The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 75

The process of resuming school went smoothly. Shen Jixue had been on a leave of absence for almost a year and was technically supposed to be held back. However, he insisted on re-enrolling in his current grade, not wanting to waste time and determined to catch up quickly.

After leaving the professor’s house, Shen Jixue muttered, “Since I can go back to school, there’s no need to give gifts to the teachers.”

It had cost quite a bit of money. The professor, a kind old man, had refused to accept the gift, but Chen Xian had insisted.

Chen Xian smiled, “I’m already considered not very worldly-wise, but you’re even more clueless than I am.”

It was understandable. Shen Jixue was young, from the countryside, still studying, and hadn’t experienced the harsh realities of society. Apart from instinctive self-protection, his thoughts were still very simple.

“At least they kept your student status for you, giving you the chance to continue your studies. Besides that, with so much coursework to catch up on, you’ll need to ask the teachers for help. More courtesy never hurts.”

“You’re always right.” Shen Jixue couldn’t argue, his expression visibly falling.

“Are you unhappy just because I said a few words? If money needs to be spent, then spend it. Don’t be so stingy. Be more generous with your classmates at school. If you use money wisely, it will return to you in various forms.”

Shen Jixue listened obediently. “I’m not unhappy.”

After having a simple meal outside, they returned to the inn. Even after washing up, Shen Jixue still seemed gloomy.

Chen Xian teased him, “You say you’re not unhappy, but you’re not smiling now. We should be grateful that the procedures for resuming school went smoothly.”

They had spent the entire morning at the school and the afternoon visiting the professor. By the time they finished eating, it was already dark. The inn’s window offered a view of countless lights from the surrounding buildings.

“Of course, I’m happy to go back to school, but I’ll be separated from you soon,” Shen Jixue said.

Chen Xian was momentarily taken aback. He had been so overjoyed about Shen Jixue returning to school that he had forgotten it meant they would be apart for a long time.

People can’t have it both ways.

“I can’t let you miss school,” Chen Xian said helplessly.

Shen Jixue knew Chen Xian wasn’t the type to say sweet things at times like this. He liked Chen Xian’s awkwardness but also disliked it because he wasn’t good at comforting people.

“We’re together,” Shen Jixue emphasized. “You can’t just think we’ve broken up once I leave. If someone shows interest in you, you shouldn’t get confused, lose your head, and change your mind.”

It was the first time Chen Xian had heard someone describe him with these words. He sighed, “I’ve told you, I’m not some hot commodity. You’re the only one interested in me.”

Shen Jixue grew increasingly frustrated. “I don’t want to hear you belittling yourself!”

Chen Xian was puzzled, “Then what do you want to hear?”

“You should tell me that even if a fairy showed interest in you, you’d never change your heart. You only have feelings for me, you love me, and I’m the only one for you!” Shen Jixue said in one breath, slightly out of breath.

Chen Xian stared at him, a smile gradually appearing on his face. He held Shen Jixue’s hand and gently patted it, repeating, “Even if a fairy showed interest in me, I’d never change my heart. I only have feelings for you, I love you, and you’re the only one for you.”

Shen Jixue, who had been a bit angry, suddenly felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. His anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a warm flush on his face, feeling like steam was rising from his head.

Why didn’t Chen Xian argue back? Wasn’t he supposed to be shy? How could he say this so easily?

Chen Xian pulled Shen Jixue to sit beside him, “I still have to follow the ship. I can’t stay home doing nothing. Our route passes through this city. I’ll visit you whenever we dock, at least once a month. You’ll have your phone with you, and you can call me anytime. How about that, Ah Xue?”

In the past, Chen Xian always called him “Xiao Shen.” Although Shen Jixue never said it, he didn’t like the nickname. “Xiao Shen” felt distant, like “Xiao Zhang,” “Xiao Wang,” “Xiao Liu,” or “Xiao Li,” any younger person. It wasn’t special, making him feel replaceable. But “Ah Xue” felt different, intimate and inseparable.

Shen Jixue clung to Chen Xian, hugging him tightly, wanting to merge with him.

“Are you satisfied with my answer?” Chen Xian asked.

Shen Jixue not only refused to get up but also put all his weight on Chen Xian, mumbling, “I’m somewhat satisfied.”

Chen Xian didn’t reject him, lying down on the sofa with him, letting Shen Jixue hug him as long as he wanted. Chen Xian realized that young people like Shen Jixue needed to express their love openly and frequently, not just occasionally, to ensure their partner knew and remembered their love, making it a reflex, an instinct.

This inn had quite good conditions: a private bathroom, a TV, and even soft yellow lighting. After a short while, the day’s fatigue gradually faded away.

