E-Scum Gong Chapter 29
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
Chapter 29
"Deskmate, you're early today," Yue Shan remarked with a smile as she walked alongside him.
Lin Xu nodded politely. "So are you."
Then, an awkward silence followed.
Yue Shan sometimes didn't understand whether they were considered close or not. They had been deskmates for a long time, and although they didn't talk much normally, sometimes Lin Xu would explain problems to her diligently.
According to logic, they should at least be considered good friends. But every time they met and spoke, there was a strange sense of unfamiliarity and distance.
Once they arrived at the library, Lin Xu found an empty seat in the reading area, placed his bag down, and sat. Yue Shan, standing beside him, decided to sit next to him, thinking it would facilitate better communication.
At this hour, the city library was relatively empty, with only a few students and some professionals — either brushing up on their skills or reading casually.
Lin Xu pulled out his textbooks from his bag and settled into his study routine. He had already reviewed all the knowledge systems, and now he was just doing repetitive exercises. It might seem unnecessary, but basic skills were developed during this process.
In addition, he had borrowed some books to expand his university knowledge, related to his field in his previous life, but not his major at that time. With this chance to start over, he intended to make the most of his time by learning more.
The library required silence. Facing Lin Xu who quickly entered his study mode, Yue Shan didn't know what to say for a while, so she lowered her head and began to review seriously as well.
Soon, more people trickled in, and students subconsciously chose seats in their section, though no one opted for the four-person table where Lin Xu was seated.
Everyone assumed the two might be a couple studying together. Since there were still plenty of empty seats, they wouldn't disturb them. They would just secretly glance at Lin Xu from time to time.
It was hard not to take a second look at a handsome peer.
Before long, a strikingly attractive big brother entered the area. Gu Jinzhi was still pretty groggy. He'd just been concentrating on driving and now his eyes were getting heavy. Looking at all those array of books on the shelves was making his head spin.
To avoid appearing out of place, he first borrowed a book and then casually strolled into a reading area with a nonchalant attitude.
Feeling he looked quite young that day, he had no qualms about sitting among the students. He planned to scrutinize the library for any suspicious characters once seated.
In a moment of glancing sideways, Gu Jinzhi’s gaze fell on the high school student not far away.
Given the photos and discussions from the group chat and the fact he had seen the boy up close just yesterday, it was hard not to recognize him. If he didn’t, it would be like having early onset dementia.
What a coincidence.
...Or perhaps not. It was perfectly normal for him to be here, while he had ulterior motives.
Seeing an empty seat, Gu Jinzhi casually sat down across from Lin Xu, pouting slightly as he opened a book and scanned the pages with a squint.
He seemed unconcerned about his elite image as a domineering CEO being compromised. After all, Gu Jinzhi didn’t believe the young man across from him would recognize him. He looked quite different today compared to yesterday, with his bangs hanging loose.
Lin Xu only glanced up briefly when Gu Jinzhi arrived, then returned to his book.
It wasn’t until he felt a slight vibration on the table that Lin Xu looked down and saw Gu Jinzhi’s propped leg persistently kicking up. After several moments of hesitation and internal struggle, he decided he could no longer ignore it.
He finally lifted his gaze and gently tapped on the table, murmuring, “Sir…”
Gu Jinzhi frowned and looked up at him. In that split second, he had already forgotten what he was just reading. Feeling frustrated, he was about to ask what the matter was, but then heard the person opposite him speak.
“Please correct your sitting posture.” Otherwise, it will affect their studies. He glanced at Gu Jinzhi’s propped-up leg again.
The address "Sir" made Gu Jinzhi pause, the familiarity of it registering in his mind. Meeting Lin Xu’s gaze, he realized the situation.
He had called him “Sir” yesterday when did him a favor, but today it was to expose his wrongdoing. It was rather embarrassing.
Gu Jinzhi’s finely crafted but somewhat sharp features turned red in an instant, his brows knitted together in mortification.
