The Sick Villain Just Want to Live

Zhu Tong never expected that he would encounter his Achilles’ Heel on the first multiple-choice question in the exam.

He held the test paper in one hand and the pen in the other. The tip of the pen touched the upper left corner of the draft paper, making a deep ink dot.

“…”

He couldn’t answer it.

‘It doesn’t matter, I should skip this one and focus on the next question.’ 

The first rule of the exam: In order to avoid wasting time, put aside questions that you have no clue about, and do what you know how to do first.

Zhu Tong followed this rule and continued to work on the questions.

During the exam, the classroom was always quieter than usual, with the sound of flipping the test paper and the rustling of the pen tip across the paper one after another.

It took Shao Ming more than half an hour to finish the entire test paper, and he was spinning his pen in boredom at this moment.

Because it was just a preliminary test, the scale was not very formal, and the seats were not arranged according to the results of the test1. Still, there was a little distance between the deskmates. 

Shao Ming tilted his head slightly, and saw his “former deskmate” bowing his head and thinking hard. His pretty brows were slightly frowned.

On the draft paper next to him was a densely written calculation process, but the content on the answer sheet was scattered and sparse.

He seemed to be struggling with a big problem, especially because he looked distressed. 

When others are distressed, they either scratch their heads or bite the tip of the pen. Some might keep moving their hands to calm the restlessness in their hearts.

But Zhu Tong is different.

He would bite his lip instead.

Biting his lower lip with his teeth, he made an extremely aggrieved look while reading the questions. 

Shao Ming watched from the side, slowly pursing his lips.

After a Math test, it was rare for Shao Ming to not sleep after finishing the paper. Instead, he watched his ex-deskmate helplessly trying not to turn his brain into an eggplant mush from the questions. 

After the exam was over, everyone around was busy discussing their answers. As for Zhu Tong, he was holding his draft book in a daze.

The second rule of the exam: after the questions are finished, don’t ask others to compare answers. This rule is especially important for those study-scumbags – also, never ask the top student what their answers are! 

Because it would, indubitably, crash your mood into the ground. 

In the noisy classroom after the exam, the quiet transfer student became a beautiful view.

Seeing his calm appearance, many people commented one after another.

“Zhu Tong is really a top student, isn’t he? So calm after the exam?”

“This is what a top student should look like, as stable as Mount Tai!” 

“I have to say that Study God and Zhu Tong are really handsome!” 

“Tsk tsk, it’s so good to be in a daze together.”

“…”

Zhu Tong couldn’t hear other people’s comments.

He comforted himself in his heart, ‘It’s okay, I lost to Math, but there are still other subjects.’

If Mathematics hasn’t discouraged him yet, the Comprehensive Science2 in the afternoon taught him how to be a human being. 

Sometimes in life, you really can’t be too confident.

After the exam was over, he walked out of the classroom directly.

Shao Ming was surrounded by a group of students who were asking for the correct answer. When he looked up, he saw a lost figure at the back door of the classroom.

Just looking at him incited pity from deep in his heart. 

On a street outside the school, day students who had been poisoned by their studies for a day came out one after another to look for food.

Luo Suo followed Shao Ming out of the school gate. Glanced at the street, he asked, “Brother Ming, where are we going to eat today? How about Bozai Noodle Restaurant?”

Shao Ming didn’t answer.

He looked at the school gate. Inexplicably, just a little concerned. Then, he looked at the relatively clean and well-decorated storefront on the opposite side, and said, “Let’s eat hot soup and rice.”

“What’s so delicious about hot soup and rice?”

Shao Ming ignored him and already started to cross the road.

Luo Suo: “…”

He reluctantly followed.

When the two walked into the store, Luo Suo first glanced at the menu hanging above the counter, and his expression of lack of interest changed instantly.

“There is boiled fish here?”

The counter clerk immediately smiled, “Yes, we have boiled fish, boiled pork slices, pickled fish, and duck blood soup here.”

Luo Suo turned his head and said, “Ming-ge, we… Wait, is that…”

Then, he followed Shao Ming’s line of sight, and saw someone familiar.

In the corner of the restaurant by the window, a person was sitting there quietly.

Luo Suo blatantly stared, “Isn’t that Zhu Tong? What a coincidence, he’s here too.”

Shao Ming said, “Go and order.”

Then he dropped Luo Suo and went straight to the corner, where Zhu Tong was currently gracefully eating.

He held chopsticks in one hand and spoon in the other.

The thick soup accompanied by rice was about to be put into his mouth.

“This classmate right here, would you mind sharing a table?” A familiar voice sounded, and Zhu Tong’s hand shook, almost spilling his soup.

He looked up in astonishment.

‘Ah, he really can’t hide his emotions.’ Shao Ming thought as he saw obvious astonishment in his eyes. With a disarming smile, he asked again, “Is it possible?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

God knows that this is the person he doesn’t want to see the most. 

After two exams, he recognized the reality.

His task. His favorability. They’re going to poof into thin air. 

But he couldn’t say no right now, he graciously nodded, “Yes, go ahead.”

Shao Ming sat down unceremoniously.

Zhu Tong didn’t think Shao Ming deliberately sat next to him, despite so many empty seats around them. 

After he sat down, Zhu Tong didn’t feel surprised, but continued to eat with a sleepy look.

Shao Ming started to turn on his phone again as he asked, “What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”

Zhu Tong replied, “No.”

Shao Ming saw through him right away, and jabbed where it hurts, “Did you pass the exam?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Shao Ming smiled, trying to comfort him, “It’s just a test, it’s not an important exam. If you didn’t pass this time, keep working hard to do well next time. That’s it, don’t be depressed.”

