Ke Bu’s feelings for Zhi Li were no longer just simple affection. They were wishes, hopes, and longing accumulated over a very long time. He liked staying by Zhi Li’s side, bickering with him and taking care of him. Even if it was just sitting quietly nearby watching him draw, that comfortable sense of ease made Ke Bu understand that wherever Zhi Li was, beauty existed there too. Inside their base, he stuck a straw into a milk carton and handed it to Zhi Li. “The weather’s getting worse again lately. Shouldn’t you wear more clothes?”
“Cold.”
“That’s exactly why I’m telling you to wear more!!”
Zhi Li looked over at Ke Bu, examined what he was wearing for a moment, then turned back around. “No.”
“What kind of discouraging reaction was that?” Unlike Zhi Li, who feared heat, Ke Bu feared the cold. Whenever he got cold, he didn’t want to do anything at all. He hated the feeling of shrinking his neck and tensing his whole body from the chill, so every winter he bundled himself up heavily, wrapping himself so thoroughly he resembled a bear.
“Cold.” Zhi Li bit the straw as he spoke. Ke Bu frowned. “Are you even listening to what I’m saying?” Zhi Li set the milk carton on the table and stared at Ke Bu with those natural, innocent eyes of his. Ke Bu grew uncomfortable under the gaze. “Even if I look like some country bumpkin, after all these years you should be used to it already.” Inevitably, Ke Bu remembered the first winter they spent together. Back then, he’d rushed breathlessly up to the school rooftop and shoved the door open. The very first thing Zhi Li had said to him was: “So tacky.”
What Zhi Li did next was completely unexpected. He suddenly lifted Ke Bu into his arms and settled him onto his lap. Sliding both hands inside Ke Bu’s coat, his icy fingers didn’t directly touch skin, only pressing through the layers of clothing beneath as he let out a lazy sound like a cat basking in sunlight. “You’re so warm.” Ke Bu’s face burned where Zhi Li couldn’t see it. He could practically hear his own heart pounding violently. The pleasant scent of laundry detergent from Zhi Li drifted into his breathing and flooded through his body. Ke Bu shook the milk carton in his hand. “Don’t waste it. Finish drinking it.” He raised the milk behind himself, resting it over his shoulder while Zhi Li bit onto the straw. Ke Bu simply maintained that awkward position, waiting for the milk to run out.
When Ke Bu prepared to head back to the classroom, a tall boy dressed simply stood outside the door. His features were handsome and neat, and he seemed anxiously searching for someone in the class. Ke Bu wasn’t the sort of person who kindly offered help to strangers, and he was about to walk straight past when the boy suddenly grabbed him. The boy’s fingers were warm—completely different from Zhi Li’s cold hands—and Ke Bu reflexively shook him off. “Need something?”
“Sorry, did I scare you?” The boy smiled apologetically. “I just wanted to find your class representative.” His smile was the kind that warmed people like an angel’s, revealing bright white teeth. Ke Bu could almost imagine a pair of white wings behind him.
“Oh.” Ke Bu answered absentmindedly and looked into the classroom, but there was no sign of the class representative. “She’s not here right now. Come back later.”
“Thank you so much. What’s your name? I’m Xia Jia Zuo from the psychology department.”
“Sorry, I’m not looking to make friends.” Ke Bu coldly turned to head back inside, but Xia Jia Zuo smiled again with that sunlike warmth. “Hehe~~ am I really scary enough to make you so guarded? Forcing people isn’t my style, so I’ll head out first. Oh right, you wear so many layers you kind of look like a teddy bear—clumsy-looking, but cute in a way.” With that, Xia Jia Zuo left.
Ke Bu froze in place. Something strange spread through his body, making him weak enough to grab onto a desk for support. What was this feeling? What the hell was wrong with him? He… he suddenly wanted to vomit. If someone praised him like that, shouldn’t he feel happy? But instead he hated it. Back in high school, when Zhi Li had bluntly said, “So tacky,” Ke Bu had merely stood two meters away from him on the rooftop and laughed. “You’re the tacky one.”
After only one class period, Xia Jia Zuo came back again, accidentally bumping into Ying Xiu Jie as the latter was entering the classroom. Ying Xiu Jie glared at him fiercely. “You looking for a fight?!” Instead of fear or anger, Xia Jia Zuo showed admiration. “You’re amazing. Do you practice boxing or something?” Being praised so directly made Ying Xiu Jie scratch his head awkwardly. “I’ve learned a little?” Xia Jia Zuo’s eyes sparkled as if he’d met a kindred spirit. “Really? I practice too! The person I admire most is Ying Wu. Have you heard of him?”
Ying Xiu Jie’s expression changed immediately. “That’s my dad.”
“No way, don’t lie to me. Then we definitely need to spar sometime.”
