62: Want to Compete?
Shen Jin’s words sounded less like a question and more like a trap.
Saying no would be a lie.
Saying yes meant he already had someone who stirred his heart, so why agree to be a fake boyfriend in the first place?
Shen Jin’s cleverness lay in how he tossed out a paradox through casual conversation. No matter how Qian Kun answered, it would raise red flags in their relationship.
Qian Kun swung onto the motorcycle cleanly. His muffled voice came from ahead. “Get on first.”
Shen Jin shot him a glance and put on the helmet.
Speaking of this pink helmet that clearly didn’t match an Alpha at all, Shen Jin had noticed the scent of a brand-new helmet the first time he got it. It hadn’t been used before him, almost as if it had been prepared just for him.
Qian Kun started the engine. Amid the roar, his question followed. “Why ask that?”
Shen Jin saw You Jia standing not far away near the exit, looking for his bicycle. A wave of agitation surged up inside him, so strong it disrupted his thoughts. “There’s a stage play for the New Year’s celebration. When I was reviewing submissions, I saw a draft program. It said the male lead was originally destined to be with someone else, but before that, he got entangled with another person, and in the end almost lost his fated love. I was thinking, if there hadn’t been anyone else at the start, then there wouldn’t be all those later misunderstandings.”
Qian Kun noticed You Jia pushing his bicycle in the distance. From Shen Jin’s words, he vaguely grasped something. It wasn’t fully connected yet, but that didn’t stop him from answering.
“Real life isn’t a stage play. It doesn’t have a fixed script.” Qian Kun paused. “Even if there really is such a thing as destiny, most of the time it’s brought about by human effort.”
Like how you’re sitting safely behind me right now, so close I can feel your breath.
This was only possible through every accumulated step since the first day we met.
“What if,” Shen Jin said softly, “the male lead regrets it?”
One of the key reasons Shen Jin brought up breaking up was that he didn’t want Qian Kun to miss out.
Qian Kun smiled calmly. “If it were me, every step I take is taken without regret. I’ll fight for what I want myself. I don’t need any external force or script. Even if there were one, I’d tear it to shreds.”
In that moment, Shen Jin truly felt the arrogance of the boy in front of him.
He was proud, so proud that he refused to let anything not born of his own will be forced onto him.
A novel has its narrative. It can set the plot, but it can’t dictate a person’s heart.
In truth, Shen Jin had already laid out his reasons for wanting to break up. Neither of them went further, yet it felt as though they both understood.
As usual, Shen Jin reached out to hold the sides of Qian Kun’s jacket. Instead, gloved hands caught his wrists and wrapped around his waist. “Hold tight. It’s safer.”
Shen Jin’s heart felt like it was completely stirred by an invisible hand.
The motorcycle roared past. You Jia watched as the two most eye-catching people in the school sped by him, leaving only their carefree silhouettes behind.
You Jia’s eyes felt a little sore. He wasn’t sure which one he should envy. He clicked his tongue. “Tsk. They really suit each other.”
Then why did everyone say they were sworn enemies?
Head full of question marks, You Jia mounted his bicycle and rode toward his part-time job, the one the Qian family’s butler had introduced after the Qian household dismissed him. It paid well.
The motorcycle sped down the street, scenery streaking past.
Shen Jin vaguely heard Qian Kun call his name.
He tilted his head slightly. The cool wind carried Qian Kun’s certain reply. “Yes.”
Yes, there was someone who made his heart stir.
The sound wasn’t loud to begin with, diluted by the wind until it almost didn’t feel real.
*
When the two were together, even silence usually came with an unspoken understanding. It had never felt so distant yet close like today.
Back at the dorm, Qian Kun received a phone call and gestured for Shen Jin to head to the bathroom first.
He went out to the balcony, speaking softly into the phone.
The caller was Liu Manning. Ji Zhen had come to their house earlier, crying her eyes out, saying something was wrong with Qian Kun. He’d fallen for a Beta who had nothing going for him except his face.
How could Qian Kun be so shallow? Auntie, you have to stop him from doing something this crazy.
After coaxing the girl home, Liu Manning called her son with great interest.
“Is it your roommate? Is he really that good-looking?” Liu Manning had watched Ji Zhen grow up. For the girl to say something like that, the rival must have overwhelming looks.
Qian Kun glanced at Shen Jin gathering his clothes and hummed in agreement.
Shen Jin froze with the clothes in his hands. “?”
Qian Kun mouthed, go shower.
Shen Jin usually never locked the bathroom door. Today, there was a click as he locked it.
