through the strait gates(过门/Guomen)//work by priest(CN)//BL

Chapter 6: Undercurrent (vol. scallions)

Wu Tao hung out with Xu Xilin's group of friends during the day in class. They were pretty nice to each other, and as Wu Tao was far away from home, Xu Xilin sometimes brought him some snacks or other food to help make his life at the dorms a tad bit better. After a few brush-bys, he became light acquaintances with the bunch of sports students. All of them were polite to Xu Xilin, greeting him whenever they brushed by him. When they didn't have training, every once in a while, they would be brought by Wu Tao to play basketball when they didn't have enough players. They've also went out for a few meals together before.

But really, Xu Xilin wasn't really acquainted that much with them, but also wasn't in any conflicts with anyone of them, either. They were what was called "*the water in the well does not offense the water in the river".

He did had heard some nasty rumors that originated from the dorms, but as he hadn't witnessed them himself, he had never asked Wu Tao about it––it was none of his business to.

Xu Xilin glanced back at Dou Xun's desk. Most of the normal people, except for vacations and exam weeks, only brought home materials they needed. Most of their things were left in the classroom. Only Dou Xun's desk was empty, clear of even paper scraps, looking as if it was unused.

Carrying a five plus kilogram school bag every day...this was psycho to the point of a statement.

Pffft, as if anyone would want to take away that pile of trash of his?

Xu Xilin asked naturally, "Oh, how? Beat him up?"

Wu Tao smiled a little, acting as if he was a supernatural person with loads of secrets in his arms. Used to being a loner in class, at this moment, all the reasons why he was one all seemed to reveal themselves, glowing-up into "above the common herd".

"Beating him up? That would be be letting him go too easily," Mr. Above-the-Common-Herd Wu said casually.

Xu Xilin suddenly felt annoyed by Wu Tao's actions, and did not reply immediately. He thought, "If you're so 'badass', why didn't I see you helping Tsai Jing out when he was cornered by the high-rate loaners?"

But thoughts were merely thoughts, and Xu Xilin didn't want to embarrass Wu Tao right in his face. He only spoke, "Nah, forget about it. You don't know about it, but today, in the 3rd floor office, she screeched at me like batshit crazy. He looks like her newest *sweetie, don't mess things up."

*not in a romantic sense, don't get me wrong

Wu Tao was not satisfied, and glanced sideways at Xu Xilin, trying to anger him more on purpose. "Qilixiang? She means nothing––dude, not that I'm saying, but if you can take even this, you're damn well-tempered."

Xu Xilin's expression darkened.

He knew what Wu Tao wanted––he was only looking for trouble. But as he didn't have a good reason, he wanted to use Xu Xilin as one. Xu Xilin did despise Dou Xun quite a lot, but one thing was one, and Xu Xilin did not want to use a bunch of bored out boarding students as a gun. Plus, if he really wanted to fuck up Dou Xun, would he need anyone else to help him to?

"Pffft, do I look like I can't take care of him myself and is crying for off-court help?" Xu Xilin looked at Wu Tao, his expression close to smile, but was it, really? "Tao Ge, I've been nice to you most of the time, why the heck are you making me look like a weakling, huh?"

He spoke in a joking tone, but a soft, neither sharp nail was wrapped in his words. Although he embarrassed neither side of the conversation, he still managed to express the notion that he was not pleased about this.

Wu Tao's expression twisted. The boys around him looked at each other, afraid to say a word.

But then Xu Xilin stood up, and slung his arm over Wu Tao's back like nothing had happened. He loosened out the stressed atmosphere himself, "It's literally the weekend, why are you mentioning disappointing people for nothing? My mom's going to come home this week from the south, and she's going to bring some fruit; do you want mangoes or mangosteens?"