“I’d love that.” Ying Xiu Jie clearly looked happy too.
After Xia Jia Zuo finished discussing matters with the class representative, he didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he continued chatting enthusiastically with Ying Xiu Jie. Watching from inside the classroom, Ke Bu could tell Ying Xiu Jie seemed to like him quite a lot. Looking at Xia Jia Zuo carefully, Ke Bu thought this person really did seem kind—blindingly kind. Different from Gong Zhu’s kindness, different from Zhou Xin He’s kindness. Xia Jia Zuo possessed the sort of kindness that felt capable of embracing the entire world.
As Zhi Li walked past, Xia Jia Zuo called out to him. “You must be Zhi Li.” He even used an honorific.
Zhi Li didn’t respond, merely stared at Xia Jia Zuo. Xia Jia Zuo continued cheerfully, “I just heard Ying Xiu Jie talking about you. I’m really envious—you’re handsome and talented…” As he spoke, he leaned closer and whispered something beside Zhi Li’s ear. Zhi Li still said nothing. Then suddenly, he punched Xia Jia Zuo directly in the face. Xia Jia Zuo collapsed onto the floor. Everyone was stunned—Xia Jia Zuo, Ying Xiu Jie, the entire class, even Ke Bu.
Ke Bu immediately stood up. Zhi Li rarely attacked someone out of nowhere. Rushing over, Ke Bu demanded, “What the hell are you doing?” Then he leaned closer and whispered quietly, “If you’re gonna hit someone, at least wait until nobody’s around. What if he reports you and you get written up?” Gong Zhu and Yu Tai hurried over as well.
Unfortunately, Xia Jia Zuo couldn’t hear that part. Rising from the floor, he still didn’t look angry at all. Instead, he gave Zhi Li a bitter smile. “Sorry. I was only joking when I said I felt a little jealous. If I’d known you couldn’t take jokes, I wouldn’t have said it. That was my fault. Looks like I made everyone misunderstand. I’ll explain it to the class later.”
Zhi Li coldly tossed out a single sentence. “An eyesore.”
Ke Bu stared at Zhi Li’s departing back in despair. Great, now everyone in class was probably going to think Zhi Li was some unreasonable brute who hit people randomly. His entire image had just been overturned. Xia Jia Zuo turned toward the still-dazed Ying Xiu Jie. “Don’t let this affect your friendship with him. He just doesn’t seem to like me very much.”
“It’s fine. Maybe he’s just in a bad mood today.” Ying Xiu Jie finally snapped out of his shock. Clearly, he hadn’t understood what just happened either.
“My dorm’s right below yours. Come hang out sometime if you’re free.”
What happened afterward completely exceeded Ke Bu’s expectations. Xia Jia Zuo was like an angel descending from heaven, landing perfectly among their group. Before long, he had established good relationships with everyone. Apparently, he’d specially collected countless limited-edition big-breasted girl artbooks for Yu Tai and even created a group chat gathering all the students in the school who shared the same interests. After learning Gong Zhu liked men, he showed no disgust whatsoever. Instead, he encouraged him and said he thought Gong Zhu was amazing. He even wanted to become Zhou Xin He’s apprentice to learn cooking, claiming he’d never eaten anything so delicious before. He’d also generously bought Zhang Luo a brand-new computer.
When Xia Jia Zuo visited the base for the first time, he was immediately captivated by the beautiful scenery around the old school building. Looking overwhelmed, he asked, “I’m really allowed to come here sometimes?”
“Of course. You’ve done so much for us already.”
“Thank you all.” Once again, that expression that seemed to illuminate everything appeared on his face. Ke Bu watched Xia Jia Zuo carefully. He truly couldn’t understand why Zhi Li disliked him. Xia Jia Zuo genuinely seemed like a good person. There wasn’t even the slightest trace of murkiness in his eyes. Helping others simply made him happy.
Ke Bu glanced back at Zhi Li. He still sat in his usual spot drawing, with absolutely no intention of joining the group on the other side eating the desserts Xia Jia Zuo had bought. Xia Jia Zuo picked up a serving and handed it to Ke Bu. Instead of accepting it, Ke Bu asked, “Why?”
“You mean why I treat people so well?” Xia Jia Zuo smiled faintly. “You’ll probably laugh if I say it. My parents fight constantly. The atmosphere at home gives me headaches. I hate that feeling. Since home is already so depressing, I don’t want school to feel the same way too. You guys are good people, and I’m really happy when I’m with you all, so I want to do my best to make you happy too. I think helping others is naturally something enjoyable. But I’m not completely selfless either. Maybe this is just my excuse to escape the atmosphere at home. Do you dislike that?” Xia Jia Zuo spoke earnestly.
Ke Bu froze, suddenly feeling a deep sense of sympathy toward him.
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Futile Devices Scans 
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