Big Shot Ch.101.1

Chapter 101.1: Group Practice

The moment the door opened, Shen Xiu was caught completely off guard by the sight of someone he really didn’t want to see. He was already startled, and before he could even catch his breath, the other person threw a line at him, straight to the face.

Shen Xiu’s mind went blank. He only caught the last word — “back” — and instinctively responded, “Mm.”

‘Wait, did he just… respond like that?’

Ling Yuanzhen never expected Shen Xiu to just acknowledge it so directly. He was stunned speechless, frozen in place, staring at Shen Xiu.

In Shen Xiu’s mind, the sarcastic jab “big celebrity” held absolutely no sting? Or… did Shen Xiu actually think he deserved to be called that, and that’s why he answered so calmly?

Thinking about Shen Xiu’s popularity in the entertainment circle over the summer, Ling Yuanzhen’s expression turned sour.

Just one second after replying, Shen Xiu’s brain finally caught up and processed exactly what Ling Yuanzhen had said.

“……”

Big celebrity?

Oh god, that response made him sound so shameless!

Why wasn’t Ling Yuanzhen saying anything? Was he shocked by Shen Xiu’s shamelessness too?

That had to be it. Having found a logical reason for Ling Yuanzhen’s silence, Shen Xiu had even less desire to face him — but Ling Yuanzhen was blocking the doorway and wouldn’t move. The dorm room door was only so wide, and if the other person didn’t step aside, he couldn’t get through.

After staring each other down for more than ten seconds, Shen Xiu finally lowered his eyes to look at his roommate and spoke:

“Move.”

Ling Yuanzhen: “……”

That downward glance, like he was looking at someone beneath him… that expression so smug and aloof… and that chilly tone — was that a warning? Was he saying that if Ling Yuanzhen didn’t move, he was going to get beaten up?

Ling Yuanzhen really didn’t want to admit it, but he knew deep down — Shen Xiu was taller, and he looked stronger. The school had rules against fighting, sure, but if the door was shut and a fight broke out, with no witnesses… he’d definitely be the one getting beaten.

Regaining his composure, Ling Yuanzhen no longer had the impulsive courage — stirred by the heat of the moment — to keep mocking Shen Xiu. Under Shen Xiu’s icy gaze, he begrudgingly stepped aside.

Shen Xiu let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Ling Yuanzhen didn’t like him, and he didn’t like Ling Yuanzhen either. There was nothing worth saying between them. All Shen Xiu wanted was to pack up his stuff and leave.

But Ling Yuanzhen had moved aside too quickly and didn’t notice the door behind him. He bumped into it and then stumbled toward Shen Xiu, who happened to be walking past at that exact moment.

With only one thought in mind — make this quick — Shen Xiu had naturally quickened his pace as he passed Ling Yuanzhen.

He hadn’t expected Ling Yuanzhen to suddenly fall toward him, and in that split second, he had no time to stop. The two of them collided head-on.

Ling Yuanzhen had first hit the door, and then, as he stumbled toward Shen Xiu, Shen Xiu’s shoulder rammed into him hard.

“Hiss…”

Grimacing, Ling Yuanzhen reached out to steady himself on a chair to avoid falling to the ground in a mess.

Pain radiated from his shoulder, and he let out a cry, thinking darkly — ‘Just as I thought, Shen Xiu really is trying to beat me up!’

Seriously, what kind of normal person walks in a way that sends someone flying?

He’d bet anything — if Shen Xiu didn’t do that on purpose, he’d write his name backward!

Tch. And to think the rest of the class kept saying Shen Xiu was calm and magnanimous. He really thought Shen Xiu was that generous — turns out he was just pretending.

All he did was talk a little smack online. And it’s not like he lied — and yet Shen Xiu’s still holding a grudge?

“……”

Shen Xiu was completely bewildered — he was just walking past, and somehow Ling Yuanzhen managed to throw himself into him like it was staged. He genuinely didn’t get it.

