chapter 10

Huo Ran knew that his looks and temper weren’t quite a set, having classmates especially female ones say he’s cute wasn’t something that had happened just once or twice, but finding out that he’d been introduced with a ‘Lil’ Cutie’ image by Kou Chen to his sister, he still had a kind of inexplicable sense of shame.

At the same time kind of felt like raging.

If not considering the fact that Kou Chen had indeed discovered that Hu Yi had been carrying a knife today, at this moment he felt like cutely giving Kou Chen a beating.5

“Jie,” Kou Chen came up to the phone screen, “Get to the point.”

“Ah fine, the point,” the Jiejie at the other side nods, “Lil Cutie ah, you see…”

“Hello Jiejie,” Huo Ran felt that Kou Chen possibly hadn’t even told his sister what his name was, so he could only forcefully introduce himself, “My name is Huo Ran.”1

“Hello Lil Cutie, my name is Kou Xiao, you can just call me ‘Jie’ like Kou Chen does,” Kou Xiao smiles as she says, “Come, help Jiejie to see if these things are right? Are we missing anything?”

Kou Xiao spoke gently like she was teasing a 3 year-old child, Huo Ran could only temporarily give up his resistance to Lil Cutie, looking towards the screen.

Kou Xiao had already turned the camera towards a table, the table full of all sorts of stoves pots shoes ropes, waterproof sleeping bags, headlights tent lights emergency hand lights, and thermos all arranged in a row of four…

One look across, and Huo Ran suddenly felt that, out of the prior rumours the one about his family background being very good, possibly wasn’t a rumour, but was indeed true.

Huo Ran from the table and flooring already recognised which store this was, he didn’t go there very often, the things in this store were expensive, although their things were all good stuff, but if they weren’t more-than-3-years old donkeys* or rich donkeys, one typically wouldn’t get even ropes from here.

[*tl note: the phrase ‘old donkey’ apparently means ‘being incredible’ (similar to niú bī) so in this context refers to veteran trekkers that have been trekking for more than 3 years, apologies for the awkward phrasing]

He gave Kou Chen a glance, and Kou Chen’s face was full of anticipation.

“How is it? Expert, if there aren’t any problems then let her buy 3 of each,” Kou Chen.4

“Ai don’t don’t don’t,” Huo Ran got a fright, how many tens of thousands (of yuan) would this be already, he cleared his throat, “Jiejie, it’s like this, there’s too many things, some won’t be needed, also, if you guys are just casually going to play this once… there’s no need for so much, and there’s no need for such high quality ones.”

“Is it a lot?” Kou Xiao says, “I haven’t even finished picking over here.”

“Jiejie, please don’t use your enthusiasm for buying clothes to buy equipment,” Huo Ran reminds her, “This time it’s trekking, not a road trip, all these things will have to be carried by ourselves, so it’s best if we pack lightly…”1

“Old Yang!” Kou Xiao suddenly shouted on the other side, “Put all these back——”

Kou Chen at the side heard her, and instantly started cracking up.

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Huo Ran heaved a sigh.

In the end under Huo Ran’s instructions, Kou Xiao temporarily bought a stove, a pot set and three backpacks.

“What about the other stuff?” Kou Chen asks.

“I’ll make a list for you, then give you a store, the old donkeys I know all buy from that store,” Huo Ran sighs, taking out a notebook, “You and your sister just buy everything else from there, if you use my name you can get a discount.”

“Okay,” Kou Chen nods.

Huo Ran acted decisively, quickly writing down everything else they needed to bring on the notebook, some that could be shared that he already had, he didn’t write down, the scariest thing about trekking was their things being too heavy to carry.

Which was why he wasn’t keen on going out with amateurs, especially female ones, the way some girls let others carry their things was so self-righteous it was as if the trees beside them were all their boyfriends.2

“Here,” Huo Ran tore the page he had written on down, handing it over to Kou Chen, “Just buy according to this, the address is at the bottom.”

