Chapter 35: The Thorns on the Rose Have Finally Grown…

Jiang Shi’s eyes immediately widened. “Hey!”

Cheng Ye flipped to a blank draft paper. “Mmm, my bad. It’s my fault for using a complicated approach. I’ll switch to a different method; you’ll definitely be able to understand it.”

Their deskmate, Li Caiying, surreptitiously glanced at the two of them, then took out her notebook and plunged into a frenzy of studying.

Jiang Shi knew his learning ability had always been poor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had so many tutoring sessions as a child, only to achieve mediocre grades.

The gazes of Song Bo and Sun Wanyun had become more and more disappointed. He had clearly tried so hard, but the results were still unsatisfactory.

Later, they gave up on Jiang Shi. The tutors stopped coming to the house. Gradually, Jiang Shi also gave up on himself.

He had lived the first eighteen years of his life like a puppet and thought his whole life would be like this. But he never, ever expected that he was a fake young master.

Xiliu Village was no longer a cage that confined him. He was no longer a puppet. But this freedom came too late. The cliff beneath his feet had turned into a vast, open field. The wind came from all directions, and Jiang Shi couldn’t find his way.

But Cheng Ye was different.

He lowered his head to write, his handwriting sharp. The strokes—horizontal, folded, slanted—were like knives, scraping sharply¹ across the paper. He was born in wind and rain. The gale destroyed everything he had, but his spine never bent an inch. Every step he took forward was firm.

Sensing Jiang Shi’s gaze, Cheng Ye stopped his pen. “What’s wrong? Did I just make you angry?”

He asked cautiously, “Or are you tired? How about we take a break and then study again?”

Jiang Shi smiled. “Cheng Ye, if you have a child in the future, with this level of doting, they’ll turn bad sooner or later.”

“I won’t have children,” Cheng Ye said. “And I won’t dote on them.”

“How do you know you won’t have children?”

“You’ll know in the future.” Cheng Ye spread the draft paper in front of Jiang Shi. “Don’t think about these random things. Come closer, I’ll explain the problem to you.”

With Cheng Ye’s efforts, Jiang Shi finally understood a physics problem. He wrote down the answer, smiling with a rare happiness, his eyes seeming to sparkle with stars. “I’m not that dumb after all. I can even solve such a difficult problem.”

Cheng Ye watched him smile. “Mmm, Young Master is very smart.”

After smiling, Jiang Shi pursed his lips. “Then tell me, if I start studying now, is it still not too late?”

“It’s not too late. As long as you want to, it’s never too late.”

“But…”

Cheng Ye had seen his behavior these past few days. He knew what he was thinking. “There are not so many ‘buts.’ If you like studying, then study. If you don’t like it, then don’t. If you like studying, I’ll teach you what you don’t know. If you don’t get it the first time, we’ll go over it a second time. You’ll eventually understand. If you don’t like studying, then don’t. Play some games, take a nap. Live however makes you happy.”

“You are free. No one can force you to do anything. Compared to some external shackles, I’d rather you be happy.”

Jiang Shi only needed to be happy. He would take care of the rest.

Jiang Shi didn’t speak.

Cheng Ye took the materials from his hand. “Alright, let’s go eat.”

…

Two days passed like this. Jiang Shi suddenly remembered something. “By the way, when are you going for the math competition?”

He hadn’t seen Cheng Ye study these past two days. It was a prize of several hundred yuan; he was being too careless.

Cheng Ye was organizing notes for Jiang Shi.

If Jiang Shi wanted to learn, he would do his best to help him learn. Jiang Shi’s foundation was alright, but he had missed a lot of knowledge points by not paying attention in class later on. Cheng Ye organized the points he didn’t know and wrote them in a notebook so that Jiang Shi could just look at the notes usually.

Hearing this question, Cheng Ye’s action of flipping the book paused for a moment. Then he lowered his eyes. “The school found someone more suitable. I don’t need to go.”

“What?” Jiang Shi’s voice rose. “When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?”

When he got angry, he was like a small beast with its fur bristled. Cheng Ye found it cute and wanted to laugh a little.

But it was obviously not the right time to laugh. He lowered his head and gave a light cough. “It happened a couple of days ago. If it’s gone, it’s gone. It’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s not like I would have definitely gotten a prize if I went.”

