Extra Chapter: Campus Childhood Sweetheart
Lin Mingxu injured his leg while playing basketball.
It was a friendly match organized by the neighboring school, but the court was not well leveled. Lin Mingxu made a three-point shot and fell to the ground. When he got up, his bones were aching, and that’s when he noticed a bloodstain on his calf.
Shu You was watching the game on the sidelines and instantly teleported over, surprisingly calm, and scored the first 120 points.
Fortunately, the bones were not seriously injured.
He just needed a few days of rest, and it would be best not to move around too much.
The homeroom teacher agreed without hesitation, temporarily assigning Shu You to sit with Lin Mingxu, and chose to turn a blind eye to their whispered conversations during class.
So Shu You pretended to listen attentively in class while writing small notes.
Does it hurt? (Shu You)
No, it doesn’t hurt. (Lin Mingxu)
What do you want to eat for lunch? (Shu You)
Lin Mingxu will bring it from home.
Shu You immediately felt envious.
Forget it, forget it. It must be because of Lin Mingxu’s injury.
But he still passed a note of his own.
Envious. (Shu You)
Envious of what? (Lin Mingxu)
Envious of losing your freedom to choose, hmph. (Shu You)
Lin Mingxu: “…”
The bell rang, and Shu You pushed Lin Mingxu’s wheelchair to take him to the restroom.
Since they were both boys, there was nothing to be shy about.
Shu You pushed him all the way to the farthest corner and extended his arm as a support while turning his head in the opposite direction.
“Are you feeling better?” (Shu You)
“Not yet.” (Lin Mingxu)
“Are you feeling better?” (Shu You)
“Not yet.” (Lin Mingxu)
“Hey, why isn’t it better yet?” (Shu You)
Lin Mingxu returned to his wheelchair expressionlessly and said, “It’s better now.”
At that moment, a voice from the neighboring stall said, “I’m not feeling better yet, wait for me.”
Shu You: “…”
No, you shouldn’t make random promises to others.
As they were about to leave, the neighboring stall finally opened. A tall boy walked out and was surprised, “Oh, it’s not my friend.”
“Sorry, sorry,” he chuckled. “I thought my friend was urging me from outside.”
The three of them walked out of the men’s restroom, and indeed, a slightly shorter boy was waiting outside. He seemed impatient and said, “Why are you so slow? I still need to buy something.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming.”
The two of them walked away, one in front and one behind. For some reason, Shu You felt a subtle atmosphere between them.
He couldn’t describe it, but it seemed different from ordinary classmates.
Lin Mingxu silently averted his gaze and said, “Let’s go back to the classroom.”
The whole day, Shu You was confined to Lin Mingxu’s side, until the afternoon physical education class.
Of course, Lin Mingxu automatically took a leave for PE class. Shu You joined the rest of the students for warm-up exercises, and from the field, Lin Mingxu saw Shu You chatting and laughing with a boy next to him.
The other boy was a new transfer student who had just joined yesterday.
First glance.
The two of them engaged in lively conversation.
Second glance.
The transfer student said something that made Shu You burst into laughter.
Third glance.
The teacher asked them to line up, and the transfer student happened to be next to Shu You. While running, he was still talking.
Lin Mingxu: “…”
He turned his head away and stared intently at a small yellow flower under the tree on the edge
of the field.
Perhaps due to the changing weather, the little yellow flower looked withered and would soon wither completely.
With a gust of wind, the little yellow flower fell.
Lin Mingxu “…”
When Shu You turned his head after running laps, he saw Lin Mingxu in his wheelchair at the edge of the field, staring blankly at an empty spot, as if lost in thought.
That kind of absent-mindedness with no apparent reason.
Something stirred in his heart for no reason, and Shu You turned to the transfer student and asked, “Are you free tonight?”
“Yes.”
The transfer student couldn’t help but smile when he saw Shu You. “You just have to come find me.”
Shu You nodded vigorously and agreed.
PE class is over, followed by dinner, and then the torment of evening self-study. After finishing, the Lin family came to pick them up. Shu You got into the car with Lin Mingxu and didn’t forget to roll down the window, saying to the transfer student not far away, “Don’t forget, okay?”
Lin Mingxu heard it and said expressionlessly, “He’s the new transfer student.”
“Yeah,” Shu You wondered, “He sits in front of you.”
“We’re not close,” Lin Mingxu turned his head away and said, “I’m not like you, making friends so quickly.”
