Don’t Pretend to be Poor with Me - Chapter 30

Turns out Song Yan really does like him

Song Yan probably sincerely wanted to fight Xia Zhiye.

As soon as he finished speaking, a fist directly flew forward.

Xia Zhiye hadn’t yet reacted and relied entirely on instinct as he stepped back, then while he held a basin with one hand, the other hand that had been holding his cellphone was pressed against the wall.

Meanwhile, Song Yan’s fist had just brushed past the side of his ear, as a gust of violent air swept along h fist as he ruthlessly punched into the wall.

The two maintained this subtle position and maintained silence for three seconds, and Xia Zhiye probingly questioned: “Kabe-don?”

“……”

Kabe-fucking-don.

Song Yan really wanted to crack apart Xia Zhiye’s skull and see what this person’s brain was like.

But as soon as he raised his head, he saw Xia Zhiye’s slowly blinking peach blossom eyes and his hands that had been tightly grasping that large basin of washed clothes, and Song Yan once again felt he was being very unreasonable.

He was the one who wanted to buy the other basketball shoes, and sending it anonymously was because he was afraid Xia Zhiye would feel burdened. And if he were to stand in Xia Zhiye’s shoes, he generally shouldn’t accept presents from unknown origins. As for selling learning materials and robbing each other’s business, it all relied on one’s talent.

So in the end, from beginning to end, Xia Zhiye did nothing wrong. The other had even helped him wash his clothes, and he should be saying ‘thank you’ instead.

But reasoning it in such a way was one thing, yet in Song Yan’s heart, he unexpectedly felt choked up with irritation.

Once he thought of the fact that he had to live frugally after buying Xia Zhiye basketball shoes, yet Xia Zhiye had been thinking of ways to buy a gift for the person he liked, his heart began to swell suffocatingly. He couldn’t clarify his reason, and also didn’t really want to listen to reason.

Anyway, it was just that his thoughts were in turmoil. When he saw Xia Zhiye’s charming pair of peach blossom eyes, he wanted to give the other another two punches, so as to avoid his flirtatious looks.

Yet ultimately, he just left it at punching the wall, then he coldly put away his fists, took the washbasin, turned around, then silently began to hang up his clothes to dry with “laozi is not happy today” written all over his face, which couldn’t be hidden at all.

Xia Zhiye had been pondering over whether or not Song Yan had tried to ‘kabe-don’ just now, or if he really want to punch him. But if that fist really hit him, then he would break at least one rib.

His desire for survival allowed him to realize the severity of the situation, and he lowered his voice to ask: “Why are you suddenly unhappy?”

Song Yan’s face had no expression: “I’m not unhappy.”

“This is called not unhappy?”

“I have always had facial nerve paralysis, is there a problem?”

“……”

I dare not have a problem.

Xia Zhiye obediently responded: “No problem, I really like it, it’s super nice.”

“So please move aside.”

Song Yan had finished hanging up his clothes, and turned around, but found Xia Zhiye blocking the doorway to the balcony, and he unhappily raised his eyes.

It was then that Xia Zhiye realized that Song Yan’s unhappiness today was different than usual. Compared to an earnest grumpiness and coldness, today’s unhappiness was a bit like he was throwing a tantrum.

He didn’t mind Song Yan throwing a tantrum, but he couldn’t figure out why Song Yan was suddenly throwing a tantrum?

“Did something upsetting happen?” Xia Zhiye lowered his eyes to look at Song Yan.

Song Yan calmly replied: “Do you think there’s something worth being happy about today?”

Seems he has a lot of complaints.

Xia Zhiye recalled for a moment. Other than the dry cleaners being closed, which caused a certain young master to have no option but to wash his own clothes by hand for two hours, along with the floor, yet not being able to wash it well, it seems nothing else was worthy of Song Yan’s ire.

Could it be that Song Yan really hated washing his clothes to this extent?

Seems his plan to buy a laundry machine had to be completed in advance.

Xia Zhiye smoothly reached out to smooth out the pieces of hair that stood up out of anger at the top of Song Yan’s head: “Don’t worry, you have me. Everything will be better.”

“?”

