ARBRMW : Chapter 9

“Yes! Yes! We are adults now! It is time for us to experience the adult world!”

Ke Xinghao was visibly excited, his face full of anticipation.

“You act like you have never been to a bar before.”

Chen Xu was puzzled by Ke Xinghao’s enthusiasm.

Hearing this, Wang Chengyi suddenly remembered something.

“Wait a minute, Xinghao, have you not already gone to bars multiple times with Chen Xu?”

Ke Xinghao waved a hand dismissively.

“That is different! Back then, we were there to perform. Plus, it was a bar run by Old Chen’s acquaintances—it was not thrilling enough!”

“Now that you mention it, I have never actually seen you two perform before. Next time you have a gig, remember to invite me!”

Wang Chengyi had always known that Chen Xu had formed a band with some friends.

Ke Xinghao had even used his childhood guitar skills to land the role of the band’s guitarist.

“Of course! Now that you are an adult, Daddy will take you to broaden your horizons!”

Ke Xinghao slung an arm over Wang Chengyi’s shoulder and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Get lost!”

Wang Chengyi and Ke Xinghao started playfully wrestling.

They had lunch at a Chinese restaurant nearby.

The landlord had highly recommended it, and after eating there, the group had to admit—the praise was well deserved.

The afternoon sun was scorching.

After gathering their beach gear, they headed to the shore.

“WOW! It is really the ocean!”

Like an excited husky let off its leash, Ke Xinghao lifted his arms and ran straight into the water—

Only to be greeted by a massive wave slapping him square in the face.

“Pffft! Pffft—bleh!”

Ke Xinghao spat out mouthfuls of seawater, his expression twisted in pain.

“Hahahahahaha!”

The boys and girls burst into laughter.

The boys all went swimming, while the three girls sat under a sun umbrella applying sunscreen.

“Wow, our school heartthrob is so pale!”

Ni Shanshan was helping Fang Yuan apply sunscreen on her neck when she looked up and saw Chen Xu standing by the water.

Dressed in beach shorts, the wind pressed the fabric against his legs, revealing their long, straight shape.

His upper body was even paler—so fair that it almost seemed to glow under the sun, turning slightly pink from the heat.

His shoulders and back had beautifully sculpted lines, lean yet strong.

Just standing there for a few moments, he had already attracted five people trying to strike up a conversation—

And they were not all women.

Guan Qingqing and Fang Yuan followed Ni Shanshan’s gaze, and sure enough, there was Chen Xu—practically glowing in the crowd.

The three girls looked down at themselves, then back at Chen Xu.

What is the point of our gender?!

“Speaking of which, Chen Xu has never dated anyone in all three years of high school. Do you think he likes boys or girls?”

Ni Shanshan started gossiping with her friends.

Since same-sex marriage had long been legalized, even if Chen Xu liked men, no one would judge him for it.

Of course, there were still a few extremely conservative people who remained hostile to homosexuality, despite the law.

Guan Qingqing pursed her lips and stayed silent.

Fang Yuan, unaware of her reaction, thought for a moment before saying,

“It is hard to tell. Chen Xu is too mysterious. No matter who confesses to him—boy or girl—his rejection is always cold and merciless.”

“I think his true love is probably studying.”

Ni Shanshan could not come up with another explanation.

Guan Qingqing shook her head.

“Chen Xu does not actually spend that much time studying.”

Ni Shanshan: “……”

Fang Yuan: “……”

“Alright, do not crush our spirits. Academic geniuses think differently from us mere mortals.”

Ni Shanshan dramatically covered Guan Qingqing’s mouth.

Guan Qingqing could not help but laugh, her eyes curving into crescents.

As Chen Xu’s desk mate, she understood better than anyone that the difference between them was not just intelligence—

It was an insurmountable gap.

At first, she had been discouraged.

But after witnessing Chen Xu’s sheer focus and determination while solving problems, she had finally realized—

His efforts were no less than hers.

