Reborn with an Old Enemy on the Day of our Marriage

Chapter 15 - Exchanging Shoes

Zheng PingQing and Dong MingEn took Lin YaZhi and started to walk to the infirmary. However, Lin YaZhi didn’t seem to think that his situation was anything serious. He continued to struggle and said: “I really feel fine, I don’t need to go to the infirmary, let’s go back to class–”

Lin YaZhi was very strong and his hold didn’t waver, but Dong MingEn’s grip nearly broke. He looked at Zheng PingQing, not knowing whether to laugh or cry as he said: “I see that Teacher Lin is quite healthy.”

Zheng PingQing remained unmoved. “We need to get the school doctor to double-check.”

The trio shuffled past the other classrooms, prompting other students to see one of the most well-known student in their entire year and his younger brother drag the most hated math teacher past their class, leaving them all bewildered.

Lin YaZhi felt that it was a bit improper for a teacher to get dragged by his students towards the infirmary. In any typical scenario, their roles should be reversed. He thought about trying to reason with Zheng PingQing again, but didn’t have enough time to speak as Dong MingEn, who was afraid of letting go, wrapped an arm around his waist, or more specifically, his abdomen.

Lin YaZhi felt like he’d been punched in the gut, his whole stomach suddenly rebelling. He couldn’t bear the rolling of his insides and with a ‘bleargh-‘ he vomited on the shoes of his two students.

Lin YaZhi: “…”

Dong MingEn: “…”

Zheng PingQing, who had already experienced his son’s vomiting, remained calm and expressionless. He continued to drag Lin YaZhi forward. “Teacher, we should go see the doctor.”

Lin YaZhi was very embarrassed. But in front of such ironclad facts, he could only say: “Then let’s go see them.”

None of the three noticed the horrified looks of the students in the nearby classrooms who had witnessed it all.

So when third period finished, Lin Qian heard the news that his Dad was beaten up by Zheng PingQing so hard that he vomited.

Rumors were enthusiastically spread, and some people even swore that they saw Lin YaZhi being dragged from the classroom by Zheng PingQing.

Lin Qian was stunned when he heard it.

These students have really rich imaginations, ah.

At his side, Xu Yao exploded: “That Zheng PingQing is too much!”

Lin Qian looked at his friend and calmly countered: “You already accused him wrongly this morning. Haven’t you learned from your mistakes?”

Xu Yao was ready to start another fight but stopped when he heard Lin Qian’s words. His face showed a shocked expression, before turning awkward. “Your Dad vomited because of his food?”

Lin Qian thought about it and replied: “It’s quite possible that he also ate some after I left.”

Xu Yao was stunned. “But I thought he was deliberately poisoning you?”

“Trust people a little more.” Lin Qian looked at Xu Yao, got up, then solemnly said: “I’m going to the clinic, so help me explain during the next class.”

Looking at Lin Qian’s retreating figure, Xu Yao couldn’t help but think: How can he be so sure it wasn’t because of Zheng PingQing?

……

Lin Qian had just arrived at the infirmary when he heard Lin YaZhi inside speaking: “…Didn’t think it would be food poisoning. It must be last night’s takeaway. Food safety issues are really worrying nowadays…”

It was followed by Zheng PingQing voice, which sounded like he was at the end of his patience: “If it were because of your dinner last night, it wouldn’t have taken this long for you to vomit.”

Lin YaZhi remained clueless. “Then I really can’t figure out the reason.”

Just then, the school doctor came over with medicine and said: “There’s something wrong with the breakfast you had.”

He then asked Lin YaZhi: “What did you eat this morning?”

Lin YaZhi’s smile faded, and he suddenly stood up: “Ah Qian also ate breakfast, I have to hurry and call him to get checked.”

As soon as he stood up, he noticed Lin Qian entering the room. Lin Qian’s mouth curved, and he moved forward to press Lin YaZhi back onto the hospital bed. “I’m fine; you have a good rest.”

“Are you sure?” Lin YaZhi immediately looked Lin Qian over, his gaze moving up and down. Seeing that he really was still alive and kicking, Lin YaZhi became relieved.