“From now on, your clothes are my clothes. I will treat your clothes as if they were mine, and definitely won’t let you feel even a bit wronged.”

“……”

Song Yan felt that it was such a shame that he hadn’t beaten Xia Zhiye just now.

.

But Song Yan ultimately restrained his desire to beat Xia Zhiye, and with a cold face, washed up and laid on his bed.

Probably because his anger hadn’t been vented, he didn’t sleep well all night, and even his sleep aid hadn’t been effective. He only felt unbearably gloomy, and he tossed about restlessly.

When he awoke the next morning, his head was a bit fuzzy, but Song Yan didn’t think it was anything, and when he got to the classroom, he prepared to lay down on his table to take a nap.

Xia Zhiye pushed over a carton of soy milk that already had a straw inserted into it, as well as a tea egg1 that had already been shelled: “Sleep after eating breakfast.”

His voice was low and soft. It was clearly an ordinary sentence, but hearing it sounded as if he was coaxing a child.

The little fatty and Zhao Ruiwen at the desks a row ahead shook their heads while clicking their tongues, feeling as if they had no business hearing this.

Only Song Yan himself remained totally unaware, weakly sat up, then habitually accepted the soy milk, drank a sip, then frowned: “Bitter.”

“Is it bitter?” Xia Zhiye took the soy milk from his hands and drank a sip from the same straw, “It’s not bitter.”

“Maybe my mouth is all weird after just waking up.” Song Yan didn’t have an appetite, and pushed the breakfast towards Xia Zhiye, then weakly laid down again and shut his eyes.

His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and he looked unbearably exhausted.

Xia Zhiye also didn’t bother him, and slowly drank from the same straw, finishing the remainder of the soy milk.

The little fatty and Zhao Ruiwen who had turned around to discuss some gossip, but had inadvertently witnessed this scene: “……”

The visualization of an old married couple was too intense.

“The gay atmosphere is a bit excessive today.” The little fatty tsked while shaking his head.

Zhao Ruiwen nodded: “Seconded.”

Xia Zhiye disapproved of this pair’s ability to make a fuss about nothing, and while holding the carton of soy milk in one hand, while the other brought out a booklet of English problems. Without even lifting his eyelids: “If you have something to say, say it.”

“It’s nothing, just wondering if you can check to see if this learning material is worth it to buy.”

Xia Zhiye’s fingers hesitated for a moment, and then lifted his eyes: “Which learning material?”

“Here, this one.” Zhao Ruiwen pushed his phone over, “Yesterday in the group, a new big master Like came in, and his prices are the same as Handsome god. He said it’s targeted for top-notch students who want to rush towards the upper level. I was a bit moved, but I don’t know whether or not it’s true.”

Xia Zhiye glanced over it, and vaguely felt the handwriting was a bit familiar, but also didn’t think too much. After skimming through two pages, he lazily pushed the phone back: “It’s quite suitable for you, but little fatty should forget about it.”

Little fatty: “Why?”

Xia Zhiye: “Because you won’t understand.”

“……” Little fatty died on the spot, and his corpse reanimated: “Forget it, I’ll just continue to support Handsome god. Who knows, I’ll be able to contribute to his wife-chasing plan.”

Xia Zhiye’s inner mentality was extremely good, and his face was unmoved: “You’re right. It’s also not easy for someone from a poor and humble family to give a gift to the person he likes.”

“Exactly. Although I was very moved by Like god, I’ll buy from Handsome god as usual. The love story of a poor, learning tyrant and a rich, pale, school flower would definitely become a school legend.” Zhao Ruiwen pushed up his glasses, his face full of yearning, “I’ve begun to look forward to Christmas Eve this year. It will definitely be a beautiful and moving story.”

“That’s right.” Little fatty cupped his heart, “Handsome god is definitely miserably in love with that rich, pale, beauty, so he decided to summon up his courage to confess. We can’t just ignore him.”

The exaggerated and artificial plot line couldn’t arouse Xia Zhiye’s sense of shame at all, and he nodded in extreme approval: “Mhm, that’s right, he’s miserably in love. The gift he wants to send is definitely not cheap, so you guys have to help let everyone know.”