Gradually, she learned to make peace with the difference.

After a few rounds of swimming, Chen Xu came back and wiped the water off his body.

Ke Xinghao suddenly announced that he wanted shaved ice.

The girls also chimed in, so Chen Xu and Guan Qingqing volunteered to go buy some.

What he did not expect was that in just the short time they were gone—

Someone had already tried to hit on Ni Shanshan and Fang Yuan.

“Have you estimated your exam scores?”

While waiting for the shaved ice, Guan Qingqing casually asked.

“No.”

Chen Xu already had a rough idea.

He had not estimated his scores in his previous life either, and his final results had been more or less the same as he expected.

“You are too laid-back. Shanshan and I already made estimates—our scores are about average.”

“Mm.”

Chen Xu recalled that Guan Qingqing’s college entrance exam scores in the previous life had been quite good.

She stared at her shoes for a moment before tentatively asking,

“Have you decided which university you want to apply to?”

Chen Xu shook his head. “Not yet.”

“I see…” Guan Qingqing had originally wanted to apply to the same school as him, but now she was unsure if her scores would be high enough.

Ten minutes later, the shaved ice was ready.

On the way back, they encountered several people attempting to flirt with Chen Xu again.

This time, instead of just asking for his contact info, they went straight to asking him out.

Listening to their bold invitations, Guan Qingqing’s face turned red.

These people are too brazen!

Luckily, Chen Xu rejected them all.

When they returned, they found several men speaking flirtatiously to Ni Shanshan and Fang Yuan.

Ke Xinghao and Wang Chengyi were blocking the girls, who clung to each other in fear.

Chen Xu took a few steps forward, his face cold.

“What are you doing?”

The men turned around and saw a delicate-looking pretty boy.

“Nothing, just inviting these lovely ladies to have some fun with us.”

Chen Xu’s gaze darkened as he walked forward.

“They are not interested. Please leave.”

The men were slightly surprised.

Despite his lean build, Chen Xu’s presence was commanding.

When they noticed police officers patrolling nearby, they finally backed off.

“Shanshan, Yuan Yuan, are you two alright?”

Guan Qingqing asked with concern.

The two girls patted their chests.

“We are fine, we are fine. Thank goodness Wang Chengyi and Ke Xinghao were here.”

Before the two boys could bask in their heroism—

Ni Shanshan and Fang Yuan excitedly turned to Chen Xu.

“Chen Xu, you are so dominant! So cool!”

“Bursting with alpha energy! Absolute top-tier dominance!”

Seeing that they were still in the mood to joke around, Chen Xu was relieved.

The six of them ate their shaved ice, played a little longer, and finally packed up to leave.

On their way back, the same two girls who had flirted with Chen Xu earlier appeared again.

They winked at him suggestively.

“What a coincidence~ Are you sure you do not want to go on a date?

We promise you will have an unforgettable night~”

Chen Xu coldly rejected them.

“Damn, Old Chen, you are swimming in luck with women!”

Ke Xinghao stared wistfully at the two curvy beauties as they walked away.

Even Wang Chengyi’s eyes widened.

“That body… Absolutely top-tier.”

“If you like them so much, go chase after them.”

Chen Xu replied indifferently.

Then, he added, “Just be careful of honey traps.”1

“…Huh???”

Ke Xinghao and Wang Chengyi scratched the backs of their heads, completely baffled. Why was Chen Xu, at the prime of his youth, reacting to a beautiful woman with suspicion, immediately thinking of a honey trap instead?

The three girls rolled their eyes at the two. Chen Xu was indeed worthy of being both the school heartthrob and the top student—clearly not an ordinary person, completely unfazed by beauty.

As night fell, the small incident from earlier didn’t dampen their excitement about heading to the bar.

The three girls had put on makeup, looking a bit different from usual. Ke Xinghao and Wang Chengyi also dressed up, with Ke Xinghao even spraying on a generous amount of cologne. Seeing this, Wang Chengyi quickly asked Ke Xinghao to spray some on him too.