“How could it not be a big deal?” Jiang Shi said. “It was clearly agreed that you would participate. They just gave a random reason and didn’t let you go. Even a beggar isn’t that easy to brush off, right?”

He glared at Cheng Ye. “Didn’t you ask why at the time?”

Cheng Ye was honest. “No.”

Jiang Shi propped himself up on the table and stood up. “I’ll go ask.”

“There’s no need.” Cheng Ye grabbed him. “The exam is tomorrow. There’s no point in asking now. Besides, I earned money during May Day last time, I’m not short of those few hundred.”

But Jiang Shi was thinking, What if he hadn’t found work during May Day?

His studies were not good, but he had a keen intuition in certain areas. After class, he went back to the dorm and sent a message to Zhang Chi.

[Any movements from Huo Ji recently?]

Half an hour later, Zhang Chi replied.

[Haven’t noticed anything. He seems pretty quiet.]

The quieter he was, the more it meant he wasn’t quiet.

Huo Ji was the type to hold a grudge. Jiang Shi didn’t believe that after what Cheng Ye did to him last time, he would just let it go.

Zhang Chi’s birthday was in ten days.

Zhang Chi’s father was the president of a bank. His family was so poor they only had money left. Every year, his birthday was celebrated with great fanfare.

Not to mention this was his eighteenth birthday.

He had been pestering Jiang Shi for a month already. He didn’t care if the gift was expensive or not, but as Jiang Shi’s only good buddy, he had to show his sincerity.

Jiang Shi only had the sincerity of empty hands.

Zhang Chi suggested, “I’ve seen on the internet that DIY is popular. How about you buy some yarn and knit me a pair of gloves, brother? Although it’s summer now, I’ll definitely keep them safe and guarantee I’ll wear the first pair of gloves my brother personally knitted for me in the winter.”

Jiang Shi replied to him, “Get lost.”

That’s what he said, but on the weekend two days before Zhang Chi’s birthday, Jiang Shi still rushed back to Jiangcheng.

Everyone had classes next week, so Zhang Chi’s birthday was celebrated on the weekend beforehand. Jiang Shi had originally bought a train ticket, but when Cheng Ye saw it, he changed it to a plane ticket for him.

It was convenient, but it was also more expensive, which made Jiang Shi so angry he cursed him for being a spendthrift.

Cheng Ye let him curse, deftly canceling the train ticket. As he did, he frowned. “Didn’t you say you weren’t going before? Why the sudden change of heart? It’s just a birthday, it’s not like he’s dying. Is it worth you traveling so far?”

Cheng Ye had done too many things against Jiang Shi’s will. Since it wasn’t his money being spent, Jiang Shi couldn’t persuade him and just let him be. Hearing him say this, Jiang Shi’s eyes flickered. “I suddenly changed my mind, can’t I? It’s none of your business whether I go or not.”

After speaking, he raised a hand to warn Cheng Ye. “I’m telling you, don’t you dare follow me. If I find you following me to Jiangcheng, you’re done for.”

Cheng Ye: “…”

He irritably packed some snacks into Jiang Shi’s bag. “Little young master, are you guarding against me like I’m a thief?”

Jiang Shi snorted. “You’re much more annoying than a thief.”

Cheng Ye was speechless. After Jiang Shi’s repeated warnings, he promised he wouldn’t follow and sent Jiang Shi off on the plane.

What would have been a ten-plus-hour train ride took only two hours by plane.

Zhang Chi sent someone to pick Jiang Shi up, while the birthday boy himself was at home, swamped with entertaining guests.

He had maxed out his social skills since he was a child and could chat with anyone, so he had many friends. But in his heart, his best friend was still Jiang Shi.

Actually, Zhang Chi didn’t want Jiang Shi to come for his birthday.

Jiangcheng’s upper-class circle was only so big. Even if he didn’t like it, it was inevitable that many people he disliked would be present.

Last time at Old Madam Song’s birthday, Jiang Shi had slipped away early. Zhang Chi knew he didn’t want to have anything more to do with the people here, and the same was true for this birthday.

Jiang Shi had said before that he wouldn’t come. Zhang Chi understood. But two days ago, for some crazy reason, Jiang Shi insisted on coming to celebrate with him.