Kou Chen held onto the paper and looked at it seriously.

Huo Ran patiently waited.

Kou Chen read very slowly, giving one the feeling that maybe he wasn’t quite so literate.

After looking for at least 3 minutes, only then did he finally finish reading, taking a photo and sending it to his sister, then folding the paper and putting it into his pocket.

Huo Ran looked at him as he took out his books to place on the table, finally unable to bear it: “Go back to your seat though.”

“Too lazy to move already,” Kou Chen leaned back in his chair.

“…Where’s Xu ZhiFan gonna sit when he comes,” Huo Ran says.

“In my seat obviously,” Kou Chen had an are you dumb expression on his face, “Where else can he sit.”2

“Oh,” Huo Ran inhales, turning to sigh at the blackboard.

The class ended, and Xu ZhiFan didn’t come back, Kou Chen beside him slept so soundly hugging his books that even the Death God’s hacking wouldn’t wake him.1

Huo Ran sent a message over to ask, and Xu ZhiFan responded very quickly.

– Spent the period advising, and he’s crying now

Huo Ran was struck dumb, although Hu Yi didn’t talk much, a little more introverted than the rest of them, but was still someone that wouldn’t make a sound* even if his bone had fractured, crying?

[*tl note: i’m not sure if this one is a typo but wuzhe uses 啃气儿 (kěn qì er) which literally means ‘bite air/breath’ and doesn’t quite make sense, whereas 吭气 (kēng qì) means ‘make a sound’ that seems more appropriate]

– Why’d you advise until he cried? Isn’t your standard a little too low1

– ??? what’s this gotta do with me?

Huo Ran heaved a sigh.

– Then are you guys still coming to self-study?

– Not going, let him cry and vent it out a little

– You?

– Just started a match*, don’t talk to me first

[*tl note: guessed this one but should be accurate because i looked the phrase 开了一把 (kāile yī bǎ) up and someone’s rant about their gaming experience came up lol]

“Fuck,” Huo Ran puts his phone back in his pocket.

The first two night self-study periods were taken up by the English teacher, at the start Huo Ran could still sit up as he listened, but towards the end got down onto the table, during the second period he’d simply laid and slept 10 minutes.

It wasn’t the same with Kou Chen, solidly sleeping the full two periods, in between Xu Chuan and Wei ChaoRen coming over to chat didn’t even wake him.

Third period wasn’t to be used by any teacher, so as soon as the starting bell rang, Kou Chen woke up fully energised.

“Ai…” he stretched, even taking a wet tissue from his bag to wipe at his face.

What a truly exquisite Braggart King.

Kou Chen finished wiping his face, then proceeded to wipe the surface of the desk once through.

“What’re you doing?” Huo Ran looks at him.

“Wiping off drool,” Kou Chen says.

“You drooled?” Huo Ran was completely stunned.

“How would I know, just in case,” Kou Chen says serenely, “Even though I’m of such quality*.”1

[*tl note: in case anyone’s confused about his roundabout way of talking and i have to admit i’m not sure if i’ve understood it completely right but he’s saying something like even though he’s a person of such (high) calibre, he still might have drooled]

Huo Ran doesn’t say anything, and was just about to fish his phone out to play, when he heard the classroom door sound.

His shock made him tremble, hurriedly flinging his phone back under the desk, the classroom door being at the back was just unsafe!

However when he turned his head back, he saw that standing outside the door wasn’t a teacher, but a few boys, a little familiar-looking but in that moment he couldn’t recall who they were.

“Yo,” Kou Chen at his side laughed.

Huo Ran hearing his tone, came to a realisation, those standing at the door were the four boys that were bullying He Hua along with Li JiaYing the other day.

They’d come looking for trouble.

“Kou Chen,” a tall boy walked inside, standing at the last row, looked at Kou Chen and spoke.