‘Do you hate me that much?’

Shen Xiu glanced at Ling Yuanzhen, his brow furrowing unconsciously — and it furrowed even more after stepping into the dorm and catching the unmistakable smell of alcohol in the air.

Ling Yuanzhen raised his head, cursing inwardly — only to see Shen Xiu frowning down at him. His heart skipped a beat. He instinctively backed up two steps, and the string of curses in his mind abruptly came to a halt.

Afraid of getting hit, Ling Yuanzhen reluctantly explained, “Sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose!”

Shen Xiu had been burned by Ling Yuanzhen’s words before. Now, he didn’t trust a single syllable he said — not even a punctuation mark. He didn’t bother replying and walked right past him toward the innermost bed by the wall.

Still, hearing that apology only confirmed Shen Xiu’s suspicion that Ling Yuanzhen had just tried to fake a fall. And yet, after already making a scene, he suddenly had a change of heart and apologized? Shen Xiu couldn’t quite understand what had prompted that.

But he had developed a psychological wariness toward Ling Yuanzhen. To avoid getting dragged into another staged “accident,” he made a deliberate detour around the chair Ling Yuanzhen was holding onto, giving it a wide berth before walking in a straight line again.

“……”

In that moment, Ling Yuanzhen felt Shen Xiu’s disgust for him loud and clear. That obvious sidestep was the clearest evidence!

As he thought — out of the four people in this dorm, Shen Xiu looked down on him the most.

Otherwise, why was he always left out whenever Shen Xiu helped the others with homework? It was deliberate exclusion, plain and simple!

Watching Shen Xiu pack, Ling Yuanzhen grew increasingly bitter. Remembering the shoulder slam from earlier — and fearing that if he mouthed off again, Shen Xiu really would shut the door and beat him up — he had no choice but to swallow his irritation and sit down quietly, not daring to say another word.

Shen Xiu pulled a black suitcase out from under the desk, laid it flat on the ground, and unzipped it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Ling Yuanzhen put on his headphones, take a hard swig of beer from the desk, and immediately start ranting at his online teammates.

“……”

Shen Xiu never understood people who constantly opened their mouths just to insult others’ parents. He was suddenly thankful that he rarely spent time in the dorm, usually only coming back to sleep. The other two roommates had to endure that noise every day — poor guys.

Shen Xiu didn’t have much stuff in the dorm. When he temporarily stayed with the Youth Unstoppable crew, he had already taken one suitcase with him. The remaining items in the dorm quickly fit into two more suitcases.

As for the old mattress, quilt, and bedsheets he’d used before — Shen Xiu had already bought new ones. He rolled the old ones up and carried them down to the school’s used goods disposal bin.

Back in the dorm, when Ling Yuanzhen saw that Shen Xiu had gone out, his gaze instinctively fell on the two suitcases Shen Xiu had left behind.

He wanted to go over and peek inside but was afraid Shen Xiu might come back suddenly, so instead, he picked up his phone and snapped a photo of Shen Xiu’s luggage.

When Shen Xiu returned, the other two roommates were still out. He didn’t feel the need to say goodbye to Ling Yuanzhen, so he simply grabbed his suitcases and left.

Downstairs, Shen Xiu let go of his luggage handle and pulled out his phone, staring at the screen with hesitation.

Because the dorm shared utility expenses, the four of them had a group chat.

But Shen Xiu really didn’t want to say goodbye to Ling Yuanzhen. After hesitating for a few seconds, he decided to go with his gut — he didn’t post anything in the group chat. Instead, he privately messaged the other two roommates to let them know he had moved out.

After the private messages were sent, Shen Xiu felt a slight twinge of guilt at how petty he was being. With a trace of warmth still lingering on his cheeks, he put his phone away and wheeled his luggage out of the dorm building.

Upstairs in the dorm.