It was always useful to prescribe the right medicine.

Zhu Tong paused as he scooped up his soup. “You really think so?”

Shao Ming: “Of course…”

“Of course he thinks so,” A voice interrupted Shao Ming, “He gets 1st in ranking everytime exams rolled around. He definitely doesn’t understand the feelings of us study scumbags. He just says that to be polite. Don’t believe what he says.”

Luo Suo just came over after ordering.

Shao Ming: “…”

Zhu Tong: “…”

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

Luo Suo laughed and said, “Student Zhu Tong, what a coincidence.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Luo Suo: “…”

Luo Suo felt that he seemed to be treated differently. But then, he saw Zhu Tong almost reluctantly nodded to him, in response to his earlier words. 

Luo Suo felt he was suffering.

‘…wait, is this why Shao Ming left me earlier? So as not to disturb their world of two?’

‘But… I also have to eat, ah!’ 

Zhu Tong just felt that the little hope he had just had was shattered again. So, he proceeded to bow his head and continued to eat.

Luo Suo sat down next to Shao Ming, glanced at the contents of his bowl, and said in surprise, “This is what you eat for dinner?”

Shao Ming only noticed the food in Zhu Tong’s bowl.

A veritable bowl of hot soup with rice. Both the side-dishes looked very bland and tasteless. 

Zhu Tong was startled, raised his head and said, “Why don’t you eat this when you come here?”

‘Isn’t this a hot soup restaurant?’

Luo Suo: “…” He was speechless.

“Student, your boiled fish.”

The waiter served their food in time, and Luo Suo helped the waiter put the boiled fish away like a good boy. Then, he looked at Zhu Tong.

He gave the transfer student a hint: “This is life! Spice is life!” 

“Since we’ve joined the table, let’s eat together. You’re welcome to taste our dishes.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

He looked at the pot of spicy, full of oil soup that was suddenly served in front of him. His impression was summed up in one word: stomachache. 

A spicy smell entered his throat, and he couldn’t help tilting his head and coughing twice.

Shao Ming: “…”

He silently pushed the boiled fish towards Luo Suo, “Go to the next table to eat.”

“No need,” Before Luo Suo had time to wonder what happened, Zhu Tong said: “I-It’s fine, and I’ll be finished eating soon.”

“…”

Shao Ming saw that he really couldn’t do anything, so he nodded in agreement. 

The three ate quietly.

No one noticed that two people were passing by outside the store.

“How about going with me to my family’s racecourse this weekend? I’ll take you on a horse ride.”

A boy with curly hair followed a tall young man, as the taller youth thought he was a gentleman for showing his hospitality.

“Thank you, Zhou-ge! But I promised my parents to go back this weekend, so I may not be able to go.”

The taller boy was naturally Yuan Shaozhou.

Xia Yang was entangled by him at the school gate, and now he feels uncomfortable even if he wanted to have a meal.

He couldn’t stop Yuan Shaozhou from disturbing him, but he has nothing to do now.

For people like Yuan Shaozhou, it’s better not to offend him.

He may not dare to use some methods on the surface, but he has no qualms to do behind-the-scenes disgusting tricks. 

He was now being criticized in school because of Zhu Tong’s matter. Although Lu-laoshi helped him clarify his “unintentional” words, many people still question him.

“Didn’t Xia Yang really say that on purpose?”

“It was unintentional. Why didn’t he explain after Zhu Tong was beaten? Or did Zhu Tong ask him?” 

“Actually, I saw it from a distance at that time. At that time, Zhu Tong turned around and was about to leave, so he couldn’t see Xia Yang when he fell, that’s why he didn’t help him.”    

“If this is the case, Xia Yang is too unreasonable, right? He doesn’t look like this kind of person.”

“…”

Similar words have been said in many private forums.

Although there were many people who spoke for him, no one would question him like this before.

Yuan Shaozhou was now pestering him.

After being explicitly rejected by Xia Yang again and again, he still stuck around. 

If this continued, Xia Yang felt like he might not be able to stay in No. 1 Middle School!

He quietly avoided Yuan Shaozhou’s hand that was about to reach out to hold him, and politely declined his invitation.

Yuan Shaozhou didn’t care for this rejection.

What he has now was patience.

When he first heard the news that Xia Yang fell by the sink, he was very angry. After asking around, someone told him that Shao Ming rejected Xia Yang in public because Zhu Tong vomited blood.

Shao Ming made his attitude clear, and Xia Yang would definitely be disappointed with him.

Maybe he could properly help Xia Yang vent his anger and let him see who was more suitable for him.

He remembered that Shao Ming’s mother opened a milk tea shop in the city’s square. 

Just as he was thinking, the person walking beside him suddenly stopped. Seeing Xia Yang, Yuan Shaozhou’s face obviously changed, and he followed his gaze.

In a restaurant next to them, three people sat at a table by the window, eating boiled fish “happily”.

Seeing the person sitting across from Shao Ming, Yuan Shaozhou frowned.

Zhu Tong.

The people he called to teach Zhu Tong a lesson that day were still in the police station and he couldn’t get them out.

‘Who the hell is he?’

In many Chinese schools, during exams, you’ll be placed in a room according to your grade to dissuade cheating. After all, you wouldn’t cheat off a person with the same grade range as yours.

Basically, all science studies wrapped up in one mega-exam. It’s hell on earth. (esp to students like me, who love biology and chemistry but HATES physics. Who tf needs physics??? Not me!!!