This intimate gesture done by the Zhou Kai in such a casual way to another person would have already been sensational let alone doing it to Xie Yang, the one he very famously hates? Everyone in the class was stunned stupid.
Where are we? What's going on? Is this really the same world or did we astral travel in our sleep and woke up in a parallel world?
With their heads empty from the shock, they started thinking about all sorts of weird things.
Strictly speaking, you really couldn't blame their extreme reaction. Most of them had known Zhou Kai and Xie Yang since middle school and some had even known them since elementary school.
Their rivalry or I guess, Zhou Kai's one-sided hatred for Xie Yang (who was usually indifferent btw) was something they had personally witnessed growing up. Petty fights, low-level bullying, rumors, they'd seen it all.
Never in their years of acquaintance or friendship had they ever seen them have any conversation beyond need. It was always Zhou Kai picking on Xie Yang who dismissed his actions or paid just the right amount of attention, he needed as the class monitor/Student Council President.
Now suddenly seeing Zhou Kai care for Xie Yang, besides their astonishment they all collectively had a sinking feeling of a weasel wishing the chicken "Happy New Year".
It just didn't sit right with them. What kind of new game was Zhou Kai playing? Gain Pres's trust then betray him? Lead him astray?
Sun Shirong couldn't stop himself from intervening, he quickly dragged Xie Yang away by one of his hands to the surprise of both him and Zhou Kai. He glared at Zhou Kai in warning to not try anything.
Xie Yang stumbled into Sun Shirong's embrace, his hands on his shoulders to steady himself. The place where his hands touched felt as if numerous insects were crawling on him. Xie Yang's previously tired mind instantly became alert as he tried to create distance between them.
Sun Shirong felt Xie Yang's rather strong shove and almost stumbled back himself. He couldn't help cursing in admiration, 'Damn, the gentle-looking Pres is surprisingly strong!'
Despite getting out of the half embrace, Xie Yang still felt the sensation of bugs crawling on his skin making him rub the area to get rid of the feeling. His eyes darted around the room, feeling the stares of everyone in the room accurately. It felt as if he was standing naked in front of them. He felt cold sweat drench his back.
His blood rushed to his brain as he tried to locate an exit. His vision was blurry and trembling, he could tell that Sun Shirong was saying something but all he heard in his ears was ringing which seemed to be growing louder by the second. His lungs felt full of water, making every breath agonizing.
Every muscle in his body, taut like a bowstring stretched to its absolute potential. Tongue-tied, His focus was completely on how to get out of the crowded place followed by how to get rid of the disgusting feeling on his body and to stop the ringing in his ears.
Sun Shirong saw Xie Yang's face turn pale and his breathing labored as his eyes looked around the room confused. His hands kept rubbing the areas he had touched, almost rubbing them red.
He called out to Xie Yang, expressing concern that he either couldn't hear or ignored and tried to grab his hands to stop him only for his hand to get slapped away by Zhou Kai, who glared at him as if daring him to try and touch to find out the consequences.
The previously confident, Sun Shirong felt a chill down his spine and backed off with his hands up in a surrender gesture.
'I'm sorry Pres! I promise to give you a grand funeral!'
Xie Yang suddenly found himself wrapped in the familiar warmth. He turned his head back to see Zhou Kai's enlarged face, full of concern.
The bowstring snapped, relaxing the bow. Xie Yang gasped, feeling the air rush into his lungs finally allowing him to breathe. The loud ringing in his ears cleared, and he heard the noisy classroom, full of concerns for him.
His hazy vision took some time to recover but when it came to be, he saw the worried looks on his classmates and not the disgust-filled expression, he feared. Xie Yang's knees buckled, if not for Kai he would have directly knelt on the ground.
It felt as if a long time had passed but it had only been a few minutes. The classmates didn't understand what happened in the span of a few minutes to turn the tired but alright Xie Yang, so deathly pale and ill.
Zhou Kai being in close contact with his beloved felt the changes in his body more precisely than anyone else. He picked up his sweetheart and went straight to the infirmary, ignoring the looks and questions of the other students.
In Zhou Kai's mind, his concern for his beloved overtook his rational side. He covered the original ten-minute walking distance in just a few minutes, kicking open the door and startling the nurse.
Before the nurse could scold Zhou Kai, she saw the obviously unwell Xie Yang in his arms and immediately escorted him to a bed while calling over the doctor who was just about to have lunch.
The doctor mentally grumbling promptly turned serious upon Xie Yang's condition.
Zhou Kai tried to lay his sweetheart down but he refused to let go. No amount of coaxing or trying to pry open his hands worked.
The doctor seeing Xie Yang's unwillingness to let go of him told Zhou Kai to sit down instead so that he could perform a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Zhou Kai obliged and let the doctor check up on Xie Yang but they ran into another problem.
The trembling Xie Yang wouldn't respond to any questions or cooperate with the doctor to check his heart rate and blood pressure. They didn't dare apply force for fear of further triggering him.
Since Xie Yang was glued to Zhou Kai, the doctor instructed Zhou Kai to try and calm him down.
Zhou Kai tried to calm his frightened beloved by rubbing his back and gently whispering affirmations in his ears which seemed to work as he stopped trembling but he still refused to cooperate with the doctor.
Zhou Kai had an epiphany and gently coaxed his sweetheart by telling him that no one would touch him without his consent while eyeing the doctor. The doctor took the hint and backed up with his hands raised, promising the same.
This gesture managed to get Xie Yang's attention and he turned to look at the doctor as if trying to decide whether to believe him or not.
The doctor maintained his stance for a few seconds before approaching Xie Yang while carefully watching his expression.
Zhou Kai also held his breath, his focus completely on Xie Yang. He held Xie Yang's free hand to both reassure him and prevent him from trying to retaliate.