Kou Chen didn’t make a sound.

“Come out for a bit,” Tall Boy said.

“If there’s anything just say it here,” Xu Chuan says from his seat without raising his head, his hand even pretentiously holding up an English book.1

Huo Ran discovered that this trio when it came to a crucial moment, the way they acted tough was especially united and seamless.

“What’s it to you?” Tall Boy sends a look towards Xu Chuan’s direction, probably not identifying the person that had spoken, his gaze returning to Kou Chen, “Come out.”

Kou Chen still didn’t make a sound, leisurely using the wet tissue to wipe his hand, then slowly rolled it into a ball and squeezed, before turning his head to sweep a look across: “Who’re you?”

“Don’t fucking talk rubbish with him,” behind Tall Boy a Half Tall Boy* came over, directly rushing over, reaching his hand out with the intention of grabbing on his arm.

[*tl note: i wasn’t sure whether she meant simply ‘a short boy’ or ‘a boy half as tall as that tall boy’ so i just translated the phrase directly]

Huo Ran seeing this stance, didn’t even think before he turned around and reached over to pull the curtains beside him open at once.

The still brightly illuminated office appeared before everyone’s eyes with a shua, close at hand, and Half Tall’s hand froze in mid-air.

Kou Chen smiles as he makes a ‘tsk’ sound, moving this person’s hand away: “And I was thinking how aggressive.”

“You don’t dodge either, there’s nowhere to hide,” Half Tall says, “If you’re a man you’ll come with us.”

Kou Chen heaves a sigh, tossing the wet tissue in his hand onto the desk, standing up and walking over to outside the classroom: “This is what you guys asked for.”

Tall Boy and the few of them immediately turned and followed them outside.

Huo Ran saw that this was a successful fight appointment, instantly feeling a little anxious, he stood up in a hurry, what happened that day he couldn’t let Kou Chen bear it all by himself.

Just as he’d leapt out from his seat, Half Tall turned back again, pointing at Huo Ran: “None of your business, don’t join in.”

“Point one more time? I’ll fucking immediately send you crying to the heavens asking why they didn’t give you 6 fingers!” getting pointed at in such an arrogant manner annoyed Huo Ran the most, going up to him after a kick to the chair.

“Huo Ran Huo Ran Huo Ran,” Xu Chuan blocked in front of him, suppressing his voice, “Don’t be rash, Kou Chen’ll be fine.”

“Still pointing?” Jiang Lei then also stood up, “Can’t understand? Or do you really have 6 fingers so breaking one wouldn’t matter?”1

A few boys in the class slowly started coming over, Half Tall turned to look backwards, probably noticing that his accomplices had already left, so he hesitated a bit, putting his hand down, turning to walk out of the classroom with quick steps.

“Fuck, if you hadn’t translated a bit I almost didn’t understand what Huo Ran’s sentence meant,” Wei ChaoRen looks at Jiang Lei.

“What do you mean almost didn’t understand, you literally didn’t understand,” Jiang Lei says.1

“…Hey!” Wei ChaoRen glares at him.

Huo Ran pushed Xu Chuan who was still blocking in front of him away, leaning on the window as he looked downwards, the few of them had already left without a trace.

“No,” He turns his head to look at Xu Chuan, “You guys have something against Kou Chen don’t you? If you yourself don’t care there’s that, but stopping others from bothering?”

“That side is the Teacher’s Office,” Xu Chuan points outside the window, “Old Yuan hasn’t gotten off work yet, his head even moved a bit earlier, we can’t just start fighting in here can we?”

“Then what now?” Huo Ran was getting anxious.

“Now we look for them,” Xu Chuan walks outside, “I know where they are.”

Huo Ran immediately follows, going along and asking: “Where?”

“Ghost building,” Xu Chuan says.

“Mn,” Huo Ran responds, his feet not stopping, but in his heart he roared.