Hearing the sound, Qian Kun fell silent.
This was the price of a forced mark.
With the little friend, his trust rating had plummeted.
Qian Kun turned back with a headache, looking at the classmates returning below, all animatedly discussing the sports meet.
Liu Manning thought for a moment and said gravely, “If I remember right, he’s the top student of the grade. Back in his first year, the school already saw him as a future guaranteed admission candidate, Qingbei-level. He’s that outstanding. Can you even keep up?”
Qian Kun pretended to think. “Didn’t you say I take after you the most? If I fail, it’s probably genetic.”
This brat. Liu Manning got fired up. “Forget everything else. With that mouth of yours that can’t spit out a single pleasant sentence, I’ll just pray he doesn’t like you. Hahaha!”
After the mutual jabs, Liu Manning hung up, growing even more curious about the person she’d only heard about.
In the bathroom, Shen Jin felt the heat of the water on his face.
He stood quietly under it for a while. In the hazy steam, he touched the gland at the back of his neck and truly realized how subtle his relationship with the person outside the door had become.
A knock sounded on the bathroom door, followed by Qian Kun’s muffled voice. “Shen Jin, can you hear me?”
Shen Jin had been inside much longer than usual, almost twice the normal time.
He answered, quickly dressed, and opened the door, seeing Qian Kun waiting outside.
Shen Jin stepped out wrapped in steam, wearing a soft white T-shirt. His jade-like skin was tinged with a pearly pink. Qian Kun’s gaze darkened. “As long as you’re okay.”
After the day’s competitions, both of them were tired and went to bed early.
Shen Jin listened to the sounds from the opposite bunk. He could even hear the faint rustle of skin brushing against the sheets, details he’d never cared about before.
By the light of his phone, Qian Kun replied to a few messages, then turned off the screen. The room fell quiet.
Shen Jin lay on his side, fingers clenched against his chest. “What is the person you are interested like?”
When answering earlier, Qian Kun already knew there would be follow-up questions.
Even when Shen Jin had asked why he agreed to be a fake boyfriend, he’d come up with a reasonable explanation.
“The first time I saw him, I wondered how someone could exist who made it impossible for me to look away.”
“Once you’ve had contact, it’s hard not to be drawn in. Bit by bit, it turns into a greed that shouldn’t exist…”
Qian Kun’s voice was low in the quiet air, rough as though it had rolled over gravel.
The other side went silent. Shen Jin had turned his back to him. Qian Kun softly wished him good night.
Shen Jin’s lashes fluttered. His fingers unconsciously kneaded the quilt.
The night was the best cover, hiding every stir of the heart.
Lying in bed, Qian Kun replayed the day in his mind.
He thought about Shen Jin’s unusual behavior.
He vaguely felt that ever since he’d marked him again, something about Shen Jin felt off.
Where exactly had it gone wrong?
*
The next day was still bright and cloudless, mainly featuring long-distance races and group events.
Qian Kun’s arrival was met with enthusiastic welcomes from everyone, especially Hu Shengqiang, who ran over and slapped his back several times. It turned out Qian Kun had taken first in all his events the previous day, even crushing athletes from other schools.
“A fierce Beta descending from the heavens. Kun-ge, I’m starting to doubt your gender!”
“Too insane. Yesterday was basically Kun-ge’s solo show!”
“Kun-ge, tons of Omegas are asking me for your contact info. Other schools too. Give it, give it?”
Luo Ying called out, waving her phone from the stands. She was well connected in citywide Omega groups. Just yesterday, her friend requests had flooded in.
Qian Kun glanced at Shen Jin casually. Shen Jin thought, why are you looking at me? If you want to give it, then give it.
Qian Kun shrugged. “Up to you. I won’t accept them anyway.”
You hand them out, I reject them.
The arrogant remark sparked protests from the Alphas.
Qian Kun smiled and walked over to Shen Jin, lowering his voice. “Will you bring me water later?”
It sounded casual, but he was constantly pulling Shen Jin’s attention to himself.
“I still have work,” Shen Jin said. “I can’t come over.”
It wasn’t a lie. He really couldn’t stay in the stands long.
After the 800 meters came the 1500, another of Qian Kun’s events.
Shen Jin was called away to help the student council hand out heat-stroke prevention supplies. Even though it was autumn, the school was well prepared.
He didn’t go to the track, yet he could still hear the thunderous cheers from the other side. Even with Luo Ying bringing a megaphone today, it was drowned out.
Most of the shouts were Qian Kun’s name. From afar, he could see many students wearing Shengshi High uniforms.
