The Sickly Beauty Gives Up Struggling [Rebirth] Chapter 37

After finishing their instant meals, the bell signaling the start of evening self-study rang.

Li Rong glanced at Jian Fu and Lin Zhen’s seats; neither had returned. It seemed they weren’t planning on attending evening study at all.

The fact that Lin Zhen could get along well with Jian Fu surprised him.

Lin Zhen used to be remarkably tolerant with everyone, his temper unusually good. But recently, perhaps after figuring out Jian Fu’s carefree and non-grudging personality, Lin Zhen had started retorting to Jian Fu’s quips or even silently rolling his eyes.

Of course, Jian Fu didn’t take it personally.

Yang Fenfang entered the room, her high heels clicking as she carried her usual evening reading material, “How to Live a Less Irritable Life.” Standing by the door with her chin slightly raised and her expression stern, she scanned the classroom.

Her gaze landed on Jian Fu’s empty seat, and she frowned. “Where’s Jian Fu? Doesn’t he know the bell already rang?”

The students looked around at each other; no one had noticed when Jian Fu had slipped out.

Li Rong raised his eyes toward Yang Fenfang, his demeanor calm. “He’s gone for a tutoring session.”

In their senior year of high school, many students sought extra tutoring from teachers inside or outside of school, often during evening study periods. As a result, attendance during these sessions was always incomplete. However, students typically informed Yang Fenfang in advance.

Yang Fenfang frowned deeper. “Jian Fu? Tutoring? He’s already got a guaranteed spot; what’s he tutoring for?”

Li Rong remained composed and nudged Cen Xiao with his elbow, smiling innocently. “What do you think?”

Thrown into the spotlight, Cen Xiao shot a deep glance at Li Rong before turning to Yang Fenfang and answering earnestly, “Dan Boneh’s cryptographic protocols.”

Yang Fenfang: “…” She didn’t understand a word of that. Not wanting to appear clueless, she refrained from probing further.

“Fine,” she said. “But next time, he needs to inform me beforehand. Does he have no sense of discipline?”

Li Rong tilted his head slightly and lowered his voice. “Is he really studying cryptography?”

Cen Xiao also dropped his voice, his lips barely moving. “Made it up.”

Yang Fenfang walked to the lectern and set down her book. Leaning on the desk, she addressed the class. “Speaking of tutoring, several teachers told me that some students from other classes are attending study sessions with our class monitor and improving rapidly.

“I’ve always stressed the importance of learning from top students. Observe how they study, what methods they use, and which exercises they practice. But none of you have listened. Others are benefiting from this while our own class falls behind. You should be learning from your class monitor more often. Li Rong, help out your classmates, will you?”

Li Rong smiled warmly and nodded. “Sure. The ad on my dorm room door should still be circulating on the forum. Search for the thread titled: ‘Back then, everyone said anyone paying this IQ tax was an idiot. Why do I hear there are over ten idiots now?’ You’ll find it there.”

Cen Xiao, who had been messaging Jian Fu with his head down, couldn’t help but smirk.

The class: “…”

Yang Fenfang coughed awkwardly and quickly ended the topic. “Alright, focus on self-study.”

Her comments, however, reminded Li Rong that he hadn’t given the dozen or so students an evening off.

Li Rong sent a message to their small group chat: “No need to come to my dorm today. I have plans.”

A few “OK” emojis trickled in, and after confirming most had received the message, he exited the chat.

When the evening self-study session ended, Li Rong organized his backpack, sliding a hand into his pocket to lightly grip the tube of ointment.

“You’ve probably never been to the school dorms before.” 

Cen Xiao, who was gathering papers from his desk drawer, paused slightly, his eyelids twitching ever so subtly. Yet his tone remained composed. “En, it’s a bit far for me.”

Li Rong tilted his head slightly, observing him in silence for a moment. Then he suddenly chuckled. “But you do know the dorms are quite nice, don’t you?”

In his previous life, Li Rong had lived in the dorms for a while. He suddenly wondered: had Cen Xiao also known back then that the dorms were well-equipped?

Cen Xiao finished packing his papers, slung his bag over one shoulder, and let his left hand hang casually. His tone was even. “Every A High student knows that.”

Li Rong nodded thoughtfully. “Oh, I see.”

***

The path from the teaching building to the dormitories passed through a small grove, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium. 

It was about a ten-minute walk, with a 24-hour snack kiosk along the way where students could buy pancakes if they got hungry.

The campus’s streetlights were dim, barely illuminating the ground and the steps, where scattered leaves lay unswept.

Li Rong walked at a leisurely pace, entirely different from the time-obsessed attitude he had in his previous life.

Back then, he rarely paid attention to dim streetlights, mossy steps, damp tree trunks, or scattered leaves. He refused to waste time on things he deemed meaningless or unprofitable.

But in this life, many things had changed. He had started to savor and appreciate the details of life that brought him small joys.

At the dormitory entrance, Li Rong glanced at the brightly lit LED lamp in the lobby and subtly curled his lips. “I heard that a guy once snuck his girlfriend in here and did some unspeakable things, causing a huge scandal for the school. So now the dorm supervisors are super strict, checking everyone’s IDs. Since you don’t have a dorm pass, in a moment…”

Li Rong paused mid-sentence, turning to glance slyly at Cen Xiao.

