Chapter 18 Part 1 — He’s probably——crazy.
11:13 PM.
Nan Xu finished tidying up, slipped under the covers, and picked up her phone.
It was about time to sleep. She should check in, right?
But… what should she say?
She opened her chat with Xie Hejing. At once, that long string of glaringly silly stickers popped up.
She quickly backed out. Even though it was from before, she still couldn’t bear to face the fact that she’d once spammed him with so many “annoying” emojis.
After half a minute of mental prep, she went back in and decided to keep it simple.
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [Brother, I’ll sleep at 11:30.]
Although Xie Hejing had said it was supposed to be mutual check-ins, Nan Xu guessed she was probably the only one who’d actually report to him.
In the end, she added another line.
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [Brother, go to bed early.]
After sending it, she felt the wording was too cold—like she was bossing him around to sleep. She hurriedly deleted it and resent:
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [Brother, you should go to bed early too!]
This time, she added an emoji. That should do it.
Even though he hadn’t replied, Nan Xu already felt relieved, ready to set down her phone. Then a new message flashed across the screen.
Big Demon King: [Did you touch cold water while washing up?]
Was… he worried about her?
She double-checked the remark name to make sure she hadn’t misread.
Is Xie Hejing really a siscon?
After a moment’s hesitation, she replied: [No.]
Several minutes passed with no response. Just as she was about to put her phone down again, another message arrived.
Big Demon King: [There’s milk and heat packs by your door.]
Nan Xu froze, then quickly slipped out of bed.
She opened the door. The hallway was pitch-dark, silent, almost as if some beast were lurking in the shadows. Yet tonight felt unusually gentle.
On the floor sat a cup of milk, steady and upright, with a box of heat packs beside it.
She leaned halfway out and glanced at the door next to hers.
Quiet. No sign of life.
She picked up the milk—it was still warm.
Peeling open a heat pack, she pressed it against her lower back, then sat down and sipped the milk slowly, warmth spreading all the way to her stomach.
Being an only child, and having barely interacted with boys before, she could only clumsily conclude: maybe Xie Hejing really treated her like a little sister.
Looking at the milk in her hands, she smiled.
So this is what it feels like to have a big brother.
Even if he didn’t really like her, maybe at least he acknowledged her presence.
With that thought, she sent him a voice message.
Xie Hejing raised his brows, a little surprised, then tapped to play.
[Thanks, brother. The milk’s still warm. Did you just now go all the way downstairs to heat it?]
She remembered how he hadn’t replied for a few minutes earlier and figured he must’ve been busy warming it up.
Nan Xu’s voice was special—when she said “Brother,” it was as clear and crisp as water dripping onto jade.
At first, calling him “Brother” had felt awkward. But once she got used to it, she said it as naturally as breathing.
Expressionless, Xie Hejing… listened to the recording several times over.
Big Demon King: [Don’t overthink. I was just thirsty. Heated too much and couldn’t finish, so I brought the rest to you.]
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [You drink milk at night too?]
Big Demon King: [What else?]
In her head, Nan Xu filled in the unspoken rest: What else—other than heating it just for you?
She couldn’t hold back a small laugh, and for once, she teased Xie Hejing.
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [Brother, you’re so delicate!]
Big Demon King: [Go to sleep. Stop making noise.]
Nan Xu glanced at the time—it was already 11:25.
Only a little milk was left in her cup. She finished it in one gulp—sweet, not cloying, with a lingering aftertaste.
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [But there are still five minutes left.]
Jiaojiao Nanfeng: [Brother, this milk is so good. Next time, if you heat too much again, could you bring me another cup?]
Xie Hejing didn’t reply.
By then it was about time anyway. Nan Xu set the cup down and went to brush her teeth.
When she came back, it was exactly 11:30.
Two quiet messages were waiting on her phone.
Big Demon King: [Mm.]
Big Demon King: [Good night.]
Seeing that, Nan Xu’s lips curved upward, her mood lifting quite a bit—but she didn’t dare send back a “good night.”
She slept soundly.
The next morning, Nan Xu got up right on time. While changing, her eyes fell on the wrist support lying in its box beside the mirror.
It was the one Xie Hejing had given her before. She’d only worn it for a short while that day, then taken it off once she was back in her room.