“Don’t worry.”

“No problem.”

The two happily agreed, and Song Yan who had sat laying on the table to the side in an attempt to nap, irritatedly scratched at the back of his head. The irritation and impatience could be seen to the naked eye through the slim and pale fingertips peeking through his dark, short hair.

Xia Zhiye thought the other was irritated with the noise, and gave Zhao Ruiwen and little fatty a look, who then shut up and turned around silently.

Yet Song Yan was only annoyed by Xia Zhiye.

Usually he never saw Xia Zhiye have contact with any girl, how could the other have suddenly gotten to the extent of being miserably in love? Also, he was that poor yet he still wanted to send another person a gift, he really had no conscience.

The more Song Yan thought, the angrier he became.

As a result, in the midst of his anger, he dazedly fell asleep, and even the occasional cough as he slept was permeated with his unhappy mood.

How come he suddenly began to cough.

Was his throat uncomfortable.

Xia Zhiye thought this, then grabbed a thermos and sat up to get a cup of hot water for Song Yan.

As soon as he returned to his seat, Ruan Tian entered the classroom.

A large face mask covered her not so large face, and she didn’t even remove it while speaking, her voice somewhat hoarse: “Students, I am extremely sorry, but teacher accidentally got sick, and I can’t maintain my voice. So for the next few days, we will primarily work on problems and worksheets. When teacher’s voice is better, we can then focus on the explanations, okay?”

“No problem, Tian mei. Take a good rest, your body is more important.”

“That’s right, we still have the English class representative and class leader. Don’t worry.”

“Right, if we really can’t, we can also just self study.”

This group of children may be naughty, but at the most important moment, they become very considerate, and Ruan Tian felt extremely gratified: “Teacher is fine. Just that the season is changing, and the temperature is dropping very quickly, and it’s even flu season. You guys must be sure to stay warm, and diligently wash your hands. If your body feels uncomfortable, then you must tell the teachers, and self isolate for observation, got it?”

After saying this, she just happened to glance over from the corner of her eye at Song Yan sitting in the last row in the corner of the classroom, who had been slumped over while sleeping and didn’t seem to want to get up for class. Her gaze shifted, and she glanced at Xia Zhiye sitting next to him, and reminded him genially: “For example, it’s easy to get sick while sleeping while slumped over in the classroom, and it’s suggested that their desk mate should show some care for each other.”

Xia Zhiye felt this was very reasonable, turned around, removed the thick jacket that had been hanging on the back of his seat, then securely draped it across Song Yan’s back.

Ruan Tian: “……”

Little fatty: “……”

The entire class: “……”

This was also a way to respond.

Ruan Tian originally intended for Xia Zhiye to wake Song Yan up, but Song Yan had always been conscientious of his studies, and knew all kinds of things. He may just really be tired, so if he wanted to sleep, then just let him sleep.

Under Ruan Tian’s indulgence, Song Yan directly slept through two periods of English class.

But the third class was math class, and Luo Wei wasn’t as understanding.

In order to prevent Song Daxi from getting punished, Xia Zhiye lightly patted Song Yan’s head: “Song Yan, wake up.”

Song Yan completely ignored him.

Xia Zhiye once again poked at the other’s earlobe: “Song Daxi, wake up.”

Song Daxi still ignored him.

Xia Zhiye could only use his trump card, and leaned in towards the other’s ear: “Song Yan baby……”

Song Yan baby’s head hadn’t even lifted when his hand grabbed an English workbook to smack the other: “You’re so fucking annoying!”

Tsk, he’s even angry when waking up.

But how come his voice sounded so nasally today, as if he were speaking in a low, muffled voice.

Xia Zhiye rubbed the back of the other’s head: “Are you uncomfortable somewhere.”

Song Yan’s head ached terribly, and he only wanted to sleep. He slumped over his desk and unhappily replied: “Mind your business.”

Xia Zhiye had already become used to this, and ignored the other’s words: “Wake up and drink some hot water and then go back to sleep.”

Song Yan was still just as unhappy: “I don’t want to drink.”

“You have to drink even if you don’t want to, your voice sounds wrong.”

