In the dilemma, Yun Siyu sensibly stopped Yan Boxing, persuading him not to be angry and to protect his body so as not to ruin his career. This gave Yan Boxing enough of a way out, so he took it.

There was silence in the dormitory, followed by Ye Rongzheng’s sarcastic sneer and the sound of Mu Feiyan plucking the strings.

Yan Boxing hugged Yun Siyu and hid aside, looking at Ye Rongzheng with anger and helplessness.

To alleviate the embarrassment, and also to calm the fear and grievance, the red-eyed Yun Siyu walked stealthily to the balcony and struck up a conversation with Mu Feiyan. He softly praised Mu Feiyan’s playing skills, and then extended his fingertips to gently touch the strings of the guitar held in Mu Feiyan’s arms.

Hearing the strings make a ding-dong sound, disrupting the tune Mu Feiyan was playing, he laughed in surprise, happy like a child who knew no worry.

Who could bear to bully such a child? After all, he was so cute.

Mu Feiyan looked at Yun Siyu steadily, his amber eyes deep like a pool.

Yun Siyu’s fair face slowly blushed, and he lowered his head shyly. He could feel that this handsome man liked him.

“Can I play your guitar?” Yun Siyu asked softly, his big round eyes looking at Mu Feiyan timidly.

Mu Feiyan then withdrew his deep gaze and handed the guitar over, “Play.” His extremely magnetic voice was even more pleasant than the melody of the guitar.

Yun Siyu blushed even more, hugged the guitar and walked into the dormitory, sat on Mu Feiyan’s bed, and playfully plucked the strings.

“Is it like this?” He smiled with curved eyes, very cute.

Mu Feiyan leaned back, his body against the back of the chair, his strong and slender arms resting on the stainless steel railing. His completely stretched posture was somewhat arrogant, and also somewhat indescribably lazy and sexy.

“You have a lot of musical talent, it sounds very good even when you play casually.” He dragged his equally lazy and sexy tone, speaking words of praise like singing.

Yun Siyu’s cheeks burned red, his eyes were wet, and his heart pounded. He seemed to have fallen for Brother Yan’s roommate! Is his name Mu Feiyan? A noble from the UK? He is really so gentle, completely the opposite extreme compared to Ye Rongzheng!

In his wild thoughts, Yun Siyu plucked the strings one by one. His inability to hide his heartbeat made Yan Boxing watch with jealousy.

Ye Rongzheng smiled contemptuously. Mu Feiyan actually likes someone like Yun Siyu? What an idiot!

After enduring for a while, Yan Boxing found an excuse to send Yun Siyu away.

On the way back to the dormitory, Yan Boxing thought to himself: I must make it clear to Mu Feiyan later. Siyu is a very simple person and takes things seriously. If Mu Feiyan wants to play some love game, he’d better find someone else.

However, after walking into the dormitory, he was dumbfounded.

He saw Mu Feiyan pick up the guitar Yun Siyu had touched, walk to the balcony, stomp it into pieces in a few moves, then tear off the bed sheet Yun Siyu had sat on and throw it into the trash can. Finally, he slowly took off the extremely thin transparent plastic gloves he was wearing and threw them into the trash can as well.

Everything Yun Siyu had touched directly or indirectly was discarded by him like worn-out shoes.

When he raised his eyes to look at Yan Boxing, he hooked his lips, clearly smiling, but his eyes were filled with cold malice.

Ye Rongzheng’s badness was on the surface, but his badness was in his bones.

Yan Boxing was stunned for a long time before asking in disbelief: “Why did you do this?”

“Why? Because that friend of yours is really dirty and smelly.” Mu Feiyan said extremely vile words in a calm and waveless tone.