Ever since Chengyu returned to treating him like a stranger, Xiazi felt as if something inside him had gone quiet. At school, he could still see Chengyu laughing with friends, smiling without a care in the world. But the moment they crossed paths at home, that warmth disappeared. All that remained was distance.
Xiazi made up his mind. They had finally become a little closer.
The next afternoon during lunch break, Qi Jingshao dragged Chengyu toward the library.
Chengyu raised an eyebrow. "You, volunteering to study? That's a first."
Qi Jingshao laughed. "I don't have much choice. Your genius little brother hasn't been around to help me lately. So now I'm actually looking for reference books." He thought for a moment before adding, "Come to think of it, he hasn't even been bringing water to basketball practice these past few days. Has he been busy?"
Chengyu glanced at him. "You seem pretty interested in him."
"Of course," Jingshao replied with a grin. "When Xiazi explains something, I understand it immediately. My exam scores would be hopeless without him."
Just then, a quiet voice came from the next bookshelf. "Were you looking for this?"
The two turned around. Xiazi was standing there, holding the exact reference book Jingshao had been searching for.
Qi Jingshao's eyes lit up. "Perfect timing. It's been a while."
Chengyu remained silent, watching the scene with an unreadable expression.
Xiazi walked over and handed Jingshao the book. "If there are chapters that are still confusing, I can explain them during lunch."
Qi Jingshao smiled in relief. "Seriously, that would save me." He turned toward Chengyu with a laugh. "Your brother is amazing."
Chengyu forced a smile, but it was obvious he wasn't pleased.
Xiazi sat down and patiently explained each topic one by one. By the end of the session, Jingshao finally understood everything that had been troubling him. "So that's how it works. No wonder you're the top student."
Watching the two of them chatting so naturally made Chengyu unexpectedly uncomfortable. He suddenly stood up. "We're leaving. Class starts soon."
Before Jingshao could say anything else, Chengyu had already started walking away. Jingshao hurried after him, but waved back with a smile. "Thanks again, Xiazi. I think I'll finally pass the next exam."
Just before they disappeared down the hallway, Xiazi nervously called after them. "If you're free during lunch tomorrow, I can help explain the rest of the chapters, too."
Chengyu immediately frowned. "He doesn't need to trouble you."
But Jingshao laughed. "Who says I don't? I definitely need all the help I can get."
The following day, Xiazi returned to the library. The moment he opened the study room door, he stopped. It wasn't just Jingshao waiting. Several students were already sitting around the table with notebooks open.
"There he is. Our genius tutor is here."
Without realizing it, Xiazi had become everyone's favorite study partner. The lunch break quickly turned into an informal tutoring session. By the time it ended, the struggling students couldn't stop thanking him.
"You explain everything so clearly. I actually understand the lessons now."
Watching from a distance, Chengyu felt even more irritated.
Later that afternoon, the basketball team gathered for practice. As usual, Xiazi brought water and towels for everyone. One teammate laughed. "Seriously, your brother takes better care of us than our coach."
Just then, Xiazi handed a towel to Qi Jingshao.
That was enough. Chengyu strode across the court, grabbed Xiazi by the wrist, and pulled him away from everyone else. The moment they were alone, Chengyu let go.
"What exactly are you trying to prove? I already told you to stay away. Are you pretending you didn't hear me?" His voice grew colder. "Are you testing my patience? Or is Qi Jingshao really that important to you? I warned you, but you keep finding excuses to be around him. You always seem to appear wherever he is." Chengyu stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Xiazi. "Do you honestly think I won't do anything? Or are you trying to force me to reveal the secret you've been hiding from everyone? If I showed everyone those photos and that video, what do you think would happen? You'd lose the reputation you've worked so hard to build."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Xiazi looked quietly at Chengyu. He barely heard the threatening words anymore. All he could focus on was the fact that for once, Chengyu was paying attention to him. After everything that had happened, even an argument felt better than being ignored.
He gave a tired smile. "If exposing it makes you feel better, then go ahead. I don't care anymore."
Chengyu froze. "What? You can't be serious." He stepped closer, grabbing Xiazi by the front of his jacket. "Have you completely lost your mind? Do you realize how much that could affect your future?"
Before Xiazi could answer, several voices interrupted them.
"Hey, Chengyu, what are you doing?"
A group of classmates hurried over. One of them quickly stepped between the two. "Go easy on our genius tutor. He's helped all of us."
Another student laughed. "If anyone gets special treatment around here, it's him."
Qi Jingshao also walked over, looking confused. "What's going on?"
Seeing everyone's attention on them, Xiazi immediately forced a small smile. "It's nothing. We were just talking. My brother and I aren't arguing."
The others accepted the explanation. They playfully pulled Chengyu away. "Come on. Stop scaring him. We still need him to help us pass our exams."
Chengyu looked back over his shoulder, completely speechless. "When did all of you switch sides?"
The group simply laughed as they dragged him away. Standing alone, Xiazi quietly straightened his wrinkled collar before returning to class.