“Old Chen, you want some?” Ke Xinghao shook the perfume bottle in his hand.

“No need.” Chen Xu caught a whiff of the strong scent in the air and wrinkled his nose in distaste.

He suddenly recalled the faint fragrance that lingered on Si Ye, cool and clean, like snow on a mountain peak. That was probably the best perfume he had ever smelled, perfectly matching Si Ye’s aura. Just thinking about that scent made him think of Si Ye.

Chen Xu licked his lips, got up, and walked outside.

“Wow! School heartthrob, you actually got an earring?!” The moment Chen Xu came downstairs, Ni Shanshan immediately noticed the black stud in his ear. With his fair skin, that touch of black stood out strikingly.

“So cool!” Fang Yuan had never seen this slightly rebellious, bad-boy side of Chen Xu before. She excitedly squeezed Ni Shanshan’s hand.

“You got your ears pierced?” Guan Qingqing was quite surprised that Chen Xu actually had an ear piercing.

“Yeah, I got it in my first year of high school.” Chen Xu had been pulled into a band back then. When the captain styled him, they had used clip-on earrings. Eventually, for convenience, he just decided to get his ears pierced.

“My sister definitely knows about this, right?” Guan Qingqing asked.

Chen Xu nodded. “Yeah.”

Guan Qingqing pursed her lips, feeling a little uncomfortable inside.  

The six of them called two taxis and arrived at the bar within ten minutes.  

“Do you know what this bar is famous for?” Ni Shanshan asked excitedly, her eyes sparkling.  

“I know! I know! It’s full of handsome guys and beautiful girls!” Wang Chengyi raised his hand enthusiastically—he had specifically looked it up beforehand.  

“Exactly! Let’s go!” Fang Yuan hooked arms with the other two girls and led the way inside.  

As soon as they stepped in, they were hit by the deafening music and dazzling lights.  

Chen Xu and Ke Xinghao were used to this kind of environment, as they occasionally performed at bars. The moment Chen Xu entered, even before he could sit down, someone brought over a drink, offering to buy him one. He coldly refused, and that single rejection made those who were about to try their luck realize that he wasn’t easy to approach.  

The girls watched in stunned silence. Ke Xinghao slung an arm around Chen Xu’s shoulder and chuckled, “Standard procedure, you’ll get used to it. Our Old Chen is just that popular.”  

They had barely settled in when the stage lit up, and someone started performing a sizzling dance. The three girls turned red but couldn’t tear their eyes away.  

“That guy on stage has such flexible hips!”  

“His butt is so perky!”  

Wang Chengyi, who accidentally overheard their conversation: “…”  

What kind of wild talk was this?! What was up with girls these days?  

Just as they were enjoying themselves, an abrupt voice interrupted them.  

“Well, if it isn’t our little coal boss.”  

Ke Xinghao turned toward the voice and instantly saw his arch-enemy—Zhou Song.  

Behind Zhou Song stood several familiar faces, none other than the group of guys who had harassed Ni Shanshan and the others at the beach earlier that day.  

“Young Master Zhou, you know them?” One of the men beside him stepped forward and asked.  

Zhou Song sneered and said, “This is Ke Xinghao, my middle school classmate. His dad is a nouveau riche who paid to get him into our school. You know, our school is second only to ‘Shengjia’ among elite academies—not just any stray cat or dog can get in. He couldn’t even advance to the high school division and had to study with a bunch of poor kids instead.”  

“F*ck! Zhou Song, did you eat shit for dinner? Your mouth stinks!” Ke Xinghao rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw a punch.  

Zhou Song scoffed. “Ke Xinghao, what’s a nouveau riche like you getting cocky for? Let me tell you, if my Zhou family wanted to crush yours, it’d take just a single word!”  

He had always looked down on Ke Xinghao, and tonight, he was determined to humiliate him in front of his friends.

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