Completely and utterly ignored by Shen Xiu, Ling Yuanzhen grew even more resentful. When his eyes caught Shen Xiu’s fading silhouette in the distance, he immediately yanked off his headphones and perked up his ears to listen for sounds in the hallway.

Only when the sound of the suitcase wheels rolling across the floor had completely faded did Ling Yuanzhen slam his hand down on the desk and curse out loud:

“Tch. Acting all high and mighty just ’cause he’s got money? Think you’re better than everyone else, huh?!”

After venting, he picked up his phone, created a new group chat with the other two roommates — deliberately leaving Shen Xiu out — and sent the photo of Shen Xiu’s suitcases into the group.

Then, Ling Yuanzhen spoke in the new group chat with a sarcastic tone.

Don’t Bully the Poor Youth: Tsk tsk tsk, did you guys see? Our big-shot celebrity looks down on us — didn’t even bother saying goodbye when he left~

Heart Like Still Water: ?

The Teen Who Loves Spicy Snacks: ?

Heart Like Still Water: You’re nuts [screenshot]

The Teen Who Loves Spicy Snacks: If you’re sick, remember to take your meds [screenshot]

Heart Like Still Water: Next time, don’t drag me into these ridiculous group chats.

The Teen Who Loves Spicy Snacks: Always isolating Shen Xiu and starting new group chats — how many dorm chats do we even have now? Ling Yuanzhen, don’t you get tired of this? It’s been ages, has Shen Xiu ever acknowledged you? Quit acting like some ridiculous clown, OK?

Heart Like Still Water: Shen Xiu’s more talented and hardworking than you. He’s only going to get better, while you’ll be stuck as a gutter rat for life.

The Teen Who Loves Spicy Snacks and Heart Like Still Water have left the group chat.

Ling Yuanzhen: “……”

In the screenshots those two had sent, it was clear Shen Xiu had privately messaged them to say goodbye and let them know he’d moved out of the dorm.

“Bah, suck-ups!”

Ling Yuanzhen spat in frustration.

‘See? I knew it — Shen Xiu totally looks down on me!’

They were all roommates, and Shen Xiu had said goodbye to everyone else except him. What else could that mean if not contempt?

Cursing under his breath with a darkened expression, Ling Yuanzhen grew even more agitated.

Getting kicked out of his house had already put him on edge. Then moving into the dorm and running into Shen Xiu — only to be met with a cold shoulder and obvious disdain — it was just one thing after another not going his way!

Ling Yuanzhen wanted to submit another post, but the last time he did, a bunch of crazy fans tracked him down and cursed him out. So this time, he forced himself to hold back.

Instead, he turned to an anonymous confessions board and posted to the Spill the Tea bot, complaining that his rich roommate looked down on him and was leading others to isolate him.

As soon as the anonymous post went live, it garnered countless condemnations directed at Ling Yuanzhen’s roommate.

Seeing all the sympathetic comments aimed at him, a smile crept back onto Ling Yuanzhen’s face.

—

After a long and exhausting walk to cool off, Shen Xiu had already pushed the unimportant, former roommate Ling Yuanzhen to the back of his mind by the time he got home.

He unpacked the books and belongings he’d brought back from the dorm, then remembered the music and choreography video Shi Buwen had sent the night before. He typed a message in the group chat.

[Group Chat]

Shen Xiu: Has everyone gone through the files sent last night? When are you all free to meet and run through the parts together?

Although Shi Buwen had said they should just review the material for now and wait for his notice, Shen Xiu was used to preparing in advance once he had something in hand. That way, if anything unexpected happened later, he wouldn’t be caught off guard.

[Group Chat]

Xiang Yueting: I’ve wrapped up my stuff and am free anytime. Has a location been decided yet? If not, I sincerely invite everyone to my dance studio~

Shang Yu: Flying back this afternoon. Free in the days after — anytime works for me.

Song Chengwang: +1

Zhuang Yi: My schedule’s also open. Since Old Xiang is so sincere, I’m in.

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