OHD Chapter 18: Jealous

Chapter 18: Jealous

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

With his cheek resting on his desk, Zhou Kai lazily stared at the small black snake coiled into a little ball on the table. He couldn’t muster the energy for much else. Reaching out, he poked the snake’s head, speaking as if to the creature, but also to himself.

“Why are you blocking me?”

“I’m not bothering you, and I’m avoiding you. So why are you still blocking me?”

“I’ve been avoiding you…”

“Heh… If you dare pinch me again, I’ll bite you…”

The words left his mouth before he could stop himself. His eyes quickly darted from side to side, and immediately, his face turned red. Zhou Kai buried his face into his arm, one hand pressing against his forehead, biting his lip and letting out a small, defeated whimper. He couldn’t help but think that he was hopeless.

No one liked him, and here he was, still getting all worked up over nothing. Damn it.

Suddenly, the ringtone for a video call went off, startling Zhou Kai out of his daydreaming. He grabbed his phone and saw that it was from the class president. Clearing his throat, he answered the call. The screen wobbled for a moment before settling on the class president’s enlarged face. The streetlamp’s light was dim and somewhat eerie.

Seeing that Zhou Kai was still at home, the class president exclaimed, “We’re almost there. Haven’t you left yet?”

Zhou Kai climbed out of his chair and leaned back against it, watching the camera as the sports committee member and the two girls from Class Nine waved and greeted him.

Seeing the girls awkwardly smile and nudge each other, Zhou Kai suddenly remembered that he still needed to deal with the bottle of sunscreen spray in his backpack.

He forced a smile and waved back. “Where are you guys?”

The class president gave him the address of the barbecue chicken place, which wasn’t far. It was only about a ten-minute walk from Zhou Kai’s house.

“I’ll head over now. You guys go inside first,” Zhou Kai said, noting that it was a bit chilly and the wind was strong that night.

The screen showed the class president’s large face again, but it was Su Qi’s voice that came through. She smiled and said, “No worries, we’ll wait for you at the door.”

The class president then pointed the camera at Su Qi, who, shyly, hid her face behind her best friend’s shoulder.

Zhou Kai felt a little helpless but nodded and exchanged a few more words with the class president before ending the call.

He pulled out the sunscreen spray from his backpack and picked up the little black snake to check on it. After confirming that it wasn’t going to wake up anytime soon, he carefully returned it to its resting spot.

Walking out of his room, Zhou Kai noticed his mom busy in the kitchen. He approached her and saw that she was heating up some soup. He immediately knew that his dad, who had been on a business trip, would be returning soon.

“Mom, what time will Dad be home?” Zhou Kai asked, peering into the pot of rich chicken soup that smelled wonderful.

His mom, holding a ladle, replied, “It’ll be pretty late, around eleven or twelve.” She glanced at her son, noting his neatly dressed appearance, and smiled knowingly. “Heading out with your friends?”

Zhou Kai nodded. “Yeah, with the class president and a few others. We’re going to have barbecue chicken.”

“Going to eat barbecue chicken and not drink any chicken soup?”

“I’ll drink it if Dad doesn’t finish it.”

Zhou Kai’s mom smiled but grew curious, asking, “What’s that you’re holding?”

Zhou Kai, not feeling embarrassed at all, looked down at the gift bag in his hands. “It’s something someone gave me. I need to return it.”

Zhou Kai’s mom laughed. “A girl gave it to you?”

Zhou Kai simply nodded. “Yeah.”

She didn’t pry any further, respecting her son’s privacy. “Alright, go ahead. Be safe and come back early.”

Zhou Kai nodded, then paused at the door, turning back to glance at his mom in the kitchen. His nose suddenly tingled, and he felt a bit emotional for no reason.

When Zhou Kai arrived at the barbecue chicken restaurant, he saw his friends standing by the streetlamp outside, just as Su Qi had said. As he got closer, he frowned, feeling sorry for them, already cold and waiting unnecessarily.

“Finally, you’re here!” The class president came over and punched him lightly.

The sports committee member also gave Zhou Kai a light punch, eyeing the gift bag in his hand. When he peeked inside, he sighed. “Come on, let’s go in. It’s cold out here.”

Su Qi had been smiling at Zhou Kai the moment he arrived. He just waved and greeted her and her best friend, then quickly turned his attention elsewhere.

The class president and sports committee member watched as Zhou Kai walked straight into the restaurant, leading the way. They shook their heads, thinking he was completely oblivious to Su Qi’s intentions, but they also thought it wasn’t his fault—he probably didn’t know how she felt.

They didn’t bother Zhou Kai anymore and cheerfully ushered the girls inside.

Zhou Kai, meanwhile, was preoccupied with how to politely decline Su Qi’s advances as he walked into the restaurant. Since it was still early, there were fewer customers, and many tables were empty. He didn’t bother looking around and simply stood near a table, waiting.

As the others walked over, Zhou Kai asked, “Should we sit here?”