“I already said, I don’t want to drink. Also, my voice sounding weird has nothing to do with you.”

Song Yan was annoyed into sitting up, and one handedly pushed away the thermos that Xia Zhiye resolutely pushed over.

At once, Xia Zhiye restrained the coaxing expression and laughter he had just before, and with one hand, grabbed Song Yan’s shoulder, who had been prepared to sleep again, and seriously replied: “Don’t move.”

He extended his right hand, and the hollow of his palm softly rubbed against Song Yan’s forehead, testing the other’s temperature. Feeling the unusually hot temperature of someone who usually feels quite cold-blooded, Xia Zhiye didn’t say anything else, and used the jacket to wrap Song Yan up: “You have a fever, let’s go to the doctor.”

Only then did Song Yan realize the discomfort of his body wasn’t simply because he hadn’t slept well.

But at such a critical time, having a fever wasn’t a small thing. Who knows if it was the flu or the novel coronavirus. Anyway, regardless of what it was, it was all highly contagious.

With a cold face, Song Yan pushed Xia Zhiye away: “Get out of the way, I’ll go myself.”

Xia Zhiye replied: “How are you going to go by yourself?”

“I’ll go there however I want to.”

Song Yan said this, then put a mask on, and stood up.

But as soon as he stood up, the dizziness of vertigo suddenly struck, and the muscles throughout his entire body felt a weak soreness and softness. He could not support himself to stand steadily, let alone take another step, and his body directly softened and he returned to his original seat.

Xia Zhiye hurried forward to support the other.

He didn’t even wear a facemask, but still squeezed in so close.

Song Yan felt anxious, and raised his hand to forcefully push the other away: “Can you fucking stay away from me!”

His voice was both urgent and severe, his eyebrows were furrowed, and his movements relied mostly on instinct, an extremely irascible and repelling gesture.

Xia Zhiye recalled that Song Yan began to throw a small tantrum yesterday evening. He fell silent, and wondered whether or not Song Yan had discovered something. Or else why would the other suddenly reject him.

But none of that was important.

What was important was the state of Song Yan’s body.

He didn’t care how much Song Yan pushed, he supported the other to stand, while his voice remained calm: “Go to the nurse’s office first, then we’ll talk.”

“I already said I can go myself…… Fuck, Xia Zhiye what are you doing!”

Song Yan hadn’t finished speaking when his body suddenly softened and he began to fall head first. Immediately after, he felt himself abruptly rise up as Xia Zhiye embraced his waist, while the other hand nestled under the bend of his knees, as he carried him horizontally.

Fuck.

In full view, a big man like him was princess carried up, how shameless: “Xia Zhiye, are you fucking sick?!”

Xia Zhiye’s face had no hint of a smile: “Now is not the time for you to be throwing a tantrum.”

“Who the fuck is throwing a tantrum with you, let me go, fuck……”

At this point, Song Yan wanted to have physical strength, but had none. He wanted wits, but had none. After using all of his strength to fight back twice, with no results at all, he could only nestle his face into Xia Zhiye’s collar, pretending that if he did this, everyone else couldn’t see him.

Meanwhile, everyone else had watched it all unfold.

The entire Year 2 Class 1 after they saw with their own eyes, a couple undergoing a cold war as well as the overbearing class grass princess carrying a certain someone: “……”

Isn’t this love.

.

Whether or not it was love, Song Yan had no idea.

He only knew that he had the desire to throttle Xia Zhiye to death.

However, although the nucleic acid test and viral test confirmed that Song Yan’s fever was merely caused by low immunity, the school doctor decided to isolate him in the infirmary for observation and to prevent others from contacting him. So, Song Yan temporarily lost the opportunity to strangle Xia Zhiye.

As he laid alone on the white, single bed in the nurse’s office, he curled up into a ball, and he looked both frail and lonely.

Xia Zhiye stood outside the window and stared at Song Yan’s back, then turned around, and asked for the 108th time: “I really can’t go in?”

The school doctor had already been asked into both anger and laughter: “Little classmate, even if you ask me 100 more times, I still won’t let you go in.”

“Didn’t you already diagnose it as a regular fever.”