Now, for no reason, she suddenly wanted to wear it again.
The black wrist support against her pale wrist made her hand look even slimmer.
Unbidden, she pictured it wrapped around Xie Hejing’s wrist.
Her heart skipped, and even the skin beneath the band seemed to grow warm.
. . . . .
In the afternoon P.E. class, the midday heat still lingered, leaving the field sweltering. Following the teacher’s drills, everyone looked drained.
Finally, with twenty minutes left, the teacher called them together, sighed, and said they could do free activities.
At once, the class came back to life. Many clamored to play soccer.
The teacher had no choice but to lead the sports committee to the equipment room for balls.
As soon as he left, the group scattered—some waited to play, some strolled the track, some dashed straight for the snack shop.
Wen Qi wanted to head to the snack shop too, but when she asked, Nan Xu was feeling too lazy. Instead, she wandered to the bleachers, planning to sit out the last twenty minutes.
Still hot, she crumpled a sheet of paper from her bag and fanned herself slowly.
“Nan Xu, you’re here too?”
She looked up—it was Xiang Weishi, with Xie Hejing beside him.
Quickly, she pulled her gaze back, fanning herself a little faster. The wrist support on her arm felt like last night’s heat pack, making her whole body burn.
Unnaturally, she tugged her jacket sleeve down a little and nodded. “Mm. Too crowded over there.”
“Where’s Wen Qi?” Xiang Weishi asked again.
“She went to the snack shop.”
Xiang Weishi and Xie Hejing sat down. He was right beside her, and she only dared glance at him from the corner of her eye.
“Lift your foot,” Xie Hejing said suddenly.
“Huh?” Nan Xu turned her head.
He pointed under her feet.
Nan Xu looked down—it was his jacket, placed on the seat next to hers, the sleeve hanging down and caught under her shoe.
“Sorry.”
Xiang Weishi glanced over.
Nan Xu quickly bent down, scooped up the sleeve, patted the dust off hard, then handed the whole jacket back to Xie Hejing.
“I didn’t see it—I didn’t mean to step on it.”
“Hey, Nan Xu, you’re wearing a wrist support too?” Xiang Weishi asked.
In her rush just now, the sleeve she’d tugged down had slipped up again, revealing the wristband completely.
“Ah… yeah.” Nan Xu’s voice sounded nervous.
Especially when she caught Xie Hejing’s gaze land on her wrist. Her breath hitched. He’d only told her to hold onto it, not wear it outside. What if this ruined the bit of goodwill she’d finally gained?
Xiang Weishi frowned thoughtfully. “Why does that pattern look so familiar?”
Familiar?
Nan Xu lowered her eyes. It was all black, except for a stitched white pattern on the side.
A curving line, almost like the letter H.
But wristbands all looked about the same, right?
Suddenly Xiang Weishi’s face lit with recognition. He pointed at Xie Hejing. “I remember now—that’s the custom wrist support you ordered! I’m sure it had that exact design.”
Nan Xu’s heart jolted. She was still holding his jacket, fingers tightening as if it were burning hot. She had no idea it was custom-made!
Xiang Weishi arched his brows and teased, “So, Xie Hejing, you gave her your wristband? That’s… tsk tsk tsk.”
He exaggerated his expression, his tone suggestive, eyes flicking back and forth between the two of them.
Who would’ve thought? They hardly ever talked, yet he’d actually given her something himself.
Nan Xu panicked, afraid the next second Xiang Weishi might even guess they lived under the same roof.
She blurted, “No, that’s not it.”
Her flustered voice drew Xie Hejing’s eyes straight to her.
“I-it’s just, I…” Nan Xu tried, but she was a terrible liar. With no excuse coming to mind, her cheeks burned red.
“My own is at home,” Xie Hejing drawled lazily. “It’s just a wristband. They all look alike.”
“Don’t go making things up for no reason.”
“…I was just saying it looked similar,” Xiang Weishi muttered.
Xie Hejing’s calm was so steady that Xiang Weishi actually began to doubt himself. Maybe he’d guessed wrong. But then—he’d teased Nan Xu so much just now that she’d gotten genuinely flustered, her voice sharper than usual.
He turned sideways. “Sorry, Nan Xu. My mouth runs off for no reason.”