“Lin Mingxu, you should build good relationships with your classmates,” Shu You said.
“It’s not like that,” Lin Mingxu replied.
Many people were willing to take care of him. It was like a role reversal. If Shu You got injured, many people would show concern. But he only wanted Shu You’s help. He couldn’t say those words.
Shu You smiled brightly, “Since I worked so hard, sacrificing my time and energy for you, shouldn’t you give me something in return?”
“Mm,” Lin Mingxu nodded.
“I’ve put so much effort into it. Shouldn’t you commend me for something?” Shu You continued.
“Mm,” Lin Mingxu nodded again.
“Then, what are you planning to give me?” Shu You asked.
Silence followed, and Lin Mingxu finally managed to say, “What do you want?”
“Just remember it,” Shu You said confidently, “When I accumulate enough, give me something big.”
The conversation was almost over, and the driver in the front said with a suppressed smile, “Young Master Lin, we’ve arrived home.”
Shu You didn’t feel awkward at all and replied, “Okay, you can get off. I need to go back.”
Their homes were on the way.
Unexpectedly, Lin Mingxu reached out to stop him and said, “Wait.”
Shu You asked, “What’s wrong?”
After a pause, Lin Mingxu casually said, “You can sleep at my house tonight. I’ll give you a little extra.”
“Oh,” Shu You hesitated for a moment but agreed.
They had been best friends for many years and were used to sleeping over at each other’s houses. They just needed to inform their own families, and they even had a lot of clothes at each other’s houses.
Shu You pushed Lin Mingxu into the Lin residence, and as expected, he was welcomed by everyone.
The housekeeper auntie exclaimed, “Ah, Shu You is here!”
Shu You greeted her, “Hello, Auntie Wang. How is the ointment I bought for you last time?”
Mrs. Lin said, “Ah, Shu You is here!”
Shu You greeted her, “Hello, Auntie. How come you look younger again? If you continue like this, I’ll have to call you ‘little sister’.”
Mr. Lin said, “Ah, Shu You is here!”
Shu You greeted him, “Hello, Uncle. Have you successfully lost weight recently? You’re almost as slim as Lin Mingxu.”
Even before Lin Mingxu reached the living room, Shu You was already surrounded by everyone.
At that moment, a cold wind blew, and a yellow withered leaf floated down above Shu You’s head.
Lin Mingxu “…”
Because Shu You was present tonight, three extra dishes were added to the dinner.
The four of them sat happily at the dining table, and Mr. and Mrs. Lin kept serving food to Shu You.
“Shu You, eat more. Why are you all height and no meat?”
“Oh, you should eat more. You’re still growing, and you need to keep up with your nutrition.”
Shu You accepted everything and finished all the food.
After the meal, he pushed Lin Mingxu to the garden to aid digestion.
The Lin family’s garden was well-tended by Mrs. Lin and always maintained a good state. However, it was difficult to combat the effects of the weather. Most of the flowers had reached the end of their blooming period, and some evergreen trees thrived, presenting a beautiful view.
As they walked, Shu You glanced at his watch and said, “Lin Mingxu, I’ll go out for a moment.”
“What are you going to do?” Lin Mingxu raised an eyebrow.
“I…” Shu You hesitated for a moment and vaguely replied, “I need to take care of something.”
Lin Mingxu frowned, “You can’t tell me what you’re doing?”
“Cough.”
Shu You was still being mysterious, saying, “I’m going to the transfer student’s office for something, I’ll be back soon.”
The transfer student.
Those three words ignited a fire within Lin Mingxu.
His fingers stiffened, but he casually said, “Then come back early.”
“Okay.”
Shu You happily ran out through the back door of Lin’s house.
In fact, he had considered staying at Lin’s house tonight to make it easier for him to go out and do something.
Lin Mingxu returned to his room.
On his way through the living room, Lin’s parents asked him, “Where’s Shu You?”
“He went out to buy something.”
Without hesitation, Lin Mingxu said, “He’ll be back soon.”
“Oh.” Lin’s parents didn’t think much of it. “Then go to the kitchen and ask Aunt Wang if we have any fruits at home. If we do, prepare a fruit platter for when Shu You comes back, and you two can eat together.”
Fortunately, Lin’s house had five floors with an elevator installed during the renovation.
After Lin Mingxu finished in the kitchen, he entered the elevator and went back to his room alone.
Shu You’s school bag was casually placed on his bed.
Lin Mingxu casually opened a book and, after ten minutes, had only turned one page.