“You still can’t. This is a school, and we have to prepare for any eventualities.” The school doctor glanced at the time, “Also, classmate, you should go back to class.”

Xia Zhiye turned back, and once again stared into the office: “It’s fine, I’m the first in the grade. It’s fine if I don’t go to class.”

School doctor: “……”

These days, do teenagers not understand what modesty is.

If these two students weren’t boys, with this one’s reluctance to part, inability to feel at ease, and extremely concerned gaze, the doctor would have suspected that the two had a puppy love.

Finally, seeing Xia Zhiye act this way, he couldn’t help himself and sighed: “Fine, if you’re scared he’ll be bored, there’s no point in just standing guard here. Why don’t you help him tidy up his belongings, and collect his books, or his phone, or his tablet and come back, let him play to pass the time.”

The school doctor’s words were quite reasonable.

Xia Zhiye nodded: “Oh, okay. Then you definitely must watch over him here, don’t close the window shades, and don’t close the lights. Or else he’ll……”

“Okay, okay. You already said this 800 times. Go quickly!”

The good tempered school doctor was really at the end of his patience, and forcefully drove Xia Zhiye out.

When Xia Zhiye returned to the classroom, the others didn’t avoid the topic, and gathered together in succession to worriedly ask about Song Yan’s illness.

Only after hearing Xia Zhiye say Song Yan was fine did they sigh in relief: “It’s good that he’s fine, it’s good that he’s fine. But Lord Xia, when you princess carried Yan ge, weren’t you afraid you would be beaten to death by him?”

The person who spoke unintentionally teased.

Yet Xia Zhiye unexpectedly remained quiet and didn’t speak.

For now he hadn’t been beaten to death, but once Song Yan felt better, the rest was hard to say.

Recalling that Song Yan grew extremely angry yesterday night, as well as the other’s violent and forceful shove today in order to reject him, Xia Zhiye felt that Song Yan might have sensed the thoughts that he shouldn’t have for Song Yan, and then became unhappy.

He didn’t care about others’ opinions, but he cared about Song Yan’s opinion.

Kong Xiaoxiao was a girl, and was quite sensitive to one’s mood. With Xia Zhiye’s silence, she felt something was off, and with a quiet voice, she probed: “Lord Xia, how come it looks like your mood isn’t so good?”

“No.”

Xia Zhiye briefly replied, then continued to help Song Yan tidy up his things.

He hadn’t been paying attention when he pulled out the backpack, and a phone slid out from the side pocket, falling onto the ground.

Xia Zhiye bent over to pick it up, and had been prepared to stuff it back into the bag, when the screen automatically raised its brightness. Xia Zhiye’s line of sight immediately caught onto a horizontal notification on the lock screen.

That horizontal notification wasn’t unfamiliar to Xia Zhiye, it was a certain basketball shoe business platform’s notice of a successful delivery after 24 hours.

[Dear Mr. Song Yan, the AJxxxx shoes you bought from our website was signed on October 5th at 17:32. Please rate the goods and our service……]

The afternoon on October 5th.

And it was the exact same model as the shoes he had received.

Song Yan said a person who had a crush on him sent it.

But he actually sent it to the lost and found office.

So……

Could it be……

In that moment, Xia Zhiye seemed to have suddenly understood something. He shoved everything into the backpack, held up the phone, and stood up: “Xiao jie, the thing I gave you yesterday, is it still at the lost and found office?”

Kong Xiaoxiao stared at Xia Zhiye’s face that had just been in a deep depression a second ago, but had suddenly rippled with a spring breeze, and bewilderedly blinked: “It’s still there, what about it?”

“Nothing, just that it’s not lost, it has an owner.”

Xia Zhiye raised the bag and flew out of the classroom, running towards the student union office, while his face expressed a smile that couldn’t be contained.

Turns out Song Yan really does like him, how nice.

.

The author has something to say:

My wife has a crush on me, I have to start chasing him!

TN: not me reading through this entire novel before and completely missing the mention of covid in this lol

1. Tea egg (茶叶蛋) = hard-boiled eggs marinated in a mixture of tea leaves and spices.