Fuck! Me!*

[*tl note: original is ‘i! fuck!’, changed to fit better]

“Why there?” Jiang Lei voices his (Huo Ran’s) doubt.

“That’s the only place the security guard doesn’t go to,” Xu Chuan says, “It’s also far, if there’s any activity nobody can hear.”

Xu Chuan’s analysis made quite a lot of sense, but couldn’t help Huo Ran regain the calm in his heart.

Jiang Lei patting his shoulder also didn’t have much of a comforting effect.

Xu Chuan actually was also rather anxious, going down the stairs he was bouncing 3 steps down at one go.

In theory Kou Chen didn’t have any problems when it came to fighting, but this theory was according to his own descriptions, he’d only transferred over for a total of one semester, even their boasts in the past according to his memory were all based on what they’d heard Kou Chen say*, he and Wei ChaoRen aside from playing mahjong with Kou Chen, had never actually seen Kou Chen fight.

[*tl note: incredibly confusing line, apologies if the translation isn’t completely accurate]

Hopefully before they arrive, Kou Chen can hang on, after all even if he were exceptional at fighting, the opponent had at least four people, and it could not be certain that there wouldn’t be others waiting over there.

“In a while consider the circumstances before making a move,” Xu Chuan glanced at Huo Ran who was walking beside him like his feet were about to lift off, at this time Xu ZhiFan wasn’t around, Huo Ran’s explosive temper, he was worried he wouldn’t be able to hold him back, “Maybe they’re only making a show of false bravado.”

“That’ll be best,” Huo Ran says, “What I’m scared of is Kou Chen fucking making a show of false bravado, when we get there we better not be seeing him alone prostrating in the grass patch carrying his family’s Death God on his butt.”2

When they’d walked underneath the Teacher’s Office, Huo Ran shut his mouth, the few of them quietly and quickly running across.

In front two people wandered over, Xu Chuan seeing that immediately became alert, at this time those that would come outside would usually be those going to the snack bar to buy food, they wouldn’t be in this direction, those in this direction would be going to the field or the stadium…

“You two!” Huo Ran at the side suddenly pointed at those two people, “Come, help me out.”

“Captain?” the two people immediately followed over, one of them asking, “With what?”

Xu Chuan then borrowed the glow of the streetlights to look, these two should be from the school basketball team.

“Don’t know yet,” Huo Ran says, “Depends on the situation I guess.”

“Got it,” these two came to an understanding, as they followed them along towards the field their footsteps even emitted a murderous aura.

Huo Ran hadn’t been in a fight, at least in school had never exchanged blow with anyone, every time he would be held down by Xu ZhiFan, he’d even had people blocking him off outside school a few times, and while he’d been terribly keen on responding to the fight invitation, but it’d always fall through because of Xu ZhiFan and Jiang Lei with Hu Yi in addition.

He felt that he was probably an amateur in the eyes of these three friends, the kind that would get sent packing in 8 parts once he went outside.

So the possibility of having to get in a fight in school today… to a person like Kou Chen probably wasn’t anything much, but to an “Obedient Baby” from a uni-affliated high school like him, it was very exciting.

This sort of excitement, the greatest benefit was it allowed Huo Ran to neglect the fact that the place they were going to was the ghost building, specifically the empty space full of dead grass that looked like ghosts were living in it at the back of the ghost building.

Only until they’d walked up to the front of the ghost building, and saw that Municipal Heritage stone plate, did he abruptly come to a realisation.

It’s the ghost building!

Ghosts!

In pitch darkness he swiftly swept a glance at the figures of the few people around him, Jiang Lei saw him, and could probably tell, so he moved closer to his side.

“Why does it feel like there isn’t anyone?” Wei ChaoRen very softly asks, “Not here?”

Xu Chuan doesn’t make a sound, walking towards the small road on the side, and had just taken two steps, when he heard a voice coming from the back of the building, “Motherfucker!”