No, he definitely wasn’t curious about what Shu You and the transfer student were doing.
Twenty minutes passed, and Lin Mingxu hadn’t even turned a single page.
No, he definitely wasn’t overthinking because of this.
Thirty minutes, one hour, one and a half hours, two hours passed, and Shu You finally returned.
He rushed in, looking dusty and tired, and sat on Lin Mingxu’s bed, picking up a toothpick from the table and poking at a watermelon. “Oh my goodness, I’m exhausted.”
“Their house is so far away, luckily I caught the last bus.”
Lin Mingxu’s heart sank. “You went to their house?”
“Yeah.”
Shu You subconsciously replied, then suddenly his eyes shifted, and he covered his mouth. “Uh, I just went to get something.”
Lin Mingxu wondered why he couldn’t get whatever it was at school tomorrow.
Shu You started eating the fruit, one bite after another, continuously and with his head lowered, as if afraid of being seen by Lin Mingxu.
Lin Mingxu had already seen it, and it made him feel even more frustrated. He said, “Slow down, don’t choke.”
“It’s fine, I won’t.”
Shu You ate even faster, and half the plate of fruit ended up in his stomach. Lin Mingxu gritted his teeth and, seeing that the door was closed, suddenly said, “Shu You.”
His voice lowered, very soft. “Come here.”
Shu You didn’t understand, so he looked up at him.
There was something familiar in his eyes.
Shu You blushed immediately. “What are you doing?”
He muttered as he walked over, but his body reflexively leaned in. Lin Mingxu reached out and held him in his wheelchair.
Shu You didn’t dare to sit down forcefully. He braced himself, with one hand still covering his mouth, as if there was something he needed to hide, making the atmosphere even more peculiar.
Lin Mingxu’s other hand pressed against his waist, pushing him down and securing him in place.
“I want to kiss you.”
The person who had been teasing him all day was now finally in his arms. Lin Mingxu couldn’t help it anymore. “I want to kiss you now.”
“But we agreed to wait until after the college entrance examination.”
“This will affect our studies.”
Lin Mingxu didn’t want to think about all that anymore. “Just one kiss, let’s give it a try.”
Shu You still disagreed.
His mouth was still covered, and his eyes, when visible, were big and bright, incredibly beautiful. His long, delicate eyelashes blinked, sparkling like little stars. Lin Mingxu couldn’t help himself, so he embraced his waist and drew closer and closer.
Shu You quickly evaded, saying, “No, not today.”
“Why not?”
Lin Mingxu froze, and a bunch of thoughts suddenly rushed through his mind. “Why not?”
“Because…”
Shu You stuttered, “Because…”
“Because of the transfer student.”
Lin Mingxu couldn’t hold back his frustration and gritted his teeth, asking, “Don’t you want to give it a try with me?”
“What the heck?”
Shu You was stunned. “What are you thinking, Lin Mingxu?”
“…”
Lin Mingxu realized he misspoke and turned his head away without saying a word.
Shu You was puzzled for a moment. “No, Lin Mingxu, what are you thinking?”
Lin Mingxu turned back to look at him, his tone filled with resentment. “Then what were you doing today?”
“Uh…”
Shu You stumbled.
He hesitated for a while before stuttering, “Aren’t you injured?”
Lin Mingxu said, “So?”
“Weren’t you almost injured to the bone?”
Lin Mingxu replied, “So?”
“The transfer student’s family owns a famous restaurant that specializes in beef bone soup.”
Shu You mustered up his courage and said loudly, “I just wanted to learn how to make beef bone soup from them so that I could make it for you to replenish your strength.”
He had originally planned to surprise the other person with this secret, but it was revealed that same night.
Lin Mingxu was speechless.
And Shu You’s lips were slightly red.
There was also a faint fruity scent mixed with another familiar scent.
The scent that was often present in the kitchen.
Lin Mingxu “…”
He understood.
Lin Mingxu was at a loss for words for a while, but after a moment, he directly asked, “What did you go out to eat?”
“Just a little bit.”
Shu You blinked his eyes. “I only had a tiny bit.”
“Because their beef bone soup is so delicious, and it’s a night market nearby.”
So he had tried a bit of barbecue, stinky tofu, and crayfish. He had just a taste of each.
He even ran around downstairs when he came back to get rid of the smell on his clothes.
Lin Mingxu had nothing to say.
And Shu You’s lips were slightly red.
This time…
He didn’t avoid it.