บท 8: 1.8 Gold Emblem

"Hey, look who's here!" The loud voice was followed by an arm that slung across Ren Zexi's shoulders. "It's our S High's Melancholic Prince! It's been a while! Where did you go during the winter vacation? Dubai? Finland? Or Maldives?"

Ren Zexi clicked his tongue and brushed Huang Zhihe's hands off him. His expression was frosty and aloof, totally different from how he behaved around Lu Yizhou. "Do you think I am you? The company was very busy at the end of the year so of course I had to give Uncle Lu a hand. How could I leave him alone just like that?"

Huang Zhihe shook his head in pity yet his expression was full of schadenfreude. "Ckckck, look at this lovestruck fool. He still hasn't realized your feelings yet when you're being this obvious? Exactly how dense he is?"

"Fuck off!" Ren Zexi snarled and stalked off, leaving Huang Zhihe behind. He didn't want to let anyone know — not even Huang Zhihe — that not only did Lu Yizhou acknowledge his feelings, he might even reciprocate it, judging from how that man encouraged him this morning. He still wanted to savor this sense of awe and disbelief by himself for a while!

S High was the most prestigious school in the whole country which had stood for at least a century. Not only had it produced many talents who were now sitting in important positions in the government, the building was also very antique, elegant and vast. From afar, it just looked like a huge U shaped mansion. It was the dream school for every student and also the place where the wealthy young masters and mistresses studied.

Entering the gate, Ren Zexi could feel numerous eyes fall onto him and Huang Zhihe, mostly girls with their eyes shining curiously. "It's your fault." He muttered to Huang Zhihe with a sigh. "You're too eye-catching. Go a bit far away from me."

Huang Zhihe cackled and instead of moving away, he casually slung his arms around Ren Zexi instead, earning them a few squeals and surprised yelps nearby. "Look closely. Whose fault do you think it is? You're the one who's so famous, okay, Young Master Ren?"

Ren Zexi harrumphed and blatantly ignored Huang Zhihe after that.

This 170 cm tall, extroverted and masculinely handsome teenager could be considered Ren Zexi's one and only friend. They knew each other eight years ago through a dinner party that Lu Yizhou brought him to. That year, a huge project was going on between Lu Group and Huang Pharmaceutical Company and because the adults were busy with their own business, Ren Zexi and Huang Zhihe—who were coincidentally similar in age—were told to humor themselves. Thus, the two boys started to play together. Simply put, they found out that they were comfortable with each other and without them knowing, the friendship had lasted up until now.

Huang Zhihe was also the first and only person who discovered his feelings for Lu Yizhou. Sigh… Although that rascal looked laidback and sunny, he was actually very sharp and observant. Huang Zhihe was also the one who helped him to climb out of the mud of self blame and guilt.

When Ren Zexi first found out that his sexual orientation was different from normal and furthermore, the object of his immoral desires happened to be the very same person who had raised him, he suffered from quite a long period of depression and self denial.

If it hadn't been for Huang Zhihe, maybe he wouldn't have dared to acknowledge his feelings. So… the point was, even though he was annoying and loud, Huang Zhihe was a very good friend of his.

"Speaking of which," Huang Zhihe said. "Have you heard about the new system that is being implemented today?"

"What system?"

"This," He pointed toward the gold emblem in the shape of a wing that was chained to the button of his collar. "is finally going to be useful now. As you may know, our school is originally divided into Special Class and Normal Class. Special Class with gold emblem — that's people like you and me who are…" He cleared his throat and made a money gesture. "While Normal Class is for those who got in through scholarships. I heard that the principal is finally going to disband the classes so now, we are going to be mixed with Normal Class students." He gritted his teeth in annoyance. "That old man, he's doing everything so secretly that even my dad doesn't know about it! Now, everything is too late already! How about you? Do you hear something from CEO Lu?"

Ren Zexi's memory automatically drifted to the conversation he had with Lu Yizhou earlier.

So the talk about him not to feel inferior to other people was referring to this? Did that man think that Ren Zexi was going to be discouraged just because of a bunch of scholarship students? A thin smile formed on Ren Zexi's lips. What to do? How could Lu Yizhou be so adorable? He should have kissed that man earlier and not just bit his nose...

"Hello? Earth to Ren Zexi~" Huang Zhihe waved his hand in front of Ren Zexi's face. "What are you thinking about, smiling so foolishly like that? Be careful. Your fans might relinquish your title as their Melancholic Prince if they saw you like this."

Ren Zexi wiped the smile off his face and scoffed. "I never asked for that ridiculous title."

"Oh, come on." Huang Zhihe raised his brows up and down. "I've noticed earlier that you're in an exuberant mood. Did something happen between you and your dear CEO?"

Ren Zexi tried his best to suppress the blush from spreading across his cheeks yet he always failed when it came to Lu Yizhou. Yanking Huang Zhihe's neck down, he proceeded to whisper lengthily into the teenager's ears as they walked to their newly assigned classroom.

***

A sigh of relief escaped Jing Xuehao's lips when he entered the classroom and found a few familiar faces. This was the first time he stepped foot into S High's Special Class Building and it was nerve-wracking. Everywhere was inlaid with gold and jade, he felt as if he was entering the President's palace.

Along the way, he could feel gazes drifting to him. At first, girls would admire his face but when they looked down and saw no gold emblem on his chest, they looked away in an instant and shook their heads in pity. It made Jing Xuehao feel awful, as if his worth was measured only by a small emblem.

