HRMCF Chapter 8

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Completed chapter is on my ko-fi page, also please consider buying me ko-fi thanks....

🍋‍🟩 Completed Chapter

Originally, Shen Yan took Zhao Linsu to the park intending to pull a Zou Ji advising King Qi move—using the dog as a metaphor to get Zhao Linsu to reflect on his own behavior. He didn’t expect Zhao Linsu, just for the sake of arguing with him, to spout nonsense so boldly.

Fine then. If you have no shame, you’re invincible.

Let’s see who’s thicker-skinned.

Now when Shen Yan sees the name “Shen Yan” floating above Zhao Linsu’s head, he doesn’t even react anymore.

Can’t help it—he’s just too damn handsome.

“Basketball game?” Zhao Linsu didn’t even lift his eyelids and refused as firmly as he had every year. “Not going.”

Shen Yan was speechless.

Was his basketball really that unbearable to watch? It had been three years, and Zhao Linsu had never once come to see a game of his. Meanwhile, Zhu Ningbo never missed one. Shen Yan had complained to Zhu Ningbo, who said, “Maybe Zhao Linsu finds it too noisy.” Shen Yan thought that was bull—this guy listens to heavy metal and thinks basketball is too noisy?

He tossed a ticket onto Zhao Linsu’s keyboard. “This time, whether you want to or not, you’re going.”

Zhao Linsu turned to look at him.

Shen Yan said, “It’s the last game of college. We’ll be doing internships in senior year, no time for this. We don’t even have class on Friday afternoon.”

In the end, Zhao Linsu still took the ticket.

“I’ll go if I have time.”

Shen Yan thought, There’ll be hot guys all over the court—how is this not appealing? Just ungrateful.

Yes, even though Shen Yan had become numb, he hadn’t given up.

Giving up just wasn’t in his vocabulary. He had to find a way—any way—to change the name floating above Zhao Linsu’s head.

If cute girls didn’t work, then bring on the handsome guys!

“Why is Zhu Ningbo so slow today?” Shen Yan asked.

“Professor Liang’s back,” Zhao Linsu replied.

Shen Yan gave an “Oh,” then added, “No wonder. He’s gonna get the runs again.”

Professor Liang, full name Liang Keqing, was their department’s infamous nightmare. Harsh to the extreme, foreign-educated, an intimidating resume beyond his years, dressed like a disgraced Wall Street banker. He never gave exam hints, and his tests were insanely hard. He failed students en masse. Shen Yan was lucky—he’d never failed a class with him, nor had Zhao Linsu. But Zhu Ningbo? He’d failed repeatedly, even on retakes, almost needing to retake the entire course.

There were rumors that Liang Keqing graded based on favoritism. If he liked you, you might scrape a pass even if you did poorly. If he didn’t like you, you were doomed.

Zhu Ningbo was a prime example.

Everyone in their school was smart—no question. But even smart people had tiers. In high school, they were all top of the class. In college, they were just cannon fodder if they weren’t elite among elites.

Zhu Ningbo had repeated a year to barely get into the school. He got in on sheer luck—he had the lowest admission score in the department that year.

But luck only got him in. After that, it became a nightmare.

He didn’t get along in his previous dorm, partly due to that low score. Add in a not-so-slick personality, and he was basically unpopular in the department.

Their program was full of cunning people. Some had already courted future grad school advisors in their freshman year, doing everything to get noticed.

In that kind of environment, being “just a little bit behind” in every aspect quickly added up to “the worst.”

In the department, Zhu Ningbo was the bottom of the barrel.

Originally, Liang Keqing wouldn’t have noticed someone like that. Unfortunately, Zhu Ningbo happened to be close to two of the department’s stars—Shen Yan and Zhao Linsu.

Liang probably figured, Birds of a feather flock together. If Zhu Ningbo hung around two standouts, he couldn’t be that bad. He asked Zhu to speak in class once—only to discover this kid was hopeless.

And once Liang set his sights on you, it was over.

From then on, Zhu Ningbo seemed terrified of Liang. Whenever he had his class, he’d lock himself in the dorm bathroom, too anxious to come out.

Shen Yan wanted to help, but didn’t know how.

Zhu Ningbo did have good qualities: he was earnest, hardworking, and motivated. But his soft, dough-like personality always held him back.

Seeing it was almost time for class, Shen Yan called him. “Where are you? Class is starting. This is Professor Liang’s first class back from overseas. If you’re late, not even God can save you.”

Over the phone, Zhu Ningbo was panting like he’d run a marathon. “I-I’m almost there!”

“Move faster.”

Shen Yan hung up and sighed. “Just get through this semester.”

“Maybe not,” Zhao Linsu replied, scrolling on his screen and showing Shen Yan their school’s website. “Looks like he’s getting promoted to associate dean. He’ll be overseeing internships.”

Shen Yan: “…”

Buddy, the gods really are out to get you.

Shen Yan muttered, “As long as Zhu Ningbo doesn’t see him, it’s fine. But is Professor Liang really that scary?”

Zhao Linsu gave him his signature smirk, the kind that screamed “genius-level sarcasm.”

Shen Yan said, “Professors Zhao and Lin seem pretty nice.”

“They are nice,” Zhao Linsu said. “To you.”

“Oh?”

Shen Yan was a bit flattered. “Really? Just to me?”

“Yeah,” Zhao Linsu said. “In their eyes, you’re a passable specimen of the primate family.”

Shen Yan: “…” He chose to take that as a compliment.

The classroom noise suddenly quieted. Shen Yan straightened up. Sure enough, Liang Keqing had entered.