However, Dong MingEn burst out laughing when he heard the doctor’s words. “I say, the teacher ate the food he prepared and was the only one who got food poisoning? What a talent!”

As soon as he said this, he received a knife-sharp glare from Zheng PingQing, which immediately shut him up.

Lin YaZhi was ashamed and tried to defend himself: “It’s the ingredients; they probably weren’t fresh….”

For the sake of his boyfriend’s health, Zheng PingQing decided to stand up and mercilessly break Lin YaZhi’s delusions. “Teacher, I think it’ll be easier if you just don’t cook, cherish life, and stay away from the kitchen.”

Lin YaZhi’s heart was bitter, but he didn’t have the face to refute such words. He could only lie back onto the small bed, the word ‘unwilling’ stamped all over his face.

Just then, on a nearby cabinet, Lin YaZhi’s cellphone began to ring. Lin Qian picked it up for him.

Caller ID: ShiYi.

Lin Qian automatically glanced at Zheng PingQing, but Zheng PingQing’s gaze remained impassive, as if he didn’t see anything.

Lin Qian handed Lin YaZhi his phone. Lin YaZhi took it and stiffened when he saw the caller, hesitating to answer.

Lin Qian: “We’ll be going back to class first.”

Lin YaZhi saw that Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing didn’t react and was quietly relieved. He nodded his head without saying anything else.

When they got out of the infirmary, Dong MingEn began to happily spew his own word vomit: “Shoot, this is the first time I’ve seen someone getting food poisoning from their own food, too good, I can’t wait to tell everyone…”

Noticing that the other two haven’t said anything, he turned his head and saw that they were in their own little world, not listening to him at all.

Dong MingEn felt a little like air and couldn’t help but try to inform them of his existence: “You…”

At this, Zheng PingQing finally noticed him. With a frown, he said: “You go back first.”

Dong MingEn wondered what they were up to. “What about you?”

Zheng PingQing: “I’m going with Lin Qian.”

Dong MingEn was shocked. He looked between Zheng PingQing and Lin Qian, his heart sour. “Boss, you don’t have to…” try and curry favor.

The words threatened to escape his lips, but he swallowed them back.

Instead, Dong MingEn solemnly swore: “Boss, I’ll study hard.”

Zheng PingQing had no idea what to do with his younger brother’s sudden statement, but it didn’t seem to be a bad thing, so he nodded: “jiāyóu.”

Dong MingEn gave Lin Qian another hard look. Lin Qian didn’t understand, but this was his boyfriend’s younger brother, so he could be considered family. So, in the end, he showed a friendly smile and replied: “jiāyóu.”

Dong MingEn:! ! ! !

Provocation, this was provocation!

Looking at Dong MingEn’s retreating figure, one could see his sudden rise in fighting spirit. Lin Qian became very emotional. “Everyone seems different this time.”

Then Zheng PingQing suddenly grabbed both his wrists and buried his face on Lin Qian’s neck, sullenly saying: “What about you, are you going to change?”

Lin Qian wrapped his hands around Zheng PingQing’s own wrists, holding him tight as he said: “It’s hard to say…”

Zheng PingQing gently nibbled on Lin Qian’s neck. The teeth scraping against his skin was an obvious threat.

“I think I might get taller…” As Lin Qian said this, his neck got bitten. There was no pain, but it became somewhat numb.

“It doesn’t matter if you grow into a giant.” Zheng PingQing whispered, “But your heart isn’t allowed to change.”

“But I think my heart already changed.” Lin Qian replied, sighing.

Zhang PingQing’s body immediately went taut, but then he heard Lin Qian’s low laughter. “It seems that I’ve become even more fond of you.”

Lin Qian rubbed his cheek against Zheng PingQing’s as he continued to say: “The rose-tinted filter you get when in love really is too powerful, ah. When we were in high school, I thought you were ugly in every way, but now, no matter the angle, I think you’re good-looking. Simply the second most handsome man in the entire school, I can’t help but like you a little more.”

Zheng PingQing: “….”