The class president didn’t answer right away but instead approached Zhou Kai and tugged at his shirt. Zhou Kai looked up at him, and the class president gave him a warning glance and gestured for him to look behind him.

Confused, Zhou Kai turned his gaze toward the sports committee member, who was also staring warily behind him.

Something clicked in Zhou Kai’s mind, and he immediately spun around.

There, wearing an apron and holding an order pad, was He Ye. As soon as Zhou Kai turned, He Ye raised an eyebrow, locking eyes with him. There was mischief in his gaze, but mostly, there was a spark of anger.

When Zhou Kai quickly turned back around, He Ye walked over, his steps deliberate, closing the distance between them. Standing just a step away, he asked in a very unfriendly tone, “How many people are with you?”

Zhou Kai froze in fear as he heard He Ye’s voice behind him. His back felt like every hair was standing on end, and he became as motionless as a frightened cat with its tongue cut off—unable to make a sound or even move.

He Ye noticed Zhou Kai’s reaction and, with a wicked grin, took another step closer, pressing his body against Zhou Kai’s. He watched Zhou Kai’s ears turn red from nervousness, then leaned in and ominously asked, “What are you eating?”

Zhou Kai nearly jumped out of his skin, almost embarrassing himself by crying out loud. He quickly lowered his head, his eyes brimming with moisture. It was only when the class president pulled him away that he was freed from He Ye’s intense proximity.

The sports committee member spoke up, his voice firm, “Let’s go to another place.”

Su Qi and her best friend, who also knew He Ye, immediately nodded in agreement.

As they all prepared to leave, the waiter exchanged a glance with the others before walking up to He Ye. “What’s going on? Do you know them?”

He Ye didn’t answer but instead set down his order pad and pen, then picked up the gift bag left on the table and walked out.

Zhou Kai, already flustered by He Ye’s presence, was nearly startled out of his skin when He Ye suddenly grabbed his arm from behind. He almost jumped three feet into the air.

With his eyes wide and full of unshed tears, Zhou Kai glared at He Ye, but it lacked the intensity he wished for. His lips pressed tightly together as he started pulling his arm away from He Ye’s grip, his resistance growing.

He Ye felt the resistance and tightened his grip, the fire in his chest burning hotter with each passing moment. His dark, almost abyss-like gaze never left Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai panicked, his mouth opening slightly as he let out a low sound, sucking in air in surprise.

He Ye’s brow furrowed, and he immediately released his hold. As soon as his grip loosened, Zhou Kai rubbed his sore arm, glaring at him with a look that seemed both hurt and defiant, almost as if he was preparing to bite back.

He Ye narrowed his eyes, his gaze dangerous.

Zhou Kai, however, lowered his head, refusing to meet He Ye’s eyes any longer.

The class president and sports committee member, who were walking ahead, turned around and saw the two of them facing off.

“Seriously, He Ye, what do you want?” The class president rushed over, standing protectively behind Zhou Kai. His tone was sharp as he confronted He Ye.

He Ye glanced at them briefly, then turned his gaze to the two girls standing behind them, who were visibly trembling. His eyes then returned to Zhou Kai, still with his head down.

With a small smirk, He Ye extended the gift bag toward Zhou Kai, his voice cold and sharp, “If you’re going to return something, don’t just leave it behind. What are you going to do if you lose it? Reject them with what? A photo?”

Zhou Kai’s face flushed, his heart skipping a beat at the mention of photos. Without thinking, he reached out to grab the bag from He Ye, biting his lip in embarrassment.

The class president frowned. “What photo?”

Zhou Kai clenched the strings of the gift bag, pretending not to have heard He Ye’s words. He Ye, of course, wasn’t about to answer him.

Behind him, Su Qi had overheard He Ye’s remark. She stared at Zhou Kai’s back, her expression stiffening slightly.

Once He Ye had spoken and handed over the gift bag, he turned and walked away, heading back to the restaurant with an air of casual indifference, like a mysterious hero performing a good deed without seeking recognition.

As He Ye pushed through the door, Zhou Kai lifted his head and watched him disappear. He suddenly had the strong urge to ignore everything and chase after He Ye, demanding an explanation for what he had just said.

The class president and sports committee member, not knowing the full story, assumed that He Ye was still harboring resentment over losing to Zhou Kai in their previous competition. Once He Ye had gone, they both let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly grabbed Zhou Kai, urging him to leave the place.

Zhou Kai glanced up at the sign of the roasted chicken restaurant one last time before he reluctantly hopped on his bike.

Pedaling along, his heart was racing, and his mind felt foggy. He kept replaying He Ye’s words in his head, turning them over and over.

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like… jealousy.

“Damn it!”

Zhou Kai sharply inhaled, trying to clear his head. Then he thought, What the hell am I thinking? If He Ye were really jealous, he would’ve sent me a picture of himself naked as soon as he got home!

But the problem was, He Ye didn’t like him, so there was no question of jealousy in the first place.

By the time Zhou Kai had finished this line of thinking, he was even more frustrated. He slowed down, letting the others pull ahead as he followed along at a sluggish pace.