"Oh, it's our top student!" The second ranker in Normal Class — Guang Li — called out. "Here, here!" He whispered excitedly. "Did you get lost on your way here? Oh my God, it's so fucking luxurious. As expected of Special Class Building! See, they even had free water heaters and elevators!"

Jing Xuehao forced a smile to go along with him but inwardly, he was cursing Guang Li for being so embarrassing! Couldn't he see that the Special Class students were staring at them with a mocking look?

Jing Xuehao really wanted to pretend not to recognize this nerd bespectacled boy but he couldn't. Except for Guang Li, there were only a handful of Normal Class students whom he was acquainted with. Back then, he didn't even bother to approach them because he felt that it was beneath him to befriend those poor, timid and cowardly people.

But if he left Guang Li, then he would be totally surrounded by Special Class students. Just imagining them staring a hole through him like he was a monkey in a circus was enough to make Jing Xuehao's skin crawl.

Guang Li pumped his fists excitedly. "The Principal is so kind to let us mix into the Special Class. Discrimination is an awful thing and the new system is very good, I like it very much. I hope that I can get along with all of them but it seems like our presence isn't that welcomed, right, Jing Xuehao?"

"Yeah…" The corner of Jing Xuehao's mouth twitched. Could Guang Li just shut his mouth up?! Why couldn't he understand? If Jing Xuehao was a Special Class student himself, he also wouldn't be willing to mingle with the beggars from Normal Class!

Guang Li sighed, took off his glasses and wiped it with the hem of his shirt. "It's such a pity. Seems like we have to work hard if we want to fit in—"

A faint commotion was heard from the door and almost all the girls — even the boys — stood up in anticipation. "It's Young Master Ren! He came together with Young Master Huang?! Oh my Lord, thank you for your blessing for our awful first day!"

"Young Master Ren has come? Together with Young Master Huang too?!"

Young Master Ren and Young Master Huang — these two names were mentioned again and again in every sentence. Jing Xuehao craned his neck to look. Was it not only some rich young masters? Why such a ruckus?

"Young Master Ren? Young Master Huang? Who are they?" Guang Li asked out loud. Similarly, every single Normal Class student also sported the same confused yet intrigued look.

"Hmph, of course, with your status, you wouldn't have known them." An overly excited girl who sat near Guang Li heard his question and turned around, flicking her hair arrogantly in answer. "You will recognize them in a glance, they're our S High's Melancholic Prince and Sun Emperor afterall! Well, just know that they're the kind of people you guys will never be."

Melancholic Prince? Sun Emperor? What kind of ridiculous title was it? Jing Xuehao almost laughed when he heard it but the laughter stuck in his throat the moment his sight landed on the two people who had just entered.

They strode in casually, totally disregarding the ruckus they had created and focused on talking with each other. With only their presence, it was as if the air became totally different. Jing Xuehao could feel the excitement in the air and he finally knew the reason why.

Even with the same ordinary school uniform, the two managed to pull it off like it was specially tailored just for them. Furthermore, they were surrounded by an air that subconsciously drew people to them. Especially the shorter one with dark hair that looked fluffy, there was a kind of elegance in his movement that commanded presence. As soon as he was in the room, no one would be able to ignore him.

And his features… It was the first time Jing Xuehao had ever seen such a captivating teenager. His almond shaped eyes seemed to contain stars in them; bright yet also mysterious and haunting. His every gesture — even when he was glaring — was very beautiful. It was no wonder that the girls were crazy over him.

"Young Master Ren, Young Master Huang, good morning! How is your winter vacation?"

The taller one waved with a wide, refreshing smile. "It's very exciting. I spent my time traveling around Indonesia and the country was very beautiful as the food was delicious! As for your Young Master Ren…" He shook his head exasperatedly. "Don't bother, don't bother. He's busy working."

As soon as they sat down, everyone instantly swarmed around them.

"Cool! I also plan to visit Indonesia after midterm! Can Young Master Huang recommend some places to me?"

"Young Master Ren was helping his family's business? That's very admirable! My father always lectured me to learn from Young Master Ren. Hmph, he's talented in every way, there's no way for me to keep up!"

"You see, I've been wanting to buy this limited edition car for my birthday next month. What do you think? Or is it better to buy a new villa?"

"Young Master Huang…"

"Young Master Ren…"

Ren Zexi discreetly pinched Huang Zhihe's thigh under the table, making the man let out a surprise yelp.

"What's wrong, Young Master Huang?"

"No...nothing." Huang Zhihe laughed and shooed the crowd away. "The bell is going to ring soon. Go back to your seat, guys!" After the crowd dispersed, he turned to Ren Zexi, grimacing whilst rubbing his thigh. "Satisfied now? Can't you just tell me directly next time? Shouldn't you be in a better mood after being lovey dovey with your dear?"

"Shut up." Ren Zexi felt his face heat up again. He shouldn't have told Huang Zhihe so quickly. Now, he kept on being teased because of that! Sighing, he stuffed his ears with airpods and slumped down on the table, ignoring Huang Zhihe's complaints.

Far behind them, Jing Xuehao took in the whole scene, his feelings couldn't be described in one word.

Jealous, yes, he did. Afterall, he also grew up handsome and smart. Even the orphanage director said that he was destined to do big things in the future and he also believed he could do it.

There was no difference between him and those two young masters. No — he was more than them in every way; more hardworking, more talented, humble and eager to learn. The only thing he didn't have was… status. Never had he felt so mindful of being an orphan before. Not until he saw the discrepancy it cost him.

Jing Xuehao clenched his fists. Someday…he swore he would get to a higher level compared to everyone here! When that day came, he could finally look down on them with the same eyes they were giving him now.

He swore on his life!