This Mind-Reading Technique Is Useless. - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Need help? His hand trembled almost imperceptibly before he put down the cigarette…

On the way to the hospital, Gu Shiying tried his best to avoid Fu Huan touching any of his skin. He was truly terrified of hearing Fu Huan’s heartfelt murmurs that would make him question his life again.

He’d dismissed the word “like” the first time he’d heard it, but now he’d heard it again.

Doctor: “Luckily, the knife is blunt. Your wound won’t need stitches. Stay out of the water for a few days. Just have your friend apply the medicine.”

Fu Huan nodded: “Okay.”

Gu Shiying thanked the doctor, but he felt bad about bothering Fu Huan. Although they’d shared a dorm for over a year, they weren’t close friends. Furthermore, hearing Fu Huan’s inner thoughts was so embarrassing!

How could Fu Huan like him?

How could he not have realized Fu Huan was gay?

Gu Shiying, figuring Fu Huan wouldn’t be at school that weekend, said casually, “I remember you weren’t at school that weekend. I’ll just ask my classmates to apply the medicine.”

Fu Huan shoved his hands in his pockets and said casually, “I’m at school this weekend.”

Gu Shiying: “Thank you for saving my life. I’ll treat you to dinner tonight.”

Fu Huan looked at his arm: “Next time. Your arm…”

Gu Shiying shook his freshly bandaged hand: “It’s okay, I’m fine.”

After his show of bravado, he pulled a little on the wound, causing a twitch of pain at the corner of his mouth.

Fu Huan chuckled softly.

Gu Shiying: “Are you mocking me?”

Fu Huan said calmly: “Let’s go back to school first. I’ll treat you next time. This is a meal for my lifesaver, and I haven’t decided what to order yet.”

Gu Shiying: “Oh.” He wanted to repay the favor quickly.

Although he knew the other person had some ulterior motives towards him, since he hadn’t said it out loud, he could only pretend not to know.

Fu Huan glanced at his freshly bandaged wound: “Have something light tonight.”

Gu Shiying usually prefers spicy food, but it was hard to say anything right now.

“Okay.”

The hospital is near the school, so a taxi back home would only be a starting price.

Gu Shiying just received a call. It was Zhang Zhi.

Fu Huan took the initiative to order a ride.

Zhang Zhi: “Ying’er, are you okay? Woohoo! I’m so glad you’re still alive!”

Gu Shiying: “Huh? Of course I’m alive.”

Zhang Zhi: “The forums are saying you were stabbed dozens of times by your girlfriend’s ex and were in the hospital covered in bl00d? How could you even answer the phone?”

Gu Shiying: “That’s so untrue! Why don’t you say I was a hero saving a beautiful woman? Don’t believe rumors, don’t spread them!”

Zhang Zhi: “What do you mean by a hero saving a beautiful woman? How are you? Are you seriously injured? I’m taking a taxi back to see you. I was so worried!”

Gu Shiying: “That’s right It’s just a scratch, a minor injury. My roommate is with me, so you can have dinner with your classmates.

Zhang Zhi: “Which roommate? The one who looks like a civil servant or the one who looks like an idol?”

Gu Shiying: “Neither.”

Zhang Zhi exclaimed: “Ah, that leaves only…”

“Let’s go back to school now, and we’ll talk when you get back.” Gu Shiying caught Fu Huan waving at one of the cars out of the corner of his eye and quickly stopped him from making any further comments, fearing Zhang Zhi might say something outrageous and Fu Huan might overhear, so he ended the call early.

Fu Huan: “Get in.”

Gu Shiying just hung up on Zhang Zhi.

Fu Huan let Gu Shiying get in first, even shielding him with his hand above his head. In the past, Gu Shiying would have never taken this little action personally, but after today, he felt a wave of subtle embarrassment.

Based on his limited understanding of relationships, he assumed boys only did this with girls they liked, right?

But he wasn’t a girl.

So strange, so strange.

Forget it, he’d just turn a blind eye and pretend he saw nothing.

Fu Huan maintained his usual laid-back, silent demeanor. He spoke little, but his presence was strong, a presence rarely ignored.

Gu Shiying wasn’t particularly introverted; he was the only one who heard his inner thoughts. As long as it wasn’t out in the open, who would know he knew Fu Huan liked him? This thought reassured him.

He told himself: If someone’s secretly in love with him and hasn’t said it out loud, then it’s as good as nothing!

Just as he was about to speak, the usually quiet Fu Huan suddenly said, “You were quite brave today.”

Gu Shiying suspected Fu Huan was playing tricks on him, but he had no proof. He’d previously mentally called him stupid.

But now, Gu Shiying could only agree, saying, “I just happened to see you passing by. But why did you suddenly appear?”

Compared to him saving someone, Fu Huan’s sudden appearance was more like the “hero” in a story where a hero saves a beauty, and he was the “beauty.”

He saw Fu Huan pinning the boy to the ground, his movements flowing like flowing water, quite handsome.

Bah, he wasn’t “beautiful.”

Fu Huan: “I was just passing by.”

Gu Shiying thought to himself, “That’s not what you were thinking of me just now.”

“Thank you…”

Fu Huan: “But next time, don’t rush forward without ensuring your own safety.”

Gu Shiying: “…Okay.” He wanted to take back his thanks; that was no different from calling him stupid. “It happened suddenly; I didn’t think too much about it.”

Fu Huan: “Yeah.”

The two exchanged a few words before arriving at school.