“…It’s fine.” Nan Xu’s heartbeat gradually steadied.
Wen Qi came back with two bottles of water, handing one over. “Xuxu, drink. Why’s your face so red?”
“My fault,” Xiang Weishi admitted. “I was just joking with her.” He turned to Wen Qi. “Got any water left for me?”
Nan Xu pressed the cold bottle to her cheeks, the heat still lingering.
Wen Qi shot him a look. “No. And maybe stop making pointless jokes—it’s annoying.”
. . . . .
After school, back in the empty classroom, Nan Xu slipped off the wristband and stuffed it into her bag. As usual, she stayed behind to work on some problems.
Suddenly, she felt someone sit down beside her.
Turning her head, she saw Xie Hejing in Wen Qi’s seat, long legs stretched out casually, his gaze drifting lazily toward her wrist.
Nan Xu’s fingers tightened around her pen as her eyes darted around the room. Then she asked softly, “Do you… need something?”
“The wristband?” His voice was unreadable.
“In my bag,” she said.
A few seconds passed. Then she remembered Xiang Weishi’s teasing earlier. She hesitated, started with, “Xie—” then stopped, recalling their argument over how she should address him.
Making sure no one was around, she asked, “Brother, what did you mean by giving me that wristband?”
Xie Hejing lowered his eyes, replaying the way she had just addressed him.
Xie… Brother.
The corners of his lips curved. “It means a reward.”
. . . . .
Half an hour later, he and Xiang Weishi were on their way to the supermarket.
“What do you even need to buy, dragging me along like this?” Xiang Weishi grumbled.
“You’ll know when we get there,” Xie Hejing said simply, offering no explanation.
Out of trust, Xiang Weishi didn’t press further—until they stopped in front of a fully stocked shelf of sanitary pads. His eyes widened.
“Uh… did we take a wrong turn?”
“No,” Xie Hejing shook his head. “This is it.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Xiang Weishi frowned. “What are you even buying this for? It’s not like you need them. Did Auntie ask you? And even if she did, why’d you drag me along?”
“As long as someone needs them, that’s enough.”
Just then, a store clerk spotted the two boys hovering in front of the sanitary pads. She walked over with a practiced smile.
“Looking to buy pads? We’ve got a special promotion right now!”
“What promotion?” Xiang Weishi asked out of reflex.
She gestured toward the display. “This brand is 20% off. Spend over a hundred, and you’ll get a storage box plus five packs of facial tissues.”
Xiang Weishi didn’t understand much about these things, so he turned to Xie Hejing. “So… buy or not?”
But Xie Hejing had already recalled the brand Nan Xu once mentioned. He gave the name directly.
The clerk said, “We have that one, but it’s not on sale.”
“That’s fine. I’ll take it.”
At checkout, Xie Hejing carried away a bulging bag stuffed with pads. Xiang Weishi nearly choked.
“What is this, wholesale?!”
“Cut the crap. Put these in your backpack and bring them to school tomorrow,” Xie Hejing said, tossing a few packs into his own bag.
“You want me to bring these to school? What the hell are you planning?” Xiang Weishi was baffled. He crossed his arms. “Forget it. If you don’t explain, I’m not doing it.”
As if he had already expected the resistance, Xie Hejing zipped the bag shut with a decisive tug.
“Third floor sells game controllers. Pick one.”
“Holy shit!” Xiang Weishi yelled, unable to stop himself. “You’re seriously buying me one?”
“Don’t want it, forget it.” Xie Hejing shouldered his bag and lifted the shopping bag.
That kind of temptation was impossible to resist. Xiang Weishi was already running through which model to choose in his head.
He swung his backpack open. It was mostly empty except for some worksheets. “You must be tired of carrying this. Toss them all in. I’ll make sure every single one gets to school tomorrow.”
“Don’t bring them to class,” Xie Hejing said after a pause. “Send them to Old Qi’s office. Tell him to let the girls know they can pick them up there if they need any.”
Xiang Weishi squinted, finally catching on that something didn’t quite add up. “Wait… why don’t you just deliver them yourself?”
Xie Hejing’s hand froze mid-motion. He thought back to what Nan Xu had asked him once, then looked down at the bag in irritation.
“Not convenient.”