Since he had never been to a library before, he hadn't thought that much about it. He also usually had the habit of dangling his foot over his thigh. He hadn't thought that it would disturb others, let alone be pointed out by a young boy.
“Ah, sorry,” Gu Jinzhi immediately said, dropping his leg with a hint of embarrassment.
“Mm,” Lin Xu acknowledged the apology and turned his attention back to his studies.
Yet, Lin Xu couldn’t help but think to himself that the man, who had been so formally dressed in a suit yesterday, didn't seem to be here to study or cultivate his temperament. His behavior was distinctly different from those around him.
Gu Jinzhi kept a discreet eye on Lin Xu. Seeing that Lin Xu remained expressionless, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he hadn’t been recognized. Even though they were strangers and might not see each other again in the future, it would still be embarrassing.
But soon, Lin Xu’s suspicion proved correct.
Unable to focus on his book, Gu Jinzhi began scanning the area, searching for men who looked to be between 25 and 35 years old.
Why such a broad range? Gu Jinzhi suspected his boyfriend might be an older man. Usually, if someone didn't feel very attractive, they would reduce their age a bit to make themselves look better, just like him... After all, everyone knew that men over 25 could face a decline in that aspect, and the 1s were particularly concerned about this issue.
He narrowed down the possibilities based on body type and skin color, leaving only two potential candidates.
Gu Jinzhi thought the most likely candidate was a man wearing a checkered shirt and glasses — a typical IT guy.
The profession and office routine seemed to match. Since he wore glasses, Gu Jinzhi couldn’t see his face clearly but knew he was ordinary and somewhat generic, which aligned with his vague mental image. After several comparisons, Gu Jinzhi was almost certain that this man was his boyfriend.
Before approaching, Gu Jinzhi struggled internally. He felt no particular attraction to this man, who seemed rather ordinary.
He wouldn’t have given this type of man a second glance on the street.
Yet, thinking of Amour, a sense of joy welled up inside him. He liked the way his voice sounded, cool and clear, with a presence and sense of security that was comforting.
Adding these feelings to his perception of the ordinary man, Gu Jinzhi suddenly felt full of courage.
Perhaps, once they spoke, he would feel a different emotion.
After a few glances around, Gu Jinzhi finally walked over and tentatively asked, “Hello, I can’t reach that book. Could you help me?”
His tone was gentle, the result of mental preparation. After all, he couldn't deviate too much from the image of a male college student for his first impression.
The distance was short, with only one bookshelf right beside them, so Lin Xu couldn't help but overhear. He felt uncomfortable. Clearly, this gentleman didn't speak this way yesterday.
Of course, it was the other person's private matter, so Lin Xu could only try to ignore it.
“Huh?” The man looked at Gu Jinzhi, who wasn’t exactly short, and seemed puzzled.
“Ha-ha, just kidding.” Hearing his rough voice, Gu Jinzhi also immediately came to his senses, resumed his expressionless face, and sat back in his seat dejectedly.
That voice definitely wasn’t it. No matter how advanced a phone’s voice changer might be, it couldn’t turn a duck into a nightingale, right? Gu Jinzhi couldn't figure it out.
If that was the case, there were no suspicious characters left! Perhaps his boyfriend hadn’t come today after all.
Gu Jinzhi’s confidence took a hit. He had hoped for a successful encounter today, but since the person he approached wasn’t his boyfriend, he felt a pang of relief. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know whether to trust his heart or his eyes.
Exhausted and frustrated, Gu Jinzhi slumped over his desk and fell asleep, remaining dozed off until nearly noon, his lips shining slightly.
Both Yue Shan and Lin Xu glanced at him with curiosity. Lin Xu found it a bit amusing. It was the first time he had seen someone so weird, changing appearances every day.
He randomly went up to someone to chat them up and then came back dejectedly to sleep.
Shaking his head in amusement, Lin Xu returned to his studies. During this time, Yue Shan asked him a few questions. Out of politeness, Lin Xu wrote out the answers on paper instead of speaking softly, to avoid waking up the gentleman from his beautiful dream.