The car parked near the dormitory building. By the time they reached school, it was already dark. After all the hassle, Gu Shiying was starving.

At the fork in the road between the cafeteria and the dormitory, Fu Huan stopped.

“I’m going to the cafeteria to get some food. What do you want?”

Gu Shiying didn’t dare move his arms. “I’m not picky. I’ll take any.”

Fu Huan: “I’ll look and buy. If you think of anything you’d like to eat, send me a WeChat message.”

“Okay.” Gu Shiying, aware of his injuries, gladly accepted his roommate’s offer without adding to the chaos.

Fu Huan turned and left. In the blink of an eye, the long-legged figure had walked a mile.

Gu Shiying returned to his dorm and hurriedly pulled out his phone to charge. He leaned back in his chair, reading messages with one hand. College students can’t live without their phones, even with an injured hand.

His phone was filled with messages from his classmates expressing their concern for him. Zhang Zhi even sent him forum posts.

What happened next was that after they left, a number of students gathered behind them and, together, took the attempted murderer to the police station. The terrified girl went there to give a statement.

The incident had become so catastrophic that even the school leadership was alarmed. The counselor sent him several messages expressing concern for his injury, and the girl he helped thanked him through WeChat. Gu Shiying responded to each one.

Gu Shiying was quite popular. He might not know all his classmates, but the ones in Zhang Zhi’s dorm were close to him; they were his comrades, and each of them was deeply concerned about his injury.

Just as he was chatting excitedly, the dormitory door opened.

Fu Huan entered, carrying a takeout box emblazoned with the Second Canteen logo. The aroma of cooking filled the air, and Gu Shiying sniffed, the aroma overshadowing even his phone.

He was truly hungry.

Fu Huan: “Let’s eat first.”

Gu Shiying: “Did you order a stir-fry?”

Fu Huan: “Yes.”

Gu Shiying: “It smells so good! I’m telling you, this stir-fry must have been made by that fat, smiling chef. Only his stir-fries have that wok-cooked aroma.”

Fu Huan: “Can you even smell it?”

Gu Shiying: “Of course. My tongue and sense of smell are not just for show. Did you order stir-fried eggplant with green beans, steamed pork ribs with fermented black beans, and…”

Fu Huan was surprised by his nose: “What else?”

Gu Shiying twitched his nose: “Steamed sea bass?”

Fu Huan: “You have a dog’s nose.”

Gu Shiying: “…” You’re a dog.

The first cafeteria doesn’t serve stir-fries. The stir-fries are in the second cafeteria, which has exquisite pastries and pastries. Usually, Gu Shiying and Zhang Zhi go to the second cafeteria when they play basketball late at night and the first cafeteria is out of food.

The prices in the second cafeteria are not cheap; Fu Huan is really willing to spend money.

Still, the stir-fry was delicious; the large pot dish simply couldn’t compare.

Fu Huan opened the lid of the meal and placed it on his desk.

Fu Huan handed him the unpacked disposable chopsticks: “Can you eat with your left hand?”

Gu Shiying put down his phone, tried it with his left hand, and said affirmatively, “Sure.”

Fu Huan: “Oh.”

Gu Shiying watched him pick up the food and return it to his desk, a hint of regret in his voice.

Could he possibly still feed him?

He shuddered at his impulsive thought.

Because he was eating with his left hand, Gu Shiying finished his delicious dinner at half the speed of his usual pace.

Fu Huan cleared the dishes, which Gu Shiying felt rather embarrassed about. After all, before today, he and Fu Huan hadn’t been close enough to share a meal together.

Gu Shiying’s day had been eventful, and the hot weather had made him sweat profusely. He felt as if he were almost being marinated in the scent of sweat.

Ever since he overheard some girls complaining about boys’ heavy sweat odor, he’d taken personal hygiene seriously, frequently changing and washing his clothes, shoes, and socks.

Now he felt uncomfortable if he didn’t shower for a day, and even more so on this hot day.

After dinner, Gu Shiying and Fu Huan returned to their usual low conversation, a comfort zone for Gu Shiying. He rested for a moment and began to take his clothes and walk out onto the balcony.

At that moment, Fu Huan leaned against the balcony, a lit cigarette in hand. A lighter and a glass ashtray sat on the railing.

It’s normal for boys to smoke, and Gu Shiying does a little, but he’s not a fan.

Fu Huan exhaled a puff of smoke.

Just as Gu Shiying was about to close the door, Fu Huan suddenly glanced at him and asked, “Shower?”

Gu Shiying: “Obviously.”

Fu Huan raised his chin. “Can you undress yourself?”

Gu Shiying recalled the wound that threatened to open when he pulled it in the car: “…”

It’s broken. It seems I can’t.

The only person who could help him now was Fu Huan, but Fu Huan was gay!

No way!

What if he went to Zhang Zhi?

Zhang Zhi probably wouldn’t even be back in the dorm tonight.

What then?

Gu Shiying was torn between letting his wounds open and listening to Fu Huan’s inner thoughts.

Fu Huan offered, “Do you need help? No more waiting.”

Gu Shiying figured it was okay to grit his teeth. It was just a T-shirt. A man looked at him, so what? Fu Huan had it too, so there was no need to be so pretentious.

Just as Fu Huan was about to turn and leave, Gu Shiying hesitantly replied, “Fine.”

Fu Huan pressed his cigarette into the ashtray beside him, his hand trembling barely perceptibly before he put it out.

Author’s Note:

———————-

Here we come [Starry Eyes]