Many people noticed this and started discussing it.
“The wildest part is, they’re not cheering for their own school. They’re yelling for Qian Kun like he’s their dad.”
“You’re out of the loop. I heard Shengshi pushed hard just to get a slot in the joint sports meet for his sake.”
“Exaggerating a bit, but back at that private school, Qian Kun was basically a god. The cohesion was terrifying. Believe it or not, if he said a word, you could be expelled.”
“That’s too much.”
“I heard it actually happened before. Supposedly he’s toned it down these past few years.”
A cool voice cut in. “He wouldn’t target anyone without reason.”
The group saw Shen Jin, cold as frost, and immediately stopped gossiping.
His presence was too intimidating.
Weren’t Shen Jin and Qian Kun supposed to be sworn enemies?
So the one who truly understands you is your enemy?
Shen Jin even spoke up for his enemy. He was way too kind.
Shen Jin checked his watch. The 1500 should be done, moving on to the 3000.
In previous years, Ke Minghuai always signed up for both. Even with S-level mental strength, running them back to back was brutal.
He did it to push his limits. It was an Alpha’s challenge to himself. Ke Minghuai had always been someone who refused to admit defeat.
Seeing there was still time, Shen Jin went to the convenience shop to buy the bottled water the young master usually drank, then strolled over.
The area was packed. Qian Kun was warming up near the track. After finishing the 1500, his limbs were lightly cramping.
Shen Jin spotted Class Nine’s section and was about to head over when Yu Pingling caught sight of him. “Shen Jin, you’re here to watch Huai-ge?”
Ke Minghuai had often tried to get Shen Jin to cheer for him before, without success.
Back in middle school, Shen Jin had been cornered by admirers many times. It reminded him of the Xie family relatives, which he found troublesome.
Ke Minghuai didn’t care much about anything beyond experiments. Even rejecting people, he did it gently, sometimes leaving them feeling they still had a chance.
Shen Jin didn’t blame him. He just found it annoying. Less trouble was better, so he’d acted like an ordinary classmate from the start.
When it came to public closeness with Ke Minghuai, he avoided it whenever possible.
Many people had heard the rumors of them being childhood friends. Now it seemed confirmed.
Cheering blended with murmured discussion.
Qian Kun looked coldly at the people talking. Some were already guessing whether Shen Jin might have been Ke Minghuai’s former fiancée.
No way, no way. That was way too exciting!
“What, do I lack class pride?” Shen Jin said flatly. “Of course I’m cheering for my own classmates.”
He denied it outright, ignoring the disappointment in Ke Minghuai’s eyes.
That single sentence extinguished a certain Alpha’s anger.
Shen Jin walked over to Class Nine’s cheering area. Qian Kun finished warming up, crossed the crowd, unzipped his jacket with one hand, and tossed it to Shen Jin.
Shen Jin caught it on reflex. The familiar woodsy scent mixed with a faint trace of Alpha sweat. His ears flushed red.
“Class rep, can you hold this for me?”
Shen Jin pressed his lips together. That familiar title felt especially provocative right now.
Qian Kun removed his arm guards and knee pads, handing them to Liu Qimai. Liu Qimai almost cried out. They were heavy.
Clearly, the 1500 earlier had been child’s play.
Qian Kun looked at Class Nine casually. “What place do you want?”
“Damn, you’re killing me. Can we really get whatever place we want? Brother Kun, you’re too arrogant!”
“Kun-ge, does the word second even exist in your dictionary?”
“That’s right! Brother Kun, go for it!!!”
As Class Nine shouted, the Shengshi students joined in.
Qian Kun’s gaze swept around and finally landed on Shen Jin.
Shen Jin mouthed, just do your best.
Qian Kun gave a slight nod. His expression changed, sharp and focused like a hawk.
With Ke Minghuai present, he couldn’t afford to lose.
Many Alphas stood on the track, already displeased by the attention focused on Qian Kun. They dared not speak, but two exchanged a look.
Whether by chance or not, Ke Minghuai’s lane was right beside Qian Kun’s. They took their positions, heads lowered, an undercurrent flowing unnoticed.
“Want to compete?”
“Compete over what?”
“Him.”
Shen Jin’s actions, one after another, had thrown Ke Minghuai off balance.
He made a suggestion he never would have before.
Qian Kun glanced at Shen Jin holding his jacket.
He smiled, the smile not reaching his eyes. “He’s not an object. I’ll never use him as a wager.”
At that moment, the starting gun fired into the sky.
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