Chapter 18: The Art of Easing Relations

Only Yi Zhen and Ming Yang remained in the dormitory; Zhen Lin claimed it was Da Hei who made the commotion. Though there was some basis, it was scant. Ming Yang easily pinpointed a few sources, yet merely stared strangely toward Yi Zhen's direction without uttering a word.

He did not know why he was so certain; perhaps it was because he had been observing silently all along, even noticing Yi Zhen's slight tremors. However, his main concern lay elsewhere, so there was nothing worth exposing unless they truly decided to sever ties completely. This was leverage, which could also become a fuse; it all depended on how one weighed the choices.

Nevertheless, even without speaking, the smell was indeed hard to describe. He quickly took out floral water from his backpack and sprayed incessantly, hoping to mask the odor so he would not have to remain in such dire straits, where breathing became difficult.

Yi Zhen's treatment was still ongoing; his phone had been switched off and tossed aside to continue charging. Unlike them, he was positioned right in the center, so the smell shot straight into his nostrils. Fortunately, his breath-holding skills were decent, so he should be able to hold out a bit longer. As long as he could stand up, he would ignore the unfinished treatment and rush to wash immediately. The smell was simply too pungent; it was unbearable!

Suddenly, he moved his hands and shifted his feet, finding no problems. He immediately supported himself and headed for the shower room. Although the fatigue in his body still required a few seconds to fade, there was no point in delaying further. He was nearly holding his breath; if he got nauseous, he would have to go to the toilet to vomit. In the future, using this thing would require remembering certain details. Right now, it could be called a minor social death.

"Ugh~ Zhen Lin, come back! Help me collect the clothes."

Yi Zhen acted with military speed, immediately retching before the pit. Once he had nothing left to vomit, he called out to Zhen Lin, who had run next door to demand justice. Ming Yang was hopeless, sitting on the bed like an idiot, looking somewhat like a bullied little girl. Yi Zhen glanced over him without any intention of asking for help.

Unfortunately, this time Heaven seemed not to be on his side. He called out several times with no response, and since he had already turned on the shower head and soaked his entire body, he naturally could not come out.

Moreover, his white school uniform had been contaminated into black. Explaining this outside would be difficult. If he said he fell into a pit, it should have been yellow; how could it turn black and carry such a choking odor?

These clothes and pants were inevitably destined for destruction. He hoped the garbage-collecting uncle was doing well.

As for the beds and such, hmm... whose was that? Oh, it was Yun Hen's. This seemed a bit serious now, quite tricky. But before that, he needed to get these clothes changed first.

"Zhen Lin, Zhen Lin!"

Yi Zhen's voice drowned out the water, transmitting directly through the ventilation opening above, successfully letting the person over there hear the words.

"Zhen Lin is not here!"

A shout with a slightly childish tone came through. If one listened carefully, one could realize the speaker was also using a shower head. It was night, so taking a shower was perfectly normal.

"Who are you? Da Hei?"

Yi Zhen made a simple judgment from the voice. Just now, he had heard Zhen Lin complain about going to cause trouble. Well, it was indeed just empty talk. He had not misjudged him; the big brother next door had two. If they were not there, he might have dared to break in and demand justice. But when they were present, he became more cowardly than anyone else.

Of course, Yi Zhen did not believe in such things. In school, if you are a dragon, you must coil; if you are a tiger, you must lie down. Unless you are a school leader, do not expect to stir up any waves. On this point, he was very supportive.

He never had any thought of currying favor with big brothers.

After all, they could just throw you in jail. Playing the triad gangster act? It was quite amusing for entertaining people.

"Yes, Yi Zhen, what's wrong? Why keep calling Zhen Lin? Did he teach you some bad tricks again? Tsk, listen to me, do not believe his words. That fellow has more schemes than anyone else. The waters here are deep. Actually, I would prefer you to come to our dormitory. After all, we are honest and have integrity. This is the first element for making friends."

Da Hei heard Yi Zhen's voice and only responded after Yi Zhen had called many times. Seeing his anxious and urgent appearance, it was obvious something was wrong. As someone he found agreeable, if he could help, he should help.

"Nothing, continue washing. My matter is resolved."

Just as Yi Zhen was about to ask Da Hei for help with his hands, a piece of clothing was thrust in from the space above on a clothes pole, accompanied by Ming Yang's faint voice. He clearly tried to imitate Zhen Lin's voice but could not produce such volume. It was as strange as could be; one could tell immediately who he was.

After all, Ming Yang was not a professional. Imitating voices was his first time; failing to get it right was perfectly normal. They say practice makes perfect, but how can one operate skillfully with something one has never encountered?

"Your clothes!"

"Thanks! Ming Yang!"

After ending his conversation with Da Hei, Yi Zhen simply took the clothes Ming Yang sent and gave a gentle push, knowing they should be retracted.

"N-no need to thank me."

Ming Yang instantly transformed from a chatterbox into a taciturn person. If not for that special situation earlier, who would have known he had this side?

"Hehe!"

Yi Zhen smiled knowingly. Their small conflict should be considered half resolved. As for the other half, it was obviously with Zhen Lin, having little connection to Yi Zhen.

"Good, since it is resolved, I will continue washing. Oh right, I secretly brought some alcohol back today. Do you want to have a sip?"

Da Hei over there seemed to be delayed by something and only now replied to Yi Zhen. But once he opened his mouth, it seemed a bit explosive. Alcohol! This was a prohibited item. Who would have thought it was secretly brought in? If a dorm inspection happened, it would be very dangerous.

"No, no. You guys enjoy drinking yourselves. I am very tired today. If there is a chance later, we will definitely drink until we are drunk!"

Yi Zhen decisively chose to refuse, while also accepting the pants delivered by Ming Yang. Now only a pair of shorts remained. If he scrubbed a bit more, he should be considered reborn. He did not know if he would look radiant, but at least the oil on his face had been removed quite a bit. Fortunately, the toilet had body wash and such things, saving a lot of trouble.

As for drinking in the dormitory, one still needed to be careful. He always abided by school rules and regulations, so he naturally would not choose to break them, unless the supervisor was wrong, in which case he should tell him what the correct principle was.

"Alright, then next time. Talk later; they are urging me."

Da Hei simply made a brief response. As for familiarity, naturally, those in the same dormitory were more familiar. Inviting Yi Zhen was merely out of the relationship of being classmates, and getting along was quite pleasant. Small jokes could be made, and naturally, no harm would come to family members, so the other person would not lose their temper at you for no reason.

"Hmm!"

While speaking, the last pair of shorts he had been longing for was delivered. However, before that, a Mao Jin was also needed.

"Ming Yang, there is also a Mao Jin!"

After reminding him, Yi Zhen placed the shorts together with the clean clothes from before.

Most of the black grime on his body had been cleaned. It was estimated that about three more minutes would be enough to rinse it clean. If he had a Mao Jin and other washing tools, the speed could be faster, saving him from the peeling skin caused by soaking too long.

His skin was somewhat sensitive yet prone to oiliness. One could not say it was sensitive skin or oily skin. It was certainly not dry skin, nor could it possibly be neutral skin. It was truly a headache-inducing problem.

"Done."

This time, Ming Yang's movements were obviously much faster. After finishing these tasks, he naturally left. The shower room did not lack other things, so there was nothing to worry about too much. As for this relationship, it should be considered eased...