The Infatuated Cannon Fodder Quits Chapter 33

On the fifth floor, in the teacher’s washroom, Bo Jin held a cigarette between his fingers, staring off into space over the sink.

After getting rid of Shen Xingyun, he felt no particular satisfaction or joy.

People like Shen Xingyun weren’t worth a second thought.

Taking others’ genuine feelings for granted, trampling on them, and then feeling remorse only after causing damage—he didn’t deserve redemption.

Bo Jin took a drag, his eyes flashing with mockery.

Of course, considering who raised him, it was no surprise Shen Xingyun would act this way.

After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

But what mattered to him was—

Bo Jin flicked his cigarette ash into the trash. Why was Xie Ruan treating him and Shen Xingyun differently?

When he liked Shen Xingyun, it was intense and all-encompassing; his pursuit was loud enough for the whole school to notice, as if he wanted to declare his ownership to everyone. Yet with him, there wasn’t a hint of commotion.

Why?

Bo Jin looked at himself in the mirror, admiring his face—it could easily turn heads and boost the return rate by at least 30% if he took it out.

 

So why was Xie Ruan still hiding and refusing to pursue him?

Shy? Embarrassed?

The question was too complex, crossing into uncharted territory for him.

For the first time in his 19 years, Bo Jin was genuinely smitten, eager to hand over his first love, yet somehow couldn’t give it away. Finally, he turned to Baidu and searched:

What does it mean when someone likes you but doesn’t pursue you?

Instantly, a slew of answers popped up:

What kind of man likes someone but doesn’t dare to pursue?

Three zodiac signs that like someone but don’t pursue—are you one of them?

This is what a woman is like when a man likes her but doesn’t dare to pursue!

…What on earth?

Bo Jin was speechless and was about to close the page when a small line at the bottom caught his eye, lighting him up instantly—

Liking is indulgence; love is restraint.

It felt like a revelation, like clouds parting to reveal the sun. Bo Jin understood.

When someone only likes a person a little, they pursue without hesitation. It’s great if they succeed, and if not, there’s not much to lose—maybe just a few days of feeling down.

This explained why, after breaking up with Shen Xingyun, Xie Ruan hadn’t felt sad at all and was, in fact, quite calm.

But love—that was different.

Bo Jin repeatedly looked at that line, his lips unconsciously curling into a smile.

When you care deeply, you hesitate, wanting to be fully prepared before making a move.

He understood now.

By the time Bo Jin returned to the small study room, the bell was almost about to ring.

“Did you smoke?” Xie Ruan’s nose twitched as he set down his water bottle and looked up at him.

“Yeah,” Bo Jin pulled out his chair and sat beside him. “Does it smell?”

“Of course it does. Smell for yourself.” Xie Ruan tugged his sleeve, pulling it up to his nose. “It’s pretty obvious, okay?”

Bo Jin thought he was bothered by the smoke and was about to go to the window to air out the smell before returning, when he heard Xie Ruan say, “Where’s your bottle of floral spray? Take it out and spray a bit. Old Sun has a sharp nose, and it’d be bad if he caught a whiff.”

Bo Jin paused, then smiled. “Worried about me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Xie Ruan looked away, twirling his pen aimlessly, his tone as stubborn as ever. “I’m just naturally kind-hearted. I’d help out a stray cat or dog on the street.”

Not wanting Bo Jin to tease him further, he hurriedly urged, “Quit wasting time, go get it—it’s almost time for class.”

Hearing Xie Ruan’s roundabout concern lifted Bo Jin’s mood, and a bit of a delighted glint showed in his eyes.

“Fine,” he stood, wrapping his hand around Xie Ruan’s wrist, “then let’s go together.”

Bo Jin’s voice was already pleasant, but when he spoke with a smile, it had a warmth that made your ears tingle.

Xie Ruan muttered a curse under his breath and threw his pen back on the desk as he fell into step beside Bo Jin. Yet he quipped, “Need someone with you for everything? How big are you?”

Bo Jin was actually debating whether to buy some cologne—Xie Ruan had complained about the floral spray’s scent last time. Hearing the comment, he smirked and replied, “Eighteen centimeters. Why?”

Xie Ruan: “…”

An inexplicable sense of competitiveness surged in Xie Ruan’s heart, and he didn’t want to let this guy get the upper hand. With a slight smirk, he replied, “Who knows.”

Then, after a brief pause, he added with a hint of mischief, “Maybe it’s only eight centimeters.”

Bo Jin raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you get a feel for it last time?”

Clearly, there was no getting past this. Xie Ruan ground his teeth, silently cursing Sun Haoxiang—who had first mentioned black wolfberry as a kidney tonic—a hundred times over. Refusing to admit defeat, he held his ground and said, “I’d say it felt like eight.”

“Oh,” Bo Jin didn’t get angry; instead, he grinned even more provocatively. “Then you felt wrong. Come to my dorm tonight and check again, closely.”

“Get lost!”

The two bickered their way back to the classroom, and as soon as they opened the door, they found themselves face-to-face with Sun Fuan, who was standing at the podium.

“You two came back at just the right time,” Sun Fuan’s voice was slightly hoarse from a day of lecturing. After sipping some herbal tea, he continued, “For the next self-study session, stay here in class. I have something to discuss.”

“OK.” Bo Jin gestured an “OK” and pulled Xie Ruan to their seats.

Their seats were in the first row on the south side, very close to the podium.

Afraid that Sun Fuan would notice something, Xie Ruan quickly reached into Bo Jin’s desk compartment, pulled out a bottle of floral spray, and gave him a liberal spritz. Sun Fuan threw them a few puzzled glances.