This voice wasn’t Kou Chen’s.

Soon after was the rustling sound of chaotic footsteps and weeds getting stepped on.

This was clearly the sound from a scuffle.

Huo Ran instantly supplemented his mind with an image of the miserable state that the Braggart King that had boasted for one semester whose car had finally turned over* at this point and had gotten pressed into the ground to be beaten up by a few people would be in, although he didn’t really have friendly relations with Kou Chen, but after all this trouble could be counted as one they’d provoked together…1

[*tl note: the phrase ‘car turning over’ in gaming slang refers to when someone who was originally able to win ends up losing]

He didn’t even think before charging over.

Just as he’d rushed into the passageway he heard Kou Chen’s voice: “Fly for me (Laozi)!*”1

[*tl note: might not be completely accurate but 老子 (lǎozi) means ‘old man’ and is sort of a self-important way of address when used by non-elderly men]

Following that was a dull sound.

He’d just turned the corner, and saw an incoming lump of black figure crashing towards him.

Ah——Ghost——Your uncle ah——

Huo Ran understood that this empty space had at least five people, behind him there also fucking were five people, but he was still frightened to the point of letting out a shrill screech in his heart.

Following that the black figure knocked solidly onto him.

In the same instance he came to a realisation that this wasn’t a ghost, this person that had probably been kicked into flying knocked him directly onto the ground, even sitting his butt right onto his stomach.

“Fuck,” he used his arm to get this person off him.

Not waiting for him to stand, another one came flying out from in front, this time falling beside his feet.

“Kou Chen?” Xu Chuan shouted at the obscure thick growth of grass.

“Mn,” Kou Chen responded.

Following that the five people on their side rushed in, in such darkness nothing could be seen, so nobody dared to directly hit whoever their hands made contact with.

As Huo Ran stood up from the ground holding his stomach, some people ran outwards from in front of him, and he couldn’t hear clearly how many there were.

In the end Wei ChaoRen’s voice rang out: “Ai ai ai! Who fucking hit me!”

“No more?” Jiang Lei asks.

“Ran off,” Huo Ran leans onto the wall, getting knocked into wasn’t much, but having someone sit their butt directly on his stomach when he was completely unprepared, up till then he still hadn’t recovered, his stomach churning intermittently.

In the darkness a few phones lit up.

“Fuck, Huo Ran are you okay?” Jiang Lei runs over holding his phone.

“Nah,” Huo Ran felt rather like he’d lost face, not having done anything even looking he hadn’t managed to see clearly, yet having someone sit right on him like that, at this moment, he could only use hypocritical concern to divert everyone’s attention, “Where’s Kou Chen?”

“Kou Chen you alright?” Wei ChaoRen asks.

“I’m fine,” Kou Chen walks out from the innermost part of the empty space, only stopping after he’d walked right up to Huo Ran, “Who hit you?”

“Nobody hit me, just got knocked into,” Huo Ran honestly did not want to say that it was the person you’d fucking kicked into flying that had smashed into him.4

“Just a knock and you’re like this?” Kou Chen was a little doubtful, after pausing for two seconds, he raised his hand to rub it against his pants, removed the hand Huo Ran had covered over his stomach, and felt around on Huo Ran’s stomach, before bringing his hand up in front of his eyes, “There’s no blood though.”

“Are you intellectually disabled?” Huo Ran looks at him, “If I’d taken a knife would I still be able to stand?”

“You wouldn’t?” Kou Chen says, “I could though.”1

Braggart Braggart Braggart Braggart King!

Huo Ran was simply speechless, staying silent for a moment before sending him a fist and palm salute.

Kou Chen looks at him not speaking.

Huo Ran waited a few seconds and saw that he had no intention of speaking, so he asked: “What?”

“Can you walk?” Kou Chen glances towards the field, “If you can’t walk I’ll piggyback you.”3

Huo Ran hurriedly turns and walks out in large strides.