Shen Jixue lay on Chen Xian’s chest, quietly listening to his heartbeat. His gaze swept around the room and finally landed on the small bar next to the TV cabinet.

On the bar, besides snacks and drinks, there were also two small blue boxes. While Chen Xian was showering, Shen Jixue had wandered around the room out of curiosity and picked one up to look at. It said “condom.”

Neither he nor Chen Xian were women, but ever since he saw that thing, Shen Jixue felt an itch of curiosity. He had never seen a condom, nor used one before. Was it for men or women? He wanted to try it.

Shen Jixue moved on Chen Xian’s body, quickly kissing Chen Xian’s neck. Like a little puppy, he kissed and licked Chen Xian’s neck, and soon both of their breaths were ragged.

When Shen Jixue kissed from Chen Xian’s Adam’s apple to his lips, their kisses became intense and lingering. Shen Jixue took a moment to catch his breath and pointed at the thing on the bar.

“Chen Xian, how do you use a condom?”

In the inn, condoms were everywhere, and Chen Xian assumed Shen Jixue wouldn’t be curious about them. He hadn’t expected Shen Jixue to ask so openly.

“Haven’t you used one before?” Shen Jixue asked, getting off Chen Xian and walking to the bar to grab a condom before returning.

Chen Xian scratched his head, “Why are you so curious about everything?”

Not answering directly meant he had used them before. Shen Jixue pressed on, “You can teach me, right?”

Shen Jixue’s tone of inquiry was as if discussing something mundane. Just as Chen Xian was about to stop him, Shen Jixue had already torn open the packaging.

“Teach me.” he sat down beside Chen Xian, leaning half his body against him.

The intense body heat almost scorched Chen Xian. He hugged Shen Jixue, explaining in a low voice how to use it. Shen Jixue, usually clever, was clumsy at this moment, so Chen Xian had to lend a hand.

After finally putting it on, Chen Xian wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead. Shen Jixue turned to hug him, “I’ve never used this thing before.”

Shen Jixue was being coquettish. Chen Xian groaned inwardly but resigned to help Shen Jixue. However, Shen Jixue refused, pressing him onto the sofa instead.

Young and full of energy, Shen Jixue kept pestering Chen Xian, asking if he was doing it right, if it was like this. Chen Xian, dizzy, still had to muster the energy to answer Shen Jixue’s questions.

“Tomorrow, you have to go back. I’ll miss you so much.”

Shen Jixue said he would miss him a few times, and Chen Xian had to comfort him in return. It was exhausting.

The two boxes of condoms on the bar were both opened because Shen Jixue kept saying he wasn’t sure and asked Chen Xian to teach him again.

When they checked out the next day at noon, the front desk asked them to pay an extra fee, “You need to pay an additional 120.”

“What?” Shen Jixue was shocked. “Isn’t the price clearly marked on the wall? This is a scam,” he said, blocking Chen Xian.

Chen Xian smiled awkwardly at the receptionist and was about to pay when the receptionist, a fiery-tempered young woman, couldn’t bear Shen Jixue’s accusation.

“You used two boxes of condoms and still want to deny it!”

Just then, a guest came to check in. Chen Xian quickly paid, apologized, and pulled Shen Jixue out in a hurry.

“Those things cost money, you know. You thought they were free?” Chen Xian, half laughing, half frustrated, had to explain to Shen Jixue.

Shen Jixue paused. He hadn’t encountered this situation before, stammering, “Even if they cost money… that’s too expensive… Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you? You tore them open so fast, how could I have had the time?” And since Shen Jixue was curious, he let him do it.

Spending over a hundred and twenty wasn’t just about the money; it was also embarrassing. Chen Xian’s face was burning, but seeing Shen Jixue’s even more embarrassed expression, he felt it was worth it. It was rare to see this kid so embarrassed.

“Lesson learned.” he pinched Shen Jixue’s cheek. “See if you dare touch the inn’s stuff again.”

Shen Jixue touched the place Chen Xian had pinched, “Next time, let’s not stay in an inn. It’s like being robbed.”

“Let’s go, I’ll take you back to school.”

After dropping Shen Jixue off at school, Chen Xian had to leave. Just a moment ago, Shen Jixue was still fuming about the extra cost, but now he lost all his energy.

Chen Xian took the initiative to hold his hand, joking, “How about you quit school and come back with me?”

“No way.” Shen Jixue held Chen Xian’s hand tightly, “Wait for me.”

He couldn’t bear to be away from Chen Xian, but he had to study.

This was the Shen Jixue he knew. Chen Xian stroked the back of Shen Jixue’s hand and firmly responded, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Author’s Note:

Shen Jixue: Why are condoms so expensive?