It was the dead of winter, and he’d even turned on his electric blanket, so why was Xie Ruan spraying floral water?

Then it struck him that floral water had an invigorating effect. Given how Bo Jin seemed perpetually drowsy, it made sense to spray a little. Putting the two of them together had clearly been the right choice—look at them, already supporting each other.

Sun Fuan nodded in satisfaction, glanced around the room, and, seeing everyone present, picked up the triangle ruler from the podium and tapped the blackboard. “Put down whatever you’re working on. I’m going over next week’s exam schedule.”

Students at Shijia High School were used to monthly exams, so they barely reacted, just setting down their pens and looking up.

Sun Fuan continued, “Next Tuesday and Wednesday will be the exams, same rules as usual. You’ll take the test in the first-year building, and afterward, you’ll have a short break…”

He hadn’t even finished before a wave of excitement rippled through the room.

A break! The long-awaited monthly break was finally here!

“Quiet!” Sun Fuan pounded on the desk, his face stern. “Celebrating already, are you? Just wait until I post your scores in the parent chat group—let’s see how happy you’ll be then.”

He swept a cold gaze over them. “Set aside your little schemes and don’t think you can relax just because exams are near. If your scores are poor, let’s see how you’ll face your parents at home…”

Sun Fuan’s lecture seemed endless. Xie Ruan, half-listening, suddenly felt his hand, which was hanging at his side, gently grasped.

He turned his head.

Bo Jin held his hand, casually playing with his fingers.

Sun Fuan was still talking above, so Xie Ruan didn’t dare make a big scene. He glared at Bo Jin and mouthed, “Let go.”

But Bo Jin, the shameless rogue, pretended not to see.

Xie Ruan tried to pull his hand away twice without success, so he simply let it be. If he wanted to hold it, then fine—it’s not like they hadn’t held hands before.

Usually, he was the kind of guy who would explode at the slightest irritation, but now, he calmed down, letting his hand sit obediently in Bo Jin’s palm, allowing him to knead it as he pleased.

The unease Bo Jin had felt because of Shen Xingyun disappeared instantly.

What were those gifts bought with money?

Just mass-produced items from a factory—nothing to boast about.

Had he ever seen Xie Ruan this cute and compliant before?

Heh, so unaware of himself and ridiculously childish; no comparison to his own calm and maturity.

Bo Jin clasped Xie Ruan’s hand, feeling fully satisfied.

After confirming that a monthly exam was coming up, Xie Ruan began studying even harder. Partly to improve his grades, and partly because he cared about his reputation.

Last time, he had been praised by all the teachers in his grade as a model student, so there was no way he’d let himself down now, or he’d be giving those who disliked him a chance to laugh.

All day long, except when he was eating or going to the restroom, he barely looked up.

His focus made He Mingjie uneasy, afraid he’d study himself silly. While they were playing basketball, he couldn’t resist calling out, “Come on, Little Xie! Let’s play, take a break after dinner and relax.”

Xie Ruan’s heart stirred, and his pen slowed down.

Since his self-awareness had awakened, he’d been busy distancing himself from Shen Xingyun and focusing on studying, so he hadn’t played a single game of basketball. Normally, he didn’t mind if no one mentioned it, but now that someone had, he suddenly felt a strong urge.

Seeing his interest, He Mingjie urged him on, “Let’s go! You can only study well if you enjoy yourself too.”

This convinced Xie Ruan.

He tossed his pen on the desk, took a pair of wristbands from his desk drawer, and said, “Alright, today you’ll see what I’m made of.”

Bo Jin, who had been watching him and He Mingjie with a smile, suddenly lost his smile.

His gaze cooled as he looked at the wristband embroidered with “SX,” took a deep breath to maintain his composure, and said to Xie Ruan, “Those wristbands get dirty easily. Use a different pair.”

With that, he handed over his usual black wristbands.

Before awakening, Xie Ruan’s actions hadn’t come from his true self, so he didn’t clearly remember those memories. Usually, if he didn’t deliberately think about it, he’d forget.

His mind was full of basketball now, and he’d long forgotten where these wristbands came from. He waved his hand dismissively, “No need, I’m used to these.”

With that, he grabbed his basketball and headed out of the classroom with He Mingjie.

Used to them, huh…

Watching Xie Ruan’s lighthearted figure, Bo Jin crushed the water bottle in his hand with a snap.

To h*ll with calm, to h*ll with composure!

Bo Jin got up and walked out of the school gate with a blank expression.

Basketball was the best way to relax. After an intense game, Xie Ruan felt less tense.

When you’re relaxed, sleepiness comes more easily. He barely made it through evening self-study, and after a quick shower back in the dorm, he fell asleep.

Because of this, he missed the excitement in the dormitory later that night.

The next morning, when the wake-up bell rang, Xie Ruan laid in bed a bit longer before sitting up groggily.

As he opened his eyes, he suddenly felt something was off.

Why was there a blood-red thing right in front of him?

Wait, blood red?!

A jolt of fear chased away his sleepiness.

Could this be something supernatural? He’d heard their school used to be a graveyard.

Xie Ruan gulped and kept repeating in his mind, It’s daytime, it’s daytime…

After a good amount of mental preparation, he gathered the courage to open his eyes wider.

The next second, his expression froze.

Right in front of him, on the wall above his bed, hung a large red banner with yellow text that read:

“A good horse doesn’t return to old pasture; love is better with the desk partner.”

Xie Ruan: “…”

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