Cen Xiao’s Adam’s apple shifted slightly as he met Li Rong’s gaze, showing no intention of backing down. Instead, he replied with a meaningful smile, “In a moment, I’ll just say we’re not here to do that.”

Li Rong’s smile deepened, and his tongue lightly grazed his lower lip. “Or I could say I’m bringing in my ‘boyfriend.'”

Cen Xiao froze for a moment, but the surprise quickly faded from his expression. His eyes regained their calm, unreadable amusement as he chuckled softly. “Sure.”

Unfortunately, neither of their witty, out-of-the-box ideas was needed. The dorm supervisor barely glanced up when she saw two boys entering and didn’t ask a single question.

The two, who had no actual intention of following through with their teasing remarks, felt no disappointment.

When they reached the dorm, Li Rong took out his keys, unlocked the door, and turned on the light.

Cen Xiao stepped inside, passing Li Rong, and caught the faint scent of laundry detergent.

On the small balcony hung Li Rong’s freshly laundered clothes.

The dorm was spacious, originally designed for four occupants but now occupied solely by Li Rong. 

In the center stood a large desk, immaculately tidy, without a single stray item. This must have been where Li Rong tutored students for extra cash.

Li Rong casually closed the door, his fingers turning the lock with a soft click. He turned to Cen Xiao and said, “Take off your shirt.”

Cen Xiao turned, his gaze shifting between the locked door and Li Rong’s rolled-up sleeves. He chuckled lightly. “What did you just say?”

The scene was somewhat comedic.

Li Rong had brought him to the dorm, locked the door immediately, and now demanded he take off his shirt—like he couldn’t wait for something to happen.

Leaning casually against the door, Li Rong slowly pulled a tube of ointment from his pocket, holding it between two fingers. His tone was teasingly ambiguous. “What you’re thinking might happen could become a possibility when I can easily pin you down.”

Seeing the familiar ointment, Cen Xiao immediately understood that Li Rong had noticed his injuries.

He had applied the ointment to himself before, but full recovery would still take time.

Cen Xiao raised a hand to his collar, unbuttoned his shirt with a deft motion, and said nonchalantly, “That’s unlikely to happen.”

He was trained in physical fitness from a young age, unlike Li Rong, who grew up pampered. For Li Rong to surpass him would be as challenging as it would be for Cen Xiao to outshine Li Rong academically.

Li Rong’s smile grew enigmatic. “Don’t be so sure.”

Cen Xiao shrugged off his outer shirt and tossed it onto the desk, then began unbuttoning his sweater.

Li Rong’s smile slowly faded, his eyes trailing Cen Xiao’s movements, inch by inch, as his skin came into view.

Cen Xiao’s waist and abdomen were taut and well-defined, his abs flexing as he lifted his arms. 

His skin was a healthy pale yellow, with a low body fat percentage that made it aesthetically pleasing—if not for the numerous scars marring the view.

Li Rong frowned slightly, any trace of frivolity vanishing.

From Cen Xiao’s left rib to below his collarbone were streaks of bruises, especially a large patch near his ribs. The mottled skin, with visible capillary damage, hinted at how painful the initial injury must have been.

No wonder even his posture seemed off.

In addition to the bruises, there were countless marks of abrasions, scratches, and contusions on his back. Some were already days old, with the healing process evident. Being young, his body was working overtime to repair itself.

If it were the previous life, the research team could have used more advanced products to treat the bruises. But now, since those treatments hadn’t yet been developed, the ointment would have to suffice.

Li Rong walked over, squeezed a bit of the ointment into his palm, and glanced at Cen Xiao’s left rib.

His tone was deliberately casual. “Who had the audacity to injure the ‘Crown Prince of District Three’? Do they have a death wish?”

Cen Xiao replied evenly, “It’s not as bad as it looks—just surface wounds.”

Li Rong didn’t respond, lowering his gaze as he opened the ointment cap.

If it were District Three, Cen Qing would’ve had his back covered. 

Cen Xiao worked in business management and corporate auditing, a cushy role with authority but no real risk.

He also had a chauffeur and assistants accompanying him wherever he went. It was a life of prestige and smooth sailing.

So why go to District Nine?

Was Cen Qing worried about instability and needed Cen Xiao to forge connections in District Nine? Or… was it because of him?

Li Rong walked closer and rubbed the ointment between his fingers, warming it up before turning to Cen Xiao’s ribs.

“My hands are a bit cold—bear with it.”

Even before touching him, Li Rong could feel the heat radiating from Cen Xiao’s body.

Pressing his palm against the bruised ribs, Li Rong’s lips tightened.

Cen Xiao’s skin was cool initially but quickly absorbed the warmth of Li Rong’s hand.

Cen Xiao watched Li Rong as he lowered his gaze, long lashes casting delicate shadows over his cheeks. His soft hair was tucked loosely behind his ear, with a few rebellious strands dangling near his eyes.

Li Rong’s fingers were as cool as ever, but his palms were warm. His touch was light, circling gently over the bruises, spreading the ointment evenly until it was absorbed into the skin.

When the ointment had vanished, Li Rong’s palm rested directly on Cen Xiao’s ribs. The pain gave way to a faint tickling sensation.

Cen Xiao inhaled softly and couldn’t resist grabbing Li Rong’s wrist. “Your touch is so gentle—aren’t you scared I’ll take it as an invitation.”