He didn’t want his good buddy to be snubbed at his own birthday party. He went out to wait before Jiang Shi even arrived, giving him plenty of face².

The moment Jiang Shi got out of the car, the great young master of the Zhang family greeted him with extra exaggeration, his voice so loud that almost everyone could hear. “Jiang Shi, long time no see! How have you gotten fatter? Your face has gotten paler too! This complexion, this aura, my god, you’re living such a good life!”

Jiang Shi, whose foot had just touched the ground: “??”

No, what kind of crazy fit is this now?

Zhang Chi grabbed Jiang Shi’s hand, looking him over from left to right. He realized his earlier compliments weren’t an exaggeration. Jiang Shi really had gotten a bit fatter, and his complexion was much better than when he was in Jiangcheng.

Jiang Shi pulled his hand away. Ignoring the surreptitious gazes from the people around, he handed over the box in his hand. “For you. Happy birthday.”

It was a model kit that Zhang Chi liked. It wasn’t super expensive, but it wasn’t cheap either. The main thing was, being with Cheng Ye, Jiang Shi rarely had a chance to spend his own money. Over time, he had actually saved up a bit.

Zhang Chi held the model kit, his eyes welling up with tears of emotion. “Brother, you’re my real brother.”

He knew Jiang Shi didn’t have money, but Jiang Shi still gave him such an expensive gift despite not having money. If this wasn’t love…

Jiang Shi pushed his face away. “Don’t cry. It’s so ugly.”

Zhang Chi: “…”

Zhang Chi wiped away his non-existent tears and led Jiang Shi into the living room. The scrutinizing gazes from the surroundings became more and more obvious. He led Jiang Shi to a corner and found Song Jian’an there, memorizing English vocabulary.

He had the two of them stay together. “I probably won’t be able to look after you guys tonight. You just stay here. Get whatever you want to eat or drink. If you’re tired, go upstairs and rest.”

Thinking for a moment, he said to Jiang Shi, “Ignore those idiots.”

Zhang Chi left. Jiang Shi sat down. Song Jian’an held up his vocabulary book and greeted him. “Good evening, classmate Jiang Shi.”

Jiang Shi’s gaze swept over the vocabulary book in his hand, paused for a moment. “Good evening.”

A commotion came from the center of the hall. Zhang Chi was being held by several boys and forced to drink a glass of alcohol.

Jiang Shi picked up a pastry and found a comfortable position to lean back on the sofa, his gaze sweeping through the crowd.

He didn’t find the person he was looking for. Suddenly, his view was blocked by two figures.

Xie Hong held a glass of wine, his slightly frivolous gaze landing on Jiang Shi. “Young Master Song, long time no see.”

After speaking, he acted as if he had just noticed Song Jian’an next to Jiang Shi. “Oh, no, you’re not the Song family’s young master anymore. What’s your name now? Jiang Shi…”

The smile on Xie Hong’s face widened. “Jiang Shi, I heard you went to Lincheng. Lincheng is a good place. A lot of the migrant workers in my family’s factory are from Lincheng. They couldn’t make a living at home, so they came to Jiangcheng to find a way to live, waiting for my dad to pay them their wages every month. As long as you give them a little more money, they’re willing to do anything.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Shi, hoping to see some obvious embarrassment on him.

But there was none.

The young man’s complexion was rosy, his skin fair. Even his fingertips were as exquisite as jade porcelain. Facing his scrutiny, Jiang Shi returned his gaze faintly. Compared to before in Jiangcheng, the trace of timidity hidden deep in his eyes was also gone.

He had become more radiant, more flamboyant. He was still good-looking, but this good-looking was sharp, aggressive.

The thorns on the rose had finally grown into its armor.

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TL Note:

1. 凜冽 (lǐnliè): This word means “bitterly cold” or “piercingly cold,” usually used to describe wind. Here, it’s used metaphorically to describe Cheng Ye’s handwriting as sharp and fierce, as if it were cutting into the paper. ↩︎
2. 給面子 (gěi miànzi) – To give face: “Face” (面子, miànzi) is a crucial concept in Chinese culture, representing honor, reputation, and social standing. ↩︎