Lin Qian’s tone became self-reproaching as he continued: “I’m really not good at this; my self-control is really lacking.”

Zheng PingQing finally chuckled, shifting to bite Lin Qian’s ear. “Your self-control can afford to be a little more lacking.”

He then proceeded to put his foot into his mouth: “Like enough to break the law a little.”

Lin Qian:”…that’ll take me three years to figure out.”

Zheng PingQing: “….”

Seeing that Zheng PingQing didn’t seem too depressed, Lin Qian let go and said: “You go back to class; I’ll check up on my dad.”

“Alright.” Zheng PingQing calmly released Lin Qian’s wrists, then gave him an intense look. After a while, he said: “Lin Qian, I can’t lie to you. Even if we did go back in time, I still can’t forgive Chen ShiYi.”

“I know. But this time around, you have someone who loves you.” Lin Qian dropped a kiss on his cheek, “Having me is enough.”

Zheng PingQing looked into his eyes, then suddenly sighed: “Then hurry up and reach adulthood, ah!”

Lin Qian’s hand went to his forehead, his eyes rolling. He then noticed Zheng PingQing’s shoes and asked: “Dad vomited on you?”

Zheng PingQing looked down at his dirty shoes, but he didn’t have the heart to blame his father-in-law, so he spread his hands and said: “Things happened too fast, we were just too slow.”

“Then wear my shoes. I’m skipping my next class, so I’ll go wash your shoes and try to dry them out.” Lin Qian replied.

At this time, the two men still had similar builds, with Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing having similar shoe sizes.

The residual warmth felt by Zheng PingQing as he wore Lin Qian’s shoes ironed any remaining creases in his heart.

……

Dong MingEn was met with a strong sense of rejection when he returned to the classroom.

“Your shoes are so stinky!”

“Man, is that a chemical or biological weapon?”

The surrounding students turned their bodies in other directions, and in the end, Dong MingEn couldn’t find anyone to share his story of Lin YaZhi getting poisoned from his own cooking.

Luo XingGuang was even more desperate to push him away, saying: “Can you change seats? I’m suffocating here.”

Dong MingEn was furious. “The Boss’ shoes are the same, do you have the ability to say that to the Boss too?”

Luo XingGuang went ‘hehe’ and replied: “I don’t believe it. The Boss isn’t a scoundrel like you.”

Dong MingEn sneered. “The Boss is someone who likes cleanliness, but there’s no way he can find other shoes to change into.”

Luo XingGuang thought this was reasonable and had no other choice but to reluctantly accept Dong MingEn’s words. “Come here, let me get used to the smell first.”

Dong MingEn: …..I want to break off our relations.

When Zheng PingQing came back to the classroom, he found that the atmosphere was a little strange. His classmates seem to be…looking at his shoes.

At this, Zheng PingQing became a little smug. He knew they needed to be low-key about their love, but well, he couldn’t very well think of a good excuse as to why his shoes were different.

Nevertheless, while his heart was floating, his face remained indifferent. He needed to maintain his strong ‘Boss’ image.

Suddenly, Luo XingGuang grabbed Dong MingEn and put him in a headlock. “You cheat! You made me smell your stink for half a day!”

“I’m telling the truth!” Dong MingEn escaped, hugging his head as he ran towards Zheng PingQing. Aggrieved, he asked: “Boss, how come your shoes are clean?”

Zheng PingQing replied: “Take a closer look.”

Luo XingGuang was surprised when he did, saying: “This doesn’t seem to be the Boss’ shoes.”

Dong MingEn was also surprised. “Boss, where did you get those?”

Zheng PingQing’s expression didn’t change as he answered: “These are Lin Qian’s shoes.”

All the classmates nearby: ………??

Luo XingGuang was puzzled and tentatively asked: “Reparations for you taking care of his father?”

“Reparations my ass!” Dong MingEn angrily shouted, “Lin Qian actually used his own cheap shoes to replace the Boss’ branded ones! So shameless!”

Zheng PingQing: “….”

Why is it so hard to publicly display one’s affections?