He’d been abroad recently, and his classes were removed from the schedule altogether.

They said he had connections. Clearly, they were solid.

“Zhu Ningbo still isn’t here…”

Shen Yan slammed the desk, stood up, and said, “I’ll go find him.”

“Don’t,” Zhao Linsu said. “If Professor Liang thinks you’re covering for him, it’ll be worse.”

Shen Yan slowly sat back down.

He’d been thinking that if Zhu Ningbo was late, maybe he could take the heat with him. But Zhao Linsu had a point. Liang had made it clear he hated “cliques” among students.

Up front, Liang was setting up his computer. He hadn’t said a word, but the entire classroom was silent.

That was the power of a demon professor.

Shen Yan thought: All I can do now is burn more incense for Zhu next year.

“R-report—”

Zhu Ningbo appeared at the doorway, face bright red, practically steaming.

Shen Yan instinctively covered his face.

It’s not even class yet—why’re you reporting in like a middle schooler? Just sneak in!

Everyone turned to look. Shen Yan muttered, “How do we save him?”

Zhao Linsu turned and whispered, “We don’t.”

“…”

Genius? That’s your genius?

You’re not even a passing-grade primate!

Shen Yan nervously watched the door. Liang finally looked over, ready to begin.

Even from three rows back, Shen Yan could see the sweat on Zhu’s forehead.

He was sure Zhu’s back was soaked.

“Come in.”

Zhu charged in like a bull. Shen Yan quickly moved his bag aside. After Zhu sat down, Shen Yan whispered, “You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Here, wipe your sweat.”

Zhu took the tissue gratefully. “Thanks.”

Shen Yan gave him a helpless, sympathetic smile. “Class hasn’t—”

Zhu wiped his face and neck, exhaled, and asked, “Class hasn’t started yet?”

Shen Yan stared at him like he’d seen a ghost.

Zhu’s face fell instantly. “It’s started already?”

“Once you’re in the room, shut your mouth.”

From the podium, Liang’s voice was cold as ice.

Zhu instantly sat up straight like a primary schooler, hands neatly folded on the desk.

Shen Yan stared at Zhu for a solid two minutes—until Zhao Linsu nudged his knee.

He turned. Zhao Linsu said, “Professor Liang’s looking this way.”

Shen Yan looked to the podium.

Sure enough, Liang was staring at their row, expression not pleased.

Shen Yan held his breath until Liang looked away—only then did he exhale.

His mind was buzzing.

He couldn’t stop replaying what he’d just seen in his head.

Zhu Ningbo…

Was actually fantasizing about Liang Keqing???!!!

That… that’s even crazier than Zhao Linsu!

Shen Yan looked left, then right.

So out of their trio, the only normal one was him?

Damn it.

Let it all burn.

He forced himself to focus—Liang’s eyes missed nothing. If you dared daydream in his class, you’d suffer.

But Zhu Ningbo… really?

Was there anything remotely sexy about Liang?

Shen Yan looked at his icy, sharp-featured face on the podium and couldn’t understand it.

Compared to that, Zhao Linsu’s fantasies were downright sane.

Truly, everything’s relative.

If Liang ever found out… Shen Yan shuddered, not daring to imagine Zhu’s fate.

Still, how the hell were both his friends fantasizing about men?

Was this some strange new trend?

After class, a crowd surrounded Liang.

That was reality: no matter how demonic the professor, if he was capable, students still flocked to him.

Shen Yan slung his bag over his shoulder. His gaze flicked between Zhu Ningbo, clearly hesitating, and the crowd around Liang, feeling a bit dizzy.

“Shen Yan,” Zhu mumbled, “Do you think… should I go apologize to Professor Liang?”

Shen Yan: You probably should.

“Up to you.”

Zhu didn’t move, shoulders hunched like a scared giant.

Shen Yan no longer knew what to think.

Did his ability show different results for different people?

He’d never be able to understand why Zhu would fantasize about Liang. Wasn’t he scared stiff of the man? Or was it because he was so scared, he wanted to dominate him in fantasy?

“S-screw it.”

Zhu still didn’t have the guts to go over.

The three of them walked out of the classroom. Shen Yan, now more mentally resilient than ever, felt oddly calm beneath all the absurdity.

“I’m heading back to the dorm,” Zhu said.

Shen Yan waved him off.

After standing in place for a while, he finally turned to Zhao Linsu. “Zhao Linsu.”

Zhao raised a brow.

“You’re actually afraid of me, aren’t you?”

Shen Yan stared him down. “Be honest. You’re intimidated by me, right? Like Zhu Ningbo with Professor Liang? Always pretending to be calm in front of me? It’s okay to admit your cowardice—I won’t laugh.”

Zhao Linsu walked right past him, gave the back of his head a smack, and proved with action just how laughable Shen Yan’s words were. “We’re going shopping.”

Shen Yan rubbed his head. “Men shouldn’t let their heads be touched casually. What’re we buying?”

“For your brother.”

“What’re you getting Zhu?”

“Not Zhu.”

“For yourself?”

Zhao grinned. “Guess again.”

“My brother?”

“Keep guessing.”

Shen Yan couldn’t think of anyone else. Aside from those people, he didn’t really have any other “brothers.”

“Who?”

He got into the car. “Which one of my brothers are we talking about?”

Outside a shop called “Xin Xin Pet Store.”

“Go on,” Zhao gestured with his chin. “Pick a leash your brother will like.”

Shen Yan: …Pick a thick one—so I can strangle this perverted bastard who keeps fantasizing about his brother!

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